The Love We Deserve - Azriel x OC

Run away Barrel

Sitting on the counter, I watched as Nuala and Cerridwen kneaded dough, flour coating the air. I spent most mornings either watching or trying to help them prepare for breakfast. But more often than not, I was shooed from the kitchen after messing up their system. Today was another one of those days.

I had been given the task to fetch raspberries and yeast from the village, and so I made the trek down the enormous amount of stairs and settled into a steady walk as I strolled through the shops.

Something wiggled around my foot, and I looked down to see a lone shadow had chosen to accompany me. I caught it, settling it to curl around my shoulder.

"does your master know you're with me little thing?" I got no response of course, but it curled a little tighter against my skin and I tsked with a small smile.

I had come to the village by myself a few times now, it was nice just to interact and get to know people on my own terms.

"good morning Alex" the shopkeeper, Lila greeted.

"Good morning" my head bowed, and I searched her array of fruit for what I had been sent here for "do you have any raspberries?"

"how many are you looking for?" my mind blanked, staring at her for a second and she grinned, resting her hand on her hip. "you didn't ask, did you?"

"no" I admitted sheepishly, "perhaps 20? How much does that cost?"

"for you? A silver mark"

I frowned, taking the raspberries and handing her 3 silver marks despite her protest.

"Please, it's the least I can offer."

She huffed, smiling a little as she looked me over.

"thank you"

"have a nice day, Lila"

"you too"

I moved on, heading towards the shop down by the Sidra, the river I had previously found myself admiring. There was a cute little bakery down here run by a lovely older female called Melissa.

"Alex!" she called, brightening as I walked inside "it's good to see you my dear"

I smiled at her kindness, bowing my head as I echoed the sentiment.

"what can I do for you?"

"I was hoping to buy some yeast if possible?"

"well" she smiled "we have plenty of that to go about, why don't you take a seat and I'll fetch you some?"

I nodded my thanks, taking a seat by the window. The weather was nice today, and the half-wraith sisters had dressed me in a long flowing green skirt with a embroidered long sleeved white tunic. I hadn't worn anything without legs in a long time, but I had talked with Rhys about having some of my weapons back, so I had a dagger strapped to my thigh, another on my hip. Just in case.

I watched the people bustle around outside, enjoying the subtle warmth pouring in through the window. The shadow flicked across my cheek and a smile lit my lips, studying it as it swirled around the flowerpot on the table.

"precious little thing" I sighed, resting my head on my hand "it must be nice, not having any feeling"

"Don't be so hard on yourself child" my body jumped, shadow flurrying back to my side as Melissa appeared, the bag of yeast being placed on the table gently "feeling keeps us alive. for without them, what would we be but bodies moving through"

"wise words"

She smiled, patting my shoulder before a pastry appeared in front of me.

"eat, dear. Spend some time here" she winked before leaving me and I took a bite of the pastry, almost groaning at the taste. It was delicious.

I had quickly discovered that fae food was so different to our, much more fulfilling and fuller of flavour. It had showed on my body too. My curves had begun to fill out, no longer skin and bone. The body of a women beginning to show. It helped with the muscles as well, I had done my fair share of carrying blokes around during the war, lifting tree trunks and stuff for shelter, and now they looked much more natural on my plumper skin.

I left the bakery with an incredibly grateful thank you to Melissa, who waved me off with a smile, telling me to come by again soon.

The goods weighed like a child on my hip, the familiar weight made me hold myself a little straighter, clutch the bag of wheat a little tighter.

"Watch out!" a voice broke through my thoughts, my head snapping to the side to see a wooden barrel rolling down the cobbled streets at a damaging pace. I dropped the wheat and raspberries onto the floor before running towards it, grabbing a scarf from a stall outside and throwing it underneath the barrel, sliding to catch the end before I pulled it back, using the weight of my body to stop it before it smashed into a shopfront.

I got back to my feet, pulling the barrel up properly. Clapping sounded around me and my face flushed a deep red, dipping my head as a young male ran down the hill towards me.

"Cauldron Boil me! Thank you thank you!" he cried and my lips twitched up slightly.

"not a problem" I assured, folding the damaged scarf around my arm "better not to have them on their sides at the top of the hill perhaps"

He laughed, rubbing his face, blue eyes peering at me curiously.

"you're probably right" he agreed, sticking out his hand and I shook it "thank you again"

I nodded before turning to the female who ownedthe shop of the scarf I had snagged, apologising greatly before giving her it'sworth in coins.