Tags: Aloth/F!Watcher, fluff

PoETober 2018

Prompt #3: Voice

At the creak of footsteps on the stairs, En hardly needed to look up from her writing to know whose they were – as well as their mind.

And in this case it had nothing to do with her ability as a cipher. At least, mostly. After a year of travel together before and now again for half of one, she had gotten to know these particular footsteps quite well. Their even, almost languid stride when content; the uncertainty in a nervous, clipped pacing; the slow plodding of deep thought. These, however, were quick, sharp, and hard – irritation.

His mind also steamed like a simmering pot.

"Come in, Aloth," she called.

The steps paused, surprised, for a second before the man in question opened the door and nearly sunk into the cabin with a heavy sigh. She didn't have to guess why. In that brief moment the door was ajar the third verse of "My Wahaki" warbled up from the deck below. Somehow Tekēhu had managed to get half the crew singing along with him, including Eld Engrim. It wasn't half bad, actually.

The scowl on Aloth's face spoke differently. "Every time," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I'm studying my grimoire in my bunk, and suddenly he decides it's time to practice his chanting. Or just sing in general, apparently. I could nearly swear he's doing it on purpose."

"He could be," En replied, setting down her pen. "His way of getting you to loosen up, perhaps?"

"Well, I don't appreciate it."

She waved him further in. "Rest for a bit, Aloth. You're always welcome in here, you know. It's your room, too; you don't have to keep using your bunk."

A small smile ghosted across his lips as he set his grimoire on a table. "I know," he said, stepping over to press a brief kiss to her crown. Then he sat on the bed to toe off his shoes before stretching back. "All the same, I'd still like to keep it, so long as there's room. It's… nice, in a way, to have my own space. At least until Tekēhu walks in." He rubbed his temples again.

"I understand," En said. "Do you have a headache? I could give you a massage if you'd like."

"That would be welcome."

She scooted her chair up against the bed while he rolled to his front. As she drew soothing circles into his neck and shoulders, he sighed in renewed ease.

"Thank you," he said. "My apologies for barging in like that."

"It's all right. It's good to see you."

"Besides," he said, and she could nearly hear his grin, "I like your voice better."

En laughed. "Flatterer."