His face flushed deeply as he looked away and took another sip. From her angle, she could see he was blushing, and not from the wine.
The Crest told her his feelings. She could feel what he felt: a little awkward, a little brave.
Some walls still needed crossing, but deep down, the bond was speaking loud and clear. He liked her.
She looked back up at him as he stared and grinned softly, asking a question before watching his features shift. That adorable blush crested his face again as a glow emanated from his hand.
She turned her head gently, her left ear flopping slightly. Her eyes brightened in the moonlight as she heard a faint whisper.
The walls around her mind cracked ever so slightly. Through the Crest, she felt she could trust him, but years of abuse had built a formidable barrier.
"You're beautiful." The words left his lips, and she watched embarrassment ripple through the connection.
If not for the Crest, she would have questioned him. Questioned his motives, looked for hidden intentions.
But there was nothing negative in the bond. Instead, it was a tiny light, glowing brighter the closer it got.
She could feel its warmth and softness wrapping around her. Turning her head, she watched him look away as the red deepened in his face.
It was strange to see this normally composed man react like a flustered teenager. Endearing, even.
He took another sip of wine and gazed at the moon for comfort. The air around him seemed to swirl and reach toward her.
She wanted to reach for him, but her embarrassment and uncertainty kept her still. She knew he meant her no harm, but her fear lingered.
Her walls remained, though cracks had formed. Her curiosity slowly took root.
Thoughts flooded her wine-fogged mind, some less civilized than others. She was still a woman, with desires and dreams.
But that would be a bad idea. Even drunk, she knew that.
Emotions could take root. She wanted her freedom.
Trapped as a prisoner for most of her life, she longed to explore what life had to offer. Her fingers curled around the fluff of her tail as she took another sip.
Her eyes kept drifting back to him. Uncertainty filled her as she shook her head, pushing the thoughts away again.
She found herself staring at his face. Her eyes shifted to a brighter orange as she pulled herself from the chair and looked at her empty glass.
"Oh well, that's a bloody shame." She hiccupped and giggled, moving to Shin and placing her cup on the railing.
"I think it's proper time I tell you... I'm drunk." She laughed, wrapping her arms around him for support and pressing her face to his chest.
His scent calmed her fuzzy head. She sighed, smiling softly, and nuzzled into him before yawning.
He already knew she was too drunk to care about consequences. Still, he tried to remain composed.
The moonlight lit her skin with a soft glow. Despite the scars from her previous masters, she gleamed like a star.
When she hugged him suddenly, it surprised him. But he wasn't shocked to realize just how far gone she was.
He petted her head gently. "You definitely are, Laverna."
He laughed heartily as she nuzzled into him. Her need for comfort told him she should be in bed.
"Yup! You are drunk. And that, young lady, means it's time for bed before you get into trouble."
"I wonder if they'll invite us to another party." She giggled, leaning on him for support as her eyes closed against the spinning.
He chuckled. When she asked about another party, he replied, "Maybe. We can never be sure what they're thinking, but I'm pretty certain we'll be invited again."
He rolled his eyes. "News will spread like wildfire tomorrow. And you know how people are... they love gossip and drama, especially the political kind."
"Psh, look at what you know! I'm not drunk. I'm slightly tipsy. And they better invite us! I want a party in our honor. Saved their sorry butts."
She huffed, then grinned. "Ah, we'll be famous! Ooooh, I wonder if we can get free meals?"
Her grin widened. "With wine and cheese... and strawberries... and chocolate. I could just go on and on."
Shin still heard the whispers of his instincts in his ear. But he was a gentleman.
He couldn't, and wouldn't, act on them. Not when he was helping her recover from near death.
He stayed silent and instead swept her off her feet in a princess carry. She was too drunk to make it to bed herself.
A gasp escaped her as she was lifted. Her hands found his chest as she looked up and grinned.
"You've been wanting to do that for a while, haven't you? It's okay, you can tell me. I'm great at keeping secrets."
She smiled, snuggling into his chest and breathing in his scent. A soft purr escaped her chest as she relaxed.
Her lips parted slightly, and in a drunken murmur that barely escaped, she whispered, "Mmm... I wish you'd just take me like a maiden tonight..." Her words hung in the air, slurred and dreamy, revealing a desire that had remained buried beneath walls of fear and restraint.
She didn't even seem to realize what she'd said. But deep inside, her unspoken longings had started slipping through the cracks, echoing in the quiet between their breaths.
He heard her words, soft and slurred, yet full of longing. But if she were truly that drunk, he doubted she would remember any of this.
He laid her gently on the bed, choosing to ignore the drunken murmur that echoed her secret desires.
Smiling, he petted her head one more time. "Good night, Laverna. May you have the sweetest dreams."
He turned to go. If she was going to stop him, now was the time.
Otherwise, he planned to sleep on the floor after placing a bottle of water beside her for when she woke.
She hiccupped again, laughter bubbling from her lips. Once in bed, she snuggled under the blankets and nuzzled his hand as he bid her goodnight.
Poking her head from beneath the blanket, her face turned bright red. Her hand reached out and gently grabbed his.
"I... I don't want to be alone." Her voice was sleepy as she pulled him toward her.
She tugged him into the bed and snuggled against him before drifting off. He sighed and smiled at her peaceful sleeping face.
"Alright... just for tonight." He whispered, surrendering to her drunken whim.
Smiling, he wrapped his arms around her. They fell asleep together, wrapped in each other's warmth.