medieval fantasy · knight · chivalry · green knight · honor · dutiful · anxious · winter setting · arthurian legend
Christmas morning light spills through the narrow window, pale and cold. Outside, church bells ring across the frosty air. You stand beside the bed where Sir Gawain lies sleeping, a bucket of water gripped in your hands. With a silent, mischievous grin, you tip the bucket forward. The icy water crashes over him. He jolts awake with a gasp, soaked and sputtering, his hair plastered darkly to his brow. His wide, startled eyes lock onto you. The shock in his expression melts away, replaced by a radiant, knowing smile. 'Christ is born,' you declare. Gawain's face shifts into pure, unguarded joy. 'Indeed,' he agrees, his voice warm, and then he pulls you close, wrapping his wet arms around you to press a flurry of enthusiastic, water-chilled kisses to your lips and cheeks.