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The day is hot and therefore long, the summer sun beaming down on all the folk in Elfhame, either forcing them to stay in their homes or the nearest body of water.
Jude and Cardan have chosen the latter, sitting near a lake behind the castle hill, guarded by willow trees that sway in the rare breeze.
Jude lays against the many pillows set out for the two of them, sipping on some sweet drink while popping cool fruits into her mouth. Cardan has taken to lay his head against her stomach with a book in hand, occasionally stealing said fruits.
Due to the hot weather and the promised scarcity of everybody but her husband seeing her, Jude has selected a sheer light pink dress that goes down to her knees with short flutter sleeves to bear the heat today. Cardan has donned similarly, with a flowy baby blue shirt and loose pants.
They've been laying on their blankets for a little more than an hour now before Cardan begins to get restless. He rolls until his stomach is against the ground and his face is lain across Jude's, running his hand not holding her waist up and down her leg.
“I've grown tired of reading.”
“You seem to always grow tired of peace.”
Cardan scoffs and rolls once more until his face is in line with Jude's. “Let's swim, shall we?”
At this, he has gained her attention, she quirks an eyebrow at him, setting down her glass. “You know I cannot.”
“Then I shall teach you.”
Jude laughs and rolls away from him. “No. I like it right here, on the land.”
“You do not trust me?”
Jude faces him over her shoulder at the sorrow in his tone, but he, of course, has deceived her and has now quietly gotten closer to her, settling himself nose to nose with her.
“You know I do.”
“Then swim with me.”
“How about this,” Jude sits up on her elbows and Cardan follows her, crossing his legs, intent to hang on her every word. Jude has her bargaining face on. “I will sit on the dock and watch you swim, maybe I'll even let you splash me.” At his frighteningly wide grin, she adds quickly. “Maybe.”
He wastes no time, knowing how quickly his wife's mind can change, and grabs Jude by the waist and legs bridle style, carrying her to the dock.
“Do not throw me in, Cardan.”
“And face your wrath? Oh, never, dearest.”
He sets her as promised on the end of the dock, before shedding his clothing quickly, saving a moment to wink at Jude's now blushing face, and diving in the water.
Jude grins at his swimming figure, settling herself on the edge with her feet in the cool water that ripples with Cardans movements, keeping sure to hold her dress up and dry.
The lake is always a pleasure to spend their time, it is perfectly crafted to fit them and that is because it was, a birthday present for Jude from Cardan, a place no one could find them when they got a stolen day away.
The practically clear lake was already here, with rocks forming a small cave on the other end, it's the trees that practically form a wall that Cardan added in. Willows bending and swaying around the circle of grass they had just previously accompanied.
No one knows about this space except Jude, Cardan, and the birds or bugs that follow.
Jude is so lost in thought, she doesn't even notice Cardan swimming up to her until he gently tugs her foot to pull her attention to him. “Are you alright?”
She smiles down at him, tugging on his wet curls. “Yes, just thinking about how you gave this to me.”
He grins up to her from where he has taken to nuzzling her calf. “I am pretty great, aren't I?”
Jude laughs and tries to splash him with her foot, but he tightens his grip and begins kissing up her shin, sliding his other hand up her leg not being kissed.
Jude's grin curves down into a small smile as he makes his up her body, sliding his hands over her thighs, bunching her dress up with him, leaving cool water dripping against her skin.
Cardan kisses each of her thighs thrice before kissing the space between her breasts left open by her dress.
When he tries for a kiss against her lips he can't reach due to the docks height and Jude makes no effort to help him, instead she leans back against the dock on her elbows and grins at his glare.
“Jude.” He's practically whining.
“What?” She loves it.
Now frustrated, Cardan slips his hands under her thighs and pulls her closer to the point that she's almost falling in the lake.
“Cardan!”
“Come in the water.”
Jude looks down at him from her seat on the dock, she has to admit the cool water would feel wonderful against her skin, which has now grown almost sticky due to the humidity.
“Alright, but do not let go of me.”
“You act as if I ever want to.”
Jude tries to hide her grin from his words but Cardan misses nothing, and helps push her dress up her body as she pulls it over her head, now left in just her underwear and bra she tries to push off the dock and into his arms when Cardan stops her and slips his hands behind her back, unhooking her bra easily. “This to.”
“Fine, but I'm leaving my underwear on. Who knows what's in this water.” Cardan laughs and lifts Jude into his arms as he kicks away from the dock, coming to a stop at shaded spot beneath a willow tree.
Their naked chests pushed against each other and the cool water touching every inch of her skin creates wonderful sensations, Jude makes sure to show in her wide smile when she looks at Cardan, resting her forehead against his as he holds them up and together in the water.
“I hate to say this, but you were right, this is wonderful.”
“Does this mean you'll listen to me more often?”
“In your dreams, darling.”
Cardan grins and kisses Jude quickly before pulling her toward the small area of the lake the sun shines on.
“Can we go under?” Jude nods and holds her breath as he takes them below the surface, making sure to never drop his arms from around her body.
The water swallows Jude's body whole and while this feeling used to cause her panic, it's been years since her kidnapping and in those years, Cardan has been holding her above those fears under the water, and with Cardan, Jude always feels safe.
She feels a tap against her rip cage and opens her eyes to see Cardan in front of her, his face blurry but not so much that she can't see the familiar shape of his smile.
Feeling overwhelmed with her love for him, Jude grabs his face and kisses him urgently, holding his face against her.
She feels the water break as he pulls them to the surface, but Jude doesn't let go, she releases her breath into his mouth and Cardan breathes her in, bringing her impossibly closer.
When she finally feels as though her feelings have been sufficiently poured into him, Jude breaks away, letting her forehead rest against his.
Cardan is grinning.
“What was that for?”
Jude is grinning now too.
“I love you. You know that right?”
His grin softens into a sweet smile, he brings his lips to her forehead, kisses her softly. “I do. I feel it in everything you do, everything you say.”
“Good because it's in all of that, every last bit.”