My heart stopped when I felt my fingers slip into his palm. I snapped my head to look at him. Heat of his lips pressed into the back of my hand. It took my breath. His stare suddenly had so much depth to it. I couldn't look away.
"I am sincerely grateful for all the care you have bestowed upon me." His voice was just above a whisper.
The fluttering and brushing of his lips against my skin sent a licking heat up my arm.
Sweet niblets, gods help me…!
I willed my lungs to work.
"You're welcome, it wasn't a huge inconvenience." I forced out a laugh.
Why is my voice cracking?
His lips lingered in a longer kiss along my knuckles. It was teasing something within my chest. The stare was still un-breaking. Slowly he released my hand. My gut wiggled when the warmth from his fingers faded.
"I will see you tomorrow." His quiet statement seemed more like a question.
I weakly nodded.
"Yeah, you will." I breathed.
I slowly backed away, at last turning to open the door. I could clearly feel his stare tingling the back of my neck as I walked out.
I leaned against the door after I'd closed it. I tried to catch my breath. The air in that room had suddenly become stifling. My erratic heartbeat was bouncing.
As I stood there collecting myself, I knew exactly what had gone on in that moment.
Raven has a thing for me.
There was no doubt in my mind.
It made sense.
All the little things he'd said and done didn't seem so odd now that they had a context. Both wonder and amusement flooded me.
For the rest of my shift my brain toyed with the idea of getting involved with him.
I hadn't really been involved with someone before. Well, that was technically a lie. I had, but labeling it as involvement was a bit generous. It was far too traumatic to be worth remembering the few good things about it.
Questions of serious contemplation played along my skull.
Would I be okay with the reality that I wouldn't age like he would?
Would I be able to accept that his line of work was incredibly dangerous?
He has threats against his life, wouldn't that threaten me as well? Could I live knowing I could be a victim at any moment?
What if he came back wounded again, or worse? How would I feel?
What if he never came back?
The thought made me shutter.
But even as the heavy questions floated in my head, a warmth grew from inside me as I walked home. It made a small smile stick to my face.
I curled up into bed. Sleep was either going to tamper down or explode the excitement festering in my chest.
The night seemed to even out my thoughts. It felt like the usual morning routine. I picked up a bag of chips on the way to work. I ate a couple as I watched the sky turn from orange to a beautiful bright blue.
Arranging the medical box how I wanted it, I grabbed my rounds off the counter.
My heart sputtered.
"Where's Ravenspyre?" I quickly asked, looking up at Syldral.
He paused before he gave me a long side glance. Unconsciously I bit my lip while I stared at him in disbelief. A stiffness rose in my neck as the reality slowly sunk in.
By the gods, he's gone. He's really gone.
I blankly starred back down at my rounds again. I didn't know why I bothered to search them. There was nothing to find. Willing myself to move, I straightened my posture. A heaviness settled in my chest as I walked out.

The first week was the hardest. Lunch became drab and depressing. I tried writing letters, but they kept getting returned. It only reminded me of his absence. I hadn't realized how much I would miss him. His quiet presence had enriched my daily life. He wasn't there to explain jokes to. Not there to offer a potato chip to. Not there to ask soft curious questions. Kagorn had firmly established himself as a close friend in my heart. I hadn't even noticed until now.
The weeks seemed to pick up speed after that. It got easier as time went on. His face slipped from my mind more and more. I stopped checking for his name on the rounds after a while. My mind came to terms with the fact that he just wouldn't be around anymore. He became a fleeting thought. A happy memory that I sometimes mused upon.

"Have you had your hearing yet?" Syldral's question seemed geniune.
I put an arm into my jacket sleeve. I looked across the lab to answer him.
"Nah, not yet. I'm saving up still. Pretty close though."
"Still?" He seemed surprised.
I raised an eyebrow at him. He gave me a look of expectancy.
"Of course 'still'. I'm not working the street corner at night, alright? I don't have supplemental income." I snorted.
His face dropped into mild disgust. I laughed when I saw his expression.
You grumpy old fart.
"Common, Syldral! I've been working here for how many lunar cycles now? You should know that's a joke." I teased.
He rolled his eyes as his lips hinted at a smile.
There ya go.
"I am still not accustomed to how brash and unfiltered your humor is." He grumbled.
"Well you better catch on quick, cause when I get that official document, you're stuck with me." I snickered.
He shook his head as I walked out of the lab.
"Night!" I called over my shoulder.
As I walked down the grand palace staircase, I felt a cool breeze tickle my neck. The colder cycles were slowly rolling in. Lately, It seemed like the chill was creeping further into the palace. I pulled my jacket tighter and hunched over. I shoved my hands into the pockets. Watching the repeating pattern of marble tiles passing under my feet allowed my brain to focus on food.
Noodles? Yeah, definitely noodles. Maybe get the garlic ones? Those will help me not get sick this winter…
My shoulder collided with someone. I was completely unprepared. My feet stumbled.
Sweet niblets, Chellé! You need to watch where you're going!
A strong hand gripped my wrist. Its firm hold helped me steady myself. An apology was on my tongue when I looked over to say it.
The beating of my heart ceased. The apology fluttered away.
Kagorn's gentle twinkling smile was shining at me.