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“I don’t think the rain is going to let up anytime soon,” Lumine sighed, turning her attention away from where she was staring.
The rain outside was pouring heavily, the drops dampening the ground one by one. The leaves of the trees rustled with the heavy winds of a storm, and the light that flashed every so often did nothing to help their current situation. Stranded in a cold, damp cave hidden amongst the forest, with the soft dripping of droplets from the ceiling to keep them company. The lightning brought nothing but further danger if they decided to travel out into the storm.
“Dain, how’s the fire looking?” The clicks of her heels against the stone ground echoed down the cave’s walls as she approached him, assessing it for herself.
He was poking at it with a stick they found on their way to the cave, seemingly lost in thought. His eyes were staring off into space, his breathing slower than usual. His legs were pulled up to his chest, his free arm wrapped around them almost as if he were trying to protect himself.
That blank stare, when will it ever go away?
“Dain?” She dropped to sit down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Both of them being soaked didn’t help with the shivering cold. Curse the rain and having no proper shelter. At least the fire in front of them helped with warming her skin, and the gentle crackling of the flames burning wood was enough to lull her to sleep if she wasn’t careful.
“Lumine?” Dainsleif snapped out of his little trance, turning to face her.
She offered a gentle smile, pulling her hand away from his shoulder, “That’s right. You remembered this time.”
“You seem happy today.” He tilted his head, looking at her with an inquisitive gaze.
Lumine reached over, slowly unclasping the cape he wore from his shoulders. One at a time, until the cloth slid off and to the ground. His shoulders looked bare like this, despite being covered with his shirt. She folded the cape, placing it near the fire so it could dry.
“I’m… Always happy when I’m around you,” She spoke softly, inching closer to rest her head on his shoulder, “Today’s just different. I get to spend time with you like this again.”
Even if it’s different. He hasn’t smiled or looked at me like he used to ever since that day.
“Again?” Dainsleif’s shoulder stiffened before relaxing underneath her head, a sign he was okay with what she was doing.
“Right, well, let me tell you.” Lumine smiled, closing her eyes.
She remembered his shy smile, the faint blush on his cheeks that would always be present whenever they were together. The sheer joy she felt watching him weave inteyvats together into the most beautiful flower crown she had seen. His scent of metal whenever they were near each other; one that never seemed to fade no matter how long it’s been since then.
“Before… The war, we used to go traveling all over Khaenri’ah together.” Lumine felt him take a sharp intake of breath, but she wasn’t done.
“We’d stargaze, rest among the inteyvats, fight together…” Lumine opened her eyes, looking at the dancing fire in front of them with a forlorn look, “Even within the city walls, we’d eat dinner together and walk around after dark, when people weren’t shopping or going to and from work.”
Their dinners were nothing short of regal. Though the nobles that surrounded them looked at her with a suspicious glint in their eye, Dain would always laugh it off and dismiss it as simple curiosity towards an outlander. The Royal Family enjoyed her company just as much, with their shared dinners being the most delicious she’s ever had.
The thought of them and their young son being deceased haunts her thoughts daily. She and Dainsleif truly are the only survivors. Yet she’s the only one who truly remembers Khaenri’ah. They’ll only be able to live on through her memory alone.
“I don’t remember any of this.” Despite how empty the words felt, his voice was still just as soothing to her as it always has been.
“I know. The wounds you sustained near the end of the war… Maybe it’s better if you don't remember. We could always just make new memories together, right?” She forced a smile, shifting away to look up at him.
Dainsleif and his blank eyes, void of the bright love they once had for her.
“Lumine, the flowers in your hair…” It looked like he was hesitating for a moment, his hand twitching at his side.
She reached up to touch them for a second, the petals hardened compared to the gentle feeling they had in Khaenri’ah. A sign they were away from home.
“What about them? Is one of them damaged?” She asked, worry lacing her tone.
They were a gift from him, they couldn’t be damaged. Lumine would never live with herself if she damaged one of the things she held so dear to her.
“No. Are they those inteyvats you brought up?” He turned his body to face her, a hand reaching out to touch the petals himself, “They just… Look so familiar.”
“Oh? How so?” Lumine felt lighter after his words, the silent hope coming back.
The small part of her that believed he could still remember. That believed he could go back to how he used to be.
He spaced out, his hand still lingering near her hair, just barely touching the flowers. Seconds passed, though it felt like minutes with how eerily silent it was. Just the drops of water from the ceiling and the crackling of fire to fill the void.
Then he snapped. A tear slipped down his cheek, a smile slowly growing on his face.
“I remember now.” Was all he said, and yet Lumine couldn’t help but jump forward.
She held his hands tightly in hers, eyes expectantly staring him down.
“What is it? What did you remember, Dain?” She spoke quickly, not giving him a second to breathe.
“I remember my love for you.” His voice was so quiet, but still audible enough for her to hear.
Lumine could feel tears welling up in her own eyes. Though it wasn’t everything, it was a start.
She was getting him back.