I love love LOVEEE the concept of knight Aemond and princess reader by @romanteacism sm that I decided to draw it, hope it's okay! 💚💚
Referenced from the painting by Cesare Saccaggi - Incipit Vita Nova - Dante
I love love LOVEEE the concept of knight Aemond and princess reader by @romanteacism sm that I decided to draw it, hope it's okay! 💚💚
Referenced from the painting by Cesare Saccaggi - Incipit Vita Nova - Dante
Knight Aemond x Princess Reader Neglectful Jealousy
Synopsis: Ser Aemond is faced with the unsettling feeling of your ignorance, an administration of his own medicine.
Warnings: None (yet), Aemond still being stubborn and in denial, ¿infatuation?, Jealousy (both sides)
You frustratingly still struck no luck in befriending or at least acquainting yourself with your knight. He had been stationed to you for a moon and a half now, but still, you hadn’t even struck up at least one conversation with him. He would only nod or shake his head; his vocabulary stuck onto two words: ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ but for the most part, he just grunts his answer or, worst yet, ignores you altogether. You were tempted to ask your brother for a new knight, at least someone whose animosity for you you could not feel wafting off him, but you felt ashamed in complaining and admitting the possibility someone holds such dislike for you. So you suffered through his silence, still trying your earnest effort for him to resemble at least an ounce of tolerance for you.
“Cousin!” You hear someone in the gardens yell as you walk with your knight. You turn behind and smile wide as you see your cousin fast approaching. You match her pace and run towards her, Aemond following in pursuit. “What are you doing here? Did we know you were to come?” You asked excitedly, finally having a companion. “No, we are sadly just passing by on our way to the north. I am to meet my betrothed,” She smiled, but you noticed her gaze shifting to the knight with flowing silver hair who stood stoically behind you. “Cousin, this Ser Aemond— Ser Aemond, my cousin, Lady Liza,” You introduced, and your cousin stepped forward to meet eye-to-eye with your knight. “My lady,” Aemond bowed as common courtesy.
You linked your arm with your cousin, who you noticed had been staring too fondly at your knight. “Until when are you to stay?” You asked as you two strolled along the gardens, “Just until this afternoon, my father needed to sort out a small matter with the King, and we needed to change horses as well.” She said, and you feel your excitement lower as she was only to stay a few hours, and by the sun's fall, you will be alone once more. “So soon? Why won’t you stay the night and just travel on the morrow?” You suggested, and she sighed, Liza turning her head partly to steal a glance at Ser Aemond. “That is a most generous and practical offer, but Father insists we reach the North as soon as possible, no time to be spared.” You pouted at the thought, “But let us not dwell on that; you have me for the whole afternoon; come tell me all about your line of suitors,” You blush at her words.
Aemond went stiff at the subject proposed by your cousin, and he noticed the blush on your face. “There is not much to tell; I am still acquainting myself with them,” You say softly, not entirely comfortable with the subject. “Hm… and do you not hold a favor for any of them? Surely one holds more sway than the others,” You shook your head, unrelenting. You were to open another subject, but your cousin halted in her tracks and turned to your knight. “I would account for you being present during my cousin’s acquaintance with the other lords, Ser Aemond. Who would you say had captivated her the most?” Your cousin questioned, and you wanted to scoff because you expected Ser Aemond not to pay attention during your courtship and not answer your cousin’s query. However, you were rendered speechless as he spoke. “Lord Ashford, my lady,” he said truthfully as he had the displeasure of following you around the keep in the company of Lord Ashford the most.
You turned to Aemond, whose gaze was on your cousin, who simply smirked up at him, an odd feeling of shock and another emotion in you that you could not express swirling in your stomach. The hour passed with you and your cousin discussing your suitors, no matter how hard you tried to alter the subject. When tea was served, it offered you a small reprieve from the topic. You picked at the candied lemons as you saw your cousin place a pastry on a cloth napkin. “Would you like some, Ser Aemond?” You hear her ask, and in your head, you can already hear the silence of Aemond ignoring her query; that is what he often did with you. “Thank you for the offer, but no, my lady,” Aemond said, his voice holding a tone of civility that was often absent when he addressed you.
You tried to control your reactions as you sank further in your seat. How was he so polite with Liza but could not even uphold the same manners for you? You wanted to think it was because of her station, a highborn lady, but you were a princess. Should that not perhaps warrant the same degree of respect, maybe even more?
When the sun was starting to set, your cousin was already to leave. “Wait! I have a gift for you; I forgot to send it to you on your last name day; it’s in my chambers; I shall retrieve it.” You say quickly, not giving her any time to reply as you run through the halls. But as you ran, you could not account for the clink of armor following behind. You glanced at your back; your knight, who was often glued at your side, now stood in the middle of the hall chatting with your cousin. The odd sensation on your stomach returned, but now it infected your chest as well. You went to your chambers and retrieved the parcel that was meant for your cousin, returning where you had left her and Ser Aemond. You tried to hide your astonishment and perhaps even anger as you saw how freely he conversed with her. Gone was the furrow in his brows or the scowl on his lips; it was now replaced with a ghost of a smile.
You squared your shoulders and placed a small smile on your lips as you approached. “Here,” you smiled as you handed Liza her gift, “How kind of you, sweet cousin, come, escort me to the gates?” She questioned, and you nodded. You peaked a look at your knight whose once elated presence had returned stoic the moment you arrived. “How did you do it?” You whisper to Eliza as Aemond stays by the gates, and you and your cousin stand by the wheelhouse. “Do what?”
“Make Ser Aemond speak with you? Perhaps made him amused?” You asked quietly, watching as your cousin frowned at the rather obvious answer to your query. “Nothing, I just spoke, and he answered. Is that not how a conversation goes?” She asked; you shook your head. “I tried that, but he mostly just ignores me.” You say, low-spirited. “Hm… perhaps give him time to warm up to you; maybe it is just that,” Your cousin smiled, but that did nothing to ease the burning question in your mind. How much more time could Ser Aemond want? He had been assigned to you for almost two moons but still struggles to show at least an ounce of courtesy, but he had no trouble in showing kindness to your cousin, who he had just met mere hours ago.
“Safe travels, cousin,” You smiled and kissed her cheek, “Thank you, and I shall see you at your wedding— hopefully it’d be sooner rather than later?” She teased, and you let out an amused laugh and a shake of your head. Stepping away from the wheelhouse and returned inside the castle.
When a new day broke, you were still plagued by the animosity shown by your sworn protector. You thought he was simply incapable of showing cordiality to anyone, but it seemed to be that he picked those for whom he showed goodwill.
“Princess,” Aemond greeted as always when they stepped out of your chambers every morning. He was waiting for your reply; you would often bid him good day or ask about his night and if he had found a moment of rest during his watch, but you stayed silent, momentarily confusing him. Aemond squired you through all your lonesome engagements for the day, but you uttered not a single word, confusing him even more. “Good night, Princess,” Aemond bowed as you entered your chambers as the day ended. He was once again expecting your reply, but you only ignored him, administering the same actions he did you.
Three days had passed, and you uttered not a single word to your knight; you barely even placed your gaze upon him. He never thought it possible for you to hold your tongue for such a long period of time. He had gotten used to your babbling and him ignoring it, though he genuinely did listen; he just offered no reply. Aemond assisted you to your solarium; normally, you would leave the door open, and he would stand by it, but for the past few days, you would shut it close. Aemond is now staring at a blank wall instead of observing you as you paint and listening to you hum a tune. There was a rather bothering feeling in his gut at your avoidance and stoicism at him; he wondered if that is how you felt when he would try to ignore you moons before.
Aemond straightened his back as a squire approached and knocked upon your door. “Princess, your afternoon tea is ready,” He bowed, and Aemond saw a glimpse of your smiling at the squire and heard a soft ‘thank you’ leave your lips. So, you can still speak, he thought, realizing further that you were truly ignoring his presence.
Aemond stood by your side as you sat in the gardens, a book in one of your hands whilst the other held a cup of tea. Aemond stared at the back of your head, willing you to turn to him, but you kept your gaze planted on your book. At this hour of the day, you would often offer him some refreshments, but you no longer did that. Was it too forward for him to admit to himself that he had missed your concern?
Aemond clenched his jaw as he felt and heard his stomach rumble; his last meal was last night. For once, he wished you would offer him some of the food placed before you; perhaps this time, he would not ignore your kind offer. But he had scorned you too often with his disregard. Aemond shifted in his place as his stomach rumbled once more, biting his tongue and closing his eye tightly as he tried to control his hunger. When it happened for the third time, you sighed and placed a custard tart on a plate, and raised it to him, your gaze still pointed at your book.
Aemond was stunned at your action; he stared at the tart for a moment and felt his mouth water. He lowered his pride, took it off the plate, and hastily ate it before getting caught by any other passerby in the gardens. “Thank you, princess,” he said quietly as the food you offered sedated his grumbling stomach. Aemond heard no reply from you, only the sound of a page-turning.
As the day progressed, Aemond still had not gotten a word from you, and a feeling started to claw at him. Guilt? Perhaps. He thought maybe he should not have been so dismissive of you, that perhaps he should not have been so overly warry of your kindness and took it for granted because now he missed it. It was hard for him to watch you be agreeable with any other person in the castle except for him. He would often watch steely-eyed as you jested with the other knights or how you would smile before the servants. And the only thing you did with him was ignore his presence.
Aemond felt determination surge him. Deciding to make you return to the way it was, with you speaking and offering kindness to him, and perhaps this time, he would not be so dismissive of you. He was not certain as to where to begin and how long it would take, but that was the least of his problems because he, after all, was your sworn protector, tasked to be by your side until his dying breath. He had a lifetime to make you like him once more.
Synopsis: The first days of having Ser Aemond as your sworn protector.
Warnings: None (yet), Aemond being stubborn and in denial
“Princess,” Your knight greeted as you stepped out of your chambers to attend to the day’s engagements. You narrowed your eyes as you felt him walking a few paces behind you; it had been a week since he was assigned as your sworn protector, and for the past days that he had been by your side, you had only gotten a few phrases from him: “Princess,” “No,” and “Good morrow,” that was the extent of your conversations with him. It was quite frustrating if you were being honest.
“You don’t talk much, do you?” You asked as you walked with him down the halls, venturing toward the gardens to break your fast. “No, princess,” He replied curtly, making you sigh. Your old sworn protector was an elderly knight who once protected your mother, and with him came the warmth of familiarity. You had gotten used to chatting with him throughout the day, a sort of grandsire figure for you. Unfortunately, due to his age, your father granted him the option to retire, and now you were stuck with your new knight, who was practically just a brick wall with a sword.
You sat in the gardens, reading your book; Aemond stood behind you. You would occasionally hear the clink of his armor as he would shift his weight from one foot to the other. “Do you want some, Ser Aemond?” You asked, offering him the refreshments served before you. “No, princess,” came his reply once more. You nodded and pursed your lips; dreary days are certainly to come with him and his short replies.
Aemond observed as you sat leisurely in your seat, twirling your hair with your pampered hand as the other held a book. Aemond had never wanted this station. He became a knight not to watch over a spoiled and sheltered princess but rather to go into battle and find glory. It was a tragedy when your brother had chosen him as your sworn protector, impressed by his prowess during the kingdom’s last tourney.
“Brother!” Aemond was brought out of his reverie as he heard your voice laced with excitement. “You’re having a later start to the day,” Your brother mused and took a seat before you; you shrugged. “Good morrow, Ser Aemond,” Your brother greeted, “Good morrow, my prince,” Aemond greeted stoically. “How have you been finding your post? I hope my sister has not made it troublesome for you,” Your brother teased. He purposefully assigned Aemond as your knight because of his stern and rigid demeanor. You had grown quite unruly under the eyes of your past guard— able to escape him and go to god knows where; driving your father frantic about your whereabouts. “No, my prince,” Aemond replied; he had yet to encounter your true nature.
For the past week, your routine was quite simple: you would break your fast in the gardens, spend a few hours in the library, have luncheon with your mother, then go to your solarium to paint until the sun sets, and him escorting you to your family’s supper then eventually your chambers. It was quite mundane; even he could see how you had grown tired of your routine, but he supposed he should be grateful that you had not yet caused trouble.
Your brother hummed, and you rolled your eyes at him. “That reminds me; must I truly come tomorrow?” You asked; your brother furrowed his brows at your question. “To the hunt?” You nodded, “Of course! It’s my name day; you will not be so cruel and not attend your brother’s celebration.”
“But why must it be a hunt? You could have just thrown a ball,” You muttered, having despised the woods. “Do not tell me you’re still scared,” Your brother suddenly laughed, and Aemond’s interest piqued at his words. “I was chased by a wild boar! I could’ve died!” You exclaimed, greatly frowning at how amused your brother was. “You were only chased by a boar because you have escaped your guard! That is why you do not wander off into the woods in the dead of night!” Your brother laughed, recalling the moment a few years ago when everyone in camp was searching frantically for you in the dead of night, only for you to appear by the tree lines screaming, crying, and running away from a boar.
Your brother sighed as he saw a pout on your lips and offense in your eyes, “You’ll be just fine, sister, as long as you stay near Ser Aemond; he could ward off any boars that may come from you. They might seek revenge, we did have to slaughter their brother.” he teased as he stood, placing a chaste kiss on your temple before walking away.
When the following day came, Aemond heard you calling upon him inside your room. “Yes, princess?” He asked, “Could you call for a squire to fetch my trunks?” You asked, Aemond unable to control his frown as you stood by a pile of trunks almost as tall as you. He turned towards you, who had noticed his frown, and he quickly returned his expression to his ever-stoic face. “I wish to be comfortable,” you mumbled, sensing judgment from your knight. Aemond bowed, “As you wish, princess,” He stepped out and called for squires to carry the plethora of luggage you wished to bring for the two-day hunt.
When you arrived at the campgrounds, Aemond led out his arm to assist you in disembarking the wheelhouse. Cheers from the attendees rang out as your family came into view. Aemond watched with his keen eye for any threat; it would seem you attract most of the attention. Smiling and waving to the lords and ladies, it is known that you were well-loved by the realm, but Aemond could still not understand why. Aemond rolled his eye as you two passed a group of young lords who shamelessly vied for your attention, you offering them a sweet smile and even a wave. Aemond swore he saw one of them blushing like a maiden, pathetic.
When you entered the tent, Aemond stood outside at his post, trying not to let the harsh sun and the material of his armor get the best of him. It was unseasonably warm, and if Aemond were a lesser man, he would have succumbed to the heat. When the sun was at its peak, Aemond straightened his stance as he heard delicate footsteps exiting the tent. “Do you want some refreshments, Ser Aemond? The sun may be too scorching,” You offered and extended a chalice of wine you brought specifically for your knight. You did that regularly with your previous sworn protector, fearing the demands of their duty may bring them too much discomfort.
Aemond’s hold on the hilt of his sword tightened as he did not know the reason for your actions. You often did this. Offering him refreshments or suggesting that he must rest. He was starting to believe this was a tactic of yours, offering and baiting him with kindness in order for him to ignore whatever misbehaviors you shall do—trying to distract and beguile him for him to turn away from his duty.
“I am on the watch, Your Highness,” He said, a bit too bitterly and harshly. An odd wave of guilt overcame him as he saw your face fall and your hand that was offering him a chalice of wine staggering. “Oh, I— I apologize; I did not mean to bother you,” You said quietly and offered him a small, apologetic smile before returning inside the tent, your attempts to make good and somewhat befriend your knight failing.
Aemond gritted his jaw as his gaze followed you as you disappeared behind a curtain, a gnawing feeling of guilt consuming his insides as he dismissed your kindness that he was trying to sell to himself as a ploy. He was certain your actions were not at all genuine, but as he recalled the way your face fell and the tone of sincerity in your voice, he thought perhaps he was too rash in his judgments of you. However, he tried to defend his actions, labeling himself cautious as it was too easy to fall for your charms. He cannot leave himself defenseless in the hands of temptation.
Is this truly the right desicion? You dwelled. The scent of the sea lingered in the air, the sounds of footsteps and people around you was enough to drown you.
You were leaving everything with little money in your pockets. Your stolen dowry surely wouldn’t last that long, you thought. You hoped your parents would ever find it in their hearts to forgive you for what you’re doing. But mostly… you hoped your betrothed would not harbor revenge for you.
Imagining their kind faces turning malicious made you falter. Suddenly the eight hours of horse ride that you just endured felt more than reckless. Maybe you should go back after all.. maybe if you turned back now, they’d still accept you and take you in with open arms.
As you took a step back you were bumped into someone.
You groaned before giving them a short apology not really looking at them in the eye.
“I knew it was them!” You frozed, A familiar male voice filled your ears. Upon hearing that it was as if you were transported back to your home. Back when you weren’t promised to someone you barely know, back when beginning a family wasn’t what everyone expected of you, back when you could have dreams, back to that simple village, back home.
And then you turned around to see that it was some weird unkept guy you didn’t know
You thought maybe you had mistaken someone else for your long time best friend, but then another voice appeared
“Hey, you’re right!!” Said the female voice
You audibly gasped seeing the woman, she was still the same as ever! maybe you weren’t wrong after all. And upon closer inspection, there was no denying it.
“Laios! Falin!!” You gleamed, before you shared a meaningful hug with both the Touden siblings
You almost didn’t recognize Laios with his unkept appearance, his hair growing past his eyes while you could tell he hasn’t been eating enough let alone shower or shave in that matter. You were so glad that Falin didn’t succumb to such things, she was still squeeky clean.
“It’s been too long” you let go not before you gave them a final squeeze
"We're so happy to see you.. agh- heyy..." Falin voiced, you couldn't contain yourself from messing with her short hair upon seeing her signature closed eyed red cheeks smile.
"Are you planning to sail to the island too?" Laios said. Despite his drastic change you noticed that the golden hue of his eyes had never changed. It brought you a sense of relieve somehow. Despite everything, he will always be Laios.
“Traveling together would be nice”
The tone of his voice was rather hopeful. As if he wanted you to come alongside them. And by his words alone you could change your mind.
You thought about how nice it would be to travel together. Maybe you could become adventurers? As hard labour as dungeon exploring is, you were hoping you could have your chance in it. Maybe now you could have your own room and live however you like, And maybe you could finally see the monsters that Laios was always so excited to talk about.
Aghhhh- you were stupid. You cursed yourself for being so easily swayed by him. The fact that Laios of all people didn't even need to ask you back then horrifies you. How are you that excited to see someone?
This realization came late to say the least. Years of adventuring had gone by and now you’re here. In this very moment. Grumbling alone to yourself about your past recklessness, as your other party members just lets you relish in your own madness (they already know you had lost it so why bother)
It was during your intense thought process that you didn’t notice Laios’ hand inching closer to yours only to falter away.
He wanted to tell you that dinner was almost ready but why was it so difficult??
Hesitant he rarely was, especially with you. But something had changed since last night, it was as if the beat of your heart had ingrained itself in the back of his mind, with each closing distance with you only adding to the fire that was the tune of your heart. It slowly eats him alive, drowning him, suffocating and burning him away with its sounds.
Though it wasn’t until now as he mindlessly observed you that he noticed that the fast and loud beat that was replaying over and over wasn’t yours at all in this moment.
He brought his hand to the left of his chest finding it hard to believe that his heart would beat this loudly for you. Has he always felt this way?
“Oh- Laios!… i didn’t see you there buddy” you were surprised to see Laios seating next to you. He couldn’t be there the whole time could he?? (He was)
You waited for his reaction, but he could only sit there and stare at you like he just had a realization too.
“I think-“
“Dinner’s ready!” Said senshi unknowingly interrupting Laios, presenting another one of his delicious cooked meals. The smell alone could make you drool. It doesn’t matter if it’s a monster as long as it’s good right?
“What is it that you’re going to say?” You say attention now shifting back to him.
Laios looked like he wanted to say something but he shook his head and retaliated.
“Let’s eat, we can’t have other’s waiting” he stood up before going ahead to where the others are. He didn’t really know what he wanted to say. If Senshi hadn’t interrupted him, he knows that his sentence would just falls short.
Around the campfire everyone ate soundly, maybe it was because the lack of monster trivia on Laios’ part. You can’t help but miss it
It was during this moment that he wonders what is it that he wanted to say? What is it that he discovered? He knew that it was realization and he knew it was about you. But that was about it.
Marcille felt like the tension was rather dry, so she thought she’d finally ask you a question that has been itching itself in her brain
“Was it true that you were betrothed?” She asked, Laios practically choked on his food
“Well, it was a long time ago..”
you wave your hand around, it’s true that it wasn’t a big deal anymore in your life but it does bring a sense of nostalgia in your mind at the times before you ran away from the village
“What were they like?” Asked Marcille, you could by the shine in her eyes that she loved romance books
You hummed before putting your empty plate down
“They were sweet, lovely,caring,hard working and very very stubborn” you laughed. “I could go on and on about how they were but we won’t have enough time”
The way in which you describe your betrothed was as if you were fond of them. It made Laios a little weary somehow
“You know by how you described them it would seem that you loved them” chilchuck asked, a little suspicious
Laios awaited your answer, well it was pretty clear that you didn’t considering you ran away and what not, Laios said to himself
“I did” the sound of your confirmation was accompanied with the sound of Laios’ wooden bowl falling to the dungeon floor. “How could i not?”
When everyone looked at him he tried his best to seem normal, laughing nervously and saying how his bowl just slipped past his hand suddenly before gingerly picking it up.
“Then why did you leave??” Marcille was basically starry eyed, hearing you talk about your love life was what she had been waiting for.
While Laios was lost in thought. Would you want to come back to your betrothed? If you did loved them then it wouldn’t be outrageous or even wrong to get married to them once all of this is over.. it’s just that by then Laios had realized that he didn’t want you to marry anyone. He didn’t want his adventures with you and Falin to be over just yet. Such thoughts of you to be wed with other people lingered on his mind and soured his appetite.
“It’s because I didn’t want that life yet you know? I just didn’t want to settle down when i haven’t at least tried to reach my dream”
Your answer was short, Marcille begged you for details but suddenly you drifted the conversation to Chilchuck’s children. Then suddenly her attention drifted away. You chuckled at her antics, you didn’t thought it as nosy really,it was quite endearing to you.
“Do you.. still love them?..” Laios suddenly asked, the tint of insecurity was more than evident in his voice yet you couldn’t be more than blind to it.
After a long while you finally thought about them once again. Those days you spent everyday was more than lovely. At the time, you enjoyed their company more than anyone… it would be a lie if you were to claim that you did not love them. But even though you were glad that now you were able to look back at the fond memories you had and appreciate them, you never once wish you would go back.
“No.. at least not anymore” you reminiced, bittersweet it was.
So many questions filled Laios’ head. What if that person were to look for you? Would you come back to them? How long were you in love? He wanted to ask one by one yet only one was able to spill out of him
“Would you ever want to settle down?” Asked Laios.
Your cheeks grew warm. It was a if he was asking for you to settle down with him.
You mentally slapped yourself for such thoughts. For fuck’s sake that was your best friend you were thinking about! You knew him ever since you were all but 2.
You looked back a few summers back. Back when you were with someone who once used to be your soon to be spouse. Back when you planned a whole future with them knowing that you never wanted those things before ultimately throwing everything all away. You thought… that it wouldn’t be the same if it were with Laios. It would be different.
“I would like that”
You unconsciously smile, you were ashamed to say that you were excited about such ideas. You then realize the gentle hold of his hand on yours, his thumb gently rubbing circles on your knuckles before carefully tracing down to one particular finger, perhaps someday where a wedding ring would be
You wondered why he was making such a ruckus before you looked down and noticed the ungodly amount of blood that came out from an open wound on your stomach. Out of instinct, you hand reached down to press on the wound to try and stop the bleeding, hissing in pain at the contact
That’s right! you were fighting a monster beforehand… what was it? It was shaped like a horse but it was definitely not a unicorn, let alone a kelpie.. now that you think about it, it looks more like a donkey with the elongated ears..
Before you could recall your memory, your attention finally drifts to Laios. There was a peculiar expression on his face, well it wasn’t something comical like how he usually has, it’s quite different. The slight widening of his eyes, the schrunched up brows and the slightly agape mouth wasn’t something you had ever seen Laios expressed in all your years of friendship.
“You’ll be alright.. just stay still.. Im sure Marcille is on her way!..” he muttered “you’ll be alright..”. He pushed aside some of the hair that sticked to your forehead, perhaps an effort to soothe your pain. Not knowing how long Marcille would take to get here after being separated from you and Laios.
Laios held your bloodied hand, squeezing it tightly that he should while your other stayed still on your wound.
By the tone of his voice you would’ve thought he was saying all these things to assure himself. Was Laios perhaps… Worried?..
You weren’t sure. Sometimes the dim litted candle light can be deceiving, you thought, especially in a dark cave like this. Though you know you needed to do something hearing his endless mutterings
“Calm down, Laios” you said, your voice rendering weaker than you assumed. As you tried to sit more comfortably on the rough surface of the cave
“Why don’t you try that healing spell that Marcille taught you?”
“I’m not sure.. i had healed a scratch sure, but this is something entirely different…”
You opened your mouth to say something encouraging, but the blood that you coughed up instead surely wasn’t helping the situation.
“Gah-Ahh!!” He yelled, you found it ironic how he was the one screaming.
“I’m fine dude you..can do it! No pressure..” You said, weakly pointing a thumbs up.
Your ass is far from fine. And Laios wasn’t stupid enough to not notice.
Despite the growing worry that seeps into his mind. But he was determined to help as always, knowing him.
“Okay.. i’ll try”
You let go of your wound, it seems that the blood that seeps out has slowed down faster than you think. With that thought in mind, you guided both his hand to your stomach, squeezing it ever so slightly.
“Alright, just recite the incantation. I can take it!” You said enthusiastically before gritting your teeth, prepared for a god awful amount of pain that comes in healing magic.
He nodded before he starts reciting the incantation that Marcille had worked so hard in teaching.
And painful the spell it was, as you screamed understandably loudly feeling as if you got stabbed once again with no adrenaline helping you in slightly easing your pain. You held onto Laios’ armor the whole time, not wanting to hurt him while he was trying so hard to focus.
After a while, the pain eventually subsided, being replaced by an unbearable itch.
“I need to sit down” said Laios, feeling a dreadful Mana sickness coming his way
You instinctively pat the spot next to you, an odd habit that didn’t take long for your party members to notice. You guessed you just liked to be seated next to him. Well Laios never complained, even now as he obediently sat himself next to you.
“You did well, Good job Laios” it was evident from the closed wound on your stomach that Laios was starting to get the hang out of magic, it would be a lie to say it didn’t fill you with a sort of pride.
Not long after that sense of pride washed away though was when you noticed how awfully quiet Laios had been. You were worried yes but the cling that he has on your arm was what convinced you he was alright. At least he will be once you gave him a moment. Mana sickness surely is a pain, you thought feeling him shift in his seat to lean against you, muttering something incoherent.
“I’m hearing footsteps coming, i’m sure it’s Marcille, we’ll be alright Laios” you said, before Marcille appeared as if on cue
“There they are!!” She yelled, senshi and chilchuck immediately rushed to help you, while Izutsumi scanned the area for monsters.
You were so relieved they had found you and Laios that you didn’t mind the earnest scolding Chil and Marcille was already spouting to you. Maybe it didn’t help the fact that you smiled through the whole thing, well you were just happy to see them!
The rest of the night went smoothly though, your party had found a spot to rest for the night, and a running water. Aside from that, Laios was recovering on his sleeping bag, trying to endure his headache. You didn’t miss the amount of increased staring on his part though, making you wonder what was going on inside his mind.
But you try not to pay attention, as you focused intently on your night watch.
Hours passed, your eyelids were getting heavier to stay open
“You can go to sleep, i can take over from here” said Laios, you could see him a little clearly now that his features were illuminated with Marcille’s light spell
“Laios, it’s not your turn yet” you yawned, noting how you still have an hour left to your night watch
You look around seeing your sound asleep party, the growing love for them that you gradually succumb to was undeniable.
“I know but you just got healed, you should rest more”
“Well YOU healed me and i know there’s still some remnants of mana sickness in your head” you playfully argued
“Just let me do this for you.”
he said, you were taken aback with how desperate he sounded, it was rather emotional.
“Laios..”
He looked away.
“Is there something you want to talk about?”
You knew something was up, the growing silence that ensued was nothing but a sure evidence of his troubles.
“Tell me what’s wrong, i’m always here for you” you assured, running circles along his back.
He finally turned to face you.
“What if one day, you’re not?”
The question seem to weigh less to you than it did to Laios
“Huh?” You were confused, was it because of your accident just a moment ago? He knew that wounds and death didn’t have a severe of an impact as it did in the surface, yet the calm collected Laios could not be more worried in seeing you like that.
“What if by some chance i couldn’t heal you… or even worse you die-“ the sudden pick up of his breath was making you worry. It wasn’t long before he started to hyperventilate.
“Laios-“
“I can’t perform a resurrection spell!… i can barely heal your wound…”
“Laios!!” You whispered yell as you smacked him across the face, his hurt expression could be read clearly as ‘what was that for?’ Despite your burning desire to yell at him, you didn’t want to wake the other up with Laios sharing the intention
“You need to calm down..” you held him by the shoulder “i’m alright and i will continue to be”
He looked at you
His heart was filled with so much doubt. It’s not like he was unsure in your strength, rather… it was doubt that he could even bear that sight once more. The thought of you in so much pain was sure to haunt his soul than you would ever know.
You took his hand, placing in on where your heart would be. He could feel the vivid heartbeat on the palm of his hand, the continuous beat of the pumping organ was steady, paired with the slow rise and fall of your ribcage, a concrete evidence that you were here, alive, and breathing.
“I’m here”
His breath eventually went back to normal, which brings you a sigh of relief
He lets go, opting to shift himself closer to place his ear on your chest, he wanted to hear it clearly, closer.. closer to you. The sudden contact startled you as your arm fell to a stiff not knowing where to put it.
“Your heart rate is picking up” he stated as a matter of factly. As of this moment, you didn’t curse his density to took notice in your behaviour.
“Yeah” you coughed rather abruptly, trying to calm the flush on your cheeks. You were just relieved your party wasn’t awake see you so embarassed. You gulped down your hesitance though, opting to play with Laios’ soft locks as an attempt to distract your mind.
“Don’t go. Please don’t ever go away.” He said, repeating his swallowed words from earlier, his voice had found its way to be louder now that he’s calmed down, different from back when he healed you.
You felt guilty to say that your heart swelled in content hearing that. There’s something so incredibly precious to have someone care for you, you were lucky to know you wouldn’t forget that feeling as long as you were with Laios.
“I wouldn’t dream of it”
You hugged him,feeling the tightening grip that he has on your blouse, he groaned slightly feeling the warm embrace, though you kept it short, not wanting to suffocate him.
You and Laios weren’t always together. But even so, the unseperated bond that you had over the years was something that he treasure above all else.
Though sometimes he would dwell on the different path you could’ve chosen. What would happen if you were to accept your betrothal, and get married in that small village? What would happen if his father never kicked him out the house? What would happen if he stayed in the military? What if you never went into that ship alongside him?
Sometimes he could still pick up the smell of ocean in his nose when he recall that fated day. He never thought he could miss someone as much as he did you. A fated reunion, as Falin would say, he would always say it was just some coincidence.
He has only a vague idea of what the future will held once Falin is saved, but truly, he knew he couldn’t imagine a future where he wasn’t with you.
“What type of monster that doesn’t have a heart? Can you tell me about that?” You said, drawing incoherent shapes on his back with your fingers
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