Preparations

[Connor Kent]

Connor watched as Nox and Aria comforted each other. Poor kids. It seemed grief was stalking them today. He knew that feeling. His heart went out to both of them even as he turned his head and gave them their privacy. Whatever...suspicion he had of Aria was hard to hold on to seeing her like this, needing someone, missing someone. It humanized her. She was the person he remembered.

When the moment passed she came to him, perhaps a bit formally. He understood, given the last time they'd seen each other. But the emotion he had just seen only served to highlight the mask she was wearing now. She was in real pain and had lost someone who was her world. He felt no resentment or lingering doubt about her. That last time was some sort of aberration. It had to be.

He took her hand and smiled at her kindly, reflecting her pain. "I am sorry for you loss Aria. I really am."
To her words, he added, "I am happy to help Nox."
Without thinking he added. "And you too. Whatever you need, tell me."


For a moment he wondered what Ayden would say. But he was just being himself. Still, he'd tell Ayden. If she was uncomfortable with that much on his part...well she had a right to her feelings and he should respect that. Not that he expected a problem. Still, with women involved, you never knew...