i'm right up the road, i'll share your load. Who: Cressida Karth and Zacheus Aleyne. What: Adorable archer moment. :) Where: The Commoners district. When: Backdated to December 7th. Rating: G. Status: Complete.
The air in her throat set her lungs on fire. Running so soon as she was meant to recover from her illness was a dumb decision, but then, so had target practice not long ago. Cressida had always been stubborn, so resolute in her decisions to keep going no matter what, that even when her health took a heavy toll, she carried on. The plague, as she hated to call it, had slowed her down, and it meant there was much catching up to do.
Her boots hit the ground hard, ponytail whipping behind her.
Nothing would stop her now.
Bundled in a winter coat and moving at half his usual pace, Zacheus was not an immediately recognizable figure. His wounds from the battle in the tavern mostly healed, but the lingering stiffness in his back and shoulders was worsened by the cold bite of winter. Still, there was business to attend to at Shieldwrym, and a list of friends and fellow Rangers convalescing in clinics all over the city. His discomfort was nothing in comparison; he would trek on without complaint.
A smile spread across his face when he spotted the approaching runner, her heart-shaped face and dark curls all too familiar. He waved a gloved hand. “Cressida!”
The sound of her name drew her attention before its source, and she slowed to a stop, surprised. Soon enough, she spotted Zacheus, and her shock quickly blossomed into excitement. It’d been some time since seeing him, and his handsome face was often a sight for sore eyes. Grinning, the younger archer slipped back into her jog, legs pumping a little faster this time.
Not a word was spared moments later as Cressida practically launched herself at the taller man for a hug she didn’t know she had in her.
Zacheus locked his arms around the girl and picked her up, her feet hovering a few inches off the ground as he swung her around twice. He wasn’t an overly affectionate person, even with his sister, but exceptions could be made, especially for those he considered family. Especially for family he’d almost lost. When he set her down, however, the smile was replaced by an expression that was harder to read.
“As relieved as I am to see you up, are you sure this is a good idea?” His face softened a bit, his brows knit in concern. He was no healer, but running in the brisk cold after a severe illness seemed—unwise.
No doubt it was, and even she knew it, judging by the sheepish expression that settled once her excitement had faded. But many of her decisions, when it came to training, were unwise— was this really any different? “Probably not,” she conceded, absently patting her hands against Zacheus’ chest. “But I was in bed for so long, so I needed the exercise.”
No mention would be made about visiting the guildhalls the day before. Some things weren’t meant to be known just yet.
“I understand,” Zacheus replied, his tone quiet and measured. And he did, really. It was not hard to comprehend the impulse to stretch your limbs and get active after being confined to a bed for so long. But he was still worried and it showed—there was still concern in his gaze, in the hand he put on the young girl’s shoulder. But that wasn’t the only reason Zacheus’ mouth was still pinched into a frown.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t get to visit,” he added quietly, his voice tinged with guilt. “I don’t think ‘I was busy’ is a very good excuse. But I did keep you in my thoughts every day.”
The younger archer withdrew, smiling. “I would never hold it against you, Zacheus, whether you were busy or not. It was a stressful time for everyone, and I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d made you sick as well.” Most likely melt into the mattress with shame and every shade of guilt.
“But hey,” she began again, “I’m okay now, right?”
It was easy for Zacheus to return her smile. “Thank Faram for that.” He was a non-practicing Pharist, his relationship with the church and faith too complicated for words, but it was easy to slip into old habits when he was stressed—or grateful, in this case. There was a slight pause on his end, as if there was something else he wanted to say (a sentimental admission, perhaps), but he chanced course at the last minute.
“Any big plans for the day? You must be dying to get back to the range.”
Her grin was far from sheepish, for now. “I must be so predictable. Probably shoot for a while, and then go home before my mother sends one of my brothers after me in concern. If I overdo it, who knows how long I’ll be in bed this time.” Not wanting to alarm him, she added: “I promise I’ll take it easy. What about you?”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he shot back, but Zacheus’ smile widened, made his fondness for the younger archer readily apparent. A hand went to the back of his neck as he mulled over his plans for the day. “Business at Shieldwrym, then a couple different clinics. I’m still a bit sore from the battle, but I might head to the range as well.”
Cressida succumbed to a laugh and reached out to poke him gently in the chest. “Then you take it easy as well, sir. Maybe I’ll see you there?”
“Now that would make my day,” he said brightly. He froze for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought, then leaned down to swiftly press a kiss to Cressida’s forehead. “I hope I see you later. And… it really is good to see you up and around.”
With that, Zacheus set off toward Shieldwrym, feeling much better than before.