Mizu was pleasantly surprised to see that Lance did not stop moving after she broke contact, and instead, he increased his gestures, oscillating between movements that drew his fingertips across his own skin. She nearly laughed as his dance movements transitioned fluidly into him crossing his arms as though to think about what she had said before continuing on. Then, Lance pulled his hand across his collarbone, following a trail up the side of his neck and through his hair while the other hand reached across his body to his hip before tracing his waistline.
Lance hardly seemed to be paying Mizu any mind, and it might have made her feel left out if she hadn't been resolved in her decision. And, in fact, watching him was exactly what she wanted. She smiled warmly, happily, as her hands came to each of her upper arms and slid over her shoulders momentarily.
"Leave it to him to woo a frickin' god," Lance said with a legitimate twirl, finally tossing a playful glance back at her from over his shoulder. Then, he shrugged dismissively. Mizu's contentment sagged somewhat, though she hoped Lance could not tell. It was an interesting comment, one that indicated Evan had wooed others before, in view of Lance. But, she determined she did not want to concern herself with what it might mean. It wasn't really any of her business, especially not now that she had decidedly set her role as commander aside, just for tonight, just for now.
A jittery sensation arose in her stomach, and she returned her hands to her lap. Looking up at Lance, she said, "I mean, he did summon her without permission. I suppose that probably counted for something." It was the closest she had come to saying that she was grateful that Evan disobeyed her, but it felt harmless to tell Lance. It wasn't exactly a secret, or at least, not one she was intent on keeping even if Evan would have preferred that others did not know.
But, though they were still talking of the goddess and Evan, Mizu still looked wistfully over Lance's movements, hoping he wouldn't stop.
Mizu/Lance
Moderator: On Dreams And Desire
Re: Mizu/Lance
Mizu had a smile on, which Lance was very happy to see.
"I mean, he did summon her without permission," she said, "I suppose that probably counted for something."
Lance's eyebrows raised, and he let out a soft, "Ah," as he nodded in understanding. He wasn't exactly surprised, but hearing it confirmed was interesting, and moreover, Mizu made a good point about it counting for something. Still, Lance wasn't sure where else to go with that, and let his gaze drift back in front of him as he started to sway his hips, relishing the thought of Mizu enjoying his form from behind.
He wasn't brave enough to linger terribly long on that, though, and slowly swiveled back towards facing Mizu, each swish of his hips turning him further. But then once he faced her, he felt a flush of self-consciousness, an uncertainty disrupting the flow he'd felt up til then. He kept on his smile through it, though, deciding that it just meant he was done dancing, and he playfully plopped down on the cot next to Mizu, lightly bumping shoulders with her as he settled in leaning back against his arms.
"Anyway, there's all manner of tale about what sorts of tortures she may visit on her victims."
Lance looked at Mizu with a playful, curious glint in his eye, calculating what if any details he truly wanted to offer.
"Given Evan's devotion," he continued after a moment, "Seems like it's not pure torture. His redefining pleasure comment is interesting, though. Maybe he's enjoyed the injuries he's gotten."
Fear bubbled through Lance's gut at the thought. His smile didn't waver, but his eyes did trail down to his knee, which bobbed a little back and forth to release some energy.
"I mean, he did summon her without permission," she said, "I suppose that probably counted for something."
Lance's eyebrows raised, and he let out a soft, "Ah," as he nodded in understanding. He wasn't exactly surprised, but hearing it confirmed was interesting, and moreover, Mizu made a good point about it counting for something. Still, Lance wasn't sure where else to go with that, and let his gaze drift back in front of him as he started to sway his hips, relishing the thought of Mizu enjoying his form from behind.
He wasn't brave enough to linger terribly long on that, though, and slowly swiveled back towards facing Mizu, each swish of his hips turning him further. But then once he faced her, he felt a flush of self-consciousness, an uncertainty disrupting the flow he'd felt up til then. He kept on his smile through it, though, deciding that it just meant he was done dancing, and he playfully plopped down on the cot next to Mizu, lightly bumping shoulders with her as he settled in leaning back against his arms.
"Anyway, there's all manner of tale about what sorts of tortures she may visit on her victims."
Lance looked at Mizu with a playful, curious glint in his eye, calculating what if any details he truly wanted to offer.
"Given Evan's devotion," he continued after a moment, "Seems like it's not pure torture. His redefining pleasure comment is interesting, though. Maybe he's enjoyed the injuries he's gotten."
Fear bubbled through Lance's gut at the thought. His smile didn't waver, but his eyes did trail down to his knee, which bobbed a little back and forth to release some energy.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Lance continued to sway his hips, giving Mizu a choice view of his backside, which she did appreciate even if blood went to her cheeks. Her lips parted a little, at least, before Lance started using his dance to slowly pivot back to facing her.
Once he had her in view, however, he appeared to falter, his limbs a little disconnected from each other. Still, he looked happy, and before long, he gracelessly sat down on the cot next to Mizu, bumping her shoulder on the way down before he leaned back on his arms.
"Anyway, there's all manner of tale about what sorts of tortures she may visit on her victims," he said. "Given Evan's devotion, seems like it's not pure torture. His 'redefining pleasure' comment is interesting, though. Maybe he's enjoyed the injuries he's gotten."
Lance's leg nearest to Mizu moved back and forth, brushing hers a little each time it moved. She had the urge to put a hand on his thigh--not to stop him exactly. To comfort him, maybe. Or herself.
But, instead, she contemplated what Lance had said. She supposed it wasn't out of the question for pain to be pleasurable.
"Or," Mizu said, "At the very least, the injuries have been abundantly worth it. Above and beyond what the rebellion is getting out of this." After a moment of thought, Mizu smiled to herself and decided to add, "Evan's not quite so self-sacrificing."
Mizu brought her hands to her lap and starting brushing down her thighs slowly, unsure of what would come next. Lance was on her cot, and yet she still felt some distance between them. While she had a vague notion to close it, she also didn't want to be so attached to that outcome as to force it. But, so far, showing her cards had served her well, and continuing to give Lance permission to seek what he wanted from her was important if they were going to continue. Although, last time he made a move, she had pinned his arms behind his back. The corner of her mouth quirked with the thought.
"If the stories you've told are anything to go by," Mizu said, looking down at her hands, "what tortures are you hoping for?" A rush of blood surged between Mizu's legs, and she could not help but look up at Lance again, craving every overemphasized expression that might move across his face.
Once he had her in view, however, he appeared to falter, his limbs a little disconnected from each other. Still, he looked happy, and before long, he gracelessly sat down on the cot next to Mizu, bumping her shoulder on the way down before he leaned back on his arms.
"Anyway, there's all manner of tale about what sorts of tortures she may visit on her victims," he said. "Given Evan's devotion, seems like it's not pure torture. His 'redefining pleasure' comment is interesting, though. Maybe he's enjoyed the injuries he's gotten."
Lance's leg nearest to Mizu moved back and forth, brushing hers a little each time it moved. She had the urge to put a hand on his thigh--not to stop him exactly. To comfort him, maybe. Or herself.
But, instead, she contemplated what Lance had said. She supposed it wasn't out of the question for pain to be pleasurable.
"Or," Mizu said, "At the very least, the injuries have been abundantly worth it. Above and beyond what the rebellion is getting out of this." After a moment of thought, Mizu smiled to herself and decided to add, "Evan's not quite so self-sacrificing."
Mizu brought her hands to her lap and starting brushing down her thighs slowly, unsure of what would come next. Lance was on her cot, and yet she still felt some distance between them. While she had a vague notion to close it, she also didn't want to be so attached to that outcome as to force it. But, so far, showing her cards had served her well, and continuing to give Lance permission to seek what he wanted from her was important if they were going to continue. Although, last time he made a move, she had pinned his arms behind his back. The corner of her mouth quirked with the thought.
"If the stories you've told are anything to go by," Mizu said, looking down at her hands, "what tortures are you hoping for?" A rush of blood surged between Mizu's legs, and she could not help but look up at Lance again, craving every overemphasized expression that might move across his face.
Re: Mizu/Lance
"Or," Mizu said, "At the very least, the injuries have been abundantly worth it. Above and beyond what the rebellion is getting out of this." After a moment, she smiled and added, "Evan's not quite so self-sacrificing."
Lance grinned and let out an amused "heh," supposing that was true. Evan had seemed perhaps a bit more noble than Lance, at least from Lance's point of view, but he was still a hedonist at the end of the day.
Mizu started brushing her hands down her thighs, drawing Lance's attention with the motion, though he tried not to out and out gawk. It seemed more like a nervous motion than a flirting motion, anyhow, especially as silence settled over them again. Lance's gaze flicked back and forth between Mizu and his knee as he contemplated what he wanted to do next, sometimes looking out towards some other place in the tent instead; he was gazing out that direction when Mizu spoke again, drawing his attention back.
"If the stories you've told are anything to go by," Mizu said, looking down at her hands, "what tortures are you hoping for?"
Lance's smile turned a little crooked, his eyes trailing just slightly off to the side. On the one hand, he was thrilled that she wanted to ask that--they had been pussyfooting around the dirty details, hadn't they? But, that meant he had to commit to something, to show some cards and have them looked at. And, nervousness always fluttered through him at that.
And then, as soon as he reached for what he might hope for, rather than simply anticipate, his mind flickered to Mizu pinning his hands behind his back just a moment before. His head tilted slightly to the side in a vague gesture of recognition, but words didn't quite make it to his mouth. It was one thing to quietly enjoy things like that, but another altogether to say it out loud. Was there something else he would rather say, then?
Lance closed his eyes as he dug deeper, and after a moment, he shifted his weight onto one arm, the other coming up to lightly grace its fingertips down the side of his neck.
"In one story I've heard..." he said tentatively, "she likes to just touch you, like this..." he tilted his head to emphasize his exposed neck, and his fingers gently brushed aside the collar of his shirt to caress over his collarbone. "And that alone is so intoxicating...." His hand withdrew, returning back to the bed, and Lance opened his eyes, albeit a bit heavily, and slid his gaze back to Mizu, "when she stops, that's when her victims go mad."
Lance grinned and let out an amused "heh," supposing that was true. Evan had seemed perhaps a bit more noble than Lance, at least from Lance's point of view, but he was still a hedonist at the end of the day.
Mizu started brushing her hands down her thighs, drawing Lance's attention with the motion, though he tried not to out and out gawk. It seemed more like a nervous motion than a flirting motion, anyhow, especially as silence settled over them again. Lance's gaze flicked back and forth between Mizu and his knee as he contemplated what he wanted to do next, sometimes looking out towards some other place in the tent instead; he was gazing out that direction when Mizu spoke again, drawing his attention back.
"If the stories you've told are anything to go by," Mizu said, looking down at her hands, "what tortures are you hoping for?"
Lance's smile turned a little crooked, his eyes trailing just slightly off to the side. On the one hand, he was thrilled that she wanted to ask that--they had been pussyfooting around the dirty details, hadn't they? But, that meant he had to commit to something, to show some cards and have them looked at. And, nervousness always fluttered through him at that.
And then, as soon as he reached for what he might hope for, rather than simply anticipate, his mind flickered to Mizu pinning his hands behind his back just a moment before. His head tilted slightly to the side in a vague gesture of recognition, but words didn't quite make it to his mouth. It was one thing to quietly enjoy things like that, but another altogether to say it out loud. Was there something else he would rather say, then?
Lance closed his eyes as he dug deeper, and after a moment, he shifted his weight onto one arm, the other coming up to lightly grace its fingertips down the side of his neck.
"In one story I've heard..." he said tentatively, "she likes to just touch you, like this..." he tilted his head to emphasize his exposed neck, and his fingers gently brushed aside the collar of his shirt to caress over his collarbone. "And that alone is so intoxicating...." His hand withdrew, returning back to the bed, and Lance opened his eyes, albeit a bit heavily, and slid his gaze back to Mizu, "when she stops, that's when her victims go mad."
Re: Mizu/Lance
Lance's head tilted and his eyes grew distant as he thought, but Mizu thought she saw a spark of excitement there, too, like he knew what game Mizu was playing.
She found herself anxious for his reply and tried to mask it by leaning forward somewhat over her knees and staring at the floor, her fingers interlaced in front of her.
The moment he started speaking again, though, she couldn't help her head from swiveling his direction.
"In one story I've heard, she likes to just touch you, like this..."
He had adjusted such that he leaned on the arm furthest from her, and his fingertips licked the skin of his collarbone where they slid under the fabric of his shirt in a motion that widened Mizu's eyes. He stopped all too quickly and returned his hand to the bed. Mizu swallowed.
"And that alone is so intoxicating that, when she stops, her victims go mad."
Mizu smiled a ghost of a smile, the drama of the stories more familiar to her and giving her a way to think less seriously about all this.
Lance didn't actually hope he would go mad, just as Mizu didn't actually think that whatever she did to Lance tonight would surpass whatever the goddess had in mind for tomorrow. But they could speculate and... have fun.
It seemed absurd to be looking for fun in the middle of a war, but if she were being honest with herself, this was exactly the situation where she needed it most.
Mizu reran her calculations in her mind. Was this risky? Absolutely. Was she still mitigating the risks she could? Yes. Lance was leaving tomorrow. There was a high likelihood he would never come back.
Mizu suddenly imagined how Evan would handle this situation, and the thought made her smile. The answer was obvious.
Mizu looked at Lance, pinpricks of dryness in her eyes that made them water slightly. With a deep breath, she sat up straight and tentatively placed a hand on top of Lance's nearest to her, not taking her eyes off Lance and prepared to pull away at the slightest indication that he did not want what she was doing. And then, sliding a little closer in a smooth movement, Mizu reached to touch Lance's opposite shoulder, using the backs of her fingernails to draw light trails over his exposed skin.
"I'm not the goddess, and I won't try to be. But... that doesn't mean I don't want to touch you."
She traced the path along his shoulder with the backs of her fingernails again.
"I, Mizu, want to touch you very much." She rested her hand on his shoulder, then, peacefully. "But as your commander, I do need you to keep everything you have learned tonight in confidence, at least until you leave for the goddess tomorrow."
She took a breath, having managed to maintain her gaze on him until now. But, she looked back quickly.
"I won't tell you to keep what happens between us tonight a secret, but if asked, I will almost certainly deny it." She needed him to know this and to agree to at least that before they continued. It was the last piece she needed before she could fully relax.
"But, past this point," Mizu shifted her hand to touch the side of Lance's neck now with the backs of her fingernails, "I want to make certain that you are not here under my command." Looking toward her hand as it moved now, she finished with, "You can leave now if you wish, and I will not hold it against you."
She found herself anxious for his reply and tried to mask it by leaning forward somewhat over her knees and staring at the floor, her fingers interlaced in front of her.
The moment he started speaking again, though, she couldn't help her head from swiveling his direction.
"In one story I've heard, she likes to just touch you, like this..."
He had adjusted such that he leaned on the arm furthest from her, and his fingertips licked the skin of his collarbone where they slid under the fabric of his shirt in a motion that widened Mizu's eyes. He stopped all too quickly and returned his hand to the bed. Mizu swallowed.
"And that alone is so intoxicating that, when she stops, her victims go mad."
Mizu smiled a ghost of a smile, the drama of the stories more familiar to her and giving her a way to think less seriously about all this.
Lance didn't actually hope he would go mad, just as Mizu didn't actually think that whatever she did to Lance tonight would surpass whatever the goddess had in mind for tomorrow. But they could speculate and... have fun.
It seemed absurd to be looking for fun in the middle of a war, but if she were being honest with herself, this was exactly the situation where she needed it most.
Mizu reran her calculations in her mind. Was this risky? Absolutely. Was she still mitigating the risks she could? Yes. Lance was leaving tomorrow. There was a high likelihood he would never come back.
Mizu suddenly imagined how Evan would handle this situation, and the thought made her smile. The answer was obvious.
Mizu looked at Lance, pinpricks of dryness in her eyes that made them water slightly. With a deep breath, she sat up straight and tentatively placed a hand on top of Lance's nearest to her, not taking her eyes off Lance and prepared to pull away at the slightest indication that he did not want what she was doing. And then, sliding a little closer in a smooth movement, Mizu reached to touch Lance's opposite shoulder, using the backs of her fingernails to draw light trails over his exposed skin.
"I'm not the goddess, and I won't try to be. But... that doesn't mean I don't want to touch you."
She traced the path along his shoulder with the backs of her fingernails again.
"I, Mizu, want to touch you very much." She rested her hand on his shoulder, then, peacefully. "But as your commander, I do need you to keep everything you have learned tonight in confidence, at least until you leave for the goddess tomorrow."
She took a breath, having managed to maintain her gaze on him until now. But, she looked back quickly.
"I won't tell you to keep what happens between us tonight a secret, but if asked, I will almost certainly deny it." She needed him to know this and to agree to at least that before they continued. It was the last piece she needed before she could fully relax.
"But, past this point," Mizu shifted her hand to touch the side of Lance's neck now with the backs of her fingernails, "I want to make certain that you are not here under my command." Looking toward her hand as it moved now, she finished with, "You can leave now if you wish, and I will not hold it against you."
Re: Mizu/Lance
Lance kept on a sultry expression, but nervousness buzzed in his ears as he watched Mizu react. She did smile, at first just a ghost but after a moment something brighter, which flared a warm and excited hope in his chest, although some embarrassment played at the edges.
Mizu met Lance's gaze with wet eyes, and took in a deep breath before leaning towards him, one of her hands pressing over one of his on the cot. Warmth splashed through him, and his grin widened. She seemed to assess for half a moment, then, and Lance gave just the slightest of nods, the quickest affirmation that easily came to his body at the moment. She slid closer to him then, her other hand brushing over his opposite shoulder, bringing her face close to his. She looked softer up close, especially with her hair free to frame her face and the flicker of candlelight warming her skin. She was beautiful.
"I'm not the goddess," Mizu said, the backs of her nails trailing slowly over Lance's chest, playing on the skin exposed at his collar. "And I won't try to be."
Lance tilted his head back slightly, half in a subtle nod of understanding and agreement, half simply in a gesture to approve of what Mizu's fingers were doing.
"But... that doesn't mean I don't want to touch you." She reached over to his shoulder again, and retraced the line, and playful chills danced over Lance's shoulders, making his eyelids grow heavy enough to briefly flutter.
"I, Mizu, want to touch you very much." She rested her hand on his shoulder, then, peacefully. "But as your commander, I do need you to keep everything you have learned tonight in confidence, at least until you leave for the goddess tomorrow."
Lance blinked once or twice, his eyes opening wider each time, and his head rose to upright again, swiveling to look at Mizu more directly. It took him a moment to fully parse what she had said, but once he got it, he nodded--a quick, assertive nod this time, his grin a little more severe, especially in his eyebrows. It'd certainly be tempting to gossip about their meeting with Yusel, but he could manage; framed the right way, he was just as happy to not be responsible for spreading word about an alliance he was a pawn in rather than a part of.
"I won't tell you to keep what happens between us tonight a secret," Mizu continued, "but if asked, I will almost certainly deny it."
That one also took a moment to sink in, but as it did, the severity of Lance's expression softened significantly, his eyebrows raising in a mild surprise. Then his lips formed a thoughtful pout, still curled slightly in his eternal grin, his gaze flicking briefly up and to the side as he nodded. While there was a pinprick of indignance, it was small and disembodied, and well overpowered by a sense of Yeah, fair enough.
"But, past this point," Mizu's hand moved from his shoulder to the side of his neck, the backs of her nails brushing over skin there and surprising Lance slightly. He stiffened a little, breathing in sharply, but his head tilted instinctively to the side to welcome it.
"I want to make certain that you are not here under my command. You can leave now if you wish, and I will not hold it against you."
A soft, amused breath escaped from Lance's lips, and he sat forward, freeing up the hand not under Mizu's to reach for the side of her neck, thumb tracing the corners of her jaw as his fingers laced back into her hair. He looked in her eyes with a wide smile, eyebrows raised, and his head bobbed forward just a smidge at first to see how she responded. If she didn't pull away, he was quite prepared to lean in for a kiss.
Mizu met Lance's gaze with wet eyes, and took in a deep breath before leaning towards him, one of her hands pressing over one of his on the cot. Warmth splashed through him, and his grin widened. She seemed to assess for half a moment, then, and Lance gave just the slightest of nods, the quickest affirmation that easily came to his body at the moment. She slid closer to him then, her other hand brushing over his opposite shoulder, bringing her face close to his. She looked softer up close, especially with her hair free to frame her face and the flicker of candlelight warming her skin. She was beautiful.
"I'm not the goddess," Mizu said, the backs of her nails trailing slowly over Lance's chest, playing on the skin exposed at his collar. "And I won't try to be."
Lance tilted his head back slightly, half in a subtle nod of understanding and agreement, half simply in a gesture to approve of what Mizu's fingers were doing.
"But... that doesn't mean I don't want to touch you." She reached over to his shoulder again, and retraced the line, and playful chills danced over Lance's shoulders, making his eyelids grow heavy enough to briefly flutter.
"I, Mizu, want to touch you very much." She rested her hand on his shoulder, then, peacefully. "But as your commander, I do need you to keep everything you have learned tonight in confidence, at least until you leave for the goddess tomorrow."
Lance blinked once or twice, his eyes opening wider each time, and his head rose to upright again, swiveling to look at Mizu more directly. It took him a moment to fully parse what she had said, but once he got it, he nodded--a quick, assertive nod this time, his grin a little more severe, especially in his eyebrows. It'd certainly be tempting to gossip about their meeting with Yusel, but he could manage; framed the right way, he was just as happy to not be responsible for spreading word about an alliance he was a pawn in rather than a part of.
"I won't tell you to keep what happens between us tonight a secret," Mizu continued, "but if asked, I will almost certainly deny it."
That one also took a moment to sink in, but as it did, the severity of Lance's expression softened significantly, his eyebrows raising in a mild surprise. Then his lips formed a thoughtful pout, still curled slightly in his eternal grin, his gaze flicking briefly up and to the side as he nodded. While there was a pinprick of indignance, it was small and disembodied, and well overpowered by a sense of Yeah, fair enough.
"But, past this point," Mizu's hand moved from his shoulder to the side of his neck, the backs of her nails brushing over skin there and surprising Lance slightly. He stiffened a little, breathing in sharply, but his head tilted instinctively to the side to welcome it.
"I want to make certain that you are not here under my command. You can leave now if you wish, and I will not hold it against you."
A soft, amused breath escaped from Lance's lips, and he sat forward, freeing up the hand not under Mizu's to reach for the side of her neck, thumb tracing the corners of her jaw as his fingers laced back into her hair. He looked in her eyes with a wide smile, eyebrows raised, and his head bobbed forward just a smidge at first to see how she responded. If she didn't pull away, he was quite prepared to lean in for a kiss.
Re: Mizu/Lance
As she spoke, Lance gave subtle and slight nods, easy enough to read but not convincing. If his grin was anything to go by, he was happy about these developments, but his grin was so ubiquitous that she was suddenly unsure that she could trust it.
Their faces were so close, and Lance moved his forehead closer to hers, looking at her with raised eyebrows. At first, she didn't move, knowing he wanted to kiss her, and on some level, she wanted that, too, but she lacked the reassurance that Lance had fully understood.
Before his lips connected, she pulled abruptly away, standing from the cot and immediately dragging both hands through her hair. She turned away from Lance, placing a hand to her stomach. Gods, what was she afraid of?
Ruining everything. After sacrificing so much already for this cause, was she really willing to jeopardize all of it over one night with this man? Had she already jeopardized it?
Mizu took some deep breaths, trying to figure out what she did want.
She looked over her shoulder at Lance, taking in his reaction to her pulling away and letting confusion and fear show in her eyes.
With one more swipe of a hand through her hair, she came back over to Lance.
"This isn't something I... I haven't..." Gods, she was nervous, and moths fluttered excessively in her stomach.
Finally decided, Mizu kneeled in front of Lance where he sat on the cot, placed her hands on his knees, looked up at him, and said, "I haven't done anything like this since we broke away from the king." She looked down at the floor.
"I don't think I want you to touch me," she said quietly as she looked up at him. "At least, not yet. But I still want to touch you." Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Gods, why was this so difficult?
"Do you think... would that...?" She shook her head, frustrated, but she didn't move, squeezing Lance's thighs to get some energy out.
Their faces were so close, and Lance moved his forehead closer to hers, looking at her with raised eyebrows. At first, she didn't move, knowing he wanted to kiss her, and on some level, she wanted that, too, but she lacked the reassurance that Lance had fully understood.
Before his lips connected, she pulled abruptly away, standing from the cot and immediately dragging both hands through her hair. She turned away from Lance, placing a hand to her stomach. Gods, what was she afraid of?
Ruining everything. After sacrificing so much already for this cause, was she really willing to jeopardize all of it over one night with this man? Had she already jeopardized it?
Mizu took some deep breaths, trying to figure out what she did want.
She looked over her shoulder at Lance, taking in his reaction to her pulling away and letting confusion and fear show in her eyes.
With one more swipe of a hand through her hair, she came back over to Lance.
"This isn't something I... I haven't..." Gods, she was nervous, and moths fluttered excessively in her stomach.
Finally decided, Mizu kneeled in front of Lance where he sat on the cot, placed her hands on his knees, looked up at him, and said, "I haven't done anything like this since we broke away from the king." She looked down at the floor.
"I don't think I want you to touch me," she said quietly as she looked up at him. "At least, not yet. But I still want to touch you." Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Gods, why was this so difficult?
"Do you think... would that...?" She shook her head, frustrated, but she didn't move, squeezing Lance's thighs to get some energy out.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Lance was a little nervous when Mizu didn't move at all towards him, but, she also didn't move away, and so he mustered the courage to press on, banking on assertiveness reassuring Mizu of his desire to be here.
But, she pulled away before he could kiss her, suddenly on her feet and turning her back to him. Lance's heart pounded anxiously in his ears as he tried to hold a pesky internal scolding at bay. He watched Mizu with his hands resting on the cot on either side of his thighs, his shoulders a bit tense, and chewed idly on his lip, wondering if he should say something. Mizu looked back to him over her shoulder, and he straightened up slightly, his eyebrows raising to show that he was attentive, and a bit concerned. Her own expression looked confused and maybe even a bit afraid, and Lance finally couldn't stop himself from replaying the last few moments through a lens of, I must have done something wrong.
But then Mizu ran a hand through her hair and walked back over towards him, and Lance let out a soft breath, relaxing just slightly.
"This isn't something I... I haven't..." Mizu stammered, and something clicked, relaxing Lance significantly; Mizu was out of practice hooking up, which, in hindsight, made a lot of sense, and relieved his sense of having done something wrong almost entirely. He felt an impulse to tease her, but diffused it easily; she didn't seem the type to take that well, and he really wasn't interested in gambling much with whatever this encounter was going to be. So, he smiled gently, keeping his expression soft, hoping to convey some amount of sympathy and understanding.
At least until Mizu kneeled down in front of him, and Lance's expression opened considerably, his eyebrows shooting up and his lips parting in surprise, color dancing onto his cheeks. She placed her hands on his knees, and Lance couldn't help the instinctive push of a soft amused breath from his lungs as his eyes veered to the side, an impulse to diffuse his own rising nervousness, which he could only hope in the moment following that she didn't take the wrong way.
"I haven't done anything like this since we broke away from the king." Mizu said, and Lance swallowed. A wave of sheepish guilt rolled through him, and he bit down on his lip as he brought his gaze back to Mizu, almost apologetic in his expression. Not that he knew what the heck he was trying to apologize for, exactly.
"I don't think I want you to touch me," she went on, and Lance's eyebrows rose in surprise again, his hands instinctively rising from the cot as though resting there was already the thing she was asking him not to do, though then they just hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to settle.
"At least, not yet. But I still want to touch you. Do you think... would that...?" Mizu furrowed her brow and shook her head, her hands lightly squeezing Lance's legs.
"Uh," Lance could tell she was asking him something before he really understood what, and panic buzzed silently in him as he tried to figure it out. "Yes?" He winced a little at himself, well aware that that was hardly convincing. He swallowed and let his hands settle back down onto the cot, closing his eyes and shaking his head briefly to try to get himself to relax again.
"Sorry," he said with a re-mustered crooked smile, albeit a bit sheepish. "Usually when someone doesn't want me to kiss them it's an outright no..." he shrugged a little, inviting more playfulness into his expression. "But, yeah... you can touch me, and I can keep my hands to myself, if that's what you'd like." He rocked his knees away from each other and back in again, enjoying taking Mizu's hands with them for the tiny ride, and he looked at her with his smile hopeful now, maybe even a tad goofy. He felt awkward, but optimistic, a tentative excitement starting to flutter again in his chest.
But, she pulled away before he could kiss her, suddenly on her feet and turning her back to him. Lance's heart pounded anxiously in his ears as he tried to hold a pesky internal scolding at bay. He watched Mizu with his hands resting on the cot on either side of his thighs, his shoulders a bit tense, and chewed idly on his lip, wondering if he should say something. Mizu looked back to him over her shoulder, and he straightened up slightly, his eyebrows raising to show that he was attentive, and a bit concerned. Her own expression looked confused and maybe even a bit afraid, and Lance finally couldn't stop himself from replaying the last few moments through a lens of, I must have done something wrong.
But then Mizu ran a hand through her hair and walked back over towards him, and Lance let out a soft breath, relaxing just slightly.
"This isn't something I... I haven't..." Mizu stammered, and something clicked, relaxing Lance significantly; Mizu was out of practice hooking up, which, in hindsight, made a lot of sense, and relieved his sense of having done something wrong almost entirely. He felt an impulse to tease her, but diffused it easily; she didn't seem the type to take that well, and he really wasn't interested in gambling much with whatever this encounter was going to be. So, he smiled gently, keeping his expression soft, hoping to convey some amount of sympathy and understanding.
At least until Mizu kneeled down in front of him, and Lance's expression opened considerably, his eyebrows shooting up and his lips parting in surprise, color dancing onto his cheeks. She placed her hands on his knees, and Lance couldn't help the instinctive push of a soft amused breath from his lungs as his eyes veered to the side, an impulse to diffuse his own rising nervousness, which he could only hope in the moment following that she didn't take the wrong way.
"I haven't done anything like this since we broke away from the king." Mizu said, and Lance swallowed. A wave of sheepish guilt rolled through him, and he bit down on his lip as he brought his gaze back to Mizu, almost apologetic in his expression. Not that he knew what the heck he was trying to apologize for, exactly.
"I don't think I want you to touch me," she went on, and Lance's eyebrows rose in surprise again, his hands instinctively rising from the cot as though resting there was already the thing she was asking him not to do, though then they just hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to settle.
"At least, not yet. But I still want to touch you. Do you think... would that...?" Mizu furrowed her brow and shook her head, her hands lightly squeezing Lance's legs.
"Uh," Lance could tell she was asking him something before he really understood what, and panic buzzed silently in him as he tried to figure it out. "Yes?" He winced a little at himself, well aware that that was hardly convincing. He swallowed and let his hands settle back down onto the cot, closing his eyes and shaking his head briefly to try to get himself to relax again.
"Sorry," he said with a re-mustered crooked smile, albeit a bit sheepish. "Usually when someone doesn't want me to kiss them it's an outright no..." he shrugged a little, inviting more playfulness into his expression. "But, yeah... you can touch me, and I can keep my hands to myself, if that's what you'd like." He rocked his knees away from each other and back in again, enjoying taking Mizu's hands with them for the tiny ride, and he looked at her with his smile hopeful now, maybe even a tad goofy. He felt awkward, but optimistic, a tentative excitement starting to flutter again in his chest.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Mizu watched Lance carefully, concerned when he raised his hands awkwardly above the cot. She didn't want this to make things strange or clunky between them... she just wanted... what, exactly? Control? She supposed so. She wanted to... give Lance an experience. And herself in the process without... interruption.
She did what she could to set aside her insecurities and doubts--she didn't need to defend herself or her preferences.
"Uh," Lance said, "Yes?" He winced but did put his hands back down on the bed. Mizu's furrowed brows deepened, not feeling any more reassured than she had before she had left the cot. She looked at the floor, eyes darting this way and that, unable to help from beginning to calculate an exit strategy.
"Sorry," Lance said, and Mizu looked at him again hopefully. "Usually when someone doesn't want me to kiss them, it's an outright no..." He shrugged then, and Mizu felt her expression soften with understanding. She did suppose she was being a bit... unconventional. "But, yeah... you can touch me, and I can keep my hands to myself, if that's what you'd like." Mizu breathed quietly through her mouth in relief, though she soon became distracted by the way Lance pushed his knees apart and pulled them back together. The gesture might have irritated her except... Lance was riding a line with her, whether he knew it or not. Her hands were already on his thighs such that he was moving her, too, but he wasn't technically touching her. She genuinely smiled to herself, then, though she looked down to try to hide it somewhat. If he kept this up, they might have an even better time together than she had imagined.
When she could gather her resolve, she looked resolutely up at Lance, his grin still crooked and maybe slightly sheepish. She wanted to comfort him, to relax him, to enjoy how the candlelight fell across his skin. Yes, this was the right time.
Squeezing his thighs once more, Mizu stood and leaned over Lance, moving her left hand into his hair, grateful for the ways its loose strands fell through her fingers. And, after taking another breath, Mizu leaned in and placed her lips against Lance's, her thin lips rounding over his fuller ones. She pulled away briefly, leaning her forehead against Lance's momentarily. Then, she leaned in again, kissing him a little more deeply, her fingers in his hair pulling him closer. His skin was soft and welcoming, and she did want more of it. Gently, she used her hand to push his shoulder such that he might lay flat on the cot. Kneeling beside him again, she rested her head against his shoulder, laying her cheek there for a moment to feel his skin.
She did what she could to set aside her insecurities and doubts--she didn't need to defend herself or her preferences.
"Uh," Lance said, "Yes?" He winced but did put his hands back down on the bed. Mizu's furrowed brows deepened, not feeling any more reassured than she had before she had left the cot. She looked at the floor, eyes darting this way and that, unable to help from beginning to calculate an exit strategy.
"Sorry," Lance said, and Mizu looked at him again hopefully. "Usually when someone doesn't want me to kiss them, it's an outright no..." He shrugged then, and Mizu felt her expression soften with understanding. She did suppose she was being a bit... unconventional. "But, yeah... you can touch me, and I can keep my hands to myself, if that's what you'd like." Mizu breathed quietly through her mouth in relief, though she soon became distracted by the way Lance pushed his knees apart and pulled them back together. The gesture might have irritated her except... Lance was riding a line with her, whether he knew it or not. Her hands were already on his thighs such that he was moving her, too, but he wasn't technically touching her. She genuinely smiled to herself, then, though she looked down to try to hide it somewhat. If he kept this up, they might have an even better time together than she had imagined.
When she could gather her resolve, she looked resolutely up at Lance, his grin still crooked and maybe slightly sheepish. She wanted to comfort him, to relax him, to enjoy how the candlelight fell across his skin. Yes, this was the right time.
Squeezing his thighs once more, Mizu stood and leaned over Lance, moving her left hand into his hair, grateful for the ways its loose strands fell through her fingers. And, after taking another breath, Mizu leaned in and placed her lips against Lance's, her thin lips rounding over his fuller ones. She pulled away briefly, leaning her forehead against Lance's momentarily. Then, she leaned in again, kissing him a little more deeply, her fingers in his hair pulling him closer. His skin was soft and welcoming, and she did want more of it. Gently, she used her hand to push his shoulder such that he might lay flat on the cot. Kneeling beside him again, she rested her head against his shoulder, laying her cheek there for a moment to feel his skin.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Mizu smiled when Lance moved his knees, though she looked down seemingly to try to hide it. Lance's grin widened affectionately; he was pleased that he'd made her smile, and her shyness about it struck him as rather cute.
By the time she looked back up to him, her expression was resolute, and the excited flutters in Lance's chest erupted in celebration as she squeezed his thighs again and stood. She leaned over him, one hand lacing fingers into his hair. Lance let out an excited breath when it was clear that she was coming in for a kiss, and his eyes fluttered shut as her lips pressed against his. One of his hands briefly raised from the cot, instinctively wanting to mirror Mizu's, but he caught himself and pressed it back down against the cot, fingers playing with the blanket to keep themselves busy.
The kiss didn't last long, but Mizu pressed her forehead against his in its wake, and Lance leaned into it, humming softly without realizing. Then, she returned to the kiss, more deeply this time. Lance clutched at the blanket beneath him with both hands as he leaned in, happy to be drawn in by Mizu's fingers in his hair. He felt a pleasant sensation of weightlessness for a moment, but was startled out of it when Mizu pressed against his shoulder, prompting him to lean back slightly and open his eyes to check in. She didn't look upset, though, and he realized she was gently pressing him down rather than away. An awkward smirk tugged at the edge of his smile, but he obliged, shifting as he needed to lay down on the cot, hands settling loosely over his stomach. He made sure not to get his boots up on it, though, leaving one leg more or less where it was and bending the other to dangle its foot a bit off the bed. Mizu surprised him once more by kneeling down on the ground again next to the cot, pulling his gaze to the side to watch her as she laid her cheek on his shoulder.
Lance turned his gaze up towards the ceiling of the tent, taking in a deep breath and slowly letting it out. He liked the sensation of Mizu laying on his shoulder like that, but something about it made him a little nervous, though he tried not to show it. After a brief moment of that nervousness fluttering through him, Lance tentatively tilted his head towards hers, aiming to gently press his own cheek into her hair as he closed his eyes, trying to relax into the moment.
By the time she looked back up to him, her expression was resolute, and the excited flutters in Lance's chest erupted in celebration as she squeezed his thighs again and stood. She leaned over him, one hand lacing fingers into his hair. Lance let out an excited breath when it was clear that she was coming in for a kiss, and his eyes fluttered shut as her lips pressed against his. One of his hands briefly raised from the cot, instinctively wanting to mirror Mizu's, but he caught himself and pressed it back down against the cot, fingers playing with the blanket to keep themselves busy.
The kiss didn't last long, but Mizu pressed her forehead against his in its wake, and Lance leaned into it, humming softly without realizing. Then, she returned to the kiss, more deeply this time. Lance clutched at the blanket beneath him with both hands as he leaned in, happy to be drawn in by Mizu's fingers in his hair. He felt a pleasant sensation of weightlessness for a moment, but was startled out of it when Mizu pressed against his shoulder, prompting him to lean back slightly and open his eyes to check in. She didn't look upset, though, and he realized she was gently pressing him down rather than away. An awkward smirk tugged at the edge of his smile, but he obliged, shifting as he needed to lay down on the cot, hands settling loosely over his stomach. He made sure not to get his boots up on it, though, leaving one leg more or less where it was and bending the other to dangle its foot a bit off the bed. Mizu surprised him once more by kneeling down on the ground again next to the cot, pulling his gaze to the side to watch her as she laid her cheek on his shoulder.
Lance turned his gaze up towards the ceiling of the tent, taking in a deep breath and slowly letting it out. He liked the sensation of Mizu laying on his shoulder like that, but something about it made him a little nervous, though he tried not to show it. After a brief moment of that nervousness fluttering through him, Lance tentatively tilted his head towards hers, aiming to gently press his own cheek into her hair as he closed his eyes, trying to relax into the moment.