My Adventurer (Dale x OC)

(4) Four Days Later

I got up and got dressed in another ball gown, this one having no sleeves to it. I left my room, wanting to go to the kitchen and get some food, but Dale passed by me, looking like he was going out.

"Dale, where are you going?" I ask.

"I'm going into the city to get some food. Did you want to come?"

"I'd love to!" I responded as I walked beside him. "Ooh, can we stop by the bakers? Every morning they make fresh loaves of bread and they are my favourite, I always buy a couple when I visit here"

He laughed. "Sure"

When we stepped outside the castle and started walking I was met with cold air. I didn't expect it to be cold, so I left without a jacket. I was starting to regret it, until Dale took off his jacket and set it over my shoulders.

"Here," Dale said, handing me his jacket.

"Thanks " I said, shivering.

I slipped it on and hugged myself, trying to warm myself up. We were almost at the nearest city, going to stay there for the week to see if it got any warmer. If not we would get some supplies better suited for the cold and continue on.

"Are you sure you won't be cold?" I ask him.

"I've got a long sleeve shirt on. You don't have anything on your arms"

"Thank you"

He shook his head and smiled at me, a kind smile that made me blush. "Anytime"

After getting everything we wanted we started walking back, a couple of bags full of food in our hands. We took the longer way back through the forest, wanting to enjoy the sun shinning through the trees and the wildlife.

I accidentally tripped over a rock, unable to see it coming because of my dress and because I was distracted. Luckily Dale quickly grabbed my arm and held me up, keeping me from falling. It reminded me of a time, years ago, when we had been fighting off some more magical beasts.

I ran as one of them tried getting away. I managed to slice through it with my sword, but as I did I slipped and fell down a small hill. When I made it to the bottom I tried getting up but cried out in pain.

Dale rushed down the hill. "Are you okay?"

"I just hurt my ankle when I killed that last one"

"Can you walk?"

"I can't even stand on it"

"Okay, here," he said, helping me stand so I was only on one foot. Then he turned around and let me crawl onto his back.

"Are you going to be able to carry me all the way back to the town?"

"You're light, it shouldn't be a problem. Now, hold on"

I leaned my chest against his back and wrapped my arms around his neck loosely. I saw him blush at how close I was to him as he started walking.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks. I just tripped over a rock"

I started walking again and after a couple steps forward he suggested something. "Why don't you keep hold of my hand? We don't want you to fall"

"Sure"

I took his hand in mine and we walked back to the castle, hand in hand, a blush on the both of our cheeks. I was starting to feel more and more nervous around him. Maybe the feelings I had for him when I was younger were starting to grow.

Once we made it back I was pretty tired. I gave Dale his jacket back and went straight to my room, changing into a nightgown and dropping into my bed. I woke up briefly a little while later when I heard my door open.

Through half lidded eyes I watched Dale yawn, trudging over to my bed as he pulled off his gloves, tossing them on the desk. He also kicked off his boots and tossed off his hat. Then he plopped down on the bed beside me, throwing one of his arms over me.

"Dale?" I grumbled tiredly. "Why are you in my room?"

He jumped up, wide awake now. "I-I'm sorry! That meeting was just very long and-"

"It's fine, you looked half asleep. I don't mind, lie down"

He stayed on his own side as he quickly fell asleep. I kept to my side, dreaming of when we had been travelling together. That first night with the two of us alone in the forest.

"Are you tired?" He asked as he watched me struggle to keep my eyes open.

"A little..."

"You can sleep, it is late"

"But, what about you?"

"I'll be going to sleep soon, too. I promise you'll be okay, nothing's going to happen if that's what you're worried about"

I laid down on the ground in front of the fire, easily falling asleep. It was strange, I was with a stranger, yet I somehow already trusted him.

When I woke up I was as I went to sleep. He was asleep beside me, the blanket he had with him covering the both of us, our backs pressed together. The fire had gone out but the heat from his body and the blanket had kept me warm.

Most guys would've tried something, he didn't. Even throughout the rest of our adventure, the two years we spent together, he never once tried anything. He didn't try to touch me or kiss me, not like all the other boys I've met.

But coming to the end of our journey I was starting to hope he'd kiss me. I liked him, and he might've liked me too. Yet we never got the chance to say goodbye because I was dragged back to my castle.