Inspired by: Symphony by Clear bandit & Zara Larsson
Yumemi skipped ahead of Munto, greeting everyone she came across. Hugs and kisses, polite bows and curtsies. She delighted in the goodies conjured for her to try. Children dragged her into games. Munto kept pace, a careful eye on his dreamer.
Oh, how she'd grown since they first met. So scared, so timid. Of course, in his rash haste, he had not properly introduced himself or his cause. Simply expected her to help. How stupid of him. There was no time before. However, the time for excuses had passed. No, he must address the hurt and fix the damage. His year long disappearance had done its own hurt. His intentions stemmed from the nightmare fueled visions, pure hearted as they were. No basis in reality.
Yumemi accepted his apologies with grace. He kept his promises to her with caution to them both that life had its own plans. She, her school and friends, that he would never interfere with even if that involved breaking a promise. He, with his kingdom and people, could not keep to every promise made. Which is why Yumemi suggested they swear to always communicate. One both would be capable of keeping even if plans were canceled or rescheduled.
Munto could not express his gratitude for her acceptance. He knew, though, that his words only held any caliber so long as he matched them with action.
His intentions toward Yumemi changed with each shedding of summer and thawing of winter. Anyone could see that. After their first explosive encounter where she crossed the continuum unaided other than the power that flowed through her and brought a temporary boon to his world, her memories lashed at his mind. He could barely comprehend her world. He understood the feeling though. The despair, the loneliness, the outcast labeling. The pink umbrella brought a sour feeling to his gut. But the why haunted him most of all. Her gift, her destiny, brought pain to her young self that echoed into her adolescence even if it appeared abated. A fierce, protectiveness gripped his heart. He couldn't bear the sight of shiny green eyes, welling with unshed tears. Or her frail body shattering like glass.
Munto shook the thought. His dreamer was not that fragile.
Nevertheless, Yumemi's determination and strength sparked a different kind of feeling in him. Her trust when she jumped from the ferris wheel… The belief he was there to help her and her people… He'd never felt a rush like that before. Despite the hurt he caused, she trusted him blindly.
The thrill of it only came after he had her nestled in a warm bed. Quiet and alone, a low thrum began in his chest. It didn't hurt per se, but Munto had no other word to describe it. From there, the bridging of their worlds took precedence.
Now, flaunting the restored glory of his kingdom, Munto leaned against a building, the thrum of pride and affection filling his heart as Yumemi was swept with the crowd. Losing sight of her brought a new feeling. Well… not new.
A disease scoured the corners of his mind until it gained momentum to come to the forefront. Yumemi did not need a man of perverted thought watching her every move. Honing in on every smile, every glance like some beast, hungry and impure. His courtship might very well be far too much. Yumemi was younger than he, still in school, and barely of consent - if even! - in her native country.
Munto could not help his desire. Not when, after so long of war, he can breathe peaceful air. When this unbelievable girl, commanding destiny in the palm of her hand, has brought life and music to his people. To himself. The color of their sunsets and sunrises, the way light gleams off the Akuto fruit and glitters children's mischievous eyes… Music echoed in his ears for hours after banquets and left him feeling somehow hollow and whole at the same time. She restored so much of his world. He could hardly fathom the idea most days let alone walk among it.
If he could describe it, Munto would say it felt as if the sky had clouded some time when he was too young to recall much of the sun and bright sky, and she laughed at him - as she was prone to do - batted the clouds away and turned on the sun with a smile.
Would it be so wrong to bask in her light? To be infected with her happiness? A day of her could sustain him another lifetime. But greed boiled his insides. He wanted more than a day. He wanted lifetimes of her sweet smiles and melodic laugh directed at him. Part of him thought of a golden bird in a cage. He couldn't bear such a thought. Not for his Yumemi. It helped little that such a thought brought with it Gntarl and his attempt to crystalize her. If he ever did - ever attempted - he'd walk straight off this island and never catch himself.
Suddenly, a bundle of warmth and laughter filled his arms. Yumemi wrapped herself around him, shocking the negativity from him. The spiraling thoughts stopped.
"There you are!" Yumemi tugged him into the plaza. "Don't leave me like that," she whispered, grasping his arm tightly.
"Sorry." Munto freed his arm to wrap around her waist. "Let's return to the palace."
Yumemi flashed him a grateful smile. Her distress melted, obviously overwhelmed by his people's enthusiasm. The crowds parted for the couple, giving her breathing room.
Perhaps, Munto did not need to beg for such affections. Not when she sought him out and bestowed happy smiles upon him. Her sweet perfume tickled his nose as she leaned happily into his side.
He could have this. She wanted him to have this. And he'd do everything to keep her smiling.