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What was it like being in love?
You often found yourself asking this ever since the Traveler had approached you about it, considering your social status and reputation weighed on your shoulders a lot. And sadly, this would affect your marital relationship as well, having to find someone suitable to wed when you’re of age.
A lot of suitors had come to court you before then, even way back before your parents had decided you needed to find a husband as soon as possible. But it never clicked. Nothing sparked a flame—no firework sounded and certainly no butterflies swirled in your stomach.
Then he crashed into your life completely uninvited (literally), but was not unwelcome. You remember vividly sipping tea by your little table when all of a sudden, your walls broke down as a result of something—or rather, someone, intruded in your private quarters.
It was only an accident, you’d repeated to yourself many times. But often so, you’d let your imagination drift off and you wonder—was it destiny?
The moment your eyes met his—time paused for the both of you. Confident yet gentle vermilion clashed with yours.
Then, there was that spark. A spark you’d never felt with any of the suitors knocking at your door. Like a firework flying high up into the sky; a candle that’d been wilting suddenly burning bright once more before it is left as a singed rope.
“Ah! I apologize!” Sweet archons, his voice was as beautiful as his eyes. “I will come back to help rebuild your house, miss. I promise.”
He scrambled up on his feet and ran away, his hand gripping onto a sword.
This! This was the feeling you’d been waiting for. You felt it! Surely, he did too, right? It’d be embarrassing if it was one-sided.
And ever since then, you’ve become wary of his appearances.
Had he always been so close to you? How come you’d never seen him around these parts? Did he always hang around your house? It felt like opening your eyes for the first time; like you did see him before, but the face was blurred out. And that day he ran right into your life without so much as a knock, the light shone on him and showed you what you were missing out on.
Him. Kaedehara Kazuha.
You didn’t believe in love at first sight, but you knew instantly what this was. Like a flame rekindled; like a cupid’s arrow hitting your right at the center—there was no doubt about it. You were head over heels over this stranger who, for some reason, you know the name of.
Months of watching and observing him from afar eventually led him to finally approach you. It was a little embarrassing to be caught staring at him without him knowing (well, he did know since the very beginning, he just never told you), but all’s well that ends well, doesn’t it?
You remember crystal clear how you were a sputtering mess when he’d come at your door with a smile. Your mind was at a garbled dysfunction, overtaken by the reality setting in that he was right there.
Your cheeks faintly colored a reddish hue, your heart thrumming unbelievably fast in your ribcage as he offered a greeting hand.
Ah… you were flustered, incredibly so.
Since when did his eyes become so beautiful? Cerise—a bold shade of red; yet they were soft, melting as if they were the plush color of scarlet when they look your way. You could stare into his eyes for an eternity.
His smile… had he always smiled that perfectly? It was almost angelic—no, it was angelic. You couldn’t muster a single word out as you stared at him, speechless. And his voice? Archons, it feels like you were listening to the most beautiful man alive speak his mind.
Then there was his hair. You didn’t think it was possible for a guy to have this soft of a hair. Silky white strands that could easily be brushed over by your fingers (and the distinguishable red streak that you always found pretty), it always made you flustered every time he’d ask you to comb your fingers through them—saying he enjoys the sensation. So you did as he asked, albeit embarrassed. No complaints here though, it was always a joy to see him so relaxed. You also got to play with his little ahoge so it’s a win-win.
“(Y/n)?” Kazuha speaks up and you were snapped out of your daydream, blinking rapidly as you turned to your left, seeing him stare at you with curiosity. “What are you thinking about?”
You cough into your fist, your cheeks dampening red. “N-Nothing worth mentioning.”
The white-haired young man smiles warmly towards you, causing your heart to beat erratically in your chest.
“You can tell me anything. I am your lover after all.” The moment he’d said that, you felt like you were floating on cloud nine. You screamed internally, flustered to the core as he makes point of what he is in your life.
“Your… lover…” You repeated, your chest tightening as your go over the fact. “Right, you’re my… you’re my lover now.”
Not a second missed, his bandaged hand lifts up to touch your cheek, his thumb brushing over your skin to soothe you. Although there was that fabric in the way and you’d much rather feel his actual touch, this was fine too. He caresses you, gentle and lovingly so before resting his forehead on yours.
He looks directly at you, his other hand that’s free of any bandage comes to hold your own, intertwining fingers with yours. Maybe you can let it slip that he’d used his injured hand to caress your face if it meant holding his hand like this.
“I’m right here, (Y/n).” He softly exhales through his nose, smiling. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
You were over the moon in an instant.
“… I was just thinking about you.” You heed to his request, unable to deny him.
Kazuha tilted his head, lips parted slightly. “Why so? Did I do something? Or perhaps it’s because I’m on the Crux Fleet and you find our short times together unsatisfactory?” His tone dipped into a more somber one by the end, and you wanted nothing more than to hold him in your arms to reassure him that that wasn’t the case.
You shake your head, giggling. Your lover was bemused, but didn’t say anything, letting you finish. “No, silly,” you chuckle, “it’s just that…” you paused, looking into his eyes once more.
“What is it?” He asks.
You only give him a tiny grin. “I’ve fallen for you all over again, Kazuha.”