Chapter 8
The campfire within the cave provided its occupants with light, warmth, and a means to cook their dinner. The aroma of the simple fare tantalized the two famished Warriors as it had been many hours since their last meal. Turning the fish and mushrooms to prevent them from burning, He-Man looked at Teela as she sat with her knees drawn into her chest, surprisingly extremely quiet. The fire threw shadows into her flaming red hair making it difficult for him to discern what was the fire and what was her hair. He didn't realize it but at some point while he was sealing them inside their shelter, she had removed her bejeweled tiara that kept her long bangs away from her face and let down the rest of her tresses. He noticed that her wavy red locks cascaded past her shoulders and ended at the small of her back. It had been more than a decade since the last time he saw her with her hair down. As a child she often wore her hair loose or in braids typical of young girls. He would often bother her giving her a tug on her braids if she was acting like a brat. However, that all changed once she reached her teenage years. Since then, Teela always sported an austere hairdo. He-Man reminisced that after her formal presentation at the Royal Court, she stopped wearing any form of feminine garments. Wondering for the reason behind it, he continued to stare at her, marveling at the exquisiteness in front of him.
Sensing him looking at her, Teela looked up to find him studying her, his cerulean gaze unreadable in the cave's darkness. Uncomfortable at his intense perusal (as she was never comfortable with anyone staring at her), Teela decided to break the silence. "He-Man, thank you", she stated softly. Transfixed as he was with her hair and caught up in his memories, he didn't respond to her comment.
Thinking that he didn't hear her, Teela repeated her statement a little louder. Awaking from his stupor, He-Man's gaze traveled to her eyes and found her intense blue-green gaze focused on him. "Whatever for, Teela?", he asked.
"For rescuing me…I just remembered I didn't formally extend my gratitude", she exclaimed.
"Teela that's not necessary", he answered ever the humble gentleman.
"Oh, but it is", she continued, "My father told me what happened to you when you dealt with Skeletor this morning." "He also stated that you were no longer available to protect Eternia…it means a lot to me that you arrived when you did", she concluded while leaning over the fire to check on the food. Finding that their food had cooked through, she pulled the branches out of the fire and handed him his portion.
"Yes, Teela your father gave an accurate report", he stated while taking the offered food. Removing both of his fish and his portion of the mushrooms onto his plate, he handed Teela her own glass plate which lay by his side.
Taking the plate she asked, "What happened to change your mind?"
"I came to my senses", he said plainly.
Realizing that she was not going to get any more information from him as she was used to his mysterious ways, Teela tore off a piece of her fish and brought the morsel to her lips. Blowing on it she put the food into her mouth. Finding it surprisingly tasteful despite the lack of seasoning, she moved closer to the fire so that she can ensure she wouldn't accidently put any fish bones into her mouth. She thought to herself, 'That's all I need, to choke on a bone, and then he'll have to perform CPR on me.' Coming out of her head, Teela almost did choke just thinking about his mouth on hers. Attributing her budding desire to her near death experience today, Teela put her plate down.
Seeing this, He-Man thought she wasn't enjoying the meal. He knew that fish wasn't her favorite food and thought to himself that perhaps he should've also hunted some fresh meat for her. As he was about to ask her if there was anything wrong with her food, Teela picked up her plate and began eating again.
He-Man then began consuming his own meal, his empty stomach rumbling loudly reminding him that he had gone without food for the majority of the day. The sounds emanating from his abdomen echoed off the cavern walls making Teela look up from her plate. Throwing her head back and emitting a throaty laugh she said, "Better eat up Muscle-Boy or else I'm afraid you may eat me up as well." The words escaped her mouth before Teela had a chance to sensor them. Swearing lightly beneath her breath, she hoped he didn't interpret them the way they sounded. Sneaking a peak at him, she found him studying her wearing his usual lop-sided grin and realized that he had indeed interpreted the sexual connotation of her phrase. Teela rolled her eyes at him and then acting impulsively stuck her tongue out at him.
"Tsk, Tsk, Teela", He-Man reprimanded the low timbre of his voice causing gooseflesh to rise all along her arms. "Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not polite to stick your tongue out at people", he stated without thinking.
"No, He-Man, my mother never taught me that necessary lesson", she responded sarcastically slightly perturbed at him for forgetting that she was raised without a mother.
Quickly realizing his faux pas the blonde Warrior stood from his position on the opposite side of the fire and went to sit next to her. "I'm sorry..I should have thought before I spoke", he said while seating next to her. Reaching out to comfort her, he attempted to pull Teela into a hug. Refusing she shrugged and turned her shoulders away from him tucking her chin to her chest.
"Teela….", he implored. "Truly, I am sorry."
Turning quickly and in one fluid motion wrapping her arms around his neck, Teela used the momentum of her movements to topple him onto the cave's floor. Surprised at her own boldness she was unsure of what to do next.
Clearing his throat He-Man asked, "So does this mean you forgive me?" Enjoying her voluptuous body on his chest, he did not try to dislodge her from his body. Her actions reminded him so much of how she acted with him when they were children, when in the rare occasions she had let her guard down and sought physical comfort from him. Turning his head to the side so as to avoid eye contact and in so doing hiding his excitement of her nearness from her, he waited for her answer.
"Yes, I forgive you." "How can I stay mad at you, you saved my life time and again." "To answer your question, my mother may not have taught me proper etiquette but the Queen sure did", she exclaimed. She then leaned down across his chest squeezing him into a hug. As she was about to raise herself off his chest she decided to place a kiss on his cheek. Closing her eyes she let her head descend toward his cheek. He-Man who did not see her, had simultaneously turned his head toward hers. What resulted next shocked them both. Teela's full heart shaped lips landed on his. Shocked that she accidently kissed him on the mouth, Teela attempted to pull her head up; however, He-Man followed her actions raising his head off the cave's floor continuing to kiss her tenderly. The gentle meeting of lips on lips send pleasurable waves along their nerves quickening their pulse and breath.
Astonished at his actions, Teela initially widened her eyes at the fact that he wasn't breaking off the kiss. Quickly overcoming her surprise, she closed her eyes enjoying the sensations coming forth from where their lips joined. Realizing that she was kissing Grayskull's Defender while he lay prone on the cold damp cave floor, she jumped off him as if burned.
"I'm sorry", she stammered returning to her own bedding.
Before answering her, He-man laid his head on the floor bereft of the sweetest most intoxicating kiss he had ever experienced. The simple touch of her pliant lips was so different from the coquettish kisses bestowed upon him as Crown Prince from the courtesans. He knew then that given the difficulty he was having controlling his willpower and impulses, that it was wise for him to sleep as far away from her as possible, thunderstorm or not. Vowing to himself to strengthen his resolve against his burgeoning desire, he raised himself off the floor and returned to the safety of his own pallet across from hers. There he broodingly continued consuming his meal.
Interpreting his actions as contempt against her behavior, Teela apologized to him again. Looking up from his plate he stated, "It's alright Teela there's no harm done."
Resuming her own meal Teela took a few more bites from the trout; however, unable to finish her meal due to the unsettling feelings she was experiencing, she put it aside. He-Man noticed that she stopped eating and asked, "Is the fish not to your liking?"
Thinking that he may perceive her as being ungrateful for the meal he provided, she picked up her plate and responded, "The food is wonderful but I'm full." "I'll explode if eat anymore." "I must watch my figure, He-Man", she said jokingly.
He-Man threw his head back and laughed at her statement. Having known her his entire life, he knew that Teela could pack away large amounts of food without needing to worry about her figure. She was blessed with a quick metabolism and coupled with the extreme exercise regime she upheld daily, Teela never worried about her caloric intake. As children they would often indulge in sugary treats both having a serious sweet tooth.
Jumping on the opportunity to change the mood inside the cavern, he smiled at her and decided to see where this conversation would lead, he responded, "I see nothing wrong with your figure", while raking his gaze appreciatively over her athletic form. Teela was very tall standing at almost 6 feet. Her Amazonian physique consisted of legs almost as long as his, covered with supple muscles along her calves and thighs. She had a high and curvy derriere, a tiny waist with a flat stomach, high full breasts, beautiful shoulders, and a long slender neck. Her arms were also muscular but were long and graceful tapering off with lengthy fingers. Despite the many combats she was involved in, Teela always had a perfectly polished manicure. Her body was a strong testament to the years of physical training she engaged in including martial arts, combat, aerobic workouts, boxing, wrestling, swimming, yoga, gymnastics, and ballet. The latter she participated in order to keep her body graceful and to not bulk up with muscles as a result from a personal request from his mother. Teela had a natural talent for dance and she had promised the Queen that she would not abandon it as she pursued her military career, continuing all dance forms into her adult life. As spectacular as Teela was in battle she was even more so on a dance floor, he mused silently.
Teela recognized his rejoinder as an unveiled compliment and an attempt to flirt with her and was excited by it. This was the first time he had ever mentioned her body outside the context of talking about physical injuries. His comment called to mind what Teela usually did when she found her men ogling her. Typically, she would immediately put them in their place with a harsh reprimand that she was their superior and not an object of lust. When in social situations she avoided the male species like a plague, not interested in forming any romantic or sexual relationships with the men of her acquaintance. However, this was an entirely different situation. This was the object of her dreams, figuratively and literally, sitting a few feet away from her paying her compliments. Enjoying the male attention he was giving her she smiled coyly at him while batting her long black tinted eyelashes.
Wondering whether he had many experiences romancing women, Teela desperately tried to think of a way to re-enter his embrace and hopefully re-experience the pleasure of his kiss. Inexperienced with the art of seduction, Teela inwardly berated herself for never participating in the flirting the courtesans bestowed the gentlemen of the ton. Deciding to be blunt as she always spoke her mind Teela reciprocated, "As with yours."
Nodding at her acknowledgment of his physique, He-Man took a last bite of his meal and asked her if she was done with hers. Indicating that she was, he used his Sword to dig a hole into the ground. Taking both plates which held the remainder of their meals, he placed it all into the hole and covered it saying, "We'll make fossils", smiling sheepishly at her.
Giggling she reclined upon her pallet staring at him as he returned to his. Realizing the late hour, Teela covered her mouth while yawning. She put her hands behind her head and stared at the ceiling.
"Are you tired?", he asked as he too reposed onto his pallet.
"I think the excitement of today is finally taking its toll on me", she responded. "I am so glad that we defeated Skeletor", she stated.
"Teela, you thanked me earlier for coming to your rescue; however, I should be thanking you", he murmured.
Hearing his words she raised her head and looked at him quizzically stating, "Whatever do you mean, I don't require your thanks!"
"You do", he retorted simply. "Teela without you being brave enough to handle Skeletor on your own, he may have already been on his way to conquering Eternia."
"I was just doing my job", she stated.
"No Teela, your duty is to guard the Palace and the Royal Family, it isn't traversing the Eternian wilderness to facedown a megolamaniac", he responded.
"Well, I am a Master and that's what we do." "I took an oath to protect all of Eternia not just the Royal Family, He-Man, at all cost!", she almost yelled at him offended at his pushback for her decision.
Being aware of that oath, having sworn to it himself, he wondered how he could get his point across to her that he didn't want her endangering her life because of his negligence. He felt guilt that once again his actions put someone else in danger. He thought it best that after he returned Teela to the Palace he not use the Powers of Grayskull until he had full control of his faculties.
"He-Man, you and I are alike in so many ways, aren't we?", she asked softly. "We'll both sacrifice ourselves for others", she said.
"I guess", he answered shrugging both beautifully sculpted shoulders.
Too piqued by curiosity as to why he felt he needed to apologize to her, Teela asked him again what occurred for him to change his mind.
"Truth be told, Teela, it was Orko", he responded deciding to fill her in on what occurred after she left the Palace.
"Orko?", she half asked half exclaimed. "What did he do?"
"Yes, Orko…after I demolished the gate he followed me to console me." "I told him to leave me alone and he did." "When he left me to join your father, he stumbled upon Skeletor, where he saw that it was all a trick." "Skeletor then took Orko captive." "Once he freed himself, he came to tell me that I didn't kill anyone." "That's when I decided to come looking for you." "I'm sorry Teela that I was weak and in so doing put your life in danger", he stated looking at her directly in the eyes.
"You were not weak, you thought you went against your oath to preserve life…that is true strength He-Man, recognizing a mistake and then fixing it", she consoled him.
"Thank you Teela it means a lot to me that you understand", he stated. Lying back down he bid her goodnight closed his eyes and waited for Morpheus to claim him.
