* 37 * 7/16/12, 3/4/13

After finally asserting Khelgar's rightful position as the leader of the Ironfist clan – cementing the Ironfist clan as an ally – and taking down Keros's ego a notch, the party had returned to Crossroad Keep for a feast. They had even invited some of the dwarves back to the Keep to partake in it; Lily knew this would be greatly appreciated and would likely strengthen the alliance further.

Bishop took a few bites and then headed to the library, surprising the group. He apparently wanted to try to get Aldanon to talk some sense about the King of Shadows. Lily herself also didn't take long to eat. She was pretty satisfied with the day's events and just wanted to relax and unwind. In her room, she sat daydreaming in a chair opposite the door, which she had left wide open.

After a few minutes, Lily spotted Bishop as he passed by the doorway on his way back to the Great Hall. "Bishop," she called softly.

His ears finely attuned, the ranger turned to face Lily, questioning in his face.

"Come here," she requested, her eyes agleam.

Normally he wouldn't listen to that kind of request, would ignore her and go back to what he was doing. But something about the way her gaze held his so urgently in that second made him come close to her.

As soon as he drew closely enough, Lily wrapped her arms around the ranger's waist and pulled him near to her chest, turning her head to the side and settling it on his collarbone.

Bishop stood stunned, his arms raising to about waist-level in hesitation. What was this for? He had half a mind to push her away until he knew exactly what she was trying to do. When many seconds had passed and Bishop still hadn't returned the gesture, Lily stepped away solemnly, but didn't look into his face.

He caught her expression for only a moment, but her dejection was stark. "I wanted to thank you for not letting me fall," she explained, her tone a mixture of different emotions.

This struck a chord in Bishop's stone heart. He remembered back to how he felt when he lunged over to save her, and his arms slowly, very slowly, wrapped around her small frame, pulling her back into place.

There was an audible gasp.

That moment, as he recalled the emotions that had overtaken him, he lost some of his reservations. "You're...welcome."

Lily looked surprised, but gave no response. After a few moments:

"Bishop, you're really holding me," Lily commented with a sudden, very light flush, referring to how tightly she was pressed against him now.

He scowled as if stung by the tender word she'd used. His arms dropped to his sides, and he almost seemed like he regretted humoring her hug.

Lily stood at arm's length away from him. Bishop's face was serious, the most serious she'd ever seen it. For some reason, this made her laugh. He was such a crude jokester at every other time, and right after he finally showed some affection, he became stone-faced.

"You're so severe," she quipped.

Bishop hadn't expected playfulness to be her response, and his face showed it in his bewilderment.

Only giggling, Lily excused herself from the room and decided to be with the others after all, but not before stopping at the door and looking back at him.

He said only, "Hnh." His expression had cooled in those few seconds. Lily shook her head bemusedly and walked out the door, rejoining the dwarves in the Great Hall.