Khaeris Dawndancer

Intoxication

The evening was quiet, and Khaeris couldn’t remember ever being this content. Twilight had passed, and her wagon was lit by soft magelights turned to a sleepy glow. Andaeros was at the fold-out table behind her. Sunny was curled up next to the man, snoring in that tiny panda way of his. Dinner was finished and the scene was something out of a dream. Even washing up was nice, and Khaeris took a conscious moment to enjoy the warmth of the soapy water over her skin.

“I love you.” Andaeros’s voice was warm with simple statement, unburdened and unconcerned. Familiar. As if the words came easily and often to him.

They had never come to Khaeris’s ears, though, and she stiffened slightly as a shock ran up her spine. The moment seemed sharper, suddenly, and Khaeris stilled her hands in the sink, letting the dinner dishes settle. Her eyes unfocused and she couldn’t get over the sensation of time stretching. Her heartbeats were loud enough she was sure he would hear them. Licking her lips, questions roiled in her mind. How do you respond to that? Did he know what he was saying? He’d been drinking… Why was he saying it now? What had prompted that?

She licked her lips and turned around to face him, unsure how she was going to respond. She opened her mouth to take in a deep breath and focused on him. Andaeros sat at the table, but she didn’t see what she expected. He wasn’t even looking at her. She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. Andaeros looked up at her, a befuddled grin blooming on his face at her laughter. He held out a hand for her, and used the other to push away the object of his affection--the bottle of bourbon before him.

The tension drained out of her and Khaeris sidled up to the table, still chuckling as she sat with him. “You’re drunk, Andy.”

His lopsided grin was just as charming as he thought it was, as he moved to kiss at her hair. “Why yes, I am as think as you drunk I am.” Her laughter made him frown in concentration, though his eyes danced with mirth. “That’s not right. Mm. You know what I mean.” His arm snaked around her waist in the tiny booth and he pulled her tighter to him.

“I’m not so sure. You better tell me again.”

His lips murmured softly against her neck, between greedy, hidden kisses. “I didn’t know you could do that.”

“Do what?”

“Get me drunk. Off you.”

Her eyes slid lazily over to the bourbon on the table, and the flush crept further up her neck. The bottle was still sealed.