The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

Somewhere Only We Know

Song: Somewhere Only We Know - Keane

We arrive outside Molina's cottage two days later and I have everyone stay back as I look for her. I find the brunette behind her cottage tending to one of her gardens, her back turned toward me. She addresses me as I come to stand a short distance away without looking at me.

"How did you know I was here?"

"It's subtle, but I can hear your movements. No one moves quite as fluidly as you do." She responds simply. "I assume you are here to call in your favor?"

"Yes, but it may just be one that will profit you as well."

It doesn't take too long for all of us to settle around Molina's kitchen. There isn't enough room at the table, so Mitsuhide and I let the women sit while we lean against the cabinets. Molina's eyes wander over all of us before settling on me expectantly. I hadn't explained anything further to her, just that I'd brought a few guests.

"Well... Molina, meet Harlowe. She is a, uh, friend of mine and she is interested in apprenticing an herbalist."

"It is nice to meet you Miss Molina." Harlowe says despite her hands shaking slightly.

"So you are cashing in your favor by wanting me to take on Harlowe as an apprentice? You must be special to him, huh?"

My eyes widen and Harlowe's face turns red as she focuses on the hanging pot of ivy beside her.

"A-Anyway," I mumble under my breath. "Will you work with her? If it doesn't work out after a few weeks, we will be considered even regardless."

After hesitantly agreeing on the favor, providing Harlowe with training, shelter, and food for at least three weeks, Molina was nice enough to offer for us to stay for the night. Iladriel had fallen asleep in her chair with her head resting on Mitsuhide's shoulder about ten minutes into our conversation, I talked to Mitsuhide who accepted the offer and followed her directions to take Iladriel into the spare room while she prepared dinner.

I look to Harlowe as she sits at the table still, her gaze unfocused and hands trembling as she absently picks at her nails. I think she's even more nervous now that she has the secured place to live. I ask Molina if she needs any help since she was nice enough to let us stay, but she shakes her head and says if she changes her mind that she'll get Mitsuhide to help.

"Harlowe, would you like to take a walk?" I ask then.

She jolts slightly as she looks up at me, then shakes away her thoughts as she gets to her feet.

"Uh, yes, thank you Obi."

We pass Mitsuhide on the way out and listen as he whines that as soon as he let go, Iladriel moved in her sleep and tried to cuddle his arm like a teddy bear. Molina's cat came into the room so he used Libra to try to take the place of his arm. Libra scratched him and him yelping woke her up slightly so he had to soothe her back to sleep but she still didn't let go and there was nothing else within arm's reach. He spent five minutes standing there until she shifted again and released him. I pat his back and grin before opening the door for Harlowe to walk out ahead of me.

"Are you okay?" I ask as I close the door behind us.

"I am uneasy. I am not sure if Miss Molina will like me. You decide to help me after what I did to you and to little girl."

"It will take time to get used to each other, you just have to be patient. I chose to help you because you chose to try to change your ways. You were showing that you weren't heartless like you'd made yourself out to be. If you want to legitimately change and try, then I will do what I can to help."

Harlowe stops and turns back toward me since she had wandered ahead a few steps, then shakes her head as she chuckles.

"You are a strange one, Obi. Very different... but I like it."

"How am I strange?" I ask as I move to meet up with her again.

"You carry yourself with the confidence and skill of an assassin yet completely comfortable with children and the royals of the castles. You believe in second chances as well. You should have killed me many times while we were in Death Market. Why did you not?"

"As you said, I believe in second chances." I mumble, avoiding her bright golden eyes. The truth is, I'm not sure why I didn't kill her.

Harlowe and I walk around for a while longer, talking about whatever comes to mind until she seems to finally relax. We start to head back through the trees to return to the cottage for dinner. We walk side by side, close but not touching except for the occasional brushing of our shoulders. I tense slightly as I feel my fingers graze hers but slowly find my hand moving to hold hers. She stiffens before lightly squeezing my hand as she looks up at me.

"O-Obi, can I do something?" She asks, her voice a whisper as a dark blush covers her cheeks.

"What is it?"

"I can't tell you... Do you trust me?"

"Until you give me a reason not to."

"Then do I have your permission?"

"As long as it doesn't bring harm to myself or anyone at the cottage, then yeah that's fine."

I arch a brow in confusion as she stops walking and moves in front of me.

"What is it-" I'm cut off by her lips gently touching mine.

She pulls away and turns her gaze to the forest floor while mumbling apologies to me.

"I-I'm sorry Obi, I just-"

I cut her off by cupping her cheek and pulling her back in.