Work Text:
A slow, pleased smile curved over Isley’s face as Mina entered the smithy.
“Back so soon?” they asked, setting their silver hammer on a workbench, the hammer marked with the same symbol as the one on Faer’s compass and Stirling’s star charts and Alvey’s scabbard and on the lining of the cloak that Rowan had been wearing when they were left in her care, a sign they’d realised indicated the influence of the stranger with one white eye.
Faer, of course, thought that this was a sign that they were meant to meet Isley. Stirling stoutly maintained that it was a coincidence.
Alvey, sick of the long ensuing philosophical debate, declared that there was nothing wrong with seeking out a chance for happiness, especially if that happiness came in a package along with broad shoulders and big brown eyes.
(It was somewhat embarrassing to admit that Mina was on Alvey’s side in this debate!)
“Are you going to join the dancing?” Mina asked, hoping they’d say yes, that they’d dance with her. Through the smithy door, she could see kith gathering in the town square, and hear the musicians warming up.
Isley shook their head. “Nah, two left feet. But I’d welcome some company, if you don’t mind sitting the dancing out. I have some very nice whisky I’ve been saving for a special occasion.”
The fact that Isley classed sharing a drink with her a special occasion made something flutter in her stomach, but she still glanced back out to the square.
Rowan and Fear were spinning in wild circles, despite the fact that the dancing didn’t seem to have officially started, and Alvey and Stirling were watching, visibly amused.
Mina smiled at the sight, then Alvey looked up towards the smithy door, as if sensing her gaze. It was too far away to see if Alvey was rolling her eyes (though she probably was) but she could see the what are you waiting for hand gesture extremely clearly.
Rowan was safe, and happy, and occupied for the foreseeable future and for the first time in a very long time, Mina was with someone who didn’t seem to see her just as a single parent in a dowdy dress with prematurely greying fur around her ears, but as Mina, someone who was pretty and interesting and desirable.
It was a nice feeling. Strange, but nice.
“I’d love to stay,” Mina said, accepting a glass of the very good whisky, feeling that excited swoop in her stomach again.
She’d not had more than a sip or two before Isley bent down and kissed her. She kissed them back immediately, desperately, scrabbling at their very attractive shoulders to get closer and when Isley picked her up to carry her to the back room she didn’t protest in the slightest.
She planned to savour every moment with them while she could.