NoriWasHere
Qia
webboysurf
Mixtape Ghost N
Marx
Lord Wraith
FernStone
Spoopy Scary
Festive
Rockette
Location: Southern Plateau - PRCU
Welcome Home #1.099: Feathers on the Court
Outside of the tent, barely perceptible steps could be heard approaching. Along with the gentle rustling of feathers as Haven stretched her wings out one last time before she'd tuck them in for the night. She stopped in front of the door, her ears picking up motion within. He's still up.
The thought provoked a fluttering feeling within her stomach. She pulled her wings in front of her, her hands smoothing down any stray feathers. Next she pulled the hairband from her ponytail. Her fingers combed through her hair before she pushed it back from her face. It wasn't like she was worried she looked a mess. She'd gone most of her life without caring how she looked. This preening was brought on by the excitement and nerves that came with stepping into a tent alone with Rory. To the rush of wondering if he'd figured out her answer earlier, and how he might have taken it.
Haven reached for the zipper of the tent, halting as her fingers pressed against the metal. She took a slow breath through her lungs, and breathed out through her nose. You can do this, Haven. You got this. A small, excited smile flashed before she cooled her expression and pulled the zipper open.
She ducked her head, her wings tucking close to her back so that they wouldn't graze the tent as she stepped inside. "Hey, I'm glad you're up." She began, her eyes lifting from the floor as she stood straight to look at- Oh.
Rory had remarkable timing.
When he had first gotten back to the tent and noticed Haven wasn't there, he slipped inside. Of course, his first concern was that she was going to walk in at any moment, and the last thing he wanted was to be caught naked before they had a chance to talk. So, he laid out his sleeping bag and rested for a moment, keeping an ear out for Haven's arrival. But as soon as he was lying down, he was stuck there for some time. His muscles ached, and he desperately wanted to sleep. He felt himself nearly nod off once or twice.
But he knew he had to stay awake.
So, after what felt like an eternity, Rory managed to slowly lift himself up from his sleeping bag. In the process, his towel got caught underfoot and was pulled off as he stood up. He shrugged, figuring this was a good excuse to get changed anyways. He walked over to his duffle bag, opened it up, and pulled out a pair of boxers.
He was confused why he heard two zippers when opening his duffel bag... but nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Haven's voice. He spun around, naked as the day he was born with a pair of light gray boxer briefs in hand, eyes wide in panic as he saw Haven. He had only a moment to register that she had let her hair down before he noticed her looking at him. Well, more specifically, she was looking at his lower half.
It took him a couple of seconds to shake himself from his stupor and turned around, quickly sliding on the boxers while turned away from Haven. "I'm... oh God, I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to... I'm sorry." Rory quickly reached into his bag for a pair of athletic shorts, sliding those on before turning back to face Haven, face red with embarrassment.
Haven was staring at- at him, more specifically a part of him that she hadn't seen before. Her mouth was open, having formed the word "oh" as she thought it. If Rory hadn't panicked, he'd have noticed a flush quickly spread across the center of her neck, goosebumps raising on her arms, and the feathers on her wings slowly fluffing. Haven turned at the same moment he did, her eyes going right to the top of the tent. Yet as she heard him shuffling about behind her, a slow grin began to creep onto her face. She bit her lip, trying to suppress it, but failed miserably.
"No, I'm- I'm sorry. I should have knocked or... something." Haven hoped that he couldn't hear the grin in her voice. It was obvious she was flustered, but was it embarrassment? Haven didn't think so, personally. She lifted her right wing as she turned, using it to cover her vision of his lower half as she peeked over it to glance at him. The lower half of her face was also hidden behind the ruffled feathers, thankfully. "Sorry, Rory. Is it safe to come in now?"
Rory finished sliding up his shorts as Haven turned to face him, and his cheeks were still a bright shade of pink as he looked her in the eye. He took a deep breath as he recovered. He couldn't quite see all of her face, but she certainly didn't look angry or disgusted. What that could possibly mean didn't even register in his mind, though, as he was still stuck replaying the embarrassing moment in his mind. He lifted his hands to cover his face a moment, rolling them down and stretching the skin as if to wipe away the mistake off his face. With an exhale, he turned his gaze back to Haven and nodded. "I'm, uh... decent. This isn't how I wanted to start things off."
Haven slowly lowered her wing, her grin fading into a small smile. She took a step further into the tent, getting to a spot where her wings could rest comfortably behind her. "I know, Rory. It's okay. Really." She tilted her head to the side as she looked over how red in the face he was. "What... did you have in mind, though?"
And there it was. No backing out now.
Rory rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, taking another deep breath. "Right... well, uh... before I answer that, I think it's important I'm upfront about something." He paused, panic washing over him. He was in the thick of it now. But, Katja was right. Subtlety wasn't his strong suit... and the only way through this was to talk things out. "I promised myself, before I got back from summer vacation, that I wouldn't leave here without any regrets. So, I think... I mean, based on today, and the vibe..." Rory felt his mouth getting dry and sweat beginning to form on his brow. He wasn't exactly shy around most folks... awkward, sure. But this was different. He took a another breath, and looked Haven in the eye.
"When I asked about sleeping together, I meant sharing a tent. But... you were a little weird about it. What do you think I asked?" Internally, he was kicking himself. He had chosen the coward's path... but he already knew how he felt. There was still a chance this was a misunderstanding.
Haven felt her heart begin to beat faster and she swore she could hear his heart begin to thump too. She felt weightless for a moment as he looked in her eyes. Yet the question grounded her. It wasn't exactly what she hoped he'd ask, but... it wasn't pointing her in the wrong direction either.
"I have to admit, I... I thought you were being bold at first." She began, her eyes glancing between his. Her lips curved at the edges as she remembered it. "You really have to chose your words carefully next time, Rory." Her eyes searched his face for any reaction, pausing on his lips for a moment before she met his gaze again.
"It had my heart racing, like it is now." She was holding her breath. Hoping that if she kept it under control she wouldn't reveal too much at once and overwhelm him. "I realized what you really meant- a few seconds later. I didn't correct you for a reason, though."
"I, uh..." Her confidence wavered for a moment. Then it rose up in full force. She had to say it now, or it might not ever matter again. She took another small step towards him. Her head tilting back just a bit more so that she could keep his eyes in focus. "I like you, Rory. As more than a friend. I haven't felt this way about anyone else, and it's hard for me to say it, but I mean it."
"I really like you." The smile she had now was soft and sincere, expressing her feelings through physical language if the words didn't say it for her.
"I..."
Rory paused, his head drowning in thoughts and sound. Haven's words felt like they were wrapping themselves around his chest, his breathing getting a little tighter. It's what he wanted... better than he hoped for. But his own words were caught in his throat. "I... I've been afraid of this." He mentally kicked himself, quickly sputtering out an explanation. "Of it being both of us... you know, liking each other like that... I was talking with Kat earlier this evening, feels right to tell you too... I don't have a lot of options once I get out of here. So I thought if I just stayed quiet and didn't tell anyone how I felt... you can't foul out if you don't play." He looked down at his hands, snapping with one hand before smacking that same palm into his other fist. He was fumbling. He lifted his gaze up, the smile on her face immediately brightening his.
Fuck it.
"What I'm trying to say is... I should have told you a lot earlier that I like you. A lot." His smile was wide, as he took an instinctively step closer. "I... I don't know what that means, though. Like... I didn't expect to ever get this far. So I don't know what's next."
Haven's brows rose as she listened to him. Concern flitted across her features for a moment as he voiced his worries. She continued to smile despite it. He felt the same. It sent a whole new rush of excitement through her. She could see the same rush spread over his body language as he finally looked back at her. Which only made her smile grow into a beaming grin as he finally admitted his feelings out loud.
A wave of relief passed through her, her wings flaring momentarily before resting behind her. Her feathers slowly began to smooth out. He stepped closer to her, and she could feel her heartbeat become a fluttering thump in her chest.
"I don't have a clue about all of that either, but... we can figure it out together." She began, gazing into those sky blue eyes as she stepped even closer to him. She wanted to keep this moment forever. "I think this is the right move now, though."
Haven lifted herself onto the tips of her toes, her eyes fluttering momentarily between his eyes and his lips. They closed as her face was not even an inch away, and she pressed her lips against his. A gentle, curious kiss. It sent a warmth coursing through her that she hadn't felt before. She kept her hands at her sides to allow Rory to decide how this would continue.
Rory didn't need to be asked twice. He had moved in to meet Haven part way, his lips meeting hers. Of course, he moved his right hand to cup the back of her head, with his right moving to Haven's waist as if he was afraid of her flying away. He broke the kiss after a moment, eyes fluttering open as he seemed a bit stunned. "Wow..." He chuckled a little, still lost for words for but a moment, before finally shaking his head. "We should have done this sooner." With a goofy smile, he leaned in again and closed his eyes, going for a second, deeper kiss than the first. Rory's left hand moved to Haven's lower back to hold her close, his heart practically beating out of his chest. This wasn't his first kiss, not by a long shot.
But a kiss had never felt like home before.
Haven melted the moment he cupped the back of her head. Her hands moved, reaching up to hold him by his torso. The muscles under his skin felt even better than they looked. But the kiss... and his hand on her waist. It was perfect. He broke the kiss first. Haven could have gone on for another few minutes with her lung capacity, but she was on Rory's terms with that. Still, she was left breathless. She took a moment to regain the oxygen in her lungs as she looked up at him with a gaze similar to his own.
His words and that smile on his face had her returning the goofy grin until their lips met again. She was already leaning into him as he pulled her close, her body flush against his. She could hear their hearts beating at almost equal rates, racing towards an inevitable crescendo. The future didn't matter at this moment. Nothing outside of this tent mattered. The only thing on her mind was Rory.
"We should do this all of the time." Haven breathed as Rory once again paused for air. Her right hand slid under his arm, onto his toned chest, and up the side of his head into his short hair. "I mean it." She chuckled softly at the thought as her eyes met his.
"That's a smart idea, Haven. You don't have to tell me twice." Rory resisted the urge to go in for another kiss, instead pausing to take in the moment. He relished the feeling of her touch on his skin, and her hand in his hair. He wasn't sure he had ever seen her smile quite like that... hell, he couldn't recall seeing anyone smiling like she was right now. He pulled Haven's head into his chest as he went in for a tight hug, head lowering to plant a soft kiss on the top of her head as he squeezed her in his arms.
Wait... she knew what I meant, but she didn't...
Rory's grip loosened as he leaned away from the hug for a moment, head tilted down to get Haven to look him in the eye. "Hey... what did you mean when you said you had a reason for not correcting me earlier?"
Haven beamed up at him as he agreed with her. She could tell he was thinking of kissing her again. She wanted to kiss him until the sun came up. Or she could stand there, enjoying his warmth against her as they smiled at each other. He pulled her head against his chest and Haven allowed it. Her forehead pressed into his bare skin and she breathed in the smell of him. Heavens, he smells good. Her right hand slipped down his chest again and she wrapped her arms around to hold him just as close. She felt his lips against the top of her head and she swore that this was the moment she wanted to stay in forever.
She felt safe with him. Truly. A safety she hadn't felt in a long time. It made her heart fill to near bursting. Her wings tucked into her back, the feathers gently grazing his arms as he held her.
He pulled away. Haven tilted her head back to look up at him, hoping for another kiss until his question sent a spark down her spine and heated her body. She laughed softly, her eyes crinkling at the edges before her smile turned extremely flirty. "You asked if I wanted I wanted to sleep together... tonight," her thumb began to gently brush against the skin on his back, "and I said yes."
Haven's response sent a jolt down Rory's back, certainly helped by her delicate touch. This... well, it wasn't entirely unexpected. But the sudden shock on his face revealed all too easily this was not what he anticipated. He held his breath, biting his lip as he lifted his gaze to stare at the closed tent flap. He had had a dream like this once or twice... and for a moment, he felt panic course through him. This, too could be a dream... no, no, he was usually much more smooth in his dreams. Or stayed naked in them. And Haven didn't usually feel this real...
Focus, man.
He knew Haven well enough at this point to realize she liked it when he was flustered. And at this rate, he was losing. Rory hated losing.
Rory's expression shifted as he took a deep breath, his wide and goofy smile returning as he recovered. He moved his right hand up to caress her cheek. He held her gaze for a moment, his brain trying to process what she would say in a moment like this. "Oh, really?" He accepted her challenge. "Disappointed I threw shorts on, then?" He mimicked Haven's cadence with his words, a thin line of levity underlying his flirtatious query.
Haven wanted to be the one biting his lip. Her head tilted further into his hand, his gentle touch against her cheek becoming a new craving. She looked between his eyes. His questions were unexpected, but deliciously hot. She felt the heat in her neck rising, up until she felt it on her face. Oh, my god. Am I blushing? He was returning her usual banter with some of his own, and it was working. His touch against her cheek was electric. His body against hers igniting every nerve. She was blushing for the first time in her life.
"Just a little," Haven teased back, although her words didn't carry as much heaviness to them as before. He'd gotten to her. He'd broken past that wall of hers and shined the spotlight on her. And it was working. Working better than seeing him flustered over her did.
Rory beamed with pride, recognizing his crush's blushing smile. Confidence was a powerful drug at times like these... and her melting expression had given him plenty. In the meantime, it was time for a full court press. He had a competitive glint in his eye as he spoke softly, matching her teasing tone. "You can look all you like, Barnes." He leaned in, as if for another kiss. But as his lips neared hers, his hand slid under his chin to lift it up further, delivering a peck just under her jaw on her neck.As he pulled back, he lifted his head next to hers to rest his cheek against hers. He whispered softly, a hint of awkwardness seeping back into his voice. He was nearing his limit of flirtatious banter.
"You know, um... you're not the only one who wants to... well..." He was losing focus, his own rising temperature leaving him flustered and speechless. He wasn't used to this much talking... and words weren't doing him any favors. He crinkled his nose, desperately trying to come up with some clever way of saying it... but none came to mind. "I wouldn't be opposed to seeing you like that, either."
Haven loosed a breath as he placed a kiss in that soft spot of hers. This was an unexpected side to Rory. Yet as his own voice began to waver, and she finally felt the flushing of his skin against hers, she knew that they were on equal terms now.
She withdrew her hands from around him, leaning back just enough to run them up the planes of his abs before she took his face into her hands. "You can see me however you'd like, Rory." She smiled up at him before tugging him into a slow and intentional kiss. Her hands looped around his neck, one of them running her fingers through his hair. "That spot on my neck?" She murmured softly between kisses. "That's a sweet spot. With you... I think every spot is going to be sweet."
Rory's smile didn't fade as Haven went in for another kiss, the corners of his lips upturned as they met hers. He dropped his hands to her lower back to give her room to loop her arms around his neck. He chuckled softly at her words, his laugh interrupted as their lips met again. In the pauses between, Rory muttered back. "I'd be happy... to test that." He lowered his hands slightly, bending slightly with his knees until his hands reached the tops of her thighs. With a sudden move, he picked Haven up without breaking the kiss. He spun around while carrying her, turning to face the sleeping bag he had set up. Slowly, and without breaking the lock on their lips, he dropped down to one knee before dropping his other, lowering Haven onto her back while kneeling. He broke the kiss for a moment, catching his breath and studying her face for a reaction with a proud grin.
Haven's soft whimper was muffled by their kiss as he lifted her up and artfully laid her onto her back. She looked up at him, her eyes hazy as a soft smile played on her lips. Her wings had splayed open beside her as he laid her down, along with her legs. Her shorts had been pushed up her thighs, and her shirt bunched around her waist to reveal a sliver of her skin to him. In this position, with Rory so close, Haven could barely form a thought. The proud grin on his face elicited a breathless laugh from her chest. "Smooth move." Her voice was breathy and low, almost like it had been when she gave him a hint earlier that day.
She placed her left hand on his shoulder, the other tracing his jawline and down to his collarbones. She hooked her left leg around him, pulling him against her and into a deep and needy kiss. "I want you, Rory. All of you."
Rory's head swam with pleasure as Haven pulled him in close for another kiss. He couldn't help but elicit a soft grunt of pleasant surprise. He could feel himself losing all sense of thought, reason, or anxiety. Every fiber of thought was being engulfed by Haven. He held himself steady with his left elbow, fighting against Haven's pull just enough to swing his left leg over her right leg. Now slightly angled, he let his weight join hers as he maintained the kiss. His right hand moved to Haven's left thigh, running up over her shorts and under the edge of her shirt. His hand paused, as Rory's remaining reasoning skills fought. But, even those cells were consumed with a single desire: do as the lady asks.
"As you wish."
Rory's fingers grazed the edge of her shorts, as he broke the kiss to look her in the eyes. His smile was softer, his eyes studying her closely with a clarity he often lacked.
Haven had already begun to allow instinct to take over her the moment she heard a grunt escape his chest. Then all sense of being was lost the moment Rory's hand came close to another sweet spot. All she could do to stay grounded was grip his muscled shoulders and coast. She began to peel away her clothes with a sense of urgency, until his hands took over for her. Her own made quick work of his bottoms. Soon they were entangled; a shared moment of breathless whispers, small laughs as they adjusted to each other, and roaming hands. They soon found release together.
"That was..." Haven murmured, beaming up at Rory where she laid against his chest. Her right hand traced small circles on his skin. Her wings were draped over the both of them, a soft blanket of feathers. "Wow."
Rory's breath was labored as he laid on his back, a wild and dopey smile plastered on his face. The endorphins were finally fading, and he began to realize again just how much his body ached from a hard day's work. He really regretted not just borrowing Lorcán's powers earlier. But the thought of anyone but Haven in his mind in that moment was fleeting, as his eyes locked with hers. His hands were reasted behind his head as he laid there, his voice hazy with bliss. "Yeah..." He paused, staring sweetly into Haven's eyes for a moment as his brows furrowed, desperately trying to catch a thought before it was gone. His eyes widened as he finally found the words. "Yeah... you know... I might start leaving my window open. In case... you know..." If Rory's cheeks weren't already red from exhaustion, they'd reveal his slight awkwardness.
Of course, his expression darkened for a moment, the smile fading slightly as he looked past Haven towards the ceiling. He closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head slightly as if trying to ward off the thought. As his eyes opened, and Haven was still there, he lifted a hand from behind his head to grab hold of Haven's as she traced along his chest. His grip was soft as he moved her hand towards his face, fingers delicately prying her fingers back to reveal her palm. He lowered it to his lips, and delivered a soft and gentle kiss on that very palm.
Haven felt heat return to her cheeks. "Oh, yeah?" Her tone was soft, genuine happiness hinted underneath the question. She wondered if he thought this was just a dream with the way he shook his head. Then he took her hand and she allowed him to pull it towards his mouth. The kiss he placed on her palm that sent shivers down her spine. She ran her thumb over his lips, then cupped his cheek. "I'll give you the code to mine, then." She murmured, her smile turning soft. "You can come whenever you'd like to."
Rory's smile remained soft and weak as she spoke. He closed his eyes, leaning his cheek farther into her hand as he felt his mind wander. No matter how much he tried to stay grounded and present, he felt a familiar feeling creep into his chest. This, too, would pass. All of this. She seemed happy, for now. So was he. And that should be enough.
But Rory's smile faded as he laid bare, still partially entwined with the only woman who made him feel things he didn't even know how to place or describe with words. His eyes remained closed, not quite nodding off to sleep as the anxiety crept up and nestled in his chest. His voice was quiet as he responded, the warm haze giving way to his usual awkward discomfort. "Right... yeah. That would be nice."
Haven moved herself up onto her elbow so she could get a better look at him. Her thumb caressed his cheek. For a moment, her own anxieties tried to bubble up in her chest. His tone was different. As if he wasn't comfortable with her own response. Was this all he wanted from her? For her to come in through the window, have a nice evening, and be done?
Haven shoved the thought deep down inside of her, her heart telling her that her mind was wrong. He was here with her now, and he wanted her. Maybe he was scared she'd leave him, since he'd never had someone this close to his own heart before. Or maybe he was just tired, unable to fight the everyday stress that he seemed to carry on his shoulders.
"Hey, do you want a massage? You must be sore after all of the work today, and our own work in here." The last sentence had a hint of pride to it. She planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Turn over. I'll rub your back until you fall asleep."
He didn't deserve her.
Rory silently nodded at her suggestion, shifting under Haven carefully to rotate himself onto his stomach, resting his cheek on his forearm. "Thanks, Feathers." He tried his best to relax, and let his body decompress. But it was clear just how tense his muscles remained, just in his body language and in feeling his back and shoulders. He was quiet for a moment, before his brows furrowed again. His voice was even more quiet, almost a whisper to himself. "I don't... I don't want to be a fling, Wings." His voice quivered slightly, the weight of the day's events finally bearing down on him in full and tightening his throat.
Haven tucked her wings in as she moved to straddle Rory's waist. Feathers. The nickname had her smiling instead of scowling like she would with others. She began to run her hands along the muscles of his back. It began gentle, until she worked the muscles harder when she felt them tensing up beneath her. She heard his soft words as if they were in her ear. A wave of relief passed through her, her wings relaxing behind her to graze the sides of him with their feathery tips. She released a breath she'd been holding, and leaned down to give him a kiss on the back of his neck.
"Is that why you're so tense?" She asked as she sat back up and continued the massage. The quiver in his voice had her heart constricting. He had such a rough day, with the ceremony, with his fight, and now this. She wanted to reassure him as much as she wanted to reassure herself that this was more than just a hookup. "I would never play with your emotions like that, Rory. I want to be yours... and I want you to be mine. All mine." Her hands ran up his back, over his shoulders, and down his arms. She gave his biceps a quick squeeze before making their way back the way they came. "I like you a lot, Rory. Enough to face my own fears of committing to one place or person." She bit her lip for a moment. "You're someone I want to keep around, for a long time."
Rory let out a small, relieved moan as Haven massaged his back. He... well, he never really had gotten one before, besides the half-jokimg ones him and Lorcán exchanged after a long game in the locker room. But certainly nothing this intimate. But it was more than that. Her words struck deep, fueling more than ego. It was hard to believe, and even harder to process. His siblings never really liked spending time with him, even when they were younger. His parents were always too busy with work. He never really clicked with teammates... especially when the secret got out he was a Hype. PRCU felt more like home than home ever felt... but this was more than that.
She wanted him.
Desired wasn't something he was comfortable feeling yet, but it was something he could learn to appreciate. Of course, Haven's words and their meaning felt clear, even in his clouded mind. Exclusivity. Commitment. This wasn't just either of their usual flings... she wanted to be an item. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.
He turned his head slightly to look behind him as much as possible, only able to catch a glimpse of Haven's splayed wings. "I... yeah... you can have me as long as you want me." His voice was hazy again, exhaustion and passion and relief washing over his senses. Rory's eyes closed as he focuses on the sensation of the massage. "I don't know how... we'll tell the team."
Haven tried to ignore the way that the sound of his relief reverberated underneath her. She could hear how tired he was in his voice. He needed rest now, so she'd have to wait until morning to act on her feelings again. She made careful and gentle moves along his back, feeling the muscles underneath begin to relax. She could hear his heart slowing and his lungs taking deeper, sleepier breaths beneath her hands. She smiled warmly down at him. "They'll figure it out sooner or later." She began, her voice just above a whisper. He was falling asleep, and she didn't want to keep him awake. There was one thing she wanted to ask him before he drifted off, though.
She leaned down, placing another gentle kiss on the side of his neck. "Will you be my date for the dance, Rory?"
Rory's eyes remained closed, a soft chirp of pleasure escaping his lips at the kiss. He was exhausted, borderline delirious as he remained at the cusp of passing out. What remaining brain cells he had left were not functional. "I'd love to, babe... but I already asked Mei in my underwear earlier..." With no energy left, Rory succumbed to the exhaustion. A dumb, goofy, tired smile remained on his lips as he slumbered.
Haven, however, remained staring down at him. Her hands slowed to a stop along his back. Rory really didn't know how to talk to a woman. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that she'd been aware of Mei's feelings for him before entering this tent. She knew that Mei had asked him to the dance first.
A quiet laugh left her lips before she shook her head. She moved off of Rory, careful not to wake him. Her footsteps were near-silent as she found her shorts and shirt. She slipped them both on, and then carefully made her way out of the tent.
In the fresh air, with the dark, starry sky above her, Haven released a heavy sigh. She sat down in front of the tent's entrance and hugged her knees to her chest. Her gaze never left the stars.
He doesn't want it to be a fling... He wants me. Haven thought to herself, finding reasons to quiet any troubled thoughts in her head. I'm glad they cleared it up, anyways. It's just a dance. Mei will understand, right? The cliffs howled nearby, and the breeze rustled the leaves in the trees. It was peaceful out here. A natural sound that Haven had grown fond of since she'd first spent a night in a forest.
It was nothing like that stormy night four years ago. She had to keep reminding herself that. Alyssa's words may have shaken her trust in the island's safety, but she didn't want to leave it. Not with Rory's slow, dozing breaths behind her.
She listened to him breathe for a while, her eyes on the stars above or on the dimming fires of the campsite around them. Soon enough, her mind quieted and exhaustion found her. She returned to the tent and laid out her sleeping bag next to her partner. The safety she felt with him, despite the memories of her first night in a tent like this, was enough that she knew she'd get a good nights sleep beside him. As she got comfortable next to him, she reached over to take his hand into hers. A reminder for them in the morning that things had changed between them, and they likely wouldn't be the same again.
The thought provoked a fluttering feeling within her stomach. She pulled her wings in front of her, her hands smoothing down any stray feathers. Next she pulled the hairband from her ponytail. Her fingers combed through her hair before she pushed it back from her face. It wasn't like she was worried she looked a mess. She'd gone most of her life without caring how she looked. This preening was brought on by the excitement and nerves that came with stepping into a tent alone with Rory. To the rush of wondering if he'd figured out her answer earlier, and how he might have taken it.
Haven reached for the zipper of the tent, halting as her fingers pressed against the metal. She took a slow breath through her lungs, and breathed out through her nose. You can do this, Haven. You got this. A small, excited smile flashed before she cooled her expression and pulled the zipper open.
She ducked her head, her wings tucking close to her back so that they wouldn't graze the tent as she stepped inside. "Hey, I'm glad you're up." She began, her eyes lifting from the floor as she stood straight to look at- Oh.
Rory had remarkable timing.
When he had first gotten back to the tent and noticed Haven wasn't there, he slipped inside. Of course, his first concern was that she was going to walk in at any moment, and the last thing he wanted was to be caught naked before they had a chance to talk. So, he laid out his sleeping bag and rested for a moment, keeping an ear out for Haven's arrival. But as soon as he was lying down, he was stuck there for some time. His muscles ached, and he desperately wanted to sleep. He felt himself nearly nod off once or twice.
But he knew he had to stay awake.
So, after what felt like an eternity, Rory managed to slowly lift himself up from his sleeping bag. In the process, his towel got caught underfoot and was pulled off as he stood up. He shrugged, figuring this was a good excuse to get changed anyways. He walked over to his duffle bag, opened it up, and pulled out a pair of boxers.
He was confused why he heard two zippers when opening his duffel bag... but nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Haven's voice. He spun around, naked as the day he was born with a pair of light gray boxer briefs in hand, eyes wide in panic as he saw Haven. He had only a moment to register that she had let her hair down before he noticed her looking at him. Well, more specifically, she was looking at his lower half.
It took him a couple of seconds to shake himself from his stupor and turned around, quickly sliding on the boxers while turned away from Haven. "I'm... oh God, I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to... I'm sorry." Rory quickly reached into his bag for a pair of athletic shorts, sliding those on before turning back to face Haven, face red with embarrassment.
Haven was staring at- at him, more specifically a part of him that she hadn't seen before. Her mouth was open, having formed the word "oh" as she thought it. If Rory hadn't panicked, he'd have noticed a flush quickly spread across the center of her neck, goosebumps raising on her arms, and the feathers on her wings slowly fluffing. Haven turned at the same moment he did, her eyes going right to the top of the tent. Yet as she heard him shuffling about behind her, a slow grin began to creep onto her face. She bit her lip, trying to suppress it, but failed miserably.
"No, I'm- I'm sorry. I should have knocked or... something." Haven hoped that he couldn't hear the grin in her voice. It was obvious she was flustered, but was it embarrassment? Haven didn't think so, personally. She lifted her right wing as she turned, using it to cover her vision of his lower half as she peeked over it to glance at him. The lower half of her face was also hidden behind the ruffled feathers, thankfully. "Sorry, Rory. Is it safe to come in now?"
Rory finished sliding up his shorts as Haven turned to face him, and his cheeks were still a bright shade of pink as he looked her in the eye. He took a deep breath as he recovered. He couldn't quite see all of her face, but she certainly didn't look angry or disgusted. What that could possibly mean didn't even register in his mind, though, as he was still stuck replaying the embarrassing moment in his mind. He lifted his hands to cover his face a moment, rolling them down and stretching the skin as if to wipe away the mistake off his face. With an exhale, he turned his gaze back to Haven and nodded. "I'm, uh... decent. This isn't how I wanted to start things off."
Haven slowly lowered her wing, her grin fading into a small smile. She took a step further into the tent, getting to a spot where her wings could rest comfortably behind her. "I know, Rory. It's okay. Really." She tilted her head to the side as she looked over how red in the face he was. "What... did you have in mind, though?"
And there it was. No backing out now.
Rory rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, taking another deep breath. "Right... well, uh... before I answer that, I think it's important I'm upfront about something." He paused, panic washing over him. He was in the thick of it now. But, Katja was right. Subtlety wasn't his strong suit... and the only way through this was to talk things out. "I promised myself, before I got back from summer vacation, that I wouldn't leave here without any regrets. So, I think... I mean, based on today, and the vibe..." Rory felt his mouth getting dry and sweat beginning to form on his brow. He wasn't exactly shy around most folks... awkward, sure. But this was different. He took a another breath, and looked Haven in the eye.
"When I asked about sleeping together, I meant sharing a tent. But... you were a little weird about it. What do you think I asked?" Internally, he was kicking himself. He had chosen the coward's path... but he already knew how he felt. There was still a chance this was a misunderstanding.
Haven felt her heart begin to beat faster and she swore she could hear his heart begin to thump too. She felt weightless for a moment as he looked in her eyes. Yet the question grounded her. It wasn't exactly what she hoped he'd ask, but... it wasn't pointing her in the wrong direction either.
"I have to admit, I... I thought you were being bold at first." She began, her eyes glancing between his. Her lips curved at the edges as she remembered it. "You really have to chose your words carefully next time, Rory." Her eyes searched his face for any reaction, pausing on his lips for a moment before she met his gaze again.
"It had my heart racing, like it is now." She was holding her breath. Hoping that if she kept it under control she wouldn't reveal too much at once and overwhelm him. "I realized what you really meant- a few seconds later. I didn't correct you for a reason, though."
"I, uh..." Her confidence wavered for a moment. Then it rose up in full force. She had to say it now, or it might not ever matter again. She took another small step towards him. Her head tilting back just a bit more so that she could keep his eyes in focus. "I like you, Rory. As more than a friend. I haven't felt this way about anyone else, and it's hard for me to say it, but I mean it."
"I really like you." The smile she had now was soft and sincere, expressing her feelings through physical language if the words didn't say it for her.
"I..."
Rory paused, his head drowning in thoughts and sound. Haven's words felt like they were wrapping themselves around his chest, his breathing getting a little tighter. It's what he wanted... better than he hoped for. But his own words were caught in his throat. "I... I've been afraid of this." He mentally kicked himself, quickly sputtering out an explanation. "Of it being both of us... you know, liking each other like that... I was talking with Kat earlier this evening, feels right to tell you too... I don't have a lot of options once I get out of here. So I thought if I just stayed quiet and didn't tell anyone how I felt... you can't foul out if you don't play." He looked down at his hands, snapping with one hand before smacking that same palm into his other fist. He was fumbling. He lifted his gaze up, the smile on her face immediately brightening his.
Fuck it.
"What I'm trying to say is... I should have told you a lot earlier that I like you. A lot." His smile was wide, as he took an instinctively step closer. "I... I don't know what that means, though. Like... I didn't expect to ever get this far. So I don't know what's next."
Haven's brows rose as she listened to him. Concern flitted across her features for a moment as he voiced his worries. She continued to smile despite it. He felt the same. It sent a whole new rush of excitement through her. She could see the same rush spread over his body language as he finally looked back at her. Which only made her smile grow into a beaming grin as he finally admitted his feelings out loud.
A wave of relief passed through her, her wings flaring momentarily before resting behind her. Her feathers slowly began to smooth out. He stepped closer to her, and she could feel her heartbeat become a fluttering thump in her chest.
"I don't have a clue about all of that either, but... we can figure it out together." She began, gazing into those sky blue eyes as she stepped even closer to him. She wanted to keep this moment forever. "I think this is the right move now, though."
Haven lifted herself onto the tips of her toes, her eyes fluttering momentarily between his eyes and his lips. They closed as her face was not even an inch away, and she pressed her lips against his. A gentle, curious kiss. It sent a warmth coursing through her that she hadn't felt before. She kept her hands at her sides to allow Rory to decide how this would continue.
Rory didn't need to be asked twice. He had moved in to meet Haven part way, his lips meeting hers. Of course, he moved his right hand to cup the back of her head, with his right moving to Haven's waist as if he was afraid of her flying away. He broke the kiss after a moment, eyes fluttering open as he seemed a bit stunned. "Wow..." He chuckled a little, still lost for words for but a moment, before finally shaking his head. "We should have done this sooner." With a goofy smile, he leaned in again and closed his eyes, going for a second, deeper kiss than the first. Rory's left hand moved to Haven's lower back to hold her close, his heart practically beating out of his chest. This wasn't his first kiss, not by a long shot.
But a kiss had never felt like home before.
Haven melted the moment he cupped the back of her head. Her hands moved, reaching up to hold him by his torso. The muscles under his skin felt even better than they looked. But the kiss... and his hand on her waist. It was perfect. He broke the kiss first. Haven could have gone on for another few minutes with her lung capacity, but she was on Rory's terms with that. Still, she was left breathless. She took a moment to regain the oxygen in her lungs as she looked up at him with a gaze similar to his own.
His words and that smile on his face had her returning the goofy grin until their lips met again. She was already leaning into him as he pulled her close, her body flush against his. She could hear their hearts beating at almost equal rates, racing towards an inevitable crescendo. The future didn't matter at this moment. Nothing outside of this tent mattered. The only thing on her mind was Rory.
"We should do this all of the time." Haven breathed as Rory once again paused for air. Her right hand slid under his arm, onto his toned chest, and up the side of his head into his short hair. "I mean it." She chuckled softly at the thought as her eyes met his.
"That's a smart idea, Haven. You don't have to tell me twice." Rory resisted the urge to go in for another kiss, instead pausing to take in the moment. He relished the feeling of her touch on his skin, and her hand in his hair. He wasn't sure he had ever seen her smile quite like that... hell, he couldn't recall seeing anyone smiling like she was right now. He pulled Haven's head into his chest as he went in for a tight hug, head lowering to plant a soft kiss on the top of her head as he squeezed her in his arms.
Wait... she knew what I meant, but she didn't...
Rory's grip loosened as he leaned away from the hug for a moment, head tilted down to get Haven to look him in the eye. "Hey... what did you mean when you said you had a reason for not correcting me earlier?"
Haven beamed up at him as he agreed with her. She could tell he was thinking of kissing her again. She wanted to kiss him until the sun came up. Or she could stand there, enjoying his warmth against her as they smiled at each other. He pulled her head against his chest and Haven allowed it. Her forehead pressed into his bare skin and she breathed in the smell of him. Heavens, he smells good. Her right hand slipped down his chest again and she wrapped her arms around to hold him just as close. She felt his lips against the top of her head and she swore that this was the moment she wanted to stay in forever.
She felt safe with him. Truly. A safety she hadn't felt in a long time. It made her heart fill to near bursting. Her wings tucked into her back, the feathers gently grazing his arms as he held her.
He pulled away. Haven tilted her head back to look up at him, hoping for another kiss until his question sent a spark down her spine and heated her body. She laughed softly, her eyes crinkling at the edges before her smile turned extremely flirty. "You asked if I wanted I wanted to sleep together... tonight," her thumb began to gently brush against the skin on his back, "and I said yes."
Haven's response sent a jolt down Rory's back, certainly helped by her delicate touch. This... well, it wasn't entirely unexpected. But the sudden shock on his face revealed all too easily this was not what he anticipated. He held his breath, biting his lip as he lifted his gaze to stare at the closed tent flap. He had had a dream like this once or twice... and for a moment, he felt panic course through him. This, too could be a dream... no, no, he was usually much more smooth in his dreams. Or stayed naked in them. And Haven didn't usually feel this real...
Focus, man.
He knew Haven well enough at this point to realize she liked it when he was flustered. And at this rate, he was losing. Rory hated losing.
Rory's expression shifted as he took a deep breath, his wide and goofy smile returning as he recovered. He moved his right hand up to caress her cheek. He held her gaze for a moment, his brain trying to process what she would say in a moment like this. "Oh, really?" He accepted her challenge. "Disappointed I threw shorts on, then?" He mimicked Haven's cadence with his words, a thin line of levity underlying his flirtatious query.
Haven wanted to be the one biting his lip. Her head tilted further into his hand, his gentle touch against her cheek becoming a new craving. She looked between his eyes. His questions were unexpected, but deliciously hot. She felt the heat in her neck rising, up until she felt it on her face. Oh, my god. Am I blushing? He was returning her usual banter with some of his own, and it was working. His touch against her cheek was electric. His body against hers igniting every nerve. She was blushing for the first time in her life.
"Just a little," Haven teased back, although her words didn't carry as much heaviness to them as before. He'd gotten to her. He'd broken past that wall of hers and shined the spotlight on her. And it was working. Working better than seeing him flustered over her did.
Rory beamed with pride, recognizing his crush's blushing smile. Confidence was a powerful drug at times like these... and her melting expression had given him plenty. In the meantime, it was time for a full court press. He had a competitive glint in his eye as he spoke softly, matching her teasing tone. "You can look all you like, Barnes." He leaned in, as if for another kiss. But as his lips neared hers, his hand slid under his chin to lift it up further, delivering a peck just under her jaw on her neck.As he pulled back, he lifted his head next to hers to rest his cheek against hers. He whispered softly, a hint of awkwardness seeping back into his voice. He was nearing his limit of flirtatious banter.
"You know, um... you're not the only one who wants to... well..." He was losing focus, his own rising temperature leaving him flustered and speechless. He wasn't used to this much talking... and words weren't doing him any favors. He crinkled his nose, desperately trying to come up with some clever way of saying it... but none came to mind. "I wouldn't be opposed to seeing you like that, either."
Haven loosed a breath as he placed a kiss in that soft spot of hers. This was an unexpected side to Rory. Yet as his own voice began to waver, and she finally felt the flushing of his skin against hers, she knew that they were on equal terms now.
She withdrew her hands from around him, leaning back just enough to run them up the planes of his abs before she took his face into her hands. "You can see me however you'd like, Rory." She smiled up at him before tugging him into a slow and intentional kiss. Her hands looped around his neck, one of them running her fingers through his hair. "That spot on my neck?" She murmured softly between kisses. "That's a sweet spot. With you... I think every spot is going to be sweet."
Rory's smile didn't fade as Haven went in for another kiss, the corners of his lips upturned as they met hers. He dropped his hands to her lower back to give her room to loop her arms around his neck. He chuckled softly at her words, his laugh interrupted as their lips met again. In the pauses between, Rory muttered back. "I'd be happy... to test that." He lowered his hands slightly, bending slightly with his knees until his hands reached the tops of her thighs. With a sudden move, he picked Haven up without breaking the kiss. He spun around while carrying her, turning to face the sleeping bag he had set up. Slowly, and without breaking the lock on their lips, he dropped down to one knee before dropping his other, lowering Haven onto her back while kneeling. He broke the kiss for a moment, catching his breath and studying her face for a reaction with a proud grin.
Haven's soft whimper was muffled by their kiss as he lifted her up and artfully laid her onto her back. She looked up at him, her eyes hazy as a soft smile played on her lips. Her wings had splayed open beside her as he laid her down, along with her legs. Her shorts had been pushed up her thighs, and her shirt bunched around her waist to reveal a sliver of her skin to him. In this position, with Rory so close, Haven could barely form a thought. The proud grin on his face elicited a breathless laugh from her chest. "Smooth move." Her voice was breathy and low, almost like it had been when she gave him a hint earlier that day.
She placed her left hand on his shoulder, the other tracing his jawline and down to his collarbones. She hooked her left leg around him, pulling him against her and into a deep and needy kiss. "I want you, Rory. All of you."
Rory's head swam with pleasure as Haven pulled him in close for another kiss. He couldn't help but elicit a soft grunt of pleasant surprise. He could feel himself losing all sense of thought, reason, or anxiety. Every fiber of thought was being engulfed by Haven. He held himself steady with his left elbow, fighting against Haven's pull just enough to swing his left leg over her right leg. Now slightly angled, he let his weight join hers as he maintained the kiss. His right hand moved to Haven's left thigh, running up over her shorts and under the edge of her shirt. His hand paused, as Rory's remaining reasoning skills fought. But, even those cells were consumed with a single desire: do as the lady asks.
"As you wish."
Rory's fingers grazed the edge of her shorts, as he broke the kiss to look her in the eyes. His smile was softer, his eyes studying her closely with a clarity he often lacked.
Haven had already begun to allow instinct to take over her the moment she heard a grunt escape his chest. Then all sense of being was lost the moment Rory's hand came close to another sweet spot. All she could do to stay grounded was grip his muscled shoulders and coast. She began to peel away her clothes with a sense of urgency, until his hands took over for her. Her own made quick work of his bottoms. Soon they were entangled; a shared moment of breathless whispers, small laughs as they adjusted to each other, and roaming hands. They soon found release together.
"That was..." Haven murmured, beaming up at Rory where she laid against his chest. Her right hand traced small circles on his skin. Her wings were draped over the both of them, a soft blanket of feathers. "Wow."
Rory's breath was labored as he laid on his back, a wild and dopey smile plastered on his face. The endorphins were finally fading, and he began to realize again just how much his body ached from a hard day's work. He really regretted not just borrowing Lorcán's powers earlier. But the thought of anyone but Haven in his mind in that moment was fleeting, as his eyes locked with hers. His hands were reasted behind his head as he laid there, his voice hazy with bliss. "Yeah..." He paused, staring sweetly into Haven's eyes for a moment as his brows furrowed, desperately trying to catch a thought before it was gone. His eyes widened as he finally found the words. "Yeah... you know... I might start leaving my window open. In case... you know..." If Rory's cheeks weren't already red from exhaustion, they'd reveal his slight awkwardness.
Of course, his expression darkened for a moment, the smile fading slightly as he looked past Haven towards the ceiling. He closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head slightly as if trying to ward off the thought. As his eyes opened, and Haven was still there, he lifted a hand from behind his head to grab hold of Haven's as she traced along his chest. His grip was soft as he moved her hand towards his face, fingers delicately prying her fingers back to reveal her palm. He lowered it to his lips, and delivered a soft and gentle kiss on that very palm.
Haven felt heat return to her cheeks. "Oh, yeah?" Her tone was soft, genuine happiness hinted underneath the question. She wondered if he thought this was just a dream with the way he shook his head. Then he took her hand and she allowed him to pull it towards his mouth. The kiss he placed on her palm that sent shivers down her spine. She ran her thumb over his lips, then cupped his cheek. "I'll give you the code to mine, then." She murmured, her smile turning soft. "You can come whenever you'd like to."
Rory's smile remained soft and weak as she spoke. He closed his eyes, leaning his cheek farther into her hand as he felt his mind wander. No matter how much he tried to stay grounded and present, he felt a familiar feeling creep into his chest. This, too, would pass. All of this. She seemed happy, for now. So was he. And that should be enough.
But Rory's smile faded as he laid bare, still partially entwined with the only woman who made him feel things he didn't even know how to place or describe with words. His eyes remained closed, not quite nodding off to sleep as the anxiety crept up and nestled in his chest. His voice was quiet as he responded, the warm haze giving way to his usual awkward discomfort. "Right... yeah. That would be nice."
Haven moved herself up onto her elbow so she could get a better look at him. Her thumb caressed his cheek. For a moment, her own anxieties tried to bubble up in her chest. His tone was different. As if he wasn't comfortable with her own response. Was this all he wanted from her? For her to come in through the window, have a nice evening, and be done?
Haven shoved the thought deep down inside of her, her heart telling her that her mind was wrong. He was here with her now, and he wanted her. Maybe he was scared she'd leave him, since he'd never had someone this close to his own heart before. Or maybe he was just tired, unable to fight the everyday stress that he seemed to carry on his shoulders.
"Hey, do you want a massage? You must be sore after all of the work today, and our own work in here." The last sentence had a hint of pride to it. She planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Turn over. I'll rub your back until you fall asleep."
He didn't deserve her.
Rory silently nodded at her suggestion, shifting under Haven carefully to rotate himself onto his stomach, resting his cheek on his forearm. "Thanks, Feathers." He tried his best to relax, and let his body decompress. But it was clear just how tense his muscles remained, just in his body language and in feeling his back and shoulders. He was quiet for a moment, before his brows furrowed again. His voice was even more quiet, almost a whisper to himself. "I don't... I don't want to be a fling, Wings." His voice quivered slightly, the weight of the day's events finally bearing down on him in full and tightening his throat.
Haven tucked her wings in as she moved to straddle Rory's waist. Feathers. The nickname had her smiling instead of scowling like she would with others. She began to run her hands along the muscles of his back. It began gentle, until she worked the muscles harder when she felt them tensing up beneath her. She heard his soft words as if they were in her ear. A wave of relief passed through her, her wings relaxing behind her to graze the sides of him with their feathery tips. She released a breath she'd been holding, and leaned down to give him a kiss on the back of his neck.
"Is that why you're so tense?" She asked as she sat back up and continued the massage. The quiver in his voice had her heart constricting. He had such a rough day, with the ceremony, with his fight, and now this. She wanted to reassure him as much as she wanted to reassure herself that this was more than just a hookup. "I would never play with your emotions like that, Rory. I want to be yours... and I want you to be mine. All mine." Her hands ran up his back, over his shoulders, and down his arms. She gave his biceps a quick squeeze before making their way back the way they came. "I like you a lot, Rory. Enough to face my own fears of committing to one place or person." She bit her lip for a moment. "You're someone I want to keep around, for a long time."
Rory let out a small, relieved moan as Haven massaged his back. He... well, he never really had gotten one before, besides the half-jokimg ones him and Lorcán exchanged after a long game in the locker room. But certainly nothing this intimate. But it was more than that. Her words struck deep, fueling more than ego. It was hard to believe, and even harder to process. His siblings never really liked spending time with him, even when they were younger. His parents were always too busy with work. He never really clicked with teammates... especially when the secret got out he was a Hype. PRCU felt more like home than home ever felt... but this was more than that.
She wanted him.
Desired wasn't something he was comfortable feeling yet, but it was something he could learn to appreciate. Of course, Haven's words and their meaning felt clear, even in his clouded mind. Exclusivity. Commitment. This wasn't just either of their usual flings... she wanted to be an item. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.
He turned his head slightly to look behind him as much as possible, only able to catch a glimpse of Haven's splayed wings. "I... yeah... you can have me as long as you want me." His voice was hazy again, exhaustion and passion and relief washing over his senses. Rory's eyes closed as he focuses on the sensation of the massage. "I don't know how... we'll tell the team."
Haven tried to ignore the way that the sound of his relief reverberated underneath her. She could hear how tired he was in his voice. He needed rest now, so she'd have to wait until morning to act on her feelings again. She made careful and gentle moves along his back, feeling the muscles underneath begin to relax. She could hear his heart slowing and his lungs taking deeper, sleepier breaths beneath her hands. She smiled warmly down at him. "They'll figure it out sooner or later." She began, her voice just above a whisper. He was falling asleep, and she didn't want to keep him awake. There was one thing she wanted to ask him before he drifted off, though.
She leaned down, placing another gentle kiss on the side of his neck. "Will you be my date for the dance, Rory?"
Rory's eyes remained closed, a soft chirp of pleasure escaping his lips at the kiss. He was exhausted, borderline delirious as he remained at the cusp of passing out. What remaining brain cells he had left were not functional. "I'd love to, babe... but I already asked Mei in my underwear earlier..." With no energy left, Rory succumbed to the exhaustion. A dumb, goofy, tired smile remained on his lips as he slumbered.
Haven, however, remained staring down at him. Her hands slowed to a stop along his back. Rory really didn't know how to talk to a woman. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that she'd been aware of Mei's feelings for him before entering this tent. She knew that Mei had asked him to the dance first.
A quiet laugh left her lips before she shook her head. She moved off of Rory, careful not to wake him. Her footsteps were near-silent as she found her shorts and shirt. She slipped them both on, and then carefully made her way out of the tent.
In the fresh air, with the dark, starry sky above her, Haven released a heavy sigh. She sat down in front of the tent's entrance and hugged her knees to her chest. Her gaze never left the stars.
He doesn't want it to be a fling... He wants me. Haven thought to herself, finding reasons to quiet any troubled thoughts in her head. I'm glad they cleared it up, anyways. It's just a dance. Mei will understand, right? The cliffs howled nearby, and the breeze rustled the leaves in the trees. It was peaceful out here. A natural sound that Haven had grown fond of since she'd first spent a night in a forest.
It was nothing like that stormy night four years ago. She had to keep reminding herself that. Alyssa's words may have shaken her trust in the island's safety, but she didn't want to leave it. Not with Rory's slow, dozing breaths behind her.
She listened to him breathe for a while, her eyes on the stars above or on the dimming fires of the campsite around them. Soon enough, her mind quieted and exhaustion found her. She returned to the tent and laid out her sleeping bag next to her partner. The safety she felt with him, despite the memories of her first night in a tent like this, was enough that she knew she'd get a good nights sleep beside him. As she got comfortable next to him, she reached over to take his hand into hers. A reminder for them in the morning that things had changed between them, and they likely wouldn't be the same again.
