Kes and Anara’s eyes met, compassion and a mutual desire to help making the harmony clear and bright between them. ”I’ll go… talk with her.” Artem spoke, turning from looking around the place. Things had all been put in order, and Kes and Anara could tell it was an odd feeling for him, to be back here, with so much having changed in his life so quickly. He felt apprehensive, but he was also trying to be resolved to going forward and seeing where life would take him next. He hoped he’d be able to bend it to his will to good effect at least to some degree, but he’d seen in the last few days how little control he truly had over such things, so he didn’t hold out much hope that it would be any different today, or tomorrow, or the next day for that matter.

”We’ll wait down here for you.” Kes told him encouragingly, both she and her wife fervently hoping this would go well. As Artem went up the stairs to the house’s second level, Kes and Anara took off their packs, setting them down on the floor. Anara came over to her once that was done and stepped into her arms, their gazes meeting again. Kes could feel that Anara was feeling a little shaky inside all of the sudden and hoped for comfort. Their harmony had slipped some after Artem had gone upstairs. They could still sense him, Miteza, and Vastu, were still actively standing watch over their surroundings. But, Kes considered, she could still do this for her wife, even if it was only a small thing. She moved forward, her wife’s arms resting on her shoulders, Kes’s hands resting on her wife’s hips, they met in a kiss. Gentle, comforting, but softly insistent. Their eyes fluttered closed for a long moment as time seemed to slow around them and their harmony flowed back between them, full and intense. They kissed, once then twice, then again. Slow, lingering kisses that made their hearts race in pleasant ways and helped to settle and steady both of them in the moment.

Their kiss parted, foreheads resting together, eyes closed, as they breathed the same air and let their senses take in everything around them, every thought, presence, and emotion. Upstairs, they felt Miteza, Artem, and Vastu. They let the thoughts pass over them, following the spoken conversation and emotions between mother and son while continuing to make sure there were no dangers around them outside the house.

”Mother?” Artem asked, speaking up. Kes and Anara could feel the surprise and complete relief Miteza felt, hearing her son’s voice again, as she turned and rose to her feet. She wanted to go to him, embrace him, but she hadn’t held her son like that in years. Tulk wouldn’t have approved, neither would Kazon society in general. She couldn’t help wishing it were different though. It was a small thing, perhaps, but, right now, she resented it very much.

”You’ve returned…” Miteza spoke. ”I’m… I’m very relieved.” She spoke.

Artem looked down, then to his younger brother… his cousin, really, he mentally amended. He’d always seemed like a younger brother though. He met his mother’s eyes again. Wished she would ask him what had happened, but knew she wouldn’t. ”Much has happened.” He told her.