Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Written: 2012. Rewritten: 2014. Found: 2018.- Licia

It hurt, at first.

"Are you sure you still wish to do this, Nessarose?"

She nodded, reaching up to caress his cheek as they atop the blankets she'd dug out against the hay; the other was draped about them for cover and mild warmth. "Please, Tibbett. I want this."

Gently, he continued to push against her, watching her for any sign of distress, listening in case she asked him to stop. Finally, after several gentle pushes, he slid within her folds, finally breaking the barrier that had kept guard her most sacred of places. She whimpered, biting her lip to keep from crying out; it wasn't necessarily him entering her that hurt, but the breaking of her hymen. Instantly, he leaned down, brushing soft kisses to her lips and cheeks, apologizing softly in both his native tongue and hers, kissing the startled tears that had escaped her eyes and trailed down her cheeks away.

Eventually, the pain she felt lessened, dissolving into a dull ache that she found oddly pleasurable. And then slowly, he began to push into her, being gentle, so as not to shock her system even more. Nessa shifted, pushing her hips towards his, more in an attempt to get comfortable with him inside her than anything- for he was so thick; it had embarrassed her when she'd laid eyes on him after they'd undressed.

Were all men as thick? Was her sister's husband? Did all men fill their wives the way Tibbett had filled her, nestled comfortably within her folds? Had her sister felt the same sensations she was feeling, when her husband had pushed himself into her? Had the same movements, the same burning desire build within them both as they'd made love, and made their children?

Soon, they found their rhythm, and the gentle rocking was soon accompanied by kisses, trailing hands and feet and soft, whispered words of love. As they got closer and closer to their climax, he nudged his nose against hers. "Stai bene, il mi amore?"

A small smile graced her features. She didn't understand the words, but the tone was clear, and after a moment, she nodded. "Si. I'm okay. I'm with you."

He kissed her deeply before breaking the kiss and continuing to push into her. Their rhythm got faster, though still maintained that gentleness. When finally she began to reach that height, she dug her nails into his back, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist and pushing her hips up and into his, tightening herself around his thickness. "Oh, Tibbett!"

She buried her face in his chest to muffle her cries of ecstasy, exploding around him as her whole body went rigid with desire. He struggled to maintain control; she had come first, he'd listened to her sweet release, which is all he really wanted- to make sure she was satisfied before following her, but he knew that if he didn't maintain control, they could very well end up with a child of their own-

So close to release, he forced himself to pull out of her, to not release his seed within her; she understood why, and did not fault him for it. He was conscious of her and it being her body, and he respected her. Not many men would.

But Tibbett is not many men.

She had to admit, that it had felt strange, being filled by him. But not unwelcome.

After collapsing within the hay in the stable, upon the blanket, Nessa snuggled into his chest, pulling the other blanket around them. It had felt right, joining with Tibbett in this way. He now trailed his fingers over her back, brushing a soft kiss to her hair. Moments passed, before she finally spoke, trailing her fingers over his chest. "Do you miss your tribe?"

A moment of tension, before he relaxed, her trailing fingers helping to calm him. "With every fiber of my very being."

"Then why don't you return?"

He sighed, pulling her closer. "I do not know that they would accept me; I have spent too many years in the white's world."

"But your mother, Sarima, she would accept you-"

"She would not recognize me."

Nessa pushed herself onto her elbow; her fingers stopped as she stared at him. "A mother never forgets her child, Tibbett. No matter how many years apart. And you were her child. She loved you."

"Even if I were to return, Nessa, I cannot. I do not know if they are still in the same place or if they have moved, as they do, with the seasons and the buffalo."

"The only way to know is to search for them." She replied, laying back down against his chest. She snuggled close, tucking her head beneath his chin, as though she were meant to be there.

He sighed, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "I know, my love." The words had come so easily to the young man as they'd made love in the barn; not for the first time, did he wonder if the fire in his soul had been waiting for Nessa, hoping to reawaken with the discovery of its other half. He'd found the teenager interesting when he'd first met her- and yet, something in his heart had sparked, as though the flame in him recognized the flame in her, and called to it. And perhaps it had been calling to it all along, but had never known it, until now, until this moment. Tibbett could no longer deny it; he'd fallen in love with the teenage girl with the long braids and deep brown eyes- eyes so similar to her sister- not long after first arriving at the house with Elphaba that day. He knew it now, and slowly, he was embracing it.

"We could go look for them."

An eyebrow rose. "And how would we do that?"

Nessa ignored the pointed question, moving to press a kiss to his chest before returning to her position. "Papa has always said that if you get lost in the woods, to follow the river. I don't see why we can't do the same, and follow it back to your tribe."

"Follow the river?"

"Mhmm. Follow the river."

"Why follow the river?"

"Because it will bring you home."