The wind continued to drift gently across the mountain peak, carrying with it a quiet calm that neither of them seemed eager to break.

Orianna remained leaned back slightly on one arm, her posture far more relaxed than anything the capital had ever seen from her.

The tension that usually lived in her shoulders, sharp, ready, unyielding, had eased, replaced with something softer.

She was i the most relaxed environment ever, with someone who she truly trusted and wanted to spend a-lot of time with. Occasionally, she’d steal glances at Jax, admiring his handsome looks, or his calm confidence and smile to herself.

She wanted to get closer, as close as someone like her could get to him.

Jax watched her for a moment as she absentmindedly picked at another piece of food, her attention split between the view and the taste.

"...You’re different like this," Jax said, as he took another bite of food for himself, leaning back and enjoying the amazing view.

Orianna glanced at him, raising an eyebrow as she heard what he said, wondering what that meant, "Oh?"

"Yeah," Jax said as he leaned back slightly himself, one arm resting behind him as he looked at her more openly.

"You’re cuter this way, it’s actually quite jarring having known you only from mostly official meetings," Jax said.

The Dragoness snorted softly at that, though internally she was giggling like a girl that had been complimented from her crush.

"...Don’t get used to it, Jax," Orianna said.

"Wouldn’t dream of it." Jax said, and a faint smirk touched her lips again before she looked back out toward the horizon.

"...Still," she admitted after a moment, "this is nice."

Jax nodded.

"Yeah."

There was a brief pause before Orianna spoke again, her tone shifting slightly, more thoughtful now.

"...The Demon Kingdom has really changed a-lot since you appeared and even the capital has changed a lot since it was completed not long ago, constant improvements,"

Jax glanced at her, "Yeah, both of them have,"

Orianna exhaled slowly, her gaze distant as if she could still see it from here, "Not only are the Demon Forces just stronger on average, but it’s also more efficient,"

Jax nodded as he heard that, "Yeah,"

"It also feels more alive and connected," Orianna said, continuing with a steady and quiet voice, quieter than usual for her.

"Before you appeared, the entirety of Demon-kind felt like it was just barely holding together. The various clans were all soo disconnected, everything felt clausterphobic with the heroes constantly on the offensive. Everything was about survival,"

Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of her dress before relaxing again, "But now..."

She paused.

"...There’s structure and direction."

Her eyes flickered toward him, "Confidence, in ourselves and in you to lead us to even more success in the future,"

Jax didn’t interrupt, letting Orianna continue to speak while he just listened closely.

"The soldiers aren’t just fighting anymore," she went on, "They have time to live their own lives, their quality of life is better than before, and everything is just moving smoothly."

A small, almost imperceptible smile formed on her lips, "Most importantly, they believe in something now."

Jax’s gaze softened just slightly, "...Good."

Orianna studied him for a moment.

"...That’s your doing."

Jax shrugged lightly.

"Not just me."

"Don’t downplay it," she said immediately, her tone sharpening just a bit, not aggressive, but firm.

"You set the foundation."

Her eyes locked onto his.

"You brought in structure. Alliances. Systems."

She gestured vaguely, as if encompassing everything.

"...You gave this kingdom direction."

There was a brief silence.

The wind passed between them again, softer now.

Jax looked out across the clouds.

"...It needed it."

Orianna tilted her head slightly.

"And you delivered."

He didn’t respond to that directly.

Instead, he picked up another piece of food, taking a bite before speaking again.

"...You’re doing your part too."

She blinked.

"...What?"

"The military," he said simply. "That’s you."

Orianna huffed lightly.

"...Of course it is."

Jax smirked faintly.

"I’m serious."

She paused.

Then—

"...I know."

A small silence followed. Just two people acknowledging each other.

Orianna shifted slightly, turning her body a bit more toward him.

"...I like it," she admitted.

Jax glanced at her.

"The changes?"

She nodded.

"...Yeah."

Her gaze softened again, though her intensity never fully disappeared.

"It feels like we’re building something real."

Jax’s smirk returned faintly.

"We are."

She studied him for a moment.

"...You’re not just trying to win."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"You’re trying to create something," she said.

Jax didn’t answer immediately.

But the look in his eyes was enough.

Orianna let out a quiet breath.

"...Yeah."

She leaned back again, resting her weight more comfortably against the cushion.

"...I’m glad you’re the one leading this. When we learned the Goddess’ were summoning someone, there was a-lot of fear and worry the one summoned wouldn’t be correct for us,"

Jax glanced at her again, his expression softer than before.

"...Yeah?"

She met his gaze, "...Yeah, but now we know you’re perfect,"

The wind picked up slightly, causing her hair to shift, strands of her rainbow-colored locks catching the light as they moved.

Jax watched it for a moment and then moved, with Orianna noticing it immediately. Her eyes flickered toward him, her body instinctively tensing for half a second, not in defense, but in awareness.

Jax leaned in slightly, close enough now that the space between them felt... intentional, but Orianna didn’t move away or pull back, just staring at him. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"...What?" she murmured quietly.

Jax smirked faintly.

"Nothing."

Then, Jax closed the distance. His hand came up gently, resting against her cheek, not forceful, not dominant, just steady.

And he kissed her.

Orianna froze just for a moment and then leaned into it. Her hand came up, resting lightly against his arm as she returned the kiss without hesitation.

The world around them faded.

No war, no kingdom or responsibilities.

Just that moment, the wind and sky around them, and the quiet connection between them.

When they finally pulled apart, that attraction lingered. Their foreheads nearly touching.

Orianna exhaled softly, her eyes still locked onto his.

"...Took you long enough," she muttered.

Jax chuckled quietly.

"Worth the wait?"

A faint, satisfied smirk formed on her lips.

"...Yeah."