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In plains of golden grass adorned with golden flowers and trees of red leaves, Kris walked, a golden light bright on their back. Not alone mind you, they had once again found themself alone with a peculiar prince. A peculiar prince who was and always will be a familiar sight. A prince who for the first time was leading the way.
This was the the third time they had found each other in solitary company. The very state of sharing each other's sole company has become familiar. Kris couldn’t help but get used to the familiarity, no matter how much they wanted to protest. Something about Ralsei radiated a warmth like no other. Kris couldn't help but smile as Ralsei turned to face them, a familiar blush adorning his face, a smile upon his lips.
"Kris?" he spoke, his tone gentle and soothing like it always had been.
Like clockwork Kris could feel their bones becoming rigid, their jaw tightening as they were slowly taken over by it. It pained Kris to think about how the feeling no longer bothered them, how the loss of control was just a part of the deal for these moments, moments that they hated they were growing fond of.
”Could we sit for a moment?” Ralsei asked the warmth of his smile radiated upon Kris, soothing the distress that had come with the loss of self.
Kris sits, leaning back against the golden grass in front of a large tree. Ralsei joins them propping himself up with one arm his legs to the side. The radiant light of the sun adorned his features beautifully, his once-white fur now tinged with gold.
”I had a question,” Ralsei speaks, the softness in his voice betraying a vulnerability where once Kris sensed none.
”Do you… do you ever look at me and feel like you’ve known me for years?” Ralsei asks a mix of sadness and confusion in his eyes that for whatever reason made Kris’s heart wrench. The thought was only overtaken by the loosening of their jaw.
* What do you mean? Kris asks.
”I had always known of you and Susie, the belief you two would arrive was all I had for a long time,” Ralsei explained, his expression softening. Never before had they seen him show vulnerability, a far cry from the always eager and ready-to-serve Darkner prince he was just a few days ago, the shell of almost robotic kindness shed.
”But when I met you, I felt like I already knew you. You were… familiar in a way. It wasn’t like that with Susie. It still isn’t. Whenever I look at you I can’t help but feel that there is something more between us,” the prince finished his blush deepening.
Kris’s heart raced a feeling that was foreign to them. A slight, near-invisible blush that adorned their cheeks even more so.
* Something more? Kris asks.
”I don’t know,” Ralsei admits, “But when I look at you, I feel like I’m… home. I’m filled with warmth at the sight and thought of you.”
* I am-
“-as well,” Kris admits.
Ralsei's eyes flutter as he looks down for a moment, his cheeks flushed a deep crimson. His gaze lifted to meet Kris’s, a small smile on his face as he reached to grab one of their hands.
”I’m… glad to hear you say that, Kris,” Ralsei says barely above a whisper, giving Kris’s hand a gentle squeeze. The touch made the blush on Kris’s face deepen.
Ralsei stands and Kris joins soon after. Ralsei’s gaze lingered on them, his head tilted slightly, eyes filled with sincerity, compassion and love…?
“I know I’ve said it before, but I think it’s great you’re you, Kris,” Ralsei said, looking Kris in the eye with a loving gaze.
His eyes pierced right through their SOUL, through it, and hit them. The sincerity in his voice hit them hard and true, unlike the first time they had heard him say it.
Kris reached out, wrapping their arms around him.
”O-oh!” Ralsei stammers, quickly wrapping his arms around Kris’s waist. They rested their heads on each other's shoulders, the warmth of each other's breath on their necks a pleasant feeling.
Kris would say it made them do this, but they felt their joints loosen when they stood back up. The familiar warmth of Ralsei’s embrace had changed, amongst the familiarity, was something new. That feeling Ralsei described was something the could no longer deny, there was something more between them.
”Warm…” Ralsei whispers, nuzzling into the crook of Kris’s neck.
Kris pulled away their faces inches apart and their cheeks flushed. They couldn’t help but stare into his eyes, wondering how they had let this happen and why they didn’t want it to end. Kris brings a hand to cup Ralsei’s cheek, who leans into the touch.
”K-Kris…?” He mumbles, gazing deep into their eyes.
But Kris falters their hand falling from Ralsei’s cheek, stumbling back from their embrace. They look at Ralsei, who is looking at the ground, fumbling with his hands before straightening his dress and meeting their gaze. But he couldn’t hide the blush on his face, nor the disappointment laced with excitement.
“We… We should get going Kris, Susie is probably wondering where we are,” Ralsei sighs, voice filled with the familiar gentleness they had always known.
Kris nodded slowly the warmth on their cheeks still evident, they followed Ralsei as he walked off.
Ralsei was right, there was something more between them. Kris had always felt it no matter how hard they tried to deny it.
And as they walked, they caught up to walk beside him.
They nudged his hand with their own.
Their fingers intertwine.
And their heart couldn’t help but soar as the frown that once adorned his face, was replaced by a slight smile, his gaze still fixed on the path ahead.
As they walked together through these plains of familiarity, their heart was filled with a feeling unfamiliar. A feeling that they knew was true, no matter how unfamiliar it may be.