ridoc lay on his side beside you. moonlight filtered in through the window of his room at bagsiath, illuminating your features and making his eyes look more onyx than brown.

gods, he was a fool for you. he’d been smitten long before he had finally gotten up the courage to ask you out, but now, having you in his arms? yeah, he was utterly gone for you.

he gently grasped your hand, bringing it to his lips, brushing a kiss across your knuckles which were bruised from training. he felt nearly lightheaded at the soft smile you gave in response.

leaning forward he cupped your cheek, pausing right before his lips met yours. He wanted you to want him, to want this. when you closed the gap he practically melted. he was sure he could die happily, as long as it was in your arms.

“i missed you,” he murmured, pulling back to study your expression. it was a rare moment of vulnerability from him, when he let the jokes fall away. “i missed you every damn day you were gone.”

he’d sought you out the moment you had come back from a scouting mission. every night you were gone he’d missed you so desperately he’d nearly ached.

he was desperately in love with you.