A confession song // Leon Strohl (Metaphor: Refantazio) x reader
You took a deep breath before a determined look crossed your features. This was it. You were finally going to confess your feelings to a certain young clemar by doing what a bard like you did best -- singing. You had spent weeks trying to compose a song and rehearsing. It hadn't been easy finding the right words for the song as well as to practice without being caught. With that said, you had been able to get some inspiration and had been careful not to be discovered. Now all you had to do was to find Strohl. Clutching your lyre, you headed out.
En route, you spotted Will sitting by a window reading with Gallica by his side. Smiling brightly, you approached them.
"Hey, Will. Hey, Gallica. Have you seen Strohl?"
"I saw him walking towards the deck. He's probably over there." The male elda looked up from the book he was reading and returned your smile. "Do you need him for something?" He looked at you curiously. Your smile quickly turned bashful as you explained the reason you were looking for him.
"I see. Good luck," Will beamed.
"Tell us how it went later," Gallica added, a smug smile on her face.
"Thanks, you two. I will," you promised, a little too quickly. Bidding them farewell, you made your way to the deck. You silently hoped they did not see how red your face was.
True enough, the male clemar was there, looking out at the view. Your heart raced, your earlier resolve wavering. Would he like your song? What if you made a fool of yourself? What if he didn't return your feelings? Would things become awkward between the two of you if that was the case? You didn't want that to happen. You shook your head. Thinking of the 'what ifs' would not help with anything. The only way to find out the outcome of the confession was to do it. More importantly, you did not want to have any regrets for not confessing your love earlier. You took a deep breath before calling his name. Strohl turned around at the sound of your voice and smiled.
"Well, if it isn't my favourite bard," he greeted. "What brings you here?"
"I've finished composing a new song. Care to listen to it?" you asked.
"Of course. Your performance never cease to amaze me," he grinned. He looked at you expectantly. You cleared your throat. It was now or never. You sang while playing your lyre. Your voice was shaky at first but gradually became more steady as you expressed what you admired about the male: his lovely smile, his compassion, his wits and the like. Strohl's eyes widened, speechless. He remained that way even after your song ended. You looked at him, biting your lips. After a moment of tense silence, Strohl found his voice.
"Is this how you feel about me?" he asked. You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak.
"Well... Can't say that I saw this coming, you feeling the same way I do." Strohl rubbed his nape, a faint blush dusting his cheeks.
"Wait. You have romantic sentiments for me?" you asked. Your earlier nerves faded, giving way to relief and pleasant surprise. Strohl nodded.
"Yes. What's there not to admire about you? Your smile and songs can lift everyone's spirits, your compassion and optimism knows no bounds and you're courageous, if you confessing to me is anything to go by."
"And I thought I was the bard," you chuckled, nudging him playfully. Strohl chuckled as well.
"You must have rubbed off on me, Songster," he replied. "Anyway, your earlier performance was brilliant. You must have put a lot of thought and effort into it."
"Thank you, my Muse. I'm glad it's to your liking," you grinned, bowing playfully. Strohl chuckled, returning your gesture. The two of you gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, still smiling, before Strohl gently touched your cheek.
"May I?" he asked. You nodded. You could feel your heart pounding as he leant in and connected his lips with yours. It was gentle at first but became more passionate as you went deeper into the kiss. The two of you eventually broke away, beaming at each other.
"That was... amazing." Strohl's smile widened. "Could I get an encore?"
"For the kiss, performance or both?" you grinned cheekily.
"Would it be greedy of me to ask for both?" he replied, his expression mirroring yours.
"Not all all." You kissed him once again.
Later that evening, you and Strohl sat with the rest of the group for dinner, fingers intertwined.
"Oh? What do we have here?" Heismay smirked. Strohl cleared his throat, his cheeks tinged red.
"Ah, yes. (Y/N) and I are now in a romantic relationship." Your lover tightened his clasp on your hand, his grip firm yet gentle. He gave you a warm smile that melt your heart. The rest of the group congratulated the two of you sincerely to which the two of you responded by thanking them.
"This calls for a celebration! Let me bring out the finest wine I have," Neuras declared.
"Are you sure you're not just finding an excuse to indulge yourself in drinks?" Hulkenberg dead-panned. But the eccentric ishkia had already left to get said drink, much to the female's exasperation. After Neuras came back with his drink, your companions asked Strohl and you for details regarding the confession (Not without a little teasing, of course). It was a little embarrassing recounting the earlier events. With that said, it was nice that your companions were very supportive of your relationship.
"Here, have some of this Redgrass-Roasted Bidou. Will and I made it," Strohl smiled, holding out a spoonful of said meat in front of you. Thanking him, you took a bite of the meat. The succulent meat melt in your mouth.
"It's delicious. You and Will did an excellent job cooking it," you grinned. Both your lover and Will returned your grin.
"Glad you like it," Will answered.
"Someone's being a romantic," Gallica remarked, a smug look on her face.
"Well, they are my significant other, after all," the male clemar rubbed the back of his neck. Your heart fluttered. Significant other. You wondered if you would be able to get used to being referred as that.
"Ah, young love," Heismay chuckled. You and Strohl exchanged bashful grins before continuing to enjoy your dinner.
After dinner and chat, Strohl escorted you to your room, hand in hand.
"This feels like a dream," you commented. You still couldn't believe the person you were enamoured with was now your lover.
"Trust me. You're not the only one in disbelief," Strohl chuckled, gently squeezing your hand. His expression shifted to a sincere one. "I swear, on my honour as a noble, that I will treat you the way you deserve to be treated."
"Hey, you're not the only one who gets to be cool, you know." you wiped away the tears glistening in your eyes. "If you need someone to lean on, know that I'll always be there. Not just during the bad times but the good ones as well."
"Yeah, I hear you," Strohl smiled, ruffling your hair fondly. The two of you continue to chat happily until you reached your room.
"Goodnight, my Muse. Sweet dreams," you beamed.
"You too, Songster." Strohl planted a gentle kiss on your forehead. You closed the door behind you. You placed a hand on your heart, unable to wipe the smile off your face. You would probably be up thinking of all the events that had transpired earlier. But that was fine with you. At least it was for a joyful reason.