Chapter Text
Two months had already passed, and slowly Noah and Raeliana became accustomed to their new life. Raeliana finally got a chance to go to the university she had always dreamed of, and Noah too tagged along-they had a single bank account to their name, along with an apartment, both of which came with the rebirth, but to ensure their future, and making the most out of this second chance, the two lost themselves in their studies, focusing on this life rather than lamenting over the one they had lost.
But there were days when Raeliana could tell Noah was struggling. That day was one of them, and though she enjoyed finally having the upperhand, she couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him-getting separated from his family and friends would obviously not be easy for him.
Which was why, a while later she had dragged him with her to a field-the extensive amount of lush grass, colourful flowers and the clear blue sky overhead providing a welcome break from the unfamiliar skyscrapers and buildings Noah still hadn’t gotten used to. A soft breeze flew by, and the sun shone brightly down at the picnic Raeliana had laid out for the two of them, providing him some semblance of familiarity as he remembered the numerous picnics in his garden, another lifetime ago.
“Um here, I found it recently and thought you might want it.” Raeliana’s voice broke through the sounds of nature all around them, as she held out a novel, The novel of Noah’s world.
His eyes widened, understanding immediately, slowly taking it from her, hesitating for a beat before he flipped the pages, reading with a newfound vigour.
It had been more than an hour when Noah finally finished reading, sunset fading, turning the sky into a soft, dusty blue, a faint scattering of stars visible, the moon outshining them all. The duo lay on their backs on the picnic blanket, gazing up at the sky, not even saying anything, just watching the stars as Noah’s thoughts whirled, almost too much information to process.
“So, all this time you hesitated to be my wife because you thought in the end,” Noah asked softly, “I’d end up in love with Beatrice?”
“That’s what you choose to focus on? But yeah. I tried to get you two to meet, but it never happened-”
She was interrupted when Noah suddenly burst out in laughter, the action so unlike him that all Raeliana could do was stare, waiting till he finally regained composure.
“Raeliana,” he began, trying desperately to hold back a smile, "I've met Beatrice.”
“What?! When? But then, how come you didn’t break off the contract?”
“I met her at a ball, a few weeks after we announced our engagement. And I didn't end the contract because, why would I? I barely talked to her.”
“But you were supposed to fall in love with her.”
“Well I didn't,” Noah replied, “and the reason for that is probably because my head was-is-always plagued with thoughts of you.”
She turned, eyes wide, catching his gaze as he looked away, then back at her, both of them flustered, him just doing a better job at hiding it. He carefully reached a hand out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes tracking the movement, smiling nervously. His hand rested against her cheek as he looked at her, the meeting of their eyes sparking their undeniable chemistry.
“Raeliana,” he whispered her name reverently, as if it were a prayer, breath fanning across her face, “do you think- i mean, could we-”
“Yes,” she replied, and before she could question it, she reached out, grabbed the back of his neck and pulled his lips to hers, not caring if she got it wrong, if Noah was going to say something else that was not, in fact, a declaration of love. At that moment, all she could think about was the way he looked right in front of her, so so close to each other; the moon illuminated his raven hair, lighting up the desire so clearly visible in his gold eyes, the blush on his cheeks, the uncertain smile, and suddenly, nothing else mattered.
The moment their lips met, all worries fled her mind. His fingers went under her chin to tilt her head upwards, allowing him better access, while her fingers curled into his hair. He pulled back, breaths heavy, looking between her eyes and lips, ensuring she was fine, before gently pushing her on the ground, hovering above her as his lips trailed down her jaw onto her neck, eliciting gasps from her, and definitely leaving some marks she couldn't care less of covering.
“I love you, Raeliana,” he declared against the skin of her neck, voice deep with desire.
“I love you, Noah,” she replied, barely getting the words out before he pressed yet another kiss to her mouth.