The smile on her face faded somewhat as she turned back to her mate. Seeing his face, her ears flattened. Slumping slightly, the gestured halfheartedly towards the far pool of the fenced-in area, overlooking the bay. ”Right over there.” She led him in, sitting down on the edge, trailing her legs in the water. She sat in silence for a few moments, staring at the water. Her attention turned to Rhaq’a, sitting next to her.

Laying her hand atop his, she tried to smile, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. A sigh escaped. Her smile became a tad more complete. ”Rhaq’a, I’m… Sorry. I know this isn’t you idea of fun or relaxation, but…” She paused, trying to figure out how to express the ideas in her head to him. ”I just… I know you have, well, issues with intimacy and while I don’t claim to understand them from your viewpoint, I know the effect it has on you. I know we seem to have developed rather... Different reactions to the predicaments we found ourselves in earlier in our lives.” She scooted a little closer, pressing into him, ”I just hoped that, well, maybe by making some good memories about it, it might help. But I don’t think I’m doing a good job of doing that for you. I’m sorry…” She was looking more miserable and ashamed of herself by the moment, ”If you’d rather to back to our room, I understand. But the view here is lovely, isn’t it?” She looked out over the edge they were sitting on, the bay around Kugane sparkling in the starlit night.

She gave his hand a squeeze, ”I love you for you. You’re a wonderful, intelligent, kind, sweet man. And that’s all you have to be for me.” She gave him a peck on the nose, turning back to the bay.

Hanging his head, he let out a sigh, listening to her explain herself, shaking his head, "No, I... I'm sorry. I had no idea you were trying to..." Ears flattening to his head, he stared at the water before being urged to look up, "It is nice." Flushing at the kiss, he leaned in to hold her. "Though you are correct my... memories are less than pleasant. Perhaps that is why I'm so uneasy. I... did not mean to offend or..."

Snuggling into her, he smiled, "I'll... try to be more receptive to your advances, but... please be... less overbearing. I... will like as not need some time." Kissing her, he smiled, "I... like you for you as well. You are intelligent and kind, and I am very lucky to have met you."

A sigh escaped her; she wasn’t sure how Rhaq’a would react to her spilling herself at him, but this was better than she had any right to expect. She nodded with a small smile, ”And I will try to be a tad less aggressive with my advances. A tad.” She gave him a kiss back, then started sliding down into the hot water, yanking her towel off to keep it dry, “And what could be less aggressive than warm water?”

She gestured next to her, ”Care to join me? I promise not to be as aggressive, but I do have desires. And I do prefer having them fulfilled by you, dearest. But they can remain desires for now. We can make some lovely new memories for you later.” She chuckled, reaching up to him through the steam, ”I think I’d just like to cuddle my man right now!”

Well, boiling pots were hot water, but he wasn't going to argue semantics. "Perhaps..." Moving to her side, he sunk in as well, removing his own cover. Sliding down, he allowed all but his shoulders and head to be submerged.

Flushing at her words, he averted his gaze, "I... ah... cuddling would be nice." A soft, awkward smile crossed his lips. He reached around to hold her, letting out a sigh. "Well... what... do you do here? Sit?"

Snaking her arm around him as well, she let out a small cooing sound, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. The steam enveloped them, obscuring things more than a few feet away. She took off her glasses, obscuring things more than a few inches away. Sitting up slightly, she undid the knot at the back of her top.

She pressed into him once again, ”We do whatever you’re comfortable with.” Leaning into him, she sighed, her chin resting on the water’s surface, ”This is lovely. Just as is. Lovely place. Lovely man…” She snuggled into him, wrapping her arms around him. ”I’m so very glad that I’ve found someone that I can be honest with, and that is honest with me.” She smiled, planting another kiss on him.

He held her, petting her head gently. "If this is acceptable, then this is what I prefer." A soft sigh escaped his lips as he hugged her. "Though I apologize if you were hoping for more. Still, I'm sure your muscles are quite tired from today's strain, so perhaps this reservation was for the best."

Removing his own fogged glasses, he set them aside. Probably for the best. "I... assume the point is to sit here, relaxing? Apologies it's new territory."

She coos happily, nodding, ”Far more than acceptable, dear.” She chuckles, ”I won’t lie, I was hopeful, but perhaps you are correct. You often are, after all.”

Stretching herself, she sprawled across Rhaq’a, grinning up at him. A chuckle escaped at his confusion, ”I would hope that would be obvious! But yes, that is the point. To take a long soak with someone you love.” She resumed her snuggling of him, happily cooing.

As thirsty as she was, he was of course right. The soak was doing her a lot of good. She was quite sore form all the walking they’d done. Rolling off him temporarily, she rest her arms on the stone sides, chin on her wrists, letting her body float in the warmth. A long groan emanated from her. ”GODS this feels good. Doesn’t it, dearest?” She edged over so that she was bumping into him. A small grin flitted across her lips, ”And do you know what would feel even better?”

She took his hand in hers, leading it to... The base of her neck. She wiggled slightly, pressing his hand into her upper back. "Pretty please?"

"I know and... I'm sorry." He looked genuinely apologetic. Though content in the hot-tub. Closing his eyes, he relaxed.

As she sprawled across him, he flushed, "B-Be careful, the water is still deep enough." At her words he responded, "Perhaps obvious, but still a strange... concept. It is... I'm not accustomed to simply sitting around doing naught productive. Which this certainly qualifies as."

Caught off guard by her loud proclamation, he nodded, "Yes, I suppose so?" After a moment, he let out a sigh of reluctance, "Yes, certainly..." He moved his hands to rub her shoulders... At least this was something non-traumatic he could do to please his mate.

As she settled into the massage, she pondered what had been said so far. She knew he had incredibly negative emotions attached to intimacy. They had both faced similar situations in their youth. The breeding requirements of their respective families. Rhy had reacted to it by decoupling nearly all emotion from physical intimacy. Her mate, Rhaq’a, had convinced himself to hate the act. Both legit ways of dealing with it. Rhy understood his pain, better than she would allow herself to admit. She still held out hope of helping him achieve some level of normalcy, though. She knew that deep hatred wasn’t healthy. Perhaps slowly, over time…

His proclamation on productivity shook her thoughts into a much funnier place. She chuckled, still enjoying his massage, ”Is it that foreign? Are you saying that you don’t enjoy sitting around and reading about Alchemy? Or that you don’t stare silently at the stars? Or simply relax from time to time?” She shook her head, still smiling, ”You’re not fooling me, Rhaq’a Zhwan. You may fool yourself, but not your wife!” She reached back, playfully splashing some water at him. ”Besides, relaxing your mind and body reinvigorates you for what life will throw your way.” She paused for a moment, "And life will be throwing quite a bit at us in just a few months."

"Reading is productive." He frowned somewhat, "As is stargazing, if you are familiar with astrological ideals." After a moment, he then spoke quietly, "As for relaxing... normally, it is if I am too physically or mentally exhausted to be productive. I then typically sleep. I am neither physically nor mentally exhausted, and as such this... is puzzling."

At her words his eyes widened, "W-What?" The splash of warm water made him spit in disgust, "W-wh..?" Frowning, he let out a sigh, "Yes, you're correct, but perhaps it would have been best to schedule this later instead of now...?"

"There's no reason we cannot come back whenever we like!" She nodded, smiling, "The inn keep assured me that he will find a way to free up a spot for us should we desire." She sank back in the water, the hot surface lapping at her lips as she spoke.

"Perhaps it is not the best use of one's time, but it can certainly be productive. It gives one a chance to talk to others. To think to themselves. To ponder ponderous issues. I find that quiet relaxation is where I do the most productive thinking." As if to illustrate the point, she lapsed into silence for a few moments.

It would seem Rhy had this all planned out. For better or worse. "O-Oh." Was really, all he could say to that. He really didn't want to know how she had that arrangement.

Frowning, he nodded. His mate had a solid argument, but he still wasn't sure if this was how he would prefer to go about such. "I... suppose so." Furrowing his brows, he awkwardly pet her hair. "All right, I get the point."

Indeed, for his sake, it was likely best that Rhaq'a not know the details of her arrangement with the inn keep. It was likely that he not know many of her arrangements with various people. She smiled up at him as he pet her, nodding, "I'm glad we agree!" She settled into him, scootching herself so that her back was on top of him, settling her lap in his, her head draped on his shoulder, "Besides, we haven't gotten a whole lot of time just to ourselves in quite a while now. I'm glad of this time. With you."

Her cheek nuzzled his, "Besides, like or not, you give the best cuddles I have ever gotten!" She sank further into him to demonstrate her point.

Petting her gently, he let out a sigh, "Yes, I am aware. I'm sure that is at least partly my fault. I have been busy. As I'm sure you have been as well." Smiling, he frowned some at her comment. "I..." Hugging her, but making a face of hating it, he continued, "You're just saying that to make me feel better."

Averting his gaze, he finally admitted, "Though I am glad to have this time with you as well. Having you... relatively... calm... is rare indeed."

A small nod met his words, "Entirely too busy, yes. The war with Garlemald seeming to wind down just opened up people needing help. It's been nonstop for months..." She stretched, "And I want to be sure to set up as many trading arrangements before I need to take a break for a while." A grin crossed her lips, seeing through his feeble disguise, "Ah yes, I always forget how much you hate cuddling!" She chuckled, wiggling on top of him in his arms.

She held his arm in her own, "Well, you asked. And I'm happy to oblige as well as I can." Turning his face to hers, she placed a small peck on his nose, "Though I guarantee nothing in the future. I do apologize."

"Yes, I suppose you're right." He smiled. Puffing his cheeks, he groaned, "It is the worst. Simply terrible..." Petting her gently, let out a soft sigh, "Yes, you will be you and I suppose there's not much I can say to make you act otherwise. Just... perhaps do try. In the future. For my sake. I do not expect miracles."

Frowning some, he averted his gaze, "We do not know that the war is winding down. Assuming the best case scenario is dangerous. "

A shake of the head met his statement, "No, I don't suppose either of can fundamentally change the other. All we can do is help one another. Help and hope." She chuckled, "As I said, I will try. I do have needs, though, but I will try not to pressure you too much. I know that it makes you uncomfortable. I will do what I can to fulfill them. Perhaps then I can be calmer around you! Again, no guarantees; I did fall for your mind and your looks, dearest."

She stretched once again, enjoying the feeling of the hot water above and her husband beneath. A small sigh escaped, "Hope is not a bad thing. Pinning everything on a hope is. But hope is not. The rumors coming from he front lines are encouraging, though still awful. And if the rumors from Garlemald itself are to be believed!" She raised a brow at Rhaq'a.