{Ishkur | Oleen’s Iona}
Bethany was hungry.
The Nice Man and Lucy had promised she could eat soon, but first they had to persuade Bethany’s brother and sister to let her go on a hunting trip.
“After the wedding, we’re heading to Pil. There’s a smuggling ring and possibly some human trafficking. I’ll convince them it’s purely educational.”
The Nice Man understood Bethany. He wanted nothing from her and offered her the abyss in his empty smiles. After spending weeks in a room full of faces waiting for Bethany to speak again or brush her hair, empty smiles with no expectations were a relief.
Like right now.
Ross was combing Bethany’s wet curls, talking. The way Ross pronounced the syllables and the feel of the bristles pulling through Bethany’s hair fed her heart. That was love.
Inflating memories of blisters until the skin of Bad Men boiled fed Bethany’s soul. That was vitality.
The young girl needed the hurt to exist. Without it, Bethany was a collection of memories without reason. The pain held her together, and she starved for men who would hurt her. Men who would hurt Ross. To feed.
Ross said, “You look beautiful in your dress. Do you like it?”
Clothes.
Sheaths to prevent Bethany’s nudity.
The union ceremony was themed. All guests must wear black, white, silver, or violet. The skater dress was lavender and brought out Bethany’s honey-brown eyes. Korac would like it.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
That mattered. A compliment from her half-Aegis, half-Icarean friend, was worth the humanity forced on Bethany’s skin. She still met with him once a month. Their quiet walks were a platinum treasure in her brass world.
Aware of this, Ross was nice for dressing Bethany with thought and care. The youngest sister faced the eldest and wrapped her arms around her. This caused Bethany substantial suffering in her chest because Ross always pulled away with a shimmer of tears in her hazel eyes.
Love.
Bethany loved Kyle and Ross with all her heart. It hurt so much. They were bright as the light when the Nice Man removed the hood from her head. Blinding and well-missed, but not as accepting as Bethany remembered.
Ross kissed Bethany’s forehead, and her sister’s lips trembled. “Ready for some makeup?”
Fables painted on the skin.
“Korac will like it.”
Bethany nodded.
They were in the bedroom off of the living space, allowing Bethany to eavesdrop on Jack’s conversation with Chris. “That’s downright spiffy, Batman.” There was no mocking in the younger man’s voice. Simply respect.
Pride warmed Chris’ tone. “Well, Robin, I used to like dressing up occasionally before I met you on Invasion Day and became a galactic diplomat.”
“Yeah. For funerals and weddings.” Now Jack was mocking him.
Karter laughed, and Echo whistled with the sound.
Chris returned fire. “What about you? I doubt delinquents dressed like GQ models in high school. You look like a grown man. I couldn’t be prouder, kid.” It was a father’s tone, and it suffused the entire suite with warmth.
Ross intruded on Bethany’s thoughts. “Matt, Lucy, and Puk will be here soon. They’re stopping by to get Twenty-One and Miy first.”
Bethany wanted to ask if Yito was with them, but she kept the question to herself. She wasn’t ready for casual conversation yet. Instead, she smiled while Ross applied lipstick.
Yito was old. So much older than any Icarus currently living. Even Karter. And he was another nice man. He let her play in his memory, full of plagues and famine. Because of this pastime, Bethany had learned she could inflict from anyone’s memory she experienced—Not only her own. And the old Tritan asked for nothing in return. He was another person who simply accepted her.
As if hearing her little sister’s thoughts, Ross smiled and said, “Yito is with them.”
Bethany grinned.
Maybe… just maybe… her family was accepting her.
After all, family was why they’d fought in the Collective War. It was about time Bethany felt comfortable with her own.
Except Kyle.
When Korac finally opened that present, the next war would start.
On second thought, Bethany was fine with that.