Back From the Ashes

[Valgærd]

The door to my room.

I blushed a little as we reached it. It felt so... inadequate. I had never had a problem with it personally, in fact quite the opposite. I had spent years making do with the cold, metal floor of a cargo hold or huddled in the maintenance tunnels of spaceports. Having an entire room to myself, with a kitchenette and bathroom all my own... I could scarcely believe it, a whole room all that space, all to myself!

But now, with Ignis at my side, it suddenly felt somewhat inadequate. I didn't have a separate living room, I watched holovids from my bed. I didn't have a separate kitchen, and the amenities I had were not often used in favour of takeout. I didn't have a big luxurious spa bath with water jets and fancy soaps, I had what amounted to a humble ensuite. So it was with a quiet sigh that I paused, glancing sheepishly at him before letting go of his hand, unlocking the door, and stepping inside.

"It's not much... but uh, make yourself at home."

I bit my lip, cringing at the unmade bed. There wasn't anything on the floor, but because the space was so small, the unkempt blankets made the place look untidy. However, I resisted the urge to go and tidy it up, settling instead for standing by the door to close it once he stepped inside. After moving towards the kitchenette, I gestured towards the small bathroom,

"Shower is in there. Use all the hot water you like." I began, turning to start opening cupboards and scanning them for what supplies I had, "as for food... I have uh..." I paused to read the labels on a few tins, "soup... or... soup."

I glanced up sheepishly, my cheeks burning,

"I'm sorry I don't have more than that."

Placing a few of the cans on the bench, my hands moved to stroke my montrals, why was I so ill-prepared? I mean, Ignis probably wouldn't care, but still... I felt like he deserved better than this.

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

Led to her apartment, or should I say, rooming within the Je'daii Temple of Aurum, I could clearly see that she had a much smaller room accommodation than what I had. Being that I was given the Steward Suite, I had a larger room with more space should I need it. While I wouldn't have cared for that much space, Now that I saw the other accommodations given to others, I kind of felt bad. Being here previous times, I hadn't really stayed to gathered a look or to stay for a bit. Now that I have, I felt bad for the other students. Walking in at the ushering of Sahna, I nodded my thanks as she kept the door open. Closing it behind me as we entered. While the place was small, I did like it. I felt the embarrassment from Sahna through the force, and smiled.

"Don't worry about the room hun. I have stayed at worse before."

Considering that most ship rooms and sleeping quarters were smaller than this, and the Sith didn't give their own acolytes hardly any room at all, I found this to be fine. Sahna pointed me to the side to tell me the shower was in that direction. I nodded my head and started to walk off when she stopped me with her words. Saying that all she had for food was soup, and more soup. I chuckled a bit as the removal of my vest was set upon a table next to the door.

"That's fine. We could eat somewhere else later if needed."

Sitting down upon an open chair that she had, I began to unlace my boots. Taking them off to reveal socks that were pungent in smell. Considering I had not showered or changed clothes in weeks, I didn't expect anything less. Taking my socks off, I shoved them into the boots. Followed promptly with the rubbing of my feet. They were slightly sore, but not too bad. Looking up to Sahan as she began to make and heat up the soup, I did notice that she was once more stroking her montrails. Standing up, I took quiet steps towards her and placed my hands on her shoulders. Letting my hands run down the length of her arms from behind her.

"Hey, is okay Sahna. I'd rather be here anyways."

[member="Sahna Te"],

 

[Valgærd]

I felt Ignis's smile before I saw it.

It had become a little like that, I caught myself subconsciously reaching out to him through the force. It was even stronger now that he had returned after three weeks away. As I considered that, I felt a pang of guilt. He'd been alive that entire time, across the galaxy... but alive. Why hadn't I felt him? I had thought I was reaching out as far as I could, was I not strong enough? Or had I actually given up on him without even realising it?

I shook my head of the thoughts as he sat down and removed his boots and socks. It was strangely relaxing to see him do so, actually. It was just so normal, him, coming back from a long, hard time away and just being home, while I prepared dinner for us. It was a humble little set up, but the thought was nice. He mentioned that he'd stayed in worse places than mine. I nodded. I had as well. Still... it would have been nice to have something a little more impressive than this to offer him.

He removed his vest and left it over a chair. I glanced up through my eyelashes at him, before quickly returning to what I was doing.

Unfortunately, I'd already begun preparing the food when he suggested that we could eat elsewhere. That would have been a good idea, why didn't I think of that? I cringed, glancing at my relatively sparse supplies. It would be enough to fill two empty bellies, but it was hardly high-class cuisine. I let out a sigh of frustration, feeling all my worries creeping up on me, overtaking me.

But after a moment they suddenly melted away. I felt Ignis's warm hands running down my shoulders and down my arms. With that touch I just felt all my qualms flee, leaving nothing but tranquillity and acceptance in their place. In that soft gesture I realised that it didn't matter that I didn't have a great deal. The only thing that mattered was that we were both here, now, safe... and home.

I leaned my head back against Ignis, resting my head against his chest and letting out a contented sigh.

"You're right. You're always right." I replied softly with a smile.

Were it not for the smell of what must have been a week's worth of not changing his boots, I could have stayed there forever. As it was, I pulled myself up and pointed at the bathroom, wrinkling my nose,

"Go, make use of that. I'll have some food ready when you're done."

I turned around from the bench with the intention of moving towards the stove, my arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him close into a hug for a moment. I tilted my head up and looking into his face. This close, in my tiny, cramped quarters, I really did notice that it smelled like he hadn't showered or even changed his clothes in the entire three weeks he'd been away. I didn't care, I had him back.


[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

I chuckled a bit as she pushed me away from her with a rank look upon her face. She really did not like the smell that I have. Yet, after directly telling me to go and take a shower, She then hugged me. Likely a hug that would be just because I was leaving her once more. While I was just in the other room, I was still going to be away from her. She didn't want that. My first thought was naughty, but I kept it to myself. Letting my mind return to normal and out of the gutter. Kissing her forehead before letting go, I turned around and talked while I was going to take off my shirt.

"Don't worry I will be sure to wash myself."

Exposing my back to her, as well as the scars and various tattoos I had upon me. My pale skin was actually kind of grey at the moment due to not being washed. However, there were still the very clear scars and markings of my past. Walking past the chair with my vest on it, I sat my shirt upon it, and headed into the bathroom. Closing the door behind me. Leaning over towards the mirror, I could see the soot upon my face and chest. No wonder why I smelled bad. Undressing myself down, I folded my pants and under garments into one pile on the seat of the toilet while I moved into the shower. Full blasting the heated water. Not even using the cold water as most times, I barely felt heat.

Letting the water run over my chest, Down my body. It felt good to just stand there. Just letting the water wash away everything within the past few months. Taking my hands I began to rub my chest and sides. Getting all the soot off. The water changing from it's clear to almost dark grey color. Continuing, I ran my head under the water. Using my fingers to massage my scalp and get as much of it out as I could. Reaching over to the bar of soap, I started to lather myself up. Making sure to clean myself well. Getting everything done and lathered up, I rinsed myself off. The soap falling to the floor of the shower and was then whisked away by the water. Now clean looking and not quite as grey.

Turning off the shower, I reached up to the towel. Pulling it from where it was folded and dried myself off. I stared to unfold my clothes when I realized that my undergarments were rather dirty compared to my pants. I guess I was going to have to go commando. Keeping them off, I put my pants back on and looped my belt around my hips. Tightening it enough to keep my pants on, and then stuffing my undergarments into my pocket. Still rubbing my wet hair with the damp towel, I walked out into the main room. Turning off the light to the bathroom and spoke out loud.

"Alright, I am all cleaned up. Hugs are going to be more forgiving."

A joke of her hugging me and the rank look she had given me, was now going to be gone.

[member="Sahna Te"],

 

[Valgærd]

I closed my eyes as Ignis kissed my forehead, leaning into him.

Although the stove was facing away from where he was, I kept him in my peripheral vision as he spoke, removing his shirt. When my eyes found his shirtless form, I went completely still. His skin was pale, his athletic form almost grey from the soot and grime. Scars and tattoos covered his back, some of which looked positively horrific. My heart broke as I saw them. I had known nothing but kindness from Ignis, and perhaps a little playful cheek... but never anything that would make me think he deserved such scars. He told me not to worry and nonchalantly walked towards the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

After a few moments I heard the water running, and had to reign in my wandering thoughts. Focus on what you're doing, Sahna. I told myself, don't burn anything.

Before long the soup was bubbling on the stove. I had a few potatoes and carrots I'd skinned and chopped to add and beef it up a little. With nothing else to do but make sure it didn't burn, I turned my attention again to the bathroom. He would probably want clean clothes once he came out. I walked over to the small dresser and pulled open one of the drawers. Thankfully, the je'daii robes were unisex, and even though he was taller than me, they were rather loose, so they should have had no problem fitting him.

Pulling out a set of robes, I laid them on the table outside the bathroom and returned to the stove.

After a short while, the sound of the water stopped, and after a little while longer, Ignis emerged, still towelling down his hair. I had to pause serving the soup into two bowels when he stepped out. There was nothing particularly spectacular about him right now, in fact he was perfectly casual, making a cute remark about how pleasant hugs would be now. Perhaps it was this carefree, casual, human side of him that had stopped me in my tracks. For a moment I just stood there, watching him, probably with a really stupidly goofy grin on my face.

"I know you're not exactly one for uniforms," I quipped as I dragged myself back to reality, "but there are some robes on the table there if you feel like giving it a go."

I finished pouring the soup into two bowls, each sitting on a plate garnished with some buttered toast. It was almost the same thing we'd had in the forge when he'd helped me make the pendant that was still around my neck. I wonder if he remembered... I allowed the memory to drift to the front of my thoughts, reaching out ever so gently through the force as I sat the food on the table.

Before taking a seat, I walked up to him. I pointedly drew in a deep breath through my nose as I got nearer, grinning before wrapping my arms around his waist and sinking my head into his chest.

"Much better." I chuckled.

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

Coming out of the shower room, Sahna turned around as I was still brushing through my hair. Disheveled but damp, I threw the towel over my shoulder as she stared at me it seemed. Likely because she hadn't seen me shirtless before. Sure, I was kind of shirtless when we were going after the holocrons, but I had on a vest at that time to cover up my chest. Now that I was completely exposed, I should have felt awkward, but I did not. I just smiled at her as she stood there for a moment. That is when everything clicked together and she pointed to the robes. They were the normal brown robes that were handed out to everyone. I nodded and spoke my thanks.

"Robes are not my thing. Closest thing I have is my armor."

She however had turned around and was setting the food up. I walked a little closer and held the towel in my hand now. Folding it in half and just holding it as she got everything ready. As she turned around, I was lifting my hand to ask her where I should put this, when she hugged me. Her words of the hug being much better got a chuckle from me. Her head resting against my chest. Wrapping my arms around her, I just held onto her for a second.

"Yes, I can clean up when I want to."

The smirk brightly upon my face as I leaned back a bit so I could look at her while holding the towel up just a bit.

"So the towel, where should I put it? Don't want to make a mess of your place."

[member="Sahna Te"],

 

[Valgærd]

Ignis confirmed that he wasn't much of a man for robes.

I shrugged and grinned, trying in vain to picture him in the neutral brown, traditional garb of the Je'daii. It just didn't seem to click in my head, I'd never seen him in anything other than his vests and black pants and coats. It certainly wasn't a bad thing, he wore them well, and it was nice to see a little variety among the people I chose to spend time with. He was unique, I liked that. One of the many things about him I liked.

He smirked, confirming that he could clean up nice when he wanted to. I returned his smirk with one of my own,

"It's a shame you don't do it more often. There's actually a good-looking guy under all that." I winked.

He asked me where to put the towel. I shrugged and glanced around. There wasn't really anywhere to put it, the lack of space really seemed to close in on me for a moment. I had a small woven basket at the foot of my bed, tallish and thin. Considering I didn't really want him seeing my dirty clothes, I reached out my empty hand,

"Give it to me, I can take care of it."

I guess I was in a really sappy mood, or just a little giddy from the excitement of having him back, but something struck me about those words. Even though right now we were just talking about a used bath towel... all of today had been about something else. I wasn't sure what, but it was something he'd been carrying a long time, carrying alone. Maybe he'd never had someone offer to carry it with him, maybe he had, but hey hadn't been able, or they had simply dropped it and abandoned him.

Either way, here I was now, standing in front of him, hand outstretched in offering.

As the thought crossed my mind I smiled at it, and then immediately blushed. I was offering to take his towel for goodness sake, why had I let my mind wander so? I blinked away the thought and bit my lip. The towel would then be taken and dropped into the basket at the foot of my bed, and sheets straightened out as much as I could get away with as I walked past. Upon returning to Ignis and the table, I pulled out one of the chairs and lowered myself into it. The smell of fresh soup and hot toast with melted butter drifted into the air.

When he sat down too I picked up my spoon, but waited for ignis to taste it first before I'd allow myself any. I watched him for a few moments,

"do you want to talk about where you were?"

I didn't want to push the issue. He'd come back looking like he'd been dragged ass-first through a rancor's lair, I doubted he'd simply been sunning himself on a beach somewhere. Besides, there was much about myself that I hadn't yet told him, I wasn't about to demand something from him that I wasn't ready to give myself.

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

Sahna seemed a little taken back with the idea of me asking where to put the towel. I just furrowed by brow a little as she finally took it and dealt with it. Having already seen the food, My stomach started to audibly rumble at the sight of any form of a warm meal. Be it simply warmed up, or hand made, my body, and my mind did not care. Any form of food was more than welcome. Moving over towards the chair, I waited before Sahna sat. This was her place. After she did, I sat down with her. Picking up the spoon, I almost eagerly dipped it into the soup and ate it. Using my off hand to hold the toast and took a bite as soon as I had swallowed the first bit of soup.

Oh it felt good to have food. To be able to eat. Even then, I was able to be near Sahna as I did so. While I normally shied away from eating with or around others, I didn't feel awkward or weird around her. If you ever have the feeling of eyes on you, seeing if you eat like a slob or if you actually can hold a spoon right without making slurping sounds, however, I didn't worry about that with her. Slowing myself down after the first few bites, Sahna spoke up. Asking me where I had been. Sighing, I sat the spoon down. Lacing my fingers together to be rested upon with my lips and chin. Elbows on the table, I removed my hands from my face and licked my lips. Not sure how to answer. Instead of trying to think over it, I just spouted it out.

"I was born into a family of Sith. You know this. My father Nick was not quite fatherly towards myself and my siblings. In fact, he was the hardest on me. He drilled into us how to use the force at a young age. He was the father that dropped me into the deep end of the pool and told me to swim. However, he would also be pushing our heads into the water. He was that kind of man. Hard on everyone. On Kro Var, Many of the Shaper Clans call him the Dark Prince of Kro Var. Us children were thrown into the lot with him and called Demon-spawn, or Demon-son."

I had not looked at her the entire time I spoke. Simply looking at the broth of the soup and the half eaten toast that was laying on the plate. My hands didn't move, didn't react to anything.

"He was called the Dark Prince because he created monstrosities within the force. He killed people for fun. Caused pain to others just because he could. Before he became head of the family, my uncle Morna, had traveled the Galaxy garnering a name for our family. Nick came soon after, and suffocated it with his greed, and his desire for power. Even as a child, I promised my mother that I would right the sins of my father. Learn from them so that our name could be cleansed. Even if that meant killing the man who raised me."

Looking at Sahna now, I spoke quite even about this. In the past, I would have been shaking and would have been so angry at the world. I would have been punching holes in the wall, and using anything I had at my disposal to destroy whatever I could around me. My anger and control of said anger was negligible back then. Now? I had control. Not complete, and no where near perfect, but I had much more control. I still felt anger and hatred towards the man, but not enough to be blinding with rage.

"I was doing my daily meditation when I felt him. I felt his presence. Nicks. He challenged me. So I went after him. Fully expecting one of us to not leave the encounter alive. I traveled to my old home on Arkania, and found him. I fought him, and when I thought I defeated him, I found that Nick was not actually Nick. It was the Spirit of Morna. My uncle. It was then he showed much to me. Giving me access to the holocron that he, my mother, and Nick had all created. Morna also passed down the title of head of the Family to me. As the oldest son, I have the right to rule our family and by extension, the Fire Clan. However, there was one thing I did not expect."

I looked away for a moment. Just thinking and mulling it over. I had not really understood that now as the head of the family, I was considered a Leader of men. Specifically the Shapers for the Fire Clan. Would they accept my rule? Would they accept me as a Shaper? Even with the sins of my father? I shook my head. Coming back to my words.

"Nick is not my biological father. He is the person who raised me. I consider him my father because of that, but the truth is, Morna, my uncle, is my Birth father. My mother Lexa was loosely married to Morna before he died in the war. When he died, and when Nick moved to help Lexa, the two got married. I was born from my mother on Kro Var, and soon after left to Arkania to live in peace and alone. I then got a younger sister and brother who are Nick's children. I am not his true son. I am Morna's Son. And that is why I was given the title as head of the family. I am the Heir to the entirety of Morna's possessions, his leadership role, as well as the Imura Family."

I could feel a pit in my stomach form. One that seemed to tear into me. It wanted to cause as much pain as it could before leaving. I could even feel now the tears wanting to well up within my eyes, but none came forth. Fighting the urge to cry again for the passing of my real father, for how I had been kept in the dark for my safety, and now finally knowing that I am the son of a man who is proud of who I have become.

"The three weeks I was gone, was me talking to Morna in his spirit form. Part of his spirit is inside of me, and the other half is in the Holocron he gave me. Its just a lot of information to take in all at once. Hence why it took some time."

[member="Sahna Te"],

 

[Valgærd]

I felt a little guilty as soon as I’d asked Ignis where he’d been. The guilt came from two fronts; firstly, it was a question that I could feel had an answer relating to his past, and even if he chose to answer it, I don’t know if I could have done the same. Also, he did choose to answer it, by relinquishing his grip on the food I’d served. He had been devouring it so hungrily, as if he’d not seen food in the entire time he was gone. Now I was asking him to hold off even longer just to talk to me.

He began to speak of his family, mentioning that he was born Sith. I tried my hardest to suppress the shudder that wracked my shoulders. I had done my very best to bury that thought. Sith were evil, they were the ones that had burned my village back on Shilli, the ones that had killed Aranias, tried to kill us. I had never truly married the man in front of me to what I understood Sith to be.

He continued to explain the plight of his family, how his father was apparently the exact visage of a Sith that I had imagined. Rage boiled inside me. Had this ‘Nick’ been the one that had ordered the destruction of my village? Had he killed my mother for fun? Of course, that was exceedingly unlikely, that would be like Ignis seeing me and assuming I was or knew another Togruta from his past.

I felt something from him as he went on. There was anger there, boiling rage. It was buried deep beneath the surface, shackled, but it was there. Ignis paused for a moment, mulling something over. Without entirely knowing why, my hands reached out to touch his.

After a short while, he shook his head of whatever he was thinking, and continued to speak. So, this Nick was not his father after all, but his uncle. I found myself somewhat relieved by that. I didn’t have to try and reconcile the man I knew with the sadistic evil of his father, because that’s not who he was. Morna had been his father.

Suddenly I felt a sharp pang in my gut. I knew instantly what it was, having dealt with it twice as a youngling: loss. I stroked his hand gently, my fingers brushing over his skin. It was his loss I was feeling, he was mourning his father. No wonder he’d been gone so long.

I thought back to our encounter by the lake, to the tree I’d thrown at him for leaving me alone. How could I have been so selfish?! My cheeks burned with guilt and shame. I had been so absorbed in my own grief, I hadn’t even considered what he had gone through in that time. I should have been comforting him, not hurting him!

Suddenly I wasn’t hungry anymore. Pushing the bowl away from me with my other hand, I kept my head down, unable to meet his gaze.

“Ignis… I’m… so sorry.” I murmured.


[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

Sahna sat there as I spoke. Not really saying anything. However, as I looked at her, looking for any reaction, all she could do was look away. She turned away from me out of guilt or because she felt bad for me. Her hands were still on mine as she had placed them there when I was talking. Taking that moment, I sighed. Shaking my head slowly. Standing up from the table, I still held onto her hand as I walked over and knelt down next to her. Lifting her chin, with two fingers, I wanted her to look at me. I knew I looked sad, but she even more so. It must of hit her how, and why I took so long, only for her to literally throw a tree at me. I tried to put on a smile for her.

"Sahna, what you did was an accident. You didn't have the same knowledge that I had. I forgive you."

I moved myself to be close to the same height as she was while sitting and wrapped my arms around her. She needed a hug. One that was simply saying that I was here, that I forgave her, and that everything would be alright. Secondly, and I would never speak this out loud, but I needed a hug from her as well. Rekindling the thoughts of the past three weeks hurt me. It was festering in me, and I had to let it out. I had to let it go. I guess finally being able to say this, to tell someone, was my way of accepting it. Letting the past be the past.

I slowly ran my hand down the length of her rear montrail. Stopping to let my hand rest on the back of her head and to just hold her. Accept her.

"It is not your fault for my past. You don't need to be sorry for anything."

[member="Sahna Te"],

 

[Valgærd]

Ignis sighed and shook his head.

I felt my heart sink. I had been so immature. He had deserved so much better than what I gave him. And yet… as I waited, he moved around the table and crouched beside my seat. I twisted around to face him, although I still kept my eyes low. However, I felt his fingers under my chin, tilting my head up to look at him. I did so, forcing myself to meet his eyes. They looked sad, but also determined. He had fire in his eyes, never had I seen him without it.

He spoke softly, saying my name. He… he forgave me.

Of course he did, we both knew it was a heat of the moment thing, an accident. But I hadn’t realised how much I needed to hear those words until he spoke them. He moved to hug me, wrapping his arms around me. I leaned into him, a lone, long, sob escaped my lips, muffled as I buried my head into his shoulder.

My arms slid around his waist locking my hands together behind his back as I returned the hug as tightly as I could.

“Thank you.” I whispered, my words still stifled by his chest and shoulder.

I could feel him trail his hand down my rear montral. It was soothing, comforting. I had finally begun to feel like everything would be alright. It occurred to me with a hint of irony that it was he that had gone through such a trial, and yet I was the one in need of comfort. Why was I so weak?

But as if he could hear the doubts creeping in, Ignis spoke again. It wasn’t my fault, I didn’t need to be sorry. I drew in a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh, tightening my arms around him for a few moments.

I didn’t want to pull away. I never wanted to pull away. I held onto him for a little longer before finally releasing him and leaning back and gazing into his eyes. A lock of hair had flopped over his forehead and I raised my fingers and pushed it back. I could scarcely believe that this incredible man was sitting here in my humble little room, because he wanted to be with me. He was so strong, and yet, there was this tenderness to him, a sensitivity that he had never let the cruelty of his uncle squash.

“Ignis I…” the words just started tumbling out, “I would follow you anywhere.”

Well that was dumb. I pursed my lips, trying to gather my thoughts for a moment before trying to better explain what I was trying to say,

“I want to stand by your side… if you ever need to go to your family, to do… anything, I want to offer whatever I can. I want to… to be there.”

Honestly, I had no idea what becoming the head of a family would entail. To me, a ‘family’ was a collection of orphans that would huddle together on cold nights, with no single leader. But I was sure of one thing, that was whatever I did have to offer, I wanted Ignis to have it.

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

The thankful tone of Sahna made me smile just a bit as I held onto her. She returned it. Just staying in my arms. She was there, just wanting to be here with me. She seemed to calm down for a moment. Squeezing me to confirm that I was still here and saying what I had spoken to her. Her body was held against mine, and I could feel the thrumming of her heart through our chests. It felt good. Weirdly, I felt calmed by the situation we were in. However, I felt saddened just a bit when Sahna broke the hug we were sharing.

Yet, as she did so, I kept my hands around her waist. She raised her hand. Pushing some strands of hair away from my face. Speaking my name, she stumbled a bit before letting the words just flow from her. Filled with emotions, I could feel her slowly falling into place with what she wanted to say, and how she felt. Stating she would follow me anywhere. I knew what she meant, yet, she didn't think it confirmed what she and I both thought. Continuing on, explaining that she wanted to stand by my side in anything that I do. Nodding my head, I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Her skin soft upon my lips as I pulled back.

"I know."

My hand slowly moved from her hip and up her arm. I looked into her eyes as i placed a hand gently upon her neck. My fingers barely over the top of her jawline. I had a fire that lit within my chest. I had this tingling feeling over the entirety of my body. One that wante- No. Desired her. I just wanted her. No matter what form she came in. Leaning in once more, I placed my lips upon hers. Unlike the first time in the jungle, I pushed for it this time. She wanted to be with me. To be by my side. I wanted to to the very same with her. All of this emotion welling up inside of me just wanted to unleash and show her how much I wanted to do the same.

My instinctual reaction, was to kiss her with everything I had.

[member="Sahna Te"],

 

[Valgærd]

The words had just tumbled out.

I had barely been able to even register them as they spilled forth. Yet, through it all, Ignis just gazed at me. There was no malice in his eyes, he wasn't judging my bumbling, nor was he put off by it. My words were met with two quiet words,

I know

There was an understanding in those two words, a pure acceptance. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. In that gesture I felt everything just melt away. In this moment, nothing could harm me. He was the rock I could cling to when the storm raged around us. He was my reality, me centre. I gazed up at him, feeling my heart racing heavily in my chest. I swallowed, trying to slow my quick, shallow breathing. I felt... warm. It was a warmth that began in my chest, swelling and growing into the pit of my stomach, and flowing out into my limbs. Time seemed to slow down, everything else seemed just just fall away. He was the only thing that mattered anymore. My arms were still resting around him, my hands beginning to tingle just a little. His hand on my neck, his fingers touching my jawline, it was like he was the only thing in the universe anymore.

Then he leaned down and kissed me.

I felt like my insides exploded. His lips pressed into mine, I couldn't help but react in kind, leaning forward to kiss him back as my heart raced like crazy. A force not entirely my own seemed to push me further into his embrace, only a single thought dominating my mind;

Him.

My movements were driven by the fire he had ignited in my chest, a burning, devouring desire. My arm moved up his back, to his neck, then to the back of his head. My fingers curled in his hair, pulling him closer to me. His entire body was around me, this rising passion seeming to envelope us both. Pulling him ever closer, I kissed him back desperately. I needed him, right now, and nothing else. My other hand tightened around him, as if to make sure he stayed here, all mine.

All at once I realised,

I was in love with Ignis Imura.

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

At first our lips locking felt just as it did in the jungle. The connection was formed, and I could feel the desire to do more. She was pushing deeper into it. Even using her hand upon the back of my neck and head to pull me closer to her. I had already pulled her towards me. The chair that she sat in scraped the floor just a bit from the sudden movement as I closed the distance between us. My hand that had been on her waist was now wrapped around to the small of her back.

I could feel the curves of her skin as my hand moved to her back. The burning within my chest only brightened as we continued to lock ourselves in this entanglement of limbs, and desire for one another. Her own hands were getting rougher in their actions, but was still soft and considerate of what we were doing. I pushed myself into her. Yet, that didn't seem to be enough. My hand that had been placed against her neck and jawline had swiftly moved under her thigh. Pushing her leg up to wrap around my waist. Reaching further down, I slid my hand in between her rear and the chair. Lifting her up as I stood.

My hands would be underneath her rear as my fingers locked together. Holding her up against me as I stood. I broke the kiss for just a moment to smile at her. Looking over to the other room just for a second, I had a feeling that she knew what was going to transpire. I coveted for her to join me. In what could loosely described as a slurred breathy tone, I spoke to her as I held her up into the air.

"I hope that any neighbors you have gone."

My smile brightened for a moment as I then pressed forward to kiss her. Moving both of us across the room. Forgetting completely about the soup and toast that had been prepared earlier, for the more primal instincts of our species to kick in. I was already part way undressed, as I had jus cleaned myself. Only now, I was going to become dirty again.

Laying Sahna upon her bed, I gently lay on top of her. My hand leaving her for barely a second to throw my hand behind me. The audible locking of a door was the final straw before I would show this trogruta, just how much I was falling for her.

Fade

[member="Sahna Te"],