For Writer's Month 2022: Day 6: Married Life

Robert didn't have words for what confronted him in the common room of the hotel but it did make him smile. Originally, he had come up her to retrieve Zayda but how could he now.

Viktor was busy making moltovs and drinking. The items spread out across the table; glass bottles, wicks, and alcohol. This was the normal when the bands had a few nights off. Months ago, both Tom and Robert gave up trying to stop Viktor from burning things. The best they could do was try and divert his attention away from anything that would cause too much trouble.

Viktor wasn't what had him pausing in his mission. Vars was standing beside him cutting wicks for his partner with the little red haired girl bouncing on his knee and giggling. Between cuts he was feeding Zayda some Norwegian crackers and she was squealing happily, hanging on the chains of his coat with her free hand. Vars was a natural as far as Robert could tell. The punk so much like his brother in this way, a man who loved children and bore the pain of losing a chance for them.

Robert stood there watching the two blondes. Vars was teaching one, or both of them, Norwegian. Whatever he was saying had Zayda giggling and pressing her tiny face to his leather. Viktor swearing about something, probably trying to pronounce the language.

“They're like a married couple.” Rekker whispered with a quiet laugh as he came up beside Robert. “Have they started arguing and picking at each other yet?”

Robert smirked. “Like you and Bjorn?”

He gave his little brother a little push as he scoffed about the comparison. Robert looked back at the two with a smile but Rekker turned it to a laugh.

“Vars is obviously the nurturing one.” Rekker was like that with Bjorn too. Viktor and Bjorn the more freewheeling of the couples.

“Did you just suggest he's the wife of them?” Robert shook his head.

“I'm not stupid enough to say that.” Rekker sighed because he did love spending time with Zayda too. “He's a father.”

Robert watched Rekker walk away. The weight in his brother's words were there. The sadness and hope and all the lose hiding there in the tone. Rekker was right though about Vars, because they had the same attitudes and many of the same pains. Robert hated to ask but it was time for the little one to go back to her mother.