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Jesse stood speechless, staring in awe at the sea of pink in front of her. The familiar greens of the oak forest they were passing through just moments ago had given way for brilliant rosy hues, casting the world in a magical glow. Tiny petals danced through the air as they fell toward the grass below, creating an explosion of color on the ground. The fantastical scene was illuminated by sunbeams that shot through small gaps in the canopy. It was truly a sight to behold. Jesse looked around her, mouth agape, taking it all in.
“Breathtaking, isn’t it?” Lukas laughed from beside her. When he notified her about his plans to map out further east of Beacontown and kindly asked her to join him, she practically jumped with excitement. Daunting amounts of paperwork kept her busy day in day out, so she saw the trip as a vacation of sorts, seizing the opportunity with both arms. She and Lukas had gone on adventures together several times in the past, but never just the two of them, and though she’d accepted his offer without hesitation, he’d seemed a bit nervous about something.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Jesse breathed, finding her words. She walked up toward a tree, reaching out a gloved hand to touch the trunk. “What kind of trees are these?”
“They’re cherry blossoms. We don’t see these kinds of biomes back home, but they’re pretty common in the east.”
She did not look at him as he spoke, her gaze instead trailing upward. The foliage, she noticed, was thick and feathery, not unlike a fluffy, pink sheep. What exactly captivated Jesse about the cherry blossoms, she did not know. Perhaps the foreignness of it reminded her of home. Or she just had an undiscovered love for trees she wasn’t aware of. Whatever the case, the enchanting woodland instilled a fondness in her heart.
“These would look delightful in Beacontown,” she mused with a smile, before turning to face Lukas. “Don’t you think so?”
His eyes, bright and clear like a lake, met hers, but he looked away before she could appreciate them for what they were. The pink glow of the trees almost made it look like he was blushing. “You know,” he hastily said, rubbing the back of his neck, “In some cultures, cherry blossoms are considered symbolic for life and death,” and, as if reading Jesse’s mind, added, “I read that in An Interdimensional Encyclopedia of Trees, once.”
Jesse tilted her head, grinning. “Didn’t know you had an interest in trees.”
“I like trees just as much as the next guy,” he replied with a small chuckle, still avoiding her gaze. “But no, I was just doing research for the book I’m working on. Didn’t think I’d ever see these in real life like this.” Before Jesse realized it, he had pulled out his trusty journal and was rapidly writing something down in it, probably taking notes for the map. “I could share some of the things I learned with you—if you don’t mind, that is.”
“You have the floor, sir.”
The two resumed their journey through the woods while Lukas talked. “Well, cherry blossoms bloom in the springtime, but very briefly; the petals begin to fall and wither after only about two weeks. Some see it as a metaphor for existence, in that their beauty is tragically fleeting, much like our lives.”
As he went on and on, Lukas proved that he really knew his stuff, as was to be expected of a man of his knowledge. It did Jesse’s heart good, hearing him speak about his research with such passion. There was an ardor in his voice that fell pleasant on any ears that listened, and Jesse always listened to Lukas.
She hadn’t even noticed he stopped talking until she heard him say, “You can just tell me if I’m boring you.”
“I’m not bored!” Jesse clarified, shooting him a reassuring look. “Sorry if I made it seem that way. I was just getting lost in your story is all. Please, continue.”
“Okay.” Lukas smiled back but did not meet her gaze as he went on. “Well, they also represent rebirth as they mark the start of spring, which is a time of renewal and hope. Because of that, the cherry blossoms also serve as a symbol for new beginnings.”
“New beginnings?” She cocked her head curiously.
“You know, new school, job, friends… relationship.”
This time it was Jesse who looked away first. She could feel a light flush creeping up her cheeks. Love talk conflicted her, and rather than face the subject headfirst, she preferred to shrug it off before it could make her think. That would result in things such as visualizing her ideal partner, and, well…
They sauntered past the rosy trees in silence for a while. Sunlight filtered down through the foliage overhead, enveloping everything with an ethereal glow. If Jesse didn’t know any better, she’d almost think it was kind of romantic. She cast a sidelong glance at her partner, wondering if he thought the same. Their eyes met briefly before Lukas turned away in an instant. Had he been staring at her? The mere idea was enough to make her face grow hot within seconds.
Jesse was content with her appearance, her skin lightly sprinkled with freckles here and there, her dark hair unbound and free, but acknowledged that it was nothing worth turning your head over. She was just fine. But he, he was fine.
His eyes. his jawline, his so perfect hair. This man was a work of art, a sculpture personally chiseled by the heavens. What on earth, Jesse wondered, was he staring at her for?
Her pace slowed, the ache in her legs becoming harder to ignore with each step she took. They had been on the move for quite some time now, her feet were practically screaming in agony to take a break. As though the forest heeded her prayers, a small clearing up ahead came into view. In the center of the canopy was a large opening, almost like a window, revealing a clear, blue expanse of sky up above.
“Let’s stop here for a bit,” Jesse said. She would’ve waited for Lukas to agree if it weren’t for her feet dragging her out into the field off their own accord. It hadn’t occurred to her just how weary she was until she felt the grass below her body and the warmth of the sun on her face. She closed her eyes, allowing a relaxed sigh to escape her lips.
“You should’ve told me sooner if you were tired.” Jesse opened her eyes to see Lukas standing over her with a small smirk. His head blocked the sun, and a halo of light surrounded him. He looked angelic. “I would’ve carried you,” he went on.
Jesse chuckled. “As if you have the upper body strength for that,” she teased, knowing full well how toned this man was underneath his orange shirt and black leather jacket.
He lay down on the ground next to her. “Hey, I’m a whole lot stronger than I look. Has no one ever told you not to judge a book by its cover?”
“How strong are you, then? Stronger than me?”
“Maybe.”
“You couldn’t take me if you tried.”
“In a fight?” He paused for a second. “Probably not, no.”
She laughed, trying to imagine what that would look like. In a battle of blades she would undoubtedly emerge the victor in terms of skill alone, though her sword, forged of diamond with only the finest enchantments, granted her an unfair advantage against his humble stone blade. A physical fight would be a different story, both of them being of considerable strength. Realistically speaking, Jesse could easily land a hit or two if she tried, but that was assuming she’d willingly do anything to damage his pristine face.
“Hey, uh,” Lukas mumbled, his voice an octave lower than usual. “I… I want you to know, if I ever say or do something that makes you uncomfortable or anything, you can just tell me, you know?”
Jesse’s face took on a confused expression that wasn’t visible from Lukas’ point of view. “What makes you say that all of the sudden?”
“Well…” He groaned. “It’s kind of stupid, actually. A while ago, Petra told me I do this thing called “mansplaining”? You know, when a man explains something to a woman in a way that’s—actually, you probably know what it is.” He paused, heaving a loaded sigh. “I’m pretty sure she was just joking when she said that, but yeah, it’s been on my mind lately. I know I talk a lot, and, well, I would hate to be a bother to you or something–”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” Jesse said in earnest, interrupting his train of thought before it could reach its destination. “It might be true that you like to talk–”
“So she’s right, then. I am a mansplainer.”
“–But that’s okay, because I like to listen. To you.”
“I– You do?”
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see he turned to look at her with what she thought to be a hint of disbelief. She continued, “You have nothing to worry about. I don’t think you’re a mansplainer, and I certainly don’t think you’re a bother.”
“A- Alright, then. I’m glad.”
The ever exquisite petals weaved and twirled on their descent, moving gracefully and freely, as if without a care in the world. A tragically short-lived spectacle, just like Lukas had said, but beautiful all the same.
“That thing you said earlier,” Jesse remembered, “about the flowers blooming for a short time, it got me thinking…”
She fixated on the specks of pink drifting around her, but could feel Lukas’ gaze on her.
“Since the cherry blossoms only bloom for a few weeks, we must be, like, super lucky to get to see them like this. I mean, what are the odds, right?”
Either Lukas remained quiet, or his words were carried away on the spring breeze, along with the delicate symbols of life, death, and renewal. Jesse didn’t think much of it as she went on, “There’s also something bittersweet about it, I think.”
The world was pink. Warm, tender. Nostalgic. Jesse’s heart clenched in her chest. Her unexplained connection to the cherry blossoms. Right then and there, it dawned on her like the sunset. Memories of times long gone swarmed her head as if a flurry of petals, the face of an old friend flashing in her mind. And with each time it did, trapping her in a raging tempest of harbored grief.
“Jesse?” Lukas called, pulling her out of her inner storm.
“Everything comes to an end,” she said slowly, “but before it does, we can at least enjoy this moment.”
And enjoying this moment she did, just as every second she spent with Lukas. Jesse cherished time with all of her friends like precious treasure, but time with Lukas was undeniably different. It felt different. As if everything going on around them just falls away. As if nothing in the world mattered, except the two of them.
Together.
“I couldn’t have phrased it better myself,” Lukas hummed.
Jesse smiled, feeling something light brush against the side of her hand. It took a second to realize it was Lukas’ hand, gently interlocking his pinky with hers. Her face—no, her entire being—got engulfed in a warmth that was novel but not unpleasant. Did this count as holding hands? She turned her head to him in search of an answer. Instead she found those sparkling pools of blue she enjoyed more than she liked to admit. But just as before, the eye contact broke too quickly for her liking.
“I, uh–” He pulled his hand away instantly, the warm sensation dissipating. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”
“It’s okay!”
Without a moment’s hesitation Jesse reached for his hand, this time fully interlocking her fingers with his. This definitely counted as holding hands. She saw Lukas’s face take on a shade of pink that could not be blamed on the cherry blossoms as he seemed to purposefully avoid her gaze.
“Hey, look at me.”
Slowly he turned to look her in the eyes. Cautiously, curiously. As if asking for permission. He’d been sneaking glances at her all day, was he feeling timid because he got caught in the act? Jesse grinned at the thought.
Just then, the corners of his mouth quirked up into a warm smile that could rival the sun itself. Jesse practically melted onto the ground, feeling her face explode with heat.
Time seemed to stand still as the two lay in the grass together. Jesse gave Lukas’ hand a gentle squeeze, holding onto it for dear life. She didn’t want this to end. She wanted to stay like this forever. Back home awaited the burdens and responsibilities that came with the title of leader of the Order of the Stone. Jesse did not want to think about the great many expectations projected onto her, nor did she want to worry about living up to each and every one of them. Those worries had to wait until later, but for now…
Lukas squeezed her hand back, rubbing his thumb on the back in slow, circular motions.
Sooner or later this was going to end, but that didn’t matter right now. All that mattered was that she enjoyed every second of this moment while it lasted, together with him under the clouds of pink.