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.

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"Then don't let go. Because either way I'm going to be holding you tight and close anyway." So that was all the warning she was going to get. Because this was the perfect life he could only dream of as a slave in the mines.

"I don't want to ever be anywhere else than with you."

Shionne's smile warmed to the level of a supernova - the idea of him holding her tight and close really was a dream come true to her. She was fine with that warning - in fact, she leaned in closer to press her body against his, wrapping her arms around him tightly in turn. "You won't be. I won't let you." she added, teasingly, nuzzling his neck and sneaking in light kisses. Because he can't stop her, mwahaha!

He would easily see himself basking in that smile's warmth all day long if his mind wasn't filled with so many desires to be with Shionne and just enjoy each other to the fullest and not just in the intimate way though a good chunk of those thoughts and ideas were of an intimate nature. Especially feeling the soft curves of her body matching so perfectly against his toned one.

"Then I will make sure to make it so you never ever regret that decision~"

It was truly amazing to feel someone's body and think that it just fit so naturally to hers; Shionne did entertain the thought that he was meant to be with her, for a moment. But she didn't voice it. She probably wasn't helping with keeping any intimate thoughts at bay either, with as affectionate as she was being. "Mm, I could never. Ever. You're the best thing to ever happen in my life." even outside of the curse.

"Doesn't mean I'm going to get complacent or lazy in showing how much of a catch I am~" Or how much of a treasure she is to him. Even if there was no doubt in either of their minds or heart at this point. It was just another quest to always strive for now that they'd find their own place in this world.

She laughed, "You're starting to use Kisara's fishing language now," she teased, drawing back from the little nuzzles and kisses to return her attention to his face, humming softly. "I think.. t he next time I get jealous.. instead of getting angry, I'll just have to make sure you can't think of any other women, any way possible." Smother him in love and attention, yessir!

As if he ever thought of other women the way he thought of Shionne. Still that promise made him more than a little curious how that would look and feel. NOt that he was going to show interest in another woman to trigger that deliberately. No his feelings for her were too pure for that kind of deceit.

"Something else to be pleasantly surprised by~"

True, she didn't think it would ever come up - or if it did it was because Shionne misunderstood Alphen's innocent interactions. She chuckled softly, squeezing her arms around him, "Alphen, tell me something..what was it like when you could feel for the first time..?" Probably about the same for her, but she was curious.

"...this might sound cheesy but...it felt like Something that had been missing was finally back. Like what I imagined being back home would be like. Unless you mean the first time I felt pain. That was...not pleasant but I had more concerning things to worry about at the time." To put it mildly. That hurt look on Shionne's face would likely be the thing of his nightmares for the rest of his life providing he did get any more nightmares.

She would chase away that memory if she could. There's a definite blush on her cheeks again at that, and she reached up to absently pet her hand along the back of his head, gently, "No, not then. I was just .. I mean before that." She didn't want to remind him of the time he had instinctively let go when she hurt him though. "..so now that you can feel me.. is it everything you thought it would be...?" She's only half serious though, from the coy smile on her lips.

Best way to do that is just to be happy together with him. Both intimately and just being together doing small things. playful things. Casual things. Just being together really.

"It's better than I ever imagined. The softness, the warmth. All of you. To be able to touch like this without you or me flinching away. It's the most beautiful slice of heaven I could have ever asked for."

She smiled softly, trailing her fingers through his hair lightly. "Hah.. I was going to say the same thing actually. This really is the most perfect heaven anyone could ask for." She sighed contentedly. It'd probably be silly to ask him to pinch her so she knew she wasn't dreaming - she knew this was real, more than anything. But she didn't think she'd stop floating about it anytime soon.

He closes his eyes in bliss for a moment before he reaches up to gently run his fingers along Shionne's cheek.

"Sorry for beating you to it but not sorry for feeling this way with you~ I would never apologize for that~" Alphen chuckled at his own silliness for a moment even if it did come from his heart.

She smiled more, leaning into the feel of his fingers along her cheek. "You don't need to apologize for that .. or for anything." She half scolded at the silly silly man, before tightening her arms around him in a firmer hug and snuggling close, "Only you would think to apologize for something like that."

"When all I think of it's how to make you happy and how to be happy together with you, it's hard to want to apologize for anything really." Alphen chuckled and hugged Shionne back as well, letting her feel the strong steady beat of the heart that belonged to her forever and ever.

Belonged to her, and just imagining she could fall asleep and wake up with him curled up around her..Forever and ever.. now that was a dream come true. "You're going to spoil me, saying things like that." She chuckled, "If you spend all your time spoiling me, when do I get to spoil you?"

"You're the one who deserves spoiling the most in this world and I won't accept anything that says you don't" Alphen insisted before pressing his lips up to Shionne's since dammit it was too long since he kissed her already.

"That's not -" she WAS going to say that wasn't fair, until he pulled another 'not fair' move and stole a kiss. She'd protest but.. not very hard because it did feel like it was too long between kisses, especially when he was so close already. She could always continue the line of thought afterwards -- maybe. But she was already melting into the taste of his lips, so don't count on it.

He melts into her as well and the two just lose any desire for words to be traded while his hands and legs tangle with Shionne's while the kiss seems to extend for what feels like a lifetime to him.

"Mmmmmshionnnne~" He moans her name into the kiss as he drags it out as far as he can get away with.

Words weren't that important right now - at least they weren't as important as the feelings they were expressing right now. She shivered at the sound of her name being moaned so ..intensely, and the moment they had to break from that kiss, she exhaled a panting breath. Kinda funny when she'd originally wanted to break to rest or sleep but..right now sleeping was the last thing on her mind.

"Alphen..." She murmured just as softly, though it miiiiight surprise him when she leaned against him to initiate more kisses, nibbling the side of his neck gently as she traced her hands along his side. Maybe she felt it was her turn to spoil him mercilessly.

Honestly words had their time and place. Especially when he wanted to erase any and all doubts in Shionne's mind that he was here to stay with her until the end of their days and beyond. So while it is temptingto chase after her lips to start another kiss instead he gently raises a hand and caresses the curve of her cheek as he rests his forehead to hers.

"Shio-mmm!" well hello sudden kiss before he saw it coming. Though he quickly just melts into it and into Shionne herself while he pulls her in closer so their chests are pressed flush together.

To be fair, just that touch of his forehead to hers said volumes. It was such a simple, but earnest, sweet and loving gesture she couldn't help herself. Her free hand reached up to cover his lightly, basking in the loving silence of their intimacy until she had to break the kiss herself. Though she was aware that after kissing him like that, once was probably not enough for him. Not even close. "Sorry," she murmured softly, nuzzling closer still, "I just can't help but want every bit of you. Your kisses taste so intoxicating I can't stop at one."

"Then just don't stop~" He doesn't want Shionne holding back. Because she's done so much of that for the majority of her life so he's made it his goal to fill her future with all of the joy and love she was owed by the entire world. Because seeing her smile was his greatest joy as well.

"I love you Shionne. I cannot say that enough and I won't stop saying it. Even if you truly understand that simple fact~"

Shionne smiled softly, "Then I won't... you've always told me do what I want, right..?" Still, just letting her do whatever she wanted, however she wanted without having to hold back - oh the possibilities. She fell silent a moment at him expressing his love for her, before her smile widened. "My Alphen..." She shifted to curl her arms around him, "I love you too.. I always will. Forever and ever." She leaned into him, sneaking in a kiss, "And ever," she murmured, teasing his lips with each kiss, playfully, until she chuckled against his lips, claiming a deeper kiss from him and slipping into a more comfortable position - right on top of him. So he could hold her as tightly and as closely as he wanted, and she could claim as much love from him as she wanted. And spoil him with the same.

"Always yours and only yours~" Alphen cooed back at her between kisses his arms gently but longingly closing around her back and pressing her body flush to his just marveling at how such a beautiful angel had stolen his heart before he even realized it.