==+-+-+0+-+-+==
Durman arrived home, his whole body tired, when night had already settled over the city. He was exhausted, covered with the smell of iron and smoke. He had spent the entire afternoon in the guild workshop and after half a day, there were only three days left until the Marquis' son's birthday, and he still hadn't managed to forge the magic sword he had been commissioned to forge.
As he left his boots at the entrance, he noticed a faint light on in the office. He went upstairs quietly, walked silently down the hallway, guided by that warm glow escaping through the crack in the door. Peeking out, he found Astrid writing, concentrating. Before he could say anything, she spoke, without looking away from the book she was writing in.
— Astrid — Welcome, my dear. Go take a bath, I'm sure you smell like smoke or iron. — she said in a soft voice, almost as if she had anticipated his arrival.
Durman smiled and came up behind him, gently brushed a lock of hair away from his neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek before obeying. He returned shortly after, clean and his hair still damp, with a more relaxed expression. Without a word, he walked over to her and took her in his arms.
— Durman — Let's go to sleep now. — He murmured softly.
— Astrid — I haven't finished writing yet. She protested softly, though she made no effort to resist.
— Durman — You can go on tomorrow. I need you tonight. — He said as he carefully held her on the way to the bedroom.
On the way, they spoke softly, as if sharing a secret suspended in the intimacy of the night.
— Durman — I'm sorry, honey, but you know that making a magic sword is complicated. You have to create the fire with mana and imbue the iron with it... —
— Astrid — So what's the problem? You always made magic swords on your own. He reminded her gently as he ran his hand through his beard, with an affectionate, if worried, gesture. —
— Durman — I didn't want to tell you, but yesterday when Neo showed up at the workshop... I was frustrated. I couldn't get mana to imbue the blade. But with his knowledge... he doesn't need to do it to create a good sword. Although the Marquis wants a magical one. —
— Astrid — What's the matter, sweetheart? Can't you get your mana back well? —She asked in a serene voice, caressing his face, "Don't you know how to ask me for help? You know I have a large reserve of mana.
— Durman — I don't know... I feel tired. And I didn't want to bother you. That book you're writing is more important. He said as he gently set her down on her feet, next to the bed.
— Astrid — Honey, you know you can count on me for anything. — she whispered, wrapping her arms around him.
— Durman — I know. — He murmured as he flopped down on the bed, exhausted. Astrid climbed on top of him with a quiet smile.
— Durman — Where are they, Dalia and Neo? —
— Astrid — You don't have to worry about that. She answered as she settled on top of him, hugging him with one leg over his.
— Durman — Do you think this is okay? —
— Astrid — Going to sleep this late? — she joked with a slight yawn.
— Durman — No. Treating Tolmas' Envoys with such familiarity. —
Astrid rested her head on her chest, thoughtfully.
— Astrid — Don't worry. Those two are not bad people. Nothing is going to happen. — she said as she played with a lock of her own hair — And if you ask Neo and Hunt for help... I had a fight against both of them this afternoon, and they proved to me that they have an immense amount of mana.—
Durman sighed, her body finally relaxing under the warmth of his. He embraced her completely, wrapping his arms around her.
— Durman — I guess you're always right... —
— Astrid — ...Neo especially has been able to deploy level three mana in just one afternoon. It can take a mage in the capital city months, even years, to achieve that. Hunt only achieved the first deployment, but they both did it with unusual... ease. —
Durman let out a thoughtful grunt, as he gently stroked Astrid's arm.
— Durman — Well, Neo is still young. He has a lot of room for improvement and room to grow. — Durman put a hand to his face. — I think I'd better go to sleep now. Today has been a long day... with too many new revelations and secrets for my old heart. —
Astrid let out a soft laugh, settling back into her chest.
— Astrid — See, that's why we need the nap. — she joked softly, closing her eyes.
Durman didn't answer. He was already too absorbed in his thoughts to speak. Because if Neo and Hunt really did use mana that easily... then the world was going to change a lot more than anyone in that house imagined. The candles burned slowly on the bedside table. The night wore on in silence, and nothing more was said. But the faint rustle of the bed, the rustle of the sheets, and a choked laugh marked the rest of that wordless conversation.
Already lying down, with Durman falling rapidly into a deep sleep, Astrid watched him for a few seconds in silence. She knew he wasn't regaining mana like before, and though sleeping regenerated mana slowly, she knew more efficient methods.
She sighed tenderly and slid her hand down Durman's chest, closing her eyes. She began to transfer mana to him subtly and steadily, channeling it carefully so as not to wake him.
— Astrid — Just a little... just enough to ease your burden.— she whispered. Tomorrow you'll feel better.
She knew she couldn't do this every night without depleting her own reserves, but that night she decided to stay awake a little longer, watching him as she passed some of her energy to him. She accompanied the process with slow breaths, careful not to let the flow overflow.
The warmth of the shared mana slowly filled Durman's body, and his breathing became calmer, deeper. Astrid smiled softly and finally rested her head on his chest. She still would not sleep. She would watch the handover a little longer, before letting sleep overtake her as well.