Fate Weaver's convergence

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"Alright, up you go."

"Not a word to Beryl..."

"On my word, Kiyomi."

Vaughn rolled his eyes as he knelt. After reaching the ledge of their new hide-away, Vaughn spent what must have been five minutes trying to convince Kiyomi to let him carry her back.

"Gods, I can't believe this is happening."

Kiyomi groaned as she slung her sword over her shoulder before signaling for Vaughn to turn around, wrapping her arms around his neck once he was in position.

"Alright, now caref- Eeep!"

"Up we go."

Vaughn grabbed Kiyomi just by the back of her thighs, lifting them just above his waist so he could carry her. Unprepared for the sudden contact, Kiyomi nearly jumped into position for Vaughn from being startled.

"W-w-w-warning n-next time! Jeeze!"

Vaughn could have sworn he heard the blood rushing to Kiyomi's face once more.

"Sorry, can't grab back further, y'know?"

"Of course I know! Just walk!"

Within a matter of seconds, Kiyomi's mood shifted entirely as Vaughn felt a sudden flick to his ear.

"Ouch!.. Ugh, okay-okay. I'm walking."

I'm sorry, okay? Jeeze, Kiyomi, calm down.

Vaughn complained to himself in his head as they walked, choosing to think on the path they'd taken out to save some time to get and also avoid too many people. After a few minutes of silence, Vaughn felt Kiyomi shift in his grip some. Her movement was as if she were adjusting so he'd have less weight on his arms, as she clamped her legs around his hips just tight enough to mimick a shelf for them. Just after, she brought herself further up Vaughn's back. Leaning just over his shoulder, Kiyomi managed to halve the load on Vaughn in a matter of moments.

"Carrying me like you were would have made you cramp up... this will keep the weight to your hips and legs..."

Kiyomi spoke rather calmly and quietly compared to before. Vaughn could feel her head look to the side for just a moment.

"Thank you... sorry"

Vaughn nearly missed it, but he heard Kiyomi apologize under her breath.

"No, I'm sorry about the slime. Your clothes were nice too."

Kiyomi sighed in response.

"It was inevitable; they were for adventuring anyway... so... when are we going back?"

Kiyomi asked, confusing Vaughn for a moment before he could understand what she meant.

"What?"

After that, when we arrived at Vaughn's home, the two of us were scolded heavily for being reckless. Lorn gave me an earful, and Gregor undoubtedly yelled at Vaughn. I could swear I heard inklings of it as Lorn and I walked away. Thankfully, we were allowed to go back, provided we were careful enough and ensured that the slime was no longer present. That night Lorn gave me a spare set of clothes that Mother had on standby if anything like this happened and actually brewed more of the yarrow tea for the both of us. After some more talk on the species choices I could take, she sent me on my way, and I found myself sleeping alone for the first time ever since I woke up in this world. The results were an abysmal night of sleep I'd rather not repeat.

The next morning went full circle with Lorn waking me, us eating, then walking all the way back out to see Gregor. When she left, she left with some adventurer girl that looked like a scout. They informed us we may have to head back to the Adventurers Guild without them that evening, but didn't give much reason as to why. Making their own way, Vaughn and I were finally sent off on our own and that's how we found ourselves where we were now.