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The sea waves crash softly against sand and rocks as two sets of bare footsteps make their way down a narrow path leading to a small clearing where a blanket is spread with two baskets, two wine glasses and a bucket where said wine is waiting to be opened. At each corner of the blanket the flame of a scented candle gently sways with the wind.
The sun is about to set, painting the clear sky with blue and orange hues as a slightly colder breeze greets both women that had just reached their destination.
“Windsong…this is…” Vila trails off, her dress fluttering with the wind as a smile widens her lips. Her clear green eyes fall on lilacs, glittering with withheld joy. “And you keep insisting that you're not the romantic one.”
The researcher chuckles at that, slightly squeezing her hand. She herself is wearing a nice white button-up shirt (not the ones from work and trips, that would be highly inappropriate) and brown capri pants just recently acquired from her hasty shopping in town before Vila’s birthday.
Because of course that Windsong had to plan a big surprise for her lovely girlfriend on her special day. After spending most of the afternoon celebrating with the kids and inside the suitcase with a handful of other Arcanists, the evening and onwards had been reserved for a small and more intimate party next to the place Vila held close to her heart: the sea. The researcher had discovered this small private beach during one of her many expeditions and it now served as a quite romantic spot to have a picnic on. She knows Vila loves such gestures despite herself insisting she doesn't need to go out of her way to do so; simply by having her by her side was enough.
Windsong’s not having any of that. She's going to spoil Vila as many times as her heart and steadily growing budget could afford to.
“Well, compared to you, I'm lacking in the romantic department.” Windsong gestures with her free hand towards the blanket, lifting Vila's hand with her other one. “Shall we, my lady?”
Vila giggles as she lets herself be gently guided and seated on the blanket, Windsong following suit and sitting cross-legged next to her. The Rusalka softly runs a hand down her tamed curls. “You look really good with a ponytail, Katya.”
Both the compliment and the usage of that nickname makes the ley line hunter blush and to look away from that loving gaze. “T-Thanks,” She clears her throat, still amazed that despite being together for a while now a sudden and honest praise from Vila could still fluster her this much. “You, uh, you also look quite good.”
Flawless flirting, that's for sure, even if to Windsong’s eyes the Rusalka looks beautiful every day, be it just waking up or after a rough day. She is still uncertain as to how she had managed to win over her heart, but silently thanks all the stars and ley lines for guiding her towards the love of her life.
Vila frowns, however. She grabs the tip of her side-braid, gaze down and visibly hurt. “.. Just good?”
Uh oh. “I-I mean, beautiful, gorgeous!” Windsong quickly amends her grave mistake. “Brighter than any sun!”
But the Rusalka's frown quickly breaks into a grin as she laughs, patting Windsong’s knee. “I'm only joking, Windsong! No need to take it so seriously.”
“A-Ah! Of course, right, right.” The researcher inwardly sighs in relief, having dodged a bullet. Her grin quickly returns as well. “You always loved to keep me on my toes.”
Vila gently leans with one arm into her leg, her green eyes shimmering from below. “It doesn't help that you're so easy to tease, love. I can't resist.”
The researcher sighs. “You're so cruel, Miss Vila. And here I had prepared such a nice picnic for you.”
“Which I love, by the way,” Vila leans back, her eyes curiously roaming the baskets with their hidden goodies. “What's in those?”
Windsong smiles as she opens one, revealing freshly made sandwiches and some Russian desserts, and in the other one grapes and different kinds of cheese. “It's not as elaborate as the food from before but it's still quite nice. I have you know that I've been learning how to bake just for you.”
Vila carefully takes out a pastry from the basket, smiling. “Are these Pryaniki ?” She glances back inside. “I see a Ptichye Moloko and a Muraveynik too.” Her eyes return to Windsong. “Did you really make all this for me?”
Windsong’s smile softens under the Rusalka's genuine surprise and tenderness. “Of course I did.” She fidgets with her hands after. “...I can't promise that they're any good, but they should at least be somewhat edible.”
Vila takes a bite from the Pryaniki she's holding, and Windsong is glad to see her expectant expression shifting to one of delight as she swallows. “...This is good, Windsong!”
She's certain she's just being genuinely encouraging, but takes the compliment nonetheless. She has a long way ahead before she can reach Vila's level, but it's sufficient for now. They both partake in the food and wine, talking and laughing as the sun gradually meets the horizon, darkening their surroundings.
They both wordlessly watch the sunset, content and fulfilled, hands entwined. It's only when the afterglow fades away and the stars start to pepper the night sky that Vila breaks the enthralled silence.
“...Thank you, Windsong.” She softly whispers, as if afraid of shattering the magical moment.
Windsong looks down at her, the flames from the candles gently licking her downcast gaze. “...What for?”
At that the Rusalka giggles, briefly looking up at her to later lean down against her, and the researcher almost by reflex wraps an arm around her. “For all this, for being with me. Everything.”
Windsong's heart swells, and she leans her head against her, basking in the scent of her freshly washed hair. “...Of course. Anytime.” She clears her throat, a bit embarrassed. “...Happy birthday, Vila.”
They fall into a comfortable silence after, with the researcher comfortably holding the Rusalka in her arms, the sound of the waves lapping on shore as the only noise around them. Windsong closes her eyes; she could honestly fall asleep right here, and make up for her all-nighter from yesterday.
And she almost did, if it wasn't for Vila's soft lips pressing on her cheek, shaking her out of her stupor. “I-I'm awake,” Windsong quickly opens her eyes.
Vila smiles, gently pinching her cheek. “Did you pull an all-nighter again , Miss Windsong?”
Windsong looks away. “No…?”
Vila sighs, grabbing her other cheek now and starts pulling them.
“O-Ouch—! Ogay, ogay, I gield!” Windsong tries to speak, and the Rusalka thankfully lets her go. She rubs her cheeks with a small frown. “Okay, I did. But I promise it wasn't related to work now.”
Vila widens her eyes. “All this…?”
Windsong clears her throat. “I, uh, I was a bit anxious, that's all. I wanted everything to go as planned.”
“Oh, Windsong,” Vila fondly sighs, placing a hand on her face. “I greatly appreciate all your effort, but I've told you many times that you don't need to impress me or stress about dates and such. I'm simply content by being by your side.”
The researcher slightly pouts. “You should ask for more, Vila.”
Vila is taken aback by that. “Huh…?”
Windsong takes Vila’s hand on her own, her expression growing serious. “You're always giving so much of yourself to others, yet refuse to take back from them, as if your own needs and wishes don't matter at all. Well, I refuse to accept that and will spoil you and give you my all until my last breath, got it?” She takes a deep breath, not wanting to sound too aggressive. “B-Because you deserve to be loved, Vila. You deserve these parties, you deserve the effort and sleepless nights. So, even if you insist otherwise, I will continue to do so—”
She cannot finish as she feels Vila lips on hers, effectively silencing her. She quickly melts into the kiss and holds the Rusalka that sits on her lap, Vila's arms going around her neck as she deepens it.
She doesn't know how long they spent kissing, only that Windsong is out of breath by the time they stop and that her hair is disheveled. As she pants for air she can't help but breathlessly laugh, still holding Vila by the waist. “What a way to stop me from rambling. You should do it more often.”
Vila breathlessly chuckles as well, pulling her closer to rest her forehead against hers. “...Just this once. You know I love hearing you ramble.”
Windsong hums amusedly and closes her eyes. “I meant it, though. Every word that I said before.”
Vila seems to shudder under her deeper voice. She softly squeezes the arms around her. “...I know. I…” She nervously chuckles. “I guess I'm still unconsciously reluctant to accept such gestures. I can't help but get greatly flustered.”
Windsong opens her eyes and slightly leans back, widely grinning. “Guess I'm also able to embarrass you from time to time, huh?”
Vila rolls her eyes, a fond smile on her lips. “Shut up.”
Windsong is the one to resume the kiss this time, right beneath the stars.
Windsong slightly hisses as she plunges her feet into the cold seawater, refusing to bathe in it unlike Vila whom is greatly enjoying swimming through the waves.
The ley line hunter is content enough by sitting down on the rocks hugging the small clearing, watching her mermaid girlfriend from afar and once again wondering how did that happen, and how lucky she is by having someone like Vila in her life. She could honestly live in this moment for all eternity.
So focused she is in her merry thoughts that she doesn't notice Vila stealthily approaching her from underwater, not until she breaks into the surface and grabs the arm of a distracted Windsong.
Her eyes open wide as they snap towards Vila, who is madly grinning with a dangerous glint on her eyes. “Vila…” Windsong promptly warns her.
But it's too late. Windsong is unceremoniously pulled down into the sea, loudly cursing as the water seeps into her clothes and chills her bones once she resurfaces. But Vila's uncontrolled laughter more than makes up for it, and the way she kisses her against the rocks after as if without her she would drown.
It's way past midnight before they decide to make their way back to the suitcase.
Once back into their shared room after showering Vila excitedly heads into bed, only to find an exhausted Windsong passed out by now, not even bothering to cover herself up with the sheets. Vila sighs and softly shakes her head, carefully opening up the bed and climbing on it, snuggling right next to her sleeping partner and covering them up after.
She gets comfortable on her shoulder and drapes an arm around her stomach, basking on her warmer temperature and lulled by the beating of her heart.
She softly giggles as she closes her eyes. “Hmm, I wonder how long it will take you to present that ring now. A beautiful one, I might add. Just be careful where you put it or it might get lost. I put it back in your pants, so don't worry, I'll pretend I didn’t see it~”
She sighs, her own heart beating faster. Windsong never ceases to amaze her in the best possible ways. Vila would need to be patient once more, considering just how much time it took the awkward researcher to gather the courage to kiss her and then ask her out.
She softly chuckles at the memories, and gives the sleepy Windsong a quick peck on the lips before settling back into her comfortable position, smiling brightly.
“So much for not being the romantic one, my love.”