By the time breakfast was over, the children had been handed over to Paul and Jules under protest, and Ren and Fang had returned to the study with fresh tea and a more serious air. The morning sun had now risen high enough to send clear lines of light across the ward papers. Fang seated himself at the table and began reviewing the far-side reinforcement notes.
Ren watched him for a moment, then said, "You have been doing that since dawn."
Fang did not look up. "I was not sleeping well."
"You were awake because of the wards."
"Yes."
Ren moved behind him and placed both hands lightly on his shoulders. "And because you were worrying."
Fang's shoulders eased under his touch, just a little. "You are making me sound unreasonable."
"You are not unreasonable."
Fang looked up at him then, eyes still tired, but a little clearer. "Ren."
Ren smiled faintly. "All right, perhaps a little unreasonable."
That almost got him a glare. Almost.
