Tree
gettin back into the groove of things! hope you guys enjoy :)
*****
The air was crisp this morning, a bite of cold suggesting a more intense winter than last. Aelin was bundled up to the max, her green beanie snug against her ears and gloved hands stuffed deep into her oversized winter coat.
Was this outfit a bit dramatic? Yes, yes it was. Did Aelin care? Absolutely not.
Despite the unwelcome cold, Aelin couldn’t have been happier at that moment. Her last exam of the semester had ended that morning, and the weight of 20 elephants was lifted off her shoulders. She practically skipped along campus, her long blonde hair bouncing behind her. But it wasn’t just the relief of the end of a semester keeping her feet light. No, more like where and who she was skipping to.
Their spot had just been Aelin’s at first. During her first week of college, she had found what seemed to be the only peaceful haven in the middle of campus. A place where Aelin could work on homework without going to a stuffy library, preferring to feel the heat of the sun or cool breeze against her neck. The tree stretched tall above herself, and most of the buildings surrounding it too. The branches were thick and heavy, enveloping the small bench placed perfectly underneath in its shadow. Hidden in a corner of buildings that made up some sort of college or another, it saw little foot traffic, allowing Aelin to sit for hours at a time without seeing a single student.
That is, until she did see another student. A handsome one, at that. One that took her breath away, melted her heart with his piercing emerald green eyes, and sat straight across from her on her own bench. One that made her laugh so hard she almost peed herself, distracted her from her work (in the best way possible), and showed her a love that she thought she could never have again.
She rounded the path that led into the alcove, taking a seat on the bench, leg shaking with impatience. He wasn’t late by any standard, but Aelin anticipated their brunch date eagerly and she just really wanted to see him. They had both been slammed with last minute studying sessions, practice exams, and everything in between, leaving almost no time for each other. But as she was waiting in utter boredom, the greatest idea sprang to life. Aelin dug through her backpack, finding a tool that would do the trick.
Completely focused on the task at hand, she didn’t even realize he had been standing behind her in an amused quiet for most of her mission. He couldn't hold in his confusion or laugh at the sight before him for very long, announcing his presence with a deep laugh. Spooked, Aelin dropped the pen she was using to etch away the bark. Her hand grasped her heart in true dramatic form, words of admonishment already forming on her lips.
“Rowan, my gods you scared me. Make a sound next time, why don’t you?” Rowan smiled at her fondly, obviously detecting the teasing anger in Aelin’s voice.
“But how could I disturb you? You just looked so cute angrily stabbing a tree, I didn’t want to ruin your flow.” Aelin pouted in response, leading Rowan to twist her and hug her from behind, arms around her shoulders and chin rested atop her head. They were eye level with Aelin’s masterpiece, even if it was a shotty masterpiece at best.
“But look! It’s our spot, our tree, and there are our initials. Now if anyone else comes around here, they know that it's taken and will back off in respect.”
“Or fear if you're here.” Aelin reached up and thumped him on the head, deservingly so in her opinion.
“I’m joking, Aelin, of course I love it. But there is just one issue.” She turned around in Rowan’s embrace, smoothing the wrinkle of confusion etching its way across that beautifully tan skin, awaiting his next words.
“Those aren’t our initials.” Aelin was really hoping he would’ve caught on at first, but she wasn’t completely surprised he didn’t. He was simultaneously beyond intelligent and beyond stupid at any given moment, and it looks like stupid won the showw this time.
“Of course it's our initials. F+B 4EVA. Fireheart and Buzzard.” Rowan’s laugh echoed throughout the space, the chuckle that followed shaking her in his arms for what seemed like an eternity. Aelin grasped his face between her hands, caressing the stubble she found underneath her fingertips. His eyes were bright and shining and directed right at her, with Aelin’s own eyes mirroring the action. This moment is what she lived for, breathed for. This moment and many more were what felt like home, and gave her peace. Rowan was hers and she his, and nothing on any earth could change that.
*****
Send me a word and I’ll answer it as a prompt :)
