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The silence was a welcome one for Charlie after the day she had. The fire crackled, Pancake snored softly from the end of her bed while her whiskers twitched ever so, and rain fell on her roof and windows. A perfect night to fall asleep and recover.
Charlie glanced down at the leg that stuck out from under her blankets, the ankle wrapped and propped up on a pillow brought by the townsfolk.
They all had left a little while ago. Before that filling her small cabin nearly to the brim. Even March had come! Though he gave his signature scowl and commentary on her mishap that had now landed her on bed rest. From the way he couldn't quite meet her gaze, she knew he was worried. Just as the others.
A waft of delicious smelling food reached her nose. Reina had brought her signature chicken noodle soup, though not exactly for the usual reason, it was still a comfort while the medicine Valen had brought took time to kick in to dull the pain. Juniper had also given her a potion, its soft warm color not given Charlie too much hope there weren't any side effects.
But everyone, from Adeline rallying everyone to help to Hayden tending to her small farm to even the kids checked in to make sure she was ok.
For having traveled far and wide, Charlie had never met as many welcoming and generous people as she had now met in Mistria. It was an idyllic little town and she had started to allow herself the daydream of staying and settling there forever.
Only time would tell.
March's words from so many months ago came back to haunt her again. Would she run if things got difficult?
Before she could allow herself to go further down that specific line of thinking, there came a sudden knock at the door that she didn't even have a chance to respond to when it was thrown open.
In walked a soaking wet Balor. His blue hair clung to his face and neck, his cloak dripping water on her floor and mud clinging to his boots. All these things he seemed completely oblivious to, for he rushed right over to her side, the front door closing behind him, and took one of the empty seats left by the others.
"I came as soon as I heard!" He looked down to her injured leg—face growing paler than she thought possible—looked back at her. Charlie was surprised to genuine fear and concern in his brown eyes. "What happened?"
"Nothing bad." Charlie responded, trying her best to lift herself up so she was more propped up on her pillows. "You didn't have to rush over here. I know it's late."
Balor jumped to her assistance, only then realizing how soaked his cloak was. Removing it, he reached across her to grab some of the other pillows that covered her bed. Charlie was grateful he was too busy too notice just how red her face was becoming when in such proximity to him.
"There. Is that better?" He asked once she was more situated.
Charlie nodded and settled against her mountain of pillows behind her, looking up when she got a moment to calm her racing heart. "Why did you rush over? My injury is nothing serious?"
Balor made a face that quickly morphed into his usual suave, expression. "I, well, I felt bad for not being here when it happened!" He tried to throw his hair over his shoulder, but with how wet it was, it made a terrible wet noise that set Charlie off with laughter. He charged on as if nothing happened. "You supply me with the best things to sell and are a staple to this community! To hear of your injury, especially while I was away, meant no time could be wasted in assuring for myself that you were safe."
"You can just say you were worried, Balor. It's ok."
What little bravado Balor had built up in his small speech immediately left him and he deflated. With a hesitant hand, he reached out and grabbed hers, rubbing one of his thumbs across her knuckles. He didn't quite look her in the eye for a few moments, but when he did, Charlie's heart began to race again.
"Fine. I was worried about you."
Charlie smiled and squeezed his hand. "Thank you for coming by and checking up on me."
"Of course, Charlie." To her utter surprise—and delight—Balor brought her hand up to his lips and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"
Charlie laughed, bringing her free hand up to her face as she was flush with embarrassment. "Its a rather embarrassing story."
"You don't—"
"No, no it's fine! Just…don't laugh at me after."
Balor scoffed, indignant. "I would never!" Charlie raised an eyebrow and again his cool bravado was dropped and he gave her a cheeky smile. "Ok, I'll try to keep the laughter to a minimum."
Charlie rolled her eyes in good nature and launched into her story. How she decided to go to the mines that day due to the rain and on the way back, accidently slipped in a puddle of mud and fell, all the items she had collected that day strewn around her, and no one in sight to call on for help. With no one around, she had to hobble about on her injured ankle, store the items under a nearby tree so they didn't get damaged any further by rain or mud, and the hobbled her way into town, where she ran into Olric who was just leaving from his home to head to the Inn. He had picked her up and carried to the Inn himself, no matter how much she had protested, but from there she was carried home, put on mandated Valen bed rest, items obtained and stored away, and now, stuck in bed for a couple of days.
"Quite the day indeed," Balor had said after a few moments. He started to speak again, changed his mind, shook his hand and then stood up, releasing her hand. "I…I've kept you long enough. I'm glad you're safe and agree on the much needed rest."
"You aren't seriously thinking of leaving," Charlie asked, glancing between the rain still pouring outside the window and the clock which read midnight. "The last thing we need is for our dashing traveling merchant to get injured as well. I don't think the town would survive without you."
Where Charlie expected a boast, she was surprised to see Balor's face fall, glancing between her and the floor before speaking.
"You're important to me—the town, too, you know." His voice was so soft she barely heard him. He cleared his throat and put on a more jovial tune. "Well, I can't say no to you, but it's not like there's any space for me so…"
"Please don't go."
Charlie hadn't meant for her request to sound so desperate, but whatever Valen had given her before she left seemed to be kicking in and she was struggling to keep her eyes open. She reached out with a hand to him and was delighted in her sleepy state that he took it.
"Charlie…"
She shook her head.
"There's no arguing with you right now, is there."
Charlie shook her head again and gave his hand a quick squeeze. Balor chuckled and squeezed her hand back.
"Fine, but," Balor looked around the cozy cottage. "There's only one bed. I guess I could sit in the ch—"
"Absolutely not." Charlie playfully snapped. She patted the other side of her bed with her free hand. "You can stay here, there's plenty of room next to me."
Charlie patted the open space beside her again, eyes half closed leaving her oblivious to how beet red Balor had become.
"I…are you sure?"
"Yessum."
Charlie yawned and settled deeper into the bed, with Balor instantly helping her.
"O-ok."
Struggling to keep her eyes open even more, Charlie could just make out Balor taking his soaked cape and hanging it by her door, slipping out of his boots, and then climbing into the bed. Pancake let out an annoyed meow, which Balor apologized for disrupting her, and finally settled neck to Charlie.
"Is this ok?
He had settled in next to her, keeping just enough distance they weren't touching. If only. Charlie smiled at the thought and was delighted when she felt the bed shift and opened her eyes to see Balor looking at her, his expression soft and genuine…something she realized she was starting to see more and more of whenever they locked eyes.
This was the thought that stayed with her as she drifted off to sleep and for the briefest moment, thought she felt Balor gently caress her face. Charlie fell asleep with a smile on her face and unbeknownst to her, soon found herself cuddling close against his body, Balor holding her tight, content in this private space to steal such a special moment with her.