"I'm not a virgin." Before they took their clothes off, he deserved to know. That little trip of theirs into the past had unlocked more of her memories, and while she didn't have a clear picture of that time, she knew it had happened and it had been her idea. "It was only once, a long time ago. But I owe you the truth."

Alcryst only nodded, quietly as he forced himself to hold her gaze.

"It's okay. Really, even if it was only recent I wouldn't have expected you to save yourself for someone like me," he said. "You don't owe me anything. I'm just sorry in advance if-"

"Don't." She cupped his chin in her hand. "I barely even remember it, I can't even picture who that person was. You're here with me now, and I know I'll remember every moment of it." His face softens, relaxes as he gives her a tiny but heartfelt smile.

"Then...I'll do my best to give you a good memory of tonight, Divine One." A pause. "I mean...Alear."

She kissed him, sliding his casual jacket from his shoulders as he pulled down the straps of her jumper. Piece by piece, their clothes fell to the floor beside the bed until she was naked and all he wore was his hair clip and the Pact Ring.

"Tonight is special," he said as she stroked his hand. "Sometimes I still can't believe you chose me out of everyone here, but I'm happy you did. Being with you makes me feel like I'm really worth something." She stroked his face, toyed with a lock of his silky hair.

"You always have been." She gently pushed him onto his back, kissing him briefly before her hands and lips began to gently explore every inch of him. His shoulders and chest, slender but well-toned from years of experience with the bow; she kissed any battle scars she can find before her tongue brushed against one of his nipples. He let out a yelp, squirming under her.

"Sorry...it's sensitive." She licked it again, her fingers gently playing with the other, taking her time even if she was eager to see how sensitive other parts of him were. She didn't remember the particulars of her first time, just a lot of hurried fumbling and touching. Perhaps it was for survival, or a desperate act of rebellion against her father.

But there was nothing desperate about this. She wanted to commit every moment to memory; it wasn't her first time overall, but it was the first time with him.

Her fingertips finally stroked their way down the fine, barely-visible line of blue hair under his navel until her hand rested against his erection. For someone so slender, he was quite...gifted. Not immense, but thick and generously sized.

"Alear...!" His hips jerked up into her touch. "Ah, you're so good, that feels wonderful, but-" She wrapped her hand around him, feeling him throb in her grasp, the rapidly-growing heat between her legs thickening. "Oh Gods..."

"You sound so good like that," she whispered, giving him a squeeze. He gripped the bedsheets, writhing beneath her.

"I-it feels good, but...you've been doing all of the work! Let me..." He reached upwards, cupping a breast in his hand, and she gasped at the shockwave of pleasure just from the touch of his fingers. She could feel every callous, every patch of rough skin from his countless hours of archery training. "Is this...is this okay?"

"Yes." He gave her a squeeze, his thumb brushing against her nipple. "Yes, just like that..." His other hand slid lower, against her stomach, stroking her thigh.

"Can I...can I touch you?" She nodded, parting her legs for him. His fingers slid against her folds, exploring with a slightly clumsy but eager and confident touch. "You're so soft."

"Heh..." She arched her hips, her folds parting under a particularly firm stroke. "That's so good...you're a natural at this, Alcryst." It was his earnestness, his desire to be with her, the fact that it was him. No perfectly skilled fictional romantic hero from a novel could measure up no matter how good the writing.

She felt him swell a little in her hand, a small prelude to orgasm shivering through her. She could come once and take him in, but she wanted them to come together. Reluctantly, she eased her hand away; taking her cue, he did as well.

"I, uh..." He reached for his discarded pants, nearly falling off the bed in the process, pulling out a small paper packet. "Diamant gave me this. Just in case, he said." His cheeks flushed. "C-can you put it on? I'm afraid I might tear it."

"I've never used one before," she admitted. A thousand years ago she'd just taken herbs every day and assumed her first partner was clean. Luckily, the moment she opened it she instinctively knew what to do. Slowly, carefully, making sure not to snag the rubber or cut it with her nails, she managed to get it on him.

"T-thanks...I'm ready, now. And...I-I want to be able to see you," he murmured. Alear nodded, straddling him, taking he hand he wore the Pact Ring on.

"I love you," she said, and slowly began to lower herself. She gasped as his tip parted her folds. Oh. Maybe it was because it had been a thousand years since the first time, maybe he was bigger than her eyes had assumed, but she could feel herself stretching quite a bit as she slid down onto him, taking him in her.

She held still once he was in her, just so she could gaze down at the beautiful young man beneath her. His soft red eyes, his silky blue hair, his skin with its battle scars and subtly-defined muscles. Marveling at the feel of him filling her up so well. Even with the thin rubber layer between them, she could feel the heat, the throb of his frankly impressive cock all throughout her.

"Are you okay...?" he asked, looking up at her with wide eyes. She nodded.

"Are you?"

"Yeah...yeah, I'm good! Can I..."

"Please."

It took them a few tries to find their rhythm, his thrusts timid at first and her trying to keep a slow pace so as not to intimidate him. But once they found it, it was perfect. He felt amazing in her, looked so good under her, and she could feel his adoring yet lustful gaze all over her body as she moved with him. Faster, his thrusts going deeper, his hand resting on her hip to brace her as they stopped holding back.

"Alear," he murmured, "Divine One, I think I'm-" He swelled in her, and she squeezed his hand.

"I know," she whispered, rocking her hips feverishly, "me too...!" And the heat was suddenly blazing through her, overcoming her every nerve, her vision filling with stars as she threw her head back. Moments later she heard him cry out her name, and a surge of additional heat.

She lay against his shoulder as she returned, gazing down lovingly at him as her vision cleared. His arms around her, his breathing slowly returning to normal. She caught sight of his ring hand, the stone sparkling in the moonlight filtering in through the window. When she returned her gaze to his face, his eyes sparkled, too.

"Wow." He laughed. "I...we just..."

"It was incredible. You're incredible."

They separated just long enough for him to pull out, wrap up the used condom in a handkerchief, and both of them to clean up before settling under the covers. He nestled against her, shifting to rest his head against her breasts.

"Is...is this okay? Sorry, I should have-"

"I'm glad you didn't." She stroked his hair, kissing the top of his head. He relaxed, smiling up at her. He took her hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Thank you," he murmured. "And...I love you, too. I didn't get to say it earlier."

She squeezed his hand, kissing his ring finger, holding him closer with her other arm.

"I know."