Hey hope yall enjoy this chapter I think I handled it well.
**light mature content at the end is marked** (just kissing)
Chapter 69: Curious kids and Picknics
Rimuri finally calmed down after the kids stopped teasing her. Her face was still faintly pink, but the embarrassed flailing had stopped. She was still holding Varion's hand tightly, like she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.
She looked up at him, then glanced at the children who were still watching them with far too much interest. After a moment, she cleared her throat and spoke.
"Alright," she said, voice steady again. "Since Varion is here… how about we do something nice and fun today?"
The kids perked up immediately.
"I was thinking we could have a picnic," Rimuri continued. "Somewhere with a good view. It's been a while since we did something like that."
Kenya grinned. "Can we go to that hill again? The one that looks over the whole city?"
Rimuri nodded. "Sure. But we're not walking this time."
She looked at Varion with a small, slightly mischievous smile.
"Varion can open one of his gates for us."
The kids' eyes widened with curiosity and looked at him expectantly.
Varion raised an eyebrow at her but didn't argue. He stepped forward and raised his hand. Silver threads of light unfolded in the air in front of them, forming a clean, stable gate. The other side showed a grassy hilltop with a perfect view of Englasia spread out below.
The kids immediately started chattering excitedly as they stepped through one by one. Rimuri went last with Varion, still holding his hand.
The picnic was simple, just some sandwiches and fruit Rimuri had bought earlier, plus a few sweets she had hidden away. They spread a blanket out on the grass and sat together under the late afternoon sun.
At first the kids were a little shy around Varion, but it didn't last long.
Kenya was the first to break the ice.
"So… how strong are you actually?" he asked bluntly, mouth full of sandwich. "Teacher Rimuri said you're really strong, but she always says that about people she likes."
Ryota elbowed him. "Don't be rude."
Varion just chuckled. "Strong enough," he answered simply.
"That's not an answer!" Kenya complained.
Alice leaned forward curiously. "Are you stronger than Teacher Rimuri?"
Varion glanced at Rimuri, who was trying (and failing) to hide her smile behind a piece of fruit.
"Hmmmm…Probably," he said honestly.
Rimuri kicked his leg lightly showing her displeasure.
The kids continued asking questions, what kind of magic he used, if he had fought any strong monsters, had he saved any villages or city's. Varion answered most of them calmly, keeping things light.
Then Chloe, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.
She was staring at the back of his right hand.
"…What's that?" she asked softly, pointing.
Varion looked down. The golden FairyTail guild mark stood out clearly against his skin.
He was quiet for a moment. His fingers went to and traced the edges of the mark almost unconsciously. A soft, warm smile slowly spread across his face, not quite sad, but full of quiet longing.
Chloe immediately looked worried, like she had asked something she shouldn't have.
Varion noticed and shook his head gently.
"It's alright," he said. "This… is my guild mark."
He looked at the symbol for another second before continuing.
"It's the mark of my family. The people who took me in when I needed it most even when I didn't quite realize it yet. They gave me a home when I didn't have one. They're… important to me. More than I can really explain."
Chloe's eyes were wide. The other kids had gone quiet too.
Varion looked at them all.
"I'm an otherworlder," he said simply. "Just like all of you."
The reaction was immediate.
Kenya's jaw dropped. "Wait— really?!"
Ryota leaned forward. "You too?"
Alice looked stunned. "But you seem so… normal."
Even Gail looked surprised.
Varion nodded. "I miss them. A lot. But I'm not giving up. I'll find a way back to them eventually."
Chloe's expression crumpled. Small tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. She looked like she wanted to cry having asked a question like that thinking she made him sad.
Varion reached over and gently ruffled her hair.
"Hey," he said softly. "It's okay."
Chloe sniffled and looked up at him.
Varion smiled at her.
"In my guild, we have a saying. And a gesture that goes with it."
He raised his hand with his mark on it, pointing one finger at the sky with his thumb out.👆
"I may not be able to see you," he said quietly. "There may be hundreds of miles between us. But I'll always be looking your way. I'll be watching over you forever. I promise."
A single tear slipped down his cheek before he quickly wiped it away.
He lowered his hand and looked at the kids.
"That's what this gesture means. It carries all of that in one single gesture. It means even if we're separated they'll always be looking my way."
The children were staring at him in complete awe. None of them more than Chloe. She looked completely captivated, like the idea of a guild that treated each other like family had struck something deep inside her.
Varion smiled down at them.
"When I'm able to go home," he said, "I promise I'll bring all of you there. I'll introduce you. You'll love it, I'm sure of it."
The kids erupted with excitement.
"Really?!" Kenya shouted.
"You mean it?!" Alice asked, eyes sparkling.
Varion nodded. "I mean it."
He glanced to the side and caught Rimuri watching him. She had a soft, warm smile on her face. When their eyes met, she leaned in slightly and whispered near his ear.
"They're warming up to you way faster than they did to me," she said, voice teasing but gentle. She gave him a tiny shove with her shoulder. "So unfair."
Varion chuckled quietly and bumped her shoulder back.
By the time they returned to the academy, the sun was starting to set. Rimuri sent the kids off to get ready for bed with the promise of another lesson tomorrow. They went without too much complaining, still buzzing from the promise of visiting another world one day.
Once the last of them disappeared down the hall, Rimuri turned to Varion. She took his hand again, fingers lacing through his, and started walking toward the private room she had been given at the academy.
She didn't say anything at first.
But every few steps, she would glance back at him.
The looks were small at first, a quick peek over her shoulder, a faint smile. Then they became more obvious. Longer. Her golden eyes lingered on him, warm and a little shy, but there was clear intent behind them.
Varion felt his lips curve into a slow smirk as he finally got the hint.
**light mature content***
Rimuri's hand tightened around his as they reached her door. She pushed it open and pulled him inside without a word. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, she turned around and pressed herself against his chest, arms wrapping around his waist.
She had been patient all day.
But they had been apart for a whole month.
And right now, she clearly didn't want to be patient anymore.
Varion's smirk softened into something warmer as he wrapped his arms around her in return, one hand sliding up to gently cup the back of her head.
Neither of them spoke.
They leaned in and started kissing heatedly
The room was quiet except for the sound of their breathing and the occasional soft noise that escaped Rimuri's lips as Varion kissed her.
She had missed this.
Missed him.
Her hands moved restlessly over his back and shoulders, like she needed to relearn the shape of him after being apart for so long. Varion let her explore for a while before he took control, gently walking her backward until her legs hit the edge of the bed.
He lowered her onto it carefully, following her down. Rimuri pulled him closer immediately, legs parting so he could settle between them. Her kisses were hungry but still a little shy, like she wanted more but wasn't quite sure how to ask for it yet.
Varion didn't rush her.
He kissed her slowly, deeply, one hand braced beside her head while the other slid under her shirt to rest against the warmth of her waist. Rimuri shivered under his touch and made a small, needy sound against his mouth.
"Varion…" she whispered when he finally pulled back enough for them both to breathe.
He looked down at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and her eyes were dark with want.
"I missed you," she said again, quieter this time. "A lot."
Varion leaned down and kissed her again, slower this time.
"I missed you too," he murmured against her lips.