On the Rooftop- After the Battle of Feathergale Spire

On The Rooftop

Theamen and Menelwen sat shoulder to shoulder on the roof, staring up at the stars. The words they had shared still weighed heavily on their minds. Her hand crept to his, lacing their fingers as she rested her head on his shoulder. “...It's a nice night.” Hardly a cloud above to cover the stars in the deep darkness.

“It is.” She could hear the smile in his voice. A soft chuckle. “I can't imagine it's very comfortable...resting your head on the armor.”

“Not really, no. But I've yet to see you without it.” As the words left her mouth, her cheeks colored. “...I mean...it keeps you safe...”

“It does...but...” He scanned the sky again. “It doesn't exactly appear like there's imminent danger..the beasts are gone, the tower is empty except for our allies...” Theamen's voice trailed off. “...We may as well be comfortable for keeping watch, right?”

“Yes...I suppose that's a good point.” She shifted as he stood. 

“Can you hold these?” He gestured to his sword and tome. Menelwen nodded, holding her hands out for them. The book was easy, she'd held it before...but the sword...

“How do you fight with this so easily?” The strength he and Thok had to use these types of weapons. “To not just swing it but fight...”

Theamen chuckled at her expression. “It took quite a bit of practice. Perhaps...I could teach you sometime.” His hands made quick work of the armor, placing each piece down carefully so as not to damage them. They remained in reach, as though he thought he'd have to put them in a hurry. He laid out the bedroll an arm's reach away from the armor, knowing that they would need to take shifts to sleep.

“I don't think I have the proficiency for it...but I would like to.” Theamen took his tome, setting it with the armor. She held the sword out for him to take as well, but he stepped behind her. Her back pressed against his front as his arms came around to adjust her grip.

“Spread your hands out a bit more...it steadies your hold.”

Menelwen only half heard the words, distracted by the contact. They'd only ever hugged while he'd been in full armor. This was different. She was surrounded by his warmth and scent. Her eyes closed for a moment as she savored it.

Theamen glanced down at her. Without his armor, he could feel her curves against him. Her softness. His cheeks went pink, clearing his throat to focus on the lesson. But all he wanted was to learn about her.

“Perhaps...we should call it a night...” He suggested. Not that he was ready for sleep. He shifted his grip over her fingers to take the sword. They were so delicate compared to his. She released the sword into his grip, leaning against his chest.

'Come on..be brave.' She urged herself. 'You would be dead twice over today alone were it not for him. And when he went over the edge...' Menelwen turned to face him. 'Your heart practically stopped.'

He shifted the sword, lowering it. It was such a small distance to close. He could do this. Before he could react, she stood on her tiptoes and reached up to pull him down into a kiss. His breath caught. While he had thought about this moment...several times now...he hadn't been prepared. The sword clattered to the rooftop as his arms wrapped around her to pull her flush against his front.

Menelwen's arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers in his hair as they kissed. She too had thought about this...more than she should have. He was human...no matter how strong the affection...the love, he would die much sooner than she. But she couldn't deny how she felt towards him.

The kiss conveyed what they had not yet spoken. Theamen broke the kiss to catch his breath. “Menelwen...”

She offered him a small smile. “...Perhaps I should apologize...I've just...been thinking about that for a while now.”

He shook his head. “...Don't.” Theamen moved his hands from her waist where they had been supporting her to weave into her hair. “I have as well. For longer than I should have.” He felt her hand move from his hair to his chest. He rested his forehead against hers.

“...I was so scared....when you went over that ledge...” she whispered. “All the things I wanted to say to you...” Her voice trailed off.

“I'm not going anywhere.” He initiated the second kiss. When he had climbed back up and saw her down for a second time...he didn't want to think about that. How close he had come to losing someone who was becoming so precious to him.

Theamen's breath caught as her fingers tugged on his tunic, finding their way underneath to touch his skin. The touch was gentle, exploratory. Wanting the touch, he broke the kiss to take the tunic off as well. It landed on top of the sword. Not that he cared. He just wanted her touch and to touch her as well.

She smiled at him, her fingers splaying over his torso. It sent chills over his body right down to the part of him that wanted her the most. Menelwen leaned in, pressing a kiss over his heart. Then she reached to her waist, undoing the belt that held her tome to her hip. She placed it down before guiding his hands to the hem of her shirt.

His finger tips brushed her abdomen as her shirt joined his tunic on the floor. Menelwen looked up at him as his hands moved over her ribcage. “..Are you sure?” He whispered.

She nodded. “Yes.” Her hands moved up, cupping his face. “So long as you are.”

His answer was a kiss, sweet but full of desire. The rest of the clothes were shed as they shifted down to the bedroll.

~ <3 ~

The Morning

Menelwen stirred, still nestled safely against Theamen's chest. She smiled to herself. He was still sound asleep, having spent the night with her. His...concern for her pleasure was rather endearing, even if it had taken a while... She had made sure that he was well sated in turn.

Closing her eyes for another moment, she just savored the quiet moment. His heartbeat under her ear. His hand on her hip...skin to skin... The morning sun creeping overhead...

Morning already...of course. Though the sky was absolutely lovely today...the colors were brighter somehow. The rest of the party would be stirring soon for breakfast before they all headed out. She shifted, pressing a light kiss to his cheek.

Theamen shifted, his eyes opening. Blushing, he smiled. “...Morning.”

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” she lightly propped herself on his chest to watch him.

“Pretty well, and yourself?” His hand reached up and brushed the hair from her face.

In response, she turned and kissed his palm. “Very well...thank you.” A pause. “...I wish we didn't have to get up.”

“I know. But if we wait...someone will come up and find us.”

Menelwen pouted ever so slightly. “...You're right.” She stole a light kiss before getting up to dress. He watched her for a moment before moving to put on his clothes and armor.

“You don't need to wait for me...I'll be down shortly.”

“...Alright. I'll save you a seat. <3 Not that I really need to...but...” she babbled, cheeks coloring slightly.

He chuckled. “I appreciate it all the same. Go on.”

~To be continued ~