A/N: Ah, there are baby robins in our honeysuckle tree. They're so cute. So by the time this is posted, I'll be on my way back to the godforsaken hole in the continent known as BLEEP. Haha...some state.
to Roksu: Yeah, Ivan's a good boy. I could always see Robin and Mary being good friends, she's got a calm personality to match his (not romantically of course). Haha, yeah I needed to vent a bit...mm it has a happy ending so...I might post it. Depends. Dirty thoughts about Robin and Ivan are always the good kind. Psh, haha, I'm from Florida, I'm in more danger being up north than anywhere else. ...There's bees up here. I'm allergic to them...
Read, enjoy and review!
Strawberry
The sun rises lazily on his birthday and I stare at the roof as I run my fingers through his hair absently, his head using my arm as a pillow. It's still early but I want to make this day as special as possible. I slip my arm from under his head carefully and slide out of bed. His hands search the bed before rolling into the warmth left in my wake. I smile to myself, pulling the covers over his shoulders and turning away, washing in the basin Mary left out for us and dressing quickly, leaving my scarf behind.
Mary is down in the kitchen, drinking a cup of hot tea and staring out the window with a dreamy look on her face. I clear my throat and she lifts her head, smiling warmly, "Good morning, Robin. You don't act like you're on vacation." She laughs gently, "You can sleep in, you know. You don't always have to be en garde."
I chuckle softly, leaning against the counter and folding my arms across my chest, "That's not it. Today's Ivan's birthday…and I wanted to make sure everything was ready for him." Her eyes light up and I hold out my hand to still her, "I thought about being spontaneous but I'm afraid I'd screw up."
"You? Even if you were to…screw up, I'm sure he'd be happy. It doesn't have to be completely perfect." She stands, coming over and fixing my hair like Mother did when I was younger. She smiles, smoothing the wrinkles from my clothes before lowering her voice, "So, what are you planning?"
I grin, "Curious?"
"Of course. You're such a romantic, I love hearing about your little adventures from Ivan."
I laugh, "Well then, you can just wait for him to tell you all about it tomorrow morning." She pouts playfully but pats my arm, smiling.
"At least have some breakfast first." She places a pot on the burner, pushing a cutting board and knife towards me. She squats down, retrieving some bowls from the drawers beneath the counter, "It's nice having the two of you here. We probably should have written to you more, though…is his family worried?"
I take up the knife, shaking my head, "It's Gerald we're talking about, of course they're worried about him, but knowing you're there to look after him makes it easy on them. I doubt they would be able to relax if he was out on his own."
She stands finally, starting to set the table and tucking her bangs behind her ear, "He was troubled before…about having the expectations of the village on his shoulder, to be as good a mayor as his grandfather. Even before we returned to Haidia, I told him he would always be welcome in Imil. I've told you and Ivan the same."
"He surprises me sometimes—Gerald—he acts like he doesn't have a care in the world, I often forget that he has his own worries." I shake my head slowly, "Mary, do you think you can keep Ivan occupied today?"
XoXoXoX
I light the small lanterns hanging in the bushes and trees around the small clearing, the sound of the river a gentle trickle. The sun starts to sink behind the distant blue mountains, the blue sky fading to a mix of purple, pink and orange, staining the cotton clouds vibrant colors. I slip my hand into my pouch, my fingertips brushing along the smooth bag and catching on the contents. Mary should be bringing him along soon. I run my hands through my hair quickly, pausing and trying to smooth it down.
Something rustles in the bushes and they part a moment later, Ivan stumbles out with leaves caught in his hair. I smile softly, going to him and catching him by the arm, bringing my other hand up to brush the leaves away. He catches my wrist, bringing my hand down to his cheek and he blushes faintly, "We're pretty far from the village. Why did you want to meet out here?"
"Privacy." I chuckle as his eyes widen slightly. I help him to the quilt spread across the clearing, and decanter of strawberry wine nestled in the folds. He mentioned wanting to try some when we passed through Tolbi but there hadn't been time. We wouldn't be able to avoid an incident with Gerald and the wine either.
His eyes light up at the sight of the bottle and he picks it up gingerly, holding it up to the candlelight, letting the flame shine through the crimson liquid. He smiles softly, shaking his head, "When did you get it?"
"I spoke with Lord Hammet before we left…and asked if he could get a decanter delivered from Tolbi." I chuckle, "When I told him what it was for, he used his contacts to put a rush on it."
"Robin…" He sighs softly, "Thank you."
"It's your first birthday…that we're together, anyway."
I pour him a glass and he smiles, tapping the glass against the rim of mine. He whispers softly into the glass, "The first of many." I take a slow, long drink to calm my heart, watching him over the rim of the glass. The candlelight plays off his hair, setting the spun gold aflame. He smiles warmly after take a sip, "Ah, it's sweet."
"Ivan." He blinks, lifting his head and I set aside my glass, reaching into my pouch for the bag. He watches, the light reflected in his eyes, making them seem darker than they are. "I know we could never make this…official as I'd like to but I don't want you to have any doubts about where my heart lies."
"I could never—"
"I didn't mean it like that." I open the bag, taking out the ring as I grasp his hand, "No matter what happens, my place is by your side and there's nowhere else I'd rather be, so long as you'll have me." I slide the ring onto his finger, the gold catching in the light. I hear him breath in sharply, clutching at my hand before throwing his arms around me.
"So long as I'll have you? Forever, Robin…"
-TBC-
Aw, it was kind of short.
