Still Here

"Shush, Ezran!"

Callum strode to the throne room, wondering what Ez wanted to talk about. As he passed through the halls, the tired guards nodded to him. He waved back. He wished Rayla could come with him, but Opeli said Ezran wanted to talk alone. Which was a bummer, but Callum would never turn down anything his brother needed from him.

As the guards permitted him to pass, Callum saw Ezran, sitting in the throne. "What do you need to talk about?" he asked. Ezran straightened his back, yawned, and said, very simply, "When are you gonna ask?"

Callum, looking very confused, questioned him for further details. "Ask who, what?" Ezran stifled a laugh. "Everyone knows you want to. You're nervous." Callum then knew what he was talking about. He did want to ask. And he wanted to soon. He sighed. "This is my business, Ez." Ezran snickered. "Come on! This is big! And I'm your little brother. If anything, I should be the one by your side when you do ask!"

Callum's hands covered his eyes. He had not planned for Ezran to know until after. But, of course, Ezran is good at everything he shouldn't be. Callum knew soon he would find out. Deep down, he knew that. He just thought maybe if he stayed inconspicuous, he might not know. But that was one thing Callum was never good at. Acting like everything is normal. He had plans to ask one question. A question everybody asks or is asked at some point. But he was too nervous to make any plans. He had everything he needed. He had bought what he needed. He just had to ask.

"You know I'm right. You're gonna propose." "Shush, Ezran! Do you want her to hear you?" he snapped. Sighing, he leaned back on his heels. "I can't screw this up like I screw up everything else. I have one chance to get this right. I can't fail it. So please, be quiet about this. Tell no one." "Not even Corvus?" "Not even Corvus." Ezran sighed. "Okaayyyyy." Callum nodded and left the throne room. Well, crap. Ezran knows. He's gonna blab.

He began the long walk back to his room. It seemed longer than usual. He felt as if he had taken a wrong turn. Maybe he was just tired. Upon arrival, he immediately saw Rayla asleep on the floor. A whetstone lay by her side. She had been sharpening her butterfly blades. Callum quickly came up and took them from her, so she wouldn't cut herself. He set them ever so gently on her bedside table. He set the whetstone by it.

He scooped her up and lay her in bed. Her eyes remained closed. She seemed too tired to open them. Soon exhaustion engulfed Callum too, and he fell into a deep slumber.