Chapter Text
"Oh! I know, let's roast some marshmallows and tell scary stories!
"Zaveid…"
"Roast…what?"
Zaveid looked over at Eizen, pouting at him, as Alisha giggled next to him. Edna raised an eyebrow at both of their antics, though had gotten used to it rather quickly. Not even really batting an eyelash at the way her brother and Zaveid acted towards another anymore. Zaveid thought it was a great idea to get everyone a little bit closer. Now that Eizen and Zaveid himself both were up and good again and everything. It had taken both of them a little bit after all, after Sorey, Alisha and Rose had just barely managed to make sure Zaveid didn't get himself killed while they had cured Eizen.
And they were out and about, sitting by the fire, as they travelled to actually do something good. Even if the whole notion still seemed a little bit too grand for Zaveid. He was in it, because of Edna and Alisha, and maybe a little bit because of Dezel. Just like Eizen was in it because of Edna. And Zaveid, though while Eizen had openly admitted that, Zaveid refused to believe it. Ultimately neither of them really cared about the world. They had ways to protect themselves and the ones they loved and cherished.
Just as he wanted to tell Eizen just that, the fact that it would be a good way for everyone to connect, he noticed that Rose had said something, right after Eizen's over dramatic sigh. Eizen himself was already looking at her with a raised eyebrow as well. And as Zaveid turned to look at her, she just flinched back even more.
"I'm sorry, what do you mean 'Roast what?'" he asked.
Zaveid blinked at her, while everyone else had gone silent. Lailah was smiling to herself, though trying to hide it behind her paper charms while Dezel just let out a sigh and shook his head. Obviously he would know what Zaveid was talking about. Otherwise Zaveid would be very, very, very disappointed, that even after he had apparently remembered everything he had conveniently not remembered that.
Cosy nights spend together while Dezel had clung to him. Though back then Zaveid hadn't told any scary Stories to him, and just rather talked about some things he had seen and experienced in the past. While Zaveid had made him some sweets, which he had enjoyed definitely too much. Sometimes even together with Lafarga or Rokurou.
Sorey and Mikleo seemed as puzzled as Rose was, while Alisha stared at her just as unbelieving as Zaveid did. At least he had someone who really understood him in that group. Just as Rose wanted to open her mouth to explain herself, Zaveid cut her off.
"I expected this from those two," Zaveid said, gesturing to Mikleo and Sorey.
Zaveid ignored their protests. They had been sheltered their entire lives, this being their first adventure outside of Zenrus' reach. Obviously they wouldn't know about roasting marshmallows, but Rose?
"But you?! You've been traveling all over the place be it as a merchant or an assassin! Do you really want to tell me you never sat together with your band of idiots by an open fire and roasted marshmallows?!" Zaveid asked.
He refused to believe that. From what he had observed in the past had she a rather close knit bond to the members of her group. So he really, absolutely refused to believe that she wouldn't know what that would be like.
Yet from the look she was giving him it seemed like that was the case. Granted, maybe it was a little bit too warm where they were, though no. It never was too warm for some nice time spend together like this. Eizen, Zaveid, Benwick, Rokurou, Magilou and Eleanor had done this shit together while traveling south! Where it had been much hotter!
"I must say, I am as…confused as Master Zaveid is, Rose. Surely you know about things like this right?" Alisha asked.
Zaveid looked at her, and nodded. Maybe she knew that as something else. Though what else would she know marshmallows as. That did make Zaveid wonder at the same time. Did Edna know?
He shook his head. She would find out, granted they could get some marshmallows from somewhere. Zaveid could drag Dezel with him for a quick trip to Stonebu-…Lostonbell. They should sell them there. At least Zaveid hoped they still did.
"No? What's so special about that?" Rose asked.
She had puffed her cheeks up slightly and crossed her arms in front of her chest. There was absolutely no way. Zaveid groaned and threw his hands over his head. Would he have to teach these kids everything? Even simple joys of traveling with other's like that? Though now, at least Alisha seemed to know.
"Hey, Princess. Enlighten us, what's got Grampveid so worked up?"
"Edna."
Zaveid chuckled at the way Edna huffed after Eizen reprimanded her without even really saying something. He didn't really mind when she called him old. It gave him enough fuel to tease Eizen, who was older than him after all.
"Well, whenever we knights are out together, we would take some marshmallows with us as well. To roast them. It is a fun way to spend a night on the road. Just talking with each other while eating something sweet," Alisha explained.
Zaveid nodded along, glad that she really knew. Glad that at least one of them knew something of the finer things of live. The more enjoyable things of traveling in a group.
"And what are…'marshmallows'?"
Their round got quiet again at Sorey's question. A genuine question, borne from genuine confusion. Ten eyes fixed on the young shepherd, as if he had just asked them how they knew how to breath. Not knowing about roasting marshmallows over open fire was one thing. Now knowing what those way too sweet for Zaveid's taste, white, pillowy sweets were was another.
"Marshmallows are a sweet. White and rather squishy soft. Made pretty much from pure sugar. When you put them on a stick and warm them up, like over an open fire, they get a more gooey consistency. And their sweetness is enhanced," Eizen explained.
Before Eizen had even finished his explanation, Zaveid had jumped to his feet. Sorey shied back somewhat but nodded along with Eizen's explanation. Rose seemed to at least know what sweet Eizen was talking about, while Edna nodded as well, her eyes getting that glimmer in them, whenever she was promised some sweets.
"Dezel, we're getting marshmallows. I honestly can't believe you kids!" Zaveid announced.
Dezel groaned, but got up nonetheless. Definitely knowing that arguing with Zaveid would be of no use. He didn't even like marshmallows himself, but it was the atmosphere that counted. And while Zaveid knew more than well enough that they weren't on a fun camping trip, all of these kids needed to relax and lighten up a little bit.
The trip to Lostonbell and back hadn't even taken them long. By foot they were about two days of travel out on the road. With wind steps, Dezel and Zaveid needed a fraction of that time. Partly because Zaveid also helped Dezel a little bit out as well. They also were in luck, that the owner of the sweets shop, had marshmallows right on display. Apparently travelling out on the road was getting more and more popular again. They left more than enough gald for the goods on the counter and took some bags with them. As well as some cookies and chocolate.
Upon returning to the group, Eizen and Alisha seemed to have already instructed the others to prepare some sticks, on which they could roast the marshmallows, while Lailah had given their fire some more life again. Zaveid readily tugged himself in between Eizen's legs, Eizen's arms quickly finding their way around Zaveid, holding him close against himself. All inhibitions about being too open with their relationship discarded. Zaveid wanted to be cosy after all, when they would get to the fun part.
Dezel distributed the bags in the meantime. Making sure that everyone would be able get some, and then taking charge of Rose's portions. They did not want any black goo after all. Lailah, Sorey and Mikleo shared as bag, with Lailah explaining the boys how to do it right. Rose, Dezel and Alisha shared a bag, with both Alisha and Dezel making sure Rose didn't even get close to the fire with a skewer and only handing her the end product. And Eizen and Edna each got a bag of their own. Because Zaveid knew neither of those would share. And while they would have reluctantly shared with each other, he hadn't wanted to take any risks.
Zaveid did eat some of Edna's first tries at getting the marshmallows right, though not much more than that. He just relaxed and watched these children have this experience for the first time. All the while, being perfectly fitted into Eizen's arms. After all of them had gotten the hang of it, the fun part started for Zaveid. He wasn't good at thinking of stories on the go, but he was good at playing off of Eizen when he did so.
After some rounds of scary stories, both Edna and Zaveid helping Eizen really scaring especially Rose, all of them cuddled together in various formations. Lailah seemed to be fine by herself, though Zaveid wouldn't have expected anything else. She had seemed more amused than scared anyways. Edna had tugged herself against Dezel, even if both of them would deny it ever having happened in the morning. And the two pairs Zaveid and Eizen had seem coming anyways. Rose had been clinging to Alisha for a while already and Sorey and Mikleo were always practically joined by the hip.
"You just wanted an excuse to cuddle with me," Eizen whispered.
He still had some marshmallows left in his bag, while the other's had finished the rest of the sweets off completely. Their fire was also still on. The flame low, but still there, giving them warmth. Even if Eizen's body temperature was more than enough for Zaveid.
Zaveid hummed and closed his eyes, as he leaned back. Listening to the sounds surrounding them. Listening to the calm breathing of the kids, as they were asleep and resting for another eventful day. Listening to Eizen's heartbeat. Strong and steady. Alive and comforting. In tune with both his own and Zaveid's domain.
"Did not. It is a bonus though," he mumbled.
He would be lying if he said, it hadn't crossed his mind as they had sat down, that distracting the kids like this, so he could get close to Eizen, without having Rose complain about them flirting in front of them, had been a genius idea. Though it hadn't been the plan in the first place.
Even when he liked nights like these the most. With no imminent danger looming above them, just relaxing like this. Eizen chuckled and rummaged through his bag. Definitely preparing another marshmallow for himself. They had come to the silent agreement, that they would tire the kids out more often than not and take on watch during the night. They were the oldest after all, so it was somewhat their duty. At least that's how they saw it.
"Here, eat. I saw you forcing down Edna's failed experiments earlier," Eizen said.
Zaveid opened his eyes, to a marshmallow roasted to perfection in front of him. Paired on the stick with some apple slices Zaveid hadn't even known they still had. Though apparently they still had had some apples left.
He looked at Eizen, who just raised an eyebrow, prompting Zaveid to take it. After some more contemplating, he did take it and ate it in one bite. The apples did help a little bit with the sweetness. Especially because it was one of those not so sweet ones, Zaveid really liked. He had to smile at that.
"We need to do this more often," he said.
Eizen hummed in agreement, preparing another skewer for himself. Maybe traveling with those kids hadn't been the worst decision he had made. Though with how much they seemed to have enjoyed themselves, they really would need to watch their sugar intake, Zaveid supposed.
Eizen pressed a kiss to Zaveid's temple, letting his chin rest on Zaveid's shoulder, as he ate his own sweet creation. Something Zaveid didn't even dare to look at. He did know exactly where Edna had her sweet tooth from after all.
"I guess the idea wasn't that bad after all," he said.
Zaveid rolled his eyes and closed them for a moment. As if Eizen would have really objected to it, unless it was to keep up a front. Zaveid knew how much he enjoyed things like this as well.
Yeah, Zaveid would need to make sure they did this more often. And definitely would need to make sure they had one or two bags of marshmallows readily at hand, once the need arose for a cosy night, to calm down like this.