Bows, Apples, & Roses

~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚃𝚎𝚗 ~

Ariaellis might've screamed, but her frustration with life stopped her and she was almost happy she fell- for several reasons.

First, falling had woken her up from the pity part she was having and Aria realized she was not a quitter, she did not stop and would keep going until she got exactly what she wanted.

Second, falling into the arms of exactly the person she was looking for is incredibly convenient.

Danté was breathing hard and was extremely warm against her as he held Aria close to his broad chest.

As she was plummeting to her almost-death, Aria glimpsed Danté running through the garden underneath the balcony and catching her just as she was about to splatter onto the hard cobblestone walkway.

"Ariaellis are you alright?" Dante's low voice was shaky and his breathing shallow. He was more visibly shaken up then she was and immediately Arias heart went out to him. It felt strange to be so caring so quickly, but she supposed it was the guilt she was feeling that made her care more.

"Yes, i'm alright now." Aria lifted her hand and lightly swiped a stray hair from his forhead, attempting to calm him.

His concern seemed deeper then just her falling, he was shaking like he'd seen it done before but it ended in a much worse result.

The moment she answered him his entire body relaxed and she could feel the relief pour off of him. She relaxed against him too and allowed herself to rest her head on his chest. It felt so impossibly good to lean on Danté, it relieved some of the pressure and pain for only a moment- but that moment was the best she'd felt ever since the night before. Wait, no-

When she had been carried by Jacks and he had taken her to the palace, someone had been stroking her face and hair, whispering kind things to her. She still didn't know who it was, but really that had felt more comforting then being held.

Just then Aria realized how many times she's been held in just the past twelve hours and a small blush burned her cheeks.

Danté set her down carefully and once again asked if she was alright. She reassured him yes and they began walking through the garden.

"Another garden, it's seems." He grins at her, the past concern gone.

"Yes, i suppose so." Aria smiles back.

Danté looked like he was drawn in ink and charcoal. Dark shades of black and grey clothed him, save a deep red cravat around his neck. He definitely looked like Legend right now, he only needed a top hat.

That reminded her of what she had been doing before the sudden memory attacked her and she was diving from a balcony.

"Where were you last night?" Aria said in a slight accusatory tone.

Danté stiffened "Yes, my apologies. I had some other important business that suddenly came up."

So he didn't even notice that I never showed up for him..

"More important then me?" Ariaellis mockingly looked dejected, hand on her chest and fluttering her lashes.

He grins and plays into it "Yes i'm sorry pet, will you ever forgive me?"

She giggles and his smile deepens.

"Perhaps i'd forgive you if you'd do me a favor.." Her green eyes dazzle mischievously.

"And what could that be?"

They'd been walking along the cobblestone pathway that swerved through the garden when Danté led them into a tunnel of hedges. It was a particularly tight spot, bushes on either side of them so they were shoulder-to-shoulder walking.