*Warning: explicit sex scene*

{ KI }

A couple of weeks passed by with Aht's constant visits.

It's magical. I wasn't present until Aht came and gave me a whack of reality. We couldn't be apart from each other for too long, and he often stayed overnight. I noticed that during those nights, he didn't sleep. Not a minute at all.

As I'm deeper in love, I'm deeper in lust too and it's troublesome. I'm happy to feel love for him, but no sexual act involved is frustrating. Because half of the time, his hungry gazes on me and my body seem like I'm his strawberry cake. How could I not give in??  What's worse is that I can't ask him about my body changes because he'd worry. I haven't asked Taq yet since she's traveling.

"Ki, are you reading or staring through the pages?"

"Both, silly."

"Smart-mouth."

"You love my mouth."

He looks up at the sky, tamping down his laughter. Cute! Normally, I would never say these things, but after an eternity, I'm able to let my hair down around him. I can stop lying to myself that I'm just a nice, friendly, sensible spirit ALL the time. I'm allowed to behave differently... Whenever I was out of 'character', Taq and others knocked me back into place, and Fomu couldn't care less. Not Aht. Never him.

He snorts. "I can't win anything against you, can I?"

That does it. I let the book fall, reach over his hands, and yank him towards me, and his chin rests on my cleavage. His blush, his wide, devoted eyes, and his hot breaths on my skin are riling me up. "Surrender to me then, Aht."

His pupils dilate. Oh my word, I think we're already compatible in this area.

"I already do, Ki."

"Not all."

"Not yet."

"Why not?"

"I want you to enjoy my body, which is impossible. Though I know one day, I'll give in and be okay enough with the fact that you couldn't get aroused by me. I'm still quite insecure." He bites his lower lip and pokes my chin. "Wait, okay?"

MAKE LOVE TO ME! FUCK ME! MAKE THE NASTIEST, FILTHIEST, ANIMALISTIC SEX WITH ME!! I want to scream it from the top of my lungs! To him!

Taq, please hurry back. I don't care if I get an earful from her again. "I'll wait."

"Thank you, my Ki."

Flutters when he kisses right above my sternum softly. I straddle him and hug him before he sighs on my hair.

"What time do you leave?" I ask, full of dread.

"Right now actually."

"I thought it's afternoon."

"It is afternoon now."

"Maybe pre-afternoon?"

"Pre—? Hahaha!" He guffaws and kisses all over my face. Mmh...

He'll return to the human world for a week, helping Theo and his family in the inn since the war is getting worse. A lot of stranded foreigners seek refuge in it due to paranoia of experiencing the same as Pearl Harbor. Aht wistfully told me about him before. I want to meet this Theo. He seems like a sweet kid and gave such helpful advice.

"I'll miss you."

He nuzzles my temple. "I'll miss you too. I wish I could bring you with me."

We wished a lot, didn't we? I wonder if he knows about wishes and how strong they are. I'm unsure if The Highness pays mind to this. "You can, Aht. In some way."

"What do you mean?"

Since last week, I've been experimenting. I transformed my saliva into a thin branch, passed it to my little bunny friend, and asked her to bring it far into the forest. It was nerve-wracking when she brought it out of my zone and hopped off. Glad I did, because it worked after I turned into a pine tree. As she carried it, I saw, heard, and smelled her surroundings. I even talked to her!

Now I conjure up a necklace with a small vial attached to it. I pluck a few strands of my hair and turn them into a water river in the vial. He takes the necklace in a tentative manner and wears it around his smooth neck. Remarkable that his healed wound left no scar.

He frowns. "Uhh. What is this?"

"Through the vial, I can hear, see, and smell outside. I can talk to you. A telephone... film? Something like it."

"Really??"

"Truly."

He beams, giddy on his feet. What a dear! "This will help a little whenever I miss you. And you get to see everything!"

"I hope so."

"You're a damn genius."

I bite my lip at that, bashful all of a sudden. His sincere compliments never fail to warm me. His beam is wider. I kiss his nose. He then moves to kiss my lips...

"Go, Aht. Send my regards to him."

"I will."

Amusingly, it takes an hour or so to let each other go, and I wave him goodbye when he enters the changing forest. Changing from green to golden brown, where I know it will spread all over except for my meadow. I like seasons, they keep me grounded in the blur of time.

...Emptiness twists my stomach in. Rumblings come out of it.

"What's happening to me?"

Hunger? Is this hunger? Food hunger. I'm trying to manifest a cupcake or anything, but I get hungrier by putting my energy into it. Agh... I'm calling out to birds, bunnies, or any closest creatures for help. The first one who arrives is a raven.

"Hey, could you bring me anything? Food to eat? Fruits or—"

It flies off! Hmph. Rude. Hmh... My mouth starts to dry. I walk over to my river, cup the water in my hands, and drink. Oh my red poppies. I keep drinking, soothed by the cold water as it runs down my throat.

Squawks. I look behind me when noisy squawks—

Holy river! A huge conspiracy of ravens descends very low on my field and releases dozens of fruits from their claws like a short rain. Soon, they fly off again except for one who came to me earlier.

Gratitude wells up in me. "Thank you so much." It tilts its head and I mirror it, wondering why it's being generous. Oh. It's the stuck bird. "I only took you out from the branch. It was ages ago. A year, I think? It's nothing."

Its head tips downward. As a bow. It's not nothing to it then. It departs. I collect the bundle of fruits in my arms, struggling to carry them for a wash. Afterward, I eat an orange first on the bank.

This. Is. INCREDIBLE. I keep eating and eating! Strawberries, pears, blueberries, mangoes, and more. I don't know how the ravens managed to get rare ones like bananas, but I assume these were stolen. Naughty little cuties they are. My dress is a mess from the juices because these fruits are so good!

So good... My tears fall. Finally, I'm alive.

____________________

*This interaction is through an instrument*

"These are advertisement flyers. Ads for short," Aht tells me.

"Okay, does this ad work on people?"

"Surprisingly, yes! But I doubt people will buy them during these times."

"I think, in another century, they'll devour the ads like hungry animals."

He snickers. "I think they'll push ads as if they are customers' best friends."

Many hours ago, when I had turned into my river, I was overloaded by noises and made a hiss in surprise. My sound made Aht surprised too. He then walked to a quiet street corner for me, and I eventually adapted to his surroundings. He told me the town isn't as beautiful as other places but still, it's different from what I've seen all the time.

The town's brightly-colored buildings don't ease the negative atmosphere, that's true. The variety of trees and how the streets were built accordingly are impressive, however. The lights at night make the town seem nice.

Aht showed me shops, stalls, and all kinds of vehicles. I keep quiet for him so he wouldn't look like a crazy person, but even when he hasn't done anything wrong, the townspeople have been side-eyeing him. He calms me down by rubbing the vial since he senses my irritation. I've tried to dismiss them, yet their looks don't stop when it's already night now.

"I'll make them eyeless when I visit the town."

"Alluring when you're protective," he whispers huskily and chuckles...

Ah not the time, Ki! "I mean it, my Aht."

"I fought with them before and they are not worth your energy. Let them be. They're terrified of what's going on."

"It's no excuse."

"It is not, albeit they are like cornered animals. It's fine, baby."

...That's some perspective. Not long after, he enters the inn.

"This is beautiful," I gasp before his soft laughter rings.

A young, well-mannered man, who is busy handing out and receiving keys with multiple guests, waves Aht over.

"That's Theo?"

"In the flesh."

"Aht, move your buttocks here. You mumble as if you're casting a hex," Theo shouts. Ohoho, not so well-mannered I see.

"Maybe I do," Aht quips. "Problem?"

"I can help you with that. Both of you," says a very old, black lady with missing teeth, who stands near the desk. She holds up plenty of strange handcrafts, her eyes are huge by offering them. Almost drowning in a flashy coat and a bold hairdo, and if Aht wasn't in the room, she'd take the spotlight. I've never seen such a childlike elder before. He told me about her before. Her name is... sea lion?

"Cutie."

Aht bites his lip. "You're a cutie."

"Ms Sealine, it's fine. We don't need your service around here," Theo sighs.

"Oh poo! You can get out to town without fear too," she says.

Theo seems to be considering her words. His eyes are downcast. I wish I could help him.

My love walks toward the counter, and I can see why people are intimidated by him. His cagey gruffness throughout the day and tonight really hides his warm and talkative side.

After a while, Theo responds, "No, thank you for the offer. Seriously."

"Alright! You boys take care of yourselves!"

"You too, Ms Sealine. Good luck with rock soups!" Aht mock salutes her. The elder skips to the door with a bundle of rocks on her back. He gets behind the counter and starts to help. "She is spritely as ever, Theo."

"Admirable during these troubling times. So, how are you and your lady love?"

From down here, I watch Aht's chin getting redder. Ooo... This is going to be interesting.

"Why do you need to know, Theo?"

"Aw come on! You promised a good romance story."

"I didn't promise anything."

The boy pouts. I have to bite down a giggle. "Sometimes I don't know how she will fall for you."

"Duh, she already did."

"Poor lady."

A smack! Aht smacks Theo's head from behind. I couldn't help but let out a loud laugh.

"Aht, you hear that??" Theo hisses out in agitation while they both do their jobs. His eyes look everywhere, searching for my voice. Haha! Poor kid. My Aht is good with a blank face.

"Hear what?"

"The jingling laughter, Aht."

"Bells?"

"Like bells but no. A woman's voice."

"Maybe this place is haunted," says an approaching girl beside Aht.

Theo jumps. "Oh my God! Mary." He goes pale when the guests murmur about her bold assumption.

"She's joking as usual. No worries," Aht huffs.

The guests look relieved. The playful girl is batting her eyelashes at Aht, who is now ignoring her. She looks about Theo's age, her height is similar to his, and blonde waves frame her young face. Her infatuation towards Aht doesn't irritate me since she doesn't harass him, and it's understandable why she is attracted. I mean... Your Highness. Look at him.

"Mary, you're supposed to bring up our family's inn, not scaring the guests away."

"You sound like Mother." Mary glares at Theo.

"Mary, can you supervise here for a while? I'm going to talk with him outside," Aht speaks through his teeth.

"Happy to, Mr Aht."

"Don't tell me it's actually a ghost??" the boy pipes up.

"Goodness gracious, Theo. Come on."

Aht drags Theo through the backdoor and they are in the back alley, unnoticed by people near the streets. My love giggles. "Ki, you have to stop scaring people."

I burst out laughing. "I have no intention to do so!" Theo's eyes snap on the necklace, directly on the vial. Gobsmacked. "Hello, Theo."

His eyes would jump out of their sockets if possible.

"It's her, Theo. My Ki," Aht tells.

"Your lover??" I laugh, merry when Aht is nodding eagerly. Theo blinks and says, "Ehem, hello Ki. Nice to meet you. You're umm... a necklace?" His brow wrinkles in confusion.

"Nice to meet you too! The water in the vial, to be exact."

"How do you—?" He shakes his head. "You know what, don't tell me. Your secrets are your rights."

He's a good kid. "I like you already."

"Holy crap! A divine spirit has put me in her favour!"

"You cursed," Aht deadpans.

"I'm no saint, and you're a bad influence." Aht's comically affronted and Theo ignores him. "Ki, you can explore now?"

"Yes, I'm following Aht wherever he goes. I think I'm too attached."

"How many times do I have to tell you? You make me feel safer," Aht reassures.

The young man chimes in, "He was always guarded up—"

"Theo." Aht scrunches his eyes shut.

"And looked very lonely. This is the first time I see him truly relaxed. Dare to say, he's attached too."

"So help me, just shut up."

Theo snickers at Aht. "You can't scare me anymore. Ki, I hope I'll meet you soon."

"Me too."

The boy grins and happily heads inside. Aht's flushing skin and fast-beating heart bring me a slow comfort. Heart's on sleeves, I tell you.

"Why are you embarrassed?"

"I'm not! I'm just not used to this."

"Affectionate in the open?"

"And towards anyone. Quite a discomfort that my affection can be... seen." He grimaces.

"I know you deeply care for the boy, even though you're treating him roughly."

"...Is it bad?"

"No. It's your love language. Theo understands. I do too. I'm not used to being affectionate in the open too, remember?"

He smiles, caressing the vial between his fingers. My chest is going to cave in from longing. "Until we found each other."

"That's right, baby. Okay, I'll be quiet until your job is done."

He kisses me... I mean, he kisses the vial and goes back inside, leaving me breathless. My hand takes a human form and punches a rock right now. My knuckles bleed. The searing pain still doesn't help my want. Resigned, my fist returns into the river.

Most guests have already gone up to their rooms by the time we return. "Come on, Theo! You're no fun," Mary whines.

Aht frowns. "What is this about?"

"He doesn't want to go on a date with my friend."

Theo sighs. "I'll find and date one on my own. You meant well—"

Mary keeps tugging his sleeve until it raises concern. She might fray it. "You're missing out on my gorgeous French friends!"

"Then why don't you go out with your hunky French friend?"

She stomps in a tantrum and marches to another room. Aht cocks an eyebrow at him.

"Don't ask," Theo mutters.

"I don't."

Theo twists his mouth and his forefinger wags in front of Aht's face, accusing. "Just because you've got a lover, doesn't mean you're an expert."

"A lover you say?" a voice cuts in.

Both men jump because of her sudden appearance. I'm not surprised.

I was observing her when she sauntered into this place. A middle-aged woman, maliciously pretty, proper act when I know she's preying on my Aht from the way she leers. This must be Vivian.

Theo sidesteps, blocking her sight on Aht. "Mrs Fairwell, you know you're not welcome here."

"I'm looking for him, no need to be prickly."

"What do you want, Vivian?" my love asks in a bored tone.

"You haven't come to the bar for so long..."

"I found acquaintances. There is no purpose to go there anymore."

Her sulk morphs into a silent panic.

"So sorry he will never give you what you want. Now leave. Quit harassing him," Theo scolds.

She slaps the desk several times. "I haven't said anything I want! And a woman has never harassed a man."

Theo throws up his hands exasperatedly while Aht's jaw tics. I understand why Aht is angry with this mentality and other backward ones. It'll be difficult for humans to progress. Aht leans forward as his hands clasp behind.

...His face is daunting, even for me. Almost inhumane. Theo leans away from him too, wide-eyed. Again, I've seen countless humans before and their most fearsome looks had never come close. His intimidation through countenance is... almost like the natives' spirit masks.

Like mine.

"What the heck do you want? This is grating on my nerves, missus." Aht's baring his teeth.

Although cowering, Vivian says, "You."

Cold stings emerge from my veins. She doesn't deserve a family. She doesn't deserve him. And I'll make sure she will suffer.

Aht's palm covers the vial onto his chest as if he's protecting me instead. He senses my fury. I can sense his fury too, way over here. "Hahaha! Are you a comedian now? Should I call your husband?"

"Your threat doesn't scare me." She is visibly shaking. "He joined the military." That makes Aht release the vial.

Theo's jaw drops. "You left your kids alone??"

"They'll be fine."

Aht stiffens. "I have a lover. You heard it right. Now go tend a bar, Vivian."

"What does she have—!?"

"Everything. Now, out."

"This isn't your place!"

"I gave him permission," Theo cuts in.

Aht pushes him aside and leans over the desk and—

"GET OUT!!!"

She stumbles back by his booming roar and hurries outside, slamming the door shut. The lobby is dead silent except for his resigning sigh.

Theo clears his throat. "Terrifying."

"Thanks," Aht deadpans again.

"In a good way! You can fight off anyone who tries to bother you without any physical altercations. Why didn't you do this to Harrison?"

"...I don't want to do it again. But she's a fucking pain. Left her poor children alone in the middle of war and whatnot."

Do it again. First the song, the universe question, and now this? I'm waiting for him to tell me. I just wish it will be soon. Not to mention, his nonexistent need for sleep, he met too many spirits and often discussed about humans as an outsider. His height is similar to mine, and I've witnessed no one in town nowadays have heights like us.

I have theories and they seem impossible because... they are all caused by banishment. There should've been an uproar in our meetings about it but there's none. Besides, I think this legend was created to scare us.

A myth. Right?

My love speaks, "Are we good for tonight?"

"Yes... Thank you." Theo waves us off. "Have a good rest."

"You too."

"Good night, Ki."

"Sweet dreams, Theo," I reply.

When Aht climbs up the stairs, I can see Theo's face is full of worry, staring at the front door. Vivian will be trouble.

On another note, Aht's room is amazing. Its intricate design from nature was applied splendidly. He puts his necklace on the bedside drawer and goes to the en-suite for a shower. I change back into a human with my feet remaining as a river form. Sitting on a rock, I bathe under the moonlight.

I hum until he finishes his shower and exits with a small towel around his hips. He's dripping wet... Crashing on the bed, he finally relaxes. I clear my throat, not focusing on his unaware seduction.

"You'll make the bed wet."

"As long as it's not pee." He smirks.

"You press the bed and it will fill up a barren desert."

"That's better, no? I'd create a second Nile river."

"No. You'll create another Great Flood like Noah's." He giggles and... stretches his body. Creating a great flood between my legs. I comment, "Nice room."

"It's cosy."

"...Are you okay?"

"I'm better now by talking with you. Are you?"

"Does she bother you often?"

He laughs on a bitter note. "Not always. If she is bored by how her husband fucks, she'd look for me." As the warm light showers on his splendor, he turns to look at me and the smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Jealous?"

"No, Aht." His eyebrows shoot up and I say, "Mary is infatuated with you and I'm not bothered. This Vivian, though... She harasses you."

"It's okay, Ki. I can handle her."

"What if she's plotting revenge against you? Excluding the people in the inn and a few others, you're in a town full of racialists, war or no war. I might sound paranoid—"

"No, when you said that... You're absolutely right."

"You don't think I'm too negative?"

"No, baby. I love how you always think ahead. I can ignore her and think she will not take drastic actions, but I've seen too many human minds go off to deep ends, just for their desires."

"We'll plan something together, Aht."

A light shines into my heart when he grins toothily. "Thank you, Ki. I like this protective side of yours."

"I wish I was there and show others you're mine. Then they will leave you alone."

"I'm yours huh?" He bites his lip with a smile. His hooded eyes are staring straight at me... Staring at the vial, though I feel his heated gaze on my naked body. "And you are mine."

Heat coils within me like a snake in hunger. "I'm yours forever."

"Oh God, Ki." He rubs his face, and his hand palms down a bulge underneath that damn towel. "When you do it again..."

"Imagine I have carnal for you—"

He cuts in with a pained voice, "Ki."

"Let me spoil you for tonight."

He gulps and starts to feel himself up, removing the towel. My fingers won't stop trailing down to my folds. Have to ease my breathing, while his breaths are heady.

"I don't want you to feel obligated."

"Aht, listen to me. Nothing makes me happier than giving you pleasure. Let go and enjoy."

He groans and strokes his penis up to full erection, lubing it up with slightly leaking semen, and his back lays flat on the bed. Agh... My finger enters the cavern, all slick and wet. It hurts a bit, although watching him masturbate pushes the pain away.

"Imagine I lust over you. Desperate for you. What do you do?"

"Goodness... I kiss you and all over you."

I barely stifle a whimper and slowly circle my clit, sending a jolt of delight through me. The pain has long gone and I'm getting wetter. "Th-then?"

"I suck your breasts, pull your nipples and make you scream while I finger you deep... Hah..." A moan escapes from my lips when multiple digits enter, imagining him doing it. I squeeze and massage my breast, pulling the nipple. My thumb rubs the clit faster... He frowns a bit. "Ki?"

"I hit a rock, don't worry." Technically, my bud is as hard as a rock by now. "You're finally in me. And I'll keep screaming your name and begging you to never stop."

Mmh. I jerk on my fingers, watching and listening to him. His hips arch with rigorous and smooth thrusts, his rich, pretty moans, and the sounds of slapping skin and creaking bed. His free hand runs through his soaked hair. His wet body is gleaming with flexing muscles...

His features show pure ecstasy. I cannot wait to make love with him.

"You're breathtaking, my Aht."

"Ah... Ki..."

"You can move my body in any way you want. On top of you. Drive me down among the poppies. Fuck me by the river on the same rock we sat together. My legs over your shoulders as you fold me in half."

"Ki!" His heavy pants stutter.

His stroking hand becomes faster and I join his pace. He is a tempting fire who pulls me in to burn. I feel it's coming.

"Make love to me. Slow. Hard. Deep. Teasing me. Fuck me like an animal! Better yet, I'll have my ways with you instead."

The guttural moans from him!!

Sweet baby father have mercy— Hot flashes throughout my shaking body as my sopping walls clench my fingers. I let out a groan at the sky, I'm in the clouds! Oh Your Highness, this is...

During his loud moans, he doesn't hear my sound apparently. I can't stop masturbating, not until he climaxes with me. I can feel the next one will be more intense.

"Come on, baby. Come for me. I will ride on you like crazy, pulling your hair, praying out your name!"

A tasty bliss washes over me, causing me to scream his name on my palm. I'm riding out my climax... Remain high when I pant for a minute or two. Heavens help me.

His deep screams are muffled in the crook of his arm, and his eyes roll back. His stomach is drenched with semen. My love's panting breaths and low chuckles pull out my long hum.

"You are good at this."

"Glad you like it, Aht."

"I love it, Ki."

"Mmh... Better now?"

"Yes, thank you. Thanks for pleasing me."

You're pleasing me too, all so well. "I'm happy you're enjoying this." His loving look enforces me to keep talking for the night, although I don't want to force him either. With hesitance, I ask, "Do you want to talk? Or you're tired?"

"I'll talk to you all night. Until tomorrow night, I want to talk. If that's okay with you."

I couldn't get rid of my grin. "You truly are attached."

"I don't think that's a complaint," he hums.

It definitely isn't.