Vin landed on Elend's balcony, mistcloak billowing behind her. She took one last glance behind her, towards the enclosing walls. Her patrol had gone well. No one had attacked her, even the Watcher hadn't made an appearance. There'd been no assassination attempts in the last three weeks. Vin didn't know if she should be worried or relieved.

"Vin?" a voice called from inside the room.

Muscles relaxing, Vin took a steadying breath. She hadn't had the chance to see Elend the whole day. Something —she realised as her mood declined during the day— she would never allow to happen again.

She'd never realised how much whether or not she saw Elend would determine her mood during the day.

Vin slipped into the room and made sure to lock the doors behind her. The warmth emitting from the fireplace immediately settled on her, washing away the cold that clung to her clothes.

Elend sat on the desk in his room. Piles of books littered the floor, strategically placed away from the fireplace. The desk was covered in papers. He must have been drafting some new law. His fingers were stained blue.

She surveyed the room, checking all corners of the room as she moved towards him. He'd stopped writing and had pushed back from the desk, already knowing her destination— an anticipatory smile was on his face.

Vin hesitated. She glanced at him then at the bed.

Rolling his eyes fondly, Elend acquiesced. "Go ahead."

Vin was fast as she checked the bed, under it and behind the closet door. Satisfied, she nearly skipped towards Elend's awaiting arms and perched herself on his lap—legs on each side, arms resting on his chest.

Elend smiled at her and ran a hand through her hair. It was growing longer and Vin noticed he loved entangling his fingers in it whenever she was near. Whether a quick swipe through the strands or gently tugging at the ends, Vin loved every time he did it.

His hand lowered to the back of her neck and rubbed softly, the other around her waist.

"How was your patrol?"

Vin fought off the shiver when he spoke. Something about his voice made her body deliciously shake at the same time put her at ease. She wasn't sure if it was the deep baritone or the soft way he always spoke to her, Vin found herself relaxing every time he whispered in her ear.

Vin knew he'd noticed.

Leaning forward, she settled her face in his neck and took a deep breath in. Elend always smelled like books—probably because his face was always stuck in a book.

"It was good. No threats. Seems like the assassination attempts are slowing down."

Elend hummed and the vibrations moved through her. His hands moved to her back, running them up and down. Vin sighed, soaking up the comfort desperately. She's never had the luxury of relaxing. Even during her stay with the crew, she was always tense. Ready to spring into action at the drop of a coin. She still was. But now she allowed herself the opulence of letting her guard now. It happened a few times but it was always with Elend.

"Probably because my father's army is marching here."

Vin tensed— the memory of Straff Venture's approaching army immediately putting her on alert. That's right. An army was heading towards Luthadel— would be arriving in the upcoming days. She needed to check the walls again. In case there was another way in. She wondered if Hammond had any progress with the army they were trying to raise. She needed t-

Elend's arms tightened around her. He pressed a kiss on her head.

"I'm sorry for bringing that up."

"Bu-"

"No." His arms resumed their path on her back. "We can discuss that later. You can continue worrying for the kingdom but after you've had some rest."

Vin glared but resumed trying to dig herself into his neck.

They sat in silence, their even breaths and the crackling fire, the only sounds in the room.

The warmth from the fire, the comfort from being in Elend's arms drew her into a light doze. She was half-awake, soaking up all the safety she felt at the moment. Elend shifted, sitting up straighter.

Vin was immediately alert, all drowsiness gone.

Elend winced. "Sorry. Just wanted to carry you to bed."

Vin frowned at him. "You could have just woke me up."

Elend tapped her chin. "That would defeat the purpose of getting you to rest."

Flicking him back, Vin slipped off his lap and immediately missed the comfort. Elend seemed to miss it too—based on the disgruntled look on his face. They moved towards the bed. Elend started changing into his night clothes but Vn simply took off her cloak. She alway slept ready to fight.

Elend, tugging his shirt over his head, frowned at her. "Not changing?"

Vin shook her head. She crossed her legs under her and watched him change.

He stared at her before turning to his closet and pulling out a plain shirt. It was a light blue with a bit of wear— clearly well worn. He threw it at her.

Vin glared at him. Elend wiggled his eyebrows. He knew she couldn't resist wearing his clothes. The few times she'd had the chance, she'd found herself sleeping peacefully, no matter how short her sleep was. She wanted to not wear it out of sheer spite but—

—sighing, she started pulling off her shirt. Elend turned his back to let her change. Vin rolled her eyes.

Her trousers joined the pile on the chair with her shirt and mistcloak. She slipped Elend's oversized shirt on. She smelled old paper, ink and something sweet before the warm clean air of the room filled her nostrils. The shirt settled just above her knees. The shirt was already large on Elend, it made Vin look like a child.

"I'm decent." She was being sarcastic but that didn't seem to bother Elend.

He turned, a wide smile on his face. He scanned her body.

"You're adorable."

Vin settled in the bed and glared at him. "I am not adorable."

Climbing in after her, Elend wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. He pressed a kiss on her temple. "Yes you are."

Vin poked his stomach but was careful to do it gently. She was burning out her metals to avoid poisoning. Who knew what pewter poke could do to a soft stomach.

They settled in the bed. Vin gave the balcony door one more glance to make sure it was closed. Outside the mists shifted and moved.

Elend sat up against the headboard and pulled a book from the table next to the bed. Vin pinched his side.

"Ow!"

"You said it's time to rest!"

"For you! You've been out there mistborning the whole day. All I've done is sit around and plan the next council meeting."

Vin fought back a laugh. "Mistborning?"

Elend shrugged. "I have no idea what else to call it."

Vin let the laugh break through. She slumped against Elend, her face digging into his side. His clothes muffled her laughter. She heard Elend's amused chuckle.

"I'm here to make sure you rest," Elend said, eyes staring at her in warning.

Exasperated but relenting, she settled her head on his lap. His hand instinctively moved to her head.

"Read to me."

Elend snorted at the command. "Yes dear."

He began to read. She had no idea what he was reading. It was probably one of those political books he loved so much. She didn't care about the content. All she cared about was the fact that he was speaking. His deep gruff voice settled over head, lulling her into a state of peace. His nails lightly scratched her scalp and gently tugged at the roots.

Vin's eyelids felt heavy. She blinked furiously, trying to stay awake.

"—but those claims are obsolete if the concept of—"

The world was slowly fading before her. She should be worried that an army was marching towards Luthadel. She should be worried about the Watcher. She should be worried about the possible assassiation attempts. She should be worried about how easy Elend's balcony door could be opened. She was actually worried about all the problems that seemed to be piling up— but at the moment,she felt at peace, she felt safe, she felt loved.

Vin closed her eyes and slept.