Seirion drew back slowly, his hands still on Erian's waist as if reluctant to let go.
"So…" Seirion murmured with a smile, "I was thinking of something special for our date."
Erian looked up, curious, though his heart was already beating faster in simple anticipation.
"Something special?"
Seirion twirled a lock of Erian's hair, an intimate gesture that made Erian's breath turn a little unsteady.
"There's a festival in the neighboring town for the autumn equinox. Music, food, performances… I thought we could go."
Erian's body tensed in a single sharp jolt. Not because the plan was bad, but because the words 'festival for the autumn equinox' tore open an old wound: the memory of the heat of torches brushing his skin, the sweet smell of warm honey mixing with thick incense that scraped his throat, and the uneasy murmurs of a town pretending to celebrate while holding its breath for a sacrifice.
