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Tiny shrugged before giving a self-effacing smile. “My uncle lost a leg in the war seventy years ago. He needs ice from time to time.”

“A troll uncle?” Merrik rolled the wheelchair forward just a few inches so that he could see the full hangar bay while still remaining mostly in the shadows.

At the door, Fieran and Mak were heading into the darkness of the evening, both of them toting armloads of wood and metal sheets.

“Actually, no. A human uncle on my mama’s side.” Tiny gave a slight shrug. “He wasn’t in favor of his sister marrying a troll right at first, but he came to terms with it pretty quickly. He is ninety-some years old now and still getting around just fine.”

Those words held the weight of a long life, filled with love and happiness. The loss of a leg hadn’t kept Tiny’s uncle from living a good life, and it wouldn’t steal Merrik’s happiness either.

There came a yelp from near the stove. Stickyfingers leapt back, shaking one of his hands.

Tiny sighed. “I’d better go help before they burn themselves worse.”

Merrik waved Tiny to go on. He could use a few moments to himself.

He took in the semi-controlled chaos that was the Half-Breed Squadron enjoying themselves. Aylia had joined Stickyfingers and Lije at the donut-making station, and they were churning out enough donuts to feed everyone for a week. The other groups scattered around the large space, laughing, talking, and shouting out answers to whatever game they were playing.

He released a long breath as something inside him relaxed for the first time in he didn’t know how long. While he hadn’t wanted to leave Adry, he’d needed to return to his squadron. He still wasn’t whole, but he was getting there, piece by piece.

After several minutes, Pip approached, a soda in each hand. When she reached him, she held one out to him. “Hey. It’s good to have you back.”

“Good to be back.” He took the soda, giving her an attempt at a smile. While the ice was helping, he longed to head for his bed. It had been a rather long day.

Pip settled onto the floor next to him, lounging on the concrete. After a moment, she glanced up at him. “How are you?”

“Well enough.” Merrik shrugged as he twisted off the metal cap of his soda. He was too tired to explain more, even to her.

“Probably getting very tired of everyone asking you that.” Pip uncapped her root beer and sipped.

“Just a little.” Merrik swept a glance over the hangar bay again. While he appreciated everyone’s care, the constant questions could itch after a while.

“Well, just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” Pip’s tone held a low, sincere note. She meant every word. If he needed something, she could rig up anything with her mechanical skills.

“Linshi.” Merrik let a comfortable silence linger between them for several moments as both of them sipped their sodas and took in the hubbub that was the squadron cutting loose. When the peace of their little corner had settled deep within his chest, he managed another smile as he glanced at her. “I heard you and Fieran are courting. It is about time.”

From the moment Merrik had observed the way Fieran and Pip were drawn to each other, he’d been subtly helping them along as best he could. With her quiet good sense, Pip was good for Fieran, while he had the intelligence and mechanical knowledge to appreciate and encourage her skills.

It was good to see his friends happy, both his oldest friend, Fieran, and Pip, who had become a friend during their time in the same squadron.

“Isn’t it?” Pip’s grin widened as the sound of footsteps on the cement headed toward them. “Took him long enough.”

“Took who long enough?” After strolling around the aeroplane, Fieran sprawled onto the concrete next to Pip, bracing his hands behind him.

“You to finally ask to court me.” Pip poked Fieran, her eyes twinkling. “Where did you and my brother get off to?”

Mak sat on the cement on the other side of Merrik. “Installing a few ramps.”

“There’s now a ramp on that hangar bay door.” With an almost careless gesture, Fieran pointed at the nearest door. “The other side is already level with the dirt for getting the aeroplanes in and out. There’s also a ramp to your tent and to the showers and latrines.”

“Linshi.” Merrik couldn’t help the way his smile fell, a weight settling on him again at the reminder of his new reality. While he appreciated that Fieran and Mak had taken it on themselves to see to meeting his needs so quickly, he was still getting used to needing such things.

“Now about that engine…” Still grinning, his tone that teasing one Merrik knew far too well, Fieran tapped one of the wheels of Merrik’s chair.

“No.” Merrik glared, yet he found himself having to work to hold back a grin of his own. It felt good to joke with Fieran again.

“Fine, fine.” Fieran lounged once again, though somehow one of his hands had ended up over Pip’s. His grin turning even more mischievous, Fieran turned to Pip. “Did he tell you that he had the gall to start courting my sister the moment my back was turned?”

“No, he didn’t.” Pip’s eyes widened.