☾ Tombs

@☼ Dara Baekho remained silent as Dara spoke, a somber expression on his face. Was it really true? Was the world as harsh as she believed, void of love and care for others? The way she described things... They seemed like a twisted version of what his father had explained. He disliked the thought of both worlds... They were too harsh, too... too broken.
"Maybe I am..." he whispered, letting his hand absentmindedly pull her a little closer. "But I am me... I'm not going to change that. I won't kill... Won't stop believing... I'll just keep going, no matter what."

His cheeks flared, his eyes widening slightly. "M-me?" the nomad asked in a baffled down, turning his face to look at her. But her eyes were closed and her breath was heavy. He felt a tug of guilt seeing her so vulnerable and so tired. She must have been exhausted.

With careful movements, Baekho eased her off his shoulder, making sure he wouldn't wake her as he laid her down on the makeshift bed in the small alcove. He pulled the covers over her slim figured, hoping it would keep her warm. "Rest up..." he whispered and moved aside, scooting a little closer to the drying fire before curling up tightly, his arms around his knees as he tried to ignore the cold and let sleep come to him.

[ Sleep tight~ ]

@☾ Baekho |SH| Sandara hummed in thought. "You're too nice," she said, her voice void of energy. It was like a compliment within a warning. She supposed she admired how hopeful he was. But the reality that she faced every day was so barren of that hope. "It's... dangerous," she finally added. "You should have killed me back there. Or, at least, punished me." She ansentmindedly resting her hand against the side of his thigh as if she was searching for his hand.

"It would be nice, though," she finally said, a sad smile in her tone. "If love exists, to be loved by a guy like you."

Then, as if the strain of it all had become to heavy on her, she closed her eyes, finding herself drifting off to sleep.

{{and that's exactly what I'm going to do too! G'night!!}}

@☼ Dara "T-the wind does tell you a lot too, you know," he kept mumbling, feeling embarrassed at how she acted. Why was she being like this? But as she hugged him closer, he couldn't do much but sigh, hugging her as well.

"W-what do you mean not serious?" Baekho asked, frowning gently Did she mean her asking if he wanted to try? Well, it did sort of make sense being a joke, but still. "W-well, I... I guess," he stuttered, glancing aside to hide his blush. Wow, how awkward was it possible to get.

The nomad hummed absentmindedly, not knowing how to properly answer her question. "How...? Hmmm....." He pondered it over for a while, staring up at the ceiling of the cave, his arm still around her shoulders. "I guess I just... Don't want to give up on humanity... Not yet at least. I believe there are people out there far better than-" he hesitated for a moment, drawing a sharp breath, "-better than the ones I have known."

@☾ Baekho |SH| "I'd have thought," she smirked, eyeing him. "You would have needed someone to discover them for you." She winked before chuckling and giving him a side hug in a sort of apology. But that didn't stop her from grinning.

Sandara rolled her eyes. Did this guy never get jokes? Apparently not. "I wasn't serious," she assured him, trying to look as patient as possible. Her head was starting to feel heavy and she found it far too comfortable resting it against his shoulder to move. Absentmindedly, she trailed patterns against her thigh.

"How do you do it?" She asked, puffing out a breath of air. "I mean, be so convinced love exists?" She shook her head at how ridiculous she was being. Of course it would be easier for him. He wasn't searching for love from scumbag men. He was probably the only man that existed who was willing to love.

@☼ Dara "H-how would I not be aware? I've had this body for years, of c-course I know of stuff like that," he mumbled back with a pout. Was he not supposed to be aware of his own weaknesses? She seemed aware of her own weaknesses, why wouldn't he be too?

"T-try?"
Baekho's brows knitted together, his face an expression of pure confusion. "W-what are you talking about t-try?" Was she thinking about her neck? Why would he? Like she said, she clearly disliked the thought of anything like that. But he couldn't imagine her having really know the feeling either. If men were as horrible to her as she had insisted, then non of them had probably treated her with any tender care at all. He couldn't imagine someone slobbering over your neck like a dog something that in any way would feel good.

@☾ Baekho |SH| Sandara had to stop herself from laughing at his comment to spare him from any more embarrassment. He was already swiftly turning the colour of her tent. "I wasn't expecting you to be so aware of your... sensitivities." She but her lip in a grin and nudged him playfully. She hoped he realised she wasn't taking any of this seriously - though, from his previous record, that probably wouldn't be the case.

Sandara shrugged casually at that. "You've gotta do what you've gotta do," she exhaled as if just those words encapsulated her whole life story. It was true really; she made it her mantra to keep her romantic desires far away from men. But sometimes, desperate times called for her to use her bodily charms on them - and further. Though, despite them thinking it, they'd never have the upper had. It would always be her, ready to betray and disappear. Not that they ever really noticed. They never really cared about her anyway.

"Why?" She eyes Baekho challengingly. "Do you want to try?"

A sharp laugh left her lips as she clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm kidding! I wouldn't force you into anything." She smirked before settling back against his shoulder, purposefully keeping away from his neck. She quite liked the comfortable atmosphere. She felt like it was this kind of moment that could make her spill everything.

@☼ Dara Her reaction had the nomad blushing even brighter, his whole face turning a shade of red he couldn't remember it having been before. Was it really that surprising? "Y-you can't t-tell me you didn't see that coming.... R-right?" he asked shyly. So far she had seemed very experienced with anything of that nature. But that reaction... What was that?

Baekho swallowed heavily as the woman nuzzled closer again, but to his surprise she didn't go for his neck at all. He closed his eyes, sighing lightly as his body eased up, leaning back against the rocky wall behind him.

"L-like what?" he asked carefully, glancing down at Dara. "T-the neck thing?" The nomad tilted his head, a single brow arched at her following explanation. "S-something tells me you've felt that a couple times then... A-and those two things don't sound like they go hand in hand... M-maybe I'm being t-too soft...."

@☾ Baekho |SH| The sound of the moan froze her fingers. "Oh," she said suddenly as if just that word encapsulated all her thoughts in that moment. Then her lips lifted in a knowing smile. "Ooooh," she raised her eyebrows. "It's /that/ kind of ticklish."

Sandara but her lip in a grin, feeling oddly accomplished that she'd managed to make the rigid, nervous nomad moan. "Okay," she grinned, not saying another word and leaning back into the arm that was still around her shoulders - somehow.

She took occasional glances towards him, debating whether she should do it. He'd surely squirm and flinch away from her. She smiled, deciding she'd save it for later - a time when he'd let her close to his neck.

"I like it too," she said casually, an attempt to make him feel comfortable with his weaknesses. At least they shared something in common; their necks were both sensitive to... certain things. "Guys might be pigs but they are particularly good at kissing necks."

@☼ Dara "W-well.... Y-yes, slightly," Baekho unwillingly admitted, jutting out his bottom lip. "W-what about it?" So what if his neck was ticklish? Not everyone could be immune to everything. But as she leaned in, yet again sending a warm breath rolling down his neck, Baekho couldn't hold back the sound in his throat. It was weak, but a moan was a moan. His cheeks flared up, his heart pounding a little faster. But Dara seemed to not have noticed, beginning to tickle his sides as if that would do anything.

"H-hey, s-stop that...." he mumbled, shifting a little to hopefully make her unable to do what she was currently doing. it didn't tickle, but it didn't feel especially nice either. "T-that doesn't tickle you know. It's not... T-that kind of tickling.

[ Yeah, you're not alone. I'm pretty dead too right about now >__< ]

@☾ Baekho |SH| Now this was interesting. Sandara grinned mischeviously, glancing at her new friend and raising her eyebrow. "You're ticklish," she said, as if it was a simple fact that he's neglected to tell her. Biting her lip in a grin, she leaned towards his shoulder, purposefully breathing against his neck, enjoying his reactions. Then she began tickling him in the same spot with her fingers before switching focus to his ribs.

She hoped he wouldn't retaliate and turn the tickling on her.

{{super short post. I have no energy left to write longer ones >.<}}

@☼ Dara "W-well, y-yeah, of course," Baekho stuttered as if it was obvious, despite not having gotten that it was a joke until now. He felt stupid for having reacted as he did, but at the same time, when she was nuzzled up like that and saying the stuff she was saying... It for him not to react in some way.

"I'm n-not shouting," the nomad mumbled in slight offence, feeling a little unsure at her reacting like that. Was he really being that loud? He could hardly make out his own words. "M-maybe not. But that t-thing... With your face... A-and my neck," Baekho answered her, blushing as he looked aside. "I just... I-it tickles..."

@☾ Baekho |SH| "It was a joke," she mumbled, half asleep, his words sounding distant and dreamlike. Though his sudden movements were jolting her and making her feel not so comfortable any more.

"Trying to sleep, apparently," she moaned, lifting her head to stare at him bleary eyed. "Though you're shouting isn't really helping." Yawning, she cuddled up against him before assuring him, "Friends can do this, you know. It's not like I'm gonna hit on you." Then she shuffled, realising she already kind of had - though not seriously. "Again."

{{it's all good ^^ this one is pretty short now >.<}}

@☼ Dara As if the blush from hearing her compliment wasn't bad enough, her following words made Baekho choke on his own breath, an ungraceful move that had him coughing and gasping for air. "W-w-what?" he stuttered out, his face flushing a bright red. "W-w-what are you talking about?" he sputtered on, finding himself glancing away from her eyes.

But Dara didn't seem satisfied as it was, and as she nuzzled closer, her face against his neck, he felt a tingle run through his body. He gasped, his hold on her tightening a little as he felt her warm breath rolling against his neck. "W-w-what are you d-doing?" he asked again, his voice barely audible as he tried to hold back a whimper.

[ Sorry, mine are so short now T^T ]

@☾ Baekho |SH| "Foolish," she mumbled in her half asleep state. Though, in reality, she supposed she admired his hope - was even jealous of it. She'd lost that mindless hope years ago. Oh, the bliss of being ignorant. She supposed she wished somehow his hope would be fulfilled - probably by some girl who was as hopeful as him. Women were far more agreeable than men.

Sandara could feel Baekho's insistence in his grip on her hand and she felt he required a squeeze back - though it wasn't a particularly strong one, considering her brain wasn't working well enough to achieve one.

Sandara barely moved when Baekho dropped her hand. She merely assumed that he'd had enough of holding it and wanted to regain some personal space. She even considered moving her head at that moment but it had grown to be too heavy. It was then that she felt his arm slide around her shoulders and she blinked open her eyes, oddly shocked by his movement. He'd never been so forward before; it made her feel a little proud that, at least in friendship, he was taking the first moves.

"Mm," she hummed in agreement, gladly accepting the warmth that came with his arm around her shoulder. She never would have guessed that she'd be cuddling up with her capture - perhaps she had stockholme syndrome. Either way, she felt comfortable with him there. "You know she chimed in. "You're really quite comfortable." She chuckled, moving just a tad to get a glimpse of his expression. "Can I hire you as my personal pillow?"

Okay. So she hadn't meant that to sound so... ual. But, as if it would help, she brushed it off, readjusting herself against his shoulder, snuggling into his neck.

@☼ Dara "Well... I chose to believe... No matter how many times it burnt me..." Baekho answered her and sighed. The scars along his back flared up slightly and he shifted unsurely as if it had just happened. "No matter how many times I was showed that believing was pain... I'm not giving up now." He squeezed her hand a little tighter without thinking, his lips drawn in a thin line.

And then her words rolled off her lips, sounding more tired than ever. Maybe she had been scorned by her belief before too. "Men... Can be cruel beasts...." he whispered. His next move was something he couldn't himself explain why he did. He let go of her hand, reaching up and wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

@☾ Baekho |SH| Sandara sighed as if the question was a heavy burden. "Sure. Love exists," she assured him, her eyes still closed and working on its own. "If you wanna believe in it." She shuffled on his shoulder, readjusting to feel more comfortable. That wasn't true - she didn't completely disbelieve in love. Just a thought of Hamin made her feel guilty. Of course she loved him - as her best friend and confidant. And she loved her people; she cared about their welfare.

But romantic love? That was a dreary, abysmal fantasy. She'd met hundreds of men and all of them had proved that any type of romance didn't exist. They'd had all treated her like she was some animal and they had ownership of her. No man had ever treated her with any kind of respect - at least, not anyone who could ever, apparently, fall in love with her.

"Men can't love," she scoffed. "They can't see past their lust." She sighed, confirming why she didn't believe in so-called love.

@☼ Dara Another time Baekho froze up slightly, feeling the woman's head resting on his shoulder. It was sort of weird to suddenly have her acting so friendly. He wasn't sure what he was to think about it. Was she actually meaning for it to be a friendly gesture... Or was this just another trick?

Whatever it was, it was a little relaxing. He let out a small sigh, easing his shoulders up a little as he glanced over at her. She looked sort of relaxed. He wondered why. So far she had been very uneasy around him.

Baekho's brows furrowed lightly. "Why not?" he asked carefully. "Why would you not believe in love? It is supposed to be the purest of all feelings..." Had his father been correct all those times? Was love really just a fantasy for children? For those who were weak? "Is... Is love really nothing but a lie...?"

@☾ Baekho |SH| Sandara glanced at the Nomad in surprise. She certainly hadn't been expecting that, and especially not from someone who had seemed so afraid of her - and everything else in between.

It took her a while to process the words but, when she had - though bewildered at how he'd come to that conclusion - she didn't respond with words of her own. Instead, she scooted closer to him, giving him a look to ask to see if it was alright. Then, cautiously for his sake, she rested her head on his shoulder, adjusting her hand so her fingers were intertwined with his. It was definitely an intimate position but she didn't feel like it was remotely romantic. Instead it was comfortable. Friendly. She hoped he saw it that way too - not her encroaching on his territory or forcing him into romantically interacting with her - otherwise she was sure she'd be shoved off his shoulder immediately.

"I figured you'd think that," she hummed, realising how weary she actually felt. She hadn't given herself time to feel it. Slowly, her eyes began to inch closed. "But it's really not realistic. The chances of finding someone like that are pretty slim... I don't believe... in love... anymore." Her words were trailing off as she found her sleepiness begin to take over.

It was strange. Feeling comfortable around someone like this. Feeling comfortable enough to sleep. Especially being the insomniac she was.

@☼ Dara Baekho tensed up a little as he felt her hand shift, curling into his hold a little better. But soon enough it seemed more natural, bringing an almost soothing sensation with it. Maybe she wasn't that bad, this thief. She hadn't hurt him much, at least not on purpose. And now she showed more understanding than most other people did.

"Y-you... You're actually really kind," he blurted out, glancing aside to avoid whatever stare she would give him. "It's... Sort of nice." The nomad shrugged his shoulders a little before looking back towards her. "Well, a kiss is supposed to mean something. It's supposed to seal those words one would say. Show the affection and emotions one has towards a person you... love. Of course it's supposed to mean something."

[ Sorry, this was a little short >___< ]

@☾ Baekho |SH| Sandara was used to men touching her; touching and trying to touch her. It never really startled her and she knew exactly how to get out of it. Baekho's touch, however, startled her. It was so nervous and so... soft, it took her by surprise.

But she found she didn't mind it. In face, a weird sense of pride blossomed in her chest seeing Baekho at least remotely approach her like that. Sandara let out an amused chuckle. Of course that was how it was; Baekho clammed up completely when forced to chat her up or kiss her or anything. But when he acted naturally, when he wasn't thinking too much of it, that's when he performed the best.

As if to show her support and not scare him away, she gently received the touch of his hand, moving hers to accept his. It felt oddly alien to hold his hand - like she was holding a stranger's and a friend's hand at the same time.

Sandara mentally scolded herself, telling herself not too think too much of it. Instead, she listened to the humming of his nervous words. "That doesn't surprise me," she said calmly before glancing to him, her hand still curved around his. "My first kiss was pretty meaningless. I guess you want yours to mean something?" She shrugged her shoulders, guessing that she could understand that if she tried. Though she doubted there'd be a man she'd think highly enough to get that {{Foretelling Hongbin!! ;)) }}. "More than a dare, at least."

@☼ Dara Baekho glanced up at her, feeling somewhat guilty when he heard the tone in her voice. Had he done something wrong? He studied her for a little before looking back down at the floor. Maybe he had. She did seem to have lost some of the feisty fire she had possessed just a few minutes prior.

But all this talk of her wanting him to open up...? It didn't make sense. He was opening up. At least somewhat. Even most of the other nomads didn't know him like she did, yet she acted like he was hiding away from her. Maybe... Maybe it was just what it seemed like? He wasn't sure. But whatever it was, it was starting to sting...

He scooted a little closer to her, looking aside as he did. "B-blame you? I... I d-don't know... I... I've never really..." he tried, his voice choppy and uneven as he spoke. It was hard to know what was right, but he didn't want her to feel bad. Why that was, he didn't know. But he still couldn't take her seeming so sad. So, as slowly and sneakily as he could, Baekho reached out his hand, placing it carefully over hers. "I've n-never really kissed anyone..."

@☾ Baekho |SH| "Anything," she sighed, stopping herself from rolling her eyes. "I wanted you to try anything. I was tired of you... hiding away." Maybe it was selfish of her. Maybe she had wanted him to do something so she wouldn't rot away here from boredom.

But really, it was more than that. Sandara supposed she wanted to give him something - to, ridiculously, thank him in some way for sparing her life and what ever else. Sure, she had gold and plenty of it. And technically, she also had status, though that wasn't something she usually associated with herself. But Sandara figured Baekho wouldn't appreciate any of that. So all she had left to give him was either her body or her skill. And he didn't seem much interested in the former - that much was evident.

The thing was with Sandara; she didn't take baby steps. It was all or nothing with her. Dive straight in or get out. She didn't really understand 'taking it slow'. She lived in the fast lane, always on display, always working quickly. She wasn't used to lulled moments like this.

It seemed to transpire into her interactions with Baekho too.

"Can you really blame me?" She asked suddenly, looking at his terrified body curled up against the wall. "For entertaining the idea of kissing you?"

@☼ Dara Baekho looked down at his hands, watching them shiver as he kept taking small steps back. He didn't stop until he felt the cold rock wall crash against his back.

"S-s-sorry... I... I..." he stuttered, feeling his parched throat giving out completely. It was difficult to form any words, his thoughts crashing down on him, over flooding his mind with worry. "I g-g-guess I a-am..." The nomad slowly sunk down against the wall, still looking at his hands as if they belonged to someone else.

"T-t-try something?" Baekho glanced up at her, eyes filled with confusion. "W-w-what do you mean b-by try something? T-try what?" He didn't understand anything she was doing right now. It was all so confusing.

@☾ Baekho |SH| Sandara let out an exasperated sigh when Baekho stumbled away from her. At first she was startled to have his warm suddenly ripped away. Then she shook her head, realising that she had expected as much.

"It was just roleplay," she heaved, casually sinking back to the floor as if what had just happened had no affect on her at all. "No big deal." She glanced up at Baekho curiously. "You really are naive, aren't you?" It was ridiculous to think this strong, quick witted Nomad, one who had caught her and fought her off, was so fragile when it came to anything romantic.

Not that their encounter had been romantic or lustful in any measure. "I just wanted to see you try... something," she shrugged, looking at him honestly. She was curious about him, sure. But there was some lingering sadness in him somewhere. Maybe she'd issued that dare, had approached him in the way she had to somehow distract him from it.

Well, it certainly had done that. But it seemed to have backfired. He probably felt worse now than ever.

@☼ Dara "B-but it is a chore," Baekho stubbornly sighed back, jutting out his bottom lip again. "I don't care who you give or don't give p-permission to do so... I n-never asked for that permission," he stuttered out, feeling his cheeks flare up brighter as she leaned even closer.

"N-no, I don't..." he stuttered, eyes alertly trained on her. What was she doing?
"L-like what?!" Baekho let go, quickly stumbling back a few steps. "W-what are you talking about? Y-you s-said pick up lines! E-even that dare was on the far side. N-now you're asking me to k-kiss you?"

@☾ Baekho |SH| "I mean," Sandara sighed, finding her patience running a little short. But she'd reel it in for his sake. He was evidently not experienced in this area and she didn't want to push him - not when they had only just started to get on. "Stop acting like this," she pointed to his arms clasped around her like a rigid life ring. "Is a chore. You /can/ hold me. I'm giving you permission - and not many guys get that, let me tell you," she scoffed playfully before finding herself brushing her nose against his.

"Of course you have moves," she shrugged as if what they were doing was the most natural thing in the world. "Like, I don't know, kissing me?"

Maybe it would be pushing him a little far to expect him to do that so suddenly. But it gave him a target and anything in between would suddenly feel like baby steps and not giant leaps.

@☼ Dara Relax? How? How would he relax with her acting like this? And what did she mean that he could touch her? Was she really expecting him to make a move? What move would that even be?

So many questions rushed through his mind as Baekho tried easing up more. What was he to do? What was the right response to what she was doing. "W-what do you mean by... Hn," he just managed to stomach down another sound as he felt her lips brush his neck again. "What do you m-mean I can t-touch you?"

"M-my dare... A-and I have n-no moves," he mumbled, blushing with his bottom lip stuck out in a pout.

@☾ Baekho |SH| "You ask too many questions," Dara chuckled under her breath, eyeing him. "Hey," she warned. "Keep your eyes closed." She shifted in his rigid arms. "And why are you so stiff?" She shook his arms as if that would make them loosen up. "Relax. You can touch me."

Then she progressed, breathing gently against his neck, slowly snaking her arms around it and gently leaning into his body. Slowly, she swayed, as if they were slow dancing, smiling against his skin before daring to kiss him there again, half expecting him to jump back. Though, impressively, he's got this far without retreating. He at least didn't find her scary or repulsive enough to get as far away from her as possible.

"I can't keep making all the moves here, Baekho," she murmured, closing her own eyes and feeling oddly calm in the atmosphere. "This is your dare."

@☼ Dara Baekho hesitated, his heart in his throat as he tensed up. He wasn't sure he was as comfortable with this side of Dara. The fighting he could deal with. Yes, she could say hurtful things, even things that made himself feel violent, but... At least that was up to instinctual reaction. This was completely different...

"H-h-help me...? H-how?" he stuttered out, unsure how this would help him what so ever. At best it would help him understand why love was nothing but a distraction. But he had gone with her rules... gone with the game. So he had to obey. "F-fine..." he stuttered and closed his eyes, trying the best he could to steady his breath. "G-go with the fl-flaaah~" The nomad's cheeks flared up bright red, the embarrassment of the sound he made taking over. "W-what was that for?"

@☾ Baekho |SH| Baekho seemed to stiffen, not reacting to her approaches except out of fear. She had hoped he wouldn't be so against the idea but his reaction had been what she had expected at least. It was refreshing to have a man not be pining after her body. It somehow made Sandara like Baekho - at least she more than she had when she merely tolerated him.

"I'm trying to help you," she assured him, trying to seem as unferocious as possible. After all, she wasn't a wild beast. "Close your eyes," she willed him, careful not to move until she was assured that he was comfortable enough. "Just go with the flow. Try not to think too much of it." And then, gently, she leaned forward, trailing the tip of her nose down his neck and kissing him sweetly there.

{{she's teaching him, I promise xD it's totally platonic *cough*}}