Critical Role x Reader [Open]

Naliin- pt2

Fluff.

~~~

In what seemed like no time at all they were ducking through the last few streets of Whitestone, hoods up, daggers and packs at their sides. Vax led the way, ducking around corners and then waving Nal through when it was clear.

While their main concern was Vox Machina, they tried to avoid the common folk as well. Better to not be seen at all than being ratted out later.

They had nearly made it.

Vax flashed a bright, excited smile over his shoulder at her as they quickly maneuvered their way through, holding up a single finger to signify one street left. Suddenly, his foot lurches as he steps wrong and stumbles into the street.

Vax catches his balance, immediately on alert and backpedaling into the alley. He curses under his breath, pressing closer to the evening shadows.

"Trinket." He explains in barely a whisper. "He might've seen me. We need to move."

They move two alleys over and both peek their heads out carefully, watching as Trinket approaches from down the street. He makes his way to where the two had previously been hiding and sniffs deeply once, twice, then turns into the alley. Nal feels Vax stand and grab her sleeve, tugging her with him as they run across the street and into the woods.

"He did see me, and now he's got our scent. We need to move quickly if we're going to lose him." Vax says, darting through the woods.

"If we cross a river, we can break the scent trail." Nal explains. Vax halts and looks at her.

"I hadn't thought of that. You're pretty smart, y'know."

She blushes a bit. "I know. Now c'mon, there's a river... This way."

Naliin leads them to the river successfully. They both cross, then decide to follow it for a while so they don't get turned around.

They walk and talk for a while, enjoying the calmness of the forest and each others company. Vax notes how glad he is to finally get some "time off" -- Nal snorts at that -- with different company. It's been hectic lately with Vox Machina, he explains, and he was getting a bit snippy with the others.

"So you walked away?" Nal quips cheekily. Vax laughs.

Nal realizes that she can get some of the herbs she's low on while they're out here. Vax offers his help, to which she agrees gratefully. She explains which ones she needs and how to identify them, then gets carried away explaining what they're useful for. Vax listens patiently, -- and secretly a bit fondly -- as she rants, occasionally chiming in with what little knowledge he has or a question and Nal is eager to answer.

After a while, the conversing lulls into companionable silence, listening to the gentle noise of the river and the forest animals. Bubbles pokes his head out at some point during the walk, and Nal goes to stroking his fur absentmindedly.

"Y'know," Vax pipes up, his soft voice bringing her from her thoughts. "It's getting rather dark. Perhaps we'll camp here for the night?"

Naliin's eyes find the sky, dusk taking hold in dark blues and purples. The stars, just barely peeking out, twinkle at her. She scans they clearing they've found themselves in and nods.

"Sounds good."

Vax helps Nal haul stones from the river to build a fire pit. She ends up dropping one and splashing him, to which he retaliates by purposefully dropping his. It quickly devolves into an all out splash-war that ends with Bubbles complaining loudly and them completely soaked, wheezing with laughter. Eventually they get the pit built and ready.