Tales of the Wastelander Ch. 39 - Teaser (Patreon)

Ylva sat quietly beside Ben, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the rough wooden arm of the chair. The room was still, save for the soft flickering of the light in the lantern and the rhythmic sound of Ben’s breathing. His face, usually so full of life and mischief, was pale and peaceful in sleep, the lines of pain momentarily eased. She sighed softly, leaning back in her chair, eyes never leaving his face.

“You know,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the quiet. “When I first met you, I thought you were a fool. A useful idiot, at best. Just another brash Pinkskin out in a world he knew nothing about. Someone who wouldn’t last long in this world we live in.”

Her gaze softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “But then you kept surprising me. Again and again. You were always the first to jump into danger, the first to crack a joke when things got grim. And somehow, despite all odds, you never faltered. I’ve never met anyone so stubborn—so infuriatingly persistent.”

“I used to think that persistence was foolish, that it would get you killed one day. And yet, here you are. Maybe a little worse for wear,” she said, her eyes drifting to the bandages that covered his chest, “but still here.”

“Somewhere along the way, you stopped being just a companion, just another person on the road with me. You became... more. More than I ever expected. More than I ever wanted to admit,” Ylva sighed, her expression turning wistful. Her voice grew quieter, as if she was speaking more to herself than to the sleeping man beside her.

“I don’t know when it happened. Maybe it was that time you fought against those Clackers to save Lawrie and his kin, or when you outsmarted Gor’thaka, letting him be devoured by that enormous snake. Maybe it was a hundred little things that finally added up. But I realized you weren’t just a useful idiot anymore. You were—” her voice caught in her throat, and she had to take a breath before continuing. “You are everything to me now, Ben.”

A tear slipped down her cheek, unnoticed. “I love you,” she whispered, the words almost foreign to her, as if she had never spoken them aloud before. “I hate seeing you like this. I hate that you’re hurt, and I couldn’t stop it. I’d take your place if I could.”

“But you’re strong. You’ll get through this. And I’ll be here when you wake up. I’m not going anywhere, you stubborn, wonderful fool,” Ylva told him as she reached out, gently brushing a lock of hair away from his forehead. “I love you, Ben Lopez.”

Ylva sat back, a deep sigh escaping her as the weight of her confession settled in the quiet room. She had no idea how long she had been speaking, pouring out feelings she hadn’t even fully understood until now. Her thoughts were so lost in the moment that when she heard Ben’s voice, soft but unmistakably clear, it jolted her back to reality.

“I love you too, Ylva,” she heard him say out loud. Her breath caught, and her heart seemed to skip a beat. She stared down at Ben, her eyes wide with shock.

“You—you were awake?” she stammered, her face flushing a deep green. The realization that he had heard every word sent her mind reeling. Ben managed a weak smile, his eyes barely open but filled with warmth.

“Yeah, I heard everything,” he whispered, his voice still raspy but full of sincerity. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

Ylva’s hands flew to her face, trying to hide the blush that was rapidly spreading across her cheeks. She could barely form a coherent thought, let alone words.