"No, it's happening. I can't wait to tell her every story I have. Corbin too."
"But—“ he turned into her as they got closer. “We’ve decided I actually really like them. Can we keep this—you know—“
Nyssa smiled up at her brother, amused that he was fumbling and serious about a relationship for once. "Fine. I'll not tell them everything. Though I believe Corbin knows most of your secrets already."
"Damn, Dorian," Lex mumbled as she joined them from the shack. "I hope you're enjoying both of them. I'd hate to have to take advantage if you aren't."
Heat rose on his cheeks, and he scratched his neck. Nyssa exchanged an amused glance with Lex, and she grinned.
"Know that look," Lex mocked. "Enjoyingandfalling. I love it."
But Dorian ignored them, and he left the group to greet his guard before reaching them. Smiles beaming on their faces, they each pulled him close into hugs. His hands settled on Corbin’s face a moment as he kissed his cheek, and when he turned to Reverie, he hugged her, said something in her ear before also kissing her cheek, and she shoved him playfully. Corbin spoke, and Dorian wavered off balance as he laughed at the pair.
Nyssa nearly started crying.
Emotion burning at her nose as she watched her brother truly smiling at someone other than his family. To look between two people who apparently cared for him as much as he cared for them. Who had taken care of him and pulled him from the darkness of his grief.
She thought she’d been about to lose it when he talked to her about it earlier.
But actually seeing it…
Nyssa blinked and wiped her face, turning so that their new friends wouldn't see the tears on her cheeks.
"Fuck," Lex managed in a breath, and Nyssa looked up to see her doing the same thing.
Just as the pair straightened, the three approached, and Reverie looked between them.
"I feel like I'm walking into the Ulfram den right now," she said, playful brow lifting at Dorian. "You're all terrifyingly beautiful."
Nyssa couldn't help herself.
She hugged her.
Reverie tensed at the embrace and patted Nyssa's back, almost mechanically, as though she wasn't sure what to do with herself. Until Nyssa spoke.
"Thank you," she said into the woman's hair. "Thank you for looking after him."
Reverie finally hugged her back and relaxed. "It wasn't easy," she said.
Nyssa sniffed as she pulled back, the tears freely falling down her cheeks by then. "I can only imagine," she joked, choking on her sobs. She turned to Corbin just as Lex pulled away from hugging her cohort, and Nyssa wrapped her arms around him.
"You too," she said as he hugged her tight. "Thank you for not leaving him."
Corbin's deep chuckle vibrated her. "I could never," he admitted.
Nyssa wiped her face harshly and stood before them again. Dorian stared at her in confusion, head tilting, but he didn't speak.
Reverie looked up at Dorian, arms crossed over her chest, crooked smile toying on her lips. He caught the look she was giving him and nudged her. She rolled her eyes and pushed him back.
"Architects, you're all fucking adorable," Lex grunted.
“It’s Lex, right?" Reverie asked, turning her attention to the Second Sun.
"Reverie?" Lex said with an upwards nod. "You'll tell me later how you ended up with this one. And how you've helped Bin here keep him safe."
"Why do you assume I needed keeping safe?" Dorian asked.
Nyssa and Bala snorted, Nyssa clapping her hand over her mouth. But Lex just eyed him.
