Work Text:
Podo's yell of "TOOTHY COW" rang through Glipwood Forest, scattering fazzle doves and sweefts alike.
Leeli squealed with the birds' frantic twittering, and Janner ran to carry her into the treehouse, both their hearts pounding like mad. Kalmar and Nia followed close behind, scrambling to avoid the threat of the dread cow. Nugget courageously stood guard at the base of the oak.
Leeli's face paled as she realized that Nugget would be the one to counter the toothy cow. She gave a brief cry of alarm, but there was no way to protect her beloved giant dog.
Podo, already standing in the doorway, slammed said door shut before Peet could hurry in too, and took no notice when the sock man tentitively opened the door and scooted in.
The only sounds in the treehouse were the hard breathing of the children, the shallow breathing of Peet, and the pleased breathing of the pirate. A grin was plastered on the old man's face.
Nia stood with an eyebrow raised. "Why are you smiling like that, papa?"
"Ye all did a fine job of it!" Podo replied with gusto.
Leeli scrunched her brows. "At what?"
"The drill!"
"What drill?" Janner wiped sweat from his face.
"Why, the toothy cow drill, me hearties! There ain't no cow! I only wanted t'see how ye'd react if there were."
Nia rolled her eyes. "And scare the lot of us out of our skin while you're at it?"
"Aye! A bit of adrenaline is good fer the lads."
"A bit, sure, but the threat of a toothy cow, hm?"
Podo laughed. "It'll be alright." He turned to his grandsons. "Me and the boys are goin' to practice swordfightin' a bit now, if you're fine with that, Nia."
"We are?" Tink asked, shocked, then clumsily added, "Yeah. We are."
Janner shook his head.
"Yes, I'm fine with that, papa, as long as you don't threaten us again." She gave him a look.
"Don't you worry, lass. I won't--fer now." At this last part, he winked at Leeli, and her laugh was a sound that brightened the mood.
Podo and the children climbed down (Leeli planned to forage with Nugget) and he began to instruct Janner and Tink on a minutia of details, after which a quiet chorus could be heard: "Yes, grandpa." But despite the boys' hesitance, they both tried to apply what they learned, or rather, the parts they remembered.
Nia had remained up in the treehouse, watching as she rested an elbow on the windowsill, chin in her hand.
She remembered days long past, of coming upon Artham and Esben in the castle's courtyard while they had mock fights such as these. And, she supposed, Janner and Tink were in a "castle's" courtyard of sorts now, too.
Esben had worked to match Artham's skill with a blade, but had never quite achieved it. He always blamed it on their age difference, saying that Artham had a few years' advantage. The desperation in Esben's voice whenever he gave that excuse always evoked a small laugh from Nia, as it did now as she reminisced.
But this time, it came out a bit forced.
The hole in her heart, never truly gone, stabbed at her. She didn't realize a tear was running down her face until she, out of instinct, brushed it away. Putting a hand to her mouth and turning away, Nia tried to stifle her cries.
Her whole soul yearned to be with Esben again.
Peet, who hadn't moved an inch since earlier, fidgeted for a few moments, then took a few small, shuffling steps forward. He reached out a socked hand to give some pathetic form of comfort, then withdrew. He had no comfort to give.
For he himself had caused his sister this heartache. And he felt awful for it.
He was a coward, and the voices began to whisper confirmations.
Traitor, they hissed. Weakling.
Peet closed his eyes and drew in a shaky gulp of air.
She wouldn't have to mourn so--if it weren't for you. Your mistakes. Your betrayal.
He poorly attempted to steady himself, then shook off his feeling of inadequacy and took a few more steps.
Nia heard and moved to face him. "What?" she said, not unkindly.
With tears brimming, Peet haltingly, silently wrapped an arm around her. Not caring if it sounded childish, he mumbled, "I nove, love you, Sia--Nia--"
Nia finally let out her choking sob, and with shoulders shaking, clung to him as she had done with Podo countless times over the past nine years. Her tears soaked into Peet's shirt during a few minutes of quiet.
Peet stood, frozen. He never expected Nia to let herself be so vulnerable around him, and he tried to be of the most comfort he could, even as tears began streaming down his face.
When the time seemed right, Nia whispered a soft "thank you."
Peet flinched, not just at the sudden sound of her voice, but also because he was the last person Nia should be thanking.
"Dou yon't, don't know--I'm so sorry--what I--" His words came to a crashing stop as he bawled even harder. He tried again. "W-what I've--"
Nia looked him in the eye in the kindest way she had in the past several years, and Peet broke down.
"You than't thank ce, thank me," he whimpered between cries.
"Peet--" (he was grateful she chose not to say Artham instead; he knew he wouldn't have been able to handle it if she did) "--I have every reason to thank you. You have provided for us over the past few days, and you've always watched over Janner, Tink, and Leeli.And you somehow don't hold against me my poor--no, terrible, treatment of you."
Tears continued to flow from both of their eyes.
"B-but--"
Nia shook her head. "Shh. I would say that it's okay, but clearly it's not, so instead I'll only reassure you that I love you too."
Peet tried to pull away, but Nia held him fast. She placed a kiss on his cheek, and he jumped.
"Shh," she repeated. And Peet, realizing that she was serious, melted into her embrace, and remained there for a while.
"Yank thou," he finally said softly.
They released each other as giggles sounded from below. Turning to the window, they saw Janner and Tink trying to swordfight left-handed.
"Podo esn't inough supervision thor fose two." Peet laughed, and for the first time in Maker knows how long, it was genuine.