Page 69 of Brotan

She grins, a flash of braces catching the light. "You're worse than my mother."

"Your mother isn't paying half your tuition."

"True." She disappears with the box, her footsteps echoing through halls that no longer creak with every step.

My phone buzzes with a text from Crow:Finishing up. Want me to bring dinner?

Three simple lines that contain so much. Six months ago, he would never have thought to text or offered such casual domesticity. Now, it's become our routine, as natural as the way my heart quickens when I see his name on my screen.

I reply:Yes. Starving. Just don't bring another one of your "healthy" experiments.

His answer comes seconds later:That salad was perfectly edible.

If you're a rabbit. You're decidedly not.

I can practically hear his growl of amusement. The clinic door opens again, and I look up, expecting Mandy, but it's Ash who fills the entrance. His scarred face rarely shows emotion, but there's an intensity to his movements today that draws my attention.

"Got a minute, Doc?" he asks, his gaze already scanning the waiting room—a habit I've noticed in all the Ironborn. Always assessing, always vigilant.

"For you? Several." I gesture toward my office. "Everything alright?"

He follows me, moving with surprising grace for someone his size. When Vargan returned to Shadow Ridge three months ago, Ash started appearing more frequently, too. Officially, he's here to manage club business while Vargan gets settled. Unofficially, I suspect he's developed an attachment to our little town that runs deeper than duty.

My office door closes with a soft click. Ash remains standing, broad shoulders squared like he's facing a tribunal instead of a five-foot-five doctor in a white coat.

"Got a situation." He reaches into his cut, pulling out a thick envelope. "Need your help."

I take the envelope, curiosity piqued. Inside are loan applications, grant proposals, and legal documents—all meticulously prepared and awaiting signatures.

"This is for the after-school program at the rec center," I say, scanning the papers. "Crow mentioned you were working on funding, but this is..."

"Comprehensive." He shifts his weight, almost appearing uncomfortable with the praise. "Town needs it. Kids need it."

Over the past months, I've watched Ash use his encyclopedic knowledge of legal systems and bureaucracy to help residents reclaim what Victor stole. What started as occasional assistance has evolved into a one-orc mission to restore Shadow Ridge's economic pulse.

"You're impressive, you know that?" I say, setting the papers on my desk. "These will definitely get approved."

A ghost of a smile touches his lips before vanishing. "Need a medical professional's signature on page twelve. Professional assessment of community health impact."

"Happy to help." I reach for a pen, but pause, studying him more carefully. The shadows under his eyes speak of sleepless nights, and there's a tightness to his posture that screams exhaustion. "Are you sleeping at all?"

"Sleep's overrated."

"As your doctor, I'm legally obligated to tell you that's complete bullshit."

This time his smile lingers a moment longer. "Crow warned me you don't pull punches."

"Speaking of Crow..." I lean back in my chair, pen twirling between my fingers. "He thinks you're fine, but I think you're sad. Which one of us is right?"

Ash goes perfectly motionless, only his eyes betraying surprise at my directness.

"Crow's right," he says finally. "I'm fine."

"You're lying."

"And you're nosy." There's no heat in the words. "Sign the papers, Doc. Save the psychoanalysis for someone who needs it."

I sign where indicated, but can't help adding, "Everyone needs someone who sees them clearly, Ash. Even orcs with thick walls."

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