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Shornhelm was hosting a farmers market that featured goods and farmers from all over Rivenspire. It was a light hearted attempt to build morale after the threat of the Montclairs had passed. And Errani had been excited to go. To her surprise, Fennorian had asked to accompany her. They’d been growing closer recently, spending more and more time together. They spent late nights in Fennorian’s study reading books, and Fennorian had been offering to come with her on the strangest of outings he typically wasn’t interested in. Errani made a mental note to find something to ask him to do with her later. She didn’t want him to think she wasn’t interested in spending time together.
It wasn’t exactly a secret between them that Errani was interested in Fennorian and that he liked her back, and it wasn’t something they had openly acknowledged to each other either. But what kind of friends occasionally held hands or sat on each other’s laps while reading? Not to mention that Errani had been catching Fennorian staring at her more and more frequently. At first she’d just believed her hair was messed up or she had spilled something on her clothes. But when she asked he would brush her questions off and look away.
Errani had tried bringing this up to Gwendis once, but the Wood Elf had laughed and changed the topic... Much to Errani’s dismay.
What else could it have meant? And something else had changed too. There had been three or four times Fennorian had asked her to sleep in his room with him. It was awkward at first, Errani trying not to shuffle around too much in the night and Fennorian scared he’d crossed some invisible line in their friendship by asking her to share a bed with him. And in a way he had, it was just… a welcome change.
Like visiting the Shornhelm farmer’s market together.
The market in question was huge. There were makeshift stalls lining nearly every street, and banners and streamers hung in between them all. It was colorful and loud and fun and even better than Errani was hoping for. The sun was high in the sky and people milled about lazily between stalls.
“Are we looking for anything in particular?” Fennorian asked from her side.
He was taller than Errani, as expected from an Altmer, and so she had to look up to meet his eyes. He was smiling at her, eyes dancing with interest. Fennorian tended to avoid anything that involved a lot of people. But Rivenspire’s biggest farmers market? That was sure to draw crowds. Which had made his decision to join Errani all the more surprising, though no less welcome.
“Not in particular… though I’m sure Kallin wouldn’t mind if we came back with some fresh fruit.” Errani said as she turned to look back at the stalls. There were people selling eggs, fresh goat’s and cow's milk, artisan cheeses and home baked breads.
The first stall Errani stopped at had beautiful jars of honey, honeycomb and various things made out of beeswax. The woman behind the counter smiled warmly at them. Her eyes lingered on Fennorian for a fraction of a second too long, though not unkindly. More... like she was trying to place him. The people of Rivenspire were still antsy around vampires, even with the threat of the Montclairs taken care of. Errani supposed they would be for years to come. “Welcome! Looking to try some local honey?” The woman asked brightly.
Errani knocked her hand into Fennorian’s and smiled back at the woman. Errani was already sure she was going to buy honey, but she wouldn’t say no to a free sample. “Sure.”
“We’ve got honey sourced from clover, wildflowers and orange blossom.”
Errani’s ears pricked up at the last one. “Can I try the orange blossom one?” She asked.
The woman smiled and dipped a spoon into one of the many jars on her counter. “Here you go, sugar. Anything for you?” She asked Fenn politely.
Errani pressed the tip of the spoon between her lips. It was delicious. She’d never had anything quite like it.
Fennorian tilted his head as he eyed the jars. He hesitated. “Can I just try some of yours?” He asked Errani, sounding embarrassed.
Errani tried not to blush as she passed the spoon over. She had only seen Fennorian put something that wasn’t blood in his mouth once before, when Errani had been making cake with Kallin. He’d walked in and stuck his long pale finger in the batter scooping it up. Errani had been too shocked at the time to scold him for it and the cocky grin on his face afterward, had her frozen to the spot.
Today though, she watched him hesitantly taste test the honey off the edge of the spoon. “Oh, that does have a very strong citrus flavor,” he said looking pleasantly surprised. His face was lit up in innocent joy, something she didn’t often see outside of his alchemical experiments. Errani’s heart skipped a beat.
The woman behind the counter smiled. “Would you like to try any other one?” She asked.
Errani blinked and turned back toward the stall. “Uh, no, thank you. Can I just get a jar of the orange blossom one please?”
The woman picked up a jar tied with a bright orange ribbon and placed it in a white paper bag with her apiary’s logo painted on the side. “Have a good day!”
Newly acquired bag in hand, Errani and Fennorian wandered the market aimlessly, stopping at whatever stalls caught their eye. Errani desperately tried to rid her mind of the image of Fennorian’s mouth on the spoon right where hers had been. But she hoped she always remembered the way his eyes lit up when he tried the honey.
They collected different items at the market; eggs, apples, dried herbs, a few gemstones, pumpkin seeds as a snack for Errani while they walked, gifts for Adusa and Gwendis, and some dragon’s rheum for Fennorian. Which Errani thought was disgusting and she privately hoped it wouldn’t go into anything Fennorian would expect her to put into her mouth.
As an afterthought, they went back to the lady selling honey and bought some beeswax candles. “Can never have enough candles.” Errani said with a smile.
In their time shopping she had acquired a few bags. Luckily for her, she was able to condense all of their bags down to three big ones. Less to carry this way. And when Fennorian offered to help carry, Errani declined.
“Okay, I think I’ve spent more than enough money. Are you ready to get back… to the castle…” she trailed off. Fennorian was standing to the side of the road, eyes closed with his face tilted toward the sun. It wasn’t like a vampire, day-walker or otherwise, to enjoy the sunlight. In fact, it wasn’t like Fennorian in the slightest.
Suddenly Errani didn’t want to rush home at all. But Fennorian had heard her, of course he had with his super hearing, and was already turning back the way they’d first entered the city. “This was fun.” He said quietly as they walked. “I know I tend to avoid places with lots of people and while the… temptation was quite a bit stronger today, it was nice to do something different. Though, I think I’ve had more than enough crowded areas than I can handle for a while.” He admitted.
Errani smiled in his direction, “Well, I’m glad you came with. It’s much more fun to do these things with other people. Next time, I’ll try to find something for us to do with less people around-”
Someone grabbed Errani’s shoulders and she snapped to attention, nearly dropping her bags. It was an older man with a crazed look in his eye. “Don’t you ever wonder why man and mer have a biological fear of anything that we perceive to look like us even when there’s nothing there?!” He asked, leaning in close to her. Fennorian took a few steps closer to her as if to intervene. Errani pushed her bags up her arms and used her newly freed hands to shove the guy off of her.
“No. I sure don’t.” She said gruffly, motioning for Fennorian to walk faster. He obliged and they sped up. But the man chased after them. Was Errani really going to have to ruin their good day by conking an old man on the head?
“The brain may have evolved past the need for such fears, but doesn’t it scare the hell outta ya to wonder just what it is we have to be afraid of? What was out there?... What still might be.” He asked.
Thankfully, someone stopped the older man and asked him something Errani couldn’t hear. The man went off about his apocalypse scenario as a small crowd began to form around him.
“Lovely end to the trip.” Errani said flatly.
“Are you alright?” He asked, slowing to walk next to her. Errani rolled her eyes and Fennorian bumped her shoulder with his. She gave him a tiny smile.
“Yeah, he was just weird… What do you think he was talking about?” Errani asked.
Fennorian tapped his chin in thought as they walked. “I suppose it is true that people have an ingrained fear of things that go bump in the night.”
“Oh-not you too.” Errani groaned, throwing her head back.
Looking more than a little amused, Fennorian said, “There’s a completely logical explanation as to why people are afraid of things in the dark.”
“And that would be?”
“I believe I am proof of just one of the things that people tend to be afraid of. There are vampires in the dark.”
Oh here we go.
Errani scowled at that. “You are not scary. Do not start this again.” She muttered under her breath. She was not getting into this right now.
Fennorian persisted. “I’m not starting anything! I’m just saying that with everything that happened with the Montclair family we shouldn’t be surprised that people are seeing things at night and are afraid of vampires again.”
While he was right, Errani wasn’t going to admit it. She was still holding a grudge over the fact that he’d called himself scary again. She knew this line of thinking was only harmful for him and she wished he would stop it.
Kicking at a rock in the road, she said, “And that’s why Verandis assigned our little band of merry men to put a stop to the people’s fears!”
As predicted, Fennorian laughed. It was a nice sound. She’d enjoyed today immensely, despite this weird little turn of events. Seeing Fennorian so carefree… the image of him trying the honey came to her mind again and she shook her head.
Then, a different thought occurred to Errani. “What do you think people are seeing that’s freaking them out so much?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Probably shadows when they blink, things moving in the dark, all things that aren’t really there while they’re in the safety of their own homes.” As an afterthought he added, “Well, mostly anyway. I’m sure some of them are actually seeing things.”
That night Errani was in Fennorian’s room reading a random book she’d pulled off his shelf. Fennorian was busy filling out some paperwork that Errani hadn’t asked about a second time because it had sounded boring enough the first time he’d explained it. Some trade agreement or something between the Ravenwatch and another noble house.
By the time Fennorian had finished his work for the day it had grown late. “Do… you want to stay in my room tonight?” He asked carefully. Fennorian watched her face for any sign of hesitation, likely cataloging her reaction for later proposals.
She swallowed, feeling her heart flutter. After a long day spending time together, Errani shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d asked her. Of course, he would. It followed their usual, albeit new, pattern. Late nights in Fennorian’s room or study would inevitably lead to cuddling up together in his bed.
“Yeah, if that’s okay.” Errani decided. She closed the book she was reading and looked for its place on the shelf.
“I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t.” Fennorian said.
Errani looked around the large shelf for the empty spot she’d taken a book from. She could have sworn she took it from one of the bottom shelves… there it was. Errani carefully put the book back and turned to Fennorian, who had rounded his desk. He was now leaning back against it, supporting himself with his hands. He was watching her… looking for something? She didn’t know what. She gave him a tiny smile but he didn’t react.
“I’ll go get some clothes to change into.” She said, stretching her arms out in front of her and heading toward the door. Errani couldn’t help but wonder what that had been about.
Fennorian opened his mouth. “You-” Errani paused, turning back toward him. “Y-you can just wear something of mine if… if you want?” He asked. How Fennorian managed to be so bold and ask for the things he wanted despite his nerves, Errani would never know. It was a superpower she did not, and would likely never, possess.
Errani wished desperately in that moment that Fennorian couldn't hear her heart. And she knew he had, as he always did, because his lips momentarily twitched up. “Okay.” Errani replied dumbly. She’d barely stopped herself from asking ‘if it’s okay’ a second time.
Errani watched as Fennorian rummaged around his clothes for something she could wear. Finally, he settled on a black long sleeve shirt that had no right being as soft as it was. When she put it on, it practically looked like a dress with how long the torso was on her. And the sleeves bunched up at her wrists from where Errani had folded them over. Underneath the shirt, she had on a pair of long black pants he’d given her that pooled at her ankles. She tied them at the waist with a hair tie to keep them from falling down. She was practically drowning in the fabric.
Fennorian’s eyes raked over her once and he looked away. Errani wished she knew what he was thinking. Instead of getting an answer, he led her over to the bed and pulled the covers back. He climbed in and got comfortable before putting his arm up in an offer to follow him. Then, and only then, did Errani lay down with him. This was their routine. A way for Fennorian to be in charge of his space and for Errani to not feel as though she was intruding.
As she lay still and Fennorian turned out the light, Errani tried not to think of the last time she had stayed in his room. It was the first time Fennorian had kissed her… not on the mouth, but on her shoulder and then repeatedly on the side of her head.
And they hadn’t ever really talked about it after.
Errani was fine with that. What was there to say? They weren’t quite at the Admitting Our True Feelings For Each Other stage of whatever this was… were they? And secretly she felt like if she didn’t say anything then things didn’t have to change all at once. They could continue to go on naturally, as they had been.
But tonight all of that went sideways when she’d made a joke about the old man from the market.
Errani wasn’t necessarily a jittery person. But once she got something in her head, it was near impossible for her to get it out. And for no discernible reason whatsoever, her conversation with Fennorian at the marketplace kept playing in her head. Particularly his wording.
“…There are vampires in the dark…” and “…I’m sure some of them are actually seeing things…”
Fennorian had fallen asleep some time ago but Errani couldn’t force her eyes closed. Every time she did she imagined something in her face. Which was ridiculous for a whole host of reasons. Including that she knew how silly she was being.
The darkness of the room shifted in the corner of Errani’s vision and her grip tightened on the covers. Fennorian had his arm draped over her chest and as an afterthought she pulled it up closer to her chin. Fennorian’s fingers fluttered as he stirred awake.
Errani begged herself to stay silent and not mention what was on her mind. Not to ruin the comfortable peace Fennorian had graciously invited her into. But her mouth wanted to move, and she knew the second she gulped, that she wasn’t going to be able to stop herself… But it was okay. He would know what she was talking about.
“Fennorian. There are vampires in this house.” Errani whispered into the dark, eyebrows drawn together. Her heart was beating fast.
Without opening his eyes, Fennorian let out a long, suffering sigh. Nuzzling his face deeper into the pillow he said, “There is a vampire in this bed with you.” He pulled Errani closer to his chest.
When her heart rate didn’t slow down, she felt a kiss press just above her ear. “Try and get some rest, we have a few days of packing and then we’re off to Greenshade at the end of the week.”
Adusa-Daro had assigned Errani and Fennorian to follow up a lead in Greenshade. Errani had been traveling a lot lately and had been looking forward to some downtime at Ravenwatch Castle. But she could never say no to an assignment with Fennorian. They were few and far between, as Adusa would match up potential threats with skill sets before sending out orders. Which meant Errani and Gwendis were paired together the most. Though from time to time Gwendis would suggest Fennorian go in her stead. Gwendis' offer was often followed by a wink in Errani’s direction. Errani elected to ignore the implications of that. As of late Adusa had started saying she wasn’t sending Errani anywhere with Fennorian for a little while because she didn’t want them getting “distracted.”
Whatever in oblivion that meant.
Errani settled back into Fennorian’s arms and tried to close her eyes. But her mind was keen on playing tricks on her this evening. She told herself she only needed to open her eyes and check the room one more time, and then she would be perfectly safe and could go to sleep.
So as Errani opened her eyes and waited for them to adjust to the dark, she thought something flashed across her vision. Which just sent her brain spiraling all over again. Errani tried to hold in her nervous giggle, but she could never hide anything from Fennorian. He ran his fingers through her hair lazily. “What’s the matter? You’re all spun up this evening.” He asked softly.
Errani settled back into the sheets before answering. “Remember what we talked about earlier? In the marketplace? It’s just on my mind because we talked about it. And now because I‘m trying to sleep I can’t stop thinking about it."
Sounding the most awake as he had since he’d stirred, Fennorian said, “Errani, I was joking. Well, mostly. Mortals do need to be aware of things that lurk in the dark for their own safety, but truly you of all people needn’t worry. I’ve never seen anyone more capable of taking care of themselves than you.”
“You don’t have to tell me how childish and stupid I’m being Fennorian. I am well aware, thank you!” Errani rolled her eyes. She twisted the sleeves of the shirt Fennorian let her borrow around her fingers, trying not to think of how she was likely stretching the cuffs out. And how that meant he’d never lend her another ever again and-
Huffing, Fennorian replied without hesitation. “I’m not saying you’re stupid or childish. I’m saying you’re completely safe here… with me.” He tightened his grip around Errani’s waist, almost protectively. “I promise that you have nothing to worry about. Not only are you in a house filled with vampires, but you’re in a house filled with vampires who love you and would never let anything happen to you.”
She couldn’t help it. Errani’s face flushed. “Did you just say you loved me?”
Ignoring her, Fennorian continued on, “And anyhow. If there were something in here with us, I would be able to sense it. And there is nothing here. It’s just you and me. Now close your eyes. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Errani smiled at his deflection and gave his arm a squeeze. “Thank you.” She whispered. Errani closed her eyes and let herself get comfortable.
Just as the tension was beginning to drain from her body something shuffled and she sat upright. Still Fennorian did not open his eyes.
“What was that? ” She asked, unable to stop laughing at her own jumpiness.
“The papers on my desk. Lay back down with me… Errani, come here.” Fennorian said exasperated as he pulled her back down and wrapped his arm back across her chest. “Before you try and refute that too, it has always been drafty in here.”
“Damn!” She cursed, feeling embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m so jumpy!” The nights they spent curled up together were rare. Errani was too much of a coward to ask Fennorian to stay in her room with her and Fennorian was too much of a gentleman to ask her to stay unless it was late or he had some silly excuse. Sure, her room was just down the hall but they were both looking for reasons to spend more time together. And typically, they both slept better on those nights. And Errani was completely ruining one of them. “I’m really sorry that I’m keeping you up.”
Fennorian’s hummed. “Only kind of.”
“I’m impressed by how you’ve kept your eyes closed this entire time. Quite a bit of self control.”
“It is a principle I pride myself on.” He said. “I also know if I open my eyes the night will be lost and there’s no way I’ll go back to sleep.”
Something flashed out of the corner of Errani’s eyes again. She tried not to say anything but her traitorous heartbeat gave her away.
Fennorian stroked her shoulder and pressed more kisses into the crook of her neck. “You’re safe.” He whispered into her skin.
“I don’t know why I keep thinking I’m seeing things…” She pressed the heels of her palms into her eyes.
“You have an overactive imagination. And did we not just agree it was because of our earlier conversation at the market?” He asked, straight to the point as always.
“...Will you look? Just really quickly?” She asked.
“No.” Fennorian hummed sounding more and more sleepy. Like he might actually fall asleep on her while she was panicking.
“Please Fennorian? Just for a second?
“Errani. I promise you I am the scariest thing in this room.”
“Debatable.”
Eyes still closed Fennorian huffed a laugh. “While you may be more threatening, I am still scarier by default. Since I am a vampire. I know you are aware of this.”
Errani frowned, and rolled out from under his arm and onto her stomach. She reached up and gently grabbed his face. Finally, Fennorian sleepily blinked his eyes open. “Fenn. You aren’t scary.” She said earnestly.
This had been a point of contention with them recently. No matter what she said, Fennorian still believed she should be scared of him. And that he was scary or “no good.” Errani wouldn’t have it. Not a few days ago during lunch and certainly not now.
When he didn’t reply she pressed their foreheads together and stared deep into his red, red eyes that she loved so much. Errani smoothed her thumbs over his cheeks. “Fennorian. I am not afraid of you.” She said steadily.
Still, the scholar said nothing, instead he wrapped his big arms up around Errani and pulled her closer to his chest. He buried his face into her shoulder and pressed a kiss there. “But you are afraid of whatever’s in this room?”
Errani shuddered. “So there is something.” She grumbled just to be difficult.
Fennorian’s laugh vibrated through her shoulder. “There sure is.” His free hand traced his fingers down her arm and towards her hands. “… And it’s coming to get you.” He whispered as he grabbed her hand and brought it to his mouth for another kiss.
Laughing quietly Errani yanked her hand free. “That was so mean... Genuinely, I think I saw something!” She insisted.
“Your eyes aren’t adjusted to the dark.”
“They are! We’ve been in here for hours!” Errani argued with a big dopey smile on her face.
“Presumably, your eyes have been closed and you were sleeping.” He said pointedly.
“Ah, yes. That’s what I was doing and not staring at the things moving around in my field of vision.” She replied sarcastically.
“How do you do all of the terrifying things you do and face all the evils of the world and still come out of it with a fear of the dark? ” Fennorian asked genuinely.
At this Errani snorted. “Okay. Let me get this straight. I am not afraid of the dark.”
“Just the things in it.”
“Rightfully so with the shit we’ve seen. But like I said, I’m not scared of the dark! ...We just talked about seeing things earlier and now it’s on my mind.”
“Quit being difficult and go to sleep.”
She huffed, beginning to feel genuinely frustrated with herself. “I'm trying, I swear.” And failing.
Humming, Fennorian replied, “What if I make you a deal?”
Suspicious, she replied, “A deal?” Fennorian did not make deals. At least not good ones anyway. They were always something lame like ‘if Errani promised to take medicine when she was sick then Fennorian would do her portion of chores for the day.’ Or ‘if Errani let Fennorian bandage up and post her broken leg then he wouldn’t pester her about taking whatever magical painkiller miracle potion he had brewed up.’
Fennorian folded himself around her and tangled their legs together. Now Errani’s heart was racing for an entirely different reason. He pressed his face in between her shoulder blades. “I’ll invite you back in here again tomorrow if you promise to get some sleep tonight and not be so paranoid tomorrow night.”
They had never spent two nights in a row in each other's beds before. Errani liked how close they’ve grown. “I like this deal… but I’m afraid I can’t promise you that my nerves will be under control.”
“You are being difficult.”
“Yes, but not on purpose.” At least not at the moment, anyway. “If I could control my nerves I would.” She said, honestly.
“If you don’t relax I’m carrying you to my coffin to sleep.” He said. Her stomach dipped and her heart fluttered. The Ravenwatch, dramatic bunch that they were, all had coffins to sleep in. Fennorian’s bedroom just had a bed for appearances and apparently for inviting Errani to cuddle. He had never brought up his coffin in this way and so Errani hadn’t either. “We can lay together as close as we want and close the lid and nothing can get to us.”
“You know I’m claustrophobic!” Errani lied. Sleeping in his oversized coffin with him sounded wonderful and far too intimate for her brain to handle while already wearing his clothes.
“I know you aren’t.” He replied.
“Okay… Maybe not. But that feels too private of a space to invade.”
“Not if it’s you.” With two fingers, Fennorian slowly tilted her face toward him, eyes tracing her face. “Can I kiss you?”
“You have been.” She replied, confused.
“I… I-mean on the mouth.”
“My, aren’t we getting confident while things are lurking in the dark.” Errani teased.
Fennorian bit his bottom lip. “Is that a yes or a no?” He asked, with a tiny smile pulling at his lips.
“Fennorian. Have you never read a horror novel? This is how people die!" She laughed out, shoving his shoulder.
Fennorian raised an eyebrow at her but waited for an answer nonetheless. “That’s assuming there’s something else in here but I’ve already told you, there is not.”
“Promise?” She asked, thoroughly convinced that they were fine. She linked her hands around behind his neck.
Fennorian leaned forward pressing their foreheads together. “Promise.”
“Then yes.”
Fennorian pressed their lips together softly and Errani went completely still. She had only ever kissed one guy before tonight and it hadn’t exactly been pleasant. But kissing Fennorian felt really nice. He wasn’t overly hands-y, and he was taking his time with the kiss.
It was a slow and careful thing and Errani felt herself relax. He pulled away just enough to brush their lips together and Errani sighed. Was this the final moment where everything changed?
As she carded her fingers through Fennorian’s soft hair she wondered if things would ever be the same between them. Would they still stay up late reading together? Would Fennorian really let her sleep in his coffin with him? …Would this kiss make everything awkward?
But how could a kiss that was so soft and that felt so good make anything awkward? Errani didn’t regret it for a second and when Fennorian pulled her body closer to his, she didn’t think he did either.
When Fennorian pulled away, Errani ran her fingers down the side of his face. He squeezed her gently. “Do you think you can sleep now?” He asked.
Errani couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped her. “Not a wink… but it won’t be because I’m seeing things that aren’t there.”
Fennorian looked away bashfully. “Can you at least try?”
“Only if you still hold up your end of the deal for tomorrow.” Errani said. “…and maybe let me borrow your pajamas again.” She added feeling a little bold.
“That’s alright with me.” He said laying his head back on the pillow.
“…Fennorian?” She asked after a minute, her voice just above a whisper.
“…Hmm?” He asked sleepily.
“Thank you.” She whispered. “You made me feel a lot better.”
“I was hoping it would give you something else to think about.”
Errani was glad for the cover of darkness. So he couldn’t see her blushing.
As exhaustion began to take over Errani let her eyes fall closed, and the only thing she saw was Fennorian’s eyes light up as he tasted the honey at the market.