warning from the present: i haven't edited this at all since 2020, so enjoy my 16 yr old ramblings! 

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Your two little siblings sat in front of you, eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed. "So they ran away?" asked your little brother Tom.

"Away from the castle?" mimicked your little sister Tam.

"Well, yeah." You shrugged.

"Why?" they said in union. You sighed and rolled your eyes. Sometimes these twins of yours could be a handful. There was a reason that your mother always left them in your care.

"They ran away, because it was the only way they could be together," you emphasised.

"That's stupid!" stated Tam.

"Language," you huffed.

"But it is!" she shot back.

"Why didn't they just remain in their palaces and live their dreams? The princess wanted to become and painter, but because of the prince, she didn't!"

"Yeah!" exclaimed Tom. "And the prince wanted to become a successful king! And because of a girl he found in a garden, he gives that up? These people need to get their priorities straight!"

"Guys, mom told me to read you a story while she's at the market. Geez, you didn't have to interject with everything," you said as you put the book back to the shelf. "Besides, maybe you're too young to understand. You're both just four." You giggled as you pinched their cheeks.

"Hey!" They complained at the same time.

You shook your head. "Look, it doesn't make sense right now, but it will when you grow up." You took their hands and walked outside. "Sometimes people give everything up for love. And sure... maybe it is stupid, but that's just life. Life's full of choices and people have to choose what they think is right for them.

"Well, these people chose wrong." Tom pouted and crossed his arms.

You hummed. "Yeah, they do. All the time." You stared off into the distance. "But you shouldn't be worrying about that.You don't have to deal with it yet. Now go on and play. The sun's still up and we can come back inside when it sets. You shooed them off.

Your sibling ran into the field and chased and pushed each other down. They laughed and giggled as they played pretend. You rested your head on your hand and kept a close eye, waiting for your mother to come back.

But then you heard your siblings call out to someone. "Varian!" They said together, running up to the boy and tackling him to the ground.

"Hey guys!" He laughed. "Missed me?"

"Alot!" Tom yells. "How was the convention?"

"It took you two days to get back!" Tam pouted. "Did you win?"

"Second place." Varian shrugged, showing the twins his silver ribbon. "Not bad actually. I didn't think my invention would win anything."

"Aw, that sucks!" Tom says. "I thought you'd win FIRST place! You deserve first place, Varian."

"Thanks Tom." He laughs and ruffles the boy's hair as he gets up. "Where's your sister?"

"By the porch." Tam wiggled her eyebrows. "She missed you alot too, you know?"

Varian's cheeks went red. "She-she did?"

"Yeah-" The twins said in unison, giving the alchemist a teasing look.

Varian furrowed his eyebrows at them. He ignored what they said and walked up to you, placing the box he held before behind his back. "(Y/N)!" He greeted, running up to you.

Your eyes widened. "Varian! You're back!" You engulfed him in a hug. This took him aback, his eyes widening and his hands hovering over your hips. Once you realized what you did, you quickly let him go. "So um. . . how was the convention?" You tried hiding your blush.

Varian had red cheeks of his own. But he shook his head and gave you a smile. "It was alright. Didn't win but it was fine."

"Oh darn. That's okay, I'm sure you can-"

"Yeah, but I'm not here about that." He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "I came here to give you something."

"You did?" Your heart pounded.

"Yeah! Um, here!" He took out a box behind him and handed it to you. "It's... they're chocolates."

Every ounce of your blood left your body and headed for your head. "You got me chocolates?"

Varian was slowly losing himself. His freckled cheeks were so flustered. He could barely breathe. "Umm, yeah! See, I remembered that time you told me that you liked candy but you LOVED chocolates. On my way home I came across a candy store, and people claimed that they had the best chocolates in Corona, so I bought some for you."

Your eyes remained on the pink box, heart still beating like crazy. "You... got the chocolates..."

"Do you like it?"

You opened the lid and popped one in your mouth. "Like it?" You repeated, your cheeks filled with sweets. "Varian, this is amazing! I love it!"

The boy chuckled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I'm glad you do. So? Are they really the best chocolates in all of Corona?"

Because you gave them to me, yes they are.

"Absolutely." You nodded. "It's such a unique flavour! Like a party for my taste buds." You took another one and handed it to him. "See for yourself."

He took it from you and threw it in the air, making it perfectly land in his mouth. "Dang, you weren't kidding." He laughed. "This is pretty good."

You spent a few more seconds in silence, just indulging the chocolates. It really was good. You couldn't be more grateful that he got these for you. But then the sinking sun shone in your eyes and caught your attention.

"Looks like it's about to get dark." You said rather sadly. You knew Varian haad to get home before dark. "Do you need to get going?"

"No, not really." He rose his shoulders. "Dad's not gonna be home till tomorrow. He needed to do some business in the palace."

You smiled. "Oh, I see."

But then you heard your fence's gate open. Your mother was home, carrying baskets filled with things she brought from the market. "Varian, is that you?" She chuckles, closing the gate.

Varian quickly ran to her. "Let me help you with those, Mrs. (L/N)." He says politely, taking the baskets from your mom's hands. She gave him a grateful nod and ruffled his head.

"Thank you, Varian. That's very sweet of you." She walked towards you and gave you a hug. "How was your brother and sister while I was gone? Did they behave?"

"Yes they did." You eyed them from afar. "Hey, look who's here!" You called to them, sending them running for your mom.

"Momma!" They said at the same time, jumping for a hug. The air was filled with laughter and giggles. "You're back!"

"Yes, I am! Oh and Varian dear, you can put those on the table. Thank you so much for your help."

"It's not a problem Mrs. (L/N)." He smiles before entering your house.

"Wanna stay for dinner?" You asked him rather hesitantly.

Varian didn't even think twice. "I'd love to! Would that be okay Mrs. (L/N)?"

"It would be more than okay, Varian. We're happy to have you here." She smiled as she made her way to the kitchen to prepare food.

You and Varian were left alone on the porch, admiring the orange-pink colour the setting sun was creating. You sighed and sat back. "I never get tired of that."

Varian laughed. "Tired of what?"

"The sunset." You looked at him, then back to the sky. "It's always so beautiful."

"Yeah..." Varian mutters. "Just like you."

You froze.

Completely.

Your heart.

Just.

Stopped.

It was like your body went to a total shut down. You didn't know what to say. You didn't know how to reply. Instead, you freaked out and got up, your cheeks burning red. "I have- I have to- I have to go and help mom. She- I think she's calling me." You couldn't believe that happened. Varian called you... bootiful.

Varian on the other hand, face palmed. "Stupid!" He muttered to himself. "Real smooth, Varian. Real smooth." He rolled his eyes, dropping his head in his hands.

"Yeah, I wouldn't worry if I were you." Tom chuckled, making his way on the porch. Beside him, sat Tam.

"And why wouldn't I worry?" He rose a brow.

"Because she likes you too." Tam shrugged.

"No. She doesn't." Varian denied.

The twins laughed at the same time. "Oh you're so daft! So are you telling us that you've never notice the way she looks at you? The way she blushes when you're around?"

Varian stared at the ground. "So... so she does like me back?"

"We think so." Tam says. "We read her diary. She likes your hair and thinks your eyes sparkle." She walked in the house.

Varian stood up, turning to the twins. He placed a gloved hand on his head. "She likes my hair?" He blushes. "Hey, wait! Did you guys mean what you said?" He asked, running after them.

The twins did nothing but give each other mischievous looks and high fives. They went in the kitchen to hide. "They're meant for each other, aren't they mom?" Tom giggled.

"Oh, that's where you're right dear." sighed your mother, watching you and Varian with a smile. "He's a keeper."