*~Descendants: My Bright Petal~*(Gino Gothel x Fem! Reader)

11. Dimming Realization, Parting Tears🩹

(Hi, my loves! Quick announcement- Sorry for the wait, but thank you for 1.4k views!!!! 🥳 This story was just some creative fun, but I'm ecstatic to know many people enjoy it as well! Thank you also for the votes and fun comments, they brighten my day <3 Lastly, thank you so much for taking the time to read my work! This story isn't exactly short lol)

Enchanted Lake(Your/2nd POV)

As promised, you brought Gino to the Enchanted Lake. You held hands as you both strolled carefully along the outline of the Lake, taking in the sights of the wonderfully clear waters glistening back at you both.

"It's still as beautiful as I remember it." You sighed softly, breathing in the freshwater smell. "Kind of Nostalgic too."

"Nostalgic?" Gino asked from next to you, you hummed in confirmation.

"We used to have family outings here all the time. Mom and Dad always thought the Lake's magic was good for our health or something like that." You explained as you idly kicked a nearby rock.

Gino listened on intently, before voicing his wonders, "So, I'm assuming the Lake can heal?"  But remembering what his mother asked of him, he quickly added, "Or...I don't know...bring youth?"

"Not exactly." You smiled at his curiosity as he peered into the Lake's waters, "It's said upon entering its waters, any spells or curses cast upon you will be washed awa-"

Your explanation was cut short as you suddenly stepped on a rock, throwing you off balance. You tried to stabilize yourself, but your ankle rolled painfully as your leg gave out. Your hand slipped out of Gino's as you fell sideways straight into the Lake. 

"Y/N!" You could hear Gino call out as your hand slipped from his, but he was too late to catch you as you slipped underneath the Lake's cold waters.

As you went under you felt the freezing water pierce your skin, sucking all the warmth from your body like a vacuum. You struggled against the cold, desperately gripping for the surface, but it was as if the cold held you down itself, rendering your body limp. You were going to drown. That was the one thought on your mind as you felt your surroundings darken. 

......

That was until something new surrounded your body. It wasn't cold...It was warm and tense. Arms. A pair of arms circled your waist and quickly snatched you out of the tight grip of coldness. From what cold waters enveloped you now turned into someone's body holding you against them, and the feeling of small grass blades tickling at your side.  A voice filled your ears, you couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but after a minute or two you finally understood. You opened your eyes.

"Y/N! Can you hear me?!" The voice was Gino. The body was Gino.  He held you tightly in his arms, as he frantically called for you. As your vision cleared, you couldn't help but notice how rigid he looked. The bun you previously tied his hair in had fallen out, and his curls now draped and stuck to his face in a wet mess, he had taken off his shirt as well.

Upon realizing you opened your eyes, Gino had heaved in relief, "Your awake...."

"Gi-" You tried to talk, but it only threw you into a fit of hard coughs. Gino maneuvered you in his arms to sit you up, allowing you some air.

"I'm right here, princess." Gino reassured as he held you close, rubbing your back with occasional pats.  You could feel him shake slightly against you as you cleared your lungs.

"Y-You tripped into the lake." He stumbled over his words, probably still in shock. 

"I'm okay." You finally panted out as your coughs subsided.  However, you were doing a lot worse mentally than your words let on. Neither of you intended to end this date with a near death experience, leaving you both terrified and breathless....But thankfully you were alive, and that's really all you could ask for.