Elena winced but didn't speak.
"Those were private. They were never meant to be seen by him."
Jin had verified that the video files meant for Raider were the only ones Elena had accessed. A relief since there were other recordings on her ship that held the potential to hurt Elena.
What had started as a genuine attempt to reach out had evolved into a type of therapy for Kira when her demons felt overwhelming. Some of those recordings had been intended for Elise—and not all of them were kind.
"I know," Elena said, sounding lost.
"Then why did you send them?"
Elena ducked her head, her eyes glossy.
Kira steeled herself. She couldn't let her niece's pain keep her from doing what was right. Elena had stepped over the line. Kira let her get away with a lot to make up for that fact that she couldn't be there all the time, but she'd be doing her niece a disservice in the long run if she didn't address this here and now.
"Deep inside, you carry a pain that never fully goes away," Elena finally said, reaching up to fiddle with MinMin where he clung to her shirt. The silver turtle lifted its head, knocking it against Elena's fingers. "When I look at the sperm donor, I see the same pain. I know Mother has a lot to do with that. I thought if I could make him understand, you could both heal."
Kira felt herself softening. In a perfect world, Elise would have been able to give her daughter everything they hadn't had growing up. A family. Warmth. Love. Security.
Instead, Elise and Elena's fates had been twisted. Elena had to rely on Kira—a pale imitation of the real thing.
It was natural for Elena to wish for a reconciliation between Kira and the father she'd always yearned for.
Kira reached out, dragging her niece into a hug, ignoring Elena as she wiggled and squirmed in her embrace. Kira rested her chin on the top of Elena's head. "Sometimes I forget you're just a sprout who still doesn't know anything."
In response, Elena planted her hand on Kira's face and shoved.
Her attempt was largely unsuccessful, only managing to dislodge Kira partially.
"I'm not feeling the love right now, child of my sister," Kira said in an injured tone. "Is it that you think you're too old for my hugs?"
Kira let out a gusty sigh and faked wiping a tear on Elena's hair.
"Your armor is uncomfortable," Elena complained, using both arms to try to push Kira away. "Let go."
Kira held firm, her expression the picture of hurt. "You must bear with it. Soon this time will pass and you will wish you hadn't been so stingy."
"Auntie, we both know you only give out hugs when you're being tricky." By now, Elena had managed to put a couple of inches between them, using her whole body to fight free.
Kira fought her smile. It seemed her niece could see through her.
"Alas, woe is me. Even my own niece doesn't love me anymore," Kira continued in a sad voice.
"I get it. I get it. I was wrong. I won't do it again," Elena yelled.
Kira pulled her in for another hug, being sure to smoosh Elena's face in the process. She dropped one final kiss onto her niece's hair and then stepped back.
"If you understand, don't let it happen again in the future," Kira said, the facade of sadness dropping from her in an instant.
Elena smoothed her hair, grumbling as she trailed Kira out of the bay.
"Did you have to be so annoying?" Elena asked.
"I have more of those hugs in me. Want to experience them?"
Elena's eyes widened. "I just remembered. Wren got me a seat in the stands. I'd better get over there before the race's start."
"Wise choice," Kira waited for her niece to scamper off toward Auralyn. The oshota dipped her head toward Kira before the two disappeared toward the audience entrance.
