Work Text:
"You seem comfortable." A deep voice echoed throughout the library.
The young woman looked up from the book she was reading to see Ruth Serbel standing in front of her running his fingers through his messy silver hair.
He had been asleep just a moment ago. When she entered the room she noticed the fire was going out and added more wood. She looked around seeing messy tables with stacks of paper strewn about. On one table was an open book. She decided against touching his notes but the book on the other hand, it peeked her interest so she deiced to sit and read.
"Not as much as you did on the couch." Sha answered back, suprising Ruth.
"Haha, you have spirit." He smirked.
"May I ask who gave you permission to read my books?"
"No one, I thought it an unfortunate idea to wake you for an unimportant question." She answered with a wry smile.
"Did you?" He replied without much care. He sighed before waving his hand. "At the very least you could have brought some tea."
She crept up the stairs to the mage's tower. The cold draft that resided in the stairwell chilled her to the bones. She steadied the tray she was holding to open the door. Once inside she was met with even more clutter than usual. Books and scrolls were scattered all the room. The room that usually kept quite warm was cooling rapidly. She noticed the fire had went out. She glanced at the couch to see Ruth fast asleep wrapped in a cocoon of blankets. A tinge of warmth appeared on her cheeks.
She sighed before getting to work.
She set down the tray of tea and snacks before tidying the room. First things first, was to warm the room back up she grabbed some logs and threw them into the fireplace. She spoke a few words under her breath and a small flame lit from the tip of her finger. She picked up all the books placing them in stacks based on genre. Magic, history, so on and so forth.
Once she was satisfied she sat down at a table, pouring herself a cup of tea. Finally, she cracked open a book, loosing herself within it's pages.
"Don't you have any work to do?"
The woman had gotten about halfway through the contents of the book when she heard his voice. "I could ask the same of you." She smiled.
She raised her head slight. He was stretching; raising his arms above his head. The hem of his shirt lifted slightly revealing his lean abdomen. He sat down across from her.
She picked up the other tea cup, pouring some for him.
He took a long sip enjoying the taste.
"You've been here for a while, how do you keep the tea so hot?" He asked lazily.
"Magic." She smirked.
"Haha." He laughed.
The two sat in a peaceful silence reading books and drinking tea. Occasionally, breaking the silence with conversation.
Ruth sat up from his mid-day nap. He had stayed up all night researching the mana influxes over Anatol. The air had a sharp chill. He looked over to see the fire had long since died.
Wrapped in blankets he got up to start the fire. He stood soaking in the warmth of the growing fire. He looked around the room books, papers and chairs scattered about. It was quiet. It was always quiet even when she came to visit she was as silent as a mouse. However, this was different. This quiet was eery that left him feeling unsettled.
He sighed before dropping his blankets on the couch leaving his tower. Once he descended the stairs he walked around Calypse castle. It was unusually empty today. Usually servants and knights would be running around fulfilling whatever tasks they needed for the day.
He found himself walking down an empty corridor. He heard a few voices coming from behind one of the maid's workrooms. He stopped just shy of the cracked door, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed.
"It's not like you have any other tasks you need complete?" A woman spoke.
"You owe us anyway for always disappearing, where do you go anyways? If you are doing any unsavory activities, we must advise against it." The other woman said her voice demeaning.
"It's none of your business where I go. I complete my tasks as I should. Nothing more, nothing less."
"You insolent-."
A slap could be heard coming from inside.
Ruth entered the room without sound appearing behind the two maids who stood over her. She sat on aa wooden stool, clothing and needles in hand. Ruth by no means possessed a physically intimidating demeanor but he displayed an aura that made plenty opponents take a second thought. The two maids felt his presence and turned around to see Ruth the mage of the Remdragon knights glaring down at them.
"Sir mage!" They both curtsied before leaving the room in a hurry.
"Where have you been?" He asked sitting across from her.
She chuckled. "Working." The corners of her lips rose. "Did you just wake up?" She asked.
"Tch, yes." He answered.
"I'll get you some tea." She offered setting down her needle and thread. As she passed him. Ruth reach out for her wrist pulling her towards him. He sat her down on the chair he was just in.
He inspected her face seeing a red mark forming.
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
"Don't tell me what to worry about woman." He scolded.
She smiled.
He held a hand up to her cheek, a soft light began to emanate from it as a gentle warmth flooded where he held his hand. She unconsciously closed her eyes at the sensation leaning into his hand.
Ruth narrowed his eyes continuing to heal her.
"All done." He said his hand still on her face.
She slowly opened her eyes to see Ruth's steady gaze on her.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Ruth noticed just how just close they were together when he saw how fast her breathing picked up. He could feel the warmth of her body beneath him.
He cleared his throat before convincing himself to take a stepback. Just as his foot moved she reached out grabbing his hand pulling him back to her.
They stayed together in comfortable silence.