Tricia Sera

It was the middle of the night when Lohen awoke alone.

Sensing your presence was gone within the tight embrace of his arms, he wonders how you even managed to escape him. He could ponder your escape tactics as much as he liked but the smell of something cooking led him away of the bed towards the kitchen downstairs.

Upon setting his eyes on you, Lohen leaned against the doorframe entrance of the kitchen. Eyes observing your every move and how effortlessly you light up the space. The only light in the kitchen was coming from a wall lamp, Lohen figured you didn't want to use the large overcasting light in the ceiling for fear it would wake him, that or you simply didn't feel like using it.

You were tinkering about making something, there was chopped fruit, some cheese, and a jar of something you must've grabbed from the pantry. He remained silent as he watched, your devoted observer he was.

You had already changed out of your clothes from before, when he found you cuddled up near his side of the bed and refused to let him go once he settled beside you. Instead, you wore more comfortable clothes, moving around as if time didn't exist. His eyes softened as he bear witness to such an adoring sight, one he would only get.

The ring settled on your finger glistened in the lamplight, shining like a star in the endless nighttime sky. Perhaps it was the "homesickness" or "lovesickness" he felt while you were temporarily separated, but the attention he gave into the domesticity of your lives was growing. So much he wanted and dreamed of this becoming his reality, now that it was- it was addicting. So yes, he will watch, bask in your quiet snacking as if you were a painting to be admired only by him.

Your movements come to a standstill after noticing your visitor, instead of jumping to question him, you offer him a slice of the tart you had found within the pantry. It wasn't one you remember fondly buying but it was enough to satiate your hunger. Silently he walked across the kitchen and took your gracious offering, biting the tart directly from your open hand. Your eyes widen at the act but sparkle with excitement, turning back to your little spread, Lohen takes the chance to stand behind you. He rests his head on your shoulder, his hands finding their place on your hips. His thumbs tap to a rhythm unknown to you, but soothing, nonetheless.

You continue your snack-making, offering him bites whenever you pleased. Time slowly slipped away from you again, a time where most would be savoring the hours offered for sleep during this time. But unlike most, you savored the time spent right now, with the hands that hold you as if you were the answer to every question ever asked.

Lohen dips his head into your neck, his lips dance against the exposed skin, mouthing along. His lips move against your skin, speaking secrets you have yet to unlock, and promises only he wants to hold. Your hand places the fork you were using aside to come up to his hair, running your fingers within his hair. Your husband, having appreciated such a gesture presses firmly against your back, sucking you in as close as he can without letting you go. It wasn't hard or tight, just firm and comforting. Lohen always held you as if you were seconds away from leaving him, when really the idea would never grace you to begin with.

You sit in silence for a moment, your voice only a whisper in volume breaks into his thoughts.

"Next time we go shopping, we need better snacks. That tart was atrocious.", you feel his smile against your neck, Lohen merely nods. He lifts his head, resting his chin on your shoulder, a skeptical look he gives you.

"Is that an order my captain?", his tone lifts into the tease, but your hand tugs gently on his hair, which (like usual) has no effect on him. Instead, his teeth nip at your earlobe, continuing on he speaks aloud.

"Not that I would have minded, you could tell me to do anything and I would.", his hands leave your body, Lohen moves to lean on the countertop beside you. Arms cross over his chest as his eyes never leave you. You roll your eyes, popping a grape into your mouth.

Truthfully the statement held meaning in its weight. Not only as his captain, but as his wife- a beloved partner in life and death-, he'd do anything you'd tell him.

It was no question about his morality, the "the means are worth the victory" of a man and knight he was, Lohen was no stranger to have questionable means to succeed in his goals.

So, if you asked, or even simply requested, he would do anything you tell him to do.

Perhaps that piece of scum from earlier this week was correct, he was like a dog for you.

Not that you'd ever treat him as one, but the truth still stands. Your husband would hold himself to this standard if it meant to keep you happy and in love with him.

Your eyes roll turns into eyes of melancholy; something was churning in your head at his confession.

You knew Lohen would hold you as someone well-respected in his life. He has told you this before he confessed his love, you could look back and see now that some of that respect was true but also harbored something deeper. In truth you didn't know how to feel at such a confession, on one hand it was sweet? Romantic in his own way that he'd do anything for you, but it also lead to further questions.

"Lohen?"

"Yes, [Name]?", his eyes flick to yours while he awaits you inevitable question that follows along.

"You said you'd do anything for me, you mean anything as in anything. Not just a silly term to throw around, correct?", your eyes cut to his. Not hiding any lies within the drop of crimson within the mint green of his eyes, he nods. Both confirming and restating himself.

"Anything you'd ask of me, anything you'd want from me-is yours. All you'd have to do is ask.", his hand taps against the counter, not out of impatience, just curiosity to where this could lead.

He was thinking you'd ask if he'd kill for you-which he would. If you had to even request it, it meant it needed to be done. But instead, your question leaves him in an odd? No weird taste in his mouth, not one he'd willingly throw up, but had never tasted before. Something new.

"So, if I asked you to live for me, you would then, yes?", your eyes don't leave his face, but they were far away-he could tell. Left in the small state of shock, he tries to answer but you keep going. Your hands come up to his face, cupping it as if he were priceless. Not fragile, just priceless and irreplaceable.

"Would you live for me? Live every moment with and for me? If I requested it of you here and now, like an oath for us both to swear on?", your voice was firm as you came back to him, eyes no longer drifting off to find your words. Lohen remained silent, his eyes watching yours as you questioned him.

The silence stretched for a moment before you gave him more of this new taste, again not odd, only a new one.

"I want you to live for me, to care for yourself for me. To…I can't place it correctly but- just breathe with me? I can't form the words, but I want you, yes you Lohen, to live for me. Not in reckless abandon, but in these…small hours of moments.", you rambled with your explanation, delving into why you wanted him to be cherished and cared in this life along with you.

"You do so much, so much for me. If you'd truly do anything for me, then I want you to stay by my side as long as possible, so yes again live for me Lohen. That is what I'd ask you to do. It's selfish of me but it is what I want.", your eyes lower and leave his, your hands slowly remove from his face. It has been minutes and he hasn't spoken once.

But as your fingers leave his, he quickly (almost at light speed) takes your hands in his bringing your hands back to his face. His face didn't show the emotion blooming in his chest, but you could feel it in how his eyes looked at you. So instead of stopping you continue, gently your voice gives him more of your wishes to love him.

"I know that you know that I love you. But I feel its deeper than just "love" if I were to say. I'd want to cherish you in this life Lohen and hopefully the next. So yes, I want you to live for me, so that in every moment, every day, I can love and cherish you.", You didn't know what you struck within him, but his silence encouraged you. His grip on your hand was tight, silently asking you to continue.

The tips of your fingers tingle slightly, whether from his firm hold or from just the feeling of it all.

"You often say how good I am, but you are much better than that- I think so, no- I know so.", a smile forms on your lips, taking stride in his quietness. You didn't think it was shyness, perhaps surprise at this form of affection and praise. It could be the nightly atmosphere, or something else. You leaned forward and pressed a sweet kiss to his cheek, a firm reminder of your appreciation. Unmoving and ever so tender.

A breath leaves him, his eyes lower into a half-lid. Lohen pressed his forehead to yours, his eyes boring into yours. Like always he looks into the depths of your soul to search for anything. Not denial, all he sees is truths underneath the surface. His lips form to begin to speak but you quickly cut him off.

"And before you say it- do not say I am too good to you or for you. I believe we are past that, and you know how much it irks me when you say it like that.", your finger presses to his lips, Lohen flickers his eyes up and down your face before they roll in mock annoyance. Instead, he pursues his lips to kiss your finger.

"I wasn't, not this time since you seem so oppose to me speaking a truth, so instead…thank you.", he murmurs. His eyes hold gratitude for your affection, this too he will crave. And you, you'll happily give it to him.

"Don't thank me, I'll find ways to do it. Seeing finally, I shut you up, all it took was me being sweet to you Lohen, some would think you've grown soft because of me.", he scoffs and drops your hand again in false annoyance, but a smile was forming on his face as a laugh fell from his lips.

"Oh, because I love my wife, I'm soft, I'll have you know if you were anyone else I'd be offended, hurt even.", he points at you, but your laughter heals old wounds on him. Your shoulders shake as you shake your head. "Lucky me then, but I am serious, I'll make it a task to remind you I'm here to stay and cherish you my good husband. Because that is what you are, despite how often you grate my nerves."

"Which you can't deny I am good at- only me.", Lohen quips and watches you clean up your snack raid.

"Yes only you, now are you going to be a silent watcher again or are we returning to bed?", you ask as you close a few cabinets and the pantry, even turning off the kitchen lamp.

"I would love to, if I didn't wake up without my wife in the first place, I fear she could've gotten lost. Oh, the pity that would be!", Lohen calls as he rounds the corner for the hallway with the staircase, you give him a long dry laugh and follow him up there. Taking your sweet time up the stairs, down the hall to your bedroom you come to face your husband on his side of the bed awaiting you with a smirk.

"Keep it up I'll put a bell on you. Takes you ages to climb stairs now babe?", you barely get an argument in when he (alarmingly) crosses the bed and room to drag you back onto the mattress, with a loud gasp your back hits the mattress as Lohen hovers above you.

"Two things.", you start.

"Hm, go on?"

"One, you say I need a bell when you pull things like that so effectively. Second, if I were to wear a bell then we'd match wearing chokers then.", you grin as he huffs above you. This time he uses his fingers to flick your nose and pinch your cheek.

Your fingers touch against the choker he always wore, tracing along the black piece of fabric. Your fingers trace along the clasp, eyes drawing into a narrow.

"You could tug on it if you'd like or tighten it.", you hum in agreeance with his request but for right now your fingers dance along it.

"Lohen?"

"Yes my dearest [Name], are you going to try and leave me speechless again?"

You huff and tug at the choker to make him intake a quick breath to catch him off guard. "That was me being sentimental I'll have you know and it worked, but no-.", he hums again waiting for you to go on.

Your finger slips under the choker, only about a fingers width was allowed between the choker and the skin of Lohen's neck. He bears his neck to allow you better access, though his eyes sweep over your carefully. You were exploring to your pleasure, and he wasn't going to be one to stop you.

Your finger slips from the choker, your thumb coming over to press against the side of his neck to feel for his pulse point. Once finding it you just feel though your thumb's tip as his heart beats in a steady rhythm.

"Why are you so obsessed with my heartbeat?", Lohen breaks your train of thought. You simply shrug, not having a definite answer. A few seconds pass in silence as you think it over.

"It’s one of my favorite sounds in the world…mainly because its soothing.", Lohen rolls his eyes and flicks you nose. In response you quickly tug at the collar, giving him a quick breath between his lips.

"Alright no more late-night snacking its making you say all these things, makes me worried that something will happen to me.", he teases. Like children you two continue to pick at one another either my pinching or sticking out tongues at each other. Finally, after having your cheek pinched so tightly that you had to kick him, you both come to a stop more so a standstill.

"Says the man who knelt before me and confessed his love for me.", at the reminder Lohen turns his face away from you and grabs a pillow to get you to stop talking. Looking back, it was fit for his dire emotional state of wanting you to know his love for you, being reminded of him kneeling for you and looking at you like a wet puppy made his ears burn. A rare occurrence for him.

The softness of the pillow lands on your head, no force was used to hurt you instead you got a few giggles out from you. Relenting on your teasing and also pleading for Lohen not to tickle you because you say how quickly his fingers settled on your waist, you both made a small peace treaty to leave it until morning. The hours were slipping away from you, and despite how much sleep you both got- a little more didn't hurt.

Crawling and curling up beside Lohen, he presses his face into your neck. His hands pulling you snug against his front as you both get settled back into the comfort of your bed.

Though your words held a spell over him- the foreign feeling that warmed his chest, though undefined was brought upon by you. You always seem to make him face revelations he'd never thought of before, be it falling in love with someone, or learning to cherish them.

Lohen already thought back to watching you in the kitchen, the simple bliss your small hours’ worth of moments bring and how he gets to be a witness to it all.

His eyes fall close; he listens to your breathing even out and fall asleep yourself. His arms remained secure around you, silently reminding you too he wasn't leaving anywhere. His hand rests right atop yours, your ring turned inward to poke your finger. He didn't need to see to feel which ring set it was, the expressive craft work of the diamond was enough to tell him. His fingers trace against your ring finger, it must have felt weightless by now.

Your words still ring within his head, your wish and promise to live alongside him, asking him to live for you-alongside you. Spending your days with him as long as possible or as long as fate will allow you.

It wasn't that the task was impossible or hard to do, it surprised him how earnest you were. Normally he felt he'd earn those words as a form of reprimand for his behavior and self-sacrificial nature. That or the morality he has (or lack thereof).

But you were asking just for time with him, to live- not survive.

Don't survive for you, just live for you. Live as best as he can for you.

And being a good husband and being who he is- he would honor your request. How could he not? You asked of it, you shall get it. So, he will live as best as he can with you, enjoying moments like before. Maybe you were softening him a little, oh well- just with you it was fine.

—

The next morning you arrived at the base of 5th company only to stare at a few things.

A small stack of unfinished reports that needed to be signed off (a norm by now)

The reports from the firearm inspections that went completely normal as you were told by Lohen. Surprisingly no one had failed the inspection (you have yet to ask how he did it)

The pin board being empty, meaning assignments have yet to be assigned

A reminder written by Lohen to hold some crossbow demonstrations for some of the Knights

An envelope signed from the church. Addressed to both Lohen and you.

You play the mental gamble of which thing should go undone first, seeing the pin board being empty irked you more so you settled on that first.

You sorted through some of the reports, signing as many as you can before tackling other means of work. You also had to help organize some work event you read about as you signed, perhaps you needed to speak to Jean or the Grandmaster again about it.

Like normal, you morning would not be complete without Lohen coming up to you to see you before leaving off to stand frontline on another battle the knights had to tackle. He twirled his dagger in one hand while walking up behind your desk, he was careful not to disturb you too much as he could see you'll be swamped today.

Coming up beside you, tucking the dagger away, he cups one of your cheeks and presses a kiss to the other cheek. It wasn't the longest kiss in the world, but it was a meaningful one. When he pulls away he grins wishing you a good day and to not missing him too much while he was away.

"See you babe, be good for me.", he calls out while walking away, you hummed and turned your attention to the envelope from the church.

"Ironic for whom that message should be given to Lohen but thank you- oh wait! Stop, come back for me, quickly.", you call after him, and as told he walks backward back to your desk to see what you needed. In your hands the envelope was awaiting to be opened, Lohen's eyes scanning over the envelope.

"To the ever-popular young couple within the Knights of Favonius.", followed by both your names in print.

You begin to open the letter, but Lohen takes it gently from your hands and slits a clean, thin line along the envelope reveling a card inside. Both of you, looking confused stand close together as he tugs the card out from within the envelope. Once freed, Lohen opens the card-only for a small bit of glitter and colorful papers to fly everywhere from the card.

Some landed on both your uniforms but most landed on the floor thankfully, though the deadpan expression you both shared was laughable.

"The dedication is admirable to say the least. Someone had to stuff all that into the envelope without it bursting open.", you utter under your breath, Lohen scans over the card.

It was an automated or printed message written on the card to congratulate you both on 4-months of official married life as per the date from your marriage license. The card was signed by some notable figures from the church, even the Cardinal of Daybreak signed it too. Which definitely was a sign of something to celebrate.

"The Cathedral of Mondstat would like to take this occasion to congratulate you on overcoming the quarter-way mark of a year’s worth of time within the holy union of marriage. The Cathedral would like to take this moment to praise your efforts in such union by offering services or conversations of an official ceremony that can be held within the Cathedral. Please note that this ceremony can be open to the public or private-", Lohen reads aloud but then stops reading towards the end.

He hands you the card to let you finish as he steps away from you to look back at you his arms crossed over his chest.

"Oh, so its them advertising, huh.", you shrug and place the letter aside, you both shrug and sit with the information for a moment.

….

……

"We've been married for over 4 months?"

You both look at each other bewildered?! Has it been over a quarter of a year since you've gotten the license? It hasn't even felt like such time has passed you yet- you both were stunned to stare at each other in silence. Four months wasn't extraordinary, but it also wasn't small?

You were surprised because you'd think to remember this, it wasn't like a year has passed you unknowingly but has time really passed you like this?

Lohen was stunned to silence because the church carried that much to have the letter prepared for it, that was the first half of his thinking. The second was that time really passed him by like this, it wasn't a scary amount of passing but still a good reminder.

"Well…", you begin, meeting his eyes.

You both stared at each other…for a few seconds longer…then-

You snickered; a hand quickly flies over your mouth as you try to not let the noise escape. Lohen lowers his head as he finds himself laughing because you were laughing. Soon your small awkward silence was filled with you two looking at each other trying not to laugh at how you did not notice.

"Well…we really are dense.", you comment, clasping your hands behind you. You walk closer towards your husband and he just nods. "Well, you can't blame us, a lot has happened in these last few months, so anyone would forget.", Lohen reasons.

Standing beside him you look down at the card.

"They sent it thinking we should have a ceremony.", you begin.

"They also sent it to advertise a ceremony so, this could be something they do for everyone.", Lohen continued.

"Lohen, my dearest- the cardinal signed this.", you point out on the card. A smile bloomed on your lips at the fact even the Cardinal of Daybreak had to hurry to sign this silly card before it got sent to you.

"I think its sweet, albeit a little odd.", you place the card aside and wipe your clothes of any glitter remnants. You do the same with him on his front.

"Odd?", he questions, tilting his head too.

"I mean it’s odd they remembered to send something like this, but I think its sweet because it’s a celebration, nonetheless. I mean married for over a period of time is something to celebrate right. People do that right?", you reason.

"Yes for years or decades not months-besides who do you know that would get this if it wasn't intervention at its finest?", a smile was in his voice as Lohen pointed out the card. He would bet money the Cardinal did this on purpose just because-he was a dedicated man to his work but even he had a little mischief in him.

In reality it was also a wake-up call to you both, the mention of a ceremony to add onto the celebration. That or conversations around starting one, it didn't take a detective to know that the church meant a wedding. The sister at the church when you first went had hoped for one to happen when you first arrived to get the license. This could be intervention or gentle prodding to "check" and see if you'll oblige. Knowing the members of the church they'd be happy to help plan and throw one in honor of you two.

Now that you think about it, you try to think back to the last time anyone had a wedding in Mondstat, especially within the Knights, or with cases like you two. None come to mind.

"Well to be fair who of the people we know that are ready to be married or can have a lasting marriage?", you start and Lohen opens then closes his mouth. You shoot him and expecting look, but instead your vice-captain raises his hands in surrender.

"Fine- fine. So, wife, anything you want to do to celebrate such an event? You want to throw a wedding hm?", he was joking towards the end, especially in his tone but it was a genuine question. Lohen was prodding to see if you wanted it, its not like his dreams as of late have been helping, he just wants to see if you felt similar.

"I don't know about a whole wedding, truthfully i think that'd add onto the workload as already…", you turn away from him, walking back to your desk.

"But? I can tell there's a but there."

"If I were honest.. I have thought about it…it terms of our future.", you murmur. You don't look back at Lohen, instead he lets you continue, listening in silence.

"I mean we can both say- we're not getting divorced or that this marriage is coming to an end…especially after visiting your parents. So, I have…entertained the idea of us throwing one, seeing as this marriage is real and will last.", you tap along the wood of the desk, letting your finger feel the small grooves and dents within the woodwork.

"But I didn't think about actually throwing one, I mean we'd know everyone around us would be excited-but I didn't think about the time scale of it all."

"Why?", Lohen cuts into your outspoken rambling process. His voice was low, but gentle. "Why not? I wouldn't be opposed, if I were to be honest I'd entertain it too."

"You'd entertain the idea of a wedding, right now?", you quickly turn to look at him. He merely nods but quickly raises hands to caution.

"I mean as in the future, right now, like you said is hectic. If we threw one, everyone would be huddled up on us. You saw how they acted with the announcement party and how quickly the information spread about us getting married. I wouldn't want to throw us into that just for the appeal of it all, no matter how nice it would sound.", Lohen meets your eyes, he can see the wheels turning in your head.

You walk closer to him, your hands wringing over one another, perhaps a nervous habit.

"You'd want to throw a wedding with me?"

"If we had the time, yes. It doesn't have to be now- just a confirmation for the future babe.". Lohen have you a small smile, to which you gave him a shy one. It felt too precious how sweet and giddy you could be. His hand reaches for yours, lacing your fingers together.

"Confirmation for the future?"

"Confirmation for the future.", you repeated, a silent promise laced between each word.

It was all you needed to know about each other. That if given the time and chance- you'd have that wedding, do all the planning no matter how hectic it could be. You'd both do it as a sign that this too will last and stay.

The day that followed was a good one, though not perfect.

A few mishaps here and there, but overall, a good day. You did have to aid a few recruits with their demonstrations for their fear of failure was palpable. That and the many who clung onto you so they couldn't go to "special training" with their lovely vice-captain was notable. So being stern but fair, you gave them all second chances. That cleared things up quickly.

While leaving the work on your desk tomorrow, you felt it was necessary to celebrate a little bit. Just a little bit.

So, while leaving work you strolled around to a small family-owned bakery to pick up a small sign of celebration. Entering the bakery you perused their items on display, looking over each cake within the glass display. All were beautifully decorated and delicious looking. The young lady at the counter helps you with each one, explaining each flavor profile and even offering for you to taste some samples of the cakes before making a decision.

"What about this one?", you point to a cake dressed in white frosting with simple pink roses around the edges.

"Oh, a wonderful pick ma'am! It’s a simple vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. It’s a fan favorite around the holidays and summer days like this one.", the baker explains, she pulls the cake out to show the detailing on the cake. As beautiful as the others looked and as mesmerizing the flavors were, you chose this one.

"This one will do, thank you again for offering your help.", she beams and quickly packs the cake up in a box along with a bag. She even throws in an extra container of frosting. Paying and leaving a tip to the bakery you continue on your walk to your home.

While walking you hear some children playing near one of the posts for the Knights to patrol, the sounds of their banter and excitement brought a smile to your face.

"Hey! That's cheating, how did you grab them all so fast!”, one young girl called.

"It’s called skill, something you can gain if you didn't throw cheating accusations around like that.", another voice spoke.

You were going to continue walking on, but that voice sounded too familiar. Pausing in your tracks you listen a little longer to determine it.

"Nuh uh! That is cheating! You even have a vision too!”, another child jumps in, a boy this time. A burst of laughter leaves the older voice within the group. You did not have to learn further who it was, instead your feet began towards the group.

Once you were in sight, the little girl dashes around you, clinging onto your uniform and pointing at the so-called cheater.

"Captain [Name]! See she's here to get you!"

"Yeah! Cheater!", both the children stand behind you as they hold accusing pointing fingers at the man.

The man in question? Your husband, the vice-captain, Lohen.

He merely shrugs at the children hiding behind you, using you as the force to stop him from "cheating". Looking down at the game-it was a game of jack. In Lohen's hand was the rubber ball, and beside his foot while he was crouched into a squat was a small pile of candy and sweet treats.

It did not take a genius to know what happened.

"Lohen…", you began, brows furrowed in a pinch.

"Hello captain, lovely evening. I was just about to come home to see you, but uh-had something slightly more important."

"More important?", you chide, though it was ridiculous a smile formed on your lips. You crossed your arms as the small children stuck their tongues out at Lohen, to which he eagerly returned.

"He was cheating! He was much faster than us! Miss [Name] we're not lying!", both the children went back and forth explaining how Lohen supposedly cheated by being faster than them and taking all their hard-earned candy. Your husband merely shrugged and kept a smirk on his lips.

"Not my fault, I did not cheat- these two are just whining because I have better skill, that's all.", Lohen argues though he showed no sign of apologizing. Truthfully you couldn't even argue his point because if he wanted to cheat he could have.

But with the two sets of wide eyes looking at you as if you were the only sense of justice in the world, you sighed.

"Well, I don’t think he cheated but! But! What if because he is playing with a bit more experience, I make him split his candy?”, that seemed to work because both the children agreed. Unfortunately for Lohen, he didn’t want to but begrudgingly offered half his stash.

He and the two kids pick out their candy while you watched, overseeing a fair exchange. Once they were done and satisfied with their choices the two kids thank you before skipping off home.

“This is not over cheater knight!”, the little girl called back while she ran home with an armful of candy.

Lohen rolled his eyes as he came back up to stand, he picked up his stash of candy in his hands and have you a look.

“What?”

“You’re supposed to be on my side, what happened to “partners in life and death", hm?”, you barked a laugh and let him place the candies in the bag you were carrying anyways.

“You knew what you were doing, playing jacks with them when you have a faster reaction time. Besides it’s a little candy, you have candy at home.”, you both began to walk back on path to your home.

“Its not about the candy, its about the principle.”, Lohen argued.

“What principle?”

“Teaching a fair lesson. Those two whined to you to get their way. Next time they won’t be as lucky. I was teaching them something valuable.”, Lohen’s hand comes to wrap around yours, his thumb rubbing against the back of your gloved hand.

“You also had a stack of candy next to your feet meaning you’ve been playing this with them for a while now. Just let them have this small treat, next time you can play fair for their experience level.”, you squeezed his hand as you tried reasoning.

“I was totally fair to them, those two just suck at picking up the jacks.”, Lohen’s eyes drift to the box in your hands. "Oh a gift for someone?"

"A gift for us, actually. By the way you are not making your case easier. i can guarantee you didn't cheat but I can't answer for if you were fair.", your house was in view and quickly you ushered him inside. Once the door was opened, then closed with its lock clicking you rush to the kitchen to get the cake unboxed.

"To be fair, whining doesn't guarantee a win. I think they should learn that too, that's how you get cry babies.", He leaned against the counter while watching you unbox everything. The cake was still as beautiful as when you bought it.

"They're kids Lohen."

"They're old enough to loose, but I'll let this incident slide. What's with the cake?", He comes up behind you to look at it, even trying to swipe some frosting. You swat his hands away, quickly getting some forks.

"I wanted to give us something in honor of the anniversary, so I picked up a cake.", you hand him a fork, Lohen smirked and pointed the fork at the cake.

"To celebrate our months of marriage, you bought a wedding cake.". his eyes sparkled in mischief. You eye the cake up and down.

"It is not! Its just a white cake, besides any cake can be a wedding cake and any cake can be a anniversary cake.", you quickly rambled and began taking a forkful of the cake. It wasn't a normal sized cake, just a smaller than average, besides you didn't feel like serving it up. Lohen not finding any fault in this, also takes a forkful. You both hold your forks out, but before eating it, Lohen stops you.

"Open up babe.". His other hand cups your cheek, tapping against your lips wanting to feed you. Was it cheesy? Maybe, even with your eye roll you open your mouth, Lohen mimics this so you both can feed each other.

Sweetness hits your tongue from the frosting as well as the fluffiness from the cake. Moist but not too sweet, the vanilla flavor was melting on your tongue , a noise of appreciation leaves your throat.

Lohen does the same, licking his lips after your fork pulls from his lips. He swipes his finger against the cake, inspecting the frosting.

"Pretty good, its a good balance.", you smile, he nods. His eyes cut to yours, you were enjoying yourself in this small celebration. His heart wonders if when the real thing happens how you'd look. This was perfect practice right? So why not embrace it?

His finger with the frosting swipes it against your cheek, before you could ask whatever he was up to; Lohen cups your other cheek and licks the frosting from your chest, kissing along your face as he chuckles.

"Sweet enough for me, won't you agree [Name]?", he grins as your brain stutters a little. His tongue pressed against your cheek could freak you out, but his lips dancing against your face and down along your neck sent a shiver up your spine. Your senses return to you when his lips press against yours, bringing sweetness into the kiss.

Your fork clatters on the counter as your hands come up to the nape of his neck, fingers twirling the hairs at the base of his head. A small noise leaves your lips when Lohen slips his tongue along your lips, wishing to taste you deeper. The vanilla aftertaste from the cake added sweetness to the meal he already wanted to savor.

The kiss only deepens as time is lost on both of you, only the feeling of his hands holding you close, pulling you closer into him. Your hand falls from his neck to his chest, tugging on the fabric of his shirt and the cape that hands over his shoulder. the kiss breaks with a small gasp of breath after. Your lips were glistening from his tongue and lips sucking you in, Lohen quickly removes his gloves to cup your face again.

"Happy anniversary [Name].", is all he said with that smile that wanted to spend hours taking you apart and rebuilding you. A smile that foretold the worship eh was going to lay onto you.

"Happy anniversary Lohen.", you whisper back, a smile on your face as your husband eagerly ushers you upstairs. The cake is only momentarily forgotten before you rushed back into the kitchen to place it in the fridge along with the tub of frosting that came with it. Eager hands dragged you back up the stairs, the house was filled with your shared giggles and laughter.