Behind the Mask | Garroth x Reader

| Part Twenty Six | Safe Here |

The only compliment I will ever give this man is that he is patient. Zane and his guards have sat outside my house all day, waiting for me to go back home.

As much as I love Kiki, her perception has been blinded. I don't know what he told her or what he did to her, but the hushed argument between the two of us got the animals riled up. To keep things calm, we parted ways. And now I don't have a place to stay for the night.

The sun had set a while ago, but here I am waiting. I'm sure the little lobby here wasn't meant to host someone for a long period of time. Time started to blur together, and the room started to darken when I felt a cold hand on my cheek. I quickly pulled away and shot my eyes open.

"It's okay, it's just me. What are you doing here? I thought you were going to stay with Kiki." His voice was enough for me to relax and let my eyes rest again.

"We fought, and I couldn't think of anywhere else to go." All I could hear was a sigh before he lifted me into his arms. Being held like this is something I haven't been able to feel for years. Ever since being in this village, since meeting Garroth, there are a lot of things I haven't felt in a while that are resurfacing.

"I'm glad you came here," his voice was just above a whisper. Why did he feel the need to whisper? I have no idea. This whole building is empty at the moment. It's not like there would be someone other than me to hear it.

I wrapped my arms around him tight as he carried me upstairs. He made his way into a small room and skillfully made his way through the dark to lay me down on a small bed. Once I was out of his hands, he lit his lamp and removed his helmet. The soft light of the lamp illuminated his face perfectly. The warm glow complimented his skin and hair color perfectly.

"You're perfect." He paused and turned to me with an almost bashful smile. He kneels down at my side and takes my hand into his.

"Stay here for the time being, I'll make sure Zane can't get to you." I keep hold of his hand, letting my fingers run along his until he pulls away. One by one, he would start to remove his armor. I would fall onto my back and stare up at the ceiling, giving him some privacy.

"Sorry for invading your space, especially when there isn't much of it." The room was about the same size as my bedroom. This is all the living space that he had. "You know, for being the most loyal and hard-working guard in town, I'm surprised you don't have your own house."

"I don't need it." The sound of his armor rattling had paused for a moment before he could speak. "I don't have much, and staying in the guard tower means that people have a safe place to go when they need me." The side of the bed would shift under his weight, and a warm hand would gently hold my cheek.

I couldn't help but melt into his touch. It wasn't often he went without his gloves, so I had to enjoy it every moment I could. His golden hair fell on each side of his face, and the soft light from the lamp would only allow me to see so much of his face.

"And it led you here. You knew you would be safe here. Your safety means more to me than you know." I smile up at him before pushing myself up on the bed. I push some of his hair out of his face to get a clearer look at him. His cheeks were dusted with the faintest of pink, and his eyes locked onto mine.

His eyes shifted to my lips, staring for what felt like an eternity, and he pulled back. As he moved back, his face slipped from my hand.

"What's wrong..?" Finally, he meets my gaze again, and I can only assume he saw the anticipation and confusion.

"With everything that is going on, I shouldn't be distracted."

"I see. I'm sorry." I stand myself up from his bed and make my way to leave. "I'll leave so you don't get too distracted."

A hand quickly pressed against the door, closing it before I could open it further.

"Y/N, that's not what I meant. You don't have to leave." His hand leaves the door and finds its way to my side instead. "Stay. I... Just didn't want to disappoint you." He was so close I could feel the warmth of his breath brush past my ear.

"The villag-"

"Will survive the night." His other arm would wrap around my waist, pulling me against his chest. I sink into his warmth and tilt my head back to see his soft eyes. Worry and guilt were mixed with a bit of longing. "Weren't you the one wanting for me to take some time to relax?" I let out a small hum and turn in his arm, and trail my hands to his chest to his neck.

"Is this okay?" Worries of Zane, Laurance, and other dangers that might come in the night come to mind. Each time, Garroth was alone and ready to react. "Is it too much to ask to be the only person to have your attention for one night?"

Without a second to process, Garroth captured my lips and pulled me in closer. My hands find their way into his hair. He pulls back and lets out a quiet hum.

"You have my attention. For tonight, no one can take that away."