Watching his face as he sat lost in thought, Kirain couldn’t help but think how beautiful he was. So light and free, or at least, that’s how he always seemed. No shadows lingered around him. He was simply Lestan, in all his quiet glory.

Indeed they do. I love watching them grow, she murmured, voice soft with affection. To catch glimpses of you in their sweet little faces… my heart is so full.

No truer words could be spoken. She basked in his tender affection, eyes fluttering closed as a content hum slipped from her throat. When she opened them again, her gaze found his, warm and radiant. She wanted to shine for him, like his own personal sun. She never wanted his world to darken again. If she could keep his light alive, she would always be satisfied.

You know, she began after a pause, her tone thoughtful, Stardust offered to watch the little ones for us. Give us some time to ourselves. Perhaps we should take her up on that offer, spend some time together, away from all the responsibilities. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to just… run free.

A soft sigh left her as her eyes drifted toward their children. Do you remember the days we traveled together, when Wake first went missing? You were so shy and timid then. We used to race through fields, challenge mountains, endure the cold. As long as we were together… Her voice trailed off, carried away by memory.

Then, barely above a whisper, she asked, Do you miss it? Being free? Not being tied down with so much responsibility? I know you wandered alone for a time. Do you ever think of going back?

She wasn’t entirely sure where this line of questioning had come from, Lestan had never given her a reason to doubt him. Yet insecurity crept into her heart all the same, and she tried to quiet it by watching their children wrestle and play in the grass.