Vantablack

Security was almost a guarantee in the garden, untouched by the unpredictability of the outside world, a perfect ecosystem where the great experiment of mankind could be observed and adored. 

And yet Adam would say he had never known it before Eve. The feeling of isolation he felt almost daily disappeared, she was truly a gift to him, of course, he was not so selfish to assume that was her only purpose in life. Just watching her now, anyone could tell heaven took their time making her, each small peculiarity purposely handpicked to make a vivid picture of a woman.

She was warmth, his better half, someone he could not stand to be without.

Laying under the stars, the night was slightly frigid, but with her hand in his own, nothing but warmth engulfed his being. Blades of grass frame their figures, as they stare up at the twinkling lights in the skies. Eve always found it so strange how the heavens seemed to dim out at night, trading their brilliant blues and fluff clouds for a raven sky. Perhaps they purposely did so for those down on earth to notice the little things, to see patterns amongst the celestial bodies above. She pointed above to show Adam, wishing to share every beautiful thing this world had to offer with him.

“Look, you can draw images in the skies, just as you showed me with the clouds- the stars also hold life in them.” Moving closer to him, to the point her shoulder had touched his, she began to trace the stars in his vision. 

Unconsciously leaning into her, he listened and watched intently to her words. Allowing her to paint pictures up above, with each movement and word she continued to shape his world, unknowingly allowing it to revolve around her own. Even when he could not keep up with the speed of her ideas, he could not help but just let his focus be strayed by the melody of her voice.

“...I wish to count all of them one day, or that maybe those after us could eventually find every shape the stars have to offer.” Eve’s smile turned soft, as she looked at Adam. That look that never failed to capture his heart, every time her eyes met his own.

Adam couldn’t help but snicker a little to himself, his smile turning playful as he raised an eyebrow at her, “You’re so strange…you will probably be the only person who likes to think Eve.”

She only rolled her eyes, chuckling to herself. Knowing full well somehow that would not be the case, “Oh, and now you’re telling me you don’t like to think?”

“Of course I don’t.” He fired back jokingly, which immediately got Eve to give a mischievous smirk.

“That explains so much…”

“Oh, you little-”

Getting up slightly, he found that Eve was quite sensitive, probably the first human to ever be so ticklish. He was naturally stronger than her thanks to his stature, so it was easy to overwhelm her with his jestful attacks. Eve was practically roaring loudly with laughter as the sound carried through the clearing, no longer as melodic but the way she laughed so wildly like this, to the point her stomach began to hurt from how she didn’t seem to have the air to breathe.

How could someone not adore such a funny sound? Adam couldn’t begin to imagine.

Eve had tried and failed to pull him away, but had to settle for tapping his shoulder to get him to stop, wheezing too hard to form proper words. Her gut was now sore from how loudly she was howling with laughter, it felt like she couldn’t breathe but in the best way possible.

“Had enough?” Adam said proudly, watching as the woman huffed out for air next to him with a dopey smile on her face.

“You are only upset because you ran right into that one-”

“Oh shut up.”

Catching her breath, she pushed herself with one arm up and leaned back against it, propping herself up as she tilted her head curiously at the man in front of her. Eyes narrowed as she watched him, his mind was so much different from hers. It was delightful truly, he had the kind of grin that brought the corners of her lips up along with him, coy and teasing, it made her wonder if the crescent moon was envious of how his smile shined brighter in the night.

“You asked me if we would be able to soar through the skies, like the birds?” Adam looked at her, his eyes always seemed to make their way back to her. Even if they strayed for her, it was always for a moment, as if the only sight he could never grow tired of was her.

“I did.”

Eve looked at him, observing the rise and fall of his chest as he brought his gaze back to the heavens. The twinkling lights captured beautifully in his arctic blue eyes, the only fragment of the day in this late hour, he wanted to question as well. Perhaps curiosity was the entrance to the world Eve seemed to live in.

“Do you think the two of us will ever get to dance among the stars?”

Eve did not look up when he asked such a thing, she wanted to say yes, that it was possible- but she did not know that. Not for sure. A part of her wished for that certainty, many blessings came with this life, but knowledge of what is and what will be was not something either of them had. 

Letting out a shaky breath, she did not want to rain on this event with her indecisiveness, looking among the trees around them, she caught something in the distance. Her eyes widened a hint of something new, something she had not yet experienced in this world she and Adam lived in. She was brought to her feet, her eyes were fixed.

Adam felt his heart clench in his chest, watching her stand, this feeling he could not put a name to. But it felt as if the world just stopped, where the only thing he could hear was the sound of his heartbeat and how the rhyme seemed to grow uneven when he watched her get up to run.

He did not realize he had grabbed onto her hand until rosy eyes looked back at him. Confusion in her features, Adam brought to his knees as he held onto the woman, it was clear something was clouding his mind now, Eve could see it. Azure shadowed over the normal soft blues of his gaze, his eyebrows furrowed with the slightest quiver of his lip.

“Adam? What’s the matter?”

“You did not answer my question…” He spoke, his voice stripped of its usual bravado, it was airy, vulnerable.

Eve stepped closer, to look down at the man as he seemed uncertain as well, but perhaps his was deeper than hers. Different, dare she say it was pain that caused him to hold onto her like this. His grip was not harsh, it was desperate, for what she did not know, “I will answer it soon enough, but I can tell that’s not why you cling to me, so I will ask again. What is wrong, dear?”

“You…” Adam’s hand shook, he looked down to the grass beneath them. He couldn’t form the words, his thoughts he was afraid to unravel, it felt exposing to try and find words for what he was thinking. For why he was afraid, “Are you trying to leave me too, Eve?”

“What are you talking about, I would never want to leave you?”

“I know you say that, but I-” He let out a frustrated sigh, he was not angry with her, he was just vexed at his thoughts. His doubts. She never gave him reason to be weary, and yet he could not shake this feeling. 

But she waited, the serene air around her calming the storm in his mind, he took a moment to hold onto her hand tightly. It was not as if he wanted to be possessive of her, keep her only for himself, he loved to see her roam freely. He relished in the radiance that was her own, not his, but with her freedom slowly grew the seeds that she would run too far from him. He knew nothing of companionship before her, loneliness was only solitude before he knew Eve, but now that he knew what it felt to be comforted by her presence he was fearful of being on his own again.

“I am sorry…I just, I don’t mean to be unfair to you, it just scares me. It scares me to be alone, Lilith, she was the woman before you. Sure I did not have a bond with her like I have with you, but it didn’t make her leaving hurt any less, her fleeing to another. Yeah, we didn’t get along, at all, but sometimes I wonder what I lacked to cause her not just to leave, but run from me, I just…don’t ever want you to do the same. Run from me. Am I not interesting enough? Am I too harsh? You are so much different than me, your world seems sometimes unlike my own, and in all honesty, I find it hard to keep up sometimes. What if something else captures your gaze, and you never look back to me again?”

Eve took a moment to process his words, her expression hard to properly gauge. Adam brought his other hand to hold onto hers, but he brought her hand to his temple as if he were praying to her. Pleading with her to not leave him, and internally hoping she did not find this display of vulnerability pathetic. He did not wish to let these doubts out, not to her, he didn’t want the world around him to have such power to hurt him if he let his sorrows free.

“I am afraid of loneliness, I know it’s weak to be but I am. And I am not trying to compare you and her, I know you have never given me a reason to not trust you. But I- just…I can’t find the words to say what it is that bothers me so much.” Eve softened, she was not angry, not even for a moment. She was not upset with him, but for him, “I will not pretend to know or understand exactly what it is that you fear, but please let me try to ease your fears.” With her free hand, she brought his chin up so his eyes could once again meet her own. He looked frightened, she was not going to blame whomever this woman before her for his circumstances, but it caused a deep ache in her chest to see him in such a state. But she smiled down at him, just as she always did, she did not see a pathetic or hurt man, only Adam.

“This world is wonderful, there is so much beauty I see and hope to dig for. Each discovery I find makes me want to rush to you, each new wonder I find I bring back just to see that shine of your eyes. To make you smile, to make you laugh, to confuse you, I adore you, Adam. You are by far the best thing my world has to offer.” 

Her hand let go of his face, as she stood tall once more, the handheld in his beginning to slowly pull and slip from his grip, “If I ever stray too far from you, if I ever stray too far from you...Adam, promise me you will chase after me?”

It was a question that did not need to be asked. He longed for her, only her. So when he brought his lips to the back of her hand, he happily sealed that promise as well as the doubts that plagued his mind constantly for once became silent, “I promise.”

One last smile, one last laugh she offered to him before she ran off to the forest. Running to obtain something he could not see until he could no longer see her. The ache in his chest was still there, but thoughts of her kept him occupied. 

A few minutes felt like an eternity, an eternity where he could only think of her. He forced himself to his feet, to stand proud until she returned to him, just as she always did. She was never far from him, that’s what he had to keep reminding himself, and he was not wrong for believing that. A contrast to his darker thoughts that said she would run and never return, he did his best to remain certain of her, as she trusted her words more than his mind right now.

As he saw movement, unlike earlier Eve was walking back slowly, but her excitement was still evident. The grin on her face was one he had seen a million times before but never grew tired of, her hands encasing something he could not see. Creating an entrapment for the unknown, standing in front of Adam the wind softly blew her hair back, a chill rolled down Adam’s spine as he kept his eyes fixated on her fingers as they gently held a sphere-like shape to whatever discovery Eve wanted to show to him.

“To answer your question of if we can dance among the lights above…”

Releasing her hands, his eyes widened and small glowing orbs seemed to fly from the palms of her hands. But they did not return to the skies, instead, he watched as they all glided slowly through the field around them. He did not know of such little creatures that could mimic the constellations, but for a moment Eve seemed to bring down the heavens just for him.

“Thankfully you and I have practice dancing together...” Looking back at her, she grasped his hand again, her other landing on her shoulder. And instinctively, Adam’s hands went to her waist, the two fitting perfectly together as they began to slowly waltz among the living stars around them. Her head against his chest, she shut her eyes as she spoke softly again, “It is only you, I would bring the stars to, Adam.”

It was all breathtaking, she was breathtaking. Dancing the night away, among the twinkling lights, Adam could not help but let out a soft laugh, she did have a way of bridging a way of her world to his, so he could forget the dull life he had before where all he had was himself. Bringing her hand to his lips once more, he could not help but speak softly against her warm skin, “My Eva, you are everything.”

A display of something that had not yet been properly explored, this world was new, and the idea of them was new. The two souls continued to bask in the feeling of being in one another's arms, longing to only be with one another. The sound of Eve’s voice softly humming throughout the air, along with Adam’s slowly joined her in this song with no name, and yet the melody held weight. 

The only word that could describe it was love. They loved each other, romance was not yet explored, but to the world, these two’s romance was the start of it all.

Eve continued to wander around the meadow, picking random flowers off the ground, taking just a moment to admire them before moving them to be with the others she had gathered. Unknowingly building a bouquet with an array of colors to choose from but mostly pink as she seemed to favor that color over the rest, humming to herself- it was much more reliable now that her hair was tied back to move around. She did miss how the cool breeze would blow wildly through her locks, but she also liked how pretty her hair looked this way.

She felt as if she needed to move, most of the time just trying to find something new, she loved how wonderful this world was. It made her think, that she did not have that many answers but she felt comfort in what she was certain about, and one fact she knew is that she was happy. Just enjoying the evening and the company she had here in the garden.

“What are you doing?”

Looking back, she noticed the first man sitting with his back leaning against a nearby rock. His hand holding his head, propped against his knee. His gaze was curious, just his presence seemed to make her want to discover more. He was her only companion in the garden, her mind constantly on the move she felt as if he was her center point. Always wandering she was, but she always would make her way back to him.

“I am collecting flowers, I had the most wonderful idea!” She smiled, standing tall she pushed her arms forward to present the flowers to him, “You say I am beautiful with my hair braided, I was wondering if these flowers would look pretty braided as well.”

Adam laughed a bit, raising an eyebrow, his blue eyes challenging her own, “That’s so weird, what do you mean braid them?”

Eve did not respond, choosing to quickly make her way to him as she excitedly bounced, unable to contain her delight at the idea she had come up with. Laying the flowers out in front of the two of them, she began to scan the choices she had in front of her. Looking at the yellow flowers, she seemed to light up as she picked up gleefully.

She did not know how to put her thoughts into words, moving the stems of the flowers along. Calling back to what Adam had taught her when it came to braiding, taking the stems of the flowers, she began to try and focus. Failing a few times as the flowers occasionally would pop out of their place, she would take a moment to ponder how she would fix it, before getting into the grove until she slowly began to make a band out of the flowers. 

It was quite rough when she was done with the circle, but he began to see what she meant by how it could be pretty. Eve’s eyebrows furrowed as she began to fix her mistakes, pulling away at stray leaves or strengthening their structure so it wasn’t so fragile.

Adam watched her focus with great interest before he had a ring of blossoms shoved in front of his face. The woman was proud of her final product, “I call this a flower crown!”

“Oh dang,” Adam said, grabbing onto the flower crown, he did his best to make sure he wasn’t too rough with it. He seemed to be much stronger than her in physical strength, so he had a tendency to break things sometimes like large sticks or smashing fruits in his hands when he gripped them too hard. Eve was always curious, coming up with crazy ideas but this was the first time she made anything, “What does this thing do?”

Humming to herself, she tilted her head to the side, “I am not sure, I guess I did not think about it that far…”

“So, it’s useless?” He jabbed, dragging out the ‘o’ as he spoke, “Not going to lie I thought there would be more to it than just being pretty.”

“Oh shut it-” She sent him a playful glare, rolling her eyes at his tease at her. But his comment did get her to think a little more, before gesturing somewhat urgently for him to do something, “Maybe it could be more, go on, try something-”

Sending her a confused glance, she just threw her hands up and gave him a ‘just try anything’ kind of look. He just fixated back to the flower crown confused, before he moved one of his arms through the hole of the band, wearing it and looking at Eve silently asking her what she thought of this use of her creation.

Staring for a few moments, she shook her head in disapproval, that did not seem right.

She watched as Adam shrugged, moving his arm outside of the flower crown, gazing down at the flowers as his brain racked for more ideas of what he could do. Before he just settled on looking through its center at Eve as maybe it could be some sort of frame for himself.

But she shook her head too, that did not feel right either.

He looked at the crown again, slowly he moved his hands up, placing it above his head before letting it rest on the top of his hair. And for a moment she felt as if he seemed to light up with the golden ring around his head.

Adam always seemed to be nice in his appearance, but right now he seemed more radiant than ever to her. The way streaks of his dark brown hair shined even more golden at the shift of the light with the flowers atop his head, his eyes holding the same azure blue of the sky above, how his pale skin would be dusted a slight rosy tint whenever her eyes held onto his for long. 

“Perfect.” Was all she could say to describe what she saw.

Adam blushed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously at her comment, “Really? Are you sure it isn’t stupid-looking?”

“I can assure you it looks anything but stupid.” Perfect was just the word that captured her thoughts, there was no other way. She could not hide how she admired him, how he inspired her. How she wished to share every thought, no matter how foolish, just to hear his laugh. How she wandered the garden always holding his hand, just to bask in the comfort of his company. How she loved to discover more, just to see how his eyes lit up at every new thing she showed him. “You are truly my muse, Adam.”

“You always have a funny way of flattering me.” Adam smiled as he let out a light laugh, but he couldn’t go another moment without teasing her again, “Or maybe you're just a funny little lady-”

“Oh hush it, you always ruin these moments.” The warmth of her smile clearly showed she felt the opposite of what she said. They spent most of their time when they weren’t exploring teasing another like this, playfully bickering, but there was always this undertone of just security. Eve knew nothing of discomfort, but with him, everything seemed okay.

“Do you mind if I give this a try?” Adam asked, looking down at the flowers she had left, and the normally cocky or playful smile disappeared to something a little more sheepish as he couldn’t meet her eyes when he admitted this last part, “And I might need some help on how to make one…”

“I’d be happy to show you if it helps?” Eve offered, to which her companion gave a slow bashful nod, which got a chuckle out of her. Moving back to the flowers, she began to pick out an assortment of more random colors she thought would look nice together rather than sticking into one color family.

But Adam went straight for specific flowers, they were like roses, but wilder in the number of petals they had and how it seemed to almost be frilly, they were pink but seemed to grow paler at the outer edges. He liked them a lot, they looked like her eyes.

At first, it started with her carefully explaining how to begin making the flower crown, as she began to move her hands along to visually show him how to do what she was saying. At first, it was slow but steady, but he began to fumble and grow frustrated at how difficult it seemed, followed by Eve showing him small tricks she had picked up and taught herself minutes earlier.

But it didn’t seem to be working, Adam muttering swears under his breath as he struggled with his flower crown, while Eve scolded him lightly for being too stubborn to ask for help from her to fix it.

“Come on let me help!” Eve had already finished two more larger crowns that she began to wear one around her neck and the other around Adams. She had been trying to grab onto the crown he was working on to help him fix it but he was being hard-headed about it.

“No- fuck you, I got this.” Adam turned his body away so she couldn’t grab onto it, shielding her from seeing what he was doing.

Eve persisted, trying to grab at it so she didn’t have to hear his whining, because as funny as it was she didn’t want him to be this upset. Enough was enough, she just wanted to help him.

Adam just decided it was done, before placing his half-finished flower crown onto Eve's head. He couldn’t get the shape just right, instead of the crown being a full circle it was shaped more like a crescent, framing the sides of her face as she looked up at him confused about what just happened.

His eyes darted away, his cheeks flushed as red as roses when he muttered, “I wanted it to be a gift for you, I thought it would be easier since I know how to braid your hair…and it’s not so much a gift since it’s kind of…broken.” Not finished, but he didn’t know how to fix it. And yet it still looked wonderful on her, like a laurel wreath but rather made from these special roses, that looked like they belonged with her. Adam could not continue to be frustrated with his creation when Eve’s smile suddenly became that much more dazzling. 

“I love it!” And those words seemed to make Adam more relieved, his gift weighed nothing atop the woman's head, it didn’t seem to move from her hair.

But a twist of sadness seemed to pool in Adam’s chest, not much but it did frustrate him that discovering new things came so easy for his companion. She was the more curious of the two, always pulling them along to the next thing, and while Adam had no qualms about being the only thing to keep the woman down to earth, he wanted to discover too.

The man looked to the side, grabbing a nearby rock and fiddling with it in his hand, his brows furrowed into a look as he pondered what he could do. Curiosity wasn’t something he strongly felt, on his own he was content with what he had, but with her? 

“I want to find something new for us.”

Eve looked up at him, before chuckling softly, “Why? Are you already growing bored?”

“Shut it, you’re getting too cocky from all these little discovers I swear.” 

“Wins are wins, who is to say my wins are not yours too?”

“Well, it’s not that I’m not happy that you're smart or anything but…” Adam let out a frustrated groan, he wished he knew how to convey his thoughts and feelings in words, but he drew a blank. Just staring at the stone in his hands, wiping at it with no real reason or intention for it. Just wished to do something with himself as he thought of what to do or say, how could he put it into words, how he wanted to leave her breathless just as he did with everything small miracle or joy she would carefully discover just to bring back to him. He knew of some already, but by her side, everything seemed so much more vivid, he just wanted to bring that same light into her eye as she did for him.

Instead of continuing to be her usual witty self, Eve just waited patiently for him to sort out what he meant, before the man just sighed and tiredly threw his hand to his side, the stone in his hand hitting the boulder he was leaning his back again.

But that’s when they both saw it, a spark from the stone he was holding, it seemed that much more bright thanks to the sun almost fully being down. The two sat there with their mouths slightly agape at what had just happened, just dumbly staring at the rock and then at another as they began to process what had happened. “How did you- do that again! Do that again!!” Eve quickly moved closer, wishing for the first man to make the light again. It was incredible, how he had created momentary beautiful despite his temporary vexation, it was quite funny how he managed to effortlessly catch her constant wandering attention. Even when he had never exactly meant to.

Adam didn’t exactly know how or really why it happened, he wasn’t paying all that much attention but he just decided to recreate the move again, but this time putting more force behind the swing, the spark was larger this time, as they both got a better look at how the small light seemed to almost jump around for a moment before disappearing.

Humming in confusion, Eve looked at Adam with a puzzled look, “Maybe the light needs something to land on?”

Looking to her side, she picked up the flower left and held it out to Adam, who took the flower by its stem from her. Holding the flower by the rock the two eagerly peered down at the spot, but not too close as to give the light more space to jump around. Adam struck the flint down at the rock once more, then quickly pushed the blossom closer to cushion the lights fall back down.

And this time, the blaze stayed, burning brightly as its flame began to slowly line the flower's petals. The two humans were fascinated with how it seemed to eat away so gently at the rose, holding the flower between the two, Eve’s hands slowly encased around the first man as she curiously looked down at the small sun Adam seemed to have brought down to share between them.

“You- You’re like magic…” Eve decided, looking around the two as she began to collect blades of grass and sticks to make a bed for the flames. Assuming it needed to lay on something to stay around longer, she placed it on a small dirt patch, before guiding Adam to place the flower among the collection of dry leaves and scraps of wood.

The fire only grew once it had something new to set upon, it danced happily at the two, and it illuminated the section of the meadow the two stayed at. Embers slowly rose through the air, glittering around the two, and now they had noticed how it warmed up the space around them, which normally was always cool at this time. 

Adam quite liked it, he always seemed to prefer the day overnight, as he found the warmth of the sun more comfortable than the crisp breezes of the night. Moving closer, he brought a hand closer to the flames, wanting to see if it would like to properly be held in his palm. But when the blaze licked his hand, he made a small yelp back, shaking his hand slightly while the woman beside him only seemed to laugh at the sudden noise he made.

It barely hurt, as it only touched him for a brief moment, but the more prideful side of him couldn’t help but be slightly upset at how she laughed at him when all he wanted was for his hands to hold warmth. But his frustration only made her giggle more, shutting her eyes as she held her stomach slightly.

But then she felt two hands encase her face, holding her in a soft but firm grip, the way Adam held her she was forced to look up at him when she opened her eyes once more. The light from the fire shone beautifully against his light skin, it made the flowers atop his head made it as if it was glowing above his head, creating a sort of spotlight for her to admire him under. A glimpse of gold in his eyes as he looked down at her.

It set something in her chest ablaze when she noticed how his lips stretched into a smirk, as he laughed a little feeling how her face seemed to grow hotter, under his touch, “Who’s laughing now?”

Bringing her hands up, holding his face in her soft touch. With the fire Adam had discovered beside them keeping the two toasty at night for once. She only could admire how he seemed to bring the sun to them, adoring the light not because of how brightly it shined but for how it illuminated him perfectly.

She brought him down to her height, placing her lips against his temple, before touching her forehead against his, laughing as she looked deeply into his eyes. Uncaring of how she got lost in the blue and comfort of his touch, as with Adam she had no clue what he had set ablaze in her heart. But with him perhaps it was okay not to know all the answers, just that in this moment how he made her feel like the happiest being in all of the universe,

Stirring awake, Eve was very persistent in trying to wake the first man, Adam’s irritation came out as a tired groan as he turned away from her. At first, she was gentle, lightly pushing at his side to try and wake him, but unfortunately, the first man seemed to be a heavy sleeper. So she tried to shove him with just a bit more force, but when that also didn’t work it slowly spiraled into the woman just violently shaking him by his shoulders while calling out his name over and over again. 

Putting his hand over his face, his voice set deeper in his chest than usual when he spoke, his annoyance evident in his words,  “Eve- it’s still dark outside, why are you even up?”

“We have to hurry or we’ll miss it-!!” Eve moved from her kneeling position, standing amongst the soft grass they were sleeping by at the man who was still laid out on the floor. He was faced away from her, which only made her snatch his arm and try to drag him herself, but she barely moved him since Adam was almost comically larger than her. Pulling too hard she huffs and plops back on the ground next to him.

Adam’s eyes opened, he couldn’t help but let out a snort when he saw how she was pouting next to him, he knew trying to fall back asleep would be useless, pushing himself to sit up he gave her a look, silently asking her to explain herself.

“The sun is about to wake up!” She was quick to hold onto either side of his face, bringing him close to hers so he had no choice but to stare directly into her eyes as she began to speak of pure nonsense, “We have to go find it now!!!”

He was just lost as he thought about what she said, staring into her eyes with disbelief. With his face held somewhat tightly in her hands, his words were slightly muffled, “You mean the sun is going to rise?”

She nodded vigorously, letting his face go all he could do was sigh in annoyance, before forcing himself to stand. He had known Eve for a short period, but she’d already proven that it was hard to say no to her. And even harder to stay mad at her. Reaching his hand out to help her up, Eve let out a squeal of excitement as she took his hand. 

Quickly rushing him to follow her, she dragged him to the tree line. Passing by many different animals, where the dirt under his feet slowly transitioned into the sand, she brought him closer to the waters from the previous days. Beginning to slow down, she hadn’t let go of his hand, eagerly bringing him closer to the edge of the water.

Sitting down on the ground with her, he took another look around at the familiar landscape, it was the same lake he had brought her to just days before. It was hard to recognize the path, as the night sky was cloaking all familiar landmarks that would have made him realize where the woman was bringing him. But now the sky had switched from inky skies to a dark azure, his gaze suddenly being lost at the line where the waters met the sky.

Ever since Eve was made, there were rare moments when either of them was away from the other. They played for hours, exploring the gardens and vast amounts of land together, the feeling of solitude slowly becoming foreign to him. Two souls playing in a world created truly just for them. But doubts still existed in the cracks of Adam’s mind. But he couldn’t help but wonder why she was so much different than the other woman, he almost forgot about her, Lilith. 

Independent, stubborn, and ran away with another being, Adam almost felt bad about how he called into question Eve’s actions at times. He wasn’t good with words, he wouldn’t know how to ask, it seemed every time he did try to speak about how he felt he always stubbled on his words. Choking out something brash and coming off harsher than he ever meant to be, it was shameful truly. The poison from his previous companion made him skeptical of Eve, even if it was unfair of him to compare his mind sometimes wandering back to the lonely man he was before heaven made him someone new to spend his time with.

So caught up in his thoughts, that he hardly noticed how the sky was lighting up, only realizing it when the sun began to peak enough to highlight the woman beside him. Turned to face her, her rich dark skin slowly being highlighted into a soft pink, the sky turning a symphony of shades. Violets, golds, and only for this moment, a rosy hue dominated the clouds- the same color that melted his doubts, and for the first time he didn’t have to think about his words to say something kind,

“Right now, the heavens look like your eyes…”

Eve brought her gaze to him, her face feeling as if it were warming up at the comment, the corners of her lips softly tugging upwards as his words began to settle. She did have the most radiant smile, tilting her head up at Adam as she spoke,

“Maybe only for this moment, you always hold heavens in your eyes, Adam.”

Adam’s face slowly turned red, looking down at their hands, his onto of hers, his grip became more firm as he smiled down at them. Eve watched him with nothing but admiration in her eyes, moving closer to him, she moved his hand into her lap, incasing his larger hands in her own, treating his hand as if it were made of glass. She leaned her side against him as she too took a moment to gaze at their jointed hands before she moved so her cheek was leaning against his arm. 

Their eyes met again, and Adam could feel as if something was trying to escape his chest, it was a fluttering feeling that left him with a warm feeling. He never knew a smile like hers could exist, that someone could look at him like he was the most wonderful thing he was the most wonderful thing to grace this world. 

Turning back to the sunrise, its light gleaming against the clear waters, they were met with two creatures that were not originally there. Two swans, craned their necks as they nuzzled their heads against one another. Floating in the water, they spun slowly and danced with one another, two creatures made to fly settled just for a moment to enjoy the warmth of one another. The two humans just watched with curiosity,

“Such curious little creatures…do you ever wonder if we would be able to fly together like those two?” Eve spoke, not looking at Adam but clearly, she was speaking of him. Who else would she want to fly with other than him?

Adam laughed a little, watching as the birds continued to move in sync with one another as the sun continued to rise behind them, “Wouldn’t we need wings for that though?”

“Then we shall grow them!” Eve turned to gaze up at him, a soft breeze brushing through his brown locks softly, she could not help but wonder what his hair would look like if the winds combed through them if they glided in the air, “Why should we not learn to soar through the skies together?”

“That’s quite the lofty dream of yours.” Though he couldn’t help but feel immense joy to know if there was anyone she wanted to fly with the most, it would be him.

“Perhaps it is.” For a moment he believed she would leave it at that, but he should have known better. Letting go of his hand, her warmth left his side, as she moved to stand in front of him, something new shining brightly in her eyes as she looked down at him with determination in her smile.

Adam looked at her with wide eyes, watching as she reached a hand out to him, excitement lacing her features as she wished for him to take her hand once more, “How about we start off small then? Let us learn to dance before we take off into flight.”

Adam couldn’t help but laugh a little, but took her hand anyway, “You’re stupid…”

And yet he let her lead him into the waters, they allowed their legs to slowly be engulfed by the lake, it reaching their knees before the two could go any deeper. Facing each other, they did not know what to do other than get lost in another for a moment. Eve was the first to turn away, looking to the swans that continued to dance farther away from them, turning back to Adam she held her hand up flatly. Starting at her hand, if she pushed it forward she would be laying her palm against his chest, but she waited. Putting his hand up, he slowly brought his hand against hers.

It was only now did he noticed how much smaller her hand seemed to be, how the palms of her hands seemed shades lighter than her deeply colored skin, and he watched as her hand slowly slid up against his- and her fingers intertwining in between his own. And for a moment, he just watched before he began to relax his fingers with hers as well, their hands perfectly crafted to fit with one another. 

Bringing up her other hand, she placed it airly against his chest, the feeling of his heartbeat softly under her fingers, he brought his free hand to gently hold her waist. The action pulled them closer together, Eve did not hesitate to place her head down against his chest, shutting her eyes softly.

They began to move, waltzing slowly in the water, with the sun rising behind their figures, in this moment everything was even more than perfect, it was just meant to be. And of all the sights in this garden, he only looked at her. The first step to heaven was to learn to dance with one another.

No one would ever claim Adam to be an observant man, he wasn’t stupid but he didn’t notice the little things. And yet, he noticed how her lashes fluttered ever so slightly against the faint breeze, the way when they danced the light shifted against her hair, and how her heartbeat seemed to be so much steadier than his own. 

It was all just perfect- until a strange sound pierced through the air.

Eve’s eyes opened in surprise, lifting her head she stayed in place as he still held onto her, and then the dancing stopped. Slowly, the two humans turned to the source, and a small ball of yellow floated close to them, the sound of another quack coming from the duckling as it looked up at the two. 

The man watched slightly irked at the small bird that interrupted such a beautiful moment, Eve’s eyes widened in curiosity, as she tilted her head at the creature. It dived its small head into the water for a moment, before coming back up to the surface as it attempted to clean itself, the rustling of its feathers as it shook itself dry causing water to splash onto the first man-

“Why you little-” Adam huffed, moved his leg he kicked at the water, creating a small splash at the small duck, that seemed to almost squeal at the small attack. The duckling was fine, it was just slightly pushed back by the miniature wave made by the man.

There was a dramatic gasp from beside Adam, Eve with her jaw slightly dropped as she looked at the way the first man was so quick to push away the small defenseless bird, she pulled away from him and went to the small duckling that seemed to swim its little legs desperately to the woman. Her hips were now deep into the water as she bent down to cup her hands underneath the creature, holding them up to her face. She looked sad momentarily before she turned to the first man with a pout.

“How dare that big awful man try to attack you like this-” The duck made a sad honk noise in response, and that’s when a mischievous look came over her features- a look Adam grew familiar with, despite what always came after she gave him this look he grew to slowly adore it. “How about you say we get back at him?”

“Wait what-”

A slash of water was quickly shot his way, some even getting on his face, he was quick to try and wipe it off with a huff. His face was slightly flushed, and his eyebrows were furrowed in frustration but the smirk on his face made his intentions clear. Adam was not about to just let her get away with her attack.

Putting his hands together, he pushed a wave of water over to the woman as she let out a high-pitched squeal, holding the small duck above her head as she was practically slapped across the face with water. Her face now dripping wet, her eyes were shut and her cheeks puffed out, she comically blinked her eyes quickly open before she spat out the water that found its way into her mouth. Adam couldn’t help but laugh loudly at how strange she looked in that moment, and she laughed softly along with him, placing the duck on top of her head, the creature happily nuzzled into its spot.

“Oh it is so on-”

And they played for what seemed like forever, what was once a beautiful scene of two learning to sway together, devolved into a splash fight. Adam was good at creating big waves to try and knock down the woman who kept making a fist in the water to shoot water directly at his face between her palm and fingers, and the duck quaking from atop Eve’s head. 

“Adam! You keep getting water in my hair- careful of the duck!!”

“That’s what that stupid bird gets-”

“Be nice to him he’s just a little guy!”

Through their bickering, they couldn’t help but laugh, any threat or insult was empty as the two splashed about. Eventually, they grew out of breath, the two began to snicker as they pulled themselves out of the water, Adam watching as his companion lagged behind. Turning around he watched her bend down closer to the surface of the lake surface, the small tuff of yellow that she was protecting the whole time left her hands as she gently let it down. It seemed to say its goodbyes to her as Eve giggled and gave a small wave to the duck, letting it swim away as she turned back to Adam.

“Your hair looks so strange, it’s much more flattened all wet.” He couldn’t help but tease, but he did like how her hair seemed to shine more when it was soaked. 

Her normally beautiful big curls muted to waves at how much water was being held in them. Eve huffed in minor annoyance, grabbing onto her long hair, she began to ring out the water, Adam walked closer to help her pull her long hair out of the water, “Maybe you should cut it?”

“No! I love how long and pretty my hair is!” He liked how long her hair was as well, it added an ethereal air to her, but he also was logical enough to call out how impractical it was to constantly be waving around by her calves. Sitting back on the sand, her feet still partly in the water in front of her, she sighed at how heavy her head felt with her hair still mostly soaked, “But…you may be right, it might get in the way…”

Eve seemed to go deep into thought as she continued to try and dry her hair, with Adam beginning to sit beside her, helping her dry her hair. As he watched the water drip and fall from her hair, his face began to lighten up as he curiously began to play with her locks that began to curl once more, “I think, I have an idea on how to fix your problem-”

The man began to move to sit behind her as to sitting beside her before, when she began to turn over her shoulder, Adam huffed and lightly put his hand at the top of her head, turning her so she had to face forward.

“Just keep staring at the water, or else this might not look the way I imagine…”

Eve silently obliged, Adam behind her started at the crown of her head and began to cross sections of her hair over themselves, he would swear under his breath at first trying to find a way to get it right while the lady whose hair he was trying to do was attempting to stifle her giggling with little to no luck. 

But eventually, he got into the groove, so focused he almost didn’t notice the soft humming coming from Eve in front of him, his frustrated muttering ceased. His motions became more fluid, his shoulders less tense, just continuing to brush his hands gently through her hair, at some points even just twirling small sections in between her fingers. There was no purpose to the last thing, he just enjoyed it and his attentiveness to her hair seemed to make the woman relax.

Once he was almost at the very end of her hair, he twirled the ends of it into a loop, tying her hair onto itself, for a moment he observed his work, but not before Eve had stopped her melody to face him.

“Is my hair ready yet?”

Eve had turned around, curiously tilting her head at Adam, and his face heated up. With her hair more out of the way, he got to look at her face more, the angels truly took their time making her. Her features were so delicate and gentle, that each small mark on her skin looked meticulously placed for him to admire. And her eyes, seemed to glow softly even when she faced away from the sun, the slightest hint of blue in her iris as her eyes caught the color of his own. 

“How about you see for yourself?” Adam gestured to the lake, letting the woman take a look at herself in the water. Gasping, he did not fail to notice the was her eyes somehow lightened up even more at the sight of her reflection, a beautiful smile stretched wildly across her face as she looked at him with so much admiration.

“It looks amazing!” Eve said, in disbelief before standing at her feet. Taking a moment to do a small spin and feeling the way it felt much more manageable to move around, it was not as if it was unmanageable before, but with how much she and Adam ran around, her hair tended to act somewhat wildly. So this elegant new hairdo helped immensely, she would have to ask him to teach her how to make it so she could begin doing it for herself.

Adam felt his chest swell with pride, a cocky smirk spreading on his face. He stood tall again, crossing his arms over his chest as he spoke proudly, “Uh duh, I am THE man after all…I call this, a braid.”

“I…I love it.” Eve moved her braid over her shoulder, it was thick thanks to how long her hair was, admiring it she looked back at herself in the water for a moment with a fond smile, “You made me look beautiful…”

“You were always this beautiful.” Adam could not hold back that comment, quick to argue against even at the slightest hint of an insult or disservice to her beauty.

Eve couldn’t help but laugh a bit, embarrassed but also happy by the way he sounded so assured in what he said, “I am always beautiful?”

At first, there was nothing. Existence seemed so far-fetched, what was to be of everything was not, however. And then all at once, it was. 

A large explosion, light stretching far and wide, only being highlighted by the void around it. Debrises casting all around, all that was left of the bang that brought all here was a large star in the center of creation. But there was more than just this, perspectives of all realms were produced from the blast, it almost seemed like creation was almost instantaneous, and beings began to form from the stray rays of illumination. Golden dust swirled together, forming beings from these blazing embers, large feathers pieced together, stretching and fanning around their bodies. Their feet floated above the clouds around them, and what remained of the glow began to form above their heads, as if it were their own individual suns just above their minds. 

The purpose was not spelled out, and yet they carried on. They all worked as if their actions were choreographed, clear, and concise at first, they knew not why they were to create but they knew they had to disregard all doubt. A hierarchy of light and virtue is what these beings began to create. Creating other creatures, ecosystems, and substance, and to hold all the most treasured of creations they made a garden.

There was only one species left for these angels to make before they truly began their purpose, these beings would be different. They would be more potent, holding much more to them than all these angels had made thus far. Made from the residue of stardust, the same as them, they formed two beings. As if mirrors of the angels, they were still naive to what existence truly meant for them, an experiment of sorts. 

Adam and Lilith.

This is where humanity was meant to start, humans were made to love and adore, not just the angels above but one another and the garden they were made to reside in. To be progenitors. To rule over the fish in the waters and the birds of the heavens, all that is alive was meant to be there for them. To watch and worship. Made to be innocent, they did not know better, that would pose more of an issue than what was ever considered. The first humans did not seem to be fond of each other, both were strong-minded, and they were disharmony. Even if they were made to be equal, the two were far from the same.

Though one of the two had caught the attention of an angel, a dreamer. A young being of light with whimsical ideas for creation, he was the first to ever question, to ever doubt. But this way of thinking is what set him apart from the other luminous beings, he was the only angel who wished for more. 

Lucifer, the Morningstar. 

Flying down to the garden, the living star had approached the first woman. Proposing his ideas of what could be, what life would be like in his vision, and instead of calling his dreams outlandish, Lilith was the first to believe. 

But this left the first man alone, too prideful to even attempt to coexist with the woman again.

Perhaps this should have been the first sign to those above. That they were not the only beings created from the explosion of life. Their existence was ordered, to create virtue, it was belief... But the concept of belief came at a price as that means uncertainty, locked away in the void, far away from it all a monstrous entity lay dormant in the darkness. And it would continue to rest, only until it was awoken by the first to ever open their eyes to all of existence. 

~~~

It was darkness, the first sensation felt as if her being was underwater. Floating through nothingness, she could have allowed herself to sink, succumb to whatever lying at the bottom. If there was ever an ending to this feeling, but no- she pushed herself forward. To emerge from wherever she was, whatever lay on the other side was calling for her. Beckoning for her to come forth and open her eyes. 

The first man stood there, the angels had summoned him for some unknown reason. The bringers of light had made something new, creation often was for the sake of itself, and this was no different.

“Greetings Adam, we have something for you.”

Her eyes opened, and the first thing they met were pools of blue. Made to mimic the heavens above, the first man stared at her again with curiosity. And the first thing this new human had ever done, was smile at him. Excited at the possibilities of life, where at first she had known nothing her mind was now shining with the brights of ideas and questions.

“We made her for you, a companion to explore the garden with you. We call her Eve.”

Adam had tilted his head at the new woman, there was a part of him that wished to be skeptical, but he could not be. Her hair seemed to be made of clouds, ivory strands that cast down her dark skin, an earthy tone that seemed to reflect slightly gold with the sun's light highlighting her features. The man could not help but wonder if they made her to be the perfect image of beauty. 

“Eve?”

The angel nodded, observing the two as this was a delicate process. Much thought was put into Eve, made to compliment Adam in many ways as well as an attempt to steer him to betterment, being made from him to be his other half. Made pure, clean of the same imperfections as her husband, he was driven to his cause, himself. He did not know better, but they were hoping to correct this self-serving nature before it ever got truly out of hand. It was no secret that after the other woman had fled the garden their first man was growing lonely. As even if the two did not get along, he had no other company to speak to.  They had tried to create more, more animals for him to seek companionship with, but it was apparent they needed another human. Eve was a cure for this emptiness at his side. She was a gift to him, and he to her. 

Eve’s grin seemed to widen when she heard her name, bringing her hands to her lips almost in an attempt to hide her grin, giving a strange-sounding laugh Adam could not recognize. Not to say it was not pleasant, it was light and heavenly, and it amused him as well. It was a giggle, a sweet sound that left him wishing to hear it again.

“Now, we shall take our leave. Adam, why don’t you show Eve what you’ve discovered in the garden so far? We are sure that is an excellent way for you to get to know one another, as you will be spending eternity playing together.”

The angel spoke, her voice rippling through the air like a song, giving the two one final look, hope in the two behind her gaze. The first man and his new bride, two halves of a whole, even with the woman being made second, made for Adam. There was hope for this human to blossom in her way, made to love and adore the world even more than Adam did, they had taken their time making Eve. Women were made to be art after all, just as men were to be. 

Golden ribbons seemed to swirl around the angel, helping the seemingly endless amount of eyes to disappear along with her physical form. Even with her seemingly gone, all of the heavens had their focus on these two. Humans were an experiment of sorts, made to be more than just the few numbers they currently had, made to care for the world and play in their small paradise that had been sectioned off to live in. Their little world to spend all of time in, a delicate ecosystem that needed to be preserved and the errors of what had happened with the first woman needed to be corrected somehow.

Man and woman, standing before one another, neither of them had said a thing to the other yet. Staring at one another, curiosity evident on both of their features, it was like time stopped. The world around fading away and the only things to be heard were their heartbeats.

Eve was the first to turn away, looking at the foliage around her with appreciation, she was entirely new. Not yet having the time to fully comprehend her surroundings, a soft smile on her features gave away a serene look to her. The smell of wooded lands with floral hints surrounded the area, it truly was beautiful. A museum of the most gorgeous things creation had to offer.

“Eden…that is what they call this place, yes?”

Her voice was smoother than his, it sounded like a song, melodic in a way. Lifting her head, she shut her eyes, taking a deep breath, life seemed so…wonderous. She enjoyed it, knowing there was so much out here for her to explore, after all, she had all of eternity to figure out whatever questions she had.

Adam smirked, chuckling to himself and rubbing the back of his neck somewhat awkwardly. He did not have too much experience speaking to others, the angels and Lilith were his only practice, and the latter did not end too well with him. A part of him felt almost ashamed for what he had demanded of her, he never meant to be truly rude but he would never admit that, mainly due to how the two had argued and were not resolving any previous issues anytime soon. Though he remained somewhat skeptical, were all women going to be similar to Lilith?

“Yeah, it's nice here isn’t it?” This spot was the same place he was awoken to after his creation, where it had all started and where it is now starting again, “They say I should show you around… which is fine by me, if there’s anyone who knows these gardens it’s me. If you tried to go off on your own you’d probably get lost.”

Eve gave him a confident nod of approval, “Yes, you have been here longer so if anyone could be a good guide it would be you.”

“Damn right, I would be.” His crude statement came out without him properly thinking about it, no one knew where Adam had even learned such language but he did have a brash personality it seemed. But at the very least this new woman did not seem to mind all that much, rolling her eyes but her smile gave way that she found the way he carried himself amusing.

Adam gestured for her to follow him, here in the clearing it was easy to admire the plants and animals from afar. He guided her to the forest, the vast amount of trees was lovely but sometimes it was easy to get swept away by it all and lose track of where they were. Being here longer meant he was fairly confident that he knew where he was going, but he would occasionally tear his eyes away to look back at Eve in curiosity—wishing to gauge how she felt about it all.

So far so good, while they were silent it wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable. There was a small air of awkwardness, as this was new for the both of them and to be thrown together so quickly. It was all a little disorienting for them both. In ways respective to just the two of them, one was just getting used to being on their own and the other was coming to grips with their consciousness.

Adam was the first to break the silence, clearing his throat and forcing himself to stand taller, fixing his posture so he gave off an aura of confidence, “You know- they had put me in charge of watching this place?”

“Oh really now?” She raised an eyebrow at him, a playful smirk replacing the soft expression she had before, her tone even changing to something more teasing, “All by your lonesome, impressive.”

“Hey! watch it…” Adam narrowed his eyes at Eve, which only caused her to give a short laugh watching the first man become defensive. “I’ll have you know it’s a very demanding job. I have been tasked with caring for all that lives, naming all of the creatures that the angels made up above.”

That was a partly lie, nothing was demanding about Eden. Paradise meant there were no hard days here, the land and its creatures were all perfect, a controlled area where the worst this life had to offer were merely minor inconveniences. Eve was quick to catch on about that, deciding to indirectly call him out for his dramatization of what he is to do,

“Very well then, let’s see it.”

“See what?”

“See you name the beasts of these lands of course.”

Adam scoffed, her words were clearly meant to attack him, but instead of damaging his ego it only seemed to egg him on more. He almost couldn’t help the small smile stretching across his lips, “I’m already bringing you to a place I was just visiting the other day, I haven’t finished naming all the fish in that lake so we can start showing you around there.”

Guiding her closer, it was now easier to see where he was taking her. Into another clearing, it was not a plane of grass this time. There was water, it shined brilliantly in the light as if it were liquid crystal, and it was easy to see the ground beneath its clear waters. Small fish swimming gracefully in its waters, eternally dancing away with another. But there was another creature of interest, floating above them all.

What a strange creature it was, pure white it sat in the water, gliding across its surface. It seemed to love to swim, to be in the water, but it had wings. Just as the angels did it had wings folded softly at its sides, a long neck craning over beautifully. Its head was an interesting shape, the front of its face gingerish shade with a small band of black lining its beak.  

Stepping into the lake, Adam began to move closer to the creature, softly moving through the cooling waters, expecting Eve to join in with him. Raising an eyebrow, he laughed a bit at her hesitation,

“You were talking so big earlier, where did all that confidence go? It’s just water.”

“I was just created, don’t act so surprised that I’m new to this.” 

Eve was just careful of accidentally disturbing the fish, stepping in she shivered at the change in temperature around her legs but a small laugh erupted past her lips. It was a very strange sensation to feel any shift in temperature for the first time, but after the first step in she was quick to join by Adams's side, they both observed the creature as it drifted closer to the humans. Tilting its narrow head at the two before softly squawking at them. 

“...does this one have a name yet?”

“No, I’ve never seen a bird like this one yet- normally they only fly in the skies or stay in the trees.”

“How curious…” Eve slowly lowered herself closer to the water and brought her hand out to the bird, getting close enough for the bird to take notice but not quite touch them without permission, to which the creature nuzzled its head into her hand. She looked up at Adam who stared at the creature seemingly in deep thought before humming to himself in approval.

“We will call this one, a swan.”

Eve smiled, “Swans…what a lovely little creature.”Eve stood back up again, letting the bird float closer to Adam, it swirled around the first man and made a strange honk sound at him, which caused the two to laugh at the sound. Eve gave him a playful smirk, crossing her arms as she gazed up into his eyes, “Though, I wouldn’t call this demanding.”

“It’s only easy because I make it look easy, just think about how I have to do this with the entire garden of these animals.” Adam scoffed, shaking his head at the woman as he placed his hands on either side of his hips, puffing his chest out with pride.

Eve only gave him a single look, he knew she wasn’t buying it. And it was only solidified when he watched as she couldn’t hold in a chuckle from escaping her lips, trying to politely cover her evergrowing smile behind her hands. Adam huffed, but getting an idea he bent down, dipping his hands into the water in a cupping motion as he brought his arm quickly up splashing Eve with water, and he kept up at it when he heard her laugh harder. 

“Alright- alright, I’ll stop laughing- mercy!”

Her hands were up in surrender as Adam stopped, then went to wipe the water from her face, still smiling at him. Adam’s chest swelled with pride, snickering to himself as he crossed his arms.

“I didn’t say I would believe you though.”

“Oh, you cheeky little- what you think you can do it better than me?”

Eve crossed her arms as well, standing taller as she had a confident smile on her face. Her eyes challenged his own, “Of course I could.”

“Oh, you are so on.” Adam looked over to the sky before pointing upwards, Eve’s eyes following where he was directing her to look, seeing the bright sun she squinted before the man spoke again, “How it's going to work is we are going to find new creatures in the lands and sky, we yell their names out and whoever has the most by the time the sun starts to set wins the game. We will meet back here to say our number, deal?”

“Deal!” Eve said happily.

The two stared into one another's eyes, both with a determined glint in their eyes. At the same moment, they both swiftly turned to run in opposite directions, the lake splashing around them as they desperately tried to get out before the other. The water slowed them down and off off-balanced while trying to run, Eve fell into the water letting her hands and knees meet the sand below, hearing Adam laugh obnoxiously behind her she pouted, before hearing a screech and a splash. Now wheezing she heard the first man dramatically fall back and heard his struggle as he flailed in the water, they both did their best to scramble out of the lake- their forms soaked and off-balanced as they kicked off on the ground and ran for the surrounding forests. 

Eve was almost out of breath her stomach had begun to ache from laughing so hard, she looked back to see Adam run in a direction not far from her, continuing forward she had found that the lake had extended into a river, and noticed two small creatures floating in the waters, holding another's hands as the current took them wherever it wished. They held their small soft paws together, laying lazily in the water as Eve was awed at the sight before she heard a voice call out from a distance away from her,

“Lions!”

She almost was distracted by it all, before clearing her throat, she did not think through agreeing to this game. Looking back at the two creatures that were tilting their heads cutely at her she began to speak without thinking, “I- uh, Otters!!”

As much as she wanted to stick around, she had to go- waving goodbye to the smaller beings she ran once again in search of more animals to name. Pushing and weaving through the foliage, her eyes began to dart around for even the smallest of critters in need of a title.

“Rabbit!”

“Boar!!”

“Tiger!”

“Sparrow!!”

“Frog!” 

“Cockroach!”

“Wait, why would you name it- wow real creative!”

And this went on for who knows how long, they ran around the garden playing this game. Pointing and calling out to any creature that crossed their path, from felines to reptiles, by the time the sun was begging to set they both were out of breath and were making their way back to the lake. Eve was picking leaves from her hair as she made her way over, to Adam who was already waiting for her there. 

“I got, 129.” Eve was the first to call hers out, the number had startled Adam at first, he had lost count of how many animals she called out for but he knew he got a large number as well. “Try and beat that, pretty boy.”

“Well…I got- uh.” Adam began to count on his fingers, muttering animal names to himself as he began to use all his fingers to count, after about the third pass between all 10 of his digits, Eve watched as he paused. Softly swearing to himself before seemingly restarting from square one.

Eve gave him a questioning look, Adam growing more frustrated as his face grew warm, both from his vexation and from embarrassment. Stepping closer to him she took his hands, pushing them to his sides, before taking a set back, putting her own hands up as she took a deep breath, 

“The first animal you found was the lions, then were the boars, the third were the sparrows…” Eve continued to recall seemingly every animal she had heard Adam call out to, putting one of her fingers up respectively so he could visually keep track of what number she was on. It was clear that the first man was no good at math, so she figured she would do it for him.

He just watched as she spoke, his frustration melting away as she began to name everything perfectly, not even paying attention to the number she was on as he just stared off and got lost in the melody of her voice.

“...and the last animal you named were the doves. That would make you have…129-” Eve had trailed off, realizing that they had identical numbers, meaning it was a draw. But the number had snapped the man back into reality, his confusion turning into mild annoyance.

“What? No no, I got more than you.”

“Well that's what I counted to-”

“Let's do a recount.”

Adam made Eve recount the animals, twice. Every time it came back to the same number, leaving them both kind of bummed they got the same number. It was almost anti-climatic in a way, both were disappointed there was no winner in the end, not that the game was not fun and exhilarating. They both were just trying to prove a point, as childish as it all was.

That was until Eve took notice of the soft patter of something by their feet. Small clouds of yellow, they seemed like tufts of dandelions, they were so small and delicate. Eve had begun to bend down, her hands coming down to the small creatures in a cupping motion, allowing the small birds to step into her palms and steady themselves in her hands as she stood up. Shifting the three birds to stay on one hand, she used the other to softly nuzzle against their sunny heads with a single finger. Their faces almost reminded her of swans. Cooing lightly at the creatures, while they quacked back happily at the woman, and then she turned to Adam with the smuggest smile,

“I call them ducks, which makes them 130. I win.”

Adam’s jaw dropped when the words came out of her mouth, “You did not just-”

“Oh, but I did!”

He couldn’t hide the laugh, he was trying too badly to be upset but it was just so ridiculous that he couldn’t hide his smile, “Our game ended when the sun was setting- and because you are trying to cheat the game you automatically lose-”

“You never said that the game ended at sunset, you said to come back here at sunset.”

“Well ducks are stupid anyways, they are just smaller swans.”

“Take that back! They are not stupid and they are different from the swans.”

They spent the next five minutes bickering about the most childish of things, one would think this was somehow negative. But no, the heavens were able to witness the two laugh despite the fighting. They didn’t seem to know how to drop the smile around each other, such contrasting souls mixing and playing off one another. 

It was like the realms took a sigh of relief, a small triumph for humanity. Two souls playing in a paradise made just for them, two souls made to dance together for all of eternity, untouched by reality they were to be perfectly preserved. 

It was unfortunate the way mankind was made, so easily that could they be broken and fall apart. To be corrupted meant that something needed to first be good, that is the harsh reality of life. Try as the heavens might, change is unavoidable, that is the only rule all concepts must face. And that means chaos was bound to seed its way into the most naive creatures to ever exist: