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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"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.

Shionne uttered a muffled little chuckle into his kisses in turn, her body relaxing more into his the moment she felt him close his arms around her. She let out a long sigh, nuzzling his cheek with a smile, "I'm never going to get enough of being with you like this.. all you're doing is holding me, but it feels like I've been longing for this for so long.. longing for you.." She smiled, "..I don't think I want to let you up at all." Sleeping in her bed didn't have the same appeal as cuddling with him, it seems!

Just as well since i will never stop wanting to hold you in my arms. Even if day to day life might require it unless we're both planning to spend the whole day in bed just lazing together until hunger gets the better of us~" he was only half joking. If Shionne allowed it he would absolutely keep her in bed for as long as they both desired and then things would naturally escalate from just cute and wonderful cuddling.

"Not that I want to get up any time soon anyway so that is fine by me, my Shionne~" Yes he's cheating like that and no he's not sorry.

The longer they stayed in bed, the higher the probability that things would escalate - either on his part or hers. "I almost would say staying in bed with you was still more important." Oh that was /evil/ using the 'my' in front of her name. She nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder, wanting to feel as much of him as possible against her body. And cuddling like this on top of him was one of the best ways to do that. "That's not fair.. saying it like htat makes me want to stay in bed with you longer too." Fortunately it's not like they have to GO anywhere yet. They could probably stay at the inn as long as they want, before having to move on to this great new world and establishing a nice cozy cottage for themselves somewhere.

"I would argue not saying it for so long is what's not fair." Alphen chuckled just letting Shionne get all the nuzzling she could ever dream of and then with interest too. Because in his eyes the world and all of existence had a massive debt to Shionne. Heck if there were any gods he'd absolutely drag them down to make them pay of the debt of happiness that Shionne was owed.

"I mean if that's what you want, what's stopping you, hmmm~?"

She really didn't know how to handle being with someone who loved her so much the way Alphen did. But loving him back just as much was just a small portion of a way to pay him back for what she'd put him through. She shifted a little to curl her arms around him, "..haah, are you trying to make me lazy?" She teased, "Making it so easy and comfortable to just.. lie in bed with you like this." Knowing he would hold her whenever she asked, and even when she didn't with his sneakiness.

"Is that so bad as long as it's something you only do once in a while? " Didn't sound that way to Alphen and he was going to be right there with her to satisfy those desires and thoughts to the absolute fullest. Because he had seen how hungry for affection and contact with others she really was.

"I would certainly not mind being lazy too once in a while~"

She thought about it for a few seconds. "Well.. when it's you I won't want it to be just once in a while.." She admitted, a little quietly. Lying in bed with him all the time - well of course they'd have to get up to eat and exercise, but.. she was so addicted to being close to him at this point, she wanted to feel him holding her all the time. Even now she was letting her free hand touch his face, caress his cheek and brush along his hair. "Isn't it bad to be too lazy?" Maybe they needed a schedule -- if they could even keep to such a thing.

She knew for certain she was going to want to hold his hand whenever they went somewhere, just to know she could, and that he was always with her.

Oh goodness she was being too precious for words right now. Even after earning a long rest after combining two worlds and dealing with a threat that had been plaguing them for...countless years. It seemed he'd have to be the one to lead the way.

"I don't think it's bad since neither of us are going to let that become our permanent way of living. So being indulgent like this once in a while is perfectly normal if you ask me. Especially after everything we've been through. Especially you." He smiles and presses up closer to Shionne's body.

Shionne let out a long sigh of pure contentment, "And you," she reminded him, "Everything you've done not just for me, but for everyone. You're a hero, Alphen." She was only half teasing him there. "My hero especially." As he pressed closer to her body, she nuzzled into him, stealing a light kiss, "So the world's hero should get a reward, right?" She gently stroked her fingers through his hair, pondering different ways they could spend their time together. Fishing, cooking, ..cuddling.. gah, she was going to have to stop getting so blushy over thinking about spending time with him like this. "Or is this all the reward you need..?"

His hands idly skim the length of her body, just marveling in the joy of being able to touch Shionne without hurting her with his pain. Even when he endured it after reuniting. So having her this close was absolutely what he wanted. But it was also:

"I wish I could say it was, but I don't want to lie to you, Shionne. I want so so much more with you. "

Truthfully she couldn't get enough of feeling his touch now - they were both so touch starved after enduring their respective curses. She pressed herself closer as he skimmed his fingers along her skin, humming softly as she listened to his voice - listened to him voice things she'd thought herself plenty of times. She wanted more with him too - she'd almost joke that she was hungry for him more than she was for food.

"Good," she murmured softly, raising a hand to cup his cheek, "Because.. I want to give everything to you. I want to be everything for you." She slid her arms around him to pull him closer. "...do you know what I mean?"

That would be quite shocking but also flattering given her love of food was hardly a secret to anyone. As such he just pushes himself closer when she holds his cheek and then freezes for a moment before letting his face show a guilty blush.

"I think I have a pretty good idea what that means...I wouldn't say no...." Part of him is starting to suspect this might be a dream of some kind.

How cruel would it be if an alarm went off just now? But no; Shionne instead blushed herself, both to her own boldness and his reaction. "Then... if you won't say no..." she murmured softly, leaning closer, "Let me show my love for you." It sometimes amazed her just how badly she wanted to be close to him - close to him and more even. Shortly after uttering those words, she pulled herself close to his chest and pressed her lips to his, almost savoring the feel of his body. Oh - should she tell him he could touch her? ... she felt like he'd know himself he could do so just by following the mood though.

Oh heavens she was seriously going for it. To say that Alphen was excited would be an incredible understatement. Yet he doesn't flinch or pull away from her touch. Because he openly craves that with Shionne and rather than stumble over his words, he would rather show it with his actions. So yes she doesn't need to tell him to touch her because his hand start to caress her over her dress but soon those wandering hands start finding gaps in her outfit to touch her directly as he is more entranced with his beloved. The former sovereign and the former Maiden just enjoying the fruits of their long overdue love finally blossoming.