Together - A Marelinh Short Story

Linh

This part takes place at the same time of part 8 in the Fedex Story.

I was studying with Marella in my room, helping each other with our assignments. I had Elven History and Marella had Alchemy. We still hadn't told anyone about us. It didn't bother me, though - I was perfectly happy in our relationship either way - but Marella seemed to be nervous. She kept on fiddling with her pencil or twisting her fingers in and out of her braids. Once I had finished explaining to her the steps of purifying metal, she spoke up.

"Linh?" she asked.
"Mmhmm?" I answered, keeping my gaze on my homework.
"I- uh... I need to tell you something." Hearing the worry and anxiety in her voice made me look away from my homework, concerned. "What is it?" I asked, keeping my tone as gentle as I could while being suddenly scared out of my wits. I wasn't scared because of how worried she sounded, well of course I was, but it was because I knew what she was going to say. She wanted to break up with me. (well that escalated quickly) It made sense, honestly. After all, being in a secret relationship isn't that easy, what with people telling you that 'You should get yourself a boyfriend already!' and don't even get me started on the amount of stress you'd have to endure on makings sure no one finds out. And on top of that, I was The Girl of Many Floods - who would want to date me?

I held my breath as Marella took in a deep one. "I..." Oh no. "I..." This was it. "I..." Another person I've lost. "I... I told Dex about us!" she blurted out. She looked at me, scared, like she was expecting me to shout at her or something. Instead, I hugged her. "What? Marella that's amazing! Aaah - you're amazing!" I squeezed her tighter. "Um, Linh, a little breathing room, please?" she croaked, looking like she was about to pass out by the lack of air.
"Oh, yeah, sorry," I apologised.
"Don't be," Marella reassured me, "I was honestly so scared to tell you because you said that we should keep it on the down low. But it was the perfect moment to tell him and everyone knows that he doesn't believe in the elves' prejudices. Thank you, so much, Linh, for being understanding." I smiled at Marella, wondering how I could've gotten such an amazing girlfriend.

For the majority of the time afterwards, Marella and I kept on joking around. So much, that we weren't even studying anymore but just chatting to each other. Once we got bored, I suggested that we climb out of my bedroom window and I got the roof. "Linh!" Marella exclaimed as I started to climb out. "That's dangerous!"
"Okay mother," I teased, "Didn't think someone like you would have safety concerns."
"I'll always have safety when it comes to you," she replied. I blushed. "Come on, Marella - it's perfectly safe I promise." I extended a hand to her. After a lot of grumbling, she reluctantly took my hand and we climbed out.

"Careful!" I warned as Marella wobbled on the slopes part of the roof. She smirked at me. "Oh, who's the mother now-" Her voice turned into a yelp when she slid and started to fall. I caught her hand. "Wipe that smug look off your face and help me up, would you?" she grumbled and I pulled her up. We both sat down and looked at the sunset together, chatting about nothing in particular - it was perfect. The sunset was mixture of floating colours - a vivid orange, a lively yellow and a sparkling red - different ones melting into the others. I could imagine the stars coming out, if they were at the same time as the sunset. It would be beautiful. They would be like... like embers in a flame. I looked to Marella. She was my flame. The thing that kept me warm, happy, alive.

Before I realised what I was doing, I tilted her chin towards mine and kissed her. I was terrified. Would she kiss me back? All of my anxiety faded, though, when she kissed me back. She rested a hand behind my neck. Her lips were warm and soft. I could feel them smile against mine. I slowly pulled away and smiled at her. We didn't need to say anything. I rested my head in her shoulder and she leaned hers in. I closed my eyes. I felt safe with Marella. I always did.

Aww *wipes extremely real tear from eye* my babiesss 🥺🥺 also, i kid you not, I laughed out loud while writing linh's whole panic when she thought marella was going to break up with her cuz in my mind I was just like... honey... you're just going through a day in the life of an overthinker it ain't anything special 👁👄👁