His voice rumbled through her. She felt his words as much as heard them. She stopped the motion of her hips to take his face in her own hands.
"I love you, Thane." She used his name pointedly. She wanted him to hear that she loved him, not just what he was to her. His brow furrowed and he looked at her the way he had when she'd given herself to him.
"I am alive when I am with you." He purred, referencing her words spoken on that night so that she would know he understood. He kissed her.
With their hands still on the face of the other, they pressed their foreheads together and watched him move in and out of her together. Watched themselves make love for the act and not the fruition, shuttering and panting together until the water ran cold.
The desert was hot and dry. Thane carried a small pop up tent on his back atop a small pack of supplies. Shepard also carried a pack as they trekked across the sand. The late morning start was not part of the plan. They had to make up for lost time.
Thane moved rather easily and quickly. His lungs felt even better in the naturally arid climate. The heat felt good on his skin. His eyes could focus more easily and he could see farther away. It was wonderful. The sound of stone and sand crunching under his feet, the dry earthy smells in the air.. all of it was amazingly familiar and comfortable. Though he'd never set foot on Rakhana, he imagined this must have been what it was like before it was ruined.
"Come, Siha. We must reach the canyon before night fall. I wish to watch the stars appear on the horizon from the cliffs." He shouted over his shoulder.
Shepard was in awe at his increased stamina and ease of movement. She, on the other hand, was ready for a rest. She was tired, and thirsty and hungry. She was thrilled he was so happy, but she worried this trip might be what kills her.
"I need to rest." She shouted back. She didn't wait for a response. She was done. She plopped to the ground in a cloud of dust, took off her pack and downed a bottle of water before Thane trotted up to her side. He sat down next to her as if he were sitting down to a formal dinner. His white tunic and pants were billowing around him in the wind and smudged with dirt. It was the first time it didn't seem t bother him to be dirty.
"Very well." He said and retrieved his own water. He drank only half of it in sips.
Shepard had started the trip thinking she would be comfortable in her tank, shorts and hiking boots. Thane had surprised her with her own set of white tunic, pants and sandals when her own clothes were soaked with sweat. She had to admit that they were much cooler despite covering more of her body. She smiled remembering how Thane had watched her with a glint in his eye as she'd changed into them. She looked at him, suddenly aware of his gaze on her.
"What?" She smiled.
"You wear the desert well." He smiled back.
"What?" Now she was confused.
"You're face is covered with grit from this world, and you are only more beautiful for it." He said.
He looked so happy to her. So content with his life now. She laughed.
"Thanks. Maybe I'll wear dirt mor often." She teased.
He just smiled at her then stood.
"We should move on." He offered a hand to help her up. She took it.
The sun was beginning it's decent when they reached the rocky planes above the canyon. They pitched the tent behind a large bolder to block most of the wind. Shepard and Thane shared a small meal of dried fruit and water. When they'd finished, Thane took her hand and led her to an over hanging cliff to watch the sun set and the stars peak out. He settled on the sand and guided her to rest between his knees against his chest. He rested his grey chin on her head while they watched the shadows behind rocks grow long and the canyon grow back. Thane spotted the first star and pointed it out to her with a long delicate finger. He rested his wrists on his knees to either side of her. Her head rose and fell with the rhythm of his chest. They sat silently together as the last rays of the sun disappeared and left them under the moonless sky.
Fortunately, drell have excellent night vision and Thane led her back to camp without any problems. The winds had died down after sun set so they decided to sleep out in the open under the stars. They did little sleeping. She would remember how his eyes seemed be be part of the sky, how she could almost see the silver glint around his irises like distant stars. Thane would remember everything. In their old age she would often request him to recall these memories for her. He would always oblige her, except for the memories of the last day. Maybe he shouldn't have held them from her, it was the day he saved her for once. But it was not a pleasant day. He only wanted to her remember the pleasant days with him.