Work Text:
She was sitting in the forest, letting her hand graze the grass as memories poured inside her mind. Her heart ached, retracting her hand to herself.
It was late evening. She sat still, her breath hitched as she heard footsteps, she slowly got up walking away from her usual spot. She went further into a small clearing, standing beside a tree. She hid behind it, she felt a part of her wasn't ready.
"Huh" it came from a brown-haired girl. The girl had been visiting the keeper for the past couple of days, something attracted her towards her, a part of her worried, her heart ached.
"Did you forget the way?" A dark-haired girl, asked with a sigh.
Fauna pulled a hood over her head, as she glanced towards the girls, she placed her hands on either side of the hood, she felt her heart react to their voices, her head started to ache.
"No... she's usually here.." the brown-haired girl stated, the keeper saw the girl look around, causing her to step behind the tree, she felt her heart nearly pause for a full second.
"She's not here.. wrong clearing-" the dark-haired started, but got interrupted.
"NO! I didn't get it wrong!" The brown-haired girl yelled. Fauna gripped her hood tight between her fists, she took a deep breath walking further Into the forest.
It was early morning, The Keeper was walking through the forest, in her hands was a withered flower. She chose to sit down near the small lake, she placed the flower on her lap, letting her fingers lightly travel its petals, gently to not destroy it. She felt its memories, the memory of its first sunset, and its last, she saw its last memory, a human. Stepping on it oh so carefree, ignorant of nature, she retracted her hand as she felt its anger and sorrow.
She placed the flower carefully in the water. Hoping its anger will be extinguished. She got up once again, turning to walk in the forest.
She walked mostly in a daze, unsure where to go, but let the wind guide her way.
"Hey!" She heard someone yell, and she flinched, turning her head towards the noise. The brown-haired girl waved and stopped before her. Fauna stared at the girl, perplexed.
"You weren't here yesterday" the girl stated, with a small pout.
"I apologize. I had something I needed to take care of" The Keeper lied, her hand twitched as she moved her hands behind her back.
"I brought a friend yesterday. I'd like you guys to meet" the brown-haired girl jumped in place, excited. Fauna took a step back, the brown-haired girl fidgeted with her blouse. "Um if you want to of course".
"I don't need friends. I have nature, I have everything I need right here..".
"We're friends?" The brown-haired looked at The Keeper.
Fauna took another step back, turning around, "I don't know your name owl. I need to get goi-", she got interrupted as she felt a hand grab her wrist. "I'm Mumei.. come to the clearing tomorrow?".
Fauna let out a sigh, "I'm.. I can't promise" she tried to move her arm out of the grip, but to no avail. The Keeper let out a sigh, "I'm Fauna." She felt Mumei let go of her wrist, she took her hand to her chest and turned a bit to her. "See you, Mumei," Fauna said with a smile, before slowly walking away.
Mumei didn't respond, Fauna could feel her stare as she left.
"What's wrong Meimei?"
Mumei twitched at the voice turning to look where the voice came from, "oh hey Kronii" she looked up at the tall girl.
"You talked to Fauna?" Kronii asked as she sat down next to her. Mumei nodded, "she.. doesn't remember us.. or at least she didn't remember my name, but... I didn't remember either.. till she told me hers.."
Kronii hummed, unsure how to answer.
"You knew?" Mumei asked, turning her gaze towards her. Kronii averted her gaze, Mumei tensed her hands, as her body started trembling. She fell forward as hands landed on her shoulders,
"Hey, guys!" Bae yelled loudly.
Mumei leaned back after face planting the ground, "Bae!"
Bae grinned, sitting down behind Mumei hugging her. "Wassup Meimei? You looked like you were about to snap".
"Did you know too?.. about Fauna," Mumei whispered.
Bae tightened her embrace around the owl, "we thought it was for the best that you didn't know.."
Mumei leaned back against Bae, "what happened..?"
"She started to embrace the memories of everything in nature.. like you Mumei, you embrace everything civilization brings" Sana sat down beside her.
"The last time I saw her, she was collecting memories from dead flowers and trees.. like her life depended on it.. the last one.." Sana let out a deep breath.
"The last one blamed her," Kronii finished.
"Blamed that she wasn't in the forest to look after nature.. that she was with us" Bae supplied.
"So you guys.. kept me busy so I wouldn't find out?" Mumei whispered, hugging her knees.
"I'm sorry Meimei.. we thought it was in your best interest".
"She said she had everything she needed in nature.. I guess it makes sense now".
They basked in the silence between them for a while, till Kronii decided to take a deep breath, she placed one of her hands on Mumei’s
"let's go to bed for tonight", Mumei nodded after the others agreed. Her eyes focused on the forest, only leaving it as Bae dragged her inside.
—
Fauna didn't know what to expect as she was out on her morning walk, but she certainly wasn't expecting to see Chaos.
"So what chaos do you wish to bring to the forest this time?" Fauna asked as she got closer, to the girl,
"myself" she replied, grinning.
She sat down, petting the grass gently, motioning Fauna to join her. Fauna noticed the girl's gentle motions oddly but sat down next to her.
"can I.. can I lay my head on your lap? I'm a bit dizzy", Chaos mumbled as she moved closer.
Fauna glanced at the girl, she sighed but agreed, moving her legs a little as she watched chaos gently lay down.
"I made someone close to me angry.. and sad but it wasn't my intention" Chaos whispered, Fauna found herself going through the girl's hair as if it were in her instincts
Fauna hummed, unsure how to answer.
"I didn't tell her something.. and she got... really hurt by it" Chaos mumbled, her eyes closing.
"Well.. you are chaos" Fauna giggled, unsure why the girl was so open, not that she minded.
"I am... but I'm also... Bae" she whispered ever so quietly, that Fauna almost missed it. "..Bae" she repeated, her hands still as she looked down at the girl. Bae hummed in response.
Fauna was speechless, the name had rolled so easily off her tongue, she knew her? But she didn't remember her. She noticed the girl letting out small breaths, fast asleep.
Fauna slipped herself free, ever so careful to not wake the girl. She looked at her one last time before walking into the forest. She found herself walking towards the clearing, and stopped as she was greeted by Mumei and a dark-haired girl. They were standing next to a tree that had had better days.
"Why are you here with the warden?" Fauna asked as she joined them at the tree. The Warden’s body language froze, the sudden voice causing Mumei to jump in surprise.
"It's the friend I wanted t-" she stopped, as she saw fauna reach her hand to the tree.
"You have a bit of time left, I'll see you more often now, till your time is over" she whispered softly. She took her hand back as she felt the different emotions and memories, not wanting to perform.
"Please don't stare so hard at this one" Fauna stated, before turning around and walking back into the forest. Mumei didn't stop her this time.
---
"She looks so tired" Mumei mumbled, as she leaned her head on her fist while poking the food on her plate.
Kronii was standing at the counter, preparing something with a container at her side. "I'll go bring her some food, she looks thinner than her last appearance.." Kronii stated, shortly glancing back at Mumei, before returning to her task.
Mumei looked up, "she doesn't always appear?" She was confused.
"Her forest is her gateway.. kind of" Bae stated as she pointed at mumei with her fork. Mumei nodded, still feeling a bit confused, but didn’t feel like continuing the conversation.
Sana placed her hands on Mumei’s shoulders,
“Meimei do you mind if I cuddle with you tonight?" Mumei threw her head back, grinning widely,
"hey~! I thought it was my turn to cuddle Sana" Bae called, as she dropped her fork.
"Too bad! She chose me" Mumei stated in a teasing tone, while still bearing a grin.
Kronii smiled gently at Sana, as they made eye contact.
Mumei felt the loss of Sanas warmth, she watched the girl walk towards the dark-haired in the kitchen, she felt herself blush at the sight of their loving gazes. The way Sana placed her hand on Kroniis waist, to place a gentle and soft kiss on her lips.
"Guys~ don't let Meimei see the dessert when she hasn't finished her meal" Bae stated teasingly while smirking at the blushing Mumei, who fidgeted with her utensils.
----
"What brings you here Warden?" Fauna stated, not turning her head, her eyes fixed on something in the lake.
Kronii sat down beside her, so close their shoulders were touching, Fauna bit the inside of her cheek, she didn't understand why she didn't mind the closeness.
"Here, I have food for you," Kronii stated as she handed her the box. Fauna's gaze turned from the lake to the box, she hesitantly opened it. Her eyes shined at the food. She took the fork Kronii handed her.
As she had finished eating she leaned her head on the girl's shoulder. She giggled as she felt the warden freeze.
"Every time... I see you people.. Chaos, Civilization and you Warden.. my heart aches as it knows you.. more than my head knows you" Fauna sighed, she felt the Warden's hand on her waist, pulling her close.
"Haven't seen the Speaker?" Kronii asked quietly.
"The Speaker of space doesn't seem to want to make an appearance here" Fauna whispered.
"We have to exist together as we are the council, but I can’t leave the forest just yet" Fauna stated, she moved to get up. As she stood she looked into the Warden's eyes, "I'm nothing but The Keeper of nature. I must go, thanks for the food.." The Warden stared at her, her gaze softened.
"Thank you... Kronii" Fauna said quietly, waving before turning to walk into the forest.
–
Mumei tapped on the table, as she looked at the girls slowly entering the room.
It was a long meeting, somehow she lasted the entirety. She didn't miss Sana’s glances to the empty chair, the chair that should be filled with The Keeper of nature, no Fauna should be seated on that chair, having this meeting with them.
Mumei went to baelz chair poking to wake up the dozed girl, "huh, we switched roles today Meimei.." she whispered, feeling her body exhausted.
"Let's finish work and go home Bae" Mumei whispered, to which the girl nodded.
Mumei sat in her office writing away in her notebook. She heard footsteps outside in the hall, she perked up, but her door didn't open.
"You should go see her, Sana," kronii said in a loud tone, Mumeis breath stopped.
"I can't. I can't go see her Kronii"
"So you're just going to keep glancing at her chair during our meetings, yeah don’t look at me like that, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who noticed. But are you just going to keep her spot on the bed open?" Kronii was talking loudly, Mumei dropped her quill to place her hands over her ears, she shouldn't hear this. It didn't help.
"She remembers something about us, Sana. She remembers something-"
"And you think showing my face will solve it?! You think showing myself to her would solve her problems, or do you need to remember who made her leave Warden", Mumeis heartfelt it had been captured in a spiders web, it tightened, "Sana made fauna leave?" Mumei whispered to herself.
Mumei got up from her chair and flung open her door, Sana and kronii turned their heads in surprise, "I thought you h-had gone home '' Kroniis' words stumbled out.
"You made fauna leave?" Mumei looked at Sana, her eyes cold.
"You weren’t there-'' Sana started but got interrupted.
"You made her leave! You guys, you kept me in the dark for so long, were you ever going to tell me?!" Mumei snapped at her. Baelz came running to mumeis side.
"Meimei let's.. let's go home" she placed her hands on mumeis arm but bit her inner cheek as mumei stepped away.
"Where are you going to tell me?" Mumei stared directly at Sana awaiting a response.
"I don't know." Sana sighed out, after a few seconds of silence, turning her gaze to the floor.
Baelz moved her hands towards Mumei again, but once again dodged.
"Don't touch me" Mumei whispered in a quiet growl. They stood in a heavy silence.
Mumei broke the silence, "how long?"
"Forty winters" baelz whispered.
"Must be nice to play around. When two of your girlfriends have a bad memory... I don't know what happened. I don't remember. But what happened so badly you stopped loving her for who she is?" Mumei spat her words, her body shaking with every word. "I've forgotten so many things.. so many memories I have lost but never once have you blamed me, Sana." She took a step forward, looking up at Sana. "What made you feel so right to outright blame her, and take away her safe space?" She growled.
Sana didn't answer, she stood silent taking mumeis words, letting her punch her with her tone.
Mumei took a step back, and redirected her anger on the wall, she sighed heavily.
"You make me wonder if you even love me at this point. Don't talk to me till you get yourself sorted out".
She retracted her hand, and turned her gaze to baelz, "help me with the first aid kit?" She growled, her anger still present but Baelz nodded, moving her hands hesitantly to Mumeis arm. Relaxing as the arm wasn't moved, they slowly walked towards Baelz's office.
"Did you know, that some sea snails can breathe through their skin?" Sana grinned widely, as she played with Fauna's green locks. Fauna let out a small giggle, as she placed her hand on Sanas cheek.
Sana leaned towards the girl's lips and grazed her own against them.
"Did you know, the wood frog doesn't need to go for an idol meeting for seven months?" She whispered against the girl's lips. Fauna shook her head, still giggling.
"Did you know that frogs have eardrums on the outside of their heads?"
"Are you just gonna give me random facts about animals.. or are you going to kiss me?"
Fauna whispered as she caressed Sanas cheek.
"Did you kno-" Sana started but got interrupted by Fauna's lips gently capturing hers, into a deep kiss. Sana pulled the girl closer, intervening their legs, holding her steady against herself.
Sana glanced up at the sky, feeling her breath slowly recover.
"Thank you for taking good care of my body.. like always" Fauna snickers, burying her face into the girl's neck.
Sana moved her hand to the girl's side, letting it slide up the latters body to slowly cup her cheek. Fauna leaned against the hand, glancing up at the girl.
Sana tilted her head, the girl looked at her through half-lidded eyes, she felt the girl lick her lips, their lips a millimetre apart.
"Did you know, that polar bears-" she got cut off by the girls lips once again, Sana giggled, as she let her hand go through the green hair, as she gave in to nature's desires.
Baelz was laying on the couch, her arms stretched out, a pillow balancing on her hands.
"Is that my new throne?" Kronii asked teasingly, sitting down on the edge of the couch, Baelz glanced at her, dropping the pillow onto her face. Baelz let out a groan as she heard the girl giggle.
"So if you came here to destroy my balance, your job is done" Baelz stated. Kronii moved the pillow from the girl's face and leaned over.
"I was hoping I could destroy more than your balance" she teasingly stated, smirking as she saw the glint in the girl's eyes.
"Can you guys at least do it in the bedroom?" Mumei stated as she leaned against the door frame.
Baelz sat up, almost knocking into Kronii.
"Don't look so flustered Bae," Mumei giggled.
"Do you want to join Meimei?" Kronii asked, turning to look at her.
"No, I'm going for a walk" she stated as she glanced at the time. Kronii nodded as she waved to her, Mumei smiled and waved back leaving the house.
"She's.. really avoiding Sana" Baelz mumbled.
"She's avoiding our small contacts.. well Sanas and mine.. you're still allowed to touch her'' Kronii stated, bringing her hand to cup the girls cheek. Baelz bit the inner side of her cheek, looking apologetic.
Kronii placed a finger on Baelz's lips, "I know that look, don't apologize. It's not your fault, you were against us hiding it in the first place".
Baelz's lips quivered, and she nodded.
Kronii moved to get up but staggered when Baelz pulled on her arm, falling on top of her.
"Let's de-stress here" Baelz whispered, as she tilted her head to kiss the girl. Kronii accepted the invitation.
"Did you know, that 'I am is the shortest sentence in English?" Sana stated while caressing Mumeis cheek. The girls groaned in unison.
"You are something" Baelz mumbled as she cuddled closer to Fauna. "Is she always like that?" Baelz looked up at Fauna.
Fauna's eyes shined, letting out a giggle, "you should know about our first time".
Mumei turned her gaze to kronii, who had gotten up to redress herself.
"Already?" Mumei whispered with a disappointed tone. Kronii turned her gaze to the girl, a blush evident on her cheeks. Mumei opened her arms, "it's cold without you".
Kronii hesitantly walked over to the bed, "did you know, it's easier to heat each other, when unclothed" Sana whispered.
Kronii bit her lower lip before discarding off the clothes that she had taken on, laying into Mumei’s arms. Mumei hummed contently. Sana moved the duvet over the girls, watching them slowly fall into slumber, she turned her face, seeing fauna cuddle closer to her, baelz following along.
Sana let go of mumei, turning around and moving her arms around Fauna and baelz.
"Did you know, that I love you guys?" She whispered ever so quietly, there was no response, everyone was letting out quiet puff's of air.
Mumei found herself in the forest, she settled herself down near the lake, she threw herself down, mumbling an apology to nature for her actions. She hid her face, as her eyes began to sting.
"Mumei?" Fauna called, as she sat down, close to the girl.
"I laid down aggressively... I apologized about it too,” Mumei whispered quietly along with a sniffle.
"I don't suppose that's why you're sad. But good girl" Fauna whispered, caressing Mumeis hands.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to come here.. to cry'', Mumei confessed, her heart feeling the spider's web around it, squeezing as if the spider had already bitten her heart, injecting the poison.
Her ears picked movement beside her, she felt an arm go over her waist, a body against her.
"I'll lay with you if you don't mind. I wish to bring you some comfort... I remember someone doing this for me.. a long time ago" Fauna whispered softly.
Mumeis heart ached, she turned herself slowly, burying herself into Fauna's embrace, sobbing quietly, drowning them against the girl's chest.
Sana let her hand go through the green locks while holding her close in a warm embrace.
The green-haired girl was letting sorrow take over her, face pressed against Sanas neck.
"I'm sorry Fauna... I'm not great at comforting.. should I call one of the others?" She whispered quietly, her embrace tightened as she felt the girl shake her head.
"I'm not ready.. to show them what's happening.." her voice was hoarse.
"Okay, we'll stay here" Sana whispered, placing a kiss on the girl's temple.
She started rocking while letting out a hum, of one of Fauna's favourite songs. The sorrow stopped, a while later.
Fauna pulled back, making the girl soften the embrace.
"I like that melody, will you show me the song?" Fauna asked as the girl dried her cheeks.
A piece of Sanas heart broke, "of course.. it's one of my favourites", but she smiled at fauna's eyes, which shined at her response. She stole a kiss from fauna's lips and smiled at the girl's invitation for a deeper, more passionate one.
They basked in the moonlight for a while longer, before returning home, joining their lover's in bed.
Mumei woke up in their bed, confused. She hummed as she felt fingers massage her scalp. She opened her eyes, frowned and bit her inner cheek. Sana was caressing her, touching her ever so lightly, afraid of making the wrong move. Her gaze was absent, somewhere far away from this room, Mumei felt her stomach curl, she worried, that gaze lingering with hurt and regrets. Mumei moved her hand to Sanas cheek, and the girl's head twitched, but Mumei kept her hand against the girl's cheek.
"Come back to me Sana" Mumei whispered.
Sanas eyes dilated, she blinked before turning her gaze to the girl. Sana withdrew her hand, but mumei grabbed it with her own.
"How did I get here?" Mumei whispered quietly.
"The keeper- no sorry... F-fauna stood at the edge of the forest with you in her arms. Kronii brought you inside" Sana replied, hesitantly holding tightly around the girl's hand.
"You haven't slept have you?" Mumei whispered,
"N-no... I haven't slept for a while... but you know... we don't actually need sleep" Sana whispered shakily.
Mumei picked that up as if it were orange in a haystack instead of a needle.
"For how long?" Mumei prodded, as she moved closer to the girl.
"Thirty-nine summers.." Sana replied, almost incoherently. Mumei embraced the girl instantly,
"you should've started with that dummy" Mumei whispered as she buried her face into Sanas neck. Sana embraced the girl tightly, as she heard the door open.
Someone laid down behind her, embracing her, another climbed on top of them, no one making a sound. They laid in silence, till a quiet sob broke it. Sanas façade breaks after forty winters, it broke, in the arms of her lovers, a pair of arms missing.
"Did you know that rabbits can't puke?" Sana studied Fauna's face, as she approached her.
"One gross and two is that how you acquaint yourself with people?" Fauna stated, Sana, froze in her spot, "what?" Her mouth spoke before her brain could process the information.
"Oh, have we met before? I apologize... I think my memory is worsening" Faunas smile wavered, she brought her hand to her forehead, shame clearly written on her face.
Sana stepped closer to the girl, "can I embrace you? I only wish to bring comfort" Sana whispered, the girl nodded.
Hesitantly Sana embraced the girl, bringing her close. "Do you remember us? Mumei, Kronii Baelz".
Fauna started shaking in her arms, "vaguely" she whispered. "I will go home tonight.. and tell them.. I will return to the forest".
Sana pulled away, "there has to be another way". Fauna shook her head, tears streaming down her face, "I don't want to put you guys through this.. I have to remember on my own".
"D-did you know getting a night's rest will help with memories? '' Sana stuttered out, her chest tightening.
"You know we don't need to sleep Sana.. the effects of sleep won't help" Fauna uttered, drying their tears.
"Did you know,-" Sana started but got interrupted, "there's no other way Sp-Sana" Fauna bit her lips, as another sob broke through.
"O-okay, we'll tell them together.. we're gonna be alright" Sana stated as she pulled her into another embrace. "We're gonna be okay" she whispered quietly, holding The Keeper close.
"Sana~" Baelz called as she entered the house while holding onto the Keeper's hand.
Baelz's eyes glistened "fauna! F-fauna?" Baelz hesitantly went over to The Keeper, placing her hands on the Keeper's cheeks. "What happened?" Baelz whispered.
"Is Kronii awake?" Sana mumbled, making Baelz nod. Baelz hugged The Keeper before going to get The Warden.
The Speaker of space and The Keeper of nature had sat themselves down, at the dinner table. Shortly after The Warden of time and The Embodiment of chaos joined them.
"Meimei is fast asleep.. something is going on with civilization again.." The Warden stated.
The warden moved one of her hands to hold onto The Keepers.
"What's going on, love?" The Warden whispered.
"My memory is worsening... I will return to the forest for a while.." The Keeper started, "don't tell Mumei.. she deserves better" The Keeper shook, biting her inner cheek to avoid a sob to escape.
"Mumei deserves to know!" Baelz whipped out, standing up, but stopped as she felt the Warden's hand on her shoulder.
"Mumei won't remember this, maybe it's for the better Bae" the Warden whispered quietly.
Chaos bit her lips but leaned back in her chair.
The Speaker had said nothing to the conversation, just holding on to the Keeper's hand, as if her life depended on it.
They sat at the dinner table for what felt like hours, the silence between them, relaxing in the presence of each other.
The keeper slowly stood up, and the speaker followed after.
"You know... i'll miss you Fauna '' Sana whispered almost incoherently. The keeper froze, to which the Warden and Chaos did as well. The keeper turned around, pulling her into an embrace,
"Did you know, it'll only be for a little while" she whispered into the Speaker's neck.
Sana laid herself down on the couch after saying their goodbyes to the Keeper. Wanting sleep to take her, to slide out of consciousness for a while, but it never shows up.
"You have forsaken me as well huh" she whispered incoherently as she placed her hands over her face.
Sana was walking around in the forest, looking for her lover. The guilt in her stomach was crawling, as she had quietly left the house, her lovers soundly asleep. She mentally facepalmed, when she realized she had forgotten to leave a note, Baelz would surely be in low spirits when she would return.
She stopped walking as she made it to the lake, Fauna was standing in it, silently gazing somewhere far away. Sana gritted her teeth, she took a step back, but the keeper turned her head, and their gazes met. The keeper stepped out of the lake, making her way to the Speaker.
"Hello Speaker, long time no see" the keeper breathed out, her body language tense.
Sana breathed out, bringing her hand to her temple, and closing her eyes.
"Come to let me know your problems?" The keeper whispered, taking a step forward.
"No... no, I.. just wanted to see you" Sana whispered. "Are you coming for the meeting next week?" Sana blurted out, as she felt the keepers hand on hers.
"What's wrong? You seem like you woke up from a nightmare" the keeper whispered.
“I’m living in a nightmare,” Sana said, incoherently. The keeper tilted her head, “Can you repeat that?”
"It's nothing.. I'm okay.. really" Sana replied, unconsciously clenching her jaw.
"Tell me" the green-haired girl moved her hand to Sanas cheek.
"Last time I saw you... you stood in the lake as well, and uhm.." Sana interrupted herself, biting down on her lip.
"And our meeting went sour," The girl replied.
Sana turned her head, opening her eyes.
"You.. remember?" She blurted out.
The girl shook her head, "No.. but when Kronii talked about you the other night.. a part of my heart tensed.. my stomach curled.. something happened between us, that my heart has a heavy regret" she whispered as she moved to embrace Sana.
"I don't know what happened.. or if I'll ever remember.. but let's have some comfort tonight?" Fauna whispered softly, her body language unsure till Sana embraced her, burying her face into the crook of the girl's neck.
"So you're choosing to keep gathering the memories of nature? It's clearly giving you grief!" Sana spoke loudly, seeing Fauna step out of the lake to meet her.
"I have to, I have neglected nature for a while now... I will come back Sana" Fauna stated, her hand twitching. Sana noticed.
"You.. you're not sure if you'll come back" Sana stated, closing her eyes as she waved her hands in defeat, letting out a long sigh.
"Sana... I need you to trust-" fauna started but got interrupted, "you need me to trust you? I trust you, what I don't trust is nature!" Sana stated, placing her hands on her face, as she dug her nails into her own scalp, trying to hold back her feelings.
"Sana." Fauna called out to her in a serious tone.
Sanas breath stuttered, she threw her hands to her hips, turning her gaze to the girl.
"Maybe you're right. We should not see each other for a while." She stated quietly.
"That's not" fauna started, as she reached for Sana. Sana took a step back, "no you're right. We will have a break, while you figure out what nature desires from its keeper".
"Sana, please just-"
"I can't... I can't Fauna, I love you... but I can't" Sana stated in an emotionless tone, taking a step backwards. She bit down on her lip, before turning around, walking out of the forest, her heart soared with grief as she heard the keeper call out her name, the raw emotions from the girl's lungs.
"It's for the best" Sana kept whispering to herself, "it's for the best".
Sana woke up, her eyes widened as she felt her heart pained from the dream. Her body relaxed as she felt the presence of another body against hers.
"Good morning, Sana," Fauna whispered softly. Sanas breath staggered as she turned her gaze to the girl. Fauna smiled, as their gazes met.
"Go home, to the girls Sana, tell them what's in your heart, and meet me at the edge tomorrow.. all of you" she whispered as she placed a kiss on her temple. Sana pushed the girl closer, burying her face into the crook of her neck.
"Let me stay like this a bit longer," she whispered quietly. Fauna hummed, embracing the girl tightly.
Sana opened the door to their house, she heard the voices in the living room lull down. She went to the doorframe, looking at the girls.
"I didn't mean to disappear like that" Sana mumbled, rubbing one of her eyes.
Mumei got up from the couch as if a realization had hit her harder than expected. Baelz's body tensed, but let out a sigh of relief as the girl spoke, "you slept" she smiled, as she went to hug Sana.
"I did.." Sana replied, returning the hug.
"Did you sleep well?" Kronii asked softly, as she joined her by her side, placing a hand on Sanas lower back.
"No... I had a nightmare.. but I'm okay" Sana stated as she rested her forehead against kroniis. Sana felt mumei tighten the hug,
"I'm not okay.. but I will be.." as glanced at baelz who was fidgeting with her blouse. "I'll be okay when we're all together" she continued, baelz met her gaze, and the girl hesitantly stood up, going to kroniis side. Kronii pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry for worrying you bae" Sana whispered. "It's okay, we'll be okay" baelz whispered quietly into mumeis shoulder.
Sana basked in her lover's warmth for a few minutes, before taking a step back from the embrace, as she tried, two more hands found themselves on her back, she sighed shakingly, as she remained in the embrace.
"Talk to us," baelz whispered.
"Fauna told me.. that she wants us to meet her at the edge of the forest tomorrow.." Sana whispered in a shaking tone, causing the girls to look up, Kronii placed a hand on Sana's cheek, to dry away from the falling tears.
"Ever since she said that sentence... I can't keep my sorrowful thoughts at bay.." Sana continued as she leaned into Kroniis hand.
"You're afraid she won't come back?" Mumei mumbled, Sana just hummed in response as she didn't trust her voice.
"She will... I trust her. I think she just wants to see all of us at once" baelz stated, as she caressed Sanas back.
"You guys go to bed, I'll prepare some soup," Kronii said, as she placed a kiss on Sanas cheek.
"What would we do without you?" Mumei asked, looking up.
"You would make way too much food," she replied with a smile.
“Did she specify the time?” Kronii grumbled as she buried her face into the pillow.
“I don’t think so, but I’m going to make some breakfast, you can stay in bed a bit longer” Sana whispered, placing a kiss on the girl's cheek.
Kronii moved her hand to Sana’s, “What if I want to cuddle with my girlfriend a bit longer?” she replied sheepishly.
“You know, you have extra” Sana laughed, as she pointed to the two girls cuddling beside the girl. Kronii’s gaze softened,
“I’ll go with you, I’ll miss you too much” Kronii whispered, as she moved to get up.
Kronii was standing near the counter, as she watched Sana prepare breakfast.
“Baelz and Mumei noticed something.. and I didn’t understand till just before” she stated, as she rubbed her temple, taking a sip of her coffee, which Sana had handed her.
Sana responded in a hum, unsure what to think of their realization, taking some plates from the cupboard and some glasses.
“You haven't said ‘did you know since that night,” Kronii said in a quiet tone. The girl could feel Kronii’s stare, as her body froze with a plate in her hand.
“I erh... I didn’t realize” Sana lied, as she placed the plate on the counter, her heart jumped as she felt arms around her waist.
“I don’t believe that for a second” Kronii whispered, against her ear.
“I don’t know... It just... I guess..” Sana sighed deeply, Kronii tightened the embrace.
“It’s okay, we’re all okay.. even if we don’t get your random facts” Kronii whispered, in a teasing yet reassuring tone.
Mumei ran towards the edge of the forest, as they made it closer. Fauna stood and waved with a smile on her face. Kronii had a firm hold on Sana’s hand, making sure she was coming along. Baelz was dragged along with Mumei, she stood beside her as she had stopped just before Fauna.
“Do you come here often?” Baelz’ words stumbled out, unsure what to say. Causing both Fauna and Mumei to let out a soft giggle.
“Hello, beautiful” Kronii greeted, as they stopped behind Mumei. Sana tightened the grip on Kronii’s hand, as she looked at Fauna.
“Hello darling” Fauna smiled widely, as her gaze landed upon Kronii and Sana’s hands.
Baelz fidgeted with Mumeis hoodie but froze when she felt Fauna’s hand land on her cheek.
“You look happier than last time” Fauna stated, as she smiled warmly, Baelz grinned sheepishly,
“Yeah.. I’m sorry I forgot to update you.. that I’m better”.
“Do you have a date?” Mumei spoke a bit loudly, but the tone was nervous.
“I thought this was a date,” Fauna giggled, her hand caressing Baelz's cheek.
“Oh, I forgot to bring food for this picnic” Kronii laughed nervously. Fauna just smiled warmly.
After they had been talking back and forth for a while, Sana stepped toward her. She didn’t say a word, her thoughts were sorrowful and negative, but her face showed nothing but her love for Fauna. The girl’s conversation lulled, turning their gazes to Sana.
Sana moved her free hand to Fauna, not too far yet not too close either. If her instincts were right then were right, she would rather be wrong than have regrets later. Fauna’s smile didn’t waver,
“I have to apologize to you, Sana. I told you it wouldn’t be for long, I suppose my fact was fake” she said. “I will wait for you, forever if I have to, my love for you will never wither” Sana responded with no hesitation, she kept her hand held out.
Fauna took a deep breath, before taking Sana’s hand. As the girl felt the contact she pulled the girl out of the forest, holding her close to her body, a second passed before everyone had joined in on the hug.
“Did you know” Sana started, she heard her lovers’ low gasps, “That I love you guys”?