Grayell took little time to strip down and with little caution or grace quickly deposited himself in the almost scolding water. Numerous flowers and feathers escaped his hair as it sunk into the water, a single blossom catching his eye and eliciting a smile. It prompted his undoing of the long braid in his hair, hands working gently through the wet locks as he found a seat by the pool's edge.
Hair started to fan and spread upon the water's surface, it had grown quite a lot not only in his absence but in recent months. His lover lavished it with attention and as a consequence, it was healthy, glossy and proud. Hair in his hands, he though of their quiet hours with him often the subject of her attention - and his heart swelled.
His eyes closed as he continued the idle task, but ears remained pricked; eager to hear her approach.
Kiko was quiet. She was always quiet. That said, she was also excited, amused, and... other things; that made the trip to the Springs quicker than normal. Much quicker. She stopped before the steam of the water could obscure her vision of him. The Spring had been lonely without him. She had to smile at the floating strands of hair, too.
Kiko took the last few steps to the water slower than before. She was not trying to hide, either. He was relaxed and she would rather he remain relaxed. So, instead of saying a word she slipped off the soft furs she had wrapped around her shoulders and slid out of her kimono. Kiko stepped into the water quietly behind Grayell, fingers out and chasing the floating strands of his hair.
When she was close enough her face came forward to rub at the back of his neck.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell's hands left his hair immediately and instead reached back to settle about her neck. His head rocked back to her nuzzling and he sighed, a heavy; aged sigh that indicated his longing for her. Shoulders were immediately less tense, his brow less furrowed with whatever stress he could not put away.
I have missed thee Chosen. More than a starving man for air, a thirsty man for water, a drowning man for air.
He swallowed and a single tear broke from his eye and slithered down his cheek. But he was smiling.
Life without you is hard. Days are too long, nights are too cold.
I need you Yukiko.
The tone ins his voice was only ever reserved for her. Unintentional and completely indicative of her effect on him.
Kiko dragged her hand free of the water to run it along his jaw. She made a place for him to rest against her body; by sliding closer to him, tucking her knees to either side of hips. She offered soft murmurs, too but nothing of words, not yet. Kiko rubbed her lips along his neck with her eyes closed to relish the smell, feel, sound, and taste of him again.
I am here, Wolf.
Kiko's fingertips had found the damp line of tears on his cheek. Her voice softened to a croon of sound.
The next time you battle dragons I will go with you.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell chuckled then and he turned a little to face her, eyes showing his amusement and flirting with her the moment they were upon her.
That, was hardly the reason for my leaving lover.
He relaxed entirely into her grasp though and his hands found her thighs beneath the water, holding her tightly to his sides. He smiled too easily with her, his cheeks never seemed to tire of such a mood. She was his bliss.
Perhaps you just want a pet dragon of your own, hm?
Kiko chuckled at him. The ache she heard in his voice was gone.
Yes. The Vanguard. I would rather not think about such at the moment.
Which was true. But more than that, Kiko did not want him to think about it. There would be time enough to discuss it later. Here, now, in the warm water where they could lean back and watch the stars... well, that was good enough. Better than good.
Kiko gathered up several strands of his hair twining them in and out of her fingers. Eventually she would get around to braiding them back up again. But, well, the comb he had given her was pulled free of her hair. She brushed his hair with it instead.
And if I said I want a dragon as a pet? What then, hm?
I would say we'd have one hell of a time keeping it fed.
The humour in his voice carried through his smile and again he sighed, her touch sapped the strain and anguish from his mind and body. Shifting a little more, almost laying out in the hot water; he stared up at the myriad of stars that painted the sky. They would only multiply as the sun fully shrank beyond the horizon and night took hold. It was some time longer before he spoke once more.
Kiko did not say anything counter to the issue about keeping a dragon fed. No, she was busy doing nothing so much as playing with his hair. She combed, unsnarled, rubbed, and in general dragged it through the water around her. Her shoulders were braced against one shelf of smooth rocks, too. She was watching him, instead of the stars.
Mmh?
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell's eyes were on his hand. It left the water, palm up; then slowly tipped to trickle the water back into the pool. It sank beneath the surface once more and he closed his eyes.
Kiko fisted up his hair. She held his head in place with it and her eyes focused on his mouth. She did not say a word, but there was sound building in her throat, something fierce and possessive. The snarl wasn't loud. It did not have to be, either. The tone said it all. She had bottled up her emotions for too long.
Kiko wrapped her other hand around his neck. Her lips landed on his mouth with all those pent up desires battling for dominion. Teeth, lips, tongue, she took advantage of them all and used them to mark him in a dozen places. She didn't come up for air until she could feel his lips throb. And that was for less than a second.
Her words were rough and breathless, lips gleaming and bruised.
Your turn.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell sucks his own lip for a moment, heat spreading from it to his cheeks, throat and chest. But his hands move slowly, he does not snarl back or return such fierce passion - not in the same manner.
But he stirs. The passion within him threatens to overrun all sense should he not act - but he is quick to do so. One hand finds the small of her back as he turns, pulling them together. His other hand sets fingers to skin by her temple, eyes following as he traces down her cheek to her jaw. He then stares to into her without qualm or compunction, these words come easy.
I love you Chosen. I always have and forever shall.
Hands slip away then as his lips press to hers, gentle but wanting, his breath held back in the slightest whisper as his eyes close, senses falling into that kiss.
Kiko's breath came out in little shudders. That raw need to mark him remained. Tiny goose bumps were standing up all over the back of her spine, now, too. She tried and failed to speak, then gave up completely; words would never be her strong suit. Somehow, though, he managed with one touch to her back to sooth the beast enough and give her something to focus on.
Kiko had stayed in Wistvale. She did so by choice. She did not believe going with him would help in recruiting members for the Vanguard. She was no diplomat and had no silver tongue. She tried to stay busy instead. It did not help. The bond they shared tugged on her heart. She battled with the wolf several times. She did not want to be separated from her mate. Not to mention the werewolf, whose demands Kiko was still learning to handle. None of that was important here and now, though.
Grayell smiled, pressing his nose into the crook of her neck. His arms had wound about her, holding her close to his heart, his lips delicately stroking her skin with tiny kisses. He paused to smell her hair, let her wash over and through him and at last, at long last; could breathe easy. She was his peace and being apart was a trial he found near unbearable.
How is it lover, that apart as we were; you still plagued my every thought and ran with me in my dreams? I felt you with me always and as much comfort as that granted me...
Grayell slumped to her side now, head resting at the pool's edge and wistful eyes staring past her shoulder to her face, the very vision that stirred his every fantasy and desire.
... it could not abate the longing I felt to touch you. Not one ounce.
Kiko did not open her eyes or move from his arms. In fact, she could quite happily remain ensconced until the stars fell out of the sky.
I cannot answer that question, Wolf. I know my dreams while you were away were unusually vivid. I can tell you the wolf ached every day. She does not enjoy being left behind.
Kiko ran her hand back down the side of his jaw. She drew wet patterns on his throat and neck with her mouth, too. The steam had started to curl the tiny hairs at her temples, leave beads of water on her eyelashes, cheeks, and lips.
She missed this. She missed you. So did I.
Her voice was softer with the words. Kiko tucked her head in under his chin and rewound her limbs around him. She was content for now.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell remained silent for some time. perhaps not as long as that moment seemed to last. Fireflies stirred, the steam rose, swaying gently on the breeze before dissipating, the water rippled, occasional drops in the pool from the trees above.
It was the perfect silence in that it was so very alive with everything around them, it was the perfect moment in that they were alone and yet surrounded by so many things. But it was her and he, holding one another and as silly as it might sound; really it was as simple as this...
... they were two halves or a greater whole that fitted together perfectly.
He spoke softly at last.
I did not wish to worry you with thoughts of me being a father. But I do wonder...