#guadoleader

@guadoleader​

Anna could not help but laugh. Her eyes dipped towards the floor and a strand of hair was tucked behind her head. Her laugh was a soft sound and one that only seemed to escape her lips when she felt embarrassed. While there was no warmth in her cheeks, she knew that there they were becoming red. She as unused to such compliments and even the ones she got from Jyscal still made her blush like a schoolgirl.

Their wedding seemed like so long ago that Anna couldn’t believe that it had only been a little bit more than half a year ago. It was a day that she would remember for the rest of her days. Despite the less than warm welcome the Guado had given her, that day was one of the happier ones that they couldn’t take from her. She glanced his way, a fond look taking place of the embarrassment.. “I remember it too, of how handsome you were.” She would never forget how he’d looked in his formal robes. She had almost cried as she was coming up the aisle. It seemed rather vain to admit, however, that she had never felt more beautiful than on her wedding day. She had never been one for a copious amount of makeup, the most she ever put on was some lipstick, some eyeliner and maybe some eye shadow, but she had felt transformed that day. 

They were sat together in one of the many rooms of mansion. They’d had their evening meal and had retired to spend the rest of the evening in a comfortable silence. A book lay in her lap, her thumbs pressing on the edges of the paper to stop the pages fluttering shut. She did not wish to lose her page. While there was plenty of room on the sofa, her legs were very nearly pressing up against Jyscal’s. She still felt the need to be close to him.

“It is a memory I will keep with me forever too. I remember feeling so nervous when I was getting ready, but as soon as I saw you, my nerves were almost gone.” She looked at him directly now, a loving smile pushing it’s way onto her lips. She couldn’t help but smile whenever she looked at him. It was a smile that still so full of love and admiration that it felt like it was never going to leave. Leaning over, she placed a hand on one cheek and a kiss on the other.

@guadoleader​

Anna was standing there with a grin plastered over her face. She was smiling so hard that she thought her face would split in two. When was the last time she felt this happy? Had she felt this happy before? She wasn’t sure and in this moment, she didn’t care. Her heart was full of love and it was probably plastered all over her face.

The wedding had gone smoothly. She had walked up the aisle, they had said their vows and exchanged their rings. She had nearly cried as he said his vows and she had nearly cried as she reciting hers. She had nearly cried at many points today, but not out of sadness. She was so happy that it had emerged as something that felt reserved for sadness. It was a blessing of Yevon that she hadn’t cried and ruined her make-up, but the day was still young. There was time for crying later too.

“By the power vested in Yevon, I pronounce you husband and wife. Jyscal; you may now kiss your wife.”

The words sounded distant in her ears that she barely recognised them. She was so intent and focused on her betrothed, that it was only when she felt his fingers brush against her cheek she registered what had been said. Leaning forwards to make it easier for him, her lips met his and their marriage was sealed. Their kiss, while brief, was filled with a passion that had entered their relationship a while after he began courting her. She cherished it as much as she would cherish the rest of this day. As Jyscal pulled back, Anna giggled. “We’re married.”

“I know, it feels unreal.” It did feel unreal. It had felt like she’d been walking on clouds all day. Half of her anticipated that it was a dream and that she was going to wake up any second, still in her parents apartment, several years in the past. They turned to face the wedding part, hands slipping into one another and the crowd clapped.

@guadoleader​

“Take care.” 

Anna rolled her eyes, a smile pushing at the edges of her lips. She knew he meant well. “You worry too much, I’ll be fine.” She would be fine, she had to be. It was only a trip to see her parents. It wasn’t too far and there would be someone with her all the way there and all the way back. There were enough doses of the medicine to last her throughout the trip and there were monks in Bevelle that knew how to make more if she ran out.

“No, I worry just the right amount.” She felt his fingers intertwine with hers, lifting her hand up as he planted a kiss on the back of it. Her eyes turned soft as she watched the gesture. His romantic gestures had never been grand and it was small things like this that reminded her that she still had his affection. “Jyscal, I’ll be fine. Tromell’s wife is coming with me, she’ll make sure nothing bad happens to me.” Anna wasn’t so sure about the last part if Jyscal hadn’t been her husband. While the woman wasn’t outright hateful towards her, the distaste certainly showed. Admittedly, the woman was one of the handful of Guado that were somewhat friendly with Anna, though that was stretching it a little. If she wasn’t married to the leader of her people, Anna was sure that the woman wouldn’t have paid her much of a second thought.

He carefully released her hand. He had tried to mask the worried look and succeeded well enough, but Anna could still see it lingering in his eyes. “Please, do not worry, my love. My illness hasn’t gotten the better of me yet.” She placed her case down on the floor before moving to close the gap between the two of them. Both hands went up and were softly laid on her husband’s cheeks. She knew that was partially why he worried so much. While the tonics and the medicine had helped, it didn’t seem to be stopping the illness completely. Anna didn’t know how much time she had left, but she didn’t want to spend it cooped up in Guadosalam. A thumb grazed over his cheek. One of his hands went up to cover her own. It still amazed her how tiny her hands were in his. 

She leaned forwards, her forehead pressing against his in doing so. Softly, she pressed a kiss against his lips. They were soft. They were always soft. She didn’t know how he kept them so. She let the kiss linger, feeling his lips press against hers. She felt his hand move away from hers to her lower back. Her heart yearned to stay or at least, to try and convince him to come with her. But, Anna knew very well he couldn’t. He had a duty to his people, one that couldn’t be uprooted for a trip to the in-laws. Pulling back, she kept her forehead against his.

“Stay safe.”