Embers of Sun and Flame (Fuegoleon Vermillion x OC)

Chapter 11 Misunderstandings

Solara leaned back in the hot spring, vaguely listening to Mereo talk with Noelle about her mother; not being able to participate into the conversation. Hot water enveloped her body as tension seeped into it, away from her muscles. The steady chatter of the two others filled the air, slightly bouncing off the walls of the cavern.

This was a good idea... Can't remember the last time I felt this relaxed. She took in a deep breath and sank deeper into the soft water. Wonder why he seemed so worried? The look on his face right before heading to bath. Hmm... Suppose I could ask Mereo, but would I seem too obvious if I did? But then again, would it matter if I did seem obvious? We're all adults and... And. And what? She sighed; her gaze turning to the other two from the corner of her eye. Suppose it doesn't matter.

They continued soaking for a while, sweat dripping down their skins; the youngest of them doing so the most. And it didn't take long for Noelle to get out, leaving Mereo and Solara alone into a comfortable silence. Mereo basked wholeheartedly, bathing in a hot spring seeming to be a second nature to her.

"Hey, Mereo?"

"Hm?"

"What did you two talk about? With Fu-, I mean, with the Captain? He seemed... worried right before we left," she asked, glancing at her friend, whose lips turned into a smirk, as Solara was about to address her brother with his given name.

"We talked about Salamander showing affection towards you, and I joked about it seeing more action today, than he has seen in his entire life."

Mereo's straight up reply caught Solara off guard, her head turning fully to the other with a raised eyebrow. "Oh?" She only uttered, sounding more surprised than curious.

"Mhm. And he remarked being 'selective'," Mereo state rather frankly, but seemingly unphased.

"Ah," she uttered. "Well, that is a good quality to possess," Solara continued, her gaze falling to the water ahead of her as a careful smile rose to her lips.

Mereo shrugged to her statement. "I'd call him picky."

"Hm?" The syllable escaped her, waking her from her tender smile, and the gaze that had been directed into the distance. Oh... That- that sounds like he'd be popular among... I mean, of course he is. Why wouldn't he be? I'm sure that he has more than enough to choose from. Most being more convenient and suitable than myself. More sensible options. A veil of defeat covered her eyes, as the last traces of the smile were pulled from her, dripping into the water. "Ah, I see. Well, I-, I'm certain that he'll pick a suitable one for himself." She only stated; Mereo's head turning to her for the first time during the conversation.

What's up with that tone? You're not weak enough to give up this easily. Besides, there's a reason why he has been this 'selective' throughout his life. That being, nobody else being able to tolerate his uptight ass but you. She looked at her friend, staying silent for a moment. "Mhm. I think he's right about ready to do so," she stated, still looking at Solara.

But she didn't see her friends gaze, as all she felt was how those words sliced open her golden stitches. Of course... And here I was trying to convince myself otherwise... Only because I haven't felt like this before, this kind of soul consuming longing for another person; I failed to think that he wouldn't already have given his heart to someone. A pained smile took over her, as she lifted herself out of the bath, feeling cold despite the steaming water. "I see," she stated, trying to make herself sound as intact as possible. "That is...fortunate." Her gaze stayed glued onto the surface of the water, not daring to look elsewhere, in fear of having her emotions drip down from the corners of her eyes. "I think I'll go get dressed." She spoke with a weak tone, forcing the words out of her mouth.