˖˚⊹ ꣑ৎ‎ ᴬʳⁱᵃ

The tiger stirred a little at the sound of distant giggling and laughing, opening one eye to peek at the foliage for any movements indicating danger. When none was found, it went back to its slumber, ear twitching as the chuckling came closer.

The birds looked down from their nests and chirped. The leaves swayed softly in the wind near the serene waterfall, dragonflies jumping off from the lotus heads as the sounds of bare feet on grass entered the silence.

Your hand in hers. Rushing towards the serene waterfall together. Her red hair billowing in the wind as she ran along with you. The fabric hanging low on her waist billowing alongside your flowing dress, made from the finest Sumerian fabric.

Soft tinkles and swishes of fabric being set down on stone filled the atmosphere of the lake as you both took off your respective jewellery and clothes before dipping into the stream.

Splashes of water woke up the sleepy toads as she dipped her foot, then her whole body slowly into the stream, the waterfall splashing quietly behind her. The lotuses moved along with the ripples of the water as she turned around to hold out her hand towards you and pull you into the stream with her, body against hers as you both giggled and dipped inside the stream, soaking your hair with the pristine sun bathed waters. The small white flowers that floated around quietly in the water now clung to her hair and yours as you both splashed around, creating huge ripples.

A dip in the quiet pools of the forest was exactly what the both of you needed. Her endless days of practicing her dance for Zubayr Theaters performances and yours researching at the Akademiya have worn the both of you out.

So being here, in each other's presence, laughing, giggling, splashing water on each other, was therapeutic, in a way.

You watched as she sighed into the cool water, the crimson of her hair floating around her like a school of bright koi. She was very intently observing a Nilotapa lotus, admiring the hues of the petals that floating in the waters.

"They've really brightened up these days. Maybe it's the effect of the rain?"

She commented, slowly moving to your figure leaning against the large rock in the stream with a number fishes swimming by along with her movement.

You hummed, admiring the hues of her eyes as the sunset reflected on them, watching them crinkle as you splashed some water on her face.

"Maybe. Or maybe it's because of you."

"Do not jest."

You both cracked a smile and giggled like little girls, feeling a few more fishes swim by you both, tickling your sides, causing her to move closer to you with a giggle.

"The sunset is quite short-lived today..hm?" You observed, your fingers deftly working on the tension in her nerves as they tenderly presses against her shoulders in massage when she pressed her back to your chest.

"Seems so....but hey, at least we're on time."

She responded, leaning her head back to gaze at you, her sapphire irises boring into yours, crimson hair brushing against your cheek.

The setting sunrays reflected your soaked bodies, bathing them in soft, golden glow as it slowly disappeared, leaving pink and orange hues in the blue sky which now reflected on the water, and then on her soft skin.

Your eyes met hers. Hers met yours. Your knuckles gently dragged up the skin of her shoulder, making her sigh as her hand softly brushed away the soaked hair that clung to the tenderness of your cheek.

The foliage surrounding you both was quiet, save for the sounds of the crickets and the swishes of the ripples, followed by the soft tinkle of her delicate anklets, the only jewellery that currently clung to her now.

What was need to gain enlightenment, when being in a stream bathed by golden light and floating white flowers, was enough..?

—"Could you stop being an absolute pain in the ass and stay still for once??"

You could see the faintest hint of a pout on his expression while you wrapped the belt around his waist, trying to see if it was fitting properly (It would've been much more easier and faster if he didn't wiggle around every ten seconds 😒)

"This feels hot. Not hotter than you though— OW!"

"Yeah you deserved that."

Luka sighed as he rubbed the spot where you gave him a good ol pinch, staring at your form kneeled in front of him, your hands currently fixing the stupid belt.

"Shoot, should've used extra fabric.. Okay there.."

You stood up after successfully securing the belt in place, giving him a silent one over, noting any details that needed to be changed. The look you were giving him proceeded to send shivers down his spine, but he masked it well with his sleepy gaze. You stepped forward to run your hands over the cloth he was wearing, smoothening it out and fixing the wrinkles to make it fit better on his body, not aware of the effect your hands had on him.

You were in the midst of fixing a detail that needed to be changed until you felt cold, purple tipped fingers gently grabbing your wrist— to your surprise. You barely had time to react when he brought your hands up to his face and gently pressed a kiss on your palm, his gaze flicking up to watch your reaction.

"Luka..!"

"Hmm..?"

A pretty shade of red bloomed on your cheeks, your eyes widening at his actions and you immediately pulled your hands away, hugging your torso. You barely resisted punching him when a chuckle escaped his lips at your body language, which earned him a dirty glare.

"Don't look at me like that, I didn't do anything.."

He raised his hands up in defense, closing his eyes dramatically, before peeking at her with one eye open.

"Unless you want me to.. That is."

That bastard. That stupid handsome bastard.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I will be posting Hyuna's version later since this has been sitting in my drafts for quite a long time. Stay tuned.