garrick knew it was wrong, he truly did.

all the stolen glances, times he’d nearly gotten himself killed to keep you safe. he told himself it was just because you were a riorson and xaden would kill him if anything happened to you, but…

he knew better.

it was a feat of nature, truly, how he somehow managed to evade xaden’s intention readings while simultaneously hiding his feelings for you. especially considering you were on the same quest squad (as ridoc called it).

every day was the same thing- search an island, almost die, get teased mercilessly by his dragon for his growing attraction to you, more searching-

he was sure that xaden would get bored, read his intentions, and realize what was going on inside his head. that would probably be enough for his best friend to turn and gut him.

in fact, you probably would too. he had been going to the riorson house every summer since he was a kid. he’d grown up as your brother’s best friend. if he admitted now that he was catching feelings… yeah, it wouldn’t end well.

as the group landed on the next island to give the fliers a break, violet quickly grouped people to go find resources and food.

of course he’d been stuck getting firewood with you.

“are you alright?” he noted as he carried a sizeable sum of wood, muscles flexing. he’d noticed you’d been limping ever since their last brush with death.