Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way

The last time they'd been seen together, it hadn't ended well. But not being seen is what Njotr specializes in.  

(Music recommendation)

Fiadh had been so distracted by Njotr and their easy conversation, she hadn’t noticed they’d reached her caravan wagon until they’d stepped into the warm candle light from the lantern that hung by its door. Her smile faded and she looked around nervously at the surrounding camp, suddenly worried someone from her family would see them again. Njotr didn’t seem to match her anxiety as he held onto her hand and helped her up the steps leading to the wagon’s door, though he did notice her change in demeanor. 

“What is it?” He asked, looking around for a brief moment as well, then back up at her when Fiadh withdrew her hand from his. Her expression was apologetic as she looked down at him, almost tucking herself further back against the door, into shadow. 

“N-nothing…I’m sorry, I’m just worried someone will see. With what happened last time…”

Understanding crossed over Njotr’s face. “I see.” His shoulders fell slightly, but he wore an easy smile. It did little to ease the guilt Fiadh felt in her chest, and she sighed quietly, realizing they would need to part for the evening. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, and she hadn’t dared entertain the nicer ones she’d felt. But whatever this feeling was that came up whenever Njotr was near, she didn’t want it to end. But what could she do? They’d been forced to be careful about how often they were seen together, she couldn’t very well toss away all that effort now just because she didn’t want him to leave. 

Njotr watched her for a moment, one side of him illuminated by cool moonlight, the other by that of the warm candlelight. She wondered if he was dealing with the same dilemma, because he didn’t turn to leave, but seemed to be considering something. 

Fiadh felt her breath still in her throat. “You should go, before someone comes.” She said after another brief pause, the words bitter in her mouth. The corner of Njotr’s mouth turned up slightly in a way that made her stomach flutter. 

“I can avoid being seen if the occasion calls for it.” He spoke quietly, looking to the side briefly. Somewhere across the camp, someone was lazily plucking the strings of a lute. 

“It’s dark out, maybe they won’t see.” He smirked a little. He wasn’t wrong, it was late, and most of the camp had settled for the evening. The only activity was the quiet popping of a nearby campfire and the chirping of nightly summer insects. Still, Fiadh glanced around nervously once more, but her attention was drawn back to Njotr as he stepped closer, his hand moving to rest on the railing of the steps. 

Fiadh swallowed, her hands tucking behind her skirt shyly. “See what?” She whispered. Njotr’s smile widened a little. He climbed up onto the first step, almost equalling their height. Fiadh felt her heart rise to her throat, catching the way his eyes lowered just briefly to her mouth. 

“That I’m about to kiss you.” He whispered. His hand reached up then, without taking his gaze off her. He opened the lantern, and his gloved hand pinched the flame of the candle. All at once, they were bathed in moonlight, and Fiadh felt weak in the knees. The fluttering nervousness or excitement in her stomach hadn’t ever felt this strong before. She didn’t know how to handle it, and instinctively tore her gaze away from him, her eyes lowering to the side as her breath stilled in her throat. She mentally cursed her shyness, the nervousness she could never seem to escape, even when it was something she very much wanted. 

But then his hand was gently guiding her chin up, and her eyes lifted to his. There was something about his gaze that melted her all at once, and suddenly that anxiety dissipated like the flame had. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers, and any worry Fiadh harbored faded away for just a brief moment. There was only the sounds of the summer night, the crickets, the distant crackling of firewood. There was only Njotr, his hand cradling her face with a gentleness that made her relax into him. 

When he withdrew, it felt all too soon, and when Fiadh opened her eyes to look into his, he lingered close to her, as if he considered doing it again. Fiadh almost leaned in again as well, not caring how warm her face felt, or if anyone saw. His thumb brushed along her chin to her cheek, and he smiled softly. 

“Sweet dreams.” He spoke quietly. Everything in Fiadh mourned his departure, but left her with a newfound excitement for the next time they met. 

Fiadh smiled in return, her hand coming up to gently rest over his. “Goodnight.” 

~~~

This written work was a collaborative effort by myself and SantaTheGrey (check him out on YouTube!) This work is not beta'd, we die like men. There is an original audio for this scene that I will be sharing soon, as well as an animatic in the works! Stay tuned!