Healing Ties (Ties, Book 2) | ✓

Chapter 47

Fanner was a different person around bigger groups. Not as much had changed in him over the last few days as Yore had assumed. Yore had looked forward to being back with the others because he'd assumed it would mean they could all feel safer, but Fanner was sticking closer to Yore's side than ever and he kept sending him worried glances, especially when anyone else would approach.

Yore didn't think Fanner was afraid of the others. Not exactly. Not in the same way he'd been scared of the rock golem or even, when they'd first met, of Yore. He hadn't stuttered over his words when talking to Yore's mother because he'd been worried she might hurt him.

From what Yore understood, Fanner had been punished for the slightest transgression growing up, even if that was nothing more than standing the wrong way or not speaking clearly, things Fanner struggled with on a good day and seemed to only get worse at when he was nervous. Milaine House didn't beat their slaves, but they did teach them that their entire self worth was linked to their ability to look and act like they were expected to.

It would take time. That was all. Fanner wasn't someone who could afford to give his trust to others lightly. He'd been hurt too many times for that. It helped, in a way, to think about that, to imagine it was the only problem the future would hold. He couldn't think about what life might actually look like a few days from now, who might no longer be with them after the battle. Yore hadn't wanted to feed into Fanner's fear, but he wasn't wrong. There would be no happy ending to the situation they were in.

They stopped for the night next to a clear, burbling creek, good for drinking water and bathing and not much else. It was impossible to scavenge enough food for a group this size, especially with the kinds of appetites that werewolves and centaurs had. That was okay, though. They were expected to reach the Spire some time tomorrow, and there would be food there.

For the first time since they'd rejoined the group, Fanner willingly allowed himself to be detached from Yore's side in order to help Danya gather piles of leaves to make sleeping spots for their group for the night. Yore kept half an eye on Fanner in case anyone else approached them, but he let them have their time alone. There was a lot they needed to talk about.

Hamish was kneeling next to the creek with his shirt off, washing himself, while Duran stood next to him on the bank and did his best to flirt with him. It didn't seem to be going too well judging by how little attention Hamish was giving Duran, possibly because of Hamish's moral concerns around messing about with Companions or possibly because Harrison was standing directly over Duran's shoulder, glowering at Hamish the entire time.

Simon stepped up beside Yore and followed his gaze. "He's not already sniffing after Hamish, is he?"

"He is. He seems like he has a lidibo to rival Hamish's, so I'm not surprised."

Simon shook his head. "Hamish is the biggest whore I know, but he also hates relationship drama. He won't go for it."

"I can understand that. Duran seems to take a more pragmatic and detached approach to that kind of thing than most ex-Companions, but it seems likely he's carrying around his share of trauma. I don't know if it's in Duran's best interests for Hamish to turn him down, but it might still be in Hamish's."

Simon glanced over at Fanner and Danya. "Are you and Fanner...?"

"Dating? Yes."

Simon nodded. "I can't imagine that'll be easy, but you've never been a man to care about what's easy."

"Maybe not, but having him in my life makes everything else easier in ways I never really thought having a partner would."

"Yeah?"