Bero didn't appear at Sassa's door for a further two weeks. During that time, Sassa spent time spring cleaning the house and tidying up the garden. She even helped Anoriath cut meat, and ran some deliveries for Carlotta. All the while, she had been deeply shocked and saddened by Bero's display of anger, and his disappearing act. She'd been tempted to knock on his door, but her pride would not allow it.
His increasing aggressiveness and aura of power made her a feel a little bit frightened of him, and she reasoned that a little bit of distance from him might be a good thing. Perhaps he's sick of me, and sick of taking care of me for all these years. He must be sick of me tagging along on all his adventures. It seems that he's too good for me now. I suppose it wouldn't be seemly of him to be hanging around with a scallywag like me, she reasoned.
Berodyn was confused as to why Sassa was acting so strangely as of late. She'd become clingy yet aloof, irritable yet still her cheeky self. The way she'd reacted when he'd joked about catching him stuffing that wood elf made him unreasonably angry; but why? She had been clearly embarrassed, but there had been a look of hurt on her face too. Why? And why was he angered by her reaction, instead of amused?
He reasoned that perhaps she was simply exhausted from constantly being dragged around Skyrim, and that a bit of a break would be just the trick. He figured she'd eventually come bashing on his door when she was happy with him again, but she didn't. He did see her around town from afar; she seemed to be busying herself with aiding some of the local marketeers. Several times he made to approach her, but the nameless expression she wore made him turn away.
It had been two weeks since he'd enjoyed her company, and gods damn it all, he missed her; he missed her with a sharp ache in his heart. He decided enough was enough, and headed to her place to invite her out for a drink.
He knocked on her door, and had barely lowered his hand when the door was flung open. Sassa's eyes were bright with excitement, but she quickly cloaked it. "Hi Bero. Where have you been?" She said, trying to look and sound disinterested but not doing a very good job at it.
"Oh...I've been around. Are you thirsty? Because I was plannin' on quenching my thirst at the 'Mare. Interested in joining me?" He said, nudging her shoulder.
Sassa looked quizzically at him for a moment before replying. "Yeah I'll have a drink. Your shout."
They walked in uncomfortable silence to the inn, and when they arrived, she barely looked at him as she flopped into the seat in the corner, trying to look aloof.
"Saadia! Couple of ales over here, thanks!" Bero boomed.
"Be there in a moment Berodyn!" Saadia shouted as she carried a tray of drinks to another table.
"So, Sass. Why haven't you come over?" He said, getting straight to the point.
"I - what? You said you'd come and get me when you were ready!" She cried.
"Um...you seemed so angry with me, I thought you needed a break - " he said, holding his hands up in a placating gesture.
"You're the one who threw the bowl of food against the wall!" She growled.
"You pissed me off!"
"You kept pestering me about...you know." She said, more quietly this time.
"Ahh Sass...I'm sorry. I was just trying to stir you up. I thought you'd think the sight of my grey ass going hammer and tongs would make you laugh. I didn't expect you to be embarrassed, you of all people!" He patted her hand, and the blush that Rose to her cheeks was not lost on him, though he said nothing.
"Well, you thought wrong. It looked pretty intense, and I actually got a shock. As well, I was pretty grossed out by your sweaty ass." She pulled her hand back just as Saadia approached with their drinks. "Thank you." She said.
"Just call me if there's anything else you need." Saadia said, walking away.
"So...I thought the reason you stayed away was that you were sick of me." Sassa said.
"Really? What makes you say that?" He said, eyebrows raised.
"Well...b-b-because you're so f-famous now, a-and - "
Suddenly Bero was at her side, pulling her into his arms. She sank into his consoling embrace, memories of him holding her this way all through her life making her remember that he wouldn't be so fickle as to leave her behind.
"I've told you before, and I'll tell you again. It's me and you forever, kid. I'll always be by your side. I love you." He kissed the top of her head and gave her a squeeze.