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 Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:29 pm
For all the teasing, Vanya really was quite hungry. She'd had nothing to eat yet today, and the long walk here had done much to stir up her appetite. She could swear her stomach was rumbling just listening to the list of delicious fare her mate had packed for the day. She had to stifle a pleasant shiver as he nibbled her ear, and smiling, leaned in to nuzzle his cheek fondly. "It all sounds wonderful, Takis. I'd love a little of everything, but I think I'll start with just some water and salad, then go from there."
She shifted her hooves to her side, leaning on her hip and making herself comfortable. They had wonderful, warm weather, each other, delicious food, and no obligations to anyone but themselves. She couldn't think of a more blessed way to spend the day.
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:36 pm
After lunch, Takis had gathered Vanya into his arms once more, having packed everything away again. He lies back on the blanket, sort of watching the clouds go by and the tree branches sway in the breeze. "This has been nice," he comments, kissing the top of Vanya's head. He has a brief moment of fantasy, imagining how that white flower would look, lodged delicately in her hair. The thought makes him smile.
"I do have one more surprise for you this afternoon," he says, trying to keep his voice calm. "You can have it whenever you want it."
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 7:02 pm
Curled up, head resting on her mate's chest, Vanya couldn't have felt more at peace. The sun shining down and warming her dark fur wasn't helping her fight the urge to drift off. Goodness, hadn't she had enough sleep today? Apparently not; perhaps she'd been busier than she realized lately.
A subtle shifting as her mate kissed her hair, prompted her own alertness once more. Remembering their earlier conversation, she smiled to herself, and answered perhaps a bit cheekily, "But, dear, I thought we had dessert already?"
She giggled a bit, nuzzling his chest to show she was only teasing. "Alright, you have my curiosity. What is it?"
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:23 pm
"It's just over here, near one of the trees," says Takis, beginning to sit up. He gets up and helps Vanya to stand. He loops his arm around her waist and guides her, walking toward the tree where he'd stored it.
"It's a very special surprise," he says as they walk, slowly, toward a tree with a hollowed-out hole in its trunk. "I know you'll love it." Little beads of sweat begin to form at his temples. Don't be nervous, he tells himself. Of course she'll accept it.
When they reach the tree at the edge of the clearing, Takis stops them. "Now, close your eyes and hold out your hands, as a cup," he instructs, taking his hand off her waist.
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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:58 pm
Following obediently, Vanya had the passing thought that in any other situation, this would take an extraordinary amount of trust. Of course, there was no doubt she trusted Takis completely and above any other...but that didn't make her any less curious about what it was he was up to. The temptation was there to do a 'reading'...but no, that took all the fun out of life.
Instead, she simply smiled, one eyebrow raised and did as she was instructed, holding out her hands, cupped together. "I can close my eyes, but I'm not sure of the point, dear," she quipped lightly, hiding a smirk. Still, she did so to humor him, wondering just what he was up to.
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:06 am
"Hush you," says Takis, chuckling. "It's part of the magic of surprises. They won't work unless your eyes are closed--seeing or not." He boops her nose playfully with the tip of his finger, then kisses her forehead.
Alright. Now was the time. He takes a deep breath. "We've been through a lot together, haven't we? We've weathered many changes together. And even though there look to be more changes on the horizon...we'll weather those together as well." He smiles briefly. His heart starts beating faster as he carefully reaches into the hollow of the tree and pulls out the white flower he'd retrieved earlier that day.
"So I've brought you here to give you something very special," he continues, his voice shaking a little. He carefully places the flower in Vanya's outstretched hands. "I-it symbolizes my love for you, ever-blooming." He takes another deep breath. "Vanya...will you marry me?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:29 am
Chuckling softly, Vanya obeyed, keeping her eyes closed. Though she wasn't trying or focusing on it, she could feel her mate's emotions growing more turbulent. Flaring and waning. Though she hadn't caught on yet, she realized she was holding her breath for some unknown reason.
Surprised when the flower was placed in her hands, she started to say something about the time the question was dropped. Her breath caught and for a moment, she couldn't find words. It was as if her brain simply...stopped.
At the same time, it was as if her memories kicked into overdrive. She thought about how she used to be, so distant, so disconnected from everyone. How Takis had found her and saved her from her solitude by simply being her friend. The awkwardness with which he'd admitted having feelings for her...and her own response, at first trying to clinically analyze what love was and whether that was what she felt...then throwing it all out the nearest window and taking the leap with both hooves. It was as if a dam had broken, freeing the emotions that she'd bottled up for so long, she hardly recognized them for what they were.
She'd never regretted it since.
The telltale burning of tears forming in her eyes brought her back to the moment. "Oh Takis," she murmured, blinking rapidly and sending the tears rolling. Yet, she was smiling. "Need you even ask?" Cradling the flower carefully in one hand, she practically threw herself at her mate, wrapping the other arm around his neck. "Of course I will," she murmured against his neck.
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:20 pm
Takis grins and wraps his arms around Vanya's waist, lifting her up and spinning her around once. He buries his face into her neck, inhaling the smell of her skin and her hair.
"I will love you until our bodies return to the Earth," he whispers, squeezing his eyes closed and pulling her tightly against him.
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:06 pm
Nearly overcome by emotion, both hers and her mate-now-betrothed's, Vanya gave into a carefree laugh as they twirled, clinging tightly to her love. As they embraced, she planted a kiss on Takis' forehead and murmured, adding, "...and beyond, my love."
She had to savor the moment for some time, then started to pull away with some reluctance. But there was protocol to be followed. She held the flower out in her cupped hand, inclining her head with a smile. "If you'd do the honors, dear?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:14 pm
"Of course, of course," says Takis quickly. He sets her down and takes the delicate flower into his worn, calloused hands. He breaks into a wide grin as he nestles it into Vanya's hair, next to one of her branch antlers.
"It's official," he says, grinning. He cups her cheeks in his hands and kisses her softly.
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Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 2:50 pm
Practically glowing with warmth, both inside and out, Vanya returned the kiss with a smile she couldn't fight. She'd come a long way to reach this point. Correction, they had come a long way. Together. She'd been lost and on her own for so long when Takis found her, that she'd had no idea how to even connect with others anymore. Takis had shown her how again. A couple of silly teenagers had grown into friends, then adults, then something more.
Even with all the responsibility that came with it, the exposure to new things both wonderful and terrible, she thanked the spirits for bringing her back to Laisidhiel that day, and for choosing her for her important role. If not for that, she and Takis may have never found the strength or opportunity to admit to one another how they felt. Every day, new challenges allowed them to grow, as individuals, and as a couple. This was simply the next logical step for them.
'Though, when has logic ever had a place where love is concerned?' she thought to herself in amusement.
Pulling away from the kiss, Vanya reached up to trail her fingertips lightly over her new accessory. An eternal symbol of their love and devotion to one another. It made her heart flutter all over again to think about it. She'd never get tired of that feeling.
Turning a sudden, devious grin upon her mate...no, her betrothed...she gave him a light push backwards, flinging herself at him with a giggle as the pair tumbled into the grass beneath the shade of the tree.*****
[FIN]
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