The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the school grounds, when Laura spotted Fie sitting on one of the stone benches near the training fields. She noticed immediately that something was off—Fie had one boot on, but the other was missing. Laura's steps slowed as she approached, her brow furrowing with concern.
"Fie?" Laura called gently, walking up to the bench. "What happened to your boot?"
Fie looked up at her, an almost sheepish expression on her face. She shrugged nonchalantly. "Ah, it kinda… fell apart while I was training in the old schoolhouse. Just gave out on me, really."
Laura blinked in surprise. "That's no good. You shouldn't be walking around like that."
Fie waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine. I've got a spare back at the dorm. It's no big deal."
Laura didn't look convinced. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, watching Fie with a steady gaze. "It won't do for you to be walking around barefoot, Fie. You might hurt yourself."
Fie gave a slight roll of her eyes, clearly not wanting to make a fuss, but Laura wasn't backing down. She reached down and gently took Fie's hand, pulling her up from the bench.
"No, really," Laura insisted, "I won't have it. I'll carry you back."
Fie blinked in surprise, then tilted her head slightly, a small smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Geez. As you wish, my brave knight." She said it with a playful tone, though there was a soft fondness beneath it.
Laura grinned back at her. "I'm serious. You're not walking barefoot back to the dorm. Hop on."
Without another word, Laura turned around, crouching slightly and offering her back. Fie raised an eyebrow but didn't hesitate for long. With a soft chuckle, she hopped onto Laura's back, her arms wrapping lightly around Laura's neck for balance.
The moment Fie settled in, there was a quiet pause between them, the sound of the evening breeze rustling the trees around them. Laura stood, adjusting to the weight of Fie on her back, and then began walking.
At first, the walk was filled with the usual quiet comfort they shared—no need for words, just the sound of their footsteps crunching on the path and the occasional hum of distant voices from the school. Laura couldn't help but smile as she felt Fie's weight resting against her. Her head was gently leaning on Laura's shoulder, and Laura could feel Fie's breath soft against her skin.
It was moments like these that made Laura feel content. Laura found herself enjoying the quiet companionship.
The walk continued, and Laura found herself lost in the peaceful rhythm of their steps. But then, just as they were nearing the dorms, Fie spoke up softly, breaking the silence.
"You know…" Fie began, her voice a little more serious than usual, "Sometimes I feel like my day isn't complete until I've spent some time with you."
Laura's heart skipped a beat at the words. She wasn't expecting that. It took a moment for her to process what Fie had said, but once the words sank in, her chest warmed. A soft smile tugged at her lips, and she looked over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of Fie's face—her usual carefree expression softened by something a little more vulnerable.
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Laura's steps slowed slightly as she reflected on Fie's words. It was rare for Fie to be so open, even in such a small way. Laura felt a warmth spread through her chest, an odd, comforting feeling that made her want to keep walking at this pace forever.
Finally, Laura spoke, her voice gentle but filled with affection. "I feel the same way, you know," she said quietly. "There's something about spending time with you that makes everything feel right."
Fie didn't respond. Instead, she leaned her head a little closer to Laura's, resting more of her weight against her, the feel of her heart against Laura's back just a little stronger now. The silence between them stretched, but it was a comfortable one—like the world had faded away, leaving just the two of them.
The two of them walked on, the dormitory finally coming into view as the last bit of daylight faded into twilight. The simple, peaceful moment between them lingered, and Laura found herself thinking about how much these quiet moments meant. Whether it was Fie's words, her touch, or just being together in a shared silence, Laura was beginning to realize just how deeply her feelings for Fie ran.