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"Hey, Rinwell? How about we go out-" Law broke off as he strolled into the room. Books were piled high on every piece of furniture and even the floor, stacked in formidable towers that looked ready to fall on you at a moment's notice. It made him wonder how she could toil away in this room without fear of getting crushed under all those books. What if it was Hootle? How long would it take to find that tiny little owl should he fall victim to those towers of doom?
It seemed all that work had taken its toll on the young mage as she was now slumped on the desk with her head in her arms, her body faintly stirring with each breath she took. Stepping round to get a look at her face, Law saw her peaceful expression. He exhaled, smiling wryly. "Fell asleep, huh? Well, it's no wonder, working at all hours like this. You gotta sleep sometimes."
A soft hoot reminded him of Hootle's presence. Law's smile turned slightly nervous as he made eye contact. "Er. Hey, Hootle." The little owl was perched on a book, watching him with sharp amber eyes. Was it a warning look?
"Well, hm. Should I just leave her here like this?" Reaching up to rub the back of his head, Law eyed the sleeping girl with a frown. It didn't seem right to leave her sleeping at the desk like this. Wouldn't she be better off in a comfortable bed? "Maybe I'll just-"
Just as he reached out to her, Hootle let out a shrill hoot and launched himself at Law, flapping his wings furiously. "Ack! Oh, come on!" Law backed away, valiantly trying to defend himself from the owl's claws and beak. "Sheesh. I'm just trying to be helpful." Exhaling, he slumped over. "Well, maybe it's not a good idea for me to pick up a girl. I might touch something I shouldn't and if she woke up, she'd probably give me a taste of her artes again." Leaning against the wall, he crossed his arms and frowned.
Hootle had left him alone but was still making noise. "Hmm? What's up?" He looked over to see the owl hovering over a folded blanket, flapping his wings frantically. "Well, guess that will do." Picking up the blanket, he went to drape it over Rinwell. A strand of hair had fallen over her face. Before he knew what he was doing, he was brushing it back, tucking it behind her ear.
"Ah." Law stiffened, withdrawing his hand with a sharp jerk. He slowly looked in the direction of Hootle, who tilted his head as he watched Law from his new position.
"Hoot?"
"Come on, man." Law rubbed the back of his head again, his face flushing. "Keep it together." Hearing Rinwell let out a soft murmur, he looked down to see a small smile tugging on her lips. She looked so content in her sleep. He wondered what kind of dream she was having right now. A pleasant one, no doubt. Looking at her smiling face, his chest grew tight and a deep warmth welled inside of him. It would be nice if she could always be smiling. He would definitely make sure of it.
"Well then." Law cleared his throat. He wasn't sure what to do next. Maybe he'd take a look in one of these books? Rinwell probably wouldn't mind. Reading wasn't really his thing, but he'd make an exception. She'd be happy to know that even he was taking an interest in her passion.
Settling down in a chair, he opened up one of the books and flipped through the pages. Reading through Rinwell's vivid and precise descriptions of the lands they had travelled through, he could imagine them as clearly as if he was actually there right now. She had added all sorts of notes about Dahnan culture and history as well. Admittedly, he was going over the pages a bit quicker than he probably should be, but he could tell she had put a lot of work and care into these pages. These books were a labour of love.
"You've done such a good job, Rinwell," Law murmured.
"Mm?" Rinwell stirred. "Is someone there?" Blinking her sleepy eyes, she reached up to rub them. The blanket fell away from her shoulders as she sat up straight. "Huh?" Her gaze shifted to the crumpled heap of fabric on the floor, then travelled upward, meeting with Law's. "L-Law?!"
"Oh. Hey. You're awake. Uhh, sorry to startle you."
"Uh. Uh." Rinwell's lips flapped open and shut. Her cheeks turned a shade of crimson. "What the heck are you doing here? Were you watching me sleep or something?" Her eyes narrowed.
"No, no, nothing like that, I swear." Law held up his hands. In his panic, the book slipped off his lap and hit the floor with a soft thump.
"Ahh!" Rinwell let out a shriek. "Be careful with my books!" She darted over and hurriedly snatched up the book, dusting at it with a concerned look. Almost as if it was Hootle himself after being at the receiving end of a kick, Law thought, with a raised eyebrow. Not that he'd ever do such a thing to Hootle, no matter how often that feathered fiend attacked him. "Sorry, sorry," he said hastily, "but it's not like a little fall is going to hurt it. It's just a book."
"Just a book?" Rinwell raised her head, a hint of fury simmering in her golden eyes, causing Law to flinch. "I've been toiling away all day and night to create these books and you-"
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'm sorry, okay? I really didn't mean to drop it."
"Hmph." Rinwell exhaled, setting the book aside. "You're lucky I'm too tired to get mad at you right now. Anyway, it's not like I'd expect someone like you to understand the value of books." She paused, tilting her head slightly and raising a finger to her chin. "Hold on, were you actually reading it just now?"
"Uh, well, I was kinda curious so I thought I'd take a look. Honestly, there were a lot of words and I did skim the pages a bit, but, uh, I could tell it was really detailed and stuff." Law got to his feet. "You know reading isn't really my thing. Still, you're doing a great job. But, you know, Rinwell..."
"Mm?" Rinwell blinked. "What?"
"You don't have to overwork yourself like this." Law made a sweeping gesture. "I mean, I found you fast asleep at the desk. I thought I'd carry you to bed but then that blasted owl-"
"Eeeeeh?" Rinwell let out a shrill noise, her face flushing. "C-c-carry me? To bed?"
"Yeah? It's not that big a deal." Law shrugged and smiled. "I mean, you can't be that heavy even though you always eat all those sweets and stuff, right? You're still pretty small."
"Law." Rinwell's voice dropped a few octaves. "Sometimes you really should think before you speak."
"Hmm? What'd I say?"
Rinwell shook her head. "Never mind. You really should think before you speak to girls, you know. And to think you were just gonna carry me? That's kind of-"
"Well, yeah. It's not a big deal, is it? I mean, didn't Alphen have to carry you back to Ulzebek because you collapsed in front of him and Shionne when coming over from Cyslodia?" Law responded with a baffled look.
"Well, yeah, but that was just Alphen!" Rinwell spluttered. "The thought of you carrying me, well, it's a little..."
"Eh? So it's different if it's me?" Law raised an eyebrow. "But why would that be?"
"Um, er, you know what, never mind. Forget I said anything." Rinwell shook her head. She knelt down to pick up the blanket, gazing down at it. "So you're the one who put the blanket on me, right?"
"Yeah. Carrying you to bed was clearly out of the question so..."
"I see. Thanks." Folding the blanket, Rinwell placed it on the chair.
"Heh, you don't have to thank me."
"It was considerate of you." Rinwell regarded him with a slight smile. "So, what brought you here, anyway? I'm sure you didn't come here just to watch me sleep, right?"
"Uh, well, I kinda wondered if you wanted to go out." Law smiled at her bashfully as he put a hand to the back of his head. "Maybe grab a bite to eat? When was the last time you even ate, anyway?"
"I had some snacks just this morning. And I've got some more stashed away somewhere."
"And the last time you ate a proper meal?"
"I had a quick bite to eat last night. I've been working so hard and I just wanted to get another book out of the way-" Rinwell was interrupted by a gurgling sound. "Ah." Her face reddened and she lowered her gaze.
Law let out a light chuckle. "See what I mean about you overworking? I wonder if Hootle's not feeling a bit hungry too."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, he always reminds me when it's time for him to eat. Sometimes I even open the window and he'll go out and get mice for himself. He's getting much better at hunting now. Hootle's fine, aren't you, Hootle?" Turning around, Rinwell held out a hand and Hootle fluttered over, letting out a hoot. She held him, caressing his round and feathery body.
"Uhh, so does he remind you when you have to eat?"
"Sure he does!" Rinwell grinned. "That's how I know when it's time for snacks!"
"You have to take care of yourself too, you know?" Law put a hand on his hip, giving her a look of slight reproach. "Come on, Let's go and get a bite to eat. You can't just eat snacks."
"Hmm, I guess you're right. Alright, Hootle, let's go, shall we?"
Hootle responded with a delighted hoot, flapping his wings. Rinwell headed to the door.
"Hey..."
"Hm?" Stopping, she turned her head, regarding him with a quizzical look. "What's up?"
"Uh, well, I just wanted to say, you're doing a really good job." Law stepped closer. "With the books, you know, you're working so hard and I could tell you put a lot of effort into them. I'm sure people are really going to enjoy reading them."
"Oh, er. Thank you." Rinwell smiled. "But, you know..."
"Hm?"
"It would make me happy if you could read them too. Properly."
"Eheh. Yeah, of course I'll give your books a proper read someday. That's a promise." Looking at the young girl's beaming face, Law was compelled to raise his hand and place it upon her head. He'd thought about doing it so many times in the past, and now here he was, feeling the silky strands of hair against his fingers.
"Ah." Rinwell let out a soft sound, her eyes widening slightly.
"Uh. Um." Law withdrew his hand, clearing his throat and averting his gaze. "I... I just thought..."
"That's the first time you've done that." Rinwell didn't even look mad. Her eyes were slightly unfocused as she looked straight at him.
"You didn't mind, did you? If you don't want me to do that again, then-"
"No, it's fine." Rinwell shook her head. "Your father used to do that too, you know?"
"He did, huh?" Law spoke in a low voice, a flash of sadness passing over his face.
"Mmm." Rinwell lowered her head. "I still remember how heavy his hand was, and yet it was so warm and gentle. Your hand was warm too."
Law just looked at her without saying anything, conscious of the lump forming in his throat.
"Thank you, Law."
"Hm?" Cocking his head to the side, Law raised an eyebrow. "I'm not quite sure what you're thanking me for."
Rinwell met his gaze with shining eyes and a smile that stretched from ear to ear. A light flush suffused her cheeks. "Everything. You know, for being there for me. I really appreciate it."
"Er... right." Law fidgeted, feeling a deep warmth rise in his cheeks. His eyes shifted from side to side. "Well, that's what friends are for, right?"
"Friends, huh?" Rinwell's voice was so quiet, Law didn't quite make out what she was saying.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Well then!" Rinwell clapped her hands together. "Let's go and eat already! I'm starving!" She turned and bounced out of the door with Hootle fluttering over her shoulder. "I need to eat lots of sweet things and get my energy back!"
Law put a hand to his hip, shaking his head and letting out an exasperated murmur. "Come on, you need more than just sweets. Eat some meat at least." Smacking a fist into his hand, he smiled. "Well, at least she's got me to take care of her, when that dratted owl isn't interfering anyway. Now if I could just finally tell her-"
"Law! Are you coming or not?"
"Yeah, coming!" Law hurried out the door after her. No matter what, he swore, he would always be there for her.