I'm back! This is my first actual writing in forever and a day (I've been planning some things but that barely counts) so I'm still shaking the rust off. Kris and Katarina have a picnic because it's the only thing I can think of and picnics are great.
The young king of Altea walked out of the throne room with his Royal Guard behind him. "Well Kris, that should do for today. How about you take the rest of today for yourself?" Marth asked. They had been working on defense plans for the palace for most of the morning.
"Are you sure Lord Marth? Is there anything else you need?"
"I'm fine Kris. Caeda and I are going out for a little while to relax. Why don't you go get something to eat?"
Kris grinned. "Well I am starving. I know it's important and all, but listening to builders talk all day makes me tired."
"Go on then," Marth said laughing. "We'll be back before sundown." Kris bowed and headed towards the mess hall. Following the halls he knew like the back of his hand, it wasn't long until he reached the doors leading to his lunch. He was about to go in when a voice stopped him.
"Kris?" He turned to find Katarina coming around a corner, a book in one hand and a basket in the other.
"Katarina! How've you been?" he asked. "It's been a while since I saw you." She smiled shyly at him.
"Fine, I suppose. I've actually been looking for you." He cocked his head.
"For me? Why, what do you need?"
"Nothing, I just…I wondered if you would want to have a picnic with me." Her words were rushed and she looked at her feet as she felt her face flush.
Kris just smiled and said, "Sure! I hope you brought enough food though. I'm starving."
The mage looked up, suddenly excited. "Don't worry," she said. "I've got plenty. I thought we could go to the garden. Should we go now, then?" Kris nodded and she quickly led the way out to the castle garden. The garden had a large central clearing surrounded by clusters of short, leafy trees that provided privacy from the rooms overlooking the area. Various flowers grew between the trees and into the clearing, providing patches of bright color.
"This seems like a good spot," Katarina said. She took the blanket off her basket and laid it on the ground. Kris took the basket from her and set it down as well.
"Feels like you brought plenty of food," he joked. Katarina let out a small laugh as they sat across from each other. She began pulling food from the basket and laying it out between them. Kris's eyes widened as he saw her set out various meats along with fruits and some water.
"Well don't just look at it. Let's eat." Neither spoke for the next few minutes as they both ate. Kris began wolfing down everything in front of him, much to her amazement. Soon, only scraps were left.
"That was great Katarina! Thanks!" She dipped her head but didn't speak. They sat quietly for a while until Kris spoke up again. "So how have you really been?" he asked softly. Katarina looked up, surprised. "I know things haven't been easy after everything that happened."
Her face felt warm as she replied. "Oh, um… I've been helping out as much as I can but, well, people still don't trust me. I-I understand why but…" She trailed off. "I've been helping in the library lately, moving books and things like that. It's been nice," she said, trying to change the subject.
"I'm glad you've been helping out," Kris said, his voice soft. "I know it's hard but keep working hard. Eventually people will trust you again." At Katarina's sad nod, he put a hand on her shoulder. "King Marth already trusts you. I do too for that matter." His kind smile made her heart speed up and she looked away quickly.
"Um, Kris?" He cocked his head at her. "Why do you…why are you so nice to me? All I did was hurt you."
Kris leaned back confused. "We're friends aren't we?" he asked. Katarina started to speak but he cut her off. "You didn't want to hurt anyone, you were forced to. You're working really hard to make up for all the things you were forced to do. And besides," he smiled at her, "we're friends right? Friends stick by each other no matter what."
Her face flushed completely red at that and she looked down at the ground again, unable to meet his eyes. "Friends…?" she whispered. The only sound was the wind as it moved through the nearby branches. "Kris?" Katarina spoke up, leaning forward.
"Yes?"
"Thank you." Her voice was barely audible as she spoke again. "I love you."
"Huh?" Kris asked, confused. "What did you-umph!" He was cut off as Katarina pressed her lips against his in a kiss. She pulled back quickly, red-faced and stammering. "Katarina…?" She was looking off to the side, legs pulled up to her chest and breathing hard. "Katarina…look at me." Slowly, she turned her head forward. The sight of her red face and tear-filled eyes made his chest hurt. He scooted forward until he could pull her into a hug. Tears hit his shoulder as she cried against him. She cried for a long time until Kris said, "Why are you crying?" She picked her head up and he put his forehead against hers. "I love you too," he said, giving her the smile she'd come to love so much in the brief time they'd been trainees together.
"You…you do?" she breathed. He nodded.
"Of course I do. I'll always be there for you, no matter what. Just like I am for King Marth." She looked at him oddly. "Well," he corrected himself, "maybe a little differently." Katarina let out a little laugh and nestled into him again. They stayed like that until, eventually, Katarina sat back up.
"I need to get back to the library," she said.
"Are you alright? Do you need to...lay down or sleep or...I don't know." She smiled and shook her head.
"I'm alright now. I can't make the others do all the work. Will I see you later?"
Kris nodded. "Of course. You go, I'll get this stuff." Katarina nodded and waved as she left, leaving Kris confused. "What just happened?" he asked himself. He felt himself smiling widely as he picked up the remains of their lunch. "Ah well. That wasn't the way I planned it but it all worked out in the end." When he met with Marth that night to check in, he still couldn't stop grinning.
There ya go EveBlaze. I hope you liked it. If it's not great its probably because I'm out of practice. Review, suggest, and all that stuff. Since I'm off for Christmas I should have more time to upload and get better.
