Romilly's eyes flashed gold for a moment. Archer had to blink several times, because he must be dreaming still. Why would his eyes flash like that? Could it be a trick of the light? Romilly looked angry. Was it because Archer complimented him, or because he mentioned others wouldn't do something like this? Archer was too weak to figure it out, too exhausted and sore.
"Are you hungry, little one?" Romilly asked.
Archer thought about it for a moment, taking stock of how he felt. He had eaten at the diner before wandering into the woods, but he had no clue how much time had passed, no idea of when he had been injured versus now. "I can eat," he said carefully.
Romilly grinned. His entire face changed with the movement, making him somehow younger and adorable. "I will call for someone to bring you something. Give me just a moment."
Romilly stood, his massive form striding to the door and stepping into the hall. Archer could hear whispered voices and exchanged words, then Romilly was closing the door behind him again and sitting back on the bed. He moved closer the second time, as if he couldn't stand the distance between them. But that didn't make sense.
"Can you tell me more about you?" Romilly asked. "Your name? Where you came from? Do you remember anything about the wolf that attacked you?"
Images flashed through Archer's mind, memories of why he'd left home and how he'd been resting when the vicious animal attempted to take his life. "It's a long story," Archer said, partially because he didn't want to go over it.
Romilly placed his hand on the bed, right beside where Archer's arm was tucked in. He leaned forward slightly and said, "I have all the time in the world for you."
His proximity didn't scare Archer. Instead, it relaxed him further. There was a scent around him, a reminder of old, a reminder of when Archer was younger and sat near a campfire once. He recalled how the warmth had made him comfortable, and the scent had given him relief when he was struggling. It was one of the few good memories he had of his younger years. To know that it was how Romilly smelled had him ready to share, when just moments ago he wasn't going to.
He skipped past the more boring parts, like why he'd left his home, and began with his arrival in San Noctis. "I got off the train and the young man there explained to me there was probably nowhere to rent. He also told me the train wasn't coming back for two days, so after walking through town and finding something to eat, I decided I would just camp out in the woods."
"Oh, no," he said as he tried to sit up quickly. His body locked up as pain surged through his bandaged arm.
Romilly must have caught the expression because in the next second he was hovering over Archer, hands at his back, easing him down.
"No need to rush. Everything is okay. I had your bags brought here."
He pointed toward the wall near the door. It was only then that Archer saw both of his bags and the blanket folded on top.
"Thank you," he rushed out. Was that all he was going to be able to say to this man, over and over?
Thank you for saving my life.
Thank you for protecting my things.
Thank you for healing me.
Thank you for caring.
So far, Romilly hadn't said Archer was too needy. He hadn't indicated that what he was was too much for the other man.
"You were saying about how you laid down in the forest to rest." Romilly interrupted Archer's thoughts with gentle prodding. His voice was deeper, his body tense, like he didn't like the idea of Archer camping out in the wilderness. Knowing what he did now, Archer could agree it was foolish, but he hadn't had much of a choice.
Archer licked his lips in an attempt to wet his mouth. Before he could speak, a knock came at the door. Romilly went to it and took a tray from someone. When he returned, there was a glass of water, a sandwich, and some chips.
"Hopefully this is to your liking. It's light enough for your stomach to accept right now, until we know you're feeling well enough for more."
Archer smiled softly. He wanted to say thank you again but didn't want to be repetitive.
Romilly set the tray on the bedside table, then went about gathering pillows to prop Archer up. Once he was ready, Archer shifted like he was going to move himself, but Romilly made a humming noise, then quickly pulled Archer up from under his arms until he was angled just right. Then Romilly grabbed the tray and set it down on the bed between them.
First, he lifted the cup of water, which had a straw in it, and brought it to Archer's mouth. Archer was too stunned to sayanything. This man was taking care of him like he couldn't do it himself, like it was nothing to be there for him in ways others would never consider.
Archer sipped at the water, sighing as it coated his mouth and throat. The coolness eased some of the ache there, likely from where he had screamed his voice raw during the attack. When he was done, Archer pulled back.
Before he could, there was a moment of stillness, then Romilly was lifting the sandwich to his lips. Archer hesitated taking a bite; instead he eased his hand from under the blanket and said, "I can do it myself."
Romilly let go of the sandwich with one hand and pressed Archer's palm down to his lap. "I'm sure you can, little one, but I quite enjoy the idea of feeding you. Indulge me, please."
Archer's cheeks went pink. He knew they did because he could feel the warmth there. And if Romilly's smile was anything to go by, the other man quite liked it. He opened his mouth like a baby bird. When the sandwich landed on his tongue and he was able to take a bite, he nearly moaned in pleasure. It was delicious. His stomach made a noise as if it too were shouting its praise.
