Bird of a Nest (bow 3)

Chapter 17

Nel'os sat next to Dyn'ad gingerly on the nest, Ryraso fast asleep next to him. The man looked exhausted. He wasn't sleeping, he was practically passed out. His face was twisted stressed and his hand was clutching Dyn'ad's shirt like a lifeline. Nel'os could see the stress in Ryraso's shoulders and the whites of his knuckles. It was unsettling. He wasn't even sure just when the stress had leaked out. He didn't agree with Pol'ar observations about the link but Nel'os could see how stressed Ryraso was now.

"I suspect about five minutes after Eyeri's back was safe from being branded," Dyn'ad murmured gently, reaching over and yanking Nel'os against him. Nel'os pressed his face against Dyn'ad shoulder and curled as close as he dared without touching Ryraso's arm. "Once Eyeri was safe, his own issues were about to appear."

"It's been days... I was with him almost the entire time," Nel'os breathed, distress filling his chest. They had been watching for Ryraso having issues. It was almost evitable. Yet. He hadn't seen it until too late. "How did I miss it?"

Dyn'ad kissed Nel'os hair and nuzzled his hair. "We didn't notice either. He didn't sleep well last night. It's entirely possible that he was able to contain it until then," Dyn'ad pointed out gently.

"He was worried about his friends. About Isst and Wiljam," Tai'ray hummed through the link, spreading a blanket of warmth and love over Nel'os. Mentally he joined the embrace Dyn'ad had with Nel'os and settled against their minds comfortably as he ignored an argument between two of the nobles happening in front of him. "He's feeling torn between us and them," Tai'ray guessed softly.

"That could be an issue," Dyn'ad grimaced as Nel'os curled tighter.

"Ryraso begged me to it happen. Said I was the best person to try get over his issue with. And to not make it something its not," Nel'os thought mournfully. Thinking of the look in Ryraso's eyes as he had done so. Ryraso had looked desperate. It was what made Nel'os stop."He just said he wanted it over with. Whatever 'it' is."

"That's something only Ryraso will be able to answer, if he knows himself," Tai'ray mused.

"If... If it is sex. If he does want to get it over with so he is entire with us and not waiting for when he finally crosses the line. I'll do it," Dyn'ad mused darkly. "I don't want you two doing it," he settled on firmly, mentally batting away complains and confusion. "I don't mean having sex altogether. I mean currently. He's clearly not truly ready for it but if it's driving him to extremes, it may be kinder if I give him it. At least with me, it's having sex with the head of the nest. With me, it's different."

There was hesitation on both Nel'os and Tai'ray's ends. It was certainly true if Ryraso was not ready they didn't want to force him into it. Tai'ray's own scars burned at the idea of having sex with Ryraso before he was ready. Nel'os was uncomfortable with the idea. Forcing things like that was not healthy. But. It was also true that punching walls wasn't exactly healthy either. What would be the bigger evil? Making Ryraso wait and grow more stressed or letting Ryraso get it over with like a chore?

"We do need to talk to him about his threat to sleep with others too," Nel'os murmured, not sure what to say to that. Dyn'ad was the head of the nest. There was some argument to say that there was more legitimately from him being the one to help Ryraso with this.

"You can't force him," Tai'ray pleaded gently. He was reluctant to call it a plea and yet it really was. He didn't want Ryraso unhappy with them. He didn't want Ryraso's first time with any of them now he was back to be forced or difficult.