This is right after the previous chapter. Given they are snippets, I didn't really write much in between that bit and this one. That being said, please enjoy :)

Ash made a soft 'oomph' as those strong slender hands gripped onto his hips and pressed him back against the counter. Silver eyes swirling as he looked down at the crystal blues Itisha had. His breath caught as he looked at her. Still couldn't see the future with her. Hadn't been able to since he met her.

Somehow she ensnared him from the first smile and he was lost to the unknown of her ever since. It was terrifying. It was refreshing. It felt so very much like he had a star standing there, looking up at him with eyes that could have glowed. He knew what she was. What she could be. It didn't bother him so much. As much as he simply saw her as just the woman she presented herself to be, she saw him as well. Her eyes didn't rake over him like a starved hound seeing a steak. He didn't feel like he was going to be hunted down or graded on the quality of his body.

It was him that she saw. It was his eyes that she stared into and got so very lost in. His gaze that as he looked down at her, he could feel her pulse racing. So few ever truly looked at him like that. Even fewer without an ounce of lust. It scared him to know there were people that were like that.

Gods, he knew she had worked so hard to stamp her emotions down. Mute them or place them in situations where the bleed off came from surrounding people that she adored. Someone without lust. Incapable of it. Desire, yes, but she didn't seem to care much about the body as though it were a treasure to be hoarded. Her treasure was loved ones, and he discovered there was an emphasis on love.

It was there that they simply stood, her hands kneading his hips, playing with the hem of his pants and all of the chains. Absent habit of one who liked to pick at things with their hands. A stimulation that led to her playing with the folds and knuckles on his hands. To play with his hair and just study him with those touches as he felt comfortable with. If a line was accidentally crossed, she withdrew and resumed to safer places. Called him a cat for that one.

It was hard to disagree with such a statement.

Itisha stared up at him still, studying every shift of the swirling storm of silvers. Watching the dancing pupils flex in and out. Watching him study her face as she studied his. Every twitch of muscle. Every little hair and curve as though simply memorizing that face and the one it belonged to. Such an intensity usually made people nervous, but he was letting her do it now. Letting her stare up at the full foot of height difference between them.

"I really cannot understand why people are so freaked out by your eyes. I think they are like storm clouds." She finally uttered, hand slowly coming up to brush her knuckles against his cheek. That soft hiss of breath was not out of discomfort, but a small bit of unexpected pleasure from him. It was certainly encouraging as she uncurled her hand and rested her palm against it.

"You would be the one to like them." He jokes softly. Though it was a bit harder to think now with that warm hand touching him so gently. Ash would have thought that a dragon would have caused a roaring fire of pleasure. A burning heat and instead, it was simmering there. Slowly coming to a boil and he felt it from his chest and the feeling sprawling out.

"I can't help it. People just get spooked by things different when they are all the ones wielding powers and throwing around monsters and things that go bump in the night. There are gods, and some of them have actually run into them. A pair of eyes like yours should be the least of their worries. I think it makes you look like I could feel energized like a thunder storm or when a blizzard comes through and makes everything look serene after hours and hours of big fluffy flakes."

There was a long stare at her and he started laughing at her, "You and your snow. One would think you would be wielding ice with how much you like it. You almost blend in with it." Save for those streaks of colors that decorated her hair now. A tribute to those lost. Colors he managed to help her with. A surprise to him that doing so made him feel like he was helping where he had failed. It was something he could do to help her cope and it didn't involve just sitting around.

Eyes glittered and she gave a grin, "Well, I like to be absolutely contrary. Fire is far more fun for me anyway. Though I do enjoy the windy-thing you do at times. The red and yellow eyes entirely match my color scheme."

That had him laughing again, throwing his head back as he finally slid his hands from the counter to settling one on her shoulder and the other on her cheek as he looks down at her. Eyes glistening from laughing a little too hard too suddenly, "It is no wonder Simi likes you so much." It was no wonder he liked her so much. The thought struck him and he blinked a little and studied her again, "You are a very special person, Itisha."

"Well, thank you. I like you both as well." She then feels her cheeks warm and she cants her head, "Well, the thing about being so special is that there are so few like me that I have to be special. I would hate to blend in too much. It would be boring. I mean if I was six foot something like the rest of you all, I would totally blend in. I have to stay short so you can tell us all apart." The way Itisha beamed at him helped cover that very strong need to close the distance between them.

Her humor made him laugh again. Eyes sparkling as he just grinned down at her, "Ah, so that is why I have to hurt my back. To make sure you are a special fiery snowflake." He dipped his head down and then rubbed the tip of his nose against hers without thinking. It was something he had seen her do plenty of times and then he stilled, forehead resting against hers as he waited for her to react. Most times he had more restraint. Most.

Eyes closed at the affectionate little gesture and her heart danced. Arms shifted to slide down and wrap around his waist. Fingers shifting to tease at the back of his shirt as she took in his scent, "Yep. That's me." Eyes fluttered open just enough to see him, "Ash, may I please kiss you?" Her voice soft as she tilted her head to the side to wait for his answer. She felt his emotions give assent as he gave a small nod to her. She closed her eyes again and dipped down enough to move and very softly claim those lips.

Ash returned the kiss just as gently. Fingers cupping her cheek. Neither of them were being careful because the other was fragile, but instead because they needed something that wasn't a violent fury. A quiet lull in the daily chaos. He let her draw back first and closed his eyes as she tucked herself against his chest. A slow move to wrap his arms around her, fingers playing with that long hair. His chin resting on her head. Which it really was a bit of a challenge given she was just that much shorter than him. Still, he managed with his weight settled on the counter instead of standing straight up.

"You know, Itisha, I can see so much of what could happen in the world. Things that are most likely and yet not. Except for people close to me and wrapped up in my future. Somehow, I couldn't ever see you or your family since I first met you." His words a soft murmur as he simply held her and relished the fact that it wasn't lust he felt from her. Sure, the other option was a lot scarier, but part of him far preferred the genuine feel of it. "It was both infuriating and intriguing at the same time."

That made her laugh and Itisha smiled, "Well, I am good at that. I am glad we've met each other though. I didn't realize how much I needed someone over three foot tall to sass back and forth with and who didn't write their homework with crayons."

"I take offense to that. There is nothing wrong with writing your notes with crayons." Not that he actually did, but there was a smirk into her hair as he felt her shake with laughter against him. It was a terrifying but wonderful feeling. He wanted to keep her safe as much as he knew she wanted to keep him safe. "I am glad too. I would really never want to find out what the world would be like without you."

That admission alone had her staring at the fabric on his coat before snugging him a little tighter, "You won't, Ash, I promise. I am too stubborn to die."