Work Text:
Intimacy.
"Renfred. Have you ever yearned for intimacy?" Alice heard Elias ask her Master. Alice, already running late for class, but still hid around the hallway where Elias and Renfred were talking, listening intently. Their conversation was short, and Alice slipped away before Renfred could see her.
xxx
Friday afternoon. Classes are ending for the week at the College of Magic and Alchemy. Chise was just leaving her last class of the day, walking down the hall with her classmates.
"Chise, do you want to join us for some coffee and studying this afternoon?" Beatrice asked her.
"Chise. I was hoping I could get a magus lesson from you today." Lian told her.
"We were hoping Chise would join us at our Chess Club meeting this afternoon, too!" The St.George twins said in unison.
"I thought she was going to the lecture from Master Quinlan with Zoey and I?" Isaac said.
Chise was speechless. I never realized that they really like my company, Chise thought to herself. When she was trying to come up with a reply, she saw Alice and the end of the hall, waving her hand in the air to her. Alice walked quickly to Chise and her classmates.
"Chise! I've been looking for you. We need to get some tea and chat. Soon. Like, now." Alice told her. Chise looked at her best friend and nodded.
"Sorry, guys. Alice needs me. We'll plan somethings for next week, ok?" Chise told her classmates, while bowing slightly to them. They nodded sullenly, then continued to walk the hall, and out into the courtyard.
Alice grabbed her arm and turned her back to where her class was. They walked steadily, trying to avoid all the students trying to leave the building quickly, to get ready for the weekend. When they finally cleared the main hallway, they slowed down and then stopped.
"What's this about, Alice? Is everything alright?" Chise asked her.
"Chise, are you going home now with Thorn?" Alice asked her.
"No. Elias has to stay all this afternoon to grade tests and plan his lectures for the week. Ruth and I will be going home soon, or so I thought." Chise said.
"Let's have some tea at my place. I won't keep you long." Alice said.
It only took a few minutes to get to the residence quarters Alice shared with her Master. Chise and Ruth sat themselves down at the kitchen table, while Alice got the tea kettle and biscuits ready. As soon as the tea was ready, Alice placed the plate of sweets down and three steaming mugs of Lady Grey tea in the center of the table.
"Chise. I just wanted to tell you what I heard today." Alice explained to Chise the conversation Elias and Mikhail had, how Elias was yearning for intimacy, asking Renfred about Alice, and apologizing for possibly offending Renfred.
"So. That's what I wanted you to know. I'm not sure exactly what Elias is after-cuddles, kissing, sex, what have you. I don't want you to get hurt, or do anything against your will." Alice told her intently.
Chise's face paled, then reddend. She looked downward into her lap, trying to figure out what could Elias mean.
"What did Mr.Renfred say about you?" Chise asked.
Alice's cheeks turned pink. "He said that I have average magical talent, and he sees me as his daughter." She said sadly.
"Oh, Alice. I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say." Chise said, while reaching for Alice's hand.
Alice's eyes welled up, while she squeezed Chise's hand. "It's ok. I had a pretty good idea of how he thought of me. Today was confirmation of the fact, that's all." She said, while putting on a brave face. They sat in silence for a few moments, lost in their own thoughts.
"What do you think, Ruth? What should I do?" Chise asked her familiar.
"You love him, he loves you. I don't really see a problem. You humans tend to complicate things. You are his wife in the eyes of the Fae kingdom. Are you ready to take your relationship with Thorn further? The final decision is yours." Ruth said, while helping himself to the jammie dodgers on the plate in front of him.
"Thank you for telling me, Alice. I'm not sure of what to do about it though." Chise said.
"He's a man, I assume, so I would treat this like I would every other man. Have him wine and dine you before you let him in your pants. Losing your virginity is a big deal to some women; don't let him take it from you so easily-make him work for it. I just wouldn't want you to go through with it, then have regrets. Your whole relationship with Thorn will change after this, you know. He will change from being your teacher to being your husband. Are you sure that's what you want? If it were me, I would sleep on it overnight, then go from there. It's better to take things slowly, especially since you're so tiny, and he is, well, so big. Have you seen him naked yet?" Alice asked her with a smirk.
Chise blushed to the roots of her hair. "Alice! Of course not! What kind of girl do you think I am?!?" She said indignantly.
Alice began a fit of laughter, tears running down her face, and she struggled to catch her breath.
"Well...I would say that would be your first step then. Maybe you can take a bath together? You both should be able to fit in that bathtub of yours, which I'm bloody jealous of, by the way. We only have the smallest shower here at the College." Alice said, regaining her composure.
Chise stood up, and placed her tea mug in the sink. "You've given me a lot to think about, Alice. I think I'm ready to go home and sleep on it, like you said." She told her friend.
"I understand, Chise. Call or text me if you need to. Or not. Keep me posted either way!" Alice said with glee.
Chise hugged Alice, and she and Ruth left Renfred's resident quarters.
xxx
Chise and Ruth left the college for the weekend, heading back home with the shortcut Hazel found for them.
"Remember to keep on the path, Ruth. We don't want to offend or anger these neighbors in the tunnels." Chise whispered to her familiar. Ruth nodded, and switched to his human form, and held Chise's hand. They walked the tunnels silently, to not attract attention to themselves and cause the snake-like neighbors any anger. After walking steadily uphill for about forty minutes, they made their way to the telephone box that was kept as a doorway to the countryside. Ruth and Chise stepped out of the telephone box, then gently closed the door behind them.
"I appreciate the shortcut to school, but walking through these tunnels without Elias makes me anxious." Chise said quietly.
"You know I will protect you from harm, Chise. That's what I'm here for." Ruth said.
"Is my mighty protector ready for lunch? Let's see who gets home first! I bet I'll win!" Chise said, while starting to jog down the country lane, where their home was located, past the village. She knew Ruth would easily beat her home in his Church Grim form, but she wanted to use the jog home to think to herself about her conversation with Alice, with minimal interruptions. Driven by his hunger for lunch, Ruth ran by in his Grim form, like Chise knew he would, since she knew food was his biggest motivator.
As Chise jogged home, she started to actually think about herself for once, instead of putting everyone else's needs and wants before her own. What do I want? She thought to herself. Do I really think of Elias as my husband, instead of my teacher? How will things change if we become intimate? Am I really ready for this? I've never been through this, or felt this way before. When she finally reached the path to the front of the house, Ruth was waiting for her on the porch.
"It took you long enough! Let's go in, I'm starving." Ruth whined. Chise laughed at her big brother as she opened the door to let them inside.
Silky was waiting for them, and had plates of sandwiches and iced tea ready for them. "Thank you for lunch, Silver!" Chise said as she and Ruth sat down at the kitchen table, eating their lunch quietly.
After a quick shower after lunch, Chise and Ruth spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden; weeding, pruning rose bushes, gathering herbs for the brownie to use in the kitchen.
It was almost dinner time when Chise and Ruth came in. Chise was setting the table, when the front door opened, bringing in Elias, who was carrying a briefcase and a large binder, filled to capacity with essays from his Magecraft students.
"I'm home, finally. Hello, Chise. Ruth. Silver Lady." Elias said, as he removed his cloak and hung it on a hook on the wall.
"Welcome home, Elias. Dinner is almost ready, and I just made some tea." Chise said, as she poured Jasmine tea into 3 mugs.
Dinner was a mostly quiet affair. Chise was still mulling over in her mind how to approach Elias with what Alice told her this afternoon.
"So, Elias. How was your day today at the College? Did anything new happen? How were the students today?" Chise asked her teacher.
"Hmm. It was an ordinary day, I suppose. The students in my class have yet to master even the most simple tasks I place before them, which is most disconcerting." Elias said, leaning his head onto his fist, barely touching his dinner.
"It must be very stressful, having students struggle with Magecraft. Did anything else happen today?" She asked him. Chise wasn't usually one to ask so many questions, but today she is very inquisitive, Elias thought to himself.
"Hmmm...nothing in particular, no." Elias said finally. Ruth looked over at Chise, then back at Elias, and sighed.
Chise, I think you will have to be the one to make the first move. Your teacher seems to be missing the point of your questions. Ruth said, speaking to her in the connection they have in their minds.
I think you're right, Ruth. Chise said in reply. Think, Chise....Think. What would it mean for Elias to yearn for intimacy? He's always quick to give me a hug, or a pat on the head, or hold my hand. I feel bad; I haven't been as open with my thoughts and touches toward him. I bet that's what he needs...
Chise stifled a yawn, while gathering up the plates and cups from dinner. She placed them in the sink, and thanked the Silver Lady for dinner.
"I think I'm going to take a relaxing bubble bath, then head to bed. It's been a long week, and I am tired." Chise told Elias.
"That is a great idea, Chise. I could use a soak in the tub myself." Elias said to her.
Chise turned toward the hallway and stairs, and looked over her shoulder.
"You could join me if you'd like, Elias. The tub is big enough for both of us." She said, then headed quickly for the stairs, then started climbing them slowly.
xxx
So much for sleeping on it, Chise. Acting impulsively again, as usual, she thought to her herself. Was I too forward? She wondered, as she heard a chair in the kitchen slide backward forcibly. She heard Elias' footsteps behind her, as he caught up to her on the stairs. He picked her up from the staircase, and carried her bridal style into the bathroom, slamming the door shut with his foot.
"Elias!" Chise said in surprise.
"Chise. Forgive me if I became too forward. I....I would like to take a bath with you, if I may." Elias said quietly, looking embarrassed.
"No, it's fine. I invited you here, after all. It's just...I don't know how to begin. I've never been through this before." She said, looking away.
"We don't have to rush into anything you wouldn't want to do, Chise." He told her.
"Well, I guess I'm just nervous and embarrassed. You've seen me naked once, and-"
"More than once." Elias said under his breath.
"Wait, what? What do you mean, more than once?!?!"
"Chise. Think back to the battles and trials you have had already since you've been in my home. Who do you think cleaned and bandaged your wounds, and dressed you in clean nightwear while you were recovering?" Elias asked her.
Chise's eyes turned wide in dawning realization. Her face blushed furiously.
"Oh. My. God. I....I never thought about that! Oh, no..." Chise said, putting her face into her hands.
Elias walked up to Chise, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"If it makes you feel better, I also washed and nursed Ruth back to health as well. Chise, I hope you realize that we fae beings take no notice or have embarassment toward nudity; it is a human construct. I'm sure you have noticed that the fae have no need to cover their bodies." He explained.
Chise's face was still red, blushing to her roots.
"I understand, Elias. But with me, I...I have never been touched until I was with you. I always had monsters chasing me, and then after my dad left and my mother died...I guess I never learned how to touch and be affectionate. I'm sorry, Elias." She said sadly.
"Chise, please don't be sorry. I understand what you have been through, and do not wish to cause you any shame, embarrassment, or discomfort. We made a vow to talk things through; I am ready to help you, if you'll let me." Elias told her gently.
Chise nodded, and looked up to her husband. She took a long, deep breath, and exhaled slowly. She made her way to the cabinet where Elias kept the bath salts, essential oils, and flower petals he used for their baths. She took out a small wooden bowl, and measured out some epsom salts. She then mixed in some lavender oil, and added dried lavender petals to the bowl. She mixed the ingredients in the bowl with a wooden spoon, then walked to the tub. She placed the stopper in the drain, then started the water.
As the tub started to fill, she walked up to Elias. Very gently, she placed her hands on his upper arms.
"May I take your shirt off, Elias? I think I would like it if we took things slowly." Chise told the Mage.
"Of course, Chise. Whatever you would like. I am yours." He told her, his red and white eyes turning into half moons, which happened when he was happy.
"Mine." She whispered, a small smile on her face. Elias stooped down, so Chise could remove his bolo tie, placed it on the sink, then she slowly undid the pearl buttons on the front of his oxford shirt. As soon as all the buttons were undone, she slid the shirt off his shoulders and arms, letting it drop to the floor.
Elias stood upright again, and waited, wanting to hear what Chise would like next. Chise looked up at her husband; he had defined muscles in his chest and abdomen, with the same rich, purple scaly skin she has seen in his arms and hands. She gently placed her hands on his chest, and slowly stroked his pecs and his 6 pack, stopping at his waistline.
Soon the tub was almost full. Chise quickly went to the tub and shut off the faucets, then walked slowly back to Elias.
"Um...Elias? Could you remove the rest of your clothes and get in the tub? I will meet you there. I'm not ready to undress the rest of you, and I'm starting to feel anxious." She whispered.
"Of course, Chise. You may join me in the tub when you are ready. If not, that is all right, too. Whatever you feel comfortable with." Elias said as he removed his belt, pants, boxers, socks, and shoes. He went into the tub while Chise had her back turned to him. She only turned around when she heard the water splash and settle again. Elias had his arms on the edges of the tub, head turned toward his wife.
Chise looked at Elias, and looked down at her clothes. She was wearing a loose pale pink sundress, that she liked to wear while gardening. She inhaled deeply again, trying to settle her nerves. Then she quickly grabbed the hem of her dress, and pulled it up and over her head, tossing it on top on Elias' clothes. She stood in front of Elias, wearing a white lace bra and white lace boyshort panties.
Chise turned, facing away from Elias. "Could...could you take my bra off, please?" She asked him, then held her breath.
"Of course." He said, and turned himself to face her back. He gently unclasped her bra, and slid it down her arms. Chise tossed it on top of her dress. With her back still facing him, she quickly pulled down her panties, tossed them with the other laundry, and quickly got in to tub, her back facing Elias' chest. She sat down in between his legs, and sat timidly.
Elias sat still, his arms still resting on the top of the sides of the tub, legs resting on the insides of the tub, giving his wife room to sit in front of him. He could sense Chise's anxiety; she was trembling slightly, and she was taking slow, deep breaths. Slowly, she leaned back against her husband, back resting on his chest. Then she stretched her arms upward, clasping on to his forearms. She gently move his arms beneath hers, and rested his arms on her shoulders.
She lightly clasped his right wrist, turning his hand toward her. She traced the palm of his hand and his fingers with her left hand. She gently kissed his palm, which made him gasp aloud. She turned his hand palm down and stroked his right hand with her left. She then repeated the same touches with his other hand.
"Your hands are amazing, Elias. They are so big and strong, but also so very gentle. I've seen you handle and carry the heaviest things, but then turn around and gently pick flower petals and herbs." She said in her quiet voice.
She then moved her arms up his forearms, stroking him slowly, as far as she could reach.
"I love the way you hold me with these arms, Elias. You make me feel safe." Chise told him.
She then turned slightly to the left, resting on her hip, legs resting on Elias' left thigh. She reached up, and felt his heart beat. As she was listening to the patter of his heart, she aimlessly let her hands roam on his chest and abdomen, keeping her strokes above the water and his waist.
She closed her eyes, and breathed deeply, centering herself, and slowly letting her guard down.
She rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat. It was the only sound she has ever heard his body make. She closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat, it slowly let her relax.
Elias gently moved his arms, holding her close to him. He softly ran his fingers through her crimson hair with one hand, while rubbing her shoulders and back with the other hand.
"This was a great idea, Chise. This is a great way to end a stressful week." Elias told his bride.
"Thank you. Yes, I think we should do this every Friday night after dinner." She said, as she opened her eyes and looked up to her husband's face.
"I agree." He said simply.
They laid in the tub quietly, hearing the faucet slowly drip water droplets into their shared bath. Both were lost in their own thoughts; Chise was wondering if and when she could be intimate with him, and how should she make the first move, since her Mage needed guidance in all things human. Elias leaned his head back over the edge of the tub, thinking of how he could explain to his apprentice what his needs were, afraid that his wants and needs might possibly drive her away from him again.
Elias was enjoying this quiet time, holding his wife. In the distance, he could hear the start of a storm brewing off the coast. They only had a few more minutes until the thunder would be heard from their house. He knew as soon as Chise heard the storm, she would bolt from this bathroom, and try to hide.
Damn the Gods, Elias thought to himself.
We really didn't need more rain. I wonder how much longer it will be until Chise hears-
"Eeek! A thunderstorm is coming, Elias! We have to get out of the tub! Now!" Chise exclaimed, as she started to scramble out of the tub, leaving a puddle in front of the tub in the process.
Chise quickly grabbed a towel from the linen cabinet, and wrapped it around herself, while muttering quietly in Japanese. She ran out of the bathroom, leaving the door open, and her husband still in the tub, with his mouth opened in surprise.
Her hearing is better than I thought, Elias thought to himself. With a heavy sigh, he rose from the tub, stepped out, and also grabbed a towel from the linen cabinet. He wrapped the towel around his narrow hips, and made his way toward their bedroom.