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( As King of Nohr, Xander laid the foundation of peace and prosperity for the kingdom. Sakura, dedicated herself to helping the underprivileged, and the two worked happily together.

Though Nohr had been a country that had caused her family and people great pain in the past, Sakura had thrown herself into the restoration efforts, working tirelessly alongside her husband. Despite early whispers of disapproval (how could Xander marry a Hoshidan princess?), she'd easily won the hearts of the people with her charity work. She possessed traits many in Nohr had considered weak and unworthy of a Nohrian king but was strong enough to persevere and earn favor. New trade between their countries ensured even the poorest Nohrian never hungered again and despite being a princess --a queen, now-- she would regularly visit the underprivileged and tend to the sick and those injured from the long war. At her husband's side, she was loyal and attentive, unafraid to speak up in support of him and mindful of the stress he was under.

The two of them had truly taken on a twenty-four hour job and while they still made time for each other, it looked like they were working more than anything else. At least, that's how it had looked to their retainers. Which probably explains why on one of the rare days the sun was shining in the sky and the weather warm and pleasant, Sakura had found herself forced into a new dress and Xander with a picnic basket shoved in his arms. The four retainers had announced they'd planned a romantic and relaxing evening for their lord and lady and while Laslow and Peri insisted everything would be taken care of, Subaki and Hana were quick to step in and insist they shouldn't worry. It had sounded like a wonderful idea to Sakura which probably helped convince Xander more than anything else once she expressed her interest.

And so they find themselves at their picnic area-- a field away from the castle where delicate but hardy flowers bloom. They're completely alone and as they begin to set up, Sakura can't help but remark with a smile, )

It's such a beautiful day...

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[ Their marriage had been forged out of politics as well as of mutual affection, but somewhere during the first few months of their time together after their adventures in Valla, the lines appeared to have blurred. As people who were terribly prone to forgetting themselves in easing the plight of others, this was an easy mistake to make, though he had nevertheless felt some sense of shame when it was his retainers, alongside Sakura’s, who’d suggested that perhaps the king and the queen were delving too deeply into their respective roles and insisted that they forget about them—at least, for a time.

And it really is a beautiful day out here. When has been the last time he’d surveyed the borders of his own country, instead of continually breaching another’s? Had he really stopped, as they say, to smell the flowers of his own kingdom? It strikes him then, as he lays out the blanket, that he has yet to see his bride standing against the backdrop of her namesake. The flowers growing hereabouts are pretty, to be sure, but perhaps…King Ryoma had once intimated that the Hoshidans had a yearly tradition of flower viewing during spring… ]

It’s very lovely. [ —he says after a moment, his thoughts catching up to her remark. But his gaze is keenly on Sakura as he says it. ]

( Nohr was a different country from Hoshido. Everything was darker and harder and there were times she wondered if it was truly just the climate in a natural sense or the climate of the culture. Even the flowers a hard, she realize one day while noticing the thorns on the roses that were so symbolic to her new home. It was intimidating at first but Hinoka had taught her to focus on the good in things (including herself) and over time, she'd learned to see the good spirit here. The way the people pushed and carried on despite everything, the way they continued to grow strong even in the dark... like the flowers on the tallest and harshest mountains in Hoshido...

She feels a tingling in her spine and she knows she's being watched. Straightening her already careful posture, she tries to grow instead of shrinking away. It's the color in her cheeks that gives away her attempts at being unbothered. This isn't about her! It's about the weather! The flowers! The day! The atmosphere...! )

Th-that isn't what I mean...! ( And she turns to face him, smiling down at him for a moment before she goes to join him on the blanket. Tucking her knees beneath her, she kneels down next to him, ) You're thinking about something, aren't you?

( Something was always on his mind, wasn't there? He was like Ryoma in that way. It must be something kings have in common. )

[ He only offers a wry little smile at that—in some ways Sakura has truly grown from their experiences, but in others…well, they have the rest of their lives to find out. ]

I’m thinking about you. [ he answers frankly enough, though he does get the gist of what she’s saying, as he places an arm about her shoulders, feeling the warmth of her body against his through that light tunic he’d put on for the occasion. It might feel a little revealing, to be without the armor nor the heavy ceremonial garb that befits his office, but in her company he finds it so much easier to simply…disarm himself. ]

But I apologize. [ He leans in to cup her cheek, the better that they might meet eye to eye— ]

I should be experiencing you in the present, not dwelling upon you in thoughts alone.

( Revealing? No. Different? Yes. It had taken her some time to get used to seeing him without his armor or robes. The first time she'd seen him dressed casually, she'd kept her thoughts to herself and never told anyone how Xander was more... normal without his regalia. Not exactly smaller because he was still an impressive figure compared to someone as petite as her but... definitely normal. It's a side of him that others don't get to see often, herself included, and she loves it.

She leans against him comfortably and raises her face with his hand. Even if she's comfortable with him, she can't help but flush from the attention, glowing for him, )

You're never alone. ( And her hand moves to his, resting on top of his as she leans into his hand, smiling, ) I'm always with you-- my thoughts, my heart, my everything. Especially now...

It's been awhile since we were last together alone like this. ( And a beat before she seems to realize what she's said and is quick to add, ) N-not that I'm complaining...! We've both been so busy lately...!

( Both of them so she shares in their faults. Oh, there. She's gone and messed things up already but only because he's helped her learn how to speak what's on her mind after all this time. )

[ He doesn’t think he’ll ever tire of seeing her flush. The bold, bright colors so peculiar to Hoshido. But even then he’d never want any of that to outshine her natural radiance. ]

You are an excellent queen. [ Nodding at her statement—they are both kind of bad at relaxing in general and it’s something he definitely doesn’t mind acknowledging. ]

And you’ve done a marvelous job of convincing the people of Nohr as much. Only…Laslow was right. With peace restored to all our kingdoms we must also learn to set aside our crowns, heavy as they are, and remember that we are also husband and wife.

[ But perhaps this isn’t the time for such grand speeches, so he smiles, and pulls his hand away from her face to…give her a light poke on the nose instead. ]

So, how can I be of service to this very dear and beautiful wife of mine?

( The tap catches her off guard, surprising her for a moment as she tries to figure out how to react. It's been so long since she's been able to relax properly, especially in the Nohrian court, but this isn't the court. This is Xander, her husband, and she laughs lightly.

She doesn't really have to think long for a request, )

Let me serve you. ( This is a picnic, after all. ) Subaki spent all morning preparing our food and it would be rude to not eat it all.

( Which reminds her of their conversation earlier that morning when he and Hana had come to explain their plan to her. He'd laid out their entire itinerary and the whole menu to her. He was still learning Nohrian cuisine but the castle cooks had been more than happy to assist for their sakes. There were sandwiches and fresh fruit and for dessert, there were the Nohrian pastries that Sakura had taken a liking too... But Xander had been a mystery. The cooks had given a few suggestions as to what Xander's favorite dish was but there wasn't one, single answer.

As she begins to lay out the food for them, setting aside the first portions for Xander, she asks, )

What do you like? If you could have anything to eat... what would you want?

[ It probably hadn’t helped that Xander had managed to cultivate such a dispassionate aura in the Nohrian court. Even Camilla would’ve had a difficult time determining his own likes and dislikes from those that he’d had to make a pretense to at court. So he watches her face with a thoughtful smile. He knows that her retainer had gone through a great deal of trouble for this picnic, even though he’d had help from Peri, who had managed to behave herself for her liege’s sake. ]

Does it matter? I would eat anything off your hands, even if I know it to be poison. [ Deliberately being dense—the quirkiness of their little ragtag world-saving army has rubbed off on him, it seems. ]

( She's waiting for an answer as she sets her own food aside. She wonders what he would say. Meat, perhaps? Or maybe bread? She'd found Nohrian meals to be much heavier than the ones back home... they seemed to eat more meat and... well, back when she lived a more sheltered life in Hoshido, without many (if any) Nohrian encounters... she'd always imagined they had bread with everything.

She's reaching for the bottle of wine and ready to pass it to him to open when she hears his quip and her jaw drops, )

I-I would never...! ( Even if it's a joke and she's aware of it being one, she can't help but defend herself. It's the type of innocent reaction he could expect from her but look, she's in the middle of serving him food and he just jokes about her poisoning him? Great timing, Xander. ) I... Dear.

( How dare he tease her when she was asking a serious question! )

Then... ( Oooh, she's still a little flustered but she's regaining her composure easily enough, ) If I could give you anything, what would you want?

And no p-poison!

[ He can’t help a chuckle. How nice to make light of certain things which would have been spoken with a great deal more gravity within the somber Castle Krakenburg. Though lately, ever since their exploits at Valla, the whole kingdom seems to feel that much lighter, as if a great shadow has passed it at long last.

Maybe it’s thanks to his little wife, and how easily flustered she gets. That sort of innocence is rare, and for most of his adult life it seemed that only Elise had had it in her. ]

Forgive me. [ He doesn’t sound all that contrite, as he leans in, close—too close, even— ]

But your lips are already the most potent poison there is. I can feel my heart stopping every time I get a taste of them.

( Everything seems a little darker compared to the bright kingdom of Hoshido but she would agree-- Nohr seems much lighter these days. It isn't as scary as it had been when she'd first arrived. It's... home? Yes, it's her home now, too.

She starts to lean back but catches herself, holding her ground as Xander leans in. She trusts him absolutely and unconditionally but what is he doing? She can figure out enough. He's charming her, isn't he? The way Nohrians do-- openly, unashamedly. It's so different from Hoshidan customs and she wonders if she'll ever really become accustomed to it. Breath held, heart beating, eyes completely on Xander... she doesn't mind this at all. )

Ah...?

( It's a small, confused sound but she's screaming internally. Aaaah! Arms reaching, she drapes her arms around his neck, pulling herself up to kiss him on the lips. She would never do this normally, being entirely too shy and Hoshidan to react so openly. But he'd... asked, right? Almost? No no one else is watching and with Xander, she feels braver. Still, her eyes are closed and she's embarrassed by herself now, holding on a little too tightly, so she's practically clinging to him. Breaking the kiss, she buries her face against him, cheeks warm, )

D-don't tease me. ( She isn't upset. ) Or I might never kiss you again.

( Lies. )

[ A part of him can’t help but feel proud at the boldness of her actions, even as his eyes widen in surprise at the kiss. It’s surely expected, but still very much welcome and, indeed, he can feel the passion in her kiss as he wraps his arms around her in a similarly tight embrace.

When they finally break it up, he can feel his heart racing, as if to make up for earlier on. ]

Then perhaps I can ask you more directly if you wouldn’t mind sparing me a few more. [ Okay, so that still sort of counts as teasing—he’s been around Laslow for way too long and it’s starting to sink in—and well, his mind really isn’t on the food at the moment (sorry Peri and Subaki). ]

A king, after all, can afford to be a little greedy.

(In his embrace, she can feel his heart beating against her and it makes her own flutter. She did that. He's racing because of her. He could be holding any women in his arms right now but he's holding her. And she's the only one he's held like this. Xander was different from his father-- he could have any woman in the world and certainly, there were plenty of women in their own court willing to throw themselves at him but there was only one for him. How can she be so lucky? She wonders. It's overwhelming. She feels breathless and she gives him a small squeeze in the affirmative.

Her hold lessens as she exhales, relaxing. She needs to adjust herself some so that she isn't completely draping herself over him (please, she's still a lady) but she looks up at him, eyes bright, smiling brighter,)

I t-told you...! (Not to tease her but she can't finish it. She's laughing.

He's holding her so she can release her hold on him. Fingers delicately brushing up his neck, through his hair, cupping his face. She could stay like this forever, in his embrace. Gently, she brings him down while lifting herself up to kiss him, once on his forehead.)

I love you.

(Quietly. It's no secret that she loves him but she isn't the type to yell her feelings so easily. Her husband is the only one who needs to hear.

And again, on the mouth.)

[ Honestly, the way she lights up at him like this is only going to encourage him to perform still zanier actions to coax even the barest hint of a smile from her. It makes one wonder, if Anankos had been able to spend an eternity with one such as her…surely things might have gone differently.

But what-ifs aren’t so important as the present, when he has none of the affairs of state to distract him from one of his keenest pleasures in life. ]

My Sakura… [ he murmurs at her kiss, fighting the urge to embrace her still tighter. He feels just as overwhelmed with affection now that all other thoughts are gone from his mind, and it’s a feeling he’s come to miss.

And when she gives him that second kiss he presses his mouth against her just a bit more deeply, before pulling away. ]

No finer flower has ever bloomed in Nohr. [ His sisters might have something to say about that, but— ]

Her kisses are sweet, and her body warm, and… [ Slowly but deliberately, he loosens his grip on her, leaning in to murmur a certain sweet nothing in her ear… ]

…ticklish. [ …whereupon he proceeds to, yep, tickle the shit out of her. ]

( She leans into the kiss, smiling against his lips. When they part, she's still smiling, cheeks flushed just slightly. It's too much still-- this adoration and praise-- but she wouldn't give it up for the world. She'd never consider the men of her home country unromantic but every moment with Xander is like a moment from a romantic novel. No one else in Nohr could even compare. Every moment is beautiful, passionate, breathtaking...

She holds her breath as he leans closer, waiting to hear what he'll say to take her with next and-- )

Ah... ( Oh, no! She let's out a surprised shriek and tries to escape laughing all the while, ) N-no! Haha...! X-Xander!

( Admittedly, she isn't trying her hardest to get away but attempts are still being made. )

Don't--! Hehe...! O-oh, I'll get you...!

( She's a small woman-- Xander can easily overcome her-- but that doesn't stop her from throwing her weight against him in what can only be an attempt at tackling him so she can try to tickle him back. Is he even ticklish? She doesn't know but she's trying her best. She's small and meek, quiet and shy, passive and peaceful but the gods know she isn't the type to go down without putting up a fight even with the odds against her. )

[ And he does have the advantage of a really firm grip, though he’s careful not to crush her. But there’s the low rumbling of laughter in his chest that gets progressively more audible as she tackles him, forcing a bark of laughter out of him.

But he only tilts back a little—it would take a whole lot more to topple him, to be fair—but he does relent a little with his roving hands, and instead opts to lock his arms behind the small of her back, pressing her real close against so that she can probably feel the vestiges of his own laughter bubbling up his chest. ]

Heh, you—were you not going to take your revenge on me?

( She's tense but only because she's on guard in case he decides to tickle her again. There's some resistance as she reaches to put her hands on his shoulders and push back so she isn't completely against him. She can feel him shaking with laughter and she relaxes just slightly if only to be a little closer but she won't give in completely, )

You know it isn't that easy...!

( She's aware of her strengths and physical strength isn't one of them and certainly not against Xander of all people. The best she can do is resist and look at Xander with what could possibly the least intimidating glare in both countries. Don't laugh, though, she's doing her best to keep a straight face. How can she be mad at him? The love of her life, the man who helped her find her words, gave her the courage to leave her home, took care of her in this new country, the most handsome and wonderful man in all the world, a kind king, a loyal husband, a loving father... Ah, she can feel her arms going weak. It would be so easy to wrap her arms around him and share in his embrace and his laughter and everything.

But she's supposed to be mad.

So she looks away, turning her face so she doesn't have to see him (and he, in turn, can't see her). If she can't win with her real strength then she'll fight with her words, or rather, her lack of. This sure is the silent treatment and she totally serious about it which explains why she's still in his arms )

You underestimate yourself. [ He can always count on her to never back down from anything, ever, after all. Least of all him. Still, he’s there to encourage and support, because as strong as she really is she does need a bit of a nudge every now and again.

But it’s not as if he doesn’t enjoy being relied upon, either. ]

Sakura… [ So she’s going for the silent treatment, then? Ah, that might actually get him to relent, though there’s still a twinge of amusement in his voice as he adds— ]

Won’t you look me in the eye? I’m not too proud to beg, though all of Nohr should see me so.

( It's a habit she's still growing out of and she blushes at his insistence that she could if she'd tried. He calls her name and she hears his plea. She doesn't doubt him. She doesn't doubt him one bit and it makes her heart flutter. Something for all of Nohr to see? She isn't worth something so grand, she thinks, even if she is queen.

It really is true. Nohrians are overwhelmingly romantic compared to what she'd normally expect in Hoshido and Xander is the worst of them. He's the absolute worst, she thinks, and she absolutely loves him for it. But she needs to keep to hold her place and she refuses to give in, instead, shifting to turn in his arms, back facing him

and leaning against him. She isn't really mad at him but she still won't look at or speak to him. Work for it, dear. )

[ He sighs, his heart full of warmth for the love he knows she still bears him, even if she’s enacting her revenge a little too effectively. But he wouldn’t have it any other way, would he?

So he buries his nose in her hair, drinking in the scent of her, and whispers, very softly: ]

Please?

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