[ P ] a sweeter place

H

e was nervous, uncertain of what he should do to make Merrin return to her former smiley self. Should he tell her to forget what he’d asked? Maybe it would be for the best. All that mattered was that she was happy. He could cope with a little heart break if it meant that she was happy. It was nothing compared to whatever Merrin had gone through. Anything more would be selfish. The steely determination to push aside his growing feelings was almost set firm when a small, brittle voice spoke up again. "Is…is this what it's like? What it's supposed to be?” she asked him and his expression was a mixture of thoughtfulness and confusion. "Is this...how it feels? To choose? How it...feels to...to be able to...follow the way your heart beats?"

Argent cleared his throat, trying to swallow down the lump that had settled in his throat. ”It is. If you want it to be,” he answered, silver gaze full of tenderness and patience as he spoke. ”If you don’t. I’ll still be here as your friend,” he promised, feeling his pulse quicken. He hoped that was the answer she was seeking. The choice was hers, the freedom to ultimately decide. Whatever had happened before it seemed that it had not been of her choosing and that pained him on her behalf. This time would be different. Whatever she wanted he would respect that.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

The only relationships she had known for most of her life were ones forced upon her. She hated to make the comparison, but it was her subconscious way of guarding and protecting herself from repeating history she would have happily written off. But Merrin felt safe here, it was only in her own head that the momentary fear and anxiety had slipped from. She was so broken underneath it all that sometimes that alone scared her. Luciel had caught a glimpses of it. And he's still here...

The late Captain confirmed her suspicion, calming the raging tidal waves of her emotions back into a steady ebb and flow. And yet, he made a point to let her know that there was no expectation, no mold that she had to fit because it was her duty to do so, no blockades placed in her path, no moves made against her to hold her in place. There was a quiet resolve, patience in his gaze of steel even when she swore she could hear his heart thrumming...or perhaps that was her own.

She turned her head to cast her gaze across the lake, his words echoing in the back of her mind as though they were the resolute stillness of the expanse of water itself. If you want it to be. Merrin let out a breath of a laugh in disbelief accompanied by a few stray tears she had not expected. She thought of where she'd come from and where she was. Luciel was, in a way, willfully giving her power back to her and giving her the chance to write her own story.

The way this felt, the light and airy tingling in her chest where her fluttering heart became a million butterflies, she knew she only desired more of it. And as she leafed through the pages of her story that had yet to be written, all she could see was Luciel's charming smile and his gentle touch.

"I've...never done this before..." Merrin admitted sheepishly when she turned to face him again. "But, I would like to try..." She felt her features become heated and she bit her lip, peering up at him between her lashes as she tried to look outside of herself and gauge how he was feeling. "Is this what you want, too?"


@Argent

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A

rgent wished he knew what Merrin was thinking. All he could tell was that she was struggling with her emotions and he wished he knew how to make it better for her. His heart was thumping up a storm, even as he prepared himself to end the day as just friends if she wasn't ready for a relationship. He hated uncertainty, but the one certainty that he had was that they would still be a team even if one door of possibilities was closed to them.

Her shy admission that she hadn't done this before earned a soft smile from the gruff veteran and he nodded in understanding. Then she confirmed that she would like to try and Argent's tail surged to life, thumping against the sheep's pelt against his wishes. He ignored it, deciding for once to let his happiness declare itself loud and proud. "I haven't either," he admitted, hoping she would find comfort in that and not worry about neither of them having experience with romance. "We can figure it out together as a team," Argent affirmed confidently, eyes bright with excitement and hope for their future together. They were partners, but they were also partners. He almost couldn't believe it.

"Is this what you want, too,"she asked and he realised that he hadn't directly said to her how much did want this. "Yes. Very much," he admitted, still managing to blush even though the hardest part was over.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Shock was clearly written on her face after discovering that a romantic relationship was not something this gentleman was privy to either. She narrowed her eyes, studying him curiously as she tilted her head to one side. "Are you sure? I would've thought you'd have an entire flock of women after you as an Imperial Captain!" She chuckled with her little jest, the imagery in her mind quite comical.

Though in all seriousness, she was grateful that neither of them were alone in that endeavor. Merrin began to laugh as a fluffy stormcloud of a tail went wild behind the silvered male and her own tail mimicked his in a joyful wag. Luciel hinted to a sentiment she'd mentioned at a previous outting, albeit sleepily, and she smiled to know he recalled it. "We do make quite a team!"

To hear him affirm his feelings only sparked more joy within her and she shuffled herself closer to him. Merrin tentatively nestled her head beneath his chin in a gentle nuzzle and when she looked down at the food again she chuckled. "I suppose now is a good time to start eating, hm?"


@Argent

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H

e blinked at her in confusion when she questioned his lack of experience. Was it really so surprising? The light teasing made him huff grumpily, but there was humour in his gaze. "Girls don't like being glared at," he laughed, and shrugged his shoulders. It was still amazing to him that Merrin had stuck around long enough to see past his surliness. He doubted that any woman would have put up with his obsessive dedication to his work either. The captain had been a dedicated soldier and that had left little time for friends or romance. Maybe that was the silver lining to retirement. He had nothing but free time to offer his new partner, both with their shared dream and for their relationship.

"We do, Partner," he agreed, his voice rumbled with approval even as his tail wagged like a chaotic storm of grey. He was pleasantly surprised when Merrin approached him and nuzzled beneath his neck. The simple gesture of affection warmed his head and gently rested his chin on her head, leaning into her touch. Eyes began to close and he let out a relaxed sigh. The spell was broken when she suggested they should eat. "Huh.. oh uh yeah sure," he mumbled, only just remembering that there was food.

He leaned down to try one of the strawberries. The rich sweetness exploded in his mouth when he bit down and his eyes grew wide. Red juices stained his chin, unbeknownst to Argent. "These are good," he told Merrin, obviously amazed by the flavour that was coating his tongue.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

A smile of amusement played across her face when she watched him go straight for the larger red berries he seemed so suspicious of before. She leaned down carefully to lap up some of the blueberries and closed her eyes to savor the sweetness. They were her favorites after all.

Merrin glanced over at her companion as he gave the final judgement call on the strawberries and did a doubletake when she noticed the reddened mess dripping from his maw. She giggled and lifted a paw to gesture at her own mouth and then point to him. "You have something right..." Embarrassing him was the last thing she wished to do and so she made a split second decision.

Leaning her face near his, her lilac irises flickered up to meet his starlit ones and she smiled sheepishly. "...here." Merrin murmured softly as she tentatively moved to clean his muzzle, a gentle, pink tongue swiping away at the nectar that had cascaded out from his mouth. "Hm, it does taste good." She commented, turning her head back upon the berries as she contemplated grabbing a couple up herself.

@Argent

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A

rgent arched a brow at her when she was struck with apparent surprise. Was she looking at him funny? He considered his words, but didn’t think he had said anything questionable. It wasn’t scandalous to like strawberries… was it?. ”You have something right-” she began and leaned close, very close.”here,” Her tongue touched his lips and he felt blood rush to his head so quickly it was like spinning around too suddenly. A gasp died in his throat, brain too scrambled to form any words. Finally he sputtered out. ”T-Thanks,” he mumbled, managing a bashful smile. He was happy she was becoming more comfortable with him. He also knew it would take time for his own shyness to settle down, but he didn’t mind being flustered by Merrin.

”Maybe fancy folk do have good taste,” he conceded, having thought that his palette might be too simple to enjoy the finer things. Argent took one of the rabbits and tried his best to eat neatly. Some of the strawberry juices had already got onto the sheep pelt because of his messy eating. He would have to wash it in the lake once they were done. ”Are you staying at the barracks now, Merrin?” Argent queried, cocking his head at her. ”I’ve got a patch of land in Edinburgh, but I wouldn’t mind moving to the mainlands so I can visit you more,” he suggested, already thinking of their future. It would be better for Argent to be nearby especially if Merrin ever needed her partner to report for duty or they had another date. Perhaps even moving in together once Merrin was ready for that of course.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Merrin was as innocent as they came, though she did find enjoyment in being able to render Luciel speechless. He sputtered out his thanks and she placed one final kiss upon his cheek before turning away smiling with warmth rising in her cheeks to the tips of her ears.

She moved along to the strawberries next, eating then as cleanly as she possibly ckild. They were wonderfully sweet and surprisingly posed a challenge to the blueberries for their position. She understood how the burst of flavor might overflow from her mouth as she bit into them. She hummed in delight and her body swaying back and forth in a happy little dance while she feasted, nodding in agreement to the fine tastes of nobles.

Once she'd had her fill of the berries she peered over at the meets, watching her partner remove a rabbit from the pile. She glanced from the chicken to the deer leg and decided not to be shy in taking what she wanted and pulled the deer leg to her. They ate in silence for a moment, simply enjoying the others company until Luciel asked her a question and she took a moment to swallow a mouthful of venison before answering.

"Yes, that's currently where I've been staying, though I'll go wherever they need me. I'm honestly used to more travel than not." Merrin blinked at him, her lilac eyes sparkling although there was doubt behind their glimmering. "Luciel, you don't have to uproot yourself just for me, you know. Of course, if that's what you want then I could help you move if you needed me to."

She bit her lip while conflict rolled through her brain and she figured that being upfront about what she was feeling was the best way to start their relationship. "Selfishly...I would like you to be closer..." Merrin glanced over at him nervously and then looked back down at her paws. "I also don't feel I should be a heavy influence in your decisions...I'd hope that you would put your needs first before climbing mountains for mine. Am I making sense?" She asked, now looking up into his eyes hoping that what she was saying wasn't being misconstrued. In truth, she was suddenly frightened that Luciel would put forth so much effort into their relationship only to be disappointed by her.



@Argent

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H

e could tell that she was worried almost immediately. Argent was getting better at picking up her cues and understanding when she was becoming overwhelmed. The reason behind her worry became evident when she insisted that Argent didn’t need to uproot his life for her. She was concerned it wouldn’t be good for him to give so much. He shook his head and gave her a reassuring smile. ”Merrin. It’s okay. I want to,” he insisted, having no reason to stay in the lowlands beyond the memories. There was no one waiting for him there. In the mainlands there was Kvothe and Merrin. A good enough reason to move there in his mind. ”It’ll be easier for me with my injuries to be closer,” he admitted. His ribs didn’t always bother him, but on bad days travelling was difficult for him.

”Besides. There’s nothing for me in the lowlands,” Argent told her, a thoughtful look flickering through his gaze. He didn’t have any family left, not since his mother had died. Merrin was his family now and it made sense to him to be close to her. ”I’d like it if you helped,” he said, feeling oddly excited about picking a new home for himself with Merrin. It felt right. A step towards the future rather than holding onto memories and mourning the past. He felt like he was finally moving forward with his life.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

She feel the sincerity with which Luciel spoke and his warm, reassuring smile thawed the frigid grip of apprehension that still attempted to claw at her heart. Slowly a smile formed upon her lips and as he mentioned his injury she sat up straight with the shock of remembrance, now feeling the fool for having forgotten. "Oh, yes! And then I can make sure you are present for each of your appointments with your physicians." She pointed out, giving him a side-eyed glance with a smirk of knowing. She recalled how spooked he'd been when he'd mistaken her for a doctor.

The way he spoke of the Lowlands now opposed to their initial meeting was cause for an immediate shake of her head in disagreement. "But there are still memories there, Luciel. Important ones." Merrin reminded him as she settled closer once more, letting her flank and shoulder lean into him as she looked up to catch his gaze. "If ever you wish to and are fit to travel, I can always accompany you on visits back to your homeland."

Her tail began to lightly tap against him when he'd accepted her offer to help with whatever he needed to move. "Tell me when and where and you know I'll be there." Merrin chimed in before returning to her meal. She pushed it towards Luciel so that it was more between the two of them, sharing with her...her mate? Merrin had to keep herself from squirming like a giddly pup at the thought even though she couldn't help but to glance over at Luciel several times to confirm that this was real.


@Argent

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions