Chapter Text
Katie would say she knew her brother. Even on opposite sides of the war, she still knew him like it was second nature. She can recognise the small twitches in his hand or eyebrows when he's frustrated, the glimmer in his eyes when he's about to do something mischievous. Sometimes she forgets that there's sides of him she's never seen.
Their time on the boat together has been delightful; Katie was here with all the people that mattered. They visited every odd dock they could. The days where they were constantly on the sea were never a bore as the crew found odd games to pass the time.
Katie developed a closer friendship with the other resident redhead. Mae wasn't hard to get along with. Her energy was infectious, it was brighter than the chill attitude she was used to from Kitty and 4C. Katie can't help but laugh along with her.
Despite that, Mae had times where she's quiet and drained. During these moments, she's stuck by Scott's side, tucked against his cape or secluded in a nook with 4C. Nom was sometimes clung to. Recently, Katie has been blessed to be a person she lingered with too. Mae would bring her higher up, onto a small platform up the large mast pole. No one was ever up there besides them. Mae would cuddle herself up to Katie's side and they'd watch the colours of the sky change and fade or observe the rest of the crew walking about the ship.
It was good.
They were sitting there now, the sky sinking into shades of pinks and oranges. Mae had her head laid on Katie's shoulder, their fingers intertwined with one another. They were whispering childhood stories back and forth before silence crept in. A small glance downwards to the girl on her arm, showed closed eyes and rosy cheeks. Suppose Katie was stuck here until she woke up. It wasn't half bad.
The sound of a creaking door opening and closing draws her attention. Glancing down at the deck, she spots the figure of her brother stepping out of the cabin, a blonde following close behind.
Katie's curiosity has peaked. She's noticed many new things about her brother since they've been onboard. He favours leaning to the right when he spars, he prefers late mornings and enjoys tea more than coffee. They felt like things she should've known ages ago. At least she was learning them now.
A habit that she's also spotting him developing, was the time he spent with the flower mage. Nom spent time with everybody else on the ship of course, but he seemed to lean closer to Scott anytime he's around. Katie has watched the way they sit close to one another in their small reading alcove, the way their hands were constantly in touch with the other's body. It was strange for her to witness, but she supposes it isn't out of the ordinary for friends to be close with one another. Her and Kitty had a similar bond. There was something akin to it developing with Mae.
Yet, she couldn't help the nagging feeling telling her there was more than a simple friendship.
Katie watches from above as Scott walks over to the side of the ship, leaning against the railing. He stands there for a second, admiring the orange and pink tone of the sky before turning back to the ex-knight behind him. She wishes she could see Nom's expression, as he stood impossibly still before running an anxious hand through his hair.
Mae stirs at the side of her. Katie lets go of their intertwined hands to throw an arm around the rogue, pulling her closer into Katie's side. Hesitantly, she rubs soothing circles to her shoulder. She seems to relax at the touch, sinking back into Katie comfortably.
Kaite sighs, before glancing back down at the deck to see what she's missed. It took a lot of restraint to exclaim loudly when she catches sight of them.
Scott was still against the railing, the sun abandoned to his back. I suppose it's hard to focus on it when Nom's standing right over him, one arm braced on the railing beside the mage and the other holding his hip. There was a closeness in their position that seemed a lot more than platonic.
Katie blinked rapidly trying to comprehend. Surely they're not together…? Nom would've told her, right?
Her thoughts and theories were half confirmed as she watches her brother lean his face closer towards the mage-
This feels like an invasion of privacy. Katie politely, and very rapidly whipped her head away, now suddenly very focused on the orange shade of the clouds. It took a lot in her to not yell at the moment. Not only to not interrupt whatever is going on, but also to not wake the sleeping Mae against her. She’s sure her face is burning up intensely right now.
A few seconds ticked before the sound of her brother’s chuckle rang from the deck. Only then was Katie brave enough to glance back over at the couple below. Nom still stood within Scott’s space, his hands now cupping the blonde’s face like he was the most precious thing he’s ever held. A few more flowers seem to have bloomed and intertwined themselves in Scott’s hair.
Words seem to be exchanged between them, but they were too low of a murmur for Katie to catch any. Even if she did hear, she wasn’t sure how well she could process them as her brain struggles to still comprehend it all. Out of everyone, why was it Scott Springwell?
While the mage gives the illusion of softness and kindness, there was an edge to him that not many saw. He could be a danger if he dared. Katie was at the end of his spells and mischief one too many times to know that Scott could cause damage. Though, she supposes that's what Nom would like. Somebody who can rival him in angst, silliness and bravery.
A sudden ache hits Katie in her chest. It pains to realise that maybe she doesn’t know Nom anymore. Not like before. While he still maintains all his old tells, he’s developed new habits that Katie has not yet recognised fully. He’s grown new connections with people that Katie doesn’t know.
Nom turned his back to lean beside Scott along the railing, throwing his arm around his shoulders. The action was carefree, practiced. But one thing that Katie couldn’t help notice was the smile that her brother wore. It wasn’t the large grin that splits across his whole face when he tells a bad joke. It wasn't a cheeky one, where he’s plotting to do something devious. It was a pure genuine smile, one which was soft, full of love and care. Katie rarely sees it on him. It suits him.
Nom leans his head against Scott’s own, shutting his eyes. Those orange eyes, the reminder of what they went through. Here, he no longer looked like the knight in blood soaked armour with a crown heavy with thorns. For once, Nominal finally looked at rest.
Then all of it clicks to her and Katie can’t help but let out a silent laugh. She always cared for her brother. Despite the hands stained red, despite the distance. Katie wants him to be happy, and here he is, peacefully standing on a boat they share as theirs. No wars. No quarrels. If he’s content, then Katie can be too.
Katie decides to sit up with Mae a little longer. To give the rogue a chance to rest, to observe the sunset, and to give her brother time to himself and his flower.
There’s going to be time later to go interrogate him about everything because they can afford that now. They can exist with one another without a rift driving them apart. Katie can still gain back the relationship that they’d lost. It wasn’t too late anymore.