Behind the Mask | Garroth x Reader

| Part Twenty Seven | Calm |

Seeing the village grow breathes life into all of us. It gives hope that the days to come are bright. Little Alexis was brought into this world a few days ago, and everyone in town is still buzzing about it. Molly was able to hide her pregnancy from all of us with a skill no one was expecting. Regardless, a celebration is to be had for not just Alexis, but the other children in town as well. The chaos keeping us all on our toes has left the other parents and new children without that experience to be celebrated. 

Getting gifts for the babies was no easy task. I'm limited in my skills, but I was able to throw some things together. A basket for each set of parents for different ointments and items to support the baby's health and some children's books that I could pick up from Mateli. It wasn't much, but it was something to help them as a family.

The only thing that still has some of us on edge currently is Zane's presence. Even after a week of his extended stay, he still showed no signs of leaving. He has even barricaded Brendan's house and has had at least one of his guards posted outside stopping anyone who even tries to come close. Brendan is worried about his house being trashed, while Lady Aphmau and Garroth are more concerned about what Zane might be hiding in there.

Garroth. The past few days we haven't gotten the chance to spend time together during the day, but I have spent some time with him in the evenings. Whether it's bringing him food for the night or just unwinding by staying curled up in each other's arms, it has been easier to stomach the thought of Zane staying.

I can't take moments like this for granted. Zane could very well change his mind and take Garroth with him back home now. A future for both of us isn't guaranteed, and that is what worries me most. I can see it in his eyes that the moments we do share are precious to him. That he wants a life for us just as much as I do.

"Y/N!" A pair of hands were placed on my shoulders and gently shook me. "You were zoning out again." Lady Aphmau stood before me with a puzzled expression. She would let her hands drop from my shoulders to the tablecloth I was apparently gripping tightly.

"I'm sorry Lady Aphmau. I just have a few things on my mind." She would lean in close to me with a mischievous grin.

"Like Garroth? Maybe we will be having a shower for you?" I didn't need a mirror to guess that my face rivals Kiki's bright hair. She let out a laugh as I turned away and attempted to cover my burning face.

"We don't have that sort of relationship."

"But there is something there." I tensed a bit. "Oh, Y/N. You haven't exactly been subtle if you two were trying to be secretive about it. When he lost his helm you were the one he accepted to visit him every day. He goes out of his way to find opportunities for you to learn. And as of late you even have been spending a good bit of time together." I let out a shaky breath and turned back to face her. She wasn't mocking me and didn't even seem to be joking either. Her gentle smile was comforting and genuine.

"Is it that obvious..?" She lets out a small chuckle and gently pats my arm.

"You've been glowing these past few days. I am pretty sure that if Molly hadn't kept her pregnancy a secret, then the village would be talking about you two." I let out a bit of a nervous chuckle.

"And here I thought we weren't being super obvious."

We both turn our attention to finishing the decorations for the party. It was decided to have the party in Kiki's barn. I was hesitant to help set up for the party when asked, but there weren't many people who could help. Kiki still hasn't said a word to me since our fight, but she seems to be quite excited about the baby shower.

Lady Aphmau's company helped to keep my head clear and to focus on the party at hand. Not many of the men were present, but after Lady Aphmau came back, Laurance came with her. It was a bit of a shock to all of us, but he looked good. His long orange hair had been cut, styled, and dyed to a more suiting light brown. Even though he had lost his eyesight and wasn't even just a human anymore, he was still the same flirty and caring man. Not everyone at the party knew what he was, but the ones who did were more than welcoming to him.