Afterglow of the First Morning

By DrummondType2

I was the first one to wake up, that morning. Things always look different in the first light of dawn than they do in the glow of moonlight. Illusions can be broken, things that appeared one way can look another. Would that be my experience, I wondered, wrapping my bare flesh in a sheet.

I see her next to me, still snoring lightly. Of course, if asked, I'm sure she'd deny she snored. And she'd do it with that serene smile firmly in place, showing no sign of irritation at being accused of snoring in the first place. But she does snore a bit, I'm here to tell. I don't really mind. It's actually sort of cute.

Not that it mattered. The beauty of her in the moonlight was not shattered by the first dawning rays of sunlight, which only seemed to augment the highlights of her tawny mane. Her skin, which isn't quite as pale as mine, but still of a decidedly ivory tone, reflected the golden light of morning like a well carved marble statue.

The night before had been our first time together. And I'd like to say that it was a beautiful experience that would inspire songwriters and poets, but that's not really true.

Oh, it was amazing, to be sure. Don't get me wrong. But you don't go from being obsessed with revenging yourself on those who killed your mother and stole your childhood to being a consummate and skilled lover just because you find yourself in love with the person you're with. And I did find myself in love with her.

And more than that, I realized that I was actually attracted to her. I mean, she was a beautiful young woman, with striking features. And for the first time in my life, I'd felt yearnings. Or maybe it was just that I was finally listening to them for the

first time.

I'm sure I embarrassed myself thoroughly the night before, though. I'd accidently pulled her hair trying to position myself to look down into those gorgeous crimson eyes. I'd…well…I'd gone off like a hair trigger at her first touch, I was so nervous and excited. And though she had been encouraging and gracious, I'm sure my efforts to please her had been clumsy and awkward.

~I'll do better next time, Shizuru~ I silently promise her as I stare at her sleeping form. And then I chuckle at myself. Next time? So, whatever my concerns about my apparent lack of skill, I was enjoying this enough to want to try it again, huh? Well, I'd just learned something new about myself. Still, I'd actually wanted to go to bed with Shizuru the night before, so it wasn't too shocking a revelation.

Still, I felt like I should be doing something, here. What was the protocol when you woke up first after a passionate night of love-making? Was there a protocol? What actions would say "I enjoyed it and look forward to more"?

Should I try and wake her with a kiss? That seemed a bit silly, to me. A trifle clichéd, and a little more fairy tale than suited my own personality.

Should I try to make her breakfast in bed? Despite popular opinion to the contrary, I can actually make some simple dishes. But this was her place, not mine. I didn't know what she had available in her cupboards and fridge. And calling Mai in to whip up something probably wouldn't be all that romantic. Plus, Mai would be gushing over the two of us.

I decided to simply lay beside her for a bit. I ran one hand over the outline of her form in the sheet. She was warm, and her skin soft. Her lips partly slightly, and a contented sigh whispered forth.

"Is my Natsuki already eager to go again?" Shizuru smiled, but her eyes remained closed. Half-asleep, she was still perfectly capable of teasing.

"Maybe tonight," I said. Hey, I'd enjoyed it, like I said, "But right now, I'm going to pass out if I don't get some food in me."

"We can't have that," Shizuru sat up, stretching. Then she looked at me, and she was trying to hide the concern in her eyes, the nagging self-doubt, and lingering self-loathing that she didn't want me to see, "Natsuki, was it…alright?"

I answered by kissing her softly on the lips, "Shizuru, it was wonderful. I just wish I hadn't been so…clumsy."

"Well, it was Natsuki's first time," Shizuru leaned up against me, "Even Beethoven had to be taught to play the piano."

I smirked, "Difference being, no matter how good I get, I have no plans on performing for an audience."

Shizuru laughed long and loud at that, "Oh, that was clever, Natsuki. Bravo. But do not trouble yourself overly much. I felt quite awkward myself. Do you not recall how I accidentally put my foot in your face as we changed positions?"

I blinked, "I just figured that happened all the time when people tried that."

"Well, I haven't had any real experience myself, but it is not something I've seen in any movie or read in any love scene,"

Shizuru sighed, "I was rather embarrassed."

I gave a snort, "At least you've seen the movies and read the love scenes. I don't even have that going for me."

Shizuru wrapped herself around me from behind, "No regrets?"

I smiled, "Well, only that I feel like I didn't know I was doing. But as far as being with you, Shizuru, no regrets. I told you before, didn't I? I wanted to. And despite being a klutz in bed, I still want to."

"Well, I agree with you, there. I was a bit overanxious and, I'll be honest, I was afraid that you'd be…repulsed after we began."

I turned and held her in my arms, "C'mon. You know that's not how I feel."

She sighed, rising from the bed, "I just…You were amazingly generous when you chose to forgive me. To find you returning my feelings, on the same level? I must constantly remind myself that it is real and not a dream."

I also rose from the bed, holding her in a tight embrace, mindless of our state of undress, "Hey, it is real. And it's what I want. And we'll both get better at it, if we talk about it, right?"

She smiled at me over her shoulder, "Ookini. Ara, but Natsuki said she was hungry?"

"Tell you what. Let's shower and then grab a bite at that place on the corner."

She actually managed a coy expression, "Is that separate showers? Or shall we wash each other's backs?"

Well, I guess it's a matter of my growing experience that I recognized the invite, "Shizuru, ikezu. What on earth makes you think I'd settle for just your back?"

And with that, I ushered a legitimately blushing Shizuru into the bathroom. It was going to be a busy day, and I was eager to get to the good parts.