[WotR Vikkari/Etain, Act 2 or 3, 540 words]
borrowing Etain from @haledamage :3
---
Vikkari's focus was so bent on his carving it took a minute to register he was being stared at. He looked up through loose wisps of hair. "Sorry, did you need something and I missed it?"
"No, um." Etain blushed and tugged her mask slightly higher as she ducked her head. "I've... never seen your hair all the way down, is all."
Ah. He smiled sheepishly. "It wasn't intentional. The cord broke, or came loose, and I'm not in a position to fix it." He spread his hands to exhibit the stains from his task. "I've learned the hard way how difficult it is to get varnish out."
She relaxed slightly, seeing he wasn't going to tease for staring. "Is... Would you like help?"
"I wouldn't turn it down," Vikkari said with a laugh.
Etain hesitated a moment, then set down the firewood she carried and stripped off her gloves. He tried not to stare at her hands. "Any particular requests?" she asked, rooting in a belt pouch for string as she moved behind him.
He shook his head. "Just something that keeps it out of my eyes."
He sensed more than saw her nod. As well as the slight pause and gasp when her fingers slid into his hair. "It's so soft," she mumbled, followed by clearing her throat. "Sorry."
"It's alright." It was taking all his focus not to groan at how good it felt, her fingers raking lightly against his scalp as she gathered the purple locks. "It also doesn't tangle," he said, hoping conversation would distract him. "Priya hates me for it, and I've heard many times how unfair it is."
Etain actually let out a small, quiet laugh. "Struggle with knots, does she?"
"Mm. I don't understand how; her hair doesn't come far past her shoulders and she usually wears it in a bun, like I do. Sometimes two, if she's feeling fancy," Vikkari amended with a smile. "Tied up shouldn't tangle."
A chuckle from behind him. "Not everyone has the benefits of celestial blood." Pause, a frustrated huff. "I can't get all the bottom sections..." He fingers ran up from his nape in a futile attempt.
"Then just pull the sides back, it's fine," he said, much as a part of him wanted to tell her to keep trying; it felt so good.
She did so, tying it off deftly. "So, why is this one special enough for varnish?"
"Oh, it's for Anevia," Vikkari explained, holding up the spread-wing eagle pendent. "She scouts a lot, and I want it protected in case she wants to take it with her."
"Ah." Etain gave the string a final check and--reluctantly, he thought--stepped back. "I'm sure she'll love it; everyone else has."
The silence lingered and stretched for a few moments, heavy as the smell of varnish in the air. Vikkari finally cleared his throat. "Thank you. For the help."
"Of course, you're welcome." Etain had curled in on herself again, hands playing with her braid.
"If ever I can return the favor, let me know." He nodded toward her braid. "I'm happy to help."
A pause, then nod. "I-I'll keep that in mind."
It wasn't until she'd scuttled off he realized she'd left the firewood behind.
a kiss after treating a wound for Etain and whichever out of Casavir, Lann, or Vikkari you wanna use 😊
While all three options are very tempting, Casavir won out this time around 😁 mostly because in Faerun, Etain doesn’t have angelic powers that include very powerful healing spells, so more drama and less righteous smiting of her enemies 😇
Etain/Casavir, Neverwinter Nights 2, sometime in late Act 2/early Act 3 I guess? It’s not really related to the plot beyond mentions of stuff from very early in the game. Not yet in a relationship, but so, so much pining. So much.
---
Healing wasn’t Etain’s specialty.
Magic in general wasn’t something she had much talent for, beyond a few bits and pieces Aimee had managed to teach her when they were children. But what she lacked in skill she made up for in sheer willpower.
She spent all afternoon expending every ounce of curative magic she had and wracking her brain to remember any of Father’s lessons in herblore or Tarmas’s in alchemy that might help. She even tried praying, to the gods of the sun and the forest, and even to Tyr, who had never paid her much mind but would hopefully be willing to listen on behalf of one of his faithful.
It had been enough--barely--to pull Casavir from the brink.
Sand had come by sometime just before sunset, looking exhausted and disheveled and even more surly than usual. He stayed just long enough to drop off a handful of potions and a stern if hypocritical lecture about not overextending herself. The potions had taken the gray cast from the paladin’s skin and cooled his fever, but it hadn’t been enough to wake him.
That had been hours ago. Long enough that the lanterns were starting to burn low, the shadows in the small room growing long and flickering. Etain stayed by Casavir’s bedside, mixing herbs and moss with her mortar and pestle until it formed a serviceable enough paste. She grabbed a pinch of it, rolling it between her fingers before carefully pressing it against the wound in his side.
His eyes immediately shot open. In a single, fluid motion, he sat up in bed, seizing her wrist with one hand while the other reached out for his sword.
“Whoa, easy!” She knew she wouldn’t be able to physically overpower him, but she still pressed her free hand to his chest like she might be able to push him back down. In the most soothing tone she could muster, she continued, “Easy, Cas. It’s okay. You’re safe here. But you’re injured. I need you t’lay back down, okay?”
To her relief, he obeyed, his sudden burst of energy calming at the sound of her voice. He let her guide him back down to the bed and settled down with a heavy sigh.
In the silence that followed, he rolled his head enough so he could watch her more easily. She tried not to tense under his inspection, letting him take in their surroundings, the table of empty potion bottles and half-crushed healing herbs, the fact that both of them were out of their armor and alone except for Pippin, who was curled up by the door. The grizzly hadn't so much as moved during Casavir’s brief outburst, knowing his mistress wasn't in any actual danger.
“Please do not be a dream.” Casavir’s voice was rough with pain--and probably also from whatever Sand put in his potions--but the words were clear enough.
Etain shook her head, sending a small smile his way as she picked up the bowl of her mortar again. “Is this somethin’ you dream about a lot, Cas? Gettin’ stabbed?”
His eyes were fever-bright but clear when they met hers. “I dream of you, Etain.”
“...Oh.” Any reply she might’ve made disappeared in a puff of smoke. She turned away, shaping another pinch of herb mixture in her fingers for far longer than necessary, waiting until her heartbeat slowed and the blush faded from her face before getting back to work.
Casavir didn’t so much as flinch this time when she carefully spread the concoction over the stab wound in his side. The swelling around the wound started to fade, the angry redness of his skin fading as poison and infection were drawn from him. By morning, he should be almost fully healed, and the herbs would flake away like ashes.
Hopefully. Assuming Etain hadn’t screwed up her measurements.
“Where are we?” he asked eventually. If he felt any discomfort from either her silence or her makeshift poultice, he didn’t show it; he just watched her face, expression warm but otherwise unreadable.
“My old room at the Flagon. Duncan was nice enough to let us crash here for a bit, but my room’s the only one that was ready when we arrived.” She set down the bowl and reached for a roll of clean bandages. “Do you remember what happened?”
“I recall… fragments.” He closed his eyes as if that would help his recollection, a familiar frown furrowing his brow.
Etain waited to see if he’d say anymore, but he didn’t. “D’you remember the part where you saved my life? That knife was meant for me. You stepped in front of it.”
Casavir’s expression immediately evened out again, relief overtaking his previous consternation. “Good.”
“‘Good’? Cas, it was poisoned!” She bit her tongue, surprised at her own outburst, and didn’t speak again until she was sure she could do so without yelling at him, though she wasn’t quite able to smooth away all the sharp edges from her voice. “I’ve been fightin’ tooth and nail to keep you alive until Sand could mix an antidote. I thought--” her voice broke, anger giving way to fear, “I thought I was gonna lose you for a minute there.”
He reached out and took her hand, and she dropped the bandages back to the table, forgotten. At his wordless request, she abandoned the rickety stool she was perched on and sat on the edge of the bed instead. He pulled her even closer until he could hold her hand over his chest, covering it with both of his and pressing her palm against his skin so she could feel the steady, even beat of his heart.
“I apologize for worrying you, my lady,” he murmured, voice deep and rough and heart-stoppingly sincere, “but I will not apologize for saving you. I will always try to save you.”
It wasn’t the first time he’d made that vow. And like every other time, Etain was torn between wanting to kiss him for it and wanting to shake him until he placed more value in his own safety.
She didn’t do either, and instead used her free hand to push a few wayward strands of hair out of his eyes, then let her fingertips trail lower, tracing the sharp line of his jaw. “My life is not more important than yours, Casavir.”
Her rare use of his full name brought a smile to his face. “Yes it is.” His knuckles brushed against her cheek, his touch gentle and almost reverent. “No one is more important than you are. Not to me.”
His ice blue eyes watched her with an intensity that was at odds with the softness of his touch. Etain could feel herself blushing again under the heat of his stare, but she held his gaze as best she could, fighting against the urge to turn away and hide from it. “You’re just sayin’ that because you think you’re dreaming.”
“No, Etain. I say it because it’s true.” His smile widened enough to show a hint of the dimple in his right cheek. Casavir had a beautiful smile, dashing and boyish and even a little playful, made all the lovelier for how rarely he let it show. Etain had fallen a little bit in love with him the first moment she saw it.
And had been falling ever since.
He murmured her name again, drawing her eyes back to his and making her realize she’d been staring at his lips for gods-only-knew how long. Too long for him not to have noticed, even addled with potions as he was.
“Cas--” she started, but she wasn’t sure what she intended to say after. She bit her tongue before more words could escape.
Casavir looked at her like her awkward fumbling had just given him the answer to a particularly complicated riddle. “This is not a dream.” He sounded like he was trying to reassure himself of the truth. Like he needed to be reminded.
“No. Or anyway, if it is, I…” Etain looked down at where her hand still rested on his chest, unable to meet his eyes anymore, “I don’t think it’s one of yours.”
He chuckled, and warmth bloomed in her chest at the sound. “Is this something you dream of often, my lady? Tending my wounds?”
She smiled slightly, daring a quick glance back at his face, and echoed his declaration from earlier. “I dream of you, Casavir.”
Instead of replying, Casavir slowly sat up, mindful not to reopen the wound that Etain had spent so much time and effort healing. With a gentle touch, he lifted her chin until she met his gaze again.
It wasn’t until she looked up that she realized how close he was. Their positions on the soft, worn mattress erased the slight height advantage Etain usually had, putting them at almost the same height. It made the space between them seem much smaller than it actually was.
The way Casavir continued to watch her didn’t help matters either. There was a wistfulness in his expression, and something she could only call longing. It reminded her, strangely, of Aimee, and the way her friend would talk about the adventures she wanted to have and the places she wanted to see; a mix of desperate desire and resigned sorrow, like mourning the loss of something before she even had it.
His next words only made the comparison stronger. “If this were a dream,” he whispered, “I would kiss you.”
“You can’t kiss me when you’re awake?” Etain matched his tone, not wanting to break whatever spell they seemed to be under by speaking too loudly.
“There is nothing I want more. I have wanted to for far longer than I care to admit.” His thumb traced the curve of her lower lip, as if imagining what it would be like, but his smile was sad. “If only it were that simple.”
It could be, she wanted to say. It could be so simple. Let us have one thing in our lives that’s easy. Something we don’t have to sacrifice or fight for.
All she actually said was, “I know.” She turned her head so she could kiss his palm. “But I wish you would.”
Casavir exhaled sharply, like her confession had forced all the air from his lungs. He pulled her close, his hand curling gently around the back of her neck, almost but not quite embracing her. Warmth radiated from him, and this close Etain could tell it wasn’t an entirely natural heat; his fever was returning.
“Tell me again in the morning,” he murmured into her hair, punctuating the plea with a quick, searing kiss to her temple, “when I can be certain I will remember it.”
“I will,” she promised, forcing herself to withdraw from the safety and comfort he offered. “But right now, you need to rest.”
He let her guide him back down to the bed without argument. It was clear that their conversation had taken a toll on him, no matter how much he tried to hide it, and by the time she pulled the blankets over him he was more than half asleep.
Though he was still awake enough to grab her hand before she could pull away. “Stay with me. Please.”
Etain only went as far as the stool still waiting by the bedside. “Don’t worry, Cas, I’m not goin’ anywhere. I’ll still be here when you wake up.”
That was all the reassurance he needed, and within minutes Casavir was fast asleep.
Etain went back to her herbs, trying desperately not to think too much about what would happen when morning came.
OC Kiss ∙ Caught
[Etain/Vikkari; WotR, @haledamage/mine]
(different than my other pieces with the two of them; this time Vikkari's the Commander. Bc Aivu. And butterflies 🦋)
Sunset from the cliffs behind Drezen was always a sight to behold, though truthfully Etain was never sure if she appreciated the view or the solitude more. Just her and Pippin, away from the clamor of the city. Safe enough from demons with her grizzly at her side, finally able to think.
And yet, today, her thoughts were all butterflies.
She watched a white one flit a final loop between flowers. The sunset backdrop was tinged red from the Worldwound's influence, a stark contrast to the purity of the small creature.
Etain huffed a sigh--of what emotion, she wasn't entirely sure--and tugged her mask down. No need for it out here, she mused, one hand idly scratching Pippin's scruff as she watched the white butterfly make its loop.
An ethereal blue one joined it, her first warning she was about to have company. Etain smiled as two teal butterflies joined it and a purple one settled on her knee. She should have known if anyone could find her (would care enough to) it would be him. She held out her hand to the purple butterfly. It shifted over with a flap of its wings, weightless, sensationless, then brushed against her cheek as it fluttered off.
"I suppose it's a good thing they like you," Vikkari said, pausing as he reached her. He gestured to the space at her side. "May I?"
"Always." Etain scooted over til her hip pressed against Pippin's flank. The cloud of Elysian butterflies following him enveloped her as well when he sat. "While it is nice, I think I'm more relieved Aivu likes me." She craned her neck. "Where is your shadow, anyway?"
Vikkari laughed, his hand sliding along her wrist in unspoken request. "The bakers' kids were discussing cake, so she decided she doesn't need to follow me everywhere all the time."
She couldn't bite back a giggle, letting him interlace their fingers when his hand reached hers. "You've been supplanted by cake?"
His golden eyes glowed with mirth. "Only temporarily. She promises." He squeezed her hand. "So, what are you doing out here, Etain?"
The white butterfly was gone, flown off somewhere to rest for the night, she supposed. "You know me and cities, Vikkari," she said softly. "I needed a break." Her grip on his hand preemptively tightened. "Your company is fine."
There was a moment of silence, his gaze on their joined hands when she looked at him. "You're sure?"
She rubbed her thumb over the heel of his hand. "If I wanted to be alone alone, I would have said. Or hidden better, so no one could find me in the first place."
"Good." Vikkari lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of hers. "I enjoy quiet moments with you, but don't wish to intrude."
Etain's whole face was hot, and she strongly considered pulling up her mask to hide at least some of it. "I-I enjoy them with you, as well," she mumbled, making eye contact instead of hiding, "I just still have trouble believing..." the words trailed off, her gaze drifting to the half-sunk sun.
"Believing what?" The ethereal butterflies fluttered lazily, one landing on his ear, another on her shoulder, as he waited.
"That you.... like me." She'd always tried to avoid people, go unnoticed, and the fact a damn near avatar of beauty had not only seen her but liked what he saw.... Still a struggle, no matter how many times he reiterated it.
"What's not to like?" Vikkari asked with a gentle smile, free hand lightly cupping her cheek. "You're kind, compassionate, determined, loyal, extremely skilled with a bow--which is attractive in its own right." His thumb, softly rubbing her cheek the whole time he spoke, stilled on the divot of her scar, his next words just above a whisper. "And I find you quite lovely--"
She kissed him. It wasn't like there were words for what his sentiments meant to her, the way they coiled gentle, overwhelming warmth in her chest. She freed her hand from his so she could dig both into his hair, soft purple twining round her fingers.
Vikkari hummed, or maybe it was a chuckle, and wrapped his now empty hand around her waist, nudging her closer, still cradling her cheek.
Etain was all too happy to lean into it, kissing him more deeply, twisting up on her knees to take advantage of her height.
This time he definitely laughed. But he didn't stop,
There was a rush of sweet-smelling wind, swirling the Elysian butterflies into a frenzied kaleidoscope. "If you want some of Natalya's ca- Oh!"
They broke the kiss at the delighted squeal, turning in unison to be met by a toothy havoc dragon grin.
"Were you kissing?" Aivu demanded, grin not dropping one iota. "I knew you liked each other! Is that why you come out here? To be alone? Or mostly alone--"
Pippin raised his head and wuffed at her, as if scolding for the enthusiastic interruption.
Aivu, twice the size of the bear and then some, was undeterred. "It's so cute! I can go have more cake if you don't want me watching- Oh!" She started to turn away, swung back, Etain and Vikkari ducking as her tail skimmed over their heads. "That's what I came to say: Natalya's cake is really good, so if you want some you should hurry. But I guess you don't care about cake right now!" With one last grin and bounce from foot to foot, she launched herself into a gleeful corkscrew flight back toward Drezen. "More for meee!"
"Not to say the moment's broken," Vikkari sighed (still with a fond smile), "but we should probably head back as well." He tipped his head toward the horizon and barely-visible sliver of sun. "Before we lose all our light."
"Pippin and I will protect you," Etain teased. Emboldened and breathless, she stole another kiss. She didn't really want to stop, she wanted to sit and kiss him under the stars no matter who might catch them or miss them, but he was the Commander. He was probably needed. So she pushed to her feet, offered him a hand as Pippin lumbered up as well.
"Thank you," Vikkari smiled as he took it.
Etain nodded, puling her mask up now that they were heading back. "Thank you," she said, curling the end of her braid around her thumb. "For... for saying it."
He pushed on his toes to kiss her temple. "Of course. It's a list I can recite by heart any time you need to hear it."
And he slipped his hand into hers again for the walk back to Drezen as the sun sank behind them.
My home, my heart, thank God you are
Someone who loves me
For my beloved @haledamage! 💕💕 I give you a soft Etain/Vikkari moment thanks to @sunshinemage bc I saw the one YCH pose and my brain immediately went to our babies.
borrowing @haledamage's girl with this one :3
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Vikkari appreciated the cover provided by the Kenabres celebrations. Between going strong so late into the night and their nature as a masquerade, it was far easier to sneak out of the city with Etain than he would have thought. There were twenty 'Knight-Commanders' running around, no one spared a second glance to notice his was the real one.
Etain walked beside him, noticeably distracted despite agreeing to come and following his path without complaint. He left her to her thoughts and didn't pry, walking in equal silence until they reached his goal--a small copse of trees circling a boulder large and smooth enough to make an excellent natural seat.
"We're here," he said, giving her arm a gentle nudge.
Etain rolled her shoulders as she pulled her focus back to the moment and surveyed the surroundings. A hint of a smile crinkled her eyes. "Very nice."
She always seemed more relaxed in the woods, but this time some tension remained, a shifting in her stance that spoke of unease. "Everything alright?"
"Mm," Etain hummed, shifting her weight foot to foot. "We just saved the day again, why wouldn't it be?"
Because you seem antsier than Titus when he broke one of our father's beehives. But he just shook his head and gestured to the boulder. "Just checking."
She sat--near the edge, he noted--and cocked her head. "So, any reason in particular for the solitude?"
"I know it's your preference," Vikkari said. He dropped his attention to the small pack he'd brought, and when he looked up she was leaning against the tree behind her, rocking back and forth. "Etain." Bit his lip to hold back a chuckle when she froze. "Is something wrong?"
Etain slouched with a frustrated growl. "I have an itch. Started right before we left the city, and it's right at the top of my wings so I can't reach it, and it's driving me crazy."
The chuckle escaped as Vikkari sat next to her. "Hence the Pippin impression, I assume." He started to reach toward her back, then paused. "May I?"
"Oh, please," she groaned, leaning into his hand like a cat when it settled between her shoulder blades.
"Here?" he confirmed, scratching the top edge of where the feathered wings joined her back.
"Mmhmmmmm," Etain hummed in gratitude, her head falling back against his shoulder as she sagged in relief. She sat in contented silence a moment, then tugged down her mask and tipped her head further to look at him. "Thank you."
Vikkari, quite enjoying the weight of her leaning on him, tipped his head to kiss her temple. "You're very welcome. I know you'd do the same for me." He lightly brushed his fingers along the top of one wing before letting his hand fall.
"Of course." Etain let her head loll against him a moment longer before straightening. "Although I'm pretty sure this wasn't what you had in mind when you asked me out here."
"No, though I'm always happy to help. I, um." A sudden rush of nerves hit him, and he fought the urge to fidget as he pulled the small pack closer. "I made you something."
"Again? The others really will accuse you of favoritism," she teased, gently nudging his shoulder.
"We're well past hiding that, I think," he laughed. "But I'm not talking about whittling." This time. The next of that kind was still in progress. Deep breath as he pulled the carefully wrapped bundle out of the pack. "I've been tweaking one of my recipes, and I think I'm finally happy with it and wanted you to have the first batch."
Etain's eyes lit up. "Cookies?"
Vikkari smiled as he handed them over. "Oh, I hope they live up to that reaction."
From the deeply satisfied groan that accompanied her first bite, he didn't have anything to worry about. She was three cookies in before she stopped and looked at him. "They're delicious."
Vikkari chuckled. "I may have suspected. Thank you, I'm glad you like them."
"I forget how much you like to cook since Seelah does it a lot when we're traveling..." Etain sucked crumbs off her fingers and offered him a cookie, which he declined(he'd tested plenty while making them), before wrapping them up. "You're very good at that, too. Thank you for the cookies, and the solitude. And the back scratches."
"You're very welcome for all three, but," he linked his fingers between hers and brought her hand up to kiss the back, "I don't think we need to be done yet..."
"You don't think they'll miss us?" she arched a brow.
"I think it'd be fun to see how long we can push it," he countered with a smirk.
"No arguments here," Etain said warmly, leaning her head on his shoulder again, and it was quite a while before they deigned to return inside the city walls.
29. Sleep (post-WotR; Etain/Vikkari) borrowing @haledamage's girl again <3
---
Etain was, as usual, awake before the sun. Unlike usual, however, she didn't immediately hop out of her bedroll to start the day. Instead, this morning she opted to lay where she was and watch Vikkari sleep in the predawn light. He looked so peaceful; slow, deep breath of true sleep, one arm flung over his eyes, silky purple hair pooling around his face.
Angelic even when you're dreaming, she mused, familiar ache of fondness in her chest. At this angle, with his arm across his face, she could see the scars usually hidden by his shirt, snaking from his elbow up to his shoulder. "Never tangle with a wolverine" had been the only explanation he ever offered, and Etain had barked a laugh of agreement and not pressed. It didn't matter.
She reached out and, feather-light, traced her fingers along the track of one. All the way from his elbow to the crown of his shoulder before letting her hand drop, smiling when his fingers twitched.
Movement caught her eye, and Etain shifted her gaze to the tent entrance. It was probably Pippin, tired of waiting for breakfast. But there was no brown bear snout poking through the tent flaps. Nothing to consider a threat, either. A small blue butterfly fluttered in through a gap and alighted on her hip.
Etain forced herself to swallow the chuckle in her throat. You won't find food there, little one. The butterfly took flight even as she had the thought. It relocated to Vikkari's elbow, which apparently took a longer examination to dismiss as a food source, because it sat there a full minute, wings beating almost lazily.
She watched it, praying Vikkari wouldn't wake or move in his sleep. I knew you were sweet, but didn't think it was enough to confuse butterflies. She'd have to tease a little.
The butterfly lifted off again, winged a couple slow loops of the tent before finding its way out.
Vikkari's breathing had shifted when she turned her attention back to him. "Were you watching me sleep again?"
"Mm," Etain hummed. His arm was still over his eyes, he couldn't see her bite her lip. "I like seeing you so... content. Relaxed." Knowing you trust me with that. "You're very pretty when you sleep."
Apparently she wasn't awake enough to censor her words. She clapped a hand over her mouth, face hot, the second the thought slipped out. You don't say that part out loud, Etain.
Vikkari shifted, moving his arm and rolling on his side to look at her. "Thank you." His eyes were warm with mirth and... something else. "So are you, though I don't get nearly as many chances to see it." He smiled and reached over to trace light, random patterns between her freckles. "Lucky for me you're just as pretty woken up."
Etain let out a nervous giggle, even though they'd been together long enough she knew this was sleepy unfiltered Vikkari, not charming insincerity. He was always sincere. "You..." She wasn't sure what, precisely to protest, and let it trail off as his gentle touch moved from her freckles to her scar, whisper-soft down the length of it.
Her lips pursed slightly as his fingers brushed over them, and Vikkari chuckled as he leaned in at the unspoken invitation. "May I?" he murmured, breath warm on her cheek.
Rather than answer, Etain closed the narrow gap and kissed him, her fingers sliding into his hair. (She always forgot how soft it was.)
His chuckle turned into a laugh as he kissed her back, his fingers cool as he cradled her cheek. "I suppose we should get up...."
She laughed at how his reluctance mirrored her own. "S'ppose we should. Pippin's prob'ly hungry."
"Good point. And we have a lot of ground to cover yet." Vikkari tipped his chin to kiss her forehead before rolling away to sit up and stretch.
Etain followed suit, checking the state of her braid and trying not to let her wings flare too wide in the tent confines. It was so peaceful in here, despite the hints of temperate weather--and the bear who needed feeding--outside, she was tempted to tug Vikkari back and insist it was fine to linger, get a late start just this once.
The terrain being so flat made watch duty a piece of cake, almost boring. Or would, under normal circumstances, but the rainstorm currently drenching the steppes made it nigh impossible to see more than a half dozen feet.
Which, in turn, had Vikkari worrying his lower lip between his teeth as he peered into the rainy gloom for both unanticipated threats and an anticipated return. Mostly the latter; she'd been gone for hours and he figured most creatures would be seeking shelter rather than food on a night like this.
Despite the attention he was training to mark her return, however, Etain still managed to sneak up on him.
"Think there's any new rivers forming tonight?" she asked, tone dry as the weather wasn't, shaking water off her hood.
Vikkari flinched at her materializing out of the gloom, then chuckled softly. "Some new streams, at least. Did you find anything?"
Etain shook her head, then tipped it toward the boulder he sat on in silent inquiry. "No sign."
He nodded, shifting over a bit to make sure there was room. "Can't say I'm terribly surprised, night like this."
She snorted as she sat. "I did spot a pretty big coney. I suppose that's not nothing, but with the weather screwing up visibility" --a gesture toward the sky-- "couldn't get a good shot." She cocked her head. "No whittling?"
"Too wet," Vikkari explained, though his fingers did twitch from the lack of a hobby to keep them buy. "Wouldn't want to cut off my thumb because the knife handle's slippery."
"Good reason," Etain said, tugging down her mask. She studied him silently a moment. "You could keep watch from the tent, Vikkari." She reached for his hand, stilling restless fingers. "No one would blame you on a night like this."
He laughed sheepishly, heat climbing his neck as he squeezed her hand. Thank you. "I can do better out here, though." Water dripped from his hood as he ducked his head. "And I wanted to be sure you got back safe. I don't mind some rain."
---
Etain smiled, wondered if he'd see it in the gloom. She knew that wasn't any lack of confidence in her skill, just his tendency to play Mother Hen with people he cared about--like fussing over Lann not wearing shirts or Ember being barefoot or Nenio choosing research over sleep. Just... more. Because it was her. And while she was still coming to terms with someone caring about her that much, she did appreciate it.
"Worried I'd drown in one of those new rivers?" she said lightly, squeezing his hand.
"Or be devoured by a rogue water elemental," Vikkari drawled, glancing at her with a smile visible in the glow from his eyes. "Encounter a smilodon with more hunger than sense."
Etain laughed. "I do appreciate you watching for me. It..." She reached over, hesitant, to brush his cheek with her fingertips. "I could see your eyes. Once I got close enough. It made finding the camp easier."
The overcast night made them seem brighter than usual, just by contrast, and his smile at her words made them brighter still.
"You don't need to do that, Etain," he whispered. "Try to excuse my worrywart tendencies."
"I'm not." Pippin nudged her hip and she absently reached back to pat his head. She'd tell him to go lay down, but the others might revolt if she made them sleep in the stench of wet bear. "Not saying I would have been lost without them" --though maybe in a more metaphorical sense... --"but they did make it easier to find my way back."
"Well." Vikkari leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Sweet of you."
Etain bit her lip, everything north of her shoulders suddenly very hot. "You're, um. You're welcome."
The vaguest sense of an outline flickered through the darkness in her peripheral, in the same moment Pippin lurched to his feet with hackles raised. Etain and Vikkari both stiffened, peering intently through the saturated gloom for whatever threat had her bear on edge. Etain stood, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow to be prepared at another glimpse of movement just on the fringes of her vision.
Vikkari abruptly pivoted, hot orange magic slicing through the night as he flung a spell. It only grazed the target, but left a smouldering line of kindled fur that Etain used as a guide to loose her shot. Even with the spots dancing in her vision from the bright flare of the spell, there was a yowl and thud and lifeless feline carcass visible in the light spell sputtering to life in Vikkari palm.
"Apparently you weren't that far off about the smilodon..." Etain said, nudging it with her foot. The poor thing's ribs were showing; no wonder he'd rated potential food higher than shelter.
"Apparently," Vikkari murmured. His hood had fallen back, rain dripping off his hair and nose as worry warred with humor across his face.
---
"Hey." Etain nudged him and gestured to the scorched line down the smilodon's back. "Thanks for the guiding light."
He nodded, gaze fixed on the arrow jutting from the side of the dead cat's neck. That she could make that shot in the dark, in a rush... "Happy to help. You think it followed you?"
She shrugged. "Seems likely. Guess it was waiting to judge if it could take one of us before pouncing."
"Well, I'm glad you and Pippin are so perceptive," Vikkari said. "And that you decided to linger with me for a minute."
Etain's brows twitched at the implication, glancing between the smilodon and him. "Me, too," she mumbled, the spell's light accentuating the angles of her face.
He shook water off his hair, debated pulling up his hood. But he was already drenched, as was the hood, so that would probably be more harm than help at this point. "All's well that ends well," he said in reassurance, reaching for her hand. "And that was a damn good shot."
"Oh." She blushed. "That was lucky, Vikkari." A sheepish laugh as her fingers slipped between his. "I might be good, but not that good."
"I think you are," Vikkari smiled, tugging her closer. His other hand rose to trace down her jaw. "I also think I need to thank you properly. If I may?"
Etain tipped her chin toward him, shuffling closer, even as she commented. "Aren't you supposed to be keeping watch?"
He chuckled, hand sliding to the back of her neck, words now spoken practically against her mouth. "I think I can trust that to Pippin for just a minute," he murmured, and kissed her gently. Chaste and sweet.
"Or two," she mumbled, her hand digging into his hair to hold him close, kissing him deeper.
"Or two," Vikkari agreed with a breathless grin before letting her pull him in for another.
[But he did have a responsibility, and that was the only thing that had him easing back. "You should get out of the rain before you catch cold or something."
Fond amusement flashed in Etain's eyes and she deadpanned, "Maybe then I'd get a break. But I take your point." She still crouched to retrieve her arrow first, then gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze on her way to the tent. "G'night, Vikkari."
"Night, Etain." Vikkari settled back in the boulder as she and Pippin headed to bed, once again alone with the rain and the view of big, flat nothing to watch.
Happy (early) birthday to my bestie @haledamage, I give you (and, lbr, myself :P) Etain/Vikkari art from @the-upper-shelf bc these two have consumed me in the best way possible. I love them, and I love you, and I hope this brightens up your day <3333
