Chapter 13 - Struck, Stunned, and Steeped
The morning sun slipped through the window blinds, catching in the dust and gleaming faintly off the edge of Gideon’s shield where it leaned against the wall. He had slept, technically. A few hours, maybe. Light and restless. Every time he closed his eyes, it wasn’t the street routes or Guild briefings that filled his thoughts. It was her.
That girl. Mystery girl.
The one who sat at his table and nearly fried his brain with a single expression.
He groaned and sat up, rubbing his face with both hands. Even a cold splash of water didn’t do much to fix the pink that lingered in his ears as he dressed for the day. By the time he reached the guildhall, Caelan was already there, standing by the mission board with two coffees in hand.
"You look like death," Caelan greeted without looking up.
“Morning to you too,” Gideon replied, voice flat.
Caelan handed him the coffee, then raised an eyebrow. “Late night?”
Gideon hesitated. “Couldn’t sleep.”
Caelan paused. His eyes narrowed slightly. “Huh. That bad, huh?”
“It’s nothing.”
Caelan gave him a long, deliberate look. “You always say that when it’s something.”
Gideon didn’t respond. He took a long sip of coffee instead. It was hot, bitter, grounding.
“You’ve got a patrol shift today,” Caelan said, finally dropping it. “Main street loop, east to west. Nothing fancy. Just a visibility run.”
“Got it.”
“Keep your eyes open. And maybe your thoughts too.”
“I said it’s nothing.”
“I heard you.”
The briefing wrapped up in its usual manner, but Caelan’s smirk said he wasn’t done being nosy.
Korth was already alive by the time Gideon hit the streets. Cobblers setting out their wares, florists trimming stems, the steam of early lunch drifting from food carts into the crisp morning air. His boots tapped rhythmically against the cobblestone as he moved past familiar shopfronts, nodding now and then to vendors who recognized the uniform.
And yet, something felt different.
He passed a small ribbon shop tucked between a jeweller and a bookbindery. In the window, a display of silks danced lightly in the breeze from an open panel. Orange. The exact shade as the ribbon she wore tucked behind her ear. Gideon slowed for half a step, eyes catching on the colour.
Noted. Not relevant. Keep moving.
Further down the street, a tea shop had propped open its doors to let the breeze carry the scent of steeping leaves. There was honey in the air, and something faintly floral. His steps faltered again. That smell. His usual blend. He blinked, exhaled, and kept walking.
Then he heard it.
“Oh my god, are you okay?”
The voice hit him like a spell. His head whipped around so fast he nearly unbalanced himself.
It wasn’t her.
By the town square fountain, a girl stood laughing as she fussed over a boy with a spilled drink down his shirt. University students, maybe. The girl wiped at his sleeve, still scolding with fond exasperation. The boy laughed, clearly embarrassed, then hooked her arm in his. They walked off together, still grinning, as if the whole world belonged to them.
Gideon stood there for a moment, eyes following them. His heart thudded just a little too hard in his chest. He looked down at the street, then up again.
He had no name. No lead. No reason to be thinking this much about a single stranger.
But he did.
Maybe, just maybe, he wanted to see her again.
The sun had already dipped behind the rooftops of Korth by the time Gideon stepped through the door of Inkwyrm & Co. His boots felt heavier than usual after a full day on patrol. The streets had been lively, the walk long, and the ribbon shop had somehow been unavoidable. But the scent of warm tea and old books greeted him like an old friend, and for a brief moment, he let himself breathe.
Only a few patrons lingered in the café this evening, quietly tucked into corners with steaming mugs and open pages. None of them looked familiar, which meant no need for small talk or Guild posture. Gideon gave a soft nod toward the counter and made his way to the usual table in the back.
Devon, ever in tune with the rhythm of his regulars, appeared with a fresh cup of his usual. He set it down without a word, then slid into the seat across from him, arms crossed and grinning.
“You look like a man who’s been carrying his thoughts around like a boulder,” Devon said.
Gideon just sipped his tea.
“So, lucky for you,” Devon continued, “I’m here to carry the conversation.”
He didn’t wait for permission.
“Got a letter from home today. Mum and Dad are doing fine. Dad’s grumbling about sale season again like it’s a full-blown siege. Swears half the district’s trying to haggle him into an early grave. You know the usual.”
Gideon nodded faintly, still sipping.
“Mira sent the letter. Apparently, she’s decided I don’t dress well enough for Korth and bought me a full set of new clothes from that boutique-owning client of hers. Like I’m some kind of fashion-challenged charity case. Says she’ll know if I don’t wear them. Which I believe, because she once spotted me dodging her outfit suggestions from three blocks away and still made me change.”
Still nothing from Gideon but a slow, methodical slurp.
“Oh, and Luca. Guess who managed to injure himself at work again? Slipped while hauling gear, tweaked his leg. He’s supposed to rest for two weeks, which of course means he’s doing the exact opposite. Won’t sit still. Keeps insisting he’s ‘fine’ while literally hopping on one foot and trying to reorganize the pantry. Mum’s threatening to tie him to the chair with ribbon at this point.”
Devon sighed dramatically, finally glancing up at Gideon.
“Honestly, it’s impressive. His stubbornness is almost comparable to yo-”
He stopped. Waited. Still no reaction.
Devon narrowed his eyes. “Are you hearing any of this?”
Gideon sat perfectly still, lips pressed to the rim of his teacup, sipping with the quiet intensity of someone trying to extract divine meaning from a honey-sweet brew. His eyes stared past Devon, lost in thought.
“…I dunno, man.”
Devon blinked. “Sorry?”
Gideon lowered his cup slowly, still staring at nothing. “I just… I dunno. She sat at my table. She ordered my tea. And then she just-”
He shook his head slightly, like the thought was refusing to leave.
“I don’t even know her name. I don’t know anything about her. She was just there. And now she’s not.”
His voice was quieter now. Sincere. And something in it cracked a little.
“And the thing is, I probably won’t ever see her again. She might’ve been passing through. Might’ve just stopped by once and that’s it. I blew it. Didn’t even ask her name. I just sat there like some statue while she roasted my tea order. I should’ve - ”
Devon stared, mouth twitching.“Uh huh.”
There was a long, suspended pause between them.
Then Devon burst out laughing.
“My baby boy is falling in love,” he sang, practically sliding out of his chair. “Look at you, Gidlet. All flustered and lost in thought like some brooding protagonist. You’re adorable.”
“I’m not-” Gideon tried, ears going red instantly.
“Oh, please. You’ve got the ‘yearning with tea’ look down to an art. Should I get you a window and some rain next?”
Gideon rubbed his temple, visibly regretting his existence.
“I just…” he tried again, softer this time. “She caught me off guard. I don’t know what that was. I don’t know why it’s bothering me. But it is.”
Devon leaned back, grin softening into something almost fond.
“Well,” he said lightly, “maybe you just needed someone to take you by surprise like that.”
Gideon exhaled. “What’s the point. I probably won’t even see her again.”
And right on cue, the bell above the café door gave a cheerful chime.
Both of them turned. And there she was.
Hair still damp from the evening breeze. Ribbon tucked neatly behind one ear, tying the ends of a braid just above her shoulder. Same quiet confidence, same curious gaze scanning for a seat.
Devon’s eyes flicked to Gideon. Gideon sat frozen, hand still wrapped around his cup, posture suddenly too rigid for someone off duty.
Devon rose from his chair, smoothing his sleeves like he’d been preparing for this exact moment all day. And he looked straight at the door. Straight at her.
“Welcome back,” he said, voice light, grin dangerously wide.