Zavien
Zavien wasn't sure he'd stopped smiling yet. He was supposed to be nervous, supposed to feel all the doubts and questions that had been simmering in his mind all day. And yet, he couldn't care less as she flowed easily into a happy rhythm that tugged him along. His head dipped at her appreciation, somewhat to hide the bashful tint of pink on his face, hoping she didn't notice how sore his mouth felt already. "I figured if this was going to be a date, I better - "
The words were cut short when her hand fell around his neck, pulling him down just enough for her to place a sweet kiss against his cheek, the warmth flaring down to his toes like fire caught on a trail of oil. It was stronger after the seeping cold outside - stronger after the time apart. He wondered if she could hear the way his heart skipped, could see how she cleared every thought from his brain with such a simple act. It was terrifying how fast he was falling when he let himself.
Straightening when she released him, Zavien cleared his throat again, blinking as he looked to the side of Soh's face, where the cloud wyrm nestled into her hair. A crooked smile played across his lips as he indicated with his eyes to the ground between them. "Don't worry, Anani, we didn't forget about you." Sol angled his head up, presenting the small white flower he'd proudly carried through the door. Even when Zavien crouched to take it from his mouth, the dragon sat with his chest puffed, waiting for Anani's praise, his tail twitching happily behind him as he gave a rolling trill.
Then Soh was reaching for his hand, and Zavien laced his fingers into hers, the motion familiar and more natural than being apart, like the nerves along his palms had awakened just to settle comfortably into the sensation. He smiled down at her, all traces of playful wooing falling under the weight of his sincerity. "Me too."
There was a beat of silence, an appreciation for this moment before the complexities of everything else threatened to ruin it. He could have stayed here all night, just staring. Maybe he'd suggest they walk, trapsing through the rain under the stars. They could talk or stroll in silence. They could live in the world or forget it exists for a while. Zavien wouldn't care as long as it still felt like this, like he was floating through a warm breeze, weightless and supported at the same time.
The attendant standing close by seemed to be trying desperately not to stare, but the quiet shift of their distracted movements drew Zavien back. He smiled, squeezing Soh's hand gently as he said, "Come on, let's find our table." Looking to the host, he gave his name for the reservation and let them lead the way to the table. He released her hand only so it could hover carefully against her lower back, guiding her subconsciously between the tables as she walked in front of him. Meanwhile, his eyes scanned the room to spot the empty place that awaited them, wordlessly indicating for her to stop so he could pull out her chair, offering a polite and endearing smile.
The words were cut short when her hand fell around his neck, pulling him down just enough for her to place a sweet kiss against his cheek, the warmth flaring down to his toes like fire caught on a trail of oil. It was stronger after the seeping cold outside - stronger after the time apart. He wondered if she could hear the way his heart skipped, could see how she cleared every thought from his brain with such a simple act. It was terrifying how fast he was falling when he let himself.
Straightening when she released him, Zavien cleared his throat again, blinking as he looked to the side of Soh's face, where the cloud wyrm nestled into her hair. A crooked smile played across his lips as he indicated with his eyes to the ground between them. "Don't worry, Anani, we didn't forget about you." Sol angled his head up, presenting the small white flower he'd proudly carried through the door. Even when Zavien crouched to take it from his mouth, the dragon sat with his chest puffed, waiting for Anani's praise, his tail twitching happily behind him as he gave a rolling trill.
Then Soh was reaching for his hand, and Zavien laced his fingers into hers, the motion familiar and more natural than being apart, like the nerves along his palms had awakened just to settle comfortably into the sensation. He smiled down at her, all traces of playful wooing falling under the weight of his sincerity. "Me too."
There was a beat of silence, an appreciation for this moment before the complexities of everything else threatened to ruin it. He could have stayed here all night, just staring. Maybe he'd suggest they walk, trapsing through the rain under the stars. They could talk or stroll in silence. They could live in the world or forget it exists for a while. Zavien wouldn't care as long as it still felt like this, like he was floating through a warm breeze, weightless and supported at the same time.
The attendant standing close by seemed to be trying desperately not to stare, but the quiet shift of their distracted movements drew Zavien back. He smiled, squeezing Soh's hand gently as he said, "Come on, let's find our table." Looking to the host, he gave his name for the reservation and let them lead the way to the table. He released her hand only so it could hover carefully against her lower back, guiding her subconsciously between the tables as she walked in front of him. Meanwhile, his eyes scanned the room to spot the empty place that awaited them, wordlessly indicating for her to stop so he could pull out her chair, offering a polite and endearing smile.
That’s How We’re Gonna Win.
Not Fighting What We Hate,
Saving What We Love.
Not Fighting What We Hate,
Saving What We Love.
