It had been such a long day, full of wonderful and overwhelming things. Thix was honestly grateful that Gerard had cut their dinner short. She was doubly happy he'd brought the bottle of sweet wine and 'dessert' with them back to their room.
They sat together at a little table that Gerard had moved in front of the window, looking out onto the streets below. The various establishments cast pools of golden light out onto the street, and there were still many people going about their business.
Lamplight swaying from the sides of carriages made a procession of embers across the roads. Thix sipped at the pink wine, delighting in the way the bubbles danced upon her tongue, and at Gerard's urging tried the oddly shiny and jiggly thing that they'd taken back to their rooms. He called it a 'creme-au-caramel'. It was light, cool, sweet, and almost seemed to melt in her mouth. It was perfect. Comforting and refreshing at the same time. The sweet wine and crème-au-caramel seemed to perfectly accent the settling of night.
Thix treasured the silence. The welcome darkness. The warmth given off by the softly crackling fire. Gerard watched her from his seat, resting his chin in his hand with a fond smile. Occasionally bringing his own glass of wine to his lips in delicate mouthfuls.
"How is it?"
"I don't have the right words. Very good, Gerard. Very good."
It felt wrong to eat it quickly. This 'dessert' was for savoring.
"I'm happy." Gerard murmured.
Thix tilted her head with her mouth still closed around another spoonful of the soft custard.
"It brings me joy, to see you like this. You were very brave today, thank you."
She found herself sucking ponderously on the spoon while trying to think of a good way to respond. Once more, that familiar coldness began to creep in. He hadn't meant anything bad with his words, still...
"How can I not be? When you give me so much? You do so much for me. I don't know what I can give in equal return... it is not fair."
"Thix..."
Gerard's voice was quiet, but there was an edge of reproach in it. He sighed, running his hand through his blond hair in agitation. Oh no. She'd upset him again. How did she do it now? He took another long swallow of his drink before setting it aside on the table, eyes staring at the finely kept wood in thought.
"I don't want repayment. Your... debt, fine. That is between you and your god. Everything else is only because I want to. I like it. I do not expect, or want something in... trade. Do you understand?"
It made her feel worse. It sounded so... so... well there really wasn't an appropriate term in her language for it. Honorable perhaps. Gerard at least seemed to notice her distress and shook his head with a wry smile. He got up out of his seat and came around to stand over her, having to lean forward to get to her eye level. Gerard rested one hand on the back of her chair for support, and Thix struggled to keep from inhaling his pleasing fragrances. He was so... so close. Thix almost felt herself mesmerized by the intimacy of his eyes delving into hers, and the smallest changes in his expression. Like ripples on a pond.
"Alright. I'll teach you."
Thix felt herself twisting in her chair, trapped, her breath coming in shallower as she looked back into his gray eyes unable to tear herself away.
"Teach me what?"
"How to receive good things. Now, close your eyes and tell me what you're thankful for, and that will be the end of it. Think about it, speak it, and then let it go. Understand?"
Ugh, it was just so embarrassing. It felt childish, like some weird game. Even so, Thix couldn't bring herself to protest. So, she did as he said and shut her eyes. It only made her more aware of everything else. The hushed sound of the fire, the heat of the room, the snugness of her clothes, and Gerard's presence so close that all she had to do was reach out for him.
"Does it have to be one thing?"
"No."
Why was it so damned hard to think of anything?! Not like she hadn't been dwelling on him throughout the entire day. Thix began kicking her legs back and forth in frustration, but managed to stop herself after a moment. All she had to do was say the words. She could do that.
"Fine. Thank you for feeding me."
There was a brief silence, before Gerard pressed his lips against her cheek. Thix felt her breath catch in her throat, her body quivering with tension as he lingered there for an incredibly pleasant couple of seconds before doing the same to the other cheek. Her face rushed with blood to the point it was positively throbbing and she found herself unable to work her slack mouth, even if she'd had thoughts in her head to give voice.
Thix was finally able to exhale once Gerard retreated, but soon after let out a stifled yelp of shock as she felt Gerard place another tender kiss right on the curve of her stomach. Even through the fabric of her dress she could feel the contours of his mouth against her skin.
"My pleasure."
His voice came out in low purr that made Thix feel like she'd fallen off a cliff. It took her a moment to realize that she'd instinctively set her heels behind the legs of the chair to keep from spilling out of it.
"Anything more?"
She took in one deep breath, then another. Her mind growing hazy as she sought the right words.
"Thank you for, um, for buying me nice clothes?"
Thix was unable to suppress the whimper of alarm as she felt him press his lips to one of her knees, then the other. Then higher... a trail of unhurried and indulgent kisses tortuously kept from her by her clothes.
Upward along her hips, up her waist. Her chest heaved up and down in great bellows and once again froze when she felt his hot breath upon the bare skin of her chest. Only he continued past and placed more kisses along the collar of the fabric, up to her shoulder, until finally he was close enough to whisper in her ear.
"My pleasure."