[He says it like it's such an obvious thing, and even though a part of her does recognize that, for the people of Kenos, perhaps it was true... It has always been difficult for Hayame to let go of the shackles she has worn her entire life. Even now, after over a year apart from the only world she had ever known... She still often acts on instinct based on the rules and morals of her culture. Even though it is a culture she had always secretly raged against, resented for what it did to jinba, to women...
It somehow is not easy to let go of. Perhaps she had simply clung to it in order to keep her sanity in Horos, in Kenos, where things were so overwhelming and wrong...
He was right to think a protest might be coming. It is stalled by his kiss, and she finds herself lingering on his lips just because she doesn't know what words to use. Should she chastise him for reminding her how long he had lied about something as simple as his name? Should she try to claim that he was a man, and of course a man need not ever worry for damage to his reputation like a woman must? She nuzzles against his forehead for a moment, her eye drifting closed, and what finally comes out is an equally quiet, half-reluctant admission that,]
... It is not easy for me.
[She has fiercely protected her reputation and her status as a warrior ever since she'd understood how the world worked. To change it now...
... So. She is grateful. That he seems willing to be a secret until she says otherwise.]
[Khalid closes his eyes too, as she nuzzles against him, and he wonders if he melt like this every time she shows him these small, precious pieces of affection.]
I know. But it'll get easier, I promise.
[He once never would have dreamed of being this close with anyone, and yet here he is. A little at a time he's lowered his guard, bared his soul, until there's none of his secrets left between them. If he can do it, anyone can, even someone who has experienced as many of life's cruelties as Hayame has.]
I'll be with you every step of the way. And eventually... you'll be able to look at life in a whole new way, without fear or shame. --No, [he pauses to reconsider, pulling back just enough to see her face once more,] you're already starting on that journey.
She has already decided that she will believe in a far more outrageous promise from this man, so perhaps it is not much of a trial to believe in this one. But it is still somewhat difficult, and she cannot so easily just nod and agree. Her fangs dig in to the plush skin of her bottom lip again, swallowing her protest... and occupying herself more presently with finishing smoothing out his clothing.
There. Fixed.]
You needn't be so sappy...
[It is embarrassing. She does not know how to respond to it. And if she stays here longer then it will become even more obvious, (and the soldiers might notice that she was gone quite long into the woods with a man), so... She gently pushes, as if to urge him off his rock. Even if she looks slightly conflicted and reluctant to do so.]
[His smile is lopsided, and he acquiesces to the nudge, touching her arm briefly as he steps down from the rock. Suddenly, they've gone from seeing eye-to-eye, to Hayame towering over him once again, as his boots touch the dirt. She does raise a good point, and Naira is a creature of routine as much as any animal, so surely his steed will be wondering where he has gone.
He still simply feels... elated. How can he not be sappy, or want to drag the moment out for all it's worth, given everything?]
All right, you win. [He concedes, despite that.] I'll go.
[He turns, moving to the trees to head back the way he came, and pauses just a moment longer. That bird is still singing, somewhere in the distance.]
...Thanks. For coming to find me.
[Or waiting for him, or just happening to strategically run into him, or however she wanted to frame events. None of this would have happened, if not for her. But she told him not to be sappy, so with that said, he gives her one last smile, before disappearing into the trees.]
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no subject
It somehow is not easy to let go of. Perhaps she had simply clung to it in order to keep her sanity in Horos, in Kenos, where things were so overwhelming and wrong...
He was right to think a protest might be coming. It is stalled by his kiss, and she finds herself lingering on his lips just because she doesn't know what words to use. Should she chastise him for reminding her how long he had lied about something as simple as his name? Should she try to claim that he was a man, and of course a man need not ever worry for damage to his reputation like a woman must? She nuzzles against his forehead for a moment, her eye drifting closed, and what finally comes out is an equally quiet, half-reluctant admission that,]
... It is not easy for me.
[She has fiercely protected her reputation and her status as a warrior ever since she'd understood how the world worked. To change it now...
... So. She is grateful. That he seems willing to be a secret until she says otherwise.]
no subject
I know. But it'll get easier, I promise.
[He once never would have dreamed of being this close with anyone, and yet here he is. A little at a time he's lowered his guard, bared his soul, until there's none of his secrets left between them. If he can do it, anyone can, even someone who has experienced as many of life's cruelties as Hayame has.]
I'll be with you every step of the way. And eventually... you'll be able to look at life in a whole new way, without fear or shame. --No, [he pauses to reconsider, pulling back just enough to see her face once more,] you're already starting on that journey.
no subject
She has already decided that she will believe in a far more outrageous promise from this man, so perhaps it is not much of a trial to believe in this one. But it is still somewhat difficult, and she cannot so easily just nod and agree. Her fangs dig in to the plush skin of her bottom lip again, swallowing her protest... and occupying herself more presently with finishing smoothing out his clothing.
There. Fixed.]
You needn't be so sappy...
[It is embarrassing. She does not know how to respond to it. And if she stays here longer then it will become even more obvious, (and the soldiers might notice that she was gone quite long into the woods with a man), so... She gently pushes, as if to urge him off his rock. Even if she looks slightly conflicted and reluctant to do so.]
... Your wyvern is waiting. Remember?
no subject
He still simply feels... elated. How can he not be sappy, or want to drag the moment out for all it's worth, given everything?]
All right, you win. [He concedes, despite that.] I'll go.
[He turns, moving to the trees to head back the way he came, and pauses just a moment longer. That bird is still singing, somewhere in the distance.]
...Thanks. For coming to find me.
[Or waiting for him, or just happening to strategically run into him, or however she wanted to frame events. None of this would have happened, if not for her. But she told him not to be sappy, so with that said, he gives her one last smile, before disappearing into the trees.]