The soft glow of the evening sun cast a warm, golden hue over the room, bathing everything in a soft, mellow light. The girl who had briefly forgotten her own name at the wonder of it all found herself in a state of blissful inebriation, her inhibitions drowned in the amber depths of local drink–Sake, she believed, that she had indulged in. The air was thick with the aroma of the delicious dinner that Sakura, their kind-hearted friend, had prepared. Plates clinked softly as they were set on the wooden table, laden with an array of colorful, tempting dishes.
"Shirou, I'm home!"
Her lips curled upwards, her eyes sparkling with mischief. For the first time in her life, she felt a sense of liberation that allowed her to abandon her usual regal composure. She thought there might not be enough room on her face to contain the smile that threatened to leap from her lips. 'Shirou'—her favorite word, she decided. It rolled off her tongue like a melody, a name that held a world of affection.
Yes, this she resolved to herself. Shirou was her favorite word.
Her smile grew even larger, her cheeks flushing in a most unfamiliar, but delightful, manner. Her strides were swift and purposeful, carrying her gracefully around the counter. With arms spread wide, she called out his name again.
"Shirou!"
"Ah, Saber! Welcome home! I didn't know you were back. How was your first day at wor– grkkk!"
In one swift motion, she wrapped her arms around him, his body half-turned in an awkward manner, one arm still holding a kitchen knife that he instantly put down, turning the blade away from them. How amusing, she thought, that he believed such a blade could harm her, let alone pierce her skin. Despite her invincibility to the mundane due to her status as a servant, she appreciated his care all the same.
With a great heave, she lifted him effortlessly, delighting in the utterly dumbfounded look on his face and the fitful streaks of red that burned to life on his cheeks.
"S-S-Saber! What're you doing!?"
She took a deep breath and the world fell into place around her. She felt her senses come alive with the sheer vitality around her and she found the dull pounding behind her eyes did little to diminish the joy she felt. There was the sound of china on wood as she spied Sakura fishing more dinner plates out of the cabinet, her eyes wide with surprise at the scene unfolding before her. Rin, ever composed, stood frozen, chopsticks poised mid-air grabbing at nothing, her eyes darting between Saber and Shirou, clearly trying to make sense of the situation. Taiga, true to her exuberant nature, wore a grin so wide it threatened to split her face in half.
"Saber, I think you might have had a bit too much to drink," Shirou stammered, his voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement. He tried to wriggle out of her surprisingly strong grip, but Saber held him tight, her laughter bubbling up from deep within her.
"I am merely expressing my appreciation, Shirou," she declared, her tone regal despite the drunken slur. "You are a noble and honorable soul, and I find great comfort in your presence."
With that, she planted a sloppy, affectionate kiss on his cheek, earning a variety of reactions from the onlookers. Sakura gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise. Rin's eyes narrowed in suspicion, her lips quirking into a smirk, clearly finding the situation more amusing than alarming. Taiga, always the dramatic one, let out a boisterous laugh that shook the room.
"Ah, young love! So pure and untamed! Just this once, I approve, Saber-chan!" Taiga exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with mischief, before her smile twisted on itself, its curves now promising untold hardship should they not comply. "But no naughty business until you're of age!"
You are far too late, Fujimura, she thought shamelessly. I have already claimed him.
Shirou, now thoroughly red-faced, managed to wriggle out of Saber's embrace, though she was reluctant to let him go. "Saber, I appreciate your… affection, but maybe you should sit down," he suggested, his tone gentle.
"Yes, yes! Sit! Let's eat!" Taiga chimed in, her enthusiasm undiminished by the spectacle.
Saber complied, though not without a pout. As she settled into her seat, she couldn't help but feel a warm glow of contentment. It wasn't every day that she allowed herself to be so carefree, so unburdened by the weight of her responsibilities. For a moment, she imagined she was just as any other woman, enjoying the company of friends and the presence of someone she held dear. For this one long moment, the burden of kingship that had weighed so heavily on her shoulders in the past fell away into nothing, and she was utterly happy, as she had never before been in her entire life.
Throughout the dinner, Saber made a conscious effort to behave herself, though her playful smiles and stolen glances in Shirou's direction revealed her lingering affection. The others, too, seemed to relax, accepting Saber's antics as a temporary lapse in her usually composed demeanor.
After the meal concluded, as they moved to the living room, Saber found herself irresistibly drawn back to Shirou. This time, she settled for draping herself across his lap, her head resting against his shoulder as they all settled in to watch some show on the television. She didn't much care what it was. She wasn't paying attention to the screen.
Despite her initial antics, a sense of tranquility settled over the group. Laughter filled the room, and for that brief moment, Saber felt that she knew heaven, basking in the warmth of companionship and the joy of the present.
As the night wore on, Saber's eyelids grew heavy, and the events of the evening became a pleasant haze. She felt Shirou's fingers carding through her hair, lulling her into a peaceful slumber as the voices from the television faded into the background.
Before she faded away completely, with her inhibitions lowered and her heart unguarded, Saber found her lips parting as she searched for what she wanted to say. No. What she needed to say.
Her vision seemed to narrow until his face was all she saw, giving her the quiet she needed to gather herself. Her thoughts swirled like autumn leaves caught in a gentle breeze. Her eyes, usually filled with resolve, now reflected a vulnerability she rarely allowed herself to acknowledge. As the weight of her newfound emotions settled upon her, she found solace in the soft moonlight that filtered through the distant windows.
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the weight of it all. Each breath felt like a step closer to unveiling this truth that had blossomed within her heart. Her fingers brushed the surface of his plain blue, white shirt, tracing the basic patterns and finding a modicum of reassurance from its inanimate folds.
Of course, she had known. She had known for a long while. But never before had it been so clear. Never before had she given it life.
I see it now. My dream. It's been right here, all along.
"I cherish these moments, Shirou," she began, her voice sounding unbearably fragile in her own ears, but she bore with herself just this once. "With you and our friends. They are precious to me." She paused, her eyes finding Shirou's in the dim light. "But more than that, you are precious to me."
Her voice trembled ever so slightly, as much as she fought it. "I- I love you. I love you so much."
The room seemed to hold its breath, at least, that is what it felt like to her, as if it was aware of her struggle and was taking pity upon her. Saber hesitated, her hands finding refuge in the folds of her dress, fingers intertwining as she gathered her strength one last time to voice the unspoken desire that had taken root in her heart.
"I think," she continued, her voice steadier now, "I want to be with Shirou forever."
...
I have said my piece, she thought as she surrendered herself to sleep, her eyes capturing the perfection of his surprised face and scorching it into her memory forever before they closed. Her dreams were filled with visions of laughter, warmth, and a love that transcended the boundaries of time and destiny.
I think that if I died in your arms this minute, Shirou, that it is right where I am supposed to be. It would've been a good life.
The next morning, Saber awoke to the soft rays of the sun filtering in through the nearest window. She stretched languidly, her memories of the previous night flooding back and surprisingly when the fuzz of sleep fell away from her recollections, she could not find it in herself to feel an ounce of shame. With a smile, she got up from the tatami mat she found herself laying on, her blanket pooling around her.
When she closed her eyes, she was assailed by such a profound sense of contentment that she feared she would begin to cry; this feeling that just wouldn't leave her. A feeling she wished never to leave.
Her mouth curved up and she knew where she would find her wayward Sheath.
As she made her way to the kitchen, she found Shirou already there, preparing breakfast. The aroma of tea and coffee filled the air, and the sizzle of the pan was a comforting sound.
"Good morning, Saber," he greeted her, his smile warm and genuine. "How did you sleep?"
"Very well, thank you," she replied, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "I feel… rejuvenated."
He chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that made her heart flutter. "I'm glad to hear that. You seemed to enjoy yourself last night. You'll have to tell me how you got your hands on some Sake though. It must have been a wild first day."
"Ah, that..." she stuttered slightly, her cheeks tinted pink. "I will tell you of that later, after we have eaten. But I will say that it was… liberating, to let go of my inhibitions, even if just for a little while."
Shirou set a plate of breakfast in front of her, his gaze unwavering. "That makes me happy. You deserve to smile too, Saber. Don't ever forget that."
Yes. As you have reminded me time and time again. I swear that I shall never forget, Shirou.
Her heart swelled with emotion, and before she could stop herself, she reached across the table, her hand finding his. "Thank you, Shirou. For everything."
He covered her hand with his own, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Always, Saber. I'll always be here for you, as long as you'll have me."
In that moment, the world outside their little bubble ceased to exist. There was only the two of them, bound by an unspoken understanding; Sword and Sheath. That is what they were. Now and forever.
Breakfast came to an end just as it began; a quiet affair between only the two of them, the other tenants still asleep.
Saber stood, her eyes meeting Shirou's with a newfound confidence. "Shirou," she began, her voice steady, "there's something I want to give you."
His brows furrowed in curiosity. "What is it, Saber?"
Without another word, she closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a soft, sweet kiss. It was a kiss filled with gratitude, with longing, and with the promise of something more. Shirou responded in kind, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her closer, his hands coming to cradle the back of her head in just the right way.
The kiss deepened, their passion igniting like a flame catching onto dry wood. Saber's hands found their way to his hair, her fingers threading through the soft-yet-coarse strands of his hair as she deepened the kiss, pouring all her unspoken emotions into that one single act.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their eyes locked and the world faded away around them. Saber spoke first, her voice a whisper.
"I love you, Shirou."
His eyes softened, his own confession mirrored in his gaze. "I love you too, Artoria. More than words can express."
And in that quiet, intimate moment, surrounded by the warmth of their love, their futures spiraled out endlessly before them and they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, bound by a love that was as unyielding as the strongest of swords, and as enduring as the stars in the night sky.
For Shirou Day.