Steps
Aya + Aki
By: L 0 K I
Essence
Whats the use in pretending?
Hmm, he muttered distractedly, playing with the silky strap of her nightgown. Fireflies flitted around her gold hair, lighting up the night around them.
Youre you, arent you? And Im me.
I dont know who I am, he whispered forlornly, pressing his words against her shoulder where that strap had once been. His eyes were closed now, but he could still see those fireflies, could still see the serene curve of her lips.
I know who you are, she said, without moving her mouth. Then crawled over him, stretched over him. There were stars in the sky now.
You always know me, he said, or thought, or maybe he lived it all in a past life.
Who are you?
Yours. Always yours.
She smiled down at him.
Aki woke the way one was supposed to. Warmly, slowly, feeling as if he had all the time in the world to just enjoy the moment. He was lying on his side, but that wasnt where hed started. And the edge of the bed seemed a lot farther away. At least, on his side. He went still at that, coming completely awake.
The first thing he noticed was Ayas scent, all around him. And why wouldnt it be, he berated himself irately. His face was practically buried in her hair.
His second realization hit him more like an epiphany. The length of her body, from her back to her ankles, was pressed against him. His heart beat rapidly between her shoulder blades, her foot had hooked around his ankles, like a living shackle, pressing his knee gently between her legs.
His hand had somehow found its way under her shirt, and there was naked, warm flesh resting in the cup of his palm. It beat steadily, slow with the cadence of a restful sleep.
Later he would deny it to himself in its entirety, but for the moment he calmed down and...reveled. He took deep, slow breaths, taking in as much of her scent as possible. It was like drowning slowly in her essence, and he was too warm and sleepy to try and struggle for the surface. He wasnt sure he would have anyway.
In the abstract he understood his hand was on her breast, and as her brother, that was somewhere it ought not to be. But she wasnt complaining, and he rather liked the feel of it. The incredible softness of her skin, the gentle weight, the steady beat of her heart. It was all so very precious to him.
She was precious to him.
I want to be always near her.
His arm tightened instinctively around her, bringing her closer and cradling her in the curve of his body. Sleepily he pressed his face into her tangled hair, nuzzling against the back of her neck until he found warm skin. His lips curved hazily, and he pressed his lips to her nape. Then his tongue, tasting the sweet scent of Aya. It was so much stronger here. So much headier.
He fell asleep the way one was supposed to. Warmly, slowly, feeling as if he had all the time in the world just to enjoy this moment...
The taste of Aya.
Essence
n 1 a : the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being b : the individual, real, or ultimate nature of a thing esp. as opposed to its existence c : the property necessary to the nature of a thing d : the most significant property of a thing 2 : something that exists : entity 3 a : (1) a volatile substance or constituent derivative possessing the special qualities in concentrated form b : odor, perfume : The constituent elementary notions which constitute a complex notion, and must be enumerated to define it : The constituent quality or qualities which belong to any object, or class of objects, or on which they depend for being what they are (distinguished as real essence); the real being, divested of all logical accidents; that quality which constitutes or marks the true nature of anything; distinctive character; hence, virtue or quality of a thing, separated from its grosser parts. : A being; esp., a purely spiritual being. : the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience.
Synonyms: Spirit. Core. Heart. Real meaning. Soul. Quintessence. Fundamental nature. Concentrate. Extract. Centre. Gist. Kernel. Substance. Inwardness. Sum. Effect. Burden. Perfume. Affective meaning. Body. Breath. Climax. Element. Form. Fragrance. Meaning. Undertone. Vital.