Kenric couldn't sleep. There was just too much floating around in his head. He had almost died in that fire, and it pained his heart when he had found Oralie crying for him. He knew he probably shouldn't feel that way. No, he definitely shouldn't have felt that way. But... he did.

He heard a scream from the tower beside his, and he shot up in bed. Oralie.

He scurried over to his dresser and grabbed the key she had given him, in case of an emergency.

He gripped it tightly and bolted down the stairs and slammed open the door. He ran out into the street, not caring how the stones cut his feet. He fumbled with the key before opening her door. He sprinted up the stairs to find Oralie sobbing into her covers. Her golden ringlets were a frizzy mess; her eyes red and puffy. She was wearing a ratty tunic that hung off of one shoulders, exposing a bra strap, and some short shorts. (Idk what Elwin sleep wear looks like, but I imagined that they didn't think about their appearance when they sleep)

And yet he still found her breathtaking when she croaked, "Kenric?"

He came over to the bed as she pushed herself up. "Yeah? What's wrong?"

"Just a nightmare," she wiped at her eyes and scooted over so that he had room to sit. As he lowered himself down next to her, she wrapped her arms around him.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" He comforted.

She sniffled. "You... you died. In the fire," she started crying again. "And there was nothing I could do to save you."

"Shh, shh," he rubbed her back in loving circles and she rested her head on his shoulder.

They sat there for a few minutes before Oralie looked guiltily up at him.

"We shouldn't be doing this," she said, her voice crackling.

"I know," he said, running a hand through his fiery hair. "And it breaks my heart."

A tear traced down his cheek.

Oralie chocked back a sob. "Mine too."

There was a silence, but not an awkward one. One where both of the participants in the conversation were wishing the same thing, knowing that they couldn't have it without giving something else up.

Finally, Kenric acknowledged what they'd been thinking since the start. "Do you think it'll be like this forever?" he asked. "Even when we're ancients? I mean... Oralie, it's been like this for five hundred years. And still a day doesn't go by that I don't think of you."

She closed her eyes. "Me neither. And I can't go another day without you." Her eyes were full of hope and love.

He smiled. "Me neither."

He leaned down and kissed her lips. They were soft, and warm, and salty because of her tears. And that was when he knew that he would give anything up for her.

6 years later...

"Daddy!"

"Ginger! Angel!"

Bella had flaming red hair, while Kayla was blonde. Hence their father's nicknames for them. Both had identical freckles dotted over their cheeks and noses.

"I missed you!" Bella exclaimed.

"I missed you both so much too!" Kenric smiled widely, picking both of them up.

"Don't I get a hug!?" Oralie came around the corner, feigning sadness.

Kenric put down both of the girls and sauntered over to his wife. He picked her up bridal style, causing her to yelp. Then she smiled and kissed him, laughing when the five-year-old and four-year-old covered their eyes.

"Ewwww! Mommy!"

He put Oralie down gently and looked at her closely.

"You look wonderful, my dear." Kenric told her.

She smiled. "I'm so glad we decided to choose this." She said, happy tears collecting in her eyes.

"Me too." He winked, and leaned down to kiss her again, much to their daughters' distaste.