daughter of esmund

Twenty-One

A/N: Hey y'all! I know it's been a while since I posted a chapter and I'm sorry for that! But I finally got my stuff together and here it is! If you enjoy this chapter please consider voting and commenting any feedback you may have, it's greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for being patient.

- Joya

Word Count: 1802
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The feeling of someone's hand on my shoulder is the motion that causes me to stir. I let out a small whine, moving to bury my face further into the pillow. There's a chuckle before they shake my shoulder a bit, "C'mon, time to wake up."

Laurence's voice fills my ears as I peak an eye open, blinking for a few moments before my eyes widen. I sit up, glancing around the room. It's a small living, presumably a part of a small cottage or something along the lines of that. There's the front door right across from the couch, which I'm laying on. The kitchen is to the left of the living room and down the hall from that I can just barely see two more doors.I'd been staying at the guard station ever since we got back and this was not the guard station. I rack my brain, trying to remember anything about the night before but failing. I mean, I remember Katelyn giving me the t-shirt and jeans that I'm currently wearing, but that's really it. My eyes glance back to Laurence's face, who's smiling, "Good morning, beauty."

I blush a bit, "That's a new one.."

He shrugs, sitting down on the couch and placing a hand on my knee, "Seemed appropriate.."

I give an awkward smirk as something crosses my mind, my cheeks reddening even more, "Uhm..L-laurence we didn't-"

His eyes widen a bit as he shakes his head, "N-No! Irene no, nononono, you just..heh.." He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, "You had a bit too much to drink at the reception and ended up crashing on the couch before I could get you to the guard station. I figured I'd let you sleep. So no, we didn't do anything last night.."

I give a small sigh of relief, smiling a bit, "O-okay, just..wanted to double check.."

He nods, standing up and stretching, "Anyways," he reached and pulls me off the couch so I'm standing in front of him, "We have to meet up with everyone else, Aphmau got a plan together on what's next."

I give a small whine in protest as Laurence pulls me up from the couch, but after stretching nod, "Alright then..."

He smirked a bit, kissing my cheek gently, "Ready?"

I nod as a small smile grazes my lips, "Ready."
With that Laurence grabs his sword and I grab my bow and we're out the door. On our way out Laurence tosses me a jacket, remarking that he doesn't want me to get sick again. We meet up with everyone else just outside the compound. Aphmau, while she does have a smile on her face, seems worn thin. The bags under her eyes are prominent as is the scratchiness of her voice, and it doesn't seem like I'm the only one to take notice, but no one seems to mention it.