Together Again <Earth Kingdom>

[kiku]

“Kiran…” Kiku gasped, her voice both soft and breathless, her hand grasping his with renewed intensity. She continued to gaze at him – her wide, soft eyes not at all leaving his soft but intense ones. Her mouth, meanwhile, was left open slightly, so shocked she was, but it soon closed, and Kiku smiled – a faint, but incredibly awed smile. Her eyes continued to search the perfection of his face, and with this picture came a flood of warmth to chest and stomach.

His name was all she could murmur at that moment, for, suddenly, she felt overwhelmed. Perhaps it was the undeniable passion and intensity of Kiran’s eyes that left her dazed, but it was more likely what he said. At that moment, there were only a very few things she could comprehend, so… shocked she was at his words. And it seemed almost foolish to seem so surprised, for, only a moment before they had been confessing how they truly felt about each other, remarking on how their feelings were so similar, exact; it only made sense that this would follow, it only fit, but it was still, somehow, shocking to hear.

Kiran – in all his warmth and handsomeness, with his vibrant eyes, full, perfect lips, and mesmerizing voice – loved her. Loved her. The word she had often thought of, that was at this very moment on the tip of her tongue… They did feel exactly the same! And at this, Kiku’s smile became more natural and bright, though it softened slightly as she, with tenderness in her eyes, reached and, breathlessly, touched her fingertips to Kiran’s cheek, slowly brushing them up to his temple and then down to his jaw.

“Oh, Kiran,” she murmured, though her voice was warmer now, more pleasant. Gently, her hand fell from his cheek and her other unlaced from his, and Kiku swiftly then wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing herself close to his torso, into his lap. She tucked her face gently into his neck, her lips pressing a soft kiss there.

“I love you too,” she murmured. She sighed. “So much.”

With these words – these soft, but intensely sincere words – Kiku felt her heart ache with renewed desire – not to tell him – but, instead, to completely throw herself to him, to be his, for him to be hers, to be loved. It was what she had always wanted, it seemed: to have his love.

Her grip around his neck tightened for a moment before she raised a hand and, with it, felt for and soon found his cheek with her soft fingertips. Her thumb swiftly found his lips and she stroked them slowly, sighing, and tilted her head up slightly to kiss Kiran near his jaw line. There was no hesitancy now, just happiness, belonging. These lips, that cheek, his neck… They loved her.

[coldflame]

Relief. Immense relief was the first thing that overcame him as soon as he saw that smile form on Kiku’s lips. He was almost unsure if he did the right thing by the shocked look on her face, but now it seemed like he couldn’t have blamed her. Heart pounding, hands almost shaking…that feeling was gone. Perhaps he shouldn’t have gotten so worked up – he knew all along that Kiku had feelings for him, but that didn’t stop any hesitant doubts or worries before. Now, however, he was simply absorbed in every amount of relief and happiness that he could feel.

It was intoxicating. Her words – those exact words he wanted to hear – were now coursing through him like a breath of life. She loved him! He couldn’t have asked for anything more. But no; he did receive more.

The warmth of her hand against his cheek caused him to wistfully close his eyes, but as Kiku crawled into his lap, his arms sprang to life and wrapped tightly around her torso, pulling her closer. She felt perfect in his arms, but it felt even better now, because this woman now belonged to him. No other man would hold her like this, at least not while he was here with her. But, no other man could possibly enjoy this closeness as much as Kiran did either. And her kisses – her sweet and gentle kisses – that she had so naturally placed against his neck, jaw, and cheek was enough bliss to satisfy him a thousand times!

Kiran grinned warmly at all of this, tightening his hold around her as her thumb stroked against his lips. Gently, he turned his face towards her palm and his voice came out surprisingly even and tender (for his heart was still jumping slightly).

“I hoped so…” he replied, smiling contently. That seemed to be the only way he could reply with words. Words weren’t coming to him anymore at the moment; he was too distracted by her warmth and kisses to come up with anything else to say.

But he did want her to feel more. Without hesitation, Kiran simply leaned back against the wooden railing of the porch and situated Kiku in his lap. He tilted his head down to look at her once he leaned back, and with one hand, he reached for her face so as to bring it closer to his. So what if those problems he was worried about before would come true? He knew that it was impossible to turn away from this woman and he knew that he would rather face the problems between them than have to force himself not to love her. Perhaps he was being selfish, but again, he didn’t seem to care.

Very soon – after caressing her face and becoming closer - his full lips were pressed against hers in a loving and tender kiss.

[kiku]

It was pure bliss, to say the least.

Kiku had been intoxicatingly comfortable just simply being in Kiran’s arms, held tightly to him, her face pressed tenderly into his warm neck. It was so wonderful. Kiku’s heart thudded in a calm, gentle rhythm as she rested like this, and she breathed deeply against his skin as well, which held a faintly sweet but incredibly warm scent now. She couldn’t seem to be close enough to him, and Kiku shifted in his lap, sighing, as if trying to crawl closer to Kiran’s torso and perfect embrace, to further absorb the mesmerizing depth and handsomeness of his voice. The only thing that was more intoxicating than being held so perfectly was remembering that every one of Kiran’s gestures was done out of love, that they were done out of the pureness of his heart, just for her.

Of course, that included the one she received next.

An easy smile curled into Kiku’s lips as Kiran guided her face near his, her eyes fluttering to a brief close as she felt his fingers tenderly caress her face; however, her soft, brown eyes reopened just in time to see Kiran lean in for a kiss, and her smile softened as her lips meshed softly with his.

Kiku’s heart fluttered with pleasure as she melted into his kiss, sunk heavily into his strong, handsome arms. Automatically, her lips shifted slowly and sweetly with his, and her head tilted further as she wrapped her slender arms around his neck more tightly. Softly, she continued to kiss him, each movement strongly communicating one, heartfelt message: I love you.

She breathed it as she sighed against his lips, threw it into every slow, passionate movement that escaped her lips. Kiku became completely enwrapped in his warm, soothing presence, the perfection of his kiss…

Eventually, she parted slowly, though her lips continued to rest faintly on his. Their foreheads touched, and Kiku continued to smile faintly, her eyes half-lidded as they absorbed the handsome contours of his face, his own eyes. She could think of nothing to say that could possibly justify the full bliss that his love truly brought her, so she simply looked into his eyes heatedly for a moment, her lips pressing another soft peck to his.

“I will always love you,” she breathed in reassurance. Her voice, though still soft, was firm in sincerity. “No matter what…”

[coldflame]

This kiss hadn’t felt like the other times he kissed her. The very movement of her lips against his was still as heart pounding and desirable as before, but this time there was so much more passion that he felt coming from her. It was as if she was no longer hesitant with him – no longer shy in this kiss. He could only return her un-hesitant actions by kissing her with the same amount of love he was feeling from her.

But as she parted away from him with her lips still faintly touching his, he felt even more overjoyed at the sound of her words. She couldn’t have said anything more perfect to him, but…he wanted her to know further. He wanted her to know exactly why he was so hesitant about admitting anything to her at all, because he felt like she wouldn’t know how hard it was going to be for her when he had to leave. He felt like she wouldn’t fully understand unless he told her how he felt…

Slowly, he nuzzled his nose against hers once, his smile fading into a softer one; his eyes were still gentle, but they bore into her beautiful dark eyes with just the same amount of intensity that he felt about his worries.

“That’s all I can hope for, Kiku…” he murmured deeply, situating his forehead against hers slightly as he spoke, “…But it’s not me that I’m worried about. For the longest time, I’ve been telling myself that I was no good for you…because, truthfully, I’m not.” He closed his eyes for a moment, though not seeming as distressed as he felt. “...It’s never worked before, Kiku. I have a horrible habit of not staying in one place for very long – I’m always moving around and working. And living across the ocean doesn’t help either. I’ve…been restraining myself from you, because I was afraid that I would just end up hurting you…and the last thing I would ever remember from you is a silent letter and then nothing else.”

He looked at her sincerely and seriously, his hand brushing against her face just once.

“…But all I can ask of you is to just bear with me. I can’t take back anything that I’ve said to you, because everything that I’ve said is the absolute truth: I love you. And you’re too important to me to become a goodbye letter. So…I’m going to try and make this work.”

He smiled a little broader then. “I’ve already had to leave you once, but…so far, so good, right?”

[kiku]

Kiku listened carefully as Kiran spoke, her dark eyes not once leaving his. They were wide and tinted with attentiveness but soft as well – holding both understanding and sympathy, and in that way expressing the way she was thinking as he spoke. While it was a bit thrilling to think of Kiran having to “restrain” himself from her, Kiku also felt a bit sad to think of how tortured he had been during their moments together; she didn’t want him to feel this way, not at all…

Though, Kiran did bring up good (and by good, Kiku meant depressing) points, and Kiku had to stop and consider these scenarios for a moment, glancing away from Kiran’s gaze momentarily to soak it all up.

Yes, sadly, in her heart, Kiku knew Kiran could not stay here forever with her. He would leave again, soon even, and it would not be the last time. It had been a bit hard the first time, Kiku knew, though she wasn’t sure if this new level their relationship had reached would ease or double the pain. Really, though, that didn’t matter; the real question was if she could stand it. Was her love strong enough to take the inevitable struggles both she and Kiran would face?

A soft smile curled easily into her pale lips as Kiran’s hand brushed against her cheek, and Kiku listened to his words with sparkling eyes. She knew the answer.

“That’s right,” Kiku agreed, a soft chuckle slipping from her lips like a murmur. Silently, she then raised one of her hands, faintly tracing his jaw line with her soft fingertips, smiling gently.

“I can manage,” She murmured then, though sincerity and seriousness was evident in her voice now. She met his eyes firmly, though her heart fluttered as she realized how close they still were, their foreheads and noses nuzzled together….

“I have to. I’d… do anything to keep you. I won’t let us drift apart…”

Kiku vowed this, remembering Kiran tell her the story of his past love. They had met a similar blockage… though it was not as significant as their current one, however. Still, she and Kiran had slowly grown apart, and their relationship had ended… But Kiku was certain she would never stop sending letters at the least, never stop trying to continue their relationship; she cared about him so much.

Her voice turned soft and tender.

“You’re important to me too.”

[coldflame]

He was happy. Happy, though, sounded like an understatement considering what Kiku had seemed to accept from him. His love – along with all the problems that would soon follow – was something that she accepted from him. Kiran knew that she realized how difficult it was going to be, because she already had lived through one leaving as it was. However, looking back at how upset Kiku was the last time he left, he wasn’t sure how she would continue to handle it. No, he had to have some faith in her at least – what kind of a relationship would they be in if he didn’t trust her?

He unconsciously smiled a handsome gaze at her then; Kiku, despite her shy and fragile attitude, was strong. And her words only reassured that fact, making Kiran feel as if nothing could come between them. He wasn’t going to let this woman drift away from him – not this one and not this time.

With an overpowering sense of happiness and determination, Kiran simply leaned his head back against the post he was rested with and continued to smile that warm smile of his. He stared down at her for a moment, observing the faint blush on her cheeks, watching her wide, brown eyes with interest, and noticing how the wind of the cool night gently muffled her hair. He stroked her face a final time and brought her cheek gently down against his chest, relaxing.

He knew he probably should still be worried – the more attached Kiku became and the more their relationship grew, the harder it would be for the both of them. But they were already so close, Kiran knew. Oh, well. He supposed he was just going to have to be selfish and have what he wanted for the first time in a long time…

Kiran sighed deeply, his chest taking a slow rise and fall, but he smiled again. He tilted his head down a little bit and sweetly placed a kiss into her hair, holding her close as she still sat in his lap. He kept his lips there for a while more and murmured deeply, grinning.

“Thank you.”

[kiku]

Kiku’s dark eyes fluttered closed as Kiran gently guided her head down against his chest, and her lips remained in a small, peaceful smile. She sighed softly as her rosy cheek touched the warm fabric of his shirt, for it was quite comforting and extremely comfortable (as was it always when he treated her this way); though, at this moment, it seemed even more relaxing than usual. Perhaps it was simply the calmness of the night, the faint hum of invisible insects chirping in the distance, or the privacy the darkness provided. While these all certainly contributed to the suddenly relaxing atmosphere, Kiku knew that it was truly all Kiran’s doing. His deep breathing, and then his lips in her hair… It was intoxicating.

She sighed after he spoke, truly relishing in the deep handsomeness of his voice. His warm breath, which she felt through her hair, sent a faint shiver of pleasure throughout her – in her heart especially. Kiku shifted slightly then in his lap, her arms still reaching up while her hands gently grasped his strong neck. Her lips curled up more in the corners, into a more pronounced smile.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she murmured while nuzzling her soft cheek against his warm chest. Ah, she would face all kinds of consequences just to simply enjoy this moment, be close to him. It was just so wonderful, so warm. Faintly, Kiku reached up slightly farther, running her fingers and palm down Kiran’s neck, her thumb then brushing the skin just under his Adam’s apple. Her eyelids fluttered; she could so easily fall asleep, so relaxed she was.

“… Can we not ever move?” Kiku murmured in request, her voice faint and warm.

[coldflame]

Kiran chuckled deeply, his grin more pronounced.

“Not if you don’t want to,” he murmured as he rested his cheek against her hair. Truthfully, he did not wish to move either. Kiku was so light in his lap, that she hardly caused him to fidget or move and the weight against his chest was equally warm and inviting. But what probably made him more relaxed was the fact that Kiku was relaxed; it almost sounded as if she was going to fall asleep. With the chirping of cicadas and the faint moonlight that spread over the garden, he couldn’t blame her for wanting to fall asleep (and he also had no idea what time it was).

No, he definitely did not want to move – they were together, they were close, and he knew that she loved him. It had been a perfect day – almost beyond perfect- but as far as wanting it to come to an end was completely absurd.

He sighed deeply again, knowing that Kiku was able to hear his breathing as he did so and perhaps knowing it would soothe her more. He wanted her to be comfortable; to feel like she was being loved. It was in Kiran’s nature to make people happy, because he, in turn, was happy if they were. So, he silently thought of almost every possible thing he could do to keep Kiku happy, even if it was the smallest of gestures coming from him. But, wanting her to be happy felt like it was the most important thing in the world to him now.

He remembered seeing Kiku cry the last time he saw her – right before he left. As that image of her swollen eyes, her choking, her begging, and her tears streaming down her face ran through his mind again, it felt a thousand times worse than it did before. And it only felt this way, because he blamed himself for it.

Kiran closed his eyes at the thought and situated his cheek against her head. Yes, the only thing he wanted to make sure of was that Kiku knew he loved her and would do absolutely nothing to cause her harm. If he did…he wouldn’t forgive himself. That was why it was so hard to leave her – it saddened her, and in a sense, harmed her. And it only bothered him even more at the fact that there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Suddenly, however, the silence and peace between himself and Kiku was cut off by a mere light that appeared in the nearby window and sliding doors. The porch now glowed with a golden light, breaking the privacy the darkness provided for the two.

Kiran’s eyes opened at this and he lifted his cheek at a faint sound coming from the house. He murmured softly, his voice tinted with disappointment,

“Someone’s coming.”

[kiku]

A soft chuckle had quietly slipped from Kiku’s lips after Kiran spoke, and afterwards she simply remained silent – only smiling and continuing to enjoy the peace of the night, the warmth and soft motion of Kiran’s breathing. She did feel loved, very much so; it was such a light, lovely feeling, like she was only now beginning to feel true joy in her life, or had only now been relieved of a long, intense pain. How did she live without him in the first place, she wondered. Looking back, her life had seemed so dull in contrast to when Kiran had come. She had simply been learning, working, talking with her family. Sure, Daichi had been her light back then, the source of most of her fond memories. However, there had been nothing to hold on to after Daichi had left two years ago, though her satisfaction in her work had certainly helped in the beginning. Yet, that is when Kiran had come and had given her his hand and offered his healing personality. He was such a contrast. A vibrant light in the middle of the darkness, an anomaly among her average life. He was something to remember, something to enjoy…

It was in the middle of these thoughts, her cheek still against his chest and her eyes still closed, that she heard Kiran’s voice, and opened her eyes suddenly at his words. Instinctively, Kiku’s head jerked away from Kiran’s chest so she could too see the lights that now poured from the windows, and fifty worse case scenarios played instantly in her head.

At this, Kiku scrambled out of Kiran’s lap, trying to be both graceful and efficient. She managed somewhat; as her rear forcefully and somewhat painfully hit the wood of the porch, Kiku shot straight up into the air and took a few strides away from Kiran, becoming instantly enwrapped in the soft sway of faraway trees.

A few seconds later, Kiku heard voices.

“Now, Katsu, I could have come out here myself, you know. You don’t have to strain yourself so much,” rang Lien’s voice from just inside the house.

“I’m not straining myself,” Katsu huffed as his chair could he heard rolling over the floorboards. He paused for a moment, calming his breath, as Lien could be heard clicking her tongue in disapproval. “I wanted to get my own medicine.”

“Or snoop around,” Kiku’s mother sighed in exasperation. There was a pause. “Oh, hello, Mom! I didn’t even notice you were there.”

There was a soft chuckle, and when Hana spoke, her voice was bright, almost a laugh.

“I get that a lot.”

For some reason, at this, Kiku’s heart jumped in fear.

“I just came to get Katsu’s medicine for him,” Lien continued swiftly.

“I have it right here, sweet.”

“Thanks, Mom… Come on, Katsu.”

After much reluctance on Katsu’s part, Kiku’s parents could be heard leaving the room, though there was no evidence that Hana had left. During this moment of silence, Kiku glanced at Kiran, wondering what he was thinking now.

“It’s late,” Hana suddenly rang, and her voice was louder now and thick with implications. “Should be heading inside soon.”

As Hana could be heard leaving, Kiku’s eyes widened for a moment, before she suddenly remembered Kiran again and glanced to him, her cheeks flushed pink, her smile faint but sheepish.

[coldflame]

Kiran jerked at Kiku’s sudden movements to stand, even trying to help her gain her footing as she stood, but she already seemed to handle it…somewhat gracefully. However, he was just as surprised by the voices coming from the house that he smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt, crossed his arms, and appeared to be sitting rather casually as if nothing had happened. He glanced to the door and had his eyes fixed there, hoping no one would come outside to see them (for the way Kiku was standing, it surely would have given them away).

But…he was also surprised at how fast his heart beat at the sound of the voices coming from inside. Did they know what happened? Kiran figured he wasn’t ready to make any sort of announcement or let Kiku’s family know of his feelings for Lien and Katsu’s daughter. At the gruff sound of Katsu’s voice, Kiran’s seemingly causal sitter manner became rigid – oh, no, Kiran was definitely not ready to admit anything to the family, particularly Katsu; Kiran was a dead man enough as it was. Though, once the family seemed to be leaving, Kiran listened to Hana’s voice ring out in her all-so-knowing fashion. Yes, it was obvious Hana knew now. It shouldn’t have made Kiran glance at Kiku in such a worried way – he knew the old lady knew everything and anything all the time. It seemed like nothing could get by her.

Soon, the lights in the house turned off and the porch was once again consumed in darkness as the family left for bed. Kiran paused for a moment, listening for a while more to make sure everyone was gone, and slowly stood. He matched Kiku’s sheepish smile with a rather sheepish one of his own and walked over to her, glancing back at the house for a second.

“I…think we should probably do what she says,” he murmured softly, smiling a bit as he referred to Hana. He gently took Kiku’s hand as he walked past her and pulled her along as he opened the door leading inside. He stepped in, seeing that everyone truly had left. He relaxed a little bit at this and firmed his hold on Kiku’s hand, tugging her inside and closing the door behind her.

“I guess I should head to bed,” he said softly, glancing in the direction of his room before looking back to Kiku’s pretty face. They probably shouldn’t risk being up any further, for who knew when Hana could be sneaking around again.

So, Kiran causally leaned in and – wanting to savor the last of their wonderful night together – pecked her lips slowly.

“Goodnight,” he murmured deeply, smiling. He then released his hold on her hand and, very quietly, headed off to his room with that familiar warmth on his lips.

[kiku]

As foolish as her family’s exchange had made her feel, once Kiran had taken her hand and they walked into her still and quiet house, Kiku felt a little better. Though, she still couldn’t help but think of how humiliating it was to know that her gram knew everything. It shouldn’t surprise her, really; maybe she had just been in denial. Now that she thought more about it, Kiku realized that Hana had been dropping knowing hints for a long time now, like she had known something like this would have happened between her and Kiran before she even realized…

Yet, Kiku’s somewhat nervous thoughts were swiftly brushed away as Kiran spoke again. Kiku looked to him, her brown eyes softening as she observed his handsome face and felt his strong hand wrapped around hers, firm and warm. However, her gaze became reluctant and downcast once Kiran finished his words, for she was still – even after their long and ultimately satisfying day – unwilling to be far from him, even if it meant staying the night in different rooms. Still, Kiku thought then, she was indeed grateful for the things that had happened that night, and so she then looked at him again, her eyes and smile still soft.

Kiku’s expression became shy, however, as Kiran slowly leaned toward her, though her heart jumped in breathless excitement. A slight smile remained on her lips while her eyes closed and Kiran kissed her, causing Kiku to squeeze his hand gently. His full lips were warm, and Kiku marveled over how lucky she truly was to have him with her at all.

“Goodnight,” Kiku murmured in reply, a faintly dazed smile on her own lips. She watched Kiran as he completely disappeared into his room before she turned and slowly strolled up the stairs, her mind oddly blank.

It wasn’t until Kiku reached her room that she laughed in triumph and fell to her bed, smiling as she touched three of her fingers to her lips, smiling at the warmth there.