Chapter Text
The protest lasted well into the evening. Just as Mòrag was resigning herself to a very long night, though, the crowds started to disperse. She pulled out her phone again, hurriedly typing out another message to Niall. ‘Protesters are breaking up. What’s going on??’
‘You’ve been reinstated,’ came the reply, ‘with a promise to discuss equal marriage proposals and an elected Alba Cavanich council. The council aren’t happy, but they knew that any less would mean they wouldn’t get the protestors to go away.’
‘I’m on my way home,’ she sent back, then showed her phone to Brighid to pass on the good news. She saw a smile spread over Brighid’s face, and she couldn’t keep herself from smiling either. They’d done this, and they’d won.
Somehow, though, it didn't really feel like a victory. This wasn’t how she’d wanted it to go. People had rebelled against authority for her sake, and she’d sat on a bench. She’d had no say in what actually happened. Things had gone too far for her liking and she couldn’t go back and say she’d made a mistake. She didn't see what she could have done to make this go better, but she still felt bad.
“You’re smiling, but you don’t look as happy as I expected.” Of course, Brighid could tell immediately that something was wrong. “What is it?”
“I...don’t feel like I did as much as I wanted to,” she said, shrugging. “Everyone else did it for me, and I sat on a bench hiding from people trying to arrest me. It’s silly, I know…”
“We’re not really hiding,” Brighid said gently. “If anyone had actually wanted to arrest you, they could have done it several times over. It wouldn’t have been difficult and you know you wouldn’t have been arrested. You just didn't want to get involved in case it made things worse. You did what you could, Mòrag.”
“I suppose.” She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “You’re right. This is fine. I still think that things have perhaps gone a little too far, but that can be amended. I can talk to the council, even if they definitely don’t like me much now.”
“They didn't like you before,” she said. “They’ve never liked you. You represented everything they disliked, and now you represent it even more, and you’ve undermined their power by your actions. But even then, they brought it on themselves, and I’m sure they’re not stupid enough to deny that.”
“You know, I am rather looking forwards to being extra vindictive towards the council now.” That brought a proper smile to her lips. The thought of deeply offending some old men who disagreed with her was what finally got her to stand up, and she took Brighid’s hand and held it tight. “Perhaps I will kiss you on the castle balcony later…”
“I hate to restrain you like this,” Brighid said with a smile, “but I’m not sure you should do that. It might inflame matters again. Maybe wait until the council discuss and inevitably have to pass equal rights. Then you’ll have full excuse to kiss me up there.”
“Ach, I suppose so. Well, I’ll kiss you in private instead. I feel like we deserve a few hours to do exactly as much kissing as we want, after the day we’ve had.” Brighid didn't reply, just smiled and squeezed Mòrag’s hand. It was a comforting gesture, and one that was especially needed as they approached the castle. The thought of what might be waiting for them inside was a scary one, if Mòrag was honest with herself.
They stayed in silence as they went through the corridors, climbed the stairs, and went into their rooms. It was conspicuously quiet, considering what had just happened. Mòrag had been sure that there would be people all over the place, considering the mass movement that had been occurring only hours before. But there was barely anyone around, and no one moved to speak to them.
“It’s nice to see that we haven’t been arrested on sight,” Mòrag commented. “I know Niall said it wouldn’t happen, but a part of me still worried that someone was- I don’t know, forcing him to lie, perhaps?” She leaned against Brighid, utterly exhausted. “Where do you think Niall is? I’d like to at least talk to him this evening…”
“I don’t know,” Brighid said, pulling her over to the sofa. “Mòrag, I...please just sit still and stop worrying, even for a little while. I was really concerned about you today. Everything moved so fast and I was completely out of the loop. A woman came up to me, told you that your arrest had been ordered, and then told me where to go. Anything could have happened to you.”
“I’m sorry.” Mòrag shifted back, taking both of Brighid’s hands in her own. “I know I haven’t been the best to you today. This whole thing… Ever since the council found out about us, I’ve been so stressed. And you’ve been wonderful, I couldn’t have asked for anyone more helpful, but- I realise now, I’ve barely asked if you’re okay. If there’s anything I can do for you. So… Are you? Is there?”
“Just please tell me when things are happening,” she said. “Let me get involved. I know you want to protect me from the possible dangers of all these politics, but I want to be by your side. I can’t stand being left behind all day, not knowing if you’ll come back or if some plotter will stab you.”
“I promise not to get stabbed unless you’re there to get stabbed with me,” Mòrag said, and Brighid laughed and swatted her arm in a ‘be serious’ sort of way. “Alright. I’ll let you be at my side, whenever you want. I can promise you that. And, look- if you ever need me to sit and braid your hair and listen to you talk, I promise I’ll do that, too. Although I am nowhere near as good at braiding hair as you are, I’m afraid.”
“Thank you,” Brighid said. “You don’t need to braid my hair, though. I think my hair gets tangled enough on its own. Being by your side is by far enough for me. That’s all I want, and it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I’m frustrated about today, but we’ve definitely taken a big step closer to being at each other’s sides, openly, forever.”