Work Text:
Barely two weeks had passed since Dhurke's trial, and Nahyuta's subsequent move into the castle, and he had already turned the palace library into his own personal workspace.
His mother scolded him, of course. He had his bedroom, as well as an office he could use for work. But he liked the library best. Something about the atmosphere was perfect for him - the low lights, soft colors and scent of old books were all far more relaxing than the more modern feel of his office, and his bedroom was simply too small for all his legal documents and supplies. Additionally, it helped to be near any books he may need, and everyone who entered knew not to be loud or bothersome.
"Nahyuta! Naaaahhhyutaaaa!"
Well. Almost everyone.
"I'm over here, Rayfa," he sighed, closing the book he had been reading. "And please keep your voice down, you're in a library."
"Who cares? There's no one else here," she said as she walked over to him, weaving through the bookshelves.
"I am here," he told her, "and I am working. I would appreciate if you could calm yourself, and keep from being a distraction." That was the wrong thing to say. His sister's face was reddening, and she slammed her staff against the floor, narrowly missing his foot.
"You have been working for far too long, Braid Head!" she spoke even louder than before, reverting to the nickname that she only used when she was angry with him. "I demand you take a break, and enjoy the privilege of my company!"
That was Rayfa talk for, "I am bored and lonely and want you to spend time with me." Nahyuta was getting good at deciphering it.
"Very well." He knew there was no point in refusing her; If he said no, she would either continue annoying him until he relented, or tell on him to Mother and get him in trouble. "Give me a couple more minutes to check something, and then we can do whatever you desire."
"You will come with me now!" he ignored her, standing up and walking to a nearby bookshelf. Rayfa followed, and tried to block it from him with her tiny frame. "Braid Head, whatever it is, I'm sure you can-"
He had reached up for a book that was directly above her head, and,
she had flinched. Hard.
Nahyuta dropped the book, and as if on autopilot, Rayfa reached down to picked it up. "I'm sorry," said a small voice that couldn't have been more different from the commanding tone she had seconds ago, couldn't be less Rayfa. "I'm so sorry, I didn't-"
He crumpled to his knees and wrapped his arms around her, held her tight against him and tried communicate everything he could into one embrace.
Don't apologize. You didn't do anything. It's not your fault. You didn't deserve it. I would never hurt you. I love you. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
She was crying into his chest, sobbing harder than he'd ever heard from anyone, getting his coat covered in tears and snot and drool. He hardly even noticed. His little sister, his strong, brave, confident baby sister had been reduced to this by a raised hand, and Nahyuta felt broken.
He tried to comfort himself with the thought that Ga'ran would be dead in a matter of weeks, but it didn't help. It wasn't enough. He wanted her to suffer.
No, he told himself, those aren't the thoughts of a holy man. Calm yourself, breathe. Let it go. Rayfa needed him now. He couldn't afford to lose himself to rage. Let it go. Move on.
He had no idea how long they kneeled on the floor, Rayfa crying and Nahyuta rubbing words of prayer into her back, trying to calm her and himself. They would talk about it tomorrow. Nahyuta would do everything in his power to help this poor girl heal, to help her move on, however long it would take.
But for now, he shrugged off his coat and let her drag him by the wrist to her room, where she wrapped them both in a blanket and turned on The Plumed Punisher, and he watched it with her until she leaned against him and fell asleep. Ga'ran's regime was over, but those she hurt were still hurting, and probably would for a long time. But Rayfa's pain would end. He would do everything in his power to make sure of it.
The credits on their last episode were rolling. Nahyuta turned off the TV.
Everything came to an end eventually.