Work Text:
The valley is still and silent. Dark grey is the sky, and cloudless, for the rain which fell so heavily last night has now passed, making way for expected sunshine all day today.
As the dawn appears, so too do the birds emerge from their nests. The nearby forest soon comes to life with song.
The sound of a lute picks up, slow and gradually forming a melody. Beneath the trees, strolling along the dirt path, El the Mage and Dustin the Bard are on a journey. With the intention of warming up his voice, the bard begins to sing about their journey so far: how they rose before the sun, before the birds had yet to sing, and how the break of day has just begun, and melodic bells are soon to ring.
El smiles at the sound of her companion’s voice. The lyrics are nothing special, but his voice is always beautiful to her, even this early in the day. She sways and claps along in rhythm to the beat, not knowing the words to sing along.
His ballads are enough to cheer up the weariest adventurer, with his impromptu lyrics occasionally catching her off-guard.
He sings of treasure, and of the treasure of companionship, more valuable than finest gold.
“Suppose the magic ceased to work
It would matter not to me
I fear no monsters that may lurk
For the girl I love’s beside me...”
El’s hands pause mid-clap. “You love me?”
Dustin stops his song, but continues walking. “Of course. I thought you knew.”
A grin lights up El’s face. “You never told me.”
The bard strums gently on his lute, and says sheepishly, “I suppose now I have.”
Mystified, El shakes her head. Not knowing what to say next, she simply bumps her shoulder against his. “Well, finish your song.”
A discordant chord twangs as Dustin’s fingers twitch against the strings. “What—” he gasps, stopping in his tracks. “No response?” He lowers his lute with one hand, clutching his chest with the other. “After I’ve confessed my undying love for you?”
El walks ahead and laughs, which really strikes a blow to the bard’s ego.
“You could at least do me the honor of rejecting me kindly,” Dustin moans.
The mage shakes her head again, turning now to stop and look at him. “I love you, too, my dear bard. It’s just that, well— we’re on our way to meet the party at the summit of the mountain, where we’ll have to slay the three-headed dragon.”
“...Yes, and?”
“Is now the best time for a love confession?
“When would be a better time, if not now?” Dustin asks sincerely.
El finds herself blushing and dumbfounded. “Why,” she murmurs. “Why don’t you finish that song of yours? Perhaps it will,” she turns to continue walking along the path, “give me the courage I need for our upcoming battle.”
El’s back is turned to him, but Dustin swears he can hear a smile in her voice. He quickly bounds up to her.
“As you wish… my love,” Dustin murmurs.
The sound of the lute starts again, lighter and yet livelier. There’s a bounce in his step as he continues along the forest path, walking side-by-side with the mage he loves.