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[bearshermark]

eleven

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[bearshermark]

[Eleven gave a sheepish shrug and briefly leaned against her as they walked]

Of course I do. Who wouldn't want to sleep next to someone they care about as often as they can?

[lancifolium]

We did agree to every night a while ago too, so given that, and all the time you were imprisoned, I suppose I have to so we can catch up.

[ Not that she wasn't going to already. ]

Besides, everything feels like it's a manageable level of utterly batshite daft when you're with me.

[bearshermark]

[Warmed that she might find such comfort in him, Eleven turned his head and pressed a quick kiss to her temple]

I'm glad. It helps a lot I think, just to have someone to talk to about all of it. I'm very grateful for you.

[lancifolium]

Conversation and rescue efforts. [ She chuckled, looking over at him with a smile. ] The total package.

[bearshermark]

Yes.

[He returns her smile, content as they walk until the last leg of it when tiredness begins to catch up with him. It feels a little ridiculous; he's hardly done anything more than walk for a little while- and yes, used some healing magic- but he hums shortly as they quietly enter the city and leads them toward the inn. He's ready for a nice lie down and if he can do so with Lily, he isn't going to complain overmuch]

..The mood has calmed and lightened somewhat since we left, but it isn't a bright city.

[lancifolium]

[ It had not been safe to travel to Sa-Hareth when Lily arrived in the forest by the farmhouse, and though she looked around curiously as Eleven led the way towards the inn, she didn't think she missed all that much.

Though, it wasn't difficult to believe their group found interesting ways to pass the time. ]

You're safe here though, aren't you?

[bearshermark]

[He shrugged]

Should be. No one's looking for me, here.

[Barring Anurr showing himself for an unfathomable reason..

But it means something that the innkeeper can smile at him as he returns indoors. Eleven nods in turn and tries not to feel self-conscious about leading a woman he hadn't been seen with before up the stairs and into his room.

The space is smaller than the room he'd had in Vannozza's wing, but it's outfitted with a bed, desk, hearth, and mirror- upscale by Sa-Hareth's standards. It's cozier with less wasted space, so it isn't as though he minds terribly]

You can pull the chair out to sit in front of the fire if you like.

[The unspoken alternative of course, as he sets about unbuckling his coat to hang up then sits to pull off his shoes, is to join him in bed]

[lancifolium]

[ Doing her best not to look too worried about him being safe in Sa-Hareth Lily followed Eleven up to his room. It was a relief to see his room looking as comfortable as it did - part of her still pictured the Spartan conditions of the farmhouse.

The offer of the chair drew a skeptical look from Lily, as she clocked her head at El, her eyes narrowed playfully. ]

You don't want the job of warming me up yourself?

[bearshermark]

[Eleven flushed, grinning as he tossed his other boot away]

I did learn a nice body heat trick from Zuko..

[lancifolium]

Not certain I know how I feel about that.

[ She stayed where she was, crossing her arms and trying not to look amused. ]

[bearshermark]

[He laughed, color deepening. His smile turned sheepish]

Nothing like that. Just teaching me how to keep warm with my own energy.

[lancifolium]

Oh good, I worried about more competition.

[ And, after a moment of consideration, just to be the slightest bit difficult - she sat down in that offered chair. ]

[bearshermark]

[Eleven huffed amusement and watched her warm herself by the fire with a soft smile]

I promise you don't have any.

[lancifolium]

I don't know El–

[ Somehow she kept the smile off her mouth but she couldn't hide it from her eyes, still somehow attempting scrutiny despite the adoration written all over her face. ]

If you're getting warmer with Zuko than you are with me, that's concerning.

[bearshermark]

[He laughed]

He has a girlfriend, remember?

[lancifolium]

Who likely would have the same questions!

[ She laughed as well, resting her elbow on the armrest so she could prop her chin on her hand, facing the fire but watching him out of the corner of her eye. ]

Besides, I bet I could make you warmer.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven's grin spread until it nearly hurt.

This was nice- so much nicer than the past few days. It was a dream compared to the beaten heap he'd been on the floor of his shared prison cell. The room was warm, the bed soft, and firelight caught the edges of Lily's hair in flashes of molten metal]

Is that so..?

[lancifolium]

[ It was something of a relief - seeing him smile like that, and Lily couldn't help the way she grinned back at him, mirroring his expression. It felt like it had been a long time since they had gotten to sit and talk about something that didn't have anything to do with the massive mess they resided in. ]

After the reactions I've gotten out of you I'm a bit hurt you'd question it.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven's face heated. He glanced down, thinking of all the ways that was true, then back up to her, still smiling]

Perhaps you'd like to remind me..?

[lancifolium]

Perhaps you'd like me to remind you?

[ Even though she teased him she still got out of the chair, taking a few steps in his direction. ]

[bearshermark]

[He watched her approach with a budding sense of anticipation. A shiver rolled down his shoulders]

Only if you'd like to.

[lancifolium]

Aren't you supposed to be recovering?

[ Lily crossed the room to where he stood, draping her arms around his shoulders, looking thoughtful as she smiled at him, her eyes narrowing. ]

After all, you could end up laid in bed for days.

[bearshermark]

[His hands come up to loop around her elbows. He looks up to her with a fond smile and a twinkle of mischief in his eyes]

How terrible that would be.

[lancifolium]

Well. [ Starting and stopping almost immediately she did her best to solider through trying to put words to thinks she had been mulling over since his rescue.. ]

If you thought you might want to– [ Nope that wasn't it. ] That is to say– [ She didn't even know where she hoped to end with an effort like that one, and it died weakly on the air. ]

We're always in so much danger, and all I could think about was getting you back safely - and what would happen if I couldn't. [ Lily found a viable thread and pulled, hoping against all odds that she wasn't on the verge of making a fool of herself. ]

You mean a lot to me. You're my friend, and you're so much more than that too. [ This could have been going better, she wasn't exactly getting to the point, but at least she was in the same neighborhood. It was a start. ]

[bearshermark]

[Eleven tipped his head, expression sobering as her words washed over him past her initial hesitation. His eyes softened as his heart ached, leaning into her to press his head to her abdomen as his arms shifted to wrap loosely around her]

I'm sorry to have worried you, but I'm glad to hear you hold me in such high regard. I'm grateful to have you here with me still.