Aphmau sat in the grass around her, combing her fingers through the blades that swayed in the breeze. She was sitting beside Lady Irene's statue, listening to the waterfall and watching the way it glowed. Oh Irene what do I do? she thought. Garroth is still in your dimension. No one knows how to get him out and I am so confused. What do I do? Please tell me what I have to do.
She answered in silence.
Aphmau sighed and stood up. It was getting late and if she didn't head back soon, her sons would worry. Though the wall had been repaired, the fear of bandits was still present in Phoenix drop. Old habits die hard. Aphmau folded her arms and turned to head back and cried out in surprise. Laurence had been standing behind her.
"L-Laurence! You scared me! Gosh! What are you doing out here?" She scolded. She placed her hand to her chest, feeling her heart hammering in her rib cage.
Laurence looked surprised. His sky-blue eyes twinkled in the the twilight. "I'm sorry Aphmau, I was just worried something could've happened to you. I wouldn't ever let that happen.
Aphmau smiled. Laurence was so protective. Ever since he met her he'd been that way. Of course, she didn't agree with the way he showed it before, but Laurence has changed since then. He's become more reliable, focused and has put their friendship above his feelings for her. "It's ok Laurence im glad I have you, I dont know what I'd do if I lost all of my guards that day." A pang of sadness hit her and she looked back at the statue "I miss him Laurence"
She felt a hesitant hand on her shoulder and she turned to face Laurence again. "I know. As do I. We'll get him back Aphmau. I promise you that. I wont let you be in pain like this ever again. I don't want you to miss him."
Aphmau's heart jumped and she sighed. There was no pain in Laurence's eyes. She knew he secretly hated Garroth's feelings for her, But because he loves Garroth like a brother he could never say it. She knew the whole ordeal was difficult on him, and his undying loyalty to her throughout all of this only shone brighter because of it. "I know Laurence. I don't know what I'd do without you." She then did she hadn't yet volunteered to do. She wrapped her arms around her closest guard. He stiffened with surprise, but quickly relaxed and returned the hug.
"I think you would do alright without me" He said softly in her ear.
Aphmau shook her head "You know that isn't true."
They stayed like that for a few minutes, and without warning, Aphmau's mind wondered to the kiss that prevented Laurence from slaughtering Fenrir, and the discussion by the lake afterward. "Laurence?"
He pulled away and looked into her eyes with question. Aphmau's stomach churned with nerves as she spoke "I'm still not completely sure about how I feel, and I don't know how to feel about what Garroth said.But I do know that I really care about you. And I know that I kissed you for a reason that day. Even if I don't completely know what that reason is yet."
Laurence eyes sparkled and he smiled "I still get the table."
Aphmau laughed as they walked down the hill. "You wish."
As they returned to the settlement, Aphmau slipped her hand in Laurence's.
