A/N: Six days of "freedom" left. Hopefully, I won't be so strung out on painkillers that I won't be able to stay up longer than a few minutes before my head starts killing me and I have to sleep it off. Dear apothecaries, please look into this. Pain meds and I do not mix. ...I also have really bad reaction to anesthesia. Or maybe dental work just makes me go into shock. Ah, today's the first day I had to turn on the ceiling fan, it's pretty relaxing. Ugh...I don't want thiiiis. Maybe Alex can decide he's real and come spirit me away (before pushing me off a Lighthouse Aerie because I annoyed him too much "Hey, hey, why didn't you kiss Garcia? You totally missed your chance man! He's off sexing Picard now~")

to Roksu: Haha they're both pretty lucky to have found their sappy other half. Haha, I got a wicked sunburn...but we swam with a turtle in the ocean, so it was pretty fun. There was a bit of drama...but I think it's resolved, for my friends at least. I don't think I should have to apology for shiz that isn't my fault to begin with -coughs- Anywho, there were a ton of lovebugs...so many they had decided to infest the ocean and die...nasty. Hate those things. But apparently, my friend saw two male lovebugs mating...so that's something. Still hate them though. Bee stings really do hurt...but I puff up to extremes (because I'm allergic) so...instinctively now, whenever I hear something buzz, I scream and duck. It's kind of funny after I get over being scared.

-claps hands together- Haha, I'm so glad my phone has Office on it, I got the idea for this chapter while we were on the road back and just had to write it up. I really love Florida, but I missed my cat and she's so happy we're back. Ugh, the north sucks. WHY ARE THERE NO SANRIO STORES HERE! Damn Yankees. -coughs- ._.

Read, enjoy and review!

Certain

A sleepy haze hangs over the village. The same haze seems to cloud my mind—the lingering effects of last night's strawberry wine. Looking at Ivan's hand resting on my chest, the gems in the ring glinting in the pale morning light, I knew this ache was worth it. I would suffer a thousand headaches to see that look of pure bliss on his face.

He stirs, a sweet smile softening his face until a momentary shadow passes over it and he reaches up, running deft fingers through my hair. Last night, those fingers had explored my body with a familiarity born of the months we spent together, mine doing the same to his. He presses the pads of his thumbs to my temple where the pain has collected. A cool air passes between us and the throbbing dissipates as if cast away on a spring breeze. "Ivan?" I was at a loss for words.

He merely smiles warmly, tucking his hair behind his ears, "It's come to me only recently. I think it might be because we've been sharing Psynergy so much." His cheeks flush suddenly and he touches a hand to his chest, "Something created from us."

I smile, glancing at his hand and noticing that he neglected to tie the top of his shirt once we had allowed each other to sleep. Dark kiss marks stand out against his pale skin, the most prominent reminder of our activities from the previous night.

My thoughts must have shown on my face for his cheeks color and he fusses with the laces at his neck, still some modesty between us. Time would take care of that but for now, this much modesty is endearing, though I can already read his movements with ease as if he were a tome himself.

He finishes tying up his undershirt, reaching up slowly and resting a hand on my chest, his fingers trailing up and resting against my cheek. "Last night was…" He let his voice trail off, his cheeks turning a darker shade.

I take up his hand, rubbing his palm with my thumb before bringing it to my lips. He relaxes visibly and I clasp his hand, grinning, "You don't have to say anything, you voiced your opinion last night very eloquently." The flush returns in full force, even coloring his ears. I chuckle, "Thank you for reinforcing my pride as a man."

He pouts for a moment but the illusion is broken as he starts laughing, throwing his arms around my neck and lying on top of me. "I think I've done Weyard a great disservice, you've grown impertinent."

"Ha, since when was I impertinent? Are you sure you're not confusing me with Gerald?"

"Of course I'm not." He waves his hand to dismiss the issue, "All the time—since you reunited with Garcia, you have the tendency to be all the more impertinent."

"Ah, I see! I'll show you just how impertinent I can be!" With a quickness that left his eyes wide open, I flipped him onto his back, grasping his wrists and pinning them above his head, my wolfish grin mirrored in his violet orbs.

"Robin, no~" Whatever protests he wanted to make die in his throat as he erupts into a fit of giggles as I manage to undo the drawstrings of his shirt, assaulting his neck and exposed chest with feather-light kisses.

XoXoXoX

I smile to myself as we dress in a comfortable silence, slipping a clean tunic over my head and running a hand back through my hair to try and tame the unruly locks. Ivan steps close, leaning against my side as he tries to peer into the mirror, sweeping his bangs from his eyes for a moment before he spots something—another dark spot marking his neck, a place his tunic couldn't hide. He looks up at me, horrified for a moment. I clasp the nape of his neck, leaning down and tapping my forehead to his, lowering my voice to a heated whisper, "My dear, unless Mary and Gerald had suddenly taken deaf, they'll have known very well what we were doing last night."

"W-was I that loud…?"

"Can I take it as a compliment?"

He swats at me half-heartedly, letting his hand rest against my cheek and rubbing gently. He chuckles, "You'll have to start shaving soon…maybe in a few more years…"

I blink, smiling softly and taking up his hands in both of mine, kissing his knuckles, "Yeah, I'll have to ask Dad to teach me." And you'll be with me, every step of the way, Ivan. Certainly.

I run my fingers through his hair, "Your hair's getting longer now, if you keep it like this, I don't think they'll notice the mark. Gerald won't at least." He falls against my chest, winding his arms around my middle, pressing his palms flat against my back. I feel my pulse quicken and I slip a possessive arm around him.

XoXoXoX

Those two are in the kitchen when we finally come down, something like embarrassment mixed with a slight tension. Gerald jumps at our approach, his ears and the back of his neck turning crimson as he hunches his shoulders, mumbling a good morning into his mug. Mary smiles sweetly, turning around, "You two always wake up so early, don't you know how to have a vacation?"

Ivan laughs softly, though I can still see the blush lingering at his cheeks, "Before this…I never took a…vacation." He shakes his head, smiling gently as he tucks his hair behind his ear, revealing the bruise. Gerald gasps suddenly, pushing himself away from the table with such force that he tips over his chair, hitting the ground with the thud.

"Gerald! Are you okay?" Mary hurries over and helps him to his sit up with a sigh, "Honestly, did you see a bee or something?"

"I-I'm not afraid of bees anymore, Mary." He blushes, rubbing the back of his neck and shaking his head, "No, I was just…half-asleep, yeah, that's it. I was half-asleep, I didn't know where I was for a second, sorry if I startled you." Ivan meets my eye over their heads, a desperate look there. I give him a reassuring smile as he fusses with his hair, trying to cover the mark again.

Such an interesting reaction. I wonder if I should feel sorry for Mary.

-TBC-

Yes, Kyle will teach you have to shave, Robin. Until next time!