got into a creative brainwave with @avalencias over Yasha being openly protective of Beau and spawned this lil bit
Beau’s tired from a day that, among other things, involved another race with Veth (resulting in not a bullet or a crossbow bolt buried in her shoulder but instead a dagger what the fuck Veth), some mild combat with some bandits lacking a good sense of self-preservation, a decidedly less mild sparring session with Dairon, and the malaise of exhaustion from some necromantic fuckery she didn't quite sleep off from yesterday, and-
And she's tired. She just wants to sleep. But she's also sore, and she knows that her body will thank her tomorrow if she just pushes herself that little bit more to complete her daily routine, but there's a sharp twinge in her side when she pulls her arms above her head that doesn't turn into a satisfying burn when she sucks in a hard breath-
Ow. Yeah. Maybe she could use some heat on that.
Except Caleb used up all his juice zipping the party across the continent and there's neither a hot tub room nor a magical tower with a steaming hot bath waiting for her this time and really? She's too tired to try to find one now.
She's pulling out of a particularly painful stretch when she hears a sharp knock at the door to her room for the night. The door swings open and she meets Fjord's eyes.
“Ah Beau, there you are. I was hoping you could help me with something.”
"Really man? I'm like, dead on my feet, can this wait?”
Fjord levels a teasing smirk at her “Really? You? I didn't think you, O Wise Expositor, were so weak of will and body.”
Beau squints hard at Fjord. Then, heaving a sigh, the prospect of sleep rapidly disappearing, she steps out into the hall to face her grinning friend.
“Fuck off dude, what do you need. Let's get this over with so I can sleep already.”
Beau watches as the grinning Fjord opens his mouth, only to be met with silence as his gaze flicks up to something above her head and his triumphant smirk quickly morphs into a thinly veiled expression of fear. Beau goes cold.
And then, suddenly, miraculously, she's warm.
The solid weight of an arm draped across her shoulders and her upper chest, the gleam of emerald radiant against pale skin. “I think you can find someone else to help out for now, Fjord."
Yasha's voice, spoken just by her ear, is dark with a threat, and it pulls another bloom of warmth from Beau's chest. “Or leave it until morning, if I were you.”
Fjord is already turning away, his face just a few shades paler than before. "Uh, yes that's fine I- I'm sure it can wait I'm very sorry to disturb you, Beau. I'll just- yup! Goodnight!"
And then Beau is left just outside the door to her room - the one she's sharing with Yasha who is currently holding Beau tight against her chest. If she just tilts her head up a bit- yes, Yasha is still looking towards a retreating Fjord's back, a menacing glare clear on her face - and Beau. Beau has never been here before.
"I'm pretty certain I've held you before, Beau." Yasha’s voice has gone soft and quiet in her ear.
Shit. She didn't think that was out loud. She must really need sleep. "Oh I uh, no I just mean like. Um. Fuck, I don’t know, watched over? Like that? I don’t mean like, watched in a creepy way just like, protected?"
Beau can feel the rumble of Yasha's quiet chuckle spread through the whole of her torso.
