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“My, my! We’ve picked a wonderful day for a stroll!” Albert exclaimed as they strolled the tree-lined promenade, arms linked loosely.
Barok let his lips twitch upward in a ghost of a smile. Albert’s schoolboyish enthusiasm had a way of rubbing off on him, and he’d found himself in much better spirits since his friend’s return to England.
The mild spring day had attracted throngs of people, though Barok paid scant attention to them beyond making sure none of them were Stronghart’s men. Even now, after the Reaper’s defeat, he remained wary that someone would sneak up behind them and attack his dear friend, though he was able to relax more and more each day.
“Isn’t it strange, though….” Albert chewed on his free thumb.
“Hmm?”
“Well, it seems as though everyone here…why, they seem to be young couples in love!”
Barok’s posture stiffened as he stopped in his tracks and unlinked their arms. “Is that so?” His sharp eyes scanned the horizon, and lo and behold, nearly everyone else was a young lady and man, strolling eyes locked or picnicking beneath the stooped branches of a willow tree.
“I…” Albert’s cheeks flushed pink as he fluffed his blonde curls shyly. “I suppose I’d forgotten that this was the place where young lovers used to frolick when we were in university together! I had remembered it was a good place for a walk, but the reason why completely slipped my mind!”
Barok suddenly felt it was far too hot underneath his regalia. Now that he’d realized, he noticed all the curious stares from onlookers—their gender make-up was most unusual.
But he also noticed the way the sunlight dappled through the branches and caught Albert’s smiling face, and his heart swelled with an uplifting warmth he hadn’t felt in quite a long while.
“Well,” Barok cleared his throat. “It’d be a shame to waste this perfectly nice strolling weather, wouldn’t it?”
Albert’s smile widened. “Quite so, Barok! One must treasure these good spring days to get through the dreary ones!”
They resumed their stroll—this time, arms nestled together, their shoulders brushing one another’s as they walked.