“Hang on.Let me get Finn and Raider,” Kira said, backing toward the door.“They should probably be here for this.”
Jin grunted, too preoccupied with getting Tuann technology to “speak” with Titan’s.
Graydon waved Kira away.“I’ll stay here.”
Dylan was standing guard beside the door when Kira walked out.
“You should have let him rest,” Dylan said.
“You haven’t known Jin long enough to tell me what is best for him.”
He didn’t have their history.Their bond.His association with Jin spanned all of five minutes.
“He stayed up all night doing your bidding.He only went to bed half an hour ago,” Dylan said.
When Kira looked back, it was to find the oshota right behind her.His expression open, the stoic reserve he used to mask his emotions set aside to show the full extent of his concern.
“I don’t know him like you do.You’re right about that.But what I do know is that although his mind is that of an adult, his body is that of a child.And children need rest.”
Kira was taken aback for a split second before a wry smile touched her face.“You know, Dylan.I think I could grow to like you.”
The protectiveness he’d just displayed was exactly the sort of thing Jin needed right now.
Habit was a difficult thing to break.It hadn’t been her intention, but she’d been treating Jin the way she always had.Like a being with unlimited physical reserves.Someone to whom sleep was unnecessary.
She’d forgotten he was a boy.With the same requirements for rest and sustenance as the rest of them.
“This is more of a learning curve than I’d anticipated,” Kira admitted.
Jin wasn’t the only one who needed to get used to the new paradigm.She also had to be more careful.Jin wasn’t experienced enough to recognize his limits.She’d have to be aware for the both of them.
Kira met Dylan’s gaze and nodded.“I’ll remember that next time.”
Having achieved his desired outcome, Dylan faded back into position, resuming his role as sentry.
Kira continued on to Raider’s door, giving it a light tap before moving on.Finn’s door opened before she got the chance to knock.
“You went shopping,” Kira observed, looking him over from head to toe.
He’d ditched the traffic cone jacket, replacing it with a cloak similar in style to Dylan and Roderick’s.
The material wasn’t as nice as theirs though.
Finn stepped out of his room, letting the door slide closed behind him.A quick glimpse inside showed a bed that didn’t look like it had been slept in.
“Raider and I had a bet going on whether you would wake us before you snuck out,” Finn explained.
Raider stuck his head out of the room.“I’ll just be a moment.”
Kira nodded and leaned against the wall, talking to Finn while Raider gathered his gear.“Which side did you land on?Stay or go?”
“What do you think?”
“You lost, didn’t you?”Kira shook her head with mock sympathy.“I told you not to bet against him; he always wins.”
“We talking about the bet?”Raider asked, stepping out of his room.“I can’t believe my streak is over.”
Kira’s smile disappeared.
