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Ryoma and Scarlet conversed into the night.
As the fire dimmed, Scarlet stifled a yawn. “I think it’s time for bed. We have another day of flying tomorrow.”
Ryoma winced, he wasn’t looking forward to more flying, but soon he will be home.
Scarlet rummaged through her wyvern pack, and produced a thick blanket. “Oh,” she exclaimed, as she pulled it out of the bag and looked up at him. “I only brought one.”
“You can use it,” he offered.
“Are you sure? It gets pretty cold at night.”
“Y-Yeah,” he replied. If they were to share the blanket, they would have to be awfully close. He was suddenly self-conscious.
“Hmm…” She kicked off her boots, sat down on their makeshift bed made out of grass and leaves, and covered herself with the blanket. She raised a corner of it invitingly, “But you know, we’d both be warmer if we share.”
Ryoma looked away. The night was getting cold.
“Fine.” After much internal debate, he accepted her offer and joined her.
She was close, much closer than he had anticipated. He could feel her breath. Her eyes were closed, and he could make out her eyelashes touching her freckled cheeks. Her hair smelled like smoke, but he didn’t mind that part, he probably smelled like smoke too.
He was suddenly very aware of her body, just inches away. Aware of how her shirt fell sideways, exposing her fair skin. Aware of how her curves moved up and down with her breaths. Aware of how soft her lips looked.
“Ryoma….” her voice was low, and he could barely hear it over the thumping of his heart. Could she hear his heart beat too?
“Y-Yes?” he swallowed, his body stiffened. This was a bad idea, was it too late to go sleep elsewhere?
“Could you move over a bit, I don’t have much room over here,” she mumbled, without opening her eyes.
“Oh! Uh, sure.” He did as asked and shifted over.
“Thanks,” she said sleepily, and shifted closer—
A bit too much! Something soft pressed up against his arm, and her thigh brushed up against his.
Ryoma recoiled. Too close!
“Are you repulsed by me?” she asked quietly, sounding sad.
“N-No! Not at all, I just, I’ve uh…I’m…” he stammered. It was quite the opposite actually. Ryoma closed his eyes and tried to think of flat things. A tatami mat, the plains of Hoshido, the horizon.
“Are you ok?”
He turned to look at her, hoping–praying–his face did not betray his thoughts. “I..yeah.”
Her eyes were wide open now, and she inspected his face. She looked concerned at first, but then she grinned as she clued in.
“I see…” her grin grew wider, realizing perhaps this was an opportunity to tease him. She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped herself.
Perhaps realizing he was genuinely distressed, she decided not to tease him after all. Instead, she placed a hand gently on his arm. “It’s ok, Ryoma, you don’t have to be so nervous.”
“I’m uh….Sorry, I’ve never…” he looked away, struggling to come up with words. It wasn’t as if he’s never been aware of her body before; he’d be lying if he didn’t think she was attractive. But this sudden contact, combined with this unnamed feeling bubbling up due to their earlier conversation, made him feel a growing sense of…
Desire.
As that realization dawned on him, he turned to look at her again. She was looking at him, patiently waiting for him to straighten his thoughts. Her shirt did nothing to hide her curves. Her eyes were gentle, her smile looked inviting.
Something inside him stirred. He wanted to reach out and touch her. He cleared his throat and licked his dry lips.
“S-Scarlet, may I…” he swallowed, “May I kiss you?”
“Oh!” She looked surprised. It was her turn to be flustered. “Uh…I…I think you may have skipped a few steps…” she looked away and mumbled to herself. Then she chuckled and looked into his eyes.
“Yeah, go ahead, you don’t have to hold back,” she smiled, closed her eyes, and puckered her lips.
He leaned closer and gently, a bit awkwardly, kissed her waiting lips.
He was not prepared for the rush of emotion that came over him.
Ryoma gave in to his desire. He was so used to holding back his thoughts and feelings. But now layers of thoughts and feelings flooded past the gates.
Scarlet…. Scarlet….! More… I want….
He pulled her closer. Their legs were entwined. He could feel her warmth, her heartbeat, the movement of her body as she breathed, as their bodies melded together. He stopped being self-conscious or nervous, those feelings replaced by a burning-hot desire. His lips caressed hers. The tip of his tongue touched her lips; they yielded like water, letting him in, and their tongues danced.
When he finally pulled away, she stared at him, wide-eyed, panting. It seemed that she got more than she bargained for.
“S…Sorry. I don’t know what came over me…” he lowered his gaze. “Did I cross a boundary?”
“N-No!” she replied, flustered, “It was totally fine! Just…unexpected.”
He looked into her eyes again. The faint light from the fire was reflected in her eyes. Her face was flushed, but she looked overjoyed.
“Scarlet…” Ryoma leaned in and kissed her freckled cheek. His hand gently traced the contours of her face. The desire subsided, in its place was pure affection. His heart fluttered.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“Ryoma…” She took his hand and pressed it to her smile. “I love you too.”
Their lips met again and again in soft, gentle, sweet kisses.
Scarlet tucked her head against his neck, her hair tickled his nose. He held her close.
“Stay with me,” he stroked her hair, “Please don’t go anywhere.”
He felt her nod, “Don’t worry Ryoma, I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.”
They lay there in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s warmth. Ryoma didn’t want this night to end.
“So uh…” Scarlet broke the silence. She pulled back to look at him with a sly grin on her face. “Did you want to continue, or…” She asked as she shifted her leg, brushing up against his thigh.
“Oh…!” Ryoma’s face went red. “That’s um…” He wanted to sink into the ground.
“Hey, you don’t have to be embarrassed,” she ran her hand down his chest. “If anything, I’m flattered, honoured even. I find you irresistible too, you know.”
“Thank you,” he smiled. She always had a way to make him feel better. “But, I think we should probably sleep now, we have a long day ahead.”
“...Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she replied after a pause. Was it just his imagination, or was she disappointed?
“Maybe…” he whispered in her ear, “We can continue when we get back to Shirasagi?”
She laughed and nodded. Satisfied with his offer, she snuggled closer.
They finally dozed off, entwined in each other’s arms. Scarlet was right, they were both warmer when they shared the blanket.