Name: shadowsong26
Story: Five Years On
'Verse: Feredar
Colors: Rose Pink, Color of the Day (felicific)
Supplies and Materials: saturation, miniature collection, silhouette, graffiti (11 Years of Rainbowfic - Part 12), resin, canvas (Nida (948 FY); Kesshare (968 FY); Sola (no later than 970 FY); Keta (973 FY); Deshell (976 FY); Fera (984 FY)), frame (Dallu (996 FY); Nolani (998 FY); Lonura (1001 FY); Isshiri (1013 FY))
Word Count: 951
Rating: PG
Characters: Fera, Kellom, Nida, Sorell, Deshell, Fesha, Sola, Keta, Nolani, Andrell, Kesshare, Dallu, Taz, Isshiri, Lonura
Warnings: Referenced character death.
Notes: Constructive criticism welcome, as always. This is a glimpse at 10 married (or otherwise permanently committed) characters on their fifth anniversary.


1. I love you

Fera didn't say the words out loud. Not even today, when it would have been--appropriate. It was their fifth anniversary, and that was a time to put these things into words, wasn't it?

But she still held her peace, because to say the words, to put it into words, would be--

She wasn't sure.

Some things, she thought, were better left unsaid. Kellom was always kind to her, and she loved him.

That was enough, even if they never said it out loud.


2. let me help

Sorell caught Nida's arm. Inconvenient, she thought, to be in such a late, awkward stage on their anniversary, with a court function to attend.

"You're all right?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. "Sorry, I hope I don't spoil the night."

He smiled, raised her hand to his lips. "We've been married for five years, and our child is almost here. How could my night be spoiled?"

She laughed. "Thank you," she said, then, "I'm...so very happy that we're here, together."

He nodded, kissed her hand again, straightened his shoulders. "Ready?"

"Always," she said; and, for that moment, it was true.


3. you're beautiful

It had been a very, very long day--an awkward mess at the docks for Deshell to resolve, their small children causing chaos at home.

But it was more than that, and that was important to remember.

Deshell tucked a wildflower behind Fesha's ear; smiling at the blue petals, bright against her red-gold hair.

Like the flowers she'd worn on their wedding day.

"I love you," he promised, kissing first her forehead, then her lips, and quietly promised himself that they'd find the time tomorrow, or the next day, to do something special to celebrate five years together. No matter what.


4. want to go out?

The nice thing about Sola's particular rank was that her anniversary could be celebrated as she and her husband chose, rather than being dictated by Politics.

Not that what she had planned was small, or would be entirely devoid of politics, but still.

She caught her husband's eyes in the mirror as she put on her second earring and smiled.

It was lovely, having someone who understood her so completely. Five years had only made them dearer friends.

They went out together often, though they didn't always come home that way--but tonight would be one of the nights they did.


5. you look great in that

Keta smiled at her reflection in the mirror, the necklace her husband had given her to mark their anniversary shining in the low light.

She wasn't much a one for jewelry, beyond what she needed as a member of the royal family, and the necklace was simple, and just to her taste. Fine braided silver, with a teardrop emerald that nestled at just the right spot on her chest.

It was lovely, and it suited her, and it was a gift from her beloved. She planned to wear it as often as she possibly could.


6. kiss me

The court event was over, finally--Nolani didn't not enjoy these things, but they could be draining.

Because even if the love they shared was different, she'd been looking forward to the part that was just for them.

With the door shut, she pulled him close for a kiss, long and lingering.

He held her close and returned it; rested his forehead against hers when they came up for air.

"Happy anniversary," he murmured. "Thank you for being here with me."

She smiled, and kissed him again. "Happy anniversary," she agreed. "Thank you for being someone I can come home to."


7. will you marry me?

An anniversary was a time for celebration, and also for reflection.

Kesshare could reflect with pride on the past five years. Five years of loyalty and the affection their daughter needed proved she had chosen well. Ineku, too, seemed happy, which was important. He would be a better father to her children, a better help as she shaped her new world.

Which meant she could look to the future--another child next year, and all that was to follow.

So, to celebrate--a successful marriage, a good family. Exactly what Kesshare had hoped for when she asked him all those years ago.


8. grow old with me

"It depends how you count it, yeah?" Taz said.

Dallu laughed. "Oh, yeah?"

"The actual ceremonies just made things official," she said. "But I figure we've been married a hell of a lot longer than five years."

"Mm," he said, shifting position so he could kiss her properly. "I'll accept that. And here's to many more."

"Absolutely, she said, then grinned, one of the half-feral ones she used to give before combat. "You're not gettin' rid of me that easy."

He laughed again, caught her in another kiss, and there were no more words for a while after that.


9. I dream about you

The date had caught Isshiri unawares--he'd somehow lost track, and spending the past several days and weeks explaining himself to Mother, Father, everyone...

He woke in the middle of the night on what should have been his and Telri's fifth anniversary and made his way over to the window, to stare out across the city to the starlit sands.

"I miss you," he whispered, and let the wind carry it away to her spirit.


10. you're my heart

Lonura could wish--well, she could wish a lot of things. It had been five years since she and Nolani had reconciled.

It had been nearly ten since their separation. When she thought about those years they had lost, her heart ached.

But Nolani was here with her now; they were side by side, hands and hearts entwined, sitting by the fountain where they had first met--gods, fifteen years ago now.

Whatever regrets she had, Lonura's life had led her to this moment. If going back meant losing that...

She could live with her regrets. She could not live without Nolani.