A Kindling, of Sorts (Revali x reader)

worth keeping around

never tell me i dont care about you guys cause this chapter is almost 4000 words long... also this is the end of act 2!! rejoice!!!

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The news hit you like a punch to the gut. "We are set to head back to the capital," the lieutenant said conversationally, looking over a little roll of parchment they'd been given merely a minute before. Everyone stopped eating their gruel and stared a moment, kind of star- struck. "I suppose it'll take us... two days to pack up, perhaps?"

You set your bowl down in your lap and stared into the slop inside, as if you were scrying. It took you a couple minutes to properly process this unfortunate news. I mean, no one could blame you after yesterday. A sudden snow storm hit the mountains yesterday at the world's worst time, leaving you and Revali to trek through snowy paths and forcefully fly against the wind. By the time you made it back to camp, everyone was setting up for dinner, and what a sight it must've been for them!

Their scrappy comrade riding on the back of the Rito Champion, smelling mysteriously clean while your companion looked much worse for wear. They'd laughed when you'd stumbled off his back into the snow, and they laughed even harder when Revali left without a word. God, he's worrying you.

"What's wrong, Speedy? Sad you gotta leave your boyfriend behind?" someone said. This again? You pressed your lips in a fine line and set your bowl down. "Aw, look at how mad they are!" Gloved hands came from all sides, poking and ruffling your hair playfully. The lieutenant laughed, entertained, as you struggled in what can only be described as a pile.

Despite everything, this group has really grown on you the past month, as much as they love making fun of you.

"Alright, alright," the lieutenant finally said with a chuckle, crossing their arms. "Stop suffocating your fellow soldier and start packing. I'll begin passing the word onto the rito." Like magic, everyone got off of you, leaving your hair mussed and cheeks red.

Soon enough, the camp was in a sudden frenzy of activity. The first thing to go was the food and repair storage, heavy bags of rice and spare supplies of all kinds were loaded onto a large cart, one of the many that were hidden in the thicket directly behind the camp. You found yourself dreading the walk back. The tent that'd been holding the stores was also taken down and put away, loaded in with everything else.

As several tents were being taken down all over the site, you were herded into a group tasked with bringing all the carts out from behind the brush. You went about this task with just as much enthusiasm as you've done pretty much everything thus far, that is to say you had no enthusiasm at all.

"Aw, c'mon, pick up your feet!" said a familiar voice, cheery and shockingly high. You recognized him as Bruno and offered him a strained smile. "If we get this done fast enough we might be able to get into the village before sundown!" The other soldiers helping to pull the carts with you cheered a little, laughing with uncharacteristic joy. But like, real joy.

You cocked your head. "What do you mean?"

Bruno cocked his head in turn with a chuckle. "Did no one tell ya, Speedy? The rito are known for their hospitality! They're having a little party for us."

Huh. You hadn't taken the rito for a particularly hospitable people, but hey, you wont turn down a party. With that bit of information, you stopped dragging your feet, much to Bruno's delight. You wouldn't have guessed that he'd be this friendly just by looking at him, but you're glad he's willing to deal with your antisocial bullshit.

Between the group of you, it only took two or three trips to get all the carts out into the open, and they were immediately filled with all kind of commodities. Extra armor, ratty blankets, empty potato sacks, you get the idea. It immediately came to your attention that the camp was nearly entirely packed away, leaving only the captain's tent and the bonfires that'd been set up day one.