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The fourteenth of February – Sweetheart's Day – as it’s known here in Twisted Wonderland. A day in honor of the goddess of love and beauty, where romance was around every corner and admirers prospered.
It seems I have one of my own, you thought, noticing the dazzling and voluminous bouquet sitting on the island of Ramshackle’s kitchen. A lovely little purple box was placed next to it, adorned in golden trim and a red bow. Peering through the window of the box, you saw an assortment of sweets. A few chocolate-covered strawberries still appearing fresh, heart-shaped macarons in various shades complementing the box, and finally petit fours decorated in the signature colors of your dorm. Upon closer inspection of the bouquet, you observed the selected flowers: traditional red roses, gardenias, jonquils, blue violets, and moss rosebuds. A note was nestled between your collection of nature’s beauties, and it read:
Your eyes shine like ever radiant starlight,
Will you choose to be mine tonight?
- ↣
A smile blossomed on your lips as you huffed, feeling as though you were the lead in a cheesy romance movie. Taking the box with you and keeping it away from Grim’s tired and hungry grabby hands, you left to attend your first period.
—
“Whatcha got there, Y/n?” Ace asked, jogging up next to you in one of the exterior hallways.
“A box of treats from an admirer.” you replied matter-of-factly.
He chuckled before speaking, “Any clue who it is?”
“Not yet. The note was only signed with an a–”
Your sentence was cut off as an arrow whizzed by only about 4 centimetres in front of your face.
“Arrow.” you finished, handing your box to Ace.
You approached the section of mortar where the arrow was lodged. Attached to its sharp end was a letter and another moss rosebud wrapped in purple striped twine. Recalling your flowers and note, you had no doubt as to who had sent their affection flying your way. Tugging the arrow out of the wall, you carefully removed the note. Lifting the flower off of the paper, you wordlessly gave it to the redhead next to you before opening the light brown letter.
Witnessing your joy is truly a treasure,
I hope my gift brought you pleasure.
Please do me the honor of accompanying me,
In the majestic forest beneath the trees.
Eight o’clock tonight,
Follow the lights.
- ↣
Excitement bubbled in you at the prospect of meeting your admirer, but it was slightly dispelled by Ace’s pessimism.
“How do you know they’re not going to murder you?”
—
Sitting down at the table of your merry little band of first years for lunch, you were immediately bombarded by statements.
“An arrow at your head?! It definitely sounds like they want to kill you.”
“Thank you, Deuce, very supportive.” you retorted.
“Letting treats and letters win you over so quickly?! Ha, what a silly little human!”
With a glare at the group, silence reigned. At least until Jack spoke up, “Do you know who it is?”
“I don’t.” you replied.
“What if it’s Henley?” Ace joked.
Your entire table groaned at the mention of the most cumbersome member of your class.
“What if it’s Rook?” Deuce queried.
Epel gagged at the idea, but you simply sat with it for a minute.
What if it was Rook?... No, definitely not. While you had been bantering more and more often, even borderline flirting really, there was no way. He had taken it upon himself to teach you archery, and walk you back to your dorm everyday after classes, and bring you dinner on nights where you were too occupied by your studies, and help you branch out in fashion, exploration, and… oh Great Sevens, it was Rook.
Noticing your sudden introspection, the first years slowly went quiet. As you fought to keep your cheeks from widening, Epel’s face looked aghast as he shouted “No!”
—
When the clock struck seven forty-five that night, you finished dusting off your outfit and left Ramshackle. As the poem said, lights outlined your path across the campus and through the forest. The little balls of light dissipated after you passed, most likely due to their magic origins. The woods near campus were truly beautiful – pines, oaks, ash, cedar, and even apple trees – created a lovely backdrop. As you got closer to the river, more lights appeared. The soft bubbling in unison with crickets enveloped you in nature’s music as your steps soon met various flowers that coexisted with the vast expanse of trees. A smile and ironic chuckle occurred on your lips as you realized they were the exact flowers from your bouquet.
“Thank you for joining me, ange.”
Your head turned to face the blond emerging from behind the large weeping willow bordering the river.
“Of course. It’s only fair that I come admire you as well.”
He winked before voicing, “You didn’t come see me out of duty.”
You chuckled lightly before replying, “No, I did not. I came to confess my affections for you… but I feel as though you already knew.”
He smirked and took your right hand, “What kind of hunter would I be if I didn’t?”
You followed him as he guided you to a small rowboat. He held your hand to provide support as you stepped in and sat down before sliding in across from you and grabbing the oars. He set a light pace as you traveled north, observing the various changes in your surroundings. While the silence was loving, you couldn’t help but ask a question drifting through your mind.
“I noticed you gave me moss rosebuds twice. Do they have a special meaning I am unaware of?”
“Indeed they do.” He began, focusing on you yet still rowing, “They represent confessions of love. Blue violets mean I will always be there, jonquils communicate a desire for affection returned, gardenias stand for secret love, and red roses are for your one and only love.”
With each addition to the list you felt giddy, and by the end like swooning.
Rook laughed at your visible reaction – something you decided was now one of your favorite sounds.
In two more rows, you arrived near the windmill. Beneath it was a perfect little picnic, set up with more magic lights and ravishing food. A large box also laid wrapped similarly to the one for your treats – minus the window. With your hands once again intertwined, you slowly approached the romantic setting.
When you sat down, Rook smiled brightly before handing you your gift box and saying, “Happy Sweetheart’s Day, ange.”
You eagerly unwrapped the Pomefiore-colored box and gasped at what was inside.
A breath-taking bow sat in red silk, it’s dark cherry wood a perfectly contrasting match. Patterns of nature were carved into the wood, and no matter how small the line or crevice they all appeared to have been sanded. Such a tenacious task done with so much care and tenderness brought forth strong emotions, and you found yourself thanking the hunter with a kiss. He seemed momentarily caught off guard before melting at your long awaited touch.
“I love it, Rook.”
“And I love you, Y/n.”