Chapter Text
A glowing text appeared over the water.
"Only when each soul chooses the other over all else, shall the walls yield and the path to freedom appear."
And just as Mavuika read it out loud, it faded away leaving a shining mark. They stood there like that for a moment. Captiano grabbed his helmet again to cover his face in darkness away from her gaze, and then put it back where it belonged. Mavuika looked at him, with a little disappointment in her eyes.
“Why did you put it on again?” She asked, making a little step closer to him.
“Is this the next step to move forward?” Capitano answered, trying to avoid response, taking a step back. He felt like everything that has happened was a little too much for him to take at the time.
Harbinger looked at her, and since there was no response to his question, he turned away and headed back to the campfire. Mavuika sighed, and followed his steps. At least she tried to, because as soon as she made the first step, her body met with the ground.
Capitano quickly turned back, seeing Mavuika holding with her hand her bruise. As he was about to help her to get up, she stood by herself, only giving him a weak smile. She slowly headed back to the campfire.
Capitano went to get her some water. He was worried about her state. They had to quickly pass the next challenge, and leave to get some help. That bruise was really suspicious. Maybe it had some kind of poison?
As he came back, he gave her an ice cup filled with water, and sat next to her. Mavuika’s eyes were following dancing flames, reminding her about home. She sat curled up, with her legs tied to her chest.
“You didn’t have to go hiding behind it again” She broke the silence, whilst staring at the fire. Capitano sighed.
“Don’t take it personally.” He answered.
Why does he keep hiding it from me? - Mavuika wondered, feeling a faint ache settling in her chest. She knew she shouldn’t take it personally — he was a soldier, a harbinger; that mask was part of him. But still, something within her couldn’t help but feel rejected. She thought, that maybe, after everything they went through together, he would trust her a little more…
“It is personal.” Mavuika suddenly said, surprising even herself by her honesty.
“Mavuika.” Capitano said more roughly than usual. She looked at him, trying to meet his gaze, but meeting his blank mask only. “I’m not comfortable. I never take it off.” He added.
“I know, but since you already showed me your face, it’s not like that’s gonna change anything. “ She was muttering under her nose, with a pouty face. Capitano had to admit to himself, that it was pretty cute.
“Look at it from different perspective. Noone of my fellow harbingers ever saw my face. None of my soldiers. But you did.” He was trying to comfort her, not even knowing why, cause he had every right to not feel comfortable about showing off his unpleasing face.
“I just wanted to stare more into your beautiful eyes…” She said without even thinking about it. As soon as she realized her words, her cheeks turned red. What the hell was wrong with her?
Capitano felt his heart stop for a moment. Beautiful eyes? Her words echoed in his mind, and he forced himself to turn away, hoping she hadn’t noticed the slight tension in his shoulders. He’d never thought of himself that way. He was a warrior, not someone meant to be… admired. But her words, innocent as they were, planted a seed of warmth in his chest that he wasn’t sure how to handle.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Mavuika broke the silence once again. “Just feel free to take it off whenever you want to around me.” She said, then lied down on the fur, and turned her back to him. “Let’s try to take a little nap. I’m very tired. You should also rest. We can then think more about getting out from here.”
“Hmfp.” Capitano answered, and decided to also lay down. He settled himself on the ground, leaving a careful distance between them. He could feel the warmth of her presence, even if their backs were turned.
Beautiful eyes, huh? The words drifted back to him as he went to sleep. He could still see her expression, her eyes soft with an emotion he wasn’t sure he deserved.
~
Calm dreams slipped away as Capitano woke up to Mavuika’s scream. He quickly turned around, his pulse spiking, and looked at her. She lay curled facing him, her face sweaty and eyes squeezed shut as tears were running down her cheeks. He watched unsure - Another nightmare?
She whimpered, her body twisting as though resisting something unseen. He wasn’t sure if he should wake her up. That thought was quickly interrupted by another – more desperate this time - Mavuika’s scream. Half-asleep Capitano started gently shaking her arm, trying to wake her up.
“Hey, it’s only a bad dream. I’m here.” He murmed, trying to calm her down, cause damn, he hated seeing her in that state. It was bringing him an unpleasant feeling, he wasn’t able to name. He needed to help her, take her away from whatever was haunting her.
“Please, don’t hurt him.” Her voice cracking.
Him?
Capitano tightened the a grip on her arm. These words pulled him more out of his sleepy haze. Unsure of what else to do, he slipped his arms around her and pulled her gently against his chest. She fit there almost too naturally. His hand was slowly threading though her hair.
Mavuika opened her eyes for a brief moment, her expressions confused, finding herself in a tight hug of Capitano’s arms. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she let out a deep breath and closed her eyes again. His cold and strong body was somehow making her at peace.
“Can we stay like that… just for a moment?” She asked so quietly, that even if their bodies were connected to each other, Capitano could barely hear her. To an answer, he pulled her even more to himself.
“Yeah.” He whispered.
Together, they drifted back to sleep.