It was news to Noah that his brother faced potential death. The initial revealment that Ryon had been involved in one of the unregulated underground fights didn’t bother him, what did was knowing his brother had been beat up severely. Aimee wasn’t one to divulge news if she didn’t think it necessary and important, so the fact she informed them of the shape Ryon was in vaguely was enough to tell Noah that he did nearly lose a brother. It wouldn’t have been the first time such a thing happened, Ryon was one to aim to prove himself in situations, even the most dire.

It was weird having Elann push the candies around by poking at his cheeks. Despite the sensation, he remained smiling because he was managing to bring Elann out of the gloom she was in. Aimee continued to talk in heaviness while Noah was attempting to uplift his bondmate with goofy actions and antics. They seemed to be working, though when he presented the sweets to Elann’s only to withdraw them once she actually went for them, he was concerned he went too far. She was suspended in a moment before realizing his playful nature, flooding him with relief.

Noah was having fun with her, pulling the handful away a second time, forcing her to throw herself across his lap in order to keep up with his movements. He jerked away from her, to his own dismay, sending a pang of pain through his song that made his breath catch in his throat, his face maintaining the wide smile though it was tinged with clear discomfort. He laughed through it, conceding to Elann as his winced eye reopened to show the brightness in them. It was his own fault and he was having fun, so he didn’t let it dampen the mood.

When she took however many of the candies she wished to take of the three Noah resettled him as the ache in his side died down. He moved to kiss her temple and whispered, “I love you,” before looking towards their luggage, mostly just wanting to finally be in Zeltiva so they may unload it all and be done with traveling.

“You know,” Aimee perked up from the other side, “I bet momma’s getting things ready for that party of yours, Elann. That’s the only reason I can see her leaving outside of wanting to be with father. It’ll be a big coming home party and a wedding feast, how’s that sound? I bet that’s what it is.”