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nyanderenekoWord Count: 1,011
Nova felt at home in a place like this. The sound of the sea and its weight in the air, painting every inch of the cave as if it required such a substance to survive. Even if that wasn’t the case for the stone that formed this structure, it certainly was for the vegetation for which said structure had been named. She was a little surprised—and disappointed in herself—that she’d never taken an opportunity to visit such a marvel before now. It wasn’t too far from the town she’d called home for so many years, the modest coastal trading post that she’d never quite managed to build up the courage to stray from. Now, she wasn’t nearly as afraid of the wider world as she’d once been. And now, she didn’t have to conduct any of her exploratory excursions alone.
“Isn’t this place beautiful?” she asked her companion, caught up in the brilliance of the scenery as she absently posed her question. “It’s magical, really. I mean, I know we’ve probably seen places that are even more magnificent than this, but…there’s something special about this place. At least to me.”
No words left his lips, and she flicked an ear as she turned to look at him. Eyes clear and contemplative, expression as keen as usual, she wanted to know what kind of thoughts were whirling around in his head. She always wanted to know, but sometimes his ponderings were too complicated for her to parse. His postulations and explanations would often leave her reeling, although that didn’t mean she wasn’t interested in hearing them. Even if she’d never understand them, just connecting with him through the very act of hearing him out was enough. Fingers laced behind her back, she approached him with her head quirked to the side.
“Is everything alright?”
His focus shifted, and the sudden attentiveness in his gaze indicated that he’d noticed her. Although he’d been watching her the whole time, it was apparent he’d more likely been looking past her, looking through her. The truth was that he’d actually been entranced by her, so immersed in his observations that he hadn’t been receptive to anything else, even her own words. He smiled and her hands clenched, heart spasming like he’d struck her with a bolt of lightning. She almost couldn’t handle it when he regarded her with that kind of smile, a tender face that made her want to dive into his arms and simultaneously burst into tears.
“I suppose it does have its charms,” he mused, reaching out to caress her cheek. A few strands of hair got caught up in his fingers, and he twisted them delicately, lovingly as he went. “But if I had to choose, I’d say you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”
Her instinct was to jerk away, and she barely managed to tamp it down. Eyes darting around to examine anything but him, he trailed his thumb across her skin, and she didn’t have a clue of what to do or say. With a few simple words he’d transformed everything, twisted her thoughts and feelings inside out, made her stomach lurch and heart overflow with gratitude, love, adoration. Said heart was still pumping wildly, and the blush that always betrayed her was involuntarily in full affect. Lifting his hand to rub her ear instead, she snatched his wrist before his gesture could illicit another of her novel reactions that embarrassed her more readily than most.
“I’d really rather know what you think about the actual cave we’re standing in.” Her grip tightened, but he masterfully maintained his casual demeanor.
“I don’t think I would be able to appreciate it nearly as much if you weren’t here to see it with me.” More flattery. She wasn’t sure how much more she could endure. “You make everything more enchanting, more pleasant. I’m grateful to have the honor of sharing such a remarkable experience with you.”
“You’re insufferable.” Despite her complaint, he took note of the spark in her eye that contradicted her resistance.
“Then I’m also thankful that you put up with me,” he continued, his words serious despite his teasing tone. “Truthfully, I do think this place is quite spectacular. But the thing that fills me with the greatest joy is knowing that being here makes you happy.”
“Just being with you makes me happy.” Two could play this game, she decided. “It doesn’t matter where or when we are, just being in your presence is enough to warm my heart.”
He laughed; her tactic was obvious. With a soft kiss to her forehead, and an even softer one to her lips, he cradled her face in his hands like it was the most fragile treasure in the world. “And as long as it makes you happy, I will continue to accompany you anywhere.”
Summary: A fic prompt fill for this ask from this prompt list.
*Author’s Note*: This was only supposed to be like 500 words hgnegnes I’m sorry I always get so carried away orz. I wanted to write a short fic having to do with the Caves of Azure after playing Alfyn’s chapter 2 a while ago, but when I initially started writing it it was just a nightmare and I felt like I couldn’t make anything work. Pairing that scenario with this prompt seemed to do the trick of clearing my block, at least in terms of this particular piece, and I really enjoyed writing it and think it came out pretty nice! Thank you again Mel for sending me such a wonderful prompt, and thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy!
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Damp walls were bathed in a soft turquoise glow, their slick surface glistening like the rolling sea. The source of the glow was present on practically every surface, soft tufts blanketing the ground and snaking up the walls as if they’d been hung there intentionally, forming a captivating scene that both amazed and inspired her. Spots that were void of the rare moss were illuminated by the light pooling in from the numerous fissures in the ceiling, veins of sunshine that looked like pockets of glittering gold or amber. Whitecaps and swift undercurrents lapped at the shore near the cave’s entrance, and their presence could be heard even in the depths she and her companion had traveled to. Despite the moist atmosphere, there was something calm and cool about the air, accented by a mild breeze that swept through the cavern’s various passages. It was never strong or consistent enough to completely dry out the interior, naturally at odds with the other elements since the ocean never withdrew its wet grip from the sturdy stone walls. That was fitting, considering this place resided just down the coast from Goldshore, one of the Coastlands’ most prestigious and prominent settlements.Nova felt at home in a place like this. The sound of the sea and its weight in the air, painting every inch of the cave as if it required such a substance to survive. Even if that wasn’t the case for the stone that formed this structure, it certainly was for the vegetation for which said structure had been named. She was a little surprised—and disappointed in herself—that she’d never taken an opportunity to visit such a marvel before now. It wasn’t too far from the town she’d called home for so many years, the modest coastal trading post that she’d never quite managed to build up the courage to stray from. Now, she wasn’t nearly as afraid of the wider world as she’d once been. And now, she didn’t have to conduct any of her exploratory excursions alone.
“Isn’t this place beautiful?” she asked her companion, caught up in the brilliance of the scenery as she absently posed her question. “It’s magical, really. I mean, I know we’ve probably seen places that are even more magnificent than this, but…there’s something special about this place. At least to me.”
No words left his lips, and she flicked an ear as she turned to look at him. Eyes clear and contemplative, expression as keen as usual, she wanted to know what kind of thoughts were whirling around in his head. She always wanted to know, but sometimes his ponderings were too complicated for her to parse. His postulations and explanations would often leave her reeling, although that didn’t mean she wasn’t interested in hearing them. Even if she’d never understand them, just connecting with him through the very act of hearing him out was enough. Fingers laced behind her back, she approached him with her head quirked to the side.
“Is everything alright?”
His focus shifted, and the sudden attentiveness in his gaze indicated that he’d noticed her. Although he’d been watching her the whole time, it was apparent he’d more likely been looking past her, looking through her. The truth was that he’d actually been entranced by her, so immersed in his observations that he hadn’t been receptive to anything else, even her own words. He smiled and her hands clenched, heart spasming like he’d struck her with a bolt of lightning. She almost couldn’t handle it when he regarded her with that kind of smile, a tender face that made her want to dive into his arms and simultaneously burst into tears.
“I suppose it does have its charms,” he mused, reaching out to caress her cheek. A few strands of hair got caught up in his fingers, and he twisted them delicately, lovingly as he went. “But if I had to choose, I’d say you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”
Her instinct was to jerk away, and she barely managed to tamp it down. Eyes darting around to examine anything but him, he trailed his thumb across her skin, and she didn’t have a clue of what to do or say. With a few simple words he’d transformed everything, twisted her thoughts and feelings inside out, made her stomach lurch and heart overflow with gratitude, love, adoration. Said heart was still pumping wildly, and the blush that always betrayed her was involuntarily in full affect. Lifting his hand to rub her ear instead, she snatched his wrist before his gesture could illicit another of her novel reactions that embarrassed her more readily than most.
“I’d really rather know what you think about the actual cave we’re standing in.” Her grip tightened, but he masterfully maintained his casual demeanor.
“I don’t think I would be able to appreciate it nearly as much if you weren’t here to see it with me.” More flattery. She wasn’t sure how much more she could endure. “You make everything more enchanting, more pleasant. I’m grateful to have the honor of sharing such a remarkable experience with you.”
“You’re insufferable.” Despite her complaint, he took note of the spark in her eye that contradicted her resistance.
“Then I’m also thankful that you put up with me,” he continued, his words serious despite his teasing tone. “Truthfully, I do think this place is quite spectacular. But the thing that fills me with the greatest joy is knowing that being here makes you happy.”
“Just being with you makes me happy.” Two could play this game, she decided. “It doesn’t matter where or when we are, just being in your presence is enough to warm my heart.”
He laughed; her tactic was obvious. With a soft kiss to her forehead, and an even softer one to her lips, he cradled her face in his hands like it was the most fragile treasure in the world. “And as long as it makes you happy, I will continue to accompany you anywhere.”