Work Text:
In
Clear air, light and free. The lush evergreen scent of the forest behind her yielding to the faint smell of salt and stone. Coastal mists brushing against her fingertips made all too present by the steady yet gentle breeze drying the moisture as soon as it came.
At the unsteady beat of the waves crashing a few hundred feet below her, something began to form. The birth of a feeling. A faint hope burgeoning from her core. A sound. A melody.
and out.
Kanade exhaled, allowing her deep breath to be subsumed with the rest of the winds that were her sole company standing up on the slight grassy bluff. Somber clouds dyed the same washed gray as the ocean below littered the sky, and yet the silver haired girl's solemn gaze remained fixed upwards like there were something there beyond the pale.
Her fingers twitched, as if to play a chord on floating keys.
Soft, rhythmic footsteps from behind Kanade played in tandem to the growing tune in her head. She smiled at their approach. Perhaps it might feel a silent phantom to most, but to her the delicate intricacies of the walking beat only gave her warmth. She eagerly awaited for her partner's measured voice to add to her mental ensemble.
"Kanade."
"Yes, Mafuyu?"
"Mizuki told me to come up and check on you," he paused. Whatever expression he carried unknown to her as Kanade remained entraced by hidden sky above. "..and you're standing a little close to the edge."
She chuckled. "A little, I suppose. But I'll be alright."
No response. An unspoken resonance between the two built up over years told Kanade he was waiting for her to continue. So she would, with a fire in her heart and honesty in droves.
"You're here, after all. You're all here."
The words escaped her mouth like the winds that took her breath but moments before. She was sure Mafuyu was at least a bit red at that, but that was alright. They could be embarassed together.
"..You look nice. The sundress suits you well."
Kanade finally turned to face her partner, a small trace of a smile on her face and an even smaller one gracing his.
"Thank you. Mizuki insisted I wear it today."
Mafuyu tilted his head at the continued mention of the Mizuki as he looked back towards the car where he had just left their girlfriends. Kanade took it as her cue to look back at the sky.
Soon, she thought. An uplifting arpeggio.
"She's up to something," Mafuyu squinted, glancing at Mizuki talking to Ena through the windows of the vehicle.
"Isn't she usually? But I have to admit, she's outdone herself this time."
Silence, for but a measure.
Another querying pause from her boyfriend, this time interrupted by the all too loud and familiar bickering behind the two.
"What?! I was on the damn phone what the hell are you dragging me outside for?!"
"Enaaaa, come on! Just trust me for like one minute, okay? You can post about the roadtrip later, just. Look!"
And then..
Kanade turned to Mafuyu as his eyes caught hers.
"GOD, fine. Okay, what is it you-"
A reverberating ensemble, all at once.
Light pierced through the skies above. Shining beams unfolding the gray monochrome before them into radiant splashes of sky and oceanic blues against the now soft white clouds. Mafuyu couldn't help but turn in awe of the transformation, as Kanade watched the glimpse of awe flicker in his eye before joining him in his wonder. Ena's lovable booming voice echoed from behind once more.
"YOU TWO! DON'T MOVE A FUCKING INCH, YOU HEAR ME?! NOT ONE!"
The two watched as she quickly ran towards the trunk of the car without as much of a hint of confirmation, occasionally being able to make out mutterings such as "where are my damn acryllics," and "please tell me I packed the good canvas," and "damn pink thing could've let me in on this earlier!" Said pink thing in question seen bearing nothing but a full grin, raising both arms for a wide double thumbs up before moving over to assist the no doubt panicked artist.
Shimmering amethyst once more locked gaze with glistening sapphires as the cliffside pair basked in sunshine together. Kanade's heart swelled as Mafuyu's earnest smile greeted her visage, before they both looked out to admire the sight before them. This is all she could have ever asked for. For Mafuyu. For Niigo. For herself. A moment to enjoy together. Peace. Rest.
"I'll have to thank Mizuki for this later," her partner mused with not a trace of irritation in his voice. "It seems we might be standing here for a while, Kanade."
"It seems so, doesn't it? Though, I might have a good way to pass the time."
"Oh?"
"Mmn. An idea for a new song, if you'd like to hear it."
Kanade felt a hand lightly wrap itself just above her hip as she leaned into Mafuyu like it was easiest thing in the world.
"Please. Would you sing for me?"
How ever could she not?
"Of course."