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Kyroh doesn’t remember much during his recovery. Granted, he had been unconscious for most of it, under the care of Zuzzu’s grandchildren. But he remembers brief moments of consciousness, aware of his surroundings and the pain that felt like it would split his skull in two. And most importantly, he remembers them. The tavern owner who had defeated him in his challenge, who had encouraged him to improve when he insisted he was no longer worthy of his place in the Fellowship.
They were humble, kind, determined, and far wiser than he had ever expected. He had underestimated them, and had been utterly convinced that their victory over Klayn was simply pure dumb luck. They had proven him wrong rather swiftly, the defeat so utterly crushing, it brought Kyroh to his knees. And after Lucen had punished him, cast him aside for his failure, left him to die in that hot spring, they continued to visit him as he recovered. They were not always there, but if he remembers correctly, they had been there the majority of the time he managed to slip into consciousness.
Their voice would be soft as they spoke to Kenta, Rin, and Zuzzu, asking how he was healing, always sounding so worried for him. Sometimes, they would ask if they knew anything about him, and would sound disappointed when the answer was ‘no’. Yes, he visited their hot springs often but he was always a solitary figure when he did so.
Sometimes though, and this was the part Kyroh had grown fond of, the tavern owner would be in his makeshift recovery room alone with him. They did not mock him, did not plan to sabotage his health. Instead, they simply talked about anything and everything. Their tavern, what new fish they caught, a brawl they had to break up in their tavern, a new recipe they were trying, their new pet cat they had named ‘Larger’, the weather, and so much more. The tavern owner would talk, and he would listen whenever he was conscious and aware. They had become one of few who would see him in this state, who would visit. He knew more about them than he ever thought he would due to these visits, and he appreciated every single one.
They had been there when he finally woke fully. Mid sentence about how Larger had scared the tavern owner’s chickens that morning and how they had to round them all up again. He had managed to crack his eyes open, to look at them as they rambled, and had seen the expression on their face when they finally realized he was awake. Their shriek of surprise followed by them yelling for Kenta and Rin had nearly left Kyroh deaf, he swears.
He watched as the two siblings ushered them out of the room, to give him space as he was looked over. And he watched as they comically fell back into the room face first when Kenta had opened the sliding door, realizing that the tavern owner must have been trying to eavesdrop the entire time. Kyroh actually managed a weak chuckle at that, and he was sure he saw them light up a little at the sound.
The tavern owner continued to visit after he woke, always with a story, food, drink, even bringing Larger a few times, the cat smuggled away in their bag. Their visits were not daily, far from it, but often enough that Kyroh would be disappointed on the days they did not show. They always managed to make him smile, even just a little. To feel lighter after his thoughts were plagued by his failure and by Lucen.
They’re there when he finally recovers enough to leave the hot springs, a bottle of perfectly brewed and aged sake, and a platter of heavenly sushi, to celebrate waiting in their hands. He, of course, cherished this. Made sure to tell them that he was grateful for what they had done.
Finally, they were there when he realized… He didn’t know where to go. He could not return to the Fellowship, could not stomach the thought of facing them all, of facing *Lucen*. His shame over his failure was too deep. The Fellowship had been everything for him for so long, he had dedicated his blood, sweat, and tears to it. And now, it is gone.
The tavern owner seemed to know this without him having to say anything. They understood, even as he remained silent about his inner turmoils. Kyroh had long since learned how kind they were, but he would have never expected them to offer him a place at their tavern. Speechless. They had rendered him speechless at such an offer. And when he fumbled over his words, insisted that he didn’t deserve such kindness from them, they just smiled and tilted their head.
By all accounts, most would have probably blamed the tavern owner for their downfall and refused their offer out of misplaced pride and spite. But they had been so patient with him when he tried to say he would only bring shame upon their establishment. It had taken no time at all for them to convince him, really… So here he lays in a bed in the tavern of the one who had defeated him, who had humbled him.
The one who had stayed.
… Kyroh turns over in the bed, sighing heavily as he closes his eyes. He may have failed the Fellowship, shame may run through his veins and every waking thought, but decides one thing. To dedicate his time and skills to the one who stayed. To the tavern owner who showed him nothing but kindness. And to the fat greedy cat they named after beer who bothered anyone and everyone for food and pets.
This was not the life he had worked so hard for for years… but it was a life, he thinks, he can look forward to living. If only they continue to stay.