A Gift From the Heart

[Darastrix]

Nagi had tensed when she'd come over, his head turned away in case she did have some sort of negative reaction after all. When Locket actually touched his back, he relaxed a little and let his breath out softly. If she wasn't afraid to touch, that was good.

"They don't hurt," he told her, turning his head hesitantly in her direction. "They're all years old; they just look bad."

[Kender Bard]

She stroked over his back a little more, a sad sound escaping her.

Someone had hurt him very badly. Why? Nagi was one of the sweetest boys she'd ever met... Why would anyone do that?

Then she recalled he was from Morilanta and didn't really need to question it anymore. And she stopped being sad; it made her angry instead. She leaned down, not able to really hug him but covering his back in an attempt to do so anyway. She didn't ask any questions, even though they were there.

"I'm sorry someone hurt you so much," she murmured. Then she kissed his cheek and sat back up, putting her hands as Dusk had instructed her. She didn't want to rub as hard as she had on Schuldig and so did a lighter version of the first strokes; not so light as to tickle him though. "I asked Queen Dusk to show me a thing or two while she was here."

[Darastrix]

"I liked her," Nagi commented. "She was nice." He didn't say anything about the rubbing, but he did relax more fully as Locket stroked over his back. It felt good, and it was a reassurance in and of itself.

"It wasn't what you think," he added. "I wasn't abused by someone. It was just...street life."

[Kender Bard]

Locket was surprised he was willing to talk about it. Well, that was fine. She did too, as much as he was willing.

She shifted and kept rubbing in the ways she remembered. "I never had a hard life," she admitted. "My parents were well to do, and the temple life was comfortable. So I can't say I understand what you mean by 'street life' other than to say it sounds hard." She focused on his upper back a bit.

[Darastrix]

Nagi made a soft, pleasured sound at her actions, though he muffled it as best he could.

"Street life was...." He thought for a moment, trying to think how to describe it to someone who'd never experienced anything similar. "It's all about survival," he said finally. "You do what you have to if you want to keep living, and everyone around you is doing the same. Every day is a fight. That's how I developed my telekinesis; learning how to push people away from me or taking and deflecting their weapons."

[Kender Bard]

She smiled at the sound she managed to elicit from him but it faded listening to his story. For a while, she simply rubbed and massaged in silence, absorbing his words and trying to picture it as best as she could. The best she could imagine was what she always pictured when there was mention of Morilanta, which wasn't terribly inaccurate.

While one hand moved to focus on his upper back, she lightly stroked his hair and the back of his neck with the fingertips of her other hand. "I'm glad you never have to do that again," she replied lightly. "You're too good of a person."

[Darastrix]

'Being too good of a person is why people managed to get so many hits in,' Nagi thought wryly, but didn't say that aloud. Though he didn't really pity himself for his past (he'd had a better life than the others in many ways), he imagined Locket probably wouldn't be able to see things his way.

"My past doesn't really bother me," he said. "It was hard, but it's not really that painful to think about. I could do it again if I had to, but I'm glad I don't."

He shivered and squeaked suddenly, moving his head to cover the back of his neck. "That tickles," Nagi giggled, glad for the distraction. He didn't want Locket to start feeling sorry for him. He was fine now.

[Kender Bard]

"Sorry," she murmured and smiled at him. She decided not to get too experimental and focused on doing what she was pretty sure he would enjoy. As she continued her massage, she grew quiet and focused on sensing what Nagi did and didn't like, checking for all the little nuances that would determine what she did next. For a little while, there was just a companionable sort of silence from her, broken only by queries on if something felt nice or not.

But without much of a warning some of Locket's tension returned and it was evidenced by her movements growing slower.

How do I do this? she wondered. "Nagi," she murmured, quietly, leaning down closer to his head. "Do you..." Her nerve faltered. "I..."

Oh, Locket, just SAY it woman!

She closed her eyes and whispered, "I love you."

[Darastrix]

Nagi had been soothed into a near-drowse by Locket's massaging, and though he noted her motions slowing, he thought she was just bringing the massage to an end. Which was a shame, he thought. Aside from just feeling good, he was really enjoying being with her like that. He hoped they could do it again soon; maybe he could learn enough to reciprocate.

At her whispered words, his eyes popped open and he turned to look up at her. "Y-you do?" he asked softly "Really?"

[Kender Bard]

Locket nodded, looking at him quite seriously. She wasn't frowning or smiling; she was being carefully neutral but nothing could hide the hopeful, yearning look in her eyes.

"Yes," she said, almost shivering with her anxiety. "I love you very much, Nagi. I was going to tell you on Efilive but I couldn't wait any longer."

[Darastrix]

'What do I do now?' Nagi thought, a bit frantically. He'd never thought Locket might feel that way, they just got along so well. Then again, he really didn't have much of a basis for comparison. The closest couple he'd seen was Schuldig and Efil, and Schuldig was actually a little reluctant to act like he'd fallen as hard as he had. ...well, that sounded familiar, actually.

"Locket, I...." Forces, he wished he'd read a few romance novels among the other books. Nagi remembered the last memorable moment they'd had so close together, though. Right after he'd been officially made the heir. She'd asked him a question, then, and he hadn't known the answer. Nagi smiled slowly, shyly, as he realised he had an answer to it. "I think now...now, I can be happy."

[Kender Bard]

Her eyes widened a fraction and she smiled, slowly but widely. "Oh, Nagi," she sighed. The painful, nervous constriction around her heart eased and she felt light as a feather, as though she could float right then and there.

She leaned down closer until her forehead touched his. "Nothing could make me happier," she murmured. "Except, perhaps-"

Then she closed her eyes and kissed him.

[Darastrix]

Nagi's own eyes went wide then, startled to find himself on the receiving end of a kiss-kiss. What was he supposed to do with his hands? Or even his mouth? He distinctly recalled there being some sort of moving around there when Schuldig kissed women. Then he closed his eyes and firmly told himself not to worry about it. Locket knew he didn't have any experience in those matters, so he doubted she expected him to be a great kisser right away.

He twisted himself around on the bed so he wasn't having to look over his shoulder to kiss her and gently pushed up so he was sitting up partway, bracing himself up with one arm and putting the other around Locket.

[Kender Bard]

While Locket may be woefully inexperienced in some matters (things that were, at this very moment, not a concern anyway) she did know how to kiss at least.

She leaned back very slightly as Nagi moved about then slipped both of her arms around him and held him tight and close as she pressed into the kiss; she didn't crush his mouth but she did hold him like she was afraid he'd disappear. Her kiss, by comparison, was gentle and coaxing, long and drawn out. When she felt her breath fading she took his lower lip lightly between her own and 'nibbled' lightly before pulling back and almost gasping for breath, a silly grin on her face.

"I'm happier," she declared.

[Darastrix]

"Me too," Nagi replied dazedly, his own expression mirroring Locket's. He pushed himself up completely so he could put both arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder, nuzzling her neck affectionately.