Talking After The Gather (1/3)

Posted on Fri Jun 6th, 2025 @ 7:19pm by Bronze Rider F'cone & Milayna
Edited on on Fri Jun 6th, 2025 @ 7:20pm

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D30

Milayna frowned a bit as she got up the morning after the Gather to an empty bed. She had thought they were over this but lately F'cone seemed to be in a mood and she didn't know what to do or what had even caused it. She had thought they were finally figuring things out.

The blonde sighed softly as she climbed out of bed and got dressed. The kids were still sound asleep so she had a little bit of time to herself to think yet.

F’cone came in twenty minutes or so later looking haggard and grumpy but carrying a food tray. He blinked, surprised to see her awake.

“My watch rider became ill. I was called to complete their Star Stone watch.” He admitted yawning.

She turned when she heard his voice, cringing when she saw how tired he looked. “here let me take that,” she offered, taking the tray from him. “No wonder you looked exhausted. The children are still asleep.”

“Good. They were excited after the gather. Let them rest and you get breakfast in peace.” He pointed out indicating what the tray was. He had to admit between the wine and lack of sleep he was relieved he had cancelled drills for his wing today. He would have been hard pressed to motivate himself let alone anyone else.

Milayna smiled a bit. “That doesn't happen often.” The children were usually up and about already. “You going to join me?” She asked as she poured them both a mug of klah. He looked like he could use it.

“Sure it’s only meat rolls and some fruit but I thought it might be easier if you were feeling anywhere like I was.” He slumped heavily into the chair around the table with a bit of a sigh scrubbing at his face.

“That's a perfect breakfast,” she assured him, sliding the mug toward him. “Are you okay?” She asked gently. He looked miserable. even considering he had been up on watch there was definitely something else.

“Thank you.” He murmured mod yen before repeating it properly. He looked at her surprised and then confused. “Just feeling a little out of sorts at the moment. Lots of changes and lots of how things used to be happening again.” He admitted, he was not going to go into it more with her but he appreciated that she had noticed and was at least asking if he was okay.

Milayna pressed her lips together. That wasn't much of an answer but she knew she couldn't push him to explain more. “Anything I can do to help?” She asked gently.

“Do not let me drink too much wine.” He said lightly as he sat back blinking hard trying to get rid of the exhaustion he felt down to his very feet. He leaned over and grabbed up a meat roll. ”How are you this morning?”

“I'll do my best,” she promised. She hadn’t realized he had drank that much wine. Of course she had been watching the children. “Doing okay. A bit tired. The kids were very hyper last night,” she chuckled softly.

“I wish you would have come to the ball.” He said quietly. When he had come home she had been asleep. He had barely closed his eyes when the call had come in that Imela had taken ill with food poisoning and he had gone to relieve her as there was not many others around.

She looked up in surprise. He had never actually said he wanted her there and they were still working to get back on solid footing. “How was the ball?” Milayna asked softly. “I'm sorry I wasn't there.”

“Busy.” He shrugged. There was nothing special about it all in his opinion but maybe that was due to jealousy. “But a lot better than Far Site.” He sighed, shrugging again as he heard the pitter patter of someone waking up.

Milayna nodded. Just about anything would have been better than Far Site. Shards, why didn't she go? She should have been there for him. “F'cone,” she started before the little feet grew closer. .

“It doesn’t matter. I should not have assumed you knew you were my guest.” He said quietly taking the blame. It was on him for going alone in the end and having to drink to drown out his jealousy for A’ren. “Good morning.” F’cone called to his daughter as she appeared in the doorway looking all touselled and sleepy.

Milayna felt awful. “I would have gone,” she whispered. It would have been fun in her opinion. Theyjust couldn't win. She turned as their daughter appeared.

“Daddy! Falayna said happily, instantly waking up.

“Hello my little dragonet.” He murmured as the girl launched herself on him and he just managed to save his klah and meat roll from being taken out by her.

Milayna smiled at her family. “Definitely a daddy's girl,” she commented, watching Falayna hug her father. She loved watching them.

“Without a doubt. Sorry.” He said smiling as the little girl snuggled closer to him more. He enjoyed having her this close to him. The little girl was the best of him to say the least.

“No reason to be sorry. I'm glad she loves being with you,” Milayna smiled. The two had never talked about having any other children but she couldn't be happier with the two she had. Not to mention F'cone had adopted Mian as his own.

F’cone relaxed more as the little girl hugged him tightly. He glanced up at Milayna and smiled properly before dumping the girl on her lap with pearls of laughter. “Mummy needs hugs too.” He declared.

Milayna liked seeing F'cone smile properly. Somehow Falayna always brought that smile out. She laughed as she snuggled her daughter. “Daddy's right I need hugs too.”

“Always.” The little girl smiled, hugging her mother closely. She was affectionate to say the least when she finally let go she climbed over to her seat and picked up one of the meat rolls. ”Yummy.” The girl declared brightly.

Milayna laughed. “Looks like you did pick the perfect breakfast, love,” she commented, not thinking about how F'cone might feel about those words. She did love the silly bronze rider. They just had a little way to go to get back to how they used to be.

F’cone glanced at her unsure before he nodded. “Something easy to carry and would not spoil if no one was up for a bit.” He said seeing Mian stood in the doorway looking confused at everyone eating breakfast. “Morning son.”

Milayna flushed. Had she said something wrong? She looked over her shoulder. “Hey kiddo,” she smiled, motioning the boy over. .

Mian came over sleepily and climbed up onto the spare seat looking confused that breakfast was there and not in the cavern. “Morning.” He finally said.

“Meat rolls for breakfast Mi!” Falayna declared more awake.

Milayna chuckled at her daughter's enthusiasm. Poor Mian though looked so confused. “Daddy brought us breakfast,” she explained to the boy, shooting F'cone a smile.

“We can still go to the cavern though if you want though.” F’cone said quietly, seeing the confusion. He did not want to upset the boys routine.

“No. This is good. I am just waking up.” The boy smiled more as he woke up and took the offered meat roll.

Milayna smiled at the children. Thankfully neither had been tainted by the past and F'cone was great with both of them. “Thank you again, F'cone for bringing breakfast. This is a nice treat with the family.”

“Anytime.” The man assured finishing up his roll before stretching out his arms over his head. There was a decidedly loud click which reminded the man he was getting older even if he did not want to be. “But my dear family I am having to go to bed for a few candlemarks as I was up most of the night.”

Milayna cringed at the pop. “Of course. I'll take the kids out for a while so you can get some sleep,” she answered. She knew he needed some sleep.

“Do not be daft. I will sleep like a new born dragonet.” She assured squeezing her shoulders as he stood. “You both behave before crèche and harper lessons.” He said calmly. They were not his wing riders and he was not an authoritative parent but he wanted them to behave to let Milayna have a chance to learn a craft.

She smiled up at her mate. They just might make a family yet. “If you're sure,” Milayna offered. The children would be headed for their lessons soon anyhow and Milayna had some learning to do as well. Having a craft felt odd. It wasn't something she had ever considered, but Talomin had found one so surely she could too.

“I am and if I was worried I know where the fellis is.” F’cone pointed out. This was their home too so there was no reason to be quiet. Caladoth slept and the wingleader slept so it was all good.

She nodded. “Okay,” she answered with a smile. “Do you have anything else going on today?” She asked. She hoped they had a chance to talk a bit more later.

He looked over at the papers on his desk to check his schedule properly but he was correct in thinking that he had nothing else on today. “Nope. I thought ahead and cancelled drills for today.” He glanced back at her. “Any reason?”

Milayna grinned. She was glad to hear that. “Thought we could maybe spend some time together,” she asked hopefully. Even at the Gather they had the children so they never really talked.

“I would like that.” F’cone assured smiling. “I will see you all later.” He said already half removing his flight jacket as he went.

She smiled before turning to the kids. “Tell daddy night,” she said.

“But it’s not night.” Mian commented, making F’cone chuckle. “Sleep well Dad.” The boy called, smiling now that he was awake enough to speak.

“Night Daddy. Will keep an eye on Caladoth.” She said proudly.