Ti drifted by smoothly as everyone settled into their respective carriages.
The crisp night air was soon replaced by the warmth and muffled sounds of hooves against cobblestone.
Coco’s carriage was snug, but luxurious, the plush seats accommodating Coco and her husbands comfortably, and Konoha— now perched grumpily on Coco’s lap, occasionally flicked her tail in disapproval, though the rhythmic motion of the carriage seed to be lulling her into a calr state.
On Jacques’ carriage, the interior was just as refined, but far less.. Peaceful.
Jacques was bugging Renaldo on what they need to do once they arrive at their new ho while Jonathan rely kept hisouth shut— not wanting to butt in to the married couple’s business.
As the carriages rolled forward, the city’s glow bathed everything in a dreamlike haze.
Coco gazed out the carriage window, her eyelids growing heavy as the rhythmic sway of the ride lulled her into a peaceful daze.
The flickering lanterns of the city blurred into streaks of gold against the night as she absently leaned her head against Zaque’s broad shoulder, her fingers idly stroking Konoha’s fur.
The feline was obviously still upset at her, but Konoha was too comfortable on her master’s lap to continue being grumpy.
Zaque, on the other hand, shifted slightly on his seat, adjusting his arm to cradle Coco more comfortably against him without a word— though the faint upward tilt of his lips showed his fondness at her drowsy state.
Outside, the world kept moving, but in this quiet, warm space with her husbands around her, her familiar purring softly in her lap, and the hum of the carriage wheels beneath them..
Coco felt content.
Even if she would never live down the fact she had accidentally forgotten about the existence of her cat.
Singing, Coco’s gaze moved onto the scenery outside the carriage window, her earlier worries lingering under her drowsiness.
The real reason they traveled north was to distance themselves from the Baroness, but that woman’s relentless pursuit lood in the back of her mind, casting a shadow over her happiness.
She chewed on her lower lip, silently cursing the thoughtless danger she had brought upon her loved ones
Zaque shifted beside her, sensing her unease.
His voice was low and gentle when he spoke, aiming to calm her down. "You’re overthinking."
Coco froze before she humd softly in acknowledgent, the sound a mixture of a weary sigh and agreent.
After all, she couldn’t deny it— she was overthinking.
The attack against them while journeying to the transportation station had been a harsh reminder of the danger that followed them.
Zaque continued, his arm snaking a little tighter around her in a silent show of reassurance.*
"..It will be alright." The diator mumbled, making Coco lean into his touch, a wave of gratitude coursing through her.
Even in the face of uncertainty, his presence was a huge comfort.
The carriage fell into a comfortable silence after Zaque’s reassurance and the only sounds were the steady clatter of hooves against the cobblestone and Konoha’s soft purring in Coco’s lap.
The tension in Coco’s shoulders eased slightly as
the city blurred past— lanterns casting long, flickering shadows against the streets.
The rhythm of the ride was almost hypnotic, lulling her into a calr state despite everything.
Her husbands, and soon-to-be husband, didn’t press further, giving her the quiet she needed and just their presence alone beca a silent promise that..
They are in this together. No matter what.
Coco could feel the tension inside the carriage slowly lt away, but she was glued on the houses they passed by.
They were adorned with a variety of snow cover— so blanketed in a thick layer that glistened under the moonlight while others had just a thin crust, the dark stone underneath still visible.
The sight was pleasing; the winter wonderland they were in had its own unique beauty.
Coco couldn’t help, but admire the snow.
Beside her, Alhai noticed her staring and he couldn’t help, but comnt. "I heard that the snow here is always stunning."
Coco lifted her head slightly from Zaque’s shoulder, her gaze still fixed on the snowy city beyond the window, but his words had broken her from her reverie and she humd to acknowledge him.
"Really?" She breathed, voice soft as she watched the snowflakes flutter past.
"Yeah, we can take a walk around once we’re done settling in if you want." Alhai stated, his thumb tracing a gentle back-and-forth across her knee, the motion absent-minded throughout the ride.
Inside the confines of the carriage, a shared glance passed between everyone.
"I would love that." Coco mumbled, leaning her head back onto Zaque’s shoulder and letting Alhai do his thing.
Just as she focused her attention back on the window, their gazes landed on her.
Their hearts skipped a beat at the picturesque sight— the soft moonlight spilling in through the carriage window bathed her in a gentle glow, catching each curve of her features, the faint rise and fall of her shoulders, the quiet joy in her eyes as she looked outside.
Zaque and Heiren accidentally exchanged a look, each acknowledging the mont with silent appreciation.
She is beautiful— in and out.
THACK!
The mont was shattered violently when the carriage suddenly jolted— a nasty bump sending everyone lurching forward.
"OW!" Konoha yowled when Coco accidentally squished her, her claws digging into Coco’s thighs in protest before leaping onto the floor with a disgruntled flick of her tail.
"Ow!" Coco hissed as she lurched forward.
Heiren reacted instantly, his hands snapping out to catch Coco by the shoulders before she could faceplant into the carriage floor.
His grip was firm, steadying her with barely a grunt.
Silence.
Then, Konoha let out a wl and her irritated tail flicked slowly as she begrudgingly settled back onto Zaque’s lap instead.
Konoha’s little movent eased the tension inside the vehicle.
Heiren let out a sigh as he held Coco firmly, steadying the two of them with a puff of breath. "Careful now."
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