Work Text:
Ruyn glances over to where the other young woman is setting the table. Clever red fingers move over utensils and plates, placing them in their exact proper place before the young woman glances up to see her. Clearly caught staring, Ruyn offers her a smile.
“Yes?” the young woman asks, watching her for a moment.
“Just taking in how beautiful you look Lyka,” Ruyn tells her with a smile. The tiefling is done up in one of her skirt and blouse combos that make her skin seem to glow. Her hair is pulled partially up in a way that makes her look sophisticated and her makeup is light and neutral.
Lyka mumbles her thanks as she bashfully looks away and continues to set the table for their dinner. If Ruyn didn’t have to watch the food she was cooking, she would most certainly go over and show Lyka exactly how attractive she found her. Perhaps if the food finished before her parents arrived she would still have time to do so.
They work quietly on their own tasks while music plays softly in the background from a speaker in the other room. Eventually Lyka finishes setting the table and comes to stand nearby. She isn’t quite hovering, but she has an energy to her that Ruyn has come to recognize as a slowly building anxiety. “What’s wrong sweetheart?” Ruyn asks without looking at the other woman as she continues to stir the dish she is working on..
There is a long moment of silence, to where Ruyn almost thinks she might have to press a little further. Then Lyka mumbles, her voice soft, “What if they don’t like me?”
“My parents?” Ruyn asks, looking at her now. She almost frowns at just how much Lyka has sunken into herself already. “I don’t think there is a person in this world that my parents haven’t liked, but they are going to love you. They already think you are wonderful. Don’t worry sweetheart,” she says gently. Lyka doesn’t look reassured but she doesn’t say anything.
Ruyn looks at her cooking critically and then shuts off the heat, wiping her hands on a towel before going to the other woman. “Hey,” she says softly, her arms sliding around Lyka’s waist. “I can cancel if you need me too. My parents will understand.”
“No, I just…” her words are hesitant but her touch is certain as she hugs Ruyn back. “I’m sorry, I’m in my head,” she says softly, leaning forward and pressing their foreheads together.
Ruyn presses a gentle kiss to her lips, “Are you sure?” Just as she asks that, the doorbell rings and Lyka’s eyes widen.
“Too late,” she whispers.
“Nonsense,” Ruyn tells her. “I can tell them we need to reschedule, they won’t mind. Up to you sweetheart.”
“No,” Lyka replies softly. “More time will just give me more time to get in my head.”
“You are sure?”
Lyka nods, “Yeah. I’m sure.”
“Alright then,” Ruyn kisses her again briefly before stepping back and holding out her hand. “Come with me to welcome them?”
“Okay,” Lyka agrees, slipping her hand into Ruyn’s and lacing their fingers together, blending red and green.
Ruyn leads her to the front door, where her parents have been waiting patiently, and then opens it with a smile. On the step is a plump elven woman, slightly shorter than Ruyn and with skin a deeper and more vibrant shade of green. Her hair still retains much of the same blue tone as Ruyn’s although it is streaked through with silver. Beside her is a man who looks like he has spent every day working out in the sun and tending to a garden, which wouldn’t be far from the truth. His skin is a warm tan and his hair black as night with only the faintest hints of silver. He is taller than all the women but not by much.
“Welcome to our home,” Ruyn says warmly. She lets go of Lyka’s hand to step forward and hug both of her parents. “I hope your trip was fine.”
“Yes, yes it was fine,” her mother replies, waving away the small talk. “Now this, this must be Lyka,” she says with a warm smile. “I’ve heard so much about you dear.”
“Nice to meet you in person,” Lyka replies shyly. She doesn’t stammer but Ruyn can tell it is a near thing.
“And you too dear,” the older woman offers her a warm smile. “Welcome to the family dear, I can already tell that you are a perfect addition and exactly what my Ruyn needs.”
“Mom,” Ruyn says softly.
“Thank you,” Lyka replies, but her smile is real and her expression is relieved. Just like that, Ruyn knows that all will be fine.
“Come in. The food is almost done,” she says, with a gesture ushering them in.
“So Lyka, Ruyn says you work with glass?” her mom asks as they step inside and Ruyn shuts the door.
“Yes I do,” she replies softly.
“That is wonderful! How did you get interested in that?”
Ruyn smiles and presses a kiss to Lyka’s cheek before turning to lead the small group back to the kitchen as she listens to Lyka, with growing confidence, answering her mother’s questions. She hadn’t really had any doubts about how the meeting would go, but the fact that Lyka seems to be growing more and more at ease with every moment warms her. She would have found a way to deal with it if they hadn’t gotten along, but she is glad she doesn’t have to. After all, this woman, no matter what, is hers forever.