What Now?

[Nox]

It was different. Relatable. Almost loving. As loving as Oriena ever got with anyone he assumed. She was a hard woman. Always fighting. This day there was no fight just the calm of each other finding solace in the other. And as his heart raced and his body stilled from release he lie there. There was pleasure in the feeling. There was joy and contentment. It lasted as long as he kept his eyes closed and let it linger on his skin. But it would be gone the moment he opened his eyes.

Oriena lay next to him, content to remain where she was. In prior sessions, the horde was always hungry afterwards. He wasn't terribly famished though he could eat. He could order something to eat, he wanted to offer but he was afraid the sound of his voice would break the spell. It was a tenuous moment. Nox had seen, felt Oriena vulnerable. Calling attention to it would end their interaction. Speaking could do that.

She was a life line he hadn't realized he'd clung to. With Raffe gone, she'd been what kept him afloat. And now the horde was gone. He was empty. He had family and friends and a life outside of her and this world. But he didn't want to lose her. It wasn't love. It wasn't desire. It was something else entirely. There were strings but it wasn't related to sex or love or romance. He couldn't tell you what it was if you asked, but it was there, he knew it.

The room was quiet except for their breath. But the silence would be broken and he chuckled softly to himself. "Maybe losing the horde and my ability to channel taught me when to shut up. Before I'd probably want to talk. I could order food if you were hungry. Or I could shut up more and lie here till you wanted to go."