Change the Future

*Happy life*

Swing seats

The swing creaked gently under their weight, swaying in time with the soft breeze that stirred through the pine trees. The dragon reserve was quiet tonight, save for the occasional distant huff or low rumble of a sleeping creature. It felt like the world had finally exhaled. Rory was curled into Charlie’s side, her legs tucked beneath her, head resting just under his jaw. His arm was wrapped firmly around her, thumb brushing the top of her arm in absentminded strokes. Neither of them spoke for a long time. They didn’t need to. The swing creaked again.

“You cold?” Charlie murmured, pressing a kiss into her hair.

“Not with you here,” Rory replied softly, smiling against his shirt. He gave a quiet hum of approval and rested his cheek against her head. “I still can’t believe it” she said after a pause.

“What?”

“That we’re married” Her voice held something between awe and amusement. “That I get to keep you” Charlie chuckled, warm and low.

“You’ve had me for years, Nova. The ring just made it official.”
Rory tilted her head back to look up at him, the moonlight catching the faint freckles across his nose.

“You’ve had me too, you know. Even when I tried to pretend you didn’t”

“I always knew” he said simply. She smiled, then looked back at the stars.

“Do you ever miss England?” Charlie shook his head slowly.

“I miss the people. Sometimes. But not the noise. Not the chaos. Out here” He exhaled, and she felt it in her bones. “Out here, I can breathe” Rory nestled closer.

“Me too” They sat in silence again, watching the sky. Somewhere behind them, the cabin’s windows glowed with soft candlelight, the inside still full of half-unpacked wedding gifts and leftover cake. “You ever think about the future?” she asked quietly. “What comes next?” Charlie turned slightly, nudging her so he could see her face.

“All the time. But it always starts and ends with you. That’s the only part I’m certain about” Rory smiled, brushing her fingers over the band on his ring finger.

“I think I could get used to this. You, me, dragons, stars” He grinned.

“And the swing seat” She let out a quiet laugh.

“Definitely the swing seat.” He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. When he pulled back, he whispered

“We’ve still got the whole night” She nodded, curling back into him.

“Let’s stay a while” The world was painted in misty greys and soft golds when Rory blinked awake. A warm weight was wrapped around her, arms, a blanket, and Charlie. The swing seat had long stopped moving, but they were still curled there, as if the night hadn't wanted to let them go. Her nose was cold, but the rest of her was warm, tangled in Charlie’s embrace beneath a thick knitted blanket. She shifted slightly, feeling her husband stir beside her.

“Mhm” Charlie’s voice was hoarse and thick with sleep. “We slept out here?” Rory smiled sleepily.

“Apparently” His hand flexed at her waist, drawing her just a little closer. “Romantic or irresponsible?”

“Both” she whispered, smiling against the worn fabric of his shirt. “But mostly romantic” Charlie pressed a kiss to her temple and then groaned as he stretched.

“My back disagrees, but I’ll allow it” The swing creaked as they slowly sat up. The sunrise painted the tops of the trees in pale amber light, and frost still clung to the grass in the clearing around the cabin. “I’ll make coffee” Charlie offered, standing and wrapping the blanket around her shoulders as he did. “You sit and enjoy your morning princess moment” Rory raised an eyebrow.