The Thief and the Commander: 18
Jan. 20th, 2001 12:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
manicdakChapter 18 : The End
Robin and Feliu stood at the window overlooking Ehren's room a week later. Feliu had spent most of that week in protective custody being interrogated. He was beginning to get used to his life as a series of questions. It wasn't as bad as life with a bounty on his head. He was going to do everything he could to ensure his father's capture.
Robin on the other hand had spent every moment at Ehren's bedside and had not spoken to Feliu in any sort of prolonged conversation until that day.
"I have to go," Feliu said. "I'm a free man now. Sort of. Just have to check in every month. I guess I'll see you later."
"Yeah, later...Just tell me one thing," Robin said as Feliu began to walk away. He didn't turn around to face him. His vigilant eyes remained trained on Ehren's inert form.
"Yeah?" Feliu said.
"How did you steal it?" Robin said. He pulled the ring from where it lay on his neck and held it out, dangling from the chain on his finger. "Nobody's ever reported it missing from Q4. Their records are immaculate there."
Feliu ran his hands through his hair and smiled sheepishly at Robin through the reflection in the glass.
"Sometimes," he said, "The most obvious answer is the best answer."
Robin arched an eyebrow.
"You bought it?"
"I bought it." Feliu nodded. "With real money that I didn't even steal."
Robin remained silent for minute then he gently lay the jewelry on the window ledge.
"I can't keep it anymore," he said. "You understand?"
"Yep." Feliu said. He returned to the window and grasped it in his own hand then slid it into his pocket. He glanced momentarily at Ehren and sighed.
"You," he said, “are a lucky man."
Robin snorted laughter and shook his head in protest.
"That one? He's more trouble than he's worth. Look at him, getting shot with an actual projectile? Who does that? He's useless."
"He saved my life," Feliu murmured. "On more than one occasion. I'd say that's a pretty handy skill to have."
"Yeah, for you," Robin muttered. "It's kind of hazardous to his health..."
Feliu lay a hand on Robin's arm, and finally Robin was able to meet his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"Me too."
"It's okay," Feliu replied. "It's about time we both moved on, huh?"
"Yeah," Robin said. "I guess. It's just... What are you going to do?"
"I dunno." Feliu yawned and stretched his arms above his head. "There are lots of galaxies out there to explore. Maybe I'll settle down somewhere and have a family or maybe I'll go on another grand adventure. Maybe I'll try and take over the world? Who knows. We'll see!"
"Please don't try to take over the world," Robin said, not quite able to hide the hint of a smile that threatened his lips. "I don't think Ehrenfried can take it."
"I'll try," Feliu replied solemnly then broke into a wide grin. "I'll see around, Robin. Okay? Invite me to the wedding." He nodded towards Ehren.
"That's up to him," Robin replied without thinking.
"Wow." Feliu laughed. "You didn't even try to deny that one. You got it bad."
Robin shrugged sheepishly. "I guess I do."
"The medic is waking him up this afternoon, right?"
Robin nodded.
"Good, tell him... If he ever needs a favor. I owe him two of my lives, or maybe just one. I think he might have used one up already when he stole you away."
"I'll tell him," Robin replied.
Feliu nodded and gave his former lover one long last look.
"Take care, Robin Grey," he said.
"You too, Feliu Viernes."
Feliu then removed a time travel device from his pocket and waved it in the air.
"You're not supposed to have one of those!" Robin said. "I thought you were going straight!"
"Baby steps," Feliu said. "Baby steps."
He grinned and depressed the solitary button on the device then he was gone leaving only the dizzying after effects that momentarily clouded Robin's memory of his existence in that time stream. Once he regained his senses, he shook his head and smiled at the thought of Feliu's parting words then he entered Ehren's room and resumed a post at his bedside.
****
Ehren's eyelids felt heavy on his face. He wanted to groan, but he couldn't seem to move his lips, and there was a dull ache in the back of his head. His vision was blurred to the point of near nonexistence, and he slowly became conscious of a sharp and persistent pain in his side. He began to panic as he remembered the flash of the gun barrel and the sudden and intense agony that had burned through what seemed to be his entire body. He began to struggle and grunt unintelligibly. He felt arms on him, holding him down. He whimpered and closed his eyes, wishing it would all go away. He didn't want to die. He was too young to die.
"Nonononono," he murmured as he tossed his head.
"Shhhhh. Calm down, Ehrenfried. You're at the hospital."
Ehren took a deep breath and concentrated on the familiar voice of Commander Grey. He turned his head in the direction of the sound and could make out the dim outline of Robin's form hovering above him.
"I can't see." He finally managed to speak. "I'm scared."
"You're going to be fine," the medic said. "Your vision will return."
He sat down on the bedside opposite and explained the life threatening injury that Ehren had sustained and the treatment that had followed. Ehren wasn't paying much attention beyond the first sentence of life affirming reassurance. He was going to be fine. He was much more interested in the way Robin was clinging to his hand and rubbing his thumb over the top of it.
They were interrupted by the sound of Robin's ICD. He cringed at the warning glare that the medic shot at him and glanced at the display.
"I have to take this." He frowned. "It's the Admiral. I'll be back soon, okay?"
"Oh-Kaaay," Ehren drawled in an exaggeratedly confused manner.
Robin smiled, patted his hand one last time, and carefully lay it on the bed before departing.
"What's with him?" Ehren frowned in the direction of the medic's voice.
"Him? I suppose he doesn't want to let you out of his sight," the medic said.
"Why? Am I being court-martialed for extreme stupidity or something?" Ehren muttered.
"Not as far as I know," the medic said. "I'm not too high up on the food chain though. I just assumed..."
"Assumed what?" Ehren narrowed his eyes.
"N-Nothing," the medic stammered.
"Assumed what!" Ehren repeated himself more insistently.
"You know," the medic said. "You and the Commander?"
"Me and the commander what?" Ehren muttered.
"You're not..." He gave Ehren a knowing look even though Ehren could barely see him. “You're not with him?”
"I don't know what we are," Ehren said. He tried to cross his arms, but they still felt heavy.
"This sucks," he said. "When will I be back to normal?"
"Well, if you're hoping for a couple of days, I'm afraid to say that it's not going to happen like that. It's going to take a while and a little physical therapy. Those kind of projectiles do a lot of damage, and we put you in a coma for a few days to heal."
"No!" Ehren said. "This is going to set me back. I..."
"You are a complete idiot," Robin interrupted. He had returned and was standing in the doorway with a smirk on his face.
"Why the fuck did you take a bullet for Feliu, huh?" Robin entered the room and sat back at his seat near the bedside giving the medic a warning glare that sent him scurrying from the room.
"Because," Ehren muttered. "Because he's an innocent man, and we are here to protect the innocent from galaxies full of the worst criminals..."
"Don't repeat the manual to me," Robin said. "What's the reason? You and I... We're far past protocol at this point, Lieutenant."
"Ensign. Fuck you, Robin. You know what my rank is. You know what my name is..."
"Shut-Up, Ehrenfried," Robin said. "The order hasn't come down yet officially, but you're being promoted."
"Why am I being promoted?" Ehren moaned. "Seriously? What do I have to do to make captain, go AWOL?"
Robin chuckled. "Excellence in the field is certainly promotion worthy. You're the one who just quoted the manual at me. You stepped in front of a bullet to protect an innocent man as you see it apparently."
"As I see it?"
"Yeah, you're like that, I suppose. I-GAS sees him only as an asset; an asset with invaluable information about his father's operations. Are you going to answer my question then?"
"Why did I do it?" Ehren glared ponderously in Robin's direction for a moment, before sighing and staring down at his hands.
"I did it because you obviously care a great deal about him. You have a history. We had a...I don't even know. I get why you dropped me, but basically... I care about you even though I know I mean nothing more to you than some way to pass the time, and you care about him, so..."
"I care about you, Ehrenfried," Robin said. He reached out and held Ehren's hand once again. "I told you once that I'd really hate it if you died out there."
"You did," Ehren admitted. "But this is... You're using my name."
"That's what you wanted isn't it?"
"Yes, but..."
Ehren sighed again. His words failed him. Instead of speaking, he pursed his lips and turned his hand palm-side up so that he could grasp Robin's.
"I'm glad you're here at least," he said. "You can call me whatever you want, Sir."
They sat there for a while enjoying eachother's company without worrying about what the future might hold. Eventually Rasa appeared at the doorway laden with flowers and Seth reluctantly trailing along behind her holding a small potted plant. She ran up to Ehren and gave him an awkward hug then gestured at her twin to hand over the twig-like flora in his hand.
"Commander Grey asked us to come,” Seth said. “He says flowers are a custom for the ill where you are from. He sent us on a mission to find this."
He deposited the plant in Ehren's lap and retreated to a far corner of the room to wait out the visit.
"And we got you this one." Rasa lay a bouquet of Amarantian roses on his bedside table. "How are you doing, kid?"
"He'll be fine," Robin interrupted before Ehren could even open his mouth.
"Thank you," Ehren said. He nodded towards the general direction of where he had heard Rasa set the flowers then felt the potted plant in his lap.
"Sorry, I'm kinda blind right now. Is this a plear tree?" He smiled.
"It'll save your parents a ton of money exporting those things," Robin said. "You eat them like..."
"Lizards!" Axel hopped into the room, his voice booming through the room with Berilo close behind making clucking noises of mock-offense at him.
Ehren laughed, which quickly turned into a rattling cough and a groan which sent Rasa and Axel crowding around his bedside, cooing over him. He tried to swat them away, but only ended up laughing more despite the pain and soreness that permeated his body.
When they finally stepped away, Ehren asked for Berilo.
"You're still here. You saved my life they tell me."
"Maybe," he said. "Good thing you were unconscious, it would have really grossed you out."
He wandered sheepishly over to the bed and held out his hand, which held a necklace with a salamander pendant on it.
"This is for you," he said as he carefully dropped the charm in Ehren's free hand. "She is a Biron talisman. Wear it and she will bring you good health. Also, don't jump in front of any more bullets. That helps too."
"I'm gonna miss you around here, you big weirdo," Ehren said. He took the gift and thrust it in Robin's general direction. He got the hint and carefully placed it around Ehren's neck.
"You won't get to miss me for too long," Berilo said. "I joined I-GAS. That Grand Admiral of yours is very convincing, and they gave me a medal too. You know, Birons really like shiny things! If I can get more of them..."
He shrugged and retreated to stand beside Rasa with his arm around her shoulder. She didn't flinch, and he grinned happily while Seth glowered at them from his corner. They continued to chat well into the afternoon until the medic returned with Ehren's daily dose of sleep inducing medicines. When he woke up later in the evening, much to his relief, his vision had returned. Though a bit blurry, he was able to see that Robin was still there, sitting in the dark, reading by the light of a solitary lamp.
"I see you," Ehren said.
Robin jumped, and the book clattered to the ground.
"What is that? I thought you were too awesome to read," Ehren said.
"Those words never crossed my lips," Robin replied. He got up from his seat, picked the text up and dumped it on Ehren's lap. It was a beginner's guide to Earthian.
"Why?" Ehren murmured.
"Well, when your parents get here, I want to be able to impress them as much as you impressed my mom. I don't think that will be possible though. She already adores you. Probably more than me."
"First of all, your mom loves you," Ehren said. "Second of all...when my parents get here?"
"Yeah." Robin shrugged. "They're not that far away. We're at an I-GAS facility on the Nature actually. I called in a favor. They should be inbound tomorrow morning."
“And you invited my friends from the squad...”
“Invite, ordered...same thing.” Robin laughed. “They wanted to be here. I gave them an official excuse. They'll be back tomorrow. For now it's just you and me.”
"Well then. You should come here." Ehren scooted over, wincing as he did so and patted the bed beside the newly empty spot. Robin just eyed him curiously.
"C'mon," Ehren said. "There's plenty of room."
Robin reluctantly crawled into bed, and Ehren curled up against him.
"Now, page one?" Ehren propped the textbook up opened to the first page of the first chapter.
"I already read that," Robin said.
"And if I know you, none if has sunk in at all. That's what I'm here for," he said. "Why try to teach yourself from a book when you've got the master at your disposal?"
"So you're the master now?"
"Are you really going to belabor the point?" Ehren said.
Robin chuckled at him and shook his head. "Teach away master."
***
The next morning proved a challenge as Ehren was beginning to get antsy being awake and feeling pain whenever he tried to walk. It was after an afternoon of much complaining that Robin finally got him to agree to a wheelchair and a walk in the hospital garden.
"So this is the Nature?" Robin looked up at the small clearing of sky above them that was surrounded by the impossibly tall trees of the forest planet.
"Yep," Ehren said. "Interesting fact about the Nature..."
"Aside from the fact that it's the future?” Robin replied.
"Or is it?" Ehren said.
Robin laughed at him, and Ehren never finished his thoughts on Naturian history as they continued on their quiet stroll with only the sounds of the forest in their ears.
"When I get better," Ehren said after they passed by a bed of roses. "When they let me walk again..."
"Yeah?"
"I'm taking you to Amarantos," he said. "We can take leave and it's not far from here."
"Oh, yeah?" Robin said.
"Uh-huh."
He clasped a hand around Ehren's shoulder as they walked.
"I'll look forward to the day," he said.
Previous
Robin and Feliu stood at the window overlooking Ehren's room a week later. Feliu had spent most of that week in protective custody being interrogated. He was beginning to get used to his life as a series of questions. It wasn't as bad as life with a bounty on his head. He was going to do everything he could to ensure his father's capture.
Robin on the other hand had spent every moment at Ehren's bedside and had not spoken to Feliu in any sort of prolonged conversation until that day.
"I have to go," Feliu said. "I'm a free man now. Sort of. Just have to check in every month. I guess I'll see you later."
"Yeah, later...Just tell me one thing," Robin said as Feliu began to walk away. He didn't turn around to face him. His vigilant eyes remained trained on Ehren's inert form.
"Yeah?" Feliu said.
"How did you steal it?" Robin said. He pulled the ring from where it lay on his neck and held it out, dangling from the chain on his finger. "Nobody's ever reported it missing from Q4. Their records are immaculate there."
Feliu ran his hands through his hair and smiled sheepishly at Robin through the reflection in the glass.
"Sometimes," he said, "The most obvious answer is the best answer."
Robin arched an eyebrow.
"You bought it?"
"I bought it." Feliu nodded. "With real money that I didn't even steal."
Robin remained silent for minute then he gently lay the jewelry on the window ledge.
"I can't keep it anymore," he said. "You understand?"
"Yep." Feliu said. He returned to the window and grasped it in his own hand then slid it into his pocket. He glanced momentarily at Ehren and sighed.
"You," he said, “are a lucky man."
Robin snorted laughter and shook his head in protest.
"That one? He's more trouble than he's worth. Look at him, getting shot with an actual projectile? Who does that? He's useless."
"He saved my life," Feliu murmured. "On more than one occasion. I'd say that's a pretty handy skill to have."
"Yeah, for you," Robin muttered. "It's kind of hazardous to his health..."
Feliu lay a hand on Robin's arm, and finally Robin was able to meet his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"Me too."
"It's okay," Feliu replied. "It's about time we both moved on, huh?"
"Yeah," Robin said. "I guess. It's just... What are you going to do?"
"I dunno." Feliu yawned and stretched his arms above his head. "There are lots of galaxies out there to explore. Maybe I'll settle down somewhere and have a family or maybe I'll go on another grand adventure. Maybe I'll try and take over the world? Who knows. We'll see!"
"Please don't try to take over the world," Robin said, not quite able to hide the hint of a smile that threatened his lips. "I don't think Ehrenfried can take it."
"I'll try," Feliu replied solemnly then broke into a wide grin. "I'll see around, Robin. Okay? Invite me to the wedding." He nodded towards Ehren.
"That's up to him," Robin replied without thinking.
"Wow." Feliu laughed. "You didn't even try to deny that one. You got it bad."
Robin shrugged sheepishly. "I guess I do."
"The medic is waking him up this afternoon, right?"
Robin nodded.
"Good, tell him... If he ever needs a favor. I owe him two of my lives, or maybe just one. I think he might have used one up already when he stole you away."
"I'll tell him," Robin replied.
Feliu nodded and gave his former lover one long last look.
"Take care, Robin Grey," he said.
"You too, Feliu Viernes."
Feliu then removed a time travel device from his pocket and waved it in the air.
"You're not supposed to have one of those!" Robin said. "I thought you were going straight!"
"Baby steps," Feliu said. "Baby steps."
He grinned and depressed the solitary button on the device then he was gone leaving only the dizzying after effects that momentarily clouded Robin's memory of his existence in that time stream. Once he regained his senses, he shook his head and smiled at the thought of Feliu's parting words then he entered Ehren's room and resumed a post at his bedside.
****
Ehren's eyelids felt heavy on his face. He wanted to groan, but he couldn't seem to move his lips, and there was a dull ache in the back of his head. His vision was blurred to the point of near nonexistence, and he slowly became conscious of a sharp and persistent pain in his side. He began to panic as he remembered the flash of the gun barrel and the sudden and intense agony that had burned through what seemed to be his entire body. He began to struggle and grunt unintelligibly. He felt arms on him, holding him down. He whimpered and closed his eyes, wishing it would all go away. He didn't want to die. He was too young to die.
"Nonononono," he murmured as he tossed his head.
"Shhhhh. Calm down, Ehrenfried. You're at the hospital."
Ehren took a deep breath and concentrated on the familiar voice of Commander Grey. He turned his head in the direction of the sound and could make out the dim outline of Robin's form hovering above him.
"I can't see." He finally managed to speak. "I'm scared."
"You're going to be fine," the medic said. "Your vision will return."
He sat down on the bedside opposite and explained the life threatening injury that Ehren had sustained and the treatment that had followed. Ehren wasn't paying much attention beyond the first sentence of life affirming reassurance. He was going to be fine. He was much more interested in the way Robin was clinging to his hand and rubbing his thumb over the top of it.
They were interrupted by the sound of Robin's ICD. He cringed at the warning glare that the medic shot at him and glanced at the display.
"I have to take this." He frowned. "It's the Admiral. I'll be back soon, okay?"
"Oh-Kaaay," Ehren drawled in an exaggeratedly confused manner.
Robin smiled, patted his hand one last time, and carefully lay it on the bed before departing.
"What's with him?" Ehren frowned in the direction of the medic's voice.
"Him? I suppose he doesn't want to let you out of his sight," the medic said.
"Why? Am I being court-martialed for extreme stupidity or something?" Ehren muttered.
"Not as far as I know," the medic said. "I'm not too high up on the food chain though. I just assumed..."
"Assumed what?" Ehren narrowed his eyes.
"N-Nothing," the medic stammered.
"Assumed what!" Ehren repeated himself more insistently.
"You know," the medic said. "You and the Commander?"
"Me and the commander what?" Ehren muttered.
"You're not..." He gave Ehren a knowing look even though Ehren could barely see him. “You're not with him?”
"I don't know what we are," Ehren said. He tried to cross his arms, but they still felt heavy.
"This sucks," he said. "When will I be back to normal?"
"Well, if you're hoping for a couple of days, I'm afraid to say that it's not going to happen like that. It's going to take a while and a little physical therapy. Those kind of projectiles do a lot of damage, and we put you in a coma for a few days to heal."
"No!" Ehren said. "This is going to set me back. I..."
"You are a complete idiot," Robin interrupted. He had returned and was standing in the doorway with a smirk on his face.
"Why the fuck did you take a bullet for Feliu, huh?" Robin entered the room and sat back at his seat near the bedside giving the medic a warning glare that sent him scurrying from the room.
"Because," Ehren muttered. "Because he's an innocent man, and we are here to protect the innocent from galaxies full of the worst criminals..."
"Don't repeat the manual to me," Robin said. "What's the reason? You and I... We're far past protocol at this point, Lieutenant."
"Ensign. Fuck you, Robin. You know what my rank is. You know what my name is..."
"Shut-Up, Ehrenfried," Robin said. "The order hasn't come down yet officially, but you're being promoted."
"Why am I being promoted?" Ehren moaned. "Seriously? What do I have to do to make captain, go AWOL?"
Robin chuckled. "Excellence in the field is certainly promotion worthy. You're the one who just quoted the manual at me. You stepped in front of a bullet to protect an innocent man as you see it apparently."
"As I see it?"
"Yeah, you're like that, I suppose. I-GAS sees him only as an asset; an asset with invaluable information about his father's operations. Are you going to answer my question then?"
"Why did I do it?" Ehren glared ponderously in Robin's direction for a moment, before sighing and staring down at his hands.
"I did it because you obviously care a great deal about him. You have a history. We had a...I don't even know. I get why you dropped me, but basically... I care about you even though I know I mean nothing more to you than some way to pass the time, and you care about him, so..."
"I care about you, Ehrenfried," Robin said. He reached out and held Ehren's hand once again. "I told you once that I'd really hate it if you died out there."
"You did," Ehren admitted. "But this is... You're using my name."
"That's what you wanted isn't it?"
"Yes, but..."
Ehren sighed again. His words failed him. Instead of speaking, he pursed his lips and turned his hand palm-side up so that he could grasp Robin's.
"I'm glad you're here at least," he said. "You can call me whatever you want, Sir."
They sat there for a while enjoying eachother's company without worrying about what the future might hold. Eventually Rasa appeared at the doorway laden with flowers and Seth reluctantly trailing along behind her holding a small potted plant. She ran up to Ehren and gave him an awkward hug then gestured at her twin to hand over the twig-like flora in his hand.
"Commander Grey asked us to come,” Seth said. “He says flowers are a custom for the ill where you are from. He sent us on a mission to find this."
He deposited the plant in Ehren's lap and retreated to a far corner of the room to wait out the visit.
"And we got you this one." Rasa lay a bouquet of Amarantian roses on his bedside table. "How are you doing, kid?"
"He'll be fine," Robin interrupted before Ehren could even open his mouth.
"Thank you," Ehren said. He nodded towards the general direction of where he had heard Rasa set the flowers then felt the potted plant in his lap.
"Sorry, I'm kinda blind right now. Is this a plear tree?" He smiled.
"It'll save your parents a ton of money exporting those things," Robin said. "You eat them like..."
"Lizards!" Axel hopped into the room, his voice booming through the room with Berilo close behind making clucking noises of mock-offense at him.
Ehren laughed, which quickly turned into a rattling cough and a groan which sent Rasa and Axel crowding around his bedside, cooing over him. He tried to swat them away, but only ended up laughing more despite the pain and soreness that permeated his body.
When they finally stepped away, Ehren asked for Berilo.
"You're still here. You saved my life they tell me."
"Maybe," he said. "Good thing you were unconscious, it would have really grossed you out."
He wandered sheepishly over to the bed and held out his hand, which held a necklace with a salamander pendant on it.
"This is for you," he said as he carefully dropped the charm in Ehren's free hand. "She is a Biron talisman. Wear it and she will bring you good health. Also, don't jump in front of any more bullets. That helps too."
"I'm gonna miss you around here, you big weirdo," Ehren said. He took the gift and thrust it in Robin's general direction. He got the hint and carefully placed it around Ehren's neck.
"You won't get to miss me for too long," Berilo said. "I joined I-GAS. That Grand Admiral of yours is very convincing, and they gave me a medal too. You know, Birons really like shiny things! If I can get more of them..."
He shrugged and retreated to stand beside Rasa with his arm around her shoulder. She didn't flinch, and he grinned happily while Seth glowered at them from his corner. They continued to chat well into the afternoon until the medic returned with Ehren's daily dose of sleep inducing medicines. When he woke up later in the evening, much to his relief, his vision had returned. Though a bit blurry, he was able to see that Robin was still there, sitting in the dark, reading by the light of a solitary lamp.
"I see you," Ehren said.
Robin jumped, and the book clattered to the ground.
"What is that? I thought you were too awesome to read," Ehren said.
"Those words never crossed my lips," Robin replied. He got up from his seat, picked the text up and dumped it on Ehren's lap. It was a beginner's guide to Earthian.
"Why?" Ehren murmured.
"Well, when your parents get here, I want to be able to impress them as much as you impressed my mom. I don't think that will be possible though. She already adores you. Probably more than me."
"First of all, your mom loves you," Ehren said. "Second of all...when my parents get here?"
"Yeah." Robin shrugged. "They're not that far away. We're at an I-GAS facility on the Nature actually. I called in a favor. They should be inbound tomorrow morning."
“And you invited my friends from the squad...”
“Invite, ordered...same thing.” Robin laughed. “They wanted to be here. I gave them an official excuse. They'll be back tomorrow. For now it's just you and me.”
"Well then. You should come here." Ehren scooted over, wincing as he did so and patted the bed beside the newly empty spot. Robin just eyed him curiously.
"C'mon," Ehren said. "There's plenty of room."
Robin reluctantly crawled into bed, and Ehren curled up against him.
"Now, page one?" Ehren propped the textbook up opened to the first page of the first chapter.
"I already read that," Robin said.
"And if I know you, none if has sunk in at all. That's what I'm here for," he said. "Why try to teach yourself from a book when you've got the master at your disposal?"
"So you're the master now?"
"Are you really going to belabor the point?" Ehren said.
Robin chuckled at him and shook his head. "Teach away master."
***
The next morning proved a challenge as Ehren was beginning to get antsy being awake and feeling pain whenever he tried to walk. It was after an afternoon of much complaining that Robin finally got him to agree to a wheelchair and a walk in the hospital garden.
"So this is the Nature?" Robin looked up at the small clearing of sky above them that was surrounded by the impossibly tall trees of the forest planet.
"Yep," Ehren said. "Interesting fact about the Nature..."
"Aside from the fact that it's the future?” Robin replied.
"Or is it?" Ehren said.
Robin laughed at him, and Ehren never finished his thoughts on Naturian history as they continued on their quiet stroll with only the sounds of the forest in their ears.
"When I get better," Ehren said after they passed by a bed of roses. "When they let me walk again..."
"Yeah?"
"I'm taking you to Amarantos," he said. "We can take leave and it's not far from here."
"Oh, yeah?" Robin said.
"Uh-huh."
He clasped a hand around Ehren's shoulder as they walked.
"I'll look forward to the day," he said.
Previous
