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In the quiet, dimly lit tavern, the Goblin Slayer sat at their usual table, his helmet resting on the worn wood. Across from him, Priestess fidgeted with her mug, now a grown woman, her robes filled out in a way that hinted at her maturity. Her eyes, once those of a naive girl, now held a depth of experience and a spark of something more when she looked at him.
"You've been staring," Goblin Slayer said abruptly, his voice a low rumble. He didn't look up from his own drink, a non-alcoholic ale, as always. "Is there something on my face?"
Priestess blushed, looking down at her mug. "No, it's not that. I was just... thinking."
"About?" He tilted his head slightly, his expression hidden, but his tone held a hint of curiosity.
She hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. "About how much things have changed. About us."
Goblin Slayer was silent for a moment, processing her words. "We've grown stronger. You've learned many spells. I've improved my tactics."
Priestess nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, that's true. But that's not what I meant." She took a deep breath, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I meant, how we've changed with each other."
He looked at her then, his eyes unreadable. "Have we?"
Her blush deepened, and she looked away. "Never mind. It's not important."
Goblin Slayer watched her, his brow furrowing slightly. He wasn't good with emotions, never had been. But he cared about her, more than he could express. He saw the way others looked at her now, saw the admiration and desire in their eyes. It stirred something within him, something he didn't quite understand.
He reached into his pouch, pulling out a small, intricately carved stone. It was a goblin's eye, turned into a trinket. He placed it on the table, pushing it towards her. "Here. I made this. For you."
Priestess looked at the trinket, then up at him, surprise in her eyes. "You made this? For me?"
He nodded, looking away. "To keep you safe. In case I'm not there."
She picked up the trinket, her fingers wrapping around it. A soft smile spread across her face. "Thank you. I'll treasure it."
He grunted, taking a sip of his ale. "It's practical. That's all."
As the night wore on, the tavern began to empty, leaving only a few patrons scattered about. Goblin Slayer and Priestess remained at their table, the silence between them comfortable despite the earlier awkwardness.
Priestess turned the goblin's eye trinket over in her hands, admiring the craftsmanship. "You've gotten quite good at this," she said, breaking the silence. "I remember when you first started carving these."
Goblin Slayer grunted, looking down at his gauntleted hands. "Practice. It's all about practice."
She smiled softly. "Yes, that's true. But I think it's also because you put care into it. Into everything you do."
He looked up at her, his expression hidden behind his helmet. "Care?"
She nodded. "Yes. You take care of us, of me. More than you realize."
He was silent for a moment, processing her words. "I protect you. That's my duty."
Priestess shook her head. "It's more than that, Goblin Slayer. You cook for us, you make sure we have everything we need. You even make these," she held up the trinket, "to keep us safe when you can't be there."
He shifted uncomfortably, not used to such praise. "It's practical," he repeated.
She reached out, placing her hand on his. He stiffened slightly, but didn't pull away. "It's more than practical," she said softly. "It's kindness. It's caring."
He looked down at her hand, his brow furrowing. He could feel her warmth, her softness. It was unfamiliar, yet comforting. "I... don't know what to say," he admitted.
Priestess smiled, her eyes gentle. "You don't have to say anything. I just want you to know that I see it. That I appreciate it."
He nodded slowly, his hand turning under hers to grasp it lightly. His touch was gentle, despite the roughness of his gauntlet. "Thank you," he said, his voice gruff.
Priestess felt her heart flutter at his touch, at his words. She knew how difficult it was for him to express himself, and this small gesture meant more to her than any grand declaration.
Their moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching their table. They looked up to see the tavern keeper, a friendly smile on his face. "Sorry to interrupt, but we're closing up for the night," he said.
Goblin Slayer nodded, releasing Priestess's hand and standing up. "Understood. We'll leave."
Priestess stood as well, tucking the trinket safely into her pouch. As they made their way out of the tavern, she looked up at Goblin Slayer. "Will you walk me back to the temple?" she asked.
He looked down at her, his expression hidden, but his voice was soft. "Of course."
As they walked through the quiet streets, the temple looming ahead, Priestess found her thoughts drifting. She wondered if Goblin Slayer noticed the changes in her, the way her body had matured, her curves more pronounced breasts bigger now. She glanced at him, his form steady and reliable beside her, but his helmet hid any hint of his thoughts.
She looked down at the trinket in her hands, a soft smile playing on her lips. It was a simple gift, but it meant the world to her. As they reached the temple steps, she turned to face him.
"Goblin Slayer," she started, her voice soft in the night air. "I wanted to thank you properly for the gift. Could you... could you take off your helmet? Please?"
He hesitated, his hand going to his helmet. Removing it was a big deal for him, a sign of trust and vulnerability. But this was Priestess asking, and he found he couldn't refuse her. Slowly, he lifted the helmet off, revealing his face.
His silver hair shone in the moonlight, his features sharp and handsome. His eyes, usually hidden, held a depth of emotion she rarely saw. Priestess felt her breath catch, her heart pounding in her chest. She had always found him attractive, but seeing him like this, so open and vulnerable, stirred something deep within her.
Before she could lose her nerve, she stepped closer, standing on her tiptoes. She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, her lips lingering for a moment. "Thank you," she whispered, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes.
Goblin Slayer froze, his eyes widening in surprise. He could feel the warmth of her lips on his cheek, the softness of her breath against his skin. He didn't understand the emotions swirling within him, but he knew he liked the feeling of her closeness.
"Priestess," he started, his voice gruff. But he didn't know what to say, how to express the turmoil within him.
She smiled softly, her eyes gentle. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything." She stepped back, her hand reaching up to touch his cheek gently. "I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you. How much I... care about you."
He looked at her, his expression serious. "I care about you too, Priestess. More than I can express."
Her smile widened, her heart fluttering at his words. "I know. I can see it, even if you can't say it."
He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. It was a rare sight, and it made Priestess's heart swell even more. He reached up, taking her hand in his, squeezing it gently.
"Goodnight, Priestess," he said, his voice soft.
"Goodnight, Goblin Slayer," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
As she turned and walked into the temple, Goblin Slayer watched her go, his cheek still tingling from her kiss. He put his helmet back on, hiding his face once more. But he couldn't hide the warmth in his chest, the strange fluttering in his stomach. He didn't understand these feelings, but he knew one thing for certain. He cared for her, deeply. And that was enough. For now.
As he turned and walked away, he couldn't help but touch his cheek, a small smile hidden beneath his helmet. The night was quiet, but his heart was anything but. And that was just fine with him.