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The construction of the wooden bath had begun earlier than expected, not because everything had been perfectly planned, but because both men had silently agreed—without actually saying it—that delaying it would only mean more time spent under her sharp, unyielding gaze. The structure itself was still in its early stages, a rough frame of sturdy wood positioned slightly behind the hut where the ground was flatter and more stable, and already the atmosphere around it had shifted into something strangely domestic despite the awkward tension that still lingered between its builders.
Kael was working on the larger beams, his sleeves rolled up as he hammered one of the wooden supports into place with more force than strictly necessary, each strike carrying a hint of frustration that had nothing to do with the wood itself and everything to do with the situation he found himself in. Meanwhile, Riven was carefully measuring and adjusting the inner structure, his movements calm and precise, as though he were assembling something far more delicate than a simple bath. Between them stood a silence that was not peaceful, but competitive—measured, aware, and constantly aware of the other's presence.
"This is uneven," Riven said calmly, adjusting one of the beams slightly.
Kael didn't even look up. "It's not uneven."
"It is."
"It's not."
"It is by three degrees."
Kael paused mid-strike. "…you measured that?"
"Yes."
"…why?"
"Accuracy matters."
Kael exhaled sharply. "You are exhausting."
"You are loud."
"I am efficient."
"You are aggressive."
"I am practical."
From a short distance away, Theo watched them with his arms crossed, leaning slightly toward Leon. "…they argue like this all day?"
Leon nodded slowly. "Yes."
Noella sat nearby, swinging her legs lightly. "It's funny," she said happily.
Theo glanced at her. "How is it funny?"
"Because they always lose," she replied.
That earned a brief smirk from both boys.
Kael, hearing this, pointed in their direction. "Do not teach them nonsense."
Riven didn't even look up. "It is observation, not teaching."
Kael groaned. "You are impossible."
Before the argument could continue further, the hut door creaked open, and she stepped outside, her gaze immediately sweeping over the progress with a quiet, assessing look that made both men straighten slightly without realizing it. She said nothing at first, simply observing the frame, the alignment, the stability, and after a few seconds of silence that felt far longer than it was, she gave a single small nod.
"It's good," she said simply.
The effect was immediate.
Kael straightened slightly. "…good?"
"Yes," she confirmed.
"…not 'acceptable'?"
"Good."
A pause.
Then Kael turned slightly toward Riven. "…I got 'good' first."
Riven didn't even react. "Not a competition."
"It is absolutely a competition."
She ignored them both and turned toward the children. "Stay away from the structure for now. It's not safe yet."
Theo nodded. "We know."
Leon added, "We're watching from here."
Noella waved. "Be careful!"
She gave a small nod before stepping closer to the worksite again. "How long until it's usable?"
Riven answered first. "One to two days if materials remain stable."
Kael added, "Less if we push it."
Riven immediately replied, "More stable if we do not rush."
Kael clicked his tongue. "He likes slow suffering."
Riven replied calmly, "He likes collapse risk."
She exhaled softly. "…finish it properly."
Both men nodded.
Strangely in sync.
For a brief moment, the tension eased—not gone, but softened—replaced by something closer to routine cooperation. Kael resumed hammering, Riven adjusted measurements, and she turned back toward the hut to prepare the next steps of the day.
That was when it happened.
Theo, standing near the edge of the yard, suddenly spoke.
"…Kael," he said.
The hunter paused instantly, turning his head slightly. "Yes?"
There was a brief silence.
Theo hesitated.
Then looked at Riven. "…Riven."
"Yes?" Riven replied calmly.
Leon tilted his head. "We've been calling you that."
Theo nodded. "It's normal."
Kael frowned slightly. "It is not normal."
Riven added, "It is correct."
Kael gestured between them. "Exactly. It is too correct."
She looked over. "What's the issue?"
Kael pointed at Theo. "He just said my name."
"Yes."
"And?"
"That's your name."
"Yes, but—" Kael paused, clearly struggling. "It sounds… too casual."
Riven nodded slightly. "It is appropriate."
Kael shot him a glare. "Stop agreeing with everything."
Riven replied calmly, "I do not agree with everything."
"You just agreed."
"I agreed with accuracy."
Kael groaned again.
That's when she spoke, her tone casual but carrying an undercurrent of finality.
"They can call you by your names."
Silence.
Then Kael immediately said, "No."
Riven added, "It is acceptable, but incomplete."
She raised an eyebrow slightly. "Incomplete?"
Kael crossed his arms. "We are not just names."
Riven nodded. "We are roles."
Theo blinked. "Roles?"
Leon tilted his head. "Like what?"
Kael straightened slightly. "Like… protection."
Riven added, "Guidance."
Silence.
Then Kael cleared his throat. "…so they should call us properly."
Theo frowned. "Properly?"
Kael nodded seriously. "Yes."
Riven added calmly, "Father is appropriate."
Silence.
The children froze.
Noella blinked. "…father?"
Theo repeated slowly, "Father?"
Leon looked uncertain. "…like… both of you?"
Kael nodded immediately. "Yes."
Riven confirmed. "Yes."
A pause.
Then Theo frowned. "…that's weird."
Leon nodded. "Very weird."
Noella tilted her head. "…but mother is mother."
Silence.
Kael blinked. "…she is not part of this argument."
Riven added, "She is relevant."
Kael pointed at him. "Do not involve her."
Riven replied calmly, "She is the center of all current dynamics."
Kael froze. "…that sounds wrong."
She finally spoke again, cutting through the chaos. "Let them decide."
Silence.
Kael turned to her. "…you are not helping."
"I am not interfering."
"You are always interfering."
"I am observing."
Riven nodded slightly. "She is observing."
Kael stared at both of them. "…you two are teaming up now."
Riven replied, "No."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "That was very fast 'no.'"
Theo spoke quietly. "…so can we call you father or not?"
Silence.
Both men stopped.
Then Kael exhaled. "…yes."
Riven nodded. "Yes."
Theo hesitated.
"…Father Kael," he tried.
Kael immediately stiffened. "…just Kael."
Riven corrected gently, "…Father Riven."
Leon tried next. "…Father Riven."
Riven paused.
"…acceptable," he said.
Noella smiled brightly. "Father Kael!"
Kael froze again.
Then slowly turned away. "…I am leaving this conversation."
The children giggled.
She shook her head slightly, but there was faint amusement in her eyes.
Then Theo looked at her.
"…what do we call you?" he asked.
Silence.
Kael paused mid-step.
Riven looked up.
The air shifted.
She met Theo's gaze calmly.
"…you already know," she said.
Theo blinked.
Then nodded slowly.
"…mother."
Noella smiled. "Mother."
Leon added softly. "Mother."
And for a moment—
Even the noise of construction faded.
Because despite everything complicated around them—
The structure they were building wasn't just wood.
It was something else.
Something slowly becoming a family.
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End of Chapter 13
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