Work Text:
Long, seemingly endless blond hair adorned with intricate braids. Big, golden eyes framed by numerous fine, dainty yet in total not any less luscious lashes, sitting on a slightly blushing face alongside soft, plush lips and a little upturned nose. The long blond waves and curls cascading down a pale delicate figure, elegantly sitting in the grass, solely accompanied by an array of blooming lilies and the comfortably warm looking rays of sunlight.
All scribbled messily on a flimsy piece of parchment.
He never was much of an artist.
“Ugh!” Radahn exclaimed in pure and utter frustration, although, if there was a hint of embarrassment in his annoyance he wouldn’t admit to it.
He draws back in a huff, face faintly red, and puts a hand in his unruly head of fiery curly hair.
No, the young demigod was simply very dissatisfied by his third (fourth? fifth? who’s keeping count?) attempt to capture the likeness of his empyrean younger sibling.
Not often do they get to see each other. Radahn doesn’t quite understand the reasoning why, nor does he usually care much about the affairs, rules and decision makings of his parents, he has plenty of time to be concerned about that when he’s older. Still, this particular arrangement he can’t help but perceive as bothersome.
The first time he saw the other little demigod they had locked eyes from afar. Golden eyes. Like they all had. But these were different. He saw in his brother’s gaze a semblance of something he can’t entirely identify. Nights he stayed awake, sleepless, the picture of the empyreans shining irises ingrained into his head, seeing it when he closed his own two eyes instead of the usual blackness.
Though the nights he spent wakeful thinking about his younger half-brother weren’t at all unpleasant to him. It was the first time he lost sleep that wasn’t due to some nightmares, or incessant irking feelings, troubles from the daytime that wouldn’t leave him be and rest.
The golden eyes engraved in his brain instead offered warmth much like the sun on a particularly nice day. Much more so than the sun he tried to portray in his drawing…
Maybe this is why his third (surely it’s just the third) attempt at depicting Miquella failed once again. His level of artistry is simply just not fit to accurately represent whatever undeciphered beauty hides inside that gaze yet.
Miquella. His father quite adores him.
“Then why is it that I can’t see him as much? He’s my brother too, or has father forgotten?” The young boy grumbled under his breath, grumpily taking the fragile parchment and stuffing it into his pocket. No matter if it crumbles up, it didn’t turn out the way he imagined anyway. But he couldn’t bring himself to discard it entirely. What if someone finds it after all! Can’t have that.
The truth is Miquella and Radahn haven't spoken as much as a single word to each other yet. Well, perhaps that’s an exaggeration, surely there had to have been a quiet, inaudible greeting that went along with an acknowledging nod in there somewhere at some point. That counts for something right?
It’s not that Radahn doesn’t want to converse with the younger blond boy! He’s seen Miquella talk with others, animatedly, joyfully, moving his hands around in the air in big, dramatic and lively motions, as if he used them as much to talk as he did his mouth, and laughing as he babbles about exciting events. He’s seen the boy looking interested, bright eyes opening up wide in intrigue, drawing back in surprise as he listens to the stories and goings-on his conversation partners tell him about.
He just hadn’t yet had the chance and time to talk to him himself. Not for a lack of courage of course! It’s just that he and his siblings, just like everyone else in his family, are always quite busy and occupied. Sometimes you just don’t get the opportunity to talk to everyone you want, sometimes there’s more important people who wish to discuss something with you. Priorities have to be set. And if there were times where he could catch sight of Miquella trying to spot him, trying to make him out in a group of people and trying to approach him with quick steps and a bashful smile on his lips, and if he in response turned the other way (very subtly, of course) with cheeks redder than his hair, well, then nobody needed to know about that.
Quickly throwing parts of his wild hair into a loose braid, single thick red strands messily sticking out in various places, he made his way outside of his personal chambers.
“I already deem this a failure of a day”
“Radahn!” The sudden appearance and exclamation of his mother startled the demigod and caused him to jump slightly in surprise. “Where have you been the entire day, dear? It’s quite late already for you to be only exiting your room now, you know.” The tall woman asked her son with a stern though soft voice, she’s not used to the usually bold and confident young boy, always the first to start the day, leaving his chambers later than everyone else, and with such a meek expression on his face as well.
“Uhm” Don’t fret mother, I’ve simply been trying my hands at becoming an artist as of late, and I’ve made it my strict mission to perfectly capture the image of the blond half of the youngest addition to my family, whom i’ve yet to even talk to. And after my third tremendously concentrated and dedicated try, striving hard to channel my inner painter, and the result once again not meeting my vision, I’ve decided to give up for the day and am now quite low in spirit. Don’t be concerned. “Am I allowed not to answer?”
What an unusual reaction.
Rennala looked at her son with an expression that could only be described as perplexed. She blinked. “Why of course, I was simply a little.. confused… Do not hesitate to confide in me if you ever desire to do so, my little lion.”
“Yes of course!” The redhead said quickly with a fast nod, brushing past his mother without as much as a second glance.
She blinked again.
Boys that age were quite peculiar.
-
“You know Leonard, I’ve found myself wondering quite often what the little Miquella does in his free time. Someone as slight as him doesn’t strike me as much of a fighter. His sister already seems much more skilled in that department! Although ironically, much more reserved and less outgoing. Isn’t that curious?” The horse let out a snort and moved its head. “See I knew you’d agree! Hmm… maybe he’s an artist then! Wouldn’t that seem fitting? He seems somewhat akin to a piece of art himself. I’m sure he could draw a beautiful painting.” His left hand for a short moment brushing over his pocket, a quiet crumbling noise could be heard, the parchment still there.
After his frustrating morning Radahn decided to take his trusty steed, and subsequently his best friend and most trusted confidant, out for a slow, relaxing ride. He needed to clear his head and the steed, after all, would never tell anyone the embarrassing secrets and thoughts he shared. He would never tell anyone that Radahn might have really just been too anxious and shy to talk to the young empyrean, like he so adamantly denied. And he would never reveal to anyone that much of Radahn’s fascination with his half-brother stemmed from him simply finding the other boy so… pretty.
The clear blue sky and fresh air, light breezes of wind and warm rays of sun mark a pleasant day. The grass under the horses hooves soft, Leonard must think so too.
“His eyes Leonard… I’ve never seen any like them before… and they’re the reason I’m never satisfied with my drawing!” Grouched the young fighter in annoyance, throwing back his head.
“…”
“…”
He closed his mouth, expression turning back into a solemn one. Silence followed his outburst, not even Leonard had anything to add, the stomping of hooves and the singing breeze the only thing that could be heard. Opening back up his mouth again he let out a sigh “I just think that…”
The tailwind made his mane-like hair flutter and brush past his face. Him and his steed alone on a seemingly never ending meadow.
Suddenly though, Radahn saw something that interrupted his train of thought. (Secretly he was thankful for it, just because Leonard was trustworthy and reliable doesn’t mean he wouldn’t sometimes judge Radahns antics and notions. At least that’s what Radahn felt to be the case. A rather mothering best friend the horse was)
“Ah, look over there! A river!” He called out, detecting a wide stream of glistening water in the distance, hidden slightly behind a myriad of trees that sign the beginning of a forest. ”Do you want to have a bit to drink? We’ve been on our way for quite some time now haven’t we.” The boy said with a broad brash smile, bending forward to look at his horse’s face. “What are you waiting for then, come on!” Leonard immediately picked up the pace, heading straight for the pond leading into a river with remarkable speed. Radahn on his back giving a loud laugh, his hair now flying in the opposite direction, creating an impressive trail of scarlet waves.
-
Long pale fingers brushed through the water. Shining, glimmering, reflecting the sun, beautifully decorated with a handful of fallen leaves from the multitude of trees surrounding the source of water, the trees that graciously provide their shade, taking away from the heat of the sun and creating a comfortable ambiance.
Individual drops of water falling softly from each finger as the hand is lifted into the air again.
“Warm…” Said the figure in a gentle tone of voice. The small, satisfied smile on their lips practically audible.
Careful light feet made their way into the flowing water, step by step submerging further into the pond. A white robe laid left behind at the shoreline, shaking faintly in the wind.
The peaceful water let out soft dribbling noises.
pitter-patter
Soon silk-like golden hair passed the surface of the water. The person now half beneath the clear blue, only a shining head of hair, a lightly freckled chest and arms adorned by golden bangles still feeling the wind pass by. With every gust the leaves on the trees gave a flutter. Dazzling eyes taking in the ever giving nature.
“What a pleasant day it is.”
“Wh-“
The person turned around swiftly.
“AHH”
Who needs soft dribbling when water can loudly splash instead?
“Wait oh no!” Radahn shouted with an expression equal parts worried, taken aback and flustered.
But the blond had already completely tripped back into the pond.
After a few seconds of standing still in shock (what had he just witnessed??) Radahn shook himself and speedily made his way to the fallen figure. Shoes and pant legs getting completely wet in the process. Gross.
However before Radahn could oh so heroically save the tumbled lithe figure, it instead emerged again all on its own.
The redhead’s eyes became wide as saucers, his eyebrows raising up to his hair, his mouth opening so wide it could catch flies.
Long, seemingly endless blond hair adorned with intricate braids arose, now completely wet and the person coughing.
The big, golden eyes, framed by numerous fine,
dainty yet in total not any less luscious lashes
sitting on a slightly blushing, now covered in water, face alongside soft, plush lips and a little upturned nose, opened equally as wide as his. The long blond waves and curls cascading down a pale delicate figure now had caught some of the fallen leaves in them.
“Oh” escaped them both simultaneously.
Though where Radahn stayed shell-shocked, almost rendered speechless “Miquella” instead quickly regained an expression filled with joy and excitement. “Lord Brother!” The younger let out a laugh, eyes squinting together. “Is this truly how I finally get the chance to talk to you!”
Radahn is rendered speechless.
His mouth betrays him, only letting out incoherent blubbering.
“Uh… Lord brother?” He could sense it, an air of uncertainty and shyness even within the pure joy and confidence the boy in front of him possessed. At least that’s something to slightly put him at ease.
“Are you quite alright?”
“Yes!”
“Are you sure?”
“Leonard!” Miquella’s face now a confused one.
“Leonard?”
“Yes!” Truth is, Radahn had completely lost track of Leonard at this point, but he was the first thing that shot into his head as an attempt to somewhat regain composure and very artfully direct the focus of the conversation away from him, thank you very much.
“Uh… Oh! Is that Leonard right there?” Miquella asked with a smile, pointing behind Radahn.
Turning around, Radahn caught sight of his trusty steed (now not so trusty anymore, leaving him to fend for himself in this situation he was not prepared for at all!) just a few feet away from the two boys, drinking water from the river with relish.
“Y-yeah” That was in fact Leonard right there.
“Oh what a lovely companion! And quite the handsome name too!”
“Yes thank you”
“…”
“…”
“Your braid looks quite messy, it must’ve become loose while riding so quickly in the wind I presume” The younger boy spoke. Radahn did not mention that no, this is just how he threw it together this morning. Maybe being too nervous to speak has its good sides as well sometimes.
“Do you want me to redo it for you? Me and my dearest sister always braid each other’s hair, it’s quite fun to me, and I’d like to say I’ve gotten very good at it too!”
Miquella braiding his hair…
Finding his words again “Of course, do as you’d like!” Radahn doesn’t think his eyes-wide-open-expression will leave his face anytime soon.
“My fingers are still very wet, I apologize.” Miquella said as he walked up further to Radahn, though instead of getting out of the water completely he took Radahn’s hand and dragged him further into the pond alongside him. Suddenly the wet clothes don’t feel as gross anymore. Suddenly he doesn’t even register the wet feeling at all anymore. Before Miquella got behind him he glimpsed into his eyes once more… Why were they so special?
Delicate fingers carefully undo his loose braid, hands wave through his now open hair and collect newly formed strands to create a new braid. He could feel the pull against his scalp, one strand after the other put above the third, over and over again.
Your eyes…
“What about them?”
Oh
“Oh” Yeah, what about them? “Well, have you looked into the mirror before? Surely you’ve had to have noticed it.”
“I don’t quite follow.” The younger brother said with furrowed eyebrows.
Radahn’s frustration grew, how could he express himself correctly? Traitorous Leonard could’ve warned him in advance that he would find himself in this situation, surely he had to have known with help of his animal instincts or something similar…
“I’m simply wondering why… What’s that light I see glimmering in your eyes? They shine brighter than any I have seen before. It’s not simply the golden color of your irises, I see multiple sets of those each day. No, I see a semblance of something else in your eyes. What is it? Please give me an answer.”
The younger boy was stunned once again, though similar to how it was when they first stumbled upon each other, his expression quickly changed into a joyful one. Said eyes squinting together once again, and a laugh erupting the blond.
“Lord brother, I wasn’t aware you carried a poet in you!”
“Wh- huh!?” Radahn asked, quickly becoming flustered. His quest to finally get an answer to the question that’s been keeping him awake, straight from the source no less, isn’t necessarily what he would describe as poetic. Especially not when the question was verbalized so poorly too.
“I didn’t know you felt that way about me! And all that even though we just started exchanging words. For the longest time I thought you quite disliked me. What, with the way you would avoid me any time you saw me.” so he wasn’t subtle after all…
“Whatever do you mean?”
Another giggle. The boy visibly lost his shyness the more they talked, and the more oblivious Radahn was.
“Lord brother, I would hate to disappoint you but my eyes are just like everyone else’s. They don’t hide any special secret. I’m not one to assume but… to me it sounds like you’re just taken with them.”
Leonard snorted in the distance.
“But I quite understand your confusion, I’ve pondered on the same thing the first time I’ve locked eyes with you as well…” The younger demigod confessed.
How lucky Radahn was that Miquella is currently braiding his hair, or else he would’ve seen his older half-brothers face take on the same color as his red hair.
“Also, I’m done!”
“H-huh?”
“Your braid, I’m finished, or rather, it’s braids now.”
Radahn turned around to look into the water, trying to twist and turn to get a view of the back of his head.
Miquella beautified his head with braids similar to his own, intricate and neat, leading into each other with complicated technique. He really was very good at it.
Turning to look into Miquellas face, Radahn finally managed to speak words with his usual confidence again. Now that there was no doubt in what he said. “I thank you, Miquella, they turned out beautiful.” Making it the younger one’s turn to feel his cheeks heat up.
They stood in the water for a moment longer, when suddenly a wet, damaged piece of parchment made its way out of Radahn’s pocket, carried by the waves of the water.
Gone was his usual confidence once again.
Before he could act, Miquella picked up the object with graceful hands. ‘Well I can’t very well just rip it out of his fingers now can I’ Radahn thought to himself in crossness.
The blond let out a gasp. A messily drawn, crumbled up (and now water damaged) drawing of… him?!
They’re staring into each other’s faces again.
“…”
“…”
“I’m keeping this!” The blond exclaimed cheekily.
“No you’re not!”
With loud laughter Miquella quickly made his way out of the water, taking his discarded robe into his hand and running away.
Radahn stumbled as he followed the running boy out of the water as fast as he could.
“Come on now Leonard, what are you waiting for? I think you’ve had your fun now too.” The boy said as he found his place back on the horse’s back. “We can’t just let him get away!”
The stomping of hooves, the singing breeze and boisterous laughter are all that could be heard.