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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That is one of the many perks of being married yes. Though one of many since Alphen was still discovering more and more of them every day he spent with Shionne. "She was definitely more mentally mature in that regard at least." No need to mention her discrimination towards Renans since that was in the past now. Not to mention due to the whole twist of Renans being the same in terms of origin.

Oh she is learning fast. To think she would think of silencing him like that when he was going to absolutely one up her loving oaths. Not that he's too upset as he kisses Shionne, back, tilting his head to the side a little as his tongue rolled into her mouth with a low excited purr.

She melts against him, letting out a soft hum of her own that turned into a soft giggle, easily delighted at his eagerness. She had always thought she was too eager and held herself back, but ..she was taking his lead here. He was certainly not holding back any so why should she, right? That said her murmurs of approval were for his ears alone, of course, as she relaxed against him, her tongue meeting his in the kiss.

Alphen was absolutely going to tell her straight as soon as they could bring themselves to part from the kiss, that she was a fantastic kisser. To the point that he'd likely kiss her again right after. Because the warmth and happiness that spread through him as they tangled tongues together like this was so...perfect. It was a bit like the searing heat of using the blade she provided him but without the horrific body damage it inflicted. Still just as powerful to his senses though.

He pulls her ins closer as if this closeness is still not enough. Also still too many clothes in the way in his honest opinion.

She needed that positive reinforcement - of course it'd just make her kiss him more both for selfish and for selfless reasons. And the way it made her warm all over, she was inclined to agree that just maybe they were wearing a little bit too much - even with him so delightfully shirtless. Which, by the way, she was taking full advantage of, with her hands smoothing over his chest and sides, occasionally wandering a little lower as he pulled her in closer. She had to break for air though, flushed and out of breath, but staying as close as she possibly could, "So ..warm-" Hot might be a better descripion for it - "Do you feel it too?" That heat that practically demanded less clothing?

Oh Alphen is absolutely going to encourage that selfishness that has her seek him out more. Because frankly he can't help but want more of everything with Shionne. So much so he lets out a slightly amused chuckle when she asks him that and he gently presses his palm against Shionne's cheek as he answers her.

"I do. And it only makes me want to feel even more because it is NEVER going to be enough. And I know that you feel the same~ So just follow your heart and what you desire. Because that's what I want too~"

She tilted her head towards the feel of his palm, a blush touching her cheeks as she thought about those words. Oh she knew what her heart wanted, and what she wanted - and if he felt the same way... and she knew him well enough to know that without having to to even look at him that they thought the same. She leaned in gently, pressing a sweet kiss to his lips, "...maybe then.. we're both wearing a little too much right now, do you think...?" A little awkwardly asked, sure, but the intent was still fairly clear!

He lets out a playful chuckle of his own and leans in closer still to kiss her back as well before his hand slides back down her sides and pulls her in closer to him.

"What a coincidence. I was actually thinking the very same thing~" He just wanted to hear Shionne say it out loud. Such a meanie tease that he is. To think he had such a streak in him. Good thing it only comes out when he's with Shionne.

Who knew that her dear beloved husband had such a "mean" streak! She blushes fiercely again, her gaze sliding from his shirtlessness to his.. pants for a moment, before quickly back to him. And he was clearly enjoying this! So she decided she was going to get 'even', scooting a bit off of his lap and tilting her head at him coyly, "..I'll help you with yours if.. you help me with mine..?" She tugged at the zipper of her dress, giving him a smile over her shoulder.

Oh was she thinking that might stun him for more than a second. Or that he would flounder about flustered about such an offer? Alphen smiled back at her and moved his hand up to the zipper as he leaned up into her own hands with a purr.

"I could not think of a more tempting offer~" He says and starts pulling the zipper down but almost too slowly as if he is unwrapping a gift more precious than anything he's ever received.

Er... actually she did think that. She's vastly understimated his ability to handle such matters! Or maybe she was assuming he would react the way she would if he'd made such an offer to her like that. She still watched him curiously as he slowly started to tug the zipper of her dress down, and she tucked her head downward briefly as her clothing became loose enough for her to slip her arms out of the sleeves. "Hmhm, maybe I should let you do this more often then.." she teased softly, sliding the straps of the white dress she wore beneath down as well.

"This feels like a dream come true you know. So why would I ever say no to doing this every day if you would let me~" Oh goodness they were going to be busy with more than daily house chores if he truly meant those words. And given the passion in his eyes blazing forth even more as her exquisite body was unveiled to his hands and eyes, it was obvious that he...likely meant every last word he just said.

She was going to have to be the one to make sure they got actual work done, because from the look on his face, she would bet he'd be the one to try and coax her into cuddling more instead. Which meant that she'd want to get her chores done as quickly as possible so she could quickly get cuddly and close with him, be it in bed, on the couch, by a log fire or wherever they happened to find each other. Not to mention she had a feeling she might end up abandoning some of her tasks to pull him away for cuddling when her Alphen-lovelevels were low too.

"A dream, hrm..?" She grinned teasingly, her hand reaching over to pinch him, "How about now?" As more and more of her dress slid free of her body, she leaned towards him again, her hands lightly stroking along his shoulders, "You're so warm --" Maybe it was because she had less clothing on though. But she tilted her head at him curiously at a thought, "... do you want me to help you, too?" Y'know. With the whole.. pants matter.

They would likely take turns doing that. Because lets face it neither of them was more responsible than the other. AS soon as their intimate contact reserves were running low they would immediately home in on where the other person was and just drag them off for cuddling or just cuddle on the spot depending where they were at the time.

"Mngh. only if you want to as well. I don't want to make you do anything you don't truly want to." That was always his focus with Shionne. Because he wants her to want him just as much as he wants her. Which is why he'll keep tempting her.

She flashed a warm smile at him, always appreciating how much he had her in his thoughts when it came to their intimacy. He never pushed her since he knew how long she'd gone wanting, but not wanting, to be touched for her curse - it still left her in a daze at times, realizing she could let him touch her, or she could touch him. And with that in mind..

"I want to," she assured him. "I want to be able to touch you as much as I can, wherever and whenever I can. As much as possible." The temptation is always there - he didn't have to do much to tempt her to touch him, to be honest - unless she was trying to behave and get something done anyway. Like cleaning.

Alphen's smile softened even more and put his hand over hers so that her palm rested openly above his heart as he leaned up a little bit.

"Did you feel that? How my heart started beating frantically when you said that? I think that should make it quite clear that I would love nothing more than for you to act on those wishes since they are the same as my own~"

Gracious his heart really was beating wildly wasn't it? As much as her own was it seemed - though that heat she felt might not just be coming from him at this point. She smiled at that response nonetheless, her hands lowering to carefully undo the fastening on his pants. "..as long as you tell me if I ever do something wrong.. because the last thing I want to do is disappoint you, my beloved Alphen." She murmured, leaning up at the same time to press light kisses to his lips as she did so. Though they might be a little distracted with her dealing with his pants as well.

"You could never disappoint me. But I promise if I don't feel good about it, you will be the first to know." An easy promise to make when he has absolute belief that it won't come to that. Because His love for Shionne and hers for him, would overcome such already insignificant odds with ease. He hummed into the kiss and raised his hips up to help her with getting his pants off, his eagerness to have her touch him there and everywhere just growing with every second.

She nuzzled against his cheek affectionately at that- she knew he would definitely keep his word, but she was also going to do everything she couldto make sure she never made him feel bad about anything. "Alphen... " She smiled softly, shaking her head, "It ..still amazes me how you can make me love you more and more every day." Every second even - but then she was caught up in the kiss, her hands pushing his pants down with him helping her pull them off - her hands wandering over his legs and lingering slightly over his groin, almost fascinated with the feel.

The nuzzling was every bit as precious to Alphen as all her other touches. Her words lighting a soft spark of sheer joy and adoration for this woman who had gone through so so much so selflessly. IT was so easy for him to make that oath to himself that he would spend the rest of his life making sure she received the love and happiness she was well overdue for.

"Then you know how it feels for me as well, Shionne~" He chuckled before it turned into a needy hungry moan as she started to touch and brush up against that part of his body that wanted her attention the most.

She's careful, oh so gentle when it came to touching; worrying about hurting him was always going to be at the forefront, even if she didn't have to worry about the thorns. Continuing to touch him was only going to make things worse, though, so after that realization occurred to her, she blushed and pulled the rest of the garment off, shifting on top of him to meet his gaze. It wasn't the first time they were together like this, (and definitely wouldn't be the last) but she always felt... oddly excited? Was that weird?

Not weird at all when she could easily see the same excitement and desire in his own eyes. Alphen pulled up closer to his beloved and rolled his hips idly up against Shionne's trying to get some bit of friction going because he wanted so much more of her touch now that clothes were gone.

"Truly...so beautiful~ You can't blame me for admiring you whenever you come out of the bath freshly washed when you have such a lovely figure~"

She blushed at that remark, though let out a low sigh at the first roll of his hips, settling herself with her hands resting against his chest to let her hips smoothly roll with his, "Mmrh - it.... it's a little embarrassing the way you stare, sometimes- " not in a bad way though, considering that happy smile she could never quite hide whenever she caught him staring at her. It was probably the same kind of stare she gave him in similar situations - especially when he was training or chopping firewood. She could watch him at that all day - it was oddly mesmerizing!

"Well I am sorry to say I won't stop staring at you at moments like that. Honestly I don't think I can ever stop looking at you just in general~" Alphen shamelessly admitted that simple truth that was both innocent and not so much. He leans up for a kiss right after that, no longer able to resist the urge even as their bodies slowly slid into place, taking them both towards the outcome they both desired so badly for so long.

She shook her head with an embarrassed smile, ".. I don't want you to stop watching me - I always want your eyes on me." Even if she was embarrassed by the attention. Although it amazed her that he was so .. up front and open about his feelings - though come to think of it, he was always that way. It was one of the things that charmed her about him, and she leaned down to return the kiss eagerly, uttering a soft moan of his name the more she moved with him.

"What if I want more than my eyes on you though?" Alphen then cornered her with another question, that shameless pride he held towards his own feelings for Shionne. The answer it seemed would have to wait a bit as she kissed him again and she moved her body on top of his. Gods she was so warm. So soft to touch and warm. IT was an addicting sensation that Alphen wanted to enjoy every single day.