Chapter Text
water streams merrily a few yards away, as clear as crystal. cool, refreshing wind kisses his skin, running through his hair and rustling the trees around. green, as is typical for the area around sumeru city, dots the landscape as far as the eyes can see. somewhere over yonder, sunflowers stand tall, bright and beautiful.
for once, he doesn't find the chirping of birds annoying.
the grass dances in the wind, and he can't help but take in a deep breath. a tranquil silence settles over the two of you, and he can't help but soak it in, choosing to forego reading his book. that is, of course, until you decide to something in a very you-like fashion.
"i'm going to see if i can find any pretty river stones!"
he shakes his head when you rush to down to the water, an almost fond half-chuckle leaving his lips. turquoise eyes watch closely as you sit down by the riverside to look for them, as focused as can be.
it is not yet noon, but it seems as if it has been morning forever.
he catches a leaf in his palm as it floats his way. this is strange, he thinks, turning it around in his hand. in the past, whenever he allowed his thoughts to venture in the direction of love, however rare that occurrence may have been, he always assumed that if he did find someone, they'd be more like him: logical, rational, and straightforward.
after all, birds of a feather flock together, no?
yet he finds himself madly and thoroughly taken with you, someone who is the opposite of rational: so emotional, so sensitive, so soft; so unlike anything he knows.
he finds himself wanting to hold his tongue, curb his harsh words, just so he can prevent hurting your fragile heart.
he finds himself craving your presence every waking minute of the day, a stark contrast to his usual desire for solitude.
he finds himself wanting more of your touch, for you to stay a little longer.
he finds himself much happier, much lighter, much more free.
he finds himself entertaining even the smallest of your whims, just to see your eyes light up.
why?
he understands the answer on your walk home, when you clutch a bag of rocks and proudly show him each and every single one. "i'm going to give them all a name," you tell him with a grin. at that, a smile of his own spreads across his face.
because you're you. and he loves you.
he doesn't know when or how this happened, or even why this happened.
perhaps it is fate, he muses, and surprises himself with that reasoning. him, the scribe, once acting grand sage, settling for an explanation like that?
good heavens. he really must be in love.