Another short chapter for the readers. If you are new, please realize these are not standalone. This may be a long series to read without sex, but as another reminder - there is none.
Ideas, comments, criticism, anything is welcome! Apologies again for being a slow writer.
Hope you enjoy.
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Miro held Tali in a warm embrace for a while. He waited until no more shudders came with her breaths, and she seemed to breathe evenly. When he was sure she was calm, he slowly let go, drawing her out to arm's length.
"Are you ready to keep going?" He asked with a smile.
She was still looking down, shy about her swollen eyes, but she nodded with a muted "yes master."
Tali waited for him to move forwards so she could follow him, but to her surprised, he didn't budge. Her master let a hand that was on her shoulder slowly drop, sliding his fingers down her arm, until his hand reached hers. He wiggled his fingers around hers until they found the proper gaps to clasp, and held her hand.
She was scared to close her hand around his. She never held someone's hand like this before. Would he feel she was being possessive if she held on tightly? Was he going to let go if she didn't? She didn't want him to let go.
"It's okay, Tali, do what feels natural."
She slowly tightened her grip. He dropped his other hand from her shoulder, turned to continue walking down the path, and looked at her.
This time, Tali looked back, knowing he was waiting. Her eyes told him she was really ready now, to continue with their little nature's walk. She smiled a real, shy, smile.
Now that Miro saw that smile, he thought HIS heart would melt. He was really unlocking her real emotions, and he couldn't wait to see more. He took a step forwards, making sure the message was clear that he wanted to walk with her, not ahead of her.
"Look around you," he said, "you used to like the nature."
She did. She took a deep breath, exhaling with an expression of bliss. Memories of the past fluttered around in her mind. Good memories, though confusing because... that was a time before she met him. Could memories be good if he was not a part of them?
"Thank you, master. This walk is lovely." Her voice was so light and soft, far different from the regular flat tone she would use.
"Maybe we could do this more often, then. Would you like that?"
"I... umm... do you like it too?" She didn't want them to commit to an activity where he didn't actually want to partake himself.
"Don't worry about what I think, Tali, just voice your own feelings."
"It... it's hard not to let what I think about you to affect my feelings, master." She spoke honestly.
"I know, take your time and try."
They continued walking in silence for a while, their feet crunching on dry sticks and leaves.
"I... I think... I would like to go on walks like this in the future, if I were the only person in the equation? But... I ... I would not want you to have to go too... if you don't like them," she paused, wondering if she should finish her true thought. What did she have to lose? "But then... if you weren't here, master, maybe I wouldn't be enjoying my time as much."
She looked down again, face flushing with embarrassment. She just poured out real thoughts! With real feelings! Did he even care that she enjoyed spending time with him? She braced herself for rejection, waiting to hear that he didn't share her sentiments.
