The next few days were all the same - Korlys and Attrei were having fun together, while Mario trotted behind them. Grumpy, that was what the Antivan called him, right? Not like the little mage, always polite and smiling. And just plain fucking awesome - he could make glyphs and he could make healing potions and poultices and he could scare enemies off or disorient them, and he always revealed the next awesome thing with a shy little smile that made Mario want to punch his nose.
Korlys was impressed and all smiles of course, thanking the mage and saying how useful it would be. He wasn't like that when I offered to help him. I had to argue with him before he agreed that it might be useful to learn more about stealing and thieves. And half the time, he looked as if I gave him headaches. But he's bewitched by every word of that mind mage. What would happen now that he found someone more agreeable and useful?
Lost in brooding about the inevitable result that would doubtless soon follow, Mario didn't even notice when they reached the river. He registered the other two admiring it, but he didn't care. He put up the tent as fast as he could before he grabbed his towel and soap.
"I'm going for a bath," he announced coolly.
Korlys decided to ignore Mario's tone. For some reason, the thief had been aloof these last few days - when he wasn't being snarky, anyway. Maybe it had been his little lecture the day after Attrei arrived. Or maybe the thief just did not like the kid, although he could not see why. Attrei was as inoffensive as it was possible for a mage to be, in his opinion. The more time Korlys spent with him, the harder it was to believe the mage was anything other than what he seemed - a teenager out in the world for the first time.
In any case, if Mario wanted to be left alone, he would just have to come out and say so. Korlys dug a couple of towels and some soap out of his pack. "Good idea. Attrei, you coming with us?" he asked, handing a towel to the little mage. "We have some soap you can use, and you can borrow some of my clothes for now."
"Thank you," Attrei said, beaming. "I'll come a bit later, if you don't mind. There are many herbs growing on the banks of the river that might be useful. I'd like to pick them while there's still light."
"Va bene." Attrei's smile was infectious, and Korlys returned it before following Mario to the river. He stripped out of his filthy clothes with a happy sigh. Mario had already gotten undressed and into the water and was busy soaping himself up. He took his soap and got into the water too, ducking under to get his hair wet. Korlys started soaping up his chest while trying to think of something to say to the other elf that wouldn't cause him to brood more. Cazzo. Sometimes the direct method was best. "Is something on your mind?"
Mario tried to focus on washing, and not to stare at Korlys' graceful body and taut muscles glistening with soapy water. Again with those weird thoughts. Stop it, you fool. Korlys would never like a nobody like you. He only took me along because I could be of use, and now that the magical pest has joined us, he has no more reason to put up with me. There was no point in lying to himself. Better to deal with it right away. "Korlys, do you want me to leave?" he asked.
"What? No. Why, do you want to leave?" Korlys asked cautiously. He was sure that he had just caught Mario stealing glances at him. Maybe he had been wrong about that? Or maybe Mario was looking at him that way because he was uncomfortable being around him. Is that why he wanted to go?
"No. But you don't need me anymore, now that Attrei is here. He's more useful to you than I am, and you get along better," he said, surprised at how much it hurt to say it aloud.
Ahh... so that is the problem. Korlys moved closer to Mario, reaching out his hand and placing it under the other elf's chin, then lifting up Mario's head so that he could look the other man in the eye. "I do need you here," he said softly, a small smile on his lips. "I want you here. I like you, and I do not want you to go."
He likes me. Mario couldn't catch his breath. Transfixed, he stared into Korlys' eyes. He likes me. His heart was racing, and blood rushed into his head, and without thinking, he cupped Korlys' face and pressed their lips together. For a few seconds, the world was perfect.
Then his brain started working again.
He took a step back. "Sorry, I - I just…" Just what? What could he say now that wouldn't make it even worse? "Don't hate me," he begged softly.
Korlys blinked. Well, that was unexpected. "I do not hate you." The Antivan gave Mario a naughty grin. "Feel free to kiss me whenever you would like," he said with a wink.
Mario wasn't sure what he expected, but he knew it wasn't this - this thoughtless smile and casual flirting like it didn't matter to him at all. Of course it doesn't. I was wrong. The realization sent a wave of dread, cold and sharp like steel, through his body. "No, I…" Am an idiot. "Sorry. I don't know what got into me. I never did that before." He forced himself to grin as if it was all just a silly joke. "Will we take turns same as yesterday?" he asked in the same casual voice. "Then I better go get some rest now."
"Wait." Korlys grabbed Mario's arm. "Mi dispiace. You just caught me by surprise. I did not think you were really interested in me. You did not seem to take my flirting very seriously, after all." He reached out and caressed Mario's cheek, moving closer until they were inches apart, then gently kissed him. And when Mario eagerly pressed against him, he wrapped his arms around the younger elf.
The kiss was sweet and soft, and it was only reluctantly that Korlys pulled away. "I... " 'suppose we should stop now' was what he had meant to say, but he found himself drawn to Mario again, and he gave in to temptation. Korlys lowered his head and licked the other elf's lips before parting them and caressing Mario's tongue with his own.
A tongue? Mario's eyes widened in surprise. After a moment, he relaxed into it again - and realised he liked it. A lot. But, what was he supposed to do now? Tentatively, he tried to mimic what Korlys was doing; the other elf didn't pull away, so maybe it was the right thing to do. When they broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. Mario rested his forehead against Korlys', unwilling to let the other man go yet. "I like you," he breathed.
"I like you too," Korlys whispered, smiling a little at the other man's unaffected declaration. He rubbed Mario's back, wondering what he should do now. It was obvious the younger elf was inexperienced, and he knew what had happened to Mario only a month ago. It was much too soon for anything more than this. If they were going to stop, however, they needed to do it now. "Maybe we should finish our bath before Attrei comes to take his, yes?"
For a moment, he was seriously tempted to say he didn't give a fuck about it, but Korlys was right. "Maker forbid, it would crush his innocent little soul," he muttered, returning to his bath.
"Tch. Mario, you should not speak that way. You see how he lived - a prisoner in a cage smaller than mine. He knows nothing of the world. Everything is new to him," Korlys replied, as he added some soap to his hair and started washing it. He really hoped that Mario and Attrei would start getting along better soon - it was a bit of a headache to always have the grumbling, although truth be told, it was Mario doing most of that. It seemed that nothing could dampen Attrei's cheerful outlook on life.
The young thief rolled his eyes. "I know. But, he's such a pest, always so glad, whatever happens. He should try living on the streets, see how long that would last." Prisoner, tch. What was the difference, the Tower or the alienage? The Tower was safe, clean and with plenty of food - although, that last might not be fully true, judging by how thin the mage was. "Okay I'll try to be less - grumpy, was it?" he asked, a mischievous smirk belying his grumbling.
Korlys was as unsuccessful at keeping a straight face as Mario was, but he tried to adopt a serious tone. "Grazie, Mario. I will be very appreciative, and I am sure Attrei will as well." The Antivan couldn't help adding a wink at the end, completely ruining any effect the tone might have had.
"I will be very appreciative," Mario mimicked Korlys, splashing water at him. "You talk like some rich, spoiled brat."
The ex-Crow laughed and splashed Mario back. "I am not spoiled. Not that I do not deserve to be," he said with a roguish grin. "As do you."
He tilted his head and looked at Korlys. He could fight, he could read; he had fancy clothes and was used to nice soaps and other things. Yeah, definitely spoiled. Not how Mario imagined a slave at all. Except for those scars on Korlys' back. Was it Korlys' master who punished him like that? What could Korlys have done to deserve that? Maybe he refused to kill someone. Killing on command… Mario couldn't even imagine it. He wished he knew more about the Crows - about Korlys. But, he wouldn't pry. Especially not tonight.
"Of course I deserve it. You can start spoiling me anytime you want," he said, chuckling.
Korlys drew nearer to Mario, a playful smile on his face. "Hmm. That may be difficult if you get mad at me for trying to find the best wine while we are 'shopping'. I suppose I could serve you breakfast in bed? Or in a tent, I guess, since we do not have proper beds yet." He reached out and caressed Mario's cheek with one hand. "How would you like me to spoil you?" he purred, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.
What should he say? Did Korlys mean it? The idea that he would be spoiled was hilarious. Mario wasn't being serious when he'd said that - and right now, he was quite happy leaning into Korlys' touch. "I don't know," he said with a slightly embarrassed chuckle. "But, one thing I know for sure - drinking wine all alone on the job doesn't count."
"Then next time I will bring you with me," he said playfully, before leaning closer and pressing his lips against Mario's again.
"Yeah, sure. Together with the Baby," he said with a chuckle when they broke the kiss. He could stand here kissing Korlys the whole evening, but it probably wasn't the wisest idea. "Speaking of the pest, we should go back before he decides to come looking for us. I don't wanna spend the night searching for a lost sparrow."
"True," the assassin said with a sigh.
"But I can still kiss you whenever I like, right?"
Korlys laughed. "Sí, you may kiss me whenever you would like."
oOo
The mage was cutting some herbs and roots, and adding them to the pot; he didn't even notice they were back until Mario asked what he was doing. "You came at just the right time!" he beamed, ignoring the question. "Could you please light the fire?"
Mario stared at him incredulously. "You can't even do that?"
"Of course I can, but you don't have a fire rod," the mage replied. "So I assumed you probably have some other way to light it."
"We use a tinderbox. Let me show you," Korlys said, as he dug one out of his pack. He knelt down and rearranged the wood as he continued. "You have to get the smaller twigs lit first before you add the larger ones, or it will just go out." He lit the kindling and waited for the twigs to catch before adding progressively bigger branches. "See?"
"Weird," the mage said, closely watching what the other elf was doing. "So how can I boil this?" he pointed to the pot.
"You have to stand near the fire and hold the pot over it," Mario advised him with a mischievous grin.
Attrei shot him an annoyed look. "I'm not completely dumb, you know."
"Really?" Mario asked sweetly. He looked around and cut three young branches from a nearby tree. It only took him a minute to strip them of leaves and cut the top. "Here. See? It's easy. Then you put these two here," he said, sticking the branches into the ground on opposite sides of the fire. "See this cut? That's where you put the spit."
He hung the pot on the third stick, and together with Korlys, put the spit on the poles. "Though normally you set this up first, and light the fire after."
"That does look easy," Attrei said cheerfully. "Next time, I'll try it myself. Alright, this needs to boil for fifteen minutes."
"Don't you dare," Mario warned him. "You may only try it with one of us watching what you're doing. I don't wanna come back to find the camp burned down."
"What are you making?" Korlys asked.
"It's just a simple sleeping potion," the mage replied with a shy smile. "I noticed you have bad dreams. This should stop that," he said to Mario.
Mario looked at the mage, speechless. Why would Attrei make a potion for him? He hadn't been very friendly to the mage these past few days. "Thanks," he muttered finally.
"I think it is your turn to set the traps with Attrei, no?" Korlys said with a mischievous grin. "I will watch the pot while you are gone, Attrei. Should I stir it, or just take it off the fire when it is done?"
Mario glared at Korlys. "You're not coming?" He had hoped that they could be alone a bit more, while the mage brewed his potion.
"I think you can handle it, sí?" he asked. "I can get dinner ready while you two are gone, and we can eat when you are back."
Attrei smiled. "Okay. Just stir it from time to time, and take it off when done - it must boil for fifteen minutes. If left longer, it will taste bitter."
Mario took out the trap parts from the backpack and shoved them into Attrei's hands. "Here, your turn to carry things," he muttered. With the last disappointed look at Korlys, he headed to the river. Attrei summoned the wisps and hurried behind him, tripping over the nearest root immediately. The thief was determined to ignore it, but gave up two stumbles later, when the mage almost broke his neck and scattered all the traps on the ground.
"Give it here," he ordered when the mage had collected them. "We must get some real clothes for you. It's no good traipsing through the forest in a dress."
"Korlys already gave me some clothes," Attrei assured him, "I just didn't want to put it on when I didn't have a bath yet."
"Well, you can take a bath now, while we put the traps together. I'll set them myself," Mario suggested. "I'll give you my spare clothes - in Korlys' clothes, you'll look like a kitty in a bag. And we need to get you a pair of proper boots somewhere."
Attrei smiled. "Thanks." I don't know what happened to him, but I think he's actually trying to be nice.
They sat down on the bank, spreading the parts of the traps around them. "Watch, this is how you put it together," Mario said importantly.
"No need. I love puzzles, and this one is really simple," Attrei said cheerfully, assembling the trap as if it was his favourite pastime. "Besides, I watched Korlys do it yesterday."
"You better go take that bath," Mario mumbled. Before I throw you into the river myself.
"But the water is cold," Attrei said. "And I forgot the soap and clothes in camp."
Mario rolled his eyes. "The water is cold," he imitated the mage in a whiny voice. "What, do you expect me to warm it for you? Don't be such a baby. And if you forgot the soap, go back and get it."
"Oh! Good idea." The mage got up and bolted back… and tripped after five yards. "I'm alright! Be right back!" he called to Mario, as he scrambled to his feet and hurried off.
Mario buried his face in the hands. I hope I didn't send him off to his death.
oOo
Hearing Attrei running towards camp, Korlys jumped up in alarm, hands on the hilts of his daggers. "What is wrong? Where is Mario?"
Attrei looked at him, surprised. "What could be wrong? Mario is setting the traps near the river, of course. I just came to get the soap and the towel." He was quite proud of himself for finding the camp so quickly. And he only tripped twice. He noticed the pot was still hanging on that weird wooden construction and went to check it. "I think this is ready. How do I take it off?"
"I have been stirring it, so it should be good," Korlys said. "Now that there are two of us here, we can do it the easy way. I will pick up one end of the spit, and you pick up the other, and we can just set the pot aside."
They managed to get the pot off of the fire without either of them getting burnt or spilling anything. Korlys gave a relieved sigh. "Go ahead and take your bath. I will have dinner ready when you get back."
Attrei nodded, grabbed the towel and the soap, and headed back to the river; then he remembered he forgot the clothes and ran back to Mario's pack. Then, finally, he was off again. This time he was more confident and got to the shore without any problems.
"Would you look at that. You survived," Mario welcomed him dryly. "Didn't think you had it in you."
The mage just smiled; he was getting used to Mario's grumpiness. Korlys was nicer, but Mario wasn't all bad, either, he decided as he quickly stripped and waded into the water. It was cold, but he wouldn't give Mario another reason to tease him. He could do this. A few moments later, he was back on the shore, trying hard not to let his teeth chatter, but proud. He pulled on Mario's shirt and pants. It was too big on him, but Mario showed him how to tie the belt to keep the pants from falling.
"Not bad," the thief said when he finished. "Except those silly slippers. You almost look like a guy now, and not a spoiled missy… How does it feel?"
"Weird," Attrei admitted, already wishing he could wear his robe. "How can you move, with something wrapped around your legs?"
Mario decided not to answer that question. Really, this mage was the weirdest guy he had ever seen.
oOo
Korlys had dinner ready for them when they got back, and Mario didn't waste time before he went to grab some food.
The mage, however, looked at the potion first. "It looks good. You don't happen to have an empty bottle, do you? This stuff is pretty strong, just a bit is enough, so this should last for a week," he said with a smile.
The assassin dug through his pack. "We have three empty potion bottles," he said as he handed them to Attrei. "I keep them in case I find ingredients to make poisons. Do you need me to help you fill them?"
"No, thanks." Attrei took two of the bottles and started to carefully fill them with the ladle. At least this was something he was familiar with. "Did you say poisons? What do you need poisons for?" he asked when he had finished and corked the bottles.
"The assassins who are after us are professionals, and we need every edge we can get to protect ourselves," Korlys answered, putting it as diplomatically as he could.
"I see." They weren't mages, after all, and had to use crude ways like poisons to protect themselves. Attrei handed the bottles to Mario. "Here. One swallow will be enough for several hours, two for a whole night. Don't drink too much, or you'll be stoned for days."
Mario nodded. "Well, if the turns are the same as last night, I'll go get some sleep," he said after he quickly wolfed his dinner. A night without Jasper and Templars… he had almost forgotten what that was like. He took a little sip, and carefully wrapped the bottles into his damp towel. By the time he closed his pack, he was already yawning wide. "Goodnight," he mumbled, as he slid under the blanket, asleep almost before the word left his mouth.
Korlys watched Mario head off to bed, then turned to Attrei. "Grazie for making the sleeping potion," the assassin said earnestly. "I do not think he has had a full night's sleep since I met him."
"I know what it's like, to have nightmares…" the mage said softly. "If you intend to let him sleep for the whole night, you should go to sleep as well. I'll wake you up when it's your turn."
The ex-Crow looked at Attrei thoughtfully. "I can stay up for a little longer. What do you think about your new clothes?" He glanced down at the mage's shoes and frowned. "Are your feet hurting? How can you walk all day in those things?"
"Yes, but it's okay. I heal myself when it's too bad," the mage said. "I've never worn anything else than robes and shoes like these, you know."
"Here, let me see the bottoms." Korlys stared in disbelief, then shook his head. The soles were even thinner than they had looked from farther away. He'd never looked closely at the mage's shoes, he had just assumed they would be sturdy. "Why would you wear something like this? They are almost as flimsy as bedroom slippers. You would have to replace these every month."
"What do you mean, why?" Attrei asked, surprised. "Everyone in the Tower wears these. Well, except the Templars, they wear those heavy steel boots, and they don't like it; they say it's too hot and heavy to wear them inside." He wrinkled his nose. "I can't imagine ever wearing something like that."
"But, what did you wear when you went outside?"
"We didn't."
Korlys looked incredulous. "At all? Why?"
"I told you, it's forbidden," Attrei replied. "Before I escaped, I had never been out of the Tower that I remember."
"I thought you only meant you could not travel, not that you had literally never been outside." He studied the mage. "So, you ran away with no idea of even what it is like to be outdoors. That is very brave. But, it is a miracle you made it long enough to find someone to help you." And even more of a miracle that someone has not taken advantage of or hurt you yet.
Korlys sighed. "Well, by the time we reach Gwaren, you should be able to at least take care of yourself. But I am afraid I will have to teach you about some harsh realities of the world, or you will have to learn the hard way. And that could get you robbed or killed."
"I didn't feel brave. I just didn't want to be tranquilled," the mage admitted. "And I thought it would be like in the books. But it's all different. Outsiders all seem so angry. You were the first nice people I saw in days, so I decided to help you. I didn't think you'd take me with you."
Korlys chuckled sadly and shook his head. But, he did not feel like starting the little mage's education. Not tonight. "Are you tired, Attrei? Do you feel like you can stay up for guard duty? I am used to staying up all night, so do not try to deceive me."
"Thank you, I'm fine," the mage assured him. Of course he was tired, but he couldn't let Korlys stay up the whole night. No, he could stay awake for a few more hours. A pity he didn't have a book with him, it would be much easier. "Go and have a rest, I'll wake you up when it's your turn."
The assassin snorted. "You are a horrible liar. But as you wish. Goodnight, Attrei."
oOo
Mario woke up with a start and bolted up on his bedroll. But it was just birds singing - wait. Since when did birds sing in the middle of the night? And, why it was so light here? Did he oversleep? Why didn't they wake him up? He glanced at the mage, curled next to him, then crawled out the tent to find Korlys.
The sun was almost up; soon, it would be time to break camp and go. Korlys was still standing guard, facing away from the tent. Mario frowned and stormed up to the man. "So, why didn't you wake me up this time?" he asked in the accusing whisper, so he wouldn't wake up the mage.
The Antivan turned around with a smile. "No nightmares last night, sí? I was listening for them. This is the first time you have slept through the night since I met you."
Mario stared at Korlys, speechless. "I think we can afford to wait an hour more," he muttered finally. "And if the Crows appear, Attrei and I will get rid of them. So go and get some rest."
Korlys gathered Mario into his arms and kissed him. "Don't you dare try to get rid of them without me," he said with a cheeky grin. He made his way to the tent, falling asleep almost as soon as his head touched the bedroll.
I should let him have a proper rest, he looked like a tired kitty. Mario shook his head in disbelief. Staying awake for something like that… It made him feel oddly warm inside. Right. Enough weird thoughts for today. Time to wake up the mage and get breakfast ready.
The mage was fast asleep, and Mario had to shake him few times. He was just considering getting cold water and spilling it on the kid when he finally opened his eyes.
"Whassup?" he mumbled, squinting at Mario with small weary eyes.
"I'm gonna check the traps, and I need you to stay here, in case something happens," Mario explained quietly.
The mage sighed but obediently crawled out of the tent. "I'll make some tea while you're gone," he said, yawning.
Mario was pleasantly surprised by kid's willingness. Maybe he's not completely hopeless, he decided as he hurried to the river. They were luckier this time - he heard rabbits whimpering in three traps. And none of them was a killer rabbit. Chuckling at the memory, his thoughts returned to the dark-skinned Antivan, and how his soaped skin looked in the moonlight yesterday…
Okay, enough of that. He forced himself to focus on the rabbits again. It didn't take long till they were all skinned and cleaned. He then quickly washed his face in cold water, collected the traps and rabbits, and almost sprinted back.
Only to find the water bubbling in the pot and the mage napping on a log beside it. "Attrei, wake up," he said sharply. The mage opened his eyes; at the sight of Mario standing over him, he quickly jumped up. "I'm not asleep! I just had my eyes closed!"
"Right," he muttered. "Help me get the pot off, then go get some more sleep, if you wish. You're useless like this anyway."
They removed the spit together, and Attrei put some leaves into the water with instructions to take them out after five minutes - though the mage would do that himself, because he wouldn't really sleep, just lie there for a few minutes, as he kept assuring Mario until the thief closed the tent flaps behind him.
Mario rummaged in his pack for ingredients and set to work. They were running low on food. The bread and cheese would last for a few more days, at best. Rabbits were nice but skinny, not much meat on them, and they couldn't count on catching them every day. I'll talk with Korlys about that when he wakes up. He put the rabbits on to roast, then pulled out his wooden practice daggers. Might as well use the time for training.
oOo
Korlys woke up to the smell of grilled rabbit. From the position of the sun in the sky, it seemed he had slept at least an hour. Good enough. He made his way to the campfire and wrapped his arms around Mario's slim waist as the thief cooked. "Wow, three rabbits." He laughed as his stomach rumbled. "Grazie for cooking," the elf said, as he turned Mario around, then kissed him tenderly. "Is it ready yet? Or do we have time for more of this?" Korlys said playfully when they broke the kiss.
Mario smiled. "It will be ready in a minute, unfortunately. And I think our magical pest will open his eyes again soon. He's not sleeping, if you wondered, he just has his eyes closed and doesn't react when you speak to him." He chuckled.
"I am not surprised," Korlys said, as he moved away from Mario and grabbed his waterskin. "He told me that before he escaped, he had never set foot outside. Ever." The assassin shook his head. "I cannot imagine what it is like to spend your whole life in a tower, only learning about the world through books, but never seeing it. It is amazing he has made it this far."
Mario blinked and sucked in a breath. "He had never been outside? That's… Maker's cock. No wonder he's such a baby. He was lucky to meet us, wasn't he? Imagine if he'd met some lowlife instead, who would only keep him alive while he was useful to them, like a thief, or an assassin," he joked.
"Yeah," Korlys said softly, forcing himself to laugh a little.
oOo
They broke camp two hours after sunrise and unwillingly trudged forward. Korlys still looked exhausted, and Attrei didn't look much better; he bravely pretended he was fine, but he was a terrible liar. He looked so miserable and sore that after a short lunch break, Korlys suggested he change into a sparrow again. The mage obeyed without a word of protest and spent the rest of the day on Korlys' shoulder… which was surprisingly irritating.
"I think both of you need proper rest tonight," Mario said as the day was getting shorter. "We won't get far tomorrow if you're like this again. Let's set camp and forget about traps. Attrei, you set those glyphs of yours, and I'll prepare dinner. You just sit and rest," - this last to Korlys - "you look like the undead."
"I am fine, and we need to set the traps; we need as much food as we can get," Korlys said. "You said yourself we were running low. It will not take much time, anyway."
"Don't be a fool, Korlys," he snapped, then stiffened when he realized what he had said. Oh fuck. He won't throw a tantrum now in front of the mage, will he? "Just sit on your ass and rest. Attrei, you get the food from the pack for both of you. I'll go set the traps."
Attrei was already kneeling, silvery light pouring from his fingers, drawing a complicated sign on the ground. "All right," he agreed.
"I will not 'sit on my ass and rest' simply because I lost a few hours' sleep," Korlys grumped. "Go ahead and set the traps. Attrei, keep writing glyphs. I will light the fire and get dinner ready." With that, the assassin began working on getting a campfire started, not looking back at the other two elves.
Mario threw his hands up. "Do what you want," he mumbled. If Korlys wanted to play the hero, he wouldn't stop him. He grabbed the traps and fruit and stormed away to find a good place to set them.
By the time he had assembled the second trap, all annoyance and anger had long evaporated, replaced by worry and regret. Why did things always go wrong whenever he tried to be nice? Why couldn't it work for him like it did for Baby? As he got back to camp, he heard the other two talk about switching their shifts. He had hoped to get up a bit earlier tonight so he could be with Korlys alone, so they could talk… and maybe even kiss again. But it seemed he had ruined any chance for that. With a sigh, he sat down next the assassin. "Sorry," he muttered.
Korlys gave Mario's hand a squeeze. "I am not offended," he said with a smile. "I am just not used to anyone being concerned about such a small thing. And I am trained to work without much sleep when I must. But, I switched my watch with Attrei, so I can have some uninterrupted sleep. See? I took what you said into consideration."
"Good. And sorry I called you a fool," Mario said awkwardly. "I just want you to be okay, and not hurt because of me."
Noticing the thief still seemed troubled, Korlys leaned over and gave him a kiss. "I am fine, truly. And I am not upset."
The dinner was too short - as the portions were smaller, to save food. But Mario didn't mind - even those few minutes were a great test of patience. A little longer, and he would have strangled the little mage for the annoying smirk plastered on his face and irritating hints about lovers.
"Shoo, Baby," he growled after a while. "Go to sleep."
Attrei chuckled. "I see. I will leave you alone, then. Goodnight," he said before he got up and retreated to the tent.
"Annoying brat," Mario said, his tone not unfriendly, when they were finally alone.
"Hmm. If I did not know better, I would say you wanted to be alone with me," Korlys teased, his voice soft as he nuzzled Mario's ear.
Mario didn't bother to reply. He just cupped Korlys' face and pressed their lips together.
A/N:
Big thanks to our wonderful betas - Bloodsong 13T and Oleander's One, and to our awesome readers and reviewers!