LingFan: Lovers in the Garden

Ling sighed and twisted a small petal in his hands. Its smooth surface felt strange against his callused fingertips.

"I always seem to mess everything up, don't I..." he muttered half-heartedly to himself. Falling petals tickles his ears and he looked up with a smile. "That didn't take you long," he laughed, "Lan Fan."

The kunoichi nodded. "Of course, Young Lord. I am always to be at your side," she said. Her thin ceramic mask was on, her expression hid from him. Ling motioned for her to come down. She landed lightly beside him, her automail creaking. He glanced at the prosthetic arm and returned his gaze to her eyes sorrowfully.

"I do not blame you, Young Lord," she muttered. Her flesh arm clutched her metal fist. "I knew beforehand that sacrifices would be made on our journey."

Ling shook his head. "*I* blame *MYSELF*. If I hadn't brought you with me..." He dropped his gaze to his feet. "Your arm, and Old Man Fu..." he trailed off.

Lan Fan nodded. "...would be intact," she finished sadly. "I knew, from the moment I became your guard, that my life would change drastically."

Ling nodded sadly and reached over to her. He carefully untied her mask, and it fell lightly on her lap.

"Young Lord...?"

He smiled. "I feel like you're hiding," he explained. "That mask is a defense against me, isn't it?"

Lan Fan's face flushed crimson. "No," she spat. "It's required for all royal guards."

Ling laughed. "It totally is!" He snatched up the mask and broke into a run. "Not anymore!" he sang.

Lan Fan leaped to her feet. "R-return that at once, Ling!" she yelled.

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After an extensive game of keep-away, the 12th Prince of Xing lay exhausted on the grass, the cool night wind pushing his hair over itself. Lan Fan sat beside him. "Might I have my mask back, Ling?" she said calmly, as if her forehead wasn't beaded with sweat from the long chase.

"Sure, but first..." He sat up and lay the mask beside him. Lan Fan blinked.

Ling grabbed her shoulders and placed a soft kiss on her lips. He pulled away and she stared in disbelief. She smiled and gave him a kiss of her own, longer this time, accompanied by a tight hug.

"My mask, Ling?" she chuckled. He pulled away and blushed.

"Oh, yeah..." He held the mask out to her. To his surprise, she didn't return it to her face, but tied it to his.

"It suits you," she said thoughtfully. She lay down on the grass, and he as well.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," she said. "It's a shame they don't always show."

Ling laughed. "Oh, the irony!"

Lan Fan flushed. "I see," she said with a giggle.

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An hour passed, and the two felt themselves growing weary. Soon they slept, the girl wrapped in the boy's arms. Each other's warmth allowed a comfortable rest, though the night was almost freezing. Light pink petals surrounded the lovers in the garden.