Naveen

Rina:

“Can we-” I took one step closer to him, “just take it one step at a time? Can we just enjoy being with each other, like we used to, without thinking too far into the future?” I wanted what we had before but I knew feeling complicated it. We didn’t admit such things before and it was both better and harder at times.

I kept searching her face as she moved closer, and I waited for a time after she spoke to finally answer. "I never said I wanted you to make some promise, nor did I want to dive right into it. I wanted to start at the baseline, I wanted to reconnect and be friends again like we once were but also to just let things happen as they happen instead of holding back a part. The future will come eventually, but we can deal with it as it comes."

Rina:

My eyes flicked between his. “Okay. I can agree to that,” I said softly. I didn’t know what to do after. We weren’t as natural together as we once were. Something was missing… I looked down. “We should continue.” I nodded in the direction we were heading.

I followed after her again, uncertain if we'd made any progress but feeling small seeds of hope being created in the barren rift that lay between us. It took us a few minutes to make the hike to the river and after following something I heard in the distance we finally paused a large pool of water at the base of a waterfall. Peering at the water, at it's deepest point I'd need to swim, but directly under the falls was a shelf of rock one could stand on and be knee high in some places, or down the waist in others.

Finding a rock beside the pool I settled down a top it, turning my back slightly to the pool and falls to give her some privacy. "I'll be here, take as long as you need Rina."

Rina:

I undressed by the shore and stepped into the pool naked. The water was cool but not unbearably cold. I waded in until the water was up to my shoulders. I ducked under and scrubbed at my face. When I came up I leaned my head back and washed the mud from my hair. My clothes were muddy but I had neglected to bring them with me.

“Can you toss me my clothes?” I called to Talon. I was purposefully standing so that the water only barely covered my nipples.

It was surprisingly hard not to peek as I heard the clothes being shed, and when I heard her moving about in the water. But I prevailed in letting her have her privacy, or at least until she ended it herself by asking for her clothes. I got up from my rock and kept my gaze on the ground as I sought out her clothes but when I looked up so I could toss them in her direction I froze at the sigh. Her expression had a teasing cast to it, and the water line offered it's own tease while showing me an enticing amount of her breasts. I hesitated a few moments as I stared before throwing her clothes out to her and quickly averting my gaze. I had to take several breaths to calm the blood that threatened to race through me.

Rina:

“Thank you,” I said after I caught my clothes. I dunked them under the water and scrubbed at the dirt caked on them. “You know, you don’t have to turn away.” My pulse jumped even as I said it.

I had just returned to my rock and was about to face away again when I stopped and bit my lip for a moment. Slowly I turned around and after I was facing the water did I finally sit down. I kept my gaze downward, though I couldn't stop myself anymore from taking quick peeks up at her as she washed her clothes.

Rina:

I didn’t bother trying to stay fully covered. From time to time I would come out of the water to the waist. When I finished scrubbing the clothes I moved toward the shore. I wrung them out then hung them up on a tree branch. I tip-toed back into the water.

“Might as well enjoy the water while my clothes dry. You can join me if you like.” I kept my back to him now as I lowered myself down into the water.

I fully abandoned trying not to check her out when she got out of the water to hang her clothes up.  She was still a gorgeous woman, and I felt a desire to run my hands over every inch of the curves she shared.  I briefly looked to the water when she mentioned joining her and slowly I stood.  "I might just take you up on that offer..."  I forced myself to look away from her as I began to remove my armor, piece by piece.  

When I was down to nothing but simple cloth pants I went to the water and knelt, washing the bit of mud and grime my trek to find her and the journey to the water had earned.  When that was finished I laid it all out to dry then with my back to her I slowly eased myself free of the pants.  Turning to join her I moved into the water until I stood waist deep, letting my body adjust the the cool water.

Rina:

I held my breath and dove under the water. I felt weightless. I tried to let all my worries melt off of me into the water. Enjoy the moment. I surfaced in the deep end of the pool of water where my feet couldn’t reach the bottom. I swam in a little circle then faced him. My eyes lingered on his body before meeting his gaze. “It’s best to come all the way in. It’s not as cold when you’re submersed.”

"Oh?" I asked before diving into the water like she recommended. The shock sibsided faster with everything under and when I surfaced I was near the deep end, my feet reaching the bottom only by my toes.

Rina:

“See? It’s nice,” I said as I paddled over to him. I constantly kicked to keep my head above water. I was only a couple feet away from his face. I smiled. My first true smile since I left the castle. Possibly since he had left the castle. It felt foreign and good at the same time.

Her smile brought out one of my own, and let relief fill my chest. To be smiling again was a comfort, to be smiling with her a joy. I noticed belatedly that she was working so hard to stay afloat and I reached out to offer assistance in keeping her afloat without working so hard.

Rina:

I took his assistance and went with the motion. I undoubtedly came closer than he intended, but then I was sure none of this was his intention. I moved in a fluid motion so that my head came to rest on his shoulder while the rest on my body floated, not quite touching his. I let out a small sigh.

I held her afloat with one arm, and had to adjust backwards a few steps so my feet could stand flat on the rocky ground below. I moved the other arm out for balance while looking at her as best I could with surprise. I hadn't expected her to place her head on my shoulder, nor that being able to touch her again sent a pleasant warmth through me even while my heart picked up a bit in pace. Turning my face a bit away I peered through the water and what lay hidden of her body beneath.

Rina:

For a moment I enjoyed being with him like this. I closed my eyes and listened to his heart beat as best I could. After a little bit I decided I wanted more. I lifted my head some which made the rest of my body lower. I gave a small shiver and my breasts brushed against him. I started a little trail of kisses from his shoulder, up his neck, and to his jaw where I paused, waiting for rejection or encouragement from him.

It was nice being able to just enjoy her company like this, and before long the beat of my heart slowed and I closed my eyes. I didn't open my eyes when she raised her head but they snapped open when I felt her breasts brush against me. I started to look at her when her lips began their journey up from my shoulder to my jaw. After her pause I did look at her, searched her face for a moment, then leaned forward to claim her lips with my own.

Rina:

I kissed him eagerly and wound my arms around his neck thus bringing my body fully against him. I gave a small purr in my throat. Fire quickly spread through my veins at the contact and at the pleasure of kissing him again.

Rina:

By the time we got out of the water, my clothes were mostly dry. After I finished dressing, I went over to Talon and hugged him from behind while he was fastening his belt. My hands splayed out over his chest and I leaned my head on his shoulder. We had something different now. Different from before. We agreed to be with each other, not simply to have fun with each other. There was something thrilling about it.

I smiled softly, rubbing her hands and arms as she leaned against me. "I'm almost ready, but you are making it difficult you know." I kept a gentle tease to my tone as I just enjoyed her touch. I would have been ready before her even with my armor had I not simply enjoyed the view of her body as she dressed.

Rina:

I squeezed slightly but didn’t let go. “I’m glad you’re here with me,” I murmured. I slid my hands down his chest slowly and released him. I stepped back so he could move freely.

"I feel the same, I've missed you Rina." I smiled and just enjoyed the feel of her pressed against my back and her arms wrapped around me. Only after she released me did I redress fully in my armor.

Rina:

I sighed softly when he was fully dressed. "I suppose we should head back now. They'll be worried," I said. I didn't want to return now. I wanted to be able to touch him freely but I couldn't do that in front of the others. I didn't know when we would get a chance to be alone again.

Nodding I adjusted my weapons then started to lead the way. We made a few bits of small talk, mainly about what we would say or do when we got back. It wasn't an ideal arrangement for either of us but it was necessary. Eventually my mind wandered back to our first walk after being reunited. "Rina..." I began before faltering a bit. I took a moment to gather myself before asking, "Rina did something happen while we were apart?"