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+---- Thread: achingly bright too (/showthread.php?tid=10225)
RE: achingly bright too - Lena - 11-11-2024
Lena took no issue in expressing her affections for anything – perhaps, realizing after so long that there’d been no reason to hide or tuck them away. She’d done the same with everything and everyone else; Zavien shouldn’t have been any different. She did roll her eyes at the initial sentiments thereafter, wrinkling her nose at the taunt. Her gaze softened at the other notions though; because while she’d always strived to do things for the greater good, she’d never wondered or thought about the overall impact. Her selflessness was put out into the world, and she tried to mend, soothe, and tend to things as best she could. Sometimes it mattered. Sometimes it didn’t.
Laughing away the trickle of tears threatening to brim over her eyes, she opted to nod instead, holding out a single pinky finger in reels of a promise, hoping he’d snag it with his own. [say]“Of course.”[/say] Because they could make it better together; and with their assertions of determination paired with Koa and anyone else willing to join them in their quiet subversions, maybe something could truly break apart.
But as he was leaning in, Lena truly had forgotten about the marshmallows and the cookies, finding herself studying his long eyelashes, his mouth, his gaze; no longer quite forming coherent thoughts about children’s observations or whether monsters would revere the contrasts. She could hear the whisper over the crackling logs and the surefire embers, the inquiry soft but laced and lanced with something much more enticing. She probably would’ve consented without the question, just falling right into the rabbit hole, leaning to meet him halfway. [say]“Yes,”[/say] came on a breathless whim, a wholesome sigh; wondering if she should just do it herself and snag at him wholly – no waiting.
RE: achingly bright too - Zavien - 11-11-2024
The offered pinky just added to the feeling of lofty hopes and dreams, like children promising something as simple as 'to always be best friends forever.' It made Zavien smile, more than happy to live in the simple moment. He latched his finger around her own, letting the contact linger, sealing the promise between them.
His hand finally released hers when she gave that light and airy word, the only permission he needed before reaching forward. Gently grasping the side of her head, he marveled at the softness of her hair, the hint of blush on her cheeks, the feel of his breath mixing with hers, their heartbeats racing against each other. It was only a moment, but he drank in every detail before tenderly meeting his lips with hers. It was a soft kiss full of latent potential, a spark that had him feeling blinded and lightheaded. He resisted the urge to press her closer to him, letting her set the pace.
RE: achingly bright too - Lena - 11-11-2024
He’d held her once before, very briefly, but his hands coming along her features sparked that particular memory of another day in the Feverlands – running away from lures and songs, lost cloths stuffed in ears, lamplighter snares. But she didn’t yield from this one, ached for it in the woven, inherent pulse of her blood; waiting on bated breath until it was shared.
Tender and gentle, firsts upon firsts, she smiled in the zealous rush of the soft, chaste exchange. Then she chased it, like sunrises and sparks and glows; tilting her head, eyes closed, and expanding upon the rush, pressing back into him, encouraging them to have their fill of one another. No sugarcoating the affections – resplendent and clear, vibrant with drumming hearts. Her free hand rose upwards, cupping his cheek, his jaw, callouses brushing over portions of his short beard; waiting for some signal to cease and desist or persist entirely.
RE: achingly bright too - Zavien - 11-12-2024
His clothes could have caught fire and Zavien wouldn't have felt any different. Lena's lips on his sent his blood rushing, sparking every nerve ending alight. Despite his delicate, gentle start, she returned it with a fervor that both shocked and pleased him. He smiled into the kiss, savoring the affections she conveyed without a single word. It left no doubts in his mind about where they stood or where they were going. It just left behind an overwhelming feeling of exhilaration and desire for the woman before him.
Wanting to prove to himself that it wasn't a dream, and just because he wanted to, Zavien reached his other hand up, cupping her head to deepen the kiss. He couldn't think. There was only the bursting of his chest and Lena in his hands. So he let instincts take over, his mouth moving in sync with hers, saying all the sentiments that his stuttering rambles could only ever screw up.
RE: achingly bright too - Lena - 11-12-2024
Fervor returned only sweetened the very few thoughts presently contorting through her mind; the deeper portions of her heart and her chest and her ribs struck crescendos and melodic pieces. She wasn’t told she was too much or not enough or anything in between – affection given and taken in reprisal and renewal. She could’ve collapsed into him and not felt one thing save for the sparks between, quite content to be indulgent and open in their desires. No misunderstandings, no confusion, no turmoil, no disasters.
At one point her hand fluttered downward, making a trail down his neck and grasping at his shirt – probably given enough time for her to peel back only for some air. Lashes heavy against her cheeks, she peeked at him from under their blooming haze, lightly laughing. Someone well behind them was whistling, but she scarcely heard it (nor Mitten’s incessant grumbling). [say]“Still sure?”[/say] A tease on a whisper; believing in certainty but wanting to hear it too.
RE: achingly bright too - Zavien - 11-12-2024
The kiss lasted a lifetime, and yet not nearly long enough. When Lena broke it off, he had to reorient himself. Brain in a very comfortable fog, and very distracted by the hand against his chest, Zavien had to focus to understand her words. Her fluttering eyelashes captivated him. Still sure about... what? He almost asked it aloud, mouth hanging open to catch his breath, but not really caring whether it ever returned. It belonged to Lena now. The thought made him smile as he slowly made his way back to logical thinking. With it, he understood her question, tempted to kiss her again just to prove his point. An airy laugh preceded his soft whisper, meant only for her ears, [say]"Absolutely."[/say] An echo and a confirmation all the same. He didn't pull back yet, caressing her head between his hands, enjoying her company too much to care for the distant whistles or grumbles.
Zavien finally released her, shifting to face the bonfire at her side, close enough for her to lean on should she choose. A large smile stayed on his lips, still slightly stunned with recent events. It didn't feel like only this morning he'd been uncertain whether Lena even shared his attraction. He couldn't doubt that anymore when his mouth still tingled pleasantly. Glancing at her again, he stayed silent for a second before reaching for a discarded marshmallow. [say]"Should we finish what we originally came here for?"[/say] His eyebrow quirked, a playful tilt to his head as he chuckled. He wouldn't mind either way, but she'd looked really excited for their dessert, and he'd hate to end their date with any forms of regret.
RE: achingly bright too - Lena - 11-13-2024
The soft laurels of satisfaction and affection echoed in their mutual states – really, she scarcely noticed the heat of the bonfire nearby when her cheeks were nearly the same hue, and her body was flushed with certainty and beguilement. Had she not required some air, the Caretaer would’ve gladly continued and persisted, and the headiness to her gaze said as much. But his whisper, laden with confidence and assurance, brought out all the conviction she needed – with a radiant grin to follow. [say]“Me too,”[/say] just to pass her own credence and mettle along.
And though she still held her marshmallow, defiantly clinging to its stick despite the rough handling, she had forgotten about the initial prospects. Not even remotely embarrassed though, she laughed, leaning against him as she snagged at the cookies and chocolate bar, meant to be sandwiched rather than left to the air. [say]“Sorry for distracting you,”[/say] she hummed, clearly not apologetic at all, handing over the rest of the ingredients.
RE: achingly bright too - Zavien - 11-13-2024
Zavien may not have needed the verbal confirmation, but it still made his heart flutter to hear the words. It cast aside any subconscious doubts that still hid in the recesses of his mind, solidifying his confidence going forward. His soul blossomed into a blinding warmth full of joy and affection.
He laughed freely, leaning a little more into her side. [Say]"I believe I asked for that very pleasant distraction."[/say] His smile was trying to compete with the bonfire, brightening with proud satisfaction. Just to keep from doing it again, Zavien accepted the rest of the ingredients, switching out his cold burnt marshmallow for a new one and shoving it into the fire.
Sensing that the heated moment had somewhat simmered down, Sol flew down to join them, stifling a yawn as the little dragon curled up beside them. The Dragoon chuckled, shaking his head. [Say]"It's been quite a day."[/say] His eyes found Lena's, smiling at the tender moment where everything seemed right in the world.
RE: achingly bright too - Lena - 11-13-2024
She’d let him take the blame with a modest handwave, granting another warm laugh as she pieced together her dessert and took a bite, another gentle hum starting in the back of her throat at the amazing taste. She reached out and scratched Sol, giving a reassuring pulse of their bond out towards Mittens, knowing it wouldn’t be able to get close until they were on their way back towards skyports.
Then her eyes glanced back up to Zavien, brow arching slightly. [say]“Mm. Banshees and dates.”[/say] Patting her bag, still full of the sweetgrass necessary for her quest, her grin matched the sentiments. [say]“Much preferred the latter though,” [/say]with another steadfast wink for good measure. Taking another bite of the s’more, her eyes flickered back to the bonfire. [say]“Where do we want to go next?”[/say] Holding her hand over her mouth to fight and hide an impending yawn, home was her first thought – beginning to feel the length of the day pressing inward. But thereafter – the sky seemed to be the limit.
RE: achingly bright too - Zavien - 11-15-2024
After his marshmallow caught fire again, Zavien pulled it from the flames, smashing it between his cookies and chocolate to take a bite. He groaned, practically melting at the sticky sweet mixture that he tasted between the ahgiadsha his mouth made around the hot treat. His head nodded as silent agreement to Lena's hum. Very yummy. Especially as it cooled down to a manageable temperature. As if to join in, Sol let out a purring grumble of thanks for the scratches, lifting his chin to help her reach the perfect spot. Zavien let out a disbelieving laugh. [say]"If I didn't know any better, I'd think my companion was trying to steal my new girlfriend."[/say] Even as the word left his lips, it felt right, and he gave Lena a giant smile.
On the topic of 'banshees and dates,' Zavien shifted his shoulders and shook his head, showing obvious discomfort for the first encounter. He glanced at her plump bag, thinking about the scales he still had to arrange into her artful sketch. Completing quests and dates seemed much preferred to screaming specters, enforcing his relieved sigh of [Say]"Me too."[/say] The fact that the day wasn't even over had him realizing how tired he was feeling.
Lena's yawn didn't go unnoticed, and Zavien had to chuckle to keep from following suit. [Say]"I think it's a little late for the Atheneum. Perhaps we should head home and come back another day?"[/say] More promises of future dates and trips.
RE: achingly bright too - Lena - 11-16-2024
Giving him nothing more than an arched brow about the ‘stealing’, she continued to scratch along Sol’s jaw – the fatigue beginning to set in. The suggestion, pragmatic as it was, wasn’t going to be fought. Another day settled and something shaping for the future. [say]“Okay,”[/say] and she yawned again, shaking her head and finishing off her treat. There’d be other moments for Atheneum searching or meandering through other portions of the world; they had much to be content with for the long stretch of time. [say]“Let’s head back.”[/say] She’d have to collect Mittens, pouting over in the corner, and Zavien would have to fend off another height reeling onslaught of the skyports – but there were far greater things ahead, regardless.
[FIN]