Sweet Dreams Pt 5

--- Last Time ---

*The girl covers her eyes in embarrassment.*

Rodessa: There’s no way I can say go to bed without it sounding like an innuendo is there?

Huxian: Nope. Welcome to adulthood. Please leave all dignity outside.

*The girl, annoyed, pulled at Huxian’s sleeve, drawing him close to the bed hard enough he almost falling over the girl, her eyes opening wide.*

Huxian: Oh? You really are growing up too fast, dear.

Rodessa: S-shut up! It not like that!!! Ah...ah n-night! Go to sleep fluffy!!!

*The girl forced herself back into slumber as Huxian turned out the light. Setting back into bed, he stroked her hair before holding her from behind. She really was no longer the child he once knew, though her core was the same. Still, from the little exchange they had over the last few hours, he could tell that she had change.

He buried his head in the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent.*

Huxian: Sure. Just...try not to grow up….too fast, ok?

----------------

*Thankfully, with the ‘growth spurt’ over and her condition beginning stable once more, Rodessa didn’t go back into her coma-like state, much to Huxian’s relief, though she did have to spend at least a little time getting used to her new size. Before she had seemed like a child, but now she was physically in her teens (and thus made her proclamations of intent towards Huxian less unnerving to everyone but her father). Still, that meant that she had longer limbs, a different center of gravity that, unlike those who grew slowly and naturally, would affect her balance. Still, Huxian was nice and made sure not to tease her about it other than the occasional ‘fall for me’ joke, if she misjudged and he caught her, or ‘fall for you’ if she misjudged her strength and pulled Huxian too hard that he stumbled into her. Still, he made sure to assure her it was natural. As a shapeshifter himself, it had taken him some time to adjust to different heights and ages (not to mention two legs), so he was sure Rodessa likely felt at least some reassurance than someone who never experienced the odd sense of displacement.

He also made sure to allow her cuddles for extra comfort. Especially in his ‘fluffy’ forms. He didn’t mind acting as teddy bear while she got used to herself again. It also took some embarrassment away from her than if he was in human form with her hormones raging. Though, of course, he did also cuddle her in human form, too, when she wasn’t feeling too flustered. It would have been odd for either of them to entirely avoid ‘human’ to ‘human’ contact the way they used to before.

As it was, Huxian was quite certain that she was used to herself enough (not to mention stir crazy and impatient enough) to be able to go on their arranged date as promised before all of this occurred. On the one hand, Huxian was excited to finally be able to take her out, though a part of him, that dark part that he had been trying hard to ignore since his talk with Rodessa’s mother, still stabbed at him with punishing guilt, trying to remind him of Lihua. Huxian forcibly ignored it. Instead, he cuddled a little closer to Rodessa, hoping the warmth of her form would melt the cold ice that the dark thought had formed. After all, once they were ready to emerge from their ball of cuddles, they were going to be going on that date. He didn’t want his stupid doubts to ruin the day for her after all.

The girl leaned into Huxian, twisting slightly to meet his gaze*

Rodessa: Should we be on our way soon we might miss our reservations.

*Humming, Huxian pulled away from her enough to glance at the clock, before nodding*

Huxian: True enough. Well then, I’ll leave you to get ready. I’ll meet you in the entrance hall in….fifteen? That should give us plenty of time to get there.

Rodessa: *Blush and hammy smile* Sure! I can’t wait till you see me in my new dress! Mama helped me make it.

*The girl jumped to her feet excitedly, kissing Huxian before sauntering off to her room. There was a soft grow in the room as she left.*

Engetsu: *Soft growl and glaring daggers.* ….

Huxian: Oh pipe down. You sound like an moody mutt instead of a respectable wolf. Relax, I’ll be the perfect gentleman.

*There was a faint light as the girl’s mother entered the room. She placed a feather in Engetsu’s ear, transforming him into a small dog, which she cradled in her arms.*

Mother: *Sing song tone* Exactly. Besides, if our dear fluff does decide to deflower that little rose, he’ll marry her right away, right~?

Engetsu: *Frothing at the mouth, rabid eyes, barking like a chihuahua*

Mother: Well, dear, you should be getting ready now. Hop to it. Don’t forget to give us the juicy details later. Au revoir!

Huxian: *Half smirk* Such a gossip...Still, you are my gossip partner. Until then, my friends. And make sure your dear hubby gets his rabies treatment while we’re gone!

Mother: *Chuckle and walking through a door of light* Bye!

*A little over the time they arranged to meet, Huxian began to pace the girl was taking longer than planned. Impatiently he walked back to the stairs that lead to her room and called out.*

Huxian: Ro? Are you-?

Rodessa: I’m here, I’m coming! My hair wouldn't cooperate… Do I look ok?

*The girl was wearing one of her mother's old gowns, a deep red fitted dress, modified to suit her height, with a subtle makeup - she didn't need much. Her hair was tied back, exposing her human ear. Her lupine ears had disappeared a few days after her ‘growth spurt’, a mark that she was no longer the sweet child he once knew, she was almost a woman now. And while Huxian was more used to his people’s sense of aesthetics, the spectacle of exotic beauty before him certainly gave him pause, unable to look away from her as she approached*

Rodessa: *Blush* W-what’s wrong your staring…. Do I look that bad?

Huxian: If by bad you mean that all flowers in the world would wilt in envy to see you amongst them, then…

*The girl blush harder, lowering her head in embarrassment*

Rodessa: I...uh...thank you.. Mama said you might like this one better… something about eye candy? I’m glad you like it, Hue. I wanted to look more adult like for our date.

Huxian: *Smiling* You could have worn nothing but a sack and you’d still be beautiful, Rodessa. But I can certainly appreciate the effort, I assure you.

*With a flourish, Huxian took Rodessa’s hand in his, bowing to her as he grazed his lips over her knuckles*

Huxian: Well then, my lady, do I have the honour of escorting you to the site of our date?

Rodessa: Y-yes! Uh um… I mean, yes my lord you may…

Huxian: *Chuckle* As  you wish, my lady.

*Offering his arm to her to link with a suave smirk, Huxian lead the young woman from the house. As they were about to step through the door, he clicked his fingers sharply, the way he would before summoning fire. However, rather than the azure flames he usually conjured, instead, things began to shift until, rather than setting foot on the ground outside Rodessa’s home, they instead somehow managed to step just outside a restaurant, and not one that was located within Paradias. Instead, it was a rather high class western style restaurant that seemed to be somewhere in the outside world. If one glanced around outside, an unfamiliar street looked back at them.*

Rodessa: *Awe* Wow what a beautiful building… are we going in there?

Huxian: Indeed we are. While China is very much my domain, I did spend some time in other places around the world thanks to your father. Let’s just say that I found it good to invest some time while traveling. True for a little while I was...ah….preoccupied with events in China, so I didn’t think much of my investments elsewhere, but I thought that, since this is our first official date, I should take you somewhere special. I thought you might appreciate somewhere different. Have you ever been to france before?

*Huxian, ushered the girl inside, who looked around nervously as Huxian guides them to the top floor of the building. There were very few people on the upper floor*

Rodessa: Y-yes. We stayed here when mama was studying with a friend. We stayed at her house, but I wasn't allowed to go outside though, even though I wanted to.  

Huxian: I suppose that’s understandable. If its where I think it is, well, not many mundane people are aware of the mystic, and as cute as those ears of yours were, the regular humans might have made a fuss.

*He rolled his eyes in an almost familiar ‘people get flustered about the stupidest things’ manner, before smiling*

Huxian: In any event, once we’re finished here, if it’s not too late, I don’t mind giving you a short tour. While I would never call myself an expert, there are some places that are definitely a must when visiting here. While I’ll admit that my preference in places in the world will likely often lie in china, no matter how painful some of my experiences have been, there is a certain aesthetics to France that I can certainly appreciate.

Rodessa: ...Yeah….

*Ignoring the, slight awkwardness the girl was trying to hide, they settled into their seats, Huxian ushering over a waiter handing him a tip and ordering there meals. The girl seems happy, but something caught her eye. It seemed like a couple a few tables away were engaging in an all too passionate kiss. It made her blush slightly as she quickly averted her eyes. Calming herself down, she heard a chuckle above her. When she looked over, Huxian was grinning, shaking his head fondly*

Huxian: You always did get flustered over the oddest things. Though maybe I should be sad that other people have your attention over me. Should I be upping my game?

Rodessa: *Shock* ! Well, no...um, well, it’s just they did that in my line of view… and, well, it’s not like I haven't thought of doing that stuff with you or anything… I think it might be nice to do more adult things and, well, I, um… I just... Well, you know… um.. God, Ro, stop talking!

*The girl put her head in her hands the more she spoke the more she dug her own grave, causing Huxian to laugh a little more before reaching over, covering her hands with his*

Huxian: You know, you’re thinking far too hard about this. Just relax a little. There’s no point to a date if you don’t have fun, right? If you’re stressed, then I’d have failed at giving you a good time. You don’t have to do, say or think anything you’re uncomfortable with. Though I’m quite sure I’d be someone’s fur rug if I did all the ‘adult’ things, I’m quite sure a kiss is not something that is beyond me. But, even if you want to feel ‘grown up’ - not that you aren’t, of course - being ‘grown up’ doesn’t mean doing any of these things as fast as possible. When the time and mood is right, that’s always the key. Well, that and being comfortable and willing, of course.

*He hums a moment*

Huxian: Of course, if other people are a distraction, I’m sure I can help.

*Snickering, he clicks his fingers, creating a type of illusionary barrier around their booth. It didn’t prevent anyone from moving in and out of the area - they needed the waiter to know where they were after all - but it at least made it seem as if there wasn’t two people passionately kissing.

The girls eyes darted around, her face blushing slightly again.*

Rodessa: *Relaxing a little* D-does that mean you won't kiss me like that?

Huxian: Only if you don’t want me to? Although it might be a bit much for a first date since you still blush when I kiss your nose or forehead. But perhaps a lead up to it. Kisses like that…..they’re special, you know?

Rodessa: Eep!

*The girl straightened up, her panicked eyes darting from Huxian, to the table and back again.*

Rodessa: *Quiet Voice* I can… I can handle it. I wanna try… if you want to that is...

*Her lips drew into a thin line.*

*Huxian, oddly, hesitates, however, glancing to the side*

Huxian: ...Like I said, it’s….not really for a first date. I want to do this right, you know? I don’t want to...screw up.

*A self depreciative smile crosses his face*

Huxian: I’m prone to messing things up.

*He shakes off the melancholy that had dropped on him, instead smiling*

Huxian: You’re special to me, Ro. So, I want to make sure you have a good time above everything else. And, like I said, the mood is key. When you’re ready and the time is right, then… But until then, adult interactions aren’t all about blatancy like that. There’s some subtle arts to it as well.

*He reaches over to her hand once more, bringing it to him and placing a lingering kiss on her knuckles, eyes fixed on hers*

Huxian: This is truly an art, the dance of love. And like an artist with a masterpiece, each stroke of the brush counts to a true work of art that is near priceless.

*The girl looked away, taking her hand back, the cadence of her voice seemed to switch as she looked back again.*

Rodessa: ...I understand… I was getting a little impatient there. I’ve become a lot more greedy lately. I don’t want to screw this up either…. I want you with me forever, but at the same time, I’m scared. Scared you’ll be caught by another girl… You’re… you’re like an Adonis, and I’m...well, me… I’m still a kid in your eyes, right? I mean, you still treat me the same, like nothing’s changed. Even though I’ve changed, you don’t react to me either. Is it because we’re different species…? Or your not interested in me like that…? I’m the one always asking for kisses too. It’s always like you forcing yourself to do it.

And I don’t want that if your not interested in me…. Tell me now and… I’ll keep my feelings to myself… The last thing I want to do is push you into a corner. Not when you don’t like or see me in that way and… and…

*The girls words trickled into silence, before she war a  fake smile, she looked around again avoiding his gaze. However, Huxian frowned and reached over, touching her chin to turn her head back to his*

Huxian: You’re mistaking restraint for disinterest, Rodessa. It’s as I said before, affection, love, it’s not always something that's blatant. It has nothing to do with being a different species, either. If that were the case, I would never have loved L-Lihua, and it would certainly make me a hypocrite. And I assure you, that your appearance is certainly something that I could certainly stare at until my gaze sets you on literal fire. And you, as a person, mean more to me than anything, more to me than any other pretty face around that lives today or has yet to be born. What I want to know more than that, however, that which may hold me back beyond my respect for you, is if you will truly be happy with an old fox like me.

*He holds up a finger to her lips quickly before she got the wrong idea and protested*

Huxian: Now, that’s not saying that what I said was a lie. Rather this is where my respect comes in. I know that for your clan, you mate for life. In ten years, in a hundred, in a thousand, can you see yourself at my side? I want you to know for sure that you will be able to do that, no matter what. To borrow a human vow, ‘in sickness and health’? Even if I ever fall to those dark places my mind sometimes wanders? Even if I, heaven forbid, was to fail you, too? Likewise, could you see yourself with another? Should a wolf of your father’s clan come to you, courting you as I’m trying to now, could you see anything with them?

*The cadence in her voice changed again as she stood up*

Rodessa: What are you trying to say?!!! Are you trying to push me off to someone else? Am I much of a burden, or are you saying that there is another suitor waiting for me? Either way, I wouldn’t want that! Never…. You’re making it sound like you don’t have any faith in my love… ‘An old fox like you’ - I know who you were and what you were going through when I fell for you! Don’t-don’t treat me like a fickle child.

*Holding back tears*

Rodessa: How many times do I have to say it before you believe me? I only want you. I only love you… but if you can't accept my love then maybe we should just-

*Huxian, who had stood up to protest early on, quickly rounded the table, yanking her to him and held her tightly in his arms, burying his head in her shoulder, his body trembling as he did so. His voice oddly shaky, muffled from how close it was to her, managed to finally croak out something, even as there was a faint feel of something damp at her skin*

Huxian: C...cruel...s-saying things like that to me. You really are, y-you know? It’s never been you I didn’t have faith in. I just don’t want to….to inflict me onto someone if they….if they weren’t sure. I…I can’t...lose anyone else. You’re it for me. Even if you did end up liking someone else, there wouldn’t be another person for me. T-that’s why it’s cruel that you….you think I’d like another girl like that, too.

*He pulls back a little, shakily pressing a palm to his eyes in an effort to stop the sting of tears*

Huxian: Making me cry like this...Some gentleman I am…Ha...ha…

*The girl placed both hands on his cheeks, a gentle touch that made his hands fall limply to his sides as her thumbs brushed the wetness from his skin, before...Huxian’s eyes widened as he felt the soft warmth of her lips against his, the salty taste almost seemed sweet as her tears flowed.*

Rodessa: Look at us… we’re both a hot mess...

You… you know you really are a dummy head. Don’t insult me, I’m sticking with you no matter what. No matter where you go, I’ll follow, no matter who you love, even if I’m second place, I’ll still love you. And my love is stronger than anyone else’s…

*Smiling through tears*

Rodessa: You’re the one putting me in heat, dummy. Only you so take responsibility.

*The girl pulled back slightly, pulling back her hair, exposing her neck*

Rodessa: Do you think it would ease us both if we did this? I think it would, I’m ready for it, but what do you-

*Huxian, pulled her close once again his lips gracing her skin as he kissed it softly.*

Huxian: You’re….really going to end up with a fox skin rug at this rate...You may have to protect me from your father’s wrath. You’re going to take responsibility for that on your end then?

Rodessa: *Dark chuckle* Didn’t I say I would kill that old man if he hurt you? To protect the husband is the wife’s job right?  

*Laughing softly, he pressed his lips to her neck once more*

Huxian: A promise then. Assuming that you can protect me, oh Lady knight, when the time comes and our courtship is over, then we’ll create a bond that can never be broken.

Rodessa: *Knitted Brow*…Does that mean your not going-

*As if to scold her for thinking that way, he gentle bit her neck. It wasn’t a full bond that would be the equivalent to soul marriage, but it was more the first stage, like a human promise ring.

She let out a slight moan. It was as if the bite somehow gave her pleasure. She trembled in his arms. Huxian’s eyes glowed bright for a moment. Resisting the urge to bite harder, he kissed her soft flesh before sucking the area, leaving a mark.*

Rodessa: *Slight panting* D-Dummy… what did you?

Huxian: *Shaky smirk* Hush now. We are in public.

*Pulling back a little, he brushed his fingers over the bite gently*

Huxian: Its as I said, it’s a promise. To make a bond, there are two parts to it. This is the first part. The second can only truly be performed at the end of courtship. Usually best when one has reached full majority, especially since that’s when ones powers, and, thus, soul, is fully settled.

Rodessa: *Flat look*….I know how a Soul Bond works… idiot. It’s the other thing you did to my neck… what was that?

Huxian: *Smirks* Well, I did tell you that there was lots of ways to kiss, didn’t I?

Rodessa: *Confused, cock head* ??? I don’t get it… and there's a mark there now.

Huxian: It might not be a full soul bond...but there’s still ways to leave a mark.

Rodessa: *Coy look* Does that mean I can do the same to you?

Huxian: So long as you don’t accidentally make a full soul bond… *He offers his own neck with a coy smile and half lidded gaze* Knock yourself out, little rose.

Rodessa: *Grin* Don't tempt me fluff ball, also sit down I can't reach you… your like three feet taller than me am I supposed to fly to reach you?

Huxian: ….So many joke opportunities…Decisions…..

*Pausing long enough to at least get a glare he laughs before sitting as asked*

Huxian: As my lady asks, so shall I answer.

*the girl pouted slightly as she straddled and wrapped her arms around him. She nuzzled into him before biting, and leaving her own mark on his neck sucking a little bit harder than he did with her as revenge, he held her tightly before placing his arms around her.*

Rodessa: *Smirk* This means you're officially mine now right?

Huxian: I feel almost like property than a partner.

*Chuckling, he nuzzles her gently*

Huxian: Then, as they say in your culture, please take care of me.

Rodessa: *Chuckle* Always.

*The couple looked at each other, laughing, before returning to a comfortable silence, both drawing in for a lingering kiss.*

Rodessa: *Between kisses* I love you, Hue.

Huxian: Forever and always.

[END]