Vale mea ... until we meet again

Welcome home

[Trigger warning: mentioning of religion, passing out, pain, mentioning of burns, some kind of goodbyes]

"We did it Follows-Chalk!" The courier announced happily, a deep sigh leaving her as they arrived. He nodded, a smile on his face, glad that they made it back without a single wound covering their body.

"You better get some rest Chalk, I will go and talk to Joshua so he knows we are back" the courier said. Her companion just hummed in agreement before he sat down next to the river while the others took care of him. The courier slowly walked towards the angel cave. Her legs were hurting from the long walks the past few days. As she entered the cave, she could already hear his deep voice: 

"Welcome back courier." 

A smile came across her face as she heard these words.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." was her response.

"You look tired. Gods path has lead you back home, you are welcome to rest now." icey blue eyes looked down at the heavy breathing courier that just smiled. Her skin got pale, her hands were shaking. Joshua stood up from his chair, his gaze not leaving the woman.

"I-..." before she could finish her sentence, everything went dark. He catched her as her legs gave in, a deep sigh left him. The burned man ignored his own pain from physical touch and picked her up before placing her down on his bed.

"It must have been a while since you really rested..." Joshua mumbled underneath the bandages covering his lips. 

"Sleep well, may the lord watch over your dreams." 

The cool night passed by, the sky was as clear as the river itself. In that time, Joshua didn't leave her side. He stayed, sitting next to his bed watching over the exhausted courier. Sometimes he wondered what the destiny of the Mojave already did to her. A deep question without an answer. He wasn't afraid to ask the well known yet mysterious courier but it was a very personal question, unsure if she was ready to answer it yet.

-

The next morning was an unusual quiet one. The courier woke up to the pure sound of falling rain, a relaxed feeling washed over her as she realized where she was.

"Good morning" a deep and familiar voice mumbled sleepy next to the bed. She turned her head around and looked at the bandaged man sitting on the ground. 

"O-Oh I'm so sorry I didn't mean to-" she got nervous and quickly stood up.

"It's fine, don't worry about it" Joshua answered "you passed out last night so I brought you here". 

The courier looked at him, trying to find some comfort in his words.

"Thank you, I really appreciate that" she replied, watching him standing up. The rain was still pouring down, the sound relaxing and repeating itself.

"You and Follows-Chalk finished all the tasks-..." Joshua started as he walked over to his desk. "...that must mean you will leave Zion soon" he finished his sentence as he sat down. A nod followed as an answer to his question before words left her lips:

"Yeah, my time has come to leave soon. I'm glad that I could help you all." a smile formed on her face as she watched the burned man looking at the rain. Her heart beating faster. 

"You did a great job courier, feel free to stay as long it's raining and always feel free to come back to Zion. The lord will watch over you" his voice mumbled gentle, not so strict than usual.

"Of course I will. This place owns my heart and so do the people here. I'm sure that I will find my way back here, no matter how far I will travel." 

His blue eyes fell back on her. Joshua didn't like the idea of her leaving but it wasn't his choice.