#writing dump

Beans sat, composed but vulnerable, as Sadie helped her hair into a neat bun and set her bangs to sit gently on her forehead. Soon, there was makeup--A touch of blush, concealer softened carefully over freckles without erasing them, something subtle for her good eye, and her lips painted red again.

Sadie fastened Beans' corset shortly, hands steadier than she expected. Beans felt relieved that her lover was able to help her, as she had no one else to prepare her for these kinds of events anymore.

Much later, Beans was already dressed—her gown flowing, the deep emerald green colors looking decent in the lamplight, helped further by the soft gold accents. Her heels clicked underneath the fabric, the shoes sounding heavy on the wooden floor. She stood behind Sadie now, lifting the other gown and guiding Sadie into it.

The light blue gown's fabric settled perfectly, the shoulders barely covering her top, and the bustle was minimal for what they could afford. Sadie slowly turned her head to Beans, but held still as she needed to put in finishing touches to the gown and to be prepared for anything.

Beans weaved the strands of fabric at the small of Sadie's back, twisting the strips into a neat little bow, tugging it gently as it sat intact without any way of coming undone. Beans smiled as she appreciated her work.

"There." Beans stepped back, assessing. "Perfect."

Sadie looked in the mirror, just lost as she looked at the beautiful lady in front of her, and her companion, whose hand was gently brushing against her back. The woman looking back at Sadie looked a little unfamiliar—tall, elegant, powerful in a different way. But she didn't freak out or anything like that. She knew it was still her. Just… dressed differently for tonight.

"I still don't get it." Sadie finally managed to get out.

Beans tilted her head, and Sadie added, "I don't really know why we have to go to the opera? There's this joint I know that sells pretty good meat. We could go there, get a table, get lost in the crowds together, and still wear the dresses."

Beans' expression softened. She wanted to go because of an important reason she felt like she needed to tell her girlfriend. She didn't want to keep quiet--the opera held a special place in her heart, and she wanted to justify her reasons for going to such a high-profile place and risk getting captured. She pondered, pursing her lips as she started to come up with the right words to say.

"When I was growing up… the opera was one of the few places I felt something larger than expectation." Beans explained. "That, and the family garden." She inhaled quietly as she added, "And lately, I have been so anxious. So frightened. I deeply worry that I am exhausting you with my fears… my tears… my habits."

Sadie kept still, but she smiled, knowing that Beans had the best intentions and didn't mean anything bad. She didn't interrupt as Beans continued her reasons.

"Tonight, I wished to give you a night to ourselves. And I wish to go somewhere magnificent for our first proper date together," the noble witch finished.

Sadie watched her for a long moment.

"I know, honey," she said. "I mean, we've been stressed and on the run for, what, weeks now? A month? And to be honest, I don't mind spendin' a little for one night. Besides, you haven't used valerian in weeks… maybe we could also consider this a little celebration for how long you've been off that shit."

Beans smiles, relieved. She was happy that her lover was willing to go to somewhere so decent and not like the average bounty hunter's environment. She knew that Sadie would struggle to blend in with the upper-class world, but she knew that she would help Sadie all the way. She was already wearing the gown, so there was no turning back after this.

She leaned in and kissed Sadie's shoulder, soft, brief, and affectionate. Sadie blushed instantly, feeling her lips curl into a smirk after feeling her lover's lips on her shoulder. Beans then leaned closer and brushed a hand on Sadie's left cheek from behind.

"You look ravishing in this dress." Beans said.

"Ravishing?" Sadie chucked despite her cheeks being warm and her face flustered. "The hell does that mean?"

"You look absolutely beautiful is what I mean," Beans said, her smirk still on her lips. She gently lifted Sadie's chin, turning her to face her. "And if the evening goes well… we could end it the way we once did. Back in my chambers. All that time ago."

Sadie's mouth curved into a knowing smirk. "Careful, 'cause I'm gon' make sure you hold onto that promise."

-----chaos reigns-----

Han's hair grows long, so in Caro kingdom, Cale buys her hair clip.

Han was gonna cut her hair, Cale compliments length, "longer hair suits you well, it would be a shame to cut it. Use this, and when your hair gets long enough, I'll get you a proper hair tie."

Happy flowers expression, Han asks "can you help me put it on?"

Cale, "shouldn't you learn how to put it on yourself?" Even though he's already moving to put the clip in her hair. Eyes meet Han's when he finishes, and there's a small, charged moment, Han notices Cale's quick, almost too quick to see, glance at her lips, before stepping back and continuing as if nothing happened.

Cale, internally, 'fuck, I wasn't prepared for how seeing her in something I bought her was going to affect me, she's entirely too goddamn pretty for my mental health.'

Han, internally, 'I didn't see wrongly, I know I didn't, he looked at my lips, did he want to kiss me? Why didn't he kiss me? Should I kiss him? I want to kiss him. Why didn't he kiss me?'

Before she can do anything, the emergency alarm for war goes off, and she has to run to keep up with Cale.

The hair clip gets stared at by everyone they pass, all of them realizing right then that Roan's youngest swordmaster is a woman, while also realizing (the smart ones realize it, at least) that Han clearly is in love with Commander Cale.

A story makes the rounds about the beautiful swordswoman, one-sidedly in love with her liege, unable to confess due to the harshness of war, forever longing and yearning for him.

It becomes incredibly popular among the Western continent's people, maybe Deruth makes a small mention of it? Like, "we don't care who you marry, Cale, we don't put any importance on how noble our spouses are"

Meanwhile, Cale is like "??? I know? You married a merchant's daughter, Dad, what are you even talking about?"

Cue misunderstandings, that are surprisingly close to reality this time. Cause, you know, it's TCF. It wouldn't be TCF without the misunderstandings.

---

I like to think that in this story, Cale is the romantically forward person. Like, Choi Han stands in front of Cale, protecting him and following his orders (even carrying him, because in this house, we stan breaking gender normatives and stereotypes), but in a romantic moment, Cale is the one who leads.

Like, they'll be sitting next to each other, resting against a tree, Choi Han resting and Cale reading, and Cale will reach for Choi's hand, threading their fingers, which causes Choi Han to short-circuit.

Cale will watch Choi blush for a bit, enjoying the sight, before tugging Choi's arm, Choi letting Cale maneuver her around until she ends up on his lap, tucked under Cale's chin, letting him smell and bury his face in her hair, threads their fingers together again, and then nonchalantly holds his book up and begins to read again.

Meanwhile, Choi Han's brain hasn't just short-circuited, it's completely fried, she can't think of anything, her brain's blank. But Cale's very warm, and he smells like home to her, comforting and safe, and so, without any thoughts in her head, she ends up falling asleep against him.

Maybe she has vicious nightmares, and that time sleeping against Cale was the first time she can remember where she didn't wake up in a panic in the middle of the night. And, finally feeling what it's like to be well-rested, she's addicted immediately. So whenever Cale sits down to rest for any substantial length of time, Choi Han will come over and curl up against him.

She worries that she's bothering Cale, but she can't seem to stop herself. Eventually, her nightmares get found out, and she confesses that sleeping next to Cale is the only way she's found to be able to sleep in peace.

And, since Cale is the romantically forward person here, he immediately offers to stay with her every night (sleeping together is unstated but understood, and what's also understood is that this is completely non-sexual, and they're really just going to sleep).

Choi Han nearly dies but manages to nod her head, and so, Cale goes looking for her every night, without fail, and if it just so happened that his own nightmares disappeared as well when they slept together, well, no one needed to know that - but of course, it's eventually found out (because no, bad Cale, mutual vulnerability and trust is the core of a relationship and you need to communicate, mister!)

------

Cale to Clopeh/everyone else: don't call me Cale-nim.

Cale to Choi Han: Call me Cale-nim.

Everyone else: ???

Choi Han: *eye sparkles* yes, Cale-nim!

-----

Cale to Hannah: Holy Maiden

Hannah: just call me Hannah

Cale, who's already started to refer to Choi Han as Han-ah internally, even if no one knows that yet: sorry, can't. It would get confusing.

Everyone: ?? What does that mean?

Cale's Ancient Powers: you know, you should probably explain yourself. Of course, it would require confessing... *Cale just ignores them and resolutely calls Hannah Holy Maiden*

At some point, later on, everyone learns that Choi Han and Cale are together, and are super cute together, but they still haven't gotten an answer for why he won't call Hannah by her name.

Then, at some point, Cale very nonchalantly calls Choi Han "Han-ah", and everyone is like "Oh!" *Lightbulb moment* only to then become further confused, because if Choi Han is why Cale won't call Hannah by her name, that would mean he'd been in love with her for far longer than anyone had realized, even Choi Han herself.

At some point, during the aftermath of this revelation, someone asks Cale the very pertinent question: "How long have you been in love with Choi Han, then?"

Our romantically forward Cale, who loves to fluster Choi Han, and has absolutely no shame and zero hesitation: "Since I first saw her. She was gorgeous, and the more time I spent with her, the deeper I fell. By the time we'd finished dealing with the capital incident, I was so far gone that I knew, if she rejected me, I'd die alone because I can't love anyone else like this. She's it, for me."

Choi Han is blushing brilliantly, which Cale watches, side-eyeing her face, his own mouth hiding a small quirk of the lips that is something none of the rest have really seen before.

But then, Choi Han blinks, and is like, "Wait, but when we first met, I was a mess! My hair was ragged because I had to cut it with a knife, my face was covered in dirt, hell, my whole body was covered in dirt! I looked horrible!"

Cale: "you looked beautiful, and after you were able to rest and clean up, you looked gorgeous. Also, after you took care of that bandit attack, I accidentally activated Record when I saw the way you looked when you came back. You left me dumbfounded - something about the way you held yourself, the ferocity lingering in your form, I almost couldn't breathe."

Eruhaben: accidentally?

Cale, nodding: yeah, I hadn't actually intended to do that. I think I was so stunned that my subconscious brain took over for a few seconds.

Choi Han is completely red and unable to say anything, meanwhile, Rosalyn says: "if you were that far gone even back then, you certainly didn't show it. We'd never have known if you didn't tell us, you gave no indications that you were head-over-heels like you say. You always just looked calm."

Cale: I'm happy it seemed that way, because I certainly never felt calm next to her. She had a way of making my mind go blank while doing the most mundane things. She still does, actually. I'd like to say I've gotten used to it, but I'd be lying.

---

Lap/shoulder pillow in carriage? Sleep is always needed!

Cale is exhausted, and Han is like, "um, are you okay, Cale-nim?"

And Cale looks at her, face blank for a moment, before sighing like he's annoyed. He gets up and sits next to Han, who's face is full of question marks, and nonchalantly leans to the side, resting his head on her shoulder.

Han is like, "Cale-nim?!" Cause really, Cale, warn a girl.

Meanwhile, Cale just closes his eyes, and says "I'm tired, can we just stay like this for a while?" And despite how blunt his words are, his tone is slightly softer than usual, a small note of insecurity in it, without him realizing it. Of course Han agrees.

They ride the rest of the way like that, and then, later, it becomes more of a habit. If Cale and Han are riding together, then Cale is gonna catch some sleep next to her.

It becomes routine, but no one knows because Cale doesn't often ride carriages with others. But at some point, Rosalyn or Lock, maybe Alberu, find out about the behavior because they're riding with Cale and Han.

And Cale being Cale, the presence of another person doesn't matter, Han is comfortable to lean on, Cale is in love with her, and even though he can't bring himself to confess to her when everything is so crazy, he's also very much not willing to give up or share, so this is one of the ways that he stakes his claim, if you will.

Han expected the presence of someone else might mean that Cale wouldn't rest against her, the thought bringing with it a certain amount of resignation and upset, only for Cale to, again, give zero fucks and just act like normal.

As a result, Lock (I'm going with him, it works) watches with wide eyes as Cale rests against Han with a comfortability that makes it clear this isn't the first time, but gets to watch Han's face grow pink, her eyes begin to sparkle a bit, and she just looks at Cale, laying against her with his eyes closed, with nothing but hearts in her eyes.

Lock doesn't keep the scene to himself. Cale knew he wouldn't, and if the story goes around that Han's feelings are anything but one sided, and Commander Cale loves her very much but they simply can't be together due to the war making things uncertain, then, well, Cale won't ever admit to that being something he let happen and encouraged deliberately.

Han notices that the only rumors that don't seem to piss Cale off or make him feel exhausted, are the ones about her and him having a much more intimate relationship than they actually do, and that fact causes her courage to go sky-high.

And so, at some point, when just Cale and Han are together, needing to spend the night in each other's company out in the wilds for reasons, Han finds herself staring at Cale.

Cale's voice is low, but relaxed, despite the rather miserable conditions of their current situation. "Ask your question. I can feel you staring at me."

Han smiles at his words, gets up, sits down right next to him, close enough that they were pressed against each other. Cale normally doesn't let anyone sit that close to him, but he doesn't move away from Han or ask her to move either. He just tosses a glance in her direction before going back to staring into the fire.

They sit in silence for a bit, before Han breaks the silence.

"Cale-nim."

"What is it?"

"Do you have someone that you like, romantically?"

Cale tosses her another look, one that says 'why are you asking me something so obvious', before saying "Don't you already know the answer to that question?"

Han smiles up at him, and Cale looks at her and they maintain eye contact for a bit, before she says "That's true. In that case, don't you have a question for me?"

And Cale just looks at her, head tilted a bit, Recording her face and eyes, the way her smile looks, and when he speaks, his voice is quiet. "You're right. I do. Han-ah..." Han's eyes grow wide at the affectionate call of her name, and then is even further surprised as she gets front row seats to the most beautiful smile she's ever seen, gracing Cale's face as he looks at her.

Cale says "Can I kiss you?"

And Han's mouth drops open in surprise, because she didn't realize that Cale would be so bold given how shy he usually is about expressing his feelings to the rest of the group. She sees that Cale is looking at her lips, desire flickering in his eyes, glancing at her eyes while he waits for her permission to do anything.

And Han just has pink bubbles and hearts floating around her, as she nods her head, no shyness, because why would she be? This is all she's ever wanted since the day she met him. And as he comes near her face, one of his hands cupping her cheek as he tilted it for better access, her eyes flutter as she feels his warm breathe fanning across her face, and they share a very sweet kiss.

-----

It would be funny if, at some point, they're at a banquet or a ball or something, and some noble from a martial arts family tries to cozy up to Han, thinking he'll be able to seduce her into being his wife so that he can have a swordmaster in his family, and he thinks everything is going well, not noticing that Han is slowly inching her hand towards her sword, only for Cale to come over, Dominating Aura on full blast, the noble shudders, Cale glares, reaches over and grabs the guy's shoulder, and says, just loud enough for the noble and Han to hear, "come near her again with bullshit like that, and I'll show you exactly why the Northern kingdoms flinch when they hear my name. Got it?"

Noble is like "you can't do that, my household is important, you'll ruin your reputation as a hero!"

And Cale just looks at him, threats of death in his eyes, and says "I didn't name myself a hero, you all did. I don't give a fuck about some stupid hero title. Come after one of my people, and I'll drag you and your household's name through the mud before stripping it of any power and making sure that everyone witnesses you getting kicked out on your ass, covered in mud and looking like the filthy rat that you are. And if you come within 15 ft of my knight Han-ah ever again, I promise you - no one will ever find your body. Got it?"

And the noble's face grows deathly pale, nods frantically, and almost runs away.

Han is like, "you didn't have to do that, I could have handled it" and Cale is like, "of course you could have, but watching him act like that towards you pissed me off. You just killing him would have been too easy, I want that bastard to piss his pants at the very idea of acting like that to you again."

Han blinks, before saying, "Cale-nim, are you saying you stepped in because you thought I'd go easy on him, and you wanted him to suffer?"

And Cale very pointedly avoids eye contact. Han grins, her whole face glowing, and Cale takes a tiny glance at it, his heart settling and his anger gone, before he looks away. He sticks close to her for the rest of the night, acting nonchalant but every time someone looks like they're going to come over to talk to either of them, Cale pulls out the Dominating Aura with a glare to scare them off.