Rosie woke slowly, warmth surrounding her, her cheek pressed against something firm and solid. Blinking groggily, she realized that she was nestled in Katsuki's arms, his strong grip steadying her in the saddle. As her senses returned, her gaze drifted upward, meeting his crimson eyes that stared down at her with an intensity that made her breath hitch. Her ears twitched involuntarily, a soft blush creeping up her neck to her cheeks.

Katsuki, noticing her twitching ears, finally broke his gaze and focused on them, smirking as they flicked nervously.

"Thank you for letting me sleep," Rosie beamed, her voice light as she tried to ease the tension. "I appreciate it."

Katsuki grunted, his voice low and teasing, "You move around too much when you sleep."

Her face burned even brighter at the comment, and she straightened up a bit, protesting, "That's not true!"

He smirked, the corner of his mouth lifting into a rare, almost playful expression. "It's true. You were wiggling around so much I thought you'd fall off the damn horse."

Rosie narrowed her eyes, her jaw clenching in defiance. "I'll prove you wrong."

Raising a brow, Katsuki leaned back slightly, his voice laced with amusement. "And how exactly are you gonna do that, Elf?"

Without missing a beat, Rosie blurted, "We'll sleep together."

The effect was immediate. Deku, riding ahead of them on Rosie's horse, nearly choked on his breath, coughing loudly as his eyes widened in shock. Katsuki's own eyes went wide for a split second, his brain processing her words before he scoffed, his expression quickly morphing into one of incredulity.

"You elves have no sense of propriety, do you?" he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Rosie, realizing the implication of her words, flushed an even deeper red, her hands flying up defensively. "That's not what I meant!"

Katsuki's smirk only grew wider. "Sure, it isn't."

She puffed her cheeks in frustration, deciding it was best to adjust herself rather than argue further. Twisting in his arms, she settled so that her back was against his chest, avoiding his teasing gaze. As she did, her eyes caught sight of their surroundings, and her frustration quickly turned to excitement.

They were entering the city of Marllyn, its grand stone gates towering ahead of them, a wooden drawbridge lowering to allow their entry. The city was nestled at the base of the Everpine Mountains, famous for its intricate jewelry markets, something Rosie had heard of but never experienced. Her mood lifted instantly, and she could barely contain her enthusiasm.

"We're here!" she exclaimed, her voice bright as she took in the sight of the bustling streets beyond the gates. "This is Marllyn! I've never been here before!"

She practically bounced in her seat, the exhaustion and hangover of the previous night forgotten in her eagerness. The city's markets stretched out before them, colorful stalls lining the cobblestone streets, their wares sparkling under the morning sun. Craftsmen shouted to potential buyers, showcasing shimmering gems and finely crafted weapons. Rosie's eyes gleamed at the prospect of exploring.

As they passed through the gates, Deku turned back towards them, his voice friendly. "We should get some breakfast first," he suggested, his own stomach rumbling after the long ride.

Rosie, however, had other plans in mind. "We should go to the markets and explore while we stock up on supplies!" she said excitedly, her hands clasping together.

Katsuki grumbled, his mood as sour as ever. "After that, we're going to the guild to pick our next job. No point in wasting time."

But Rosie wasn't about to give in. She turned in the saddle, her eyes locking onto his as she smiled brightly, pleadingly. "We should stay and explore," she repeated, her voice soft but persuasive. "I've never been here before, Katsuki. Let's take a day."

Katsuki stared down at her, his brow furrowed in frustration. She looked up at him with those wide, hopeful eyes, and for a moment, he considered shutting the idea down. It was a waste of time. But then he caught the small smile tugging at her lips, and before he could stop himself, he found himself relenting.

"Damn waste of time," he muttered under his breath, scowling as he averted his eyes. "But fine."

Rosie's face lit up, her joy evident as she turned to Deku, practically bouncing in the saddle. "Hear that, Izuku?! We can explore a bit!"

Deku smiled warmly, his heart lifting at her enthusiasm. "That sounds like fun, Rosie. Let's see what the markets have to offer."

Rosie clapped her hands together in excitement, her eyes already scanning the vibrant streets as they made their way into the heart of the city. Meanwhile, Katsuki couldn't help but roll his eyes at the scene, tugging the hood of his cloak lower over his face as they entered the bustling market square. Despite his grumbling, there was a small part of him that was glad to see Rosie smile.

After their meal, Katsuki grumbled as he made his way to secure rooms for the night. With only two available, he begrudgingly accepted the reality that he'd have to share a room with Deku. The idea of getting back on the road and picking up their next mission drove him forward. They needed rest and supplies, and for now, this was just a necessary inconvenience.

Once they had cleaned up, Deku rebandaging his wounds and changing out of his tattered clothes, the three of them left the inn, heading toward the bustling market square. Rosie, her energy renewed after the food and rest, bounced ahead of them, practically skipping from booth to booth as her eyes lit up at the various trinkets, crafts, and goods on display. Her joy was contagious, though Katsuki would never admit it, his crimson eyes following her as she moved from stall to stall with childlike excitement.

Katsuki huffed, his arms crossed over his chest as he hung back, keeping a watchful eye on Rosie. She was the embodiment of joy, clapping her hands as she examined a colorful scarf at one booth, then moving to admire a collection of sparkling gemstones at another. He didn't know why she was so easily entertained, but watching her dart around, he realized she had a talent for finding wonder in even the simplest things. Deku, walking beside him, smiled softly, clearly enjoying Rosie's enthusiasm.

"She's really excited, huh?" Deku commented with a small chuckle.

Katsuki grunted, his eyes narrowing as Rosie haggled with a merchant over some exotic herbs. "She gets excited about everything."

Rosie soon rejoined them, her hands full of small bags of herbs and spices. "These are going to come in handy for cooking on the road," she explained with a satisfied grin. "And I got them for a bargain!"

Deku's face brightened as they continued to stock up on supplies for the coming week. They visited several booths, picking up dried meats, bread, and cheese that would last for their journey. Katsuki made sure to grab more flint and a new whetstone for his blades, while Rosie found some cloth to repair her clothes and a few bottles of healing salve.

As they moved through the crowd, Deku spotted a stable at the edge of the market. "I think I'll get myself a horse. That way, I won't have to keep borrowing yours, Rosie."

Rosie gave him a warm smile. "That's a good idea, Izuku! It'll make traveling easier."

Katsuki watched as Deku made his way to the stable, carefully examining the available horses. After a bit of negotiating, Deku purchased a strong brown mare, her coat sleek and well-groomed. He led her out of the stable, beaming with pride as he mounted her for a quick test ride around the square.

Rosie clapped her hands again, delighted. "She's beautiful! What are you going to name her?"

Deku thought for a moment, stroking the mare's neck. "I think I'll call her Astra."

Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Great. Now we've got a horse with a name."

Deku ignored the jab, dismounting as he led Astra toward the inn to tie her up. "I'm going to get her settled at the inn's stables. I'll meet you two back there for dinner?"

"Sounds good," Rosie said with a smile, her excitement still bubbling. "I think I'll do some more sightseeing before we head back."

Katsuki's brow furrowed as he watched Deku walk away, leaving him alone with Rosie. "What the hell do you mean, 'sightseeing'?"

Rosie's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the city streets. "This is Marllyn! One of the biggest cities at the base of the Everpine Mountains. I want to see the jewelry district before we leave. You're welcome to join me if you want."

Katsuki let out a low growl, adjusting the straps on his gauntlets. "I don't have time for your sightseeing."

"Suit yourself," she teased, already heading toward the glittering shops in the distance.

He stood there, watching her figure slip through the crowd, her white hair catching the sunlight as she made her way toward the district. A part of him knew he should follow her, even if just to keep an eye on her. Trouble had a way of finding her, and despite his grumbling, he wasn't about to let her wander off alone.

Not yet, anyway.

With a grunt of frustration, Katsuki cursed under his breath and followed after her, keeping his distance as she weaved through the market's busy streets.

Rosie's eyes widened as she stepped into the heart of Marllyn's famous jewelry district. The streets were lined with lavish displays, glittering under the golden light of the setting sun. Everywhere she turned, there were gems and precious metals reflecting vibrant colors—emeralds, sapphires, rubies, all crafted into breathtaking works of art. It was a sight that made her heart race with excitement.

As she wandered past the luxurious stalls, her gaze was drawn to one in particular. In the center of the display, perched on a delicate velvet cushion, was a stunning sterling silver choker. Its polished surface shimmered like liquid moonlight, and nestled within the intricate metalwork were alternating pink quartz and small diamonds, their facets catching the light in a soft, romantic glow. The pink quartz, with its soft rose hue, gave the piece an almost ethereal quality, while the diamonds twinkled like stars caught in a silver web.

Rosie's breath hitched as she reached out tentatively, her fingertips grazing the cool surface of the choker. It was exquisite, delicate yet bold. The craftsmanship was impeccable, each stone perfectly set in place. Her reflection shimmered in the polished gems as she imagined how it would look around her neck, resting gently against her skin.

"You've got a good eye," said the jeweler, an older man with silver hair and kind eyes. "That piece is one of a kind. Crafted with great care."

Rosie looked up, smiling politely, though her thoughts were still with the choker. "It's beautiful."

The jeweler nodded. "The pink quartz is said to promote love and healing, and those diamonds were mined from the Everpine caverns themselves. It would look lovely on you."

She bit her lip, considering for a moment. The choker was beyond lovely—it was stunning. But she was a traveler, not a noble or a lady of the court. It was impractical to spend so much on something as she was an adventurer now.

With a soft sigh, Rosie lowered her hand, her fingers curling away from the precious jewelry. "Maybe another time," she said, offering the jeweler a small smile before turning away.

As she moved further down the street, her eyes still caught glimpses of glittering gems and delicate chains, but none held the same magic that the choker had. She pushed the thought from her mind, trying to focus on the other stalls ahead. There would be more beautiful things to see, she reminded herself, and besides, there were more practical matters at hand.

Her steps slowed as she approached another stall, this one filled with simpler, more rustic pieces. Intricate metal cuffs, adorned with gemstones in less refined settings, decorated the display. They were still beautiful in their own right, but none of them held the same allure as that silver choker.

Rosie let out a breath and forced herself to focus. There were more important things to spend her gold on, after all. And yet, as she wandered deeper into the market, she couldn't quite shake the image of that delicate pink quartz and diamond choker from her mind.

Rosie entered the bustling tavern, the air filled with laughter and the rich aroma of hearty food. The warm glow from the lanterns illuminated the wooden beams overhead, casting a cozy atmosphere that invited weary travelers to relax. After dropping her new clothes off in her room, she quickly made her way to the bar, where she ordered a round of pints, a hearty turkey leg, and a side of mashed potatoes with steamed green beans.

She spotted Deku and Katsuki sitting at a large wooden table in the corner, their expressions contrasting sharply. Deku looked eager and animated, while Katsuki was sunk in his chair, arms crossed and an annoyed scowl on his face. Rosie grinned as she approached, setting the drinks down with a flourish.

"I ordered the first round!" she announced, taking her seat across from them.

"Thank you!" Deku smiled brightly, his green eyes sparkling with gratitude as he took a pint in hand.

Katsuki grunted in acknowledgment, not bothering to lift his gaze from the table. "You should've gotten me something stronger," he muttered, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Maybe next time," Rosie replied with a teasing glint in her eye. She looked to Deku, "So, what do you think our next mission should be? We've had a pretty good streak so far."

Deku nodded, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I heard there's been some trouble at the outskirts of town. Some farmers have been reporting strange creatures attacking their livestock. It might be a good opportunity for us to investigate."

Rosie perked up at the suggestion. "That sounds interesting! We could help the farmers and find out what's causing the disturbances. Plus, we might get some good rewards for it!"

Katsuki finally looked up, his expression still grumpy. "Or we could find something more exciting. We're not babysitters."

Deku frowned slightly but didn't back down. "But it could lead to something bigger! We might uncover a bigger threat if we investigate."

"Yeah, like a bunch of giant rats or something," Katsuki scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Rosie chimed in, "we should keep it in mind when we visit the guild tomorrow."

Katsuki leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms stubbornly. "Keh, whatever."

After a few more rounds of drinks and lively banter, their food arrived. Rosie dug into her turkey leg with enthusiasm, savoring the rich flavors. Deku devoured his meal with the same fervor, while Katsuki merely picked at his plate, still seeming grumpy but slightly more relaxed.

As the night wore on, the tavern filled with more patrons, laughter echoing around them. They shared stories, and Deku animatedly recounted some of his past adventures, while Katsuki offered snarky remarks here and there, his demeanor softening as they all engaged in conversation.

Once they finished their meals, Rosie felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She reached for her pouch, deciding that she would take care of the bill for the night. "Alright, guys, I'll cover this! You both were okay with staying so I could sightsee, so it's only fair."

Deku looked surprised. "Are you sure, Rosie?"

"Absolutely! You both deserve it," she insisted, her eyes sparkling with determination. Katsuki started to protest, but she cut him off. "No arguments! I want to treat you."

Katsuki sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration, but he couldn't hide the faintest hint of a smile. "You're too damn stubborn."

Deku smiled warmly at her. "Thanks, Rosie. This means a lot."

"We're friends!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over again.