A Kindling, of Sorts (Revali x reader)

by the time we get to castletown

A few days into the trip, a palpable tension became immediately clear to your comrades. Obvious lingering glances and uncharacteristic bits of kindness shared between the the Rito Champion and their scruffy ally was a puzzling sight.

Most had teased you, jokingly, over your relationship with Revali. It was obvious that you were fond of him, at least, but the way he seemed to actually(yet subtly) reciprocate your "friendly" feelings towards him was rather surprising. Not everyone was particularly shocked, Bruno even appeared to root for it(though Millie seemed just "a bit" jealous).

Still, plenty watched with interest. You walked the path with enthusiasm as the Champion sat comfortably on the edge of a horse drawn wagon, rolling right next to you. In any other circumstance, he might have spent the entire trip flying overhead, but not now.

The two of you sat beside each other during meals as well, laughing and arguing over nothing. It could all be read as a friendly, yet flirtatious banter. A wink and a chuckle. A little ways away sat a familiar group.

"Oh, goddess," Millie said hushed, discretely glancing back at the Champion. "I'm so sorry, I just don't know how they did it." A few people laughed at her frustration, sparing glances your way with smug grins.

"They are pretty charismatic when you get to know them," one offered between bites of gruel. Some scoffed and gave him a playful punch in the shoulder, to which he struggled to keep his bowl level and shot the offender an annoyed glare. "Hey— I almost dropped my dinner!"

"Wait, actually," chirped in another. "I kind of agree. Like they're kind of a jerk and a freak, but they can deliver some killer one-liners."

"Right! That's what I'm saying."

Millie merely pouted and poked at her food. Bruno, who'd been sitting beside her, swallowed the last of his meal and lowered his head in condolence. He knew how she felt— He'd been rejected before as well.

"Cheer up, Millie," he said with a kind smile. "Though charming and impressive, I don't think that champion is as much as a catch as you think." It was clear to most that had interacted with Revali that, to an extent, he was putting up a front. It was admittedly hard to tell exactly where the persona ended and where Revali, the actual Revali, began but... something else was there.

Over the past couple days, little windows into his personality had been opened. He likes to tease, but is easily made guilty. He is a bad cook. He is mildly unsettled by horses. To an extent, the person people see as "Revali" is a ruse in of itself.

To his credit, he'd done an amazing job in crafting this mask, but that does not make it any less artificial.

Millie understood, mostly, but she didn't have to like it. The Rito Champion is attractive, its not wrong for her to yearn for an attractive man. She hung her head and groaned, rubbing her temples as she heard the couple behind her laugh idly. "It should've been meeee...."

"Ugh, I don't know what the big deal is." Russ interjected with a frown. "They're probably just friends at most. Even if he wasn't a completely different species, that asshole would never stoop down to our level!" He gestures at them vaguely with his spoon before shoveling more slop into his mouth. The thought that he was projecting flashed in everyone's minds for a moment, but no one said anything.

Nonetheless, one or two soldiers nodded in mild agreement. How would that even work? How does one kiss a bird, not to mention... other things...?

Bruno laughed and put his empty bowl down. "Yeah, okay," he said in that dangerously mischievous tone he gets as he bent down to get on Russ's level. "They'll be 'just friends' for now, but by the time we get to Castletown, there's going to be much more to gossip about. Trust me."

"Last time I trusted you, I ended up covered in baby oil."

The group burst into laughter at that, prompting you to finally look over, curious.

"What's that about?" you muttered, squinting at the group as they looked between you and... Russ? It was hard to tell honestly, the sun was setting and they were pretty far away. Actually, it feels like people have been avoiding you since the trip back started. You were always a bit of a loner with this group, but the way you've been deliberately excluded lately was starting to get to you. Is it your imagination?

Revali clicked his beak in thought beside you, following your gaze. "They are sitting rather far, aren't they?" he observed, then glanced down.  In his lap sat a bowl of slop, a helping that he'd let go cold. He accepted it with fake gratitude, and now just held it awkwardly in his wings. He kept realizing he had it, then forgetting, and realizing again. His mind is elsewhere today, he supposed with a sigh. He put the bowl on the ground beside him and looked toward you as you gazed into the distance with a quiet hum.

"They may be plotting your demise, you know. Its quite a sight to be seen with the likes of me."

You let out a snort and kick a little dust in his direction. "Hey!" he shouted in response with fake offense, slapping you lightly with his wing. You were nearly knocked over on impact. The two of you laugh, obnoxiously happy in each other's company, feeling at ease. Its all probably in your head, truly!

Though you could swear you feel eyes on you still...