* 63 * 1/13/13, 3/8/13, 11/4/15

If I asked him, would he do that to me?

"Would you..." she tried again.

The paladin's eyes were unblinking in their concentration. He was willing to answer her any favor for the favor she'd just done him.

Lily sighed, deflated in the measure by his kind and focused eyes. She reluctantly decided to replace the loaded question she truly wanted to ask with something far, far more innocuous. "Would you...mind if I stay here a few minutes more?"

Casavir's expression became exceedingly pleasant. "I would welcome that, my lady."

Lily allowed herself some humor, however. "You should probably take that off," she pointed out with a smirk, gesturing to his leg armor.

"Of course," he said with a grin, removing it unabashedly in front of her, still sitting. He still had clothes on beneath his armor, and thus he hardly felt that exposed. Admittedly, though, it was a different feeling to not be covered with many kilograms' worth of armor.

He finished, and Lily suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, putting her head just above his shoulder.

"My...lady?" the startled paladin questioned, immediately thankful for his lack of armor. He was able to feel her breath on his skin far better now than only minutes before, when his plated armor would have dulled such a fantastic sensation. The soft rush of air relaxed him all over again. He felt beyond content in her gentle embrace, even though he did not understand her reasons behind it.

"I just want to hug you." She did. Lily did also wanted to relieve herself, but requesting something like that so suddenly, especially of the patient, controlled Casavir, didn't feel quite right in her stomach.

Casavir didn't say a word. Why would she want to hug him? Did she want affection? The paladin deeply wanted to know if this was the case so he could possibly assuage the feeling, but he didn't ask. He savored the feel of her arms around him, her face so near to his.

When she let go, he felt disappointed, though he let little of it show. Feeling relaxed, he got to his feet, again rising to his normal height.

The sun elf's jaw dropped as she guffawed and giggled suddenly, putting her hand over her mouth at she looked at him.

"Hm?" Casavir inquired.

"You're so tall!" she said, not really ever having paid much attention before. As he grew out of his chair into his usual height, however, it was hard to miss.

"And you, are not," Casavir returned with a smirk. For one of the first times in memory, the paladin felt playful, and he enjoyed teasing Lily. He marveled at the novel inclinations he was feeling, how happy he was just to banter with her.

"No, I'm not," Lily replied in agreement, amused at his abnormal humor. "What's gotten into you?" she asked, highly curious about the often reverent paladin's overhauled demeanor.

"I feel well, my lady." He even almost smiled. But not quite.

Lily's eyes sparkled. She abruptly rose onto her toes and brought her face close to his. As he gazed at her in wonder, he wasn't fully certain of what she was doing, but she had his wordless permission to do what she pleased to him; she knew that. He held her up lightly so she wouldn't fall, taking care not to touch her too personally.

Lily brought herself in alignment with him and suddenly neared his lips with her own. Casavir's lips fell in uncertainty, a fierce longing quickly overcoming him; he felt her breath on his mouth and was staggered, his entire being flooded with romantic desire. She veered off but a second later, choosing to touch the tip of her nose to his cheek and dragging it slowly across. Casavir, eager but patient, turned to set his cheek against hers. When Lily neared his ear, she began tracing back the same path she just made, this time with her lips.

Casavir took a deep, almost trembling breath. Emotion overwhelmed his mind. He wanted to close his eyes and rest against her gentle touch, but he did not wish to lose sight of her beautiful face, either. He chose to relish in the feeling of Lily's lips on his skin and let his eyes close for just a few moments. He had longed to feel her lips for quite some time, had tried to imagine what they would feel like…

But his mind's conjurations had done her no justice. Her lips were so soft, her caresses felt like touches from a butterfly.

Lily... he thought in near agony. He didn't dare speak, not even one word, not even to ask why. Words were superfluous in such moments.

Just then, Lily pressed her lips into his cheek in a light kiss, and Casavir began aching. He wanted her lips against his, desired to put all his emotion and fervor into kissing her passionately right then and there. But he remained calm as he felt her movement still. Though he wished for more, he was pleased to stay this way and receive her affection.

Lily brought her lips up to his and Casavir opened his eyes again. As she drew closer, he sucked in a trembling breath, and his gaze narrowed. She paused there, her green irises flitting from his lips to his ice blue eyes and back again in pronounced uncertainty.

"Casavir..." she said, barely above a whisper.

Casavir couldn't speak. The way she calls my name...is like a soft breath of wind... He stared at her lips, could not move his gaze away. He wanted to...

He sensed some reluctance in her then. Finally, Lily began moving again, after many drawn out moments of indecision. She seemed to now be only going for nuzzling her nose against his, but the proximity of their lips yet tantalized his senses. Then, she pulled away, lightly breaking his tentative hold around her waist.

Casavir was still speechless, and stood stiffly.

Lily smiled simply. "I'm so glad I have someone like you to rely on. You're always right there. Thank you, Casavir."

The paladin was humbled, but could only nod. The plethora of emotions that swirled inside of his mind threatened to spill out if he opened his mouth.

"Good night, Casavir," was all the elf said now. Lily went to the door and let herself out, closing it quietly behind her.

"Good night, my lady," he replied, finally breaking his startled silence.

Casavir dazedly prepared for bed and lied down, staring ahead of him as he replayed the events with Lily over and over again in his head.

He knew he'd have pleasant dreams tonight.