In spite of their glaring dissimilarities and differences, the pair had managed to remain together, acknowledged Rhajat comfortingly. True, their relationship hadn't been completely devoid of moments of conflict and disagreement, but these incidents were to be expected. Rhajat adamantly believe their relationship wouldn't be complete without these moments.

As their connection blossomed, so did Rhajat's willingness to confidently express herself. She and Percy had evolved beyond the stage of hand-holding and hugging prematurely (although those gestures were still frequent) and were now contently situated in the stage of performing ingenuous physical contacts. Unbeknownst to him, her disgust was merely a façade to disguise her excitement, as she too welcomed every single one of their now many kisses. Even long after the embrace, Rhajat found herself reflecting intensely on it longer than she really should have. One kiss was never enough; she always desired more.

This curiosity and yearning was starting to concern her.

No doubt he interpreted their embraces as innocent kisses. But for her, they meant something else. If her intense display of affections meant anything to her, they definitely epitomised the carnal urges she so desperately tried to repress. His embraces evoked something else; something primal and erotic. And these unexpected desires challenged Rhajat. Never before had she experienced feelings so intense. Did she really desire to pursue the next level of intimacy?

"So, what do you think?"

Inspecting the origin of the voice, Rhajat's heartbeat escalated upon discovering Percy's expectant gaze. The young woman tensed; the suddenness awareness and acknowledgement of the sights, sounds and scents around her meant one thing: she'd been distracted by her thoughts and completely ignored everything he said.

"I…"

Percy lowered his gaze. "I knew you weren't listening."

"I was. I've just…"

No explanation could be produced; after all, how could she respond to something she hadn't heard? Sighing with defeat, Rhajat accepted her transgression and confessed. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

The young man's gaze of disappointment persisted. "I asked if you'd ever like to come away with me and my family next time we go on holiday."

Such a proposal ignited excitement. "I'd…like that" she offered, "but it's not my decision to make. I'd need permission and consent from parents first."

He acknowledged with a smile. "Of course."

Rhajat returned the smile, offering an apologetic one. Ignoring the young man during one of his extensive recounts or proposals was becoming routine, and Rhajat couldn't understand why she'd become so distracted as of recently. The young woman concluded her intense reflections on their relationship were the source of problem.

"Are you angry with me?"

Returning her gaze, Percy's contrite demeanour was confronting. That prospect couldn't have been further from the truth, and Rhajat protested with the shake of her head.

"Really? I think you might be. A-and if you are, I'm real sorry for whatever I've done to...y'know…?"

"I'm not angry with you" she reassured, "why would I be?"

The young man exhaled deeply. "I don't know. It's like" he hesitated, "it's like something's happened, and I don't know what it is. We don't see each other as often as we used to, and the times we do you hardly ever talk to me anymore. I'm…scared 'cause I really like listening to you talk, even if it is about stuff I don't understand. I don't know about you but to me it feels like we're drifting apart. It's like you're no longer happy with me, and if you're not than that means I have done something wrong, a-and if I have I am so, so sorry for whatever is, because I don't want us to drift apart. I don't want us to…"

Rhajat regretted inquiring further. She could imagine why he would suspect such a thing. After all, she'd repeatedly ignored him during their times together, and the times she had listened, she only offered short, blunt responses. She understood the situation from his perspective. She'd never meant to torment him so.

The young woman couldn't bear to listen to him speak so unforgivingly about himself, and silenced him with a raised hand. "Stop" she whispered, "just - just please stop. Please stop thinking like this." Rhajat concentrated on him intently. "Listen to me: you are not at fault; you haven't done anything wrong. You've been incredible; you really have."

The hurt in his eyes slowly disappeared, followed by a small smile gracing his lips. "You're the incredible one."

In spite of her low-mood, the young man's innocent remarks still managed to evoke comfort.

Before continuing, Rhajat hesitated; apologising for transgressions had never been one of strongest qualities.

"You are right about thing" she announced", something has changed. I've…changed." She exhaled deeply. "I have not been fair to you for these past weeks at all; you go out of your way and exhaust so much of your time valuable time and energy trying to please me, and I do nothing in return. You don't receive the respect and appreciation you deserve, and for that I'm sorry. I do not wish for us to separate either."

"Why do you think you've changed? I don't think you have."

"Evidently you do, but you're right to accuse me. There's no point in me trying to protest, because it's true; I have changed."

"What do you mean?"

"…I don't think I'm the same person I was when we first started seeing one another" she confessed, "and that frightens me."

Percy's eyes widened. "You're scared? Of what? Are you in trouble in something?"

Rhajat shook her head. "I promise I'm not in any danger. I'm…"

An answer couldn't be produced for Rhajat experienced great reluctance. How could she expect him to understand something she herself didn't even? She was certain of one aspect, however: her recent thoughts had ultimately influenced her behaviour around him.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Is this about turning eighteen" he asked softly, "be-because – well, you're; I don't know anything about that."

"Adulthood is a component."

"Component of what?"

"My most recent thoughts." She sighed bitterly. "I've been…consumed by my thoughts as of late. I've…let them control and influence."

She observed as Percy wriggled himself ever so closer towards her. "Are you feeling…down about yourself?"

"It's not depression – or at least I hope it isn't. But to answer your question: yes, I have been troubled."

"About what, if you don't mind me asking?"

Rhajat immediately refrained from answering. She was almost certain openly discussing her thoughts would be a decision she would regret immensely.

She sighed. "I can't say" she whispered apologetically, "it's…"

"Embarrassing?"

"It's worse than embarrassment."

The young fidgeted with his mask. "I don't want you to think that I'm gonna try and force you into talking about something you don't feel comfortable sharing, because I'm not gonna. I don't want to pressure you or anything." He hesitated before smiling weakly. "But I want you to know that you can trust me; you can tell me anything. I promise I'm not gonna judge you."

His proposal was something Rhajat knew all too well of for she had already depended upon his support repeatedly whenever she required an outside opinion; she really did believe she could discuss anything and everything with him. But in this circumstance, a discussion wasn't possible. What she wanted to talk with him about wasn't at all like anything they'd discussed before.

"It's about me, isn't it?"

Rhajat accepted he would've reached the conclusion inevitably, and so she nodded with defeat.

Percy laughed weakly, lazily shrugging his shoulders. "I thought it might've been."

Urgently, Rhajat shook her head. "I promise I'm not upset with you or any crime you think you might have committed. I'm – I haven't been thinking of you specifically rather…us; our relationship."

She was almost certain he would reach the next logical conclusion as to why she was insinuating, and Rhajat regretted ever allowing herself to participate in this investigation.

"You're worried people are gonna judge you for going out with somebody younger than you, aren't you?"

Rhajat didn't respond; her immediate silence all but confirmed the suspicion.

Though unexpected, his statement hadn't been entirely false, and for that reason and more, Rhajat couldn't answer. In spite of the unyielding faith and trust she placed in her boyfriend, he was still young and the prospects she fantasied about their relationship would no doubt challenge him, and she didn't want that, no matter how urgently or anxiously her instincts compelled her to speak.

Her thoughts concerned something very mature. But then, so was Percy; in fact, in spite of his age and perpetual, youthful energy, Percy was strikingly profound, insightful and, above all, respectful and well-behaved. Perhaps he would understand? Rhajat trusted Percy more so than anybody she'd ever met – even more so than her own parents – and she believed if there was anybody who'd welcomed her concern with respect and maturity, it was undoubtedly him. Her thoughts involved him and their relationship, and he deserved to know.

Sighing with defeat, Rhajat concentrated on him. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you, and I need you to answer me with complete and total honesty. Please…don't lie or exaggerate or filter your answer on account of me or my feelings. Please be honest. Can I trust you?"

Percy answered with an affirming nod. "I promise I'll tell the truth."

The sincerity in his voice reassured her he was speaking honesty. And after summoning what little semblance of confidence she could, the young woman reluctantly shared the question that had been plaguing her conscience for weeks.

"…Do you find me sexually attractive?"

Like removing a bandage, an innate sense of relief and satisfaction comforted Rhajat as she released herself of what had caused her such distress. However, the young man's lingering silence did not instil any hope or reassurance whatsoever. Instead, he concentrated on her, his expression unreadable.

Rhajat hadn't expected an immediate response, but his delayed reaction was one she didn't anticipate. With a furrowed brow, the young man's lips formed into a smile of disbelief as a small laugh escaped his mouth. Rhajat winced with discomfort; he'd obviously thought she'd been speaking in jest

It wasn't long before the enthusiasm and amusement disappeared. "S-sorry?"

Rhajat hesitated, "…are you sexually attracted to me?"

The young man opened his mouth several times to speak but no verbal response came. "I don't - what do you mean…sexually? I…don't understand."

With regret, Rhajat acknowledged how her question may have been interpreted as a threat. "I'll rephrase my question: are you physically attracted to me?"

"…Physically?"

A visual explanation was clearly needed. Rhajat bit her lip with uneasiness as her hands migrated to each region of her body. "My physical assets: my breasts, my legs, my bottom. Do you find me physically attractive?"

Highlighting her private parts brought her great discomfort, but not more so than Percy's expression.

The usually charismatic wyvern rider reached fidgeted with his mask. "…I don't want to answer that…"

"You promised you would."

"Yeah, but I didn't think you'd ask me something so…personal!" Percy exclaimed desperately before bashfully averting his gaze.

Rhajat replied apologetically. "I understand this must be very unexpected for you, but will you please answer my question? For me?"

Percy stirred uncomfortably. "Why are you asking me these things?"

"Because I need to know" she declared seriously. Rhajat placed a hand over her chest. "This is very important to me. It's very important that we discuss this together; discuss…potential future activities."

"Like what?"

Rhajat bit her lip to compose herself. "I'm talking about the two of us…possibly losing our virginity together."

If her emotions became flustered and uneased by the confession, Rhajat could only imagine how Percy would react; no doubt such a notion would evoke great confusion.

Her suspicions were unfortunately confirmed when Percy's eyes widened in alarm, accompanied by pale, white tone gracing his face. "You mean sex?"

"…Yes."

Percy visibly shrunk with embarrassment. "Why are we talking about this now?"

Before answering, Rhajat reflected on her reasoning. "I believe it's important that we negotiate these conditions now that I'm legally an adult. You and I have been able to provide consent for one another for some time now should either us have ever considered progressing our relationship to the next stage. I'm eighteen now, and I need to know this kind of information so I can hopefully prepare myself for the future."

She caught her breath and reluctantly continued. "I know that you're still young – I know that we're still young – and if you aren't ready for that kind of intimacy yet, then we won't. I…I really don't-"

"Can we talk about something else!?"

The sudden interruption brought her to silence. The distress and desperation in Percy's exclamation was all too powerful, and Rhajat's remorse only worsened upon witnessing his demeanour; his hands had now migrated to his lap as he rubbed them furiously together. "You - you're making me really uncomfortable."

Rhajat acknowledged sexual intercourse was a very difficult subject to discuss considering their age, and apologised for disturbing him.

"I don't mean to. I'm only trying to…"

She stopped to revaluate how to properly express herself without offending him any more than she already had.

"Please don't misunderstand me. At no point in our relationship am I ever going to pressure you into participating in something you don't completely consent to. I just - I want you to know that whenever you may feel you're ready, I will be too."

More so than attraction and affection, consent and permission – trust and commitment - they were most important factors in the progression of their relationship, and Rhajat was desperate to reinforce this principle with him. She hoped he would understand what she was trying to express.

But from his visible concern, it did appear he was concentrating on her words. After a moment of bated anticipation, the dispirited young man politely answered with a whisper.

"…I don't think I'm ready yet", he confessed, folding his hands in his lap.

Rhajat shook her head defiantly. "Then I'm not either."

And with a conclusive answer offered to her persistent troubles, she saw no reason for them to discuss the subject any further.

"So…you've thought about us having sex together?"

Rhajat nodded accordingly. "Recently, yes, I have thought about our relationship evolving natural stage."

Percy acknowledged, and the humiliation and embarrassment he was suffering with was visible through his enflamed cheeks. The young man lowered his gaze, "I haven't thought about these kinds of things" he whispered.

Rhajat's brow furrowed; just what had he insinuated by that statement? Between the two of them, he'd been the one to express the most interest in experimenting and exploring new territories in their relationship, not to mention the innumerable times he'd fantasied about a family life.

Ever the one to scrutinise, Rhajat inquired further. "On numerous occasions, you've expressed eagerness in marriage; I trust that prospect also involves raising a family?"

She hadn't realised how threating she sounded until she witnessed him recoil with surprise. "W-well, yeah" he stammered, "b-but - but that's so far away. I mean – we're still so young for stuff like that." He hesitated, "I haven't really thought about our future together."

Rhajat stared at him in disbelief, trying to process his confession. "So you mean to tell me that during the months we've been seeing one another you've never once imagined us performing sexual activities; not even once?"

Percy shook his head. "I haven't!"

His desperation to disprove those statements was particularly noteworthy, and from their extensive time together, she'd become all to astute at concluding when he was exaggerating. Rhajat didn't appreciate being lied to – not after how honest he'd been earlier.

Rhajat glared, disappointed. "I don't believe you."

The young mane raised his hands desperately. "I'm not lying! I'm being honest! I swear I'm telling the truth!"

In spite of his protests, Rhajat still wasn't convinced; he was innocent, yes, but still an adolescent male. "I know you're exaggerating" she declared. "Research has concluded that males are the most hormonally and sexually active during puberty and adolescence. To insist that you haven't thought about me in that respect is honestly unbelievable."

"I've never thought about you that way" he reassured, urgency and disparity audible in his voice, "I've never thought about your body…or…or us having sex or anything."

Rhajat lowered her gaze, displeased that he insisted on lying. "I really wish you were being honest with me…"

"I am!

Respect for her feelings was the first conclusion Rhajat reached as to why he was behaving so defensively, but Rhajat saw no reason to be so resistant.

"I assure you that I'm not disturbed" she announced, "and frankly, I'd be disappointed if you hadn't at least fantasied about me at least once; if only for a moment."

"….What?"

Rhajat elaborated further. "I thought you too wished our relationship would evolve to the next stage of intimacy. After all, we assess potential partners by their physical attributes. As a species, we're motivated by reproduction and procreation; it's in our genes. Why else would you insist on associating with me?"

A factual elaboration should've sufficed, but Rhajat neglected to acknowledge who she was speaking to. And from the shock, hurt and fear in his saturated eyes, he evidently didn't understand a logical explanation. Regret and penitence immediately consumed her being, only then realising just what she'd accused him of.

"I-s that how you really think of me?" He tearfully choked out. "Do you – do you think I'm only going out with you 'cause I'm after sex or s-something?"

Rhajat shook her head. "No. I didn't say that. I-"

"Because I'm not!"

As Percy anxiously ascended to his feet, the tears decorating his mask became all too visible from her perspective. "I care about you! I thought you cared about me."

And before Rhajat could respond, the young man unexpectedly retreated into the bustling crowd of market goers congregating around them. Rhajat gave chase, exerting speed she never thought she possessed. But her efforts were in vain, for he was the most physically active of them and managed to extend the distance.

Pausing to catch her breath, Rhajat feverishly surveyed the market area for her boyfriend's unmistakable blue red and blue attire. But it was too late. Percy disappeared from sight.

The young woman could feel the wandering and curious eyes of the many denizens of the kingdom stare intently at her as she stood in the centre of the marketplace; evidently their display of desperation had attracted some unwanted attention. But Rhajat didn't care; after everything she'd done - overreacting, misunderstanding and accusing - she couldn't have cared less what others thought of her.

She knew what she was.

Listen to me now / I need to let you know / You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror / And it's you that makes it hard to let go