Under a Dimmed Sun [UNCENSORED]

Extra/Alternate Universe 1: Peter & Alice -Episode 3 [18+]

The sun filtered gently through the canopy of the trees, casting dappled light onto the forest floor. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers as Alice and Peter rode side by side on horseback. Their laughter echoed through the woods, carefree and filled with the kind of joy that came with a peaceful afternoon. The sound of hooves thudded rhythmically against the soft ground, and Alice couldn't help but smile as she stole a glance at Peter, whose grin matched her own.

"You know, Peter," Alice said, her voice teasing, "I'm getting quite good at this noblewoman skills. Who would've thought?"

Peter chuckled, his dark hair catching the light. "I knew you would master it in no time. But honestly, I miss the days when you were still the sharp-tongued merchant who'd barter with me over a sack of grain."

"Oh, don't worry," she replied with a smirk. "I still have a sharp tongue. I just use it differently now."

They shared another laugh, the sound of it mingling with the rustling of the leaves. Peter urged his horse forward slightly, and Alice followed, until they reached a familiar clearing. At its center stood an old, abandoned chapel—weathered but standing strong, just as it had all those years ago.

Alice pulled her horse to a stop, her eyes widening with recognition. "Peter... Do you remember this place?"

Peter reined in his horse beside hers, following her gaze to the old chapel. A grin slowly spread across his face, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Of course I do," he replied. "How could I forget?"

They dismounted, leading their horses to a nearby tree where they tied the reins before walking toward the chapel. Vines had crept up its stone walls, and the wooden door hung slightly ajar, but the place still held an air of quiet beauty, untouched by time.

"This is where we made those ridiculous wedding vows," Peter said, laughing as he stepped inside, the memory vivid in his mind. "You had me kneel with that ridiculous grass ring."

Alice chuckled, following him inside. "And you swore to be my devoted husband, no matter what. You took that very seriously for something that was supposed to be a jest."

Peter shot her a mock-serious look. "Well, I was very convincing, wasn't I? Even with a ring made of weeds."

Alice grinned and stepped closer to him. "You were," she admitted, her hand gently resting on his arm. "I suppose you've always been better at vows than I was."

Peter's gaze softened, his teasing smile fading as he looked around the old chapel, then back at her. "It was more than a jest, you know," he said quietly. "Even back then, I meant every word. Grass ring or not."

Alice paused, her hand dropping to her side as her fingers instinctively found the wedding ring on her finger—the sapphire set in gold that Peter had given her on their real wedding day, the day they had promised to share their lives together for good. She looked down at it, her thumb gently tracing the cool, smooth metal.

"I never thought I'd wear anything like this," Alice said softly, holding her hand up so the light caught the sapphire's deep blue hue. "It feels so different from that day... and yet, somehow, it doesn't."

Peter stepped closer to her, taking her hand in his. "It's just a ring," he said. "Whether it's grass or gold, sapphire or weeds. It's what it means that matters."

Alice smiled at that, her eyes meeting his. "I know," she whispered. "It's just strange to think how much has changed since then. And yet, here we are, in the same place, still together."

Peter leaned in and kissed her gently, his lips brushing against hers in a tender, lingering touch. When he pulled back, he kept her hand in his, squeezing it lightly.