Coming Home To Find...

When I got back to the shop, the first thing I noticed was the flask turned upside down on the counter near the door.

It was Ravela’s sign according to the memories. She’d picked it up from some old smuggler habit, probably. Upside-down flask meant she’d let herself in. Shattered flask meant something had gone sideways, and I should be ready to burn the place down and run. Ravela was good at whatever she did because of these sorts of systems.

I shut the door behind me and locked up. Every home in this part of the layers had doors made of heavy metal, fitted with layers of old locks and newer ones slapped on top with rusted bolts and personal paranoia. You didn’t want anything getting in once the right people were already tucked inside, after all.

Since Ravela was here, I would have to delay working on the spawn organs I had. I pried open the compartment beneath the floorboards, stuffed my new spoils in there, and replaced the board.

“Another day, perhaps,” I said with a smile.

The inner door that led to the backroom and the stairs up to my living space were locked, too. Considering that I was here to guarantee her continued life, I was glad that Ravela was careful about locking everything.

I heard water running when I opened the door.

“Ravela’s showering,” I muttered, a little happy that she felt comfortable enough to do that.

Closing the door behind me, I stepped up to the top of the stairs and knocked gently against the wooden bathroom door.

"Ravela?"

A pause. Just long enough to make me wonder if she’d heard me.

Then her voice, echoing slightly over the sound of water: "Yes?"

"Just letting you know I’m back," I said. "Didn’t want to surprise you and get stabbed."

Another pause. Then, dry as dust, with just the hint of some malicious joy underneath it:
"If might stab you anyway if you let a Gloomspawn mess up your face. Out of principle."

"Appreciate your honesty."

I went over to my bedroom, took off my shoes and extra layers, and sat on my bed, happy to rest.

The shower finally stopped. The bathroom door creaked open.

“Tim, are you in your room?” Ravela hollered.

“Yes,” I said, lying on the comfy bed. “This really is an amazing bed,” I muttered.

“Tim, I left my clothes in the room. Can you please cover your eyes?”

I took the pillow and pressed it against my eyes. “Eyes are covered,” I yelled.

I heard wet steps enter the room.

“Don’t slip,” I said.

“Give me more credit than that,” she dryly replied.

I heard the rustle of clothing. I wondered if she was watching me like a hawk.

“Did you have a good day?” she asked over the rustling. “I saw you took the sword.”

“I did,” I replied.

“Going to tell Meredi you went out to the swamps?”

“I’d rather not right now.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, keeping secrets from family?” she teased.

“I keep tons of secrets; it’s nothing new.”

Ravela dropped onto my stomach, knocking the air out of me, then yanked the pillow from my face.

“You keep secrets from me?” she asked.

“I do if you do.”

She scowled. “Smartass. It’s not like you ever took an interest.”

I looked at the ceiling. “Yeah, you’re right…. But would you tell me if I asked you?”

“I’d make the effort.”

“Yeah,” I said, searching my memories.

It was a little saddening, noticing how little Timaues had asked her about her activities.

“Have you had good days recently?”

She scratched her head and looked toward the door. “Yeah. I mean, money’s flowing.”

I looked at where she was sitting on me and noticed she wasn’t wearing shorts. In fact, she only had underwear beneath the shirt.

Acknowledging that I was a goddess’s cushion right now, I focused on the matter at hand.

“I’d like to accompany you to the depths in the coming weeks,” I said.

Ravela blinked at me, like she hadn’t expected I’d actually ask to come.

Her voice was flat. "You want to tag along?"

I nodded. Her weight on my stomach made it hard to do anything else.

She scoffed and looked off to the side, but I caught the flicker of a smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. Just don’t slow me down, and don’t cause trouble. I’m not carrying you if you get a gut wound or your leg pops off."

“Fair enough. I’ll limp quietly.”

She shook her head, muttering something under her breath, then looked down at me again. Her expression shifted—flickering with something softer, fond even. Before I could think, she leaned forward and pressed a slow kiss to my forehead.

I froze.

She pulled back just slightly, her face still close. My heart was hammering like I’d sprinted up the Slants.

“Wait,” I managed to say. “You said you’d only be sweet in the mornings.”

Ravela smirked. “I haven’t seen you in days. I can change the rules if I want.”

I gulped. “Yeah. Of course. Change whatever you like.”

She leaned in again, slower this time. Her lips hovered near my ear.

“Keep your hands on the bed,” she said, voice sultry and low. “Not a finger moves.”

Her hands braced near my shoulders as she lowered herself further, her chest pressing into mine now. Her head nestled near the crook of my neck, wet hair falling across my cheek. I could feel the heat of her breath before the first kiss—soft, deliberate—landed on the side of my neck.

I stayed frozen. Absolutely still. Any tighter and my muscles would start to cramp. I had to force myself to keep breathing just to stop my Invisibility from accidentally triggering.

She kept going. Another kiss. Then another, higher and closer to my jaw. I was so lucky; this was worth all the muck.

She pulled back a little, her lips resting close to my neck. There was silence. Just me, her, and the weight of her body on mind.

Then came the bite.

It wasn’t harsh, but it made my heart jump. I flinched—but not away. My hand moved instinctively, fingers rising to press gently to her back. Just a soft, greedy stroke—an admission of the fact that I wanted to hold her more.

She froze.

“I said,” she growled against my skin, “hands at your sides.”

I didn’t flinch this time. My hand stayed where it was. “Tell me again, and I’ll do it.”

She didn’t.

She stayed where she was, quiet for a beat. Then her body relaxed again under my hand.

“Don’t get bold with where that hand goes,” she warned, voice a little hoarse now.

“I won’t,” I said softly. “I just wanted to comfort you, too.”

She didn’t reply. Her lips brushed my neck again, slower this time. She was still Ravela—dangerous, sharp-tongued, aloof—but right now, I could feel how much she was trying to find a groove for us.

I would’ve taken any version of her, honestly. This one just happened to steal my breath and make me hope for the best ending.

Ravela lifted her head from my shoulder, her auburn, wet hair sticking to her cheek and collar. Her eyes found mine, and the intensity in them made my breath hitch. Without a word, she leaned down again—this time aiming for my lips.

It wasn’t rushed, or teasing, or meant to rattle me.

It was just a soft, unmistakable kiss.

I pressed my hand a little firmer into her back, needing to hold her, to take as much of this blessed warmth as I could get.

When she finally pulled back, her expression flickered. First came the stern look she always defaulted to, then came a scowl dripping with irritation. But it cracked, and I saw it: embarrassment. Honest, wide-eyed vulnerability, paired with a fledgling smile.

“I didn’t think kissing you would feel so nice,” she muttered. “It’s... stupid.”

I smiled. “I didn’t think kissing you could make me feel so sure I was doing the right thing.”

Her eyes softened at that. She let out a little breath and reached up to touch my cheek. Her fingers were warm against my skin, calloused but gentle. She made me feel I was something valuable—like maybe I’d surprised her in the best way.

Then I remembered the day’s events.

“I meant to tell you something,” I said.

She blinked and tilted her head. “What?”

“Valray’s back. She’s going to Meredi’s for dinner.”

Everything about her froze. Her mouth dropped open.

“You—” she barked, smacking her palm against my chest. “You’ve been lying there all cozy while my daughter is back in the Reach and going to dinner?!”

Then she was off me, leaping off the bed and scrambling to the corner for her pants. “How long have you known?! Why didn’t you say anything earlier?!”

“She was in the marshes. Her squad was lost, so I helped guide them back,” I said, sitting up and watching her hop into one leg of her really tight pants. “I told her to go to dinner. Said she should visit more.”

“Gods, Tim!”

Despite her yelling, she was smiling—beaming, really. Trying not to, but failing.

“This is really important information!”

Her hands fumbled with her belt as she kept casting glances at me, as if to double-check this wasn’t some joke.

“I got lost in the moment,” I said with a chuckle, getting up and pulling on my jacket.

“You absolute bastard,” she said, affection pouring out through her grin.