Brycen paces the length of Kaylin's small garden, inhaling the crisp autumn air, his lungs no longer struggling and burning with every breath. A week has passed since the attack on Duskbrook, and though his recovery has been slow and painful, he is now strong enough to walk without coughing fits, and his appetite has returned to normal- or well, as normal as possible considering he isn't working out every day. It is a relief- mostly.
"It seems like you've made a full recovery, Paladin Vardell," Kaylin says, their voice calm, even as the sun begins to dip lower in the sky. They adjust the drying herbs that hang from the beams outside, their delicate fingers deftly tying knots in the twine. "By tomorrow, you should be able to make the ride back to Duskbrook with no issue." They say it with such a note of quiet satisfaction, their violet eyes glinting behind that dark mask they always wear- a certain pride that he was getting better under their care.
Brycen nods, forcing a smile to his lips. "That's great news."
And it is. It should be. He wants to get back to his comrades, to see what state Duskbrook is in after the alchemical attack, to check on Soren and Lyra- whose injuries were almost as severe as his. The thought of returning to his duties as a Paladin brings a strange sense of purpose back into his chest- something that has been missing in the slow days of recovery.
But beneath that purpose, there's something else. A weight; a small ache he doesn't realize he's been carrying until Kaylin's words strike him with a finality that feels too sharp.
He doesn't want to leave.
It's a ridiculous thought. He barely knows Kaylin- this mysterious healer with their quiet grace and their constant mask- both literal and figurative. What does he have? A name? Kind amethyst eyes and a gentle touch, a presence that always seems willing to listen? He knows even less about this place- this small, hidden cottage nestled deep in a forest in the middle of nowhere. The only reason he ever even found out about this place is because Aaron had brought him here, and he was unconcious then.
Aaron. Brycen sighs, running a hand through his hair. There is no way Aaron would be keen on bringing him back to the cottage- the conversayion Brycen had overheard between him and Kaylin was proof enough of that. Aaron is clearly fiercely protective of his half-sibling, and after that confrontation, Brycen can only imagine how Aaron would react if he knew Brycen's thoughts.
'Hey Aaron, I think I'm developing a crush on your sister, can you help me get back to their place so I can explore these feelings more?'
Brycen grimaces at the thought. 'Yeah, he'd probably punch me in the face.'
And it isn't just that, either. There is something deeper to his hesitation. It isn't just a matter of wanting to see Kaylin again. It is the stillness of this place. The peace. The warmth that radiates from every corner of the home that feels so different that anything he's ever known. The cold, rigid life he's used to as a Paladin, growing up under his father's roof, where expectations were laid down like iron bars, or even his empty estate in the captial.
Here, time moves differently. The hours stretch on in the quiet company of Kaylin's care, the scent of herbs filling the air, the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth each night. Brycen has found himself looking forward to the moments where Kaylin would sit with him in the evenings, their conversations drifting from small talk about the village to quieter, more intimate moments. They never linger too long on anything personal, but there is a closeness that has begun to bloom, subtle and unspoken.
It's that closeness Brycen fears losing the most.
"You're quiet," Kaylin remarks softly, breaking through his thoughts. They had finished hanging their herbs and had come to his side without him noticing. Their movements are precise, efficient, but Brycen can hear the underlying curiosity in their voice. "Is something on your mind?"
Brycen hesitates. What can he say? That he doesn't want to leave because of them? That this place in one week has started to feel more like a home than anywhere else? He isn't sure what he's feeling himself, so he settles on something safer.
"I suppose I'm just...thinking about going back," he says finally, his voice quieter than he meant it to be. "It feels like a lot has changed in a short amount of time."
Kaylin turns to look at him, their amethyst eyes catching the fading light of the setting sun. They don't press, don't ask what has changed for him, but there's something in their gaze that makes Brycen's heart beat a little faster. His mind races with a hundred things he wants to say but can't. He wants to tell them how grateful he is, how much their quiet care has meant to him in a time when he felt utterly lost. He wants to ask them if he'd ever see them again, if this small sanctuary they've built over the past week would be something they could return to- together.
Instead, he swallows all the words he wants to say and looks out over the trees.
Kaylin clearly must sense the tension because, after a brief pause, they take his hand and squeeze it, their presence as calm and grounding as ever. "Duskbrook is only a half-day's ride from here," they say quietly. "And about four days from the capital. You're welcome to visit again. I'm sure Aaron wouldn't mind showing you the way if you ask."
Brycen snorts softly at that. "Somehow I doubt that."
Kaylin tilts their head, their eyes crinkling slightly in amusement. "Aaron means well, he's just...thick-headed," they say, though there's a hint of fond exasperation in their tone. "He's...protective. But you're a Paladin, You can handle yourself from annoying younger brothers."
Brycen chuckles at that, and their eyes meet. For a moment, the air between them feels charged with something unspoken. He wants to say more, wants to ask if they want him back. If they could see him not as just a patient that they cared for, but as... something else. The words catch in his throat.
"I'll find a way," he says softly, a promise hanging in his voice, "to come back."
Kaylin holds his gaze for a beat longer before nodding. "I'll be here," they reply simply.
For a while, they stand together in the quiet garden, watching the sunset behind the trees and the night bugs come out to play, the chill of the autumn air biting at their skin, but the warmth of their closeness making it bearable. Brycen's hand tightens around Kaylin's briefly, a gesture so small but so significant to him. Kaylin responds by threading their fingers together so their grip is more secure.
Tomorrow, he will return to Duskbrook. Back to his duty. But as he stands there with Kaylin, the gentle scent of herbs and the sound of the forest surrounding them, he knows one thing for certain:
He will come back.
He will come back.
---
Kaylin packs enough food for Brycen's journey back to Duskbrook, carefully placing wrapped bread, dried fruit, cured meat, and small portions of cheese into a satchel. They hand it to Brycen, along with a few small vials of medicine, their violet eyes watching him intently from behind the mask.
"Make sure that you continue to take this for the next week," Kaylin says firmly, though their tone is as gentle as ever. "Even if you're feeling better. I won't have you relapsing and people questioning my skills as a healer."
Brycen nods, sliding the vials into his belt pouch. He feels the weight of the medicine settle against his side, but it isn't the only weight pressing on him. Every moment that passes reminds him he is getting closer to leaving, and that thought twists his stomach into knots.
Kaylin leads him outside, and Brycen's attention is momentarily caught by the sight of the beautiful black mare standing patiently in front of the cottage. The horse is sleek and gorgeous, her coat gleaming in the soft morning light, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the warhorses Brycen is used to. Someone has obviously cared for her tremendously, braiding her mane with ribbons. A well-worn saddle is already on her back, with a saddle pad underneath to cushion her from any rubbing. She doesn't have a bridle yet, but Brycen notices one closeby.
"This is my horse, Tria," Kaylin says, gently stroking the mare's neck. "She's no warhorse, but she'll get you where you need to be." They pause, glancing at Brycen before adding softly, "And she knows her way back home, so you can let her guide you back when you're done in Duskbrook... before returning to the capital."
Brycen's heart leaps into his chest. Home. Did Kaylin mean the cottage? And Tria could guide him back? It is practically an open invitation to return. He can almost hear the unspoken message in their words.
Now is as good a time as any, right? To say something, anything, about what has been quietly growing between them during his recovery.
He takes a deep breath, feeling his palms sweat against the leather of his gloves. His mouth feels dry as he tries to find the right words. It isn't like being on the battlefield, where commands and instinct can take over. This is all new territory, uncharted and terrifying in a completely different way.
"Listen, Kaylin," he starts, his voice sounding rougher than he meant it to be. He clears his throat and tries again. "Before I leave, I just... I just want to say- thank you. For everything. You saved my life, but it's more than that."
Kaylin tilts their head slightly as he searches for the correct words, but they wait for him to continue Their eyes are patient, curious.
"I know it can't have been easy having a stranger alone with you in your home," Brycen continues, his pulse quickening. He can feel the words slipping away from him, his thoughts tripping over themselves in a scramble to make sense. He's never been good at words. "But you took such good care of me, and you've been so kind. I've never... I've never had anyone care for me like you have. Not like this."
Kaylin's eyes soften, but they don't interrupt.
Brycen hesitates, feeling the weight of his next words pressing against his chest, pushing up against his throat, demanding to be spilled. He wants to tell them how he feels, how being here with them has changed something inside him- something he hadn't realized he was missing until now. But this isn't something he was ever trained for. There are no tactics, no sword drills that could prepare him for this. He forces himself to keep going.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is... I don't want this to be goodbye."
Kaylin's eyes widen slightly, a flicker of surprise breaking through their usually stoic expression. Brycen's heart hammers in his chest as he pushes forward, words spilling out before he can stop himself.
"I- I know we've only known each other for a week," he says, his voice almost a whisper now. "But I want to come back. If that's okay with you. I mean, I don't want to impose, but I... I don't think I can just go back to the capital and pretend like none of this happened. Like you didn't happen."
There is a brief silence, and for a moment, Brycen thinks he has said too much. He feels exposed, vulnerable in a way he hasn't since his early days as a Paladin recruit, when every mistake was scrutinized by the Academy's instructors. But this isn't training, this isn't war- this is something far more personal. Kaylin remains silent, their eyes locked on his, and Brycen feels like the world holds its breath in that moment.
Finally, Kaylin steps closer, their gaze never leaving his. He's not sure if anything could tear his gaze from those amethyst eyes at this moment. But they reach out, placing a gentle hand on his cheek, their fingers cold, their touch light but steady. "You're not imposing," Kaylin confirms softly, their voice laced with quiet sincerity. "You're always welcome here. Plus, I do expect my horse back eventually."
Brycen feels something in his chest ease at those words. Relief, yes, but also something deeper- hope. The thought of returning to this place, to Kaylin, fills him with a sense of anticipation he hasn't felt in a long time.
"I'm glad," he murmurs, reaching up and covering Kaylins hand with his own gloved one, and pulling it to his mouth to gently kiss their knuckles. His lips curve into a small smile despite himself. "Because... I'm pretty sure I'd be lost without Tria."
Kaylin chuckles softly, the sound like music in the quiet morning air. "Then it's settled. I'll see you soon."
Brycen smiles, his heart lighter than it has been all week. They finish equipping Tria with her tack and he carefully mounts Tria, adjusting himself in the saddle, but before he can leave, he looks down at Kaylin one more time. Their eyes meet, and for a brief moment, everything else- the mission, Duskbrook, the capital- fade away.
"Until next time," Brycen says softly.
Kaylin nods, their hand resting on Tria's mane. "Until next time."
With that, Brycen gently urges Tria forward, the black mare's hooves crunching softly against the forest floor. He glances back once, catching a final glimpse of Kaylin standing at the edge of their garden, still watching him go. As he rides deeper into the forest, the ache of parting lingers, but now it is mixed with something else. Something that feels a lot like possibility.
He will come back.
And next time, maybe he’ll find the right words.
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