Deleted Scene from WoS 43

A/N: I've never shared a deleted scene before, but I figured Patreon was a good place to test this out and see what people think. This was originally at the end of Chapter 43,  but I couldn't think of a good ending line to go with it. 

"Sorry," Relia said when they as finished the tour. "This is awkward, but I never asked before." She gestured a finger between Kalden and Akari "What's your status?"

"Tired." Akari moved her glasses to rub at her eyes. "Long day."

Kalden nodded his agreement. He'd been too anxious to sleep last night, and he felt that now. Adrenaline could only carry you so far.

"No!" Relia shook her head. "I mean—are you guys a couple?"

"What?" Kalden blinked at the absurd question.. “No. We're just friends” Seriously—how had Relia not known that? They'd spent an entire day together in White Vale

“Oh. Well, this is really awkward then because we already made some assumptions.” She paused as if for dramatic effect. “We have you two sharing the last bed bed down the hall. "

"Ah." Kalden cleared his throat,  feeling his ears go hot as their talk drew more attention from the other soldiers. "I'll just sleep on the floor or something. It's no big deal."

Akari just snorted. "She's messing with us."

"I am." Relia's grin widened, and several of the Bronze soldiers broke into laughs.

Damnit. Kalden resisted the urge to cover his face. He was normally better at reading people. Then again, Darren and Maelyn were the only ones who ever joked with him, and even they kept things professional most of the time. Akari clearly had far more experience.

"Kalden can bunk with the other guys in the loft. Relia pointed up to where a wooden balcony overlooked the living room and kitchen. "Akari can stay with me downstairs. That's what the computers are, so I figure you'll want to be close to those anyway."