Short snippet with Yniol × Oliver pairing dedicated to the amazing @birdtown-game❤ (I really hope I didn't go ooc for Oliver. In that case, forgive me!)
Yniol adores Oliver's genuine crave for knowledge, his simple desire to understand everything he might come across. He is only too anxious about what might happen to do anything other than read about what awaits him outside of his room. That's alright, though, because Yniol can help.
Oliver's bedroom is both his safe space and his sheltered prison, Yniol is always careful not to step over untold boundaries while gently giving small pushes when necessary. Today it's one of those cases.
"Have you thought about Gwyar's offer?"
Yniol makes their question while playing card with Oliver, their voice low and hopefully calming. They do not avert their gaze from the table, not wanting to put pressure on the Prince.
For now, it's just a careful try. If he doesn't feel like it today, they can always try tomorrow.
"I, uhm..." Oliver's whole posture gets agitated. He nervously makes his next move, but Yniol can tell how tense the topic is making them feel. There's also an unusual undertone of want in their voice, though. "I thought about it."
Yniol looks up. Gwyar, through the knight, offered to show Oliver their prized trinkets' collection. They are so attached to it that Yniol was quite surprised when they casually brought it up. Gwyar, though, is very observant, they probably picked up on Oliver's interests from Yniol's stories alone.
"I will come with you," they promise. It seems to soothe some of Oliver's nerves because their breathing slows down a bit. His eyes don't look away from them, for a long moment he doesn't even blink.
Then, in a sudden surge of boldness he grips their wrist. Speaking quickly, to make use of this unusual audacious mood before it ceases, he declares "ok, let's go."
After that, Oliver locks himself in his room for two days. Yniol patiently waits for him. They understand how easily overwhelmed he can become, both from negative and positive emotions, and his subsequent need to take a step back from it all. He has to hide alone, needing time to work things out.
That's perfectly ok for Yniol. They can wait. In the meantime, they set to build flower crowns for the lower town's orphans.
One day, when he's comfortable enough, maybe they will ask Oliver to come with them. Yniol thinks the kids will adore him as much as they do.
