Closed [Squire Dormitories] Right there

[Fallon]

”Incense?” she cocked an eye brow, ”Next you’ll be closing the shutters and lighting candles.”

Of course there was the moment of hesitation, that gentle twitch of recoil away. The pulse quickened, the heart rose up into a race whilst the man simply begun his work. He gave a touch, her nostrils flaring as she sucked in the scent of a herb wafting on through, but no quickly did that reach her did a second scent find its way in. Lighter and clearer than the first, but still present. She tensed when the cool oil met the warmth of her skin, a prickle of hairs as the pressure of warmer hands followed. Fingers came together, clenching slightly as the open palms caressed the area.

Her back gave a raise, forehead pressing against the bed and her ears catching the echo of his voice. The voice of someone who knew what they were doing. There was only a grunt of agreement, which went down into shallow hiss with every intake of breath. Pressure increased, growing more intense by the tick. It was not however sharp and piercing, more of a slow, drawn out ripping between the lacing fibres. Teeth gave grit, the air firmly rushing out from between her lips. Orion did not let up though, every press running deeper into her. Muscles rebelled, back tensing once more before finally easing off.

Perhaps, once, if things had played out differently this would not have been an odd occurrence. If fate had not drawn her to Sahova all those years ago, if she had not struck out with the intentions of travel commanding her steps, if she had not left things would have indeed played out differently. But neither would know any better, and so as he did his work Fallon set herself on obeying. There was only the firm nod on occasion from her, a form of reassurance that it was still fine to continue. It was just a little difficult to talk with her entire torso being pressed down into a surface.

She gave a wince, a point being struck before what could only be described as a collapse. The once tensed and tightened muscles finally gave in to easing off. Her head gave a roll, a groan escaping her lips that could only be describe as one caught within a state of ecstasy, with her lips simply unable to form any coherent words. Even a stupid grin had managed to break out on her face, something that was quite difficult to miss. The spot had been found, the pressure just right, and the weight of aches lifting from her mind. Or at least at present.

[Orion Michaels]

”You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he retorted, grinning. ”If you can’t relax yourself, this isn’t going to do you any good. We’re supposed to be relieving tension, not adding to it. “ She could be a headache to work with at times. For as long as they’d known one another, there were still serious trust issues on both their ends. Some were from their interactions with one another, and others were the result of their own personal histories.

Orion diligently worked on Fallon’s shoulder, ignoring her grunts of dissatisfaction. It wasn’t supposed to be an enjoyable experience. No, Orion was out for results, and in the massage world that was rarely comfortable in the moment. Stiff, tense areas required lots of pressure; that usually didn’t do it for people. The tips of Orion’s fingers dug into her skin, prodding and driving into her flesh, causing pain in the name of healing. The muscles had a bad habit of not wanting to move once they’d tensed, but with enough persuasion they’d return to a much more comfortable position.

The squire worked diligently at rubbing in the oil and trying to soothe her pain, taking cues and hints from her reactions and grunts. If it seemed too strong, he backed off. When it was too light, he’d apply a little more pressure. He wasn’t exactly a master of the craft; he was imprecise with his movements, uneven with his pressure, and inconsistent with his motion. All of that said, he understood the human body quite well, and he wasn’t guessing at what he was doing. He just didn’t have the muscle memory to have any kind of consistency.

None of that mattered when she let out a sound he’d never expected to hear from Fallon, not at his hands. Expert hands stopped in their ministrations and Orion’s eyes opened quite wide in shock. That look. The one of ‘you’re doing everything right.’ It had been some time since he’d seen that on anyone’s face.

A grin spread across his lips as he quickly resumed working, wicked thoughts entering the head of a wicked, wicked man. He’d never thought her capable of such a noise. A twisted curiosity wanted to know more.

Orion didn’t make any comment about the orgasmic sound she’d delivered. It would only cause her to freeze up and end the session, and his devious intentions aside, she needed this massage. Instead he just went about working her shoulder. For the most part. The area he worked slowly expanded, naturally. Lower, down from her shoulders, to the upper back, then returning to the ‘proper area’.

”Fal…you’re way too tight. When was the last time you found a moment to be tranquil?” He brushed the tips of his fingers over her nape, ever so gently making contact before tracing those same fingers along her skin back to her shoulder. Kneading at her muscle further, he just waited to see her reaction. She was so reluctant to be touched; everything was on her terms. This was foreign ground for them both.

[Fallon]

There was a gasp, lip quivering before she snapped her mouth shut. She needed some self control, even as the tips teased their way out across her flesh. Muscles twitched, the nerves coming alive to the touch, her mind flickering between that of thought and nothingness. Her head gave a turn, her chin returning to pressing itself into the surface of the bed. A pink tint had begun its slow path across her face, the gentle breaths escaping into the air as he continued his work. Thumbs and fingers spiralled outwards from the point, the skin shivering as he lured it out.

Her mind surfaced as she rose from her deep state of lull, a slow inhale as she forced her gaze round once more. For a moment there was only the gentle hum of breathing, her nostrils flaring as she eyed him up and down. Her features had relaxed, the fixed frown from earlier having now lifted to be replaced with a more mellow expression. There was no concern, only the want of this unusual enjoyment from this strange territory between them.

"Tranquil?" she let out a low chuckle, before she fell silent. Teeth bit at her lip, her hand flexing and clenching in recoil. She resisted writhing, instead letting her toes curl before she released a long held sigh. How sensitive had she become? How malleable to his simple touch? Her lips gave a part, eyes narrowing before there was a slight snort. "You know that I-," there was a sharp intake, the resistance of letting out another moan, "That I don't have time fffor such mo-" her voice cracked at that point, surrendering to that urge she tried to keep in check.

She uttered a second groan, her head turning away to rest once more and her lids snapping shut. Let the mind descend into nothing, let it forget about the world for just a little while. Just focus on the touch, the feel, the... well she was not sure exactly on what anymore. Calm, relaxed, and perhaps at a state of peace for the moment - she could not complain on the treatment she was receiving. Even if it was from him. Which should of, in theory, brought up a many multitude of questions to her mind. But right now they did not matter.

"Righ...T There," she managed to mumble to him. Whether or not he was actually listening however was beyond her, "You're... kind of su... surprisingly good. With your h-nnnn... hands."

[Orion Michaels]

Gods, was he getting aroused by all this nonsense?

Orion paused a moment, frowning as he worked his way through just what was going on. It had to be a joke. For everything that had happened between them, both today and in their histories, it just had to be. There was no way this could be real. Fallon was the least touchy-feely person he'd ever met in his life, and yet there they were. He was rubbing her shoulder and by the sounds she was making he would have thought he was half way to getting her off.

I-I'm not, right?

If nothing else, the massage was doing its job. Her tense muscles were beginning to give way beneath his fingers. He just had to finish that up and they could both move on with their lives. Surely he would be sworn to secrecy, not that half the hall couldn't hear her suggestive groans and moans.

With a soft sigh blue eyed squire set about continuing the massage, finding some amusement as she struggled to answer his questions. Judging by the way she was withering under his touch, she clearly didn't take good care of herself. "You should stretch more," he stated bluntly. "Would help you avoid these nasty strains and cramps. Drinks some more water, too. I sound like a patron, don't I?" Chuckling softly he continued working her shoulder, thumbs and fingers digging into her flesh to give the overworked and neglected muscles.

Orion stopped for a moment, leaning down to whisper in her ear after she spoke of his skill. "Is it really that much of a surprise? This is just your shoulder," he said, voice low, dangerous. Warm breaths fell upon her skin until he withdrew back to a 'safe' distance.

"Well, that's that. You need more than that one shoulder. Your body needs to refresh itself or you're just going to keep getting hurt. Let's get that other shoulder uncovered." He paused a moment before quickly adding to his previous request. "I'm not asking, Fal." He took a finger and ran it lightly across the exposed skin, from her shoulder to her neck, before moving away to go and grab more oils from his kit. "Do I need to leave the room again?"

It wasn't as though he hadn't heard everything at this point. What was the sense in modesty if you were going to wriggle like that?

Taking some oil, he didn't really give her a chance to answer as he applied the smooth, warming fluid to his hand. He began to rub his two hands together, not only getting them ready to continue working, but also to give himself some respite. It had been some time since he'd actually tasked his hands like this, and it was taking its toll. Even though she needed the attention, Orion would have thought twice about arguing if she declined further work.

[Fallon]

There was only a quick grunt to his words, a lazy eye peering up at him. Docile expression upon her face she looked upon him, and then released a firm puff to blow the fringe from her eyes. Muscles gave a roll, a blink as she met him. Cheeks had tinted that of a red, her arm hanging limp off the edge of the bed. Her shoulders curled inwards when he stopped, a gentle click as she stretched. Not that it lasted. Somewhere she heard the voice of Orion, the chuckling above his kneading of her flesh.

Fallon trembled, hot breath caressing her neck. She chewed upon her lip, her voice trembling in the back of her throat. He teased, he manipulated and pulled at her. Fallon could not object - or at least not easily. She was certain if he made too strong advances she would undoubtedly react. Her hand gave him a flick as he got close, a light warning side to brush him away. Looking up at him she gave a smirk, her finger rising up to give him a tap on the face, "Don't even think about it Michaels."

With the blanket wrapped around her she held his gaze for a moment. Recovery came, composure flooding back to her mind. His words were firmer now, his intentions set as the tips ran across the surface of her skin. Flexing she kept her sight upon him, a long drawn breath sounding out, "The other shoulder. Just the other shoulder. Can't let myself get too used to this treatment." She eyed him, "What, you going to object and demand to see me in all my glory?"

Eyebrow cocked she pushed herself up and turned her back to him. It was rather carefully that she revealed the other shoulder, then promptly brought the blanket wrapping around her torso. Even then she gave a glance back at him, a quick chew on her lip as she weighed up her words, "Orion. I... don't go lower than the shoulders. Please. I... would really prefer it if you didn't. Okay?"

It was those thoughts again, the prickle of memories resting there. For a moment she held it, a flicker of hesitation as he continued about. Oil, application and the warming of it in his palms. She considered his hands for a moment. Her brow knitting into a line. How many had he tended to with those hands? How many women had he held and caressed? How many wounds had he stitched and sealed? She allowed herself to lay back down, both shoulders exposed whilst her front pressed against the surface of the bed.

But still she looked at him, questions turning over in her mind, "Is something troubling you?"

[Orion Michaels]

”Think about what, Fallon?” He grinned, acting as though he hadn’t done a thing, yet there was still some confusion about him. She was so quick to reject him, even though he was teasing, but that was what bothered him. Wasn’t she the one to actually try and do something? They were a complicated duo, to put it lightly.

He shrugged at her request that it only be the other shoulder. ”Whatever you say, Fal. There’s nothing wrong with pampering yourself though, especially if you can do it on the knight’s coin, you know. A massage is good for the body and the spirit.” If she were going to give him such trouble about it, however, he wasn’t going to argue. There was nothing to gain by fighting her on her refusal to enjoy anything in life. ”Only if you’re offering, sweetie.” He gave her a particularly ‘friendly’ squeeze of her shoulder to emphasize her least favorite of names.

She cautiously offered him her other shoulder, reiterating her concerns about him and his intentions. ”If you’re so worried about it, then why are you letting me do this?” It was blunt, to the point. Instead of continuing with the massage, Orion instead crossed his arms, looking down at the young woman. ”This was stupid, I don’t know why I suggested it.” Shaking his head, the blue eyed man stood over Fallon, looking down at his long time friend.

”I would be offended by the reaction, but it’s not like you’ve ever been receptive to touch,” he said, almost grinning as he studied the back of her head for some reaction. ”I’m turning this one back on you. Is there something troubling you? This is supposed to be relaxing, but you’re more tense than when I started. Perhaps we should call it a day, send you to the Soothing Waters if you need more. Your left shoulder seems better now, anyways.” Orion leaned against the table on which his supplies laid, trying to hide his frustration at the oddities of an already strange encounter.

[Fallon]

Fallon kept her eye upon him, watching him tower over her and pose his question. Disappointment? Mischief? It was hard to tell from this angle. She let her cheek rest against the surface, no longer trying to keep her head up, "Better the man you know then the man you don't. Well, that's what I was always taught." Stretching she exhaled, her wrist clicking as she let the limbs relax. Or at least as best as they could with him grinning down at her. With a cracked open eye, she watched him, "I ask because you seem troubled by this whole ordeal. Touching my skin and getting in close and personal. I thought you would have become nervous suddenly."

It was then her eyes drew away, focusing itself upon the floor. Perhaps it would be better to simply let it go, he obviously thought he was doing something and creating more tension. And once he had made up his mind in something he was hard to persuade otherwise - hard headed almost.

"There is always something troubling me," she admitted after a pause, "Always something on my mind. A nagging thought or feeling or even an idea. Just like I can't stop and relax, nor can I stop thinking." Rubbing at her jaw, she snapped her attention back at him, "Hate to break it but your hands actually made me stop thinking for a moment. Plus... well it helps. I need to get used to things like that." Her lips pulled into a line at that point, a gentle creasing, "Need to, got to, must. And I'd rather it be you than them." Pulling a face she looked down to his crossed arms, holding her gaze there. Clearing her throat she cocked a brow up at him. Releasing a huff, she held his gaze her cheeks puffing out, "And if you dare call me sweetie again I'll... I'll, thump you or something!"

[Orion Michaels]

”Even when that man is me?” Orion retorted quickly, challenging the other squire at every turn. That’s what they’d always done. Whether it was the peculiar friendship they’d formed as youth, or the rekindled companionship they offered each other despite both of their penchants for running away. ”I’d not follow that advice blindly. You might find yourself with your shirt down and some unscrupulous man about. Wouldn’t want that, would we?” He nodded slightly when she addressed her concerns. She wasn’t entirely wrong, but nor was she right. He took a breath and exhaled before addressing this fact.

”The only thing that’s troubling me about this is your reaction,” he said, his words slow and calculated. ”And I’m not talking about your moaning.” The whole of dorms had surely heard that much. ”Is there something repulsive about my touch? Do you worry I’m going to try something?” If it was indeed her worry, it was founded in a history of truth. Whether subtly or straight-forward, Orion was almost always trying something. He’d touched more than he’d ever be able to remember, and if he had to venture a guess, that was likely to be the reason for the mixed reaction. Pleasure and worry, two things that rarely –if ever- went well together.

He listened to explain what was going on in her mind; they were things he understood all too well, even if the details of what plagued her mind were kept a secret. Never ending thoughts, concerns, fears, and plans that stole sleep from his nights and energy from his days were his own torment. It was simple to relate and feel for her, an unspoken support something the two had cherished for many years. ”I know all too well, at least on the first part there. We both know I don’t refrain from indulgence.” His tone had softened, as his hands found her other shoulder. ”And you really should get used to this. Even if it’s not for enjoyment, it’ll help prevent injury in the future. Plus, you may never know when a little added mobility can be to your advantage.”

Once again, his hands were working the muscles of her shoulder, and although it wasn’t as tight as the other side, just like the person it belonged to, the shoulder knew not of relaxation. As he stroked the fibers of her muscles with long, deliberate movements of his hands, Orion knew he wasn’t just helping to release the stress of a few seasons of training. No, Fallon hadn’t taken a moment for herself in the time that he’d known her. Training, travelling, supporting, helping. The weight of the world rested in these muscles.

His voice dropped to a soft, soothing whisper as he continued with the massage. ”If you can forget, then forget, just for now. There’s nothing wrong with just letting loose and enjoying things for a while. If you haven’t done that in the past, then there’s no better time than now to start.”

[Fallon]

"Yes Orion. Even when that man is you," she sighed and shook her head, "Brave and foolish don't you think?"

Sucking in the air she was silent as the hands returned. Flesh swayed beneath, a low exhale as she let her lids rest. And, for a while she did not answer his questions, instead she let the words simply mull in her head - the gentle tips teasing and dragging out thoughts. He did have a right for an answer, to know what was playing upon her mind and creating friction between them. But it was brushing onto personal territory, those flickering memories that caused her to flinch slightly. Cracking an eye open at him, the girl met his focused face and the gentle whisper of his words. Calm, relax to find that state of peace - that state of trust within his hands.

A purr released, relaxed groan as he massaged in. What was it about him that let her allow such treatment? And so close to things. What allowed her to open up to him? To cling on him and serve as that support - and vice versa it seemed. Her back gave an arch, a move of reflex as the pressure built up. Open up, forget, let him close.

"It's not your touch that is repulsive," she finally spoke up, her eyes turning up to his face and awaiting a reaction. If it ever came, "You'll find that most people's touch makes me flinch and squirm. To pull in and feel insecure. I... it's..." her brow creased slightly as the tips pressed in deeper and twisted, "Difficult. Hard to talk about. Even you must have those moments." Fingers knotted into the surface of the bed, her form stiffening as the pressure built and eased. The muscles gave a tremble in response - slowly relaxing and unwinding with ever push, "And well... if you do try anything. I'll just have to react accordingly."

The air whistled out from beneath her teeth, the gentle hum trembling on her lips for a long chime. Was that a good enough answer? Most probably not, so in her present moment of relaxing she continued, "I... Can I explain? Or show even?" Her hand brushed his away for a moment, her head lifting so she looked at him squarely. For a moment she watched, her eyes large and question and searching for an answer. Chewing at her lip she sat herself up onto her elbows, that swirling nervous energy following between them as she spoke, "I'm going to show you something, but... you have to promise not to get angry. Okay? Promise me."

Perhaps it was the lulled state of her mind, or perhaps the nagging feeling that she should simply just forget and move on that pushed her into such things. Either way, her mind was made up and she was going for it. Sitting herself up she turned so her back was to him and the blankets were tightly pulled around her torso. Doubt, worry, fear, it flickered within as she released the tightness of it and let the rest of her back be exposed to the air and his view. Looking over her shoulder back at him she stared, watching and waiting for a reaction before finally she released a croak, "Don't touch."

[Orion Michaels]

”I fear it’s less brave and considerably more foolish,” he teased as he looked down upon her. Orion continued to knead her flesh, switching from the long, slow strokes he’d been performing to more focused movements. He brought his fingers together to create one constant surface. Rather than working the length of the muscle, he instead began rubbing individual parts of it with small, circular motions. Pressure increased, digging deeper into the muscle to seek out any built up tension that needed relief. As he worked, he quietly awaited her reply to his questions, though he’d not expected to receive one.

It was odd how two people so close could be so guarded about their personal lives. Perhaps it was part of how they’d managed to coexist in the way that they’d had. A strange cooperation they shared, closer than anyone else in his life, but further away than the most absolute of strangers. He knew so much about her, and at the same time, he knew nothing. Fallon was an enigma, and she’d been more than happy to keep it that way for as long as he could remember. Ever since she’d their paths crossed after she left so many years prior, there’d been a wall that hadn’t been there before .

He nodded at her answers, or rather non-answers. Orion hadn’t expected anything else; it was the way it went. Vague replies that didn’t give any real information. As always, he wouldn’t press her on it. He’d already asked more than he normally would as it were. If she didn’t wish to talk, he’d drop it. Instead he set about continuing his work. Small round circles, this time involving his thumbs, as he continued to relieve her of the stresses of all her years. His own fingers and arms were getting tired, so he’d have to call it quits after he finished this shoulder. His fingers, while familiar with skin, were unaccustomed to being manipulated in such a manner. His efforts stopped, however, when she offered to give more information, more insight.

”Show me?” He repeated her words slowly, confused as to what she meant. He simply nodded when she told him he couldn’t get angry. His hands brushed aside, Orion took a step back to see what it was Fallon was talking about. He said nothing as she changed her position on the bed, preparing to show him whatever it was she was so protective of.

The scarring on her back was the last thing he had expected to see.

Orion knew scars quite well. Beyond those he had himself, his previous profession had given him quite the exposure to various injuries. Swords, blades, animals, or any number of thing could cause them. Yet, the man circles that adorned Fallon’s back were far from being the work of a slash or an animal, at least in the traditional sense of the word. The work was surgical, precise, and deliberate. Was this her shame? What had changed her so from the youth he’d been so protective of?

”Is this why you don’t trust?” His voice was low, shaky, almost fearful. ”Is this why you’ve always run, and why you’ve kept everything at arm’s length?” Orion nearly ignored her request to not touch the scars, closing the distance he’d given her only moments before. He wouldn’t touch the markings of her past, but the emotion he felt, well, he couldn’t quite place it. Sadness? Anger? Pity? Worry, concern, fear.

Desire?

But for what?

To protect her? To hold her?

He didn’t know, but his lips spoke for themselves when they met the exposed flesh of her shoulder. Orion’s long, powerful arms wrapped around her, holding his fellow squire and oldest friend in his grasp. ”You idiot. Why do you keep everything hidden for so long?” He whispered his hypocritical words in her ear, his hands seeking out hers to offer comfort to this woman he realized he knew nothing about. Despite everything he’d told himself, Fallon Skylar was not the girl he believed her to be. She’d seen more and dealt with more than he’d even began to think possible.

Perhaps she really were the brave one, and he the biggest of fools.