Soft Drop
Chapter Three: Cherry Blossoms
Robin tugged at the loose cloth of her… yukata? Truly, what a strange outrealm. She smiled as the cotton sleeve dropped down again. How unconventional and exciting as well.
She scanned the landscape before her. The moon peeked behind dusty clouds, emitting a soft luminescent ray. The waters were dark and clear, running over smooth stones quietly. She shivered as a cold breeze passed. Really, just what was he doing—
"I caught you." She felt a warm breath on the nape of her neck. Robin rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "Not this again, Inigo."
"Close your eyes," he said excitedly. He pecked her on the cheek, as if to plead his case.
She sighed playfully. "All right, my prince, lead the way," she said in an exaggerated tone.
"I trust you," he said, "but just in case." He held his hands over her eyes.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Inigo," she said, feeling the heat radiate from his body in small pulses against her back.
"Don't worry, my dear, I would never lead a lady astray." Robin muttered beneath her breath. She could just imagine his cheesy grin from saying such a stupid line.
"Ah, ah, Robin. No need for cynicism. Go now—I'll catch you if you fall." He bumped into her, as if to prove his point.
"I don't—" she yelped, staggering forward. "I don't see how you'll be able to catch me, if both your hands are preoccupied with blinding me."
"A little faith goes a long way," he sniped playfully. Robin smiled wryly. Since when, she wondered, did he pick up this peculiarity?
The two treaded the wet path carefully—at least, she was. Inigo seemed to deem it necessary to bump into her every goddamn minute, then claim to catch her. She wondered what twisted pleasure he derived from tripping her every so often. She swore, if he dared bump into her one more time—
"Open your eyes, love."
A myriad of shining pink; layers of soft seashell petals on top of one another, swaying in the breeze, drooping ever so slightly and grazing the ground. The small flowers glowed dimly against the night sky.
Robin gasped. "Oh, how beautiful… I've never seen the likes at home." She gaped slightly, amazed by the pearly sheen. She reached out to catch one of the falling petals.
"They're cherry blossoms. I was surprised to find a tree growing out here." He stood besides her. After a while, he spoke, "People celebrate them for their beauty and fragility, and for life and death. They die so quickly, yet come back every year in full bloom."
"It's like us," she mused aloud, finally holding one in the palm of her hand. "Beaten and worn each day, yet rising again the next, just for a chance at life." She dropped the petal, watching it flutter to the ground.
"That's right. No matter what, love, I believe in you. No matter how many times we fall, I believe in a future—our future." Her kissed her lightly on the lips, blushing as he did so. Robin smiled, feeling her own cheeks warming.
"Goodness, Inigo, now you have me all embarrassed too."
Inigo grinned cheekily and kissed her again. "That's my specialty, isn't it?"
"You wish." She shoved him playfully and danced away from his grasp.
"Come, Inigo, let's get closer! I want to see how it looks from underneath." She took his hand, warmth spreading, causing her to feel giddy. Whether it was from the dim light or the falling petals, she felt her heart swell and was glad he brought her to see it.
A/N: I wanted to write about the outrealms. I need more dumb fluffy fics about the outrealms.