Speech = ``…..´´
Thoughts = …..…
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-/ Somewhere in Mondstadt /-
``Where are you taking me dear?´´ She asked calmly yet with a hint of annoyance drawing out in her tone for what could have been the seven time in a row. Her soft lips wrapped with the slightest of downstrokes as she tried to get used to the strangeness of her situation.
Failing a bit much to her chagrin, but who could judge her?
Her ever inquisitive and all times knowing eyes were now blinded by the most of simplest of cloths, her legs quivering ever so slightly as she struggled to take a step forward in this thin veil of darkness. Though it had been tied somehow loosely around her head and its surface was rather thin for a handkerchief, it was still very much capable to deny her sight for as long as it remained in place.
Forcing her to surrender herself to the gentle yet capable hands of her Knight.
The ghost of a smile started to appear over her a pair of sensual lips as her thoughts started to delve on the matter, how could she not? There were a dozen things that she should be doing at that point, yet none were as interesting or peculiar as her present circumstances. She shook her head internally as she tried not to laugh lets it be misunderstood for something else.
It was strange, wasn't it? For a member of such prideful family to wander unprotected this places, even more for the famed "flame" of Mondstadtto show such weakness in public, to allow herself to lower down the intricate walls that she had dedicated so long to erect before her in her attempt to reach her goals….., only to be now carried away like the leafs of summer under the careful tending of the wind.
She did not mind though…., actually it was rather refreshing from the usual sturdy and collected front she showed others.
It was rather curious how she did not need eyes to know what was happening outside her, how she could tell every time his hands grasped her body closer to his every time they took a turn in some direction, how his breath hitched if only for a moment when his head grew dangerously close to lean on her neck with each step or how she could feel the warmth of his hands over the exposed skin of her shoulders even though she knew full well that they remained gloved.
``I cant say Rosalyne, that's the whole point of it been a surprise´´ He replied, his fingers playing of with the loose strands of her golden mane that fell over her shoulders before he started patting softly her head just like he had done so endless times.
Its mere touch soothing the emotions brewing inside her like wild maelstrom...or fanning the flames of desire within her.
She fought back the urge to pout with indignation at such refusal, only because she knew that he would not be able to see it from his position. Had he.., she knew full well that he would have been defenceless against it.
``Have I told you that I don't like surprises?´´
``Once or twice, yes...´´ He replied with a guffaw before he halted his words, deciding to remain quiet once more. One of her eyes twitched under the veil as she realized that he was smirking at her. With that damn…, lovable smile of his.
She was sure of it!
Her fingers tugged his sleeves, playing with the jade shaded buttons that stood out over the silk. ``It seems that you have been counting, is that what they teach you knights these days? Colour me surprise if that is the case´´ She said, indifference masking the eagerness that threatened to burst from within like bubbles. It was a pointless task though, he knew her all too well to realize what she was doing, but she would never give up on pretences like that, she had a reputation to uphold after all.
Or a match to settle….
She could already sense the way his lips started to morph into a smile as she said it. She turned her head to the side, smiling back at him, earning a soft chuckle in return. Yes, this was fine…
This was their game, this constant back and forth between them. Switching their characters or holding tight to them as they tried to get under the others skin without the presence of those bothersome obstacles that dared stand between them and their third rated agendas.
A simple way of amusement than nothing else could bring to break the monotony of a well scheduled life. Especially those brief moments they shared together for themselves and no one else. And though she understood the reasoning behind the lack of time each encounter held, she was never able to avoid wishing if they could last longer….
``Hard not to, especially when it comes to you….though one such as you should have known by now, lagging behind in these times?´´
It always started the same way, the same quips and jabs here and there, with one throwing their gauntlet and awaiting for the other to dare pick it up or relent and risk the other to win, and they were too competitive to do that.
``Such a flatterer…, I am sure you tell that to all the ladies that come across´´
``Is that envy that I sense, darling or the wind howling higher?´´ He chuckled.
She pinched his arm, but if it bothered him he did not gave sign of it. ``No, merely stating the obvious….I do have eyes you know´´
``And what do your eyes see now?´´ He inquired mirthfully.
``Oh, you know.., the usual though I could tell you more if you were to take this thing out of my head´´
``And here I thought that you said that you needed no eyes to picture the world around you through the magical arts´´
``It seems that big head of yours serves you more than to block hits´´ She fired back though it did not held any animosity whatsoever.
He seemed to give her a shrug, a sigh leaving his lips before he spoke once again. ``Well, if it serves to ease your ailment you must know then that I have only eyes for you, no one else...apart from my sword of course´´
She snorted, tugging one of his arms softly with her hands, her fingers grasping the ivory bottoms attached at the edges of silken sleeves. ``That's so sweet, when shall the wedding take place for your sharp, steely companion?´´
``Not sweet enough for that I am afraid, my dear..´´
She curled her mouth with sarcastic happiness. ``Well, that its a relief. Had you not, those nights would be cold as you tried to tend her to your...unchecked embrace´´
``Who knows, perhaps one day I may try it. It would surely be a peculiar experience´´
Please don't, the last thing I need is to picture that in my mind... She mused to herself, a faint whisper shyly tracing through her lips as she felt the cool essence of the wind brush softly against her face, bringing forth a particular humid sensation to spread as she breath in. Almost as if playfully tugging the edges of her mask.
It would not be long before an idea crossed her mind in the silence that lingered between them. Though the playful glint that had appeared in her eyes remained obscure, her lips did not share the same fate, curling into a wicked grin as a certain idea caught her attention. She could only imagine what would he do.
Yes, that indeed would make things far more entertaining.
``What's wrong darling? Cat got your tongue?´´ he asked as he took notice of her lack of comments.
He was always so perceptive…
``Someone is gonna be´´ She replied cheerfully.
``What do you-..´´ She did not allowed him to finish up the sentence as she leaned backwards almost to the point to fall, allowing herself to be caught under his arms. She cocked her head to the left, rubbing her face against his cheeks, placing her lips almost over his yet just enough to be out of touch, her breath brushing off against his skin. She then rose one of her arms and placed it behind his head, not allowing him to back away while the other caressed the edges of his lips, making sure to brush over the soft tanned skin aswell as the rough scars that she had grown so familiar with...
``See...?´´ She cooed in all but a whimper that the wind brushed away.
For a moment she felt the way his grasp lessened as his hands shook with what could only be anticipation, the way his lips closed tightly as he took one deep breath while his legs quivered for a brief second, forcing him to take a step back yet her grip keep his head dangerously close to hers...
Oh what she would give to see the deep shade of red that was surely spreading through his features, of how his eyes twitched between the rules of Knighthood that remained deeply ingrained in his psyche and the longing that his heart desired...
She could barely kept herself from bursting with laugher at the conflict that surely laid inside him.
Oh Rostam, my sweet little boy… Would he lower his face and met with hers? Take a step back and fumble with his words? She could only wait with bated breath as her eyes tried to peer through the cloth covering her eyes.
A second passed, then another, but instead of caving under her he stood resolute, placing a hand over her waist and spin her around. She ignored the squeak her lips uttered in betrayal as she realized that she was now face to face with him, well…mask most likely if the way her fingers brushed the vest on his chest were anything to go by.
``For someone who was nagging about been bored and been drag all the way down here, you seem pretty cheerful right about now...or did I miss something?´´
She frowned at him though the act was lost under the veil, her crimson lips glistening by the light of the sun as her tongue passed over them. ``A fair lady must know how to make the best out of things…, unlike a certain knight who can only stare at my legs´´
``Aye, though I have the feeling that you are neither fair nor Lady my dear´´
She gasped in surprise, feeling the way her face lit up like a candle in a dark room while her lips trembling at the sheer indignity, only growing in magnitude in equal manner as the playful smirk plastered over his features.
Such brazen attitude…, she loved every single part of it as much as the sweetness of her Knights treatment, but to refer to that night so casually…
And to her face no less!
``W-what!? Why are y-…., how shameful of you!´´ Her tongue stumble in her haste as she tried to come out with a dignified response, only to make a fool of herself before him much to her chagrin. She could hear the faint cackle he tried to keep down...
`` Now who is thinking about inappropriate things?´´
If her face had not turned into the same shade her favourite cape, now it truly had. Her mouth was left agape yet no sound came out from it. Frozen in time as her eyes glared at him in a mix of both bafflement, frustration and embarrassment, thoughts and words threatening to burst out from her lips into the open world yet held back by an invisible hand.
Oh how she wanted to rebuke him…., to deny such..dirty, baseless accusations to her pristine regal person. Hell, even slam her elbow into his indestructible ribs if only to shut him up seemed like a good idea even though she knew that it would be for naught.
But she could not…
For better or for worse, her mind had drifted to where it should not have in that brief spam of time.
She took a slow deep breath before she cocked her head towards him. It was no point to nag about it, she would take her lost in stride and get on with it like any proper lady would. He had won this round, there was plenty of time to get even...
``Touché Rostam, touché….´´
``Now that was not that hard, wasn't it?
``Don't press your luck, darling..´´
That seemed to placate whatever rebellious thoughts remained in his mind for the moment. ``I will take that into consideration. Now that I think about it, we are almost there Roseline…., then you can take them off but not a moment sooner, alright? ´´
``But-´´
``No buts my lady, and please...don't make such frowns, they lessen your beauty´´ He said as he caressed her cheek. He then spin her around once again and continued his path where he had just left it.
She hung her head down in temporary defeat, it seemed that this time her charms alone would not shake his will. Another time perhaps….., but surely not this one.
``Argh.., fine! It better be worth my time. I could have been preparing for my thesis if you had not called me here...wherever here it is!´´ She exclaimed, waiving her arms to the sides.
``I promise you, it will...´´ His words shone with determination.
She believed it….
The two continued walking down carefully the steps of what seemed an old staircase made of stone as her high heels stepped over what could only be pebbles. There was also the distant yet ever growing echo of the tides waves crashing against the sandy chores, the scent of salt growing stronger with each passing second. The cool, fresh air brushing against the naked spots of flesh that her dress did not fully covered.
Was he leading her to the beach? Then why so much secrecy? It wasn't like it was somewhere that the two had not been before during their escapades from Mondstadt. So why...? Her musings would come to an end long before he voice it out as she felt her caring touch abandon her body and take a step back.
``We are here...´´ He informed her, stating the end of their journey.
She slowly rose her arms, her slender fingers grasping the softly silk before giving it a small pull. The handmade mask coming undone under her feet a few seconds later. She found the need to shield her eyes at first, but once she grew accustomed to it her eyes widened as they glanced at the world around them.
She did not know what she had been expecting, what could have been the reason of the lovable yet still strange behaviour of her dear Rostam had shown until then. Not because she found herself somewhere completely unknown from her memory for that could not be furthers from the truth. The constant yet slow paced echoes of the tide-waves, shaded in a silvery light as the sun started to settle down, coating the skies around them in a light hue of orange and crimson alike where the star was closest had been a recurrent view each time she trailed off from the city into the beauty of the coast.
It wasn't the weather that shocked her either, for though the warm breeze of fall still remained as if refusing to give ground to the more colder times of a long awaited winter which slowly dragged its feet towards them while the wind continued to blow kindly its soft touch over their heads.
Nothing that she had not seem before...
No, the reason for her shock stood tall as it was sturdy. For before her stood out something that she was sure had not been there the last time she had come here. A house, a small yet elegant house stood over one of the cliffs right next to the beach. High enough to not be swayed away by the cold waves, but close enough to allow for a dive if one felt like it.
The oak wood was carved deeply into walls of marble, adding some sort of natural effect to the pristine yet regal stone, while the base held an uncanny similarity with the cobble stone structure of the buildings of Mondstadt. Like a fusion between the old ages of their roots with the new times that moved swiftly like the air...
It was also hard to miss the large, oval window on the side of the structure which would probably allow the occupants to have a first view of the calmness of the sea each day.
Looking around she noticed that the stairs they had been traversing just now where relatively new, the cuts in the stone still fresh as the edges had yet to dull under the incessant touch of the elements. The pebbles that she had sensed were nothing more than the product of both the four winds tearing chunks of loose rocks and coarse sand from the ground. Carrying them away from their original place onto those very steps...
Said imperfections much to her surprise did not disturb the scenario she was presented with, it enhanced it really…, like an adding that she did not know she needed to see.
Curious little thing, wasn't it? Perhaps it depended on the eye of the beholder or something else...
That still did not quelled a thought in her mind as she remained in awe. What had happened since she left? She did not know...though something told her that her dear Knight may had a hand on the matter.
``What? No words? No outrageous remarks? I did not thought it was that ugly that it could not be overstated...´´ He spoke out with fake hurt drawing in every word, placing one of his gloved hands over his chest while the other remained behind his back in waiting. Slowly hanging his head low in something akin to shame like a servant would when caught failing their masters though there would be no shame or punishment to behold from his theatrics.
It seemed that they had gotten better through the years, was that pride she felt or something else? She did not know.
Her eyes blinked once, then twice, and though they caught a brief glimpse of him they still refused to break away from the cosy home that had magically settle in this landscape, like a mirage over ones own dreams and desires.
``I have to say that this is the longest I have seem you starstruck by something, and without telling how I managed to pull every block in place. Truly...would wonders never cease to amaze me?´´
It was only then that she managed to regain her voice. She shook her head, quickly turning around and meeting the collected yet laughing expression that he held. His features only enhancing them after a lifetime of bright smiles and kind eyes under his belt.
``You did this...?´´ She muttered weakly, almost to the point that she believed that she had imagined it and had yet to speak it out loud for the words to make themselves known. She would not have to, he stood still for a moment before he gave her a weak nod. His smile still not abating though a different emotion laid behind his eyes...
``Why?´´
He shrugged. ``Why not?´´
She shook her head, a sigh leaving her lips as she held down the urge to roll her eyes. She should have seem that coming as she placed one of her hands over her hips while the other brushed her lips, sending him an unamused glare.
``Don't get cute with me dear, you understand why I was asking that´´
``I know, I only thought that the question was rather simple..and as such required a rather-...´´
``Direct and practical response´´ She finished for him, earning a nod in response.
``Indeed…., it was you after all that told me that efficiency was the dream that everyone should aspire to´´
She did not know whether to praise him or admonish him for such underhanded approach. Perhaps a mix of both? He surely deserved it for such determination. She shook her head internally, no.., in the end that would be a decision for later, right now she had to rein in a certain Knight from getting over his head.
Or over hers….?
Sadly she had the faint feeling that she was already too late in that endeavour…., though better late than never.
Completely ready a fake scowl warped around her lips as she approached him, only stopping when there was only a few centimetres between the two. Poking the broad, muscular chest that laid below the silk and leather with her index finger...
``Using my own words against me? Now that is a new low for you darling.., what would Arundolyn think..?´´ She cooed softly, finding some gratification in the way a shudder ran through his spine.
``That I learned from the best?´´
She hummed in appreciation though she tried not too make it too visible, there was no need to increase his pride. ``Your flattery needs work, but only this time I will forgive you´´ She said as she toyed with a loose strand of her golden mane.
He chuckled, taking a step back before he knelt before her though never wavering his gaze from hers. ``Your fairness knows no bounds…, I am truly blessed´´
She looked away from him with a pout, crossing her arms below her chest. He truly was enjoying himself, wasn't he? ``Shush now, did I not said that you needed more practice? Now, about the question at hand?´´
He sighed before he rose from the ground. `` You really are inquisitive about anything that you lay your eyes upon, don't you?´´
``Well…, contrary to popular belief I like things to be quiet and calm, throwing e into uncertainty and chaotic situations makes me a bit tense. After all, only through some modicum of order we can advance towards our goals... ´´ She recited.
Rostam cocked his head to the side, holding it in place with one of his hands, slowly stroking some sort of imaginary beard as he pretended to be lost in thought.
``Words to live by, eh? It seems that you have passed too long in the academy that the words of the sages are starting to rub on you to the point of quoting them word for word´´
Now it seemed to be her time to shrug. ``They may be... normal on their own way, but that doesn't make their statements any less truthful.´´
She soon realized that seemed to be the wrong thing to say as she observed a playful glint shone from his golden eyes like two miniature suns that spoke of imminent mischief. ``Define normal...´´
She had walked into that one, didn't she? Gods, her darling was truly on a strike.
``I will not do such thing, now cease this senseless prattle of impudence before I set the shore aflame with blazed righteous retribution´´ She exclaimed with annoyance.
``Ah…, if I did not know no better-..´´
``Which you don't..´´ She cut him off as she brushed away some dust from her scarlet sleeves. He did not seem to mind as he put one of his hands over his hips.
``I would think that you were my squire, how the lad loves to hear the sound of his voice as he fights in pure white…, truly the resemblance is uncanny when you get all worke-´´
``Rostam...´´ She pressed him, eyes narrowing in a frown in a silent warning, yet doing nothing else towards the prodigal Knight. Even though she would never admit it a part of her wanted him to continue.
He always looked so relaxed when he freed himself from those shackles his duty's to kingdom and family had dug deeply into his flesh...
It made these moments all the more sweeter, even if she had to endure his goofiness for a while longer.
He waved his hands over his head in a placating manner. ``My bad, sometimes I get lost in my thoughts´´ He offered her an apologetic smile, she could only close her eyes in resignation, pinching the bridge of her nose though a shy smile warped around her lips.
``Sometimes I feel that I am dealing with a child...´´
``But that is what you love about me….´´
Too true. ``Then we are two lovable fools…., now are you going to explain to me what is that or do I have to beg? Because I wont...´´
``There is no need, though you would make for quite a good beggar with what I have heard so far from our previous encounters..´´
``Rostam!´´ She yelled at him as her face grew red in an instant, her body trembling as she did not know what to do. How could he say that with such calmness!? Her eyes burning two holes over his skull, but if he took notice he did not show it.
``Well, it was a gift, your gift to be more precise though I think that at this time it was kind of obvious. It took quite some time to make it, but I never lost faith that I could do so in time´´
She remained still for a moment as the words hanged over her head.
``You...with your own hands did it?´´ She could not help but snort at that, Rostam was many things but an architect was not one of them. She crossed her arms below her ample chest, sending a doubtful glare at her darling. `` Now you are pulling your leg...´´
He did not seem to mind, rubbing the back of his head as he offered her a bright smile. ``Surprised? I could not blame you…, it all started when you left to Sumeru. At first I did not thought I would manage in time, but day by day I continued to acquire the materials and learn how to use them by the people of the town, even some of my fellow Knights contributed to the effort...and soon enough this wayward dream became reality´´
For him to do that much for her, it was rather touching, really….she could hardly remember a time someone had done something like that for her. Such selflessness….wrapped around her heart like a warm blanket. Shielding her from doubt and granting her a cool peace of mind.
He truly was a lovable fool….
But there was a small little thorn that held her tongue, one that she knew had to be said or else would continue to fester.
No matter how much she wished things to be different, the two had different paths to follow, dreams to accomplish by their own merits before they had the freedom to be one with the other before their peers. She could-…, she would never forgive herself if she became the sole reason he never reached his.
``Still, you did not have to do that…it must have take away so much time of your training, of your duty's. It was your dream to become the commander of the Knights of Favonious´´
``No, but I thought it was worth it….to have something that I could proudly call my own rather than something made by someone else. Something that only you could understand, to love...´´ He then closed what little distance remained between them and held her tightly against him.
``This is ours...now and forever´´
``Ours...´´ She parroted almost by reflex, trying to savour the words lingering in her tongue as if she had just tasted the sweetest of delicacies…, though with a small hint of fear clawing their way in as if it would disappear if she dared close her eyes.
``Yes, would you want to celebrate it?´´ He inquired cheerfully in her ear before he pointed at a blanket lying on the soft white sand, accompanied by a lonely basket. That managed to rise an eye brow.
``You came prepared, didn't you?´´ She said, though mostly to herself as she approached the hand made picnic scenario, her hands fidgeting with one another before signalling the man to follow her.
``A Knight must always be ready for every possibility that may present before us...´´ He said as he seated right next to her, the wind blowing through the beach brought forth a new wave of fresh air to brush against his face, brushing away some of his dark raven hair to the side.
``Truer words have never been spoken, though I have the feeling that the grand master wont share the same sentiment when it comes on what you are spending your efforts in´´
He crossed his arms, a thoughtful look in his features. ``What he doesn't know wont hurt him..´´
She snorted at the very notion, her fingers slowly stroking Rostams blacken hair while she leaned against his shoulder. Finding comfort in his embrace while her grew eyes trailed down the dimming horizon as the sun slowly started to set in, bleeding out the skies in a myriad of shades as its light shined brighter than ever before it would finally vanished...
``Keeping secrets from your superiors are you now? A far cry from the usual, well composed Knight I met all those years ago. Always so formal and careful to follow protocol...´´
``I used to recall a certain, well mannered dame who could not avoid burning holes to whoever dared come closer, now can not avoid to cling to me like pollen´´
She knew what he was talking about. The ghost of a smile started to form around the edges of her lips as flashes of the past started to appear before her. Ah, how things have changed since that fateful meeting at the fountain. All thanks to the gruelling argument she had with her father that very same morning when she had refused another of his friends sons hand.
``Too true…, it seems that we both have changed from what we used to be. Any more secrets I should be aware of though...?´´ It was an innocent question, she swore.
She felt his arm surrounding her in a tight hug, cocking his towards her. ``Speaking of which, I kind of do….´´
``Oh..?´´ She would not deny that he had piked her curiosity.
Rostam did not answered immediately, but rather moved towards the basket that laid to their side. His gloved hand trailing within, searching for something. It would not be long before found his prize and turned towards her, holding a small sized box in one hand while the other remained behind his back.
What could that be? ``And what pray tell is that? A miniature sized house for rodents?´´ She laughed as she eyed with made up disdain at the object he held so carefully.
``Why don't you find out?´´
If that was what he wanted…, she swiftly pried the box off his hands. Her fingers quickly managing to open up the rather simple lock that kept it tightly sealed before she sprung it open.
It almost fell from her hands once she realized what laid within.
Her hands shook incontrolable as they held the box tightly against her chest, her eyes switching from its shining form to the smirking looks of her darling.
It was small, barely occupying a quarter of the box, and yet its form had already engraved itself by fire in the deepest zones of her mind, the reason behind that was not difficult though.
Its lower surface was coated in a thin yet peculiar layer of scarlet gold, combining the golden brightness of the sun with a more dark yet alluring fiery aspect, reinforced by the flames that had been carved with milimetrical precision into the metal just where the two tones differed.
But that did not compared with the masterfully work that it had taken to cut and craft a set of diamonds that combined could not be bigger than a phalanx in the shapes of a butterfly, its wings spread in all their glory in a set of different layers as they emulated its attempt to fly. Strims of silver and cracked emeralds putting the pieces together like threads….
It was breathtaking, it was by far the most beautiful thing she had laid her eyes upon, but there was no way she could mistook what it truly was.
A ring...
Her gift was...a ring.
A moment passed, another followed...before all hell broke loose.
``This-... this can not-…., what on earth is the meaning of-!? How!´´ Her words were spatted out from her mouth at a rapid pace, yet none able to finish a single sentence as her tongue stumbled with itself by the thoughts plaguing her mind in that very moment that she in futility tried to give voice to.
Her breathing grew harsher and more ragged as the beating of her heart threatened to carve its way out her chest with each painful throb. She could feel how the burning warmth had started to spread within her, like the hungering embers of a new born fire while an icy weight started to hang over her shoulders. Pushing her down...
She tried to speak up but her lips remained numb to her. She tried to rise up, but her legs refused to answer. Glee and dread mixing out to a point that she had no words to describe it. She could not stop it, not even slow it down. She was left a mere passenger to the changes racing through her body and mind as they struggle to understand what was happening.
Perhaps that was why she had not taken notice how Rostam had grabbed her by the hands and taken the object of woes nor the way he stood out before soon kneeling before her. Placing the ring carefully over his open palm as if the bares of movements would shatter before he presented it to her
The way the light reflected over its pure, untarnished surface managed to break her out her stupor. A strong stream of elemental energy starting to flow through her body, her hands clasping tightly into fists.
`` Rostam, this better not be a prank or by all that is holy I promise you- !´´ Her words were cut in when her Knight grabbed her trembling hand and wrapped it with his own, his fingers caressing it softly as they tried to calm her down. His golden eyes never wavering from hers for an instance…
They ricked of fear, of cold frozen worry…., yet what she could see the most was hope.
Hope for what?
``Rosalyne Kruzchka Lohelfalter…, before the gods, the elements of Mondstadt and all that is holy and righteous…., would you marry this lowly Knight and stay by his side through good and bad times until the end of the world? Would you share your burdens and happiness with this humble man every step of the way?´´
He was…, this had to be a dream…., an illusion of a deprived mind of rest after hours of research and study. But if it was not…., could she?
It was merely a split second, yet it felt like an eternity as she pondered her options in what little order could be found in the middle of the maelstrom. The thin threads that held her back, slowly breaking under their own weight until there were none.
She made her choice…..
She did not speak for there were no need for words, neither she remained in place in utter shock at that lovable fools declaration. Logic and cold reasoning had been long departed from this world before he had finished speaking, replaced with something else.
And so she did the only thing lingering in a heart that threatened to melt…
She pushed away the ring with her arm with a swift motion, the box flying away from his hands before landing with a soft thud into the white sand of the beach, earning a shocked gasp from him... but she does not stop there.
She could not...
Her arms quickly embraced and pulled the still shocked Knight towards her with a strength that could not have been possible looking at her tender, soft body. But he had not been the only one training….
Slender fingers stroking and grasping tightly his black onyx hair, keeping his head lock in place as she started leaning forward. The world slowing down a bit as the scorching heat in her eyes allowed her to picture the emotions coursing through those star like eyes. Eyes that were met with a hungering passion.
He truly looked adorable when he was caught by surprise….
Whatever thought he was going to have was literally obliterated as he pulled him into a kiss, her tongue finding no challenge in its invasion as she made herself at home like many other times before. At first she felt the way his eyes widened, how his arms started wailing around in panic before they receded and fell limp to the sides. It was not long before he gave himself to her as he started to reciprocate in earnest.., wrapping his strong arms around her thin waist and pulling her even closer.
She could feel his smile into the kiss, the way his body relaxed and melted under her touch like the first spots of snow, how he groaned into her mouth...using the opportunity to fight back. Taking a more proactive and pulling his strong hands into her rear where they cupped and squished them at their leisure.
Gods, she wanted this to last forever..
By the time it broke out, she found herself needing to take a step back, a trail of saliva still connecting the two before she brushed aside with her sleeve. The heat in her face would still linger on as she glanced almost drunkly at Rostam in what in her mind would have been graceful.
``Does this answer your question?´´ She asked weakly, her chest swelling and deflating time and time again as she tried to regain her breath.
Her lips felt burn to the touch, as if she had just touched the sun...yet a sensation that she craved to feel again.
His answer was none other than a tender smile, his face too had grew red like hers but slightly more composed. ``I am yours...´´
Her heart skipped a beat. Three words, three words that seemed to held such unspoken power…, she held his head with her hands, her thumbs rubbing softly against his cheeks before she leaned forward.
`` And I am yours, forever….´´ She coed softly in his ear, nibbling it soon after which earned a surprised gasp, or was it a moan? She could not tell, her mind was overworking at that point...
He nods. ``Forever...´´ And he once again embraces her, deepening the kiss the two had started. It would not be long before the two fell over the rough sand with only the stars and the winds to contemplate their happiness as silent spectators.
This was the best day of her life, nothing would ever take that away from her. Nothing….
/
Rostam builds a house: check
Rostam gets the girl: check
Rostams lives: ….maybe?
/
This story is meant to be a two-shot over an idea that came by a few weeks ago when I saw the Tevyat chapter interlude teaser. Though I tried my best I don't know whether I managed to nail the personalities (There is not much known about Rostam apart that he died tragically) nor what kind of person Signora was pre-Cataclysm, but since her first appearance I always had interest on what laid below that cold persona, her untimely demise not deterring me from it.
Speaking of Genshin fics; I am surprised no one have ever tried to do a crossover with Youjo Senki or Kumo desu ga nanika.
Tayna would go nuclear knowing that she lives in a world with not one, not two.., but dozens of gods while Shiro would roll through the world in her task failed successfully approach and challenge the new D wannabe (Celestia) or become an archon in altogether. That would be fun.