Before The Storm ~ Reader x Ralof

Chapter 17 ~ Ready

Author's Note ~ Again, I'm so sorry I take so long to update this story. I've been super busy, plus I've had some major writer's block the past few months. I honestly haven't even been on Wattpad in ages. I'm gonna try my best, though. It doesn't help that I rarely have access to any WiFi 😅
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Shock is the first thing I feel when he pulls away. Shock, then confusion. But underlying the shock and confusion is a sort of yearning for him. I want to be wrapped in his arms and never let go.
Ralof's smile is sweet as he looks back at me. I can't seem to register anything from the past few minutes, and so all I can do is stare silently. His smile disappears and concern creeps into his eyes.
"Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry about that. Maybe we should head out—"
"No," I cut him off, "it's fine. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just...surprised, is all."
"Oh, I guess I should have expected that. Maybe it was too soon." he says, averting his gaze. I never would've expected such a strong, tough-looking man to look so dejected like this.
"It wasn't. It was actually kind of...too late." I immediately cringe at myself in my mind. That didn't make sense at all. Why did I say that?
As I expected, he watches me with a puzzled look. "What do you mean by that?"
Even I don't know what I mean by that!
"Uh, what I mean is...nevermind. I'll, uh, tell you some other time. Let's head back to the camp. We've a long ride ahead of us." I managed to get out of the situation for now. Let's just hope he doesn't have that good of a memory.
"You're right. We can get a carriage back." Ralof suggests. I nod, and we head back down the stone stairs.
And I must say, those stairs are a heck of a lot easier to go down than up.
          The walk back through the city is an awkward one. Him nor I have the courage to speak, and so we walk on in silence. If he hadn't...kissed me...we wouldn't be like this.
          But, then again, I'd never trade that moment for a million septims.

---

We reach camp sometime early in the morning. Ralof thought it best we take advantage of the few hours before daylight; we've gotta go to Windhelm after sunrise. It'll be nice to sleep in my own bed again, despite knowing that my sister's bed will be empty. But she'll be back home soon enough, once I find her and slaughter her captors.
          I sigh sadly at the memory of Sofie's kidnapping. It wasn't all that long ago, but it feels like we haven't made any progress towards finding her. I've just been exploring the cities and kissing boys. Oh Talos, I'm an awful person. How hurt would she feel if she knew how I was spending the time I could be using to search for her? She'd never forgive me for putting romance over my own brethren.
          We'll find her soon, though.
          Hopefully.

---

That night, during my few hours of sleep, I dreamed of many things. My sister's scream mixed in with images of Ralof's smile. I could almost feel his warmth, feel Sofie's terror.
          I guess it wasn't quite a dream, but rather, a nightmare.
          I awoke in a cold sweat, my heartbeat thumping in my ears. Sofie's shriek still rings out in my head, giving me goosebumps.
          But a smaller part of me is happy, Ralof's face fresh in my mind as I remember his confident grin. It helps calm me down, but my sibling's screams will forever haunt me until we find her, until I know she's safe.
          After stretching out my arms and smoothing my wild hair down, I exit the tent, walking out into the open air. The early morning breeze buffets my tired, aching body. I've got quite the day ahead of me.
          I take a deep breath, and regret it when I feel a subtle pang in my torso. Although I've been drinking my daily dose of health potions, but I can still feel a bit of my battle injury. I guess my body doesn't want me to forget it. I mean, even when it's completely healed, I'll forever have the shiny scar it left behind.
          I mean, part of me doesn't want to forget—sure, I almost died that day, but that was also the day I was reunited with Ralof, my savior.
          Speaking of, I turn my head at the sound of the blond man's voice coming from across the camp. I spot him sheathing his sword as he approaches me from the practice area.
          "(Y/N), are you ready for today?" he asks when he reaches me.
          "As ready as I'll ever be." I answer with a tired smile.
          "Windhelm is quite the trek from here, you know." he says.
          "Trust me, I know. You don't have to worry. I can hold my own just as well as you can."
          He chuckles. "I know. I was just making sure you were prepared."
          "I can handle any challenge the journey throws at me." I tell him confidently, with my chin up and my hands on my hips, a smug look on my face.
          "Alright, alright. Don't get cocky." Ralof concedes with a laugh. "You should get your gear on, we're leaving soon." he advises.
          "Okay. I'll meet you by the fire-pit when I'm ready." I say before heading back to our tent.
          Inside, I fish through our shared storage chest for my Stormcloak cuirass. It's folded neatly underneath Ralof's sleep-clothes. With it are my gloves and a strap of leather I use to tie my hair up.
          I dress, strap my sword to my hip, and leave the tent, braiding my hair tightly and holding it together with the leather strap. Ralof and I make eye contact as I walk towards him, and he smiles.
          I stop in front of him with my arms folded and a big grin on my face. "So, when do we leave?"