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[bardische]

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[bardische]

"More than I would have cared to admit," he assures her. He's flushing too, in part in being so transparent and in part because those fantasies hardly stopped at kissing, but his desire to show her the wantedness she has not experienced is larger than his pride.

He squeezes her hand as he tips his lips to hers again, guiding her hand up to his shoulder. His own hold shifts more solidly around her, gingerly letting their bodies press closer to flush.

[dalmast]

Unsure of what to do next Ashe keeps her hand on his shoulder, staying still right up until he guides her body closer to his and she's unable to stop herself from letting her arm wrap around his neck and pull him closer as their lips meet for a second time.

The hand still on his cheek brushes through his coarse beard hair as her heart skips a beat, relishing in the knowledge that after so much time spent secretly thinking about what it would feel like to touch him, Ashe finally can now.

"I'm happy then," she breathes against his mouth. "That you admit it now."

[bardische]

What grasp he has on his composure is slipping. If it weren't for being able to feel every tiny detail of this -- the weight of her arm, the gentle roughness of her hand, the heat of her body -- he'd be sure he was hallucinating.

"As am I. I hadn't considered this outcome," he admits. He tips his forehead against hers, wanting to stay close but paralyzed by the thought of going any farther. This is already so far beyond his wildest expectations.

[dalmast]

Her eyes flutter closed as he rests his forehead against hers, she cradles his cheek in her hand and hugs him closer, wanting to feel him nearer but not sure how to go about that beyond just hanging on and enjoying the moment for what it is.

"It's still difficult to imagine, isn't it? I fear I don't know how it will work, but, I'm very happy to learn."

[bardische]

As she presses closer, he holds her more firmly. A contented sigh escapes him as he breathes in her scent, heart racing and mind blank.

"We have both carried impossible burdens," he murmurs, his heart full to bursting with every additional affirmation that she wants this. "I do not know how this will work either, but, I believe it something we can successfully navigate in partnership."

Partnership. It's bold and almost crass, elevating himself as her companion and even equal, but she has asked, and he will honor that.

"Shall we take lunch together? And perhaps you'd like to join me when I visit the armorer this afternoon?"

He steps back a little, arms still around her, feeling for all the world like an awkward youth. He just wants to be with her, whatever they are doing.