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Sal's dreams were always confusing. Ever since joining Tanel'Inan, he had become able to control his mind and what was on it but, in his sleep, it was like all the years of training went away to the point at which, most of the time, Sal didn't even know from whose view he was dreaming from.
So, when Sal woke up with the sky still dark and the first thing that he saw was Aelys sat down by his side, wearing his shirt, he was sure that he was still dreaming. It wouldn't be his first time dreaming of her. But then she spoke, making Sal aware that not only he was awake, but also that last night had not been a dream.
“Sorry,” Aelys whispered. “I didn't mean to wake you up, I just wanted to return it to you.”
“No problem,” Sal rubbed his eyes as she took off his shirt, revealing the clothes that she was wearing before the malfunction, and held it out to him. “Thank you,” He said, still in a hushed tone so they wouldn't wake the others, getting out of the bedroll and putting his shirt on.
“If someone were to be grateful here, it should be me, not you that had to sleep shirtless.”
“It's better than sleeping naked,” Sal laughed weakly while murmuring, which made Aelys chuckle as well and, like every time that he got this reaction out of her, it felt like conquering the world.
“Either way, I'm sorry.”
“There's no need to be,” He paused for a moment. “Besides...” Sal said slowly, almost cautious, but the mischievous smile didn't leave his face. “You look really good in my clothes.”
“Sure,” She said dryly, the doubt clear in her tone.
“I'm serious, Aelys,” His smirk settled into a gentle and genuine smile, tilting his head to the side, admiring the sight of a redness spreading over Aelys’ face and tip of ears with her unsuccessful attempt to hide it looking at the ground as it dawned on her that he really meant it. “I didn't lie yesterday… about anything.”
“I know. I also didn't,” She intertwined his fingers on hers, then met his gaze again. “Thank you, Eralan, for… everything. I am glad you're here..." with me, Aelys thought to herself, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
“I am glad too,” Sal caressed the back of Aelys’ hand with his thumb, the hand that he had kissed too many times for the courtesy of it all, but now it was only an act of endearment and nothing more. Suddenly, the lack of physical distance became impossible to not notice. The sudden awareness with the constant eye contact made it all too much, too exposed, too close to something they were both ignoring for so long…
Aelys cleared her throat, “I think it's best I go to my bedroll before we wake them up.”
“Sure,” Sal said as she left his grip, with the same tone she had said it early, easing the tension between them. Aelys just gave him an eye roll before standing up and he chuckled at the fake annoyance.
He kept looking over at Aelys walking at her own bedroll beside Maravix’ while he laid down to sleep again. The thought of Aelys being the first person that he saw when he woke up and the last before he fell asleep made a smile and a flush take place in his face. Sal definitely could get used to this thought.