Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, only the plot and the circumstances.
A/N: Yes, yes, I know. Fluff!Alret.
Enchantment Passing Through
Chapter Fourteen
Kelsey was walking in the park, heading to their bench slowly, tiredly; her right arm hanging on a cloth hook that was tied around her neck, for support. The pain was sedated with Dana's kind help, right before she left the Aquabase. Her arm was broken thanks to the Titanium Ranger, some would deem an injury caused by the Titanium Ranger honorable, to be worthy enough fighter to be targeted by him; Kelsey dismissed those honorary proclamations. The Titanium Ranger was nothing but a self centered, overpowering, greedy, loathsome bastard who would one day, no doubt, get what he deserves by none other than the Power Rangers.
It was already completely dark, and she took a deep breath before she dared to search for him in her eyes, not making a move. Ryan was pacing in front of the bench, his arms moved mechanically against his sides with which each step, like a soldier. For the first time he looked somewhat menacing to her; there was something very… well, dark in the way he was not giving the view a second (nor a first) glance, as if nothing was important, his thoughts superior to all. She noticed how stiff was his back and how his head was slightly bowed, staring downwards. Concentrated? Concerned?
Probably.
"Hi." Her voice sounding very small to her ears, that she was certain he hasn't heard her.
Only he did.
He froze in his place, his head turning to her direction; "Kelsey!"
He made a step toward her and stopped in his tracks, frowning at her arm. A quick moment later he rushed to her, coming to a halt only millimeters away from her, almost careful as to not to touch her.
She bit her bottom lip and raised her large pair of eyes at him; he held his hand out to her and instead of taking her hand he brought his hand to her cheek and caressed it quietly, not saying another word.
She blushed against his touch, suddenly shy;
"What happened?" He demanded softly, looking down, between them, to her bandaged arm.
"I don't want to talk about it." She didn't elaborate; for some reason, there were tears burning her eyes and the back of her throat. She felt like a small child returning to her parent for comfort after a mean fall.
She hated not telling him why and still she needed his comfort, his closeness; the sense of security he gave her, her shelter with him, at the park, at nighttime.
"Could you - - " She swallowed, hating how her voice strained at the effort of not crying. "Could you, please, just - - " she took a small breath. "Hold me?"
He wrapped his arms around her, gently pressing her against him and Kelsey closed her eyes as she rested her head on his chest. Tears trickled down despite her closed eyes. One of his hands gently drew circles on her back, the rhythm of the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed turned into a mantra that lulled her into relaxation and calm. His heartbeats had a miraculously calming effect while on her, his scent of musk and sandalwood so close and reassuring.
He said nothing and he didn't need to, because he was right there holding her and being her rock. He was a constant in a life of no guarantees and she was thankful she had him.
"I'm sorry." She sniffled and stared up at him, her fingers clinging to his black tee-shirt. "It's not your fault, I'm a little – " His finger touched her lips.
"I am here for you." He spoke gently. Her cheeks that were slightly numb and very stained from the salty tears she shed, turned rosy a second time.
"You need rest." He led her to their bench, carefully seating her and joining her. "What is the damage to your arm?"
She blinked. "It's broken."
"Let me…" He carefully took her arm in his. He closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating, and she stared at his beautiful face; there was a small crease between his eyebrows as he concentrated and she smiled.
A warm sensation engulfed her injured arm and he waited patiently until he opened his eyes and smiled at her. "It would be gone by sunrise."
She grinned tearfully. "Thanks."
"Anything." He breathed.
She turned to look at their view of the city; each night she spent at the bench with Ryan she was overwhelmed of the enchanting lights of the city beneath them. The colours were dancing like fireflies and shone brightly against the darkness, looking up there were myriad of stars spread right above their heads. She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, regaining her peace.
Ryan kissed her healthy hand and she giggled as she marveled at the sensation of his warm lips on her skin in the cold night air. She shivered.
"You're cold." The vibration of his voice tickled her ear as he pressed his lips to her neck.
She turned her head to look at him; "I'm so happy to have you."
"As I – you." He hid his smile in the kiss he pressed to her cheek.
She was obviously under his spell, how could he make her heart shiver and race altogether?
"Ryan, really." She insisted, laying her healthy arm on his shoulder. He smiled.
"I know."
"You give me so much." She had to stifle a moan as his teeth grazed her earlobe.
"I wish to give you more, name it and it's yours." He spoke distractedly and she giggled at his sappy sweet-talk.
"Kiss me."
His lips pressed against hers in a moment, torturing her sweetly; his tongue licking her lips and stealing into her mouth, investigating every corner of it, making her moan at the sheer pleasure of his taste and action.
"Home?" His lips formed the word on hers.
She nodded, rubbing her nose in his and in a second they were sitting on his bed in their cave.
Kelsey woke up early in the morning, more than used to waking up early on weekdays; although she felt him next to her, Kelsey turned to look at him, sleeping, his face buried in her pillow, one of his hands laying protectively on her stomach. She smiled sleepily at the sweet sight of him, enjoying this perfect moment of peace. After a while of staring, Kelsey gently slid her fingers on his cheeks, enjoying the light spark that one simple action managed to stir inside her.
He mumbled something and buried his face in her neck, his entire body readjusting; his arm went to wrap around her waist and one muscled leg found a rest between her thighs. She giggled silently, happy at his need of possessing her even in his sleep. She brought her lips to his forehead and brushed them against his skin gently, in a chaste kiss.
She loved that she could feel his weight against her, the warmth emanating from his body was comforting and his hard muscles softened against her. She loved that he allowed himself to be vulnerable, exposed, around her. That he could be himself. She felt the same way with him, she was never afraid to be herself around him, she knew she was safe and protected in his company; that she was loved, even if she never heard him say the words. He made her feel beautiful.
She slowly let her fingers into his hair; the blond strands of hair were soft to touch and Kelsey enjoyed this contact. He needed a haircut again, she noted smilingly. Her fingers roamed his scalp, caressing gently.
When he leaned into her touch she knew he was awake and kissed his nose, grinning.
"Morning, Ry."
He blinked and kissed her lips until she saw stars. "Good Morning, Kitten. How did you sleep?"
His voice was very hoarse inducing excitement in her, so much that she found it hard to concentrate, and the kisses he trailed down her neck were not helping, either.
"I slept very well, thank you." He hummed.
She gasped when he sucked her collar bone.
"How is your arm? Better?" He buried his nose in the valley between her breasts, taking a deep breath and kissing the delicate skin.
She moaned.
"I forgot about it, it doesn't hurt anymore." She murmured almost shyly, embarrassed she has not thought of her injury once since she woke up.
"You must be very distracted not to remember an injury from yesterday." He stopped trying to nibble her bellybutton and stared up at her; the pure lust in his eyes made her hold her breath.
"I always am when you're around me." She admitted brazenly, not even blushing. He smirked and covered her body with his. He kissed her deeply, wantonly, and she gave him her all.
"I love you." She told him when he rolled on his back and pulled her next to him, both were completely spent;
She shyly stole a glance at him, in his eyes, and found them as enthralling, as fascinating, as always; there was fire in his black eyes, eternally burning there and she knew it was solely for her. He didn't need to even admit to that.
He said nothing for a long time, so long that Kelsey thought he fell asleep, but when she tried to move away he squeezed her, as if to let her know he was awake.
She knew he loved her.
Right?
It was so obvious, in his protectiveness, in the way he made love to her, the way he told her so many secrets and took her to his most treasured place.
He loves her. She didn't really have to hear him say it. Of course, it could be very pleasant to hear hi, but - -
"I would not use the word love to describe my…feelings for you."
She frowned; "How would you call it?"
"Admiration, Commitment, Respect, Passion, Appreciation, Responsibility, Compassion." With each word she wondered more, and when he fell into silence and she realized he was done, she couldn't help the slight giggle.
And she merely loved him.
"Kelsey?"
It was strange to listen to him detail his love; he took a complex and sensitive theme and slowly dismantled it to its primary ingredients. Like he knew what love was made of but refused to call it love.
"Thank you, Ryan, it is very reassuring to hear."
She sighed in content and cuddled closer to him for a short morning nap.
A/N2: Not long now (: ...