Moved by a sudden impulse

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Nothing existed beyond the feel of Zavien's strong chest bracing Soh from behind and his hands on her body. She'd never have guessed him as inexperienced as she was for how attuned he was to her every breathy sigh and low moan, for how easily he was able to coax her higher, wind her tighter. Every nerve in her body sparked and flamed; her hips bucked beneath his ministrations as he quickened the pace, driving her steadily towards her release.

And when it came - when she came - she came completely undone.

Fire started in her curled toes, licked up her legs, and burst into fireworks that had her seeing stars. The fingers of the hand guiding Zavien's kisses and nips fisted in his hair as she tugged him ever closer, wanting, needing his closeness in order to simply stay upright. The waves of her orgasm crested and crashed, wracking her slender frame until she was utterly destroyed by them - by him.

Unraveled and fully spent, Soh leaned heavily into Zavien, panting through the blissful aftershocks. "Zavien..." she murmured, turning her head to nuzzle against his cheek, seeking out his mouth so that she might press her lips to his. And there she stayed for a moment, tangled up in him, unable or unwilling to stand on her own.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

She was gorgeous. She was breathtaking. She was perfect. And she was detonating in his arms like she didn't care if she ceased to exist in that moment. All because of him. 

Her pleasure overflowed as Soh arched and pulled and anchored to him through the waves - as if she could drag him along behind her with nothing more than heat of her body and his name on her lips. The forceful possession of his hair through it might have drawn a laugh from his lips if he weren't so utterly lost in the sea of her orgasm. Instead, a damp breath exhaled along her skin, shallow with the exhilaration coursing uncontained through his veins. The hot, delirious kiss she stole was met with equal fervor, relishing in the taste of her sweet release, drinking in every drop of her climax. 

He was pressed so close that not even water dripped between them, his arms grasping her tight enough that he couldn't tell if he was feeling her heartbeat or his own. It raced faster than ever before, putting all his fighting and training to shame. Why hadn't he been doing this all along?

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Limp and sated, Soh clung to Zavien like a lifeline as coherent thought began to trickle slowly back into her brain. Gods, had they really just done that? Had she really just come apart so thoroughly that she was no longer sure that she could put herself back together? Surely, surely, it couldn’t get better than this: being held, post-orgasm, in the arms of a man she trusted and admired, as though she were the most precious thing in the world?

Her heart raced against her ribs as she came down from the high, parting the haze of her thoughts enough to extricate her fingers from Zavien’s hair, smiling against his lips at her brazenness. She couldn’t bring herself to feel shy or ashamed, though; he’d already seen all of her, already attuned himself to exactly what she didn’t know she needed.

Her hand trailed down Zavien’s neck and over the arm that still held her, reaching to twine her fingers with his. This day was truly perfect; there was nothing she would change, no moment that she would take back. There was plenty to discuss, of course, plenty for them to decide on - but they could do that, couldn’t they? Together?

She was in way over her head, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

The orgasm slowly loosened its hold on them, placing them gently into each other's arms with a tenderness that settled in his chest. The possessive hold of his hands softened. The curl of his body shifted to something casually indulgent. He took in a slow, deep breath, still smelling the floral notes through the falling water and steamy scent of sex. 

Zavien smiled, hands running admiringly down her body. They didn't seek or tease, seeming to memorize the angles and imperfections without prejudice. They were as wandering as his mind, lazily shifting from one content thought to the next, unwilling to linger on the unwelcome insistence in the back - the one that still warned that this was going to change everything, that this was a bad idea. 

Instead, he sighed, soaking in the feel of Soh. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?"

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Zavien’s hold gradually loosened, his hands roaming now without the urgency of before. They traced the lines of her body gently, as though he sought to memorize the lines of her. Nobody else had ever touched her like this before, and something fluttered in her chest at the unexpected intimacy of it. There was sex, and there was this, and now that she’d felt it, she knew she wouldn’t be able to unfeel it.

”Mm,” she hummed, still leaning her head lazily against Zavien’s shoulder. ”I think you mentioned something about a beautiful art hater earlier, if memory serves.” There was a teasing lilt to her voice, a brightness that even she had never heard before. What was it about Zavien today that made her tongue loosen and her inhibitions fade away? ”But by all means, tell me again.”

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

Grinning at the reminder, Zavien's hand ran down her hip, the other across the planes of her abdomen as he let out a low hum, confirming that he had, in fact, called her a 'beautiful art hater' not long ago. He certainly hadn't expected those joking theatrics to lead to this, but she wouldn't find him complaining. He would do it all over again - with pleasure. 

Aiming to satisfy all the wily whims of the woman in his arms, he rested his mouth against the curve of her ear where she would have no difficulty making out his words or the smiling shape of his mouth. "You're beautiful, Soh." Rather than the searing or boiling heat of mounting desire, the tone was warm, the gentle caress of sunlight illuminating skin, sinking deeper if she'd let it. He let the words suspend weightless between them, giving them space and room to take hold. 

Then he made just enough distance to reach for the soap, shifting so he could see her face when he asked, "Can I help you wash?" Unless she felt that their goal had already been achieved, in which case he'd happily wrap her in a towel and carry her to the bed.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Something about the way his hands skated lightly over her body, about the way her name sounded on his tongue, about the way the compliment made her beam with pleasure - it all set off alarm bells in the distant part of her brain she was determined to ignore. It wasn’t that she was unhappy (on the contrary, she was ecstatic), but she knew, deep down, that this had the potential to end horribly, and every moment spent with him now was just another step further down the path that could lead to her inevitable demise.

But how could something that felt so right be wrong?

Zavien’s words hung between them, suspended in time as the water rained down on them and the seconds ticked lazily by. Soh smiled up at him, radiant and, for the first time in a long while, completely content. There was just something about Zavien that put her at ease, that made it possible for her to believe that this was something she could have. That maybe he was someone she could keep, when all the others had long since faded away.

When he finally moved away, Soh made a soft noise of complaint, but he was back quickly enough, soap in hand. She blinked at him shyly - she’d never been in this situation before, and it was somehow just as intimate as everything else they’d done that day, if not more so. ”I’d like that,” she told him softly, cheeks faintly pink. ”But only if I can help you after.”

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

Some part of him knew what he was asking went beyond physical touch or casual intimacy. His unaffected brain would combust at having asked such a thing, but it seemed so natural to him right now. There was nothing wrong with wanting to care for her like that, especially after eliciting such taxing reactions in her body. He'd felt the way her legs had given out, the exertion and tightening of every muscle beneath his ministrations. The least he could do was help her wash.

He laughed lightly at her counter, shrugging his shoulders as he said, "If that's what you want." After all, he hadn't asked expecting reciprocation. But he was content to let her if that was something she felt compelled to do. 

Squeezing some soap into his hands, Zavien didn't delay, rubbing the suds gently onto her back and over her shoulders. The touch was tender and careful, not to insight heat, but to draw out relaxation as he worked the soap into her skin.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Soh had known that Zavien was a giving person, but being on the receiving end of his care was enough to make her cheeks warm and her heart flutter. She’d always been the one doing the caring in the past - but here, now, she surrendered to it, at least for a moment.

Zavien’s hands worked suds into her back and shoulders, his strokes long and relaxing. Soh sighed happily, leaning into his touch. It was almost like a massage, if your masseuse was naked in the shower with you. But more than that, there was a tenderness to the touch, as though she were a fragile thing worth protecting, a beautiful thing with cherishing.

She hadn’t anticipated that a simple shower could elicit such emotion, but as Zavien continued to wash her, she found herself on the verge of tears. She couldn’t remember having been so happy, so relaxed. She couldn’t recall feeling so wanted, in more ways than just those they’d already explored. Zavien’s touch felt like a new beginning, and it was one that Soh wanted to grasp and hold onto for fear it might disappear.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

Zavien was completely unaware of the effect he was having. His concentration remained diligently on the task of relaxation. He couldn't begin to fathom whether it was working beyond the slow release of each muscle, feeling a quiet satisfaction at each new success. And all the while, he memorized the path of her skin. Having traversed it before, his hands were no longer the rushed explorer seeking to conquer, they were the farmer who came afterwards, caring for and charting the land for future generations. It was a focus on what he could do for her rather than how he could satiate his own urges, although he would argue that it gave him just as much satisfaction. 

Once her back was properly slathered in soap, he adjusted his body to let the warm water run down her skin, wiping away the suds with open palms. Then Zavien maneuvered them in the tight space so that he faced her, offering a quiet smile as he lathered soap down her shoulders towards her hands on each arm, paying close attention to every inch of skin.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Slow, steady strokes of his hands down her back continued to relax Soh until she feared she might fall asleep where she stood. Their time together, exciting as it was, had also been tiring, wringing out every last drop of energy until now she longed to simply curl up in Zavien’s arms, where she might feel safe and protected until morning came.

Zavien shifted, and warm water ran down her back, clearing the burn scar that curled up her shoulder of suds. He wiped away the remaining soap slowly, gently, every motion seeming geared towards her relaxation and pleasure. And Soh let him, merely pulling her hair over one shoulder to get it out of the way as he finished with her back. There were no words that seemed to fit the moment, nor did they feel necessary. The silence was easy and comfortable, broken only by the spray of water and the thundering of her heart in her ears.

When he maneuvered them carefully in the small space, Soh still said nothing, opting instead for a content, openly affectionate smile. Water trailed down her back as Zavien got to work on her arms, and for the moment, Soh was utterly content.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

It was a slow, unhurried pace. His hands ran down each arm with long, lazy strokes, working in the soap before guiding the water gently over her skin. He didn't hesitate or balk at any of the imperfections, letting his hands skim with the same level of care and attention he gave the unmarred skin. Everyone had their scars - him included. His only thought was of momentary regret for having been unable to stop the slashes. 

But as quickly as the thought came, it left, his hands moving towards her front. In the aftermath of everything, he didn't shift to teasing or let desire spark while his hands worked over her breasts and over her hips. His movements remained calm and casual, attentive only in the releasing of her tension.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Soh let him continue to work, taking the opportunity to gaze at him, drinking him in the same way he explored her body. Her gaze was slow, unhurried as it roved over his face, taking in the way his brow creased just slightly with concentration as he continued to wash her. He was focused, seemingly unbothered by the three diagonal slashes that ran across her chest from shoulder to navel.

She still remembered the fight, the way he’d urged her to flee. The way he’d fallen in her place. Her heart twisted in her chest; if he hadn’t been brought back…

Suddenly struck by the realization of how close this had come to never happening, Soh peered up into Zavien’s face once more, as though desperate to memorize every feature. ”Hey, Zav…?” she murmured, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. ”… thanks.” For the sacrifice, for the sex, for the shower - even she wasn’t quite sure anymore.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

His name had his head tilting like a dog. He continued washing her but made it clear he was listening by giving her a quiet hum that encouraged her on. 

Whatever he'd expected her to say, it wasn't 'thanks,' and he slowed to blink into her intense gaze. Assuming she meant the shower, his smile appeared soft and somewhat amused. He hadn't anticipated thanks, much less one with such sincerity, but perhaps he was doing a better job than he thought. 

Without thinking much of it or the ways in which he would have meant this word in every other sense of her appreciation, Zavien dipped his head and said with such easy simplicity, "Anytime."

Suspecting that the topic had been properly addressed, he returned to his silent ministrations, finally moving to her legs. His hands ran down them with the same rhythm, but when he reached each foot, crouched awkwardly in the space before her, he indicated quietly for her to lift her foot from the floor where he could scrub it properly.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.