#weirdwood

You turn back to her, reaching down and tenderly combing your fingers through her sleep-mussed hair. “I have to get down to the docks,” You murmur, eyeing Oberyn’s sleeping form, “We’ve got quite a few spots to check out today.”

‘Anywhere near the cove?” “No,” You shake your head a little bit, “Don’t worry about that.” Ellaria nods a little, her thumb slipping under your shirt and stroking along your skin. “Were you just going to slip away like an alley cat?” You chuckle softly. “No. I was going to leave a note and make you some coffee.” “But not a word?” “I feel bad enough for waking you up by accident, I wouldn’t want to wake you on purpose.” Ellaria pouts sweetly before she puckers her lips. You grin, leaning down and kissing Ellaria warmly. When she curls her arm around your neck, you groan quietly. “Ellaria,” You huff against her lips, “I’ll be late.” “Good,” She retorts, sliding her other hand down to curl in the fabric of your pants, “You need the swimming practice.” You giggle, leaning back from the kiss and peering down at her. “How long will you be gone?” She murmurs, pawing at your zipper. “A few hours. I doubt I’ll be back before noon.” Ellaria nods a little, fingers massaging your thigh. “Do me a favor?” You tack on. “Mm?” “Give something to Oberyn for me?” “What?” You dip your head, brushing your lips across Ellaria before cupping the nape of her neck, teasing your tongue along the seam of her lips. You draw away from Ellaria, offering her a cheeky grin at the heated twinkle in her eyes. “I’m making coffee, and then I’m going,” You take hold of Ellaria’s hand, raising her hand to your lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it. Ellaria nods, stretching. “Wear sunscreen and don’t drown,” She advises sagely before settling back in bed.

--

When you surface, you tug your mask off and suck in a breath, looking around. You’re not far from your dive boat, but turning your head, you spot another familiar vessel. You swim back to your crew’s ship, dispensing of your diving equipment for the day. When you tell your crew that they can head back without you, they’re perplexed, but as you nod back toward the other boat, a wave of understanding overtakes a few of their faces. You trail to the end of the boat before diving into the cool, clear water. It’s just a few moments before you’re resurfacing, and taking hold of Oberyn’s outstretched hand. “What are you doing here?” You ask through huffs, trying to catch your breath. “I thought I’d come and see how you’re progressing. Ellaria and I used to stop by the docks to try and catch a glimpse. I think now that that approach may have been too subtle,” He adds. He’s open in watching you unzip and wriggle out of your wetsuit, revealing your bathing suit underneath. “Are they waiting for you?” He asks, nodding over your shoulder. “No, I’ve told them to go on without me,” You smile as you hang the suit over rail, watching the dive boat begin its trip back to the docks. “Good,” You hear, and feel Oberyn crowd up behind you, “Then you won’t mind if I return something to you?” “Return?” You frown, turning to face him. “Mm,” He nods, eyes darting to your lips, “The gift that you so graciously gave Ellaria to impart to me this morning.” You grin as Oberyn tenderly cups your cheek. His arm curls around your back, drawing you against him, seemingly uncaring of your body wetting his clothing as he gives you a sweet, unhurried kiss. You sigh softly, raising your hands to twine in his hair. As Oberyn teases his tongue along your lips, you giggle, leaning back a little and breaking the kiss to meet his eyes. “What is it?” He asks, smiling, smoothing his thumb along your lower back. You glance over your shoulder to see that your crew’s boat has gotten pretty far away. Your eyelids flutter as you feel Oberyn’s lips skim your jaw. “Your personal life is your own, sweet,” He reminds you softly, “You needn’t worry what anyone else thinks.” You nod a little bit, turning your head and resting your temple against Oberyn’s. “I guess it’s just a little odd,” You admit, “I don’t usually have a personal life during a dig.” Oberyn hums thoughtfully. “Do you find us terribly distracting?” “No,” You shake your head, “No, not at all. I wasn’t saying that it was a bad thing, I was just—I simply meant that—” Oberyn shushes you softly, chuckling. “I understand,” He reassures. You relax a touch, turning your head and pecking his lips. “Where’s Ellaria?” You ask. “One of her students had an emergency regarding their thesis.” You nod, sliding your hands over Oberyn’s chest. “And you?” “I came to bring you home.” Your eyes lift to his curiously, stunned, and your brows arch. And for the first time since you’ve known him, you see something akin to embarrassment on Oberyn’s face. “I meant—Dock—and then on to our home, mine and Ellaria’s or—Or your apartment—” He clears his throat abruptly, and you grin, leaning up and kissing him warmly. “You’re precious when you’re flustered,” You reassure him before stepping around him. “I was once considered quite the Lothario, I will have you know,” Oberyn says sternly as he follows you. “Oh...I have read the accounts,” You laugh, “Brothels of Kings Landing...Confessions of a Pentossi Whore—You make up a whole chapter in that one.” Oberyn’s arm hooks around your waist as he tugs you back against him. “Let’s relax for a bit, hm? We don’t need to rush right back to shore—Unless there’s something that you need to do.” “Nn-nn,” You hum, shaking your head. The two of you settle down, laying out on the netting. You tuck your hands behind your head, basking in the warm afternoon sun. You can feel your body beginning to relax, draining of some of the tension from work. “What did you get up to today, then?” Oberyn asks, trailing his fingers along your fingers. “Um...We found a few crossbows, and some spears. We’re starting to think evidence of the fort might be nearby, if there is any, still, but I want something more firm before I raise it with the university.” When Oberyn says nothing, you crack an eye open, and you find him looking a little guilty. Your brow furrows. “What is it?” You ask softly. “You’ll find it,” He says. “What?” “You’ll find it.” “How can you be so sure—” “I’m sure.” “Oberyn—” “Do you remember before the dives began?” He sits up fully, “When you came to dinner—the theory that you mentioned to myself and Ellaria about the Sandship?” “The idea that it’s made of weirwood?” When Oberyn says nothing, when he simply waits, the look that the two had shared over your head that night bubbles back to the top of your mind. Your jaw drops as the pieces fall into place. “...Oh my—” “Sweet,” Oberyn says softly as you scramble up; you hardly hear him, you’re already reaching for your diving suit. “Where are you going?” He asks. “I—Point me,” You say, already stepping into your suit, “Which way—” “I can't,” Oberyn chuckles, pushing himself up, “I haven’t seen it since the earthquake.” That takes the wind out of your sails, and you wobble, one foot in the suit, the other out of it. You frown, brow furrowing. “...Really?” “If I knew where it was, I would tell you,” Oberyn raises his finger and crosses it over his heart. You step back out of your wetsuit, setting it back over the rail. You suddenly realize how hard your heart had begun to pound at the prospect of a real lead. “But it is...Weirwood?” You ask. “Yes,” Oberyn nods, “I don’t know if it’ll be in one piece, but I think it’s safe to say that those weapons you’ve found are just the beginning.” You walk back to the netting, lowering yourself back down beside him, considering this. When you meet Oberyn’s eyes again, you find him grinning.