Behind the Mask | Garroth x Reader

| Part Twenty Eight | Before |

Keep Garroth busy. The task is such a simple one, but it doesn't feel right. Zane has something planned, and I know it's nothing good. As concerned as I am, I can't be the reason why Garroth and everyone else in the village won't see tomorrow.

The feeling of cool metal against my skin dragged me out of my thoughts. Without thinking, I pulled away and shrunk into myself. Upon looking to see who grabbed me, panic had begun to set in.

"Garroth, I'm sorry. I was just wandering and wasn't paying attention." A sting of pain tugged after my heart. I don't want to lie to him, but I have no choice.

"Y/N, it's not safe to just wander like that. Especially with Zane still here." Garroth offered out a hand to me, being more cautious than before. I stared at it before closing the distance between us and wrapping my arms around him. He didn't seem to hesitate as he wrapped an arm around me and let the other gently stroke my hair.

"Stay with me tonight?" A whisper was all I could muster. I hoped that he wouldn't hear how fast my heart was beating or the fear that laced my words. I was afraid that he didn't hear me, but his other arm would wrap around me with his thumb gently rubbing my back.

"If that will help you relax, then I'll do whatever you ask of me." He reads me too well. A ping of worry hit me as I thought that he might know I was hiding something. I can't lie to his face. I just can't.

"You just being around is enough to calm me." I press my face into his armor further and try to calm my racing heart. Every circle he drew on my back and even the once comforting chilling metal kept reminding me of Zane. Every inch of me hated how I fell for the illusion so easily, how I didn't pull away from his touch until he revealed himself.

He pulled back from our embrace only to easily lift me off my feet. I didn't fight him, but rather, I leaned my head against his shoulder and draped my arm over his other shoulder. He pulled me closer to his chest and leaned his head against mine for a brief moment.

"Let's get you home." He led us out of the forest and into town once again. Other than people leaving the baby shower, there weren't very many people out. The walk to my house was brief, but in that short amount of time, it seemed to drag on. Growing concern about Zane felt like an ever-growing knot in my stomach.

I'm assuming he could tell that there was something wrong. Instead of setting me down on the ground, he would take me to my bed and gently sit me down. He would kneel down in front of me and place a hand on my knee, his thumb gently brushing against it.

"Something's on your mind. What is it?" Sitting in front of him like this only made the panic ten times worse. It was harder to hide things when we were alone like this. I couldn't let anything slip.

I reached up and gently tugged off his helm. Thank Irene. His golden hair spills out from his helm the moment I pull it from him. Deep eyes searched my face, looking for answers that I couldn't give him.

"I just," I trail off as I let my gaze drop down to the collar of his armor.  "I can't help but think about you returning to O'khasis one day. Leaving Phoenix Drop, Lady Aphmau, your position, me." Garroth would take up one of my hands and press a kiss to the palm.

"I have no intention of leaving. My loyalty remains to my duty to protect Phoenix Drop and all of its residents." He places another kiss on my palm before moving it to his chest. "My loyalty to you. I'm not sure what the future will look like, but returning home is far from the life I want. I want to see this village grow. To see the people here thrive. To spend my days with you." Hearing this there was a mix of pain and pure bliss. The thought of Garroth getting to stay here was all I could ask for, but I know his time is limited as long as Zane has a say.

"Y/N?" Garroth reaches up and brushes his thumb against my cheek. My vision started to blur as tears spilled. Garroth tried his best to clear my face, but there was no sign of it stopping.

I wrap my arms around his neck and slip off the bed to embrace him. All I could hear was the sound of metal hitting the floor before he wrapped his arms around me. The room was quiet, apart from my cries and his whispering to me that everything would be alright.

"That," I suck in a breath. "I just want to be by your side." Garroth pulls back and gently holds my face with one of his hands. The warmth of his skin made me focus on him. He is here. Even if one day Zane takes him away and keeps us apart, at least we will have had these moments together.

He rests his forehead against mine, and the curls of his hair tickle my skin. He pulled me onto his lap, and his free hand would rest around my waist. He hasn't said a word, but his presence alone has brought me more comfort than I knew I needed. I leaned into him and focused on his breathing until we were synced with each other.

"Thank you," a whisper was all I could muster. A smile tugged at his lips as he looked over me.

"Of course, it looked like you needed that. Besides, you're always taking care of me. I think it was about time that I got to take care of you." My fingers trace his jaw until they find the corner of his lips.

"You always take care of me, just in your own way. Let's continue to take care of each other."

"Is that a promise?" A small laugh escaped me. I placed my hands on each side of his face and pull him in for a kiss. I could feel him smile against it. His arms rest on my waist, keeping me warm and know that he will always be there to protect me. I pull away after a moment and hold his gaze.

"A promise sealed with a kiss." He leans in again and starts to litter my lips and cheeks with kisses, making me erupt with laughter. This continued for a while until I captured his lips again and pulled us closer.

"I just had to make sure that you knew I promised to do the same." My worries, my fear, and my doubt all slowly melt away. Hope takes root in its place. Hope for a life together. Hope for moments like these to last forever.