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The tapping of the rain on her windows was blended with the fireplace and the clicking of her knitting needles. A comfortable silence that Octavia still wasn't used to. For months, she had been connected with her companions by the tadpole. Thoughts shared without words, their presence always near. It had felt unnerving when it wasn't the case anymore. Everyone had gone their own way, only Minsc, Jaheira and Astarion had stayed in Baldur's Gate like her. But Astarion had moved into the Crimson Palace, ruling it as Lord Ancunín now, Jaheira had her own family and Minsc had attached himself to Jaheira's family together with Boo. She still had Scratch who was lying on the sofa next to her. A peaceful evening, she almost couldn't believe that she could have this life now. Or as peaceful as life could be when Mol was muttering about a new business idea that would have Guild shaking in their boots. When people asked, she would say she adopted her. Mol would say that she just moved in. The other tiefling kids had been adopted or gone with Halsin, Karlach had her hands full with Mattis and his scamming antics. Mol had just shown up at the Elfsong Tavern the day after the Netherbrain situation.
"Well, because of you my deal with Raphael is now gone so what's next?" Next had been a bed in her room in the tavern and later a room in her home. And it had been some chats with Nine-Fingers about letting Mol stay in the Guild but to please keep an eye out for her.
Until there was a loud knock on the door. Scratch started to bark, jumping from the couch to the front door. Mol didn't seem bothered, she was just hoping that it wasn't part of one of Mol's Guild schemes. She stood up and walked to the front door, giving Scratch a little pat on the head.
"It's okay Scratch, it's only a visitor." But she wasn't prepared for the visitor in her door. Aradin was standing in front of her. Soaked in rain, his hair sticking to his face. She blinked again, wondering if she was making it up. But no, he was still there.
The last time she had seen him was the day she defeated the Netherbrain, celebrating in the Elfsong Tavern at night. She had drunk too much, dancing to the sounds of Alfira singing. Remira had been the first person that she had spotted, her usual more guarded front had been polished off with wine. She had pulled Remira into a hug and that's when she saw him, Aradin. Streaked in blood as well with a mug of ale in his hands. The same shit-eating grin on his face.
"The hero of the Gate now, fecking need a bow now yeah?" he'd said but the grin was plastered on him as well.
"Little old me? If you prefer, you could get on your knees and kiss my boots," she had laughed. Before she had turned red at the fact she suggested that. He had laughed as well, but something else had crept in his gaze.
They had talked and drunk together. With their companions around them, but they had barely given the other's any attention.
"Still don't know if I forgive ya for lyin'"
"Aradin, she was an aasimar, the daughter of Selûne. I saved your life back there,"she giggled. He'd passed the bottle of wine back to her, wiping some spilled wine from the corner of his mouth.
"Fecking excuses. What's up with the bloodsucker, weren't ya a thing?" She had glanced over to Astarion, looking at her with eagle eyes.
"Long story but not anymore."
"Sounds like a chance for me." Not long after they had broken apart from the group, procured a private room in the Elfsong and spent the night together. Her hands in his curly hair, his breath hot on her skin. He'd been gone in the morning. It had stung but she had expected it.
"Uhm, hi." This felt like a joke, she'd never expected him to see him again. Maybe in passing, an awkward moment of both not wanting to address the other. Not in front of her door, not like this.
"Hi Aradin. Want to come in?" Like he would say that he preferred to be outside in the rain. He'd come in, soaked in rain. A small rumble from Scratch, a stranger that he didn't know. With a little pet on his head, he calmed down and sat to inspect Aradin.
"Let me get you a towel," she said, her mouth going dry suddenly. Craving for something to do with herself, do something other than standing there in shock. She walked away to her bathroom and pulled out a fluffy towel.
"What are you doing here?" she heard Mol saying, she could sink through the floor. But as Aradin stood there with, drenched to the bone, she knew that a towel was just not enough. Her eyes drifted to his pack, also drenched.
"Thanks, um, do you have any dry clothes?" His eyes were searching for something in the house, no idea what he was after.
"I can see, might have something that Halsin left behind." As she headed to her bedroom, she heard Aradin coughing.
"Halsin? Like the druid?"
"Yes Aradin, the druid. He crashed on my couch here when he was in the city for some business with Jaheira."
"What is it Aradin, are you jealous?" Mol laughed. She heard Mol grilling him as she walked away down the hallway.
"Mol, please!" she yelled as she opened her bedroom door.
"Halsin is so big though, you look like a dwarf next to him."
She looked inside one of the lower drawers of her dresser. There was a soft pair of cotton pants there and the jumper she had knitted him, it was an atrocity but it was the first jumper she ever knitted. She also snatched a belt from her dresser, Mol wasn't wrong about Halsin's size after all.
"Here you go, you can change in the bathroom over there." She pointed to the bathroom, Aradin's face locked on the pants in his hands. Leaving water all over her kitchen floor, he shuffled over to the bathroom.
"What is he doing here? Is he your boyfriend? Was he your boyfriend?" She should have known that the situation was like catnip to Mol.
"I don't know Mol and no he is not and has never been my boyfriend."
"He is an ass, never liked him." Mol moved from the table to the couch, getting a better view for the spectacle. But how did you explain to people that she was more like a feral little sister that she had to keep outside of the hands of the Flaming Fists?
She'd just settled back on the couch with her knitting needles next to Mol after drying the floor when Aradin emerged from the bathroom. She couldn't help but laugh, he was drowning in the clothes.
"Nine Hells, that man is a fecking giant," he grumbled as he walked over to her sitting area. Scratch had taken his place on the couch as well, leaving only an armchair in front of the fire open. The armchair right in front of the couch, like he was sitting in front of a firing squad containing a tiefling girl with a knack for blackmail, the woman that he had ditched after sex and a dog that was just happy to be there.
"Didn't know you knitted." She continued to knit, letting the monotone actions take her mind away from racing thoughts. Thoughts that ranged from why in he Nine Hells he was in her house right now and why she had even let him in.
"She's god awful, makes these monsters," Mol complained while tugging at the jumper she had made. Fucking children.
"Started knitting more when there wasn't a threat of turning into a mindflayer. Also, since you bolted after the celebrations, I couldn't really keep you up to date with my interests."
"Yeah, sorry, had a urgent job thing." Like she couldn't spot a lie, did men think that they were so slick to get away with it? Maybe she shouldn't be so harsh, she had believed a lot of lies before. Like the one that Astarion actually loved her before, turned out to be a big joke after all.
"I take it that you're broke? Or is there another reason why you turn up out of the blue?"
"Yeah, gettin' paid tomorrow." Scratch shifted to face Aradin, his eyes on him like he was studying him.
"You must be desperate to come here." Another cough. She was being rude now, should have offered him something to drink at least.
"Kinda, didn't know where else to turn. You know how it is, always pissing people off." She laughed, like he hadn't done the same to her. She probably was the only person stupid enough to let him in, he just looked so pathetic standing there.
"Do you want some wine or ale?"
"Yeah, some ale would be nice," he replied. Mol was rolling her eyes, clearly loving the whole scene playing out before her.
"How did you know where she lived?" Mol asked, delighted that she was now in control of interrogations while Octavia busied herself in the kitchen.
"I asked Alfira."
"Bet she didn't tell ya that I lived here as well," Mol declared with a wide smile. Octavia rushed to get back with the mug of ale.
"Tav would get lonely, so I decided to join her." A frown on Aradins face.
"I adopted Mol, I owed her."
"No, I chose to be adopted. Don't get it twisted."
"Scratch, come here." She patted on the mattress, inviting him to do their daily ritual of pretending like he needed her permission to get cuddles on the bed. He jumped up so excited as he settled next to her. She treated him to some extra pets, her thoughts drifting to Aradin who was currently laying on her couch.
"Isn't it weird that he just turns up like that? The ego on that one." Scratch responded with a yawn.
"Like who does that? And why did I let him in?" Another yawn.
"I know, I'm stupid. I need to stop with always putting other people first. But you know, he's going to be gone tomorrow. It will all be normal then." Her hand scratched behind his ear, an automatic reaction.
"The pure audacity of men, I don't get it. Just walking back in like he didn't leave me to wake up alone with a hangover. And it's because he's broke?" Scratch looked up at her, clearly fed up with her as well.
"I know, I know, good night Scratch." She blew out the candle next to her bed.
"You'll see Scratchie, he'll be gone," she whispered to Scratch before she opened her bedroom door. Mol's bedroom door was already open which didn't predict anything good. The girl only woke up early for chaos and crime. Scratch already ran out to the main room, where she found Mol standing over Aradin with an ink pot.
"Mol, get away from him," she whispered furiously. The girl just looked at her, back at Aradin and back at her.
"Didn't he like annoy you turning up like that? It's payback?" Well, Mol had her there. But he looked so innocent asleep. The scars on his face looking like hard against how serene he looked.
"I'm not going to let you dump ink on him. Let's get breakfast ready."
"Breakfast?" Aradin muttered, making both Mol and her jump back.
"He did hear that one."
"Mol, get away from him." Even Scratch was joining and was now sitting on the floor staring at Aradin. His eyes opened to all three of them wearing different expressions. Mol looked like she had found the best blackmail in the world, Octavia looked almost horrified and Scratch looked like he was not sure what he thought of the person on his couch.
"Yes Mol, let's get breakfast started. Do you want coffee, Aradin? Maybe some eggs?" Octavia bolted to the kitchen, just to be away from the whole situation. Mol followed her.
"Yeah, coffee and eggs would be great."
It was almost a pleasant morning, the sunlight basked the room in a soft golden glow and the smell of breakfast in the air. If she didn't count Mol who was grilling her about Aradin in the situation. From the moment Aradin had excused himself to use the bathroom, Mol had pounced on her like a feral cat.
"There must have been something. I can feel something between you."
"Mol, there's nothing between me and Aradin."
"That you bolted comment was pointed. Something happened." She groaned, regretting every event that had lead her into this situation.
"You shouldn't push when people have a bread knife in their hand, Mol. Can I remind you who killed Raphael?" Mol threw her hands up and retreated to the table.
"Smells fecking great in here," Aradin commented when he came into view, dressed in his usual leather armor. Gods, it was almost like a big prank. The domesticity of the whole spectacle felt like a joke.
"You can say a lot about her, like that awful knitting. But she is a good cook," Mol remarked as breakfast was served. Octavia just rolled her eyes, used to the comments. But what she didn't expect was Aradin laughing.
"Enjoy my one good quality then." The voices were swapped by the sounds of utensils scraping on plates. An almost comfortable silence.
"Damn Tav, is this bread homemade?"
"Who would have know that Miss Warlock was a domestic goddess?" Mol laughed, delighting in the absurdity of it all. Octavia just knew that before noon the whole Guild would be updated on this situation and by evening it would be the whole of Baldur's Gate.
"Surprised me," Aradin answered a bit too smug. Mol focused her attention on him, with eyes that meant business and would in a normal situation be the sign to go for calming Mol down. But in this situation, she would see where this was going.
"Yeah, maybe because you didn't bother to show up until your sad ass was on the streets. You're lucky that Tav is such a kind person and you're just an ass." Octavia just sat there, eyes going between them in the hopes nothing would escalate. They both ate their breakfast in silence. And from there it was the same routine as usual. Mol would dispose her dishes by the sink and just head out.
"I'm out, bye Tav."
"Bye Mol, don't stir up any shit with Nine-Fingers please." With a laugh that didn't predict anything good, Mol closed the door.
Silence returned back to the house, the chaos of Mol and her shenanigans giving way to something that resembled peace. Octavia took another sip of coffee, hoping that it would give way to this awkward atmosphere that was in the air. Aradin just shoveled the rest of his food in his mouth, looking like the air had been punched out of him.
"I'm sorry, I had to tell Mol that she went too far," she said, looking down at her coffee.
"Nah, she was right. I'm an ass, always have been." He combed one of his hands through his hair, this weird look in his eyes.
"I was just surprised. You know, it wasn't great to be alone that morning. But you know, I get it, we were just drunk." She stood up, needing to do something with this whole situation. If she couldn't make sense of it, then it might be better to do something that she could make sense of.
"These months have been weird, you know. With being responsible for Mol now, not really having a purpose now, it's been a lot. It's good to know that you're still Aradin," she mused over her sink.
"Yeah, ain't gonna change me," Aradin muttered, shuffling uncomfortable in his chair. She almost felt sorry for him. Having to come to her out of all people, must mean that he really fucked it with his crew this time. Being so broke that the only solution had been that one girl that you slept with months ago when you were both just drunk. Having to endure a grilling by Mol and the most awkward breakfast.
"You don't need to stay, you can just go if you want. Collect your coin and all." Maybe it stung a little bit when she heard the chair scrape over the floor. Stupid, it was always going to end that way. He would leave again and she would go back to this life she had stitched together. As if love was ever something that would be destined for them, only a quick glimmer of lust lingering between them. Only encouraged by alcohol, only ever something that happened in that one moment in time. His footsteps going from the kitchen to where his pack was next to the door.
"Thanks ya know," he said after he had put his boots on.
"No problem," she had replied as she saw him walk out the door. If she had more selfish then maybe she would have stopped him. Asked him if there was another reason he came here yesterday, maybe there had been before he seen how her life was now. Boring, no adventure like he was used to. Miles away from the woman he had pushed on that bed in the Elfsong. It would be a favor to both of them to leave the past in the past. She sighed, it was better this way.
"Come Scratch, let's go on a walk."
It was always nice to just walk around the city with Scratch, there was always something she could do. Helping Rolan out in Sorcerous Sundries, give Jaheira a helping hand with Harper business, seeing how she could help Wyll and Karlach with rebuilding the city. But today she had a goal, one destination in mind. Scratch followed her through the winding streets to where Alfira had opened her bard school. She had questions, selfish ones but questions none the less. She entered the building, while the sounds of music enveloped her from the moment she stepped in. There was a joy that extended in these walls, a retreat for anyone who ever needed a little happiness. A reason to believe that there was still good in the world. Lakrissa was the first person that she saw in the foyer, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Well, if it isn't Tav who blessed us with a visit. Alfira, look who's here." It was almost like a divine intervention how Alfira dashed out into the foyer from a side door. A smirk on her face, more amused while she hugged Octavia.
"Now, Tav, you need to tell us the details of how your evening went last night," she giggled while Lakrissa also stepped closer. It was like predators surrounding their prey, but gossip was what they wanted from her.
"Awkward, that was how I would describe it. I thought you guys didn't like Aradin, why did you guys give him my address?" The two looked at her in disbelief, looking like they were surprised. How else would they have thought this would go? A desperate plea for a bed from someone who was broke and had burned every other bridge in the city. Scratch started to push his nose in her hand, begging for pets. Her hand mindlessly scratching between his ears.
"Awkward? That's weird, I mean, he was very convinced when he was here," Alfira started.
"The way how he looked when we gave him your address, that was a man on a mission Tav," Lakrissa ended like they were both one entity. Even more confusion on her end, a man on a mission? Convinced? Was this one big joke that everybody was in for? Was this a curse Raphael had placed on her before? Had insanity finally caught up with her?
"I don't get it," she muttered. Alfira and Lakrissa looked at each other. Something spoken between them without words as they turned their gaze on her.
"Aradin came here because he wanted to apologize Tav. The man is crazy about you."
All the streets from Baldur's Gate were a blur, the buildings all fading into the same look. Her mind going in overdrive, the words from Alfira droning in her head. Maybe it had been the case, before he had seen what her life was now. A meager domestic life that was as boring as it came. She had no destination now, wandering aimlessly.
"Looking for Mol?" The gruff voice calling her back into reality. Tusgront looked at her, she had walked over to the Guildhall without thinking about it. Maybe she had been looking for Mol, to apologize about the whole Aradin situation. She knew how much Mol hated surprises like that, not that she could blame her. They both were always clinging to things to not let past mistakes flood back into their life. Mol denying that she was afraid, Octavia welcoming fear like an old friend.
"Yes, I'm looking for Mol."
Entering the Guildhall always felt like the smell of crime was just typical of sewer scent and the scent of alcohol and drunks. Even in the morning, there was slurring or maybe it was still night for them. In here it was easy to forget. She walked over the wooden floorboards to Mol her little corner of the Guildhall.
"What are you doing here? I didn't even get in trouble." A scowl formed on Mol's face, as if she was going to get told off again.
"You're not in trouble, Mol. I just came after what happened with Aradin," she sighed while Scratch made his way over to Mol. Mol's expression softened a bit.
"I wouldn't know what happened with him, Tav. That's something you didn't talk about."
"I know that you hate surprises like people coming over, I'm sorry about that," she said while she looked at Mol. Gods, she always acted so tough but she was only just a kid. She wasn't supposed to deal with she had dealt with, she deserved that much. They were only just two strays, trying to make sense of it all together.
"I'll allow it for once," Mol grinned, "It was fun to annoy him." She laughed, it was no surprise that was what stayed with Mol. She pulled her in for a hug, Mol pretending to get away from it. It was always just pretend, just a way to fake the impression like she didn't need it.
"He's here, you know." She froze.
"He looks pathetic. Did you kick him out or something? Man looks like a puppy that was turned down." He looked pathetic, like he was turned down. Was that because of her? Was it because of the job he did before? She should just get out of here, leave him to be. It would be the best for both of them. No reason to implicate him into her life. He'd hate it.
"Nine Hells, just go to him, Tav. I can see that you want to." It was her turn to scowl at Mol, this was hardly something that you took the advice from a child of.
"Fuck Tav, you're so convinced that you need to be punished. Put your big girl boots on and just go." The girl was going to be the end from her. Both embroiled into a staring match now, both not wanting to back down. Mol had a point though, she had encased herself into this box where she deserved to be punished. How would she be free from Raphael and his hold when she stayed in that box?
"I'm not doing this because you told me, but because I wanted to." Who was the child now?
Aradin was sitting at the bar, a mug of ale in front of him. Mol was right, he did look pathetic. Almost deflated, a sense of dejection etched in his face. His shoulders slumped over with a hand in his hair.
"Is this seat taken?" she asked, he almost jumped up from his own bar stool when he heard her voice.
"No, don't think so." She sat down, her newfound conviction slowly fading a bit. They just looked at each other, his brown eyes peering into her violet ones. Her heart started to beat faster.
"Aradin, I-"
"Tav, I-" Both of them falling silent when they started to talk at the same talk. A small giggle escaped from her, the both of them rushing to words.
"Well, eh, I shouldn't have left ya at the Elfsong." The words rushing through her. The words she had before fell away from her, almost like she couldn't speak.
"Just, I'm a fuck-up. Bugger everyone off because I'm a fecking bastard. Didn't want ya to hate me. Figured leaving was better." He took a sip of ale. It was as if the bartender knew what went on between them as he was ignoring them.
"You're talking to someone who used to have a pact with the devil, I know about fucking up. Would have done something to make you run anyways."
"Look at that, two fuck-ups in a bar," Aradin chuckled.
"Two fuck-ups in a bar in the Guildhall. Where one has a kid who she adopted runs around. Would even fuck up being a mother." She felt Aradins hand on her arm, the look on his face a bit softer now.
"Ya know Mol is different. You'd be a great mum." She couldn't help but smile.
"Lad who would have a little one with ya would be lucky." A frown formed on his face as he looked away from her.
"Fuck me, makes me jealous at the thought." She put her hand on his forearm, on the bare skin where his armor was scrunched up. He looked back at her, almost sad.
"Why?"
"For fuck's sake Tav, what did ya think I was doing at your door in the bloody rain? I just fucking froze because you were so fucking kind again." Her heart fluttered.
"You fucking let me in and you fucking adopted Mol. Kid is a bloody menace but you're fucking there taking care of her. And there I was ready to bloody ruin it all." He sighed, facing the bar again.
"You wouldn't have. Mol and I are messes as well, fucking up along and dealing with it. I'm not this mythical kind spirit that you make me out to be." She scratched the wooden grain on the bar, trying to find the words that she needed.
"I was so relieved when you were gone. But it was later that I wished that you stayed."
"You did?" His hand reached over to hers on the bar.
"Yeah, I did. Still do." One of his fingers touched her and lightening coursed through her. She looked at him again, took him in from the scars on his face to those brown eyes that made her melt. Her body took over, her hands cupping his face and leaning over so she could taste his lips. His arms pulling her closer, his tongue parting her lips. She disappeared in the kiss, melting into him like she had wanted to do since the moment he stood in front of her in the rain. It felt like minutes raced past them, the world reduced to just the two of them. When they broke away, he looked like the most handsome man she had ever seen.
"Shit, we might fuck it up."
"We might, might be able to fix it along the way," she whispered back.
"Yeah, fuck, I'd like that." They kissed again, not realizing Mol laughing and hollering in the background.