Work Text:
Rishe stared up at the star filled sky with a sense of wonder. The world was so cast and she wanted to see every inch of it.
“Rishe,” Arnold called gently from behind.
“Just a few more moments, the shower should be passing in only a few minutes.”
“!” The sudden feeling of a new weight settling atop her shoulders, shocked her out of her revelry for a moment. When she looked down to see what it was, she was surprised to see Arnold’s military jacket, still enveloped with his warmth, hanging off her slender frame.
When she looked up, she met the gentle eyes of her husband staring down at her. “It’s getting cold, and you were shivering.”
Rishe blinked. Had she been? She hadn’t even realized. Rishe accepted the offered gift with a bright smile, pushing her arms through the sleeves despite their endless length. “Thank you, Lord Husband.”
Arnold tipped his head, accepting her thanks with an easy grace before turning his gaze back to the sky with her. “You’re going to love it, Your Highness. I’ve only read about this meteor shower in stories, however, it sounds absolutely ethereal!”
Arnold gave a low hum, before turning to look back down at her. With a small sigh, he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her.
“Y-Your Highness!” Rishe exclaimed, a sudden warmth spreading across her cheeks.
“You’re still shaking.” Was his only reply.
Well, if she continued to shake it wouldn’t be because of the cold now, Rishe thought to herself as embarrassment bloomed in her chest. But this was fine, she had survived much worse than Arnold wrapping her in a hug. It was absolutely ridiculous for her to be panicking over th–
Arnold rested his head atop her own, his warm breath ticklish against her scalp. Dear Goddess, is this truly the way I must die this loop? Please grant me mercy. Rishe prayed silently, hoping that Arnold was unable to feel just how quickly her heart beat in her chest with their proximity.
A glint of light across the night sky caught her eye, drawing Rishe’s gaze right back to the star filled sky. She hadn’t been lying when she had told Arnold that she had never witnessed this shower before. According to the royal archives, this heavenly event happened only once every twenty-five years. Galkhein had no current operating observatory, and so the highest tower of the castle was the next best place to watch it on such short notice.
Rishe was completely mesmerized, doing her best to memorize every detail. The way each heavenly beam entered and just as suddenly disappeared into the vast expanse of the night. Every star as they winked down at them, as if greeting every passing light with their gentle warmth.
“It’s beautiful,” Rishe whispered, almost breathless with wonder.
A cool finger traced across her cheek, ticklish, as it trailed past the tip of her ear. “I suppose so.” Arnold murmured right next to her ear, his warm breath sending a thrill down her spine.
Rishe felt that it was completely unfair. Arnold always teased her and knew exactly where to strike to weaken her. Well no longer, for she was now determined to find his own weakness to even out this battle ground.
Rishe turned in his hold suddenly, shocking Arnold as she lifted her arms, the sleeves of his jacket sliding down and pooling dramatically around her thin arms. Rishe pressed the tips of her fingers, feather light, against his cheek before gently tracing them down the line of his jaw. He didn’t even flinch.
Arnold stared at her with wide, shocked eyes. “What are you-”
“I’m trying to find where you're ticklish.” Rishe stated, determination set in her gaze.
Without pausing her assault, Rishe trailed her touch up until they brushed over Arnold’s ear, lingering at the sensitive skin at the tip. Still no reaction.
Perhaps he is ticklish elsewhere then? Perhaps it is around his hip or waist area?
Pulling away from his face, Rishe gently poked at his side in a few different areas, glancing up to see if he gave any outward reaction. Still nothing.
Rishe glared down at her feet, where else could she try that was still appropriate? Suddenly, the weight of her actions struck her full force. She had just been trying to tickle The Crown Prince of Galkhein!
“Bwaa!” Rishe took a step back, shoving Arnold away as her face flushed a deep red in mortification.
“I’m so sorry, Your Highness! I don’t know what came over me! I was being so disrespectful and–”
“Rishe!” Arnold called. His voice wasn’t harsh, but it still carried a silent demand.
Rishe bit her tongue, bowing her head shamefully. She doubted she would be able to face him again.
“Please forgive me for my actions, Lord Husband,” Rishe murmured, her voice a hoarse whisper.
Arnold let out a small sigh before gathering her back into his arms, shocking her as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “There’s no need for that. It’s certainly not the most shocking thing you’ve ever done.”
Rishe wanted to counter that, but found that she was unable to. Instead, she buried her face against his chest, hoping he wouldn’t add anymore wood to the bonfire that was her humiliation.
“The sky is lively tonight. Thank you Rishe.” Arnold whispered sincerely, his fingers trailing gently through her hair.
Rishe gripped onto Arnold’s shirt as tightly as she could through the oversized sleeves of his jacket. Despite the events of moments ago, Rishe couldn’t help the small smile that bloomed across her lips at Arnold’s voice filled with genuine warmth directed towards her alone.
After a few minutes, Rishe managed to gather herself together pulling away from him just enough that she could peer up at him. She was surprised to see him staring down at her, a warm smile shown on his lips. But, as usual, it was his eyes that caught her attention. The dark, endless depths of blue that seemed to have caught the falling stars and trapped them in his stormy depths. They were like that of a frozen sea in a distant land, and yet held the warmth of a thousand suns. For a moment, she wondered how someone as perfect as he could be real.
“You are as beautiful as all the stars in the sky, Your Highness,” Rishe spoke before she could stop herself.
Arnold let out an amused huff, shaking his head gently. “You are truly something.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Rishe exclaimed, her brow furrowed in concentration.
“You’ll have to figure that out on your own.” Arnold shrugged calmly.
“You and your riddles.” Rishe huffed, turning in his hold so that she was facing the stars once more.
The shower had ended, and yet she couldn’t stop admiring the glow and colors that mixed in the heavens above.
“It’s getting late. Should we head inside now?” Arnold asked softly, leaving the final decision up to her. It warmed her heart, just how much freedom and control he gave her.
Taking in the stars one last time, Rishe nodded. “Yes. Thank you for joining me, Lord Husband.”
“Of course, Dear Wife. Thank you for showing me this.” Arnold’s voice was warm, soothing any stray nerves.
How desperately she wished to tell Arnold of her love for him. But it was simply too risky at this moment, she could not be selfish with this. Could not burden him with this problem when she still needed to find a way to thwart his future war. So instead of acting on that selfish desire, she chose another; wrapping Arnold’s jacket tighter around her instead of returning it as they walked out of the tower and back to their villa through the gardens.
“Perhaps you can choose the destination of our next outing, Lord Husband.” Rishe offered, with a cheerful tilt of her head.
Arnold gave a small nod, wrapping his free arm that was not holding their lantern around her waist to draw her closer to him. “I’ll plan for that then.”
Rishe leaned into his side, careful not to trip him up as they walked. Ah, how she loved him.