Work Text:
Lumine’s pen tapped against the paper of the notebook she was holding, her hand fiddling with it while she struggled to figure out what to write. Though the atmosphere of Dain’s garden was pleasant, it did nothing to ease the block in her mind that prevented her from writing. The wind nearly flipped the page for her, a ladybug distracted her as it landed on the hand holding the book, the flowers were too pretty to simply ignore…
The night was still young, and though the candlelight aided in her ability to see what she started to scribble down, it wasn’t enough. Even the fireflies that would occasionally flutter by–giving the garden a fantastical feel to it–didn’t help. They only supported the other distractions.
“There you are,” A familiar voice spoke from the entrance of the gazebo, Lumine turned her head to face where the sound was coming from.
Dainsleif already had one foot on the step leading up, a small, hidden smile on his face. His skin looked paler underneath the moonlight, though the white collared shirt he wore did wonders to show off a small part of his chest. The scars formerly hidden beneath bandages were slightly showing then, wounds from battles won.
“I was looking all over for you.” He approached her carefully, stopping next to her to peer down at the notebook in her hands.
“I needed some fresh air,” Lumine sighed, placing her pen down on the page and looking up to face him.
“I understand. What were you working on?” Dain sat down next to her, resting his back against the hard wood of the bench.
Lumine closed the notebook shut, placing it down next to her, “I was trying to write a novel. I thought it would be a fun way to pass the time but… No ideas. I figured, maybe it would be a good idea to come out here. But it hasn’t helped.”
Dain let out a soft sigh, “Do you remember the day I took you here?”
“Of course. We danced… But we never got to finish before you ran away out of fear.” Lumine frowned, furrowing her eyebrows, “Why? What’re you thinking?”
“Well… It’s been nearly a year since I’ve met you.” He averted his gaze, light pink slowly beginning to dust his cheeks, “I thought perhaps it would be nice if we could give it another try.”
“Oh, of course Dain. Why would I ever say no to that?” Lumine smiled, standing up and stretching her arms above her head shortly after.
He followed, hiding his hands behind his back, “I didn’t think you would be interested. That’s all.”
She reached over behind him, pulling his hands away from his back and towards her. Dain took the incentive to wrap an arm around her waist, resting his hand against the small of Lumine’s back. Lumine wrapped one of her own arms around him, pulling him closer to her.
“Loosen up a little, Dain. It’ll be okay.” She murmured, using her other hand to hold his free hand tightly.
She could feel his body relax, a deep breath escaping his lungs, “You’re right. My apologies, Lumine.”
Lumine started to hum, allowing Dain to guide her across the wooden floors of the gazebo in a slow waltz. The clicks of her heels, paired with the light sway of her dress with each twirl made the smile she held widen with each passing second. Lumine’s heart fluttered in her chest as Dainsleif grew closer, his breath tickling her neck.
They paused, Lumine took the moment to regain her breath. Dain looked as though he was spacing out, his gaze facing towards the fireflies flying around the flowers, their dim light hypnotizing. She took the time to rest her cheek against his chest, the chill of his bare skin refreshing against the warm midsummer air.
“Lumine,” He spoke, Lumine could feel the vibration of his voice as he talked, “I can’t tell you how much I love you.”
“I love you too, Dainsleif. More than anything.” She let go of his hand, pulling away from him for just a moment.
She reached over to tug at the collar of his shirt, pulling him down to her eye level. Lumine closed the distance between them, pressing her lips against his. She couldn’t find it in herself to breathe, instead entangling her hand in Dain’s hair whilst he did the same to hers. Pulling away, she inhaled before going in for a second kiss.
Dain’s hand on her back tightened, his shoulders relaxed while his eyes were closed.
After pulling away for a second time, he whispered, “Lumine,”
“Dain?” She questioned softly, letting her head rest against his chest again as he pulled her into an embrace.
“I couldn’t be happier that you’ve decided to stay with me this long. Every day I’ve gotten to spend with you, every meal we’ve shared, I’ve never felt more alive in my life,” He breathed out, his hug around her tightening considerably more with each word spoken, “I don’t know where I’d be without you.”
“You’re always so sentimental…” Lumine reached up to give a gentle kiss to his cheek, “I wouldn’t trade this for the world. Of course I’d stay with you.”
“It’s getting late, you know. A few hours from now, and dawn will be approaching.” He rested his chin on the top of her head, closing his eyes.
“Is it time to head back inside?” Lumine mourned the loss of his embrace as she pulled away, gathering the notebook she left on the bench.
He crossed his arms over his chest, frowning slightly, “Indeed it is. You and I both need rest.”
“You care too much for your own good, did you know that?” Lumine tugged at his sleeve playfully, slowly walking down towards the path leading back to the manor.
“I’m well aware. However, you seem to enjoy it,” He huffed, following along behind her.
The sun was rising, and with it, another day. Perhaps this time, with the sight of Dain’s sleeping form next to her, she could find some inspiration for her writing.