Kel sat at her desk reading Dom's letter. It was, quite interesting. She was reading about the different bandits they'd chased, and the guard duty at Fort Steadfast. She shifted, and glanced out into the rainy outside world. Kel felt bad for the guards, who shifted uncomfortable, and soaked. The next guard change was in a half hour and it was much to endure. The winds were harsh, she realized, and it was almost time for winter to be setting in, so it was odd that it rained. But then, Kel didn't know weather that well. She turned back to her reports, without letting her thoughts drift, and set Dom's letter aside. She wondered what he'd thought of her letter, and Neal's of course. Neal who was running in the rain towards the infirmary again, getting soaked made her smile. He was going to be in a foul mood today.
Kel drifted back to her reports, and the candles made the room comfortable, and warm. The soft patter of the rain, set a beat for her to work to, and it was a nice calming sound. She finished writing her daily recordings of supplies used, and she noticed that she'd received another letter that she hadn't notice. Naturally, Kel knew it was because she'd hurriedly torn open Dom's letter. She read the message, from her mother. It told her, of how things were in Mindelan. Her sisters were all married as were her brothers. She disliked her sisters-in-law, but she never truly spoke her opinions of them to her mother because if she told her mother why, Ilane would be furious not at Kel, but at them she was sure. She was daydreaming, about life back home when a knock sounded on the door startling her.
"Come in, it's open," Kel called out. She set her letter back on the table and looked up to see Dom standing there. She almost blushed, and noticed he looked nervous himself, "Hello," she said it cheerfully.
"Hi," he said it softly and she looked at him. He really was nervous, shifting from foot to foot, and running a hand through his hair every now and then as she watched him.
"What's wrong?" she asked, and motioned for him to pull up a chair. He nodded and did so, sitting with the desk across between them. Kel leaned on her elbows against the desk and smiled, "You seem really nervous, can I help you with something?" Dom felt stupid. Of course he'd begged Lord Raoul to send him here, claiming they could use the extra squad. Raoul, he was sure knew the real reason and had let them come. Now Dom couldn't even say how he felt. He was so nervous of her reaction. Finally, he sighed.
"I just have to tell you something," he said it flatly. She watched him, waiting. He stood up again and began to pace. He wasn't sure how to tell her. Then his eyes lit up. Well, if he couldn't send a letter, why didn't he just write one and hand it to her! He took a pen and a piece of paper and quickly scowled out how he felt about her, and he blushed. Dom felt extremely stupid by that point. He handed it over, and watched her read it, and he was too scared to look her in the eyes. Yes, a Sergeant who fought in wars was scared to look a Lady Knight in the eyes. He ran a hand through his hand again, waiting for her to say something, anything.
"Well. You could've saved me years of trying to get over you," Kel said, smiling slightly. He felt his heart nearly stop.
"You were getting over me?" he asked horrified by his stupidity.
"Yeah, I couldn't tell you, I was too scared," she said it. He felt like an idiot and recalled all her blushing, and the way she wore her mask at times. He smiled at her, and took her hands in his. He pulled her, very close and kissed her. Right there in the center of the room. He felt her hesitate before kissing him back. Maybe this note truly was a good idea.