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The warm sun on Aedes Elysiae was heating up the sand by the lake at the cottage, making it a very pleasant place to relax on. The summer air had hints of wildflowers and fruits, making the atmosphere seem almost peaceful and exotic.
Phainon and Cyrene had just been there for a swim together in the clear waters of the lake. Cyrene had been swimming in the lake every summer when she was a little girl, and she enjoyed being able return to one of her favorite places, even more so when Phainon was with her.
She sighed and stretched her arms lazily, smiling at her "best friend", who was laying on the sand beside her. He gave her his lopsided grin, the one that made her heart flutter, and she shuffled closer to him, letting him wrap his strong arms around her petite form.
Phainon brushed a few locks of her wet pink hair from her face and gave her a long, soft kiss. Cyrene smiled against his lips, still in disbelief even after more than a year of their romantic relationship that he was all hers.
"It's nice here." He whispered when their kiss had ended.
Cyrene softly giggled. "Snowy, I heard you say this so many times whenever we are together."
Phainon was silent for a moment as he thought about this. "Of course, I did. I will always say anywhere is nice with you, my love. Not just this place." He explained with a mischievous grin, caressing his lover's cheek.
Cyrene laughed and nodded her head, understanding his reasons. "I like being with you, too, anywhere we go." She agreed, but then her expression changed from bright to sadness. "But you have to leave tomorrow."
Phainon sadly sighed. "I know. The Council is expecting their Deliverer to arrive on Dawncloud." He gave her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Cyrene. I want to stay with you so badly... I never wanted to leave you."
The pink-haired woman looked at her hands as she distractedly played with the warm sand. She had always known that her Phainon would carry a heavy burden on his shoulders as the Deliverer. She accepted this, always putting an encouraging smile on her face to show him that this is his destiny. To become a great leader and the strongest warrior in this lifetime era.
"In a perfect world, you could." She said in a soft, spoken tone. "... In a perfect world, you could always stay."
"In a perfect world, you could come with me to Dawncloud, Cyrene. It wouldn't matter, because our relationship wouldn't be a secret." Phainon quietly said, not looking at her.
He had never regretted loving Cyrene so dearly. In fact, he would not even regret marrying her someday in the near future, but he hated all the lies and deceptions their secret brought upon them, and he knew Cyrene hated it too. But there was nothing else they could do about it. Even though their relationship had been a secret and forbidden, they both knew they would have been unhappy if they had followed the rules and stayed apart. They needed each other. There wasn't a word to describe how much they loved each other.
"In a perfect world, there wouldn't be any wars or crimes or violence, so you wouldn't need to go to a meeting so they could tell you what injustice you had to solve next. There wouldn't be any, so I guess you would be out of a job then." Cyrene's expression softened with a hint of melancholy.
She knew Phainon loved the action of being a hero and a warrior, and she knew he was a very good one as well, and she fully supported him, but sometimes she really did fear for his safety. He had a bad habit of being a bit reckless, which usually landed him in a bit of a bother. He had scars to prove it.
"In a perfect world, Snowy, you would try to become more careful." Cyrene said while stroking one of his long scars that ran down Phainon's muscular chest.
He grinned. "Cyrene, in a perfect world, you wouldn't worry so much!"
Cyrene stared at the ground for a long time, and Phainon knew she was struggling not to cry. Hating to see her like this, he pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her protectively, stroking her hair and kissing her neck softly.
Cyrene couldn't help his loving and gentle gesture as she giggled and smiled up at her lover. Phainon grinned in content, pleased with himself that he had cheered her up again.
"In a perfect world, you would never stop doing that." She giggled, looking up at him with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Suits me, my love." Phainon replied, kissing her neck, her spot, again ever so softly and slowly, so that she shivered in delight and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
After a while, he spoke in an amusing tone. "In a perfect world, there would be no sand!"
Cyrene laughed and scooped up a handful of the golden sand. She grinned at Phainon as she tipped it all over his chest.
The white-haired deliverer shot upright and grabbed his pink-haired lover around the waist. He pinned her to the ground and started to tickle her mercilessly. Cyrene squealed and begged for mercy, but Phainon didn't cease his attack. He couldn't stop laughing as she tried to squirm out his hold unsuccessfully.
"Snowy! Snowy!" She laughed, swatting him on the chest. Phainon grinned and rolled over onto his back, pulling her down on top of him. He gave her a long, tender kiss that left them both gasping for air.
"You - always - cheat - like that - Phainon!" Cyrene gasped, trying to catch her breath after the kiss had made her slightly dizzy. Phainon's kisses always left her a bit lightheaded.
He just laughed at her response. "It's always so easy, my love." Declaring it with a smile, irresistibly. "And anyway, I just love kissing you so much."
Cyrene smiled before she admitted. "You're not the only one."
"I don't think we've had enough then," Phainon stated, taking her face softly in his hands and kissing her so lovingly, over and over again.
Cyrene sighed in contentment once they had finished their intimate moment, snuggling up in Phainon's arms. The sound of small water bugs could be heard coming from the lake. Cyrene grimaced at the sound she was hearing.
"What's wrong, Cyrene?" He asked in a concerned tone, seeing her expression.
"Bugs!" Cyrene replied, lightly annoyed. "In a perfect world, there would be no bugs!"
Phainon laughed. "You really hate bugs, don't you?!"
She nodded. "They're all slimy and crawly and- ugh!" Her voice let out a disgusted tone, shuddering.
He shook his head, still amused by her words. "Don't worry, Cyrene. I'll protect you from the horrible Killer Bugs that are dead set on eating you all up." Phainon teased.
Cyrene pouted as she hit him on the shoulder. "What if I really did get eaten by Killer Bugs!" She demanded. "You'd feel pretty sorry then, wouldn't you!"
Phainon gave her an apologetic look. "I would, my love. I would." He agreed, rubbing her back. Then he grinned, and a teasing light emerged in his blue eyes. "I'll be on Killer Bug watch tonight, just to make sure that they don't sneak into our bedroom or anything whilst you're sleeping."
"It's not funny!" She protested.
Phainon burst out laughing, and Cyrene tried to keep a straight, serious face for as long as she could, but she ended up giggling with him.
"Okay, maybe it is a little silly then." She admitted with a defeated smile.
The white-haired warrior hugged her tightly and whispered to her ear. "Don't worry, my love... I promise nothing will ever happen to you. Nothing."
Cyrene looked into his clear blue eyes, and she knew he was telling her the truth. She smiled at his genuine promise as their lips met in an affectionate kiss.
They broke off and lay back down on the sand, Phainon wrapping his arm around Cyrene's waist. The sun was starting to set now, a flaming orange fire ball meeting the horizon with pink and gold.
"I love you so much, Cyrene." Phainon whispered into his lover's ear.
"... I love you too, Phainon." Cyrene replied softly, turning her head to kiss her significant other's chest.
"In a perfect world, this day would last forever."