This story has been inspired by Nighwishs' song "Escapist", I love that song. As well as Blizzard Ent. World of Warcraft. I don't own either of them, I'm just a huge fan. Please don't sue me T.T.
Name Dictionary:
According to some dictionaries I found for certain names, these are the meanings:
La'el: La = night and el = hawk in a certain Elvish no sure which.
Kure = redeem in Draenei
Frakkal = Taken from frakkr (unafraid / courageous) and al (all / whole)
Marcus = random human male name
Gruk = random Tolkien style Orc name
All around me people screamed in agony as their bodies shifted and changed shape. I could see hooves form and skin turn green. Ears elongate into points and muscles form where there had been none. I screamed in terror as one of the pitiful souls tried to reach for me. Two thoughts crossed my mind in that instant, was I going to die here? And why was I the only one being spared this horrible pain? At that moment I felt a strong hand grab mine and pull me after him. Looking up as we ran I saw blonde hair tied in a low ponytail and sharp pointed ears on either side of his head. He was one of them. I then did the one thing I could think to do in that instant, although it was probably the wrong thing. I dug my heels into the dirt and yanked my hand from his effectively stopping our advance and sending me toppling to the ground below. The man growled under his breath in annoyance at me and spun around in anger. Emerald eyes glared at me, a slight glow surrounding them. I knew what everyone was turning into but I had been trying to ignore it. I could no longer though, there was no getting around what this man before me was…a Blood Elf. "What are you doing? Are you stupid?" He grabbed for me again and hefted me upwards dragging me along behind him again.
Tears began to well up in my eyes now, this couldn't be happening. Orcs and trolls, Night Elves and Draenei. They began to take their final forms around me. I was sure the other races as well but my vision was now blurry. I whipped my head back to the front, "what is going on! Who are you and why are you dragging me behind you!" I screamed at him. The blood elf in question looked back at me briefly before turning his attention back to the path before us.
His voice was softer when he spoke now, louder to be heard over the noise, but soft none the less. "I think you know very well what is happening. I shouldn't have to tell you. As for why I'm dragging you behind me…I'm trying to save you if you hadn't noticed." I blinked trying to clear my vision so I could see better as I tripped and stumbled after him.
"I never asked you save me! Why just me? Isn't there someone more worthy?" He grunted at that and squeezed my hand tighter. At that moment I could have sworn he had whispered something that sounded like, "there is no one more important in this world then you." But he quickly retorted after that.
"No you didn't ask me to save you but are you complaining? Would you like me to leave you to die out here?" I shut my mouth at that moment realizing he was right. I should be grateful not angry. Suddenly he cursed under his breath, "what is it?" I asked him.
"They're getting themselves together…the fighting will start soon. We have got to get you to the safe house now!" Looking around I realized he was right, the people that only moments before had been screaming in pain were now getting up and grabbing things that looked like weaponry. A hand that felt just like the one that was holding mine came around the back of my head and forced me downwards. "GET DOWN!" He screamed this in my ear making it ring. But for good reason, a rush of air shot past my head only inches from my hair. It was an arrow. "For the love of-! The hunters are up, go go!" He shoved me forwards now behind me for protection; I could see a building in front of us with a group of people standing in the doorway. I could make them out faintly, an Orc and a Draenei as well as a Dwarf and a Human. The blood elf suddenly grabbed me and flung me forwards towards the group leaping into the doorway after me just as a huge fireball exploded the ground we had just been running on. I collided with the arms of the motley bunch and was pulled into the building with my savior right behind me. The doors slammed shut and the Draenei began to cast a shield spell to protect the safe house. I sat on the ground now, stunned beyond belief at what I had just witnessed. My world…had merged with the biggest online game ever…World of Warcraft. How could this happen? Numbly I felt strong arms wrap around me and pull me to my feet. I knew it was the blood elf from before but I just couldn't bring myself to respond. I was limp…lifeless. He sat me down in his lap for support around a small campfire they had built in this abandoned building. I faintly registered them speaking about me, and how to handle the situation. Finally I managed a few words which all made them go silent for a moment, "Why me…" They watched me warily for a moment when the female Draenei spoke softly, almost motherly, to me.
"Dear, you must understand, you were the only one completely unaffected by this merge. Even those that remained human changed a bit in appearance and personality. You are the one from a prophecy formed long long ago in our world. You are the one called the Escapist. You escaped from the transformation." I looked up at her gentle face and felt a tiny bit of reassurance.
I suddenly had the urge to know who the blood elf man was that had saved me. And why he had done it himself and not all of them. "Who…who…" I couldn't manage anymore, but I turned my gaze to look behind me where he sat, his arms tightened slightly from where he was holding me upright.
I heard the Dwarf chuckle from the other side of the fire, "da lass wants teh know who be 'er savior! I dun blame ya missy…he is one fine lad!" He continued to laugh holding his stomach in hilarity. I blinked at the rolling Dwarf and then turned towards the human male as he cleared his throat.
"Well…I suppose we should inform her…right…La'el?" The blood elf behind me tensed, I guessed La'el must be his name then. I turned around again and blushed immensely. La'el was staring at me with such an intense gaze I had to look away.
"Thank you for that Marcus…I thought we could wait a bit before I was even brought up." He sighed, "I suppose now is better then later." I felt him suddenly pass me over to the Draenei, I wanted to say no to grab onto him like my life depended on it. He had become my object of safety. "Kure…hold onto her for me for a bit while I explain this…I don't want to scare her." This Kure nodded softly and hugged me while I looked at La'el pleading with him to take me back with my eyes. He showed no signs of acknowledgement if he noticed so I resigned myself to sit back with Kure as he grabbed something from his pack. He then looked up at me, his gaze was smoldering, and I had to look away again. Clearing his throat he began, "I might as well start at the beginning. In our world, what you know as a game is VERY much real. We war with each other everyday, thousands die…they do not get back up. In our world, even the slightest mistake could mean you don't see the rising sun the next morning." At that he paused, I had a sinking feeling that something like that happened to him. Someone near to him had lost their life. I did not dare to push it though. He toyed with the thing in his hand a second and took a deep breath continuing. "You must understand, prophecies and things of this nature are very real for us. There is one such prophecy that pertains to what is happening now. It says, and correct me if I miss something Kure," she nodded, " that one day, our world will merge with that of the masters world, yours, and there will be a great calamity in which no one will escape. I can only assume that means the transformation of your people into our races. However, there will be one young girl who will not be touched by this, she will be known as the Escapist. For she is the one that will escape this conflict. Within her lies the power to restore the worlds to their former glory, she alone, however, will be unable to access such power. Her Protector will emerge and he will utilize the sleeping power within her." La'el suddenly stopped at this part. He looked down at his hands and fingered the small thing in them. It glinted slightly in the small amount of light from outside. The silence gave way to the sounds of battle from without. I stared at his hands, for I dare not look at his face, why was he pausing so?
La'el started again, surprising me into looking up into his face, this time, there was no pulling away from his gaze. "Escapist…" he had to be addressing me I could only guess, "The prophecy ends with the telling of how the Protector is to acquire the power within. You and him must…you must…" He stopped blushing profusely, "I can't…I can't say this to her she's looking right at me!" He yelled at Kure behind me.
I felt Kure shake her head, "I will, little one…" I looked to the beautiful Draenei behind me. "In order for the Protector to acquire the power within…you must join with him." Everyone fell deadly silent waiting for my response. I took a deep breath as thoughts raced through my already ravaged mind. Join? What in the world did they mean by that? I thought for a moment and couldn't come up with an answer, in a better situation I probably could but not at this moment. Fearing looking into La'el's eyes again, and I didn't dare ask Marcus, he had been glaring at La'el since we arrived, I deemed it safer to ask Kure. She felt like a mother to me already. I turned towards her and blinked once before opening my mouth, this was the first full statement they'd heard me say. "Kure…um…what exactly do you mean by…'join'?" Kure blinked and then I heard laughter from around the room, all except from La'el. I couldn't understand what in the world was so funny so I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms.
"Kure, please explain it…she's getting upset." La'el had spoken on my behalf. Kure got herself under control and nodded.
"Alright, alright La'el, dear little one…joining…means…sex." In that instant whatever had caused me to lose my speaking ability previously, decided to leave.
"WHAT! What in the world do you mean sex! There is no way in hell I will have sex with some strange man I don't even know! You must take me for a fool! No! I will absolutely, positively never ever, ever do that!" I had jumped up and was facing the group slowly backing away from them towards the door. La'el had bolted upright and was gently advancing towards me, intent on keeping me from fleeing. He was a smart one, for that was exactly what I was planning on doing. I continued shaking my head as I neared the door.
"Now…be reasonable young one, don't go out there, it's certain death for you at the moment." The Orc had spoken up and I looked over at him, my gaze was getting blurry again, tears were beginning to form.
"No! I mean…you people don't even know my name! You keep calling me young one and Escapist! How can you expect me to do that with someone I don't love!" La'el stopped for a second and sighed.
"Well then…what is your name?" I stared at him, looking at him calmed me for some reason; he was very handsome after all make no mistake, almost like a Bishie in some Japanese manga. But his looks were not the reason for it.
"My name is Airi…" I said quietly, he nodded and reached out his hand slowly.
"Airi…please…come back to the fire. We need to discuss this. Please…take my hand…trust me." His wondrous emerald eyes pleaded with me. I hesitated and then the dwarf opened his mouth again, "well missy, it's not like ya dun know who yer partner would be!" I looked at him and La'el hissed back at the smaller man.
"Frakkal! Shut it!" I looked between the two men, what was going on?
"Aw come on La'el, ya bloody Elf, she's gonna find out sooner or later!" The Dwarf named Frakkal looked back to me with a serious face this time.
"Give it a guess there lassy…who has been gentle an' kind towards you teh most since dis all started? Who's been savin' ya time and again, whether physically or not? With who outta all of us do you feel safest?" La'el yelled at him again but I didn't hear it, I was too busy thinking now. I saw La'el whip his gaze back to me in panic, why was he so afraid of me finding out? My minds gears worked overtime, I had to figure out whom this man was that I possibly already knew. I mulled over the clues and looked upwards. La'el's soft yet deep voice broke through my wall.
"Airi…you don't have to know now…you can-"
My eyes widened as realization dawned on me, he didn't want me to know, he had been saving me and treating me tenderly since we met. La'el was the only one who I felt completely safe with. "It's you…isn't it…La'el?" He froze in that instant. I knew I had hit the nail on the head so to speak. "It is you…you won't speak…" He dropped his hand to his side and his face towards the ground. His fists clenched tightly and he made a 'tsk' sound. Suddenly a sound caught our attention and we both looked at Marcus. He was laughing and looking at La'el.
"She hates you! I knew it! A stupid Blood Elf like you could never be with her!" I stared at Marcus, I couldn't understand why he was saying this, and also why La'el wasn't defending himself. I looked back to the man before me.
"La'el…what is he talking about?" He looked at me, his eyes were pained.
"Airi…I…" He stopped short because Marcus gaffed.
"He was never meant to be your Protector!"
Kure glared at Marcus, "stop it Marcus, she's already scared enough…" Marcus glared right back.
"I will not…it should have been me! I wasn't so upset but now seeing how beautiful she is," I blushed bright red, "do you honestly expect me to just sit back and let him take her?" He yelled pointing at La'el.
"Yes Marcus! That is exactly what we expect! You and La'el fought in the arena, fair combat and you lost! The one to be her Protector is the stronger one and La'el was the victor! Marcus…you will stand down now…and we will not speak of this again." Kure had jumped up and now I could see just how large she was. Standing about 10 feet tall, she was leanly muscled and wore her armor proudly. She was quite a site to behold, especially to a normal human male who was only about 5'9". Marcus looked like he wanted to say something else but Kure made to grab at her hip dagger and he immediately cowered away from her effectively ending all argument. I silently cheered for Kure, girl power! Kure motioned to La'el, "please…"
I looked at him, he was still motionless but his voice was strong when he spoke, "it is true that Marcus and I fought for the right of Protector…I did win…" He looked up at me now, eyes blazing with a fire I shied away from. "I won the right of your Protector…and now…I must ask you to lend me your power. I know that you are scared, and I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe and comfortable." He took a tentative step towards me and held out his hand. "Airi…come with me, we can fix everything that has happened…we can make it right. But only if you trust me…" I looked at him then to the group behind him. They were all watching me, tensing to see what I chose. My hand moved on its own it seemed, slowly I raised it up but I stopped just short of touching his strong hand.
"I'm scared La'el…everything has changed. My friends and family…all of them have been changed. I won't recognize them…my world is different; there are forests where deserts once stood. Medieval cities where skyscrapers were once dominate." I looked up at him and my gaze softened, "but…I trust you, I trust you all…" I placed my hand within his and he pulled me into a hug.
"Thank you…thank you…" he whispered this into my ear over and over and squeezed me tightly. I felt him slip something onto my ring finger and I looked up at him in surprise. It was the shiny thing he had been playing with. La'el whispered into my ear gently, "I'll explain its use later…" I couldn't believe this was happening to me; I looked over La'el's shoulder to the group beyond. They smiled back at me and I immediately took cover behind his shoulder again.
"Now then, that's all settled, we should come up with a plan of attack. La'el, bring Airi back over here." Kure smirked at us and I felt La'el gently put a hand on the small of my back guiding me forward. We sat down with the group and I went to sit next to Kure but La'el had wrapped his arm gently yet firmly around my waist effectively pulling me to the seat beside him. I saw Marcus watching us and immediately knew that this show of possessiveness was for him. My head was spinning; I had never even had a boyfriend, now I was supposed to give my virginity to this man next to me all for the sake of putting the worlds back together? Did he even love me? That was the only that filled my mind now as they spoke. I didn't hear anything, I could only feel La'el's arm tighten around me occasionally. That one thought echoed over and over in my mind; did he love me…did he?
A voice brought me back out of my deepest thoughts, "Airi…Airi…hey girlie ya still wit us?" It was Frakkal, he looked at me with his squinted eyes and I then realized they were all looking at me.
I blushed, "yes…I'm still here…I…" My gaze landed on the handsome man next to me, "La'el…I need to ask…um…this whole joining thing…there's no feelings in it is there?" My gaze was questioning, and I felt all my loneliness and uncertainty seeping into it. La'el blinked at me in surprise and I heard Kure behind us give a knowing hum.
La'el started slowly, "well…um…I…suppose in the prophecy it doesn't mention that no…um. Feelings weren't very necessary in this…it's supposed to save the worlds." Kure groaned, she knew that was not the answer I was looking for. "What? What did I say Kure?"
She grabbed me from his arms and dragged me off into the building yelling as she went, "you just don't understand women do you?" All I saw of La'el was his surprised yet disappointed face and his outstretched arms before we disappeared into the towers of crates within the building.
I couldn't believe that he had said that, is La'el not even remotely concerned about doing something like that with someone he doesn't love? I sat on the bedding that had been laid down; this looked like some sort of makeshift bedroom. Except, there were more then two beds made up. Kure seemed to pick up my thoughts and responded, "yes, the men will be sleeping here as well. It is the safest for all of us to stay together. La'el's bedding is right there next to yours." I blushed profusely.
"But…isn't that indecent? I mean shouldn't you be the one to sleep near me since we're both women?" I asked quietly, Kure stopped her fusing with the beds and looked back at me.
"Airi…I understand how you feel, but these are extreme circumstances. Besides…La'el is your Protector, it's only right he gets to sleep next to you." I looked down at my hands and fidgeted. He would be lying right next to me all night. I didn't think I could do this.
"Kure…do you think…he doesn't have any feelings for me at all does he?" Kure sighed and straightened upwards to her full height. Walking over to me she plopped down beside me and pulled me into a hug.
"Dear one…I think he does have some, at least it's starting. There was a part of the prophecy that I did not teach to him. He will fall for you…and you him. It is bound to happen; you're both tied by the same fate. The powers will not manifest unless you do love each other. Love is the most powerful thing in the world; it's the basis of the strong magic that you hold within you." She set me back to my blankets and smiled at me. "Don't worry…he's already feeling it even if he doesn't realize it himself." Kure's eyes flickered to the ring that La'el had placed on my finger, her eyes widened into saucers. I followed her gaze to it and then back up to her face.
"What is it Kure? La'el said it had some function but he didn't tell me yet what it is." She grabbed my hand instantly and held the ring up to her eyes closely examining it.
"Airi…this is…" She dropped my hand and looked at me seriously. "Airi…he gave you his family ring. To him…this means he has claimed you as his forever. No one can contest this ring. It holds a separate power of its own, it will protect you when you need it and he'll be able to sense where you are." I looked down at the ring in surprise.
"A….a promise ring?" Kure blinked at me.
"No dear…stronger then that. It crosses the dimensions." She sighed and rubbed her temples, "I told him not to give it to you so soon…looks like he didn't listen." A sudden clattering of crates and some loud male voices stopped our conversation. Kure growled under her breath and jumped upwards, "not again…Marcus you fool…" She started off towards the camp fire where the men were still and I followed in hot pursuit. What had Marcus done…again? The sight that met our eyes when we rounded the corner was insane. The Orc…whose name I still didn't know, should really find that out, was holding Marcus back with a death grip around his arms. Frakkal had La'el tangled up beneath him to hold him down. This made me giggle a little inside but I quickly dismissed it when I saw the blood streaming from La'el's side. I gasped and Kure grabbed her dagger from her hip and faster then I thought possible had Marcus up against the wall, glinting dagger at his throat. She growled menacingly, "I told you…I WARNED you Marcus!" She put the dagger closer to his throat, a tiny trickle of blood appeared.
He scoffed at her, "like I said…how could I let that Elf take Airi…"
Kure screamed in anger at him, "she has his ring Marcus! La'el has given her the ring already! Do you want to anger the powers that be?" She banged him against the wall hard for emphasis. Marcus's gaze suddenly landed on me, more specifically, my hand.
He growled, "so he did…"
"Then since you understand now…" Kure dropped him to the floor and he landed with a loud thud. My legs became unfrozen again and I rushed to La'el who had successfully pushed Frakkal off of him. He rolled over clutching his side and let out a breath. I skidded to a halt next to him and dropped to my knees.
"La'el! Your hurt…let me see it!" He looked at me and shook his head.
"No…Kure can heal this…you don't need to see it."
I glared at him, "but…there's nothing I can do to help?" He smiled weakly at me.
"Airi…just having you worry about me is enough. Thank you." He got up slowly, sweat dripping off his face from pain. "Kure! Any day now would be great!" Kure started and ran over to him holding up her hands over his wound. A glow surrounded them; I backed away into the shadows a bit watching. I felt a large hand clap down on my shoulder gently.
It was the Orc, "don't let it get to you, Kure has always been the one that heals him. She did raise him after all." He grinned at me, Kure raised La'el?
I watched them, "I feel so powerless…I couldn't do anything…Kure was able to subdue Marcus and heal La'el. I just stood there like a dummy watching in shock." He sighed next to me.
"Airi…you'll have the power to help him soon enough." He winked at me and I just blushed and looked away back to La'el. A voice broke through my stupor and I realized it was La'el calling us.
"Gruk! Bring Airi over here please" Ah…that was his name. Gruk the Orc nodded and nudged me over to where La'el was now sitting upright and Kure was near him making sure he had no more wounds. I sat down in front of him and he looked me over. "What's wrong? I can see it written all over your face." I hadn't realized my face was so expressive.
"Erm…Kure told me what this ring is…" I looked down at it and he followed my gaze.
"She didn't lie…it is as she said. It's a convenient way to protect you, since I can sense where you are no matter how far the distance. No other reason." He shrugged.
Kure smacked him upside the head, "dumbass…" I sighed and got up.
La'el was rubbing his head and he noticed me get up, "hey! Where are you going?" he tried to reach for me but I just whipped my hand from his. Turning on my heels I yelled at him.
"I'm going to bed!" And I stomped off into the darkness towards the make shift bedroom.
"Urgh! I can't believe him!" I grabbed a pillow and threw it against a crate. Tears were forming and I looked at the ring he had so lovingly put on my finger. "Lovingly huh? Yeah right…" I plopped down on the bedding and covered my face. So much had happened to me within a span of a few hours. My whole world had changed, I found out I was some sort of chosen one, and that I had to have sex with this man that apparently didn't care for me one bit past it being his duty. "I don't care what Kure says…I won't do this…he doesn't love me." The glinting in the ring suddenly made me furious and I ripped it off my finger and threw into the darkness, "he can find it…" Footsteps echoed in the room, they were coming to bed too. I quickly covered myself up and feigned sleep. I heard them talking quietly, and Kure I knew was on my right side. I felt her gently pat my shoulder thinking I was sleeping and she settled down on her bedding. To my left, I felt La'el sit down facing my sleeping form. It took everything I had to keep my face blank. I couldn't let him know I was still awake.
A sudden gentle touch startled me but I quickly regained my acting. It was La'el, his hand was stroking my cheek. It was so gentle, I couldn't stop myself from sighing. He stopped then and looked at me closer.
"You're still awake aren't you?" He moved the blanket down from my face and my eyes met his. "You are…Airi…I'm sorry for what I said. It was insensitive. That ring…it's more then just a protection charm. I didn't want to say all of it with Marcus sitting right there. He's unstable…I didn't trust him not to do anything." He took my hand out like he was going to look at said ring. However…I had gotten rid of it. His eyes widened, "where is the ring? Airi…what happened to the ring!" He whispered this urgently.
I looked down in shame, wait…why was I? I was angry at him remember? But he's so beautiful and sincere, urgh! Why me? "I threw it away…"
La'el's face darkened, and I was scared for a moment, "you what?" his voice trailed off. He stared at me for a moment, "we have to find that ring Airi…without it, Marcus could…" he looked over to the man in question who was quietly snoring away. Suddenly La'el grabbed my hand and pulled me upwards and against his rock hard chest, "you're helping me find it…come on" I was yanked behind him again, this seemed familiar, I sighed softly. We started to scour the crates and boxes that littered the building, "I can't believe you threw it away…if you were so angry you could have at least just given it back to me." I scowled and stood up to face him.
"And let you just put it back on my finger when I'm not looking? I don't think so…I can't believe you. You think this is all just a huge job don't you? You're ready to just jump me and get it over with. No thought about how I feel. I haven't even had a boyfriend yet! Let alone had sex. Not even my first kiss…" I trailed off for a moment, he was watching me now, intently focusing on my very soul it seemed. I shook my head, "I have no choice in this, at least you got somewhat of a choice. I have to just nod and smile and lay naked for you on the bed and say here I am! Take me!" I had by now started to tear up, I seemed to be crying a lot today, my face is going to be a mess tomorrow. After I had finished my rant, I noticed that La'el was no longer where he had been, he was now right in front of me and he grabbed my arms and forced me up against a wall.
His face was dangerously close to mine and I could feel his warm breath, "you think I'm doing this just out of duty?" I nodded slowly. "You don't know anything…you didn't even know of this till today. I was raised knowing I'd do this one day. I trained day in and day out to learn every style of combat available to protect you. I gave up my lineage, my family, my friends everything. Kure raised me secluded in a forest out in Ashenvale. My natural hatred and lust for power was slowly expunged from me so I could be a successful Protector. It was a tiring and grueling process. But I knew one day, that I'd be able to meet you. I would put all I learned to use and save both the worlds. No…I didn't love you nor did I intend to when this started. But that's changed, everything I thought I would do I can no longer. My original plan was to bring you to this room immediately and take you. No questions asked, no consideration for your feelings, nothing. But I couldn't, not after I saw you. My heart yearns for you now. My mind screams for your voice, and my body aches for your touch." He looked down my body and his free hand wondered down my side touching what skin he could. He raised my shirt up a bit and placed his hand on the bare skin of my lower back. He moved his lips to my neck and I could feel them brush the nape gently, "so soft…beautiful…I don't know if I can stop myself anymore…" He whispered gently and brought his gaze back to mine. His eyes were full of passion and, wait, love? "Airi…make no mistake, I love you…more then anyone or anything in this world. I couldn't bring myself to admit it before…but I can't stop it any longer." His lips crushed against mine in a searing kiss. He was so strong, I couldn't get away, and he was taller then I thought. Maybe he hunches down? He was at least 5'9" possibly an inch taller. No, I couldn't think of that right now, he was going to have sex with me right here! My eyes widened when I felt his hand move south towards my nether regions and I just acted without thinking. I brought my knee up and he immediately let me go. I stumbled away from him and he looked at me sadly. "Why? Why do you run from me?" I couldn't answer him, I didn't know myself. I felt the feelings for him that he felt for me, huh, Kure was right. But I was scared of the look in his eyes. The animal instincts that were taking over us both. I wasn't ready for this.
"La'el…I'm sorry I…I'm scared….I…" I was backing up and I hit a crate sending something clinking down to the floor. Our eyes both traveled to the object and we knew what it was.
"The ring!" we both exclaimed happily and dove for it. Of course it was inevitable that we collided with each other. The pain, I shook my head and grabbed the ring before he could.
"Airi…please…don't…" I smiled at him.
"Don't what La'el? Do this?" I shoved it back onto my ring finger and looked back up at him. His eyes were huge for a moment in shock, but after a while he grinned and pulled me to him, hugging me tightly.
"Thank you Airi…" I hugged him back. He pushed me away gently after a moment and looked me in the eyes. "So…does this mean that I can call you mine?" I nodded happily. La'el's eyes brightened up and he pulled me to him again kissing me gently. He pulled me up with him and started to lead me away, "let's get to bed, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." I nodded again and stayed quiet, happy with the knowledge that I wouldn't be doing this just out of duty.