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Don’t you dare tell him! Lana scolded herself
Lana moved away from Rin to avoid her tongue slipping. The love she felt for the Halfling made her heart pound as every part of her wanted to speak. She went back to the table to finish her toast and drink. Anything to keep her mouth occupied until her mind cleared.
When the food was finished, but her mind still fixated, she began to place the nic nacs she had gotten Rin throughout his home as though she lived there. The Halfling didn’t mind this and watched Lana go about hanging pictures and the pennant she had acquired during the week.
Once everything was hung, Lana picked up the jar of salve and looked at Rin.
“Want me to get your back?”
The Halfling jumped up out of his spot, a bit too eagerly. A laugh escaped Lana as she instructed him to lay down on his bed so he was comfortable. She carefully pulled the dressings off, exposing the raw wounds that remained.
You need to see the depths of his suffering, Faela’s voice echoed. Gently Lana applied the salve to the wounds, working it into the deep gashes. A few times Rin winced, but for the most part, he showed no signs of discomfort. In fact, Lana had almost forgotten how hurt the Halfling was. His spirits were higher than what she would have thought a beaten man would have been.
The salve began to turn into a fine, gossamer like layer of skin. “Whoa,” Lana said in amazement, “This stuff works fast! Can you feel it?”
Rin turned his head, wincing in pain, before putting a smile on and simply saying, “Yep.” A twinge of guilt pierced through Lana. “Almost done,” she said, trying to be quick without causing any more pain. Once the final wound on his back was covered and turned into the fine, protective film, Lana encouraged Rin to roll over.
The Halfling kept his jaw clenched as he relaxed on his back. Lana continued to cover the wounds, taking great care to not hurt Rin. Once she was done applying the ointment, she couldn’t help but notice a stiffness to the Halfling. He seemed to be lost in thought, avoiding her eye contact.
With a smirk, Lana laid down next to her friend. “Hey. Ya okay?”
Rin looked at Lana, as though he hadn’t realized she was there. “Yes yes! Rin okay. Rin very happy.”
“Do I really make ya that happy?”
The Halfling took a big gulp, turning a deep shade of red, and nodded. His innocence was endearing, but toward her, it seemed silly.
“It’s okay Rin, you’re certainly not the first,” Lana replied nonchalantly. Thoughts began to pour through her head. She ran a finger idly across Rin’s chest as she thought about everything the Halfling had done for her. Her resolve to hold her tongue slipped away. Lana didn’t want to torment him with wonder any more.
“However...” Lana began, carefully choosing her words, “You’re the first that I could say I love.”
As the words left her mouth, she immediately regretted it. Admitting to it threw in new complications. Was she willing to dump Sylis? By what she just said, and what she felt was coming, she had just confirmed the wizard’s biggest fear! Maybe it’ll be our secret, her thoughts entertained, but Lana couldn’t expect Rin to agree to that. She had already treated him like an afterthought, why would he agree to be quiet?
But I really do love him...
What about the debt? That was the other thing. She still had to work for the guild to pay for Rin’s treatment. If Sylis found out, or if she told him, they’d likely still have to work together. Lana couldn’t go burning bridges if she wanted support. Within the two weeks she had worked for the guild, the only reason she still lived was because Sylis was watching her back.
Lana took deep breathes trying to keep herself from thinking. Rin placed a hand on hers that rested upon his chest. “Is Lana sure? Rin don’t want... to come between...”
Lana shook her head slowly, “I’m afraid it’s too late for that... I just don’t know what I’m to do with Sylis...”
The Halfling pulled Lana in close, kissing her forehead the same way Sylis did. “No need to feel scared. Rin love Lana no matter what.”
Damn you Rin, were Lana’s final thoughts as the night overtook them.
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