Chapter Text
- Zayn -
“Zayn, come on.”
The man in question did not budge, and soon your attempt at paying him back for his kindness failed again. It had been one month since he assisted you with creating a presentation for a hunter’s guild workshop hosted with the intention of getting more people interested in becoming hunters, and your section would not have gone well if it weren’t for the help of your amazing physician.
Not only did he keep your health in check, so you were alive and breathing for the presentation, but he assisted you with gathering a lot of information- there was a number of other necessities you would have struggled to get because of your fear of social situations, if it were not for him.
Zayn was your hero.
You owed him your life, and you told him as such but he called you dramatic. The audacity.
“Zayn!” You yelled after him as he was already outside his office door. When did he start walking away?
He ignored you but this did not deter you. You rushed to catch up to him just outside his office and you had spread your arms to block his way forward. He sighed.
“There is no need for you to ‘make things up’ to me. I have already expressed this to you.”
“But you saved my life!?”
“I’m your doctor, is it not my job?” He spoke dryly.
“I’m not giving in.” You mimicked his dry tone, locking your eyes to his with determination. He pursed his lips before his shoulders slumped.
“Fine.”
Your eyes brightened, “I’d like to treat you at a local cafe.”
“…Fine.”
Your smile widened. “Like right now.”
“Isn’t it a bit….” He began, probably wanting to point out the fact that it was nearly 9pm but you did not relent.
“Fine.”
You laughed in victory. To think it took you ONE MONTH to get this stubborn man to agree to this. One. Month.
But it was worth every second you spent with Zayne at the local cafe that night, a night- like many others- you would find hard to forget.
(No you didn’t do the dirty, idk why it came off like that.)
- Rafayel -
The waves crashed onto the beach and receded with the sand that was previously trapped between your toes. The surface of the ocean shimmered under the late afternoon sun and reflected the varying orange and yellows scattered across the sky.
“It’ll be sunset soon.” Rafayel’s words snapped you out of your trance and you turned to look at him as he fiddled with his camera. You hummed in acknowledgment before looking at the view once again.
Your companion scoffed, “Seriously? You can see me struggling with the camera and you decide the sunset - which, mind you, happens every single day right outside your doorstep- is more important?”
You sighed and turned to address him but he was already walking away with his hands crossed in front of his chest. At that moment, an idea flashed in your mind and you had no intention of stopping your train of thought.
“Rafayel, wait!” You called out to him as you followed him away from the sight of the now approaching sunset. As you expected, he ignored you and walked faster which encouraged you to run after him and when you neared him, you only increased your speed so you could run into him and tumble onto the ground together.
You rolled onto your back laughing, and Rafayel grumbled to himself as he sat up before glaring at you. “Now I have sand in my hair.” He stated accusingly.
“So do I.” You smiled at him.
At your beaming expression, Rafayel could only sigh, his gaze shifting to the distance and away from you- perfectly hiding the smile that teased his own lips. You looked at the sky, various colours dancing before your eyes.
“Come on,” Rafayel began, taking your wrist and pulling you to your feet and toward the sea.”We have sunset reference photos to take.”
Your lips thinned. “Can’t you just take a normal picture of the sunset and then complete your painting, rather than-“
“As your employer, i’ve given you the job to be my muse. You don’t have much of a choice here- go stand over there.”
You sighed deeply, and walked toward where Rafayel instructed you to stand. The fading sunlight kissed your back and before you was Rafayel, with his camera held up in position. You did not quite know what to do with yourself, thus you stood stiffly as you awkwardly gazed at the camera lense.
Rafayel dropped the camera from his face, revealing nonchalance. “Seriously?”
You crossed your arms. “I just don’t know what to do with myself.”
“I heard smiling is a pretty popular gesture when it comes to posing for photos.”
“I can’t just force it!” You spoke, unappreciative of his sarcasm but before the argument could escalate, a look of awe crossed over Rafayel’s expression, his eyes fixed to behind you. You turned to the sight of the setting sun, the golden surface of water the ocean rose and fell as the sun settled over it’s horizon.
“Wow…” You managed to say, your voice carried away by the breezed that strengthened the longer you stood there.
Once again that day, Rafayel’s voice broke you from your daze induced by the ocean. “Perfect.”
You snapped your head to look at him. “You took a picture?”
“Pictures.” He corrected you with a smile that caused you to narrow your eyes.
“May I see them?”
“Nope.” He shut you down before walking away, with a joyful strut.
“Rafayel!” You began to run toward him, but he was already running from you in a fit of laughter.
- Xavier -
“Hello stranger.” A familiar voice sounded from a few feet away. You turned from the lanterns assorted along the pavement that illuminated the night with gentle yellow-ness, to meet Xavier's ever gentle gaze.
“I didn't expect to be seeing you here.” You smiled. Xavier walked to stand before you, a knowing look in his eyes.
“I had a feeling you would be here tonight.”
You raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
His eyes shifted to the lantern you were observing not so long ago, his lips upturned into a small smile.
“Everyone knows the least crowded day is the 5th after opening.” He began, explaining the typical ongoings after the opening of the light-show garden, “I thought you would like to avoid as many people as you can- hopefully, I'm not on that list.”
You chuckled. “Of course not. I’m very glad you’re here.”
Xavier’s smile brightened, his blue eyes shimmering under the gentle glow of the lanterns around you. “Then, shall we?” He extended his hand to you and you took it, allowing him to lead you further into the garden.