Always And Forever

Story 6: A Perfect Performance


They arrived at an inn built one side of a forest with a spring behind it, all connected by stone paths. The whole area was lush with colorful flora releasing a calming scent. The five other married couples currently staying here meant it wasn't Graham and Vee's personal paradise for a week of leaving their titles and responsibilities behind, but if there was ever a place to frolic this was it.

In the beginning, when recommended this destination, Vee looked at the honeymoon as practical. She and Graham managed to build up a year of courtship before both cracked and accepted when they weren't together there was something missing. So now this week would be the test if they were truly ready to live together. And that extra vow Graham mouthed to her in between the traditional so his personal thoughts wouldn't be recorded in history? Teamwork? There were still plenty of situations ahead to test their efficiency, and Vee downplayed her eagerness but was so ready.

Unfortunately, the trip had an awkward start.

One of Graham's trunks wasn't shut tightly enough, or maybe the lock malfunctioned? It wasn't clear because his focus was not on the clothes that landed in dirt but rather two books. Two books that, when he fell to his knees in a way that made Vee flinch, had to torment him further by letting the several parchments stuffed between spill out.

Vee thought she made the right choice deciding to help clean up the mess, especially seeing him shudder and struggle to find random spots in the books to put all the parchment. The written text moved too quick to read even if she wanted to, but the cover of the books was clear as day though she tried not to look long enough to memorize them.

It didn't take long for the books and clothes to be back in the trunk, Vee making sure it was sealed enough to not happen again. Considering how Graham remained on his knees looking as if he might tear up, she thought he'd have complete breakdown if repeated.

Graham pretty much abandoned his trunks on the floor of their room while Vee unpacked hers. He seemed despondent, remaining where he landed on bed and took the crisp blankets and rolled himself up facing the wall. She had never seen him sulk to this extent. This called for extreme measures.

Vee stepped up to the bed, massaging her cheeks to form a seductive smile and clearing her throat a bit noisily attempting to find a certain pitch in her voice. When she was ready, she joined him and positioned her mouth to his ear as it colored pink on time.

"Why don't you and I see if the inn has a... Chess board?" Vee suggested, immediately grazing his cheek with her lips afterward and enjoying the igniting blaze.

She enjoyed it until the resulting moan was of misery as he curled tighter. A sigh passed her lips at this, but she didn't either of them to be alone in their states. They both knew communication was important, so while it might kill him to be honest she could tell he realized he had limited options. Vee didn't want to start their trip disappointed or frustrated, and tried to let him know by staying right there and rubbing his shoulder.

"Did you see the titles or writing on the parchment?"

"I didn't."

"But the fact you know about them means I ruined the trip already! Doing the research was embarrassing, but I pushed through because honeymoons are supposed to have a lot of passion and exploration and-"

"Graham! I can feel the same from chess!" She didn't mean to raise her voice, risk the guests next door hear, but she felt her blood scorch as she was ready to strike down anxiety-coated thoughts. "We're the same: we've never laid with anyone! Just sitting shoulder to shoulder in that carriage made me think a lot about how and when to change that!"

She glanced back down long enough to see Graham had rolled to face her, peeking through his fingers with sparkling hopeful eyes now even if his face was sunburn red. The foolish feeling didn't last, replaced with adoration as she targeted the opening dead center of his forehead with her lips.

He dropped his hands before she could leave his space. Vee caught one of them, their fingers curling as both moved in for a short but proper kiss. When they opened their eyes, Graham wasn't hiding but moved to the end of the bed to reach the closest trunk.

"Romance books always describe intimacy as being sudden, yet it's always a perfect performance even the characters are pure. So, I thought we could act out the moments with building tension." Graham explained, voice sometimes weakening with lingering embarrassment. "Then, on the last night, we could rank what created a mood... If it did at all. And as much as I want to go all the way, we don't have to. I know the mood is ruined now, so there's no room for surprises. "A small collection of parchment whooshed as it landed on the bed.

Graham made himself busy unpacking more than his own issues in the trunk. He was obviously trying not to wince as she went down the list, expecting her to laugh at him. Vee instead crawled over, catching him off guard grabbing his face to let him know she was into the idea. But just in case there was any doubt, she guided his lips to hers which he soon melted into perhaps relieved there was a way to "salvage" the trip one hour in.

With their masterful subtlety, of course.


RECREATION 1: "THE PUBLISHER WANTED A BALLROOM SCENE BUT THE AUTHOR CAN'T DANCE SO-"

The front area outside the inn happened to be cleared that afternoon as the sky turned orange. Vee walked up to an invisible refreshment table, having decided this was less obvious compared to staying by the ballroom's exit doors. She occasionally looked back to the dance floor, knowing she was meant to be there with the complete stranger her insensitive mother picked out, but she sent that man chasing down a server for a wine she made up.

There was, however, another man occasionally trying to make eye contact when he floated in and out from the dance floor. He didn't even have a partner, and Vee was flustered by how easy he made it look. Both the movements and not being awkward about being alone. He finally decided to approach her when the clock hands indicated the last song was approaching.

He slid across the floor confidently, eyes smoldering against the... Sunset... Ahem. He was introducing himself, or something. She missed her line as he took her hand. He faked confidence and self-esteem all the way through pressing his lips to her knuckles before taking his other hand while she missed about seven lines.

When they miraculously joined for a slow dance, Vee first went limp on weak knees and tightened her hold on him to desperately remain dignified on her feet never mind the ragged breathing.

"Are you okay, Vee?" Graham asked, breaking character.

She was sure her face was crimson this time, but that was hidden in his shoulder. Speech can be helpful, but for now she just sighed contently, and he took that as a valid answer.


RECREATION 2: "HEARTS DON'T WORK THAT WAY-"

The first level of the forest still had gaps between and above the trees, letting in both moonlight and the orange glow of the lanterns by the inn. It was too much like the scene where the characters would be having their last secret meeting before both pairs of control freak parents sent their respective bodyguards to drag them away as if they couldn't be trusted to be normal outside the castle walls.

That's why they had to speak through the language of their hearts like couples do. [citation needed]

Except Graham was much slower placing his hand on her chest than she was to him. Even through his shirt, she could feel it drumming. It was safe to say character was broken beyond repair, but by this point Vee had gotten herself so mentally prepared for his touch every other thought fled her mind.

"Focus on my eyes instead." Vee told him straight-faced as she grabbed the hand hovering above its target.

Graham did just that, breathing like he'd just ran laps.

Vee guided and spread his hand out in the middle of her chest, where they both seemed to realize at once if their hearts could talk they were rather explicit.


INTERMISSION

The restaurant was empty, so they didn't feel weird bringing the parchments there as long as they didn't talk too loud or obviously about their plans. Graham's fork scratching against his plate helped minimize some of that, at least, even if the cake he ordered honestly looked unappealing with drizzled honey.

Graham, however, managed to look appealing innocently sliding his tongue around the corners of his mouth to catch the escaping drops. He probably didn't need as much force as he did collecting, then curling his tongue back in savoring the sweetness. Sometimes it even dripped off the fork landing on his finger, and his tongue rolled out across the tip of his finger getting it all swiftly.

Vee's face and neck burned through her sleeves as she lied her head down on folded arms.


RECREATION 3: "OBLIGATORY BATH SCENE. THAT IS ALL."

The spring wasn't entirely concealed, but there were enough trees and bushes to obscure what they needed. The best part was the moonlight streaming through emerald leaves, causing the water to shimmer despite the waterfall above.

They undressed and entered separately. Vee was last immediately noticing the water was lukewarm due to the lack of wind, and while the water went up to her shoulders it wasn't deep enough to float in, so she was pretty much standing on dirt beneath. That was probably a comfort for Graham; he never said whether or not he could swim, but sometimes acted unsure about water.

She thought he either bolted or somehow managed to break logic and drown, but as she waded she eventually found just the top of his head barely poking out. He thankfully lifted his head above the water but was suddenly too bashful to even try getting into that male love interest's point of view. Vee understood... This was a leap.

She was content if they were themselves tonight. Besides it had been a challenge from the beginning to be anyone but newly married, wanting to use the time she had to show the other person she loved how far she was willing to go to do that. Ridiculousness wasn't even a hurdle, and there would be much more opportunity down the road to fail. Hopefully together.

She wanted to tell him all that, but suddenly was too shy. Vee roleplayed one last time: she was an eternally calm version of herself, one Graham sometimes misunderstood to be the real her because he just so happened to not see when she was stumbling. She met his eyes, and when he reached under the water and took her wrist her mind could focus on nothing but him. When his arms decided to stay wrapped around her frame, she knew he was telling her he only had enough room for one person on his mind too.

But they had self-control.

For thirteen whole seconds.

Well, it was the third day of the honeymoon so it's not like they caved immediately-