definitely this time (e.p. fanfic)

Chapter 23

Peace.

Those fleeting moments where the world doesn't seem to exist, that's really what we aspire to experience someday. It's almost too brief to remember, but we do somehow. The lightness, the carefree nature of it all, it's like sitting in an English meadow for hours after sunrise (Okay yes, we are picturing Pride and Prejudice here but go with it). It's a moment you would carry in your heart every day, and it heals you. You feel strength to face another day, you feel lighter somehow. It feels ethereal, peacefully magical, timeless.

Those brief moments after she opened her eyes next to the love of her life, Raina felt that lightness, as a blush overwhelmed her cheeks. Everything that she'd read about over and over, the love that lasts forever, it was real. It wasn't just a fantasy that borderline depressed and imaginative writers wrote about; it was a real experience, and it lasts. People say that when you're young they assume you know nothing, well, Raina and Edmund looked young, but they are older than pretty much everybody on earth, so it doesn't count.

Edmund stirred as well, as Raina observed his cheeks dusted with a pink tint in the moonlight. Her heart raced as butterflies overwhelmed her stomach, and her knees grew weak. Something about this boy, ahem, man, had an emotional and well, physical chokehold on her that she couldn't even begin to fathom. The impending battle, the possible sacrifices, the horrid visions that were on the horizon were miles away in those fleeting peaceful moments.

Edmund's eyes fluttered as he gained consciousness, his eyes falling on Raina's gleaming brown orbs in the moonlight, as he gulped. He couldn't imagine being where he was in those moments, being with Raina, a girl he loved with all his heart since he was a mere 14 year old child.

'Hello there.' He spoke in a groggy voice which somehow made him sound even more attractive. The blood that rushed into Raina's cheeks were so scarlet, they were maroon. Her eyes sparkled like midnight rain, because he was her bejewelled sunshine. She felt warmth envelop her chest, as she brought her hand to his cheek and gave it a light slap, to make her shake off the shyness she felt being alone with him in that moment. Her little whack made Edmund squeak in surprise, looking at her in an accusatory manner.

'Ow what was that for?' He spoke as he rubbed his cheek. Raina chuckled, as she clutched the sheet closer to her chest, and sat up.

'You're staring, Edmund. It's not proper.' Raina mimicked his sister's words from a couple of years ago, right as they were about to go into battle. Edmund threw his head back, laughing.

"Fair fair, but well..." He replied as he too sat up, and Raina couldn't help but drop her eyes to his exposed chest, which by the way, was even more taut than she remembered. Damn did he start working out? Okay Raina, pull it together-

"You're staring, Raina. It's not proper." Edmund mimicked her words, as her eyes widened, and she buried herself in the blanket to hide her embarrassment. Edmund pulled her to him, so her back was to his chest, as she felt his deep laughter reverberate off his chest. It was a thrill, one that she had never known.

"Shut up."

"Make me, Laurel."

Raina turned around and leaned in close to kiss him, catching his bottom lip in her teeth, gently. Edmund felt his heart thump at the action as his arms went to his lower back, feeling the smooth skin, before grabbing her hips, and turning her to him. He mumbled her name as they continued kissing for a few moments. Raina pulled away to look at him, her heart going a million miles an hour, reliving everything that happened between them over the past three years.

Her face clouded over as she realised they couldn't stay in this moment forever.

"Ed..." Her voice quivered, as Edmund's features immediately contorted in worry as he cradled her face.