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Wishvale was unusually cold tonight, and thus Delitia had given into Macy's urging and sat beside her in front of the fireplace. The burning fire was certainly warm, so maybe just sitting in front of it doing nothing wouldn't be so bad. Macy was also warm beside her, so when Macy rested her head against Delitia's shoulder, Delitia saw no reason to protest.
In the past year, she had begun to think of Wishvale as a second home. Her brother Fortis and wife Myka visited sometimes too. He said he missed her, but was glad to see her with so many new comrades. She found herself smiling; that was the pride of the Aqeeq, after all.
"Hey, Macy—" she began to say, but stopped when she saw Macy had, of all things, fallen asleep! Her body grew stiff, lest she accidentally wake Macy. Well, she certainly had no choice now but to sit still in front of the fireplace.
The two of them had been among the first invited to the rebuilt Wishvale, so it was mostly by coincidence they'd found themselves sharing the same house. At first Delitia had simply considered it a suitable place to stay while searching for her brother, but it'd been fun seeing the town grow again, and returning here after days or weeks of traveling felt like coming home. Nothing would replace her home with her Aqeeq brethren in the Sunlands, but this home in the northern Woodlands was nice too.
And every time she returned to Wishvale, Macy was always there to welcome her with a smile, she realized with a start.
Her mouth went dry as her eyes fell upon Macy's lips. Macy was beautiful and kind, and strong too; she never gave up on helping her own brother either. Carefully Delitia brushed a finger against Macy's cheek, and chuckled quietly. How many times had Macy patched up Delitia's injuries? More times than Delitia cared to count, and it was usually accompanied by a lecture. But she always felt stronger afterwards. If they could always be together…
She looped her arm with Macy's, and Macy's hair tickled her cheek. For all her earlier protesting - was really only a year ago they had first come to Wishvale? - it really wasn't so bad sitting in front of a fireplace doing nothing like this. It was also odd to see Macy falling asleep so carelessly, given her own insistence on proper sleeping habits, but maybe apothecaries were just like that. Being with Macy like this, sharing her warmth - it was… nice, Delitia found herself thinking.
Ringbearer Chosen. It was a strange title, and more than a little pretentious, but if not for her, Delitia and Macy would never have met. Their paths had crossed in Emberglow, and then they had taken down that tyrannical "hero" together. Of course they'd be comrades after that, but again Delitia found herself staring at Macy's lips, and heat crept to her face.
Macy stirred, and slowly her eyes opened. "Oh, did I fall asleep?" she asked, her cheeks flushing scarlet.
Delitia grinned. "It's fine. You're nice and warm too!"
"Warm…? Oh!" Macy glanced toward the fireplace. "Have you been with me this whole time? You didn't get bored?"
"No, not at all. It was nice, just sitting here with you."
"Really, now?" A mischievous smile spread across Macy's lips, and those lips really did look so soft, Delitia thought suddenly. "And to think, not so long ago you said you couldn't just sit around doing nothing…"
Delitia puffed out her chest in pride. "Well, a lot can change in a year!"
"Yes, yes, it can…" Macy said softly, and her eyes grew clouded.
This village was proof of that, Delitia thought to herself. Razed to the ground, and then slowly rebuilt from nothing. Valore was a little like that too, finally freed of the Covetous Witch, but then almost ruined by the self-proclaimed Have-Not. Sometimes Delitia felt as if she couldn't let down her guard, but there was always a dawn after the darkness. "It hasn't been so bad, though," she said at last. "I mean, I got to meet you!"
"H-Huh?" Macy stammered, her blush deepening.
"It's been nice, living here with you," Delitia went on quickly, almost prattling. "Seeing you help everyone makes me smile. Hunting can be dangerous, but I'm never scared because even if I'm hurt, you'll always be there to treat me!"
"You shouldn't be so reckless." Yet a faint smile came upon Macy's lips. "But I enjoy my time with you as well. I've traveled alone for so long, but when I'm with you, I feel… safe."
The two of them had set out on their journeys to help their brothers, and their paths had crossed thanks to the Ringbearer Chosen. Now Delitia's brother was married, and Macy's was cured of his wasting illness. That did leave one question, and Delitia realized she didn't want to ask it out loud.
Macy chuckled ruefully at Delitia's expression. "You're always so easy to read, Delitia. I appreciate that." She let out a deep sigh. "My journey is nearing an end, so I'm not sure what to do now…"
"I feel like there's still a little more to go," Delitia said softly, recalling rumors she had heard in the Frostlands of those calling themselves the Black Scarlet. "But after that…"
Macy shifted, drawing closer to Delitia, and the fire before them still burned warmly. "Why do you stay here in Wishvale?" she asked carefully, hopefully.
"I…" Delitia bit her lip. She found her brother and learned the truth of his journey, and welcomed a new sister into her family. She liked the people of Wishvale too, such as the Ringbearer Chosen and her beloved Stia. She'd learned more about hunting with Phenn. Even Laurana smiled more easily these days. She glanced at Macy, who looked up at her with a hopeful expression, and again her attention was drawn to Macy's lips. "There are lot of reasons," she answered finally, "but I think the main one is that you're here too."
Delitia might've expected Macy to react with surprise or confusion, but instead Macy's blush was gentle as she let out a quiet laugh. "Yes, same here. I… want to be with you too."
Her heart hammering against her ribs, Delitia bent to press her lips against Macy's. It was a quick, simple kiss, but at that touch of warmth, she finally understood.
Macy laughed again and threw her arms around Delitia for a tight embrace. "It really has been nice, living with you like this," she whispered against Delitia's neck.
Delitia put her own arms around Macy; despite Macy's thin build, she could still swing an axe like nobody's business. "I don't know what the future holds, but maybe someday, I could take you to my hometown in the Sunlands and introduce you to the rest of the Aqeeq…?"
"Yes, I'd love that." Macy gave Delitia a playful smile. "Do you intend to introduce me as your beloved?"
Again Delitia's face grew warm. "It just felt right, you know? Kissing you, I mean."
"I understand. We've lived in this house together for the better part of a year, so it's like we're married already."
Delitia grinned. "We've been all over the continent this past year, but we always find ourselves returning here, huh?"
"And I'm thankful for that." Macy pressed her hand to Delitia's cheek. "We set out to help our families, and helped so many other people as well."
"Yeah, we really did," Delitia whispered. There were many they hadn't been able to save, such as Elrica, but she believed in Alaune's vision of a peaceful future. Both Delitia and Macy had fought hard for that future.
"You're right, nobody knows what the future holds, but I do know I want to see it with you." Macy's smile brightened, and she kissed Delitia.
Sitting before the fireplace, Delitia held Macy tightly. Whatever happened now, whatever darkness awaited them, they would face together. That desire Delitia would hold close to her heart.
