Chapter Text
Rian blinked, ridding the darkness from his vision, as blochting spects of sun replaced the blackness. He took in a deep, wakening breath; an intense sweetness filling his senses. ‘ That’s odd?’ A hot breath ghosted over his face, and he focused in on the little rosy lips that produced it. His eyes shot wide, Deet’s face was just a millimeter away from his own; her head rested, snuggled in the crook of his neck.
Rian sat up, startling the girl Gelfling’s slumber, by rolling her off of him and sitting up. Her face scrunched in protest of the sun; a whine leaving her lips. Rian looked down to find their fingers laced together and quickly snatched his hand away from her small fingers. The girl Gelfling sat herself up on her knees, rubbing the sleep-sand from her eyes and yawning, “good morning” she said sweetly, “is something the matter?” she said, tilting her head. His cheeks shone pink and he looked like he’d just seen a spirit.
“Uhhh” he stuttered, fighting for words, “no! no nothing’s the matter...Did you sleep ok?” ‘Did you sleep ok? Really, that’s the best you could come up with? You slept in each other's arms all night! What an awkward question, you moron!' He hit himself internally. Deet didn’t seem to think anything odd of the question, and responded in her usual cheery tone.
“Yes, actually. You’re very comfortable and I had such sweet dreams! Thank you for going out of your way and staying with me. .” Deet then became distracted by their surroundings, looking around curiously. Rian didn’t even process her distracted gaze, his brain too addled by her blatantly odd compliment spoken with no embarrassment, “How did that happen..” Deet spoke, breaking Rian from his shock and prompting him to look around himself.
The dead vines and branches that made up their spiracle cage had blossomed and bloomed into lush leaves and striking white flowers. The sunlight made them glow. A soft, jubilant aura filled the air, as well as a syrupy scent. It was overwhelmingly beautiful. Rian looked round in wonderment, his eyes finally coming to land on the small girl Gelfling in front of him. The sunlight sparkled and danced in merriment on her, as she took in the sight herself. He was mesmerized by her pure beauty. He wished in melancolia, he could hold her every night. And that his kisses had the power to wash away all her worries...She caught his gaze and he hurriedly turned his attention to a nearby flower in embarrassment...
On closer examination, the flowers were shaped like stars and had a red gleaming center. Rian realized they were the source of the sweet smell. He was completely perplexed by their sudden presence, “h-how—”
“Oh! Oh! Wait!” Deet exclaimed excitedly, catching Rian’s attention, “I dreamt of these! They grow in my fathers’ garden,” Rian thought he could physically see the cogs moving in Deet’s brain, it was cute...“In my dream, I was tending to them when a nasty, possessed spitter came and attacked my home. But you were there!” Her eyes landed on Rian, all big and excited, “You saved me! And the flowers! Thank goodness. And we all..as in you, me, my fathers, and my brother, went inside and had a big happy meal together! We had herb and potato soup, my favorite!” she rambled on about the soup, and how Rian would have to come to her house and try some, then proceeded to realize how hungry she was, for she’d went without dinner last night. All the while Rian wasn’t listening, he just ruminated how sweet and innocent her dream was, especially in comparison to the dream he’d had about her...He quickly shook the thought away, his face tinting pink at the remembrance.
“Wait, you said you dreamt of these flowers?”
“Yes, were you not listening?” She tilted her head in confusion, “It’s odd they’d grow here, they’re only native to the Grotten caves..”
“That’s not the only thing odd about their presence,” He touched his thumb to his chin in thought, “Deet, the Sanctuary Tree gave you his power before he died, didn’t he?” She looked sad at the mention of the tale of the tree. She nodded in response though, “Well, you can take the Darkning upon yourself from those around you now because of that...but what if that’s not all you can do?”
Deet’s eyes widened, “You think I did this?”
“Who else could it have been? How’d you make this globe in the first place?” That question had been at the back of his head awhile now..
“I don’t know...it just sorta grew around me..I was just walking and I didn’t feel so well…” her eyes seemed to go hazy just at the mention of such, “I was so cold and I just wanted to be alone. Then I think I passed out..” Deet completely dismissed his concerned expression, “then I woke up and I was in a little round room and it was dark and I was so sad and I felt so empty. And I sat a long while and couldn’t stop crying. And my head hurt so bad I think I ended up passing out again,” Deet, again, didn’t seem to register Rian’s, now, flabbergasted expression, “But then I woke up again and you were here! And I felt so much better!” She gave him a big happy grin, then finally seemed to notice his face contorted in shock, “What’s wrong?” She asked genuinely perplexed. Rian’s heart couldn’t take it, nor could his head, and it fell promptly on her shoulder; feeling dizzy from her sheer unconcern with herself.
“Deeeeet,” he whined into her dress, “how can you seem so unconcerned with your own welfare! I knew I should’ve come looking for you sooner…” he lifted his head to look her in the eyes, he looked upset, “I’m sorry you had to go through that alone Deet.”
She blushed at his words. She wanted to apologize for his apology, but his pale eyes bore into her and knocked her speechless.
He huffed out a sigh and got up, extending his hand for her to take, “I’m sure the others are worried sick about us,” she stared at his hand; hesitant. “C'mon, you said you were hungry, didn’t you? I am too,” he wiggled his hand in impatience. She finally took it and they climbed out their little hiding place. They noted that the flowers only extended to just beyond the circular hut and that the rest of Deet’s ‘destruction’ still remained.
They followed the path of deadness all the way back to Stone-in-the-Wood. Their hands staying snugly intertwined the whole way. . .