The morning light grew brighter until the sun reached its peak at noon.
[Sakyo] (It wasn't until afternoon when the villagers could return. Luckily, our escape plan worked, and we got everyone out without any major casualties. Even though everyone survived, this still wasn't a total victory.)
[Garm] The wyvern destroyed most of the homes, and lots of the farming plots were burned to ash.
[Sakyo] Still, we were able to prevent a worst case scenario from happening. We should be proud of tha- ack!
His thoughts are cut off as he's knocked down by the sudden force to his back. Though surprised, Garm can't help his smile as he sees who knocked Sakyo to the ground.
[Ren] Sakyo, my love!
With watery eyes, she hugs him so tight he can barely breathe. Her arms don't give him any chance of escape, as if she's worried to let him go. Sakyo's body is still too tired to resist, though he would do so even if it wasn't. He knew how uch Ren had been worried for him, so it was ok to let her have her way for a little bit.
[Ren] Don't you ever do that to me again. I was so worried you'd... you'd...
[Sakyo] I know. I'm sorry for making you worry like that.
She nestles into his chest, letting her tears of relief fall. Naja looks at her best friend, understanding just how worried she must have been for their safety.
[Naja] Boss is fine. He saved-
[Ren] Naja!
Naja can't get another word out before Ren pulls her down into the hug. She can only sit there stiff as a board as Ren sobs into her clothes too. Ren's show of emotion even begins to bring out a bit from Naja as well.
[Naja] Huh? What? Why am I...?
She wipes the tears from her cheek, not fully understanding just how happy she is that she survived. Her tears become almost as uncontrollable as Ren's as they both wail into Sakyo's shirt. Garm watches on with a bit of amusement, seeing Sakyo try to comfort his two future wives.
[Kaya] Hey, don't you have anything to say to me?
A light fist gently hits Garm's chest as her voice reaches his ears.
[Garm] I am sorry, I did not mean to worry you.
[Kaya] I knew you'd pull through, just don't scare me like that again.
She pulls him in for a hug, not yet noticing that he's barely keeping his balance as is.
[Kaya] Your leg. Is it...?
[Garm] I have been without it before. I can survive without it now.
[Rohan] That won't do, young man. You can use my cane if you'd like.
The old man holds out his wooden cane towards Garm.
[Garm] No, I could not possibly-
[Rohan] Just take it. You need it more than I do right now.
[Garm] Then, I shall humbly accept it.
He doesn't want to seem rude, so he accepts the pushy old man's gift. After he does, the old man walks slowly to look at the village. Other villagers walk around where their homes once stood, taking in the sight of all the damage done.
[Rohan] We will have a lot of work to do if we want to recover from this.
[Sakyo] If you'd like, your people are welcome to stay with us while your village recovers.
[Rohan] I don't think so, boy. This is our home, and you've already paid us a debt we can never forget. We will recover our way, as we always have. Besides, you should take some time to rest. I see you have previous engagements to attend to.
Sakyo looks down, both Ren and Naja still clinging to him with no sign of letting go.
[Sakyo] Alright, but I think you should make some use of that wyvern corpse. I'm sure the materials will fetch more than enough gold to help your recovery.
[Rohan] The wyvern? You would give it to us?
[Sakyo] Yeah, consider it a gift for your hospitality. (Besides, I already got more than enough for a reward.)
[Rohan] Thank you, boy. I cannot begin to express my gratitude, but please, feel free to take any of its materials before you go. I'm sure you'll regret it if you left all of them here.
[Sakyo] I guess you might have a point.
[Garm] If I may make a suggestion, you should take some of its teeth. They are the strongest of its bones, and just one is worth around five gold coins.
[Sakyo] F-five gold coins?!
[Garm] Yes, that is what I just said.
[Rohan] I agree. Or if you'd like, you could take them to a master crafter and have them forge a new weapon instead.
[Sakyo] (A weapon? Maybe...) Alright, we'll take a few of its teeth. I think I know exactly what to do with them. And if you don't mind, I'd like to grab a few of its scales too.
[Rohan] Of course. Anything for the kind young man who is already providing us the funds to rebuild our village.
The next few hours are spent helping to dismantle the wyvern corpse and set up tents for the villagers to sleep in while they rebuild their homes. It's already nightfall when Sakyo's group is finally able to leave.
As soon as they're back in Raynemor, Kaya drags Garm away to his room for some long awaited rest.
[Naja] You should get some rest too. You have barely slept these past few days.
[Sakyo] Yeah, but wake me up early tomorrow. I need to notify the guild that the three quests they gave me are complete, plus I want to ask the two arcane crafters for some help making something with these materials.
[Ren] Just take it easy tonight. I'll help you with everything you need tomorrow.
The three of them make their way to Sakyo's room, plopping down on the bed after such a long day. Naja falls asleep the second her face hits the pillow, but Ren stays up a bit longer to talk.
[Ren] Sakyo, are you still up?
[Sakyo] Yeah.
[Ren] Can we talk for a bit? Just until we fall asleep.
[Sakyo] Sure.
She shuffles closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and burying her face into his chest.
[Ren] I'm so glad you're safe. I don't know what I'd do if you didn't come home.
[Sakyo] Sorry I made you worry.
[Ren] When you kissed me, I can't tell you how many emotions ran through my head. I was so happy you'd finally done it, but also scared that it would be the last time.
[Sakyo] I was scared it would be. I didn't want to die without letting you know how I feel about you.
[Ren] ...You still didn't say it though. I'd like to hear it.
He turns over to face her. Her violet hair shines with moonlight luminated from the window. Every new sight he'd seen in this life could never compare to the beauty before his eyes right now.
[Sakyo] Ren, I love you. I think I have for a while now.
She giggles at his confession, the happiness from hearing those words overflowing from her heart.
[Ren] You finally said it. I've been waiting to hear those words.
Seeing her so happy, Sakyo can't help wanting to tease Ren a bit.
[Sakyo] Aren't you gonna say it back?~
[Ren] Of course I love you too. I've always loved you.
She can't hold back anymore as she brings his face closer, meeting his lips with hers for another kiss. Even though he's surprised, he doesn't pull away. He lets her kiss him because he wants it just as much as she does. They only stop when they feel Naja's tail wrapping around Sakyo's leg.
[Naja] Mmm... Boss...
[Sakyo] (phew) Looks like she's still asleep.
[Ren] We should get some rest too, but I expect a good morning kiss tomorrow~.
[Sakyo] Alright, goodnight.
[Ren] Goodnight.
...
The next morning, Sakyo can't even open his eyes before feeling something warm on his lips. When he finally does, Ren is leaning over him, waking him up with her promised good morning kiss.
[Ren] Good morning, Sakyo.
[Sakyo] Morning. I guess you couldn't wait for another kiss, could you?
[Ren] It's a maid's duty to rise before her master. I thought you'd like waking up to this.
[Sakyo] I can't deny I enjoy it, but you should be careful. I might end up losing control on you one day~.
[Ren] I can't wait~.
Their kiss continues, not stopping until Naja finally wakes up. She stretches her arms wide, pausing the second she sees what's been going on while she was asleep.
[Naja] Um, am I interrupting something?
[Ren] No, if anything, you should join us too.
[Naja] Wha-? But I thought you said there was someone else who needed to mate before me.
Ren chuckles at Naja's confusion, a single tear falling from laughing to hard.
[Ren] We're not mating yet, just giving our husband a good morning kiss. This is something you'll need to do too, so you should get used to it now.
[Naja] I-I see. Then, I would like to join as well.
She looks up at Sakyo with hopeful eyes. He begins to blush even more at this look he'd never seen on her face before.
[Sakyo] I-if you're ok with it-
[Naja] I am! I mean, I really want to kiss...
She straightens up, sitting right in front of him as he crawls closer. She flinches when he places his hand on her shoulder, but she doesn't pull away. She closes her eyes, separating her lips just enough for him to fit his against them. He leans in closer, pushing a strand of hair out of her face as his lips meet hers.
The kiss is gentle and slow. Naja isn't nearly as aggressive as Ren was, but her lips are just as soft and taste just as sweet. As he pulls away, Naja gets a dangerous look in her eyes. Hungry. She wants more than just a kiss. She pounces on him, pushing him down on the bed.
[Naja] (huff huff) Boss, please mate with me.
[Sakyo] Wait, Naja!
[Naja] I have, but I cannot wait any longer.
[Ren] No, the order, Naja! The order!
Ren barely manages to pry Naja off of Sakyo just long enough for him to escape.
[Ren] Run! I'll hold her back!
He does as she says, making a break for it after grabbing a change of clothes. He doesn't stop running until he's out of the building. Garm greets him outside, not aware of what just occurred in the bedroom.
[Garm] Good morning, Master. Did you sleep well?
[Sakyo] Yeah, just an eventful morning. Want to go to the arcane crafter's place with me?
[Garm] Of course.