I cried into Enora's chest as I remembered the last time I saw the eyes of my parents. She didn't say anything as she pulled me close. Once I finally stopped crying she wiped the tears away. Her beautiful red jewels looked at me in worry. "Are you okay? Was it that owlbear?..."
"No…Well kinda…That owlbear's dead eyes reminded me of the last time I looked my parents in the eye. I really am weak…" She shook her head, before pulling me back into her embrace. "You aren't weak. It is okay to be sad. As long as you can smile when it's all over, okay?"
I nodded as I tightened my own embrace. "Can you hold me like this for a while?"
"Of course…I can hold onto you anytime." She stroked my hair, her touch gentle. "Enora…Do you think my parents would be happy?"
"I don't know…I hope if they are watching you that they like me. If they aren't happy… I just need to become a person that would make them happy. Make you happy." I looked up into her eyes once more. The crimson irises stared back into my own muddy eyes. "I think they would like you. Maybe they would say I should have gotten to know you more first, but you already make me happy. I have never felt this before. The warmth of your touch brings me butterflies. The warmth of your eyes when they look at me makes me nervous, but I can't look away. The warmth of your heart that would love me makes me happier than I could ever imagine. You do tease me a lot, but I know you are a clumsy princess. I love you so much even though we don't know much about each other. I want to know everything there is about Enora Twilight. I already know your favorite color. Now I want to know more. Like…what kind of music do you like? What are your favorite activities? I know my parents would also love you. I would be scared of them taking you away if anything. You are just…Just…Like staring at the sun. Even though you are…"
"Shhh…"Her face was bright red and her eyes watery. Before I had a chance to close my own she kissed me. I leaned into the kiss, and closed my eyes. My lips shared the warmth of her own.
—-----
I finally broke away from Melles lips. If she said anymore I wouldn't have been able to keep it together. Her honest confession made me feel so happy I could cry. I thought I was the one trying to cheer her up. She called me bright, yet she was the one that was too bright. She called me clumsy, yet she was the clumsiest person I knew. She said she loved me so much, and now I couldn't let her go. I hoped her parents were looking at their kind daughter. This girl who is so honest with her feelings…
"Dork…" That was the only thing I could say as I held onto her at that moment. "Yes?"
"Dork…" If I said I wasn't crying that would be a lie. "Yes?..."
"Dork…" I cried tears of joy while holding her close. "E-enora… Wh-what's wrong?"
"Dork…I-I am just so ha-happy…" Nobody had ever said something like that to me before. The honesty in her voice as she spoke her truth about me brought me to tears. The honest beating of her heart as she told me all of that made the tears flow out. Why was she the one making me happy after she was sad? Was this something normal for her? I also wanted to know everything about her. If she could make me this happy I also…
"I love you so much, Melle…" I held onto her tightly. She was like water. If I didn't hold onto her tightly and keep her love in a dam it would flow away from me. I would never let that happen. I would prove to her that she was amazing, and I would prove to her parents that I was someone worth holding onto. I looked into her eyes full of warmth again. Even through blurry vision, I could see her love for me.
"Dork…"
"I know…"
"Dork…"
"I know…"
"Dork…"
"I know… Jeez after all that… It's okay, I still love you anyway, and I will always be your dork."
"How long are you two going to be sappy? It's gross…The owlbear is dismantled by the way…Thanks for the help." I had felt her coming, and still I let my guard down. Melle was too much. Too dangerous. She would definitely be the death of us. My face was flushed, and I needed to take this embarrassment out on someone. The source of the interruption was the obvious choice.
"Shut up, Chibi!"
"Like I said! It is Nai-chi-bee! Come on you two! We need to hurry and eat, or our quest will be delayed! Sheesh… Stupid vampire…Stupid Melle…" She walked away, not giving either of us a chance to reply. "I think we should listen to our new friend. I feel better now."
Melle stood up as she stretched her arms. Then she reached one of them out towards me. "Come on, partner!"
"Y-yes…" I grabbed onto her own warm hand, letting her assist me in standing. I used my other hand to pull out my parasol, before we walked back to the others. "Dork."
"I love you too~!" She proclaimed as she kissed my cheek. When we arrived the owlbear was already dismantled into neat chunks. "On second thought…I think I'll wait in the carriage." Melle said, trying to pull herself away from me.
"What kind of adventurer can't stand the sight of a fresh kill?" Ethora asked in annoyance. I couldn't help but glare at the dark elf. "It's okay. She is right…" Melle tightened the grip on my hand, but she steeled herself as we walked close. Despite being afraid, she was walking forward. Despite being disgusted, she still moved. She said she was weak, but in comparison to me, she was so strong.
"Can you store the rest of that, Miss Enora?" I did as the Dothnur asked, storing the chunks on the ground in my own space. Once it was gone, Melle breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you seriously an adventurer, Miss Melle?" Ethora stared at my love in disbelief. I was frustrated. They didn't know how strong she actually was, and they didn't know how much their words could hurt. I grit my teeth together, but when I looked at Melle she was still smiling.
"I am sorry. I don't have any excuse, but I am still new to this." Don't! Melle bowed to Ethora in apology. Then…
"I am still new to this, but I will become stronger. I already have my affinities, now I just need to learn to use them. Then I will wake a sleeping giant!" She clenched her fist that wasn't gripping my own. I was right. She really was stronger than me. Ethora returned her a smile, as she chuckled.
"That's good. It is great to have aspirations. I already knew you were green, so it is fine. The food is almost done, so just sit there on the grass." The smell of the owlbear was wafting into my nose. I had only drank Melle recently, but her taste was the best. Still, the meat did smell good…
For the first time since I met Melle, I ate a regular meal. The taste couldn't compare to the life nectar of my love, but it was still good. "You have a piece of meat on your cheek…" I blushed, but before I could get it myself, Melle was faster. The demon used her mouth to clean it off.
"EWWWW! Stop! I hate both of you!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"