A Moment of Peace
Originally published Aug 21, 2018. Collab RP with horselady36501/HLsFawnlings on DeviantArt.
"It's a good place when all you have is hope and not expectations." - Danny Boyle
Autumn, Year 771 of the New Age
Oakfern, near the Warren
Amadán
“... And then this one creates the green color.” Amadán dropped the small herb into the mixture, using his magic to stir the watery paste. He turned to Rogue beside him and smiled; it was surprisingly nice to share how he mixed his paint, as simple as it was.
The stag had worn the same color practically since fawnhood, and in any other case, he’d thought the topic mundane. Instead there was enthusiasm in his voice, and knew it came from sharing it with not just anyone, but Rogue; talking about anything felt warm and effortless with her.
“I add s-s-some white at the end t-to make it l-l-lighter,” Amadán added, mixing in a final dash of pale moss, “a-a-and that’s it!”
Rogue
Rogue watched him and listened intently. He had her full and undivided attention. She nodded softly watching the stag mix the herbs and colors “oh wow, i never thought of mixing quite like that, i love it. Your so smart Ama” she replied and giggled softly. She loved the color he painted with and wished she had been as creative as he was.
Baldur, the father of the fawn she had lost, was never this way with her. It made her wonder how Amadán thought of her? She would be honored to be something more with him. He was smart, brave, strong, and so very sweet to her. Even if he didnt think he was or anyone else for that matter. The thought made her heart flutter and beat a bit faster.
“Ama, would you like help applying it?” she asked him softly. She knew her magic was at least good enough to paint without getting to messy, though she wouldn't mind if she had a bit of his color on her too. It would be a little peace of him all for her.
Amadán
Amadán paused, then gave the doe a sheepish smile and shrugged. There was a distinct chill in the cave, what with the winter winds that had crept their way below, but he felt terribly warm.
“Well, I-I-I was thinking, maybe,” he started, “it m-m-might be fun to, ah, s-swap our colors.”
With every tilt of his head, Amadán could feel the charm they’d made seasons ago swing from his antlers. It was an unending reminder of that day, a reminder of defeated demons and pledges to the future, but most of all of the warmth of Rogue at his side; to hear her kind words, to see her comforting eyes, to feel the true value of the friendship they’d forged and how precious she was to him. Swapping paints may have been a simple idea, but to Amadán it meant something deeper than just something ‘for fun.’
Rogue
Rogue giggled softly and how adorable he was, so nervous, it was just so cute. “I would love to swap colors with you. Honestly Ama it would be a honor to where your colors.” she replied softly to him. Suddenly feeling as warm as he was. Her heart thumping faster in her chest. Part of her wondered if he could hear it with the echos in the cave.
Her eyes looked up at him, then darted to his trinket and the same thoughts of being beside him drifted to her mind as well. It caused her to look away shyly. Her head tilting away but her eyes going back to him. She knew it in her heart, no matter what his feelings to her, she was in love. At what point did it all happen she didn't know but this had to be what it was. Real Love.
Amadán
It was a sweet reassurance to hear Rogue agree; and when she turned her head away, Amadán couldn’t help but chuckle. Funny, how her bashfulness made him feel confident. Maybe it was the want to make her feel confident, too.
“H-hey...” he said, tilting his head to keep his face steady with hers, hoping her downcast eyes would meet his again. He smiled when they did; the stag had become so fond of those eyes, something he was most aware of when he couldn’t look at them. Rogue had such a pure heart, selfless and kind, and it shone in her dark gaze. Strange, how he’d never thanked her for it.
Maybe he ought to.
“...You’re inc-c-credible, you know that?” Amadán was smiling still; it felt so natural to say so, because he so badly wanted her to hear it. “I c-can’t even… begin to imagine w-w-where I’d be if it weren’t for y-you.”
Rogue
Rogue was swept away with warm emotions when the words tickled her ears. Her heart thumped a bit faster and she took a quick breath. “Really Ama? You mean a lot to me too. I feel im truly blessed to have you in my life.” she replied and smiled up at him.
Her heart still thumping in her chest she took a step closer, though they were already quite close. She then tenderly nuzzled him under his chin. “I care a lot for you Ama, i… i dare say… even love you.” she said softly hoping the stag didn’t reject her love for him.
She held her breath waiting for his reply to her emotional opening of her feelings. It was the first she had ever said it outloud. And the first time she could really tell how strong her feelings for him were. Though she would understand if he didnt feel the same way for her. After all even her own mother rejected her.
Amadán
Her touch would’ve made him flinch away years ago, but he felt only comfort and security in it now. With a soft breath Amadán nuzzled her back, letting his cheek rest against the top of her head. There was something foreign in speaking so openly about his deepest feelings, and yet so comfortable, and he had no doubt in his mind that this was where he was meant to be, with her.
“I love you, too,” he said, taking the effort to speak it clearly and not let his stutter break his words. He knew she would not have minded -- the few moments he didn’t feel so conscious of his awkward speaking was with her -- but he wanted her to know he meant it, that it wasn’t just another phrase that he let tumble out without thinking.
To be able to stand there with her in a moment of precious peace would have been unimaginable to him a short time ago. Now he hoped it might never end.
Rogue
Rogue felt any hesitation she had melt away as he so calmly and clearly replied. The four words sealing in her heart. She knew she wanted to be his, and only his from then on. While her heart and love was now his, she still had one other thing to deal with, and that would take time. For now she was happy to just be snuggled so close and feel so safe with Amadán.