" ... you wanted to reconcile with her. Because, no matter what she did, she was still your mother. And she refused to acknowledge a single one of her faults, instead acting as though you had imagined it all. It drove you to feel as though death would be better than whatever life this was..."

He let that sentence hang in the air, his anger growing deeper as he considered the pain she had suffered. No child deserved this, no child at all. And yet, here she was, left picking up the pieces of herself by herself.

" ... love you too, darling."

The kiss was a quick, gentle peck. And then he pulled her back to his chest, holding her even closer. There was a look of contentment in his eyes as he rubbed his chin against the top of her head. She was warm against him, and the way she fit against him was almost too perfectly designed. It felt so right to just be in her presence, and it always would be.

" ... I don't think I'm going to let you go anytime soon."

" ... and that's one of many reasons I love you."

Her self-confidence, her assurance, was one of the many things about her he loved as well. Of course, it was only amplified by the way she could so easily and freely talk to him. She did not hesitate nor conceal any of her thoughts from him, no matter what they may be. And he admired her greatly for it -- he couldn't help himself but lean down towards her, just to kiss the tip of her nose.

She had just hit the bullseye with him with that one. She might not have realized it, but he felt like she had spoken directly to his heart. Everything he feared and was unsure of, she seemed to know and understand. Her words made him feel more secure and steady than ever before. She knew him inside and out.

" ... you know what to say to make me feel good."

There was a little silence as he squeezed her in his arms, just to show his thanks for her words. Then he spoke again, his smile coming back now.

He gave a little chuckle at her first remark, but the smile faded quick enough when she spoke the words about how he had helped her. Her words touched him more than she could possibly know, and they caused a small lump to form in his throat. It had been a long time before someone had been so honest and open about how much they appreciated the time and effort he spent on them.

" ... you've done the same for me, you know. I'm lucky to have met you at all, and it's good enough for me to know you love me. And appreciate me. For who I am."

" ... and in response, I'll admit that when we first met, all that I thought was that you were very pretty."

He brushed a few stray hairs from her face, careful enough for it not to disturb the comfort of the embrace. And then he spoke again, speaking gently, his voice filled with a hint of solemn reflection as he spoke. He could sense how genuine she was, feeling it radiate back against him.

" ... but I soon fell in love with all of the things beneath your appearance, as well. Everything about you, really."

" ... I promise you, sweetheart, I will never feel bad about you calling me beautiful. I don't think it could ever become too much."

There was no sign of a smile on his face now, just seriousness. He wasn't even attempting to hide the way he was so touched by her words, and the way she seemed so sincere and heartfelt in it as well. If possible, he pulled her just a tiny bit closer. One more step and they would've been almost overlapping.

" ... just... look at me."

" ... sweetheart, listen to me. You have nothing to worry about."

When she spoke, his expression of amusement and playfulness faded away. There was nothing but sympathy and kindness in his eyes now, for he could sense the weight of her words. He brushed his thumb against her mouth, and the tip of his finger along her cheek as he leaned down to touch her forehead.

" ... don't ever stop yourself from saying the things that are on your mind. Not with me. Anything that comes into your head... you can tell me, alright?"

He chuckled and pressed his thumb over her lips again, this time keeping it there a bit longer. Her reaction was adorable, and he just couldn't stop himself from teasing her ever so gently.

" ... don't give me that attitude, sweetheart. We both know I'm right about you being the most beautiful woman, and we both know you think I'm the most handsome guy."

His hand moved gently to her chin, shifting her face up slowly so that she could see his eyes staring down at her. She was absolutely adorable; it was hard for him to resist showering her with affection whenever she was this close. He still didn't want to pressure her too much though, so he made a small compromise with himself and brushed his thumb gently over her lips.

" ... I mean it, honey. You are stunningly, undeniably beautiful."

He chuckled and pulled her even closer, resting his chin on top of her head as his hands brushed her hair from her face. She was such a sweet person, he couldn't help but feel tender and protective towards her. Even though she was a grown woman, in this moment he felt the urge to coddle her with a little affection, which is why he continued speaking in a softer, gentler voice.

" ... don't underestimate yourself, sweetheart. I'm serious - you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met. There's not a doubt in my mind about that."

There was a little pause as he took a deep breath, deciding how he wanted to say this. With her so close against him, her ear was so easily accessible after all.

" ... you are incredibly beautiful. More beautiful than I've ever seen anybody be. More than I would have thought possible until I met you. I can't express how lucky I feel to be spending my time with you like this..."

" ... love you too, sweetheart."

His voice was calm and soft, and he pulled her against him as close as he could get her, wrapping his arms tight around her body. The two of them remained in that close embrace, and after another moment of silence, he spoke once again - his voice was much quieter this time.

" ... can I whisper a secret to you, darling?.."

" ... yes, I felt the cold too. But it's a good excuse to cuddle you close like this, isn't it?"

And that's precisely what he did, pulling her to him and holding her tightly, her back up against him and her face buried against his chest. The heat from both their bodies mixed together in warmth and comfort, and they fit together almost perfectly. After a moment, his voice came again, sounding half-asleep still.

" ... stay close to me today, okay? I don't want you to get cold..."

" ... darling..."

Astarion was just barely awake himself, still a half-slumbering, tired state as he kept his eyes shut. He felt her body pressed up against him - and he could sense that she was awake before she could even open her eyes. Feeling her against him was all it took to reassure him, and his arms tightened around her just a little more, speaking softly into her ear.

" ... are you feeling alright?"

And with that, he gently brushed her hair off of her face and tucked it behind her ear. He pulled her as close to his chest as he could get her, pressing his lips against her forehead as he held her close. As her breathing began to slow and steady, he eventually fell silent once again, letting her sleep soundly now that she was in his care. Her body was safe and secure in his arms -- where it would remain for the rest of the night. And Astarion himself finally let his eyes close, and slowly drifted to sleep.

He noticed her doing that, the small movements and the subtle wipe against his shirt, but he didn't comment on it. Instead, he just pulled her closer, wrapping those same arms around her and holding her to his chest, burying his face in her neck as he spoke one last time.

" ... just close your eyes, darling... you need the rest..."

" ... I love you too, darling."

And with her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head one more time, holding her as close as possibly could. As she drifted to sleep, he made sure that his arms were so tight around her that it was impossible for her to feel any more safe than when she was in his embrace. His eyes stayed open as he whispered one last thing in her ear.

" ... dream of me."

He could feel the stress flowing out of her as she leaned into the comfort of his arms. Her body and mind slowly relaxing under the calming effect of his voice and the assurance of knowing he was still there. Astarion leaned his head back slightly, speaking a little quieter now.

" ... yes, it's definitely a funny story. And a memorable one, too, the way you tell it. You say it so earnestly, and that just makes it funnier to me. But you should get some rest, sweetheart. No more overthinking..."

At the sight of her tears and the realization that she might really be on the verge of breaking down from all the stress and frustration, Astarion pulled her body into his arms and kissed the top of her head, speaking in the softest and most reassuring tone possible.

" ... shhh, sweetheart. Don't cry. Don't worry about anything, don't let your thoughts get to you like that. Just breathe. Just close your eyes, and let yourself relax in my arms. I'm gonna hold you until you're ready to sleep, alright?"

Astarion burst out laughing at that one, and he had to work hard to stop himself from shaking their whole bed. His whole body was shaking with laughter as he listened to her telling the joke, which had caught him rather unawares. It took a number of seconds for him to finally pull himself together and calm down, and when he did, he rolled on top of her and glared affectionately at her.

" ... you're awful. So, so goddamn awful."

Astarion chuckled, and even in the middle of his reassurance and comfort, he couldn't help but feel intrigued by how adorably random she was. To him, it was so endearing, how she would suddenly speak her mind like this and go on random tangents about whatever she was thinking.

" ... alright, sweetheart, let's hear it. What was the joke?"

" ... darling, just close your eyes and let me hold you. Don't think about how you feel, or how you're not able to sleep. Just be still and let me keep you safe. It doesn't matter if you sleep or not right away, just be here, with me..."

Astarion's tone was soft and gentle, almost calming. He pulled her body into his, making sure there was no space between them. Then, he began rubbing circular circles on her back, his thumb slowly petting her skin.

" ... yes, I do. But rest isn't a priority when your heart isn't at ease."

Astarion pulled her closer to him now, holding her body firmly in his arms. The thought of her feeling so down and distressed because there was nobody to comfort her, because she felt alone - that thought drove a fire through his veins. He'd never allow her to feel like that again, so he spoke again, this time with conviction.

" ... so I'll do the resting later, once I know you're comfy and safe in my arms."

"... you are allowed to expect me to be there for you, sweetheart."

He said it with a firmness that would allow no disagreement as he pulled her into his arms, tightening his hold around her body slightly. He cared far more about her wellbeing than anything else in this situation.

" ... that's why you've got me now. I'm going to be there for you at all times of the day or night, and I want you to rely on me in times like this. You are allowed to ask for my help, you know."

" ... darling, you have to stop doing that."

Astarion spoke softly and slowly, moving his body closer to hers and wrapping one of his arms around her in an attempt to be comforting and reassuring. That was his first and foremost thought, the desire for more physical intimacy not even crossing his mind right now.

" ... being sleep-deprived like this just doesn't help things, sweetheart. You need to take care of yourself."

His eyes opened slowly, barely at first - but then they snapped open when he remembered that she was right there beside him. They flicked back to glance at her body, and he had to keep from grinning like an idiot.

" ... hm, what is it, sweetheart?"

" ... goodnight, sweetheart."

Astarion fell into his bed, curling up slightly as he lay down beside her. He was finally alone with her, finally had her in his grasp - and he was going to keep her that way. He leaned over and kissed her forehead once again before settling into his bed and falling asleep. But even in the dark, in the solitude, his mind continued to churn, and before long his thoughts were full of her, and only her.

" ... sleep well, darling."

Astarion carried her all the way to the bed and laid her down on it, making sure that she was nice and comfy before tucking her against some pillows. With that, he gave her one last kiss to her forehead before turning off the lamp and laying down to bed right beside her.

" ... of course I will."

He lifted her up and carried her to his room, shutting the door behind them with his free hand. It was time to take this to the next step.

Astarion pulled away from the kiss just long enough to whisper one simple thing.

" ... then why not come back to my room with me?"

" ... and I love you too, sweetheart."

The kiss grew more intense, and as it did Astarion made sure to slide his hands closer around her body now. She was practically in his grasp, and for all his teasing before, he was far too happy to feel her this close to him. All the playful teasing and flirtation was finally over, and he simply couldn't contain his desire any longer.

Astarion let out a low, amused chuckle as just as he'd predicted, she came right at him and kissed him, but he quickly took control of the situation as well and wrapped his arms around her, returning her kiss with as much passion as she was giving him. Though his smirk had been teasing and flirty before, as they kissed now it grew into a true, honest to gods smirk, as if he'd just pulled off the trick he'd been planning this whole time.

" ... precisely. It means you're the most precious and lovely thing in my sight. Which is no exaggeration, if I may say so."

He smirked as he moved even closer, looking at her with a smile that said she was exactly what he wanted for a moment. Not like that was a coincidence, of course. Astarion was just too pleased not to continue, as he leaned in closer and closer until he was practically in her face.

" ... oh, I love it. Especially when I get you flustered like this."

Astarion's tone was full of heat now, as he could feel a smile twisting his lips. This was much more entertaining for him than simple teasing and flirting.

" ... let's try one more phrase then. 'The apple of my eye.' Do you know what that means, sweetheart?"

Astarion smirked and leaned in much closer now, not even trying to hide the dangerous glint in his eyes. All the teasing and flirting that had been his whole persona just a few minutes ago was gone, replaced with something far more dangerous and lustful.

" ... you want me to stop thinking terrible things? Then you'll have to stop being so damn cute and easy to tease."

Astarion smiled, his tone growing more playful as he leaned in a bit.

" ... you'd better be careful, you know? If you love me this much already, it might get me thinking that there's more to our little date than just an exchange of language lessons. And just thinking about that makes me want to do all kinds of terrible things to you~"

Astarion was genuinely enjoying it too, as he laughed along with her. There was even a bit of warmth in that laughter of his, as he couldn't help but feel happy at how genuine and innocent she was, how sweetly she acted. He gave her hand a slight squeeze.

" ... you're welcome, sweetheart. And don't think I'm done teaching you English yet. We'll do this again sooner rather than later, and you'll be fluent before you know it!"

Astarion laughed, his teasing demeanor back fully now that their little lesson was over. He enjoyed the way he'd just seen her act out that whole scenario as if it were real, how she listened intently to everything he had to say.

" ... and now you're armed with that sweet, little phrase for the next time some charming man tries to take you out. You can't be tricked twice, as they say. So, how did you like your English lesson today, sweetheart?"

" .. and now, you're nervous. You're scared. Because if he'd been like this on the first date, you wouldn't have agreed to even come back here. But now, he's making advances on you that have taken you by surprise. In fact, you're not even sure you can trust your memories of him being sweet. And that's when you can use that phrase, my dear....”

" ... so, on your second date, he invites you back to his place for coffee. You agree, because you're curious, and you're trying to be open and accommodating. However, when you get there, he immediately makes a move on you and tries to get you on the bedroom. He seems eager, enthusiastic, and excited in a way that he wasn't on the first date."

Astarion's demeanor shifted, now playing out this scenario as if it were happening. He was getting into this, and he was enjoying playing it out with her.

" ... now, you're probably gonna be surprised, maybe a little shocked. And, you never know, maybe you liked it. So, you agree to a second date, but something inside always tells you to be cautious, right?"

" ... ah, you mean a scenario where it'd fit? Well, let's see..."

He took a moment to think, but then a smirk returned to his face.

" ... how about this. You go on a date with a guy. He's sweet, charming, and everything seems fine. Then, out of nowhere, he kisses you without permission."

Astarion waited for her reaction. Whether she was shocked or intrigued, he was going to keep playing it out from there.

" ... easy. It means if something bad happens once, then you're gonna try and avoid it a second time. It means you're more careful. You're not gonna trust so easily after you've been hurt."

Astarion smirked as he said that, looking at her. He thought he knew exactly what kind of lessons she needed, so he was going to make sure she took these to heart.

" ... just one more phrase then. 'Once bitten, twice shy.' Okay, now, do you know what that one means?"

" ... fair enough. I don't want you to get overwhelmed, after all."

Astarion wasn't sure if she was just trying to escape his taunting, or if she was genuinely afraid of being overloaded. Either way, he was perfectly happy to listen to her, as he seemed to drop back to being his more playful and teasing self again.

" ... alright dear, how about we just take things slow, then. I'll teach you one more phrase and then we'll call it a day for today, alright?"

" ... you're running away already? You can't handle a bit more flirting from me?"

Astarion was just starting to get into the swing of things, now that there was no tension looming over them anymore. He'd been enjoying seeing her blush at his flirting before, and now he was planning to continue that again.

She was trying so hard not to think about him, but he could see right through her charade and that just made his teasing all the more fun.

" ... aw, trying isn't the same as succeeding, sweetheart. I can take one look at you, and I know just how much you've been thinking about me. The way your whole face lights up when I smile at you like this, or the way you blush when I flirt with you..."

" ... I wasn't even trying to make them about romance, but... I guess my subconscious was thinking about it the whole time."

Astarion grinned, as if it were the most natural thing in the world for his examples to all surround romance. He was enjoying this little game, even as he couldn't stop himself from teasingly whispering to her...

" ... now, does that mean you think I'm a bird in the hand, sweetheart?"

" ... let's see. Uh, lemme think...”

Astarion actually gave this one some thought, as he decided to find an example that fit the phrase. As he came up with an answer, his face took on a confident smirk.

" ... alright, here's one. ‘If you really want to date that girl, then she's a bird in the hand. If you keep chasing after other random girls, you might lose her and end up with none.’ See, that's a good use of that phrase.”

Astarion laughed, and it was a much more genuine laugh than it ever was when he was teasing her. Still, the game must go on, for his plan worked flawlessly.

" ... it means that something you have right here and now is more valuable than something that may or may not work out. It's like..."

He gave her hand another squeeze, before continuing.

" ... it's like saying the bird you've caught is worth more than chasing more birds and ending up empty-handed."

His smile was back to being teasing, as he got close again and leaned against the wall next to her. This was much more fun to him now than the tension had been before.

" ... so, the next phrase is 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' Now, do you know what that means by any chance?"

" ... okay, good. That's all I need to hear."

His smile returned finally, but it wasn't nearly as teasing as it had been earlier. There was still a hint of his trademark slyness in there, but it was muted now, more genuine and less flirtatious. He was now looking at her as if she were truly innocent.

" ... and now that the serious stuff is over, let's get back to that little English game of ours. Sound good?"

" ... promise me that you won't think your tears are a weakness. Don't think you're being a bother, or that they're something to hide. If you want to cry, don't even hesitate. Just cry. Okay?"

Astarion laughed as he took her hand again, this time more gentle and tender.

" ... but you've got to agree to one thing first. You've got to promise me something."

Astarion couldn't stop the smile from twitching onto his lips now, as he saw just how innocent and simple she was. Okay, maybe he'd gone too far, but he could make it up to her. And he was definitely not saying no to more time with her.

" ... alright then, sweetheart. I'll teach you more English, and we'll keep playing. We'll forget that I was a jerk, and we'll have fun."

" ... you're gonna tell me I'm not a jerk after I made you cry?"

Astarion still felt guilty, even though she reassured him. It was too easy to go too far with her, as she took everything he gave her to heart. If he didn't stop himself now, he'd end up traumatizing her, or something.

Astarion was more than willing to stop the game now, especially with how things had turned. He saw the real pain on her face, and the teasing turned from playful to malicious within just a few moments.

He stepped back, his demeanor now looking more serious and concerned, as if he was afraid of accidentally making her cry again.

" ... yeah, maybe that's for the best. God, I really am a jerk, aren't I..."

" ... don't you dare apologize to me."

Astarion's voice was sharp when he said that, his smile fading completely. Now, he looked more angry than teasing. He felt like a jackass now, going so far as to see her cry.

" ... no, you don't apologize for who you are. You don't apologize for being a victim who feels pain and expresses her pain through tears. If anything, I should be apologizing to you for my cruelty."

For a brief moment, he considered continuing, going right back to the teasing and flirting. However, he couldn't do it.

"... because I think I went too far. You know how much I enjoy teasing you in that way, but you actually took it to heart."

His tone was gentle and apologetic, as he saw her tears and felt his stomach churning. Astarion hated seeing her cry, and even though she was acting so innocent now, he was beginning to realize just how vulnerable she really was.

He chuckled as she joked about crying now, before his voice became gentle. The flirting game may be more fun, but he'd been right about her being broken. The moment he said that, she had cracked completely. Her eyes were wet with tears, and she looked so defenseless and innocent. He was going to enjoy breaking that shell of innocence, but he couldn't help but feel guilty as he saw her break.

" ... oh, sweetheart, did I make you cry for real? I'm sorry..."

" ... you're not used to hearing the truth, either? Aw... you're just breaking my heart now."

It was hard to tell if he was serious or teasing here, and he was enjoying seeing her fall apart so easily in front of him. He could definitely get used to that scared look she had on her face whenever he got closer to her.

" ... poor, poor girl. Are you gonna start crying on me now?"

That answer was all he needed. Now, he got to show just how well he understood her, how close he was getting, and his smirk returned in full force.

" ... I know you have a lot of reasons behind that fake smile. You're probably putting down your real feelings to cater to people, so that way they see you as more lighthearted and fun. But..."

His voice took on a slightly teasing tone as he continued.

" ... I think you're scared. And I think you're hiding your trauma underneath that smile..."

There was a moment of hesitation - she really had made him feel like he needed to be nice to her. Now, he had the urge to be nice to her, but at the same time that would ruin the whole flirting game he'd been playing. Still, she was so cute now, it was almost impossible to resist.

" ... fine, I'll be honest with you. But only if you promise not to get mad, alright?"

" ... so you pretend to smile more than you actually do, so that people think you're more approachable?"

Astarion's smile returned slowly, as he thought about what she'd just said. She had her reasons for hiding away her sadness, but was that really why she smiled so little?

" ... okay, fine, I understand. But, can I be honest with you about something now?"

" ... really? No one has made you realize that you don't smile all that much?"

His smile had faded, and he looked at her with more sympathy than teasing now. The game had taken a turn that he hadn't really expected, and it threw him off his plans for more flirting and double entendre.

" ... is no one ever honest with you? Have they all just told you things to make you feel better?"

Now that he had really cut into her and made her insecure, he lightened his tone, his voice becoming a little softer. He was still smirkish, but he was no longer trying to toy with her as much now.

" ... aw, don't cry. I'm only teasing you. Did I cross the line, love?"

He nodded, and this time his eyes were locked onto hers. He had her right here, trapped in the conversation, and he had no intention of letting her out.

" ... I'm not guessing, sweetheart, I'm pretty sure. You may think you smile a lot, but I know better. You're a sad, shy, insecure girl, and that's why you don't smile as much as you look like you do."

His smile twisted, teasing and mocking, because he knew just how true his words were.

She really was so cute when she tried to deny her innocence - it just made it the more fun for him to tease her.

" ... no, sweetheart, I'm sure I'm right. It's obvious that you barely smile. But don't worry..."

His smile became downright sly, almost menacing as he got closer to her now. At this point, the tension was palpable.

" ... I'll make sure to make you smile a lot more from now on..."

His smirk became downright teasing as he had her caught like a mouse.

" ... alright then, here's an example. 'She only smiles once in a blue moon, and I'm lucky enough to have seen it.' Does that make sense to you?"

" ... oh, this one's pretty easy. 'Once in a blue moon' is an idiom that means something happens very rarely, or something only happens every now and then. You understand that meaning, right?"

He chuckled at her sudden, but predictable hesitation. God, she was cute. Okay, he couldn't let himself get distracted, not yet at least.

" ... the phrase I'm going to teach you next is 'once in a blue moon'. Do you know what that means?"

She really was so easy to tease, and he was enjoying every second of it. Astarion gave her hand one more squeeze before he got back to what he was doing, leaning in to her and speaking low, with a smile on his face.

" ... okay, I'll stop wasting time then. Here's the next phrase, it's called..."

He paused, his eyes flicking her way, as if he was checking just how attentive she was.

He smiled once again, noticing her slightly shy and slightly nervous side. She was so... innocent. How much he'd enjoy getting her to break that shell.

" ... no need to look so nervous, sweetheart. I won't do anything you aren't ready for. And, just like I told you before, you're always allowed to tell me no. Do you understand me?"

Her reaction was exactly what he'd wanted, and now he couldn't help but smile as he gave her a teasing look.

" ... I told you I was going to teach you more idioms and phrases, didn't I? This was just a little warm up before I get into the actual fun stuff. So, unless you want me to take back my offer, sweetheart, you'd better get ready."

He laughed and nodded, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. Her innocence was adorable, but it wouldn't be for much longer - he was still going to teach her so much more than she ever expected.

" ... don't mention it, sweetheart. I'm glad you understand it now. But this wasn't just for fun, no no no... this was just the opener. Are you ready for more?"

He nodded, smiling as he saw how focused she was on the task. He was enjoying this far more than he ever thought he would.

" ... exactly. That phrase was designed to be a little ambiguous, with two completely different meanings, depending on how you look at it. In this context, I'm using the phrase in a suggestive way. Did that make it any clearer?"

Astarion chuckled, shaking his head and reaching out to gently stroke her hair. She really was a good girl who didn't understand those dirty things... but that was about to change.

"Right, that's the tricky part. The double entendre is that... the sentence could mean that I can't resist you from a violent perspective... but it can also mean that I can't resist you from an even more personal perspective. Do you get it now?"

His smirk became downright cocky as she got it right away.

" ... that's right. I can't resist you. Does that mean you understand the double entendre behind the phrase now?"

This is where he expected her to be totally confused, but that made this all the better. Her surprise only made it more exciting.

He laughed, leaning a little closer to her, his voice taking on a playful edge.

"Yeah, that's true... I'm breaking my own rules, but I was bored and wanted the conversation to be more... interesting. So, do you know what the phrase means or not?"

His smirk returned, as he was clearly enjoying this little lesson, and enjoying the flirtatiousness of it. Here was a girl who didn't mind being taught, and seemed eager to learn more.

" ... alright, the phrase I'm going to teach you is..."

He gave her a very soft, yet very suggestive look. Astarion's grin became downright devilish as he spoke.

" ... the phrase is 'I just couldn't resist you'. What do you think that one means?"

His smug and flirtatious expression faded back into a grin as he saw that he had caught her interest.

" ... oh, you're such a good student, sweetheart. Now, do you want me to teach you one more phrase? And this one is actually a bit of a double entendre, so it should be even more interesting for you to remember..."

Oh, this is something he was going to enjoy.

" ... yeah, sure. 'I knew she was into me, but she kept beating around the bush, so I had to make the first move.' "

He paused for a bare moment, seeing her eyes light up as she realized what his game was aiming to achieve.

" ... this is only the beginning. Trust me, there's all kinds of phrases I can teach you..."

He smiled, obviously impressed that she recognized that much.

"You're actually half way there - well done! So, it means to avoid making a direct answer to a question or a point. Someone who beats around the bush would do things like talk around the issue or get lost in tangents. And this is the best part..."

He paused for a beat, as if he was building up to something.

" ... it can also be used to refer to people who flirt without committing. You follow me so far?"

" ... alright, I'll take that as a yes. So, here's the first one. Do you know what this means?"

He paused, but for not even a second before he spoke again.

" ... 'to beat around the bush'."

He gave her a little grin then, his eyes almost glowing as the mischief came back to him.

" ... well, like I said, it's a little game where I say an idiom or a phrase, and you guess what the meaning behind it is. It's super easy, and it's also a fun way to learn a little more about English culture. So, are you up for the challenge?"

" ... well, you see, idioms and phrases really play with words and language, and they show a different culture's way of communicating to the world. That's why I thought maybe I could show you some examples to help explain how they work, and have you try to guess the meaning behind them."

" ... in other words, I have a little game I want to play with you. Are you up for it?"

" ... sure. 'particularly' is used to emphasize something. Like when I say 'I particularly enjoy your company', it stresses how much I enjoy being around you."

He paused for a few moments, as if thinking about something - her question had caught his attention. Maybe this little exercise would be more fruitful than he'd originally thought. A small sparkle of mischief came back into his eyes.

" ... actually, I think I have an even better way to explain idioms and phrases. Want to hear it?"

" ... okay. Fine, if you want to be boring, we'll stick with proper English, then..."

His tone was joking, but he did start to ease back, and a smirk slowly faded off his face - he was a little disappointed that she wasn't willing to put herself through more embarrassment for his amusement. But she was still innocent, that's all that mattered.

" ... so, if you want to learn proper English... should I teach you some idioms and phrases?

His laughter came to a sudden halt, and he smiled, his face showing his surprise.

" ... you really don't want me to teach you bad words, and just want to learn proper English instead? You're definitely more innocent than I thought..."

His chuckle turned into a laugh, and the grin became more pronounced. This was exactly what he wanted.

" ... oh, you're such a little sweetheart. You're too innocent to even say that little word. I can't wait to break you down... make you say those kinds of words easily and freely..."

His chuckle grew louder as he saw her hesitation. That was to be expected - it was a dirty word after all, and she was still so innocent.

" ... do what I say, and say it. I know you're hesitant, but trust me, it'll get easier with time."

His smirk increased as she knew exactly what he meant. It was only just the beginning, and she was already showing so much eagerness and curiosity.

" ... okay, then. Repeat it after me. You already know what it sounds like, right? Say it."

He smiled and took a step closer to her. Her embarrassment was amusing to him, as well as incredibly adorable. He leaned over, so that his entire body was practically leaning right onto hers.

"Just for the sake of your innocence, I'll keep it simple. Let's start with... the F- word. Do you know what that is?"

He nodded, smiling a bit as her words confirmed her lack of knowledge. She really was so innocent and cute. This was starting to seem like it was going to be a lot more fun than he had originally expected.

" ... well, you'll learn all about them soon enough. I've chosen a rather vulgar word to start off our little lesson..."

" ... well, I was thinking of starting off by teaching you some, ah, choice words."

He smirked, and for a split second, that playful edge crept back into his voice. Then, his tone went lower again. There was definitely no lack of mischief in his voice.

" ... you're familiar with profanity, right? Words that are considered... taboo? Harsh? Vulgar?"

"Aw, a rebellious little teenager who couldn't fit in, and had a hard time getting friends? Well, you're grown up quite a bit since then, and you're definitely a lot cuter, anyway."

He leaned forward and gave her a small kiss on the forehead. Though her skin was soft, there was also a layer of grit behind it, the marks of her past life still apparent on her. It was both a little sad and very cute at the same time.

"Now. Get ready to learn something new."

"Ah, so you were the type of student who drove your teachers crazy? That's actually quite the little rebellious streak you have there." He chuckled and reached up to brush a bit of her hair out of her face. It was endearing, the way she kept apologizing, and his tone softened as he spoke to her.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't get mad if you have trouble remembering. But I do want to teach you... and I know exactly how I want to start. And you're going to love it."

"There's really no need to apologize, sweetheart. In a way, the fact that you don't know what I'm saying all the time is kind of... cute. You're so innocent and sweet, it just makes me want to help you understand. It makes me want to teach you so many things."

He smirked again, his voice taking on a teasing tone.

" ... do you want me to teach you, sweetheart?"

He smirked but made the effort to tone down the sarcasm, as he was starting to think she genuinely didn't get it.

" ... okay, so here's where it gets more... suggestive than just plain English. So, do you like the idea of us kissing like that again? But even more intense than what we just did? Do you get it now?"

" ... okay... so, remember when we kissed just now? Remember the way it felt? how our bodies pressed against each other, how I lifted you up slightly, how desperate I was to have more, and how desperate you were to let me take more? That kind of kiss?"

He chuckled then, and smiled again. Her innocent little expressions were adorable. He wanted so bad to just sweep her off her feet and take her away. But her sweet, innocent nature made it hard, for now. For now, she was still innocent enough to not understand his words. But after a few more moments, she won't be.

His other hand went back to her waist as he leaned back, giving them both a little bit of breathing room.

" ... let me see if I can break this down for you... how do I put this simply..."

He was almost at a loss for words as he let out a chuckle. Her innocence was cute for now, but it wouldn't be for long. He leaned back in close one more time, his body pressing completely against hers again, his fingers tracing along her body as he spoke again in a breathless whisper.

" ... do you not know what I mean by that?"

" ... not particularly."

His words were breathy at first, and he pulled back from the kiss just enough to speak. His grip was tight on her body, and he looked her right in the eyes as he spoke.

" ... not when you look so damn irresistible and I'm so damn ready to just take you right here."

He grinned at her reaction, her desperate breathing and her reluctance to continue the kiss. But he was having no part of that. His other hand moved to her lower back and his grip there tightened, pulling her even closer to him. The hand at her neck moved to her waist, and he pulled her tight, lifting her off the ground so she was almost completely wrapped up against him, her body moulding against his as their mouths continued to dance against each other. His kisses went from tender and soft to urgent and possessive, desperate to have her all to himself.

He chuckled softly, and that breathless voice of hers finally got another laugh out of him. But he didn't care, not one bit, because this was what he wanted, and it was what he was going to have. His hand on her nape tightened slightly as his kiss grew more intense, his other hand moving to her lower back to hold her more firmly. He had only one thought in his mind right now, and that was for her to be completely and utterly his. His lips were eager against hers, his tongue eager to explore further.

He moved his hands back to her hips again, pulling her close to him until there wasn't the slimmest space between them. His kiss was passionate, urgent, a bit of desperation behind it. He was determined not to let her lips go, his free hand moving to the nape of her neck and clutching her there. The tip of his tongue slipped out and lightly touched the tip of hers, and he could feel her breathing quicken with every passing second.

He smirked at her answer, clearly amused that she would want him to do the work. But he never really had a problem with putting in the effort to get what he wanted. After all, it meant more for him to take the lead.

He leaned forward again, kissing her, his hand still gripping the curve of her cheek, pulling her just that little bit closer as his other hand slipped behind her back, and pulled her even tighter against him. His lips were soft and tender, but the passion behind them was fierce.

The moment she approached him, he gently grabbed her hips and pulled her to him. His body was pressed against hers as he leaned in close, only a few inches separating him from her lips. His hand went to her hair, and he brushed it out of her face before cupping the side of her cheek. He spoke softly, almost lazily, but it was laced with a strong undertone of desire and passion.

" ... give me your lips."

" ... and even more adorable when you start blushing. I've got to say, this little game is pretty entertaining."

He leaned forward, getting his nose very, very close to hers. His hand moved to her chin to bring her attention right back to him.

" ... come here."

" ... what, don't like me complimenting your beauty? Don't like me talking about the way your curves flow, or your stunning eyes.... I think you know you like it, sweetheart. You just won't admit it to yourself just yet. Besides, who says you can't like how it feels when people praise you for being beautiful? Even if it makes you a little bit red..."

" ... well, you are incredibly elegant, and your beauty is as stunning as any panther. But you also have a fierce, almost primal edge to you. It might be your innocence that makes you seem like a sweet, gentle little rabbit, but underneath that, you've definitely got something wild to you."

He chuckled and leaned into her, his voice going lower as he did. He was teasing her, playing with her a little.

" ... well, you're definitely not a fox, I think. You lack the cunning that foxes possess. Nor are you some kind of wolf. You're not dominant, or forceful. Even if you get a bit wild and playful sometimes.... but, somehow I'm getting the feeling you might be a panther. A beautiful, stunning, wild panther."

He snickered softly. It was adorable that she had described herself as a cute little rabbit, but then again, it did match. But as she said, her inner self wasn't as simple as just some innocent, naïve little rabbit. He chuckled more, then leaned forward into her again.

" ... so you're not an innocent little rabbit, then. You're something a bit more than that. Something... a little bit more sinful, maybe. Maybe a fox? Or, a wolf? ... or perhaps... a panther?"

He was quite enjoying this little back-and-forth between them. They were just joking around, having a simple conversation, but sometimes those were the most meaningful and sincere ones after all. And as his fingers went up her arm, he leaned in just a little closer. His voice was playful, as always, but there was an undertone of tenderness there.

" ... ah, the little fox is laughing at me now. But you won't be laughing for long, sweetheart. I'm going to make you moan instead."

He laughed softly, reaching out and gently brushing his fingers along her forearm. She was so sweet and innocent, despite her past trauma. There was nothing about her that he found distasteful, or off-putting.

" ... oh? Then tell me, would you describe this noble deer as being a bit cheeky and cocky? Because that's definitely me. And I feel like you actually enjoy that about me."

He chuckled slightly as he processed the description, which seemed fittingly poetic. It was clear that these writers really had put a lot of thought into their work, both with the test and its questions, and he almost couldn't wait to see what the final result would be.

" ... I see. So, my choice of animal was right. But, I think the description gave the wrong impression. I'm not truly that noble or majestic, even if I have that impression. But the gentleness and softness part, that's about right."

This time, the smirk was gone and he was serious again. He leaned back a bit and focused his attention back on her. After she had gone through her previous 6 questions, he was more than a little curious to see what the final question would reveal.

" ... the final one? Then give me the question, sweetheart."

He chuckled again as she tried to get him back on task. But in truth, he was enjoying himself. He enjoyed watching her get flustered and flustered her even more. She was as easy to read as an open book, and it was all he could do to not reach out and just grab her. He leaned forward again, their faces inches apart again

" ... all right, fine. We can get back to it. I'll try to stay focused this time."

He grinned at her response. For someone so shy and nervous, her replies would almost always make him crack a smile, and at times it even made him chuckle softly. And now, he gently brushed her chin again, his hand trailing down her neck and over to her neckline. He spoke with his usual teasing tone again

" ... look at you. Even now, hearing words like that, you're turning a deeper shade of red. You really don't like hearing about how beautiful and delicious you are, do you?"

He chuckled softly, and leaned back slightly as they continued speaking. It might have been hard to tell based on his words and his mannerism, but he genuinely didn't see the comparison as a bad thing.

" ... exactly like an egg, yes. Soft and fragile, covered in this thin layer that's just oh so easy to break. And underneath, ripe with all that goodness only I can taste. Like I said, you're just begging to be conquered, sweetheart."

He smirked again, and gently pulled her even closer. So close that all that separated their bodies was just air, and their noses brushed together when they spoke. His voice was soft and serious as he looked into her eyes

" ... yeah, I guess you could say that. I like when there's a challenge, something to conquer. And what's more fun than seeing the look on your face when I break this adorable little shell of yours? I can practically see those barriers in front of me right now, and I am dying to push past them."

He chuckled softly, reaching forward and gently caressing her chin. This time, his gaze was serious and sincere. He wanted to let her know that her weakness wasn't a problem to him, instead, it was part of who she was. And the parts of her that most might want to fix or ignore, were the parts that drew him in the most

" ... and, I meant that. Even those parts that are messy and hard to deal with, those are the parts I love, and the parts I want to take care of. Because that's what you deserve."

His hand went back to her hair, his thumb running along her temple. He leaned in close to her again, their faces just inches apart now. A slight smirk crossed his lips as he spoke to her again.

" ... but, what if I told you that I enjoy the fact you're a little bit broken? Your scars are beautiful, and I'd love it if you trusted me enough to show them to me. I'd love nothing more than to be the one you share all your burdens with."

He nodded once again, and then reached his free hand over and gently brushed her cheek with his fingers, his voice still soft as he spoke again.

" ... it's true. And you look absolutely adorable. Your little face when you blush like that, it's so damn cute, I just wish I could take that innocence for myself, for just one moment. I want to steal and lock your purity away forever, just for me."

He chuckled again as he pressed against her, feeling her body up against him. This time, he had no intention of letting this closeness up. She seemed to be enjoying the fact that she could tell him these things without getting rejected, and he was more than happy to let her.

" ... yeah, that does sound a bit contradictory. But there's the truth of it: I don't think any less of you because you're inexperienced. In fact, it's just the opposite. Being your first love means a lot to me. And seeing how innocent and naive you look right now..."

His smile was tender now, although there was a hint of teasing there again. He leaned against her, his body pressed closely into hers as they spoke again.

" ... well, allow me to give you a simple bit of reassurance, then. I could never, and will never mock you for being inexperienced. In a way, I prefer it that you are, because that way, I have the honor of being your first and only lover. It's something special, and I'm quite glad that it's the way it is."

It was a moment or two before he spoke again. She was so scared of him judging her, of him dismissing her, that she never even bothered to tell him something that was just a simple fact of life. His eyes were softer now, as his voice took on a gentlier tone.

" ... you know, you're so adorable when you get all flustered. But, yeah. I did notice that that was your first time. But tell me seriously, do you really think that I would judge you, mock you, or dismiss you, because of that?"

He frowned slightly in thought, until his jaw relaxed and his smile returned.

" ... no. Well, you've told me that you've never had a serious relationship before, but you've never actually told me that you've dated other guys before. Am I wrong?"

This time when she leaned in again, his lips couldn't resist the temptation of her closeness. His fingers ran through her hair as he leaned down slightly, his mouth brushing gently against hers. His smile was soft and playful as he spoke to her again.

" ... and, have you seen anyone who can charm you as much as I do? A guy who's as talented, as handsome, and as sweet. But also as dangerous, and as unpredictable? I imagine the men you've dated before have just melted into the foreground the moment they saw you, haven't they?"

" ... I see, so this is actually one of those rare tests that actually takes into account nuance instead of forcing people into narrow boxes... and my answers actually make the test result more meaningful, instead of causing it to have a negative result."

He smiled warmly at her. So far, she was the only one to actually compliment him on his unusual answers. Normally, people would just look at him like he'd grown another head. But she was actually saying she liked them.

" ... but, if you don't mind me asking, do you really mean that you find my answers interesting?"

"... yes, I do. My answers are more complicated, you mean. There's depth and nuance to them. Whereas, normally, most answers would be straightforward and simple."

He chuckled again, before speaking in a more teasing tone

" ... is that really all you wanted to say? My answers are just more interesting to you than others'. It's just that simple?"

Once again, his eyes looked down at her. He was almost mesmerized by how animated she was as she explained, like her excitement was a source of joy all on its own. But upon hearing that his answers were unusual, his expression changed and he chuckled slightly.

" ... so, in this scenario, your answer says that I'm both easygoing and suspicious of others? It makes sense, but I have to ask: why is it interesting to you?"

He smiled. Seeing her enthusiasm for the test just made that part of him that was still a tease itch even more. But he knew she had her own reasons for wanting to get the test done, so he kept his thoughts to himself. With a light brush of his fingers across her lip, he spoke to her again

" ... I don't think you have to tell me twice, darling. But please, do continue."

He pressed her body into him, wrapping both arms around her. It felt like a long-awaited reunion, not just physically but emotionally as well. He leaned his head down until his lips brushed against hers, his voice was soft yet yearning as he spoke again

" ... everything, my love. I want everything. Every moment that I can possibly share with you, I want. Every thought that passes through your mind, I want to hear it. Every one of your secrets, I want to know. Your laughter and your tears, I want to be there for it all..."

He was silent for a long moment, as he stared into her eyes. Then, his voice was soft as he spoke

" ... I know. I trust you, more than I've trusted anyone else in my entire life. With every moment that I share with you, with each and every breath I take in your presence, I grow even more confident in that trust, and everything that it entails. And do you know what I've realized? You know I'll do anything for you, but it isn't enough to simply have you. I want so much more..."

One of his hands went to the back of her head again, his fingers just gently stroking her hair. This time, the other went to her waist, his thumb gently brushing against her skin.

" ... I'm being honest. With you. After two centuries without even a hint of the real thing, I was almost convinced that true love was a fairy tale. But you came and changed everything, and now, I simply can't give up what I have with you... because you're the first person to make me feel like it's actually worth something."

He chuckled again at her comment, but then he leaned forwards once more. At this point, it was almost like a reflex: whenever she was this close, it was all he could do not to start kissing her.

" ... do you want to know why I answered that way, sweetheart? It's because you made me realize something new about myself. You made me want to give love back, rather than just get it. Because I've never been treated with such open, unconditional, and selfless kindness, and I can't help but want to do the same for you."

He nodded in acknowledgement, as he listened intently to her explanation of the test's results

" ... so, in this hypothetical scenario, I would buy 35 red roses and 65 white ones, because I'd be accepting love... and giving it out at the same time. Am I getting this right, my dear? Because I'm pretty sure this is actually correct. I'd both want to be accepted and loved at the same time, just as much as I would want to be the one to accept and to love..."