It was a well known fact that adventures retired early. Debilitating injuries, betrayals, and deaths were far too common in this line of work. Far too many had seen their comrades fall, leaving an unfillable hole behind. No matter, all hands were needed on deck and adventures had to come out of retirement to protect this little town of Asagi. As a horde of monsters made themselves known. It was no secret that the town wouldn’t be able to withstand the full brunt of the attack without help.
“I sent for aid for the nearby towns, but we’ll need to stall for at least four days.” Freide listlessly drawled, cracking the ache in his back. Scanning around for a face in the crowd, sighing when he didn’t spot them. “Dot’s not here today, that's unfortunate.” Clanking of armor was heard from a woman shifting uncomfortably at his words. Freide cleared his throat, “Well that's all for today, get some rest while you can tomorrow fate lies in our hands.” his voice boomed, trained to command from many years as a guild master. The white haired man sent a nod to his confidant, gesturing to the armored woman.
Roy got Freide’s message loud and clear, sauntering over to an old party mate of his to talk things out with her. “You need to talk to her.”
The paladin adorned nearly head to toe in finely crafted armor, dents glinting from many years of use, barely shot him a glance. “Roy, I know you're well aware that she doesn’t want to speak to me, nor do I to her.” Sounded a worn but silky voice.
The monk gripped his decorated quarterstaff, giving the blue haired woman an exasperated look. “Look, Dot is the best strategist, and she won't help if you're here,” the muscled man rubbed his temples, “and you're still needed, so you're going to have to work things out with her, Liko.”
Liko stared at her blade, she’d cleaned it many times over the years, its polished state reflected her scared flaws collected around her face. She’d once had been proud of them, but now they only reminded her of regret.
The scraping of a chair sounded next to her and a gentle calloused hand pulled her hand away from the sword. “You have to confront her sooner or later. I don’t like walking on eggshells around you two.” Liko looked at him but not really at him, her eyes clouded with age beyond that of a 27-year-old woman. Roy knew her mind was flooded with so much pain and so spoke carefully, “I know you don’t enjoy living like this either. So… just try one more time.”
She pried her eyes away, memorizing the pattern of the wood grain, thinking it over. Liko‘s chest heaved with the weight of an old wound, “... Okay. At least I’ll die knowing I did everything I could.” Standing up, giving a very concerned Roy a nod as she exited the guild hall.
Treading the road to Dot’s home was familiar to the knight having walked it several times over the past few years. Liko already knew what Dot’s answer would be when she knocked, but it wouldn't stop her from wanting to hear her voice one last time. She was sure that she'd die in this battle, and she’d gladly welcome it with open arms.
Nearing the patch of wildflower lined path to an all to familiar hut. The smell of smoke and herbs filled the air as she approached the entrance. Liko paused, hesitancy welling up in her bones before letting her knuckles rap against worn wood.
…
“I told you to go away, Liko!”
Dot knew it was her, of course she knew it was Liko from the way she knocked. The knight found that part enduring about her. Liko should have been content with that and been on her way but she'd always crave more when it came to Dot. “Please, let’s at least talk something over before this town is razed to the ground.” The armored woman pleaded.
“I don't give a shit about that! Now fuck off!" her rough and gravelly snarls were softened by the door. Despite some of the edge being taken away it still was sharp enough to cut Liko deep.
She didn't want to leave Dot thinking of her like that, what if she regrets it when everything ends. “Please, five minutes and I’ll never speak to you again.”
There was a bit of shuffling and clicks, the door opening a crack as a small purple haired woman poked her head out. “Fine, five minutes.” she grumbled, arms crossed as she leaned against the doorframe.
Liko perked up straightening up a bit before a glare from the resident alchemist had her hunched over again. She thought for a moment raking over her words with a comb. It took a roll of a hand from Dot to get her to move on with it.
With a deep shaky breath, “I know you really don't want to talk to me."
That was apparently the wrong choice of words as Dot practically exploded on her. “THANKS FOR NOTICING MISS OBVIOUS! Why should I talk to someone who left me to die!?”
“I never meant to abandon you!” Liko hastily tried to explain but Dot wasn't having it.
Her freckled face red hot as wrathful tears streamed uncontrollably, spitting fires of hate. Dot wasn't done, she never was done, thinking of the most painful thing she could say, “Was upholding your oath more important than my life!?”
“O-of course not!" Liko reached out to grab her hand, but Dot slapped it away. Its sting hurting worse than if a sword ran through her heart.
“Then why did I wake up alone after WEEKS of screaming your name BEGGING FOR YOU TO SAVE ME!” Dot screamed, her face contorted in tearful anguish.
“I TRIED TO COME BACK AND SAVE YOU!” Liko roared, metallic fists slamming against the door frame. Dot stared shocked at the unusually aggressive paladin, who was breathing heavily attempting to blink away the water welling up in her eyes. “I tried so hard.” her usually soft tone was all but gone, replaced by something far weaker and more pathetic.
Liko’s clear sky colored eyes darkened as the bottled storm of emotions clouded them over. “I sat there day in and day out, tried everything and I still couldn’t get the door open.” Her steel grieve fell on to the stone tile with a loud crash. “The order wasn’t pleased with my disobedience.” Liko looked small, nothing like the once proud holy knight she once was.
“Liko…” Dot lunged forward wanting to hold her so she didn't have to say it out loud.
Only for Liko to flinch back and she gazed dead on into her eye's. “I broke my oath.”
The sentence hung between them for a while, before the alchemist piped up. "Come inside for a while.”
“But—”
Dot yanked the knight by the collar, "just get inside.” not tolerating her bullshit.
The hut was far more cozy on the inside than Liko would have thought. Herbs dangled along with colored glass flasks refracting the light giving the home an air of hidden beauty. As Dot led her to a seat not waiting to sit herself in front of her.
“What happened?”
Liko shuttered at the memories, she couldn't hide them from Dot. She'll always be able to pry it out of her anyway. “They summoned me, and I ignored it. I wanted to save you, if not to recover your body than abandon you—” the taller woman swallowed hard, her throat tense from choking back tears. “They tried dragging me away and I couldn't handle it. So I…" she made a slight slash motion. With nothing more was to be explained Liko mumbled her head hung low, “You have every right not to believe me.”
Dot believed her alright The paladin was never able to lie, not to Dot anyway. Their childhood was spent playing in Liko’s family’s massive garden and sneaking out to steal chaste kisses behind that crumbling statue. Something they kept up as the entered their adult years with love letters disguised as ordinary correspondence invisible ink in between the lines. Even small dates alone in the woods on their adventures. A hidden romance kept under wraps for nearly a decade. Everything that's happened was a lot to take in, but really missed Liko. Regret gnawing on her heart wishing she listened to her sooner.
She was about to open her mouth when Roy’s muffled voice chimed from outside “Hey uh, I think something's burning in there!” Startling the ex lovers.
An alarmed Dot turned tail, sprinting further into her home, “MOTHERFUCKER! I left my potions on the stove!”
Liko rushed behind her not too far behind as the fire blazed with an intensity reminiscent of a baby hellhound. The blue haired girl was quick to utter the key phrase for the create water spell.
“DUMBASS WHY WOULD YOU USE WATER THAT MAKES IT WORSE!!!” Dot wailed shuffling around until she found a bottle of something and threw it at the cauldron. The flask shatters on impact foam expanding rapidly around to smother it. Steam permeated the kitchen as Liko mumbled a quick sorry for making it worse, while Dot inspected the damage. “Damn it my cauldron is cracked, not to mention the potion solidified too.” She furiously rubbed her hair at the failure groaning, "this is going to be a nightmare to clean up.”
“I can help if you want?” the paladin mumbled softly, awkwardly tapping the tips of her fingers together.
“I won't bother you for that, besides shouldn't you rest for the front lines tomorrow?” She commented of handedly struggling to reach around the scorching cauldron to open the window. A bit of clinking along with a thud was heard from behind her. Not long after a hand unlatched the window and pushed it upon. Dot turned around feeling the presence behind her only to find herself pinned between the counter and Liko.
“I don't mind.” Liko smiled, it didn't quite reach her eyes but a smile nonetheless.
Dot’s face was burning hotter and brighter than the fire from earlier at the intimate position. She hated how Liko seemed oblivious to it, even more so at her own reaction. Liko just had to be considerate and help her even taking the rest of her armor off. Now all Dot wanted to do was kiss her senseless, she almost did when Liko stopped her.
“Stop. It'll make it harder to say goodbye.” The knight seemed so empty when she said that.
Dot despised that look more than anything she had ever seen. It honestly pissed her off with how defeated she looked. “Goodbye?! What's that supposed to mean?”
Liko glanced at the alchemist grasping her tunic, pupils dilated into pin pricks. “I'm not coming back alive from the raid party.”
“THE HELL YOU ARE!” Dot exploded pushing Liko back a few steps still holding on like her life depended on it. “I will make sure you stay alive whether or not you want me to!” The alchemist declared, allowing no room for argument not that Liko didn't try, “I DON'T CARE IF YOU BELIEVE IT'S FOR ATONEMENT! I… I just got you back."
Liko wraps her arms around Dot squeezing her close in a hug, as she sobs into her shoulder. “why? whywhywhy?!”
“Because I still love you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah… And I like to start from the beginning, nice and slow.” Dot confessed, holding onto the knight just as much as she was to her. “If you'll have me of course.”
The paladin sniffled slightly, pulling away to look at Dot, “It really should be me saying that but yes! I do!” and for the first time in a long time a true smile graced Liko features.
After a long cry session and cleaning, pausing to read the note Roy left behind for them.
I just was checking up on you two to make sure everything was going ok but you seem to be doing fine. Anyway have a good time, don't do anything I wouldn't do!
Love the best boy,
Roy.
And underneath where he signed his name was a winking dragon.
At the end of it all when it was time for Liko to say her goodbyes to a pouting Dot. She really wanted her to stay and cuddle but Liko pointed out the starting over thing making Dot pout more. Though the shorter woman was determined to leave thing on a high note. Hopping up on the tips of her toes she placed a kiss on Liko's cheek. Muttering, “at least let me have this.”
Liko placed a hand to her cheek with a warm expression and gave her rekindled flame a dramatic bow, “As you wish.” before walking home but not before turning far to many glances back at Dot's still open door.