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Compared to the numerous trials she’d been experiencing lately, today had been much less strenuous than usual. In fact, today had been downright decent. There were no major battles and the various tasks citizens had asked her to do for them were rather undemanding and had been compensated very well.
She returned to camp with everyone else in good spirits and got ready to wind down for the night. Though it wasn’t completely quiet yet, the camp was full of sounds she had grown used to and she could at least begin to relax. Her friends’ clanking weapons and armor together as they tried to get comfortable, others finishing up dinner, or involved in their own conversations were all sounds she had gotten to know and associate with her temporary home.
She went to her own corner and started on her usual routine. Looking up at the dark sky she noticed that clouds had finally begun to form. She felt that it might rain for a while now; she could smell it. But a little rain never hurt anyone, she believed. Rain was what the earth needed to thrive. She loved to watch the rain, but rain was always just that little bit more challenging when you had to sleep in a tent. She placed down her weapons, changed into more comfortable clothes and started to wipe the remnants of the day from her face.
“You know where to find me,” said Halsin as he walked behind her and briefly placed his hand on the small of her back.
“Of course.” She looked up and smiled at him, nodding in acknowledgment as he made his way to his tent.
Halsin had been traveling with them for what felt like forever now. Halsin had also confessed to her not very long ago. A surprise, well, kind of, but a welcome one nonetheless, and something that she had also been thinking about for a long while herself. Somewhere along their travels she realized she was more than simply impressed by the ex-archdruid. They were both druids so she already found him easy to get along with. She was so appreciative of the fact that he didn’t have to go with her on this journey, this wasn’t his battle, but here he was. She had already felt quite comfortable with him and was glad to have his support, but she soon realized there was something more there.
With one last look at herself in a small mirror, she made her way to the spot just down the stairs and by the water that Halsin had claimed for his own. She looked up at the sky and noticed it was a lot cloudier than a few moments ago. The light of the full moon was already obscured.
“Good evening,” she said as she walked over to her usual spot.
“I’m glad you could make it.” Halsin smiled and moved over slightly on the piece of fur he had been resting on to make room for her.
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she smiled back.
“I wasn’t sure you’d still be up for our usual get-together,” he continued. “It looks like rain unfortunately.”
“I love the rain,” she said happily, settling in comfortably next to him. “Don’t you?”
He relaxed onto the piece of fur now that she was committed to staying and leaned back onto his elbows to continue looking up at the sky.
“I do,” he replied, “I do enjoy sitting under the rain from time to time too. But I’d also rather not get sick while traveling with you.”
“Sounds like something you’d have to do in moderation,” she said.
“I’d offer to do it with you next time,” she continued, “but I’d rather admire the rain while I’m nice and warm and dry....”
“Plus humidity really messes with my hair,” she added with a laugh.
“I understand,” a small laugh escaped him. “I can’t remember the last time I actually had the opportunity to…” he trailed off looking back up at the sky.
She brought her hands up to the crown of her head, gently taking down the ponytail her silver hair was in. She took the comb she had brought with her and worked it through her hair, carefully removing any tangles that had appeared throughout the day.
She couldn’t remember the last time she took care of her hair by her own bedroll. Before they arrived in the city, her subconscious was already finding ways to constantly be by his side. But since the time they both let their feelings be known, she found herself at Halsin’s tent nearly every night. She cherished these new moments sitting with him at the end of the day; whether they were engaged in conversation, or sitting quietly listening to the sounds of water near his tent, or feeling his bare skin against hers, she delighted in it all.
She suddenly felt eyes on her and glanced back down at Halsin, his attention now away from the moon and on her.
“…Something on my face?” she asked while continuing to comb through her hair and pretending that she didn’t suddenly feel bashful.
“Not at all,” he replied. “I was just admiring you with your hair down while we still have enough moonlight. Even as it fades, you are truly radiant.”
“Thank you,” she smiled, truly grateful.
Her face felt warm as she continued to comb through her hair. Her eyes softened as she stole a few glances of her own at his face and then followed his gaze back up towards the sky. They sat for a few moments in silence just enjoying each other’s company. A soft breeze danced across the skin not covered by her clothes and she shuddered slightly. The rain would be here soon.
“I don’t think you’ll have to wait too long for that rain though,” she said.
“You sense it too, then?” he asked. He chuckled and stood up to start bringing his things inside of his tent. He held out his hand towards her so that she could also stand.
As soon as Halsin had finished his question she heard it. Soft drops began to hit the canvas on the tent. And then she saw it hit the water. Soon she felt big droplets on her face and shoulders.
“Well, shit,” she laughed.
“Such perfect timing,” said Halsin, a smile pulling at his lips.
She picked up a few pillows and carried them inside of the tent. He joined her soon after, keeping the opening of the tent open just slightly so they could listen to the rain together. She lowered herself down onto her side onto his bedroll, resting her chin on her hand so she could peek out of the opening of the tent at the rain.
Halsin sat quietly near her and let her take her time to experience the rain. She laid contentedly watching the rain fall onto the scene outside, and listened to the gentle, steady rhythm that continued to hit the ground and the tent that shielded them. She breathed in the scent of the rain, a little muted in their camp in the city, but nevertheless she took it in.
“I hope it’s warm enough in here for you,” said Halsin in a low voice, breaking her from her near trance.
She looked over her shoulder to meet his gaze; she saw a familiar, inviting, look in his eyes and smiled up at him.
“I think we can manage,” she replied. She repositioned herself, sitting up so that she was now on her knees in front of him. She made sure to close the tent before Halsin completely took up her focus.
It was always a little bit of a tight squeeze in Halsin’s tent, and now it was only more cramped because of the way they had thrown his pillows about them, but lack of space was never a problem. He did not hesitate to close the distance between them this time either. He placed his lips on hers gently at first. One hand slowly trailed its way down her exposed back as he deepened the kiss.
He attempted to lower her onto the bedroll, but she had other ideas and briefly pulled away. She placed her hand on his chest, gently guiding him onto his back. He looked surprised with eyebrows slightly raised as he willingly laid back. She straddled him and leaned forward until she could kiss him again.
The rain continued to hit the tent around them, beating down stronger now as Halsin’s mouth and tongue moved against hers. Her fingers gripped his broad shoulders that were still slightly wet from the rain. His hands roamed up and down her back. She shuddered at the slightest bit of contact as a hand slipped underneath her top. Cold air crept into the tent every so often, but in the moment the warmth they created was enough.
But even still, she wanted him closer.
She pulled away from him; in the low light of the lantern, she could see just a flicker of disappointment in his face that they had stopped. She sat up on top of Halsin and looked down at him with desire in her eyes; unsure if she was hearing her heart beating or the rain outside.
“Are you feeling cold, my heart?” he asked, already knowing the answer. He took her left hand, lacing their fingers together.
She nodded, urging him on.
“We should fix that then, shouldn’t we?” said Halsin; the same inviting gaze looking up at her.
She leaned down to kiss him in response, content to spend this rainy night wrapped in his warmth.