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The soft gleam of the Dawn Devise upon Kephale’s shoulders shined down, embracing with the gentle midday breeze upon the grassy wildflower field. Each blossom danced with each small sweep of wind, a display of utter peace that went on for miles.
The only outlier of such a serene sanctuary was two figures nestled in the greenery, both sticking out like a sore thumb, yet while also looking as if they belonged there with their own peaceful expressions. One of these figures, Phainon of Aedes Elysiae, would argue that the nymph whose lap he’s laid upon fits there far more than he ever would in a million eras
Phainon took slow and languid breaths, breathing in the sun bathed scent of the flowers both all around them, and the few that were placed delicately in his hair as he gazed up at the sight the gods blessed him truly to have the right to see. His beloved Iridiana, honed in with utter focus, gilded honey colored eyes narrowed as she tied more flower stems to the crown she was constructing. Her focusing face was always a delightful sight to the deliverer, eyebrows furrowed neatly yet wrinkled juuust enough to show a bubbling irritation, her tongue all but peaking out from between her pink lips.
From where he laid, the Dawn Device’s rays poured out from behind the nymph, outlining her with golden colors evermore. If a bard were to ask Phainon how to describe her, he would say that she is that of what legends tell of the nymphs being the perfect union of Cerces and Mnestia, that gold bathed radiance wrapped in a brilliant mind. THAT, and that girlish charm that was like the finishing bow to the gift that she was to the world… Truly he,-
“You’re making that silly face again.”
Phainon blinked slowly as he is pulled from his thoughts, raising one of his brows as he grinned up at Iridiana, who had just finished tying a few more flowers to her crown. Turning her attention to the Chrysos Heir bellow her as she set her creation aside, Iridiana tilted her head in curious observation down at him.
“.....Am I?”
“Mhm…”
“And what face is that, pray tell?”
Iridiana gave a small scoff, reaching down to poke Phainon’s forehead, the latter letting out a small noise of objection at the intrusion of peace as the nymph then began gently brushing his snow white hair out of his face in apology.
“You know full well the face I mean! The one where you look like you’re in….”
“In?...”
“....Mmmm… I dunno… like in… a different world. Like you’re not the Deliverer of the Prophecy… Like you’re just Phainon…”
Phainon let out a hum at that, shifting his position to lay on his side, his cheek squishing against the sunkissed skin of her thigh that peeked out through her silken robes. Additionally, his arms came to wrap around her legs, hugging them tightly so as if she were even to consider moving, that would be impossible now.
“Is….. that a bad thing?”
Iridiana shook her head a bit, reaching down to card her fingers through Phainon’s white hair, being careful as to not push the flowers in his hair out with her actions as she did so. She watched as Phainon’s chest rose and fell slowly at that, his head nuzzling into her lap like a chimera cub soaking up the sun on a warm rock, and that mental image made the nymph smile to herself.
“No, not at all…. It’s…a nice look on you. It makes me think of things…”
“Uh-oh~”
“Shush, I mean it…!”
Phainon hides his face into the white silk this time, his chuckles tickling Iridiana’s skin as she gently knocks her knuckles onto the heir’s head in a scolding manner. After subjecting him to a suitable “punishment” for a few more seconds, Phainon reaches up to catch the nymph’s wrist, his grip there, yet just barely, an obvious show that she could pull her hand away should she want. Iridiana doesn’t as Phainon raises his gaze back up towards her, pressing his cheek against the soft skin of her palm now.
“And what exactly does the face of “Just Phainon” mean, my dear nymph?”
Iridiana tilted her head, raising her other hand so she could take his other cheek into her palm, Phainon’s whole face now trapped into the grip of his “Dear Nymph” as she contemplated her thoughts, nodding to herself.
“...”Just Phainon”.... Just Phainon means you are just that. Phainon…. One who fulfilled his duty, his destiny… who made his dream come true, and now reaps his rewards of peace filled serenity… Knowing that all those who he fought tooth and nail to protect will now forever be safe….” Iridiana then smiled ever more warmly, the light rays behind her shining with it as her fingers traced Phainon’s skin.
“.... Just Phainon is my hero getting the future he deserves.”
Phainon’s grin had faded away moments prior, his eyes wide in wonder and adoration, the raising reddened color of his cheeks contrasting with Iridiana’s skin as he gave a shuddery sigh, pressing his face fully into Iridiana’s hand.
“....To know you have such faith in me…. I hope to make your thoughts reality…”
“You will, Phainon…”
“....”
“....You will.”
Phainon gave no answer, merely inhaling sharply before he planted his hands on both sides of the grass besides Iridiana, swiftly pushing himself up before wrapping his arms around her waist, the nymph letting out a surprised yelp as Phainon used his weight to cause them both to tumble back into the grass.
Iridiana, now laying on her side, let out a small “Oof!”
As Phainon squeezed her waist tightly, burying his face into her shoulder while his breaths became labored. Concerned, Iridiana wrapped her own arms around him, her hands tracing his back.
“…Phainon?…”
“……Ahhhhh…..”
“Phainon, what’s-?”
Iridiana is cut off as Phainon’s shoulders began to shake, and laughter started spilling from his lips, the mirth and warmth in his voice causing the tension in Iridiana’s shoulders to soften in relief as Phainon pulled his face away from the nymph’s shoulder, his wide boyish grin both sheepish and delighted.
“…Ahhh, Iri, you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”
“…Eh?! Wh- No?! I would never!”
“Then stop trying to give me a heart attack..! Saying stuff like that..!”
Iridiana gave an indignate huff, pouting up towards Phainon as her own cheeks heated up slightly, glancing away.
“As a Romance Nymph of Creation, I speak my heart, so if you don’t like it you’ll have to deal with it.”
“I never said I didn’t like it, cmon-“
“Then no complaints! I speak the truth and just of the truth, my hero.”
“Well that truth’s gonna make my heart burst y’know~”
“Well like I said, you’re stuck with it!”
Phainon gave another languid chuckle as Iridiana glanced her head away, but once more made no effort to free herself from the Chrysos Heir’s grasp, showing Phainon that she had no problem with this current exchange. Which gave him just the courage and go ahead he needed to lean in a bit to poke his nose as Iridiana’s pointed ear, nuzzling into the side of her face.
“….I also never said i didn’t like being stuck with you, my nymph.”
Silence. Silence followed with Iridiana’s ear doing that adorable twitch he loved, her golden eyes wide towards Phainon’s face who looked down at her like she was the grandest sight to behold. The long seconds that followed along side that silence as the fluster in Iridiana’s face grew more and more, before she then hid herself from the heir, pressing her face tight against Phainon’s chest to feel his own rapid heartbeat.
Phainon gave a small sigh at the actions before him, reaching up one of his arms that were nestled around her form to reach up, brushing through her own locks like she did his moments prior. Phainon pressed his nose against the top of her head, inhaling softly to take in both hers and the flowers scents. Sunshine was hers, perfumed was the flowers…. How he could smell warmth he wasn’t sure, but that warm scent accompanied both flower and hair.
“….Thank you… Iridiana… for always standing by side… for… believing in me… I do.. I do truly hope I make your dreams a reality..”
“….Mmmm…”
“….Shall we head back?”
“….No…. Stay… like this?..”
Phainon hummed in agreement, and settled more against the grass, holding onto Iridiana like a lifeline.. as if he were to let go for a second, she’d vanish. Deep down, that horrific possibility of not being able to live up to everyone, to her… it had made him feel as if Iridiana had unknowingly pierced through his chest with his sword. That expectation in her eyes, so excited and warm and… filled with so much love… he will damn himself until the end of days should he fail her of all people…
But… perhaps she was right… Just Phainon…. Felt quite nice right now….. just Phainon was able to breath in the scent of warmth, was able to feel the embrace of both earth and adoration… Just Phainon could just lay here like this…
Just Phainon…… he only hopes….
He can give her that one day…