Darkmist

Part 5

At the end of her day, Y/N is thoroughly exhausted.

She stands in the middle of the forge, bellows held in one hand while she strokes the flames higher. Owen left a half-hour prior to make another delivery, directing Y/N to finish up today's metalwork. It was a large step towards her independence, being left alone in the forge.

Feeling prideful of this, Y/N sets the bellows aside and picks up a large piece of metal. She needs to create several more horseshoes, since the recent crowd of travelers has bled their stock dry. Holding the metal over the fire, Y/N slowly melts it in each direction. Glancing briefly over her shoulder, she ensures no one watches and tempers the edges with darkness.

Yoongi chuckles and steps from the shadows. "Does Owen know you do that?" he asks.

Y/N yelps, nearly dropping the horseshoe in the flames.

Yoongi's smile widens, walking closer. "What are you doing?"

Scowling, Y/N retracts the horseshoe to dunk in the water. "Creating something," she mutters, staring into the bucket. "Something you wouldn't know anything about."

Yoongi comes to a stop at her shoulder, peering over. "Creating something with magic?"

Y/N's gaze flies upwards. "Will you please be quiet?" she hisses. "Someone could hear."

"Someone like Gwen?"

Swiftly, Y/N removes the horseshoe and stomps to the shelf. Satisfied by its shape, she places this down and whirls to face Yoongi. "Touch her," she blurts. "And I'll have something to say about it."

"Like what?"

Ignoring his mirth, Y/N strides past him to undo her apron. The leather is heavy, sticking to her chest in a way she pointedly ignores. It is not as though Yoongi would ever look at her like that. However – when she glances his way, she sees Yoongi look hastily up.

Almost guiltily, he avoids her gaze.

Y/N pauses, uncertain what just occurred. Deciding she is imagining things, she resumes hanging her apron. "Leave Gwen out of this, alright?"

Disappearing from where he stands, Yoongi reappears beside her. "You know I can't promise that," he says, low. "Just like you can't promise not to use magic. It's not what we are."

Enraged by his casual use of magic, Y/N lifts her chin. "Since you seem so intent upon continuing this conversation," she hisses. "Let's do it outside of my workplace."

Without waiting for his response, she grabs her cloak to push open the door. Exiting the forge, Y/N sends a dark wave of magic behind her to clean its surface. Ignoring Yoongi's smirk, Y/N strides down the road.

"So." He catches up to her easily, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Can we continue our conversation now?"

"What conversation?" Y/N pulls her cloak tighter. "You broke into my place of work and now are stalking me home."

"To the inn," Yoongi corrects. "Where I also rent a room."

"And the breaking and entering part?"

"Doors are... confusing for Cŵn Annwn."

Scowling, Y/N lowers her voice. "Doesn't excuse your impropriety."

Yoongi shrugs.

He becomes uncharacteristically silent as they walk through the town. The town's lamplighters are almost done for the evening, the contained flames of the lamps casting shadows over the ground. Y/N stares at it all, feeling their tug in her soul.