THAGGAR AND AKIRA

"I'll put her to bed." Thaggar said starting to walk away from Akira.

"Did she hear?" Akira asked when she noticed the dry tear stains on Taki's cheeks.

"Yes. She'll be fine. She's my sister after all."

"Of course, the sister of the mighty king Thaggar!" Akira said huffing her chest and making her voice deeper.

Thaggar chuckled quietly and then placed his index finger over his lips as he looked back at Akira who had started following him.

"Let's not wake her. Even a warrior's sister needs to sleep."

Akira nodded and subconsciously went to hold his free hand. Thaggar smiled and looked down at her, noticing her own dry tears and dry lips. Even like this she looked endearing but he still preferred to see her smiling.

Thaggar was visibly exhausted from the climb up the stairs as he entered Taki's room. Akira released his hand and watched him place Taki gently on the bed. He planted a light featherly kiss on her forehead and then flicked his finger on her cheek, nearly waking her up.

"What are you doing?!" Akira whisper screamed.

"It's what we always did as children, don't worry." Thaggar said with a bright smile as he approached her.

Akira nodded and they left. When they reached the stairs case, Akira stopped walking and Thaggar stopped a few steps ahead.

"What?"

"If you aren't too tired...?"

Akira held out her hands expectantly as she flashed Thaggar with the most pleading gaze she could muster. He was confused at first but he quickly understood her wish to be carried for the rest of the distance to their room. She moved only when he turned around and went down on one knee so she could climb onto his back.

"You're heavy...." Thaggar said in an exaggerated manner as he lay Akira down on the bed.

He lay down on top of her, putting all his weight on her and she giggled.

"No....you are heavy. I can't even breath." She said seriously out of breath.

Thaggar sighed and supported most of his weight on this hands.

"Better?"

"Mhhm." She hummed smiling up at him.

He smiled back and they stared at each other for a while. Akira stared at the door for a few seconds and pushed him off of her abruptly, startling him as he feel to the sighed. Before he could ask her what was wrong she was already gone. He decided to wait for her and soon enough she was back with a look of guilt in her eyes.

"What happened?"

"I forgot about Savvy's food. She's the only reason I cooked in the first place."

"Was she waiting? This whole time?"

Akira nodded and sighed as she settled down on the bed.

"She said I don't have to stay the night with her....that she knows I have a....husband to take care of."

Thaggar's heart squeezed with remorse. He was the reason Akira had forgotten about Savvy. She probably felt that she wasn't important to him or anyone else for that matter.

"Let me go and talk to her." He said getting up.

Akira nodded and whispered a weak 'see you' to him. He left and walked the short distance to Savvy's room. He had never come here before so it felt odd. He knocked thrice and when no one answered he opened the door and let himself in. Savvy was sitting on the floor, her plate of food in front of her, untouched.

"You should eat something." He said, his voice involuntarily cracking.

Savvy turned to look at him, the sadness in her eyes almost palpable. She opened her mouth to say something but her words caught in her throat, an invisible lump forming in her throat, making her eyes feel watery.

"Okay then.... I'll feed you." Thaggar said walking closer but stopped when she flinched as though he was a stranger,"Brothers feed their sisters, you know?"

"You don't have to..."

"I want to. I won't leave until you finish your food and fall asleep and then I'll tuck you in. Sounds good?"

He sat down next to her and picked up the spoon, scooped up some of the rice and held it in front of her. She slowly opened her mouth and he fed her the first spoonful. A tear rolled down her cheek as she shut her eyes. The man she loved was here, doing what she always wanted him to do but....he wasn't doing it as a husband but a brother.

"Don't cry, Savvy." Thaggar said putting down the spoon.

He hugged her and her sobs were now wails of despair. He didn't know what to say to her so he picked up the spoon and tried feeding her again. She didn't refuse, accepting that he was clueless. She ate nearly all the food and fell asleep still having some rice in her mouth like a child.

"Savvy, open your mouth." Thaggar said tapping her lips to make her open her mouth so he could get the rice out.

She eventually opened her mouth and he removed the half chewed rice and threw it on the plate of leftovers. He lifted her and gently lay her on the bed and covered her with the warm blanket. It was getting cooler as winter approached and he had to start making preparations. He left with the plate and once outside, hand the plate to a maid and washed his hands in a basin another maid was holding as if they knew he'd need it.

"Did she eat?" Akira asked as soon as Thaggar walked in.

"Yes, she's asleep." He answered smiling,"It's my turn to eat, isn't it?"

Akira looked confused so Thaggar started undressing and she understood what he meant. She shook her head and pretended to go to sleep.

"No. Get up, my queen, you have duties to perform."

"I'm tired." She mumbled covering her whole body with the blanket.

Thaggar was quiet for a while and didn't hear anything until he sighed. The sound of ruffling clothes followed making her aware that he was getting dressed.

She uncovered her head and looked at him; completely dressed with a frown and his arms crossed over his chest.

"Sleep, don't bother." He said with a resigned tone,"If you want I won't even look at you."

"Thaggar, I was playing." Akira pleaded sitting up.

Thaggar shook his head and turned to the door attempting to leave making her squeal in panic. She jumped off the bed and run towards him, jumping on his back to stop him from leaving.

"Please, I want you too." She begged but Thaggar still opened the door.

Before he could even take a step she kicked the door shut.

"Decide what you want." Thaggar said.

"I want you, let's go." Akira answered pouting her lips.

Thaggar smiled and walked walked back to the bed.