Work Text:
“Are we dating?”
Fauna makes an inquisitive little noise at the back of her throat. Where the kirin can feel powdery pollen coat the inside of her mouth.
More than once today she’s had to gently guide fat, tiny bumblebees and beautiful, fragile butterflies away from her face and towards the crown of vibrant flowers and stems she’s meticulously weaving in her lap. Each one still very much alive and flourishing and of varying stunning shades of colors. Picked off from the ends of her hair; which was currently overflowing with different varieties of flowers for herself and Mumei to choose from.
Twisting and interlocking the healthy stem of a cream and pink peony into place amongst the others, Fauna calmly asks, “Is that something you’d like? For us to be a couple?”
The slightest tremble of her fingers betray her composed facade.
So, too, does the pitch in her voice rising at the end of her question.
Mumei doesn’t appear to notice either slip up, however. Too engrossed with working on her own flower crown and the seemingly spontaneous thought of the day.
That and the occasional brush of her fingers through the silken blue locks spread across her own lap. A simultaneous mess and picture perfect waves of both dark and bright hues which could never be preserved in it’s entirety within a photograph or memory.
Such is often the case when it comes to the warden.
Were she awake, Fauna has no doubts Kronii would have nearly rammed her forehead into Mumei’s chin in shock of the guardian’s words.
Instead she is, quite surprisingly, peacefully snoozing away. The worries and troubles she had bore throughout the morning thanks to her work having all been washed away in the presence of Nature and Civilization. Filling food and drinks, courtesy of Mumei, and the pleasant aroma of blooming flowers flowers having been enough to coax the exhausted warden to take a more than well deserved nap.
Taking ownership of Mumei’s lap this time.
Something else blooms within Fauna at the pretty sight; a fondness that has been especially present these past couple of years.
Where the line between friends and something more has become increasingly hazy and wobbly.
Mumei shrugs. Plucks a green and red-tipped daylily from Fauna’s hair with such tenderness. Fingers gently twisting the stem to make it snap before pulling it off, not daring to inflict even the slightest prick of pain.
Fauna sets down her nearly finished flower crown on her lap. Carefully so as to not accidentally injure any of the insects. Dipping her head enough to were she should be able to meet Mumei’s gaze. Mouth quirking downwards when the guardian tries to avoid her by ducking her head to the side; almost guiltily.
And, well, while usually Fauna is a bit more lenient in how she approaches her girls and their worries, the sight of Mumei’s expression leads her to believe this is one issue best nipped in the bud, here and now.
Hand darting out before Mumei can fully turn away, Fauna slides it beneath Mumei’s chin— pointer finger and thumb cradling the area— and tugs. Concerned gold boring into murky amber.
Wordlessly prompting the guardian to speak her mind. Which Mumei does so after a brief pause of uncertainty.
“This”— the owl flicks her wrist, using the flower to gesture at the three of them— “doesn’t seem like something only friends do.”
“Evening picnics and conversation with others isn’t something shared between good friends?” Fauna amusedly asks with a raised eyebrow. “You and Bae enjoy your usual outings as well. I wouldn’t call that dating.” Now, as to what Fauna would label them as, soulmates instantly comes to mind. Not romantic but something equally as precious. “Plus, Sana and I often hang out at mostly empty cafés and I’d like to consider us good friends but not necessarily within the realm of dating. Simply enjoying each other’s company.”
“Would Kronii fall asleep in IRyS’ lap?” Mumei counters. Head tilting as far as she can within Fauna’s grasp.
The motion making Fauna’s thumb brush over her lip for a split second. Instantly readjusting her positioning to follow along with Mumei’s current angling.
Realizations of soft plushness banished as quickly as they had appeared.
Fauna giggles, soft and mirthful. Mindful of the state of said warden.
“I believe she’s more likely to push her into another timeline should IRyS even suggest that.”
Or if IRyS tried shoving her own head into Kronii’s lap. Either the nephilim would find herself momentarily in another timeline or she would wind up face down on the floor.
Mumei glances down between them at Kronii with an affectionate smile.
The warden still looking deep in her slumber. Chest rising and falling with unnecessary breaths. Gears shifting and clicking in a forever steady beat.
Fauna reluctantly releases Mumei. Allowing the guardian to regard the pretty flower in her hand before beginning to slide it into place within her own carefully constructed flower crown. Slotting it in the last empty space Mumei had left.
In comparison to Fauna’s own— wild and free to reflect the nature of, well, Nature— Mumei’s is more thoughtfully constructed. Mostly shades of greens that still manage to stand out from the more muted tones of the stems. Small pops of yellows and reds and oranges scattered around like it was planned. An oddly fitting contrast to the guardian’s usual carefree way of living. That perfectionist side of her— so similar and yet another brand of it in comparison to Kronii’s— sometimes shining through in picked out moments.
“It’s not the same,” Mumei pouts.
“No, I suppose it’s not,” Fauna finally agrees. There’s hardly any reason to argue otherwise when the reality is so obvious. “Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to finally put a label on this either,” she muses. “Don’t you agree?”
A bit daunting, yes, taking such a crucial step in their relationship. Platonic— or the illusion of it— to something exclusively romantic would be welcome, in fact.
In Fauna’s opinion, at least.
Mumei finishes twisting the pliant stem between the others, effectively locking it into place. Staring at it blankly.
“It wouldn’t be fair.”
Fauna frowns. Latching not only to the odd response but also the fact that her question had failed to be answered straightforward. Twice now.
She hasn’t overlooked the fact that Mumei hadn’t given a clear answer to her initial query.
“Now why in the world would that be unfair, dear?”
The kirin furrows her eyebrows in thought. Countless possibilities born of confusion, and even dismay, running through her mind.
Mumei rests the flower crown on Kronii’s head. At an awkward angle considering that the warden is lying down atop her, but it somehow manages to fit well enough. The flowers that Mumei had chosen all that much more captivating and pretty given their beautiful backdrop.
As if sensing it even in her unconscious state, Kronii’s mouth tugs upwards. A peaceful shadow of a smile. Content.
Mumei’s bottom lips wobbles.
The heartbreaking sight guiding Fauna to her side in an instant— deep grass stains blooming across the surface of her dress, near knee level. Arms wrapping tight around the younger concept, inadvertently jostling Kronii in the process.
“Oh, Mumei. What’s wrong, baby?”
Mumei tilts her head into the crook of the kirin’s neck. Shaky breaths splaying over the covered area.
“I don’t want to do that to you both… promise you a relationship where I’ll only end up hurting you two in the end.”
“Mumei, what…?”
“I’m not godmade… and I won’t allow myself to ever corrupt any of you. I can’t be forever for you.”
It knocks the air out of Fauna’s lungs for a moment. A truth she had so blatantly forced herself to ignore until now.
Mumei’s continued existence had been largely on part to everyone’s adoration of her. Of the friendly and loving concept she had proved herself to be, even in the face of distrust and hatred. And with it Fauna had come to acknowledge the very real possibility that her love for humanity’s guardian may one day have become her own downfall, despite her own far more powerful existence— given that even the strongest and longest living of gods could come to fall and pass. In her eyes it had always been a hefty but worthwhile price to pay if it meant keeping that blessed laughter in her life.
The greater possibility that Mumei would be the one to go first?
It terrifies Fauna more than she could ever put into words.
Her hold tightens. Picking out the steady, if slightly elevated, thrum of Mumei’s heart. Proof of Mumei’s now. It’s not a forever, but it’s enough for Fauna.
“Oh, love…”
“I don’t want to risk mixing in labels knowing that.”
Fauna’s jaw sets. Feels Kronii mumble and shift between them, still lost in her own dream world.
Realizes it wouldn’t be solely Mumei who can’t be a forever to their warden.
Even so…
Fauna still wants them. Wants to call them hers and be theirs.
Not yet, not until they’re all on the same page. Slowly, perhaps she could…
The keeper lets go of Mumei, not daring to move too far away. Picks up her wild flower crown and offers a teary smile to the guardian. Careful as she lifts and sets down her work, what she is, onto Mumei’s head.
All manner of flowers and yet none of them are as captivating as the amber that softens as fingertips slowly brush against the flower crown.
A small sniffle comes from the guardian.
A tear lands on the warden’s face.
Fauna reaches out to wipe it away with her thumb with all the care that Nature has. Leaves behind the barest press of lips beneath puffy eyes.
“We don’t have to add labels in if you don’t want to, Mumei. We don’t have to define this. But,” Fauna sighs. Rests a hand on Kronii’s arm, the other taking Mumei’s hand, “for now please don’t pull away from us. Please continue to stay by our side until the end.”
Kronii shifts in her sleep. Tucks her face closer to Mumei, hand landing over Fauna’s on her.
The barest hint of a smile on her face— somehow knowing she had her two girls around her.
Mumei’s breath hitches, a little lost. Resigned.
“I think I’m too far gone,” Mumei admits with a broken laugh. Free hand rubbing away at her eyes, a few petals rustling and slowly falling around her. Framing her as the prettiest sight— makes Fauna fall for her even more, despite the cruel reality. “I don’t think I could leave you two even if I wanted to anymore.”
Fauna’s grip tightens on them both. Keeps them close.
You’re not the only one… I don’t think I ever could either.
Fauna sighs.
Earth continues to bloom. Civilizations grow further. Time’s hold over them tightens as a result of it all.
The three of them, forever intertwined since long ago.
Or at least until that forever becomes an end.
But not yet. For now we continue. For now we love.