In honour of my bday being today...Leera Rennera Series AU
I decided to create some alternate reality where Sir Guard and Leera have escaped the queen's clutches. It's Leera's birthday :)
Tag List: @tears-and-lilies
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"Do you still think about then?" Leera asked, absentmindedly twisting a strand of her raven hair as she watched the very few leaves left on the trees be carried away by winter breezes.
Sir Guard didn't have to ask what 'then' she referred to. He always knew what she meant, and she he. They knew each other, inside and out. Knew one another's mannerisms, quirks, and aggravations.
"I try not to, but at night, yes."
The assassin nodded. The string of hair fell to her shoulder. "I'm glad you don't blame yourself anymore."
"It made you sad when I did. You were going through enough."
Leera faced him, one corner of her mouth lifted. "Will you smile for me?" She was thinking of that first dream of Sir Guard she had while in captivity. The assassin had seen him smile many times sense then, but it still carried the same magic every time. It transported her outside if her darkened mind.
"Whatever for?" he jested, lightly tossing an elbow into her shoulder. His lips split to reveal teeth. "Happy birthday, Leera." Sir Guard wrapped an arm around her back and grasped her shoulder, pulling her into his side.
"You remembered," she whispered in response. Leera was looking up at Sir Guard, or at his chin as he watched the sky.
Eventually his chin folded, his face once again appearing in her vision, so that he could see her. "Of course I did. How could I forget?"
She shrugged. The fabric of her shirt caught on his, dragging his shirt up as well. Leera said, "You've going through a lot. Something as little as a birthday is hardly memorable."
Now he shrugged. "Not when it's yours." He turned his gaze back to the sky, but not before dragging Leera to the ground with him. She now laid on top of him. They both took in the clouds. "Being King doesn't mean I've lost sight of my true priorities."
"You've made an assassin's birthday a priority?" She shifted positions, her bottom sliding to the ground, legs tucked beneath her, and arms supporting her weight so she could sit up. She leaned, one arm crossing her king's chest.
Leera blocked Sir Guard's sight of the sky. It was fine. She was more beautiful anyways. He only needed to hold a hand out to block the sun in order to see her as more than a silhouette.
"You're still terrible at accepting the truth aren't you?"
"I suppose if that's what you think, then yes."
"How many times did I tell you I was a prince before you believed me?"
"Only twice," she quipped, and held two fingers in front of his face. They'd had this conversation many, many times.
He hummed. "And how many times have I told you I loved you?"
"Too many to count." Her hand dropped.
"And so how many times do I have to tell you that until you believe it?"
She considered, but stopped, seeing a tuft of hair nearly going in his eye. Leera lightly pushed it aside and smirked. She loved his eyes almost as much as his smile. "You should cut that piece of hair," she told him. "It's only ever that piece. Do what you will with the rest of them, but I should not let you go blind from a few strings of hair. That might be considered a crime."
"You strayed from the conversation."
"Did I?"
Without much warning, he tossed the arm balancing her and caught her body, pulling her into him once again. His hands found her side and his fingers sprung into action. Her laughter pierced the air until she almost commanded it. It whirled and rained desaturated leaves on the two of them.
"Stop," she screamed and squeal-laughed again. "Stop it!"
The assassin fought Sir Guard, trying so desperately to tickle him back, but she couldn't stretch her arm out far enough without exposing another sensitive spot that he reached for at every opportune moment.
"Okay, okay! Wait, stop!"
Leera chuckled even after the king ceased his attacks. She couldn't get rid of the smile on her face. Her cheeks hurt so badly, but it was okay. That was her favourite pain; the kind that came from overdosing on joy.
"I don't think I strayed from anything," she said, and jumped up as she saw the look in Sir Guard's eyes. He was preparing to tickle her again. "Wait a moment. Let me finish." Leera gave another giggle. Goodness she couldn't stop it. "I think I was inviting you to tell me again."
"Is that so? Well then," He held his hands out, nodded his head at them, gesturing for the assassin to hold them. He was creating a familiar scene, one in which the roles had been slightly switched. Sir Guard remembered her doing the same when he fully admitted he was a prince.
Leera came back to him and plopped down, sitting cross-legged.
When she placed her hands in his, he pulled her right one to his lips. "I love you," he said and kissed it. He pulled Leera's other hand up and watched her face as he kissed that one, too, telling her he loved her. He let her hands fall back to her lap, and then he put his own hands on either side of her head. Sir Guard made sure to take in her pink cheeks before pulling her head towards his own. He planted a kiss on her forehead, and whispered again, "I love you, Leera. Happy birthday."