Koler and H Short Story; An Unexpected Reunion
Koler Fargeau, age 26
Hayat "H" Nevan, age 27
Haila Grainne, age 17
*TW... Mentions of past character death, mentions of Viar, and, uhhh, happy? Mostly just fluff and happiness, lol, enjoy!*
---
Koler hung back a moment, watching Haila's hair bounce as she trotted away from him. Off toward the noise and chaos, toward the cheering.
Koler would miss her. Of course he would, after all, he practically raised her, and, though he knew well that he would hate himself for letting the poor girl get caught up in Viar's whole mess, he was equally aware of the fact that he would never regret taking her under his wing. She was brilliant.
Smart, brave, and kind, and, now, she had Briar and Destery to guide her. She would be more than fine.
Smiling softly to himself, Koler finally resolved to turn his back. Finally, after years of suffering and living in constant fear and pain, it was time to rest. To live like he should have been alowed to years ago when him and Baylor set out to find a better life.
He walked back to the room he was given at the start of the gang, waisting no time grabbing only three items. His wallet, his phone, and a worn leather journal containing a single letter in the back, writen in familiar, neat handwriting.
'My dearest Koler,
I have to leave. I am deeply sorry, but I can't stay here any longer. I can't stand back and watch Viar hurt others anymore, I can't watch him hurt you. I understand why you can't leave, please trust that I don't resent you for this. You must do what you have to to protect yourself, and, though I am upset that you cannot accompany me, I also cannot blame you.
If ever you make the decision to join me, however, my door is always open to you. I have been scouting for the past few weeks and I have found a place that I believe will offer everything I need and more. The address is listed below. I love you, and I am sorry.
Yours forever,
H'
Koler skimmed the letter again until his eyes fell on the listed address at the bottom of the page. The smallest of smiles touched his lips and he shoved his wallet into his back pocket before swiveling and making his way out of the camp for what he hoped would be the last time. He walked along the edge, hardly sparing a glace toward the crowd of people circling in the center of the camp, Briar and a redhead he didn't recognize standing in the center, now with Haila perched atop Briar's shoulders.
Once he was out, it didn't take too long to make his way toward the center of town where he grabbed a taxi and gave his destination. The driver was an older man with wrinkly skin and whispy white hair falling over his shoulders and down from his chin. He smiled kindly when Koler got in, blue eyes light with curiosity.
"Long way ta go an' not much stuff, should I be worried 'bout the cops?"
Koler smiled slightly and shook his head. "Not as far as I know, sir."
The man chuckled and began to drive, eyes flicking up to the mirror for a second longer to examine Koler. "I see. Headed somewhere where stuff ain't much of a requirement then," He smiled softly. "Home's a good place like that, wherever it may be."
For a moment, Koler blinked, taken aback by the words, but then, he just shrugged and nodded. "I guess so, sir."
The driver smiled knowingly again and then turned up the radio, letting the sounds of jazz engulf the car.
---
Hours passed and, while sitting in the back of the car, Koler's mind began to process what was happening, and, more than that, began to question everything.
The reality was, he hadn't seen H in years, it was very possible that their offer was no longer standing. What if H hated him for not reach out sooner? Or, even worse than that, what if H... wasn't around anymore.
What if Koler, after finally being set free, came all this way and H was gone? What if they'd left or had been killed? What could Koler possibly do then?
He'd have nowhere to go, no one to go to, and, because of Haila, he wouldn't even have the option to just... let go.
However, Koler didn't have time to spiral as the car came to a sudden halt and he found the drivers blue eyes watching him once more.
"Sorry kiddo, this is as far as I can take ya, no way this ol' girl can make it up that mountain. Besta luck to ya."
Koler blinked and looked out the window, faced with the sight of a relatively steep mountain, steps carved out of its side. Despite himself, he smiled. Because, of course H would chose someplace like this. It made perfect sense.
"Thank you."
The man nodded and Koler paid quickly before getting out, and, before he could begin to doubt again, started hiking up the mountain.
---
By the time he reached the top, Koler was panting, sweaty, and heavily regretting not bringing a water bottle.
However, his exaughtion seemed to melt away as a familiar feeling tugged at his brain.
'Ko?'
The internal voice almost made Koler sob on the spot and he quickly opened up his mind, inviting the presence in.
'Hey, H.'
Seconds later, there was a sound of flapping wings and H landed directly in front of them, eyes wide despite their usual small frown. They looked exactly as Koler remembered, if not slightly older, and his chest constricted as H extended a hand, hesitating.
"It's okay." He breathed, only to be immediately engulfed in a very tight hug.
His dam broke and he was sobbing, clinging to the person who had been his lifeline for so many years before going no-contact. It felt so overwhelming and so incredible at the same time. To cry, to be held, God, it was all he'd wanted, all he'd needed for so long.
They stood like that for a few minutes before Koler finally pulled away, sniffling and looking at the ground. "Sorry." He mumbled.
'Don't be, I'm happy.'
Koler let out a strangled laugh. "That's good. Me too." He paused, closing his eyes and clinging to the feeling of H's hand resting lightly on his shoulder. "I know I showed up out of nowhere, I have a shit ton to catch you up on, but... if it isn't too much trouble... would you mind if I stayed here?"
His hand clenched around the journal he's brought from the camp, and, keeping his eyes squeezed shut, he awaited an answer nervously.
'Always, Koler. As I promised.'
Finally, the tension released and Koler let out a breath, opening his eyes only to have that breath stolen from him yet again. This time, though, for a much different reason.
When his eyes fell on H's face, he saw something he had never seen before in his life, something he had never expected to see.
H was smiling.
His lips, normally so firmly set in a scowl, no matter what he was feeling, were tugged upward in a gentle, happy, and genuinely peaceful expression. H was smiling, and they were smiling for him.
That fact alone almost had them sobbing again, but, before he could, H gently squeezed his shoulder and lifted a wing to shield him from the sun.
'Come inside, you're probably hungry. And you need to meet Pluto!'
Koler hummed, tilting his head slightly as H guided him down a pathway through a well-kept garden and toward a small wooden house.
"Whose Pluto?"
'My favorite black lab to ever exist.'
He chuckled at that. "He sounds amazing."
'He is! And he loves people, so you're in luck, you're about to get a new best friend!'
Koler smiled softly and nodded, feeling his whole body relax as he finally came to the realization that he finally had what he'd been craving ever since him and Baylor decided to leave home ages ago.
He finally had safety. He finally had a home.
Spring 
Day Weather: 
Heavy Rain
