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Adeline gave a gentle sigh as a breath left her nose but she isn't break contact with him... instead she tagged him downward to a kneel until they were both on their knees on the ground so the two of them were around same height instead of her standing on her tippy toes... nearly knocking him into the fire. The solid ground beneath her comforted her... as if for the first time she was able to find her (very wobbly) sea legs as opposed to shifting and swaying on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Gale was the furthest thing from "stable" She could imagine... but this was the most stability she'd found... she gently pushed him down onto his back in the grass pulling away and looking down at him losing her hair tie letting her loose copper hair fall over her bare shoulder "Where would you like to go from here...?" She asked gently her heart heating fiercely in her chest. (Skip if you need!)
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Gale felt the world shift again, but this time it wasn’t the ground beneath him—it was her. The sudden, gentle pull on his arm caught him off guard as she tugged him downward, her force not pushing him but guiding him, and before he could fully process it, he found himself kneeling in the grass beside her.It took a moment for his mind to catch up with what had just happened, but as his knees settled into the soft earth, he felt the distance between them shrink in a way that was unexpected but not unwelcome. He looked up at her, his gaze meeting hers, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he didn’t feel like he needed to hide behind the walls he’d built. Her touch, her presence—there was something real about it. She was real. And the ground beneath him felt real, too, solid and steady, even as she pulled him closer to her world, to her rhythm, her warmth.She was steady. Even if she didn’t realize it, even if her own heart was racing as much as his, there was something in the way she guided him—like she was teaching him how to stand firm on shifting ground, how to trust, how to be.Before he could fully grasp it, she pushed him gently, but firmly, onto his back, and the suddenness of it had him lying there in the grass, blinking up at her, his chest rising and falling with a breath he hadn’t even realized he was holding. The movement was so fluid, so sure of itself, that he didn’t even question it. It was like she had taken control of the moment, and he wasn’t resisting—not even a little bit.His heartbeat thudded louder now, and his eyes followed every little shift she made. She leaned over him, letting her copper hair fall loose, the soft waves cascading over her shoulder like a fiery waterfall. It was a beautiful sight, but it wasn’t just her hair—it was her. The way she hovered above him, her face soft, but her eyes full of something that both unsettled him and made him want to pull her closer. Where would you like to go from here? Her voice was quiet but so full of meaning. She wasn’t asking about a destination, not really. She was asking about them, about this moment. And in that moment, Gale realized—he had no idea where to go from here. He didn’t know what came next, or if he was even ready for it, but there was no going back now. She had already pulled him deeper into this. Into her.He swallowed, the words slipping past his lips before he could stop them. “I don’t know where to go from here...” His voice was rough, vulnerable, and even more raw than usual. He almost laughed at the uncertainty, but the laugh didn’t come. Instead, his eyes found hers again, and the sincerity in her gaze made him want to believe in this moment. Whatever this moment was. “You make me feel like I’m standing on solid ground for once,” he said, his voice softer now, almost a whisper. “Like... like I’m not drowning anymore. Like maybe I don’t have to keep swimming alone.” He reached up, his hand brushing her loose hair back from her face, his fingers grazing lightly over the curve of her cheek, the warmth of her skin grounding him even further. It was like she was a lifeline, pulling him back to shore, even though they were both on unsteady ground. “I guess, if I’m being honest, I’m not sure where to go from here,” he said again, his gaze drifting toward the sky for a moment, the open expanse above them feeling both intimidating and comforting. “But I know I don’t want to go anywhere without you.” He let his hand rest lightly on her shoulder for a moment, his thumb tracing small circles on the bare skin of her arm. It was like he was trying to keep her close, trying to anchor himself to her in a way he’d never done before. There was something different here—something worth holding onto. He wasn’t sure how to define it, or how to move forward, but that feeling of her near him, so steady and sure, made him want to try. “Maybe I don’t have all the answers,” he said, his voice steady now, “but for the first time, I don’t feel like I need them.” He took in a slow breath, his chest rising and falling as he let the moment stretch between them, feeling every pulse of her presence, every movement of her hair, every brush of her fingertips. The space was electric with something unsaid, something that neither of them had fully embraced yet—but they were both standing on the edge of it now.“So, wherever this goes,” he said with a soft smile, his eyes never leaving hers, “I’m with you. Wherever that might be.”And with that, he slowly lifted his other hand, his fingers lightly brushing the side of her neck, drawing her closer just a fraction of an inch. It wasn’t a demand. It wasn’t a pull. It was just a quiet, simple invitation. And in that moment, it felt like enough. Gale lifted one of his legs,slipping it inbetween hers. He didn’t know what came next, but he was starting to believe it didn’t matter. Because for the first time in a long while, he wasn’t alone.
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Feeling his leg slide between hers invited her to continue as she pleased... she gently pushed some hair away from his face... she knew what she wanted... but... she was uncertain about continuing... was she ready? She wondered... would she ever get this opportunity again? To know what this was like with someone who care for her in this way? At his words however she smiled and moved to straddle over him... at his invitation... her hands traveled down to his bringing them from where they were to where the hem of her shirt met her trousers letting his fingers go underneath for exploration as she leaned down kissing along his collar bone her lips gently massaging him as they went. It didn't feel like it was two of them anymore... it felt like they were one person... one body... one mind... one soul... It was more than anyone could have asked for.
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Gale continued,letting her and him bond their tyes closer ~~ DAWN ~~ The sun lowly filtered through the trees as a new dawn settled. The king of Feinburgg* woke up,yondering to where his son could be.In the nation?Or,was he farther,as if in another nation? ~~~~ (the king of Feinburgg is Gale's biological father and king(or president,same thing) of the nation/country.)
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Adeline had returned home not long after they'd collected themselves... when she arrived her brother had been sick with worry... pestering her about where she'd been "I have my spots I like to go." Was all she said in return before she went upstairs to was and go to bed. When she woke the next morning she was in a great mood and she came downstairs for breakfast... that is until she saw her brother sitting at the table with a strange but well-dressed man... "Adeline..." her brother began "Andre... who is this?" She asked "Prince Alec Iron..." he said as the prince stood and came over taking her hand and kissing her knuckles "Pleasure to meet you... you're even more beautiful than your brother described..." he purred as she took her hand away from him "Thanks... But... why are you here?" She asked. (Kk) Edited at December 31, 2024 11:24 AM by Polar Lights
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Gale awoke to her gone,slightly sad she had left already.He sighed,pulling himself up.Gale started re-lighting the fire,hoping to cook some of the last nights hare. ~~~~ A guard walked next to him,them both holding guns and scouting the area.They both had the same outfit on,black armor with two spears on their backs.A flash of skin caught her eye,her head automatically looking that way.She prowled forward,seeing more,a human,with,many scars along his back.He turned his head,even by his side profile,Gale Hummendeaus was all she thought.They both backed up and looked at eachother with stunned faces.She took off quietly running back,the other guard following.Once they reached the kings room,they stopped,panting. "Gale Hummendeaus is'nt dead!Get the king!We know where he is!"
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Adeline quickly realized what was going on, she took a step back and looked at her brother... she was furious with him... "Calm down..." her brother urged. "No! You know I dont-" "Adeline!" Her brothers tone stunned her... it wasn't his more typical passive gentle tone this was riddled with seriousness "I'm sorry." He told her "But there is no longer a choice for you dear sister..." he told her "The kingdom is struggling more than you know... we need this alliance now more than ever..." he told her. "No! I will not go with him and be treated like a broodmare!" She snapped her fists balling at her sides "I'm afraid it's no longer a choice." He said his tone firm "Pack your things... You're leaving with Prince Alec after lunch..." he said simply. However, instead of going upstairs to pack she darted out to go to Gale... hoping he'd simply take her away.
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"He won't see you now.He has more important things to discuss.You can report later.For now,stay here.The servants will fetch you both water." A king-consort said,them drinking down the water. The servent walked back to the kitchens,spreading the rumor. "Hummendeaus is'nt dead." It spread,kitchens to dungeons,and even,the closest part of town.
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The news sure did spread to the Avian kingdom... as soon as Adeline was out in the street she heard the buzz of conversation but the conversation that she heard only made her resolve to get to Gale stronger... when she finally got to him she practically jumped on him "Hey." She told him "I've gotta tell you something... the whole town is talking about it "They know you're alive..." She told him urgently.
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"They know i'm alive?" He asks, "Adeline,I-I can't stay here then." Gale stuttered,gathering all his things. "They would'nt've been able to see me anywhere else.I've only been here." He walked up to her,buttoning on his cloa and pulling on the hood. "Adeline,you know I must go.I'm sorry." He dashed forward and kissed her,stepping back,heopened his jaw to say something,snapping it shut before turning and sprinting off into the thicket,world not making sense anymore.Gale once was a young man with the world,now he was a man against the world.
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