Solicitude
Odin Sphere fic written by Mtakuja
Theme: #24 Good night
Declaimer: I do now own Odin Sphere. The game belongs to Atlus and Vanillaware
Author's Note- Make note that in this story Gwendolyn constantly refers to her husband as "Oswald-sama" after watching the game in Japanese, I realized this is what she called him. So I decided to use it in strive, hope it doesn't prove to be to much of a hassle for anyone.
The sun was beginning to make its gradual descent in the eastern sky. Gwendolyn was temporarily absorbed and enchanted by the slowly diminishing light, feeling the last ray of heat on her skin before it was consumed by the dark mantle that draped itself over the earth. A circulating wind caught a few of Gwendolyn's silver locks blowing them gently on its current as the young women smiled feeling content for the first time in days.
Brom stood beside her, eyes looking forlorn and lost in deep contemplation. He blinked wearily, glancing up at the women that towered over his much smaller form and sighed heavily. "Gwendolyn-sama, do you have any idea where Oswald is right now?"
The princess was brought quietly out of her reverie and shook her head slowly, eyes narrowing as she spoke. "He's probably just wondering the castle right now. The time to retire for bed is slowly approaching,I imagine he will be heading for his room very soon."
"His room?" Questioned Brom, a white eyebrow raising in clear perplexity. "Are you telling me that you and Oswald don't even sleep in the same room?" This new found knowledge greatly enthralled Brom, who had been under the impression that the two had already accompanied each other to bed every night. One would have easily been fooled into thinking this, seeing the way Gwendolyn and Oswald treated each other during the day. They seemed awfully comfortable around each other--much like a married couple--so why on earth didn't they sleep in the same room?
Seeing Brom's bemused look, Gwendolyn quickly turned away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "We do not, we haven't really had the time to discuss about our sleeping arrangements." In all honesty they haven't even began to remotely talk about it, the topic being a bit to new for the both of them. They were still in the stage of getting to know each other and all, and sleeping together was probably a bit to big of a hurdle for them jump over so soon.
But it wasn't like the idea had not lingered in her mind, actually she was beginning to fathom the idea of them sharing a bed together as something that could happen in the very near future--very near. The only thing she wasn't certain of was what Oswald thought about it, her husband was very indistinct about them doing anything generally intimate and she began to wonder if perhaps he was losing interest in her or something.
"No wonder he looks so distressed." Brom stated, more to himself, but his thoughts had been spoken aloud without his knowledge. This had grasped the princess's attention, causing her to blink rapidly and kneel down so she was at the elder dwarf's height. Brom was taken back by the look she settled on him, and even more so when the young women seized his shoulders.
"Brom what do you mean Oswald-sama is distressed? Is something the matter with him?" She hadn't realized that she was squeezing the other's shoulders in a death grip until Brom gave her a pained look and removed her hands from his shoulders--slowly coming out of his stupor to answer her honestly.
"I can't really expect you to notice it Gwendolyn-sama, since he is the most reserved around you." Oswald had always held the utmost courtesy in her presence, no matter how dejected or angry he was feeling deep within in his heart. The pent up emotions would usually be compelled on to others--such as the maids of the castle--that had been dealt the unfortunate fate of meeting Oswald when he was in one of these crumbling states.
Ordinarily, the warrior would seek out Brom's wisdom whenever he felt the need to, pouring out what little of himself was left to the elder dwarf. Oswald felt comfortable enough telling him such things, because in some sense the other had become a father like figure to him--banishing all thought of Melvin aside.
"Oswald has been feeling a bit lost about how to approach you about the subject of intimacy-since he doesn't have any past reference to draw from. And I am afraid that if you don't take the initiative about this, then nothing will happen. He is far to concerned about your feelings to take the relationship further, which could prove a problem for both of you."
Gwendolyn lowered her eyes in penitence, feeling foolish for not noticing her husband's conflicting feelings. She hadn't realize that their lack of intimacy was effecting him just as much as it was effecting her. In the end she let out a wistful smile, nodding at Brom's words. "Tell Oswald-sama that I wish for him to come to my bed tonight," she told the dwarf, narrowing her eyes in fixed purpose. "I myself in the mean time need to prepare myself for bed."
"I see, well I will relay this message to Oswald, please be ready in about an hour Gwendolyn-sama." Brom bowed respectively and moved over towards the door. However, before you could even move a muscle to open it, the door slammed open on its own accord nearly hitting the poor dwarf in the head. Good thing the old man still had sharp reflexes, or he could have been severely hurt. Myris stood near the entrance, shyly picking around the door's handle to see Brom disgruntled appearance and widened eyes.
"Oh, Brom I didn't see you there." Myris was quick to apologize, but Brom was already out the door, muttering incoherent words and waving off her apology with a calloused head. His small form disappeared into the darken halls and Myris turned to regard her mistress standing a few feet away--closing the door silently.
Gwendolyn stood in the middle of the room, a gentle smile plastered on her face at the adorning sight the two had previously entertained her with.
"Myris you should not just being barging in my room like that, you nearly injured Brom. Please knock before you enter my chambers." Even though Gwendolyn was enforcing her policies on her servant, it lacked any real sternness that would have other wise been apparent if she wasn't amused by Myris's antics. The young women waved her hand in a gesture for Myris to come closer, still wearing that same smile, until it turned more to a look of nervousness.
"Myris help me select a proper night gown--I wish to be ready for bed with in the hour." The young pooka merely moved over to the dresser adjacent to the bed, taking hold of some of the fabrics there. She paused only momentarily to look at her mistress in a inquiring way.
Myris knew that it was much to early in the night for Gwendolyn to be going to bed. The girl had a fondness of staying up a little late into the night and watching the stars, but the way the young women kept pacing the room, winging her hands in a nervous way was certainly a sign that something was weird was afloat.
Myris turned back around and continued her search, founding a beautiful silken white gown, that was partial see through--but that wouldn't be a problem in the least. "Gwendolyn-sama how about this?"
Myris asked, presenting the beautiful dress to her master. Gwendolyn's pacing came to an abrupt halt, eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets at seeing the subtle dress.
"No Myris, I can't wear that--not when Oswald-sama is coming." That had changed everything, for Myris shoved the dress back into the dresser and without breaking a beat pulled out another--more reserved dress--that was blue instead of see through white.
Gwendolyn inwardly sighed, feeling grateful that Myris understood what she was hinting at. She would literally drop dead if Oswald saw her in anything that scantily covered, and she didn't wish for him to get the wrong idea about her and her motives for tonight.
All she wished for was them to sleep together--not make love or anything of that sort. And she wasn't going to encourage it by dressing up in such a provocative manner.
"That gown is fine," Gwendolyn told her, grasping the silken material in her hand and quickly undressing . Myris stood by and idly helped her place the troublesome thing over her head, fixing little quirks here and there. The blue head dress was taken off, allowing Gwendolyn long hair to flow freely along the length of her back.
"How do I look?" The young princess asked, twirling once for merit--even though she quickly reprimand herself for doing such a thing--she wasn't a vain women by any means. Myris laughed and was about to answer when a sudden insistent knock came to the door. It rang loud and clear--silencing the two women in the room.
Gwendolyn blinked innocently for a moment, until her insides churned realizing who it might be. The voice seconds later only confirmed her suspicions.
"Gwendolyn, its me Oswald may I come in?" She felt her heart speed up at the sound of his deep, alluring voice and Myris began to chuckle deeply--even though she was partial concerned that her mistress might past out and die from heart failure.
"Well, I guess that is my cue to leave, have fun Gwendolyn-sama." Myris went over to the door, opening it to reveal Oswald on the other side. He was clad in a long-silken white shirt, the buttons partially un-done to reveal his smooth chest. Black slacks adorned his well toned legs and he wore comfortable brown shoes.
The man was simply breath taking--and Myris just stood there gasping--much like Gwendolyn who pretty much mimicked her servant's expression.
Oswald's crimson eyes glanced back and forth between the two girls, and he felt slightly awkward standing there in the door way with two women gaping at him like fish. "May I come in?" He repeated resting his crimson eyes on Gwendolyn--who perked up at his attention.
Myris at this time took this moment of distraction to leave the room, pushing passed Oswald that still stood in the door way.
Gwendolyn placed both hands on her chest, blushing furiously but still had the courage to nod her head for him to come in. She looked down, hearing the door slam and Oswald's quiet foot steps as he approached her. When he got within close range, she couldn't help but hunch her shoulders in a defensive way. He was so much taller then her--stronger then her, it was normal to feel intimidated by such a man.
"Gwendolyn," his voice was gentle sounding, almost crooning for her to lower her defenses. "There is no need for to shrink away from me." She knew that, but the feeling of inferiority kept her from looking into his eyes--she felt unworthy of the attention he was currently lavishing on her.
The seconds ticked by until a long drawn out sigh was heard, she lifted her eyes to stare at his chest, but he was already moving out of view and stepping towards the bed. She watched as he settled himself down on the cushions, making himself comfortable, letting one leg hang off the side of the bed.
"Oswald-sama.." Gwendolyn began, finally possessing the audacity to look him straight in the eyes.
Oswald simple smiled--which was weird--since the man never smiled. "I figured if you had the courage to invite me to your room, then I shall also show you courage and meet your advances half-way." Oswald placed his hand on the spot beside him--patting it in a inviting way. "Now; come here Gwendolyn."
Gwendolyn shivered at the sound of Oswald's husky voice and felt her body move on its own volition, compelling her to the bed--much like a moth that saw a burning flame. When she stood beside the bed, Oswald removed his hand slowly and watched as his wife placed one knee on the bed as if testing it. The bed sagged with her actions as she tried the other knee, unfortunately for her though the dress restricted much of her movements and she found herself stumbling forward.
Gwendolyn gasped and fell in a disheveled manner on Oswald's chest. She blushed, feeling her husband wrapped his arms around her shoulders--pushing her up just enough to see her face.
There was nothing but pure amusement in his eyes, which embarrassed Gwendolyn beyond anything else. She scrambled off of him immediately. "I apologize," the princess whispered, only to have her right shoulder squeezed.
"Don't apologize to me, Gwendolyn there is no need." He gentle lowered her to the bed. "Now calm down." Oswald let his hands run through the strands of her hair, something that he had never done before. They lay facing each other--Gwendolyn's eyes flickering shut in relaxation.
Those same strong hands moved back to her shoulders to message them--it was Oswald's own way of getting her to relax and quite frankly it was working. Now if only Gwendolyn would notice just how much his own limbs were shacking--he was just as nervous as her, but was just much better at hiding it.
When Oswald felt Gwendolyn's shoulders sag he figured it was about the right time to start a conversation. "Gwendolyn, what made you want me here tonight." He looked directly into her eyes, seeing the cute flush that adorned her face once again.
She seemed hesitant before replying. "I just thought it was about time we did. I mean were a married couple, we're suppose to sleep in the same bed. And besides…I thought…" She found herself trailing off, un-able to finish her train of thoughts. Oswald touched the plain of her upper back in an encouraging way, leaning in towards her to whisper in her ear.
"Go on, I am listening."
"Well, I was just scared I suppose. I mean you never said anything about this, so I thought you didn't care…or perhaps lost interest in me or something." Oswald blinked and then let out a whole hearted laugh, his chest heaving up and down with his deep chuckles. His laugh was still quiet though, the warrior had never in any way been loud, only when he was angry.
"Sometimes you surprise me, Gwendolyn. Don't ever for a second believe that I have lost interest in you. I shall never lose my love for you, so please don't doubt that. In the end this is partial my fault, I was so discouraged about approaching you with such a subject, that I did nothing. And by doing nothing it hurt you as well. I never meant to make you feel un-wanted."
Gwendolyn smiled, looking down. "We were both just being insecure weren't we? Making assumptions about each other without bothering to ask. But I guess, it doesn't really matter now does it?" Her husband shook his head, pulling her close by her hip. Her chest pressed against his, but Oswald seemed un-aware of this, or at least pretending that he didn't notice it.
"None of that matters right now," he agreed with her, sighing and letting his lips rest on the crook of her neck and slightly nudging her. Gwendolyn hand shot up to her husband's silver hair, clutching it and slowly breathing. A small gasp fell from her soft lips when Oswald began raining light kisses on her heated flesh, the hand on her hip rubbing up and down in an sensual manner, eliciting more quiet gasp and moans. He rolled her over so that he was partial on top of her, but not enough to squash her with his superior weight. The room literally felt like it had risen in temperature within just a fraction of a second.
Somewhere in the back of her hazed mind--the part that could still function under such ministrations, knew that everything was happening to soon. Gwendolyn was not ready for where this was leading to, and she felt that perhaps Oswald wasn't ready either.
"Oswald-sama..." The sound of his name ceased his actions, causing him to remove his reddening lips form her neck. His eyes were glazed over with passion, but he soon blinked and came back to his senses.
"I know Gwendolyn, it is to soon for that--my apologies, I did not wish to force myself upon you." Gwendolyn nodded and turned her body around, knowing if she continued to stare at him the resolve to stop their foreplay would be useless. Oswald understood her intentions, feeling his body grow slightly weary. He tightened his hold on her full hips and pulled her towards him once again, using the other arm to pull the blankets from out under them and covering both of their bodies.
"Let's just go to bed," he continued, giving Gwendolyn more of the blanket-since he knew he didn't need that much. Gwendolyn smiled, pushing her body back against his--and feeling herself melt into him, like she had belonged there all her life. Oswald rested his head on her shoulder.
"Good night," he whispered, kissing her cheek.
"Good night," she whispered back, letting her eyes slide closed. Both of them fell without restraint into the utopia that was dream land, founding their press bodies a strong security from the nightmares that tried to plague them. In all honestly the married couple could not think of any other night that enabled them to rest so peacefully, without worry or anxiety. And they truly had each other to thank for that.
Ending Notes- Wow, that took a long time to complete. I can't even begin to form any words in my head to write a decent note. Well, I just hope everyone liked this installment, reviews make me happy.