drehnifusbahi | Writing Prompts: April #1

He waited for her.

She’d insisted on making the final leg of the journey to Morthal alone, so he waited at Nightcaller Temple, just outside Dawnstar - keeping Erandur company distracted him somewhat from worrying about her. (Even though he knew she could take care of herself, that his worries were foundless, he couldn’t stop himself.)

And every evening, he walked down to the Windpeak Inn as the last of the light faded, looked around the main room for her, then bought a drink so he had an excuse to sit for a while, talk to the barman and watch the door.

A little over a week since they’d parted ways, she walked into the inn, stamping the snow from her boots and tossing her hood back.

Their eyes met across the room, and even at that distance he could see a difference; vampire eyes glowed in even the dimmest light, but hers… weren’t.

She smiled and made her way over. He found himself smiling back, pointedly ignoring the heads that turned to follow her progress and the way it made him want to snarl. She wouldn’t appreciate such a show of possessiveness.

“Took me longer than expected to track down Falion,” Serana said by way of apology as she settled in that the stool next to his. Then, to the innkeeper, “I’ll have whatever he’s having.”

Green, he realized dimly. Her eyes were green. “Was he not in Morthal after all?”

She shook her head, her lips twisted into a moue of distaste. “He was camped out in the swamp outside Morthal.”

“I bet that made for a fun trip back to town once the ritual was finished,” he replied, and dodged as she made to punch his shoulder.

She scowled at him, but only for a moment. “Luckily, it’s a trip I’ll never have to make again.”

“No?”

“No. After going to all that trouble, I’m not about to go get myself bitten by some mongrel and turn back.”

“I have to say, I’m glad.” She glanced over at him, brows raised, and he elaborated, “You know me - I’m not so good at standing still and waiting. I think if Falion had kept you any longer, Erandur would have kicked me out.”

She laughed, light and sweet. “Well, the wait is over. You’re stuck with me now.”

“Or you’re stuck with us,” he replied with a grin, raising his own tankard for a toast. She tapped hers against it, and they both drank.