Chapter Text
A gust of wind fluttered about in the stone chamber, deciding to tangle itself into the forest green strands of one dreaming Nefer. It made her want to shiver, turning more towards the inviting warmth next to her. Where did such an invention come from? Such a heavy, warm blanket that had a head massage function incorporated in it too! Nefer let out a satisfied sigh and continued braiding the Frostlamp flowers into one continuous circle. A figure sitting down in front of her let out soft chuckles each time Nefer accidentally snapped a petal off. The figure in front of her was radiating warmth, just like her blanket, and was smiling shyly at her. It made Nefer flustered, her cheeks dusted light pink and her hands slightly shaky. She really wanted this flower crown to come out nicely, for the person in front of her only deserved the best.
A ray of light suddenly made itself present in Nefer’s view field, reflecting off of the pile of Moonfall Silvers that her companion had collected to decorate the flower crown.
Hold on a minute…
Light!?
Nefer shot up from where she was sleeping peacefully, startling both Lauma and the little bird that had sat down on one of Lauma’s antlers. Eyes opened wide, she looked around the room, trying to take all of it in. The window looking towards the main path; the table shoved in a corner, drops of dried wax spread across its surface; the wardrobe standing right across from her, doors slightly ajar and swinging gently with the breeze.
And, most importantly, Lauma, leaning on her elbows, eyes fixed on Nefer. The bird had settled back down and was singing a vibrant tune. Her long hair was tangled at the tips, wispy strands framing her cheeks. Her eyes were alert, showing that she had been awake for a while, making Nefer realize who was behind those head massages she dreamt about. The bust of her dress was slightly askew, and Nefer internally cringed at how uncomfortable sleeping like that must've been. Given her lying down position with one knee raised, her right leg was exposed all the way from the hip to the ankle, which gave Nefer real trouble in trying to focus her gaze anywhere other than the woman’s thighs.
Unconsciously, and without being asked to, Nefer reached out her hand and moved the front piece of Lauma’s dress more to the side, successfully covering up the exposed skin. The action only registered with her when she heard Lauma take a sharp breath. Her hand retracted like an arrow shot by Jahoda, fast but with no direction.
“I…I definitely did not mean to do that” hand stuck mid-air, Nefer just dropped it down back in her lap, cheeks burning. To make things even more embarrassing, Nefer raised her gaze to find Lauma trying really hard to stop herself from laughing. She lost that battle, however, the moment their eyes met.
“Hm, yeah, go on, laugh at me. Such a gracious host…” Nefer rolled her eyes in jest, and even turned her head the opposite way, making Lauma laugh even harder. To Nefer, it rivalled the bird’s early morning song. If making a fool of herself and playing it up was the price, she is okay with losing face in front of Lauma.
Lauma sat up, folding her knees underneath her. With gentle hands, she grabbed the sides of Nefer’s face and turned her head back. “It seems your vision is working as normal. Strange…” The pensive look in Lauma’s eyes told Nefer that she was most probably unaware of how closed she had leaned in, however being able to feel her calm breath on her own lips had Nefer’s stomach turning and twisting. “I would've thought you’d be happy about it. Was that not what you wanted to achieve, Lady Moonchanter?” her mood was still unserious after their previous interaction, but Lauma didn't seem to take it that way. She recoiled back, hands dropping from Nefer’s cheeks.
“Of course I am! It’s just that…I didn't use any of my blood on you last night or this morning”
Nefer looked at her incredulously. Did her vision just return on its own? That made no sense. “Belive me, Nefer, I only woke up a little bit before you did.” Lauma extended her hand forward, palm facing upwards. Against what she'd told herself, it was actually very difficult to resist touching Lauma. Her warmth was just that addictive, so Nefer grabbed her hand and pulled it towards her. Indeed, there were no fresh cuts, meaning that whatever made her vision come back was not external.
“This is really incredible, Nefer! However, we should still monitor it, in case your vision disappears again.” Knowing exactly what she was going to say next, Nefer quickly interrupted. “Letting me sleep here was already me imposing on you enough, I won't trouble you even more.” Seeing the protest forming on Lauma’s lips, she squeezed Lauma’s hand and added softer than before, “You’ve already done more than enough, Lauma.”
Lauma’s eyes widened and Nefer looked away. In the rare moments where Nefer dropped her usual uncaring, unbothered tone, Lauma would take on this certain expression that made her chest tighten. She didn't understand why that happened, she didn't understand why dropping all her facades was so easy around Lauma. Last night she had such a restful sleep, and entertaining the idea that it was due to Lauma’s presence, ahem, cuddling, was very dangerous, so Nefer simply chose not to.
She would just go back to the Curatorium, where her only company was Aaru, since Jahoda was out everyday. Sleep in the cold, empty bed in her bedroom right next to her office, that no one knows exists because why would she tell anyone she didn't have a proper home? Go back to her old routine only involving her and the clients she has to meet up with occasionally.
Right. Such promising future.
Nefer rubbed her forehead in frustration, and for one moment, she considered agreeing to Lauma’s request to stay on Hiisi Island. Thoughts of Lauma’s caring, warm touches filled her mind, a hand rubbing her back, another combing her hair. Nefer didn't deserve any of this comfort. Especially not from Lauma. Such a kind, loving soul shouldn't waste time with someone that doesn't know how to reciprocate, doesn't appreciate small gestures and certainly doesn't care to go out of her way to show kindness.
Her heart ached in disagreement. And maybe it was the euphoria of being able to see Lauma, or maybe the sleepiness that still clung to her mind, but Nefer wanted it so much. She wanted to bask in Lauma’s glowing smile, her kind eyes, her melodious laugh, her gentle touches and her sarcastic quips veiled behind a soft tone. But that would be just taking advantage, and as unclear as Nefer’s moral code was, she would never take advantage of Lauma.
“Then…Can I at least offer you a meal?” Lauma’s eyes roamed across the wall behind Nefer, before building the courage to look into hers. And how could Nefer say no when her blue eyes looked up at Nefer with unfiltered hope and something more, something softer, warmer. How could she say no when a blinding smile overtook Lauma's face at a simple “yes”, when she grabbed Nefer’s hand and led her way to the dining area of the Frostmoon Scions, holding it all the way, fingers interlocked.
Nefer never stood a chance. Her heart never stood a chance.
~~~
By the time Nefer got back to the Curatorium, the sun had already set. She was surprised to find Jahoda still in the building, lounging on a couch and petting Aaru.
“Boss Nef! You're back!” She jumped the moment she heard the door close shut, and waved enthusiastically at Nefer. Acting completely unlike herself, Nefer waved back and sent Jahoda a little smile.
Jahoda’s eyes widened, but then a huge smile engulfed her face, and she quickly walked over to Nefer, going on and on about what she had done throughout the day.
After Nefer had finally settled down behind her desk, Jahoda sat in the chair in front of her. “Hmm, where was I…” her eyes looking around the table surface, seemingly searching for whatever thought she forgot about. “Ah, yes! The Traveler and Paimon also came by today, asking about you. Obviously, I didn't ask them to wait since we were all unsure of when you'd be back but-”
Nefer’s attention perked up at that. “Unsure? Were you expecting me early in the morning?” It would've made sense, of course. Although Nefer hated mornings, her work schedule didn't really allow her time to laze around. However, Jahoda shook her head frantically. “No, no, no, not at all! To be honest, I didn't expect you to come back today at all…”
Nefer was taken aback by the statement and focused her attention on Jahoda, pushing aside whatever letters she had to answer to. “Don't misunderstand, Boss Nef, but…ahem, wouldn't it make sense for you to try and make the most out of it? I mean, uh, you know…” she trailed off and Nefer could see the start of a slight flush rising to her cheeks.
“I don't know and I won't know if you don't just speak already” Nefer’s stomach was in knots, and her heart had seemingly started to beat faster. Jahoda, feeling the pressure, started fiddling with a loose strand from one of her braids. “Well, since you get time all alone with Lauma, no interruptions…Boss Nef, please don't make me say it!” Jahoda dropped her forehead onto the table, her hands forming a “praying” sign above her head.
“Are you implying…that I should've slept with Lauma!?”
Jahoda abruptly raised her head and pushed herself off the chair, exclaiming “You didn't!?” Nefer felt speechless for the first time in her life, and Jahoda seemed to realize too. “But Boss Nef, you were in such a good mood when you entered!” her voice was filled with pure confusion, “You mean to tell me that just hanging around Lauma gets you this relaxed?” her hands were pulling at the loosely tied braids, and Nefer was simply stunned. Her mind was a mess, thoughts of the cuddles and the head scratches transforming into something else. Touches that burned, soft lips, eyes rolled back and sounds that made Nefer shudder.
She quickly snapped herself out of it by slamming her fists onto the table and also standing up.
“What!?”
Realising she probably crossed multiple boundaries, Jahoda raised her arms in surrender and nervously laughed, “Ahaha, actually, forget everything I said, Boss Nef! I definitely didn't mean any of it!” she was slowly inching away from the desk, wanting to make a run for the exit.
Heart still racing, Nefer wanted clarification. “No, please explain. You think I like Lauma?” In order to reassure Jahoda that she was neither going to jump across the desk and strangle her or, even worse, fire her, Nefer sat back down on the chair. Jahoda looked towards Aaru for help, but being met with only disinterest, she accepted her fate and sat back down.
Doing everything possible to avoid Nefer’s eyes, Jahoda murmured a “Yes…”. Nefer's eyes were boring holes into her head, awaiting elaboration. “I mean, Boss Nef, you act as if you don't want to see her, but when you do you get this look in your eyes that I’ve only ever seen my parents look at each other with.” Nefer's heart could beat even the most athletic person in a race right now. Surely an 18 year-old wouldn't be able to read such an expression off of her? Her whole career was based on her ability to be unreadable to others.
“Oh and whenever you're around her you try to act so cool and unbothered, even though we've seen you blush when she holds your hand.” Jahoda seems to be entirely oblivious to the damage she is actively inflicting upon Nefer’s sense of herself. “Hold on. We?” The words made Nefer’s heart drop. Who else took part in this mortifying ordeal of embarrassing her to death?
“Uh, me, the Traveler and Paimon, for the most part.” Jahoda was still unsure as to how was she not buried deep down in the ground, but also if she's going to have a job tomorrow. At her reply, Nefer seemed to have calmed down a little.
As long as she doesn't know.
“Just go home, Jahoda. It’s late already.” She could feel a migraine incoming, her hand already massaging her temple. Jahoda didn't need to be told twice, she spun around and headed straight towards the main door. It didn't take two moments after she turned around the corner for her head to peek from behind the door frame. “So you do like Lauma.” Said as a statement, not a question.
Nefer grabbed the fountain pen she used to answer letters and hurled it across the room, making droplets of ink leave a trail across her expensive carpet from Sumeru. She heard Jahoda yelp and a moment later the main door shutting close. She exhaled a breath she'd been holding ever since the start of the conversation and got back to work.