They travel to one of the smaller villages in the mountains where peaches are in season, and the elderly innkeeper has been kind enough to allow them access to the small orchard behind their lodgings.
Irelia is chipper, noting that the sweetest of fruits grow on the southern side of the tree because they receive the most sun. She has Kayn situate the ladder accordingly before tucking the basket under her arm and beginning to climb.
The sash on her arm accidentally tickles his nose in the process, and the shadow reaper is about to slip her a snide remark when his eyes catch the sway of her hips as she ascends and promptly forgets what he's about to say altogether.
Her hips have always been on the wider side, and the current angle only helps to accentuate the fact. The way she balances while reaching forward creates creases in the fabric that define the soft fullness of her bottom. Coupled with her already long and shapely legs, Kayn can't help himself from becoming distracted.
"Hold it steady, would you?" Irelia calls from above as she feels the ladder begin to wobble under her feet. She glances over her shoulder and finds his expression somewhere between Just Experienced God and Deer in the Headlights.
His gaze travels from some of the lower hanging fruit to an area of her that isn't quite her face in deep concentration.
"They are the same," he concludes like he's just reached an epiphany.
It was the wrong observation to make, he realizes, as Irelia drops the entire basket onto his head.
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Because I'm still a humor writer at heart. Developed while writing Equinox, but can also stand alone.