RIN
I’m clean... I’m finally free.
Lana kept running her hand over the satin dress, smoothing the edges, and taking in the moment. What Rin had done for her was greater than anything she could ever imagine. For the first time, Lana felt a sense of worth. She had felt a portion of it weeks ago when the Halfling shared a cup of tea with her. Rin didn’t treat Lana like an object meant for one use. To him, Lana was more. She was someone who felt pain and needed healing.
However, Lana was use to people not caring beyond what the surface showed. It caught her off guard that Rin would take the time to extend such gentle care. He had barely woken a few hours ago from his week long coma. It was enough for Lana when his first words were, “Rin heard Lana when dreaming. Rin has nothing to forgive Lana for.” She had hugged him dearly, grateful for his forgiveness.
Faela then sent them home with a large jar of salve and a bill for Lana’s guild. All she wanted to do was continue to take care of Rin, but the Halfling seemed to sense the pain that lingered deep beneath her skin. How could she ever forgive herself for what Barut had done to him? Women like you deserve to be punished! continued to haunt her thoughts.
They had barely made it through Rin’s front door, Lana asking what he was hungry for, when he pointed to a chair.
“Sit,” the Halfling instructed. Lana gave a soft smile and listened. “Now close your eyes,” he insisted. Lana gave him a suspicious look, but did as she was told. Rin took her hands in his and a moment later, a mug, almost too hot to the touch, was placed in her grasp. Surprised by the trick, Lana opened her eyes. She gave the drink a sniff and knew it to be taze.
“Shall we toast your return home then?” Lana asked. Rin beamed brighter, nodding. However, he took the cup from her hands and placed it on the table next to his. He then covered her eyes with his hands. Lana kept them closed and felt Rin’s hands return to hers. Another moment passed and something warm once more was in her grasp. She looked down and found a thick slice of toasted raisin bread, with a layer of butter melting on top.
“Here’s your toast!” Rin said, like a puppy trying to please.
“Wha- how’d ya do that?” Lana asked, half laughing. She knew Rin hadn’t moved away from her, nor had time to prepare anything.
“Rin believe in magic between him and Lana,” he replied. Lana picked her cup back up, shaking her head some.
“Well Rin, here’s to us always having magic and to our victories of late,” Lana toasted. She took a sip of the taze, savoring the warmth and spices that danced across her tongue. She followed it up with a buttery bite of the raisin bread. Whatever Rin did to make the wine and toast, it was heavenly.
However, the moment was short lived as Lana realized she was enjoying herself too much. Rin was the one who got hurt. He was the one still recovering and there she was being treated.
Women like you deserve to be punished!
Lana bit her tongue, denying herself any self pity. She had cried plenty during the week and it was time to be strong for Rin.
Yet as soon as that bout of guilt had washed through her, a warmth began to stretch from her core to the tips of her fingers and toes. She felt oddly content. Lana knew it to be the food.
Women like you deserve to be punished!
She swallowed nervously, warring within herself as she tried to hide her thoughts behind a smile. Rin saw past it though.
The Halfling stood up and took Lana’s hands. He helped her to her feet before guiding her to the bathroom. Lana would have been apprehensive, but she was past caring about her welfare.
Women like you deserve to be punished!
Lana was placed on a stool as Rin prepared a bath. She forced herself to keep smiling, stewing in self loathing. As the tub filled with steaming water, Rin helped Lana undress. He used the same care he had shown the first time they bathed together. It wasn't him just trying to get close to her. It was genuine respect for her person.
Rin hummed a song, helping Lana into the bath. Soon she was sitting with her knees tucked to her chest. The hot water felt rather nice and before she knew it, Rin was washing her back with a soft brush lathered in soap. Lana rested her head on her knees as the Halfling carefully cleaned her. As he did this, humming his tune all the while, her thoughts began to drift.
She found herself in a sort of haze as the memory of her attack came to view. Barut loomed over her, reminding her relentlessly of how she deserved to be punished. I know! she wanted to yell. She hadn’t asked Rin to make her food or clean her up. For a moment, Lana found herself drowning in the memory of Barut.
Then the Halfling poured a cup of hot water over her head, waking her from her thoughts. As his hands massaged her scalp, working the soap in, she could feel Barut slip away. Rin again poured hot water over her to rinse the suds out. As it cascaded down her face, the memory of her attack began to erase from under her skin. Before she knew it, she was stepping from the tub, leaving behind the hurt, shame, and guilt. As Rin dried and dressed her in a pearl white, satin dress, it was the first time in a week Lana felt free.
He’s gone?
She twirled about, completely lost for words yet invigorated with a sense of worth. Never had she felt so unconditionally loved. “This is so beautiful!” was all Lana managed to say before giving Rin a hug.
It was in that moment that Lana knew she was irrevocably his.
✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻
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