It was late. Far later than usual. The sun had gone down a couple of hours ago, and the area had emptied out, people going back home before the harsh winds picked up. Gath though, they never really minded the windy chills. Reminded them of better and worse times. A past that Gath was finally getting over, that they were no longer mourning for. The last time Gath went to the beach was over forty years ago. Sure, the great Limilian Lake wasn’t quite the same as the beaches bordering the seas of Alsana or Thresisa, but there was water and sand. Close enough.
“Huh, maybe I should have brought a scarf or something…”
That voice belonged to Relkir, who was often rather soft-spoken. It had been their idea to come to the beach at night, after having some drinks and a small meal at the nearby beach-side restaurant, the Splish-Splosh Bar. Gath did wonder if something was going on, but they didn’t want to spoil any potential surprises that Relkir had. But Gath also did notice something else. Relkir had become far more confident. Not just around Gath, but in general. In Gath’s eyes, that only made Relkir more attractive.
And that confidence was definitely making an appearance as Relkir almost dragged Gath along. They had found whatever it was that they were looking for, and they were now pulling Gath in that direction. After some more walking, they made it to a little wooden bench, and they both sat down, gazing off into the waters ahead of them. There was no one around, just Gath and Relkir, alone with the splashing of waves.
“Are you alright, dear?” Gath asked, as Relkir scooted a bit closer to them.
“Hah… I am… I think I am alright…”
“You seem nervous.”
“Not really, I am just a little cold. But it is fine.”
Relkir fell silent, then started rummaging in their little satchel. Most Rethans didn’t really have pockets in their armour, even in casual armour, but they did have little zipped pockets in their stomach wraps, and any clothing worn on top of armour. But some people preferred just to carry a shoulder bag. Gath glanced at Relkir as they muttered something under their breath, smiled, then reached into a pocket on their stomach wrap. Admittedly, Gath did have massive pockets because their stomach wrap was so large.
Eventually, both Gath and Relkir found what they were looking for. Relkir was about to get up, but Gath put a hand on their shoulder, forcing them to stay seated. Relkir blinked in confusion, but Gath just smiled and turned to properly face Relkir.
“I think we may have had the same idea…” Relkir frowned briefly. In their hand were two sheathed daggers, one with a cream coloured hilt and one with a red coloured hilt, both wrapped up in a black, leather sheath. But as they looked up at Gath, they noticed that Gath was also holding two very, very small daggers, these ones both having a soft brown leather hilt and yellow and blue ribbons on the end.
“Heh, it seems like we did!” Gath grinned. “Did you want to officially propose, now you are a General and can do so?”
Relkir nodded. “My first proposal was not a real one, because we were not of the same rank. Now I am, I want to make things properly official. Even if it means we both will now be wearing three partnership daggers.”
Gath smiled some more. “That is absolutely fine. However, I have, uh, a proposal for our proposal.”
Relkir tilted their head in confusion. “What do you mean? Do you want to propose to me?”
“No, I want to do something even better. I suggest we propose to each other, both at the same time.”
Relkir’s eyes and mood both lit up, and they smiled the same way Gath was smiling. “That sounds like a very nice idea!”
Gath held their two daggers in their right hand, and held out their left hand. Relkir did the same, and placed their left hand on top of Gath’s.
“Relkir, my beloved, my little angel, can I be your partner, officially, now and forever?”
“Gath, my beloved, my darling giant, can I be your partner, officially, now and forever?”
“Yes, Relkir, I wish to be your partner, now and forever.”
“Yes, Gath, I wish to be your partner, now and forever.”
Relkir and Gath both fell silent and gazed at each other. The wind seemed to have died down a little. After a long, slightly awkward quiet period, Gath let go of Relkir’s hand, and handed them one of their partnership daggers. Relkir took the dagger, then handed one of their daggers to Gath as well.
“We are so silly…” Relkir whispered. “I think I will need a belt or something for all these daggers.”
“Haha! Probably!”
Gath went back to grinning as they pocketed their daggers. Relkir placed their daggers inside their little satchel, then went back to holding Gath’s hand and looking out towards the lake. However, Gath kept on glancing at Relkir, admiring every part of them. But also noticing that Relkir was a little cold. To warm Relkir up, Gath put an arm around them and pulled them close, holding them tightly. Relkir didn’t resist and leaned into the massive hug, putting an arm around Gath and hugging them back.
The happy couple remained where they were for quite a while. Everything was quiet and peaceful. However, the wind picked back up, and Gath was sure they felt a few raindrops. Not really wanting to spoil the moment, Gath very gently prodded Relkir.
“I think the rain is coming. We should leave soon.”
As if on cue, the heavens opened up, and rain came pouring down.
“I think you mean the rain is already here…” Relkir shrugged. “It is just rain, it will not hurt us.”
“Of course, but we do not want to get washed away. Especially since you are so small!” Gath snickered. “Do you want to stay at my place again?”
Relkir giggled back, and hugged Gath tightly, before getting up. Gath got up as well, and once agan put an arm around Relkir.
“Let us go to your place!” Relkir grinned. “We can stop by a kiosk and get some snacks on the way.”
“Wonderful!” Gath smiled yet again. “I love you, Relkir.”
“I love you too, Gath.”
“Forever?”
“Forever.”