Behind the Mask | Garroth x Reader

| Part Thirty One | Peace at Last |

Watching the ritual happen wasn't something that I was particularly interested in at first, but I'm glad that Brendan had dragged me from my house to watch. I had been spending all this time trading off with Zoey watching Levin and Alexis. I was half asleep, but seeing Lady Aphmau put the last touches on the ritual made me more curious. The flash was followed by the warmth that sank into my bones. The pain from being on my feet for so long and even lingering pains from minor injuries had vanished. 

We all look at each other, a mix of shock and awe on each of our faces. The mix of purple and black masses that were in the plaza had turned into diamonds. The reflections from the gem-like cave were blinding. Lady Aphmau was the first to approach. She ran her hand along the side of the cave and stopped in the center, twirling and smiling. 

"It worked!" She cheered, followed by Brendon quickly approaching and inspecting the cave. Seeing this amount of diamonds in one spot seemed unreal, but knowing that one moment we were worried about these rips in the realm barrier causing further issues, either with Alexis or spreading to having all worries of village funds being solved was not something any of us was accounting for. 

Garroth stood at the diamond cave, I couldn't exactly tell if he was in shock or trying to think about how to remove this much diamond from our plaza. I make my way to his side and tap the back of my hand against his. He stiffened for a moment, but seeing that it was me, he relaxed and took my hand into his.

"How are you feeling? I feel like every little pain I was feeling before was healed in an instant." Garroth would look down at himself, raising a hand and testing his range of motion on his arm.

"Lady Irene has truly given us a blessing. I think we will all be able to sleep peacefully tonight." He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. I had barely slept last night, and the night before was interrupted by Zane. A bit of guilt still followed me, but I couldn't tell that to Garroth. I turn my gaze away from him, but he lifts his other hand and takes hold of my chin. He gently turns my head back to look up into his helm. "You might be feeling alright now, but I know you have been pushing yourself to try to help Alexis. Please just relax tonight."

I give him a small smile and rest my hand in his hand. "Only if you do the same." He let out a barely audible chuckle past his helm with an okay. "Then why don't you come over and I'll make dinner for us?" He glances over to Logan's stall, scanning for anything he might have left before going on his honeymoon.

"I'll find something to bring." His attention gets pulled to was starting to chip away at the diamond cave. A frustrated expression wasn't what I initially expected. But seeing how he is always going around fixing buildings, roads, and even the docks, I can see why a giant lump of diamond in the middle of the plaza would make him mad. I let out a chuckle.

"It seems Brendan may need some help. Why not go help him, and I'll take care of tonight's plan." Brendan perked up at the mention of his name, and when he saw Garroth removing his sword and shield and looking for a pickaxe, he let out a cheer and handed him an extra. "I'll stop by and bring you both some food later." I give them both a wave and make my way back home to prepare what I need.

---

Thankfully, the two of them were busy late into the night. Trying to throw something together for a nice meal without Logan's range of ingredients at the ready meant a trip to Mateli. Dinner was something simple for me to pack into the basket. As I was smoothing out the wrinkles on my cloak, there was a knock at the door. I draped the cloak over the basket and made my way over to the door. Garroth's shoulders were slumped a bit, I assume the repeated use of the pickaxe did a number on his shoulders. I smile and take his hand to lead him inside.

"So I had an idea, but you have every right to shut it down, I did have a backup plan in place just in case." I pull him to the table and lift the cloak to reveal the picnic basket under.