I had much spent the last day before the contract simply learning more about the life my Bastian had lived and telling him bits of my own life since we had vanished from each other's lives entirely. Sadly, time was limited and we could only share so much before having to cut it short and focus on going over the plans we'd put together from our previous days of scouting. Still, we agreed that we would talk more as chances arose.

It had been interesting to learn that he'd once hidden among the soldiers of the Imperial Army until he'd managed to make his way close enough to the Skyrim border to make his way in. Of course, it had been shortly after getting rid of his armor and trying to make his way to the nearest town that he'd been caught and taken as prisoner. I'd been horrified to learn how close he'd come to being beheaded simply because the officer in charge hadn't wanted to deal with the issue of figuring out how to handle having someone who wasn't part of the group they had been after. At least, he'd been close to death until a large dragon had come along, something which reminded me of my own introduction to dragons still being alive in Skyrim.

Ahh, but I couldn't afford to be thinking back on these things right now. Not when I was waiting near our preferred escape route, ready to drop the rope down as soon as my Bastian took the shot. We would only have so long to make it down the rope before the guards would get up here and be able to cut the rope, but we also couldn't take the chance to drop the rope early and have someone potentially see it from down below. No, we would need to climb down and hide, then take the chance to change into our disguises and go blend into the crowds as we made our way to freedom.

Of course, if things went wrong, we could always try hiding in the Hall of the Dead or maybe the empty house we found during our exploration of Solitude. Hopefully, everything would work out.

Hearing the sound of the arrow being released to fly through the air, I let the rope drop and began making my way down as I heard Bastian run toward me from his place at the far edge of the wall.

--------

"And then she dove into the water and didn't stop until she realized the guards weren't chasing us anymore. Of course, the Horker was another story!" Bastian, no here it was Destin still, laughed as he told the Family the story.

I smiled as I took a bite of the Horker stew that the Kitchen Master had made with the meat we'd brought back. Luckily, the Horker hadn't been too large to take down once it was far enough from the rest of them not to draw the larger Horkers into the fight. Glancing to my side, I could see my dear Jester Assassin frown before leaning closer to me.

"Did something happen between dear Faith and the Listener? Cicero has noticed her smiling at him more than usual and wonders if there is something he needs to know," he spoke lowly, not wanting anyone else to hear his words.

Blinking a few times in confusion, I turned to look him in the eyes when it finally came to me what he meant.

My sweet Cicero, there is nothing for you to worry about. It is simply that I discovered something about him. I-

I cut myself off before bringing a hand to my mouth to hide my lips from curious eyes that did not need to know what I was about to say, having noticed Babette glancing toward me.

Cicero, my Cicero, Destin isn't just Family. He's family to me and I didn't even realize who he was. Cicero, he wasn't always Destin. Once, he was known as Bastian. He's my Bastian, who I thought died so long ago. He's my brother...

I watched him as I waited for him to respond, reaching a hand out to curl my fingers around his. I could feel his fingers twitch as he blinked at me, bringing his other hand up to tap at his lips as his eyes closed in thought.

"Then Faith and the Listener are siblings by blood? Hmmm, perhaps that is why Mother chose him? Cicero will have to think on this, but for now, he will simply give his Faith time with her brother without interruption. Faith can spend her time with her Bastian without worrying about Cicero. He will be fine for one more day alone," he pulled me into a quick hug before turning back to his food, although he jumped a bit when I pulled him back to look at me.

I know you are a Fool, but I didn't think you so foolish as this, my Cicero. Why do you think you would not be welcome to spend time with us both? Just because I know who he is now, does not mean that we are suddenly going to stop spending time with you. You are part of our family, the treasure we found and claimed as our own and that will never change. No, we will do as we always have and spend our evening together. And then, when he goes to his bed, we shall stay up and talk while I work on Ellery's cap.

Fidgeting, I plucked at my shirt's hem before speaking once more.

And if you'd like, I wouldn't mind cuddling for a while before we go to bed... I really missed you. I always miss you when I have to leave, but this time... Well, I missed you even more than usual.

"Cicero missed his dear Faith, too. And he is always up for spending some time cuddling with her. Especially if she is open to a little... Kissing?" He looked down at me and fluttered his eyelashes, a grin pulling at one corner of his lips to tell me he was at least partially joking.

Reaching up to touch his cheek, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his for a moment.

I wouldn't mind that at all, my love.

Maybe someday I would build up the courage to tell him about what Sheo had said. But not yet, no, not yet. Tonight I just wanted to spend time enjoying his company, even if that was selfish of me. Let me be selfish for just a little longer.

I love you, my Cicero.