Vira & Brahms

The grove glittered like a dream-swings of woven vines creaked in the breeze, stepping-stones glowed faintly with enchantment, and ribbons of light danced overhead like kites.

Vira skipped across a balance beam made of twisting branches, her laughter chiming like windbells. "Come on, Brahms! You're too slow."

He followed hesitantly, hands shoved in his pockets, clearly nervous about the whimsical games. His vest caught on a branch, and he tugged it free, face already pink. "I'm not used to... this," he admitted.

She tilted her head, catlike, then grinned. "Not used to fun?"

"That's not what I said," Brahms muttered, gaze fixed firmly on the ground.

Vira hopped down in front of him, circling like a mischievous sprite. "You blush every time you open your mouth," she teased, her eyes sparkling. "It's adorable."

His ears went scarlet. "D-Don't say things like that."

"Why not?" She leaned in close, almost nose-to-nose. "It's true."

Brahms stumbled back a step, nearly tripping over one of the enchanted stepping-stones, and Vira laughed so hard she clutched her stomach. "You're so easy to tease," she said between giggles.

He rubbed the back of his neck, trying-and failing-to hide a small smile. "You enjoy this too much."

"Of course I do," she sang, skipping ahead to grab one of the swinging vines. She pushed herself off, spinning in the air like a child without a care. "Because you're fun to play with. And because I like watching you smile, even if you try to hide it."

Brahms froze for a second, then quietly smiled for real, a soft and genuine curve of his lips. "Then maybe... I don't mind playing with you."

Vira dropped from the vine, landing neatly on her feet. She clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels with a sly grin. "Good. Because I'm not done making you blush yet."