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"Hey, *huff* March," you said as you ran over to the redhead at the forge, waving to him while catching your breath. "I was wondering if you-"
"Woah woah, hold on. Don't get too close to the fire here," He cautioned you without taking his eyes off his work as he steadily brought out some molten gold from the furnace. He set the ore, a firey honey syrup in consistency and color, down and into the bar mold. You watched as he carefully poured the ore with a precision so beautiful it was mesmerizing, mouth agape. Looking up from the ore, tracing your eyes from his hands, then arms, and finally to his face- that cute, concentrated look, a furrow in his brow- your heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
"Okay," he said, wiping the sweat off of his forehead. "What's up?"
One look at you and he could tell you had been staring a little. Looking you up and down, he started to get hot in the face- turning as red as his scarlet hair. You looked cute. Really cute. Not wearing your usual outfit (the classic farmer's overalls, red bandana and run-down boots), you had caught him off guard. This time, you wore a pale yellow sundress and had your hair done up in some loose braids underneath a wide-brimmed straw hat, which had a small satin ribbon tied into a bow.
You both stared at each other without saying a word for a couple of seconds. The tension was palpable- the only sounds were the cracking of the fire, which was still roaring, and the sound of your heart beating in your ears. It was so loud, you wondered if he could hear it, too. The sweat dripping down his forehead in slow-motion. His hair flowing in the gentle breeze. How could you not be breathless?
"A-ahem.." March cleared his throat, breaking the silence. Snapping out of your daze, you finally managed to gather your thoughts.
"I was wondering..." you started. "Well, I guess..."
March gulped.
Taking a deep breath, you decided to just try and say it all at once.
"If you're free today-"
"Yes!" March blurted.
"But I didn't finish-"
"I'd love to hang out with you- I, I mean- I could take a break..." He tried to be nonchalant, but the idea of you two going out on a date was still nerve-racking. Even though both of you had gone through the whole "getting trapped in the mines" thing, it was still hard to get used to this feeling, being unable to keep himself cool and collected.
You smiled shyly. Now, you too, had turned red. You could tell he was trying his hardest to keep his cool persona intact, but was failing in the most adorable way possible.
"I was thinking... we could maybe go down to the beach today. It's so hot out, it might be nice to cool down by the seashore," you said with a smile plastered to your face. "It might be fun! We can have a picnic, and build sandcastles, or drink from a coconut..."
Rambling on, you trailed off. It was hard to contain your excitement. You had never really asked someone out on a date before, and you weren't expecting March to be so willing. Sure, your mines experience together earlier in the week ended with a kiss, but you wondered how it was that this felt so easy. After all, March had always been pretty cold towards you... when did that change?
March nodded. His chest felt full, and he could feel the butterflies in his tummy going berserk.
"I'd love to," He replied with a gentle smile. "Let me go put this stuff away and get changed... how about I come meet you at the farm in an hour?"
-
Just like he said, in almost exactly an hour, he was at your doorstep. You opened the door as he was about to knock, as you had seen him through your window. This caught him a little bit off guard- he had brought you a little something, which he was hiding behind his back, and was almost revealed from the shock.
"Hi!" You said as you swung the door open.
"H-hey..." He said. "I brought you something."
A single, yet beautifully delicate, red crystal rose appeared from behind him. It was glistening with dew still on its petals. Your mouth opened in awe.
"...! Where did you get one like this?!" You blurted out. "I've only ever seen them in blue!"
"Celine has been taking some time to cross pollinate her crystal roses in order to make new colours," March started. "I had to practically beg her and get down on both knees for this one. She only let me have it once I promised to finally juggle for the festival next Spring..." He said, letting out a sigh.
"It's beautiful," you said softly. Looking at this rose, it reminded you of a certain someone nearby. Delicate, yet covered in thorns. You put it in a small vase.
"Thank you, March. This is so sweet." You leaned in for a hug, and he took a deep breath to brace himself. You could hear his heart beating- since he was quite a bit taller than you, you were able to press your head to his chest for just a moment. It was steady, but quick paced. You pulled away to see him blushing. "Let's get going."
-
"How about here?" March said as he peeled himself away from you, jogging to the shade of a large palm tree. You nodded with a wry smile. He had been carrying all the picnic supplies for you, and you wondered how he was able to jog through the sand so effortlessly. He set down the picnic blanket, a colourful gingham pattern you crafted yourself, and a small container with some food and drinks. The two of you sat down to admire the view.
"This is nice," he said, watching the waves ebb and flow; a boat in the far distance sailing. "I haven't been able to relax for a while. It's been so busy with all the work from the Capital."
You lay your head on his shoulder and felt him tense up, then ease again.
"The farm has also been crazy," you said and closed your eyes, heaving a sigh. "After we fell down in the mines... well, you know. Nobody could water the crops or feed the cattle, so there was so much to be done,"
"I'm sorry-"
"No! Don't apologize," you said, removing your head from his shoulder to face him directly. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat. That was really scary, March. When I heard you were missing, I-... everything went blurry. I'm so glad I found you." You grabbed his hand without thinking. When you realized it, you started to take it off, but he lay his other hand on top of yours, keeping it in place.
"I'm so glad it was you," he said, giving you a smile. "And also that now, we can do this..." He said, gesturing around him. Even though he was nervous, it felt good, in a strange way.
"Say, how did you come up with this date, anyway?" he asked. He had never gone on a date before; much less do the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing.
"Well, I was walking along the beach this morning..." You started. "I wanted to try and catch some fish for the museum,"
You opened up the food you had prepared- a sushi platter, one of March's favourites. His eyes lit up.
"I had caught a big tuna, and thought I could use it to make a good gift for... someone..." You snuck a glance at March, and gave him a wink realizing he was looking at you. "I know the museum still needs one, but I thought it could wait. Fresh sushi for my favourite person in town takes precedence." You let out a small giggle at the end. March's heart felt like it could explode. You walked him through each of the rolls, and you took turns feeding each other until eventually there was nothing left. The sushi was so delicious, March thought he might actually shed a tear. "They were so fresh... the tuna, so buttery it melted in my mouth..." He uttered. "I could die happily right now." He pat your head gently. You both chatted a bit more about his favourite types of sushi, which led into your love of fishing, leading then into how fun cooking can be, Friday nights at the inn... on and on, you both talked for hours.
By this point, it was late in the afternoon, so the temperature wasn't at its peak anymore. That is, until March took off his tank top. You hadn't realized it, but underneath all the layers that he usually wears, he was actually quite well built. You weren't the type to be impressed by muscular people- you never had been- but again, this was different. You caught yourself staring. Forcefully pulling your eyes away, you got up and dusted off your dress.
"Let's walk along the shore!" You said, trying to get your heart to stop pounding so loudly.
"Great idea," March said as he got up as well. "After all that food, I could use a walk."
The two of you walked along the shore, sand in between your toes. It was soft and warm to the touch. March took your hand and intertwined his fingers with yours, swinging your arm slightly as you walked. "You know, this is my first real date..." he said. "I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that." He chuckled.
"It's my first ever date, too!" You admitted, laughing as well.
"We're kind of lame, aren't we?"
"I was so nervous to ask you out... we haven't really hung out since the mines." you let out.
"That's true-" he said. "But I really meant what I said in there, about being with you." He nudged you sweetly with a smile on his face. "Thank you for asking me out today."
The sun was now starting to set over the horizon, tinting the sky a myriad of shades of pinks and oranges.
"I used to love coming down here with my pops, before he and my mom... you know." March suddenly blurted, seeing another boat go by in the far distance. "He used to sail out here. Olric and I used to wave them goodbye before they would set off on their voyages." You looked up at him. He was calm, but his voice was melancholic. He looked at you and could tell you felt sorry.
He shrugged and smiled. "It was a long time ago! Don't feel bad. I'm glad I can come back here... especially with you."
You held his hand and squeezed it tightly. He knew what that meant: you were there for him, no matter what. You both walked towards the water, and let your feet get swallowed by the waves. You watched as a hermit crab walked over March's bare feet under water, and looked up to see him a little mortified. You let out a laugh seeing his reaction, and he couldn't help but laugh as well. Another wave rolled around. This time, a blue, pale conch shell washed ashore. It was ornate; with one big spiral and inside, a pearlescent, pink hue covered its walls. March immediately picked it up. "This one reminds me of you... it's pretty." He blushed and handed it over. "You should take it."
He took both of your hands and put the shell in between them. You looked up at him, with your big doe eyes, and he couldn't take it anymore. He leaned in and kissed you, again, gently cupping your face in his rugged hands. You leaned into it, and at that same time, you both lost your balance and fell in the water. Laughing like little kids, you kissed again sitting in the water, soaked. He could feel you smiling as you kissed.
"How come we're always falling into things?" You said, pulling away.
"Come on, let's go home," March said, helping you up. Both still giggling, eyes locked. "Yeah... let's."