the abundance after years of without

to be lit up from within

vein by vein

Melita frequently threw caution to the wind; extended out over branches and limbs without the thought of the circumstances that could send her spiraling downwards. But Iskra always seemed to be there to catch her, regardless, and all the relief fluttering about her ribcage then felt strikingly stupid for having been amidst apprehension in the first place. She knew better, but simultaneously, she didn’t; one of those instances of understanding Iskra, but not the entanglement they revolved in, needing that support, that comprehension, that reassurance, before everything else could hasten tangibly; smoother sailing for the conflicted and confused.  Even the way he glanced at her, as if these moments had been certain all along, and she was the only one that had been rattled and bewildered, made her snort, rolling her eyes inwardly at her own antics.

But she preferred it in the open; potentials she didn’t need to regard warily now. Her eyes lit up at the prospects of things she’d dangled taken and snagged, head tilting a little to regard him again. “I can plan it!” she offered thereafter with a bright chirp; he didn’t need to be the one to take up the mantle at each point (unless he preferred it that way; potentially a safer alternative to what she’d “plan”, based on the current circumstances of his workshop). “Maybe some of the leaves will have changed there?” She didn’t know how it all worked, but magical considerations were always a part of the enclosures; perhaps they’d been based to alter along with the seasons, if that was something he wanted to see too.

His nervous motions thereafter though left her laughing; nothing high pitched or obnoxious, but light, airy, wondering how they’d managed to launch and leap over certain steps and then forget some entirely. New, unexplored terrain together then, leaping off the sides of cliffs with what they knew; she was fine with that. Her tastes were ports in storms, even when they were gliding along the tempest with her; grounded portions she was safe within; a steadfast, vigilant portion of strength and diligence, marked by intrepid resolve. Someone that knew her, and she could name him too. Fingers clenching over and around his, she glanced up into his stare, gilded eyes enthralled with his courage and forthright abilities, focused solely on him, wanting to ensure he heard and understood each word she uttered, spoke. “I meant what I said,” as always, veracity a ferocious thing flickering from the Honeybee. “You have my heart. Had it for a long time. It’s only ever been you.” Ignoring the wayward flush to her cheeks, the easy way he simply said it all again and again, she would have to learn what it meant to be so encompassed by love; cherish it too, when it’d been unknown for so long. On tiptoe, she reached upwards for her lips to caress over his; to seal the measures for what they were striving to accomplish. Only breaking away momentarily, she hummed under her breath, granting half a grin. “Could be a dangerous place,“ by her side – but then she winked. “But I’ll take you.”

to be the sun

MELITA

// All I want is champagne and sunshine //

Iskra has spent a great deal of time wandering the pathways of his own thoughts, tramping back and forth over feelings until he felt them less strangers inside him but well known, voiced even as if each exists as its own strand of being within him. For all his uncertainties over so many other things, and all his timid potentials put forth instead of bravery in other scenarios of his life, this is one is sure of like none other—how he feels for her. Little by little, he’s believing in how she feels too, only wavering once in a while when each other’s doubts trip over the other.

The road feels smooth in moments like this though, when she brightens towards the future, their future, proving she’s looking forward to it as much as he is. His smile cracks cleaner, warmth and amusement twining together in the upturned shape. ”Two birds in one Celestine, I like it,” he hums, offering a wink to her genius. It’s certainly worth going and finding out, and oh no, worst case they also have to visit some autumn forest.

Her laugh, at first, feels startling. Not cruel, not sharp, but not expected either. If he hesitates because of it, then it barely lasts before the return fold of her hand reveals it to be little more than nerves hiccuping past the difficulty of navigating labels and intentions. Her assurance, so unwavering as honeyed eyes adhere to him, forces a dry swallow in his throat. In this moment, he can’t remember how he’d ever been unsure, not when her conviction is so strong, pulling forth the past offering as if proof it was laid down not with haste, but perpetuity.

Her blush blooms as brilliantly as the upcoming turn of the leaves, and it, along with everything she’s just given, eases out his breath and softens the sharp demand of his gaze, begging her to believe. ”Then we’re absolutely dating,” he assures, features slanting into humor at how weak the word sounds, and yet how strong he feels saying it. Trading hearts feels like it deserves a stronger word, heartfriend instead of girlfriend, or maybe a heartner rather than partner. He’ll workshop it.

She rises onto her toes to find him, and he leans in to meet her, claiming the brush of her lips with insistence. His hand slides to the back of her head, firm as he holds her there, anchoring flame to heart. His mouth is warm when it takes hers, literally as a low, steady heat of ability answers instinct before thought. He draws her in fully, erasing the last bit of space between them, deepening the kiss into something meant to steal breath and balance alike. Somewhere behind them, a paper streamer gives a faint, protesting spark. The flame catches small and sudden, curling along its edge in a bright lick of orange before guttering out just as quickly, magic flaring in answer to what he refuses to hold back.

When they part, it’s measured rather than abrupt, certain in ways they had not been before. He lingers close enough that their exhales still mingle before easing back as she makes her offer. His mouth curves into a wide, unrestrained grin, gaze glittering with contentment and excitement.
“Dangerous? I’d expect nothing less.” Let it come.

[FIN]

ISKRA

// Sipping on the stars while we laying under sunlight //