stormandwind | INBOX: lastvoyages

I suppose so. [A tiny smile, which fades quickly. Tris is willing to do anything for her family, but she isn't always comfortable with the reverse.]

Daja's deal is for me. I'm the reason she's here.

[He inches closer to her.]

What does that...mean?

I'll be hurt shortly after I go back to my own world.

Daja hasn't said how badly, but obviously badly enough that even the best healers' magic can't fix it quickly. The empress of Namorn wants to keep all four of us there, especially Sandry, and everyone sees me as the greatest threat.

[The first one to attack, in other words.]

Empresses don't generally like being told 'no.' We'll need to leave right away if we want to see home again.

[His shoulders relax. Hurt is not killed.]

You are formidable, they are correct in that.

[He strokes her shoulder tenderly.]

I am sure she, and you, will prevail.

[Tris sighs and slides an arm around him, doing her own inching closer as she admits:]

I just don't like knowing it's coming. And I don't like being the reason she's on the Barge.

[She's bad at accepting any sort of help, even from people she loves, especially for something this big.]

But she is here by her choice.

[He cranes his neck to look at her, while unwilling to move away.]

Do you not like it here?

I don't.

I'm not going anywhere. I have Erskine to consider, first of all. But I miss home and everyone there. I'm tired of being cut off from most of my magic. I don't like how often people get hurt or feel powerless here.

[And it's been a hard few months.]

I may not like the Barge, but I care very much about some of the people on board.

[Tris pulls him in for a kiss to punctuate that.]

[He meets her lips eagerly.]

I am pleased to hear that.

[He murmurs this against her face, rubbing his cheek against hers.]

You are clearly cared for.

I'm getting that impression.

[She kisses his cheek and trails a few more kisses along his jawline toward his neck.]

Thank you for being so clear about it.

I consider it a great privilege. But not only I: you have your family here, and you are quite popular. I have also been told of women's only evenings where ice cream is eaten and I am envious.

[Lobsters love ice cream.]

[Tris laughs against the side of Francesco's neck.]

I'll bring you ice cream next time I visit. Do you have a preference of flavor?

[He arches himself a little. It tickles in the most delightful way.]

How many flavors are there? I like oranges. Do they make that?

A lot, I would imagine. I can make orange if it proves hard to find.

[But if he's going to react so encouragingly, he's definitely getting kissed in the same place.]

[He makes a noise that's half hum, half purr. One of his hands slides slowly and appreciatively over her hip and side.]

You are a genius.

For offering to make you ice cream or for the kissing? I don't think we've reached the limits of my creativity in either case.

For the ice cream. For the kissing: you are a queen.

[His own kisses trail down her cheek and jaw, lingering where her chin softens, and then moving down her neck to her chest. Once her clothes are in the way, he nuzzles her through them.]

I don't like that endearment. Choose another, please.

[But she's distracted from that critique by what he does afterward. Her breath hitches. Tris wraps one arm tightly around him and tangles her other hand in his hair.]

Hmm...

[He moves lower: between her breasts and down to her stomach. He makes a pleased noise against it.]

A treasure?

I suppose that will do.

[Tris trails the fingers of one hand along all of his shoulders and back that she can reach. The hand in his hair stays where it is, massaging his scalp.]

I can supply others: a rare treat. A jewel. A quiet storm.

[His own hands run slowly up her thighs.]

This is a much more enjoyable way to spend the night than the last time I was here.

[Tris squirms slightly, legs shifting into his touch.]

Though I appreciated everything you did that week.

Agree. I enjoy caring for you, but I do not like to see you hurt.

[He lets his head drop to her lap, pressing his lips to her thighs through her skirts.]

Would you...allow me to see you sometime, disrobed?

[She's quiet for a few seconds as years of self-consciousness and refusal to use communal baths, even with other women, war with how sincere Francesco is. Tris runs her fingers through his hair, steeling herself to give the answer she wants to rather than shying away from it.]

Yes. We could do that tonight, if you want.

I've been wondering, is sex something you're interested in? At some point. [Not tonight, in other words. A general question.]

[He tips his chin up; looks her in the eye.]

I want. And yes, I have...interest. With you.

[An almost shy smile spreads across her face lightning-quick. Uncharacteristic, but then, this isn't a situation she's used to being in.]

If I'm getting out of my clothes, I want you out of yours. Come here.

[Tris holds out her arms, because she also wants to kiss him first.]

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