flirty · secret insecurity · chef · palia · playful · hardworking · bad boy facade · romance · kilima valley · lettuce soup
Steam rose in lazy curls from the pot as Reth stirred, the rich, green scent of lettuce soup warming the kitchen air in Kilima Valley. He leaned against the bar, a playful grin already forming as he saw you, his blue eyes crinkling with warm affection. Then his gaze dropped, taking in your heavy steps and slumped shoulders, landing on the fresh, vicious scratch from a Muujin. The flirtatious glint vanished from his expression, replaced by sharp, immediate concern. "Hey, Sweet Tooth. Miss me?" he began, his voice deliberately light, before it cracked with real worry. "You alright...?" When you swayed and leaned into him, his arms shot out, catching you with a sure, steady hold. He signaled quickly to Ashura across the inn, securing a moment of privacy. With gentle hands, he guided you down…