Ask Away From It All

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Cularin was an elusive planet - throughout its history it had slipped in and out of the radar, sometimes lost to knowledge for centuries at a time before emerging again. The most unique fact about the planet was how strong in the Force it was, and it was revitalizing to anyone that was Force sensitive. It was that much easier to wield it and understand it, and it was often used as a sanctuary for Jedi and perhaps even Sith at times. It made any Force user feel especially superhuman.

Sevrin had discovered it when he had been running his many padawan cohort programs across the galaxy. This was where he often escaped to hone himself in the Force, sometimes bringing particularly adept padawans. However, he never took the time to explore and simply enjoy the planet. He had arranged to meet with Amariel here, wanting to share more of himself with her.

The meeting point was at the foot of a path that led up towards cliffs, waterfalls and a valley below. It was far removed from the cityscapes of the Core and the arid wastelands of the outer rim planets or places where Jedi and Sith often quarreled.

He was adorned in a full sleeve shirt that was rolled up to his elbows, along with comfortable pants and boots. It was a change from his constant preference for wearing Jedi robes, but he wanted to set that aside for now. He carried a large backpack with him, his hair tied in a low ponytail.

While he waited for her, Sevrin double checked the route and path. He couldn’t deny how much he looked forward to this, a notion that was generally rare for the Sephi.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Much as the Arkanian offshoot loved being out in nature, she couldn't recall the last time she had gone hiking anywhere. She was pretty sure she didn't have anything that would have been up to those standards but had lucked out on finding suitable attire. Whenever she didn't want to be pursued by the media hounds of the galaxy, she often used the RangeMaster's quiet, under-the-radar subtleness to transport herself to private locations. As it was, she had earned enough time off to use her vacation days, and her protocol droid was set to intercept any messages her way unless they involved the viral research or crisis calls.

She was keenly curious about what Sevrin had in mind.

She made sure to land the ship some distance away and out of prying eyes. Once she came into view, she drank in the sight of him with the faintest smile on her lips. Seeing him dressed like that, without his robes, made this feel almost... ordinary, just two people out in nature. And after everything that had gone on in her life recently, she craved the ordinary.

Dressed in black cargo pants and a dark grey shirt, she had made sure to have a light jacket tied around her waist and comfortable boots, hair pulled back in a ponytail, a backpack also slung over her shoulders. Her mechanical arm glinted in the sun, unashamedly out in open view as she paced his way, then amber eyes following as far as they could up the path with lips faintly parted in surprise.

"...I think the last time I hiked, it was on a dare," she finally managed to say, but her lips twitched in a faint grin. "I don't do this for just anyone." However, even those that hadn't been around her could see she was wryly amused at the prospect. She loved being in nature and plants, but hiking was something different altogether. Still...

She couldn't deny thoroughly enjoying the warm sunlight, the light breeze, and the thrum of the Force deep in her bones. She felt taller, confident in this empty space, much unlike the last time she had been on Bal'Demnic, this was a place she almost felt that if she had a running start, she could fly. Cool eyes warmed, drinking in his features as she drew closer, brushing a stray strand of white away from her gaze.

"Ready when you are."

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin eyed her as she arrived, not even hiding the bit of elation he felt upon seeing her through their bond. He could sense her trepidation about hiking clearly, and it caused the hints of a smile to touch at his lips. He waited till she approached, taking in sight of her attire and backpack. She had clearly put in time to prepare for this.

“Don’t worry, it’s an easy hike. I wanted to make sure it could be something you could handle,” He shot back at her with a slightly smug look in his eyes. The path was mostly flat but had a few sections of inclines. Sevrin began to lead the way, taking a few steps that led up the forest path. It spiraled around a mountain and led through cliffs and ridges that offered magnificent views of waterfalls and the valleys below.

“I’m flattered you came,” Sevrin said in response to her earlier comment. However, he tilted his head slightly to look at her, silver gaze glinting against the sun as he did so, “But I’m not just anyone,” Sevrin gave a grin as he kept walking, taking them up a slight upward path.

“Do you feel it?” He asked, “The planet? It’s alive. The Force is exceptionally strong here. You will not tire as easily here.”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

At his comment of an easy hike, she gave a mock huff, quirking a brow at him. But amber eyes glinted once with answering humor; anyone else who would have teased her this way would have been given a reply of frosty disdain, but seeing the reserved, stoic Sevrin so animated melted any reserve she could have held. "Oh, thank you. No need to tire me out on the first courting day," came the dry reply, shrugging her bag higher up on her shoulders.

Her gaze panned out to the view spread before them in appreciation, pausing for a beat to savor the view... and then he turned, and the view got better. Warmth bloomed in her chest and stomach, and she chuckled once quietly, shaking her head. Almost out of his hearing range, she spoke up quietly, her voice almost carried away on the wind.

"No, you are certainly not just anyone."

She had never seen him like this. Even when sparring, there was some reserve there, some distance that was almost closed every time. Heat, bright and hot, would flare up now and then, but this was warm, the kind of warmth that would only grow if they both let it be. Still... when his eyes lit like that, she felt the urge to protect that smile, and the man with it, and pride.

At his question, her shoulders dropped, lips tilted into a faint smile as she regarded him, the easy way he moved and his voice carrying over. This place was special to him; she couldn't help but feel elation as well, a budding excitement rise within. "I felt it..." she replied, striding to keep up to his own long-legged pace. "And I felt you. It doesn't... hurt. This light." She still had many questions about the Force, but all her old fears and doubts began to melt the further they walked. It couldn't be so bad if it felt this soothing, could it?

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin kept his gaze fixed ahead at her quip about tiring her out on the first day, “No, just want to get you hot and sweaty like you got me on Sullust,” He remarked casually just as quickly while he kept walking. His delivery was always deadpan, which added a whole other layer to especially crude jokes that he rarely made.

He could sense her clearly through their bond here, and it was that much more reinforced given the Force presence around them. It was easier to smell, hear, feel and do everything with heightened perceptions on the planet.

The Sephi purposely went slower so his taller, longer strides didn’t take him too far ahead. He moved to her pace, looking over to the side to marvel at the view every now and then. Brightly colored birds soared by them, giant wingspans stretching out as they whizzed through the clouds.

He walked for a bit before he turned towards her with a quirked brow, “So are you going to finally admit that you came to Sullust at least partially for me?”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Amber eyes widened briefly at the quipped return, almost stumbling over a small stone in the path in her surprise. But she let out a huff of a laugh, shaking her head a moment in disbelief. She had never expected a joke in return, and this time, she allowed her gaze to rake up and down shamelessly while his back was turned. But still, there was heat that sparked in the base of her spine just remembering that night. Nothing had happened... but undeniably, things had changed. "Perhaps I just happen to like seeing you a little hot," she replied quietly in a similar deadpan voice, but there was no denying the hint of a smile at the end.

Still, silence descended between them for a moment, and she enjoyed looking at the trees, idly trying to think of their names, the colors of the birds, the air sweet in ways that no city nor ship could ever capture. Enjoying it so much, in fact, that she almost missed his question, and turned her head to look up at him. Setting her hands over her hips, she cocked her head up at him, lips quirking with the threat of a smile.

"Oh, I see. Torture the poor Doctor with physical strain, and then begin the interrogation?" However, amber eyes glinted in the sunlight, a faint rose flush already beginning to show on her cheeks and touching snow with healthy color. "I admit it," she finally spoke, once again eyes traveling over his features, drinking in. "I..."

Sudden hesitation on her own part made her look away, the mood evaporated. Running a hand over her forehead, she let out a low sigh, then glanced back up to him.

"I wanted to make sure you were all right. When you said that with the Bond, I might not have felt what I did before if anything happened... I just... wanted to make sure." The words came haltingly, and the flush grew. He would have felt a flurry of emotions, chastising herself for opening so, embarrassment at the words said aloud, but no shame. But as he was... there were tender feelings beneath that as well, and lingered in her words. She didn't know how he found a way into herself this easily, but she suspected it started the moment he came back on Nar Shaddaa with those disgusting noodles and a fist full of plas.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

He caught her almost stumbling, and he moved towards her but she caught herself. Sevrin said nothing in return to the quip shot right back at his own, though the amusement remained in his eyes. The hike was surprisingly easy, the path mostly flat as it spiraled around and cut through cliffs and past waterfalls.

Though it was lighthearted at first, he noticed her hesitation and looking away at his question. He was silent as he watched her, feeling hints of different kinds of emotions through the bond. Her answer surprised him as he considered the words. Having someone worry about him was a foreign concept. He had been given many lectures on how fretting over others could lead to the dark side, but it was such a fundamental humanoid emotion. Wasn’t pretending to have none of those emotions just as detrimental? He contemplated the flurry of emotions that came over through the bond, and he couldn't deny he was just as guilty.

Sevrin walked in silence for a few moments before he spoke, “Didn’t you see those overplayed videos of me chopping off that Sith Lord's legs?" He asked he referred to the repeatedly played footage of the blurred version of him against the Sith Lord. Though most in the galaxy wouldn’t recognize him, he wondered if she had known that was him,"And you saw an infected throw me through a wall. I can take a beating and live to tell the tale."

The Sephi took a few steps closer and casually grasped her hand with his, feeling the frosty digits in between his warm ones. He pointedly looked ahead as he kept walking, “I saw you almost stumble and eat rock just earlier. Only making sure you don’t fall,” He said casually.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

At his question, she glanced back up, and she quirked a brow, unseen, at his back. "Oh, so that was you, then? I figured it was some stubborn, meddlesome Jedi," she answered casually, but... his words worked. A faint smile twitched on her lips again, and she regarded him for another moment. "I think that was also how you wound up on my examination table the first time," she couldn't help adding. Not to mention the Wookie bed...

She had looked away again, arrested by the untouched beauty surrounding them. Nothing fired down from above, no insurgents or toxic fumes. No patients, berth after berth. Just them.

At the warm touch, she glanced over, noting how he kept his gaze ahead, and his excuse. A touch of softness came into her expression then, and she gave a light brush of her thumb over the back of his knuckles, before also putting her gaze ahead. "Thank you. I know you won't let me fall." However... the further they progressed, the more her shoulders relaxed, the barriers lowered. She could enjoy the silence, and the solitude, in peace. And no wonder he enjoyed it. It seemed to suit him.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

There was the subtlest tilt of his chin down to glance at where their hands met when she brushed her thumb against his skin. He said nothing about it, the corners of his lips twitching towards a smile at her words. Sevrin felt entirely at ease doing this and grasping her cool hand that was rapidly warming up from his touch.

He slowed his pace to lead her through the path, helping her up towards any ledges that needed to be climbed. They walked for a bit before arriving at an overlook. They were rewarded with the view of the valley below that stretched out for miles. There was nothing but green everywhere with a wide river cutting through the lands below.

Sevrin walked to the edge and took a seat, casually dangling his legs over the edge. He set his backpack down and got comfortable before suddenly remembering that Amariel had been very uncomfortable with heights back on Nar Shaddaa. He suddenly wondered if any of this was a great idea. The Sephi looked back at her from where he sat.

“Want to try sitting here?” He extended his hand to her to let her attempt. She didn’t need the bond to understand, only the ironclad reassurance in his silver eyes. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She had been careful of trying to not think about the height they might have gained traveling up, or the distance she could fall if something happened. It had been easier, holding his hand, but at the view of the valley, she paused for a moment, eyes wide at the expanse. In the distance, water rumbled as waterfalls churned the river that ribboned through, and for a moment, she forgot fear.

Until she saw him shifting to sit towards the ledge, and she felt as though a rock settled in the pit of her stomach. Her palms tingled and she shivered slightly, now aware of the height, the breeze a bit too chilly on her skin. It wasn't very high, but then he turned to look at her.

The iron bands of fear around her chest and throat began to loosen a bit, and looking into silver eyes, she gave only a subtle nod. Forcing herself to take in a breath, she set down her bag and gingerly made her way over, and she could feel her heart pounding in her throat. She couldn't look yet at the ledge but sank down to edge over, feeling where the ledge was with her boots until she hooked her legs over the edge like him, gripping his hand. The breeze picked up, and for a beat she squeezed her eyes shut, exhaling shakily.

"Just give me a moment to adjust," she muttered through a stiff jaw. But slowly her eyes opened, and she gripped down into stone with her cybernetic hand, staring down the valley, sparks of curiosity, delight, and an edge of fear flaring brightly to life from the Arkanian offshoot.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin could tell this was terrifying for her and he almost rose up to drop the idea. However, she made her way over towards him, taking his hand and coming over to the edge. He had to keep his poker face on, but he couldn’t help but feel the desire to smile when he saw her like this. Once she sat down and got a little more comfortable, he released her hand only to quickly wrap an arm around her torso and pull her close next to him.

The Sephi gazed out ahead, looking out towards the sun behind the clouds and the rays bathing the valley below. There were no sounds of industry, no whizzing of machinery, only the gentle sounds of birds and animals in the distance.

“You rush into war torn planets and AMS infected worlds, but this scares you?” He asked with amusement clear in his tone. He turned his head to look at her with an almost teasing look on his face. However, he realized she was much closer to him now, closer than they had been before. Bits of sunlight glinted in his silver eyes, reflecting the vibrant yellow as if off a glassy mirrored surface. He looked into her eyes, the molten ambers that always carried a challenge as much as they carried traces of warmth.

“I suppose I didn’t need to come all the way up here to gaze upon beauty…” He murmured quietly, a smile touching his lips.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Her stomach clenched when he let go of her hand, only to clench in surprise when he brought her closer. Normally, she would have relaxed, warmed into the one-armed embrace, but it was taking all of her concentration to keep her breathing normal and her heartbeat slow. Everything was amplified here in the thrum of the Force; his own emotions, echoing both through empathic ability and the Bond, were greater.

However, equally was the edge of her panic, mingling with warmth, curiosity, and desire. Silver eyes glinted with hints of gold like mirrors in the sun, dark hair a catalyst to their warmth. At his amused question, she swallowed once, brows lowering as she flushed, but not breaking her gaze. It was easier to focus on him, rather than the valley.

"...Yes. I'm terrified." The whisper was small, thin, spoken through a clenched jaw. Amariel knew she could trust him, but this fear was ingrained, deep enough to affect her physically even in elevators. The fact that she could even approach a ledge spoke volumes. A strange feeling pierced into her chest, looking up at him, seeing him so... at ease.

Her hand lifted, hovering at first, before settling on the one he had on her waist. Lips pulled into a slight smile at his words, and a light huff slipped past her lips at the words. From anyone else, they would have seemed a bit corny, but she could feel the sincerity of his words, and just for a moment, a consideration flitted through her mind.

I would have kissed him now, if he wasn't so precious to me.

The smile grew, and instead, she gave a light squeeze over his hand, her voice slightly breathless.

"Flatterer."

But stalling would only prolong the panic. This place was valuable to him; she would try hard to enjoy it as well. So she pulled her gaze from his, and the hand over his trembled. But...

Her head settled against his shoulder and chest, and amber eyes faced the height and expanse, heart thudding painfully in her chest. Memories threatened to crowd up dizzily, but... it really was beautiful. She began breathing through her panic, and not for the first time, she felt light, like she could fly with the slightest breeze.

And so she held on to him.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin gazed at her for a moment longer, both of them having similar thoughts.

‘I guess I am too,’ His thoughts echoed in his mind to her confession of being terrified, but the words weren’t spoken aloud.

“Honest,” He stated flatly in response to her quip about being a flatterer. There was no smile on his face when he said it, some of his very firm and sure demeanor coming through. Sevrin gazed back ahead for a moment, taking in the sights. He glanced down and saw many mountain ridges and plateaus that led towards a waterfall and a pool below.

Sevrin glanced back at Amariel, quirking an eyebrow, “You feel brave enough to let me be your repulsorlift again?” He jutted his chin towards the waterfall in the distance. It would mean starting with a straight drop below and then skipping through the ridges. The Force was strong on this planet and was that much easier to wield. With very little exertion, the use was far more enhanced.

The Sephi rose to stand, offering her a hand up. He would move based on her answer, a fire glinting in his eyes at the prospect.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

There was a time, not too long ago, she would have bristled at his surety, finding it to be arrogance or pride. In those days, all the Force users seemed smug in their surety, full of the answers she was dying to have. But situations changed. She had begun to change, slowly but surely. It wasn't simply by his influence, but he was a cause.

The symptoms she felt weren't like any she felt before. Lightness and heaviness, wanting to close distance yet stay apart. A curious warmth sparked in her chest, that almost threatened to melt even any reserves she might have had. The instinctual urge to draw away was fading. Did he know what he was doing to her?

At his words, her mind blanked for a moment. Surely he didn't mean...?

Her throat dried at the prospect. The last time they had jumped anywhere, she was left weak and shaking. But the fire in his eyes.... Trust.

She looked up at him, at his hand, and took it, gripping firmly. An answering heat glowed in amber eyes, almost sparking. Sunset and sparks, as she reached up, an arm around his neck. Her pulse thundered in her throat, but she managed a smile. She had to trust.

"Yes."

With him, perhaps, she could be brave enough to face even heights.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin gazed down at her as they stood. He could sense her hesitation, but he was visibly thrilled to have her agree. He felt her wrap an arm around his neck, and he hunched a bit to allow it. Silver gaze flicked down briefly before he took her other hand and also put it around his neck. His own hands traveled down to her waist to loosely wrap around it as if they were dancers.

“Just look at me,” He said quietly as his gaze met hers. He kept their eyes locked as he took a step back and then another. His grip on her tightened but he held her gaze. A smile began to touch his lips right as he stepped off the edge.

The world appeared to melt around them as they free fell from the edge of where they stood. The winds rushed past their faces, their clothing flapped in the air and the scenery blurred all around. And yet Sevrin’s gaze remained fixed and firm, his arms wrapped snugly around her.

The feeling of weightlessness was there and it was exhilarating as they fell from the height they had hiked. Through the fall, she would feel nothing but a sense of calm from him through their bond. Even during all this, his mind was a placid lake, and he was as unwavering as always.

As they got closer to the first ridge, the Force enveloped them both to drastically slow their descent. For a while it felt as if they were simply floating, serenely lowering down. Sevrin’s gaze never left hers even as they finally touched down on the ground.

The Sephi grinned as he looked at her, “Was that so bad?”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The touch of his hands around her waist sent sparks through her skin, and her arms tightened their hold briefly as heat surged to life at the small of her back, flickering in amber eyes. She met his gaze evenly, and though she trembled as he took a step back--

She could feel the calm, the ease he exuded doing this. She could feel her heartbeat pound hard in her chest, no doubt hard enough for him to feel, but yet, there was exhilaration, but through it all, there seemed to be something else that flared to life, something that she had refused to acknowledge until meeting his eyes once more.

Affection.

It was not overtly warm or sweet like what others would have felt, but deep, calm, abiding. She trusted him enough, and for a moment, only a moment, did it rush in to meet the calmness before she could really stop it. There were wants, desires, but she had slowly shut the door once more, to honor him properly. He wanted to court her, she would do her best not to rush anything. But it glowed, and it was only when she registered he asked something, that she managed to exhale shakily.

"I could get used to this," she replied softly, gaze trailing over his features once again. She knew perhaps she ought to let go, but she was reluctant to, instead standing up slightly on the balls of her feet to remain close. "Did we make it all the way there? In just one jump?"

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin had felt a rush of emotions that came through the bond. He had expected the fear, the trepidation, the struggles of trusting. However, he hadn’t expected the tender emotions that also came through. It washed over him like a cool rain on a hot day, and it bathed him in warmth at the same time. He felt it until she abruptly closed herself off, and he knew she realized what she had been doing.

The Sephi gazed down at her, his arms also not releasing her even though he had no reason to hold her still. She didn’t step away from him, and he barely registered her words when she spoke. They stood atop a mountain ridge, the sun between two tall mountains in the back as the rays washed over them both. The waterfall was slightly ahead of them, the roaring sounds of water drowning out the calls of animals.

Sevrin stared at her quietly, unable to form an answer to her question. He could only focus on the way her eyes burned and reflected the light igniting them. He could only focus on how small she felt in his arms, and how she leaned up towards him. He could only focus on how she had begun to trust him in every way she knew how, and how that had extended deep into her psyche and combating Ilana.

Thoughts of Nar Shaddaa briefly crossed him, but he didn’t see the same woman here that he had back then. She had surrendered herself to judgement and atonement no matter what it took. Sevrin blinked down at her, thinking of all his past teachings, how he was raised, all the noble rules he had followed, all the formal etiquettes and best practices. And he also thought of what he had been wanting to do for some time.

“You may slap me for doing this if you wish,” He stated quite matter of factly before he tilted his head, leaned in and captured her lips with his own.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

There was the worry of having pushed too much; she had let her guard down, unveiling things that might have been too soon to lift, holding on when she should have let go. When he didn't answer, she wondered if she was pushing her luck, holding on for this long. She hadn't noticed anything else as he just looked down at her, and she took in his features as the rest of the world blurred out of focus.

She knew she should have moved her arms, but anticipation kept them there. Some shift in his expression kept her still, and she was aware of the warmth of his arms wrapped around her, and how the silvers of his eyes gleamed in a silver flash, keeping her in place.

At his words, she tensed, preparing him to do something like toss her into the river or take another jump.

Instead, at his sudden shift forward she let out a quiet gasp, amber eyes wide as his lips reached hers.

Her breath caught in her chest, eyes wide as warmth roared to life, from her lips, her chest, a catalyst to what she had been trying to deny since Sullust. And then she leaned up, pulling him closer to her, pressing back against him as other emotions flared to life. A calling to him, a yearning through the Force that sang like a bow to strings. More than lust or craving, but an emotion she could never name before, reaching out to him. A vulnerability, to let him feel as she felt, and vice versa.

It was when she had to part for breath that her eyes snapped open, and she pulled back slightly, pressing a palm to his chest again. "Wait," she muttered, gaze lowering.

"Why would I slap you?" Genuine puzzlement touched her gaze, and the other hand slipped free, lightly touching his jaw. A light caress as she began to lean up again. "I've told you already, I want you. All of you, Sevrin." She was tired of the games, the distance. He had crossed it himself, and she would meet him halfway again, this time leaning up, kissing him in return.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin wasn’t known to be impulsive outside of his activities as a Jedi Shadow. Even then, he tempered everything and executed on a well thought out plan. All of that went out the window when he leaned in to kiss her. He forgot the wars of the Jedi and Sith, he forgot the weight on his shoulders about going behind enemy lines, he forgot the burdens he carried to shield the Order from chaos. There was only Amariel, only the sounds of the waves, only the taste of her lips.

Passions wove with tenderness, and they would both feel it through the bond. Sevrin’s grasp on her tightened as he hunched down towards the kiss. His hand gently slid up her back, flames igniting from such a simple gesture. He was sure she could hear his heart thundering against his chest, protesting against the confines of his ribs.

She drew back and he blinked at her, wonder in his eyes. When she spoke, Sevrin blinked a few more times before his face broke out into a grin. There was the slightest flush on his face.

“Because I’m not being proper-”

He didn’t get to give his very long and dull explanation as she mercifully cut him off with another kiss. Sevrin obliged all too happily, streaks of desire cutting into the way he kissed her as he gently bit down on her lip. He pulled away eventually, staring down at her.

“I’m glad you came,” He murmured softly, “It is not my nature to….yearn for the company of others like I do yours,” Sevrin glanced down, a slightly sheepish look on his face, “I prefer solitude. But with you, I can...simply exist and not be forced to play a role,” He reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, “I wanted to bring you here to let you get away from everything. To take away the weariness from your eyes even if just for a moment.”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Desire sparked bright and hot from within, almost driving her without conscious thought, letting out a quiet breath as the warmth of his touch ran up her spine, warming her from within. It felt like being adrift for weeks and suddenly given fresh air. There was just the two of them, and time blurred. She had wanted this, to taste and feel him against her, that it happening almost seemed impossible. How had he gotten through to her so quickly?

She didn't understand this brightness in her chest, intense enough that she was sure he could see it glowing through her skin, her eyes.

When he parted again, she stared up at him wordlessly, marking his expressions, his voice. And when his hand brushed her hair away, she did something impulsive. She caught it, and pressed a kiss against his palm, looking up into his gaze with heat warming her own ambers. She could feel a flush rising up, and sudden shyness making her wordless.

For her. This was all for her. Her eyes closed for a moment, and she rested her cheek against his palm. What could someone say when the one that haunted your thoughts spoke with such truth and conviction?

When she opened her eyes again, a warm smile touched her lips, and she hummed once, eyes glinting. "We all have roles to play..." she murmured, lowering her palms to slide against his waist, keeping him close. "but around you, because of you, I remember who I am. You are one of the reasons I fight in what few ways I can." Her lips then pressed against his own once more, but then brushed against his jaw, then his throat, light caresses, one hand slipping free to cup his cheek in a light touch, to hold him close.

She wanted to keep him close, to feel him around her. Her voice murmured against his skin, light, almost hesitant. This was intoxicating; desire, want, hope, even an edge of fear, tempered with elation. She wished time could still.

@Sreeya