they're from two lands who are known to have been one another's nemesis for centuries.
The land of Cepil & the Land of Alin.
set in a world of magic; yena was born with a fragile heart that no magic in the land of Cepil could strengthen... not even...
the sun was setting and soon, the darkness of the sky started to loom above us. the air started to quickly becoming chilly as haruto called asha back towards us.
"acoff," he said as i turned towards him. he pointed his index finger to look up and i followed.
and oh my god was it a pleasant surprise. i had never laid my eyes on something so beautiful.
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the leaves of the oak tree glowed brightly as the sky above us darkened for the night. the entire field was dark except the oak tree and i swear, it looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. i couldn't help but gaze at the beautiful lights around me like i was stuck in some sort of trance.
it was surreal.
i gasped and gazed at the leaves around us, lights beaming from all of it.
asha approached us before haruto said,
"atta girl," he smiled, feeding her some nuts from the mini bag that was hooked onto her saddle.
"i brought you here to see these. the leaves from this oak tree naturally emits light the moment sun sets," he said. i felt my heart melt at the comment, admiring the breathtaking sight around us.
"i figured you'd like pretty things paired with nature so, here you are," he said, crossing his arms as he leaned his right body to the bark of the tree. i smiled at him in gratitude. grateful he spared a thought for me.
i caressed asha's majestic mane as she snuggled into my hands; she must be cold too. i reached out to asha and felt the chilly surface of her mane with my warm hands, comforting her.
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tonight felt especially chilly.. probably because we were out in the open fields.
"how long have you had asha?" i asked as i continued to stroke her face gently while haruto prepared the saddle and fixed some knots on the saddle.
"i had her when she was just a pony," he replied, strands of his blonde hair hovering above his eyes as he focused on the knots.
i noticed that his hands often had scars. i was always trying to muster up enough courage whether or not to ask. but i didn't.. again.
"you're kidding! you grew up together then," i smiled as haruto hummed in response.
"found her all alone in a stack of hay nearby so i took her in. mother hated me for a while but she eventually got a soft spot for her," he chuckled.
"training days were lonely so i figured i'd take her in. asha's been my partner in crime ever since," he said as he made his way towards us, caressing asha.
"isn't that right?" he whispered softly as asha neighed, her hooves click-clacking happily. i smiled at the two of them in awe.
more like i was admiring haruto. just thinking about all the lonely moments he's had to endure and then finally finding asha.. he must've felt so happy as a young boy. i watched as he gently caressed her mane with his large hands, some scarring near his palms and knuckles. if only i'd known him earlier, you know? could've at least treated those scars of his. he must've felt so much mental and physical pain during his own childhood...
"let's get going," he said as he held my waist and lifted me onto asha's back gently in one swift motion before getting on.
as soon as he got on and even before we could move, i tugged at haruto's shirt as he turned his head back. i don't know what came over me but i just know i didn't want to leave him alone.. not anymore.
"everything okay?" he asked as i smiled up at him before pecking his lips. i felt him jump a little before he smiled against my lips.
"i'm sorry you had to endure so much time long alone and in pain," i said in a softer voice, pulling away as his eyes sparkled under the moonlight. i could see a light shade of pink painting his cheeks and ears.
my heart still ached knowing that he spent his entire childhood and teenage years training endlessly, without much communication with his own family.
"it was worth it," he said before quickly kissing me back as i hit him, my cheeks burning up. he chuckled playfully as he pulled at the reins gently; signalling asha to walk at a comfortable pace.
who knew that behind his cold front lied such a soft and warm heart? i never would've thought..
i took in the beauty of the moonlight that shined so brightly along with the stars of the vast night sky, haruto's scent lingereung around in the air around us.. or maybe it was just me.
for a while, haruto and i sat there comfortably on asha's back as her hooves click-clacked on the ground.
"acoff, i didn't get to say this earlier but i haven't changed the way i see you since you told me your story," haruto's soft voice emerged from the silence.
"you're so bloody strong for going through all that," he continued as i felt a small smile forming on my face.
his words made me feel comforted about my condition for once. all my life, i've always struggled to feel 'normal.' i never got to experience rollerblading, running around in the snow, trick or treats, or anything like that. all i've ever known is the sickening chemical smells of the hospital my entire life.
so, to be here right now..
how i wish this moment would never end.
"your condition doesn't make you any less of a person.. please remember that. you are everything i've ever dreamed of and more," he concluded as tears formed in my eyes. never have i felt so appreciated before.
for once since i left the hospital, i felt free. as if i was taking a breath of fresh air into my life. the sight of new people and a new environment; all of it felt like some sort of getaway; almost like a dream that i didn't want to end.
his words meant something more. it felt empowering; as if i gained some sort of strength from them. i had never felt his before. something about him just strengthened me. tears started to form in my eyes.
"haruto i-"
"as long as i'm here, i'll protect you okay acoff? so please.. don't leave my side," he said as i sniffled behind him, trying to suppress my tears as he turned around and smiled softly, pecking my forehead. his hair danced perfectly with the wind as strands of it covered his forehead.
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i let out a breathy 'thank you'. my voice trembled as i hooked my arms around his waist, resting my cheek on his back; the comfort of him and the night.. all of it just felt right although my situation itself was so wrong..
