silence broken. [Flashback]

[Lillis]

His smile evoked one from her as well. "Yeah? Looks ok?" She peered down again, giving a slow now of her head before naively musing, "Maybe it won't be that bad, when it's all healed up." Somehow, as though by pure magnetism, Lillis found herself only inches away from him, overtaken by that same impulse she'd had since that first day to reach out and make contact.

So she leaned up on tiptoes and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek, one hand resting gently on his shoulder. Something akin to an electric shot jolted through her, starting at the apex of their connection, starting at her mouth. "That's for being kind," she said in a whisper, as though to keep the secret from her naive self that hoped against hope that it would not be so bad when it was all healed up.

She returned herself to a comfortable distance, and smiled a thin, pursed-lip smile, hands clasped behind her back. "The fire's... on fire." A silent, inward groan. "For cooking -- shall I get started?"

[Caelum]

Caelum held himself still when she sidled closer, matchstick lashes flickering low as her lips pressed to his cheek. A deep breath drew in the fresh scent of her, and his grin gentled into a smile. Eyes opening, he murmured, "The fire's certainly on fire, isn't it?"

A soft chuckle, stirring not unlike embers, and he gathered up his fishing gear, including the line of fish. "I'll gut and clean them for you, sweeting. Come along, then."

The night continued to gather around them, but they had company and fire.

[Dusk]

XP Award! Lillis XP Award Interrogation: 1 XP Riding (Horses): 1 XP Seduction: 1 XP Lore Award Making the best of things Stubbornness How wounds heal Caelum XP Award Interrogation: 1 XP Riding (Horses): 1 XP Seduction: 1 XP Lore Award Dealing with Rape Trauma Putting others first Additional Note I feel kind of bad for them, because I'm sure this can't end well. Great scene, guys, and enjoy Zeltiva!