What Do You Say?

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 21st November 2008

Characters: Traelyn, B'ram
Description: The couple goes to the beach together ... for the very first time.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 4

B'ram

The sun had been slowly declining toward the horizon when Nyith and Girifith had appeared in the sky above the ocean, their hides glimmering in the warm light as they spiraled down to the deserted stretch of beach. It was a beautiful cove--one of many in Dolphin Cove's territory. Traelyn had quite a few she was particularly fond of, and this was one of them. It was a fairly small area, but the vegetation was especially lush and thick and the sand was soft and fine. Both Traelyn and B'ram had alighted, and after relieving their dragons of their harnesses, they too had shed their clothing, very much aware that this was the first time they had ever been outside together, unashamedly naked.

There was something ultimately freeing about this adventure--and the feeling was intoxicating. Coyly, Traelyn had trailed her fingers down his chest, then had them linger on his abdomen, idly playing with the coarse hairs there before she flashed him a grin and had fled to the water. Of course, he had followed. Even in the water they had chased one another, her playfully taunting him like the gold she was, and him eagerly chasing, quite arrogant in the knowledge that she'd eventually tire of the game and he'd be ready for her when she did. Once she had stopped and turned to face him-had let him catch up to her--they had pressed up against one another, enjoying the sensation of skin on skin, teasing each other by ignoring the sensual pull, daring the other to give in first. Both were proud, and neither wanted to lose, although they both knew that they couldn't hold out for long.

Soon it became too much-and she wasn't sure who moved first, but they found themselves down on the blanket a little further up the beach, limbs tangled together as they kissed, moving fervently together. Her snarls and his groans were lost to the sounds of the crashing waves, and finally, as they lay there quietly, shaking and trembling from release, they became aware of a different sound--their two dragons humming deeply in contentment.

"I've never heard her do that before," Traelyn breathed against B'ram's ear after a long moment.

He turned his head and rubbed his nose against hers. "Maybe we're usually just too far away to hear her."

"Maybe..." she murmured, aware of Nyith's loving approval. Propping herself up on an elbow, she looked down at him. "You've got sand on your face." Reaching out, she carefully wiped the stuff from his cheeks with a finger.

He curled his fingers around hers, bringing her hand to rest on his chest as he looked up her. Her head blocked the setting sun, and it caused a halo of light to shine through her white-blonde hair, surrounding her face with a brilliant glow. "I've got sand in other places too, but I think you'd rather leave it to me." Shards, he had never seen any sight as beautiful as her leaning over him like that, the deepinging blue sky as a backdrop.

She snorted, grinning. "I think so. I do have some limits, you know."

"I'd be curious to know more about where those limits were if I weren't so sharding exhausted," he said with a lazy smile, reaching up to brush stray hairs from her cheek.

"Mm. Two workouts a day will do that to you." Not to mention drills. As she looked down at him, she wondered if this was what it would have been like back at Far Island, if things have been different. She had entertained thoughts like this before, but had felt much more guilty for doing so. She still felt a twinge of guilt, but it wasn't as sharp or as painful as it once would have been. Would she and an adolescent B'ram--Benram--have found a small nook on the beach to experiment and explore as only two adolescents could? Before they both Impressed? Or even after?

"You look serious," he said softly, cocking his head curiously. "What's on your mind?"

She hesitated, looking down to trace random patterns on his arm.

When Trae grew shy B'ram began to feel a little nervous. He knew whatever it was it had to be fairly serious. "What is it?"

"Does it seem...surreal to you?"

"You mean _us_?"

"Yeah."

"You mean this _is_ real?" he asked with a confused look before his lips spread into a smile.

Her eyed widened slightly, and then a slow grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. Shells, it really was a surreal situation--he was teasing her. B'ram. Teasing. She cocked her head, brow quirking slightly. "You tell me."

"Hmmm," he hummed thoughtfully, reaching his thumb up to caress her lips. "You _feel_ real. Let's see..." His fingers curled around the back of her neck, gently pulling her down into a very thorough kiss. "You taste real too," he murmured when they had parted.

"If a little salty."

His eyes were full of mischief. "Well, I said you taste _real_. I didn't say you tasted _good_..."

She wrinkled her nose at him.

"Do you think we would have killed each other?" he asked, his face slightly more serious. "Or do you think we would have three kids by now?"

Traelyn studied his face for a moment before looking down, the amusement fading from her eyes. "I was wondering that myself." Had it been any other time, in any other place, the very thought of red-headed children scampering around her, looking up at her with huge gray eyes would have unnerved her. But now....

B'ram wasn't sure why her face had turned so somber. He hadn't meant to effect the mood. "You know, I don't think we should really ask ourselves that question. We'll never know the answer. All that really matters is what happens now."

"I like this," she murmured softly. "I...like being like this."

He carefully rolled her over and gently settled himself on top of her, leaning back so he could look her in the eye. B'ram liked being like this too. Not the sensual feeling of their skin pressed together, but of the intense connection they shared. They had known each other all their lives. They shared a history, a past. A lot of it was painful. But they understood each other and had accepted each other. He had not felt this close to anyone since Atreyn, and he liked the feeling of true intimacy with another human being. Leaning down he kissed her softly, not to awaken a burning passion, but just to feel that glow of warmth that Trae could send through his veins. He wondered if she felt it too.

It was apparent that she did as she reached up to stroke his hair with one hand, the other gently cupping his shoulder. Her lips were tender as they moved over his, receiving as well as giving. That's what it was all about: giving and receiving. All those months ago they had taken from one another without giving anything back. It had been brutal--twisted. Swiftly she doused those memories and pulled back slightly, rubbing her cheek against his.

"You know what we should do?" he murmured softly, sliding an arm under her head as he settled himself beside her. "We should watch this sunset that we're going to miss if we keep kissing. And then we should get dressed and head back to your weyr, order some dinner to be brought up and then take a long soak in your bathing pool and wash the sand and salt off each other. What do you say?"

Smiling, she curled a hand in his. "I say yes."

Last updated on the November 22nd 2008

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