The Sparks Between You And Me

The dark sapphire sky was brightly lit from its many constellations. Vann walked calmly by himself in the forest. Even though he could feel animals possibly watching him, he wasn't scared. The feeling that encompassed his entire being was want. As he moved forward minutes passed, he noticed the ground ahead had light shed on it. The shadows that creeped all around were no match for this warm glow. Vann stepped toward the light.

Igna's handiwork. With a big grin spreading across his face, Vann studied it all. Two large treated stumps were next to the campfire. Behind the carefully placed seats was a mahogany canvas tent. Vann closed his eyes and breathed in slowly. The aroma coming from the tent was a combination of freshly baked goods and slight incense.

"Anyone home?" Vann said.

No reply except for the occasional crackling from the fire. He blinked and scanned the area over. Spotting countless golden-brown leaves revealed by the firelight, Vann tiptoed up to the tent. His footsteps crunched over the ground.

The tent flap rolled up. Igna's dimples appeared as she grinned.

"Good day Vann!"

Clearing his throat carefully, he smiled back. He could feel the middle of his back dampen with sweat.

Igna raised an eyebrow at him before squinting for a moment.

"Are you feeling alright? Do you need to use the privy?"

He shook his head after a long pause.

"Are you sure?"

Vann nodded. "I'm just excited, for my days off."

Igna squinted at him again, this time staring. After a second her face returned to its usual shimmer.

"Remember what you said?" She blinked slowly at him.

Vann raised his eyebrows. "I promised I would dance with you when I returned."

Her smile grew wider. "I'll try not step on you."

"You won't- maybe we can wait a little while? I'm tired from... the journey home."

Her face ignited with a profound leer into his. "You don't want to, dance with me Vann?"

Vann sighed quickly. "It's not that, I DO want to dance with you-

Her face went blank. "But you're tired?"

Vann left his mouth agape for a moment. His words would not come out. After staring at each other for a minute, Igna turned toward the fire. The sparks were plenty, and the wood cracked beneath it.

"Why? I'm not going to judge you Vann. I don't know how to dance at all."

His eyes opened fully at her. "Igna."

She jerked her head around and stared at him.

"I'm sorry. I don't know how to dance."

Igna widened her eyes for a bit. "Really?"

"That's..." He released a slow heavy breath. "The truth."

She chuckled and shook her head. "Vann."

He looked at his feet. "Come on, don't make fun of me."

"I'm not. I'm a little caught off guard."

Vann rolled his eyes halfheartedly. "I knew you'd react like this."

Igna shook her head firmly. "No. I'm surprised you are worried this much. You faced many challenges and opponents. This shouldn't be more difficult than that."

Vann looked up and into her eyes. "I wanted to show you... I could be more than just a dull swordfighter.

Igna lowered her eyelids and sank her neck to the side. "Come here."

Sighing lightly, Vann walked up to her.

Fireflies and a few waterbirds hovered and played near the firepit. The feathers of the waterbirds were droplets of clear dark blue liquid. Some drops sputtered above the flames, sizzling instantly.

"These creatures won't mind the free entertainment, don't you agree?" Igna blinked at Vann.

"I, don't want to hurt you by accident-

"Vannlin. It's alright. We can do it slowly, and carefully. Does that work for you?"

Vann nodded.

The two of them walked toward the tent entrance, where Igna placed her hands near a cold torch. The flames formed a couple inches from her palm. Vann watched silently and didn't turn away. Seeing the heat emit from her hands gave him a strange comfort.

"There. You ready?" Igna blinked at him.

Vann nodded and smiled nervously. They both stared at each other while their hands touched. One of the waterbirds flew above them. Water sprinkled down on them, but neither minded. It felt refreshing after being overheated earlier.

"I won't burn you." Igna snuggled closer to him.

They burst into laughter, both their faces glowing from the firepit. Vann looked away for a second. He looked back at her after a moment.

"Come on, you slaughtered how many of those demons, and this is what stumps you?"

"I've never attempted it, no one in my family never held a sword."

"Vann." She closed her eyes and gently rest her forehead against his. "Close your eyes too."

Vann shut his eyelids. His face became more red the longer they stayed together. Igna opened her eyes.

"I've been practicing. I'm getting better at making sure I don't burn any organic matter."

"That melts all my worries away." Vann half-smirked.

Igna leered Vann's hair tie. It was keeping his frilly bun intact. As she crinkled her nose the hair tie burst into flame, vanquishing into nothing.

"Did you feel that?"

He widened his eyes and blinked rapidly. "Nothing." His smile returned. They giggled in unison and slowly moved in a clockwise rotation. Their fingers intertwined, nearly crisscrossing. Sparks formed around them but Vann's skin wasn't irritated. After studying the small flame wisps around them, he smiled and nodded at her. The tiny orbs of hovering light fused together and grew. A wall of flame was formed around them, only above remained open. Their feet were engulfed completely but they didn't feel any of it. They pressed their foreheads close once again. Their hearts both hammering against their chests.

"Won't you harm the trees and-"

"No. I have complete control."

Vann shook his head and sighed. "I trust you."

They pressed their faces together. Their lips clinging together finally. A large spark blew up from beneath them. It covered their bodies and rose toward the sky.

"Igna!" Vann scrunched his eyes shut.

Once the brightness dimmed until it was all dark, Vann opened his eyes. Blinking with an open mouth, all around them, the tent and campfire were unscathed. Vann sighed quickly and looked ahead. Igna quickly detached her fingers from him and covered her chest. They were both unharmed by the fire, but their clothes were destroyed entirely.

"Sorry Vann."