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smooch.. the tief. | sel. accepting always !
the road from nicodranas is a long one, days of winding road that only make her heart ache for home anew. she spends most nights on the journey into the empire staring, wistfully, southward towards the coast – but only when she knows the others are asleep and can not see her pining. this is one such night, their last before crossing the border into the empire. a bundle of papers rests in her lap, documents they would need to make it across without a hassle. they’re done, mostly, so there’s little to occupy her mind as she leans against the wheel of the cart, toying with the small ruby that now hangs around her neck. idly, she brings it to her lips, and smiles; a sad and fragile thing.
“ you’re up late. ”
jester jolts slightly, sitting up straight and whipping her head towards the source of the sound. fjord, only half untucked from sleep, rubbing at the back of his neck while he starts to stand. flustered, words fail her a moment, scrambling for some excuse. he doesn’t have to ask. as the warlock settles down beside her, she slowly uncurls her muscles and allows herself to relax again.
“ … i know. it’s stupid. ” she starts. in the corner of her eye, she can see the tilt of his head, the egging her on to continue, “ i just.. i know we just left, but i miss my momma. ” a laugh, soft and breathless shakes her shoulders. without thinking, she settles against his shoulder, and for a moment they sit in silence. they need to check on things in the empire, she knows that, but that doesn’t make it any easier. they talk, idle chatter, make plans for the next few days. they share laughter and distract one another, dance around the words exchanged in that sunken temple, the confession she was stupid enough to announce aloud. but that isn’t important, here and now. it feels like forever that she stays with him, eyes growing heavy, but she doesn’t let them shut until she dares to reach, to lace her fingers in with his and hold, softly.
“ jes. ”
“ yeah – ? ” she’s only part way through bringing up her head, eyes blinking almost blearily, when the sensation of scarred lips colliding with the corner of her mouth snaps her wide awake. her shoulders go rigid and she laughs, despite herself, even as there is a nervous chuckle offered in return. she doesn’t recoil, afraid that if she moves, the moment would be gone, lingering in their steady closeness and almost holding her breath. the next time, he hits his mark, and it feels like firecrackers are going off in her chest.
maybe this wouldn’t be so bad, after all.









