the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

Alanna fully intended to stay snuggled up against Adam until he awoke.

Her stomach, however, did not care for this plan. Procuring food had not occurred to her last night, so about half an hour after the first grumble, she crawls out of the blankets and bolts for the bar, feet bare. She can barely feel them.

Mere minutes pass before the back door slams shut, and she's racing towards their camp with a basket tucked under her arm. It's quickly deposited near the remnants of their fire. Shivering, she crawls back under the covers with a small whine, wrapping herself around Adam.

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He's awake, and he has been for a while. Tired as he is, it's hard to sleep like this. He's grateful, though, when Alanna returns, and wraps his arms around her.

"Ssso cold," she complains, getting as close as she can.

It's actually a pleasant enough morning, but Alanna is predictable when it comes to temperature. She looks up long enough to relight the fire with her Gift.

"Didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't, it's okay."

He moves closer and pulls the blanket over them.

"I didn't?"

A little surprised, she gives him a hesitant smile.

"You were awfully still." Of course, she hadn't seen his face and had been dealing with the incessant demands of her stomach. It grumbles as if on cue, and she mumbles something about just having to wait. "Did you get any sleep?"

He nods, lightly, and gives a slight chuckle at her stomach.

"More than the night before."

And that's about all that matters to him at this point.

"That's something, at least. Perhaps tonight will be even better."

Gradually, she stops shivering.

"I brought food and coffee. It's possible I will later have to apologize to a certain wait rat for bowling him over in my haste, but it was worth it."

"Food? Food is DEATHLY important."

He pokes a bit at what she's brought back.

"I can't remember the last time I was this hungry."

Pulling a blanket around her shoulders, she sits up, reaching first for a thermos. She unscrews the lid for him and hands it over, propping her own thermos in her lap as she spreads apple butter over a large piece of fresh bread.

"That has to be a good sign. Maybe your body is starting to put itself to rights."

She can hope, anyway.

"Maybe."

And for a few minutes, he doesn't care so much about why he's hungry, he just dives into the food.

Looking up sheepishly, he realizes he has apple butter on his face.

"Sorry."

Chewing with a bit more restraint, Alanna smiles. He looks awfully cute at the moment.

"Please, have you ever seen Raoul eat?" She shakes her head with a laugh. Lazily, "you missed a spot."

He leans forward to let her wipe it off, and can't help but smile.

"You haven't been this happy."

"What do you mean?" she asks softly, studying him. It's just curiosity, however. "Since the other night?"

He nods, and runs a finger in circles along the backside of her hand.

"No, I guess not." Alanna smiles again at the touch. "I like sleeping outside. In fact, I've been meaning to ask you for some time if you wanted to camp out, but I wasn't sure how you felt about the matter."

Hesitating slightly, she bites her lip.

"And even if it only helped you a little, I'm glad I could at least do something."

The circles continue, and he squeezes slightly.

"It helped a lot. I wish you wouldn't worry so."

She shrugs, looking a little embarrassed.

"Seems I was saying the same to you not so long ago. At least we had a nice week's reprieve?"

"Happy birthday to us."

He smiles wryly and pulls her into a hug.

"I'll be fine."

"Indeed."

There's a small sigh as she thinks about the presents he has yet to receive, the surprise she may not be able to arrange again. Perhaps for Midsummer.

Shoving such thoughts aside, she's left with a question that has been bothering her since last night.

"It doesn't change anything, does it?"

He reaches up, running a fingertip alongside her face.

"Not at all."

"Good," she says fervently, turning her face to kiss his hand. "Because if all of that made it so you didn't care for me anymore, I'd hunt Blodwen down and kill her myself."

Flushing, she rolls her eyes at herself.

"Somehow."

"Somehow, I believe you could do it."

Smiling, she kisses him. And if it seems like she's being extra careful with him the way he was with her? Well, that's true.

"I'm glad you have faith in my temper. Makes me feel rather invincible."

He pulls back a bit, faking an innocent face.

"You mean you're not?"

Loftily, "of course I am. But even we invincible types need reassurance every now and then."

She sticks her tongue out.

A laugh, and oh but it feels so good to laugh, and he curls himself up around her.

"I love you."