I apologize for how short this chapter is, but I just really wanted to crank one more out today! So sorry if it seems kind of rushed

I don't own Harvest Moon

Chapter 7

Akari's POV

This was just so great! Luke and I had been in the forest pretty much all day, just hanging out and not really doing anything in particular. But it was at night when things got better. He took me over to a little clearing and we just lay down on the ground, looking up at the stars.

It got kind of cold, so I shivered, instantly getting Luke to wrap his arms around me.

"Better?" he asked.

I smiled and nodded, snuggling into his chest. His hands stroked my back and I couldn't help but give a dreamy sigh. This was just so perfect that I couldn't really believe it was actually happening. Luke placed his lips on my neck, kissing me gently. I giggled excitedly.

That was when I started to feel his hands slide down past my back to my butt. I caught my breath and pushed him away. What was he doing? He knew what Owen had just done to me! What was he thinking?

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm sorry," he said quickly, "I just… I want you."

I sat up and pulled my knees to my chin, hugging them tightly.

"Are you a virgin, Luke?" I asked in a small voice.

His golden eyes widened in shock. Well I didn't exactly blame him; it was a really random question, and quite personal. He sat up and moved over to me, cautiously wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Why would you ask that?" he sighed, "I'm nineteen…"

I took a deep breath as he squeezed my shoulder.

"My old boyfriend almost took my virginity from me," I whispered, "It was after prom and he had found some beer and… and… Luke, I was so scared… he had gotten me in the room and everything and-and I just remember kicking him and running and running and running until I thought I'd pass out and then my friend found me and… that's why what Owen did freaked me out so bad. I'm sure Kathy would have just set him straight, but I just… it scares me so bad, Luke."

By now he was so quiet that I could hardly hear him breathe. His pupils were dilated and he just stared at me blankly, his lips in a tight line. After what felt like hours, he put his other arm around me and hugged me tighter than he ever had.

"Oh, Akari," he breathed, "I am so sorry… I had no idea… I wouldn't have even thought of doing that if I'd known… you poor thing, I'm sorry."

Even though I'd heard people say sorry several times, hearing it from Luke made me feel a lot better. If we'd be dating, it was nice to know that he wouldn't push me farther than I wanted to go. That made me feel so much safer with him.

He took my chin in his hand and turned my face to look into his smoldering gold eyes.

"I promise that I'd never hurt you," he whispered, "Not ever."

I smiled weakly as he gave me a big bear hug, enjoying the warmth of his body against him. Luke was making me fall really hard for him really fast, but I just didn't know if I'd be able to pick myself up against if he did hurt me.

"Come on, I'll walk you home."

Luke and I walked hand in hand back to my place, admiring the beautiful night sky together. Luke never stopped talking the whole way, whether it was about the sky or the ocean or how he broke his arm jumping off a rock. He really was cute when he talked nonstop. I knew that there'd never be an awkward silence between us.

At my house, we stood outside my door for a while, not wanting to leave each other. I noticed that I was kind of short compared to him; the top of my head barely reached his shoulders. To reach his face I had to go on the tips of my toes. We kissed for a while in a sweet, gentle way. I could tell Luke was serious about never pushing me too far.

"Thanks, Luke," I whispered, "I promise that once we get closer that I'll be handle to more… intimate stuff."

Both our faces flushed and I couldn't help but feel really stupid. Who said that? I quickly reached up and took his face in my hands, trying to recover.

"I just want to save my virginity," I mumbled, "I want to give it to someone who really deserves it… someone who I love… I'm sure you do, too."

He smiled weakly as I pushed some of his messy blue hair away, caressing him a little with the tips of my fingers.

"Just be patient with me, Luke. I promise I'll give you what you want… in time."

"No one's rushing you."

I smiled at his sincerity and pecked him on the nose, squeezing his hands as I did.

"I'm gonna go to bed," I breathed, "Can I see you tomorrow?"

"Of course you can! Why would you ask such a silly question?"

I giggled as he ruffled my hair, making my face turn even redder.

"Goodnight, Luke," I breathed as I stepped inside my house.

"Goodnight, Akari."

As I closed the door, I couldn't help but pray to the Harvest Goddess that things with Luke would work out the way I wanted them to.

Yes, I had actually planned this chapter out ahead of time and didn't just come up with it on the spot. I wanted Akari's past to be more complex so that it could be a possible source of complications (which I'm in desperate need of)

So please review so I can update ASAP!