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The desolate expanse of the ocean ahead of them seemed endless, horizon obscured by violet haze. The light of the Sacred Flame was their only guidance, a constant in the unnatural night sky.
Despite this, Agnea chose to stay aboard the ship’s deck, having been prone to bouts of seasickness the previous times their group boarded the Grand Terry. Being able to see where the boat was moving had helped somewhat. She leaned against the ship’s wooden handrail, watching the sea’s choppy waves hit against its side in an attempt to calm her mind and her stomach.
Although Temenos had attempted to explain their destination to the group, the legend of Vide and the island he was imprisoned on, it mostly flew over Agnea’s head. She was so tired. Maybe, if she closed her eyes for a moment –
Before she could even entertain that thought, she felt a looming presence behind her, then a large hand splay over her shoulder. Were it anywhere else, she’d have half the mind to shove whoever it was off of her, but that wasn’t possible - the eight of them were definitely the only ones aboard the ship. Still, she yelped at the sudden contact.
“Apologies for disturbing you. Are you faring well?” the person asked, voice a deep timbre.
Agnea sighed. “As well as I can be, Osvald,” she replied.
As of late, the two of them had inexplicably grown closer to each other. Agnea wasn’t quite sure when it started or why she had become so fascinated with the kindhearted man hidden behind such a tough exterior, but Osvald made her feel warm inside. Safe, even.
It was nice.
“We don’t have much time left. I recommend you ensure you have your weapons and provisions ready. We will likely be making landfall soon,” Osvald continued. “I wanted to make you aware. That is all.”
Agnea looked up at the older man. Even hunched over, leaning on the railing similarly to her, he towered over her. To most, his imposing figure hidden by the dark of night would be terrifying.
To Agnea, it was comforting, having Osvald by her side, knowing he would drop everything to protect those he cared about.
“Is something the matter?” Osvald asked. He backed away from the railing, standing up to his full height. “You were staring.”
Agnea’s face flushed as she turned her head away from him, unaware she was staring in the first place. And yet, at that same moment, an idea came to her mind. A completely and utterly foolish one, but it wouldn’t leave her alone.
“Osvald?” she asked, voice so low it was almost a whisper.
He leaned down once more to her eye level. Although his icy blue eyes pierced through her, she could still sense concern coming from him.
“What is it?” he responded.
And suddenly, before she even realized it, she was holding his face, his beard tickling the palms of her hands, and then.
Then she was kissing him. No more than a chaste peck, but a kiss nonetheless.
She pulled away just as quickly, her body frozen in place. A storm of thoughts clouded her mind, unable to put any of them into words to even begin to explain why she had just up and kissed him. Oh, she was so stupid, why did she even let her impulses get to her, he was old enough to be her father –
“Why now?” was all Osvald could manage to say.
Agnea’s mind went silent, devoid of any rational response.
“It’s just like you said. We have no more time, and I wanted to… you know, before we… in case we…” she managed to answer, heart beating rabbit-fast, so fast she thought it would leap out of her throat.
She expected him to laugh, or to scrutinize her with that ever-intimidating glare, even. Not for him to gently wrap an arm around her, pulling her to his side in an embrace. She could faintly feel lips pressing to the crown of her head, too.
“I know. I’ll do everything in my power so that we make it through,” Osvald said in earnest.
Agnea nestled into his warmth, hoping he could keep his promise as they finally made landfall.