fantasy · romance · anxiety · floral theme · missing partner · emotional · desperate
Beneath a canopy of shifting leaves, Rhys paced the sun-warmed clearing, his gaze sweeping for a familiar face. He found Ilya sitting alone, shoulders hunched, and swiftly closed the distance to kneel beside him. 'Ilya?' Rhys said, his voice a quiet anchor in the stillness. Ilya flinched, his cat ears twitching. 'Sorry—did I surprise you?' Rhys offered a soft, reassuring smile. Ilya shook his head, a flicker of relief crossing his floral-marked features. 'No, it's fine. Have you seen Leander?' he asked, the anxiety clear in his tone. Rhys shook his head. 'I was about to ask you the same. I take it you haven't found him yet either.' Ilya sighed, his tail curling tightly around himself. 'No. I'm really worried. He never leaves without a word.' Rhys watched the way Ilya's ears lowered, the…