Red's Homecoming 12

The hospital was a quick enough ride, but Red’s thoughts were on the past few events. Ralar was silent. It wasn't his place to give his own opinion, but he did have the detectives conduct it in secret lest Red have to deal with an angered Rhys again. They both knew that would happen.

Red was led to the room where Lorelei and Gray were recovering.

She stopped at Lorelei’s bed first. “Lorelei,” she whispered.

The pretty blademaster was heavily bandaged and looked like she was asleep. Though her ear that wasn’t bandaged twitched at hearing Red. Lorelei groaned.

“Guess we won't be crossing blades again any time soon,” Red muttered.

"Mmm, we will," she groaned out in a pained tone. "I might even let you win. Ya know, if you need to be cheered up."

Red chuckled at that, “Or maybe I should let you win, you did just get blown up. I’m glad you’re recovering well.”

“My pride would be insulted, so I’d let you win,” she smirked. “You weren’t hurt were you?” She had no idea Red wasn’t at the port.

“No Lorelei, I wasn’t near the port. Seems Malisha was behind everything though, we caught her with pretty damning evidence.”

“That bitch. We fought in the war together,” she groaned, a bit hurt despite her reputation. “To think she did a good job of winning people over. Heh, crazy for you to think I know.”

Red nodded, “You just get some rest. We need you back.”  

“In a bit. I can’t let you walk off sad and all. At least not when it’s gonna stay in your head. I’m sorry I couldn’t disarm it.”

“It could have been worse. You did well.” Red assured her.  

“Of course. Are you going to be OK? It’s alright if you can’t, just don’t hold it in. You have enough problems.”

“I’ll be fine, you just concentrate on healing.”  

Lorelei sighed before nodding. Both of their ears perked when a familiar voice spoke out.

“She’s trying to help you know,” coughed out Gray, who was a few beds down.

“Gray,” Red exclaimed as she walked over to him. “Why were you at the port, at your age with a bomb near you?” It was Red’s turn to be cross.

“I followed Gamock when we split up to look for the traitor. It was a coincidence to be honest. Not my best thought,” he groaned.

Red sighed, “I’m just glad you’re alive, I was so worried.”

“I’m so sorry to have worried you. I am a bit too old for this, I just wanted to put this all behind us. Mmm, my chest is killing me, but I’ve always had a good heart, saved my life,” he joked.

Red swiveled an ear back, “Well it’s not like I can call you out for foolishness with my recent escapades. Next time though, just get out as soon as things seem dangerous. You’re too valuable.”

“Oh no, I'm just an old man who has read one too many books. You are the definition of valuable,” Gray groaned out, raising his hand to feel Red’s muzzle. She held it close for a time and he patted her before smiling wide.

“My Rejita, I don’t intend to go anywhere. Not when you have so much more to learn child.”

“Good, you’re not allowed to and consider that an order,” she said teasingly.

“One I plan to follow through on,” Gray said, motioning for an embrace, “But not before I request a hug since it may be awhile before I am at your side again.”

Red happily obliged him when the door swung open. She turned to see Treasor, probably returned from jailing Malisha.

“Treasor, what are you doing here,” Red asked.

"I came to check on you, Rejita. You got a bit away from me after the incident with Malisha. I am still your head guard."

Red pricked her ears forward, “Kind of you, I’m doing as well as can be expected.”

“Of course, I can only hope for so much. She's put away and under guard. She’s not very talkative.”

“That’s a first,” Red remarked.

“I concur,” Treasor sighed before putting an arm on Red's shoulder. “Let's sweep that problem away for now though.”

Red looked at him, he seemed so much more empathetic than when she first met him, she offered a smile. “Sounds good to me, I have enough to worry about. Thanks for being there, I know it’s your job and all, but thank you all the same.”

“Yes, well a lot of things are at stake now. I just…,” he started to say when he stared into Red's eyes. He stopped, unable to form the rest of his words.

Red met his gaze intrigued, “You what?”  

“I what,” he parroted, having lost his train of thought completely.

Red flattened her ears at that, “You were going to say something!”

“Apologies, I was distracted by your eyes,” he said before realizing what he admitted.

“Very good Treasor, that’s how you woo a female,” Gray joked.

Red swiveled an ear back, “Don’t tease him, he’s not interested.” She looked at him again and her muzzle parted, “Are you?”

“Oh, what’s a bodyguard to answer,” he mumbled aloud, giving an answer without saying a word as he failed to say anything.

“Treasor…,” Red started to say when the doors were flung open again and in walked General Rhys.

“Rejita,” he growled, looking for her.

“General,” she answered him. “You’ve heard then?”

“That I did,” he said, halfway between angry and ready to break down. Ralar and Treasor had positioned themselves between him and Red.

“I’m sorry, I know this must be painful for you.”

“You have no idea. Now, what were you doing in my home in the first place,” he accused.

“Following a lead. One I actually hoped was wrong.”

“I doubt you wished that,” Rhys grunted, his hand shaking.

Rejita folded her arms. “I’ll admit we didn’t get along, but I don’t take any pleasure in what I did. Have you heard of what we found? You have to admit the amount of evidence was overwhelming.”  

“I still want to see it with my own eyes. I just...please, I have to see this for myself.”

Red’s tone softened, “Of course, you will. It’s in evidence right now. I’m sure we can arrange for you to examine it.”

“In the meantime Malisha will remain in your custody. It may not be for the best to see her,” Rhys relented, looking at the floor.

“That’s your decision,” Red responded. “I won’t try to sway your opinion.”

Rhys moved to leave before his legs got shaky. He quickly found a seat to catch his breath.

Red pushed her guards aside and crossed to him.

“I know how much she means to you, I can’t begin to express my sorrow for you.”  

Rhys scowled, “We trusted each other during the war. At times, it was just us. Her because nobody wanted to be in a squad with the daughter of a traitor and me because I stood up for her. How evil could someone be to wait that long, bond that much, and still act? I refuse to believe that, but I shouldn’t. Not as a general.” He was obviously split in two.

“I can’t even begin to answer those questions,” Red replied. “All I know is what we found and she physically attacked me, neither of those things  put her in a good light. If you wish to see her, you should. For now, go home, you need to get yourself together.”

“Not my home. I’ll have Arlon contact you where I end up, but she moved in not long ago. Too much of her is in that place. As dark as it sounds, she talked about proposing as a victory prize...not so cute now,” he grunted before stopping himself. “Apologies, I am sorry you were attacked. Your life was at risk and I haven’t so much as acknowledged it.”

“You’re distraught, I understand. Please take some time to refocus.”

“I will look over the evidence, check for any further leads on the bomb, and then I will,” he said, forcing himself to his feet. “Guardsman Lorelei. Chronicler Aethelwulf. Thank you for your sacrifice, may you reach full recovery,” he said, saluting the two. Neither were able to return it, but Rhys understood. He moved to leave before his crossed mind made a bigger fool of himself.

Red shook her head, “Why is it we caught her and the victory feels hollow?”

“It’s not as black and white a situation as we had hoped, nor is she the ideal perpetrator.” Gray grunted from his bed. “Malisha is more complicated than either you or Rhys could hope for. I regret telling you about her past, this is my doing I feel.”

“You give yourself too much credit,” Red replied. “Still, now at least we won’t have assassins. I hope now we focus on the trials.”

“I think I should get you out of this hospital first off,” Treasor cut back in, steeling himself.

“Yes,” Red agreed. Treasor took her by the hand gingerly before exiting the room and giving a farewell to Lorelei and Gray, who both did their best to wave off Red.

“Apologies for any inappropriate behavior.”

“Oh,” Red responded. “Yes of course. No need to worry. Shall we move on then?”

Within, Red couldn’t help but think of Treasor as something a bit more than her guard captain. She shook the thoughts away.

“Of course, let us clear our thoughts,” he grunted before trotting off, he was clearly nervous. More nervous than she’d ever seen him. Red sighed, as they left the hospital for the palace. Treasor was quiet, deep in his own thoughts.

Eventually the two entered a dimly lit room, all manner of pleasant aromas filled the room coming from candles. Soft music played in the background and cushions lay strewn about to help Daedalians unwind to a treat for the senses.

“Been some time,” Red said as she sat crosslegged on a cushion, she saw Treasor sit at a respectful distance from her.  

“This place always does wonders for me. Can't imagine doing anything other than lighting the candles after how the last two days have been,” he grunted, taking in a deep breath and enjoying the whiff. “Like a dewy forest, without the bugs.”

“Mmmhmm,” Red responded, taking in everything, her eyes shut. “This was a good idea.”  

“Agreed. Though as relaxing as it is, I've had much time to think. I'm sorry this all happened Rejita. I had no power to prevent any of this for all my training and experience. I promise to try harder.”

“We were against a cunning foe, and I’m still alive. You did well. Still improvement never hurts, just don’t beat yourself up.”

"In this room? I don't intend to, I just wanted to apologize now that things have slowed down."

Red’s ear’s parted, “You don’t have to apologize to me.”

“Of course I do,” he frowned back.

“Treasor,” she said in a stern voice, “You’ve done well. I’m not angry and I’m not disappointed. Besides with all the foolish things I’ve done, I should be thanking you for your patience.”  

“Things haven’t been ideal for your return. In all honesty. I’m amazed you haven’t wanted to leave after everything. Nobody would blame you.”
“I won’t lie and say I haven’t thought about it. But that would be selfish, this is bigger than me.”

“It is. But you are more than a royal. You are your own person. All this time I tried to not think of that part, you were going to save Daedalia. I didn't want to get to know you.”

“Really? I never would have guessed,” Red remarked sarcastically.“But you did.”

“Against my best attempts…”

Red leaned forward a bit, “I’m glad you did. You’ve become much better company from when we first met, and I learned you’re an interesting Daedalian. Teacher, soldier, even a friend to me.”

“We are friends aren’t we,” his ears parted, embarrassed. “That's more than fine now. I look at you and I see…”

“What,” she prodded, a flutter in her stomach.

“I don't know, I'm sorry,” he grunted.

Red’s ears went down. “Oh,” she said disappointed. She opened her mouth to say something and then closed it, going back to relaxing.”

“Rejita. Okay, I do know, but you wouldn't… believe me.”

“You’re not making any sense,” Red stated. She picked herself up and sat down closer to Treasor, “Talk to me, tell me what’s going on.”

Treasor’s ears twitched. “You’re beautiful. Obviously, but now it’s what’s on my mind when I see you.”

Red felt the flutter feeling again, she thought of him carrying her and his recent kindness.

“Are you trying to say what, I think you are,” she asked, leaning closer. Treasor backed up nervously.

“Y- yes,” he whimpered, not wanting to stare.

Red lowered her ears. She didn’t like seeing him like this when she thought of him as being strong and confident. She reached out and put her hand to his face. “I’ve got to say something too,” she said in a whispered tone.

“The floor is yours,” Treasor grunted.

Red tried to find the words, but stopped. She was tongue tied, she was never tongue tied. Her muzzle opened and shut, her ears flattened in frustration. “I… well… I…. you make me…,” she flung up her hands in frustration.  

“That’s how I feel too, Your Highness,” he chuckled. “Your Highness… that’s why I don’t want to do anything. I’m just your bodyguard, I am attracted to you, Rejita. This is inappropriate though.”

Red suddenly growled as she put her hand behind his neck and pulled him close. She kissed him firmly, before drawing back quickly.

“I… Treasor…,” she suddenly seemed embarrassed.

Treasor’s hand going behind her head. “Tell me if I should stop,” he quickly said, freezing in his tracks.

“No…,” Red responded.

“No stop,” he asked nervously.  

“Don’t stop you dope,” she growled.

Treasor blushed beneath his fur before kissing Red without another word. The two sat there kissing for a time. Red couldn’t think of anything else but the two of them. Treasor had the same thoughts, running his hand down her back as he continued.

“I feel like a hypocrite,” he grunted, embarrassed but unable to stop looking into her eyes.

Red met his gaze and arched her back in response to his ministrations, “Does it feel right?”  

“It does, but I should tell you that if Gray saw this, I’d receive quite the beating.”

Red chuckled, “You’re scared of Gray? Don’t worry about him. I’d handle him.” She wrapped her arms around Treasor and he nuzzled her neck.

“You know, I never imagined this would happen. If things do go wrong, you can blame the candles,” he joked before kissing her again with a passion she didn’t know he had.

“Mmm,” Red responded as she reciprocated and pulled him down with her.  He was shocked, whimpering as he was taken down. His heart was racing as was Red’s.

“So what are we going to do,” he asked, dumbfounded and staring at her like a hopeless romantic.

“We’ll figure it out,” she responded, rolling him over.