the moon between the tides - squelchingsky - The Silverhold Saga [Archive of Our Own]
She hears the sound of the water flowing steadily before she sees it. As Aelin crests the top of the hill, she gapes. A broad river with crystal clear water snakes across their path, its surface shimmering beneath the afternoon sun, the heat of which has become unbearable.
The residue of the cheap paint she’d used to cover her scars earlier still lingers on her skin, along with a mixture of dried blood and sweat.
She needed this.
So, when she hears Dayne let out a “whoop” and run down the hill, she follows close behind him. While she wouldn’t admit it, she’s just as excited for this as he is.
She sees Olwynn pause, looking out onto the river and seeming to get lost in her thoughts.
Aelin reaches out, lightly brushing her fingers against the half-elf’s shoulder, hoping to…
She isn’t really sure. Maybe to spread her excitement. Maybe just to touch her. All Aelin knows is that she can still feel the heat seeping into her black clothes, and her next move is to get them off.
She runs down towards the bank, tearing her gloves off and tossing them onto the grass. Her fingers work their way up her spine, undoing her armored corset.
“Race you into the water,” Dayne says, his voice laced with smugness. He’s already down to his undershirt, armor discarded onto the ground.
Aelin squints her eyes at him, her fingers fumbling slightly on her corset strings.
“Not fair. You’re already almost done,” Aelin says, looking him up and down.
“Aww, does someone need help undoing her corset?” Dayne says, his voice smug.
“You know how to unlace a corset?”
“I’ve had plenty of experience,” he says with a cocky grin, his gaze not-so-subtly trailing down her figure.
She rolls her eyes and raises a vulgar gesture in his direction. He just smirks at her, taking his shirt off and stepping into the water.
Her gaze trails along his back, catching on the different runes and symbols etched into his skin: black and red writing in a language she doesn’t understand. She wonders if he’ll ever tell her.
Aelin quickly finishes unlacing her armor and undoing each of her intricate belts and sheaths, setting them in a pile next to Dayne’s.