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The only thing that could be heard was the crackling of the camp’s fire as Brynn sat in one of the clearings further into the southwall waystation. Back resting against a mostly smooth, yet still ruined pillar, watching the stars mingle with the miasma of the veil and overall relaxing after spending the last week exploring the rest of the Enclave.
Her thoughts swirl as her journal lay in her outstretched legs, her latest sketch of a highland iceclaw and entry on display. The soft and oily feeling of its feathers, the pure raw muscle it takes for the achievement of flight and the density it needs to withstand the floods of flash freeze and harsh winds.
With her sits a jar of wine gifted from Sola and Dahm shortly after she became acting point, aiding in making her body feel weighted and light simultaneously, cheeks warm and hands tingly.
Which is probably the reason Casmyn’s sudden presence beside her didn't fully register until the Khashar was fully mirroring her body position. And her journal was promptly seized and investigated. Not that Brynn really minded, she was never shy about the fact that she kept one.
She took the opportunity to study her companion. Blonde hair pulled into its signature low ponytail, though she lacks both swords typically worn on the left side of her hip and her red vest.
If Brynn was of any sound of mind, she’d tear her eyes away from the swathe of skin her low cut shirt provided. Casmyn has always caught her eye, from the second she voiced her disapproval when Oria declared her acting point. Brynn valued her weaverbands concerns and opinions, and when she was hit with such a prominent layer of doubt, she had gone to talk to Casmyn that night and they reached an understanding of some sort.
Brynn never held any ill will or resentment either, it just served to fuel the fire.
After discovering Casmyn’s mean streak, Brynn was all the more determined to befriend her. It also didn’t help to quench her growing desire to get to know her on a deeper level. Though it isn't her style to force a connection, instead she went a little more out of her way when Casmyn asked things of her.
“You’re pretty good at this.” Casmyn taps the corner of the page she stopped at, setting the journal back into its original position.
Brynn offers her a hum of acknowledgement. “Thanks. Just helps clear my head and keeps track of what I did that day.” She laughs when Casmyn picks up the pages as it lays in Brynn’s lap and lets them once again fall into a resting position.
“You’re not gonna find anything personal in that one, if you’re being nosy.” Brynn keeps a slight smile on her face to show that she isn't serious.
“So you keep a personal journal?” Casmyn tilts her head to the side and spots the jar placed beside Brynn’s leg. She wordlessly holds out her hand. Brynn doesn't need to be asked twice, so she twists the lid off and deposits the jar in Casmyns grasp.
Casmyn takes a sniff, gives Brynn an unamused eyebrow raise and proceeds to take a hearty gulp before scrunching her nose at the bitter taste. “I thought I smelled alcohol. From Sola, right?”
Brynn offers her a slow nod. “Yeah, after I became acting point.”
“She brought the same kind to our first book club. Where Dahm proceeded to get too excited and spill on most of our copies.” Casmyn’s lips turn into a smirk. “Safe to say his invitation was rescinded.”
Brynn chuckles at the vision of red stained book covers sending Laen into absolute distress. “I can imagine the chaos that caused.” She draws her legs up and plants her feet on the ground in an attempt to calm her swirling head. Gods, she was dizzy. “Why aren't you asleep? I know you and Dahm don’t need as much sleep as we Ashar do. But even he’s asleep by this hour.”
Casmyn’s demeanor changed almost imperceptibly. Or it could be, but Brynn finds a lot of the time, even when she doesn't notice it immediately, her attention seems to be fixated on her companion more often than not.
It hasn't been long since she and Casmyn started seeing each other, about a month and a half if Brynn kept track right. Not that the wine is helping any. Shortly after Brynn had gotten her a sleeping balm (which she’d like to point out, wasn’t an easy feat. Dragon and all.) Casmyn had approached her, confessing that Brynn had been on her mind lately. Brynn smiles to herself, remembering how increasingly nervous Casmyn was throughout the whole conversation.
For someone so headstrong and intimidating, it had been surprisingly adorable regardless of how caught off guard Brynn had felt at the time.
“Honestly..” Brynn’s yanked back to the present as Casmyn’s voice drifts through the air. “I noticed you weren't in your tent, and we haven't exactly gotten to talk much with the whole ‘impending doom’ situation here in the Enclave.” Casmyn shifts, Brynn’s shoulder now supporting the smaller woman. “Though I suppose now wasn't the best time. I feel like I might’ve intruded on the little privacy you can get being cooped up with seven other people.”
Brynn chuckles and shakes her head. “Not at all. I know I’m pretty busy filling in the missing pieces of the Enclave, however if I could choose how to spend my time, you’d be top priority.” She could physically feel herself slur her way through that entire sentence, but if she was being honest with herself she didn’t quite mind, with the way the wine had snuck up on her.
She’s vaguely aware of Casmyn shooting her a look, but movement took more precedence in her foggy mind as a weight settled between her legs.
“You don’t mind this, do you?” Casmyn asks, though she’s already planted herself in Brynn’s lap, arms wrapped around her neck and deft fingers already combing through the back of her hair.
“How could I when you’re doing that?” Brynn’s eyes shut and head tilted upward, letting out a low groan. “Feels nice.”
Casmyn chuckles as Brynn’s arms find their way around her midsection and face buried between her neck and shoulder. “Good. Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about having you in my arms anyways.”
Brynn groans once more, tightening her arms as some admittedly filthy thoughts flood her brain. “That isn’t fair.” She practically whines into Casmyns shirt. “If I wasn’t of enough sound mind, we’d have woken half the camp already.” Brynn can feel the stutter of breath and freezing of muscles.
“You wouldn’t think it's a bit soon? To, uh. Yeah?”
Brynn’s cheeks already hurt from smiling so much, but nevertheless it grew wider. “Cas, I’ve been travelling with your weaverband for about seven months now. Sure, there’s still more to learn about each other, but we’re not strangers.” The wine seems to work its magic as Brynn gathered the confidence to honestly express what’s been on her mind lately.
“I’ve been having those thoughts lately. I didn’t really plan on bringing this up, but..” She trails off and gestures to the wine. “The alcohol has my brain stuck on it right now.”
Casmyn stays silent long enough for Brynn to panic on her poor choice of words.
“I didn’t mean to insinuate that I was asking for it right now or anything. God’s no, only when you’re ready. I planned on waiting until you had brought it up actually, but it seems I’ve jumped the gun.” Brynn leans back as much as she could against the pillar to get a better look at Casmyn, hoping she hadn’t crossed a line or overstepped a boundary. Noting that a dusting of pink ran across her cheeks and the tips of her ears.
“I haven't exactly had the most pure of thoughts either, I’ll admit. But I definitely think we should still wait for a night where you can actually enjoy yourself.” Casmyn gives her reassuring smile and pulls Brynn closer into her embrace. “Besides, you’re really adorable when slightly inebriated.”
Brynn involuntarily nuzzled into the collar of her shirt and splayed her hands across Casmyns upper shoulders. “Will you sleep with me for a bit?” She ask’s, voice muffled in clothing. “Not like that of course. I’d just,” Brynn takes a deep breath and the smell of cedar and bergamot invades her senses. “I’d really like to fall asleep with you. That's been on my mind for a good time now.”
“Of course, I think I’d like nothing more at the moment.”
Casmyn moved to stand but Brynn took the opportunity to hook her arms underneath Casmyn’s thighs and easily picked her up.
Casmyn laughs and Brynn can't help but join her. “How does it feel, being taller than I am for once?” Brynn chuckles as she balances them both upright.
“Don’t you dare tease me about my height,” She replies through a smile and rests her forehead on her partners. “My elbow happens to be gut height, oh fearless leader.”
“I’ll concede, if you can grab my journal when I lower us.”
Casmyn feigns a couple of seconds to think before she nods confirmation.
“Deal.”
After said items were back in the tent, Brynn found herself holding the covers of her bedroll up as Casmyn settled beside her.
“Thank you for tonight.” Brynn mumbles as the arm around Casmyns waist pulls her even closer. “I wasn’t expecting company, but yours always brightens my mood.”
Casmyn shoots her a smile as her fingers trace indiscriminate patterns across the back of her neck. “Thank you for having me. I very much enjoy your company too.”
Before sleep took her under, she vaguely remembers hearing Casmyn bidding her a good night, and soft, warm lips press to her forehead.