The rain ca unexpectedly, interrupting the quiet mont between Raelynn and Elion. What had been a soft drizzle turned into a steady downpour, forcing them to take shelter in the garden's gazebo. The wooden structure was adorned with ivy creeping along its white pillars, and the air slled of wet earth and blooming flowers.
Raelynn let out a breath, her shoulders slumping slightly as she sat down on the wooden bench inside the gazebo. She puffed her cheeks in frustration. Just a mont ago, Elion had been so close—his lips inches from hers, his warm breath fanning against her skin. She had closed her eyes, expecting sothing to happen, but then, out of nowhere, Elion pulled away then the rain had co pouring down not long after, effectively ruining the mont.
Damn this rain. Damn this sky, she thought bitterly, stealing a glance at Elion, who stood by the edge of the gazebo, watching the rain fall. He looked unaffected, as if he hadn't been monts away from kissing her.
Raelynn sighed, tilting her head back against the wooden fra of the gazebo. Should she really be cursing the rain?
A part of her wanted to—after all, it had co at the worst possible ti, drenching everything in its path and forcing them to take shelter. But another part of her hesitated. Because now, here she was, trapped in a secluded gazebo with Elion, the sound of raindrops muffling the world beyond them. And if she really thought about it… wasn't this the perfect opportunity for him to continue what he had started?
Wait.
Raelynn's eyes widened slightly. What was she thinking?
She sat up straighter, her fingers twitching against the hem of her skirt. Had she really just hoped that Elion would kiss her again? Or, well, actually kiss her this ti? Her heart pounded at the thought, heat creeping up her neck.
No, no, no. She needed to get a grip.
Lifting a hand, she gave her cheek a soft tap, as if that would wake her up from whatever ridiculous daydream she was slipping into. But the mont she did, she heard a quiet chuckle.
"You alright there?"
Raelynn froze. Slowly, she turned her head to find Elion watching her, an amused glint in his silver eyes. His lips were curved ever so slightly, and the sight only made her heart pound harder.
"Y-Yeah," she stamred, clearing her throat. "Just... getting rid of a thought."
His brow arched slightly, as if intrigued. "A thought?"
Raelynn quickly waved her hands. "Nothing important!" she blurted, a little too fast.
Elion's smirk deepened. He didn't push, but the way he looked at her made it clear he wasn't convinced.
She turned away, determined to focus on anything but him. The rain. The trees. The way the droplets slid down the wooden beams of the gazebo. Anything to stop herself from wondering what would have happened if he hadn't pulled away.
Raelynn sighed, trying to shake off her embarrassnt. She shifted slightly, reaching up to brush a few damp strands of hair away from her face. She wasn't too wet, just lightly damp from the few seconds they had spent running for cover. She shivered just a little as the cool air wrapped around her.
Suddenly, she felt sothing soft pressing against her cheek. She blinked in surprise and turned her head slightly, only to see Elion standing beside her, holding a neatly folded handkerchief in his hand. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, but his movents were slow and gentle.
"You're wet," he said simply.
Raelynn swallowed, her cheeks heating up. "It's just a little," she mumbled, though she made no move to stop him.
Elion ignored her words and continued his careful ministrations, dabbing her forehead, then down to her cheekbone before slowly working his way to her jawline. He moved carefully, his touch light but sure. Raelynn felt her breath hitch slightly, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress as she tried to focus on anything but the way he was looking at her.
Her eyes dropped to the handkerchief in his grasp. "I didn't know people still used these," she comnted, her voice quieter than usual.
Elion raised a brow. "What do you an?"
"I an…" She hesitated, then let out a small chuckle. "Handkerchiefs. People don't really carry them anymore. It feels like sothing out of an old romance novel."
Elion remained silent for a mont before he smirked slightly. "Perhaps I'm old-fashioned."
Raelynn tilted her head, pretending to think. "You do have that kind of vibe," she teased. "So proper. Like one of those noblen from a historical drama."
Elion let out a soft chuckle. "And what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing," Raelynn admitted, eting his gaze. "It's… charming."
For a mont, sothing flashed in his eyes, but she couldn't quite figure out what, and for a mont, Raelynn thought she saw the corners of his lips twitch upwards. He didn't say anything, though, as he folded the handkerchief neatly in his palm.
The sound of rain filled the space between them again. It was softer now, a light drizzle against the wooden roof. Raelynn exhaled slowly, feeling the warmth of Elion's presence beside her. The mont felt oddly intimate—just the two of them, secluded from the world, sharing the quiet atmosphere.
Raelynn hesitated for a mont before reaching out, her fingers gently wrapping around Elion's wrist to stop him. He looked at her, a silent question in his gaze, but she simply held out her hand.
"Let ," she said softly.
Elion blinked, then glanced down at the neatly folded handkerchief in his palm. Without a word, he handed it to her.
Raelynn's touch was light as she dabbed the fabric against his skin, carefully wiping away the stray droplets clinging to his jawline. Her fingers brushed against his cheek once, just briefly, but the warmth of his skin sent a small jolt through her. She quickly refocused, pretending not to notice how close they were now.
Then, just as she was about to pull back, their gazes t.
Elion leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against her lips as he murmured, "Stop looking at like that."
Raelynn's heart stuttered. "Like what?"
His jaw tensed as if restraining himself. "Like you're waiting for to kiss you."
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