Master Bedroom and Bath

Mael stepped into the bedroom, having been around most of the city and Nature's Claim. His shirt had a melted piece of metal stuck to it that had hardened, and that made him frown. He tossed his shirt aside, stretching in front of the bed and facing away from the door, quite at peace, and blocking most of his telepathy so that he could be away from the roar of the populace.

Carrying with her the scents of cinnamon and warm, freshly baked treats, Amber slid quietly into the master suite, her bare feet padding tenderly across the hardwood floor. Hair unbound by ribbons, it cascaded down her back in wavy lengths of coffee brown lightened by the presence of cream. A gossamer nightdress of that self-same latter hue, melting enticingly against her toffee colored skin, clothed her from shoulder to mid-thigh and whispered against her legs as she wandered. In her hands, slender fingers curled securely around the heated ceramic, she held a mug of warm apple cider.

Mael had been, for the better part of the past few weeks since they had returned from his latest trip, missing; she’d assumed that he’d gone out into the city, and so no qualm had been made, but if the overpowering scent of worry-induced sweets was any indication, she’d been lonely, at the least. To this end, she had not been expecting him home. Much less half naked as she’d entered her room, and so, as she caught sight of him—olive toned skin stretched taught over sinewy muscles, twilight’s last gleam trapped in his golden hair—she nearly dropped her drink. Inhaling sharply, she fumbled to catch it, managing to do so before anything broke, though not before a little of it spilled. Like a rose, hot embarrassment bloomed across her cheeks as she set the mug aside onto the nearest available surface and cast a guilty look towards her lover to see if he’d noticed.

Being so finely tuned into Amber's every ounce of being, Mael was quite surprised that he didn't see her coming until he heard the light tink of a ceramic cup, followed by a startled catch that caused his aquamarine eyes to glance over his shoulder, a perfectly cocked brow that seemed almost etched into his face as he made a small sound. "Oops." he murmured, an invisible force catching the spilt drink mid-way to the floor as it slowly poured into the cup.

Mael looked equally as guilty; not unlike a child whose hand had been caught in the cookie jar. In that second glance, however, he caught exactly what she was, and wasn't wearing, with a light chuckle echoing against the walls of the very nearly silent room. "Hey Angel." he said with a warm smile. "Did I uh..interrupt your intimate time with your sweets?" he asked with a tinge of tease in his tone, stepping closer to her and leaning down to place a light kiss on her forehead. "I missed you." he said simply, his smile truly reaching his eyes.

A shy, happy smile touched on her lips as she saw the expression on his face mirroring her own. So rare was it for her to see Mael in any sort of a startled way, much less when it was he who usually startled her. Her smile disappeared, however, in a startled flood of shame as he teased her, the roseate flush on her cheeks spreading rapidly to the rest of her form. As he stepped close to her, she fumbled for her words, twisting her hands nervously in her hair.

“I-Intimate? I-I was just baking, Mael, ” she squeaked in protest, looking down at her feet in a bashful recognition of her lack of proper attire. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I was heading to bed just now. I thought I’d relax with a cup of cider, and maybe a book…”

Following his kiss to her forehead, a new warmth spread through her, less searing and more comforting, as if she had stepped to the side of the fire as opposed to standing in the midst of it. A sigh shivered out as she looked up at him, tilting her head back to gaze up at his impressive height. Her smile returned gradually, well reflected in her eyes as she wrapped her arms about his waist and shuttered them against the world with long chocolate lashes.

“I missed you too, Mael…Very much. I’ve been lonely without you.”

Mael laughed a little, wrapping his arms around her and leaning down to kiss her on the top of her head. "What I meant to say was you must have been having intimacies with your baking sweets. I can taste the sugar on you." he said with another quiet laugh. His hands ran through her hair gently, resting lightly on her back in hopes that she would calm enough to not be so skittish. He had never known her to be so much so, but perhaps it was a byproduct of her being in an unknown world, and alone so often.

This brought an inaudible sigh to him. He would have to assuage this problem if it was truly the cause. "I'm sorry I'm gone so often. Suppose I'm quite unused to being with someone who's at home, or being with someone at all." he apologized, holding her soft curves against his chest more closely.

Resting her head against his chest, she made a muffled protest against his teasing, nuzzling into his form. It felt nicer than she would ever admit, being held against him. He was incredibly strong, his embrace secure and comforting like no other. Power emanated from his every being, pressing against her gentle nature in a way some might think would crush it. In reality, it did no more than meld perfectly with hers, cradling it close as he himself did for her. She didn’t mind staying home rather than venturing out, but it was nice to see him come around more often.

“It’s all right Mael,” she murmured warmly, “I understand. If you’d like, I could go out with you more often. I just don’t want to be a burden by getting in your way.”

Wiggling gently against his embrace, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips gently on his tattoo, resting her forehead against his collarbone. She slipped her arms around his neck, still barely touching the floor, her toes brushing against the slick hardwood. It really did feel nice to be around him, even if it was just to feel him. Something about feeling warmth, being surrounded by his strength, and that little spark of pleasure that settled in her stomach each time she saw him--it all reaffirmed the fact that she was alive, and that he was hers. The feeling was inexplicable.

“Would you like me to get you a drink, or something to eat? I’ve prepared more than enough for two,” she offered with a slight hint of embarrassment. “Granted, most of it is decadent rather than substantial, but still…”

A silent chuckle made his chest rumble as she nuzzled into him. Her soft form melted perfectly into him, making the old warrior more docile than he'd be caught anywhere else. Those fiery eyes that had seen many a battle hazed over in her presence, reminding him why he'd missed her so. No matter what anyone else had made him feel, she was the only one to make him feel at peace rather than simply safe.

"It's quite alright; although you're free to go wherever you wish, dear." he said lowly. "Things are not the safest they have ever been, but I am always able to be reached." Mael continued with a smile down at her.

Strong arms loosened as she wiggled out of them, his tall figure tingling at the feel of her lips across the mark of his tattoo. His hands slowly pressed her against him lightly as he leaned over to meet her lips with his own; softly so. "You are more than welcome to feed me." he said with a smile, looking down into her warm, welcoming eyes. "Actually, I think I'd rather enjoy it. It's been awhile since I had a nice meal." Mael realized as he said it; his stomach rumbling at the thought of food.

Smiling brightly, delightedly, at his acceptance of her offer, Amber took Mael’s hand in her own and kissed his cheek. It was more than just an agreement to dinner—it was a chance to spend time with him, and to feel as if she could take care of him rather than he taking care of her all the time. Such chances were rare, and she adored them when they arrived. With his hand in hers, though she knew she had no need, she led him happily out of the bedroom, her cup abandoned on the dresser. A soft laugh bubbled out as she heard his stomach growl, and she looked over her shoulder with a gentle smile as she took him to the kitchen.

❀ Exit to The Kitchen ❀