synthneon | FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

[ Alkaid smiles gently at him, fingers slipping between his as his hand clutches hers. She hardly needs to attune to his aether to understand the meaning of the notion. A kiss is placed to their joined hands, her lips lingering on their digits. The arrant thought strikes her that seeing their hands entangled is an act that should happen on a daily basis. If she could only be with him as someone he would court, instead of their odd limbo of perhaps being together but not truly being as such.

The fingers at his scar spread out, moving so that her hand may gently rest against the site. She can feel that the contention inside has peaked and broken, finally allowing the muscles to relax. The aches are still present, but now perhaps due to fatigue of being tense for so long. Alkaid lets out a long exhale as she allows her whole hand to be enveloped in the green white tinged light. She gently massages his side with her fingers, channeling her own aether now into the site of the wound. She aims to further relax him and now ease his pain of all forms he is in. Now, perhaps, he might be more responsive to her healing with the wound -- metaphorically -- is open. ]

I know it is difficult to think that things will work themselves out... and that things certainly must be at their bleakest. [ She fingers continue to move side to side, her palm gently resting above his scar. ] Yet, deep down, past all this pain... is the hope you have for the city you love so much. There's the strength to see that hope manifest into reality... but we must get through the pain first with that strength...

Don't feel as if you are weak because you bleed, or because you are human. Understand that you are, and use that to your benefit. While your leadership is temporary... lead them with not just the stone and steel that Ishgard is made of. Remind them of the heart that beats behind the walls--your walls--and teach them the emotions that drive one to protect and fight outside of merely the loss, the suffering, the pain.

[ Her eyes half-open again once more, eyes going down to his with a gentle smile on her face. Her hand squeezes his as the other continues to gently rub his side. ]

[ Truthfully, he wants nothing more than to spend as many hours as they can manage together, with nothing and no one coming between them. He wishes to get to know her better, and for her to know him... That she would learn more about him than his own internal struggles. Because it seems to him that that is all she has seen so far, and he cannot imagine how or why that would endear him to anyone. He wishes for her to know that he is more than that, that so long as she is willing, he would give her all the kindness and love that he has.

When she begins to massage the site of the injury, he also lets out a long exhale. The sharp pain that threatened to pull him away from her has finally subsided, replaced by a duller sort of pain. At the very least, it is easier for him to bear. Once again, her words wash over him, but this time, he is able to focus on what she is saying and how she says it. Her voice has a way of comforting him, of easing the tension that has been a constant companion, and he wishes that they could be together like this always.

He would even shoulder the worst pain imaginable if it meant that he could hear her voice and feel the touch of her hands. ] I have no doubts that things will work themselves out, and that Ishgard will be free of this war and strife. But-

[ His brow furrows, and his expression shifts into a frown. ] Although I wield a sword, and although there are those who will follow my lead, I believe that Ishgard's salvation will not come because of anything that I have done or will yet do.

[ Some of the tension that he has been carrying has begun to fade, thanks to her touch and the aether she is channeling into his wound, but he still feels a current of inadequacy and doubt swirling around him. ]

You speak of strength and heart, but when I look to the future, although I have no gift of foresight, I do not see Ishgard's salvation resting in my hands, but in the hands of others.

[ He has suspected previously that it will not be him who brings peace to his people, but others who came to Ishgard driven by need, and along the way, became staunch allies and even greater friends. ]

[ Hasn't she seen more to him than that? A charismatic leader, one who cares deeply for those around him. One who fights along side his people and his fellow knights, who walks the streets of his city, who has opened his mind to the possibility of life beyond endless war. While he might only see his internal struggles at the moment? She has seen so very many sides of him already. If being able to see Aymeric without his titles means helping him navigate his tormented heart? She shall aid him without a second thought.

The exhale makes her smile. That, to her, is a sign that the healing is working as it should. He no doubt will feel tired from it all, but, perhaps that will finally let him rest and not merely sleep. Her healing, as thorough and helpful as it might be, cannot truly ease or erase the doubts and pains in the mind. She can offer to help shoulder his burdens but that is truly all she is capable of doing. ]

The one who paves that path for heroes to walk is equally as important as the heroes themselves. They will do what you cannot, and in turn, you will continue to lead and help those that remain once the heroes are called forth elsewhere into the world.

Do not diminish your own role in all of this, my love. Your part and place in it is just as important. I wouldn't see you demean yourself so much simply because Nidhogg took advantage of a weakness.

[ Despite the odd positioning, she leans forward to press a kiss to the hands above his scar. She would kiss him proper if they could position themselves differently, yet, she can tell where his wound requires just a bit more aether... ]

[ After all the exertions from this evening, he feels bone-tired, but his concerns are not for himself, but for her. She must also be exhausted, because not only did she heal a dragon not that long ago, but she also has expended additional amounts of aether for his benefit as well.

And not for the first time, he finds himself wondering why she would ever love him, because of the two of them, it is clear in his mind who the stronger one is.

Protests and counter arguments form in his mind, and he would speak of them, but he feels as though she has heard all of them before. So instead of repeating himself once more, he decides it is time to throw all caution and hesitation to the winds, and do something that he wishes he could do more often.

Ignoring the twinge of protest in his still-sensitive side, he shifts position so that he can rise up from his position on the bed, propping himself up on one arm, and press a deep kiss onto her mouth. ]

[ She can most certainly feel the exhaustion pulling at her body. It was no small amount of aether dedicated to Vidnofir. The amount spent on Aymeric's condition hardly compares, however, the combination at the two makes her feel heavy in a way she is not entirely accustomed to anymore. She pulls from the ambient aether around her to avoid using purely her own... it is taxing nonetheless.

He moves to sit up and her ears stand on end with the tip of her tail following soon after. Her eyes are wide with the expression on her face that he ought to remain laying down. When it is clear he will not, she shifts to try and support his weight as much as she could. The hand at his side gently moves once again to try and help the twinge she can feel under her fingers.

The kiss takes her by surprise for only a moment before she is returns the motion. She parts her lips for him, inviting him in further if he so wishes. The hand entwined with his gives a squeeze. ]

[ Part of him wishes to merely lie down in hopes that, in doing so, she will follow suit and also resume her rest that he has clearly disrupted. But the lure of her being so close to him, and the desire to pour all the affection that he can manage into her, is far stronger than any exhaustion he might be feeling. Still, he knows that he will not be able to keep this up for long, and to push past that would be quite selfish indeed.

The longer that he remains in his propped up position, the more his side protests, some of the ache beginning to resurface, as if protesting his reckless actions. Still, he ignores it, wishing only to take what he sees as his bold first steps in bridging the gap between propriety and desire.

When she parts her lips for him, he hesitates for the briefest of moments, but he decides to let instinct take over, momentarily pushing caution away. The action is tentative and brief, but he slides the tip of his tongue to meet with hers, as if testing how far she will allow him to go. ]

[ She can feel how his side protests at how he leans up. Her hand gently rubs the site of it all, trying to give some comfort until he decides to lie down once more. He is quite stubborn the moment his mind had decided a path. It would seem that the stubbornness extends to even them.

While he may be hesitant, she meets his action with a sense of confidence--and a hit of shyness. Her tongue meets his to welcome the motion. Then, she parts only enough to lie down, the hand entwined with his tugging him to join her. There is a hint of redness to her cheeks as she smiles before kissing him again open mouthed.

The hand at his side continues to gently rub to encourage his own aether to move into the wound.]

[ He is completely aware that he should not push himself and ignore the warning signs his body is giving him, but he feels as though they may not have a chance like this again, and he is determined to not waste the opportunity.

When she moves to lie down, he follows, but he still has not fully resumed lying down himself. Encouraged by her response, he leans into the kiss, and this time, his tongue lightly grazes the tops of her teeth.

It's then that he realizes that any hurts he's sustained could protest as loudly as possible, and he would just completely ignore them in favor of sharing these intimate times with her. ]

[ She bends her leg, gently brushing it against the side that does not cause him aches. Then, she shifts so that her leg might help support his weight. While she is far smaller than him and it most likely does not help much at all? She imagines some must be better than none.

A pleased sound comes from her as he grazes along her mouth. The edge of her tail sways as her breathing hitches slightly. She shifts just slightly to nibble at his lower lip. The instincts at the back of her mind battle to take over, wanting to pull him in further and push the boundaries more. She tempers herself, of course, determined to let him set the pace and how far they go. ]

[ Being aware of how much smaller she is than him, he also tries to move in such a way that not all of his weight is bearing down on her, because- well, he might not have a wide range of experience with moments like this, but he imagines that would put a considerable damper on both of their moods. Still, he appreciates her assistance, because moving like this is probably not the wisest thing to do.

He continues his careful exploration, moving past her teeth and a little further in, but as always, the thought that this is not what she wants is lingering in the back of his mind.

Momentarily withdrawing, he asks: ] Is this all right with you? [ He supposes they should check in with each other along the way. ]

[ At the very least, he would of heard her made a sound that he has never heard. Almost a kin to a cat's tail being stepped on.

Her eyes open when he pulls away, almost a dazed look of confusion in them. His question takes a moment to register in her mind. Then, her head tilts to the side as she wonders why be might ask it. Perhaps she has not been clear enough in her advances?

Their joined hands move as she directs them back to her chest. The night shirt is still pulled down on one side, exposing a fair amount of her breast. She then moves her hand to press his against the exposed area. A playful smirk takes her face as she cannot stop the edge of her tail from flicking side to side.

Well, she is certainly direct now. ]

This is very all right with me, ser knight. [ Her eyes flick to the side in a playful ponder. ] It may even be a situation in which I may find myself biting...

[ Should that happen, he would be quick to shower her with apologies and feel immensely guilty for being so ungraceful, so perhaps it is best that he not lose his balance.

He knows full well that her advances have spoken quite clearly, but he still remains apprehensive and almost fearful that either his actions do not line up with what she desires, or that they are simply inadequate due to his lack of experience and practice with such intimate things.

But before he can further explain himself, she moves their hands and places them atop her chest. And he cannot help but notice the way her clothes have fallen or what has been revealed.

She might notice a slight tremor in his hands, not because of displeasure or nerves (although they are certainly in an elevated state at the moment), but because his desire to just give full rein to his passions is stronger than ever. ]

Biting, is it? [ He marvels that he is able to respond without a stammer or a shake in his voice. ] I see.

[ Lest she think that he does not welcome such a thing, he moves carefully, being mindful of both of their respective positions, leaning down just far enough to plant a kiss beside where she has placed their hands. ]

[ She certainly has little experience, even if it may seem the opposite. Most of her actions she has left up to instict--for which Miqo'te has many. The end of her tail sways as his eyes fall on her exposed breast, for which she cannot help but blush. A small voice in her mind has always thought but what if I am far from appealing if he saw me bare?

Her hand gently brushes along the top of his own as she feels the tremors. She does not mean to push or even demand he drop his barriers or step where he is not ready. All she wishes for him to know is that she desires him and hopes he does the same for her.

She moves to explain that very notion when his lips press against her chest. There is a sharp inhale, and he might notice how the knee at his side presses into his. Gods, how she would not mind him exploring her, but...

Alkaid swallow the sudden lump of desire in her throat. ] If you would rather rest...

[ Oh, if he had it his way, there would be nothing standing between them: no hesitation, no reticence, just desire and a longing to know her inside and out. And, well, if they should happen to shed all their clothes along the way, he has realized he has no complaints about that either. A part of him wishes to see her unclothed, that the two of them might lie beside each other completely bare, with all things that might represent a barrier removed.

For a moment, when her knee presses into him, he lets out a sharp exhale in response, and that part of him that wants to cross that threshold and finally begin to truly explore her does its best to make itself known. ]

As long as you are here, I do not think I could rest. [ And lest she misunderstand him and interpret his words to mean that she is being troublesome and keeping him awake, his expression shifts into a smile that is equal parts beckoning and teasing all at once. ] I wonder if anyone has told you that you manage to catch the eye in a way that is quite distracting.

[ Her eyes widen in worry at his exhale. Within a moment it is clear that it was not from pain or discomfort, and her heart beats louder in her chest. Her eyes flutter shut as she does her best to keep her breathing even--to little express. Some part of her clings to the knowledge he should rest with his tender side and the day to come, let alone the notions of what his culture surely taught him. The rest of her desperately wishes to let go and open herself to him as she wishes.

Would he think less of her or come to resent her if she did?

He is right to presume her thoughts as her eyes open with that very question in mind. Should she leave so he might find sleep? If she is pulling him from a much needed reprieve, then...

His smile causes her breath to catch in her throat and a blush to take her cheeks. The statement he proposed blanks for but a moment as she lays almost entranced by the expression alone. Her eyebrows turn upwards as she feels herself quietly losing the battle within.

Oh, yes. He had made an inquerey. How does she speak again--let alone breathe? ]

N-not as such, [ Her voice is lower than she thought. ] Several adventurers complimented me... but most sought to ask my hand in keeping them alive. This... you, I, I...

[ Words utterly fail her as she tries to put thoughts together. However, he is incredibly distracting, as the day she met him in Camp Dragonshead.

Seven hells. Does he have any ides what he does to her?

The hand covering his own trails lightly up his arm to rest on his cheek. The other at his side continues to gently rub the site of the wound. Her body shifts under him to encourage him as her control becomes a fleeting thing. If his look beckons her, then her look is simply begging him to move forward ... ]

[ Instead of pain or discomfort, it is a sigh of relief and pleasure, but also the sigh of one who wishes for more, if only he dares chase after what he wants.

And, to answer her question, he has very little idea of the effect he is having on her, because he is doing his best to navigate his own churning thoughts and desires, some of them far more daring than others. ]

Ah, I see. I imagine that if they had, and they were still present, or at least nearby, we might have had to have a talk. [ His smile edges just a fraction towards something akin to mischief, because he would not begrudge anyone who wished to compliment Alkaid or her sister. And, naturally, he is not the jealous sort, but given how he wishes for a closer relationship with her, he fears that he may very well have to have words with any who harbors notions of wooing her. That spot has been taken, or so he would like to think. ]

Tell me, so that I might do all I can to ensure this is a pleasing experience for you- Is there anything that I ought to consider off-limits?

[ He would just as soon as explore unchecked, but he imagines he would not be a very good partner if he did not attempt to determine anything she does not like or places she does not wish to have touched. ]

[ The flutter of her heart turns into a loud drum in her ears. Part of her cannot believe it is happening. Had she not aimed to simply comfort and heal him? How had events spun into this? Even as the logical side of her mind attempts to rationalize it all? The other side that speaks of instinct and burning desire is far louder and grows as the drum beats in her ears do.

There is something particular about how he phrases his statement that makes her cheeks flush and her heart clench. The idea of him looking sour at any who may wish to woo her is thrilling in some manner. While the term ownership is one that implies things she would not mean? Something inside her desires to be his... which, he has already offered his home, his room, his bed...

The usually bright tinted mint-green eyes darken as her breathing deepens. Gods. What has she become around him? Surely, it is an unseemly image and one that would not please him. ]

A stern talk... I would hope. [ She's practically breathless as well. How did that happen?

Then, a shake of her head to his question. She squeezes his hand still at his chest. The voice that stammered just seconds ago is strong and direct. ] Nowhere is off-limits. I'd have you everywhere if you would want it.

[ This certainly was not his intention either, but now that things have taken the turn that they have, he intends to just follow where they go, to whatever end. At some point, he knows that they will both have to sleep once more, but for the moment, his mind is on other things.

He watches her reactions carefully, looking for any signs of displeasure or discontent, but all he sees is what he believes to be desire, and he takes that as an encouragement to continue. ]

Oh, a very stern talk, as I must make my position and my feelings clear, lest anyone think I am not wholly resolved in my commitments to you.

[ And at her next words, his eyes seem to darken with a desire of his own, and a look of anticipation crosses his face. ] And I would say the same for you, should that be your desire. [ He sees no reason why any part of him would be considered off-limits to her, and he hopes that she understands that.

And again, he leans in for a kiss, wishing to pour all of his love and affection for her into it so that there cannot be even a shred of doubt for either of them that he considers himself hers, and no one else's. ]

[ If her cheeks could grow any hotter they would. Commitments? Of what sort? Are they truly a couple--is this what being courted is like? Her mind tries to rationalize it more as her focus slips between him and what it is he says. Whatever rational her mind may have tries to create disappears the moment his eyes darken and he kisses her again.

Her eyes flutter shut and she returns the kiss just as hungrily. She wants to be hisI, for no one else has caught her attention like he has. No one has ever made her stop to consider staring a life in a place not where her clan is. There has been no one else to make her accept there are paths outside those that lead her back to her childhood home...

The hand at his side finally begins to move, searching for the edge of his nightshirt while her knee still rests to his other give him support. Her hand finds its mark hesitantly slipping underneath to be able to touch his skin properly. Then, her fingers gently touch the scar from the knife wound. ]

[ He is trying to think what action he ought to do next that would please her, because more than anything else, that is what he wants to do. He would give her the entire world if only he could, and barring that, he would give her the most thrilling, unforgettable time that he can manage.

He is about to reach for the knee that is resting against him, intending to let his hands wander and caress her thigh, but that is before her hand slips beneath his shirt and he feels her fingers come to rest on the place where he was hurt.

It is a sensitive spot, of course, but even if it were not, he knows he would always feel a spark or a tingle where her fingers brush against his skin. She just has that effect on him, and now is no different.

And then, as if his body has a mind of its own, being mindful to not overbalance and land ungracefully upon her, he lightly presses the front of his hips against hers. At first, he just holds that position for a moment, unmoving, but after a moment's hesitation, he tries an experimental shift up and then back down, all the while keeping his eyes locked on hers, looking for any signs of displeasure.

This feels like the most intimate action he has ever initiated, given his previous lack of intimate encounters with anyone, but he has decided to let instinct direct him where to go and hope that the outcome is pleasing for both of them. ]

[ The fingers at his side gently trail up along the scar and then to the side. She explores how the muscles are placed and laid out. Aether can tell her many things, but she quickly learning the difference between listening to his aether and feeling how his body works. Breath catches in her throat as her fingers shake slightly. They move to his back, finding their way to his spine and start to move upwards...

Then, she gasps breathlessly as his hips push into hers.

Alkaid's eyes shut for only a moment as she tries desperately to keep the last shred of propriety in place. Her tail, draped to the side, sways quickly as if to express how she truly feels. Then, he moves, snd her eyes lock onto his. Instinct and passion fully takes ahold then as she presses her hips in return. A soft moan leaves her--albiet she still tries to control the volume so it might not draw attention to them.

The hand at his spine begins to move upwards again, in search of a place that he might enjoy. The other moves down this arm by gently grazing the tips of her fingers along his skin.

If she let's go now? She is unsure of how far her passions would demand the go. Would that be alright with him? Her hips move against his as if to test the question.]

[ As her fingers travel along his spine, a shiver forms at the base of it and travels upwards, but it is a shiver of pleasure and a sort of wonder, because these are feelings and sensations he has not experienced before. What is more, he has discovered that he likes it very much. He is certain that her explorations have revealed just how much tension he holds inside himself, but he has always reasoned that away by saying it comes with the territory of being somewhat in a leadership position.

But when he is with her, he finds that he does not have so much pressure to uphold his public persona, a fact that has become quite apparent given what the two of them are presently doing.

With their hips still pressed together, he shifts upward and then down again, creating a little friction between them, hoping that the action is as pleasurable for her as it is for him.

The thought occurs to him that perhaps they could cross the threshold that he has been hesitant to even approach, but they have come this far, after all. ]

[ Those explorations have most certainly divulged such information. The part of her mind still capable of objective thought makes a note of where to direct her comforting ministrations next time it seems he is tense. For now, her fingers instead move to the base of his neck and begin to stroke the lines of tension there. Small motions that, after a moment, fall in line with the way their hips shift.

She had intentions of asking if he was truly alright with this. His culture and standings aside, she wonders how intimate he would prefer to be out of wedlock. Yet, that query flies from her mind the moment he begins to shift up and down.

Her fingers press into his skin on reflex of the motion. All at once her lowe back arcs to press her front to his. Her body shivers with a sudden wave of pleasure that comes from deep inside. Her legs wrap around his to encourage the motion further. ]

Aymeric, [ His name slips out breathlessly and her eyes meet his. She'd throw away that last shred of propriety if he permit her to. Although, if he keeps his motions going... ] Please...

[ Keep going, is what she means to say. Instead she shudders again and tilts her head back. ]

[ Perhaps strangely, the only thing he is thinking about in between sweeping waves of pleasure elicited by her motions in return is that they are far too clothed for this. In line with those thoughts, he reaches up to tug on the edge of her shirt, as if to communicate the question of whether or not she minds if he removes it for her.

It certainly is a daring request, at least by his way of thinking, but if they are going to be intimate in this fashion, it stands to reason that nothing should be in their way.

For now, though, he contents himself with gradually increasing the speed of his movements, complying with her request that he interprets as asking him to continue and not stop. ]

[ Her gaze moves back to his after he tugs on the shirt she wears. A slow and very welcoming smile forms on her lips. There is a jest somewhere in her mind of how it is his nightshirt and he should be the one to decide if she wears it or not. Instead, she slips her other hand underneath his own to press both of her hands to his back and neck, using the slightly leverage to change how they angle ever so slightly. That seems to be enough to make what little rationale she had fade away as she presses her lips to his ear and another low sound comes from her.

Her breathing deepens as her fingers curl into his back and hair. Thankfully, her nails are short and shouldn't leave marks or hurt at all. Instead, she leaves kisses along his jaw and up to his ear. She maneuvers however he directs her to be able to rid the nightshirt from her, even if a slight whine comes from her as she has to pull her hips from his to do so. ]

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thewayforpeace - 2022-03-10 23:14 (UTC) - Expand

/rounds this as done!

shepherdtostars - 2022-03-11 22:00 (UTC) - Expand