A Melding of Hearts

Izar stood in the kitchen of the cabin he and his beloved would be spending the Christmas weekend in, away from the hustle and bustle of Crocus around this time of year. He enjoyed to quiet of it all, no loud crowds shopping for last minute gifts or bright billboards advertising the latest sales; only the crackling of the fire in the fireplace and the soft pattering of his girlfriend's feet on the floor above him as she got settled into what would be their home this for the next two days. The warm smell of Hot chocolate filled the air alongside that of the stew he stirred gently on the stove.From the kitchen he could see into the living room, the fire obscured by a red velvet sofa, in the corner of the room sat a lit Christmas tree with a few gifts under it the two would trade tomorrow morning. Using the ladle, he tasted the stew, the familiar taste of rabbit filling his mouth, the freezer having been stocked with the game he and Phobos had hunted here a week earlier when he'd asked the man for his blessing to marry his granddaughter. Setting the ladle down onto the napkin he moved away from the pot, returning with a pinch of salt which was quickly mixed in with the meat and vegetables that would soon be their lunch.

Regardless of what he was doing, he kept one hand in his pocket, nervously fingering at the ring box that felt much heavier than its weight could ever possibly be. He'd bought the ring the day after being given the blessing to ask for Theia's hand and he knew that this weekend would be when he would drop the question. The topic of marriage had come up before in passing but the two had never sat and had a serious conversation about the idea and while he had complete confidence in their feelings for one another, the two having shared many wonderful and romantic memories together, he understood that marriage was a huge step that some are hesitant to take; even when they know they love their partner greatly. The soft footsteps of Theia coming down the stairs forces him to remove his hand from his pocket and begin filling the bowls with the stew. When she comes around the corner into the kitchen Izar smiles, always fascinated by her ever increasing beauty and grace, as if each soft step was a dance she had practiced months to perform. The mere sight of her still filled his heart with a pleasant warmth and caused it to beat faster, even still after all of the years they had known one another, even after all of their loving kisses and passionate nights he could still look at her as if he were gazing upon her for the first time. "I hope you're settling in well, what do you say we go explore the woods outside for a bit after lunch?" He asked, turning his head to look out the sliding glass door, watching the snowflakes fall slowly to join the trillions that made up the winter wonderland they would hopefully be outside in soon.