A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

43

"What's eating at ya, Duffy?" Kieran looked up, his hat shielding the person who had spoken to him out of his view. His cigarette hung loosely between his fingers, threatening to fall and yet he managed to hold it still; despite the shallow grip.

"What?"

The person repeated, now crouching down to his height. Kieran narrowed his eyes through the sunlight cascading down upon them, able to make out Lem through the light.

"I said what's eating at ya? Seem kinda d-down."

Kieran frowned, remember Harry's words he spat at him a couple days back and yet he kept them to himself not wanting to burden neither Nora or Lem with it. Lem had been back for much longer than Harry or James had been and not once did Nora show any intentions of wanting to be rid of him, rather she seemed intent on keeping him around.

"Nothing, Mister." He replied, bringing his cigarette back up to his lips for another intake of smoke.

Not convinced, Lem decided to pry at least until he got bored or fed up and left or Kieran gave in and told him what appeared to be bothering him and knowing Kieran from what Nora mentioned and his own observations of the male, the latter was more than likely.

"Seriously though, you don't seem like nothing's bothering you."

Kieran remained silent, too busy smoking to answer.

"Kieran."

No answer.

"I could grab Nora, she'd probably get something out of you."

Kieran let out a long sigh, unwilling to go on with Lem trying his hardest to force the information from him.

"It's those brother's of hers. T-They were nice to me at first but they're so, cruel."

"Yeah, even Nora gets infuriated by them." Lem frowned, nodding slowly too himself. Kieran chuckled in agreement, looking behind the other male back at the camp where Harry and James were busy singing songs around the fire with Cripps.

"They feel it their duty as men to protect the little w-women of the camp, although Nora is more than c-capable of not only protecting herself, but protecting everyone else around her."

"Yeah."

"What's they said anyway?"

Kieran let out a forced laugh, shaking his head slowly as if that would be his final answer but from Lem's face and how the male was not moving a muscle until he received his so desired response, Kieran had no choice but too answer.

"It's silly."

"Nothing's too silly, friend."

He struggled with the words, still fighting in some imaginary battle with himself over his own debate on whether or not he should burden the man with his own problems.

"Well, they both been calling me O'Driscoll for a while now. When nobody ain't lookin' or is in ear shot too 'em a-and when you and Nora came back from whatever happened, after Nora went off H-Harry came up to me with a real sour look in his eye- said that I ain't gonna be around much longer since you been back."

If Kieran wasn't so ashamed already he'd cry, his bottom lip quivering as he as a person was on the verge of tears. Lem could only give Kieran a gentle pat on his shoulder, letting out a long and tired sigh after he allowed his friend too speak.

"They're bullies alright. Pay them no mind and, well, if you want me too I can speak with Nora or Cripps."

"And what could they do?"

"Well, hopefully sort it all out. Nora's taken a little more seriously around 'ere though, she'd have them stop talking shit." Kieran forced a small smile at Lem, giving him a small wave as he walked off. He didn't really answer Lem about talking with Nora, but judging by the way Lem had pulled the female to the side and would occasionally glance in his direction he assumed that Lem had told her anyway.

He wanted to laugh allowed when Nora stormed to her brother's side, shouting at them in a matter of scolding them but his joy was caught in his throat by the harsh gaze thrown his way by Harry. He had noticed that Harry appeared to be the leader out of the duo, probably from being the older twin and claiming himself to be the one in charge, so when James had shot an apologetic look over at him, Kieran wasn't in the least surprised at the male's regret in doing so after Harry gave him a harsh glare too.

"Should've said somethin' sooner, Duffy." Nora held a gentle smile, her face glowing in the sunlight as she stood before him. His words left him, he felt flustered by her presence and found himself incapable of talking too him.

"C-Couldn't." Was all he managed, having to drop his head low to distract himself.

"You okay there? Actin' awfully strange." She sat next to him on the log, her hand flat against his forehead to check for a temperature like her mother would do with him. She noticed his face which was only growing darker shades of red the longer she stayed by him.

He let out a cough, awkwardly shuffling away from the situation as he found himself trapped in an invisible room within his mind, one that was surely going to embarrass him the longer he stayed near Nora.

"Didn't scare him off too, did you?" Cripps' voice was rough, sore almost as he talked too Nora. She rolled her eyes at the lazy attempt of a joke, leaning forward in her seat.

"Hope not."

"He's fine, got flustered is all."

"Over what exactly, JB?"

"You of course. Nora any fool can see just how much that kids likes ya and I'd bet if you weren't so, stuck on Lem, you'd like him too."

She gasped, looking at her companion with that of horror at his observation. He didn't smile or anything, held a completely neutral face which meant he wasn't teasing, being completely honest in his words. How she did not like this.

"One. I am not stuck on Lem and, Two. He and I are friends and that's it."

"You are a fool for not seeing it, I seen the looks you give eachother and I see how sad you look when Lem approaches you two; it's as if a pup has been caught eating the lamb or something."

"A pup has been caught... eating the lamb." She repeated this slowly, laughing after the words clicked all too the unamused expression he pulled.

"Point is.. you're a fool if you can't see it Nora Morgan."

"Okay, I- well, what do I say to that?"

"You say 'thank you for your wise words, Mister Cripps. I shall take your advice into consideration.' and get about too your previous business." He mocked her voice, batting his eyes in over-exaggerated acting.

"Whatever you say, I suggest you go back before the pup eats another lamb or worse." She chuckled.

Cripps rose from his seat, rolling his eyes at the mocks he received instead from Nora before heading back towards his own wagon.

She thought long about what he had to say however, not sure what to make of it herself or to whether take it as a new take of teasing. Regardless she was left confused by the encounter, choosing to just push it aside for now and see if it were too resurface later.

But with her and Kieran growing closer these past few weeks since he started staying with them, even she could not deny her own silly little feelings growing into something far more than friendship. Something she last felt, and still feels, for Lem.