A Kindling, of Sorts (Revali x reader)

ashes in ember

The hallways of the castle were darkened by nightfall, only illuminated by sconces fixed to the grand walls. You'd snuck out of bed and avoided guards with great difficulty, but finally managed to find the marked doors of the champions, just as Urbosa instructed.

"They marked our rooms with blue ribbons tied around the handles," she'd whispered to you the day before. "If you really want to apologize, you might as well pay him a visit." Sure enough, there were four doors marked with pretty blue bows, with quiet candlelight flickering out from under them. Wait, which one is Revali's?

Well, you're already known for making clumsy mistakes these days, what could possibly happen? Like sure, it would be embarrassing, but what dignity is left after everything that has happened? You doubt the Champions would judge you further. Unfortunately, you weren't left much time to debate this as footsteps could be heard down the hall, approaching steadily.

Shit.

You hurriedly rapped on the first door, no longer even caring if you got the right room. You can't get caught. Who knows how else you'd be punished?

Revali(surprisingly) opened the door, looking disheveled and tired. "What do you wan—" he didn't even get to finish his sentence as you pushed yourself into his quarters and slammed the door shut, just as the guard was rounding the corner. You stumbled and fell to the floor as you entered, nearly bringing Revali down with you. He jumped away before you could've grabbed onto him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he shouted, wings raised in surprise. You shushed him and slowly scooted away from the doorway. The guard's footsteps had stopped directly outside and you held your breath, eyes wide with fear, blood rushing in your ears.

Can't get caught. Can't get caught...

A light knock at the door. "Is everything alright, Master Revali?" the guard questioned from the other side. You looked at the Champion with desperation, silently begging him not to turn you in. You locked eyes for a moment, and he let out a sigh.

"Yes, everything is fine. Carry on." The guard promptly continued his rounds, footsteps fading down the hall. You let out a breath and wiped sweat off your brow. That was so unbelievably close.

"You better explain to me exactly what you are doing here, stranger, or I am calling that guard right back." Revali said suddenly, frustration evident in his tone. You grumbled and stood up off the guestroom floor and dusted yourself off, though the floors were completely clean. After being knocked into the dirt so many times the past couple weeks, it had just become a force of habit. You looked up at the rito, who you'd assume was about to go to bed. It was lucky he was still awake, at least. If only you could've snuck around during the day, but you definitely would've gotten caught. Nonetheless, he looked comfortable.

"Huh," you said, cocking your head at him. "You took your braids out." You found yourself admired the way his feathers fell past his shoulders for a moment. It was... pretty.

Upon saying that, Revali's face immediately brought you back to the task at hand, eyebrow raised and an annoyed frown on his beak.

"I needed to speak with you," you said quickly, head bowed. "To, uh, apologize."

Revali's frustration eased a bit, his frown softening as he became resigned to the situation. "Alright. Get on with it." he said, rolling his eyes. He definitely wasn't making it easy for you to want to say you're sorry, though you did just burst into his room in the middle of the night. You pushed down the urge to say something witty back and began your apology, which you'd practiced to yourself on your way through the castle. You didn't get that much time to really make it perfect, but you tried, at least.