Her eyes were like rubies, deep and red. Most saw that as signs of a monster. Vampires, Demons, it didn't matter, they were creatures to be eradicated. But to Cecil, it was ones actions that described the corruption of ones soul. Chartora was captivated by what she saw, amazed by something, though the fairy couldn't tell what. He held her gaze as she caressed his cheek, and trailed down his neck.

Regardless of time, the tenderness of her touch planted a seed of desire. But she pulled away, and while he knew he could try, this was a delicate situation. Cecil found her pulling him closer, tightening the cocoon of what he now realized were her wings. As a result, he held her tighter, his eyes closed against the sudden swell of emotion. He didn't know how much he needed this, to hold and be held, to have someone this close, yet nothing happening between them. Even when she released her grip, he didn't, burying his face into her neck.

Cecil couldn't trust himself to speak aloud. 'Best sleep in a long time. Can we… Stay like this… Just awhile longer?' He knew himself to be almost sober. So much needed to be sorted. Grief mixed with hope, pain mixed with innocent bliss. His needy hold on her showed the extent of his anguish, yet, there was a softness to it as well, grateful to finally have someone, anyone, willing to set him straight once more.

She felt something change between them. A slight shifting in the air she wanted to reach out and clutch it to her as tight as she could but she was wasn't sure what exactly had changed.

She felt him nuzzling into her neck after she released him breathing in her scent, had anyone ever wanted or cared to breath in her scent before. She started thinking over the long years then she heard his voice in her mind distracting her. He slept well because of her? And he wants to stay like this for awhile. Yes please.

She again tightened her wings gently this time wrapping her arms around him as well. Gods and goddesses but he felt good in her arms like he was supposed to be there.

She felt a gentle breeze wash over them bringing their commingled scents to her she found the mixture oddly comforting. She had never liked her natural scent doing everything she could to try to cover it up to no avail. And while he didn't appear to dislike it even going so far as to nuzzle closer she still worried he would find it as displeasing and disturbing as she did.

She ran her hands up and down Cecil’s back trailing her hands lightly gently wishing she had the nerve to go under his shirt to feel his skin under hers. But just feeling him nestled in her arms wrapped in her wings as no one else had ever been was enough.

She turned slightly and hoping she wasn't overstepping any boundaries placed a gentle kiss on top of his head. Inhaling his scent again she felt a tug in her lower belly. ‘We can lay here as long as you wish, or until we need to eat. I find I am rather enjoying whatever this is.’ She shifted slightly to be able to rest her back hand upon his hip as she held him as close to her as she could. Closing her eyes she felt herself relax, not going to sleep, just a relaxation of belonging.

He hadn't been imagining it earlier. She truly did smell of smoke with that underlying sweetness. Cecil smiled; it was exactly like her personality that he has learned so far. Difficult to determine initially, quick to anger, yet tender somewhere beneath the tough exterior. The light traces of her hand filled some desire, the one that just borders carnal pleasure. "You smell good… sweet.," he whispered to her.

Whatever this is, she said. What was this? Having a place in her embrace was content enough. How long has it been since he had simply been held? Cecil never had the chance to slow down and make friends, and even so, he took a chance with Nelanna. It still hadn't truly sank in that he was now safe, and so was everyone else. Reluctantly, Cecil withdrew himself from Chartora. "We can't… You should go."

Tears glistened in his eyes, praying to the gods that she would understand. "No one is safe with me, Chartora. She's dead because of my selfishness." Cecil couldn't control himself anymore as the tears burst forth. "I won't see another suffer for my mistakes." He needed to get up and walk away, leave her behind. This was getting far too dangerous of becoming more, and he feared losing Chartora as well. Instead, Cecil wrapped his arms around his knees and sobbed into them.

Chartora breathed deeply pulling his scent into her letting it fill and sooth her weary soul. She was in a half dose when she heard him whisper she smelled good, sweet even. She fought the instinctive tensing she had never thought anything about her scent could be considered sweet, her brother's yes but her’s? Never.

Then he was pulling away from her telling her she should go. She already knew that. Being near him put him in so much danger from her mother it scared her. But why where there tears in his eyes? There was no way he could know about the danger her mother posed. So if it wasn't that what was it.

She sat up watching as the tears finally broke free. He was talking about that other woman. The one he lost while killing his father. She felt something twist in her gut. He had cared deeply for this woman. Why did that hurt?

Then the time for self reflection was over. He was openly sobbing now hugging himself and looking lost. As she watched she noticed he was getting closer. Then she was wrapping him in her arms her wings coming around to comfort him. She rested her head atop his and let him cry it out.

She didn't whisper any comforting words, even if she knew how she knew better. Her mother was still out there. Just by being together she was placing him danger and yet she knew the was no way she could let him go now. So she just held him rocking him slowly and every so often placing a soft kiss to the top of his head. It was all she knew to do to show she cared and wasn't going anywhere.

Ever since he buried Nelanna, Cecil had turned to drink for this very reason. It hurt too much to think, it made going through the days easier. Even if he seemed angry and sour to most upon first glance, it was preferable to this pathetic mess he found himself in now. Push away all who would get close, that was the simple path, despite knowing this would not be what Nelanna would want.

Chartora’s comforting presence wrapped itself over him. She didn’t say anything, just held him at his weakest. It was more than enough to know she was there. He wasn’t sure how long they remained that way, but the tears slowly subsided, eventually fading into silence. Longer still was the time they stayed like this.

With a sniff, Cecil gently stood, pulling Chartora up with him. All he could bring himself to look at was her hands which he had now taken in his own. ”Safety is an illusion. Love… Is Love fleeting? We can run from our past, Chartora, but it will always catch up eventually.” The fae dragged his eyes up to gaze into the ruby gems one last time, gently cupping her cheek with a hand. A thumb caressed gently over the cheekbone, a sad smile curled one corner of his lips.

”Thank you, for being a friend in the dark.” He leaned in, planted a simple kiss on her cheek. Reluctantly, he pulled away and began to walk toward the campsite where Gahara was last known to be. The griffin was not to be seen, however. The indentation where he had previously been was almost completely returned to its former condition. Cecil stuffed his hands into pockets and continued past the camp, fully intent on closing this as a drunk chapter. He would take Chartora’s comfort, her words, unspoken support, and would strive to be better. If not for himself, then for them.

What was happening? She didn't understand? Love? Is that what was happening between them? If it was why was he determined to run? Everything about him now said scared deer. Even the light brush of his hand along her cheek and the kiss he followed up with.

He thanked her for being a friend and walked away. She stood there watching him walk away trying to sort out her feelings for him. Everything she knew of friends led her to believe they didn't think of their friends the way she was thinking of him. So if not a friend what was he? He was passing the unused campsite she had set up and she was just as confused as before. But one thing she did know she didn't want him to leave.

Taking to the air seemed the fastest way to reach him so she shot up and out reaching him in no time. She still didn't know what she wanted to say to him so she just landed a little in front of him blocking his path her wings taking a moment before they fully settled.

“You say we are friends, yes? I don't believe that we are. I don't think friends feel for each other the same way I have started to feel about you. I'm not sure what this feeling is but I like it and want more of it. I can't have more of it if you run away so please don't run away from me.”

She took a step towards him them doing something she would never do and invading his personal space. Staring into those amazing blue eyes of his she reached up and caressed his cheek as he had done lightly stroking oh so carefully. She lightly eased her hand to the back of his head tangling it in his hair as she lowered her head to his and gently placed a kiss upon his lips. She didn't try to deepen it as she didn't want to scare him off again but she didn't end it quickly either.

Unfortunately for Cecil, he did not get very far. Chartora had quickly caught up, and now blocked his path. He was startled enough to find his gaze glued to her, unable to defiantly look away in his determination to leave. To make matters worse for both of them, the woman had began to listen to the stirrings of a relationship, the lust and desire to find someone accepting. If he was to be completely honest, it was actually the first time in his life that anyone chased his retreating back.

She approached him, the distance between them closed. Cecil remained captivated by those ruby eyes as she stroked his own cheek. He couldn’t break away, his muscles refused to even respond to the scared feeling deep inside. It screamed at him to run away before there was no escape. How his heart raced, yet he didn’t resist as she eased their lips together.

It was as if, in that precise moment their lips touched, his fate was sealed. Instantly, his eyes shut as one hand involuntarily tangling in her hair, the other wrapping around her waist. He pulled her close as he metaphorically fell. Damn the consequences, bring on the troubles, but give him today. ”I’m here, Chartora. Always will be.” With the mental assurance, he deepened the kiss, intent on never letting her go.

He pulled her closer just before she heard his mental reassurances then he deepened the kiss. She moaned into his mouth allowing his tongue full access to hers. He tasted sweet and she wanted more. She slid her tongue past his lips exploring the depths of his mouth before she had to come up for air.

Breathing heavy she stared into those blue eyes she was coming to know so well but now they were a deeper, darker hue one that spoke of promised pleasures and delights and she ached for them. As she started to take the bottom of his shirt in her hands she was surprised to find they were shaking.

Taking a deep breath she kissed him again teasing and nibbling on his lips. She eased her hands under his shirt caressing up his sides, over his shoulder blades and down his back. Gods and goddesses but his skin felt good under hers and she wanted more. Continuing her path down she gripped the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head.

For the first time in her long life speech failed her. ‘Wow. You're beautiful everywhere.’ Taking a chance she again kissed him nibbling from his lips down the side of neck to his freshly exposed chest. She moaned again at the first taste of his chest under her tongue it was even better than she had hoped for and felt herself grow hot and wet with need.

Taking another chance she kissed him deeper then before letting him feel her need for him she trailed her claw tipped hands down his back dipping them below the waistband of his trousers to cup his buttcheeks and pull him tighter against her. Gods but she wanted more. So much more but she was still afraid of scaring him.

Gentle vibrations from her moan tickled across his lips as his tongue danced with hers. As they kissed, thoughts and worries began to melt away. He was honestly lost in the moment, in the feel of her lips, the taste of her tongue, the warmth of their bodies seeping through their clothing. Even her tangled hands in his hair, and the silkiness of her own hair added compounding elements that would be fondly recalled in the future.

While Chartora pulled back for air, Cecil met her gaze, hungrily taking in her desire. There was so much he could do for her, to her body. If she’d allow, he would show her just how good he could make her feel. Soon enough, her lips met his once more, teeth grazing against him, driving him crazy. Warm hands slid against smooth skin, like trails of electricity leaving his nerves on fire.

Little did he know that as she stared at his exposed torso, Chartora was actually seeing past the illusion of flawless skin. On display beneath her gaze was a network of scars spanning most of his body. ”You only see what I want you to.” By the gods, he was lost, subject to her affection as she kissed and nibbled on his skin, that cute moan sent pleasurable soundwaves against him. Cecil slipped his hands under her shirt, teasing it up as he felt her skin, moaning into her lips as she gripped his ass.

For a moment, he paused at her breasts, taking second to feel their softness, their warmth. His thumb caressed over her nipples just before he finished removing the shirt, releasing their bouncy form from the restrictive material. This had meant angel and fairy had separated just enough for him to lean down, lift and wrapped her legs around him so she was sitting on his hips, and began to walk toward the tent. Cecil was sure that she could feel his growing stiffness between them, something he wanted her to feel it, feel the effect she was having on him.

Once inside the tent, Cecil carefully laid her down, planted a kiss upon her lips. He trailed his kisses down until he found her breasts. Cecil took one areola in his mouth, lovingly caressed the other, while his free hand traveled south. ”Angel, you taste like honey.” That somewhat sweetness finally made itself clear to him the more he tasted of her, the more he abandoned himself to his own growing need. It had been many months that he had started to wait patiently, so he was very much susceptible to her advances. With his fingers slipping just below her waistline, Cecil felt her wetness through her underwear. He slid his fingers against it, continuing his ministrations on her breasts.

By the gods and goddesses it had been years since a male had shown any interest in her body beyond her martial skill. Now not only was one showing interest he appeared to like what he was seeing. Not only that he seemed to like her, flaws and all.

All thought flew from her head when he started playing with her nipples and she ground herself against him. When he lifted her she was seated more firmly against his delicious length and she couldn't stop herself from grinding into him harder. Wrapping her arms around his neck to hold on as he walked them to the tent she bent her head down to kiss and nibble at his neck finding as many of his scars she could.

She wanted to tell him so much. How much she was starting to care. How beautiful she found all of him but her mouth was busy with other things. ‘To have survived so much pain. You are so beautiful in your strength.’ They had arrived at the tent and she found herself lowered to the pile of unused blankets she had set up yesterday.

She scraped her claws playfully over a few of his scars enjoying his sharp intake of breath at the sensation. She knew playtime was over when he lowered his head to her breasts then it was her turn to gasp. While his mouth was occupied with one large breast a hand freely played with the other causing her back to arch and making her moan. Her hips were swiveling in earnest now eager for his ministrations. When his free hand finally slipped beneath the waistband of her trousers to touch her over her panties she was more than ready and she screamed her first orgasm in years embarrassing herself.

Trying to cover it up she reached down to his trousers opening them to let him free. Taking him in hand she stroked him slowly over his underwear. Gods and goddesses but he felt good in her hands. But she was a greedy little half demon and wanted more.

She gently pushed him over into his back so she could drink all of him in. Straddling him she started to grind over top of him with their underwear still on as she teased and nibbled the scars on his chest working her way slowly but steadily down. When she reached his underwear clad manhood she licked and sucked him through the fabric teasing him further before pulling the cloth down and taking him in her mouth and throat to his root. She moaned around his hard length in her throat before swirling her tongue around him and pulling her head back slowly.