By the time they finally reached the inn, Stark was ready to collapse. His legs ached from walking all day, his shoulders hurt from carrying their supplies, and he was pretty sure he had dust in places dust wasn’t meant to be.

Fern, as usual, looked completely unaffected.

The innkeeper glanced up as the two entered, old eyes crinkling with warmth. "Oh! Welcome! Long day of travel?" she asked cheerfully.

Stark nodded, opening his mouth to explain they needed two rooms, but the innkeeper was already bustling around the counter, retrieving a key with a carved wooden charm attached.

"I’ve got just the thing for you two," she said with a wink that immediately made Stark nervous. “A double room. Cozy, warm, and perfect for young couples like you.”

Fern blinked once, slowly. “A… couple?” she echoed, as if trying to process the word.

Stark felt his entire soul leave his body. “N-No! We’re not- I mean- she’s- we’re not- together!” he sputtered, hands waving like he was trying to fend off a swarm of bees. “We’re traveling together! Not- not that together!”

The innkeeper just chuckled, clearly amused. “Of course, dear. Whatever you say.”

Stark could feel Fern’s eyes on him. That calm, mildly confused stare that somehow made everything worse. He avoided looking directly at her, cheeks burning so hot he felt like he might ignite on the spot.

Fern, meanwhile, seemed unfazed. “Why would she assume that?” she asked, turning toward him with genuine curiosity.

Stark wished the ground would swallow him whole.

“I- I don’t know!” he hissed under his breath as the innkeeper walked ahead to lead them to their room. “They just- sometimes people- I mean- they look at- us- and they- misunderstand things!”