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Licorice wasn’t ready to admit he was in love. That being said, he’d been slipping out every day just to spend time with the soft spoken bard he’d met in the forest a month or so ago.
Clover was his name, and he was gentle and so full of life. It made Licorice’s heart stutter when he saw the warm smiles that would bloom on Clover’s face at the slightest implication of something positive.
It felt like the two had known each other for much longer than they truly had, and Licorice wondered how knowing someone like Clover in his youth would’ve changed things for him. That was in the past, though. Now Licorice just took advantage of every opportunity he was given to be around the bard.
Still, Licorice wasn’t ready to admit he was in love.
But of course he hadn’t hesitated even a moment when Clover had invited him to have a sunset picnic on a hill that supposedly had a great view. The invitation had sounded suspiciously like a date, but Licorice had looked past that. He told himself he was content to enjoy time together as friends, but maybe a part of him wanted it to be a date.
When it came time to leave for the picnic, he hoped to sneak out unnoticed, but of course, it wasn’t quite that simple. Pomegranate caught him just as he was sure he’d gotten away with it.
“Where do you think you’re going?” She asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.
Licorice chuckled nervously, acutely aware of his poor lying skills. Especially when it came to deceiving Pomegranate. Still, he tried his best, “Out on a scouting trip.”
Pomegranate picked up on the uncertainty in his voice and the way he fiddled with his sleeves, and bought none of what he said.
“I don’t believe you.” She stated simply, frowning.
Licorice laughed nervously again, tugging at his robe. “Really, it’s nowhere bad. Well, I mean, it is bad, but good-bad. Like, I’m doing malicious things.”
“You really are terrible at lying.” Pomegranate mocked, not believing him for a second, “I think you’re off to partake in something good.”
“No, I’m not! Really!” Licorice was more confident in how he said it, as it wasn’t entirely false. He wasn’t doing anything against Dark Enchantress, he was just doing something for himself. And if he didn’t get out of here soon, he would be late, and he really didn’t want to keep Clover waiting.
Pomegranate didn’t let up on her scrutinizing gaze, but she did seem more dismissive when she spoke again.
“Fine, go. But if I find out you’re going against our master’s plot, she will hear of it.”
Licorice let out a breath of relief and turned to leave. With a brisk pace, he would still be on time.
…
Clover was waiting for him and smiled brightly upon seeing Licorice trekking up the hill. Licorice couldn’t help but let that smile infect him as he sat down next to the bard.
“Hello, Licorice. You look nice this evening!” Clover greeted, still smiling warmly.
Licorice turned to hide the heat that crept into his cheeks upon hearing that, mumbling a simple “thanks.”
Clover seemed undeterred by the somewhat dismissive response and he unpacked the wicker basket he’d stored their dinner in.
Licorice was handed a vegetable hand pie, a bottle of water, and a homemade sugar cookie.
“How was your day?” Clover asked, biting into his pie.
Licorice also started on the pie, and found it to be delicious. “It was fine. How about you?”
“Oh, it was quite nice. A few children came along to listen to my songs and I felt very appreciated. I never mind singing to the creatures of the forest, but every once in a while, it’s nice to have people as an audience.”
“That sounds nice. It must feel great to have the people’s support.” Licorice said it a bit too wistfully and caught his tone the moment the words left his mouth. He clamped it shut, but the damage had been done. Clover had noticed.
“Do you feel under-appreciated?” Clover asked tentatively.
Licorice sighed, he usually kept his rants isolated to his diary, but supposed maybe just this once, he would open up to another person.
“I guess I do. My boss is never happy with my work and it’s only made worse by my coworker, Pomegranate, who constantly berates me, even when I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just so tired of being treated like a joke. I could be great if anyone gave me the chance.”
A hand overtop of his own made Licorice tense slightly. He looked over to see Clover gazing at him with worried brows and a sympathetic frown.
“I’m sorry.” He started, not moving his hand, “I didn’t know your workplace was so harsh. I don’t know if it helps, but I can always listen if you want to talk about it?”
A warmth filled Licorice, starting where their hands met and crawling through every inch of his body. His expression softened and he nodded at Clover, “I’d like that, thank you.”
Clover smiled and finished his hand pie, though still didn’t move his hand. Licorice tried and failed not to focus on that tiny detail as he finished his own pie and began nibbling on the cookie.
“All the food has been really good.” He complimented, heart skipping when he saw the grin it brought to Clover’s face.
“Thank you! I made it all myself, I’m so glad you like it!”
Clover had taken the time to bake for him. Heat climbed to Licorice’s cheeks once more and again, he turned away to hide it.
After both had finished their all their food, Licorice and Clover looked out at the sunset, spilling a warm golden light out across the hill, and Licorice found himself focusing on the way it gleamed off Clover’s fluffy white hair, which was slightly unkempt from wearing a hat all day.
Licorice hadn’t even fully realized he’d been staring until Clover turned and met his gaze, earning a startled intake of breath from Licorice as he froze up.
Clover only smiled and reached up to brush Licorice’s hair out of his face.
Licorice remained perfectly still at the touch. He was absolutely not used to anyone touching him, especially with the loving gentleness that Clover held in his hand. He forced himself not to move, lest he lean into it.
Clover seemed to be completely unaware of the internal turmoil he was causing with that simple brush of fingers against skin, and only made it worse by then leaning on Licorice’s shoulder as he turned his eyes back to the setting sun.
Licorice barely breathed so as not to disturb his companion. He wasn’t sure how to react at all, so he just focused his attention to return to the sunset, just as Clover had. His mind was anywhere but, however.
It felt like the moment lasted forever, and as the vibrant oranges and yellows faded into dimming reds and purples painted across the sky, Licorice decided he was fine with that. If he was to be stuck in any moment forever, this wouldn’t be a terrible one.
He tensed again when Clover sat up straight and turned that soft, ever-undoing smile back upon Licorice.
“Well, soon we’ll be sitting in the dark.” He sighed, eyes gliding over the remnants of the picnic below them.
Licorice recognized the statement to be the kind that would end the evening. He was disappointed that it was coming to a close, but understanding.
He helped Clover pack up the extra food and the picnic blanket and the two stood to part ways.
“Well, I hope we can do something like this again sometime.” Clover stated, hopefulness lacing his voice.
“I’d like that.” Licorice affirmed.
And in that moment between goodbyes and departure, Clover quickly pressed a kiss to Licorice’s cheek before turning and walking away, whistling a soft tune that carried through the cool late evening air.
Licorice was left reeling, face absolutely flushed and eyes wide. He stood there, stunned, for a few moments before finally regaining an ounce of composure. Clover had made it a fair distance by that point, but Licorice was not about to leave their night off like that.
“Clover, wait!” He yelled, running after the bard.
Clover turned in time to see him nearly trip on his robe twice rushing over, but said nothing when Licorice got to him.
Licorice was breathless after the running, but straightened up, cheeks still tinted. He was stuck with confidence, though, and let a smile come to his face.
“Can I kiss you? Properly, I mean.” He asked, nervous despite aforementioned confidence.
Clover laughed softly, smiling widely, “Of course.”
Licorice leaned in and, to be honest, quite awkwardly closed the distance. But the moment their lips met made up for it. Licorice felt he could’ve soared in that moment had he not been so decidedly incapable of such a thing.
The kiss itself was a simple peck, and didn’t linger long, but didn’t fail to bring a smile to Clover’s face that Licorice couldn’t help but share.
It felt entirely too perfect. Stars twinkling above, grass rippling in the breeze below. Unfortunately, they couldn’t stay there forever, the night had to end at some point.
“Have a good night, Licorice. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Clover finally bid his farewell.
“See you then.” Licorice confirmed, and they both went their separate ways. Needless to say, that moment stayed firmly planted in Licorice’s mind for the rest of the night, and as he lay in bed, in the darkness, before sleep found its way to him, he decided.
Maybe he was ready to admit he was in love.