݁ 🍋˖Ი𐑼➴ Characters?: March
݁ 🍐˖Ი𐑼➴ Reader?: GN Reader
݁ 🫐˖Ი𐑼➴ Total Word Count: 3.1k
₊🍏˚⊹ ᰔ➴ Summary?: Now that it's summer, it means fun in the sun! Relaxing with a lemonade in your hand and enjoying all that the beach can bring. But what if one red head actually wants you to join him on his beach break?
₊🍓˚⊹ ᰔ➴ A/n?: Since March won the poll, and it's summer, I thought, what would be better than this tsundere getting flustered with a beach day
March || Drink on the Sand
Summertime came by fast to Mistria. The small town was a buzz to celebrate by making everything fit the summer dream. Jody and Hemlock stocked up on cold drinks for their customers to enjoy. Celine decorated the town with in-season flowers. Mainly roses, per Elsie's request. The entire town felt the spirit of the sun. Every day one group of friends would go to the beach to enjoy the fleeting moments of the warm sun and cool water to embrace them. Even when there was work to be done, the residents found time to greet the beach with a smile.
The grumpy blacksmith had his own summer plans, too. Every week he would join some of his friends to enjoy the sounds of the ocean. It was a drastic difference to the fire roaring in the forge. The heat barely bothered him, though that didn't mean his brother wouldn't worry. March would often neglect himself when he was so focused on his work. It's what Olric believed made him such a hard worker. The blacksmith would constantly insist that he never needed help. That he could manage everything on his own. Even when he was swamped with work, he could still find time to enjoy the beach. March just told himself that he would work twice as hard the next day. He rinsed and repeated this mentality with no interruptions. People tried to pull him away. His brother especially. But March never budged. It would take something magical for the man to change the way he worked.
Magic which resided in the new farmer who wormed their way into the blacksmith's stubborn heart.
Your arrival in Mistria was seen as a pain to March. He was a stubborn individual and saw you as something temporary. Temporary help that would leave as soon as the town rank rose enough to stabilize all of the residents. He didn't see why Adeline requested the help of outsiders. He tried to convince her that the residents could do everything on their own if they just pulled together. His opinions remained as strong as his swing on the anvil outside his shop. His eyes would catch you passing by. They would trail after you as you followed after Eiland on some excavation project the two of you were working on. It made him feel irritated that you fit in so well in Mistria. March was further annoyed to see you at the inn every Friday Night, making your rounds like you knew everyone for your whole life. Every single time he noticed you, he would scoff, mumbling something about 'not needing you around.'
There were small moments where March's guard relented. Mostly when he was drunk. His face would be all blushy, almost the same shade as his hair, and he would sip a beer while watching you move around the inn. Hemlock would make a comment about the boy's gaze following you. He'd make some comparison about how he used to stare at Jody like that before they had gotten married. March waved his hand dismissively. He didn't want his staredown to be interrupted. Eventually, you would share your greetings with him, and he'd blurt out something stupid his drunk mind forced him to voice.
"Your hair smells nice."
That's how March managed to find you more tollerable over time. He would let you stick around the forge for longer. He would claim it was because Olric needed the company, but his older brother rarely ever seemed lonely. He had companions in flesh and in rock forms. March couldn't bring himself to admit he was doing this for himself because his heart wouldn't rest unless you were around him. No matter the season or time of day, March would offer himself as company for you while you did chores around your farm. Though rather subtly.
"I've been meaning to check out the hinges and all the metalwork on your house. Now's a better time than any."
"Ryis was telling me about the coops you had built recently. Told me the doors weren't working right lately. Let me check on them for you."
Sooner or later he lost excuses to be around you without making it seem it was what he really wanted. March stopped saying anything and would just show up. Sitting in the little pen you made for the chickens to roam about without going too far, with a chick in his lap. That became a common sight upon your farm. From time to time he would help you out with your crops too. He'd admire the metalwork on the watering can. It was something you made with the ore in the mines. You had learned his art rather quickly. It pissed March off. Less than how proud it made him.
The years had passed along, and you became a staple individual to Mistria's community. You had worked your ass off to make the town become famous among the kingdom. You alone had managed to bring in more vendors for the Saturday Market. Wheedle, the miscreant, and Taliferro, the noble chef, had taken on the agreement to set up their stalls in Mistria because you worked to get the materials. Every little thing you did for the wellbeing of the town hadn't gone unnoticed by March. You had become a named hero for everyone around you. It made sense. You were an adventurer, so you probably saved countless lives. But you did more than that. You saved a town.
That meant you deserved all the rest the world could offer. And then some.
"Hey, [Name]. I uhm... I brought some bread for you."
March greeted you at the steps that lead into town. He caught you before you could head over to do your chores. He held out a paper bag to you. An offering for a small peaceful moment before your day had become too occupied. The summer sun was going to make the morning become unbearable too.
"How sweet of you, March!"
You took the bag with grateful hands. It was rare that you were on the receiving end of such a kind gesture. The smile you returned to him made March almost trip over his feet. He had to bite his tongue really hard not to say something stupid. Before you had the chance to dismiss him, he stood tall in front of you.
"There was something else I wanted to share with you."
"What is it?"
The blacksmith had to steady himself. This was the first time he was asking someone who wasn't Ryis to hang out with him outside of working. You stared at him with soft eyes. Your demeanor made it so difficult to get the words out without stuttering. It took a lot of power to make his request come out comprehensible.
"I... Would you like to go to the beach with me tomorrow?"
March watched you for any hint of rejection. A sign that would indicate that you found his request silly. All sorts of things you could possibly say had already gone through his head on the walkover to your farm. He was so wrapped up in the idea of you rejecting him before saying anything that he was nearly floored when you said yes.
"I would love to! I haven't been able to go recently. The crops have been needing more tending as of late, so the time just gets eaten up. I've been needing some of my own TLC. I greatly appreciate the offer, March."
He tried to make the sigh of his relief seem discrete. In doing so, he just started nodding way too much. It was making his head hurt from the rapid movement. March tried to still his body. It was a great effort to do such. His excitement was trying to find a way out. To free itself through screaming or rapid movement. Nothing else was said between you two. It was rather awkward just standing there, letting the day waste away. He had dismissed himself with little speaking. His quickened footsteps hit the stone stairs harshly. March had left you to go about your day without holding you up for much longer. Plus, he had to run to his room to scream the joys of you accepting his offer into his pillow. Olric was quite confused when his brother had asked him to cover the shop for the next couple hours. March rarely acted as foolishly as this. But you made him feel like he was floating above the clouds. Even with his earlier stubbornness from when he first met you, he always had a feeling that you would become special. He had never considered you becoming special to him. Two years, and he's barely been able to showcase that he does appreciate you.
Tomorrow hadn't come soon enough. March had spent all night having Reina help him make some snacks you would like. It was 3 A.M. before he got home. His whole body was exhausted, but so worth the effort to see you smile. Just a token to know that he was making the amends you deserved. The morning was a rush to get up, get ready, and beat you to the beach so he could set everything up. He didn't know why he wanted to surprise you with a picnic, but it felt right. You had said you needed TLC so March was ready to give you it in droves.
Waiting for you so early in the morning and with so little sleep was a pain. March had to stay, though, so as to not abandon the food for the pesky gulls to steal. The sun kept him warm from the salty sea wind that kissed his skin. Wandering thoughts popped in here and there while he waited. The one that stuck the most was what you would wear. Would you wear your normal clothes? No, of course not. It was the beach; you'd probably want to wear something comfortable. He couldn't fathom the possibility of you in a swimsuit. Just the brief consideration of such a thing had him blushing. Why couldn't he be normal when it came to you? He used to be once, but you turned him into a mess. An easily flustered mess.
"I'm here! Sorry I'm late! Feeding the animals had taken a lot longer than I thought. They didn't want me to leave."
You ran down to the beach in a flurry. Sand kicked up from your feet with how rushed you seemed. You gasped for air once you were granted the gift of a break from running. He never shot up to his feet so fast. He met you halfway from the picnic spot he set out. His throat went dry at the sight of you. Your hair was a mess from the rush over. Your skin was slightly dampened with sweat as evidence of your hard work in the morning. The thing he zeroed in on was the thing he was mulling over all morning.
You were in a swimsuit. And you looked way too good in it. How the hell was he supposed to look you in the eyes now when your presence was nothing less than divine? March turned his head away to make it seem like he wasn't staring.
"I-It's fine... I get it. Hayden takes longer when Henrietta needs extra tending to. Come sit. I.. I brought snacks..."
Saying it out felt so silly. Admitting he took the time to prep so much for you was even sillier. March just sat back down on the blanket, patting the seat beside him to offer to you. With the offer of a place to rest, you didn't waste any time. A loud sigh that came from the soul escaped from you. Having the chance to just sit became a rarity these past seasons. The demand for your supply and aid became heavy upon your shoulders. March recognized it all. Saw it in himself before you had thawed his heart to become more receptive to your help. You really needed this beach day.
"Did you make all of these yourself?"
Your inquiry wasn't registered by the man next to you. Not right away. He was too focused on watching you admire the food in your hands. The smile he expected you to adorn was brighter than he remembered. It was only when you looked at him with that smile did he fully process what you had asked. He nodded curtly, not knowing what to say.
"It's good."
Your simple comment made March feel all sorts of flustered. Your compliments were something he could never see himself being used to. Watching you eat the things he made with all the hard work he put in was fulfilling, though. Knowing that he could provide for you in such small ways made him feel happy. It was only a small thing, sure, but it allowed you a moment of stillness in the never-ending movement of farm life. While you ate, you stared at the waves lapping against the sand. The water seemed enticing. Especially in the heat of the sun. March followed your line of sight, seeing how you seemed to be longing for the water.
"You wanna swim? I'll race you to the water."
He didn't give you any time to get up. He was already on his feet and running toward the ocean. March was always one to have competitions with you. From big to small, he always wanted to be on top. At first, it was to show that he was better than you. That you couldn't match up to his capabilities. Now, though, with his changed view of you, he did it to show you that he could be strong. That he could do the same things you could to showcase his capabilities in being able to help you. Once he had reached the water, he turned. You were falling behind, probably from wanting to preserve the food he didn't give you a chance to finish. March held out his hand for you to take. To support you and give you something to lean against if you didn't want to stand.
With your hands intertwined and you in the water, March tugged you close. He held you close to him. His arms were tight around your body, making sure to keep you pressed against his chest. It was so out of the blue that you let out a squeak. Where had this come from?
"March? Is everything okay?"
"You know you can depend on me sometimes, right?"
You were in bewilderment by the suddenness of it all. March rarely handled your presence like you were something fragile. That you were someone who needed the constant aid of another.
"I know."
"You can always come to me for help... For anything. Like you told me, it's okay to have help."
The water folding softly against your bodies added to it all. To March, this was something so crucial to say. There was some guilt of turning this calm outing into exposing the worries of his for you. You were his farmer. The one who challenged him the most. The one who allowed him to have soft moments like these without judgment.
"Is this why you invited me to the beach?"
Your question wasn't one with critique. It wasn't angry either. You just wanted to know the motives behind this beach day he proposed to you. He shook his head frantically. His hair swayed side to side; you could almost see the roots of his original hair color.
"No. I mean, not originally. Look. I know you tend to overwork yourself. You do all this work without giving yourself a chance to relax. Even on Friday nights, you're working endlessly to socialize and finish up the quests you were put on. I wanted to give you a chance to actually enjoy yourself."
He finally poured his heart out. The things his mind voiced to him while he worked on the food so late in the evening. The worries that ate at him when he saw you working on the farm when he visited you. March knew firsthand what burnout felt like. How it left someone paralyzed. He wouldn't allow you to undergo such things when he was there to offer himself. You were left astounded by the declaration. You never even perceived that March cared so deeply about you in such a way. The times he was around, silently helping you without asking. Pulling the weeds, watering the plants, trying to feed the animals. It was all clicking right then and there. He cared about you; he just never knew how to put words to it.
You leaned in closer to him, fully accepting him as someone to lean on. As a pillar in your life that would be there without you ever needing to say anything. It was surreal to acknowledge that you had someone so close to you that you never recognized as anything more than just a friendly gesture. Your hands found themselves on March's cheeks. The sun made his eyes look like onyx. The ocean embraced you both as this intimate moment was shared.
"Thank you. For... everything you've been doing. I'm sure I would be worked into the ground without it."
Your gratitude came out in a whisper. You rested your head on his shoulder, and, for March's part, he held you. He cradled your body in the strength of his arms. It had been the warmest embrace you had ever experienced. That moment felt like magic. The same magic that he came to be accustomed to the first time he felt his heart race when he talked to you years ago.
"And thank you, [Name]. For being the one to encourage me to be more open. More accepting of myself and being okay with assistance."
You meant everything to him. This beach day had only been the first that was planned for the season. He had deeply hoped you would allow him to take you out like this more. A picnic in the Summit or Eastern Roads sounded delightful.
"Would you like to hang out with me like this again? If you have the time?"
"I'll always have the time for you, March. You only need to say one word, and I would drop everything for you."
It was safe to say that this beach day had been more than a success. March felt a great deal of pride in being able to provide for you like this. In all the ways one would a partner. Maybe that would be the next step, but he would need more time to gather the courage to even consider such a thing.
⊱Property of @willowedwisteriacottage! Do not repost or translate without my explicit permission! Reblogs are welcome!⊰ ₊ ⊹ . ݁
plurality is like having the little angel and devil on your shoulder telling you what to do except instead of an angel and a devil it's like 40 random guys and a pigeon for some reason
YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU CAN HANDLE CRITIQUE. YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU CAN EMBRACE BEING TOLD YOU WERE WRONG. YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH UNPLEASANT TASKS. YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU CAN DELIVER DISAPPOINTING NEWS. YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU KNOW HOW TO BE DISAGREED WITH. YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU CAN BE CORRECTED. YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU CAN BE TOLD YOU MESSED UP. YOU ARE A REGULAR GUY. YOU ARE ABLE TO DO HARD THINGS.
Weird plurality is having a headmate who's given himself the role of "Pirate" and his whole thing has become pirating media out of spite because his source isn't free to watch anymore and he never got to finish it, so now he's on a one-man mission to pirate as many things as he can
the future is plural means that somehow, one day, people won’t have to worry about losing friends for coming out as plural. somehow, one day, it will be a common courtesy to ask “who’s fronting?”. somehow, one day, plurality will be demystified, and no one will be expected to prove their plurality to anyone. somehow, one day, people will be called out on their pluralmisia and actually be willing to listen.
the future is plural means that somehow, one day, the world will be a little kinder :)
Emotion Support Object Flag: A flag for those who use an object similar in use to an ESSA(Emotional Support Stuffed Animal). Can be anything as long as it brings support just like an ESSA.
Coined as a request for @cgsdraws!
Already coined? Consider this an alternative flag!
Taglist: @radiomogai, @goregender, @pumpkinharvesting, @ajolteonnamedsparky, @halogen-insertlastparthere, @stumachershop, @timelesssellswordshade, @princeofthedark. Feel free to ask to be added/removed from the taglist. :-)
a flag for people who feel as if they are rotting in bed along with being miserable, depressive, or pathetic. it is also made for people who struggle with getting out of bed (disorders/disabilites) and doing tasks, taking care of themselves, etc... this can be used in any sense
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