Chapter 13 #2
She watched him process the request and saw the moment he reached his decision. "Nimbus will require a proper enclosure. The current shelter is inadequate for extended recovery. If you assist with construction, you may participate in his care."
"Yes!" Theo pumped his fist. "When can we start?"
"Tomorrow morning would be optimal. Nimbus needs rest tonight, but construction should begin as soon as possible."
And just like that, her nephew had a purpose, and something to care about beyond his own grief.
Her throat tightened. Klaus had done this.
Maybe not intentionally—saving Nimbus had been about his own inability to kill something helpless—but the result was the same.
Theo had something to look forward to, and something to focus on beyond missing his parents.
"What do you say, Theo?"
Her nephew's face scrunched in confusion for a moment, then realization dawned. "Oh. Right. Thank you, Klaus. For saving Nimbus and letting me help."
"You are welcome." His expression softened in the way she was learning to recognize. "Your assistance will be valuable."
They ate dinner with Theo chattering nonstop about reindeer and all the stories he’d heard about them - including the fact that they were traditionally associated with Klaus.
Klaus absorbed this information with his usual focused attention, occasionally adding details from his own information that sent Theo into fresh spirals of excitement.
Watching them together—Klaus answering questions with patient thoroughness, Theo animated in ways she'd almost forgotten he could be—made her chest ache with complicated feelings she wasn't ready to examine.
Don't get used to this, she warned herself. Don't let Theo get used to this.
But when Klaus met her eyes across the table, his expression warm with something that looked almost like contentment, she knew the warning came too late. They were both already used to him, already forgetting that this was temporary.
Seventy-two days. The number haunted her. He had mentioned it once, the estimated repair time for his ship. More than two months felt like forever and no time at all.
What would they do when he left?
Stop. Don't think about that now.
She focused on Theo's enthusiasm instead. On the way Klaus listened with genuine interest rather than adult condescension. On the normalcy of a shared dinner even if one participant was seven feet tall with horns and retractable claws.
This is good, she told herself. However long it lasts, it's good.
She'd worry about the ending when it came.
After dinner, Theo wanted to check on Nimbus again. They all trooped back to the workshop, finding the reindeer resting quietly on his blanket nest. His breathing looked better, more even and less labored.
"The medical compounds are functioning as expected." He knelt to check the wounds. "The infection risk is minimal. My primary concern remains the leg injury."
"Will he walk again?" Theo's voice had gone small and worried.
"It’s highly probable, although he may retain a limp." Klaus's hand rested gently on Nimbus's flank. "Animals are resilient. Given proper care and time to heal, most recover from significant trauma."
She wondered if he was still talking about the reindeer. The way he looked at Theo suggested otherwise.
"Come on, Teddy Bear." She touched her nephew's shoulder. "Time for bed. It’s a big construction day tomorrow."
"Can I say goodnight to Nimbus?"
"Of course."
Theo knelt beside the reindeer, stroking his soft ears with careful fingers. "Goodnight, Nimbus. Feel better, okay? We're going to build you the best pen ever."
Nimbus's tail flicked in what she chose to interpret as agreement.
They left Klaus to his monitoring, Theo chattering about pen designs all the way to the house. His enthusiasm carried through bedtime preparations and only started to fade as she tucked him into bed.
"Aunt Talia?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think Klaus will stay?" His eyes were too old for ten, shadowed with the loss she couldn't fix. "After Nimbus gets better?"
Her heart clenched. "I don't know, sweetheart."
"But he likes it here, right? I can tell he likes it."
"I think he does." She smoothed hair back from his forehead. "But he has responsibilities. A whole life out in space. We can't expect him to give that up."
"Why not?" Theo's jaw set in familiar stubborn lines. "Maybe he likes us better than space."
But if he chose to stay, it would mean sacrificing everything he'd known – his career, his people, his entire civilization. No one should have to make that choice. Not even for them.
"Get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be busy."
"Will you tell me a story?"
The request still surprised her. A month ago, Theo had wanted nothing to do with bedtime rituals. Progress. She'd take it.
"Once upon a time, there was a brave reindeer named Nimbus..."
She spun a tale of adventure and heroism, of wolves defeated and friendships forged. Theo's eyes grew heavy halfway through, but he fought sleep until the happy ending.
"Aunt Talia?"
"Mm?"
"I'm glad Klaus found Nimbus. Even if it means less food." His voice had gone drowsy. "Some things are more important than being practical."
Her throat tightened. "Yeah, sweetheart. Some things are."
She waited until his breathing evened into sleep before slipping out. The house felt quiet without Theo's energy filling it. Peaceful in a way she rarely experienced.
She knew she should go to bed. Morning would come early, especially with construction projects ahead. But her feet carried her toward the workshop instead, drawn by lamplight and the knowledge of who waited there.
It’s dangerous, her practical side warned. You're playing with fire.
But she'd been cold for so long. A little warmth might be worth the burn.