#kashphia

---  “Say aah!”  “Aaaah!” Cheeks still a vibrant red, Minori opened her mouth and leaned closer to the scrumptious piece of cake. Once she felt the piece slide into her mouth, the farmer nibbled it away from its fork before swallowing it down.  “W-Well?”  “It’s so gooood!” Shoulders practically trembling with delight, Minori opened her eyes and giggled even at the sight of him nervously fidgeting in anticipation. “Fritz, this is delicious!” Tongue swiping across the bars of her teeth for any left of an aftertaste, the lovely farmer lifted both hands up for a single clap. Tilting her head an inch to the side, she hid her widening smile behind pressed palms. “This is the best birthday cake I’ve ever tasted!”  Swirls of red thickened inside her cheeks to be hearing his lively laughter.  “Guess that means all those hours in Raeger’s kitchen were worth it.”  Her smile twitched just the faintest once she heard him. “Eh?” Mouth shrinking lower and lower to a tiny gape, Minori slowly dropped her hands. “What do you-?” Her mind put two and two together, and this easily popped a surprised gasp from her plump pink lips. Quickly her eyes shot to the cheese cake by their sides, only to then zoom her gaze back at the bashful smile that graced his mouth.  “You made this?”  As if the question wasn’t dumb enough, his slow bob of a shy nod only made her look like a silly fool.  “Mhm…” Feeling quite embarrassed at her baffled stare, Fritz dropped his gaze at the fork in his hand. “I ah… That’s why I’ve been kinda MIA these days before your birthday. Heh…” Cheeks feeling warmer at each breathy confession, he took a glance at the river beside them. “I know your birthday was getting closer. So as your boy-” God even saying that out loud was utterly embarrassing – if not completely exciting. “As your boyfriend, I wanted to do something really, really special, you know.”  Silence became her response, and honestly, Fritz didn’t feel like looking up to see her expression anytime soon.  The tiny hairs on the back of his neck then prickled once he saw and felt her hands squeezing his own.  Quickly Fritz looked up, only to be stunned like a lovestruck fool to see her breathtaking smile.  “Thank you…” Her voice was soft, sweet, lulled so soothingly through the wet pink of her lips. The corners curling a much wider smile, Minori scooted a few inches closer before pulling his left hand closer. “I love the cake and this surprise so much!” Keeping a fistful of air inside her lungs, Minori pressed a brief kiss to the back of his fingers. “This is the best birthday gift ever!”  Once those soft lips brushed over the callous skin of his fingers, Fritz actually felt as if he had floated up in the dark, starlight sky.  However, before he could let himself be drowned in such bliss, the young man swiftly shook his head. “W-Wait-!” He then forced a cough to rid away such an embarrassing stutter. Dropping the fork to the mat, he waved his right hand left and right before rolling his fingers to a mid-clench.  Well, what was supposed to be the intention of being lost in her affections for him instead turned into clear confusion as Minori cocked a single eyebrow at his sudden change of attitude.  “There’s more actually!” Plucking up his courage so that this wonderful night would go smoothly, Fritz hastily but gently wiggled his other hand away from her grasp. “See, there’s a reason why I picked this spot for our picnic.” As he explained, the lively farmer cast a glance at the sky above. And when he did, although Minori was unaware of his swift shift of focus, she did notice the growing smile on his face.  “There is?” Head tilting to the right in confusion, Minori straightened her back before continuing, “What rea…son…?” She then fell silent at the sight of a cute little firefly zipping past her head.  Immediately she looked to the side, hazel brown eyes staring at nothing but at the flying insect. Another and another and another slipped past her, quickly snatching her attention for her lover. The fireflies then flew up in the sky, unintentionally bringing her focus along as Minori looked up in their direction.  And when she did, thanks to her distraction, the lovely farmer didn’t even realize the huge, radiant smile on Fritz’s face when she exhaled a huge, shocked gasp.  “Oh wow!” Black pupils dilated around a pair of mesmerizing ambers, Minori quickly hopped to her feet as she gazed at the amazing sight.  Fireflies were everywhere. Each and every one blanketed the night sky, dazzling anyone with their twinkling lights and soft, delicate buzzes. Left and right some flew around. Up and down others hovered about. A numerous few even glided in circles, creating an alluring gleam of countless rings that practically glowed under the stars’ shine.  Truly Minori was at lost for words. Only her jaw was left hanging, leaving her mouth parted and open to a small, cute ‘O’. Amber irises reflected each glow that gleamed about, rewarding her gaze with such a breathtaking view. Completely enthralled by the glorious sight, she took one step forward, then raised her right hand upwards as if the stretch alone could reach the stunning display.  Obviously the fireflies were farther up in the sky, yet that never stopped the young woman from stretching her fingers further. Slowly her wrist turned, palm then lowered slightly and positioned across one of the circling rings.  “Wow…” Again she breathed out, though voice just a mere murmur for she was more and more swooned by the magnificent experience.  “Do you like it?”  His question was then heard. And while Minori didn’t actually look at him, the lovely farmer managed an enthusiastic nod as an answer. “‘Like it?’ I love it!”  She then heard his laugh, one with an echo that was quite strained yet sweet. “So, does this mean that you enjoyed the night with me?”  Again she nodded. “Of course I did.” Joyfully she laughed. “I still am!”  “That’s good.” Silence drummed her ears for a few seconds. “Because…I was wondering, if you enjoyed tonight, then I was…I was hoping if you would like to enjoy the night with me again…forever…”  Since they were the only two people around, other than the sound of her breathing and the fireflies buzzing, Minori could hear those words echo out loud as if Fritz had just shouted out into the heavens.  After hearing such a question, she quickly and finally looked at him.  And when she did, Oh… another gasp burst out of her lungs. Oh my God…  Because the next thing she saw was far, far, far more exhilarating than the lovely little lightshow.  “Minori…” Gulping once, twice, thrice, Fritz fidgeted on one knee before presenting the ring closer. “Will you marry me?”  Once again that silence hanged heavy between them. One was rendered in complete, speechless bafflement while the other felt like his whole body was burning from head to toe. The fireflies still illuminated the dark sky, enabling both of them to witness each other’s indescribable expressions that vaguely resembled the emotions howling in their hearts right now.  “I-I-I mean-!” Again he forced a cough, though the action actually let out an actual cough. “It doesn’t have to be just night!” Hazel irises feeling as if they were spiraling a whirlpool, Fritz tipped his head down. “I mean we can also enjoy mornings together. And afternoons together. A-And even Mondays together I mean wait what I mean is-” Mouth stretching and pursing to the dumbest shapes possible, he almost wondered – feared – if this final act of surprise was a huge mistake. “Minori, I love you and I-I know this is fate wanting us to be together and I-”  “Yes.”  Well, that shut him up.  “What.” Anxiety burst into flames of sheer bafflement, Fritz finally cocked his head up to meet her gaze.  Under the twinkling lights of the stars and fireflies, the sight of her smile was more than enough to provide him the answer he needed.  “Yes…” Vainly sniffling back the tears that threatened to trickle out, Minori swiftly brought her hands up to cup her quivering mouth. “Yes I will marry you, you silly ray of sunshine!”  Okay. Actually hearing her reply was more than enough to provide him the answer he needed.  Fritz wondered if his heart could physically explode judging by the amount of bliss he was feeling at the moment. “That’s…” Voice faded out to a taut, wheezy chuckle, the lively farmer shook his head in a dizzying pace before shooting right back up to his feet. “That’s great!”  Minori only replied with a shaky laugh. Nodding a few times as if he had asked her a question, she then saw as Fritz reached out for her hand. Stifling a delighted squeak behind pursed lips, she shakily stretched her right hand toward him.  God the two were shaking like a leaf; Minori realized this, but she was still enraptured by bliss to even croak a laugh at the realization.  The ring then slipped nicely around her ring finger.  It felt cold, snugged, perfectly wrapping around the skin as if it had belonged there in the first place.  She then felt a soft kiss to her forehead, further dragging that nice shade of red all the way to the tips of her ears. “I love you…” Minori heard him, heard his voice that lulled so soft and sweet which only quickened the beat of her pumping heart.  “I love you…” Those words slipping so easily out of his tongue, Fritz gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze before pressing another kiss to her forehead. “I love you I love you I loooove you so much, Minori ahahaha!” Euphoric bliss finally taking over his heart and mind, the lively farmer quickly slid his hands down until his arms wrapped around her waist. “Thank you thank you thank you!” Now while he wasn’t actually the strongest in the town, a few years of farming really did pay off for Fritz easily lifted the startled woman and swayed her left and right.  “H-Hey!” Startled yet bursting a few fits of laughter of her own, Minori gripped his shoulders so that neither of them would trip and fall. Oh how she was thankful for the lack of bright light, for she knew and dreaded that her face right now was the exact definition of crimson.  That being said, as the two spun around in excited anticipation for the next chapters of their lives, Minori could confirm one thing: Now THIS is the best birthday gift ever! END

 Although she didn’t technically see who it was, Frey had a clear idea on who was giving her the surprise hug. “Leo-Leo…?” Hands slowly moving to his bare arms, the Earthmate tried to tilt her head to the side.  Unfortunately, Leon’s mumbling and the fact that his face was still nuzzling the left side of her head prevented her from looking any further.  “I love you…” Chartreuse green eyes widened in shock at the sudden confession.  Even with such a reaction, it wasn’t because it was the first time she heard it. No no; Leon had said those words numerous of times to a point where she had lost count.  But to hear it in such a somber, melancholic tone, to hear in the most vulnerable, gentlest of voices that robbed air from her lungs, Frey swore she would have died from joy and embarrassment right on the spot just by remembering it.  She felt his hands move around her wet body. One palm pressed against her toweled back while the other softly caressed the back of her head. White teeth lightly nipped the insides of her lower lip once she heard another grumble, then a mumble, then a purr that actually caught her by surprise.  “Just…” Before she could even think about wiggling away from his firm embrace “hold still for a moment…”  And for that, she remained silent.    Realizing that she wore nothing but the towel around her, shades of red began splashing her cheeks. “Um…” Pink lips parted open, yet Frey only breathed a short gasp of air once she felt his lips trail to the shell of her left ear.  “I love you…” Closer and closer he pulled her to his chest. “I love you so much…” Closer and closer his voice brushed her ear.  Although heat had burned every inch of her face, Frey only twitched a small smile.  She felt his body shiver. She heard his voice quiver.  Ah, Frey knew what was going on, I see.  Without a single word, she wrapped her arms around his chest. “I love you too.” Nose scrunched slightly, “You know I’m always here for you, Darling.” Frey nuzzled into the crook of his right shoulder. “I’m here to stay because I love you…” Her voice was calm, heart-achingly assuring tone, drawing out a shiver from the tall half-fox. Her chest bumped against his, and the Earthmate truly bit back a giggle to feel the wild echo of his heartbeat.  “I love you then,” Her right fingers traced circles at the back of his neck, “now,” while her left hand caressed his bare back, “and forever!” With a few lively giggles accompanying such a bubbly reply, Frey pressed soft kisses to the side of his neck, finally bursting out an adorable mixture of a growl and a whimper from her beloved husband.  While Frey couldn’t see him properly, Leon only curled a genuine, blissful smile. END