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A wicker basket and a neatly folded picnic blanket sat atop the dark wood dining table. Soft footsteps hardly touched the floor as Artemis entered holding a bottle of her first successful mulled wine for the occasion. The air still held a faint baked goods scent instead of the usual fresh linen and soft spices of their home. Her light blue summer dress swished as she crossed the room; the bottle quietly clunked against wood. Mentally she checked off each item in the basket for the third time, making sure that she isn’t forgetting anything for their little solstice picnic tradition.
Pine tickled her nose as a pair of strong arms, complete with a dark, whip-like scar from wrist to shoulder, wrapped around her middle. Warmth enveloped as she smiled, her back against his chest as she slipped perfectly into his hold.
“Wine?” Cael asked as his cheek leaned against her head.
“It’s a surprise.”
Cael hummed as he lightly nuzzled his nose into her snow-white hair, undoubtedly catching the soft osmanthus of her shampoo. “You smell divine.”
“That is my line.” She lightly chuckled as the tips of his dark brown hair tickled her cheek. “How was the shower?”
He hummed as one hand perfectly traced the line of her waist to her hip. “Refreshing - the firewood is all prepared for the next few days.”
She softly smiled as he kissed her temple, a squeeze to her hip. Her fingertips continued the climb along his arm until they touched his three-claw scar on his right jaw. It was second nature as breathing as she tilted her head up as he tilted his down to hers, his russet brown eyes softened as they met her forest greens. Dimples were etched into his warm ivory skin, and their eyes slowly closed as both yearned to meet in the middle.
A craggled meow cut through when their lips were a breath away.
Two pairs of eyes stared up at them. Luster, Cael’s niffler companion, sat and looked up with round, inquisitive eyes as his hands rested on the light brown patches of his fur. Nocturne, Artemis’ black cat, was seated as he silently demanded with his green eyes.
Cael sighed; she quietly chuckled.
Nocturne continued a string of meows as he was swiftly satiated with a few pets from Artemis with a side of chicken nibbles. Luster received a pet or two as well before Cael slipped him a sickle - the niffler’s eyes shined as he examined his new treasure. As their most faithful pets were satisfied with their gains, the couple collected their picnic items, shrunk the bottle and blanket into the basket and headed toward their backyard.
Summer’s solstice welcomed them as the sun bathed their garden. The early summer florals bloomed in blankets of colour. Everything was touched with a hint of magic as the enchanted water cans gave them a nice shower. Beyond was her greenhouse with a light refraction, carefully cultivating some of the rarer and more dangerous magical plants for her own potions, of much went into restocking the first aid kits of Cael, her guardians and extended family.
For a moment she contemplated collecting her usual sunhat and gloves as the sun hardly was ever kind to her pale skin. That moment was brushed away as Cael returned with his Night Dancer with the picnic basket secure on the handle. His sleeveless shirt was lightly tucked into his navy trousers, his dimpled smile remained as his russet brown eyes softened toward her. He mounted the well-loved broom, the very same broom that he’d flown in their school days, and held out his hand.
“Shall we?”
Artemis casted on herself a light spell to prevent motion sickness before she slipped her hand into his.
“Let’s.”
They took to the skies. His broad back shielded much of her from the sun’s rays as she settled between himself and the fastened basket. Wind streaked through their hair, her snow-white bangs grazing and tangling with his dark brown locks. Forests replaced their garden underneath as the Night Dancer obeyed Cael’s steering.
Ozone and pine touched as Artemis moved her gaze from the horizon to the arms that kept her and the broom steady. His scars had healed well these past six months and there were no complications. But how she wished that he hadn’t gotten cursed in the first place, how she wished that she could’ve done more as she healed him at St. Mungo’s. But, there was only so much one could do with magical curses; while he would always carry the reminders of the curse that nearly took his life, they were also reminders of his survival.
“We’re almost there.” Cael’s voice tugged her back.
She lifted her gaze forward and softly gasped.
A glade emerged within the forest thicket with a waterfall. It reminded her of their second date back in school where Cael had surprised her with a scenic picnic. Nostalgia flooded as Cael dipped the Night Dancer, effortlessly touching them down to the centre. The waterfall connected to a tranquil river, algae and small fish clear with the sun. Freesia and St. John’s Wort bloomed amongst the lush grass, speckles of yellow blossoms in the sea of green.
“Do you like it?”
“I do. It’s beautiful.” Artemis slipped herself off of the broom with Cael’s hand on the small of her back. “I’ll set up.”
Artemis set the spread as the river trickled its calm rhythm against pebbles, careful to select a spot where they would not crush any blooms. Out of the wicker basket came the sandwiches, cheeses, rice balls, glistening grapes and condiments. Two glass cups were transfigured from blades of grass and filled with conjured fresh water and perfect ice cubes. The desserts and mulled wine remained in the wicker basket.
Her gaze lifted as Cael had finished casting his spell. A pale dome-like film shimmered against the baby blue sky for a moment across the area before becoming invisible. She held a glass to him as he settled himself next to her.
He accepted the glass with thanks. “That should take care of any walkers.”
“Will they bump into the ward?”
“Not exactly, but nobody will be popping in for a chat.”
They clinked their glasses.
Slowly they started their picnic tradition. The pork cutlet sandwiches lightly crunched, cheeses sharp and mild, grapes offering bursts of sweetness with each bite. Her shoulder leaned against his as he complimented the food, dimples creased, his hand resting behind her with ease. Fresh berry jam made from the berries in their garden were spread on cut mini-breads with drizzles of honey. The waterfall’s continual movement sent a constant light wind; his pine cologne tempted her as he continued to shield her from the sun’s rays. They spoke of work, the plan for their garden expansion, repairs needed for his Cursebreaker boots, their nephew’s milestones.
Soon everything had been emptied except for the desserts. Artemis pulled first the box she’d prepared - dark blue with a silver ribbon - and handed it to Cael. As he opened the box, she plucked another two blades of grass and transfigured them into wine glasses. With two clinks, two ice cubes nestled in each glass.
“These look delicious,” Cael delightfully remarked as he pulled off the lid. Within the box lined various shaped chocolate bon-bons. Broomsticks, stars, crescent moons, suns, gemstones, and hearts lined each row.
Artemis smiled as she attempted to uncork the bottle. “I hope they’re sweet to your liking.”
Cael chuckled. “I have no doubt it’ll be.”
She battled with the cork more; he held out his hand and the bottle was passed. He uncorked the bottle with ease as he grinned.
“You loosened it for me.” Cael offered even as she sheepishly smiled. He smelled the wafting spice from the now opened bottle. “Mulled wine?”
“Yes,” Artemis answered as she held out both glasses and he poured. “I thought I’d give a hand at making it myself for the special occasion.”
“Will it make an appearance this winter?” Cael asked as he corked the bottle.
She garnished their glasses with orange slices, cranberries, and a star anise. “That’s the plan.”
They clinked their glasses once more. Both of them approvingly hummed as the first sip of cool mulled wine touched their lips. Whilst the familiar warm aromas were not there, the unique sweetness of oranges mixed with cinnamon and cloves were highlighted. It was sweeter like this - the texture slightly thickened akin to syrup, yet the spices didn’t allow for said sweetness to linger for too long.
She picked the crescent moon bon-bon as Cael worked on his third. A soft smile spread as her sweet-toothed husband was thoroughly enjoying her homemade desserts; his smile was the best reward she could ever ask for. She took her bite; the semi-sweet chocolate hugged the final notes of mulled wine as she leaned her head against his shoulder. Being able to enjoy such a picnic in such a tranquil place with her husband, both of them alive and healthy - she really was the luckiest woman.
“You know what I realized?”
“Hm?”
Artemis turned her head upward at Cael’s question. He had picked up a heart-shaped chocolate bon-bon.
“It’s your half-birthday.”
Artemis blinked twice as she chuckled. “I suppose so, yes.”
Cael held the bon-bon to her still smiling lips; they parted. The sweet chocolate slowly melted, the taste nearly too sweet in the few seconds it took for him to lean down and kiss her. She could faintly taste the mulled wine he'd just had, and he enjoyed the taste of the chocolate she'd just been presented with. Her fingers found themselves in his hair as he cupped her cheek. Their kiss hardly broke save for sips of air as the world turned, her back upon the picnic blanket as his familiar warmth enveloped her.
His hands roamed, studying her with his palms as he kissed like a man starved. Her own roamed the expanse of his back as the other remained tangled into his dark brown locks. Each other’s names were whispered like treasures as their heated kisses tasted of chocolate and orange notes. Fabric rustled as their fingers eventually found themselves unbuttoning their clothes, far too constricting when all they craved was each other. A breeze passed by but was hardly felt as his skin radiated warmth against hers.
For a moment their lips parted. Their lungs gasped for air or perhaps more of each other as his pine cologne overpowered any other scent. Their clothes were tossed to the side amongst the lush grass. Artemis gazed up into Cael’s russet brown eyes that reflected the same adoration and heated passion as her own. Beyond him the baby blue sky was like a painting, his body continuing to shield most of her from the sun’s rays.
His fingertips caressed her cheek; she kissed his three-clawed scar. Butterfly kisses were left along his warm ivory skin and scars as he loosened her snow-white hair from its braided crown, the strands splaying amongst the blanket and grass.
Against her, he was sun-kissed. Against him, she was luminous.
Their softened voices overlapped.
“I love you.”
Time passed around them as they remained in their own world on this summer’s solstice, celebrating their tradition - and each other - in each other’s arms.