CHAPTER 3: Closer

"Swim with me, dep la," Raya commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument as she stood suddenly, glancing down at the other woman.

They had settled down on the grassy bank of the river after the day's work, making repairs to various homes that had been neglected during the Druun years, checking on the newly planted rice fields on the mainland, and various other mundane but physically demanding chores. It was hot, the air thick and oppressive. They had both shed their boots and let the cool river water soothe their sore and exhausted feet. It felt so good that the temptation to fully submerge herself had become too great for Raya.

"And if I refuse?" Namaari challenged with a smirk, a playful glimmer in her eyes that caused Raya's heart to flutter in her chest.

The Fang princess was reclined at her side, leaned back on her hands, her long legs straight out in front of her, one leisurely crossed over the other. From this angle it was impossible for Raya to ignore the telltale curve of her abs under her fitted white top. Or the way the muscles in her arms flexed as they supported her weight. Her copper-colored skin seemed to almost reflect the afternoon sun and Raya fingers itched to explore and feel every inch of it, even the parts that weren't exposed. Especially the parts that weren't exposed.

The very idea of it caused an ache deep within her and she chastised herself for her rebellious mind. She'd been having thoughts of this kind more frequently and more intensely as the days passed between them. Her body had never reacted this way to anyone else and she was still getting used to the sensation. The way heat pooled inside her. The tightness in her core. Every cell in her body screaming to be as close to this woman as humanly possible, begging to be touched by those sure hands and kissed by those soft lips.

She needed to quench this sweltering heat before it suffocated her.

"Suit yourself." Raya shrugged in an attempt at being nonchalant before stepping into the crisp water, her toes squishing on the sandy bottom. She waded further in, the water lapping at her waist, cooling her lower half down. As she continued in past her chest, Raya could feel her body's response to the cold shock of the water, so she hurried in further until she was in up to her shoulders and waited until she acclimated to the temperature change.

All the while she could feel Namaari's eyes watching her every movement, searing her skin once more despite the water. Was the Fang princess thinking of her the same way at this very moment? Were her thoughts filled with all the ways they could be closer?

Raya somehow managed to gather herself so she could turn around to look directly at the other woman, meeting her gaze head on. Her questions were answered when she saw how Namaari's eyes held a longing that made Raya's body catch fire again. A pleased smile curled the edges of her lips, and she did nothing to conceal it. Taking a gulp of air, Raya dipped her head below the surface maybe in an attempt to tease the Fang warrior just a bit.

When Raya broke the surface of the water, it took a moment for her to swipe her hair back as well as clear the residual water from her eyes. By the time she was able to open them they were met with the sight of Namaari wading into the river towards her, already waist deep and mere yards from her.

Raya could feel the wide grin pulling at the corners of her lips again at how easily she had been able to convince the Fang warrior to join her. With each step Namaari took closer to her Raya could feel her anticipation growing like a bubble in her chest, ready to burst with so many emotions. Happiness, desire, love, just to name a few.

In a few easy strides Namaari had finally closed the distance between them. When she was within reach, she didn't hesitate to snake her arms around Raya's waist. Electricity shot through her as Namaari pulled their bodies together, wordlessly leaning in while Raya tilted her face upwards to meet her lips.

"Did someone say swim?!" the familiar gravelly voice cut in and Raya's eyes snapped open and shot in the direction of the sound. Out of seemingly nowhere the familiar bright blue dragon appeared from the sky, hurtling towards them with a toothy grin on her face. "Cannonballllllllll!"

Neither of them had time to react before the legendary water dragon crashed down beside them, sending an immense wave splashing over both of their heads. Whatever moment Raya and Namaari were about to have had been washed away as they spluttered out river water.

"Sisu. Please. Won't you join us," Raya dead-panned, pushing her hair from her face for the second time as Namaari did the same. The dragon seemed so pleased with herself, completely impervious to any sarcasm.

"Thanks for the invite," she held her paw to her heart as if she was moved by a genuine sentiment. "So, what are my two favorite humans up to today?"

"Well, we were trying to-," Raya started to grumble but she caught Namaari's eye, and finished with, "relax."

The Fang princess awarded her with a sly smile she couldn't be too terribly upset with the situation if it led to Namaari looking at her like that. Raya returned it with a smile of her own before forcing herself to turn back to her dragon friend, "What's our favorite dragon up to?"

Sisu flipped onto her back and floated on the surface lazily, "Ah, you know, just stopping by on my way to see Pranee. We're gonna hit up Boun's for dinner and then pop over to Talon for some shopping with Noi. I finally have some credit to work with."

Raya felt a stab of guilt at the mention of her friends and former travel companions. She had seen Tong a handful of times because Dara was now Chief of Spine and at most of the council meetings, but she hadn't seen the others once since they all departed Heart several months ago. She really should get out and see them, but was it still too soon to leave Ba? She'd only been back a matter of months after trying to get him back for years.

Sisu sat up abruptly, flinging water at them again and startling Raya out of her reverie.

"Oh toi! Was I interrupting something? A moment? A romantic moment," she drawled out, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively at both of them.

A denial was on her tongue, but she couldn't bring herself to say it and Namaari certainly didn't seem keen to speak up. Sisu didn't seem to mind and could fill an ocean of silence given the chance.

"Awww, you guys are too cute! Welllll, as much as I'd love to stay and chat, I gotta run. Or really fly? Is it flying if it's like running in the sky? Anyway, you catch my drift. See what I did there?" Sisu rattled off looking at them for a laugh but neither of their brains could fully process everything that had come out of the dragon's mouth like rapid fire. When she didn't get a respond Sisu continued, "Well, see ya later! Have fun making out!" As she bounded into the sky, Sisu called over her shoulder, "Rayaari forevaaaa!"

All Raya could do was shake her head and laugh as she watched the awkward, energetic dragon disappear into the clouds. At this point, she had gotten used to the awkward things that came out of Sisu's mouth.

A moment later she felt the warmth of Namaari's closeness and her gentle hand slip into her own. After all that they came to a wordless, mutually agreed upon decision that they were done swimming. Raya allowed the Fang princess to lead her back to the bank and they settled back on the grass where they were before. This time when Namaari sat down beside her with her legs out, Raya laid down perpendicular to her and rested her head in her lap, looking up at the warrior. Namaari didn't bat an eyelash at the position she was now in, she just gazed down at her, a soft smile on her lips. She was so beautiful.

The feeling of the warm sun drawing the moisture out of her skin was both refreshing and making her feel sleepy. They fell into a comfortable silence as they allowed their clothes to dry in the late afternoon sun, just basking in each other's presence. The feeling of the Fang warrior absentmindedly running her fingers through her long hair, the damp strands clinging to her skin, made her heart swell with affection for this woman. Her eyelids fluttered closed at the tender gesture and she felt herself starting to doze.

They must have stayed like that for a while because Raya slowly became aware of the sun's rays beginning to dip below the horizon.

"We should probably head back. Ba will send out a search party if I'm not back for dinner," she murmured reluctantly. It was quite a hike back to the palace and she was already starting to feel the pangs of hunger in her gut.

Raya lifted her head off Namaari's thigh and sat up slowly. Namaari was on her feet first, offering her hand to help Raya up. They both knew she didn't need help, but it was a nice gesture regardless and she'd never pass up an opportunity to hold Namaari's hand. When she was standing, their hands remained linked, and they made their way up the long path to the palace.

They took their time, there was no need to rush. It was an amazing feeling to be able to safely traverse these trails again. These past few months with Namaari made her appreciate being able to exist without constant fear. Always on high alert, sleeping with one eye open, never feeling truly feeling safe. With the Druun gone and having the Fang warrior by her side, Raya didn't feel as afraid anymore. Namaari had made her feel safe in a way no one else ever had.

Raya tilted her head to the side to catch a sideways glimpse at the other woman, giving her hand a slight squeeze. Namaari glanced down at their joined hands briefly before looking up into her eyes, offering her an easy smile. It was little moments like these that were Raya's favorite.

Once they arrived at the palace, they went straight to the small kitchen area without cleaning up. It was getting late and they didn't want to keep her Ba waiting longer. They stepped into the room with a lone table down the middle only to find her Ba already seated at the large window with a bowl of stew. This had always been their go-to place to share a meal while she was growing up and it just kind of stuck, and she had no desire to end the tradition.

As they moved further into the room Raya noticed a single scroll on the table out of the corner of her eye but chose to ignore it for now.

Upon their entrance Ba glanced over his shoulder at them, a broad smile instantly taking over his face at the sight of them.

"Ah, I was wondering when you two would show up," he greeted with a knowing look, standing to come over and join them. Raya ladled out some soup for herself and Namaari and they sat themselves at the table, Ba sitting across from them and next to the mystery scroll.

Raya chose not to bring it up right away but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious. Instead, she made small talk. "Yeah, we were kind of delayed by Sisu. Dragons, am I right?"

"Ah, how is she doing these days?" he asked conversationally in between sips of his stew.

"Eh, just being her usual Sisu self. Traveling all over Kumandra apparently." Raya felt that weird pang in her chest at the mention of it but pushed it to the side. Her Ba hummed in response, and she saw his eyes flick down to the scroll for a moment.

"Ba, is something wrong?" she asked bluntly. As he lowered the bowl from his lips her Ba's eyebrows shot up in surprise at her directness. So much for small talk.

"No, nothing is wrong, Dewdrop," he replied, his brow furrowed. Her eyebrow arched, eyeing him suspiciously so he felt compelled to continue. "However, there is something I need to discuss with both of you." His gaze shifted to Namaari and back. Her Ba was not one to lie or evade her questions. At this point he lifted the scroll and without opening it he handed it to Namaari. "A messenger came from Fang this afternoon bearing a scroll from Chief Virana. She has summoned you to Fang."

Whatever she had been expecting him to say, it hadn't been that. Almost immediately a million thoughts were running through her head: Why did Chief Virana need Namaari to return? Was something wrong? Is there some sort of danger? How quickly did they need to leave?

That last thought caused her to pause.

How quickly did they need to leave?

They.

She had just assumed they would both be going. Which started off another string of thoughts: Was she even invited? Did Namaari even want her to come? Did she want to go? Should she go? What about her Ba? Could she leave him? The idea of not going felt…wrong.

Raya turned her gaze to Namaari and she could see the woman's bare shoulders tense, her brow knitted. Hesitantly, the Fang princess took the scroll from Ba's outstretched hand, shifting her gaze to meet Raya's briefly. Her dark eyes were nervous, a deep crease in her forehead and her lips turned down in a frown.

Eventually, she pulled the scroll open and angled it so she could read. It took every ounce of Raya's self-control to respect the woman's privacy and not attempt to read it over her shoulder but that became even more difficult as she watched the crease in Namaari's forehead deepen with each line she read. When she was done, she lifted her eyes to Raya first, a pained expression on her face, then she turned her gaze to Ba.

"I will leave first thing in the morning," Namaari spoke after a moment, her voice strained and her words sounding unsure.

There was only one thing Raya was certain of and that was she would do almost anything to ease the burden Namaari was experiencing. She placed a comforting hand on the other woman's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The woman handed her the scroll to read as she appeared lost in thought.

Raya's eyes quickly scanned the page. It was short. All it said was:

Chief Benja,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have been deeply grateful for the hospitality you and the people of Heart have shown my daughter these past months, however I must request my daughter's presence in Fang as soon as practicable.

My sincerest thanks,

Chief Virana

Raya's heart felt like it dropped into the pit of her stomach as she looked up into Namaari's eyes. They were full of dread and utter defeat, and she quickly looked away again.

"I'm going to start packing and go to bed early so I can leave at daybreak," Namaari said quietly. The warrior stood from the table, Raya's hand sliding down from her shoulder, over her muscular arm, to grip her hand, giving it a slight squeeze. Raya looked up at her in concern, but Namaari simply bent down and distractedly pressed a kiss to Raya's cheek before straightening back up.

"I'll be up in a minute," Raya told her and Namaari merely nodded, giving Ba a slight bow and a 'good night' before taking her leave.

Immediately, Raya shifted her attention to her Ba who seemed prepared for her. She hadn't even opened her mouth before he spoke up. "You should get packing too, Dewdrop."

"Ba…," Raya managed, her throat tightening.

They had only been reunited for such a short time, but she couldn't deny the relief that flooded her at his words. The truth was she had felt so cooped up here after six years out on the road and she longed to travel Kumandra again, see her friends, help the other lands. But as soon as she allowed herself to have those thoughts, she would immediately feel guilty for wanting to leave her Ba.

"Raya," he stood and came around the table to sit next to his daughter, slipping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her in for a tight one-armed hug. "Everything will be okay here. I'll be okay. But I can't sit here and watch my daughter spend her days pining over the woman she loves."

Heat crept up her neck as she tried to scoff, "I wouldn't pine."

In response her Ba merely gave her a look, one eyebrow arched as if to say, really?

"Okay, fine. I would totally pine for her," Raya relented, crossing her arms but still leaned into her Ba's side. She wouldn't admit out loud but it was nice having this father-daughter banter she missed out on for most of her teenage years. That didn't make it any less embarrassing though.

"But what about you, Ba? I can't just leave you when there still so much to do here at home," she argued weakly, turning serious again.

"Kumandra isn't just about the lands not fighting with one another. It's about working together, bridging the gap between our peoples, to make a better world. You and Namaari have the opportunity to be that bridge. You are two people from different lands who were able to overcome all of the hate you both were born into and turn it into love. That love is a gift that should be shared with Kumandra."

Ba's speech ended with a squeeze to her shoulder and a burning behind her eyes. His words made her throat tight with emotion, but she wouldn't have been able to respond even if she had the ability. She hadn't really looked at the bigger picture of what being with Namaari meant. She just knew she loved her and that was that. Being from Fang had certainly complicated things but she had never considered how their relationship fit in to the context of Kumandra as a whole.

She twisted so she could wrap both of her arm around her Ba in a tight hug.

"I love you, Ba," she whispered into his chest, and it made her feel like a child again.

"I love you too, Dewdrop."

With her Ba's blessing- more like insistence- the choice had become a much easier one. All that was left was to tell Namaari.

Quietly, Raya crept into her room, just in case Namaari had already fallen asleep. What she found instead was the Fang warrior sitting on the edge bed facing away from the door, still in her clothes from earlier. All Raya could see of the woman were her hunched shoulders, elbows resting on her thighs with her head bowed as she stared down at her hands clasped in front of her. Raya's heart ached for the warrior, knowing the internal struggle she was facing but Raya was not going to let her suffer any longer.

At the sound of Raya entering the room Namaari lifted her head slightly, but her expression was hidden by the curtain of her hair. Raya approached the other woman carefully, not wanting to startle her further, and climbed onto the bed from the other side. She crawled across the mattress until she was directly behind the Fang Princess. Even in the semi-darkness she could make out the prominent curves of the warrior's muscular back. Raya sat up on her knees so she could have the leverage she needed and then placed her hands onto those powerful shoulders. That sun-darkened skin was warm underneath her touch but also solid and unyielding, confirming the tension that lay below the surface. Raya slid her thumbs over that smooth skin, slipping under the straps of her top, pressing firmly but gently in the hopes of relieving the burden in those tight muscles. The weariness rolled off the other woman in waves and all she wanted was to ease her tormented mind and exhausted body.

"Raya, I desperately don't want to leave you…," Namaari's soft voice eased into the silence. Raya could hear the internal struggle in her voice, as if it pained her to speak but it was torture not to as well. So, she forced herself to continue, bringing the hands she had been staring at to run over her face. "I know it wouldn't be fair- it would be selfish of me to even ask-."

Raya decided to put her out of her misery sooner rather than later and leaned forward, silencing the Fang warrior with a soothing kiss between her shoulder blades. Then she pressed herself against Namaari's back so she could whisper in her ear, "It's okay, dep la. I'm coming with you."

Namaari's head whipped around to look at her in disbelief and Raya had to quickly lean back to avoid their heads colliding as she did so. Those dark eyes were wide, a glimmer of hope shining in them as she gazed at her searchingly. "Are you sure? I don't want you to feel like you have to leave your Ba and your people so soon." Namaari's voice was anxious and maybe even a little excited and it was not every day she saw the Fang warrior so flustered.

"I'm sure," she said with finality, pressing a kiss to her shoulder this time.

In response, Namaari twisted her body, her knee coming up on the bed so she could turn more fully towards her. The Fang Princess was looking at Raya with an intensity in her eyes that sent a jolt of electricity through her and caused her breath to catch in her throat. Raya's hands never left the other woman, sliding down to her narrow waist as Namaari continued to shift until she was mirroring Raya's position, bringing both of her knees up onto the bed. Now Namaari had the height advantage again and she didn't hesitate to swoop in, taking Raya's face in both of her hands and capturing her lips with her own.

Warmth spread from chest to her entire body and Raya could feel herself smiling against the other woman's lips. Her hands gripped the sash at Namaari's waist to steady herself, the passionate kiss making her whole body feel wobbly.

But the Fang Princess didn't stop there.

Namaari's right arm wrapped around Raya's back, holding her close against her chest as she leaned forward, bringing Raya with her. Her heart stuttered as the warrior gently laid her down on the soft sheets, never breaking their kiss. Raya could feel how Namaari's ab muscles tightened under her top as she hovered her body over hers and her fingers itched to feel them without the barrier of the thin material of their clothes between them.

Her hands slipped around to Namaari's back, clutching her tightly, trying to feel as much of her as possible. The arc of her spine, the soft curves of her muscles, the dip of her lower back. All of it. And yet she still needed more. Always more. Desperate to be as close as possible.

Raya could feel the hand on the arm not supporting Namaari's weight slide up, fingertips tracing her jaw in a featherlight touch before they glided down the vulnerable skin of her throat, continuing their journey to the small V-shape of exposed skin at the top of her wrap. As Namaari's hand continued its journey down between her breasts, a gasp of surprise escaped her lips at the trail of fire her fingers left in their wake.

Namaari seemed to immediately sense the change because she paused, her face inches away from Raya's as she searched her eyes. Raya was endlessly grateful that the woman was so concerned with her comfort, but her own mind had been bypassed by her body. Raya's brain did not have the capability to process the range of feelings her body was currently experiencing. Some new, others all too familiar now. She didn't care if she didn't know what she was doing, all she knew was that she needed more of her. Now. So, she lifted her head up to press her lips into the Fang warrior, silencing any words that might've been on her tongue.

The kiss became feverish as Raya laid back against the sheets, pulling Namaari down with her. Every time her chest heaved it brushed Namaari's and it was making it incredibly difficult to calm her ragged breathing. She was certain the other woman could feel the way her heart pounded in her chest with each breath. And yet, she still needed to be closer.

When they broke apart for air, Raya fingers went back down to the sash at Namaari's waist, tugging at it until she released the hem of her shirt. Sliding her palms in between their bodies and under her skintight shirt, Raya's could feel those hard ab muscles she had so craved. The moment her fingers touched the sensitive skin of Namaari's stomach a sound that Raya could only describe as a low growl escaped the Fang warrior's throat.

As if by reflex Namaari's hips ground down into Raya's in response. White heat seared her insides as Namaari's thigh brushed the sensitive area between her legs, making Raya's entire body shudder with pleasure. She couldn't prevent herself from moaning into the Fang woman's mouth, her own hips lifting to chase that sensation again.

Namaari's body froze, and she broke off the kiss so suddenly it almost gave Raya whiplash.

With an easy flex of her biceps, Namaari had lifted herself just enough to create space between their lips. Her eyes were still closed, and her brow was furrowed as she took several calming breaths above Raya.

Raya also instantly stilled her hands, praying she hadn't gotten carried away and gone too far. An apology was on the tip of her tongue, but Namaari spoke first.

"I think we should stop. For now." Her voice was low and husky and a fresh wave of want passed through Raya, but she tamped it down the best she could.

"Did I-," Raya bit her lips, afraid to ask if she had done something wrong because she wasn't sure she could take the answer. She never got to finish her question because Namaari dipped in and silenced her with a brief reassuring kiss. When she pulled away, she looked directly into Raya's eyes.

"No. You did nothing wrong. Far from it," she said emphatically, as if she could read Raya's mind, resolutely shaking her head before admitting, "I want you so badly but I'm… I'm not confident I can go much further and be able to stop myself."

This acknowledgement made Raya's stomach tighten once more. Then she thought to herself, Do I want her to stop? And as the fire in her veins from the previous moment turned to a simmer, she honestly didn't have the answer, which she guessed was an answer in and of itself.

There was still so much she didn't know about… it. Namaari seemed to have some experience. Her actions were so sure and confident as if she had done this before. How many people had she been with? Would she be disappointed by Raya when they actually made it to that point? Her mind was swirling with questions, but she couldn't bring herself to ask any of them at the moment.

Namaari untangled herself from Raya, sliding off to the side so they were now lying on the bed face to face. She missed the warmth from her body almost immediately and scooted as close as she could to the other woman. Namaari reached out and grasped Raya's hand between them, lacing their fingers together as her eyes held a solemnity that she hadn't been prepared for.

"Raya, I love you with every ounce of my soul. You need to know that I will never touch you without your permission nor will I pressure you do something you're not ready for. When we make love for the first time, I want there to be no doubt in your mind that this is something you want and you're completely ready for."

Her throat tightened with unexpected emotion at Namaari's tender words. She had no words. She didn't need to. The warrior's lithe fingers released hers, opting to comb through her hair, pushing it out of her face and brushing it behind her ear soothingly. "We should get some sleep. We'll need to be well rested for the journey tomorrow," Namaari said softly,

The Fang princess leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Raya's lips. She knew that the warrior could probably taste the salt from the tears that had escaped and tracked down her cheeks. But she didn't care. It was hard to explain even to herself how safe and taken care of she felt in this moment. And there in the dark, when there was nothing left to say, Raya had never felt closer to anyone.