Chapter Text
Rayla wasn’t sure how they got here – well she knew how they got here. All it had taken was one look from those beautiful green eyes. The look he’d flashed was so earnest and adorable – really was there any way she could have resisted? So there they were at the inn he had described as “cozy” and she was really trying not to think about whether or not that particular choice of adjective had meant something, a fact made much more complicated by his request for “a room for two.”
She tried to keep her eyes trained ahead, to not fidget so much with her hands, to seem like she wasn’t so caught off guard by all of Callum’s sweetness and smiling. And more than anything she tried not to be caught hoping that he might be trying to remove those “boundaries” he kept referring to, that he might actually want to-
As they approached the room, it occurred to her that she wasn’t sure if the room would have two beds or one. Her mouth suddenly dry, she felt her heart drumming in her chest. Did she want there to be two beds? Did he? Since Umber Tor things had been different, but not like they were before. There was still always something keeping Callum at a slight distance, be it a door separating rooms, conversations not had, a physical gap between them not bridged…Once or twice she thought she had caught him staring at her in a way that seemed like something more than friends, caught a blush when their hands accidentally touched reaching for the same door. But she could never be sure – she knew she couldn’t trust herself when it came to him, her judgment clouded by her wishful hope that he did feel those things, that he wanted to be something more.
That he wanted her-
Her pulse quickened as the door swung open and she caught sight of the two beds, panic immediately replaced by…disappointment? What had gotten into her? Of, course they wouldn’t share a bed. That would be too… Her face flushed. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, both afraid of what she might see on his face and afraid of what he might see on hers. She pushed past him and walked in first, allowing him to follow.
“Well this looks… nice,” he said as he entered the room, scratching the back of his head.
“Yeah- yeah. It seems…nice,” she agreed noncommittally.
The memory of the last time they’d found themselves in this situation echoed in her head “I wasn’t sure if you’d need two blankets or one…?” Nyx waggled her fingers at them both.
“AH-uh-two. Cause if there was just one-..then-..that-…” Callum stammered.
“TWO,” she said with finality, even though despite herself, she’d very much wanted it to be one - a thought which had simultaneously thrilled and terrified her. Except at the time, he had probably wanted to share, too. Unlike now she thought to herself. She couldn’t help but sigh, realizing too late that she had done so audibly. She stiffened, hoping he hadn’t noticed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, brow furrowed.
“Oh. Ah. Nothing, just… uh…already feeling more relaxed,” she said with a forced a smile.
Something that looked like skepticism darted across his face but before she could be sure, it was gone. “I’m assuming you’ll be taking the bed closest to the door?” he joked with a smile.
Her stomach fluttered at the sight, Sources how did he always manage to look so cute? She fought the heat creeping into her cheeks as she tried to remain composed, “Too right you are. You can never be too careful.” She finished with a wink, attempting to mask her embarrassment with playfulness.
She began examining the room – there was a small window that was propped open, a closed door leading presumably to a private washroom, and a small chair. She dropped her things next to her bed near the door just as a small red and white object on the pillow caught her eye.
“What’s this mint doing on my pillow?” she picked it up, turning it over in her hand.
“It’s sort of like, just a little luxury before bed. You know…just something to add to the experience.”
“Hm,” she regarded it carefully for a moment then put it on the table next to her bed. “This just gets more indulgent by the minute.”
He sighed. "Rayla you know it’s ok to indulge every once and awhile," he said with just a hint of frustration but something else, too that she couldn't quite name. "You- you deserve that,” he finished quietly.
She what? Her face grew warm again, taken surprise by his sudden tenderness. She turned, an eyebrow raised and was even more unprepared for the look on his face, so soft and affectionate. While his words could very much be considered platonic the look he was now giving her again felt like something more, causing her heart to skip a beat. She felt her feet move slightly closer to him, wanting to reach out and touch him, desperately aching for him to pull her close and eliminate anything that still separated them.
“Callum-“ she began, somewhat breathless when a knock interrupted her. They both flinched, but neither moved for a long moment, her eyes searching his for that look that had now disappeared.
“Are you going to get that?” she prompted, finally.
“Oh, uh, right,” he mumbled as he seemed to collect himself and opened the door.
“Ah yes, just providing towels for the royal couple,” the innkeeper gave a nervous smile as she handed the towels over to Callum.
“Oh- uh- well-,” Callum sputtered.
If she wasn’t blushing before she was positively crimson now, her eyes burning a hole in the floor.
“There’s a hot bath drawn already,” cutting off his babbling, the innkeeper pushed on. “Please let us know if you need anything else,” and then with a small curtsy she departed.
“So, uh-“ he began, towels in hand, “I guess uh if you wanted to go first..?” he trailed off as he extended the stack towards her, very noticeably not making eye contact, causing her chest to tighten. Was it really so embarrassing to be mistaken for a couple by a stranger? He hadn’t exactly corrected her… Sources she needed to get ahold of herself.
Of course he hadn’t corrected the innkeeper, he was completely taken by surprise. And judging by his current demeanor and unwillingness to address what had just happened, it had clearly made him uncomfortable. Because he wasn’t trying to close that distance, he wasn’t ready to be something more. Maybe he never would be. Maybe everything she was seeing was just what had been. She felt her stomach twist and her eyes start to water. Nope she had to get ahold of herself. This was just how things were now. At the very least she knew she would still have a friend. And whatever other thoughts or desires she had would ultimately fade.
Suppressing another sigh and being careful not to accidentally graze his hands, she grabbed part of the stack.
“Yeah- that would be nice. Thanks, Callum,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady as she slipped inside the washroom.