A Lazy Afternoon

Disclaimer:  I don't own these characters.

Author's Note:  Here's the chapter you've all been waiting for(and what a dirty chapter it became).  And animeluvr1, you were almost right on with your prediction…

Chapter 14

"Are you asleep?"

"No."

"Were you asleep?"

"No."

"It's getting dark.  We should head back."

"We already missed dinner."

"Do you want to get something to eat in town?"

"If you'd like."

"I am rather hungry."

He nodded, and hoisted himself off her lap.  He rubbed his eyes and stretched, standing up.  Extending his hand to Elphie, she took it, and was pulled to her feet.  She grabbed their satchels and handed him his.  He eyed the yellow paper. 

"I didn't touch it."

"I didn't say anything."

"I admit I was tempted, but I didn't touch it."

"Thank you."

She nodded.

"I'll tell you later."

They ate some soup at the tavern, then slowly made their way back through the temperate evening.  There was little talking, but it was a calm silence, not awkward.   Arriving at Ozma Towers, they paused. 

"Will you stay with me tonight?"  Fiyero asked softly, his eyes expressing his need. 

"Yes, of course." 

She squeezed his hand, and they crept up the stairs.  Once in his room, Fiyero kicked off his shoes, pulled off his shirt, and collapsed on his bed.  Elphie crossed to the bed, and removing her own shoes, sat beside him.  She rest her hand on his knee.  His eyes were closed.  The way his pants fell, she could see a bit more of the diamond pattern beneath his belly button.  It flared, and curled. 

"How are you holding up?"

He shrugged. "You can read it now if you'd like."

She reached forward and retrieved it from his bag.  It was a gorgeous, yellow, official parchment.  She read down the page, her face hardening.  His mother had died. 

"I'm sorry, Fiyero."

She wrapped her arms around him.  He curled against her. 

"Will you be  going home for a funeral?  Is that a custom in the Vinkus?"

"Look at the date."

Elphie raised the paper again.  January, the 15th. 

"That was 4 months ago!"

"Yeah…"  He was shaking again.

"How come you are only just getting this now?"

He took a deep breath.  "In the winter, there is no way in or out of the Vinkus if the storms get too bad, which they usually do."

"Oh."

"This letter has probably been in transit since that date."

"I'm sorry."

"I'll be okay.  I just have to process it."

"What do you need?"

"A friend."

She hugged him tightly.

 "It just seems so weird, that when I saw her…8 months ago…it…it…would be…the….last time."

He collapsed into sobs, and Elphie held him as close as she could, until finally the shuddering subsided.  He sat up,  and crossed to his bureau, pulling out two pairs of pajama pants., and a shirt.

"Here.  You probably don't have your own jammies tonight." His voice was still hoarse. 

"No, I don't. Thank you."

He pulled off his pants.  She longed to see how the diamond continued, but this new removal didn't indicate much more.  He switched the rough breeches with the softer flannel.  Elphie slowly undid the buttons of her dress.  She untied the scarf, and belt, and removed her socks.  He was watching her intently.

"Fiyero…"

"Sorry," he spun around.  "Though you watched me change.  Twice now."  There was a glimmer of mischief in his voice, which Elphie took as a good sign, under the circumstances. 

"I know, but…"

"It's okay.  I'm turned."

"All right," she smiled. 

It didn't really bother her that much, but she wanted to try to maintain some sliver of propriety, if that was even still possible.  Considering it, she decided it wasn't really.  He had seen her naked before, though under completely benign circumstances, she had seen him nearly naked, and this would be their third night sharing the same bed.  She looked over at him.  He wasn't bothering with a shirt tonight.  The diamonds on his back formed a very distinct pattern, that she was sure had a story behind it.  She'd have to ask him sometime.  He was still turned away, but she   had a feeling that he could see her in the mirror.  Oh well, she thought, and finished changing quickly.  She plopped down on the blanket.

"Come to bed my little spy."

He smirked, and climbed up beside her.

"At least it made you smile," she grinned.

He blushed, and she raised her hands up to his warm cheek, pinching it.

"Hey!"

She stuck her tongue out at him quickly, so as to not irritate her lips.  He caught her by the waist, and yanked her closer.

"Teasing me, eh?"

"If that's what it takes."

He rest his forehead against hers.  His breath burned her cheek lightly, but she was too taken to move away.  Ever so slowly he moved in.  She tensed, slightly, but did not break.  His lips brushed hers, very gently at first, then apply more pressure as she engaged.  Her lips locked against his.  She had never felt anything like this before.  It was frightening, and at the same time, exhilarating.  Their lips mashed, and explored each other.  His hands ran through her hair, hers along his side.  Finally, they broke apart, breathless.  Her hands caught his, and she squeezed them lightly.  They were both breathing deeply. 

"How was that?" he asked.

"Wow."

"Wow?" he laughed. 
"I…I don't know what to say."

"Wow is fine." He grinned broadly, and she buried her face in his chest to hide her embarrassment.  She turned her head to the side, letting her green cheek rest against his warm, dark flesh.  Her fingers traced along the blue diamond pattern, and he shivered.  She spiraled her finger along the pattern at his navel, and he grasped the blanket tightly in his hand, gasping. 

"Elphie…" he managed, fighting the tension growing within him, "that feels so good."

"Yeah?"

She still wouldn't look up at him, but rather continued to trace the diamonds.  She tried to see if she had provoked a similar reaction as in the morning, curious to see exactly how that worked.  She was sure she had.

"Mmm," he grunted, unable to truly speak. 

Elphie sat up.  He was flushed, even through his dark skin.  He squirmed uncomfortably.

"I had no idea what I was doing…during the kiss…" Elphie admitted.

"Neither did I.  I think its one of those things that just comes to you."

"I don't know. I had no idea what to do with my tongue, so I kept it in my mouth."

Fiyero laughed.  "I wasn't sure if I'd hurt you if I used my tongue."

"Hmm.."

"So I just played with the lips."
"Try."

"Try what?"

"Using your tongue, to see if it hurts."

"I can't hurt you!"

"We don't know if it will."

"Likely it will."

"Try it.  Just lick my lip or something."

Fiyero laughed, but leaned in and licked her quickly, giggling all the while.  Elphie raised her finger to her lips, and ran it across.   Slight burning, that couldn't challenge her excitement at the pass of his tongue.  She pulled him closer, but he paused.

"Did that hurt?"

"It's okay.  Only a little burn."

"Elphie…"

"Fiyero, kiss me again before my euphoria wears off and I change my mind."

He quickly obliged  Their heads came together, seeking comfort in each other lips.  Gently he lowered her back against the pillow, still engulfed in the kiss.  For a while, nothing mattered but themselves.

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