She… was a butterfly. Insignificantly tiny and light enough to float on the breeze. Her beautiful wings pulsed, yet they did not tire. Though, should she ever desire rest, respite was always but a moment away.
A sea of flowers stretched infinitely before her, their petals spread proudly and their stems reaching skyward. Not a single cloud despoiled the pristine blue sky. It was a perfect fantasy.
…
She was not alone. Other butterflies were there with her. Serenely, they would enjoy this world's endless bounty together. It was true freedom.
…
One butterfly in particular held her attention.
Brown and gray colored his small wings as he flitted about, an awkward cadence to his wingbeats. Initially, he appeared unimpressive, lacking the extravagant colors and broad wingspans that many others possessed.
Yet, wherever she roamed, he followed, determinedly keeping pace.
It was him. There could be no doubt in her mind.
Together, they danced along, carried by a warm, gentle gust. Reveling in the freedom found between benevolent earth and boundless sky.
Something stirred the tranquility in her heart and swaddled her vague thoughts like the softest of down.
It was one thing to share this world with others. It was another to share it with a companion.
It was warmer than peace. Kinder than quietude. More dear than repose.
It was…
It… was…
…
The corners of her mind began to fold in, and the edges of her vision dimmed.
Her time in this dream was short, as it always was.
Two tiny butterflies came to rest upon a flower petal, side by side, as the world faded to black.
…
…
…
Consciousness returned steadily to her as awareness over her body slowly grew.
The suppleness of the sheets against her skin, the cushioned weight of her pillow beneath her head, and the steady rise and fall of her chest as she became cognizant of her own breathing. They were all heralds of her return to the waking world.
Alice opened her eyes and was greeted by a familiar wooden ceiling, one that she has witnessed countless times before.
She drew in a deep breath and let out a long sigh, gratified by the invigorating sensation. It all felt… better than usual.
Alice was no stranger to waking up refreshed after a night of sound sleep. However, she struggled to recall another instance of feeling so pleased, so content, from the experience.
Idly, she considered this change in circumstance.
The butterfly dream had always made her feel at peace; it was one of the major reasons that she took the butterfly dream pill. Peace and tranquility, as opposed to terror and panic.
This time, however, there'd been far more that she'd felt. Her mind had been warm. Her heart had been full.
She had been happy.
And though she no longer slumbered, the feeling remained.
Languidly, she stretched, basking in the glow of both the morning sun peeking through her window and the lingering euphoria of a truly pleasant dream.
What was different? What had changed? Why was this dream so much more fulfilling than the last?
Alice shifted onto her side before brushing away the few stray locks of hair that had tumbled down in front of her eyes. Her gaze settled upon the crystal ball that had yet to leave her bedside table.
Logically, the answer was simple. Though she had never been alone in the butterfly dream, this was the first time that she'd had a companion. Somebody to share it with. A partner.
But just who was that mysterious new arrival?
Really, it was no mystery. In fact, it couldn't have been any more obvious. The coloring alone had been more than enough for her to piece together whom the second butterfly had represented.
There was only one person in her life who regularly presented such a color scheme.
Steadily, Alice rose to a sitting position and swung her legs off of the side of the bed. The cool floorboards met her feet and sent a small shiver through her. Instinctively, she called for a doll to bring her slippers over.
If she recalled correctly, he had mentioned that he was off of work today, and that he intended for the two of them to do something together.
A Naples doll drifted over, carrying her plush blue house slippers. Shanghai approached moments later, hairbrush in tow.
Poorly concealed anticipation buzzed in her chest, a sign of almost uncharacteristic eagerness.
She was looking forward to seeing him, today more than ever.
…
…
…
Alice knelt down at the edge of her garden, grasping at a young, green leaf as the late morning sun warmed her back.
She had completed her first harvest weeks ago, and now the second batch of the year was well on its way.
She traced a finger along the veins of the leaf, equal parts proud of and relieved at its robust structure.
Alice had been worried about the effect that the drought would have on her garden.
Searing heat, disease, and hungry insects were just a few of the many possibilities that would have complicated her gardening efforts. However, so far the effects had been relatively straightforward.
The weather was dry. Therefore, the plants needed water. She provided water.
So long as she kept the water flowing, her garden thrived, drought or no drought.
Thankfully, basic elemental magic was fairly simple to cast, so there was no shortage of water to be had in the Margatroid household.
With a small pair of gardening shears, she trimmed off a few of the smaller leaves, encouraging the plant to grow taller.
Nearby, several dolls worked at yanking weeds and clearing away fallen leaf litter. Shanghai and others swept through behind them, watering the soil with their miniature watering cans.
With a final snip, she finished pruning the nightshade plant.
Dangerous as it was, it had its uses, and Alice was always careful.
Deadly Nightshade was a common, but important reagent, one that Alice always made sure to keep on hand. Best known for its potent poisonous properties, this species of nightshade plant also served as a base for certain alchemical processes. Refined properly, it could even be added to perfumes and aerosoles to extend the time they lingered in the air.
Alice turned her head to inspect another such plant. While not strictly necessary, providing special attention to her garden paid dividends. In her experience, the extra care always resulted in a more bountiful harvest.
…
"Hello, Alice!" came the greeting that she'd been hoping to hear.
Alice glanced over her shoulder just in time to catch Eric slipping through the front gate. Garbed in his typical gray, he held a basket in his right hand, and he wore both his glasses and a large grin on his face. His brown hair was tied back into a ponytail, as it always was.
"Hello, Eric," she returned pleasantly. The dollmaker stood and dusted off the front of her dress.
Shanghai drifted up to him, her small straw hat fluttering in the light breeze.
"And hello to you too, Shanghai," he added.
"Shanghai~" Alice responded in a light, squeaky voice. The doll waved a tiny hand in greeting.
Eric chuckled before his smile turned apologetic. "Sorry, I thought about making a little doll-sized portion of food for you, but Alice says that you can't eat. So… yeah."
Alice suppressed a small laugh.
It was something that she'd noticed recently. Eric had taken to making small talk with Shanghai, like she herself did on occasion.
Whether he did it to humor her or because he genuinely believed that Shanghai held some level of sentience, she wasn't entirely sure.
It… didn't really matter. She thought it was sweet of him, regardless.
More importantly…
"Food?" she inquired.
"Yeah." She could see hints of self-consciousness drift across his face. "Did you, um, want to go somewhere today? I was wondering if you would have a picnic with me."
A picnic? A chance to share good scenery, good food, and good company? All within the intimately close space provided by a simple picnic blanket?
A small smile tugged at her lips. "Of course. That sounds lovely."
Eric beamed. It was almost blinding. "Yes! Alright!"
Warmth spread once more through her chest. It was… nice that something so simple gave him such joy.
Then, his expression shifted. It appeared as though something just occurred to him. "Do you, uh, have something that we could use as a picnic blanket? I used to have something that fit the bill, but I can't seem to find it anywhere…"
A picnic blanket? Hmm…
She had just the thing.
…
…
…
From within a storage trunk at the bottom of her closet, came a large picnic blanket. Truthfully, by nature of its construction, it was more of a quilt rather than a blanket, but it would serve its purpose regardless.
The quilt was red and white with squares of each color arranged in a checkerboard pattern, mimicking what one would expect from a typical picnic blanket. It was pleasantly soft and relatively thick, making it a perfect cushion against the hard ground.
Alice sighed as she briefly indulged in the fabric.
It was a shame, really, that it rarely saw use. She had only picnicked a few times on her own, and that had been years ago. Otherwise, she only ever pulled it out for the occasional flower viewing or Incident Resolution party. Not often enough, considering it had taken her weeks to stitch.
Perhaps with Eric around, she would get more use out of it…
…
Alice shook her head, chasing that errant thought away, though she couldn't help the smile that crept across her face.
Of course she would. She was using it today, wasn't she?
There was finally a good reason to put it to use.
There was finally someone here to share it with.
…
Not wanting to keep her boyfriend waiting, Alice quickly stepped her way back into her living room, cradling the quilt in her arms.
Eric had been in the middle of saying something, presumably to Shanghai, but he immediately turned his gaze to Alice as she re-entered the room.
The glimmer in his eyes when he spotted the picnic blanket was enough to make all those hours of work worth it. "Wow! That's a pretty big blanket you've got there."
He stood and moved to gently brush his fingers against it. "Soft, too. This'll be great!"
"Thank you," she said, becoming acutely aware of just how closely he was standing. "I stitched it myself."
"Of course you did," he enthused, nothing but heartfelt affection coloring his voice. "I can tell it's high quality, just like your dolls and, uh… pretty much everything you make, now that I think about it."
He rubbed the back of his neck before giving her an earnest smile. "You're so skillful, Alice. It's pretty amazing."
The heat rose in her cheeks, and she held the blanket just a little bit tighter. Butterflies fluttered their countless tiny wings, tickling her stomach.
This wasn't the first time that Eric had heaped praise upon her, but something about today made it feel… different.
It had been a while since she'd felt so light. Perhaps because of that, there was nothing to weigh down the giddiness that she was experiencing.
The warmth… The butterflies…
They hadn't even left for their picnic yet, and she was already enjoying this far too much. It was almost concerning.
Almost.
"I try," Alice tittered as she handed the folded quilt off to a small contingent of dolls. As nice as it was, it was still somewhat heavy and awkward to carry.
"Now then," she put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Shall we go? It would be a shame to let the day pass us by." Alice winked, a supremely rare action for her, but in the moment it had felt right.
And right it was. She could practically see Eric's mind stutter as a dusting of pink spread across his cheeks, matching her own.
"Um… I… Yeah…" he fumbled before Alice turned away and glided towards the front door.
She equipped her metal combat rings and fastened her grimoire to her hip. It always paid to be cautious, and recent events had highlighted that fact even more. Should anything happen, anything at all, she would be prepared.
A quick glance back at Eric confirmed that he had yet to move.
It was only after she had directed Shanghai to lightly push him from behind that he appeared to snap out of his little daze.
Eric cracked a large grin, and his entire being radiated enthusiasm. He picked up the picnic basket once more, and then he, too, strode up to the door. "Yeah… Yeah, let's go, Alice. Lead the way!"
Alice had the perfect spot in mind.
So long as nothing interrupted them this time.
…
…
…
Unfortunately, it hadn't taken long for Alice's good mood to fade as they walked through the Forest in the direction of Misty Lake.
A sense of uneasiness had quickly washed over her, and judging from the way that Eric's smile had tempered, she was not alone in that.
How fitting that their first real date would be a picnic, something that they had attempted once before only for it to have ended in a massacre.
Now that she'd had the time to think about it, the whole premise put Alice on edge.
On one hand, it was the perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of the past. To further cleanse their palettes of that terrible day and put a happy memory in its place.
On the other hand, it felt as if they were truly tempting fate. That their luck would fail them, and they would once again be set upon by disaster.
It was all too similar. Eric showing up to her home, basket in hand, and inviting her out for a picnic. Taking this route through the Forest towards a scenic little bluff at the edge of Misty Lake. Even the weather had chosen to relent and bestow upon them a slightly more agreeable temperature, just like that day.
History often repeated itself, and fate could be cruel.
Alice was in no mood for another confrontation. Leagues of dolls swirled around the two of them as they trekked towards the designated picnic spot. Her senses, honed sharp, focused more on monitoring her surroundings and less on the man at her side.
She didn't intend to ignore him, but this was all for his own protection.
No harm would come to him. She simply wouldn't allow it. He would not feel the pain of sundered flesh and broken bones. He would not be forced to struggle against a recovering leg that couldn't keep up. He would not be made to lie back on a hospital bed, weak and exhausted, as he wept and blamed himself for the world's faults.
Not again. Not today.
"...-lice. Alice. Hey, Alice?"
A pressure on her shoulder caused her to jump slightly. Alice came to a halt and whipped her head around to see Eric retract his hand in surprise.
"Um, Alice, are you okay? You seem pretty tense…"
She gave him a stiff smile. The fingers manipulating her dolls stilled, and the orbiting shell of miniature sentries slowed. "Tense? No, I am simply focused."
A dubious look crossed his face before his gaze drifted out towards the trees. His shoulders appeared to hold a tension of their own. "...Are you worried?" he asked, far quieter this time.
Worried? She… wouldn't have classified it as worry, per say. She was wary… On high alert… Determined to avoid another such disaster… Not worried. It was a generous helping of preparation and prevention that drove her actions.
There certainly weren't any traces of anxiety knotting up her stomach.
…Certainly not.
Alice met his eyes with her own as he looked back towards her. "Are you?"
A half-hearted smile pulled across his face. "Heh, it's hard not to be." After a moment, he recoiled. "Not that I don't feel safe with you and your dolls here! Just…"
Eric took a deep breath.
"It just… reminds me of that day. That's all."
…She suspected as much. Not that she thought any less of him for it. It was largely the same for her.
Why else would she have summoned so many dolls?
However… "That day and this one are not the same."
Eric gave her an odd look before nodding slowly. "True, but… what exactly do you mean by that?"
"Many things have changed since then. I am more prepared. You are more capable. We both know what it's like to nearly die. We both know what it's like to nearly lose the other." Alice's gaze remained firm, unblinking. "Should we encounter the same situation again, the outcome will be far different. There is no other possibility."
"Y-yeah." His posture appeared to straighten at her expression of confidence. "I just… can't shake the feeling of foreboding, y'know? Like we're doing something that we really shouldn't be. Like we're just asking for something bad to happen."
Alice put the sentiment into simpler words. "It feels as though we are tempting fate, doesn't it?"
"Yeah! That's exactly it!" Then, he appeared to consider something. "But, you're right. We're both stronger now, aren't we? And thanks to you, I actually kind of know what I'm doing."
Admiration glimmered in his eyes. It… never failed to make her heart skip a beat.
"So even if we do get ambushed by youkai again, I think we'd come out on top this time." Eric stuck his free hand out. "As a team."
As a team…
It certainly didn't need to be said at this point. Of course they were a team. However, the sincerity he put into those words made her feel as light as a feather.
"Of course." Alice took his free hand in hers, careful not to let her combat rings get in the way. "As a team."
The small knot in her gut loosened, and she could feel a genuine smile tug at her lips, matching the one that the man beside her had settled into.
It was… nice.
…
Suddenly, it was no longer calm. The sound of frenetic movement approaching through the underbrush came like a bad omen. Alice's body went rigid, as did Eric's.
Her fingers reacted before her mind recovered. She had been so on edge, so primed for a confrontation that it all happened on instinct.
Before she had even registered the manic giggling that accompanied the sudden disturbance, she had already unleashed a great, magical barrage.
Strike first, and strike hard. She wasn't about to make the mistake of waiting yet again.
"KYAAA!" came the cry of a young girl before almost immediately being silenced.
*pichunnn~*
*pichunnn~*
*pichunnn~*
The unmistakable sound of three fairies being annihilated rang out through their part of the Forest.
Alice did not stop firing immediately, however. There could have been more. More lurking in the treeline.
…
After a few more moments of nothing, her onslaught came to an end.
As the last bullets of danmaku faded out of existence, Alice held her ground. She strained her ears, seeking any sound that might have been out of place.
She needed to know that they were alone once more.
That they were safe.
…
"Pffft~ Hahaha!"
Eric's laughter was not what she expected to hear next.
She snapped her head around to see the man chortling into the hand that he had placed across his face.
"What's so funny?" The question came a little harsher than she'd meant it.
"Just- Just- After all that talk, after psyching ourselves up so hard, all it took was a couple of fairies to freak us out!"
Alice simply stared as he lost himself in a fit of laughter. Then, she sighed, allowing her nerves to once again settle.
Such a disproportionate response to simple fairies… It was a bit ridiculous, wasn't it? He was always quick to laugh at his own errors. She almost wanted to laugh at her own.
Almost.
Instead, she elected to start her way down the forest trail once more, hiding the small streak of embarrassment at her overreaction.
When Eric didn't immediately follow, Alice directed Shanghai to poke his cheeks with her hard, porcelain fingers.
"S-sorry! I got a little carried away there," he said as he hurried to reclaim his spot by her side.
A small, somewhat clipped laugh escaped from her. "Come. We are nearly there. Surely you haven't been startled so badly that you've forgotten about our picnic?
A hand found hers once more.
"Not a chance."
~~~~~~Tradition's End~~~~~~
Minutes later, they arrived at the designated picnic spot.
It was a small bluff that emerged from the Forest, eventually rising nearly twenty feet above its surroundings. It sat right on the coastline of Misty Lake, creating one of Gensokyo's very few cliffs not native to Youkai Mountain. There was a single, large tree whose broad leaves were nearly green as well as a large, flat area where the ground was a mix of grass and stone.
Eric sat atop a large, flat rock, patiently waiting as Alice set about laying out the blanket and arranging the picnic for them.
He'd wanted to help, he'd tried to help, but Alice had insisted that she would be the one to handle it.
It felt… strange not to help, but he wasn't about to argue with her about it. She had a better sense of organization and artistry than him, anyways.
He'd just have to do something for her to make up for it.
…
With nothing else to do, and not wanting to spoil the reveal until Alice was finished, Eric defaulted to appreciating his surroundings.
He couldn't deny that Alice had chosen an absolutely lovely place for a picnic.
From his perch above Misty Lake, he gazed out over the water. The boost in elevation that the bluff provided, small as it was, allowed him a terrific view of a pretty good portion of the lake. Had the perpetual fog over the center not been there, he likely could have seen clear to the other side. It was a beautiful sight, he decided, as he took it all in.
The coastline of the lake was largely pristine, hosting very few structures aside from the dominating presence of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. It held various coves, inlets, and shallow marshes, as was to be expected of a lake this size. It was the closest thing Gensokyo had to a sea, so its beautiful blue waters were really quite fitting.
A cool breeze blew out from the water, a wonderful, natural air conditioner. He took a deep breath, fresh and invigorating, as the wind tugged at his hair.
Then, there was movement above the lake. Eric squinted his eyes, attempting to make out what it was that had caught his attention. There appeared to be little figures flitting about, diving in and out of the fog bank. After a moment, he recognized the shapes.
They were fairies. Of course they were fairies. Almost certainly playing one of their many games.
He... sort of admired the fairies of Gensokyo. In a way, at least. They were notoriously carefree and straightforward, leading incredibly simple lives. They wanted for little, and did what they pleased.
Sometimes, he wished his own life could be that simple. That he could be that simple. But, then again... if his life was that simple...
He turned his gaze back to the woman accompanying him. Her attention was currently occupied by the doll in her grasp. Her hands, those long, slender fingers, slipped through Shanghai's hair with practiced ease.
She had finished setting things up, evidently, though she hadn't said anything about it yet. Perhaps she was testing how long it would take him to notice?
He smiled at the sight.
If his life had been any different, then he very well may never have met Alice. If he had been any different, there was no guarantee that a woman like her would have ever given him a chance.
That he and she were together still came as a surprise to him even now.
Everything that has happened was meant to happen; he was sure of it. He just couldn't believe his luck that it had all turned out this way.
…
A pair of blue eyes looked his way, stirring him out of his little reverie.
"What has you so interested?" Alice quipped.
"Oh, just... It's nothing in particular. I'm just admiring the view," he said, fully aware that he was looking right at her as he said it.
He couldn't tell if she had caught on to his attempted double meaning, but he moved to join her all the same.
At some point Alice had removed her boots, leaving them standing patiently at the edge of the huge, red and white picnic blanket. Instead, long, white boot socks covered her feet and calves.
It would have been a shame to dirty the quilt more than necessary, so he, in turn, slipped off his shoes, a pair of gray canvas loafers.
He didn't have anything against geta; most villagers chose to wear that sort of sandal. However, they had never quite felt right on his feet. Luckily, there were cobblers in the Village who were willing to make more 'western' styled footwear.
Eric padded his way across the blanket. Though he still wore socks, he was thankful for the cushion that lay between him and the hard ground.
Alice adjusted her posture, tucking her legs beneath her. Then, after a small moment of hesitation, she slowly, almost bashfully, pat an area of the blanket next to her
As he sat in the indicated area beside her, Eric couldn't help the flush that filled his face. Alice had been acting especially cute today, and it was making everything feel… so much more.
Even the simple act of sitting down next to her felt far more awkward and… intimate.
He had to say something, lest the butterflies eat him from the inside. "You were totally right. This spot is perfect for a picnic. It's even got a shade tree."
Her lips curved into a small smile, and her head tilted a little higher. "I did not exaggerate the quality."
With the cool breeze drifting off of the lake, it was hard to believe that it was even summer.
"How did you manage to find a spot like this?"
"I happened upon it years ago as I searched the Forest for useful reagents. I was more… adventurous back then."
"Heh, It's hard to imagine. I've only really known you as a homebody." Before she could challenge that comment, however, he added, "Does it have a name?"
"A name?"
He nodded. "You tend to name a lot of things, especially your dolls. I was just wondering if you'd happened to name this place, too."
Alice shifted in place, looking slightly awkward. "I… did name it, but it has always felt a bit too presumptuous to tell others."
"Well, you know me. If you're willing to share, then I'd love to hear it." Then, he rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean… I want you to feel like you can tell me anything."
Alice was quiet for a moment. Then, she drew in a deep breath.
"Shanghai Bluff."
…
"Alice, I mean this with full seriousness. That's adorable."
A strong blush erupted across her face, and she hugged Shanghai closer. "Why?" she muttered.
"I don't know, exactly. It just is. Were you really that worried about it?"
Alice huffed lightly. "I named it after my doll. It's a bit childish, is it not? Juvenile? An immature sentiment?"
Eric lightly rested a hand on her shoulder. "Not at all. I know how much Shanghai means to you. There's nothing weird about that."
Then, he let his hand drift across her back, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her into a sort of side hug. "And even if others have something bad to say about it, that doesn't change a thing. It's important to you, so it's important to me. I'll always know it as Shanghai Bluff."
Alice settled in against him, brushing her hair against his cheek. "Thank you. It's… reassuring to know that you think this way."
With her proximity came a wave of something… floral. A new perfume, perhaps? Lavender and chamomile and… something else that he couldn't quite put his finger on. It was wonderful, whatever it was.
"Heh," he chuckled, feeling especially daring in the moment. "Like I said, it's adorable. …Just like you."
Alice released her grip on Shanghai, instead bringing her hands up to shroud her face. He would have, as well, had he not been trying his damndest to be bolder in front of her.
"Why say such embarrassing things?" she mumbled into her hands.
Eric did not answer, but he could tell by the wobble in her voice that her cheeks were just as scarlet as his own. He simply closed his eyes and, with a deep breath, allowed himself to get lost in the moment.
…
It wasn't clear to him just how long they spent in that position. Eventually, however, a set of small hands shook the pair.
Eric's eyes blinked open to see Shanghai hovering before them. After what appeared to be a moment of confirmation, the doll pointed towards the food that had been laid out across the picnic blanket, seemingly forgotten.
…That's right! The food! The picnic!
…
Once they'd actually gotten around to it, Alice and Eric wasted no time tucking into their meal. Perhaps it was the change in scenery and the presence of good company, but even the simple spread of food that he'd put together seemed far more appetizing than it had any right to be.
A small tray of finger sandwiches, consisting of smoked fish, cheese, and cucumber, served as the entree. Accompanying these sandwiches were fruits: oranges and peaches sliced cleanly by Alice and her magical wires, as well as a generous helping of strawberries.
Of course, no picnic was complete without the addition of dessert. To this end, Eric had prepared a tart. Made with a mix of local berries, it was similar to the one he had gifted Alice the night that they had properly met.
Overall, it wasn't… much. He could admit to that. But, he hadn't wanted the meal to feel too heavy, so he'd opted for much lighter and sweeter options than he otherwise might have chosen.
Regardless, Alice seemed to be relishing the lunch, and the twinkle in her eyes as she took her first bite of the berry tart was more than enough to make all of his effort worth it.
Soon enough, most of the food had been squared away, and Eric found that his stomach was more than satisfied.
"How was your food?" he asked as Alice finished the final strawberry.
"Hmm," she hummed. "Rather enjoyable. It was all quite fitting for a picnic. I found the tart to be especially delectable."
Eric smiled to himself and laid back onto the quilt, gazing up through the leaves of their shade tree and into the clear blue sky. He considered that to be high praise coming from someone with considerable skills in cooking like Alice. "I'm glad."
He took a deep, slow breath, treasuring the moment.
All of his worries seemed so far away. Not even the unrest in the Village could bother him now.
He sincerely hoped that it was the same for her.
That she was enjoying herself enough for all of her problems to be temporarily forgotten.
…
There was a rustling of fabric as Alice shifted closer to him, peering down at his outstretched form. "Tired already?" she asked, in a way that almost sounded like a taunt.
"Ha!" He couldn't help it. He loved it when her mood turned playful. It felt as if he saw that side of her more and more as time went on. "It's important to relax after a good meal, right?"
"I suppose." She shook her head dramatically. "I was merely worried that I would have to carry you back out of here."
Eric laughed again. "No way!"
The fluttering of a butterfly's wings at the corner of his vision caught his attention. He tilted his head to look, but it was already gone.
It reminded him of something…
…What was it?
…
"Oh!" Eric shot back up into a sitting position. "I can't believe that I almost forgot again!"
He patted himself down, searching for a small pocket sewn into the interior of his yukata.
Surprised by his sudden outburst, Alice looked at him as if he'd grown a second head. Traces of concern bled into her voice. "What? Forgot what?"
Aha! There it is.
Eric's hand closed around an object that was both small and cool to the touch.
He brought his clenched fist out, palm facing upwards and positioned it between him and Alice.
"Alice, I've been meaning to do this. I… have a gift for you."
"A gift? But, Eric, I don't have a gift for you in exchange. If I had known, then…"
Eric waved his free hand in protest. "No, no! That's not necessary. I've just… I've been wanting to give this to you for a long time. I… hope you like it."
He opened his palm to reveal the item in his possession.
A brooch. A butterfly brooch. A silver-tone butterfly brooch whose blue and yellow wings almost perfectly matched Alice's own eyes and hair.
It was just as beautiful as he remembered.
Alice's eyes widened, and she audibly gasped. She touched a hand to her mouth and gazed down at the butterfly brooch with an unusual intensity.
Does… Does that mean she likes it?
"The butterfly dream…" Alice whispered. Her eyes had yet to leave the brooch.
"The… what?" Eric asked, confused.
Alice, however, did not elaborate. Instead, she posed her own question. "How… Or rather, why?"
"Would 'when I saw it, I thought of you' be too cheesy?"
She shook her head. "No… No it wouldn't. In fact, that would be just like you." Alice gently plucked the butterfly brooch out from its place in his palm. After a few moments of close inspection, she held it up to catch the light. The gemstones sparkled nearly as brightly as her eyes, and she spoke only a single phrase. "It's beautiful."
Eric rubbed the back of his neck. "That's, uh, why it reminded me of you."
Alice closed her fingers over the brooch and tucked her hands to her chest. A different sort of flush filled her face. One that felt… especially meaningful. "Thank you. I… do not know what else to say. Your gift… It's precious."
"You don't have to say anything else. It makes me really happy that you like it." He knew that his wide grin was bordering on goofy at this point, but he didn't care.
Alice once again looked at the butterfly in her grasp, and then, slowly, brought it up towards her frilly, red and white hairband. With almost practiced ease and Shanghai's assistance, she fastened the butterfly brooch to the left side of the hairband.
A blush still dusted her cheeks as she asked, "How does it suit me?"
…Did she even need to ask?
Eric responded with both a hug, and an earnest assessment. "Lovely, just like you always are."
She exhaled, closer to his ear than he expected, almost making him shiver. "Good. I'm glad."
…
After about a minute, they broke the embrace, but for some reason, Eric still found himself wanting.
"I love you, Alice. I hope you always remember that."
"And I love you." Then, she sighed contentedly. "How can you always say such embarrassing things so sincerely?"
"'Cause I love you," he countered simply.
She shot him an attempt at a flat look, but the warmth in her eyes made the illusion a heavily flawed one.
Still, he expounded. "I just can't help but want to give you my heart."
Alice tittered, dropping the false disapproval. "Be careful which youkai you say that to. Human hearts are valuable. Some of them might take your offer literally." She leaned forward somewhat. "Perhaps I am one of them."
Now it was Eric's turn to laugh. "Youkai or not, you're still the woman I love. I trust that you'll be gentle with it. Maybe use it for a golem or something?"
Another spurt of her beautiful, wonderful laughter, longer this time.
He had to keep this joke going. He needed to hear more. "I'm sure there'll be plenty of parts left over for other things, too. Experiments, arts and crafts... Holiday decorations?
That one earned him a light smack on the shoulder. Incredulity seeped into her giggles. "I am not piecing you out like a specimen! You're worth an awful lot more to me intact."
Eric prepared another quip, but something gave him pause.
A lock of her hair had fallen out of place, drawing awkwardly across her cheek. Before he could convince himself otherwise, he reached out and tucked it to the side, where it belonged. Such an action brought him closer, and he could smell her perfume again.
Then, their eyes met, and his gaze lingered. Her exquisite, glacier blue eyes were as captivating as ever.
His cheeks burned hot once more, and his mouth went dry. She was right there, mere inches away. His eyes trailed down to her lips, those fine, thin, pink lips. He… He wanted to kiss her again. Properly this time.
"You don't know how much I want to kiss you right now." he mumbled, echoing his inner thoughts before his mind could catch up.
Alice's eyes widened by a fraction, and she appeared to swallow thickly. Her pale face had taken on a brilliant crimson shade of its own. "Well," she started quietly. "Why don't you?"
Her small question was the last thing he needed to surmount his trepidation. In one, careful motion, he brought his hands forward and cupped her face, drawing the two of them mere inches apart.
She was so soft beneath his trembling fingers, and moments later, he could feel her own, delicate arms wrap around his neck.
There was no going back, now.
Alice closed her eyes, and… Oh, he was supposed to close his eyes, too, wasn't he?
Eric followed suit. He would do this properly. He would-
Then, their lips met.
…
It was a light peck at first. Though Eric had been expecting it, he couldn't help the surprise that jolted through his body, disconnecting the almost feather light touch that they had just shared.
His heart felt as though it was about to beat out of his chest.
Was… was this allowed? Could they really? Were they-?
Before he could possibly consider a cowardly retreat, Alice pressed forward, sealing her lips against his own.
She was… kissing him. He was kissing her.
It was… a kiss. A kiss not awash in a mix of despair and desperation.
Instead, a kiss of acceptance. A kiss of love. A kiss of pure happiness.
This felt right. This spoke to him. This bolstered his heart and unraveled everything but the desire brimming in his chest.
A true, proper kiss…
Her soft lips against his own. Her body, so close, yet, oddly, still not close enough. Her perfume, lovely and alluring and precious because it was hers.
It was a wonder that he could even remember to breathe.
~~~~~~Tradition's End~~~~~~
Alice certainly hadn't expected the day to end up like this.
Though, she wasn't complaining. Far from it, in fact.
Her heart beat fast and her blood ran hot. Something deep inside of her resonated with this kiss.
It made her want more.
Almost instinctively, her lips began to move against his, and he responded in kind, turning what had started as a single, passionate kiss into a series of…
Smooches… It was the only word that her well-occupied mind could conjure to describe it. She could still taste the sweetness of the tart, its enticing flavor lingering upon his lips and mixing with… something more. Though they had just eaten, a sensation like hunger gnawed at her belly, driving her forward.
It was all more intense, more… dynamic than she'd ever imagined, but in the moment, it couldn't have felt more right.
She had never kissed anyone like this before. And, judging from the way he'd shaken like a leaf seconds earlier, neither had he.
Granted, until a couple of days ago, she'd never kissed anyone before, not on the lips, at least, but that was quite irrelevant right now.
She could feel his fingers weave through her hair, sense the heat of his breath across her face, and eventually, notice his body draw ever closer, until he was practically on top of her.
With passion and desire crowding out much else, she didn't want this to end.
…
Ultimately, all things had to come to an end, and it was becoming very clear just how short of breath the pair had ended up.
Steadily, they slowed, turning more tender until they ultimately drew into one long, final kiss.
As their lips drifted apart, Alice settled her forehead against his.
Through their heavy breathing, she swore that she could hear her heart sing.
Then, there was laughter. It started as a bit of an awkward chuckle on his part before quickly evolving into a full-on belly laugh, straight from the soul.
"I love you so much." Eric breathed as he clutched at his stomach. The beginnings of what she could have only assumed to have been happy tears glimmered at the corners of his eyes.
A smile pulled across her face, wide enough to make her cheeks hurt.
This. This was a moment she'd cherish.
…
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it took more than a few minutes for the pair to collect themselves.
Once they had finally settled back into a more neutral state, Alice couldn't help but notice just how tired she felt.
In stark contrast to the other day, it was a fulfilling sort of exhaustion, like the afterglow of an important, but taxing event or the kind one felt after putting the final touches on a long term project.
Eric had leaned back against the tree while she had established a perimeter with her dolls.
Whatever happened next, she would ensure that nothing disturbed them.
"Ahhh," Eric sighed blissfully. "I can't believe how amazing today has been. I can't think of a single thing that would make this better." Just as the last word left his mouth, a deep yawn overtook him.
Alice let out a small giggle, stepping back onto the picnic blanket. "Nothing? Nothing at all?"
"W-well," he stuttered before yawning again. "Maybe an afternoon nap?"
Though she laughed, she couldn't help but think that perhaps his idea had merit.
With his back leaned up against a portion of the shade tree, Eric extended his arms as if offering himself. "Want to nap together?"
…Well now, just how was she supposed to refuse that?
…
Yes, a nap was certainly in order, Alice decided, as she cuddled up against a reclining Eric.
With a newly learned alarm spell set, she felt as though she could rest easy. If an unauthorized creature were to come within thirty meters of their little spot, she would be alerted, even if she slept. Doll sentries provided further security, a visible deterrence to the overly curious.
Alice yawned, adjusting her position and getting as comfortable as she pleased. The steady rise and fall of his chest suggested that he had already succumbed to the otherworldly allure of sleep.
She puffed out a small laugh, remembering something that he had once said to her.
'On the bright side, you did make a really nice pillow…'
Well, the joke was now on him.
As it turned out, he, too, was a really nice pillow.
~~~~~~Author's Notes~~~~~~
Here we are! May 30th, the 1 year anniversary of the first chapter of this fic being uploaded to FF .net! I really wanted to make this chapter a good one!
Have you ever written something that you find to be so sweet that it makes you physically giddy? Like, I couldn't sit still because certain parts of this made me so happy. It made my heart throb, and I hope it made yours, too.
I did say that we were going to get a better kiss in the future. What better time than at the end of a nice, fluffy picnic?
IMO, it's been too long since we've had a happy little chapter with just the two of them and nothing bad happening. No tears, no dredging up the past, just wholesome, perhaps overly idealistic, relationship content.
I can't guarantee the next chapter will be as sugary and fluffy, but that's just where we are at this point of the story arc. :)
Thank you so much for reading! Comment or review if you want! Have a nice day!