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Apo had walked out of the tavern, leaving Cherri, Katie, Bek and Graecie inside. She had given a quick warning saying that she’ll be gone for a bit. Just grabbing materials, might take a while.
The group had given their farewells and went back to playing Farkle. Apo let a sigh of relief out that she didn’t realize she was holding, as she went across the bridge and into her house, a thought had crossed her mind.
Had Apo lost her purpose? In recent times Apo had become a tad bit too overprotective, especially with the training. She had gotten too afraid of Cherri getting hurt, having something taken away from her that she could never have back. Whether that was bits and pieces of Cherri’s optimism and outgoing personality, or just, her, was unclear to Apo.
Apo’s sole purpose was to protect Cherri. To be nothing more and nothing less than what she needed, a knight who kept their distance, and knew their place. And that was what Apo was, for a few weeks (if she was being generous towards herself). She was one of the most noble and trusted knights within Soluna. She wouldn’t let some odd feelings get in the way of her duties. She had trained for this ever since she was young, she couldn’t give it all up now.
Apo’s mind drifted back towards Cherri — well she was truly never out of mind for Apo — How they occasionally caught each others eyes before one of the two quickly looked away, seeing a faint tint of red coloring either of their cheeks. Apo swiftly stopped in the middle of the thought, it was simply improper. Ridiculous even for a knight to think that way of a princess. Apo was a knight, barely one with how she’s thinking.
Apo stared at the floor for a moment, she needs to get these… feelings, under control immediately.
She swiftly began to gather materials, not realizing she spent at least 10 minutes thinking about whatever that was. She did feel an ache, though. Not romantic, but not platonic either. It was something Apo couldn’t name, whenever she was too far from Cherri or whenever some was too close to her. Jealousy perhaps, envy fitted better though.
Apo let out a sigh, crossing the bridge and stood outside the tavern door. She fixed on it for a long moment, she shouldn’t take this long whenever going to see Cherri. Their relationship was sufficient to what Cherri needed, another suitor or lover is not what Cherri needed, or wanted.
Apo took a deep breath and opened the door to the tavern and went into the back where she saw all of them — Graecie, Katie, Bek, and of course, Cherri — Katie got up and gave a quick hello with some ambrosia, followed by Cherri, who hugged her (in which made Apo’s heart beat too fast for her own good) and went back into the game of Farkle they were currently playing.
Bek had given a glance towards Graecie and Graecie had sighed, giving a hopeless look towards Cherri as she sat back down. Apo had a color of red painted on her face as she saw the interaction happen.
She had sat in the corner for the rest of the time, hoping to not gain anyones attention, especially not Cherri’s. Whenever someone asked her a question she’d give a short dry answer. Not unusual from her typical behavior in total honesty. However, after each short quick answer, Cherri stared at her for long then need be. She looked puzzled, gave a quick joke about Apo’s behavior saying something along the lines of hating them even more since she was apparently extra quiet today.
Apo gave them a sigh and told Cherri a quick apology for the informal behavior. Cherri giggled for maybe 10 seconds and went back to her game. Katie, started to look between the two. First from Cherri, then to Apo, and so forth. Her brows furrowed until Graecie had whispered something into her ear and Katie gave a long sound of understanding. Cherri had asked what was happening and Graecie shrugged it off.
After the group had separated and given their goodbyes. Apo and Cherri had walked along side each other in a comfortable silence. Cherri had stopped and looked at Apo, really looked at her. With those intense eyes, and Apo had now been directly facing her, staring back.
Apo felt as if she was being interrogated, that Cherri was studying her like a science project. Apo felt the world go still, as if time itself had frozen. Cherri’s hand lifted from her side and stood still for a moment, but move her hand to Apo’s cheek, and slowly to her chin, lifting it. Apo let out a shallow breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
Slowly, Cherri began to inch her way towards Apo, closing the already small gap between them.
Finally, Cherri closed the gap. Cherri’s had looked at her like she was the only thing in the universe. Apo kissed back, barely, still recovering from the shock. She had let out a groan and Cherri had pushed her onto the outside wall of their house
Cherri had practically been laying on Apo at this point. Unfortunately (for Apo anyways) both of them needed to breathe. As they both pulled away from each other, — with only a string of saliva connecting them — Apo had slid against the wall and onto the ground, with Cherri following the movements.
After a quick moment of rest, Cherri and Apo had heard voices. It was Graecie and Katie, “They’ve got to be around here somewhere right?” In which Apo was pretty sure it was Katie who said that. Apo was about to get up and pretend none of this ever happened when. Cherri had put her hand to her mouth and is now fully covered over Apo. Apo had accidentally made a slight sound when Cherri had gotten on top of her and Graecie seemed like she noticed. She said something to Katie and they finally maybe after 3 minutes of looking (and mostly talking) they had left
This then caused a very awkward situation between Cherri and Apo. They stared at each other for a moment before Apo had muttered a quick apology which was then followed up by Cherri very strongly saying she didn’t need to apologize for anything. They eventually had made their way inside their house and it had reached dark by this time. Apo wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and just rest. Apo had said quick goodnights snd goodbyes to Cherri and went upstairs.
This then caused Cherri to follow Apo and into her bed.
“Princess- Cherri? is something wrong with your bed?” Apo had questioned, not seeing why Cherri had gotten into bed with her.
Cherri had let out a mumble and said she was just tired. Who was Apo to deny Cherri her sleep? After all, she was the princess of Soluna, the future ruler, and the sun itself.
They managed to get into comfortable positions and allowed themselves to breathe, really breathe. Not worry about anything, just embracing each other and loving the other.
In the end, they had both managed to face each other while Cherri’s arms are wrapped around Apo’s back and vice versa. Cherri’s legs were on top of Apo’s. Apo didnt have to worry about ‘knightly duties’ or anything of the sorts. She could just lay here comfortably, with the one person she loved most in her arms, and trusting her, not with just her life, but so, so, much more.