#ilifa?

Ilva woke to the sound of soft footsteps over the creaky wood floor of their room. For a small moment, they didn’t know what could have caused it, but they then realized that there wasn’t an arm draped around them anymore. They sat up to find their room empty and the door ajar. The coat that was draped over the chair the night before was gone and so were the boots by the door.

Of fucking course, Ilva thought as they rubbed the sleep from their eyes. Of course Adrifa would leave. She told Ilva last night she wasn’t good with people, why’d they even let her in. 

Tears welled in Ilva’s eyes. They know they shouldn’t feel hurt. They didn’t even do anything last night, they just laid together and talked. But they were hurt. They thought maybe they’d made an impact with the blacksmith. 

They’d first met her when they went with T to get their new knives that Emrys bought for an early birthday present...or late, however you want to look at it. Adrifa was the only one there, and when T asked to talk to the owner, she told them that she was the new owner. Ilva had been slightly intimidated at first, but when she’d brought out the knives, they were a metallic green and purple. When Ilva thanked her, she’d turned bright red and only nodded.

Ilva had gone back a few times to watch Adrifa work on various weapons. Their favorite to watch was the swords or the staffs. She put so much care into each weapon she made, it made Ilva envious.

They’d met Adrifa again in the corner of the tavern and had gotten the courage to go and talk to her. They chatted about the market and their shared love of crows and cats. When Ilva invited her back to their house, she was hesitant at first but agreed after Ilva gave her their signature puppy eyes.

Now, Adrifa was gone and Ilva felt hurt. They pressed their hands to their eyes before getting out of their bed and wandering downstairs. They called for Emrys as they stepped into the living room.

Only to find Adrifa being interrogated by their siblings. 

Ilva smiled widely and tackled Adrifa who sat on the coffee table. She stiffened before slowly relaxing and wrapping her arms around Ilva. “You okay?” she asked.

“I thought you left. Your stuff was gone and I thought that you left,” they sniffled.