Tributes

Chapter Fifty-eight

Fifty-one watched Jake enchant Abel with careful eyes, his magic nuzzling in the background, ready to intervene if Jake's magic attempted to lash out at the child. Jake approved. His older brothers and sisters spoke of tributes bullying each other out of jealousy of Tyreol's attention. Jake didn't remember any of his lot actively being bullies, but people could be cruel to the younger members of their cohort for no reason. 

"Thank you, he needed a distraction," Jack smiled, eyes continuing to be wary, but there was a touch of warmth in them. He offered his hand in greeting. Humans had raised this one; no fae raised offered a handshake. 

Jake shook it, amused at the foreign action after so many years of living in the otherworld courts. "I can't imagine being trapped in the rooms is good for him," Jake said sympathetically. "Fiear mentioned Master is busy tidying his house, so hopefully soon there will be more interaction for him."

"Master let his brother out, and now he's angsty," Jack's eyes darted back into the room. "Silas is a bit more outgoing, so I imagine it's going well."

"Joys of twins. They don't like being apart, but also need time to be themselves. I help with the young ones at Fiear's court, so I'm used to skittish young ones with power."

"Fiear?" Jack considered. "Is he angry at Luke for breaking his promise to return?" 

Jake blinked owlishly, "Fiear? Angry?" Jake laughed. "I'm not sure which promise you refer to, but Fiear doesn't have a temper with tributes. He gets disappointed but rarely angry. He's as bad as Tyreol at spoiling Luke rotten." 

"Jake!" Luke groaned as he peeked out the door, feeling a familiar presence. "I don't think you get to say that!" He stumbled over to Jake and hugged him, unashamedly curling against him without caring who saw. Jake wrapped his arms around him and kissed his forehead, not missing how Luke's sleeping clothes hid his arms and legs completely covered. Someone's ports were bothering them. "You were the baby for the longest, ignoring Fiear!"

"I was the youngest during a war. I saw Master's anger a lot sooner than you." Jack judged them, not maliciously, but he watched. Normally, Jake would play the game to reassure the tribute of their behaviour and relationships, but Luke needed him more than fifty-one did. Jake smiled at Jack but scooped Luke over his shoulders and carried him back to Tyreol's den. 

They flopped on the bed, and Jake rested next to Luke, enjoying the immediate sense of home as Tyreol's scent covered him. Jack didn't follow them. Luke trembled next to him, more distress leaking from him. 

"Jake?" 

"Yes?" Jake stroked Luke's side.

"Is it true what Helian said? That the memory of his anger fades?" 

"It does, given time," Jake reassured, squeezing his arm carefully. Luke's eyes watered immediately, and tears fell as he buried his face against the older tribute's shoulder and sobbed. Their softhearted youngest had never been afraid to cry in the company of the people they trusted.  Jake curled his fingers in Luke's hair. "Silly pup. You knew this would happen eventually." 

"I knew," Luke sniffed.

"Lukey. It's fine to be upset, but Master does not love you any less. If he did, he wouldn't have chased after you."

"I know, it doesn't stop it hurting," Luke admitted. Peace covered them as Jake waited for something else.  There was something else. It was in Luke's voice, a fear that went beyond Tyreol abandoning him. "I think I'm sporing." 

Jake hissed and pulled back to study Luke. "It's not the season."

"One of my ports is active and swelling. It happens sometimes when people are particularly emotional," Luke kept his face hidden against a pillow. "It hurts."