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Being the guildmaster of a large - and growing - guild was no easy task, and the recent relocation of its main base to one of the largest cities in the world didn't help matters. The city of Breg Epona, floating above the clouds, was the envy of any guild, second only to the vast castles which housed the most powerful of guilds. Haseo was tired, in more than one way. Though he hadn't had much of a hand in the actual moving, the paperwork alone drove him out of his mind, and the excitement of his guildmates only exacerbated his exhaustion. In addition to that, he had to deal with Death Grunty, who was more insufferable than ever - as well as the looming threat of Sakaki's machinations, which, if allowed to continue, would inevitably lead to many, many more cases like Shino. Though, if he was to be honest, Haseo hadn't thought much about Shino in a long time. Yes, he still worried about her, and his top priority was still bringing her back; however, for the time being, there was another person drawing his attention, someone who was alive, who he had sworn to protect so that she wouldn't become even more broken than she already had. And, as he stepped into his personal quarters in Canard's guild base, Haseo's thoughts drifted once again to the exuberant and determined girl he had accidentally fallen in love with. Atoli was one-of-a-kind, in his eyes; though she looked so much like Shino, her personality was very different, to the point that she had outright annoyed him back when they first met. It had taken him some time to accept her, and even longer for him to consider her a friend... but when Sakaki took advantage of Atoli's trust and used her to tear apart his own guild, Haseo realized that there was so much more to this girl than she was ever able to admit, and he couldn't forgive Sakaki for using her like that. Still lost in reminiscence, Haseo pulled the door to his room shut, then began stripping his armor off. Everyone in Canard knew not to disturb him while he was in his room - he had made certain of that, with some well-placed threats - and the outfit which he had been given upon earning his third specialty reminded him far too much of his berserker days. He had sworn to himself that he wouldn't make those mistakes again, having learned through what seemed like ages of struggling that all it did was make him feel empty inside. And the fact that Atoli had grown so proud of him for reining in his temper and refusing to kill needlessly- He couldn't stop thinking about her, today. What was wrong with him? "...Damn it," Haseo muttered to himself, as he flopped down on his bed and sprawled himself out. He recalled that she hadn't been present during Canard's relocation, in spite of being an informal member of the guild, and he felt a pang of concern when he realized that he hadn't seen her at all since the encounter with Sakaki at the Serpent of Lore. Still, Atoli was an Epitaph User. She could take care of herself if something happened, and there was no need to go rushing to her aid; Haseo was sure that she needed some time to herself after the shock of her old friend's second betrayal. Besides, he was too tired to care about much of anything right now. Silabus could handle management for a while, and it wasn't like there were any other pressing issues. Going after Sakaki right now would be suicide, even for G.U., and Haseo didn't want to end up dead or worse because his lack of patience got the better of him. He hadn't had time for himself in a while, and now seemed like as good a time as any to relieve some of his pent-up frustration. It wasn't like he could just go off killing people, like he had in the past - even though a normal death in this world wasn't permanent, that form of stress relief no longer interested him. Haseo closed his eyes, and allowed his thoughts to wander once again. Before, he had often thought of Shino, with her troubled demeanor and gentle personality; she had been everything to him, the one thing that kept him anchored in this world after Ovan disappeared. Now, those thoughts of Shino had changed - he still had fond memories of her, but he had trouble thinking of her in that way anymore, now that she had been gone for so long and his own path had diverged from the one they once walked together. Now, he could only think of Atoli. Her radiant smile when she stopped to take in the scenery, a reminder that there was more to life than becoming stronger. Her concern for everyone around her, even those who thought little of her, and her persistence in helping everyone she came across - regardless of whether or not they wanted her help. Her hidden pain, her fear of rejection by those she cared about... a fear that seemed well grounded in reality, at this point. When she had brushed her hand against his cheek, and an unfamiliar spark lit in his soul - a feeling he didn't even know was possible, a burning sensation that he wanted to feel again and again, though perhaps not in the sort of setting that it had happened- And, as he wondered whether she would feel the same if he touched the markings that adorned her back, Haseo felt a shock of desire - of pure lust, so different from what he usually felt when he thought of her. Just what he needed, now. Unashamed, he slid a hand into his underclothes and gripped his stiffening shaft. He dredged up the memory once again, the image of her surprised expression and the sound of her rapid apology, as he began to stroke himself, eyes squinting shut as the feeling shot through his nerves. He imagined what she looked like beneath those clothes. Her beautiful yet demure figure, her body toned from running about on their adventures, the light flush that crossed her face whenever he reminded her of his affection for her - and perhaps there were some other markings as well, hidden from plain view, just waiting to be caressed... It was a bit demeaning, but Haseo couldn't help himself. Not when he was like this, lost to the simple feeling of pleasing himself, his hormones dictating his every thought... and those thoughts served to fuel his desire, his body heating up from the sensation, his breaths quick and shallow as he drove himself on, willing himself not to make too much noise. When the image of Atoli's hand replacing his own crossed his mind, Haseo had to bite back a moan; perhaps it was just because of all the stress he'd been through, but everything felt more intense, and he was sure that this moment wouldn't last very long - nowhere near as long as he wanted it to. He pushed his underclothes down a bit, exposing himself as his movements became faster. It was too hard to think right now, just what he wanted after a long and difficult day; the moment was perfect, with his mind occupied by thoughts of the wonderful girl he loved so much, and the pressure of his impending release making the sensation of every stroke even stronger - his whole body trembled with pleasure, and he had given up on staying quiet, letting every breath out in a blissful moan. Haseo's free hand gripped the bedsheets as he went over the edge, his breath hitching as his back arched and his toes curled, his eyes still closed as he released across his red-marked chest. When he was done, both his hands went slack, and he relaxed against the bed, breathing a long and heavy sigh as he savored the afterglow. He would need to clean up that mess soon, but for now, he just didn't care. As he'd intended from the start, the tension had melted away, leaving him boneless and content - a state of mind he rarely experienced, but he welcomed it now, when he needed it most. The moment was shattered when the door opened, and Haseo snapped his head up to glare at the intruder. He relaxed once again when he met yellow-green eyes - Atoli, of all people, the concern on her face melting into embarrassment as she turned her gaze toward his body. It didn't take a genius to figure out what he'd been up to. "S-s-sorry," she stuttered out, frozen in place by shock. "I, um... I-I heard you making noise, and I wanted to see if- it was silly of me to worry, wasn't it... I'll, um, I'll leave you alone now-" "I don't mind," Haseo interrupted her, his gaze softening as he watched her. "...Not if it's you." He paused, turning his attention to the open doorway. "Could you... close the door, though?" "Ah- oh!" Atoli gave a quick nod, then stepped into the room, pulling the door shut behind her. "...Sorry again... I just, well... I was worried, and... you really don't mind?" "Really," Haseo insisted, as he reached over to the end table beside his bed; the tissue box he kept there for these occasions had gone untouched for quite some time. "Just... let me clean up, okay?" Atoli blushed, but nodded again as she watched him wipe the remnants of his previous activity off of his chest. She shifted in place, still uncertain - and when he gestured for her to come closer, she gave him a questioning look, which prompted him to roll his eyes. "You can relax, you know." Haseo tossed the soiled tissues aside, still too lazy to properly dispose of them. "I told you, I don't mind. Not if it's you." "Um... er..." Atoli ventured a bit closer, still blushing, and glanced at the tissues. "If... if you want, I can- help you with those...?" Haseo felt a rush of warmth at her unexpected bravery; now that his desire had been sated, the pure affection he held for her surfaced once again, and he gave her a single nod in response. "Yeah... thanks." As Atoli went about cleaning up his mess, Haseo wondered to himself if he should tell her what he'd been thinking about during the act. That thought vanished as soon as he realized he was considering it - something was very wrong with him today. Though he had been honest when he told her that he didn't mind her being there, the awkwardness of the situation was starting to catch up to him. "...hey, uh-" Haseo cut himself off as Atoli walked back toward the bed, and he felt his face heating up; he really hadn't been thinking straight. "...sorry about... this. I- I know it's... kind of weird..." "Maybe a little," Atoli agreed, and then a shy smile crossed her face. "...But- you trusted me with it. I, um..." She took a short breath, and clasped her hands together. "...I really appreciate it. Thank you, Haseo." "You sure it's okay?" Haseo sat up, then winced and laid back down - he'd forgotten to tuck himself back in, though he still found it difficult to care. "This is-" Before he could finish, Atoli's face lit up, and she interrupted him. "Can you... maybe, um, show me sometime?" She paused for a split second, then looked away, shy again. "...I'm sorry, that was... kind of a strange request, wasn't it? You- you don't have to... I just, I just thought... maybe if we..." She trailed off there, and Haseo took a good long moment to respond; he knew that he would regret what he wanted to say to her, but the thought was just too enticing for him to resist. Here she was, asking him to show off for her, and it reminded him of how much she'd changed - her boldness was a stark contrast to her past behavior, and he found it far more attractive than he should have. "Let's do it together," he said at last, his voice barely above a whisper. "...Now, if you want." It was obvious that Atoli hadn't expected Haseo to agree to her proposal, and he felt a wave of perverse satisfaction as her eyes went wide and she stared at him; it took a few moments, but she managed to compose herself, though she was still blushing like mad. "...I- I don't know." Atoli averted her gaze once again, and she lowered her voice as she continued. "I'm not- I mean... I don't know if you'd- if you'd like it... I mean, I'm..." Haseo breathed a sigh, and reached out to grasp her hand in one of his. "...Don't say that. I..." Despite himself, he hesitated; this was a rather embarrassing conversation, but it was also important, for both of them, and he reminded himself that now was not the time to hold back. "...I want you. I want to see- the real you, not just some fantasy..." He realized what he'd said, too late - Atoli's expression changed to blank shock for the second time, and her eyes flickered from his face to his body as realization sunk into her. Haseo felt a terrible pang of humiliation at the look on her face; that was just about the single most unflattering thing he could have said at a time like this, and he wouldn't have even blamed her if she decided to run away right then and there. "You... you mean, you..." Atoli made an effort to look up at him, the flush on her face even more prominent than before. "...when you... just now...?" "Guess there's no point in hiding it now," Haseo muttered, and he breathed a groan as he looked away from her, ashamed. "Yeah. Sorry..." To his surprise, Atoli did not run; rather, she leaned closer to him, and when he looked back at her, she looked amused, more than anything. His face grew hotter as she placed her hands on the side of the bed, supporting herself above him. "I'm a little flattered," she admitted, giggling, as she met his gaze and smiled at him. "I didn't think... that you'd ever think of me as- well, attractive, and... it feels really nice, to know that you..." Haseo reached up and tugged Atoli close, his lips just an inch away from hers. "You idiot. The hell gave you the idea that you weren't attractive? Or that I wouldn't find you attractive, for that matter?" He kissed her before she could object, and she made a surprised noise - but she soon returned the kiss, enthusiastic, her hand trailing up to comb through his hair. The moment was brief, but it was all he needed to do for her to relax, and a bright smile graced her lips as she pulled away from him, unabashed joy in her eyes. Neither of them had even said the words yet, but it was clear to both of them in their actions - there was no need for words, not when there were so many other ways of expressing their love. It didn't suit them, anyway; Haseo had never been good with words, and Atoli still ached from her history of betrayal and lies. Atoli moved away from the bed, then pulled the chair at Haseo's desk toward the bedside. Haseo realized then that she had accepted his proposal - despite her embarrassment, she wanted to do this with him, to share this terribly intimate moment with him for their reunion. The thought was enough to make his face go red again... and for his arousal to return, just a bit. There was no way that she wouldn't notice that. Atoli stripped herself down before she seated herself, baring every inch of her skin to him, and Haseo felt as though the situation was very unfair. She had shown him everything, that hidden bravery of hers coming to the surface once again, and he still wore his underclothes; he was quick to remedy that, and rolled on his side to face her when he was fully naked as well. "Um... well, this is kind of embarrassing..." Atoli breathed a shy giggle, then met Haseo's gaze, still somewhat hesitant. "It's... well, it's probably not what you imagined... sorry..." "N-no, it's..." A tremor went through Haseo's body, and he took a moment to take in her visage; it was incredible how quickly she could flip his switch. "...it's better..." He punctuated his statement with a sharp breath, as he gripped himself and began to rub, too dazed with lust to care about the situation. He didn't miss the way Atoli's eyes went wide when he started, or the way her thighs clenched a little as she watched his hand glide up and down his hardened shaft. Her gaze remained fixed on him for just a few seconds more, and then she slid a hand between her own legs, testing the waters - and the sight made Haseo gasp, his hand gripping himself a little tighter. He'd never imagined that her intrusion would lead to something like this, but he was about as far from complaining as he could get. "Ah..." Atoli gave a quiet sigh as she leaned back in the chair, spreading her legs wider as she rubbed herself, though her eyes remained on Haseo. "...it's- it's been a while, you know... this feels- this feels nice..." "It's- been a while...?" A shock of burning desire shot through Haseo's body as he imagined - just for a second - Atoli pleasing herself in the privacy of her own room. He had no way to tell if she was enjoying this as much as he was, but he hoped that was the case; for him, this moment was perfect, even better than what he'd done before - a lot better, if he was to be honest. Atoli shivered as she met his gaze again, her free hand trailing up her side to her chest. "Yes, I... haven't had time to myself- ah..." She breathed another soft sigh as she pressed a finger deeper inside, feeling within herself as her movements grew faster. "...and, s-something about you... just... being around you... it's..." Through the blissful haze that clouded his mind, Haseo wondered if Atoli really got that turned on just being around him - and that thought sent a pleasant twinge down his spine, his eyes closing for a split second before he refocused his gaze. It felt strange to look at any part of her other than her face, but he couldn't help himself - her chest rising and falling with every breath she took, her skin flushed with desire, her gentle movements growing more desperate as he watched... She was beautiful, even moreso than usual in this state, and it drove him out of his mind in the best way possible. It wasn't long before Haseo lost control; he threw back his head and moaned, loud and unrestrained, as his shaft twitched in his grip and he clawed at the bedsheets beneath him, his release staining the bed as well as his body. This time, it took him longer to come down, and he savored every moment of his climax - until he heard a loud whimper from nearby, and the sensation became almost too much to bear as he once again fixed his eyes on Atoli. Her eyes were squinted shut as she leaned against the chair, shivering, a thin sheen of sweat visible on her skin. Her hand had stopped moving, but he could see her muscles rippling under her skin, her thighs clenched together as she pressed herself into her hand. She breathed a soft moan as her body relaxed, her eyes opening only partway as she looked back at him, still trembling just the slightest bit. Haseo took a deep breath before he spoke. "...so did you, um...?" He blinked, then turned his head away, his face flushed. "I- I mean... that's... kind of a dumb question, isn't it...?" "I... I did." Atoli's voice was quiet, laced with an undertone of blissful exhaustion; she leaned forward, folding her hands over her lap, and then winced at the texture of the fluid that remained on her hand. "...so, um, I guess we should... clean up now...?" The situation had only grown more awkward, now that their tension had been released; Haseo rubbed the back of his head with his clean hand, and when he made another effort to look at her, he found himself too embarrassed to respond. As wonderful as it had been to share this, the aftermath was less than pleasant - it was their first time, after all. ...Or, at least, it was Haseo's first time. He wasn't sure whether or not Atoli had done anything like this with another person, though he doubted that she had gotten close enough to anyone for it. "S... sorry," Haseo managed to say, after a lengthy silence; he reached for the tissue box at his bedside, then cleaned up as much of the mess as he could - the sheets would likely have to be washed. "...I guess... I screwed up again..." "N-no, no!" Atoli insisted, as she stood up and stepped over to the side of his bed. "You didn't do anything wrong- I enjoyed myself, and..." She snatched a tissue from the box, using it to wipe off her hand, as she gave him an awkward smile. "...well, I wouldn't mind doing it again sometime. If... that's okay with you, I mean." "...oh." Haseo stiffened as he processed Atoli's words; that sounded more like a promise than a request, and just the thought of it made his heart race. "Uh... sure. I- I mean... y-yeah, that's... that's just fine..." "...You're such a boy." Atoli made an amused noise as she seated herself on the bed, looking down at Haseo. "Thank you so much for this, Haseo. It was... unexpected, but I liked it a lot." Haseo didn't respond verbally; instead, he wrapped his arms around Atoli's waist and pulled her atop him, eliciting a squeal of surprise from her as he rested his head on her shoulder. It didn't take her long at all to relax, though, and she pressed her cheek against his as she grasped his hand, a sweet smile gracing her lips. "I should be thanking you," Haseo whispered in her ear, as he laced his fingers with hers. "You were crazy enough to come and check on me..." He paused, his free hand running down her side as a thought crossed his mind. "...Should we let everyone know that you're allowed to come in here?" Atoli stifled a giggle as she turned her head to look at him, her smile widening. "I don't know... people might get the wrong idea." She went quiet for a moment, and her expression softened; when she spoke again, her voice was barely above a whisper. "...Can we stay like this for a while?" "Sure thing." Haseo leaned his head back, closing his eyes. "...Guess I should tell Silabus he's gonna be busy for a while..." "You can't just hand all your work off to him," Atoli insisted, as she shifted around to face Haseo. "Don't forget, you're still Canard's guildmaster..." She rested herself against him, her hand finding his once again as she nuzzled the side of his neck. "...But I guess you can take some time off. I'm sure he'll understand." Haseo gave a single nod, as he tugged her closer with his other arm. "Yeah, it won't be long." He moved his hand up, petting the back of her head. "Just... need to get my mind off of things." Atoli didn't say anything in response, though she gave his hand a gentle squeeze; she understood his fear and concern, perhaps better than anyone else in the world. For them, it wasn't just Canard - there was also the issue of Sakaki's takeover and G.U.'s collapse, and neither of them could even think of making a move until they learned more about the situation. Still, as always, she was willing to offer him all the support he needed. He doubted that he could ever thank her properly for that, but he knew that she didn't care - all she had ever wanted was to make him smile, as she'd told him so very long ago. With that thought in mind, Haseo felt that he could rest easy for the first time in a long while.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The city of Lumina Cloth, home to one of the most famous arenas in the world, also served as the center of power for the Teutates faction - a group of skilled mercenaries and adventurers, with its ranks consisting of people from all walks of life. Those loyal to the Teutates made their living by carrying out society's dirty work; their jobs were dangerous, unpredictable, and above all, very rewarding.Ever since the arena's founding at the request of the Teutates, it had upheld the same rules. Combatants were not allowed to kill their opponents, and most matches were decided by forfeit - though outright defeat had happened in several arena battles, it was generally frowned upon, as it often came too close to breaking the number one rule of the arena.However, with Sakaki's rise to power, things had changed. As the organizer of the Sage Palace arena tournament, he had lifted the ban on killing - and even encouraged people to do so, utilizing their negative emotions to create a haven for sinners. Many who died were unable to return, severed from the Soul Cycle by the mysterious, insidious entity that had begun to corrode the world.It was as though the fiend had used his authority alone to drag a piece of the underworld up into the world of the living... at least, in Haseo's eyes. As Sakaki's prime target, he had been forced to participate in the tournament - and, having long renounced his previous violent ways for the most part, he hated the environment which he was thrust into, one which had no place for the traditional honorable duels of the arena.Haseo knew that Taihaku would feel the same way, if only he was in his right mind; the spirit anomaly fed on the minds of the weak, transforming them against their will, and the once-proud Sage Palace Emperor was one of its more recent victims. It seemed preposterous that someone like Taihaku would fall prey to the anomaly, but in the end, he was still a person - one with doubts and fears of his own, which grew stronger as the world around him changed.The title match of the Sage Palace tournament had stakes far greater than normal, this time. With Taihaku infected and Sakaki's threat closer than ever before, losing was not an option - if Haseo lost, he would face the same fate as Shino, and countless others would follow, a disruption of the Soul Cycle on a scale that could very well permanently damage the integrity of the world.Tomorrow would decide the fate of everyone he held dear... and, despite himself, Haseo was terrified. Even with Skeith's power, there was a very real possibility that he could fail - and the worst-case scenario kept playing over in his head, keeping him awake as he laid in bed, in the privacy of his room at Canard.Everyone had noticed Haseo's change in demeanor that day. Gaspard had kept his distance, worried that the guildmaster could snap at any moment; Silabus made his concern obvious, asking if there was anything he could do to help, and showing genuine frustration at the state of affairs that had led to this. No one else had bothered to contact Haseo, and he wondered if they were aware of his plight in spite of their distance.As a member of Haseo's arena team, Kuhn had his own concerns about the title match, and kept himself occupied with frivolities. Normally, Haseo would have been eager to step in - but now, he knew that Kuhn was just as tense as he was, and left his senior Epitaph User to his own devices.The only other person who had kept in contact with Haseo was Atoli. For her, tomorrow's battle had even higher stakes; in addition to everything else, she would be facing Sakaki once again. If all went well, it would be her last chance to put the demons of her past to rest - and settle her personal score with her former friend, once and for all. This was the culmination of her reason for fighting, the single moment that decided her role on Haseo's team... not only as an Epitaph User, but also as a person, whose pain was incomparable even to Haseo's.Haseo wouldn't be offended - or surprised - if Atoli chose to keep her distance tonight. Still, he longed for her presence; he'd only noticed it within the past few weeks, but she had a calming effect on him, moreso than any of his other companions. If there was anyone who could put his doubts to rest, it was her... but he didn't want to bother her, not for a selfish reason like that, and not when she had her own problems to sort through.Though, if she wanted to come for some reason or other, he wouldn't stop her. He had made it clear that she was allowed in his room, regardless of the situation - she was his girlfriend, after all, and she deserved that privilege... especially after what had happened the other night.And, of all things, it was that memory which distracted Haseo from his thoughts of tomorrow's match. He couldn't forget it, even if he tried... even if he wanted to, which he did not - not in the slightest. He wanted to do it again, or something like it; Atoli had promised a 'next time', and just the thought of that fact excited him, knowing that she wanted it as well. Perhaps, when things had settled down a little-Haseo didn't have the chance to finish his thought. The door to his room opened, and Atoli stood on the other side, looking somewhat disheveled. He wondered what had happened to her, if she needed any help with anything - and a hint of worry rose in him as he took in her appearance, his thoughts drifting once again toward his fears about tomorrow."Um, Haseo?" Atoli stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "Can we- can I... talk to you for a little while?"Haseo raised an eyebrow, and shifted into a sitting position. "...Sure. Something wrong?" He didn't speak his thoughts - aside from the obvious - knowing that she would share if she wanted to."I... well." Atoli walked over to the bed, fidgeting as she seated herself beside him. "...I'm sure you already figured this out, but... I'm really worried about tomorrow. About fighting Taihaku... and Sakaki.""I know." Haseo pulled Atoli into a loose embrace, closing his eyes as he spoke. "...I'm worried, too. But... it's more than just that for you, isn't it?""I still..." Atoli hesitated, taking a short breath as she leaned into Haseo's embrace. "...I'm still having trouble... reconciling the fact that Sakaki would do something like this. I still... can't stop wondering, if this is the real him... if the Sakaki I knew back then, was...""...It doesn't matter," Haseo stated, as he opened his eyes to look at Atoli. "Right now, we have to stop him. He's our enemy, and a threat to the world itself... just the same as Ovan."Atoli stiffened at the mention of Haseo's former mentor, and she was silent for several long seconds; when she did speak up, her tone was one of understanding, tinged with remorse. "...I know. I'm sorry...""No, I-" Haseo realized that what he'd said was likely not what she'd needed to hear, and he felt a pang of regret as he shifted away from her. "...sorry, that was...""It's- it's okay," Atoli insisted, though her voice wavered as she spoke. "I understand how you feel, and... well..." She paused, looking back at him. "...It's the same for you, isn't it?"Haseo gave a small nod in response, and pulled Atoli close to him once again - she wasn't upset with him, at least. "...Yeah. It is.""And, you're absolutely right." Atoli steadied herself, and a look of determination crossed her face. "...I'm not going to stop fighting. Not now-" Her expression softened, and she leaned against him. "...But it's still nerve-wracking. I don't- I don't know if I could do this alone. I'm so grateful that I have you, and the others...""Well, I don't know about them, but I'm not going anywhere." Haseo tightened his embrace, resting his head on Atoli's shoulder. "I'm right here.""...Thank you, Haseo." Atoli moved around to face Haseo, looking up at him. "I- um, can I... ask you a favor?" She gave a nervous smile, and a hint of red dusted her cheeks. "If it's not... too much to ask...""Yeah?" Haseo raised an eyebrow, curious - until he felt her shift against him, and a memory of their exchange the other night flashed through his head. "You- you mean..."Atoli gave a quick nod, and took a deep breath. "...Yes, I want to- I want to sleep with you." She averted her gaze, blushing hard. "...But if... if you don't want to, then..."Her words alone made rational thought escape Haseo. It was just like before - she was offering herself to him, showing that she trusted him absolutely. The thought made his heart ache, knowing that his feelings for her were mutual; though he'd never expressed it in words, he loved her more than anyone else, almost more than he could handle.She hadn't forgotten, either... and she wasn't about to let him forget, least of all now - when they both needed it more than anything."...Please." Haseo couldn't conceal the desperation in his tone as he responded to her request - to say he wanted it was an understatement. "I want... I want-"He couldn't finish his sentence, as Atoli claimed his lips with her own; he forgot all about what he'd been trying to say, and returned the kiss with an eagerness that almost caught her off-guard. She adjusted soon enough, pressing her body against his as she deepened the kiss, the heat of her mouth sending delightful shivers down his spine.When they pulled apart, both were out of breath. Haseo looked up at Atoli, still supporting herself above him, and marveled at her appearance; she looked incredible, with her face still flushed and her mouth hanging open as she panted, trying to catch her breath. She pressed her body against his, and he could feel her heartbeat, strong and steady - and just a tad quicker than normal."Can I... try something?" Atoli whispered, in between breaths, her voice ragged and unsteady. "I... heard about something... a little while back, and..."Haseo gave a quick nod in response, and said nothing. Though he had no idea what she wanted to do, he didn't care at this point - not when they were like this, when she was poised to take control, and he was more than willing to let her.When she kissed him again, he pulled her close with one arm, using his other hand to stroke the back of her head as he kissed her back, his mind going pleasantly blank as she shifted her hips against his, gentle and slow. It already felt incredible, and she hadn't even done anything - just this clothed grinding was enough to drive him wild, and he thought that if she didn't stop soon, he would finish before they even started.Soon enough, Atoli pulled away, and she left a trail of wet kisses down Haseo's jaw as she slid a hand down, pushing his underclothes out of the way so that she could grip his hard shaft. He breathed a gasp at the feeling of her fingers wrapping around him, his eyes closing as he tilted his head back, lost to the blissful sensation of her pleasing him.However, she wasn't done. Her mouth moved further down, and she paused to run her tongue across the markings on his chest as she rubbed him, keeping a slow and steady pace. Breathless, he forced himself to keep from crying out, using all his willpower to maintain some semblance of control - even now, when she took advantage of his weak point, the burning feeling from her tongue on his chest spreading through his nerves with each careful lick."So... ahhh-" Haseo made an effort to speak, but his voice came out as a strained moan instead; he wanted to encourage her, to tell her that she was doing a good job, but he couldn't speak right now - everything just felt incredible, and the only thing he could think of was how wonderful this girl was. He settled for patting the back of her head, as gentle as he could manage, and then his hand gripped her hair when she pressed her thumb to the tip of his member, spreading his fluid down his shaft.And then, Atoli ducked her head down, using her tongue to trace around his tip before she took him into her mouth. Haseo yelped as he felt warm, wet heat engulf him, and he pulled his hand away from her head so that he wouldn't hurt her - instead, he gripped the bedsheets, breathing a loud groan as his hips shifted involuntarily, seeking more of that delectable sensation. He was so close, and he wanted to warn her... but he couldn't, as his voice refused to work, and he couldn't think of another way to tell her-Her hand gripped him a little tighter, and he was done. He hissed out a breath as the sweet rush of release swept over him, his hands balling into fists as he arched his back, emptying himself into her mouth without the slightest care. He felt her touch slip away as he came down, gasping for air as his body relaxed and he managed to open his eyes just a little.Haseo already had an apology prepared, but Atoli just wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and smiled at him - and he found himself tugging her close once again, one arm around her waist while the fingers of his other hand combed through her hair. If she wasn't hurt or distressed, there was no need for him to say anything... and just as well, considering the fact that he was still out of breath."...wow," Atoli murmured, her voice a bit shaky, as she rested her head on his chest. "I, um... I wasn't... sure if I was doing things right, but... I guess I was, huh...?""P-perfect," Haseo replied, as he gave her a gentle squeeze, trailing his fingers down to her neck. "...Did I- are you okay...?"Atoli met his gaze, and she reached a hand up to place a finger on his nose in response. "That's not like you, you know..."Haseo's face turned almost as red as his wave markings. "I- hey, that's... look, I'm just worried about you- I don't want to hurt you or anything, you know...""You didn't hurt me." Atoli shifted herself up, her hands supporting herself above him, and she placed a chaste kiss on his lips before she continued. "It was... a little strange, but... well, no worse than I expected..." She trailed off into a giggle, and her own face flushed as she observed him, a somewhat embarrassed smile gracing her lips."...right." Haseo breathed a quiet sigh, though he couldn't help a smile of his own; he really couldn't express in words just how much he loved this girl. "So, well... how about you? Do you, uh... want anything?"It was the most considerate thing he could think to say, but it was clear that Atoli hadn't expected it; her expression turned to surprise as she blinked at him, baffled by his offer - and, he guessed, thinking that she didn't deserve it. After all this time, she still had so little confidence when it came to herself... and, defiant as he was, the only thing that crossed his mind was how much he wanted to prove to her that she deserved the chance to enjoy herself like this."Um..." Atoli averted her eyes, her blush deepening as she spoke. "...I don't know. I- I mean, I'd love to, if... if that's what you want, but- I don't know if you'd-""This isn't about me," Haseo stated, cutting her off - he already knew what she was going to say. "It's- it's about you. I... I want you to be happy- with everything you've done for me, I..."He stopped there, and hoped that she would understand his intent; he wanted to see her like that again, with all of her pain and sorrow drowned out by bliss, even if it was just for a moment. He wanted her to feel so good that she would be able to forget about tomorrow's trials - just as she had done for him.Perhaps it was a bit more selfish than he let on... but, at this point, it didn't matter to him. This night was hers, and it had been from the start, no matter how hard she tried to deny herself."...okay." Atoli took a deep breath, and moved so that she could stand up; she worked to undress herself, her hands shaking with each motion. When she climbed atop Haseo once again, he could see the hesitance in her expression - she was still nervous, doubting, and it made his heart ache seeing her like this.He reversed their positions, pinning her against the bed with his hands, and then he leaned in to kiss her - deep and lingering, showing her in actions what he could never express in words. As he rested his body against hers, he slipped one hand behind her, lifting her just enough that he could trace the markings on her back; she whined in response, her arms tugging him toward her as she returned the kiss, closing her eyes as she relaxed against the bed.When his breath ran out, Haseo pulled away, admiring the girl that laid beneath him; the flush on her face had spread, and when she opened her eyes partway to look up at him, he saw in her eyes that her previous doubts had been eased - if only for the time being. She managed a small smile, and then breathed out a moan as his fingers traced down her back, then around to her hip."...You good?" Haseo asked, just to make certain. "Let me know if I... if I do anything that you don't like."Atoli's eyes widened for a moment, and then she gave a quick nod. "...That's- thank you, Haseo... I..."She trailed off into a quiet sigh as his other hand shifted over to her chest, caressing her. He ducked his head down, and pressed his lips to the side of her neck; her scent was intoxicating, and though he had already been sated once, part of him wondered if he'd need more relief after this. Her breathy voice didn't help matters any - he could tell already that she enjoyed what he was doing, and the thought of her feeling good because of him sent pleasant shivers down his spine.Haseo couldn't help a small groan of his own as he pressed his fingers into Atoli's slit; she was already soaking wet, and he found that he was able to press deeper inside with little effort. She moaned and arched her back in response, her inner muscles clenching around his finger as he began to rub her, using his thumb to stimulate the sensitive spot at her front while he felt inside her."H-Haseo..." Atoli breathed, as she placed a hand on the back of his head, combing through his hair with her fingers. "That... oh, th-that feels-" She cut herself off with a gasp as Haseo began to massage her breast with his other hand, his lips leaving damp spots on her skin as he mouthed at her throat, venturing lower with each gentle kiss.When his face was level with her chest, Haseo looked up to see his lover's expression. A pulse of white-hot desire struck him as he saw her features; with her eyes closed and her mouth open, she looked just like she had the other night - and this time, it was by his hands, rather than hers. He had to resist the urge to grind against the sheets, reminding himself that he could relieve himself afterward... once she was finished, as this was her night.Instead, he focused his full attention on her. His lips claimed her nipple, just as he grasped the other between two of his fingers; his strokes grew faster as he listened to her breaths, sharp and erratic, interspersed with soft whimpers of pleasure. He pressed deeper inside her, and dragged his finger along the front of her entrance as he withdrew it - and that motion elicited a much louder moan from her, as her thighs clenched around his wrist and her fingernails dug into his scalp.It should have hurt, logically, but Haseo was too turned on to care. When Atoli's hips began to move in time with his thrusts, he had to pull his mouth away from her breast to take a breath - focusing was almost impossible at this point, and he hoped that she wouldn't mind him taking care of himself after this. She was just too beautiful in this state; he wanted to see her like this, again and again and again, until she forgot about every last trace of her painful history-Atoli's body went rigid, and she gave a shaky yelp as her inner walls rippled around Haseo's finger; she clutched onto his head, even tighter than before, her breaths heavy as she trembled from the sensation, her hips bucking as he continued to stimulate her through her climax. She pulled away from him when she grew too sensitive, her eyes opening partway as she fought to catch her breath; she relaxed against the bed as he withdrew his hand and stumbled off to the side, fighting against his natural urges - he ached for release now, and the last thing he wanted to do was ruin this moment with his own selfishness.Haseo managed to catch himself before he fell off the bed, and he tugged Atoli into an embrace as he spoke to her, his voice quiet. "...You feeling better now?""Yes," Atoli responded, still breathless, as she peered over at him. "That... that was..." Her face reddened, and she averted her eyes. "I've never- ...I've never had someone... do that for me before... it- it felt incredible...""...I'll do it again sometime, if you want," Haseo murmured, his mouth less than an inch from her ear. "As many times as you want, if you like it that much..." He paused, taking a short breath. "...You're amazing, Atoli. Amazing."Atoli opened her mouth to say something - and her breath came out in a giggle instead, as she noticed Haseo's arousal pressing against her thigh. "I guess you're not done yet, huh...?" She turned to face him, and a smile crossed her face. "You want me to take care of that?""Wh-what...?" Haseo stared at Atoli, blinking; the offer had caught him off-guard, and as tempting as it sounded, he wasn't sure if he should accept - he didn't want her to do anything out of a sense of obligation. "...You- you don't... have to, you know... it's- I can... I can, uh- y'know...""...take care of it yourself?" Atoli finished his sentence for him, and then shook her head. "I... I know you can. But I want to do this for you..." She placed a hand on the side of his head, tracing the red marking on his cheek with her thumb. "...I want to. If you'll let me."At that, all of Haseo's inhibitions collapsed; if she really wanted to, he was in no position to refuse... not with how much he ached for her, his body growing more desperate for relief by the second. He swallowed hard, and leaned back against the bed before giving her a single nod in response - he didn't want to complicate things further with words, not when he almost couldn't think anymore."Thank you, Haseo," Atoli whispered, as she leaned against his body and, for the second time that night, grasped his stiff member with gentle fingers. She didn't wait for a response - her hand began to move right away, her pace unhurried, mapping out his sensitive skin with her fingers as she rubbed him.Haseo leaned his head back and closed his eyes, breathing out a long and loud moan. Though a part of him wanted her to go faster, he couldn't complain about her slow pace - her touch felt exquisite, her soft skin sending waves of sweet bliss through his body with each stroke. When she leaned her head on his shoulder and exhaled against his neck, his whole body shook in response; he slipped one arm around her, holding her close, as his other hand grasped the bedsheets."You like that?" Atoli asked, her tone teasing, as she picked up the pace of her movements; she punctuated her statement by kissing the side of his neck, grazing him with her teeth as she pulled away. Haseo bit his lip in an effort to keep from screaming - everything she did just turned him on more, and he was sure that this moment wouldn't last much longer."A-ahhh..." A strained moan escaped Haseo's throat, and he made another attempt to speak; before he could say anything, Atoli's grip tightened, and she began to massage him with each stroke. He whined in response, his hips moving on their own to match her movements - this was only her second time touching him like this, and she'd already figured out how to drive him out of his mind.An image of Atoli sitting atop him and riding him crossed his thoughts, and that was enough to drive Haseo over the edge; he shuddered and leaned back, his hips jerking up as he released, staining her hand and his body with white. As he came down, a pang of shame struck him - he really couldn't help himself, but that mental image still felt more than a little demeaning.Though, he still wondered if she would do it. Perhaps he could ask next time - but for now, he was spent, almost too tired to move."...thanks," Haseo managed to say, in between heavy breaths. "Th-that... that was..." He didn't finish his sentence; instead, he leaned over to nuzzle her, closing his eyes as he tightened his arm around her waist.Atoli shifted away for a moment, just enough so that she could reach his tissue box; she cleaned him up as quick as she could, then rested against him, huddling close. "You're welcome... I'm glad I could make you happy.""...you know you've done so much more than that." Haseo ran his fingers down her side, enjoying the now-familiar feeling of her skin on his. "I... I want you to know, I don't regret this." He paused, leaning in to press his forehead against hers. "...No matter what happens tomorrow, I don't have any regrets.""And... neither do I." Atoli gave him a brief kiss, then pulled back to look at him, tracing between his wave tattoos with her fingers. "...I'll do my best for the match tomorrow. I promise."Haseo met her gaze, and a hint of a genuine smile crossed his lips. "...I know you will. I... I believe in you.""Thank you," Atoli said, and she leaned in to kiss him again; this time, she lingered for a short time, and a light flush swept across her face when she pulled away. "...I really enjoy spending these nights with you... if- if everything goes well, then... can we do this again?"Haseo gave a short laugh, and touched his nose to hers. "You know the answer to that," he murmured against her mouth, and then he pulled her into a deeper kiss; after what they'd been through together - what they'd done together - there was no way he would ever even think of rejecting her.Atoli responded in kind, returning his kiss as she raised a hand to the back of his head and combed through his hair with her fingers. It was a simple and intimate gesture, one that Haseo enjoyed far more than he would ever admit - and he was quick to return the favor, breathing a contented moan as he savored the feeling of her soft, silky hair.And, when they were both out of breath and leaning against each other, their shared caresses gentle and slow and soothing - Haseo realized that, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't describe in words what he felt for Atoli.She was his everything, and he only hoped that she felt the same way about him.