Riv wasn't blind to his partner. Quite far from it, in fact… He was very observant of the fact Mishal was pushing himself to appear fine when he was actually quite shaken up.

The male twin had been closely observing both Riv and Mel, as if checking for any tiny sign of injury. And once it was just the two of them in their room, Mish wouldn't stop moving around - doing things - but was never more than two steps from Riv at any point. Despite that, his body language practically screamed how tired it was.

The next time Mish passed in front of him, Aariv reached out and pulled the man into his lap.

“What are you doing, Riv?” The human’s voice was slightly muffled from suddenly finding his face against soft clothes with a much sturdier mass behind it.

“What does it look like I'm doing?” Riv almost chuckled at how flustered his love seemed by his actions.

“Restraining me… If all the moving around is bothering you, I can stop. You just needed to ask.”

Riv gave a thoughtful hum in response. “Cuddling is supposed to reduce stress and be overall good for one's mental health, correct? Then you will be much more useful as a warm, squishy thing for me to hug so I can relax.” He knew his beloved would probably be less resistant if he framed it as Mish helping him.

As Riv expected, he seemed to allow himself to relax a bit, even slightly cuddling closer in the dryad's arms. The two just stayed like that for a while, simply finding comfort in each other.

“I… I felt so useless today.” Mishal's quiet voice suddenly admitted, as if scared that giving the feeling a voice would actualize it or cause Aariv to see him in a negative light. Like Mish's emotions would ever make his betrothed think badly of him. Trees are amazing judges of character, and Riv could tell his fluffy cloud of a partner was one of the best.

“We were all under prepared for what happened, but that doesn't mean you were useless, Love. Sure you didn't shine during the actual fighting-off of the rocks, but your real contributions were things I'm sure you probably didn't even take into account… Like that lunch you packed. If you're feeling useless, then I imagine you don't grasp the impact of that totally you decision to bring one.”

“How do you mean?”

“We had gone through a scary, borderline traumatic, experience. Being able to sit down to a meal so soon after helped bring back a sense of safety to the group. The walk back to town wasn't that long, but not lingering in that fearful state during the additional time was definitely beneficial to everyone.” Riv placed a kiss on Mish's cheek. “You might not be the strongest when it comes to fighting, but taking care of others comes naturally to you. Without someone like you, even the greatest warrior will eventually fail as they'll continuously push themselves too far. The role you fill is more important than you realize.”

“That wouldn't matter that much if we had been gravely injured due to my lack of fighting ability.”

“It isn't your job to shoulder responsibility for everyone being unprepared for what happened. You are better suited to stopping us from going too far, and tending to our wounds when we get them… Of course, you can't most effectively do that if you don't let at least one person do the same for you. I would greatly like to be that comforting person if you allow me.”

Mishal looked at Aariv and then at the solid arms he had wrapped around him. “... I get the feeling that you'll find a way to do so even if I don't agree.”

“Maybe, but I'd feel better if I had your permission. You deserve to be pampered just as much as you do towards others, and that can be easier if you actually let me.”

Mish pretended to pout. “I suppose it should be within your special rights as my partner to comfort and care for me as you see fit.”

Riv grinned. “Then let's try taking this relaxing to the next level.” Mish's surprised expression when he found himself being lifted up was so adorable. Riv didn't display it that often but trees were also well known to be especially strong… Moving them to the bed was a simple task.

***

Melantha downed another mug. Today was a disaster… She could have gotten Mish killed. Or what if Aariv had been badly injured? Her brother would have been so upset with her if his partner had been hurt. Even the thought of her twin being mad at her for putting them in danger, if something had happened, made her chest tight.

All she wanted was to forget about today for a bit. It should be easy to find some distractions, right? Mel had even gone to a proper tavern to increase her chances of finding something interesting to get her mind off things. Not that she'd had any luck yet. So she ordered yet another mug of mead.

“Bad day, Miss?” The barkeep inquired.

Mel snorted. “I almost got my brother killed, so I'd say yeah…” The barkeep nodded, not asking any questions as he got her another drink, but leaving the opportunity open for her to continue talking if she wanted. Mel didn't want to elaborate on that topic.

Instead, she started looking around the room. If no one was going to approach her, she guessed she would need to make the first move. That guy in the corner was cute enough to try her luck.

She walked towards his table with a slight sway, passively hoping it came across more as sexy than inebriated. “Hey, handsome. What's someone like you doing here all alone?”

The man grinned. “Getting up the courage to approach you, Beautiful. Just like I imagine probably half of the guys here… What is a pretty little thing like you doing trying to drown yourself in mead?”

“Wanted to forget some shit, and no one here was stepping up to be a distraction.” She slipped into the seat beside him and leaned towards the man. “Would you like to volunteer for the task?” Mel tried to make her tone come across as flirty.

“Depends.” He mirrored her posture. “What sort of distraction are you looking for?”

“Practically anything at this point. What do you have to offer?” Out of the corner of her eye, Mel could see some of the other people glancing their way. Probably considering stepping up if things didn't work out with this guy, now that she'd made it clear she was interested in some company.

“I've definitely been told I am capable of being quite distracting.” He was flirting back, right? Mel sometimes worried if she was seeing interest that wasn't there, when she most wanted there to be some. “You can call me Finny, by the way.”

“Well, Finny, I admit your qualifications seem tempting…” She pretended to be considering it carefully even though she knew she'd already decided to agree—unless he turned out to be dangerous, or a massive dick. “Some specifics, though, might help me decide if you're worth my time.”

Finny placed a hand over Mel's, using his pointer finger to trace nonsense patterns against her skin. “Well… how I see things, you are the one in need of distraction, and are also who would best know what things would greatest fill that need. Your wish is my command, Lovely.”

“You don't have to act so coy. I think I've made my intent quite clear about what sort of distraction I'm looking for… I want you to take me out of this place, to somewhere private, and ravish me until I forget everything outside of our interaction. If you're not interested, I'm sure I can find someone else here who will be.”

The hand on her own tightened slightly, as if to stop her from leaving to another person. “I never said I wasn't interested. The desires of the one who needs it most should definitely be taken into account. So of course I would want to make it clear that you should constantly voice them while with me.” He stood up without letting go of her hand. “I already said I'd do whatever it was that you wanted. If your command is for me to take you away, then let us depart.”

Melantha’s flushed face was definitely just from the drinks finally affecting her. There was no way she was feeling charmed by a simple distraction she'd never interacted with again after tonight. She gulped down her newest mug and left a few coins on the table to pay her tab before getting up. “You better show me an amazing time, or else I'll find some way to make you regret it.”

“Of course, My Lady.” There was a prick of something familiar in how he said that, but Mel quickly forgot it as Finny escorted her out of the tavern.