Chapter Text
The two had decided to walk back to the camp that morning, hand in hand, Clancy constantly giggling from the pure adrenaline rush given the fact he was now married to his favourite person. His best friend, his partner, and now his husband.
Torch wasn’t any better, a small smile stuck on his face, a blush painting their cheeks every time he looked over at the pink haired man he had married.
They trod through the silent camp, the morning fog still blanketing the main areas, weaving in between and around tents as quietly as possible, trying not to wake anyone.
The sky was an icy blue, the green grass bright, a beautiful emerald shade. The smell of the rain from the night prior was strong, a smell that always brought an odd sense of nostalgia. There were small, perfect rain drops on the long strands of grass, some resting as perfect beads on the petals of flowers.
The pair got back to their tent, and Clancy set to packing some of their clothes into a bag -which was hard to do neatly, given the fact his hands were constantly shaking from happiness- while Torch had decided to go to the common are, finding a tent, some supplies and blankets, putting them into one of his own sacks to carry.
They both set off an hour later after making sure they had everything, wandering through Trench hand in hand. Their plan was to find a cave, or a sturdy cliff top, and camp there for a night or two.
As the two walked, they eventually found themselves in a forest, tall trees towering over them, roots tangled and creating a bumpy floor, fallen leaves as they stepped through them. Clancy mumbled about how boring the walk was, and the other laughed behind him quietly.
“Hm. You think we could ever have a treehouse?” Clancy mused.
“Maybe… what if it got cold though? You can’t light a fire in a house of wood.” The other replied, smiling softly.
“Yeah, I guess. No torches then, apart from you,” he giggled, ”no matches either. Or lighters. We could end up accidentally burning the whole forest down, which would be bad.”
“I guess we’ll just stick to our camps…”
“I have no problem with that, though- spending the rest of my nights with you in a tent would be the best way. Endless nights together.”
Torch smiled and nodded, grabbing his lover’s hand as they continued through the forest.
A few more hours of walking passed, and they both found themselves setting their tent up by a cliff overlooking the northern half of the Paladin Strait. Torch had started a small fire outside of it, tall orange flames, yet confined to the small space walled by fallen branches. Fire always fascinated Clancy, it was something so dangerous, but if you could treat it right then in turn nature would let people use it to their will, whether it be for warmth or weapons. The topic obviously had many passages in his notebooks, as he wrote a new one, cross legged while tending to the fire, though he’d nearly used up all they’d collected.
Torch climbed out the tent, zipping it up behind them, and joining Clancy to sit with him, dangling his legs over the cliff edge. Rough hands traced through the long grass, twining with the other’s as they met. Clancy laughed quietly, breaths visible against the cold air of the winter night.
“Do you think that if we told ourselves, back when we were 15, that we’d get married, would you believe it?”
Torch smiled, shaking his head.
“Never in a million years, but I’m glad we are,” he whispered, as if they were afraid to disturb the comfortable sounds of the night.
“Mm. Me too.” The younger replied, resting his head on his shoulder. Torch’s free hand slid through his hair, playing with the slightly grown out strands, pink roots contrasting the brown dye, Clancy humming in appreciation.
“It’s kinda funny though. You seriously used to hate me, and yet here we are.” Clancy laughed softly.
Torch shook his head, sighing.
“Don’t you think we’re a bit too young to be reminiscing on our history?”
“Yeah. But whatever.” He paused for a second.
“Someday, when we overthrow Dema, I promise you, we’ll sit on Rose Hill, and reminisce on everything. We can just… live. Like a family. I mean… just us. If that’s what you want. I do-“
Clancy was interrupted from rambling by a squeeze to his hand.
“Whatever you want, honey.” Torch whispered.
“You feel okay to talk now?”
“Uhm. I guess. Yeah? Why not? It’s just us.”
“Well,” Clancy paused, sighing quietly.
“If you ever just. Want to not talk for a day. Or two. Or a few weeks. Or the other way around. Then I’ll be fine. I know I can be a lot, and like… thanks for dealing with it.
Torch responded by pulling Clancy’s head up to meet his lips, holding him there for a moment, relishing in the little sigh the younger made as he gave in, kissing back.
Torch’s hands snaked around his waist, holding him closer. The fire crackled in the background, tall, bright flames against the midnight blue sky. Clancy eventually pulled back, breathless, looking at Torch, eyes filled with adoration.
“I thought you were going to speak.” the younger sighed, laughing quietly.
Torch laughed, his expression so genuine and happy, the campfire reflecting in their eyes to show pure warmth, like his life was complete and the complications of Dema had never existed.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
“Mm. Sure. Whatever.” Clancy sighed, head resting on his husband’s lap, eyes closed.