midnightstar | Shionne and Alphen in Menancia

They've all come a long way since Calaglia, both in terms of distance and... other things. Things Shionne was forcing herself not to acknowledge. Because what would the point be to acknowledge those thoughts when she couldn't act on them - when at the end of this journey, she had no future? Ah... but that was something she hadn't - couldn't - tell the others, who she's begun thinking of as more than just 'tools'.

Particularly Alphen.

It was the hardest to think of him when she knew how much she was keeping from him. Much to her frustration, however, the group had decided to take a break for a little while since Shionne's pace had been pushing the others quite a lot - and they did just gain two new companions. Shionne was avoiding them as much as possible, deciding to go for a walk through the city almost...baffled by how accepting the Dahnans and Renans were.

It was ... nice. But it felt so alien to her, at the same time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh my. She didn't expect such a...enthusiastic response from him, and that *growl* was... so strangely sexy she didn't know how to put it in words. "T..Then I won't..." She whispered against his ear, gripping and tugging the shirt to undo any lacings and tug it off - hoping she didn't get a little too enthusiastic herself and potentially rip such a nice shirt.

... she might rip it a bit...

That brief stutter was so Shionne yet so charming that he just filed that away under precious memories while he allowed his body to do the talking, the shirt popping a button or two but Alphen didn't care since the hunger she was showing and the fact that he had spares allowed him to fully enjoy this moment of absolute honesty with each others' wants and needs.

She had the decency to look terribly embarrassed when she popped that button, "Ah.. Sorry. I'll sew it back later." If they can find the button again because she's already lost sight of it. But her sheepishness doesn't last long, since she found herself with quite a view - one she liked very much in fact, her hand wandering over to slowly trace along his skin. It's not like she hadn't seen him before when she healed him but - this was very, very different.

She almost paused to ask him if she really could remove it, but remembering his reassurance she felt her cheeks warm a little more, but focused her attention on slowly (at first) pushing the shirt off so she could see all of his upper body bare. Oh she wanted to touch every inch of him -- the thought was startling though and she let out a small squeak for a second, glancing away. GOSH what would Alphen say if he could hear her thoughts! ... which were probably written all over her face.

"I've got a couple of others I can use anyway so don't worry." If she'd allow him to wear a shirt again. Who knew how she'd feel about that by the end of their exploration.

Probably nothing negative or overly helpful in sorting out why she felt that way. But he would not push her away. That much is a certainty and the feel of her hands slowly exploring his now bare chest is enough to make him all the more certain of what he would choose.

"Shionne?"

That she'd be torn on - after all he was so fit now, he would only be more so by the end. And as much as she'd love seeing that - she wouldn't love other women seeing it too. Not to mention she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep her hands off of him.

Hearing him call her name got her to jump sheepishly, and she glanced back at him quickly, blushing, "Ah.. s-sorry." It's just.. if she was overwhelmed by THIS much what if she saw...more of him..? She smiled faintly, shaking her head and leaning down to brush her lips against his, "I'm...being ridiculous."

"If you're being ridiculous than I must be too." SInce he invited this entire situation to unfold after all. So either they were both ridiculous or neither one of them were. Alphen was not going to let that habit of hers ruin this moment for Shionne.

"Are you disappointed by how I look without my shirt on~?" Okay maybe he was also being a little cheeky with this precious woman who stole off with his heart.

"That's not fair." Using that argument to destroy her habit! But before she can fumble her way through why it was unfair an even more unfair question was asked, and she shot a surprised look at him. Did he think her hesitance was because he thought she was disappointed? Best clear THAT up right away.

"NO! Absolutely not! I love th-" Okay maybe that was a little too emphatic when he might just be teasing her. "I-I mean you..." She kind of wished he needn't wear a shirt period, actually. She leaned against him to let her body rest against his as she brushed her lips against his, "There's.. nothing about you that could disappoint me." That should be reassuring right?

Maybe that was just him being a little mean picking on her like that but this was all to get to the truth. To make it so she can't deny herself or run away from these feelings they caught because of being used to believing she didn't deserve him or anything good in the world.

He gently cupped her chin and tipped Shionne into a much deeper kiss as one hand pulled her by the hip more firmly against him.

"Then I can show you more. Show you how much you make me want to be with you in every way~"

She could forgive the teasing easily - he never picked on her so much that it really pushed her limit or anything. That said she was caught completely by surprise by the deeper kiss - or perhaps it was those words he said. Though the surprise didn't linger long before she leaned into it, flooded by those feelings she'd felt herself unworthy of for so long.

More - she wanted to feel and experience so much more with him it was..intoxicating. Drunk on the idea of being with him ...intimately, as much as the idea of being able to hold him in general. She didn't think she craved it so much - but not just herself, he must have the same feelings for certain. Once she needed to come up for air though, she was almost dizzy and breathless, trying to process what he said, then trying to process a functional answer to that before coming to the realization that he completely jumbled her thoughts.

And she was staring at him, almost stupefied before the simplest answer possible came to her. And it was because of Alphen that she realized the answer, once again, as she gave him her sweetest smile, leaning in close to him. If you can't find the words, then use actions, right? As she brought herself in to return the kiss just as passionately as he did, murmuring her own response in that soft, almost needy, hungry whisper, "I want to be with you too, Alphen.."

It seemed he was finally getting through to her and the way her body language shifted just pulled him in even closer, his lips skimming over Shionne's as he lightly found his hips rolling up to meet hers after he'd pulled her into his lap at some point during the last kiss after she had spoken those words.

"I am never going to get tired of hearing that. Of feeling you so close. OF wanting to feel you every day~"

She let out a soft humm of interest and encouragement, instinctively moving her hips to grind lightly against him, stroking her fingers through his hair with a small smile that was still a bit embarrassed. Embarrassed by eager. "S..speaking of feeling me...", he was going to have to catch up with her since she's touched and felt him more than he has her at this point. By a small amount. He was courteous enough to have given her the head start, after all.

He was letting her get a headstart given she was much more touch starved than he was. That wasn't to say he wouldn't jump at the invitation provided which he did as his strong calloused hands began a metaphorical odyssey of exploration along her body.

"Just let me know if I am going too fast or touching anywhere you don't actually want me to~" He answered his tone growing deeper as they got lost in their own desires and flows.

For a moment his deeper tone caught her off guard, rarely hearing him sound like that. But she found she approved of it, just as much as his 'normal' voice, and she nodded sheepishly, finding it far more comfortable being on top of him than she expected. Even with the slight movements, when she could feel his reaction beneath her, to her touches and the feel of her own body cravings his.

But as much as she wanted him, almost desperately, she didn't want to rush things and make a mistake somewhere for either of them. Fingers caressed the face she loved watching so much, absently trailing through his hair, "...i will, but.. I don't think there is any such a place.." That she didn't want to feel his hands.

Maybe she simply belonged on top of him. Most of the time. He would not settle for just that oh no. Just as she was greedy to touch him, Alphen was greedy to do all manner of things with Shionne as well

He smiled softly at her answer and then leaned in to kiss the palm of her hand as he closed his eyes for but a moment as he lingered there.

"I was hoping you would say that."

Entirely possible. Of course she was certainly willing to experience other things with him. Everything they both could think of, as long as it was with him. She smiled dreamily at the kiss to her palm, her thumb still brushing against his cheek adoringly. Just thinking about him made her feel like her stomach was full of butterflies.

She let her gaze drift lightly over his form, lingering slightly on the faintest marks she left - unintentionally of course. Well... she'd SAY it was unintentional. "Are you sure it doesn't hurt...?" When her nails left those feather light scratches - those definitely wouldn't leave much of a mark. And he's taken FAR more serious injuries so in retrospect she did find it a little funny she worried about that.

"I'm more than sure." Alphen smiled, her concern touching and precious to say the least as he just settled his hands on her legs and sides, just marveling at her much he wanted to feel her right now. Both with his hands and the rest of his body. It was a feeling that was both new and yet also right in a way.

"Would hurt more if I didn't have you here with me right now~"

She blushed, though her smile couldn't possible get bigger. Probably. "I don't want to be anywhere else." She admitted, leaning her head against his shoulder. Yes, this position was wonderful - feeling him so close. Though.. she was still currently more clothed than he was right now. OF course she also had more to take off, but... still...

She pulled her hand away to sit back and look down at him with a mixture of curiosity and shyness, "Should I.. em..do... do you want me to ..take something off too...?"

"That depends. Do you feel like that wouldn't bother you to do so?" Because to be quite frank, Alphen was quite fine with things going on like this a little longer even if a part of him was absolutely curious to see what part of her gorgeous attire she would choose to shed first.

"Well.. it's only fair I remove something...right?" After all he had taken his shirt off for her. Though she would probably just remove the chest armor and her gloves first. She still had to work her way up to something more risque like..taking her entire dress off. Even though she knew full well that was definitely the way things were leading. "A little at a time is okay, right?"

He smiles without a word and puts both hands against her cheek as he pulls her in for another kiss before leaning his forehead against hers after breaking the kiss, nothing but adoration and love burning in his eyes as he breathed out his answer.

"Of course it's okay~"

Has she said recently how much she loves him? Of course it was unspoken and understood by both parties, but saying it was surprisingly hard for her. And probably him as well. That said she couldn't bring herself to say it again yet - but she could easily show him her feelings, as she leaned into his kiss with a contented, happy sigh. Nuzzling gently, affectionately against him with his forehead against hers, she smiled. She never once thought he would rush her or anything, no matter how much they wanted each other. Taking their time was half the enjoyment - giving them more time to really feel each other.

With a soft breath she pulled away again, though this time with purpose as she carefully tugged her gloves off, and proceeded to unfasten and remove the chest piece - well to be fair, all of the remaining metal armor, leaving her in a much more breathable dress. "There..." It wasn't quite enough but it was good for a start. If only because she had no idea where to start when it did come to her dress.

Alphen would likely be the one to take to expressing those feelings out loud the first. IT was just how they both were in the end of the day. Alphen lived in the now. Because the now had Shionne in it and his past had been more or less settled once and for all.

"Oh...wow. I always thought your dress was so elegant it was made for you even with the armor part on. But even without it...I can't take my eyes off of you." Though that's not the end of it as his hands move in place to tug her down so that her now softer upper body would press against his own.

Shionne laughed, a little embarrassed by his praise, "It's funny, I thought it was so archaic at the time.. but now it will always be a reminder.." Of him. Not that she needed it to remind her of him, though. Still blushing, she paused for a second feeling his body much more against her body even through the thin material.

She relaxed, "If I remember... you had the same reaction when I first put this on, back then.."

I did. That outfit you had on when you jumped into the train cart was good at hiding how beautiful you really were so when you got changed into this...My mind just stopped working for a second. Which is what led to your misunderstanding." Alphen admitted with a chuckle, that memory a fond one in hindsight regardless.

She chuckled softly, raising a hand to gently pet his hair- why she liked playing with it so much now, she didn't know. "It was ..much more simple and plain than this one," she agreed, "..but we won't have any more misunderstandings between us now.. I hope."