#if that makes sense ajsdfsgkf

[scionshtola]

#29. having a romantic picnic - for Cori and Shtola? 🥺💕

ty for the prompt! 💗 sorry i did not have it ready for valentine's day!

29. having a romantic picnic || 962 words || rated G || set some time in the nebulous future after SB, no spoilers for anything just a lot of fluff

“Are you certain ‘tis the best day for a picnic?” Y’shtola asked with a slight frown. She walked beside Corisande as they wound their way through Gridania, away from the inn. “The skywatcher said ‘tis due to rain today.”

Corisande glanced up at the sky. Gray clouds hung over the city in the distance, but the sky over them and their destination was blue and cloudless. A slight breeze blew past, but it was plenty warm enough for their plans. “We will be back at The Roost long before the rain arrives,” she said cheerily, and looped her arm through Y’shtola’s.

Y’shtola made no further objections, though they did not miss her quiet but doubtful hum. They pressed on anyway, content with her acquiescence. It was not long before they arrived at Apkallu Falls, and they were surprised to find no one else around. Even Y’mhitra, who always seemed to be waiting by the waterfall whenever Corisande wandered by, was nowhere to be seen.

They were not deterred. The two of them left to their own devices, away from the public eye, on a sunny afternoon in Gridania? She could hardly have planned a better day if she tried.

Corisande spread the soft, red and white checked blanket on the ground near the waterfall. The two of them knelt on it, and she began unpacking the food that the cooks at The Roost had very kindly packed for them. They had made their way to the kitchens, hoping that they could beg or buy a few things for their lunch, and was surprised to find that the head cook was something of a fan. Normally, she did not like to abuse her fame in such a way but before she could finish offering to pay, the woman had already shoved the basket into her hand.

“’Twould seem you were correct,” Y’shtola said. She turned her face toward the sun, closing her eyes. “The rain seems to be holding off for now.”

The small smile of contentment she wore warmed Corisande far more than the sunlight they were sitting in. Y’shtola deserved a moment of peace more than anyone she knew, and she was more than happy to do what she could to provide it.

A shadow fell across their picnic. She glanced up, searching for the source, only to find that the gray clouds that had seemed so far away when they’d set out had rolled in far quicker than she anticipated. The comforting breeze now made her shiver, and they watched as the sunlight faded, their hope sliding away as fast as the light slid from Y’shtola’s face.

“About that,” Corisande said, heart sinking as the first drop of rain fell on them. How had those clouds moved so fast? They’d been certain they would have at least an hour or two before it began to rain. “I think I may have been a tad optimistic.”

“I cannot say I did not expect as much,” Y’shtola said with an amused expression, wiping a drop of rain from her cheek. “Though I hoped for more time as much as you did.”

Despite their disappointment, they could not help but smile at that. They quickly packed the food back into the basket and folded the blanket. There was a crash of thunder when they stood, so loud that Corisande nearly dropped the blanket, and then the sky opened up on them.

They both burst into surprised laughter. Corisande grabbed Y’shtola’s hand and the two of them ran through the rain, still laughing, until they reached the tunnel heading back into New Gridania. Y’shtola leaned against them, her hand still warm in theirs, both of them breathless.

They tipped their head to look down at her, and lifted a hand to sweep her wet hair away from her face. Y’shtola’s eyes closed briefly as she pressed her cheek against their palm with a small hum. Their breath caught at the movement, their heart beating faster. Unwilling to be the one to break contact, she brushed her thumb along her cheek. She felt warm, too warm, despite the cold rain still dripping from their clothes.

“I’m sorry the rain ruined our plans,” they said quietly, hardly daring to break the silence.

Y’shtola opened her eyes, and her hand closed over their fingers on her cheek. “There is no need to apologize. I enjoyed the rest, brief though it was. One could hardly argue that we do not deserve it.”

“Oh?” Corisande said with a smile. She swept her thumb across her cheek once more and Y’shtola blinked, as if realizing for the first time just how close they were. “Did you not argue with me all morning about taking the afternoon off? Or was that someone else I practically had to drag from all the books she brought with her, ‘just in case?’”

“Before you begin casting stones, pray tell how many books you brought,” Y’shtola said, a smile playing on her lips. She squeezed their hand, expression softening. “Jests aside, I very much appreciate the effort, Corisande. Mayhap we can resume our picnic at the inn after we have dried ourselves off?”

Corisande dropped their hand from her cheek, though the warmth of the touch did not fade from her fingers. She shifted, looping her arm through Y'shtola's once more, and started them both toward the inn with a smile. It hardly mattered to them how they spent their time together, so long as they had a moment’s rest together. “Of course. But we are eating in my room, away from all of your books, lest you get any grand ideas.”

Y’shtola tucked her face against their arm and laughed serenely. The sound of it kept Corisande warm the entire walk through the rain.