a new chapter

baelfire

after the bonfire baelfire knew what that feeling was.

jealousy had overwhelmed him at the bonfire and finally it clicked as to why. it was sorcha... or more specifically it was because he was in love with her.

he was in love with sorcha.

it had hit him like a ton of bricks but perhaps it shouldn’t have. they spent so much time together and they were already so close; their friendship was something he cherished dearly... and something he wanted t preserve. they were amazing friends but if he told her how he felt would she feel the same? and what would things be like between them if she didn’t?

a knot had formed in his stomach but he had already decided. today he would tell her. the idea of living their whole lives and never saying a thing to the woman he loved was more frightening then anything else. he didn’t want to lose her, and he didn’t think he would, but he knew if she did not feel the same he would need some time alone to mend. he had done it before, surely he could do it again.

baelfire lifted his muzzle to the sky and called for her, hoping she was near enough to hear.

@Sorcha

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SORCHA

Of all the Highland cities, Inverness was the best for selling. It was one of the biggest, and remained a melting pot of Rionnach wolves even after the rebellion. So of course, Sorcha was here for work yet again.

Work. That was all she seemed to do at the moment. She really needed a break, to just enjoy her homeland rather than flitting from city to city trading wares. She grumbled lowly to herself as she shook her pelt, settling heavily onto her rump with a huff. Once she was back in Perth, she was taking a holiday. Her mother could run her own errands for a while, maybe that would help her get over her grudge towards everyone down south.

A call was carried on the wind, and ginger ears flicked in surprise. Stretching, she checked on her stashes, ensuring they were safe from prying eyes and chancers before she turned to follow the call, a familiar buzz filling her chest as her paws carried her across the wide expanse of meadows that made up Inverness.

Baelfire was easy to spot, a tall white figure amongst the still soft greens - winter might be around the corner, but it had not yet hit the town. She grinned as she approached him. “We need to stop meeting like this,” she teased, “I think you know my work schedule better than I do.”

@Baelfire

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baelfire

the longer he waited, the more nervous he became.

what if she rejected him?

what if she said she felt the same?

he honestly didn’t know which was making him feel dizzier, but before he could decipher his own thoughts, she appeared. as she came closer, there seemed to be a light of sorts behind her. or maybe that was just in his head...

the words that tumbled from her lips were garbled and unintelligible until he blinked and shook his head, clearing the fog that had settled in just in time to hear the last bits. he let out a nervous laugh, not fully understanding anything right now. he drew a breath and tried his best to calm himself. even though she was what was making him nervous, she also had a calming effect on him. it was entirely confusing.

now why would i stop bugging you? he asked— referring back to her earlier comment about them needing to stop meeting like this. he liked bugging her at work.

he paused a moment before speaking. i— i actually wanted to ask you something kind of important, if you’re not too busy. he hoped she wasn’t in a rush, but she didn’t seem like she was. sorcha... these past few years have been arguably the best of my life since my parents passed. and that’s... he paused again, contemplative. that’s because of you. he said, more firmly now. he was sure in this decision, and all he could do was say what he needed to say and see what happened.

i’m in love with you and i think i have been for a while now.

it was like a weight had lifted up off his chest and he could finally breath again. even if she turned him down, he would survive. at least he had been true to himself and his feelings.

@Sorcha

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SORCHA

He seemed nervous, she noted curiously. A little fidgety, but he soon relaxed as she spoke, quipping back at her ”now why would i stop bugging you?”. Sorcha grinned, “I don’t know how I manage to get any work done.” she teased, knowing full well that Baelfire was more than a welcome distraction from the monotony of trading.

“i— i actually wanted to ask you something kind of important, if you’re not too busy.” The nervousness was back, she had to guess by the pause as he mulled over his thoughts before speaking, so she nodded, ears perking as she settled into a seated position beside him.

“sorcha... these past few years have been arguably the best of my life since my parents passed. and that’s… that’s because of you.” A small smile passed her lips as he spoke. It had been a difficult couple of years for the both of them, but having Baelfire by her side had made the loss of her father and brother that little bit easier. Neither of them deserved what they had gone through, but they had gotten through it together.

“i’m in love with you and i think i have been for a while now.”

His words shocked her out of her thoughts, and she blinked owlishly at him, mind working overdrive to catch up.

But then everything fell into place.

Sorcha had seen love, true love, before. It was in the eyes and the song of her parents as they danced, in her mother’s delicate lullaby as she rocked her children to sleep on a stormy night, in her father’s booming laughter as he wrestled with her brother.

It was here in Inverness.

|| Her body moved before she could think, slender arms wrapping around his shoulders and pressing her lips to his.

@Baelfire

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baelfire

their playful conversation had ended abruptly with his admittance and now only silence hung between them. what was really only a few minutes at most, seemed like eons to baelfire.

his heart hammered in his chest and he was feeling a regret so heavy he almost couldn't bear it as he looked at her surprised expression. maybe he shouldn't have said anything, maybe he should have kept things the way they were, maybe—

he gasped as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, but was silenced swiftly by her kiss.

suddenly, his head was empty. the anxiety melted away as they embraced one another and he knew he had his answer without her even needing to say it. still, he had to ask. pulling back slightly, he looked down at her with a smile so big it made his cheeks ache.

will you be mine, sorcha? he asked.

he wanted to hear her say 'yes' out loud, he wanted to do this right.

@Sorcha

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SORCHA

|| Her actions gave Baelfire her answer, how she pulled him closer and buried her face in his shoulder with a laugh, feeling strong arms wrap around her slender shoulders in a protective and warm embrace, before he gently, carefully, pulled back and green eyes met her own.

Sorcha knew that her heart had belonged to Baelfire long before this moment. They had exchanged many tentative glances and gentle brushes. How silly they had been, waiting so long to admit what was so obvious.

“will you be mine, sorcha?” He asked, and Sorcha returned his smile with one of her own, eyes crinkling at the corners from her smile. She reached up to brush his muzzle with her own. He wanted her word, clear as day. Never assuming, no matter how obvious her signs might be. She pulled away again to face him, eyes glittering brightly. “Of course.” Her voice was soft, whispered just for his ears.

@Baelfire

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baelfire

he couldn’t stop himself from pulling her in to kiss her again when she told him yes, of course. ‘of course’ as if it should have been so obvious all this time. and maybe it should’ve been.

baelfire didn’t leave her embrace immediately, finding that he quite liked it here. he wasn’t sure what to do or say now, finding his mind wandering along many trains of thought. he nuzzled his face into her neck and signed, simply content to bask in this moment. he knew they would have their fair share of fights and of fun— but this moment was one he would cherish and remember for a long time, if not forever. he had never felt so... at peace.

finally, he stepped away, but his gaze remained on her as he contemplated ‘what now?’

you think your mother will be happy? he asked, chuckling a little. he wondered if they’d have a highland ceremony or if they’d just keep things quiet and easy, between them. he didn’t mind either way though the thought of a celebration did sound quite fun. but perhaps he’d save that proposal for another day. they did have plenty of time after all.

if you’re not busy i’d like to spend some time with you— or help if you are busy. i can’t even think about work now, he said. the smile had never left his face.

exit

@Sorcha

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SORCHA

|| He pulled her in for another kiss, hands carding through her hair and holding her close. They parted, foreheads touching as they enjoyed a few more quiet moments in each other’s arms.

It was Baelfire who stepped away first though his gaze remained fixed on hers.

you think your mother will be happy? He asked her with a soft chuckle and she laughed. “She loves you,” there were a lot of things that Iona and Baelfire disagreed on, and Sorcha knew that their relationship was a little strained at the moment - it was the same for her. But Iona loved them both, that would never change. To the Highland women, Baelfire was already her son. “And she’ll be happy to have you as part of the family - officially.” She could imagine Iona would be wedding planning the moment she learned of the news - and she wasn’t even sure if that was what Baelfire wanted!

if you’re not busy i’d like to spend some time with you— or help if you are busy. i can’t even think about work now,

His words drew her out of her thoughts again, and she tilted her head in thought. “I think I can spare a few hours. There’s a market on main street today, want to have a look around?” Technically that was where she was supposed to be working… but a few hours wouldn’t hurt. And she wanted to spend time with Baelfire now that he was here.

exit Sorcha

@Baelfire

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