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Air doesn't dare settle between them, the former Paladin prodding at the flames of the campfire as she simply… watches him. She stares into his very soul, as if something there is even worth looking at. It does help how close she is to him. “Robert,” she coos, “I can keep watch… you should rest.” She lays an armored hand over his own, stilling the stick he was using to stir the flames. “We have a long road ahead of us.” She smiles, radiant and warm. He swears, the Blonde Paladin burns hotter than the fire in front of them. She's like a fallen star, and somehow, she has all her attention on him. It's a waste.
“I'll fair.” He grunts, “You should be the one who rests.” He looks to her, seeing her radiance for all that it is. He'd look away, but he's far too exhausted to fight whatever his keeping him so enraptured.
She tilts her head, “Are you sure? I don't want you risking your health.” What's there left to risk?
“I'll be fine.” He smiles back, leaning into her overwhelming brightness for a moment.
Her smile shifts into a wry grin, “Is it odd that I don't believe you?” She teases, heat radiating from her… and somehow traveling to Robert's cheeks.
“Very.” He snickers, just under his breath; it meets her lips. Her hands— he now realizes— have somehow found their way to the small of his back, her hands melting through the armor. His throat goes dry, his own hands numb from the cold, finding solace on her shoulders. She hums— expectantly? He can't tell: he's quickly getting too drowsy to read her expression. That kind of thing takes effort—
She brings his body closer, his hands gripping her armored body in response.
“Are you cold..?” Her voice is slow, keeping his attention purely on her voice— and her face— perhaps her everything.
Robert doesn't respond at first, shy from the contact; the closeness. Eventually he turns his head away, “Hmn, not now.”
Her face follows his.
“Not now?”
Their eyes lock.
“... No.”
The Blonde Blazer's eyes are wide: wondering.
“Why?”
Her yellow lashes make her scleras almost look grey in comparison.
“Because of you.”
Her amber shards stare into him.
“Really? I'd think my armor would be cold…”
They dart down for a moment.
“Not at all.”
He hums, putting his lips together.
“I see why you're called the Blonde Blazer.”
Her laugh is beautiful.
“Well thank you…”
His eyes can't help themselves.
“You're—”
Her lips are parted from the laugh.
“Very welcome.”
They sit in each other's presence for a moment, breaths weaved together as they fight the invisible barrier between them. The air is silent, frigid with— hope— or perhaps want. Regardless of what it is, it has a hold on their hearts.
“Robert—” She breathes before lowering her head, “There's something I should tell you.” Her voice is low, full of— guilt? He doesn't notice regardless; he's preoccupied with the way her lips move.
They stop, forming a thin line— then part again. He takes the opportunity.
“I—”
Her breath stops, overtaken by the feeling of warm lips against her own.
Her thoughts evade her. Her hands grip onto the brittle armor hiding the flesh beneath, ensnared him impossibly closer.
A faint snow may be staring, but between the two, the world is warm and welcoming.