Perran brushed some hair out of my face and I held my breath. I watched as his eyes trailed over my face and his mouth formed into a frown.
"What were you even doing to get all of this dirt on you?"
Perran chuckled to himself and his eyebrows tilted up. "Only you would willingly go outside in this storm."
"I regret nothing," I said.
Perran shook his head and leaned forward to look out the window I climbed back into. "Of course, you don't," he teased. "It's still pouring. At least you had some sense." His eyes peered back to me and I smiled softly.
"I came back inside to get you," I whispered.
Perran paused before shaking his head. Looking away quickly. He chuckled again and I noticed his now reddened face. "You should've stayed out there, then."
I tilted my head to meet his eyes. He brushed a hand over his cheek, turning down and away from me. "Why? It was so peaceful, I wanted to enjoy it with you."
Perran turned up to me suddenly. "And why would you want me? I'm sure the others would gladly enjoy your company."
I pouted. "you wouldn't."
He went rigid before turning away from me. "of course, I would." He whispered back.
I smiled again. Pulling him along with me. "Then let's hurry and go feel the rain before it stops." I pulled him to the door, but he paused halfway outside.
The rain pelted against my skin and the sound thrummed against my ears. "Come on! It feels amazing!" I yelled.
Perran peered around before joining me. He cringed. "This is awful." He grunted.
I laughed loudly, spinning around. "It's so warm!" I cooed.
Perran raised an eyebrow. "It's freezing!" He yelled back.
I turned to him and hummed. The rain picked up and the thrum turned into a cacophony of pellets from the sky. I wiped some rain from my face with no peril. "Gosh. I can barely see or hear you..." I started.
Perran looked to speak, and I squinted at him.
"What did you say?" I yelled.
Perran's blurry frame walked towards me and he placed his hands above my eyes, shielding the rain. He leaned towards my ear, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine. “You need to keep your hands above your eyes to shield the rain, Anemone.” He pulled back away from me.
I smiled down at him and crinkled my nose. “You worry too much! I’m managing perfectly fine.” I proudly cocked my head and puffed my wings. “And why would I keep the rain off my face? I feels so angelic~ It feels exactly like how the Trimis Taiga looks.” I turned to him. “Here, take my hand.”
Perran raised an eyebrow before taking it.
I used his hand as a dance partner and spun around.
“What are you doing?” He asked. Yet he still raised his hand higher so I could twirl under it.
I smiled at him. “It’s like a million drops of tears are dancing.”
Perran shook his head. “That was poetic.” He teased.
I smiled widely at him and he spun me out before pulling me back towards him, positioning himself at my side. I grabbed his shoulder, swaying softly.
He shook his head and leaned forward. “Can I hold you waist?”
I laughed. “You don’t have to ask.”
“Of course I do.” He stated candidly.
I blushed sofly and nodded. Only Perran would ask to just hold someone’s waist while dancing. I tilted my head, teasingly. “Well then, gentleman. I permit you pleasant enough to hold my waist.” I cooded.
He looked to my side and placed his hand gently on my waist. “This would be much better if we had music.” He deemed.
I shook my head and drifted side to side with him, guiding us into a simple dance. “This is already perfect.” I looked at our feet to make sure I wouldn’t step on his. If we weren’t so close, I wouldn’t have heard him reply.
I turned to look up at him. “You think this is perfect?”
He stared his glowing green eyes into my own before he spinning me away from him. When he pulled me back he replied. “I would love to agree, but, Anemone, I can’t see anything.” We came to a pause and he released his hand from my waist, shielding his eyes again.
I placed my hands on either side of his face. “Hold on.”
He let out a hiss and looked up at me, the eyes behind his rain kissed glasses wide. I reached behind his ears and pulled the glasses from his face. “You should take these off.”
He grabbed my hands before his frames entirely left his face. “No, I want to keep them on.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why? The rain won’t bother you as much if you take them off.”
He blushed again, pulling the glasses out of hands and cleaned them with his soaked shirt before putting them back on. “I want to be able to see you,” He stated.
We both looked at each other in shock.
“I meant-!” He gasped and turned away, fixing his glasses. “No- I don’t even know what I meant! Forget you heard that. I’m sorry.” He rambled loudly.
I laughed and grabbed his elbow. “It’s ok! I want to see you too!”
He turned quickly wide eyed and red. “You do…?” his eyes seemed to warble at my words.
My smiled widened. “Of course, I want to enjoy the rain with you. It would be a shame if we lost each other cause we couldn’t see.”
He seemed dejected, and nodded.
Did I say something wrong? I raised an eyebrow as Perran turned around again and started walking. “Where are you going?” I called after him.
“I need to go freshen up. I’m freezing! We’re going to get sick!” He yelled back.
I ran to him and grabbed his arm again. “Wait no! Please give us a few more minutes!”
Perran turned around his face distraught. “I can’t think straight out here, Anemone. The noise is too loud. I can’t even control what i’m saying. I need some tea and silence.”
I paused and pouted. Before reluctantly nodding my head. “Alright. I didn’t know this was so horrible for you.”
Perran gritted his teeth. “No it’s ok.” He pulled me along to the front door, out of the rain. The world turned quieter and more clear and I could visibly see his flushed face. He brushed back his bangs, and sighed. “You did nothing wrong,” he started, “I just need to warm up and collect my thoughts.” He paused a moment and opened the door. “You can stay out here if you want. I’m not going to force you to follow after me. But when you are ready I’ll be in the kitchen making something warm to drink.”
I nodded. “Alright. I’m going to stay out here a little longer.”
Perran nodded and went into the house, shutting the door behind him.
I turned back to face the rain and sat down on the stoned floor. I pressed my hands to my warm cheeks. I closed my eyes tightly and focused on the thrum of the rain.
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Yes I'm a die hard romantic whore. I regret nothing.
Sub-blurb from my book "Goddess of Wind and Snow"