Careless | A Powerless Fanfiction

Chapter 12: Kai

We walked side by side, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot and the gentle rustling of leaves the only sounds between us. The night was quiet, and it felt like the world had settled down just for us. No chaos, no pressure, no eyes watching us. Just the two of us, under a sky full of stars.

Although we didn't speak, I could feel the weight of the day lifting with every step. It had been a whirlwind—tavern brawls, poker games, near-death experiences—and now, finally, there was this calm. It was strange, but in the best way.

The cool night air brushed against my skin, the scent of saltwater from the distant port city mixing with the earthy smell of the forest. For a moment, I almost forgot that we were on the run. The world felt small here, just me and Paedyn.

When we reached the inn, I tossed the innkeeper a handful of coppers. He barely looked at me, barely acknowledged our presence as he waved us to the side with a grunt. "Two meals, a hot shower, and a bed," I said, my voice low and gruff.

He gave me a dismissive nod, and I couldn't help but smirk at the fact that he didn't even care to ask where the money came from. With a lazy hand, he pointed us toward a small round table, and we sat down in silence, too tired to do anything but eat.

The food was basic—stew, bread, and some dried fruit—but after everything, it felt like a feast. We ate quickly, as if the quiet of the room was too good to waste, as if we knew that as soon as we were done, we'd be back to the usual rush.

After we finished, the innkeeper showed us to our room, and the second the door clicked shut behind us, Paedyn darted for the bathroom. I couldn't help but chuckle.

As a gentleman, I let her go first (not that I could have beaten her to the bathroom anyway...). I flopped down onto the bed, stretching my legs out, my body sore from the constant tension of the last few days. It felt strange to just... stop.

Fifteen minutes later, the bathroom door opened, and I glanced over. There she was, standing in the doorway, her hair slightly damp, water droplets dripping down her back. And then my eyes widened.

My shirt?

She was wearing my only clean shirt—well, now her shirt, I guess—and it hung loose on her frame, the fabric clinging slightly to her damp skin. My breath caught in my throat, but before I could say anything, she turned and caught my eye.

"I hope you don't mind," she said, her voice teasing. "Feel free to shower whenever. Can't guarantee there's any hot water left, though."

She laughed as she crossed the room, heading straight for the vanity, and I swear, the sound of her laugh made my chest tighten in a way I didn't fully understand.

I shook my head, almost dumbfounded, before standing up to head for the shower. Paedyn's voice was still echoing in my mind as I stood under the spray of water, trying to shake off the exhaustion.

It didn't take long before I was out, hair still damp as I wrapped a towel around my waist. Paedyn was sitting at the vanity, her brush moving effortlessly through her hair, but I couldn't focus on anything other than her.