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It shouldn’t have happened.
Under all the shouting and grunting and glass shattering, Midvalley shouldn’t have let Leina out of his sight. But he did, and now she has an ugly bruise marring the skin under her eye. He was no stranger to bar fights - unhappy and drunk customers tend to cause the most trouble for performers - but she was.
He should have- He doesn’t know. He forgot it wasn’t just him he needed to look out for. He had a… companion now. A companion that couldn’t fight back. After all this, maybe it would do them some good to teach her some basics, but he never thought he would have to. Maybe because he thought he could protect her.
He couldn’t.
“It hurts…” Leina spoke up, fingers reaching up to touch her cheek gently. Midvalley’s hand gently encircled her wrist as she winced, shaking his head.
“Getting punched in the face usually does. Don’t touch it.” There was a cut just beneath her eye, a trail of blood slowly travelling down her cheek.
Midvalley himself was relatively unharmed. A couple of scratches, a bit of a bloody nose, nothing he wasn’t used to. He wasn’t prepared however, for the pain that struck his heart when he heard her yelp, saw her tears, felt the tremors in her body. Caring was unfamiliar, and the ache that came with it was unnerving.
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just…” Midvalley waited for her to continue, wetting the rag he procured from the cleaner’s cart (he had washed it thoroughly beforehand). The inn they had set up in was nicer than most, still rough round the edges but it had cleaners and comfortable enough beds. “It feels weird.” She finally said, unsure as if that wasn’t exactly what she meant, but he understood.
The hand still holding hers ran its fingers across her knuckles, soothing. “This’ll sting a bit.” He warned, gently dabbing the area. It was just water; he didn’t have any rubbing alcohol and hopefully they wouldn’t need it. Leina usually keeps them stocked, but they were running low on money. He would need to see if he could pick up a gig soon.
“You’re okay,” he hushed when tears sprung to her eyes. The words felt clumsy in his mouth, as if he never spoke them before. The bruising and cut looked better with the blood gone from her skin. “It’ll heal in no time.” Leina smiled, uncertain, doe eyes looking up at Midvalley through lashes.
“Thanks,” she then reached for the cloth, rinsing it of her blood and then cupping his jaw. “Your nose is still-”
“You don’t have to.” He didn’t mean to interrupt her. He didn’t want her to get her hands dirty. Her brows furrowed, miffed at being cut off.
“Shush,” and she didn’t let him reply, rough cloth dabbing at the blood under his nose. The rag was coarse, clearly had seen a lot of use, yet Midvalley barely felt it. He hoped he was as gentle with her. “It’ll only take a minute.”
He was silent as she worked. It was late, and the outside was quiet. There wasn’t much sound to focus on other than her breathing or the click of her throat as she swallowed. It was a comfort, however, to hear those tiny signs of life. So often it was easy to be overwhelmed with the numerous noises - the click clack of heels, the yelling of kids, the mindless chatter of a crowd. He lost the ever consistent sound of Leina amongst it all, and he cherished these moments where it was impossible to let go of.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?” The question would have startled him, if he didn’t hear the hitch of her breath before she spoke. He had a couple of scratches here and there, but nothing that required any attention. He didn’t fight back today - more focused on dodging and getting out.
“No, thanks, doll.” He smiled, laying on the charm as she visibly brightened. It made him feel lighter. She still looked a mess, with hair falling out of place and shoulders slumped in tiredness, but that was fixable, and he imagined he looked the exact same. She placed the cloth in the bowl of water, sighing as all the tension left her. Hesitantly, she leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder.
It was nice, having her weight against him. He basked in it for a few moments before speaking up.
“Come on. Let’s get ready for bed.” Expectedly, Leina let out a groan against him. She was an early riser, but good luck getting her to get up when she was ready for sleep. “Doll, I would love to collapse right now, but you hate it when our clothes get wrinkly.” He hated it too, truthfully. He had an image to maintain, afterall.
“Fair enough,” she grumbled, pulling away with great reluctance. Midvalley missed her against him already.
Midvalley grabbed the bowl of water before she could, directing her to their bags so she could get her clothes. The one window was shut and the curtains closed - she should have no problem getting ready in here.
Both set to their respective routines. Leina brushed her hair, folded her clothes and put them away neatly. The bow she always wore - the one Midvalley gifted her during a trip to the markets - found its place on the bedside table, just beside the lamp. Midvalley meanwhile, attended to the rag before doing much of the same. He traded his suit for an oversized t-shirt and soft cotton shorts. Both were a gift from Leina after she realised he didn’t have proper night clothes.
He began setting up his makeshift bed on the floor as Leina disappeared into the bathroom to wash her face and teeth. Of course, the only room available for the night had one bed. And though he and Leina were together they hadn’t exactly done anything a couple would. A kiss here and there, sure, hand holding, obviously, but sleeping in the same bed hasn’t crossed their mind. He didn’t want to cross any unknown boundary, and Leina hasn’t said anything.
He wouldn’t… argue if Leina did say she wanted to share a bed. However, the bed in the room was small, and was only fit for one.
Leina yawned as she came out of the bathroom, looking ready to crawl under the covers. She stopped short, biting her bottom lip in uncertainty. “Hey, do you want me to sleep on the floor tonight?”
Midvalley looked at her as if she suddenly grew two heads. “No.” he replied simply, a little unsure but mostly because he was taken aback by the question itself.
Leina frowned, eyebrows pulling down in an all too familiar furrow. “You’ve slept on the floor the past couple of nights. It’s my turn,” and she didn’t even let him reply before plopping down on the sheets, facing him. “You sleep on the bed tonight.”
He mirrored her petulant expression. “Wouldn’t do for a gentleman to let the lady sleep on the hardwood floor.”
“Oh come off it,” she leaned forward. “It’s not fair for you to be on the floor every night while I get the bed.”
“It hasn’t been every night,” it’s just been the nights when there’s only been one bed which has been five times so far, since their journey started 2 weeks ago. “Doll, take the bed.”
Leina scrunched up her nose, a blush starting to settle on her cheeks as a thought seemed to cross her mind. “Why can’t we, um, both take the bed?”
He tried not to show it, but he felt himself perk up as if he were a dog being offered a treat. “What? He replied dumbly, his natural suave leaving him in that moment. Leina swallowed, as if she considered taking the offer back.
“We can both take the bed, can’t we? If we push the bed against the wall, I’m sure we can work something out.” Midvalley looked at the bed, thinking. It was possible they could both fit, after a bit of manoeuvring. He would be on the outside, of course, so if anyone did fall out of bed it would be him, and she would be tucked safely against the wall. He wasn’t sure if it would be that comfortable, honestly, but Leina didn’t seem to mind.
He must have taken too long to reply, because she was beginning to backpedal, waving her hands as if she could bat away the mere thought. “Never mind. It was a silly thought,” and that was disappointment coating her tone, even if she tried to hide it. Leina always was a bad liar.
“No, no, we can both fit on the bed,” he paused, looking at the space. “I think. It’ll be tight, but that’s not exactly a bad thing, is it?”
Midvalley could have sworn her pointed ears moved there; a little twitch of happiness as she smiled bright enough to light up an entire room. “Not at all!” She stood, pulling him upwards with her. “The owner won’t mind if we do a bit of redecorating, will he?”
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” Midvalley replied, beginning to push the single bed. “And I’m sure we’ll remember to put it back before we leave.” Leina had begun picking up the pillow and blankets from the floor, placing the former back on the bed with the knitted blanket. It was a cold night, as most nights on No Man’s Land were, so he wouldn’t complain about extra layers.
He bent at the waist. “Ladies first,” and Leina giggled, curtseying with an invisible skirt. While she made herself comfortable under the covers, he turned the bedside lamp off, bathing the room in darkness, the moons the only source of light. She shimmied further into the wall, using one of the spare sheets from his makeshift floor bed to cushion herself.
“Comfy, doll?” He asked after she stopped fidgeting. She looked cosy, a soft smile pulling at her lips and ginger locks sprawled on the pillows. “Yep! Now, come on.” She patted beside her for emphasis. Now looking at the bed with someone in it, he wasn’t unsure if this could actually work, and so very tentatively, he sat down. He felt awkward - so incredibly awkward it was painful. He was a large man with broad shoulders that always took up too much space and a figure that loomed over others.
And yet Leina didn’t seem to mind, just waited patiently for him to get comfortable. She frowned here and there, considering something when she saw he wasn’t on the bed properly.
“Wait, maybe… Do you mind if I lay on top of you?” Midvalley stopped, blinking at Leina with uncertainty. He wouldn’t mind, really he wouldn’t, but the words were spoken so shakily he wasn’t sure if she was asking because she actually wanted to, or because of necessity.
He hesitated, but in for a penny, in for a pound. “No, here,” he put a hand on her back, helping her to shift around. She fitted perfectly into the crook of his arm, and near his neck as all the tension seemed to leave her body. Her hair tickled his skin slightly, but it was soft and smelled nice. Most importantly, they were both on the bed comfortably.
Her body was warm, a balm to soothe his aches from the day. “Is this okay?” He asked, hand on her waist caressing her skin lightly. Leina sighed, content and relaxed. Her bruised face is still so beautiful, and so vulnerable, not guarded by a smile.
“Yeah, it’s perfect,” Midvalley pulled the blanket up around them. “Apart from the sore face, but you know.” She chuckled, and he smiled, though felt forced.
“Next time, stay hidden,” the ceiling suddenly looked very interesting. “You’ll end up giving me a heart attack, doll.”
He felt her move on his chest, neck craning to look at his face but she wouldn’t find anything. “No promises, a mhuirnín, ” his heart stuttered. “I don’t want you to get hurt either. I’m not much but I’ll always try to have your back.”
Finally, Midvalley looked down at her, overcome with an affection he wouldn’t dare give more thought to. She was kindness and love wrapped in gentleness and a naivety that would make the most ideal of heroes quiver.
“You’re Leina Rosewood, and that’s all I need.” He had enough of fists and guns and pain, of bruises and blood and conflict. He didn’t need Leina to protect him, and maybe he is also a lousy protector for her, and maybe in a different life, they didn’t need to protect each other. It would be nice, but not possible.
Leina grinned, leaning up and leaving a peck on his lips, muttering against them. “Is ceol mo chroí thú.”
“What’s that mean?” He asked with a grin, oblivious to the blush sitting on his own cheeks. Leina gave one more kiss to his lips before lying back down, finding solace in the steady beat of his heart.
“I’ll tell you later.” She wouldn’t, but he didn’t mind. He felt like he knew the intent regardless. Eyelids starting to droop, he yawned, feeling himself start to drift off. Leina was doing much of the same.
“Night, doll.”
“Goodnight, love.”