Chapter Text
Tally
She honestly couldn’t believe what she was seeing, it was like the world was swept from beneath her as she stared at Alder from across the bar. Tally felt her breath hitch and her heartbeat quicken, whether from shock or adoration was a question she didn’t feel like answering at the moment. Walking over to them with a calm that she’d greatly missed, Alder handed her a shot of what Tally’d assume to be whiskey.
“I-I’m….good,” was all she could say as her eyes took in the woman before her. Hair just as dark as she’d remembered and eyes that could pin her with every glance, Alder was a walking breathing gift to her eyes - to anyone’s eyes to be fair.
“Suit yourself.” Alder shrugged and downed the shot herself. Tally could hardly understand how the woman was back, let alone what she was feeling in the moment. Her heart still flurried as she reached out to try and touch her. No, nope, she wouldn’t touch her. Alder was the general…or ex-general she supposed. Whatever the case, recalling their past encounters didn’t make it any easier to comprehend what she was feeling. But what she did know was the next few minutes of conversation completely blew past her. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the older woman, let alone pay attention to whatever words were being passed between them. Play it cool.
Alder
She’d spotted them from across the bar within seconds. Well, she’d actually felt their presence the moment they’d walked through the door, but it was completely different when she set her eyes upon the group. Bellweather, Adil, Khalida, and…Craven. Alder quickly fixed her hair without realizing it and picked up a tray of shots that she’d just ordered. Why was her heart racing so much, it was puzzling and honestly distracting in a way she didn’t want or need. But, as she approached them, this perplexing heartbeat of her’s didn’t calm, it became even more restless. The sheer shock on Craven’s face almost made her laugh. There would of course be a lot of explaining to do. Though, for now, Alder smirked and put the tray down, passing one of the shots to the cadet.
Alder had the desire to say her name. For no reason at all, but to say it fully and without title. The desire came quickly like a spark and then flitted away like a butterfly. It confused her immensely as a warmth blossomed in her chest the more she looked at Craven. Her hair was the same red color and those dimples were still remarkably adorable. It was unlike her, and took her by surprise, when she had to look away to keep herself from gawking. Alder glanced back at the bar in front of her, unable to look Craven in the eye. Eventually, putting up a confident, if not too relaxed demeanor which had Craven even more curious. Alder sighed to herself, if this kept up it would be a long night indeed.
Later That Evening
“Wait, where are you going?” Tally pulled Alder aside from where she stood, attempting to get away from the previously dancing crowd. With her hand pressed on Alder’s arm, Tally looked at her with wild curiosity and interest in her eyes. Alder’s face was unmoving and gave away none of her slight panic at the touch. It wasn’t that she was adverse to it, but her body’s reaction to Craven’s touch in particular was affecting her more than she’d thought.
“I need to speak to Elayne. I was going to wait for her outside.” Tally begins to nod slowly, and then shook her head abruptly.
“You just got here and now you’re leaving? Just like that?” Tally asked, annoyed. Releasing her tightening grip, she brought her hands further down and took a hold of Alders, squeezing them softly. “You’re just gonna leave.” Her voice dropped as did her head as Tally felt the wave of disappointment hit her like a truck. Why did she care what Alder did or didn’t do? It was no longer her concern, yet…she felt as though it would forever be her concern. There was a slight tug at her heart as she looked back up to see Alder’s face soft and her smile small.
“I must retrieve the first songs. I’m sorry, but I must.” The older woman finally noticed the warmth around her hands. Tally sniffed away any feelings and nodded, still annoyed and confused with everything, noticing too that their hands were still interlocked. Jumping away clumsily, releasing their hands all together, Tally cleared her throat.
“S-Sorry. I just, I…” Tally babbled and didn’t know what to say. What came out, though, was definitely not what she had intended.
“I missed you.” Tally froze.
That’s not what she wanted to come out! Hitting herself internally, she cringed at her own words and looked to the floor once more. Chastising herself, she held her other arm uncomfortably, ready to bolt away and let Alder do what she came for. That was, until she felt a warm hand brush across her cheek. Peering up, Alder was very close, almost too close. Tally’s heart leapt like there was an acrobat within her. Caressing her cheek, Alder searched her face. For what? Tally didn’t have a clue. The woman moved even closer, causing Tally to close her eyes and blush from cheek to cheek. The gentlest of touches, the softest lips grazed that blush and before she could even process what had happened Alder was gone. Standing there staring at an empty hallway, Tally brought her hand up to her cheek where it’d happened ⸺ where she’d been kissed by Sarah Alder.