Will You Trust Me? (2/2)

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 8th October 2006

Characters: Larken, Ojisan
Description: Larken spends a night consumed by guilt and memories
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 13, day 25 of Turn 3

He wasn't like all the other men she'd heard about, Larken thought as she emerged with a plume of steam from the bathing area, her dress folded neatly and tucked carefully in her arms. Instead of taking her to his bed straight away, he'd subtly encouraged her to take her time. And because he'd done that, she knew he wasn't going to rush her into anything that would make her feel uncomfortable, and she was deeply grateful for his understanding.

She let out a soft sigh, feeling a bit more relaxed now than she had before. Gently she padded over to a chair, and hesitated before laying her dress across the back of it.

"There are hangers in the closet," Ojisan said helpfully. He was already in the bed, sitting propped up against the headboard. He was wearing only his sleeping pants and no shirt. At first he had felt a little self-conscious, knowing that he was a much older man than his new blushing bride, and he certainly no longer had the torso of a strapping young man. But this was the chest she had married. He figured they both just had to accept that fact.

"Oh. I'll just..." her next words were lost as she disappeared into the closet for a moment, finding an extra hanger. She fiddled with the gown perhaps a bit longer than she needed to, but her nervousness was starting to filter into her thoughts again. But no matter how she felt, the last thing she wanted to do was offend Ojisan in any way. So she shoved her dress into place and closed the small door.

When she turned around to face him, her heart gave a hard little bump. Clasping her hands together, she slowly approached him.

He gave her another encouraging smile as he pulled the corner of the covers on her side back for her. "It's been a long day, hasn't it."

"But not in a terrible way." Larken gave him a soft smile before steeling herself and climbing into bed beside him. Unsure, she followed his example and leaned back against the headboard, bringing her long damp hair around to hang down her shoulder.

Her husband reached a hand over and helped smooth her hair back around, and then rested it behind her, pillowing her head, his hand draped naturally over her shoulder. "You got all the flowers out of your hair I see. That must have been a chore. They looked lovely, though."

"Thank you." The arm around her felt nice. Comforting. And that put her a little more at ease. "I tried to get them all out. I'm sure there're still petals stuck in places." She grinned slightly at that.

"Well, let's take a look," he said tilting her head towards him a little as his fingers ran through her hair gently. "No, no more petals," he finally declared kissing the top of her head gently.

She closed her eyes at the kiss, shifting a bit until she could brush her cheek against his shoulder.

Ojisan gently lifted her head to look up at him. As he looked lovingly into her eyes his fingers traced along her cheek, her jawline, her lips. "You look very beautiful with wet hair, Larken," he whispered.

Blushing, she searched his face for a moment before lowering her gaze demurely. "Should I take a bath before I come to bed every night, then?"
Her soft tone held a slight tease, and despite the nervous flutterings within, she was smiling.

"Hmmmm," he hummed thoughtfully. "Well, it certainly does make you smell good." He ran his nose along her hairline at her temple and down to just below her ear where he gently kissed her. It was only one kiss, and he waited, giving her the chance to pull away if she thought it was too fast.

But it felt nice, and it made her skin tingle in a way she'd never experienced before. Gingerly she moved a little closer, tilting her head so that he could have better access - an unspoken invitation for a little more.

Ojisan didn't need much invitation, and his kisses grew a bit bolder, a bit more passionate. Finally, reluctantly he pulled back and looked deeply into her eyes. He was finding it rather hard to take it slow, but he was determined for her sake.

Her blue eyes flickered up to his, and she could sense what he might want from her--what he wanted her to give. He would not demand. And somehow, she knew that he never would. But he would ask...like he was asking now. He wanted her to be willing, but he would never force her.

Again she blushed, and she told him softly, "I trust you."

He smiled his relief. It felt like a long time that he had waited for this moment. He had watched her grow up from a little girl still hiding behind her mother's skirts, to an awkward adolescent with a sweet disposition, and now a young girl on the verge of becoming a young woman. She was a special gift that he wasn't quite sure he deserved, but he as determined not to squander it. "I love you Larken," he whispered as he brought his lips to hers. Her trust would not be broken.

~*~

But his had been. Gently Larken guiltily buried her face against his shoulder. She'd broken his trust in her, but he could never know. Larken was determined to forget M'tone--forget how he made her feel, forget what they'd shared in this whirlwind of a month. She would forget, and he would move on. Things would return to how they'd been before she had first stepped into this strange, exotic place, and she wouldn't stray again. She didn't...love Ojisan the way he loved her, but she wanted to love him that way. She wanted to try.

And so, with a new light of righteous determination in her eyes, she curled closer against her husband, a sad smile touching the corners of her lips as she closed her eyes, bittersweet memories of the brownrider filling her thoughts.

It was going to be so hard to say goodbye to M'tone.

Last updated on the October 8th 2006

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Will You Trust Me? (2/2)