Spirits of the Earth

@visualspice

Why was he so nervous?

Ciaran flexed his hands and looked down at the horse under him, almost there. He'd been on the road for two days, camped on the side in the grass, ass pressed against the old horse. Old horse was being kind even. Thing was about to croak. A rough large hand was pressed to the beasts neck and he gave a chuckle, finding the familiar bends and turns of the road comforting.

His eyes had fallen closed and the horse meandered the rest of the way there and it was a gasping cry of joy that had his eyes snap open and he stared ahead.

He was home.

Ciaran grinned and waved to the older woman and he nudged the horse along to where his father lived. The clang of metal on metal had his chest tighten and he was off the horse in seconds and standing in the door way, grinning like a fool. The reunion was sweet and the rest of the day melted away with joyful hugs, chatting and ale.

It was later on in the night, the sun was on the way down and he bumped against the pendant in his pocket.

Hay-Gee.

Ciaran's heart started to pound and he sucked in a breath, looking up wildly. He was tired - though when wasn't he tired? - and slowly he made his way to where she lived and he found a rock, threw it at her window and waited with his hands on his waist.

Yeah.

That'll get her attention.

Another rock followed shortly after and he made a long 'hey' noise. She would be home right? Sure, he was a little aled up but... He wanted to see her. Wanted to see what a lovely creature she'd turned into because damn if she hadn't been a cute kid.

"Pssst, Hay-Gee!" He whisper yelled.

The day had been long and exhausting. The apples were becoming so fat and ripe it was hard for her and her cousin to keep up with all the picking before the fruit would drop, or animals would sneak in during the night to gobble them up. THen there were the worms, of course, those pesky things! Eating away at their harvest! But by the end of the down, despite being down right exhausted, Hay-gee was happy.

She was all smiles as usual and happily cooking away with her cousin into the long hours of the night. She had about ten pies to prepare and three she baked off last night. So the air outside her house now only smelled of the fresh dew of the night, but of freshly baked pies- a smell of which was stifled only by the soft flutter of curtains inside Hay-gee's home.

She had fallen asleep pretty fast, but her snoring had left her cousin to staying up later than she wanted and eventually she fell into a deep slumber herself. That was probably why both the girl's slept through the first pebble-


and even the second, as Hay-gee flipped over with a snore and moaned softly at the noise before snuggle her face back into her pillow and snoring enough Ciaran might have heard it two floors down on the lawn.

The snore had Ciarans heart sink.

That was the snore of a man.

That was a mans man snore and he hesitated. He stilled missed her, snuggled up in a mans arms or not. So obviously the great idea to climb the building and slide into her room was a great one which is exactly after a few more snores he made his way up there with the appropriate grunts and groans.

Half inside her window, blinded by the dark, he whisper yelled again.

"Hay-Gee! Wake up!"

Whatever that was, the voice, the name, the calling and the black shadow thing at her window had her tearing off the bed sheets in a fury. The patched up quilts pooled to the floor and the curly sprigs of Hay-gee's bed head clung to one side of her face while puffing out on the other, and as she scrambled to reach for the large piece of wood near the window to use as a bat-like weapon, her ankle got caught in the quilt and- she stumbled head first- straight into the strange shadowy man who had just half-climbed into her room!

Ciaran gave a grunt and his arms wrapped around the strange shadowy girl and he gave a grunt and... They fell out the window. Luckily, Ciaran was quick and he landed with her in his arms with a grunt, the moonlight shining.

He glared and stared down at her. Then gently set her down, confused.

"Can you go get Hay-gee for me?" The alcohol was on his breath and he held his hands on her waist, "tell her Ciarans home and he'll be waiting... uuuh... Behind the shed." A few nods and he let her go and took a few steps back.

She hadn't the time to scream when she and the stranger fell out the window, but he felt warm and powerful and strong as he clung onto her, and took the brunt of the fall. Even still, she was winded, and too shocked, to really comprehend what was going on- what he was saying nor who he was.

She blinked, her face skewing as she jerked away from this strange man and tried to figure out just what he was going on about. But he smelled drunk, and her face wrinkled with greater displeasure.

But then she realized something in that moment, something that had her internally choking on her words as she croaked out the name, "Ciaran?" And her eyes lit up and her face bloomed into the biggest of smiles. She clutched the man by the wrist and looked at him, seeming not to notice, nor care, she fell asleep in nothing but an over sized shirt. But did it matter? Or did it matter this was some stranger who crawled in through her window?

She squeezed his wrist again.

"Are you saying Ciaran's home!? Right now!?" she gushed.

"Uh... yeah." He frowned at her.

"Do i know you?" He squinted at her - at least she had nice legs - and tiltes his head. "I didnt know strangers would be excited to see me."

Her eyes were still glittering, but then she paused a moment as it began to sink in. And she took a step back as she blinked and studied him.
"Ciaran?"
Could this strange, beefed up young man really be...
But as she noted the features on his face, she couldn't help herself as she threw herself at him, arms clinging to him unimaginably tight.
"OH ANSGAR'S NAME, CIARAN!" And she was crying. "Ciaran it's you! It really is you isn't it? I was so worried when you rarely wrote and how bad the people were saying the war was getting and oh- oh gosh.." she tried to wipe her tears away. "Ciaran..." She noticed his look. "It's me!" And she beamed. "Hay-gee!"

A frown.

No way.

He curled his arms around her and mostly remained confused at how excited she was until she said she was Hay-Gee. Ciaran recoiled a little to look at her, eyebroes drawn up.

"No way." His hands moved to her face and cupped her cheeks, "you look..." unkempt. Not the same. A little weathered. "Different." He drew his thumbs under her eyes before he pulled them away. Hm. "You grew up," he placed his hands on her shoulders and shrugged.

"Do you want to go for a walk or go back to bed?"

She immediately blushed, and wiped a few tears clumsily on her sleeve.
"Yeah..m Well you grew up too." And she gave his arm a playful shove. "What do you mean go back to bed?! I haven't seen you in years!"

Ciaran picked her up in a full body hug, arms wrapped tight around her middle and he pressed his face into her neck before he gently set her back down. Still a little intoxicated he keot his hands on her waist and cuddled her close. She still sounded like Hay-Gee.

So there was that.

"Well, you have a husband dont you? I heard him snoring. Shouls go back to.him before i steal you away."

"What? Husband?" she flushed. "N-no! That was..." she scratched awkwardly at her elbow. "That was just me. I... Oh!" her eyes went wide as she shook her head. "I never got married!" Why did he say that? What did he mean by it?!

"You..." Ciaran looked at her, tilting his head, frowning

"Not married," he looked down at her slightly confused ," were you waiting for me?" He teased her, pinching her side gently.

Hay-gee squeaked when he touched her and stumbled back, shoving his hands away defensively.
"Wh-what? What do you mean wait?" She was thankful for the shade of darkness the night provided, because her cheeks, though always red, were truly burning at such a statement.

Ciaran threw back his head and laughed.

So jumpy.

A grin was on his face and he moved his hands to his pockets, the familiar metal bit poking his finger. Though, when he removed his hand, he didn't bring it back out. This wasn't the Hay-Gee remembered and he supposed, he wasn't the Ciaran she remembered.

Later.

Maybe after more drinks.

"Y'know. Wait? Waiting for me to come home? You spurned off other lovers because you were waiting for me?" He leaned in and waggled his eyebrows at her before catching her waist in his hands, had she always been so tiny though? Had he always been so big?  "It's okay," He leaned in, breath probably bad but he wanted to whisper into her ear.

One of the whores liked when he did that, so surely it was a turn on for women.

"Makes me feel good that you were waiting for me," Were his husky words, whispered into her ear.

Hay-gee gasped at what he insinuated, words caught in her throat as she tried to figure out just what was happening. Men never made such advances on her and part of her had been relieved for it. Her much prettier cousin from the North suffered a lot of harassment due to her looks.... and well, also her inability to stay in a relationship.

But this? For having to deal with this with a drunken Ciaran of all people....
The breath against her made her shiver, even as she had to turn away from his rancid, beer laced breath.

She couldn't even formulate words to retaliate, she just wanted out of this awkward moment as she shook her head. Although his words weren't true, there was a truth to them. Had she been as pretty as her cousin and had men just falling all over the town for her, she knew- deep down she knew....
She'd wait.

When she was able to step back at a more appropriate length, she easily put up her guard and tried to nervously laugh off his proposal.
"You know you have strange ideas when you're drunk."
But even still... looking at her friend she couldn't help but confess,
"But I missed you. I missed you a lot."

Ciaran stared at her for a moment, frowning ever so slightly.

She'd just spurred his advances!

Then again, he couldn't really fault her.

He scared the shit out of her and was trying to get her half naked behind a shed. A wrinkle of his nose and he nodded, "I do. All sorts of strange ideas, I do my best thinking when I'm drunk," He lied easily, grinning before rubbed the back of his neck and closing his eyes for a few moments.

"I missed you too, Gigi." He motioned to her window, "Sorry for scaring you, I sort of... I don't know. I was drinking with dad and I wanted to see you but it was late and the window looked like the best choice." He looked up at the sky and then licked his lips and took a few steps back, "You smell like apples," He blurted out.

No doubt he smelled like sweat, horses and booze.

Apples were a nice change.

"I haven't smelled apples since I left," he mused mostly to himself and he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before sighing pleasantly, "I missed home."

Hay-gee stood there, blushing at his words and awkward. And suddenly she realized what she was wearing..
Her arms folded across her chest to keep her mostly modest. No doubt the chill left a little less to the imagination in her night shirt. Her bare feet shifted uncomfortably on the cold night grass.

"I'm glad you decided to come see me."
Even if he was drunk. She couldn't help it. And her smile grew.
"We used to see each other all the time... everyday."

Ciaran silently cursed her realization that she was dressed inappropriately.

The least she could do was let him imagine stuff. But no, had to go fold her arms. He wrinkled his nose slightly and was tempted to grab her wrists and pull them away but... No. That would be bad. Inappropriate.

"I'm glad I came to see you, too." That way, when he saw her tomorrow in the light it would be easier to mask his shock at how different she looked. Ciaran stared at her, trying to study her features in the moonlight, she was still beautiful in the soft light and his fuzzy vision but she was so... Worked. Weather worn. He wanted to touch her face, caress her cheeks.

Brush her hair.

His own hand went to his ponytail and he flicked it over his shoulder and he nodded at her.

"We did. Just little kids." He put his hand on his thigh and he took a deep breath before putting it in his pocket, "I made you something while I was away, do you want it now or when I'm sober?"

Hay-gee felt a flutter, a tingling in her heart.
"You made something for me?" and she stared at him in a daze, seeming to not here or being too stunned to answer his question.

Ciaran blinked at her.

"Well sure," He caught the pendant in his hand, a simple thing, carefully bent metal, carefully crafted to look like a feather. Why a feather? It was easy mostly and it was better than an apple.

"I had a lot of time on my hands and it was either make something or...." Ciaran paused, "uuuuh," He squinted. There was one word coming to mind and he knew it would be inappropriate to say to her, especially if they hadn't been naked and sweaty together. Yet. Ever? So, he licked his lips, "Make something or sleep."

Yeah. Sleep. "So I made something," He held out his fist, "Do you want it?"

Hay-gee stared at him, eyes large and curious like a child's. Then her smile turned lopsided and she put both her hands cupped out like an expectant child.

"Of course I want it!" But then she paused to consider as she raised a brow at him. "So long as it's not something crude.... like you're really going to pull out some frog from your pocket or something." And though she moved her cupped hands back hesitantly, they were still out and her eyes, still glittering and her smile, growing wider.

Ciaran groaned.

"A frog!" He started, then disappointed, "I didn't even think of that." A frog!

"Next time," He promised, looking put out because he, indeed, did not have a frog with him. Shit. Fuck! A frog! That would have been great. What a missed opportunity. The little feather charm was dropped into her palm, but not before he pressed his hand to hers, marveling for a moment at how tiny they were. He grew up so much and, sure she got older but she didn't get much bigger.

He moved his hand away and he put his hands on his hips to watch her, "There, you can wear it. Or... Something." He shrugged and looked off to the side like it was no big deal, like he hadn't been keeping that in his pocket for however long. He couldn't even remember. Ciaran grinned at her and then pointed to his face.

"Did you miss me so much you're not even going to ask about the time I almost died? Rude." He stuck his tongue out at her for good measure.

Hay-gee couldn't believe he was sounding as if he were seriously considering the frog idea now of all times!
"You- you better not!" she went on, still smiling but when the charm dropped into her hand, she blinked and looked down at it. Her smile went away, and her heart caught in her throat.

So choked up over the pretty little metal feather that she hadn't even heard what Ciaran said. Her vision began to blur, hot tears forming before she threw herself at him and hugged him tight.
"It's beautiful, Ciaran."

"Beautiful?"

He put his hands on her shoulders, made a lame attempt to push her away but instead curled her into a hug. So tiny. Had she always been so damn tiny?

"With the tears you're trying to keep back, you'd think I'd given you a frog." He looked down at her before placing a hand on her head and moving it down her back before he gave her a friendly little squeeze.

"I'm glad you like it, I accept kisses as payment," He hinting with a smirk before leaning away, "Unless that makes you uncomfortable." Another frown, "In which case hugs are fine."

She couldn't help the blush and bashfully looked away, metal feather still in hand.
"You... making me uncomfortable? Her cheeks turned red before she stole a quick little kiss to his cheek as she told him softly, "Thanks."

BUt in less than a breath she gasped and realized. "Oh, but I don't have a gift for you!"
And then suddenly she grabbed him by the wrist. "Are you hungry?"A nd before he could answer her, she was dragging him towards her house. "I baked some apple pies last night and they're really good! I've improved our recipe on the crust. It's really good... you just have to try it!"

"I'd love to eat your pie," He quipped, fully intending for it to be a euphemism for something else but from what he'd seen she was as innocent as when he'd left and he very much... Was not. If anything he felt down right crude around her. A bumbling oaf. All left hands and thumbs. Too big. Too broad. Too much.

It pleased him that she'd worked up the courage to give him a kiss though and he smirked at her back while he was dragged into her house.

"The crust was always my favourite," He commented before following her a little more enthusiastically, "Don't forget to put some bottoms on, I can only stare at your legs for so long."

Hay-gee was all smiles and pride at his enthusiasm for her pie. But as they stepped into the house and he said that she immediately gasped and turned on him. Though he had seen much more when they were children... the fact he even mentioned it being awkward made it ten times worse!

"W-well, at least let me get you the pie!" she was smiling still but flinching as she did, and as she shook her head, her frizzy hair bounced. "I hadn't expected my best friend to return after so long..." And there she paused with a pie in hand and found herself turning around and asking him most seriously, "You stopped writing."

Ciaran had to stop looking at her butt.

A flick of his eyes upwards.

And then right back down.

At least, for all that may have been lost of the tiny beauty she'd been as a child.

She had a damn fine ass as an adult. And gorgeous legs. Though she had to put some pants on because pretty soon he'd be drooling on them instead of just staring at them and Ciaran's eyes shot up again and he smiled at her pleasantly when she accused him of not writing.

He'd totally been ... No. No he hadn't.

There had been the customary one every other month to his father to let him know he was alive and then... That was it. Ciaran had the good graces to look slightly ashamed of himself but he gave a little shrug and rubbed at his chest. "I did. It got... Busy. I kinda... Grew up with a bunch of soliders. There was more interesting things to do than write letters like f--... Uuh... " he wrinkled his nose, "Make things. Practice my smithing. You know. Stuff. That didn't involve parchment and ink."

Hay-gee gave a roll of her eyes and playfully slammed the pie down on the table.
"Well, you better make up for those letter's lost. I know you're no poet, you never wore, but I was worried a lot over you..... The war... It always seemed so far away, like a dream... a nightmare."
But she shook her head suddenly and sighed through a smile. "But there I go, rambling and I bet you're positively starving after smelling this delicious pie!" And she fetched a fork and handed it to him and pulled him out a chair so he could sit.

The enthusiastic movement of the pie had him jump slightly and he stared at her for a moment. Was he getting a rant? "I wasn't actually fighting, you know that right?" Well, mostly. Sure there was a time or two but mostly he was too valuable to be thrown into a battle, they couldn't exactly find an instant replacement for the blacksmith now could they?

At the mention of starving he smirked at her, licked his lips and looked down.

At the pie of course.

"Absolutely, smells like apples," and he took a deep breath and sighed out before taking a bite and moaning. A little bit of an exaggerated moan, but a moan none the less and he licked the fork carefully and gave Hay-Gee a look, "Delicious. You've improved your game. Are you single?" He propped his head on his hands, "I could eat your pie forever."

Hay-gee was once again taken back by his forwardness, but was quick to laugh it off.
"Single? Ciaran... just eat your pie and we can talk about me maybe baking you another one tomorrow."

He looked down and ate another forkful.

"I'm not gonna eat the whole thing," A moment to look at her, "I know I'm big but I can't eat a whole pie to myself." He pat his flat stomach, "I'll get fat if I do." He handed the fork over, "Share with me?"

Hay-gee blinked and found herself looking at his form, but she was too bashful to allow her eyes to linger as she smiled while blushing and looked away. Shaking her head she said, "No, that's alright. You can take what's left home to your father." She shifted more comfortably in the chair as she leaned forward to ask, "I bet he's so happy you're home. He was so lonely with you here."

Ciaran shrugged.

"I'm surprised he didn't remarry. I mean..." He trailed off again, not wanting to ask Hay-gee that question. The inappropriate one about who he's been having sex with, because god knew there was no brothel in this town or ladies that sold themselves.

And if there was, he didnt know about it.

Probably didn't want to know about it.

Ciaran's thought-trail off made him shudder and he chewed on another piece of pie before making another low moan sound. Had it always been this good?

"Yeah, father's very happy I'm home. Who did you think I was drinking with? By myself?" He waved his hand at her dismissively, "Were you lonely without me here?" He leaned in, pushing the pie away and licking the fork.

His fork licking just made her laugh as she turned from him and shook her head.
"Yes.. and No. My cousin's been living with me. It's been nice. We're really close." And she showed him two finger twisted together. "Like this real close," she went on with a happy laugh. "How about you? Did you make a lot of friends while smithing for the soldiers?"

Ciaran leaned back gave her a look before leaning back in, an eyebrow raised and then crossing his fingers and showing her. "Like... This?" Too intense for him! He leaned back again and put the fork down and smiled at her happy laugh.

"Uh... No, not really," He folded his arms over his chest, "Most of them, y'know... Died. But I got to know a few of them. Learned some lessons. One even paid for my--Uuuh... Not an appropriate story." He leaned forward and put his head on his hand to look at her, "You know why I'm back, right?"

Hay-gee blinked, realizing she didn't know the full meaning behind his visit.
Then she laughed, her serious expression fading.
"My best guess would be for the pie!"

Ciaran smiled.

"Nah, I fucked up my wrist," He wiggled his left hand at her, "Can't work so... What's the use of me?" He shrugged and leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest, "I imagine if my wrist never recovers I'll be a foot soldier and be feeding flowers soon enough though." He paused, "Also the your pie," He added sweetly.

Hay-gee's eyes were large and full of concern. But then at his last statement, she laughed and blushed as she turned away.

"I know my pies are good!" she went on with a smile. "But..." her expression turned serious again. "How did you hurt your wrist? Is it serious?"

Ciaran shrugged.

"Could be," He held out his hand and stretched it out, looking at it like it had betrayed him in some way, "It's even the left one." He wrinkled his nose. Not that Hay-gee would understand the importance of his left wrist besides the use of smithing.

Not that she'd ever find out.

Slowly, Ciaran stood up and looked at her. A little smile.

"I should let you get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow?" His voice was soft and he realized his buzz was ebbing away, which meant that he had to leave or he'd do something stupid. And not have alcohol to blame.

She whimpered a little before nodding.
"I wish you could stay longer!  But I know you must be exhausted." she sat up from the table and moved over to grab a small wrapped pastry near the stovebefore handing it to him.
"I know you just had pie... But these are apple dumplings I made yesterday. I figure you and your dad could eat these for breakfast."

Ciaran wrinkled his nose at her but accepted it all the same.

"Are you trying to make me fat? I've home less than a day and you're already feeding me" on impulse he stood up, moved towards Hay-gee and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"I'll see you tomorrow and i'll bring the frogs this time."

And she stood there, lips quivering as she whimpered again and threw her arms around him tight, hoping to hide her obvious tears.
"Its so good you're home."

Ciaran gave a chuckle and curled an arm around her.

Did he deserve this? He wondered briefly what kind of person she had him built up as inside her head. What kind of man did she think he'd become? Mostly he just wanted to grab her ass.

He was good and resisted though.

"It'll be nice to relax," a smirk, "at least for a while." Sure he wouldnt be getting laid but... oh well. It'll be nice to be home.

She kept a hold on him for just a little bit longer until she finally stepped back and wiped at her tears.
"Look at me! I'm a mess!"

A hand went to her head and he pushed his fingers through her hair before he tipped her head up and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"You are," He agreed, smiling, teasing, "Maybe save some tears for when I'm dead? Can't have you being dry eyed at the funeral."

Her face went beet red.
"Oh! Thats terrible! I hope I never have to cry at your funeral!"

Ciaran took a few steps away, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes.

"What! You want to be dry eyed? Oh, that hurts, Gigi."

she gasped.
"That... that's not what I mean!"

A hand was pressed to his forehead and he closed his eyes, letting out a heavy breath.

"I'm hurt. I shall take my leave now," Head ducked down, his pale chunk of hair shining in the moon light, "I'll see you on the 'morrow, cruel, cruel mistress." And Ciaran made to leave, looking quite down trodden.

Even though his display could easily been seen as fake by most, Hay-gee felt her heart break. She couldn't believe she just hurt his feelings!

"What? Oh! Ciaran!" And she rushed out infront of him, herself nearly in tears again. "I.. I didn't mean it like that! I just don't ever want to think about your funeral, to ever have to see you and mourn over you and and-" And that's when the damn broke. She was shaking, sobbing as tears streamed down her face.  "I never want you to die!"

"Uuuuh...."

He blinked down at her before he grinned wide.

His large rough hands rested on her shoulders and he gave them a squeeze before giving a low, chest rumbling chuckle, kneeling ever so slightly before he rested back on his heels and looked up at her, her small little hands in his.

Or at least small compared to his hands.

Most things were.

"Well, I'll try to go after you, okay?" He chuckled up at her, still grinning. There was a slight pleasure at how distressed his imaginary death made her and he gave her hands a little tug, "I was just teasing you, Gigi. I didn't mean to make you cry," and even though he felt a little bad, he was still grinning.

Her lips were trembling and her eyes were still streaming with tears.

"Ciaran! Gods!" despite being so upset with him,s he couldn't hepl herself but throw her arms around him. "When did you become so cruel?" Though it was hard to tell if she was joking, despite a small smile, as she buried her tears into his shoulder.

"Sometime between when my shoulders got really broad and discovering I could strangle a duck with my muscles," He grinned at her, running a hand over her hair. What a night.

What an interesting reunion.

"I missed you, Gi."

"Strangling ducks?" she stepped back and gave him a shove. "That is a cruel joke, Ciaran!" And she moved to brush away at her ever falling tears.

"Aww, Gee." His voice got quiet, growing uncomfortable at her tears. Why wasnt she laughing? Ciaran looked to the side, puffing out his xheeks and looking down at the ground. Ciaran accepted the shove - even moved back a little - and there were a few beats before he pulled her to his chest and sighed.

"I should just stop talking now, hmm? Everything i say just makes you cry more."

"Yes!" she barked into his chest, but was shaking her head against him. "You were joking about dying.. About you dying and i-" Her voice cracked as she choked on her attempted words. "I don't ever want to think about it. Ever."

Ciaran laughed, fingers going through her hair like he was petting her. "I'm sorry," He breathed, leaning back to tilt her head up to look at him, "I won't joke about me dying." A shake of his head and he sighed, "You didn't miss me that much, did you?"

The tears gave it away before she blurted it out.
"Of course I did, you oaf!" But she was clinging to him anyway, afraid to let go.

Ciaran cleared his throat.

A brief pause and he ran a hand over her hair and finally bent down to pick her up bridal style - careful with his wrist - and just stood there with her. "It was getting hard on my neck bending down," He stated simply, looking up at the sky. "Please stop crying? I'll me home for a while and unless someone murders me I should be fine while I'm here."

She blushed at the gesture, clinging her arms around his neck in fear of being dropped. But his words made her gasp as she scolded, "Ciaran! No! No talking about any sort of death... at all!"

A smirk.

"But i enjoy you looking so panicked for me. Makes my heart all a fluttery." He paused for a moment before he bent forward and gave her a little kiss on the forehead, "I'm going to take you to bed now, okay?"

Heart all fluttery? Then the kiss came and she was silenced, and her face turned red to her ears. And wherever he was taking her, she didn't complain because Gods knew.. her tongue was useless in that moment!

Silently Ciaran took her back to her room, taking carefully quiet steps because it might - or rather it would - look bad if someone caught him coming out of her bedroom. Back into said room, he gently placed her down on her bed and kneeled down beside it, tilting his head and rubbing his eyes.

"Want me to stay?" He teased, a smirk before he trailed a finger down her arm.

The jest lost on her, she clung to him again. "Of course I do! How many times must I tell you how I've missed you?"

Well.

It was good to know she was innocent.

Ciaran laughed and rubbed her back, "I'll come visit again tomorrow," he moved to stand and ruffled her hair again, "We can have lunch together or something." And he took a few steps backwards, amused on a few levels.

She lay in bed before she sighed.
"Oh... Alright." She pouted a little. "I do miss those long nights we used to,spend together." of course they were still kids.

Ciaran's blood ran warm and he smirked.

"Probably we can enjoy spending long nights together again sometime," He took another step back, grabbing the door handle and smiling at her in the darkness, "Have sweet dreams. I'll see you tomorrow." And he hesitated before he closed the door and the sounds of him leaving the building at a soft jog could be heard because he was sure if he didn't leave right then he'd regret it later.

Hay-gee didn't sleep a wink that night. And when asked about it in the morning, she couldn't help but blush and gush to her best friend, her cousin.

"He seems to really like you," her cousin mused as the pair shared one fork in an apple torte they were sharing for breakfast.

"Oh... uh.. you think so? I mean, sure, he should. I mean we grew up together but it doesn't mean.."

"He came to see you at night!" her cousin went on with a laugh before pointing her fork at Hay-gee. "You shouldn't waste any time to go visit him today. After all, who know how long it'll be before he realizes you're not the cute little girl you used to be!"
Hay-gee laughed at that.

"He already saw me! He knows what I look like now!" Hay-gee went on with a shake of her head.

Her cousin mused over her before tackling her suddenly.
"Let's tame your hair and get you all washed upa nd pretty for him today!"

Hay-gee gasped.

"Wh-what? B-but... why!?"

Her cousin laughed.
"Trust me... you'll beaux will be thanking me later for this!"

And so she was bathed, cleaned up and her hair well tended to. It seemed her cousin had a real knack for taming her frizzy hair. But it wasn't without the labor, and once she was done, and fitted into one of her simply, but pretty dresses, even Hay-gee could hardly believe what she was seeing in the mirror.

"Oh wow.... how did you manage to get my hair to do that?"

Her cousin patted her on the shoulder.
"You can thank me later. Now let's get you outta here and over to your romeo's!"

And before Hay-gee knew it, she was on her own, basket in hand with a fresh apple loaf of bread for Ciaran and his father. She was actually turning quite a few heads by the other's in town, which made Hay-gee's already flushed face burn brighter.

She felt so clumsy, the shoes she wore were not her own and the dress was something she only wore one other time at a wedding. Even still, it felt as if it were taking forever for her to get to Ciaran's house, and when she finally did get there...

THe knock on the door, as well as her voice, was quite timid.

"H.. Hello? Anyone home?"

Brains hurt.

Ciaran squeezed his eyes shut and he rubbed at them with his palm.

After getting back home he'd drank some more with his father, toasting to good health and quick healing. He'd almost forgotten he'd gone to visit Hay-gee before he recalled a voice. A warm body in his arms. But not in a sexy way.

That awful noise though.

Dressed in little else other than a pair of pants he rolled over to the door, hair still down, his long hair hanging over his shoulders. The door opened and he looked down, blinking widely at the cute girl before him. Who was this? He blinked again, confused before he smelled apples and a distinct scent of the girl from last night.

"Ooooh, Gigi." He realized outloud, shifting and leaving most of him on display before he cleared his throat and looked down at her basket and spotting something else. A heated blush went to his cheeks - which was silly, he was a grown man and grown men occasionally ran half-mast in the morning and he quickly slammed the door shut with a muffled 'just a second' before he went and got a house coat, covering himself and his good friend Dangly Bits.

"Hi, uuuh," He cleared his throat again, "Hi. You look nice, going somewhere special today?" He inquired, taking a step to the side so she could come in - if she wanted to.

When the door slammed in her face, she didn't know what to think. She took a step back, wondering what could be the matter and fearing he was angry with her. When he opened the door, rather than entering,s he dropped her head and profusely apologized.

"I'm sorry if I woke you up. I.. I just wanted to come by to, to see how you were and give you this."
And she held out the basket without lifting her head.

She didn't notice?

Ciaran cleared his throat and took a step from the door and guided her in by gently pushing her on the back. " I was... Inappropriately dressed along with other things," He confirmed, "It was a panic slam, not a I don't want to see you Slam." he assure her, taking the basket in his free hand and guiding her along with his other one.

"Father isn't home - had errands to run - I have a bit of a headache but nothing eating yo--- er.. your bread and some water won't fix." he smiled, pulling a chair from the modest breakfast table and sitting her in it before placing the basket on the table, "Did you just bake this today? Smells good."

She nodded, face beet red.
"Just this morning." She chewed nervously on her lower lip, foot tapping in an anxious spell. She looked around. "Are you sure I'm.. I'm not intruding?  I don't want to be rude..."

Ciaran reached forward and tapped her chin, "Don't do that, you'll make yourself bleed," He said absentmindedly before he got a knife and took to the bread, "Nah," his back turned while he cut the loaf into even slices, "I only really do one thing in the morning and that's ma---" Ciaran looked over his shoulder, "Mexercise. Like... Manly exercises." He brought the plate over and took a slice of bread, quite sure of himself that he would consume it all if left to it. He cleared his throat, "it's delicious."

Her face skewed at the word choice and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Mexercises? No way... you just made that up!"
But she was at least happy he liked the bread. It made her smile broaden, but she was still laughing over the idea of Mexercise!

"Caught me!" Ciaran proclaimed, glad she hadn't figured out the first word.

He supposed masturbating was a manly exercise. Not like girls could do that. He stared off into nothing for a moment while his brain trailed off on the topic before he blinked at her and took another bite of the loaf. "Your smile is still bright as ever, Gigi," He commented, reaching over to tap her chin, "It's weird seeing you all grown up."

"Why? Was it really that hard to imagine? I couldn't stay a kid forever, you know," she went on, feeling quite bashful.

"Well, you're a girl," He stated, digging into Whichevernumberbread this was, "You girls stay little and look cute forever," He nodded. Then paused, giving her a brief look, mostly at her hand, "I don't remember if I asked this last night, but are you married yet?"

"Well I might be little, but I'm still me," she went on, all smiles. But at his question, she couldn't help but laugh and shake her head, a little embarassedly. "No. I'm not married. But I think many men would want to marry my bread," she added the last part, in jest.

Ciaran eyed the bread.

"Maybe if you put a hole in it," He mused then frowned at her, "Why not? I think we were too young to talk about if we wanted kids or not." He tilted his head, " I did a while ago but... The war sucks and I don't know if i'd ever settle down long enough to find a wife, let alone make babies with her," He smirked.

Hay-gee was a bit taken back with the tone in which he replied, but she smiled anyways, bashfully so and shook her head.
"I don't know.  Marriage would be right, but I... just, I guess I haven't found anyone to do it with."

Ciaran scoffed, "There are plenty of strapping young men about," He paused, it wasn't untrue but... He paused, "My father needs a new wife," he wiggled his eyebrows at her, "He's like way older version of me."

Her eyes went wide as she flushed.
"Ciaran! How awful!" And she looked around, afraid his father could have heard.

Ciaran grinned. "Father is out," he supplied, leaning in to look at her, enjoying the blush. "What, you dont wabt to be my new mom? Give me some younger brothers?" A wiggle of his eyebrows and he put more delicious bread into his mouth.

Her face burned so bad.
"Ciaran!" she buried her face into her hands. "Thats not... Thats not something I'd want to picture just after breakfast!"

He grinned wide.

"Thats exactly why i said it!" He reached over and pat her on the head, " youre cute when you blush."

That made her blush even more.
"Ciaran!" She felt as if she were yelling him name a lot! Had she always done that when they were younger? "Doing that on purpose wasn't nice!" But she was still smiling as he smiled, so she simply shook her head.
"You'd better be careful or I won't bring you any more apple pies, or apple cakes, or any apple.. anything!" but her threat was intermingled with brief laughs.

Ciaran grinned, "i know it wasnt nice. Sure was fun though," he rested his head on his hand and watched her, giving her a faux pout when she threated him with a lack of apple products.

"How can i pay you back?" He grumbled out, smiling, "a kiss?"

Her eyes went wide as she jerked back, stiffly blushing.
"What?! Oh! You need to stop teasing me, Ciaran!" Because she was really bleeding out this blush!

He tried to smother his smile.

Really.

A tilt of his head and he leaned in, "Who said I was teasing?" He buffed his nails against his shirt and then examined them, "You know, there's an island where kisses are a perfectly acceptable currency."

Hay-gee froze before she jerked back.
"Ciaran!" Really! He was going to give her a heart attack. She stood up.
"Maybe I ought to head back home..." Where she could hide her now bright red face.

Well.

That didn't go as planned at all.

Ciaran looked a little disappointed, gave her a sort of hurt look before he stood up, "I'm sorry Hay-Gee, I mean, I won't stop you if you want to go home but... Teasing is sort of... Second nature now. I don't really have much else to talk about." He frowned slightly, "Do you want me to walk you home or are you okay by yourself?"

"Well, to be honest, I... I.... I just don't feel too comfortable being here without your Dad being here, too," she went on, feeling even more awkward, even after admitting that.

Ciaran blinked at her for a moment before he looked down at himself.

Mostly he was confused.

"Don't feel comfortable?" He blinked and frowned at her, "Why not? Do you think my sort of military service has turned me into an insatiable beast?"

"Wha?! N,no... I uh, it's just that we're both single and alone here... And and you were t...talking a.. About me and k-k issing a,a,and..." Oh! She was ceasing up and trembling, her mind and tongue going numb. "I... I should head home." And she stepped towards the door.

Ciaran stood up quickly, moving in front of the door. He was much larger than he remembered and he looked down at Hay-Gee, who was much smaller than he remembered and he stared at her for a moment, blocking the exit. He opened his mouth to say something, a croak came out and he quickly closed it before he rolled his shoulders. "You don't want to kiss me?"

Seeing him block the entire door also had her realizing just how large he had grown. But at his words, her eyes went wide as she stuttered, "K...k...kiss you?" She was certain her tongue had to be swelling and her face, turning into a tomato.

"Yeah," he growled out, looking down at her. He wasn't sure if he was attracted to her or not, but the familiarity of her had him attached and he just... Wanted to wrap her up in his arms and protect her. That was normal right?

Also wanted to wrap her up in his arms and do other things but that'd probably get him into serious trouble. He cleared his throat, looked down at her before he opened the door, not really getting out of her way, but moving so that she could leave if she wanted to - she'd just have to brush by him.

"I'll let you think about it, but if you ever feel like trying out kissing, you come tell me, I'll give you a lesson."

The words were out before he could stop himself and he mentally kicked himself for sounding so... so... Creepy.

Hay-gee tensed, mind a whirl before she dropped her gaze and nodded so hard her head hurt. Keeping her head down, she moved to swiftly brush past his much larger and,powerful form.

It was impulsive and stupid.

Ciaran stuck his arm out to catch her by the waist, used his other hand to tilt her head up and he planted a kiss on her lips, a brief gaze at her and he gave her waist a gentle squeeze, "I'll see you around," he grumbled against her lips before he lifted his head and took a step back into the house.

His hands itched and rested them on his hips, trying not to grab her and throw her into his room.

She was seeing stars the moment their lips connected. Her heart felt so full she swore it burst. When he pulled away and spoke, she knew not what he said. Turning to leave she began to sway and before she knew it, her eyes rolled back as she fainted.

"Oh my god," He jerked, eyes wide, luckily Ciaran was still close enough. He grabbed the back of her clothing before she went down, his arm curled around her waist and he just stared. Oh god. Oh god. "Did I kill you?" He whispered, licking his lips because maybe they were poison or something.

Looking around quickly to make sure no one had seen him, he picked Hay-Gee up into his arms, closed the door with his foot and made his way to his room.

Well, he supposed this was one way of doing it.

"Gigi?" He whispered before he placed her on his bed, kneeling and staring at her, resting his chin on the bed he watched her, frowning. He'd killed her. "I'm sorry, I won't kiss you again, please wake up."

She made a soft noise as she came around, but she was still taken back by her fainting spell as she went to move then hung back on the bed.

Ciaran waited, looking at her worried, his hand was on her waist and he held out the other one for her to grab for balance - if she needed it.

"Gigi?" He whispered, looking at her, worried, "I'm sorry, I won't kiss you again if you promise to never faint again."

Her eyes widened at his words as she sat up suddenly wth a gasp, and knocked her head against Ciaran's. Wincing, she shrunk back, lamely apologizing as she frowned.

"What- I... Are you saying I.. I.. fainted?"
And her mind flickered back to that moment and she froze.
She had been moving past him. She was trying to get away.


And then..
His arms were around her, and his lips.. claiming hers.

A hand moved to cover her lips as her eyes widened even more as she blurted out, "You kissed me?" before she even realized she had said it.

Ciaran looked a little hurt before he cleared his throat and nodded. "Yeah," he said in a husky voice looking away, "sorry. Impulse. I.. uh... want me to walk you home? I know you dont want to be here alonr with me. Pa won't be back for a few hours."

"Wha?! I uh.... Oh, I.... R-right! We ..we should."

A tilt of his head.

"We should?" He reached his hand to catch hers, smoothing his thumb over her knuckles, "we should what?"

Her heart was in her throat as she trembled.
"G... Go." It was all she could croak out, her mind blanking at the contact.

"Go...?" He pressed, hand going to her waist to help her up. Tiny little thing that she was. Probably for the best she wasnt curious about anything decent ladies werent curiois about. No doubt he'd snap her in two. After he'd helped her up he didnt remove his hand, instead let his thumb drift along her.

There was so much contact. She couldn't stop her trembling. Standing was a chore. She nearly swooned then realized her teeth were loudly chattering, which she tried to stop and in doing so, she had forgotten how to breath that, they didn't make it to the door before she was choking on her own breath.

Ciaran looked at her worriedly, frowning slightly before he took her cheek in his hand and drew his thumb over her cheekbone. "Gigi? Are you okay? Youre kinda making me worried."

It was about that time a quirky three knocks came at the door.
"Hay-gee?" The voice was that of her cousin.

Ciaran jolted slightly, moving to open the door quickly.

Whoa.

Hay-gee was momentarily forgotten and Ciaran knew what he'd be doing later to thiughts of this pre-- no. "I don't know what happened," he couldnt for the life of him remember her name but he guided her into the house - even keeping his hands in appropriate places. "Can you help her?"

She had been only slightly worried about her xousin, more curious than anything. She knew enough about her cousin to connect the dots here. Even still, she also knew it was Hay-gee so she wouldn't have interrupted anything embarassing. So when she saw Hay-gee in such a state, she pushed past Ciaran and clung to her cousins arm.
"Hay-gee, are you okay? What happened?"

And she was too embarrassed and red faced to speak.

"I kissed her," He started, blinking, "She's kissed before, right?" He frowned, confused. God knows he'd done just about everything under the sun with a lady, but... Maybe Hay-Gee was waiting? Or something?

That was all she needed to hear before she threw Hay-gee's arm over her shoulder and gave Ciaran a glance.

"Don't worry, I got this covered. I can walk her home." And she paused and said more pointedly. "Don't worry. I can handle this. Besides.... I think you've helped her enough." Her grin was a bit crooked before she moved and hobbled along with the trembling Hay-gee to help guide her outside.

Ciaran rubbed his forearm, frowning slightly and gave a confused and sort of sad little nod. "Uh. Okay. Thanks for breakfast Hay-gee..." he ended lamely, holding the door open for them.

Half dragging Hay-gee back to their house, by the time they got there, Hay-gee refused to leave her room, wailing about how embarrassing it was at the way she had acted.

"Yes, but he kissed you," her cousin pointed out, trying to make light of the situation. "And it's not like you're me, hay-gee... kissing.. means a lot to you. Something sacred. Heck, you know if it were me I'd be..."
Oh.. perhaps she shouldn't have embellished on that. Would her cousin be offended she'd.. probably share his bed? She brushed away the idea and stroked at Hay-gee's hair before wrinkling her nose.

"Here, let me help brush your hair. That always did help calm you."

Hay-gee just nodded through a sniffle, and in silence, her cousin worked out the knots until there were no more and Hay-gee was fast asleep.
She figured to just let her rest. Hay-gee could be such a delicate thing, so she left her to it and she? Well, she went to work. she could handle the cleaning and baking alone. The quiet would be a nice change of pace and could leave her to think about a few things...
Like not trying to think how sexy Ciaran was...

There was a knock at the door. Loud and booming like someone who didnt know their own strength was asking for entry. Ciaran felt awful - not for kissing - but for making Hay-Gee feel awful. It made his chest tighten and he'd rubbed at it all day. Still the feeling didnt go away.

"Hay-Gee?" His voice was soft and he looked down at the bottle of wine in his hand. One of his fathers. Decently old and damn full of alcohol. "Hay-Gee I'm sorry." His voicr carried through the door, "can i come in so we can talk?"

Hay-gee had fallen fast asleep, but it was her petite, pretty cousin who answered the door instead.
"You again?" she looked him over and eyed the wine. "You aiming to get her drunk or something? What do you want anyway? She's resting."

Right.

Wine got people drunk.

He'd forgotten that.

"Uuuh... I wanted to apologize," he held out ths bottle of wine to the pretty cousin. Felt his heart skip a beat and blood rush somewhere else. "Its s gift. The wine." He frowned slighyly, "why hasnt she kissed anyone before."

She just blinked at him and could have laughed.
"Why are you asking me? It's not my place to gossip about my cousin, you know."

Ciaran rolled his eyes, walked into the house - probably pushing her cousin a little - and put the wine bottle on the table. "Thats for Hay-Gee. Tell i dropped by to apologize," he turned to leave the house, "have a nice night." Irritated now. Why was he so irritated.a

She gave him a look as he left.
"Okay. But it's barely past the sun's high point, you know."
With a roll of her eye, she closed the door behind her, and peered over at the stairs, where she saw Hay-gee lingering.

She gave her cousin a smirk. "It's alright. Your safe. Your true love is gone now. No longer here to torture you with his kisses," she teased.

A sneer and he gave her a strained smile.

Irritated.

Maybe he should just stay away from Hay-Gee.

Maybe coming back home was a mistake.

There was nothing for him here. His father was a drunk - caring sure, but a drunk - he made horse shoes and fixed farming equipment. Sometimes.

Ciaran kicked an empty bucket on the way back to his house. Maybe he'd go to the river and cool off. Yeah, that seemed like a good idea. A sneer. Maybe some nymphs would come kidnap him. Or drown him. Both of those were acceptable.

Hay-gee frowned.
"I.. he seemed upset." She bit her lip and rubbed her arms.

"Yes, but also guilty," her cousin pointed out, dangling the wine bottle above her head. "And he brought us wine..."

"Wine?" she made a face and looked up. "What.. why?"

Her cousin gave her a wink. "As an apology, and I think you and I should take him up on it." And she hooked arms with Hay-gee. "Come on!" And dragged her into the kitchen and worked at the cork.

Angry.

Still so angry.

No. Irritated. Things hadnt gone right. She was a frightned little bunny and Ciaran was the big bad wolf. With big teeth and big eyes and big... yeah.

The stream was a lot smaller than it used to be. He frowned slightly before shrugging, peeling his clothing off to reveal his hard muscled body. Years of hard work paying off, little scars here and there marring the bronzed body.

There was still the pool of water towards the rocks and trees and Ciaran left his clothing in a bundle and walked through the water, giving a sigh of relief once he sat on a rock and the water pushed passed his chest. Head tilted back to look up at the sun.

Terrible idea. Why did she have to he such a rabbit? And her cousin. Damn. That one wasnt marrying material but she was sure useful for something else.

A splash of water as he angry smaked at the surface. What a shit show. He should have never come back.

"Oh, but you know I'm not much of a drinker!"

"All the more reason for us to oblige!" her cousin replied, pouring up a few glasses. "And it's wine. Come on! The best things we get around here are local mead or moonshine!" And they both laughed, making faces at that. But after a taste, Hay-gee wrinkled her nose.

"Oh my, the taste is so strange! I can't quite put my finger on it but..."

"But you don't have to. Just drink up, cuz. We're getting drunk tonight!"

So a little tipsy, but happy none the less, Hay-gee found herself going to bed with  a big hug to her cousin and falling asleep-
Until she really had to pee about an hour later. And her head was pounding, and she felt a little strange all over.

The outhouse was an annoying distance from the house, but she supposed it could be worse. She did, however, regret not putting shoes on when she made her way through the yard. Either way, the deed was done and Hay-gee found herself strolling out among the trees. She was indirectly heading home, finding her way along an old path that lead her to the tree where she paused to smile at the crude names inscribed on the side of it.

Ciaran and Hay-gee

His letters were a lot more crooked than her's. Then again, she was determined, at the time (what was she, ten years old then?), to make her name look as neat and pretty as possible! It was still there... she smoothed her fingers across it.

Neat and pretty....
A hand scratched awkwardly at her arm as she gave a sniff. A wind rustled, causing her to shiver and look up to where an old tree house had been crudely assembled. Her eyes watered a bit at the memory, or maybe it was the wind...
Either way, she felt it necessary to climb up. So up she went, finding herself soon sitting, legs kicking out idly, as she peered out over the yard, recalling times past and letting the wine's effect fade.

Clearly he'd lost track of time.

So angry and so focused on thinking away the angries that he just... When had it gotten later and he frowned at the sky and kicked the water again. His body was hard from the cold water and he angrily pulled on his pants and was angry when his wet legs made the fabric stick and angry still that his shirt got caught on his hair and so fuck that shirt.

He threw it to the ground, bear foot and walking.

It was only on the way back that he noticed the tree.

Memories flooded him and he calmed a little. Pants hanging low, a contemplative look up at the awful treehouse. Would he even fit in there? A pause and he chewed on the inside of his cheek before he dropped his boots to the ground - when had he even picked those up? - and started to climb.

As he got into the...

"Hay-Gee," his voice was rough and his anger melted away. Was she going to rabbit on him again? Still, even though he was uninvited, he attempted to get his way into the tree house. There was a creak but, while crudely made, it held steady. "I... What are you doing up here? Alone?"

If she had been paying attention to his approach, she probably thought it was a dream, but when he was there- truly there and right in front of her, she really did look like some deer caught in head lights. She tensed, looked at him, his soaking wet body, glistening in moonlight and-

Her face burned so much that she looked away and braced herself against the side of the tree, avoiding eye contact at all costs but then-

Was he trying to fit up there with her!?

Panic set in and she gasped and tried to move to give him room and space but-

Then there they were, his half naked, wet body, half smashing her's into the rough bark of the tree while she...
What could she even do but stare and blink and then-

Oh his words!
Her eyes narrowed.

"What!? I.. this... it's my yard and no one was here- it's late at night, I mean why would anyone else be out here!?" It didn't entirely answer his question, but her mind was going numb shortly after her reply and she felt her lips tremble a little.

He smelled like the river, but he felt like a nice, warm fish. A big muscular fish.

No, not a fish. But a big muscular, handsome friend whom she had no idea how to act around because she felt so insecure that she wanted to scream.

"Why are you here!?"
That was the real question!
"You barely fit!" He was kinda squishing her!

Ciaran moved to open his mouth.

Well, her angry was better than her being a rabbit.

In fact, he grinned at it and lifted an eyebrow with a hearty chuckle. He hadn't even noticed he was squishing her. So, he pulled her away from the tree and he moved to sit against it and... Plunked her on his lap. Pulled her against his chest so she wouldn't be squished anymore.

"I guess I grew up, huh?" He said softly, grinning, she smelled like wine. "I'm here 'cause I was at the river ... Easing some stress... And... I kinda wandered here. Muscle memory I guess. I didn't think anyone was up here." Ciaran didn't touch her beside her being on his lap and he sat back, looking out at the night sky. "Do you want me to leave?" He asked, hesitantly.

He wanted her to say no.

But prepared for her to say yes.

Oh God. Oh Ansgar's name.

How had she ended up on his lap of all places!? She was never a girl with any real dirty thoughts inside her head but...
Yeah, she was still undeniably attracted to him and... things besides her ears and face were getting really hot.

At his comment of growing up, she just gave an exasperated noise and looked away, but kept her arms around him (because she thought she might fall when he was shuffling her about!!) and now... well, now the hands stayed because.. because she was telling herself it was for the same reasons.

"Maybe I should! You .. you hadn't been invited!"
A lame comeback but.. she was scrambling for words, thoughts.

Large rough hands moved to rest at her waist and he sighed softly, turning his head away. A little bump up, an accidental grind of his groin against her butt and he flushed and cleared his throat. "I hadn't," Ciaran confirmed about the invitation.

Still, his hands didn't move and it was like he was drawing her tighter to his chest. One of the hands at her waist fell to rest on her thigh and he gave her a light pat. "Do I have to leave? I'll make a good chair if I'm allowed to stay."

Her lips fell open. Then closed. Then opened again before she was able to squeak, "I don't.. I don't need a chair when I'm in a tree!" But even she felt lame and laughed a little at her reply before she had to look away, hating the fact how her face burned.

Ciaran smiled slightly, tilting his head to see her blush better.

A small grin and he sigh before he pulled her tight to his chest, tucked his chin over her shoulder and curled his arms around her. "Are you drunk?" He asked softly, turning to look at her curiously, an eyebrow raised, "Did I interrupt something? Is that why you don't want me here?" He paused, leaning back slightly and tried his best to look scandalized, "Are you waiting for a boy?"

Her face was so red she blushed over the blush as her eyes went as wide as mill wheels.
"C-Ciaran, I!"
But then he had to go and accuse her of that and she paled and hit him with her small fist.
"A boy!? What? In our tree?" It sounded so absurd, but even still calling it their tree... was that still absurd?

A smile and Ciaran caught her hand in his, taking one of hers in both of his and drawing his thumb over her palm. Had he always been so much bigger than her? His thumb continued to smooth over her palm, his own rough and large. Used. Abused.

"Well," He said, voice husky in her ear, enjoying the blushes. Wanting to make her blush more. When he'd left he'd been a boy on the cusp of manhood, Hay-gee had been an interest, a friend, and now... He was a man, had experience under his belt. Seen things that could give him nightmares. He sighed and tucked himself closed to her, "I'm a boy." He grumbled against her shoulder, resting his chin on her shoulder, "And see?" He moved his hands back to her sides and gave her a little pinch, "Our tree! See?" He kept his hands there and grinned at her, "Can't kick me out of our tree."

She wanted to die right there. Shaking her head furiously, and swallowing back the hard lump in her throat, she pouted, "I wouldn't have kicked you out." But then again.. She uneasily moved from where she sat. "This... This is just awkward!" And it proved her point when she tried to move and she nearly fell from,him and the tree!

Awkward.

Ciaran didnt feel awkward.

Though he gave a surprised yelp when she nearly fell. His hands shot out and he wrapped his arms around her. One hand on her waist and the other right over her breast, though he just pulled her close to his chest. "Careful," he said softly, voice husky, "I can't make you feel awkward if you crack your head open."

Hay-gee squeaked and pressed her hands flat to his chest and forced herself to sit up.
"Wait.. you're.. you're trying to make me feel this way!?" she asked, face so red it'd put a beet to shame.

Ciaran grinned widely.

"You're cute when you blush," he stated simply, moving his hands to her waist, "Hay-gee. I... Honestly, aside from the injury, I.. " Ciaran sighed, head ducking down, "I came home to see you, too. I could have gone any old place to rest."

Hay-gee's lips were open, ready with a hot retort. but then he went on to say that, and her words fell away, mind going empty, as she just stared at him with a more open mouth.

"To.. see.. me?"

Ciaran frowned at her disbelief.

"Well sure," he said simply, blinking at her. A hand smoothed up her side and one pressed under her breasts to pull her to his chest. "We've known one another since we were kids," hay-gee was pulled more firmly onto his lap and he licked his lips after a moment.

A gentle kiss was pressed to the side of her neck and the hand on her side moved to her thigh, fingers pressing inwards, "Didnt you want to see me?"

Fireworks were going off inside her head. Her breath was lost to her, ears going hot as his lips met her neck. Her eyes fluttered.
"I..I..I.."
She was shivering, because not only was his kisses to her neck ticklish, but made her skin cool over with goose bumps.
She also couldn't form any words, her hand going over top of his, firmly pushing it down so as to prevent it from moving because -woah- she wasn't sure how to react to the sudden fireworks buzzing between her legs!

What was happening!? She felt like she might faint.

"Ci-Ciaran-"
Ciaran, what? She was stumbling over words, and inspite of the alcohol, she was still a bit too timid to move at his advances. (or speak, for that matter)

Hand pressed down firmly, he stopped moving it and simply looked at her, eyes hooded.

Another kiss, a pause, then he pulled back.

"Hay-Gee?" His voice was husky, he kept his hands still and he frowned, "This... Isn't what you want?" A little confused, a slight frown then he smirked, "Or are you just shy?"

Oh he was asking so many questions she thought her mind was about to burst. But something had her sputtering out the most humiliating thing she could,
"I've never been with a boy before."

Or man.
Yeah.. man, but she wasn't thinking clearly in any regard. But her face was so hot, as was other awkward places on her body, and her mind was doing somersaults along with her heart.

Ciaran's eyes went wide but his hand didn't move away. If anything a sting of desire and possessiveness darted through his chest. Before she'd been hay-gee, the girl he'd been friends with before he left. Now she was a woman, ripe for the taking.

"Did you... Ever want to be with a ..." He paused, smiling at the word she used, "A boy?" He squeezed her thigh in his hand, tilted his head to look over her shoulder at her face, "Or... Were you never curious?"

That was enough to send warning rings through her ears as she jerked herself away from him to avoid his gaze.
"Ci..Ciaran, I.. I don't think that's appropriate to ask-"
But really, shouldn't she be scolding him!
She looked back at him, trying ot muster up anger over her awkwardness as she huffed.
"We're in a tree, Ciaran!" It was there tree.
"And I think I had too much to drink!"
She didn't want to get herself into a position that either one would regret it later. After all..
She had changed so much, as had he...
She wasn't the cute little Hay-gee anymore.

No.. she was... this. Whatever this Hay-gee was now.

Ciaran flushed.

Right.

Right.

He moved his hands away from her, though he didn't push her away.

"I'm sorry. I..." he went quiet, frowning slightly, "I guess I'm not used to being home yet." Though, he couldn't get out of the treehouse with her in front of him so he simply sat and he gave Hay-Gee a pat on the head before looking away. Maybe she just... Didn't have an interest in him like that.

"I..." He frowned, "If anything were to happen, you know I'd do right by you, right? I wouldn't just... Leave you pregnant and unwed here." That was the issue, right? That he'd knock her up and leave? Never. He'd knock her up, marry her and then leave.

And that's when Hay-gee's jaw fell.
"You..." Her ears were ringing. And that's when she stood up suddenly in the tree.
"You were planning to get me pregnant!?"

"Don't stand!" Ciaran said sharply, afraid she'd whack her head.

"And no. But... When a man and a woman have sex, babies happen sometimes," He said, frowning at her then he shrugged. "Just..." He frowned and looked away, "I don't know. I'm just saying things now," He took a deep breath, "This was all impulsive and a bad idea. I.." he frowned, "If I can't smith I'll just be a soldier," Ciaran looked at his hands, flexing them.

"Soldier's die. I..." he shrugged, "You were the only person I could think of that... Might want ... A little bit of me?" He closed his eyes and shrugged, "I don't know. I'm just talking... Don't hold it against me? You know I'd never do anything to you you didn't want me to."

It was a lot to take in. And though his word choice seemed poor, and his words also clumsy, she began to realize what he was going on about as her eyes widened.

"You... you were thinking about settling down with me?" It hurt how large her eyes had become, but she was truly shocked he just... She had to have heard him wrong.. right? I mean sure, she'd die just to find herself married, and with him- yeah.. she'd be doubly dead because of how handsome and well... toned he had become.

She couldn't stop staring at him before finally, she tore her eyes away.
"Ciaran.. maybe.. maybe we should talk about this.. in the morning."
When they weren't in a tree and oh.. was that a rain drop? She blinked and looked up-
The air even smelled of rain.

Yes tomorrow..
Tomorrow when she could think it over and...
But even she knew what tomorrow would bring. Sobriety meant...
could she even handle talking to Ciaran? She was fortunate enough she hadn't gotten a nose bleed so far or fainted away being this close to him and...


He had kissed her.
Her ears grew hot again at the memory.

"Right."

Ciaran smiled and nodded. That was as good as a rejection, talking about it in the morning. There wouldn't be talk in the morning. A look at his wrist and anxiety rose in his chest. Ciaran didn't want to be a solider. Soldiers died. He gave Hay-Gee's sides a little squeeze and smiled at her,

"Want me to walk you home?" His voice was gentle, feeling the rain drops on his own head.

"And you'll have to get out before me, or, shuffle past me and I'll... Go down first, just in case you slip." He teased softly, not letting the subtle rejection sting too much. Maybe... He frowned, the other girls in the village were either just on the cusp of woman hood or... Her cousin. Ciaran winced slightly before he sighed and nudged Hay-Gee again. "Even... If you don't want me, I'll be your friend forever, you know that right?"

Things were still awkward
But then he had to go and say that. And she was just about to climb down the tree. She paused from where she was braced against the tree trunk, a single foot on the home made ladder rung hammered into the tree-
but just when she was about to say something, her foot slipped and...
oh shit.

"Hay-Gee!"

His hand shot out, and he grabbed her wrist with his hand arm, wincing in pain before he moved on his hands and knees to drag her back up. Ciaran curled his arms around her and, unable to actually lift her up, simply reclined, holding her close to his chest and laying down on the wood.

"Careful," He hissed, holding her against his chest. Heart thumping. She could have hit her head! Could have... A deep breath and he held her to his chest before he slowly let her go, his hands lingering on her back for a moment before he moved to sit up, keeping her on his lap firmly. "I'm going down first," he frowned at her, ignoring the pain in his arm.

It all happened so fast but..
Oh! He had saved her and...
There went her face again, hot as lava to the touch. But could anyone blame her? She was on his lap again, of all places, and had been in his arms, so tight and close and...

He smelled nice, a good scent that mingled with the rain.
And her cheeks were painfully pink by now.

"I'm sorry, Ciaran," came her lame reply. She dind't know what else to say-
but then a crash of lightning and thunder startled her, and she leaped into his arms, clinging to him with a sudden scream.

And now she was completely plastered against him....
and froze, realizing what.. or rather.. just how close and near they were. So close she could feel the strength of his body against her own and...
It was different this time..
since it was HEr that had suddenly clung onto him-
and mindlessly had not quite let go, even as the thunder rumbled off into a quieting purr.

"Whoa," He hushed out, arms open and... She was clinging to him tightly.

"Hey," his voice was soft and he smoothed a hand up and down her back while he ran a hand over her hair, worry in his eyes. "You okay?" He shifted slightly so he could be more comfortable under her, giving her a quick - meaning to be comforting - kiss on the cheek and looking up at the sky. "Are you scared of storms?"

Hay-gee cringed, but was afraid to move. Part of her didn't want to. Not really. It was nice being in his arms. But another part of her was afraid to be there! She was almost too consumed with her own anxiety that she didn't hear his question, or rather it didn't register so her reply was belated as she stammered, "N-no.. not storms I just... it.. took me off guard."
But loud storms did make her a bit jumpy, as she braced herself when another flash of lighting lit the sky- and then jumped when the thunder clapped loudly clean after.

Ciaran let out a careful breath.

All this jumping on his lap was having an affect on him and he cleared his throat and just closed his eyes. His hands held her down against him while he selfishly used her little jumps and, sooner rather than later, no doubt, she would notice his... Well. Ciaran smoothed a hand down Hay-Gee's back and took another deep breath. At least his pants were tight, so... Unless she was aware of the hardness in his pants she wouldn't squeak and fall out of the three again.

"I'll protect you," He said softly, smiling, "From most scary things. I promise."

Hay-gee stiffened in his arms, and shivered at his words.
"Okay."
She felt lame for her meek reply. Maybe he wouldn't notice as the thunder purred, shaking the world gently around them.

It was perhaps only then she realized a little something coming from Ciaran and when she realized just what it was, her ears turned red and she tucked in her lips. She was so distracted by it that the next clap of lightning and thunder hardly phased her, even as the ground shook again from the thunders quake.

Ciaran just nodded at her.

One of his hands smoothed up and down her back in a hopefully soothing motion, there was nothing he could really do to control the state of his dick but... Maybe Hay-Gee hadn't noticed. He blew out a careful breath and looked away after a moment. "You okay?" He breathed, leaning in to tuck his mouth against her ear so she could hear him. "C'mon, we gotta get you home before the rain picks up and you soak through," He started to itch forward, pressing them closer together, his hand at her back.

Being so secure in his arms felt... well.. nice. And for the life of her, all she could do was lamely nod in agreement. But her limbs didn't oblige. Infact her only movement was the heavy beating of her heart, and her flinch when another crack of lightning lit the night's sky.

It was then Ciaran realized he was a man of steely resolve because everything he really wanted to do - have wild sex during a thunderstorm in the rain - was something he refused to even... Think of. Besides acknowledging that was indeed a thing he'd be into. He turned slightly, shifted Hay-gee's rump off his lap and with her secure and on the tree, he shifted and slowly moved down. A moment's pause to collect himself and ignore his pants.

Okay. everything was fine.

Except it wasn't. A surprised gasp and his foot slipped from the tree, his hand slipped and he fell backwards, landing on his feet but quickly falling to his ass and then back.

Taking deep breaths he just stared at the sky, kind of dazed while the rain picked up. That was definitely a bonerkiller.

The next boner killer might have sealed the deal, for he wasn't the only one to slip and fall, as Hay-gee let out a shriek and dropped from the tree-
Ciaran's body breaking her fall.

A loud grunt and there was a moment of blackness.

"Oh, God," he grunted out, rolling over and curling up. He was dying. The air had been knocked from him and he gasped for it. "Hay-gee," he grunted and pushed her off of him, curling onto his hands and knees and trying desperately to breath. Fingers digging into the dirt while he failed at it.

Stunned, Hay-gee had no idea what to think or do. But when she heard his whimpers, she gasped and got to her knees beside him.
"Oh, Ciaran! I'm so sorry! Gods, name! Are you okay!? Can you breath? Can you talk? Is anything broken?"

So many questions.

His brain screamed for oxygen and he tucked his head down  into his arms while he slowly gasped for breath.

Deep, even breaths.

Still, he side-eyed Hay-gee and rose onto his knees, red faced and doing his best to breath. "I'll live," He grunted, hands dirty, "I think you landed on my dick," he winced, then he looked up, just moving hurt, "Are you okay?" Because he needed her to go home now so he could... Be angry at the ground for not being soft.

Her hands clapped over her mouth and her eyes were so wide as she looked at him, then.. down.
"R.. really!?"
If she hadn't felt awful enough.... she certainly was feeling as awful as awful could be.

The grunt was a laugh.

"No," He breathed out, sitting back, still breathing before he smirked up at her, "Not really," He breathed, eyes falling closed for a moment before he rolled his shoulders. "You should go home, Hay-Gee," Ciaran said softly, wincing before he rose up to his knees to look at her. "The rain is picking up."

Her hands were still around her lips as she bit at her fingernails. She shook her head.
"It's just rain." She pouted at him. "I can't just leave you alone, knowing you might be hurt."

Ciaran looked at her and winced, ducking his head down before he took a deep breath and moved to stand up.

"Just my back is hurt," he paused before he groped himself to make sure nothing... well, was hurt. "Junk's fine."

This time when her hands slapped over her mouth, it was to hold back and hide her laugh. But her eyes... And her sudden snort, gave her away.

Ciaran looked down at Hay-gee for a moment, eyes draw into a leer. Little monster was laughing at him! Ciaran was torn between wanting to embarass her or just leaving her behind.

"Are you laughing at me?" He inquired, looking at her, hands on his hips though they shotout quickly to grab her sides, "you know what happens to people who laugh at me?" Hands firmly on her sides, he brought her close to him, head down.

Hay-gee squeaked, but for the life of her couldn't stop laughing. In fact, their close proximity and him getting mad only illicited more snorts from her as her body shook in her feeble attempt to stop.

The only response Ciaran had was to lift Hay-Gee up quickly and toss her over his shoulder.

"I warned you!" he threatened, walking slowly, "I'm gonna throw you in the pond now for having dared laugh at me!" He squeezed her side - not hard enough to hurt - but enough to make her notice his hand. One arm held her legs to his chest and the other was curled to keep her on his shoulder. "This is the price you have to pay!"

And at that, Hay-gee shrieked.
"C-Ciaran!" She snorted again, wriggling in his grasp. God this was awful but she couldn't stop laughing! "Ciaran, No! Stop!"

A grin at the cry of his name.

He gave her a little shake, "Oh? But you keep laughing?" A look at her and he started to walk, "If you want me to put you down, you have to... Tell me a secret. Without laughing."

But she couldn't and through her giggles she protested with his name.
"C-Ciaran! Please!"

Ciaran frowned at her over his shoulder before he started to walk towards the little pond he'd bathed in earlier. Swinging her from over his shoulder and holding her bridal style he gave her a look and held out his arms. "You have three seconds before I drop you in!" He threaten, "C'mon! My payment is secrets!"

Taking one look at the water had her gasping and clinging onto him for dear life.
"Caiarn! You wouldn't dare!"

Ciaran grinned widely, slowly lifting her.

"Wouldn't I?" His voice was almost drowned out by the incoming storm and he just grinned at her, an eyebrow lifted and he just smiled, "c'mon Hay-Gee. You let me toss you in and I'll jump in after you."

She looked at him, mouth gaping before she closed her mouth and puffed her blushed cheeks.
"You wouldn't! You'd get us both wet!" The winds were blowing hard. "And it's-" She felt a fat rain drop on her cheek... and then quite a few more.
"It's raining! Ciaran!"

Ciaran laughed but held her tightly.

"What! A little water never hurt anyone," he practically purred at her, holding hay-gee close to his chest, "whats a little rain?"

"Ciaran!" But before she could even protest more about it-
it completely poured on top of them.
Her eyes went wide as she looked at him, and screamed.

Ciaran froze.

"Hay-Gee," he said, face falling, leaning over her slightly so he got the brunt of the rain, "It's just a little water. What's wrong?"

"Oh!" she huffed and gave him a shove. "Except now it's pouring and-"
Her eyes went wide. And instead of clinging to him, her hands INSTANTLY went to her hair. Oh no! IT was already frizzing up!

Ciara just paused, and then he slowly leaned away from her so she got hit by the rainwater again.

"Yeah, and it's just some water," He watched her, his smile returning. Well, this was better than dumping her into the pond, "Hay-Gee. Are you worried about something?" He teased, voice buttery smooth and he started to walk back towards their homes with her still in his arms.

Her hands were still trying to cover her head, for all the good that was doing. It frustrated her to no end and she hated it. And then he had to go and ask that.
And that's when she kicked, and moved to pinch his arm, hard.
"Can't you see my hair!? The rain is making it more gnarled than tree roots and frizzier than dandelion fuzz!" She grimaced as she looked at the rain, still struggling before she paused and gave hima wide eyed glare.
"And YOU wanted to toss me into the pond!" oh she could have pinched him again!

"Ow!" He giggled, surprised at her pinch. Ciaran just looked at her, an eyebrow raised, and just sort of tilted his head like a confused puppy. "Yeah?" He kept walking, looking at where she pinched him and wishing he could rub it, but that would mean putting Hay-Gee down and then what fun was there to be had?

"It's just hair," He said softly, head titled, a little confused, "You look fine."

So many starts to sentences faltered off her tongue before a blush consumed her and she knew she had to look down right ugly.
She couldn't speak, so she simply pinched him again. Oh! He just had to lie to her to make her more upset!

"Would'ja stop pinching me!" He barked at her, frowning, continuing to walk. "I don't see the issue, it's just hair! I'm sorry it's getting wet but weather happens. Think of when you finally get brave enough to have sex - that shit isn't pretty. No one looks good doing it." he looked down at her his slightly temper making him lose whatever 'this is a lady don't say bad things' filter he had, "Are you going to be worried about what you look like when you're riding a guy like a pony?"

Did he honestly just say that?! So many hot and angry retorts caught in her throat and came out as a half gargled snarling whimper.

"Why would you say that? To say it like that, Ciaran?" Her words were hot and so were the tears in her eyes. "Of course I'd be worried what I looked like! Can't you see me?" The tears were nearly blinding. "No one wants me because I'm not... I'm not pretty, not anymore and you can just put me down. I want to walk. I don't want to talk anymore! I don't .. I-" but her words were cut off by her own pathetic sobs.

Oh no.

She was crying.

Ciaran just stared at her, his mouth went dry and he opened it and closed it again and just stared at her.

"Who said you're not pretty?" He said softly, having stopped but tucking them under a tree to keep most of the rain at bay. Ciaran did not put her down, instead he held her tighter and tucked his chin over her head, "Looks aren't everything," he said softly voice rough. He'd made her cry.

Ciaran felt awful.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. Of course I can see you. I see your plush lips and your rosy cheeks, you work outside, Hay-Gee, you're not going to be silk and dresses and you expecting that of yourself isn't doing you any favours. Have you seen my hands? I could ruin fine fabric just by touching it they're so rough." Ciaran sighed before he cuddled her up in his arms and moved to sit down, keeping her firmly on his lap, "I don't care if you want to walk, we're going to sit like this until you're not crying anymore.

She felt awkward and hated herself even more for falling into blubbery tears. But it was like all of her worst nightmares come together.

Who said she wasn't pretty?

No one ever said it to her face. No, but she'd heard it enough times behind her back. How she surely became unlucky when puberty hit. And though she could cook a mean pie, there were too many prettier girls in town unmarried, so no one ever looked her way.

She hated even more so that she couldn't control her own tears. They just kept coming. But could she blame the alcohol? she had been sobering since the storm, at least a little- but this..
This was something deeper.

When her tears finally calmed some, she wiped away at the tears on her sleeves, and whimpered through more tears as snot soaked into her sleeve as well when she went to wipe at her nose. She kept her head lowered, still nestled in against his form before closing her eyes.

He was comforting her. And though she still felt out of place. It was.... nice.
She sighed after another moment, trying to collect herself before she mumbled, "I'm such a mess." And went to pat herself down to see if she had a kerchief. She couldn't keep using her sleeve as one- it was already getting soaked from snot.. and tears.

This was awkward.

What was he supposed to do with a girl who was sobbing because she thought she was ugly? Ciaran had had his fair share of 'pretty girls'. Met a good number of them. Had sex with a few of them too - charged an arm and a leg. Ciaran watched her blubber and cry and he smoothed his hand up and down her back in an attempt to comfort. He wanted to say she was pretty. Wanted to compliment her.

It wasn't that she was ugly or unattractive, she just... Was normal. Ciaran eyed her lips, those had looked kissable since he'd gotten home and if she hadn't been so... Gross and covered in boogie's he'd have probably done it right now. Blood, Guts and Gore were one thing. Ciaran made a bit of a face after she called herself a mess and he tried not to look at her --- Eugh.

Ciaran cleared his throat and closed his eyes before he turned his face away and brushed away her face with his hands, wiping them on the wet grass and the side of his pants before doing it again. "Hay-Gee," he sighed, "Do you have your eye on some handsome young man who doesn't want you?" He asked, because why else would she be crying so hard? "Just because you're not perfect looking doesn't mean you'll never have anyone. You work outside. You work in front of an oven. Have you seen me? I looked like a baked potato and ..." He pressed his hand to her cheek and he kissed the side of her head, "Either way. You have a lot of child bearing years left. I'm sorry I ... Brought up part of the reason why I'm back." He smile-winced at her, "I won't... Bother you with the idea anymore."

Because if had been right there on a platter and she hadn't grabbed it.

Now he just had to find out who she had her eye on and dispose of him. No wait that was bad. Maybe talk to him. Get him to... Give Hay-Gee a try? She was so quiet and shy... Ciaran eyed her lips and after making sure his hand was clean he drew his thumb over her lower one, "I just want you to be happy and that isn't going to happen if you're sobbing about thinking you're ugly."

He calmed her down enough she was no longer blubbering, but she felt awful and her eyes, puffy. At his questions, she shook her head.
"N-no.. there isn't anyone, honest. I... t-too many people think I'm sweet but... No one would look at me. Not now." Not that she was certain there was anyone worth looking at. Except maybe Ciaran and...

She had no idea how to take what he said. Was he drunk when he proposed those things? Thinking about them made her ears grow hot.

She wiped away any lingering tears and sighed.
"I'm sorry I... I'm all upset." She sighed. "Maybe we can try again tomorrow. I don't want you to think I hate you. I don't. I just..."
She just what?

Knew he might be too drunk and that was how he was acting- on impulse?
That she wanted to make sure?
Or that she was scared witless at the prospect of a real relationship with Ciaran.

Perhaps it was all three.

She wiped more tears off on her sleeve, sniffling as she began to hiccup, then another flash of lightning brought her back to her senses as she tensed and hid her head against his shoulder as a loud clap of thunder reminded her it was still storming. Apparently the weather wasn't going to wait for her to finish crying.