[For all that Onni sounds non-committal about Nikolai helping him, it is a point in his favour that he wants to, rather than just sitting and taking advantage of Onni's hospitality. He tilts his head when Nikolai says he's not very good at sitting still, but doesn't comment.
The time while they make the stew passes mostly in companionable silence, which is one of Onni's favourite ways to pass time, doing something with his hands and a silence that doesn't feel awkward or weird. The stew comes together easily, with all the practice that Onni has had making it over the fire, and he settles back on a log to chat while it bubbles away over the fire.
Then Nikolai asks his question.
For a moment, Onni feels a lot of things at once. Anger at being asked the question in the first place, grief at remembering all the people he's lost, a more intense and sharp grief at the loss of his sister, panic at how to answer without losing his cool. For a few moments, he's quiet, and then leans forward to stir the stew, his face expressionless.]
Yes.
[It comes out a little rough, his voice slightly hoarse.]
I have one cousin left. Lalli. He's just turned 20 this year.
no subject
[For all that Onni sounds non-committal about Nikolai helping him, it is a point in his favour that he wants to, rather than just sitting and taking advantage of Onni's hospitality. He tilts his head when Nikolai says he's not very good at sitting still, but doesn't comment.
The time while they make the stew passes mostly in companionable silence, which is one of Onni's favourite ways to pass time, doing something with his hands and a silence that doesn't feel awkward or weird. The stew comes together easily, with all the practice that Onni has had making it over the fire, and he settles back on a log to chat while it bubbles away over the fire.
Then Nikolai asks his question.
For a moment, Onni feels a lot of things at once. Anger at being asked the question in the first place, grief at remembering all the people he's lost, a more intense and sharp grief at the loss of his sister, panic at how to answer without losing his cool. For a few moments, he's quiet, and then leans forward to stir the stew, his face expressionless.]
Yes.
[It comes out a little rough, his voice slightly hoarse.]
I have one cousin left. Lalli. He's just turned 20 this year.