writingsoffaeandwitches

[writingsoffaeandwitches]

Stargazing - Manon/Reader

Warnings: none

This is the first thing I've written in a while but I was inspired to put more Manon fics out there. (more of a drabble at this point really)

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You were restless. Not yet ready for sleep even though the castle's activity was winding down. You had a hard time sleeping with her being away. She was not expected home for another three days time, having gone on a diplomatic mission that no other than the Queen of Witches could complete. At least, that’s what she claimed. You know Asterin or one of the other thirteen could have gone but she preferred to do things herself. Of course you supported her through it all. You knew how important it was to her to unify the witches and reclaim her homeland, but that didn't mean you missed her any less. 

You sighed to yourself, moving from your position by the crackling fireplace to grab your cloak and head out. On a night like tonight you knew you would be getting no sleep. Instead, you wandered down the halls and outside into the cool evening. You waved at the guards on duty, everyone knowing who you are, the queen’s lover. It came as a shock to most when she brought you to her castle. You, a mere human, had captured the heart of the most feared witch alive. Their surprise continued when they found out you were basically sunshine personified. Always smiling and lending a helping hand. But I mean hey, opposites attract. You were brought out of your thoughts when you encountered the guards watching over the west entrance to the castle. 

“Going on an evening stroll?” Abby, one of the guards on duty, questioned. She was one of your favorite guards, always down to gossip about the latest comings and goings of the castle. 

“Ah, you know, can’t stay locked away all day,” you teased, turning your back towards the path, continuing to walk while facing Abby. “I won’t be out long, pinky promise.” 

“I’ll hold you to that,” Abby replied, “The Queen would have my head if you disappeared on my watch.”

You hummed in reply, knowing she wasn’t wrong. Manon was very protective of what was hers. You turned around, wiggling your fingers in goodbye as you strolled ahead.

After walking for a few minutes, the castle a glowing dim light in the distance, you stopped, taking your cloak off and laying it across the grass. You laid down, shivering slightly from the wind's crisp caress. You turned your eyes upward, watching the sky darken across the horizon. The spot you chose was one you frequented, a sloped hill giving you a view of the land ahead, which consisted of sprawling lands of green, spotted with color where flowers bloomed. You watched as the sun sank and twinkling stars began to appear. 

This was your favorite time of day, when the world went to sleep and the stars awakened. You watched the lights slowly blink into existence, gazing at the constellations that began to appear in the night sky. You reached a hand skyward, tracing out the constellations Orion and Taurus, then Centaurus. You greeted them like an old friend, having spent long restless nights with them before. You could recite their stories in your sleep at this point. The tale of Orion and Taurus, the hunter who could kill any animal, forever pursuing the bull Taurus. Perhaps that was his punishment you thought, forever chasing the thing he could never again have due to his boasting and pride. 

You continued to peruse the night sky, smiling softly at each star in the sky, reciting their stories in your head.  

“How did I know you would be out here,” a teasing voice whispered in your ear, all at once startling you and causing your smile to widen. You whipped your head around, gazing upon Manon, still in her riding gear, softly smirking at you from her position above you. 

“Manon!” You exclaimed, rising up and flinging yourself into her embrace and pulling her close. “I did not expect you to be back for another three days.” 

“Negotiations took shorter than we anticipated, so I took the opportunity to surprise my girl and come home early.” Manon spoke against your temple, pausing to press a kiss to your hairline. “I missed you.”

“And I you.” you replied, looking up into her golden eyes, bringing your hand to the side of her face to guide her lips to yours. Kissing Manon felt like gazing at the stars, comforting and warm. You could easily lose yourself in this, just as you lose yourself gazing upon the stars. 

Manon smiled into the kiss, tugging you impossibly closer, until you could no longer feel the cold air, only her. She broke the kiss between you, holding you in her embrace. You laid your head on her chest, breathing in the scent that was undeniably Manon. You felt you could stay here forever, held in her loving embrace under starlight. 

“Come love.” She said at long last, wrapping her arm around your shoulder and guiding you back towards the castle. You followed her dutifully, leaning into her as you walked back to your room. The stars will always be there another day, you would gladly follow Manon, your starlight, anywhere.