The wedding hall buzzed with laughter and chatter, a blend of warmth and elegance as Ravihiro and Rumina were officially wed. Among the guests, Haruno, Kalki, and Huo enjoyed themselves with friendly banter, reminiscing on moments they'd shared with the couple. Ravihiro, as stoic as always, stood calmly by Rumina's side, watching her as she mingled with guests. She shone like a bright light, and while the room was lively and filled with congratulations, Ravihiro felt himself slipping into his own world.
Ravihiro's Quiet Escape
When Rumina was called over by an elder guest, Ravihiro seized the opportunity to quietly step away. It was late, and he was drawn outside to the night's calm, making his way to a secluded mountain top where he'd often go for peace and solitude. Tonight, however, the sky was different—stars shone more brightly, almost as if celebrating alongside them.
At the peak, Ravihiro took out a large scroll from his satchel and carefully set up a small table. The cool breeze swept over him as he dipped his brush in ink, beginning to capture the scene around him. He was lost in thought, each stroke reflecting his feelings of calm and something else—something he couldn't quite place.
The Intruder: Rumina
"Leaving your bride on the wedding night?" came Rumina's amused voice, breaking his concentration.
Ravihiro's head shot up, startled, as Rumina appeared beside him. He quickly turned his canvas around, hiding it from her view. She cocked her head, grinning. "What are you hiding?"
"Nothing," he replied too quickly, attempting to sound unbothered, though he subtly pushed the scroll further away.
Rumina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She stepped closer, and despite his attempts to block her, she darted around him and caught sight of the painting—a beautiful piece capturing the night's sky and a figure, resembling her, standing beneath it.
"Oh?" she teased, leaning in close. "Is this supposed to be me? How did you paint me so beautifully?"
Ravihiro felt his cheeks warm, which only encouraged her to playfully press closer. "The artist hides his work from his own muse—how interesting."
He sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. "I'm not hiding anything. Just… finishing touches."
Playful Banter and Unexpected Romance
She laughed, nudging him in the ribs. "You're such a mystery, you know that? The serious, elusive groom sneaking off to paint on his wedding night."
Ravihiro tried to ignore her teasing, but her laughter was contagious. "What, would you rather I stay with the guests?" he replied dryly. "There were too many of them."
"You're stuck with me tonight. No slipping away," she challenged, grabbing his arm as he turned to leave.
Rumina's persistence made him chuckle—a rare sound that she relished hearing. He raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, I'm here. Now, what do you want?"
"An apology for running away," she said playfully, crossing her arms.
"Running away?" He lifted an eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face. "I thought I was giving you space."
"Oh really?" she responded, giving him a skeptical look. "Well, I want more than an apology. Let's see…" Her eyes lit up mischievously. "How about… a dance?"
Ravihiro looked at her in surprise. "Here? Now?"
"Yes! Here! Now!" she laughed, pulling him closer despite his bewildered expression. "I bet you didn't think you'd be dancing with me in the middle of the mountains."
Before he could protest, she placed his hand on her waist and held his other hand tightly. She hummed a soft tune, moving lightly as she led him, catching him off-guard.
He sighed but let himself go, his usual stoicism softening as he fell into step with her, his hand at her waist and her head resting against his chest. They danced beneath the stars, her laughter filling the air as she teased him whenever he stumbled.
A Tender Moment
After a while, their dance slowed, and Rumina looked up at him, her gaze softening. She reached up, brushing a stray hair from his face. "You know," she said quietly, "even though you're a hard one to read, I like that about you."
Ravihiro felt his heartbeat quicken as her hand lingered on his cheek. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them under the endless sky. He looked down at her, his typical defenses melting as he leaned in, his lips brushing hers softly.
Their kiss deepened, and the stars above seemed to burn brighter, the world falling away until it was only them. She smiled, pulling him close, and he felt a warmth he hadn't known he was capable of feeling.
The Comedic End
After a moment, Rumina smirked and suddenly leaned back, her hands on her hips. "Alright, now that we've shared a moment… will you let me keep that painting?"
Ravihiro's face fell slightly. "The painting isn't even finished yet!"
"Oh come on," she pouted. "I'll let you finish it later. For now, I'll just have to keep it as is, my mysterious artist husband."
She made a grab for it, and he quickly rolled it up, holding it behind his back. "Over my dead body," he smirked.
"Oh, really?" she teased, grabbing for the scroll again.
They ended up in a playful tug-of-war, laughing as they stumbled, their laughter echoing into the night. Finally, Ravihiro relented, sighing as he handed her the half-finished scroll.
Rumina grinned in triumph, then leaned up, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for the masterpiece, husband."
With one last smile, she took his hand, and together they walked back down the mountain, side by side beneath the shimmering stars, their laughter trailing behind them as they began their life together.