May the Best Man Win

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 30th October 2020

Characters: C'rin, K'lvin
Description: C'rin issues a challenge, sort of.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 2, day 26 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Riveenata

C'rin

The look that had been in Riveenata's eyes, and the tone in her voice, when she had asked if K'lvin had visited was something that C'rin could not get out of his mind. He knew that she had a connection with the older bronzerider, but C'rin was also sure that she had a connection with him too.

Although C'rin wanted to ask Riveenata about their relationship, he was afraid that she would confirm what he feared- that she was in love with K'lvin and what she'd been doing with him was just casual. C'rin was too close to loving Riveenata to hear that.

Deciding that he couldn't sit by and do nothing, the brownrider found himself on Dasveth's neckridge heading to Barrier Lake.

-

K'lvin was having his last sip of red wine, the daily glass he was allotted because the healer said it was good for his heart, when the knock came at his office door. More candidates? he wondered.

"Come in," he called, his wooden chair creaking as he rocked back in it.

Whatever the Weyrlingmaster had been expecting, it clearly wasn't C'rin. K'lvin shot to his feet. "Riveenata?"

C'rin held both hands up. "She's fine. I came to talk to you."

Visible relief passed across K'lvin's face as he sank back into his chair and gestured for C'rin to sit. "Have a seat then."

"Riveenata's asked about you, you know. I think she is confused as to why you haven't been to see her." C'rin launched into it without preamble. "So I came to find out why you haven't been to see her since she's woken up."

K'lvin envied some of C'rin's incorrigible youth. "Why should it matter to you if I have visited her?"

"Because it has clearly bothered her, the fact that you haven't been." C'rin said with a slight flush riding on his cheeks.

"And her feelings matter to you because what? You're in love with her?" K'lvin asked.

"Yes," C'rin said in a clipped tone, irritated with the mocking tone of the bronzerider's voice.

"And does she love you?" K'lvin asked, green eyes hard.

"I don't know, I've never asked." C'rin's confidence wavered a bit.

K'lvin sighed, inwardly feeling some small relief at that. "I haven't been because I have been trying to give her some space… with you."

C'rin's eyebrows raised in surprise. "With me?"

"I saw you there in the waiting room, you wear your emotions on your face so it was pretty easy to see. I remembered then that I had seen you with Riveenata before, at River Bluff, but I was weyrmated and didn't even know who Riveenata was back then." K'lvin felt like River Bluff was a lifetime ago. "Riveenata is young, you both are, you are better suited for her in many ways. I love her, not like you think you do. I have loved before, deeply, and I know what it is like to lose that. I also know what it is like to love someone enough to do what's best for them, even if it means giving them up. I am trying to give Riveenata the space to decide what is best for her."

"Didn't you try that before and you changed your mind?" C'rin asked, voice tense. He didn't like the insinuation that K'lvin loved Riveenata more than he did.

"Yes but when I did it then there was no real reason, other than my own insecurities, but less than a month ago I asked Riveenata to be my weyrmate. Did you know that?"

C'rin's heart sank. **Weyrmate?**

K'lvin held his hand up. "Before you get too depressed, she said no. After seeing you in the waiting room, I felt like I knew why she didn't say yes."

C'rin let that sink in, feeling a flare of hope come back. Had she told K'lvin no because of her feelings for him?

"So that is why I haven't visited."

"I understand your reasons, and selfishly I hope you're right, that she said no to you because of me, but you are hurting her by not being there. If you are giving her space, the least you can do is tell her." C'rin sat up a little straighter. "Trust me, I want her to choose me, but not because you withdrew yourself. I want to know if she chooses me, it's because she loves me."

K'lvin studied C'rin, thinking that he had underestimated the younger man. "Fine. Have it your way."

The brownrider stood and extended his hand.

Standing, K'lvin looked C'rin in the eyes as they shook hands, their expressions clearly saying "Let the best man win."

Last updated on the November 11th 2020

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

May the Best Man Win