Chapter Text
K’thael did not want to go on Search today. More specifically, they did not want to accompany Gr’lin. They had been going to class as always, but the last time the two had been alone, he’d been angry with them. And for good reason. The more they thought about it, the weyrlingmaster had been right - they shouldn’t gamble things they can’t afford to lose. Even on days when they don’t mind the thought for themselves… Sprilth would go between. They couldn’t do that to him, and they couldn’t do that to the people that loved him.
Unfortunately, the watchdragon still bugled for morning shift, and after a long night of listening to Sprilth anticipate the adventure, they didn’t want to let him down. Not again. They forced themselves to get dressed, eat a couple of sweet rolls from their stash, and ask their dragon to fly them down to Gr’lin’s office. He was more than happy to accommodate.
“You were right,” K’thael began as soon as the weyrlingmaster came out of his weyr, his coat still in hand. He was looking quite sharp in one of his new outfits, and it looked like he’d been to the barber yesterday, too. It made the bluerider feel underdressed in their usual, boring outfit. “Um… do I need to change?”
Gr’lin waved them off. “You look fine. You’re the Search rider. I’m the professional here, trying to convince people to trust their children with me. The least I can do is look well put together, since I haven’t got the best record so far.” He grimaced.
“None of that was your fault,” K’thael shot back. “You saved Shirreltan. And… you saved me.” They looked down at his desk to avoid his eyes. “All I’ve done since I got here is find stupid ways to put myself in danger. And you keep trying to show me… give me… reasons to stick around.” They scuffed the floor with their shoe while Gr’lin buttoned up his freshly-cleaned riding jacket. “I thought about what you said. And you’re right,” they admitted, playing with their fingers. “...B’gual would be really upset if anything happened to me.”
“Yeah… he’d probably cry right in front of everyone,” Gr’lin replied solemnly. “Hegseth would keen for days… drive us all nuts.” K’thael’s shoulders relaxed slightly at the shared understanding. This wasn’t about that tailfork of a bronzerider - he’d probably celebrate the occasion, if he noticed at all. But they’d learned the hard way, years ago, that some truths were too fragile to speak aloud.
“Right.” K’thael walked back to their dragon. “So I should probably start being more careful,” they paused, jumping up to his neck. “... for B’gual’s sake.”