Saving Me [MxM]

Chapter 10

It had been a few days since Venerra's… well, that, and Nathan wasn't surprised at all that they were all working. Even Venerra. She and Varian were working on washing and brushing the horses, and Varian was currently working with Zephyr. He was almost grown by then, and only slightly scarred from his run-in with the wolves. Nathan, however, was brushing Epona, since she seemed to like him so much. Not that he really minded.

Venerra was bigger, and Nathan briefly wondered when that had happened. He knew she would mature faster, but still. It seemed like not that long ago she was staying at his house while Varian was sick. Zephyr had gotten bigger too––almost the same size as Cana. Maybe a foot smaller.

The sudden vibration from Nathan's phone in his pocket made him jump as he quickly reached down to pull it out, checking the caller ID before answering. Elle. Why would she be calling? Holding his phone up to his ear, he continued brushing Epona, but quickly found out that it was ridiculously uncomfortable to stand there with one hand holding a phone and the other brushing a horse. So he sighed, putting Elle on speakerphone and lowering his hand. He figured her language wasn't too bad, so it should be fine with Venerra around. “Hello?”

“Hey––Nathaniel Tyler, am I on speaker?”

Oh, Elle. Always a pleasure to talk to. Nathan noticed Varian glance over at him curiously, but didn't say anything. Venerra did the same, but she smiled before going back to work on brushing the smaller horses.

“You are. Might want to watch what you say.” Nathan replied with a small smile. Elle sighed on her end.

“I told you to stop doing that to me.”

Varian looked amused, but still didn't speak as he soaped up Zephyr's neck, petting the horse as he went. Zephyr flicked his tail and tossed his head momentarily as a response.

“I don't recall that conversation. What do you want?”

“Well you're off from school, and I wanted to come see you, with Eric. You know, since you don't seem to live here anymore.”

Varian paused in his work at that, looking a little surprised by Elle's comment before shaking his head to himself and picking back up again. Nathan didn't see how it was surprising. Elle sort of had a point.

“I still visit, thank you.” Nathan laughed quietly. Elle hummed.

“Uh-huh, what, once a year? Right. Anyway, is it alright to come see my only child or not?”

she asked. Nathan paused at that, looking over to Varian for an answer. Considering it was his house, after all.

“As long as you don't mind us working,” Varian replied, “You're welcome to visit.”

“Wonderful,”

Elle said, “We'll be over in about fifteen minutes.”

She hung up after that, making Nathan frown at his phone. “Bye mom”. “Nice to talk to you”. “Love you too”.

“I don't know if I should be surprised at Elle or myself.” Varian commented. Nathan raised an eyebrow, thinking on that. Elle had expressed an interest in Varian for a while. However, for Varian to basically invite her over was a little odd. Nathan chose not to voice his comment though, shrugging instead. Varian just went back to work, finishing with soaping up Zephyr and grabbing the hose to rinse him off. Venerra was still working on the horse she started with, but considering she was new to farm chores, Nathan wasn't surprised.

Nathan hummed quietly to himself, checking the driveway every few minutes. He'd be fine if it was just Elle coming, but the fact that she wanted to bring Eric made him a little nervous. The last time Eric had seen Varian was when they'd gone over for dinner. Which hadn't left the best impression on Eric. Of course, it was unlikely that he'd bring it up, but still.