(A/N): I've decided to go for it after all! Enjoy!

...and super sorry for the long wait. I'm a terrible person. D:

Chapter 17: Faith

"Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother."

– Khalil Gibran

"I have something I want to confess."

They were lounging on his couch, holding each other in silence when Baralai finally decided to speak. Yuna gives no indication she heard him, except for a low and quiet hum. Although he didn't reject her earlier emotional, embarrassing display, he didn't exactly reciprocate her feelings, either. The fear of not knowing where she stands with him paralyzes her ability to speak, and so she cuddles him close to hide behind his chest, hoping this moment would never end. Feeling his heartbeat against her cheek, his voice between the spaces where their bodies connect, she smiles in bliss, clutching the fabric of his shirt.

His hands on her back fiddle with the hem of her blouse, projecting his hesitation, and then he sighs. "I really wish I had met you first. That would have saved me plenty of heartache."

"...what do you mean?" she says, afraid of bringing back his penchant for secrecy if she so happened to misstep her boundaries. "How would that have changed anything…?"

"Because you remind me so much of my old self, it pains me to watch you sometimes. It's not your fault, really, as much as it is my inability to let things go." She shifts in his arms, about to sit up on her elbows, but he holds her in place, keeping her head on his chest. "I apologize, but it's easier for me to talk to you like this. Could I ask you to bear with me for a little while longer? It would mean a lot to me."

"...Okay." Happy to know he's willing to open up to her at least, she doesn't mind, settling back down.

After a long moment of tense silence, Baralai sighs again. "My first relationship… that experience has rendered me incapable of wanting to love again. I never want to feel that way again, the feeling that I am second best. That is why... I always push you away. I know I hurt your feelings and for that I am deeply sorry. I only did it to protect myself, but now I'm starting to realize I'm self-sabotaging myself. The point I'm trying to reach is… I like you. I don't want to lose you."

Her heart races at this, and she strives to level her voice. "Why do you think you'll lose me?"

"Because the possibility exists. You will find a reason to leave me, and I will be left heartbroken again."

"Baralai." When she lifts herself on her elbows again, she meets little resistance this time, and she smiles, taking in the sight of his downcast eyes. "It hasn't happened, yet, because it will never happen. You don't have to be afraid. I am right here." She leans forward to kiss his forehead, brushing her thumb across his cheek, smiling when his eyes waver in response to her proximity.

He clasps her wrists, torn between pulling her away and keeping her close. "...you're just saying that."

"I'm not just saying that. What can I do to prove it to you?"

"I don't know. I'm just… afraid…"

They lock gazes for an instant, saying nothing else, and then Yuna dares to close the distance, moving her lips against his own. After a long moment of hesitation, his hands let go to trace her arms, up her shoulders and down her back, settling around her hips, and she welcomes his tender and shy embrace, likening his soft, sweet kiss to that of mochi, or a pair of marshmallows. She sinks into his warmth, sensing her heart race faster with each passing second, breathing in his warm, musky scent.

She imagined this moment many times, their first kiss, a passionate embrace; sometimes even her first time, with him. Imagining what it would be like while trapped in yearning, wanting to be close, yet feeling intimidated by the distance. And here they are, so close that they can spike each other's heartbeat with the simplest touch– yet a part of her still feels guilty for pushing him this far, clinging to him and pining for him, all the while feeling selfish. But then again he lets her, so she doesn't know what to think.

His arms wind around her waist now, clutching her tight, anchoring her back to the present, and Yuna blushes when Baralai pulls her to lie underneath him, daring to look up into his dark, hooded eyes as he leans in to kiss her again. She closes her eyes, enraptured by his tender affection, how it grows amorous with each moment of restraint. She can feel his tense energy in their intimate embrace, can hear his thoughts argue away at self-control when his nervous breath of exhalation tells her everything he cannot express.

"I was afraid this was going to happen..."

She hums in response, tracing the contours of his face. "Mm, why?"

"...because..." With every kiss they indulge in, his anger recedes little by little. "...my body does things my mind tells it not to do."

"...then, why do you always try to hold back?" She hums, smiling, cradling his face in her hands.

"Feelings and emotions, they don't need to be present for the body to seek intimacy. I can just take you, and feel no attachment or affection towards you whatsoever." Like a lot boys his age do, girls and adults are no exception, but Yuna can see right through him. He tried giving her many opportunities to change her mind, but she wouldn't listen to him, deaf to everything else except for the beat of her own heart.

"...but that's not the case, is it?"

He remains silent, leaning into her hand. Torn between doing the right thing and wanting to be selfish, he hates how frightening falling in love can be.

Drawn to the touch of her finger on his lips, he clutches her wrist and pins it beside her, kissing her as his way of answer.

"Thank you for letting me sleep over, man."

"No problem." Gippal throws a pillow at his head, and Tidus catches it, fluffing it out before settling into place.

"You boys better not stay up for too long!"

"I know, Ma! Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

Gippal's mom hollers in the background, stomping up the stairs to her bedroom, presumably to unwind before heading to sleep. They're already yelling at him to mind the curfew? That's strict compared to his laid-back parents. But then again, his parents don't care about what he does as long as he woke up in time for school, kept up with his grades, and didn't get into any (illegal) trouble.

His parents tend to go out on Wednesdays for their weekly date night, and they don't usually come back until way late. When they do come back, his drunken dad always talks up a shit storm, waking him up and making it impossible for him to fall back asleep. Not in the mood to put up with his self-absorbed parents for the night, Tidus retreated to Gippal's place to sleep, watching him set up the Wii U from the couch so they can play Super Smash Bros.

Lying on the pile of blankets that make up his makeshift bed, Tidus wonders: "Hey, has Rikku ever slept over?"

"I wouldn't be alive if Cid ever found out."

"So I take that as a yes."

"Yup."

Once Gippal switched from the Xbox One to the Wii U, he snatches the control pad and a gamecube controller, prancing back to plop down next to Tidus.

"I never get caught, because Baralai's always covering for us. He even takes turns with Yuna! They both usually make it look like we're all studying together at my place when in reality– Jesus, are you gonna keep making that face every time Baralai's mentioned? Dude, c'mon, you gotta get over it." Watching him fume in stubborn silence, Gippal sighs and decides to amend his approach. "Talk to me, bro. I know I ain't no Dr. P, but I can be your Dr. G for the day. You got something you want off your chest? I'll listen. Even if it's just Baralai trash talk."

After picking his character, Tidus waits on the battle map to load, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "What do you think they do when they're alone?"

"I don't know. A whole bunch of nothing? When it comes to those two, I don't expect a lot. It's hella fun messing with them, though."

"You really think they haven't done anything?" Even though Tidus hates to dwell on this, he can't help but voice his doubts.

"Dude, think about it. It's Yuna we're talking about. How many times have you wanted to go all the way, but she kept backing out? Your ex is a major prude, and Baralai's a fucking saint– I don't know how he does it, to be honest with you– but trust me, those fools won't be running for first base any time soon. They'd probably wait till marriage, if that ever happens…"

Tidus hums, satisfied for now, and lets his mind wander once the match begins.

"I want you. Can you feel it?"

His sultry whisper torches her heart aflame, and she swallows, tongue-tied. She feels him everywhere– his warmth, his scent, she can't handle it.

Feeling his prominent arousal press against her own, Yuna moans aloud, trembling with need, burying her face into his shoulder while whimpering out the words. "I want you, too..." A fire had lit inside her body, compelling her to touch him, clutch him harder, and she snakes a leg around his own, resting her calf in the crook of his knee. The space between them feels tight and hot, coupled with their pounding heartbeats, and she wants to grind against him, seeking pressure to relieve it, until she remembers Paine's words.

"...Baralai?"

He hums, nuzzling her neck with lingering, warm kisses.

She blushes, trembling with pleasure. "Do you think… I'm being selfish?"

He leans up, inquisitive, struggling to focus on her words. "What do you mean?"

"Mm…" She fiddles with the back of his collar. "I feel like I... pushed my feelings onto you, and..."

His face softens at this, and Baralai smiles. "And?"

"Paine really likes you, and... I feel like I'm betraying her." Yuna ducks her head in shame, lips pursed in a pensive frown.

"You don't have to defer to someone else just because you happen to have feelings for the same person."

Even though she knows he means to console her, she still feels uncertain. "...really?"

"Love and relationships... They're not a game or a competition. It's all about choice, and I've decided that I want you."

His frank confession stuns her speechless, and she blushes, flattered, awash with guilt and relief. "...but then, what about Paine?"

"I don't feel inclined to return her feelings. Oh, well. Such is life. The best thing I can do for her is to be honest." Baralai shrugs, pausing to give her a thoughtful smile. "Why? What made you start thinking about that?"

"I don't want to lose anymore friends..."

"Ah." He smiles in understanding.

"Not over something like this."

"Something like this?"

"Th-That is..." She falters, regretting the way she worded it even though he looks more amused than anything else. "I want to be with you, but I never thought... it would bring this much trouble..."

"You know what, if you lose friends over a simple conflict of interests, then it was never meant to be in the first place."

"...Is that the only way, though?" Embarrassed that she brought it up in the first place, she apologizes. "I-I'm sorry, I ruined the mood, didn't I? I never should have–."

"No, it's okay. I'm happy you confide in me these things." He adjusts himself a little, so he can cup the side of her head to comfort her by brushing her hair. "I say take it with a grain of salt. Maybe if you two talk about it, you can smooth things over and reconcile your differences. But you have to place your happiness first." His voice drops to a low murmur, followed by his hand beneath her shirt, trailing shy fingertips up and down her side, his touch burning a trail of sweet fire across her skin. "...starting with me."

Her heart races from his bold proclamation, and she shivers, pulling him close for another kiss. They continue slow to find a natural feel for each other, breathing together, tying sensual love knots with their tongues, lulled by the desire thrumming in their bloodstream, until Yuna breaks pace to clutch him tighter, deepening their kiss. He grips her thigh now, emboldened by her fervor, grinding against her nice and slow.

"This is what you want. You want this with me?"

She breathes out the word, sighing in bliss, rocking him harder for the sweet sensation to hit her again and again; a warm wave of pleasure that soothes her growing ache until it leaves breathless. Arching into him, she wounds her thighs around his waist, encouraging him to touch her down below. Baralai pulls back to caress her face, clasping her chin with an affectionate tap of his thumb, before his hand moves down to the buttons of her blouse. Yuna reddens, grateful for the cool air on her now exposed chest as she feels him come back in to kiss her neck, her collarbone, even the slope of her cleavage, causing her to melt. She closes her eyes, clutching his head as he continues to move ever lower, unwinding to his ministrations.

His hands settle around the curves of thighs as he nuzzles her stomach in kisses, tickling her and arousing her, eventually clasping onto the ends of her panties so he can slide them down. Yuna tenses up on instinct, nervous. Will he like the way she looks down there? The way she smells and the way she tastes? Daring to sneak a peek, she watches him sit up to pull them over her knees, his expression unreadable, yet focused. His touch lingers where he moves to untangle it, and then he tosses it aside, scooting backwards to hover in between her legs, pulling her in against his face.

She gasps, moaning aloud, writhing to the touch of his tongue down there even though he holds her steady.

"Baralai– no, ngh, wait– aah…"

Something in her pleading tone must have convinced him to slow down, because he eases up on the pressure, and Yuna relaxes a little, gasping hard. He feels so soft and warm, that she already begins to feel the tension in her body melt away, almost as if he were massaging her with his mouth, licking her and sucking her in ways that make her grow weak at the knees. Her body aches to thrust into something hard, and she rocks her hips to ease the tingling sensation inside, too anxious to admit her need.

"Tell me how you like it." He murmurs, his breath suffusing her moist, warm skin. "What would you like me do?"

Her toes curl at the vibrations of his voice, and she moans, clutching his head in hopes to ease her massive fidgeting. "I… I-I don't know… I'm not… sure… um... keep doing... what you're doing, mmm... yes, there..." Imagining him penetrating her, pounding her, pumping his penis to come all over her brings her closer to the edge, and she starts tugging on his hair, becoming a hot mess of squeals and loud moans. All that heat that built up inside her bursts from a single point, and she collapses back onto the couch, feeling light-headed and boneless.

vrrr vrrr vrrr

Confused by this, Baralai rises to his knees, licking his lips, watching Yuna pull down the hem of her skirt in languid embarrassment. Her innocence only serves to arouse him more, aided by the sight of her clothes in attractive disarray, her chest rising and falling to her erratic breathing, her legs clamped shut while she fidgets in place – when not one minute ago they were open for his viewing pleasure. He wanted to see how much she came and tease her about it, but...

Distracted by the persistent noise in his pocket, he withdraws it for resentful inspection.

"W-What is that?" she says, breathless.

"...My alarm." He swipes it off, placing his phone aside with a sigh. Eight o'clock already? Good thing he likes to finish his homework early, or else he would have never found time to start it. Today provided too many distractions for him to focus, not that he really minded. Licking his lips again, he wipes his mouth, gazing down at her tousled appearance. Now that he managed to make her all nice and wet for him, the hard part will prove much less painful for her to bear. "Let us move to my room. I don't want Grandmother walking in on us."

She sits upright, hugging her arms to her chest, blushing and giving him her mute consent. Sitting up now on the couch, he hitches her legs over his arm and secures her waist in the other, steadying her against him as he makes his way to the stairs. She grips his shoulder, impressed by his strength, yet too bashful to meet eye contact. "U-Um… your grandmother, I-I haven't… seen her show up at all today…"

Baralai glances at her, amusement hidden beneath the nonchalant remark. "She's been avoiding me lately. Perhaps I'm a bit too predictable in my schedule because she knows exactly when to shut herself in her room."

Yuna blinks, unsure of what to make of that comment. "What? But why?"

He smiles. "She's long overdue for a lecture."

Once they reach his bedroom door, Baralai walks inside, freeing his hand over her side to lock the door shut behind them, before proceeding to set her down on his bed. Taking a seat on the edge beside her, he heaves a heavy sigh, appearing to deliberate about something. "I don't have any protection, so… after this, you will have to take a Morning-After Pill, okay? But if you're still feeling nervous, we don't have to do it today."

"No, I… I want to." She clasps his hand to reassure him, as well as herself. "That is, as long as you're okay with it."

He smiles despite his wry tone. "I will never be okay, because you won't stop teasing me."

Before Yuna can formulate a witty retort, she catches how his eyes roam her entire body, fixated on the view of her cleavage beneath her unbuttoned collar, laid bare for his eyes to see; her white dress shirt pulled apart and her blue skirt wrinkled beyond subtlety, exposing her in ways she can only dream of. Although her bra still remains intact, the same can't be said for her panties, and she swallows, clamping her legs shut and folding her arms across her chest again.

Baralai settles into place in front of her, easing her legs open with the touch of his hands. Instead of moving forward, he sits there admiring her, taking in the sight of her skirt laid askew, remembering how it had ridden up her waist, revealing thighs that trembled in his firm grip as he pushed her legs apart to pleasure her. Her lips have such a wonderful, wet sheen to them, still untouched by the mark of another man. He remembers their delightful quivering in his mouth as he caressed her with his tongue, drinking in the sound of her moans. God, he loved the way she squirmed, but he loved her unrestrained noises most of all.

The image of her now – reclined on his bed, with her face turned up and her lips parted in anticipation, her hair spilled all over the white bank of his pillows – snaps the thread of his restraint and he begins to unhook his belt, taking extreme care not to rush himself, not wanting to scare her; even though more than anything he wants to take her right now, excited by the thought he will be the first to have her.

Baralai moves to lean over her, positioning his hips between her thighs.

She gulps, overwhelmed by his proximity, and averts her eyes, feeling him cup her cheek in comfort.

"Nervous?" He whispers, stroking her face, struggling to keep his self-control in check without her noticing.

"...a little bit." She admits to a fraction of the truth, but then changes her mind at the presence of his hand on her thigh. Eep. "A-A lot, actually."

"Do you want to stop?"

"N-No..."

"Are you sure?"

"Um, I... I know I'm always going to be afraid of the first time I do it, so..."

She trails off, unsure of how else to express her anxiety without sounding like a bumbling idiot. Scavenging the courage to look up at him, she curls her arms around his own and swallows, clutching at his sleeves. He leans in to kiss her, cradling her in his warm embrace, and she closes her eyes, overwhelmed by his amorous affection. His breath, his heat, his hands on her body, his tongue in her mouth, and now his lips on her neck, she fidgets in place, restless, feeling a slow, pleasant burn consume her nerves, and she moans, groping him hard, tugging on the hem of his shirt in annoyance.

"Will you do me the honor of taking this off for me?" he says, his tone patient and kind as he brushes the back of his knuckles across her collarbone.

She blinks up at him, startled and reluctant, taking the hand he offers her so she can sit up. Sensing him lean over, she averts her eyes, nervous and self-conscious as he scoots closer to remove her blouse first, before resting his hand on the small of her back while caressing her spine with the other, tugging at the binding of her bra. Her heart hammers in her throat, feeling it pound in her eardrums, and she gulps, feeling the clasp come undone, tickled by the straps sliding down her biceps. She blushes and trails her fingers down his stomach, sensing a morbid curiosity rise as he begins to unveil himself.

Reaching out to clasp his waistband, she tugs it down so she can grasp his length, testing her grip as she starts to stroke him, reveling in his quiet, erotic noises. She squeezes him tighter, delighting in his involuntary thrusts, looking up only to be caught in his kiss. He moves so nice and slow against her, as if he were shy to go faster, wrapping a hand around her own to guide her motions, encouraging her to "grip harder, with shorter strokes, you're not exerting as much pressure as you think you are" with a sultry smile, complimenting her.

"It's okay. You don't have to worry about being rough with me. You're very gentle."

"...I want to go down on you, just like you did for me."

Baralai acquiesces with a quite "okay," and Yuna nudges him back onto the bed, intending to return the favor. She descends to take him in her mouth, marveling at the feel of him and how he fits between her tongue while caressing him with the gentlest scrape of her teeth. His shallow breaths and muted moans motivate her to suck harder, startled by the restless thrusts of his hips filling her mouth. She starts to wonder whether or not she's doing it right, until the hand he fists into her hair guides her down, deepening the motions of her head, easing her doubt.

But her jaw starts to tire fast, and so she withdraws her mouth to breathe, licking her lips, eyeing the predicament of his pants. Without further prompting, she grabs both ends of his waistband and scoots back to strip him, revealing a clean shaven crotch followed by his smooth legs. She can't help but stare, tossing his jeans aside before moving to straddle his lap. She watches him exhale, sensing him grow harder down below, and she blushes, scavenging the courage to grind against him – slow and tentative at first, until the sudden, warm wave she experiences down there motivates her to continue with more confidence. Her hands reach for him, slipping beneath his shirt to stroke his naked skin, and she delights in his shallow noises that echo her own.

He does not hesitate to grab her thighs, seeking something to anchor him, and she leans down to steal a kiss, coaxing him to open up and touch tongues, ceasing her grinding in order to focus on their kiss more. She feels him twitch down there, as if disappointed by the loss of movement, and squeals in surprise when he sits up all of a sudden to pull her close, wrapping her legs around his waist. They lose themselves in each other's lips, tugging at each other's clothes; Yuna lifts his shirt, helping him out of his sleeves, and then his arms come back around to embrace her, twining his fingers into her hair to tug her head back, planting a sensual kiss on her neck. She melts, tilting her head back to feel him more, her cheeks flushed and her hands clenched over his broad, naked shoulders.

Baralai knows how to touch her just right, knows when to be gentle and when to be firm, stoking the flames of her lust, and that reminds her of when and where he learned to do that, even if she didn't know with whom he experienced that intimacy with, and jealousy burns in her chest. "I hate how I'm not the only one you touched like this…"

This gives him reason to pause, and Baralai pulls away, seeking to connect with her timid gaze. "I know. But to be fair, I don't think I'm the first one to touch you like this, either, so I say the feeling is mutual."

Yuna blushes, vindicated by his remark.

"Even so, if you still want me..." He lowers his eyes, humbled.

"Oh, you." Besotted by his words, she smiles. "Of course I still want you."

"And I want you." He murmurs, kissing her, maneuvering her to lie back on the bed, hovering on top of her. Noticing her skirt for the first time since they lied down together, Baralai sits back to pull it off, tossing it aside with the rest of their clothes on the floor. She looks so beautiful in the nude, her pale skin flushed scarlet at the receiving end of his appreciative gaze, that he descends to nuzzle her breasts. Tickled pink by the adoring vibrations of her laughter above his head, of her sweet and loving arms cradling his head, he feels his own chest swell with happiness.

He parts her legs with his knees and moves forward to lean at eye level with her, reaching down to caress her thigh again, waiting for any sign of protest. When she does nothing, only peers up at him with trusting eyes, he finds the courage to reach down and press gentle fingers to her soaking wet arousal. Yuna tenses, clutching him tight, her face growing a darker shade of red when he dares to slide his finger inside, aroused by her intense expressions, the noises that come out of her mouth. He wants to see more, hear more, feel more, and so he continues to stroke her, easing her into the motions of what will come next.

But after watching her fidget and writhe in pleasure, he can no longer contain himself. "Tell me that you want me. I can't do it unless you do."

"Baralai…" She gazes up at him, breathing hard, moaning– the way he fingers her feels so good– and she bites down on her bottom lip to restrain her mess of noises. "Baralai, I want you… Take me… please…"

Withdrawing his hand, he positions the tip of his penis against her, but instead of pushing through, he decides to rub himself against her first, and she moans, aroused by the smooth, slippery, warm sensation. It feels so good, that she begins to relax little by little, allowing for that pleasurable warm wave to wash over her again as she hears him sigh in bliss. And then she flinches, tensing up at once from the sharp sensation of her stretching to fit him inside, and she whimpers in pain, squeezing him tight and burrowing her face into his flushed neck. Contrary to all the usual horror stories she heard so much about, the pain feels more like an itch she cannot reach for the life of her, and it stings worse the deeper he goes in, yet he takes his time, attentive to her slightest discomfort. Baralai cradles her as he finally fills her once through, pulling back to thrust inside her again, repeating the same slow, gentle motions.

Yuna lightens up on her vice grip to let him know she can handle it now, and she finally breathes, moving her hands up and down his naked, hot skin, wanting to feel him move against her. It feels so itchy and agitating that she starts to thrust with him faster in hopes to soothe it this way. And it does, with time– at least once the pain eventually abets to a tolerable low. Baralai breathes hard, his eyebrows creased in furious concentration, and she blushes, aroused by his complete lack of composure.

"Do you… feel okay now…?"

"Yes, better now– mm, Baralai, aaah…!"

His whole demeanor changes in bed, becoming passionate and assertive all of a sudden, and to her surprise it turns her on.

"You just couldn't wait to have me, could you? You wanted my cock inside you. Mm, you feel so good… I might just–." He stops speaking right then and there, preferring to sound out his words in deep groans instead. "Nng, Yuna…"

She feels him tighten his hold around her, startling her with his strength as he thrusts into her hard, once, twice, and then a third, before collapsing on top of her, catching his breath. Out of breath herself, she curls her arms around his waist now, snuggling to his hot and sweaty, but still pleasant body heat. His room feels so warm, heady with the scent of sex and body lotion, that Yuna closes her eyes, unwinding to the presence of his arousal pulsing inside her like a second heartbeat. She feels dirty and sore, but satiated, and she takes a deep breath.

"God, what are we doing? We're doing everything backwards…"

She frowns, disheartened by his words, afraid to reach out and cuddle him. "...Do you regret it?"

"No." Baralai exhales, leaning up on his elbows to give her a tentative smile. "Quite the opposite, actually. Although there are many things I can't say right now, at least know this: you mean a lot to me, in ways you don't even know." He reinforces this timid sentiment with an earnest kiss, and she fidgets, feeling restless as her arousal rises again, coming in like a tidal wave. "...you want more? Good. Because I'm not done yet." He moves in slow, easy thrusts, his cock still hard inside her, delighted by her sweet noises. His lips find hers, and they lose themselves in each other's warmth again, touching tongues, caressing each other's body, moaning the other's name until they feel an aching, pleasant burn they don't want to stop.

Keys jangle in the cool night air as Braska works to unlock the front door; stepping inside, he locks it shut behind him. The sound of his entrance echoes throughout the house, before silence settles in its place. Stepping into the kitchen, he places his keys into a small bowl and removes his jacket to fold it over his arm. He had expected some form of reaction to his return, for Yuna to emerge from her room, if not some background implications of her getting ready for bed. He hears no muffled shower water running in the upstairs bathroom, no pitter patter of her feet, or echo of her voice on the phone.

Is she even home? It's almost fifteen minutes past nine o'clock; she should be home.

Climbing the stairs, he peeks into her unlit bedroom, stepping inside to turn on the light, only to find her bedroom empty.

Yuna snuggles deeper beneath the blanket, basking in the afterglow. Picking up on the sound of his slow breathing, her eyelids drift open to the sight of his dozing face. She smiles, weary and content, cuddling closer to his naked body while her own cheeks warm from happiness. Her nose brushes his collarbone, tickled by his sensual scent, and she inhales, unwinding in his wonderful body heat.

Baralai stirs, reciprocating her tentative touches with languid affection, pulling her in to tuck her head beneath his chin. "...does it still hurt?"

"No. Just sore, and a little itchy. It won't... always feel like that, will it? Every time we, um... do it...?" She blushes, embarrassed by the subtlest mention of it.

"No. Only the first few times, I heard, but after that it will become much more pleasurable and painless," he says with a sigh, nuzzling her head. "...but if a particular position or angle gives you any sort of discomfort, don't be afraid to tell me. We can learn what we both like together, okay?"

"...okay." Yuna smiles, rocking her hips back and forth with glee. "I liked how it felt. It hurt a little, but it felt good, too. It's hard to explain... but knowing that it's only going to feel better from here on out makes me look forward to it."

"Oh?" Baralai smiles, stroking her hipbone with his thumb. "Glad to hear you say so."

A moment of silence settles between them, and she fidgets now, anxious. "...was I good? Did you... like it with me...?"

"Yes. You were incredibly wet and oh so very tight." He chuckles, stroking her back. "I was afraid you'd make me come too soon. Which you did, the first time."

She makes a noise of discontent, self-conscious, turning on her side so her back faces him. "...it's not gross, is it? I didn't expect to be that wet..."

"No, not at all. I love it." He moves in close to spoon her, wrapping her petite body in his arms, molding himself to her curves. Reaching down to slip his hand between her thighs, he caresses her slick, wet spot, drowning in the pool of her warmth. "Honestly, I would be worried if you weren't wet. That means I wasn't able to arouse you."

"Of course you do." She argues, vehement, squirming to the sweet, ticklish touch of his hand fingering her. She opens herself up to him, reclining into him so she can place her palm on his cheek. They bump foreheads and noses until their lips connect with amorous devotion. "You always do..."

"I always do, you say." He chuckles, delighted by her humble admission. Grinding against her nice and slow, he cradles her head in his other arm, brushing his fingertips across the fringes of her hair. "I'm curious. Have you ever touched yourself in thought of me?"

Yuna blushes at this, unable to deny it when her embarrassed moan confirms it.

"I've touched myself in thought of you once or twice." Baralai admits, thoughtful, "...but only because you wouldn't leave me alone. You temptress." When she frowns, giving him an affronted look, he smiles, amused. "You honestly didn't think I would notice? How you have been trying to seduce me for the better half of two weeks? My blood does not run on holy water, you know."

"...you noticed?"

"I would have been blind not to notice."

"You're so hard to read. I just wanted to know how you felt about me..."

"I confess, part of the fault lies with me for not expressing myself clearly, but..." Baralai sighs, troubled by the thought, but more so guilt-ridden by the sight of her despondent look, marveling at her patience for his past denial of her. "Does your father not teach you the concept of a man's self-control? Any lesser person would have taken you without hesitation."

"But you're not just any guy. I only did it because it was you."

"Yuna." Baralai looks like he wants to say something, but changes his mind, giving her a small smile. "You're too trusting."

She shakes her head, brushing the bridge of his nose. "No, you're the one I trust."

"Still..." He blushes, flattered. "You place too much trust in me."

"Says you." Yuna counters with a coy smile, giggling.

At that, Baralai laughs, relenting to her logic. Cuddling to fill the spaces in between them, he sighs now, dreading the thought of ending their night together. "Even after all that was said and done between us today, I still don't want to let you go. I want you to stay… Silly, isn't it?"

"No. It's not silly." She murmurs, smiling, nuzzling his collarbone. "I feel the exact same way. I want to stay with you... always."

Before they risked the chance of falling asleep, tempted to laze around longer, her cell phone rings.