Lights, Camera, Orc-tion!

35: Falling

Caught in the act, Avicia just shot Kahdreg a charming smile and thumbed to the exit. In a tone reminiscent of an overly cheerful 1950s phone operator, Avicia answered, "Just beating a hasty retreat, Mr. Vidaroc."

"Rather rude," drawled Kahdreg, head cocking to the side as he eyeballed Avicia. He couldn't hide the smile at the corners of his lips, though he still retained the intimidating tone. "I haven't even said my piece to you yet."

Her heart skittered in her chest. Apprehension and curiosity and anticipation clattered through her brain, making intelligible thoughts difficult. "Oh?"

With long-legged steps, Kahdreg crossed the distance in a heartbeat and swooped down on Avicia, his arms curling around her as he lifted her up. She gave a squeak of surprise, feet dangling helplessly as her hands braced against his upper arms. His touch like a spark in her veins. Avicia didn't even have the chance to register what was happening, before Kahdreg buried his face against her neck.

At once, she felt his hot breath searing her skin, his firm body pressed tight against her, his heart thrumming in his chest. It was all so familiar and blissful, but an ache shot through her. The pain of how long it'd been since they last touched. Tears prickled at her eyes, her fingers digging to his arms.

"I'm sorry, Avicia. For dragging you into something I should've handled to hurting you like I did." The words came muffled and thick against her throat. They made her eyes burn harder, as heat in her chest throbbed. Once the confession started, Kahdreg's words continued flowing until he was tearfully babbling, "I thought I was keeping you safe. She'd scared or hurt others and I just...I love you and couldn't put you through that just for me."

Avicia had lost the battle as heat spilled from her eyes and filled her nose. Her hands had found their way to the back of Kahdreg's neck, one hand weaseling her fingers against his scalp and under his braid while the other clung to him. Through a sniff, Avicia gave a watery laugh. "Well, my make-up's ruined now."

Kahdreg lifted his head, Avicia realizing now damp her skin was where he'd buried his face. He tried to wipe his cheeks with a roll of his shoulders, still holding Avicia tight to him. "Sorry. Again."

He paused in his efforts to dry his tears as Avicia's hands cupped along his jawline. Her thumbs stroked over his cheeks, wiping away his tears in a tender caress. Avicia's efforts were fruitless as more tears, happy tears, fell from Kahdreg's eyes.

It wasn't until she guided his face towards hers, their lips meeting softly, the crying stopped. Warmth cocooned over both of them, as an ache that had long made its home in their chest faded. Kahdreg pressed further into the kiss, his knees slowly giving out until he knelt, stooping over an also now kneeling Avicia. And the lower the two got, the deeper their kiss became. The both poured the months of longing, of desperation, of need into the kiss as they clung to one another.

Not until Avicia and Kahdreg broke the kiss, gasping and flushed, did they realize the roar in their ears wasn't due to a rush of blood pumping through their veins.

Slowly, their faces turned toward the applauding audience, their faces coloring deeper with embarrassment. Avicia was the first to act, awkwardness giving way to laughter as she buried her face in Kahdreg's chest.

Face burning, Kahdreg gathered Avicia up in his arms and stumbled to his feet. He trotted to the stairs, speaking loud enough so Avicia's mike picked up his words. "Sorry for the delay! Enjoy the show!"

His face burned hotter as someone from the crowd crowed, "We already did!"

Between the jeers and the cheers, the clapping and the quiet requests for the movie to finally get started, Kahdreg made his way back to his seat. He settled down, pulling Avicia - who still clung to him - into his lap. Her face eventually reappeared, still blotchy from from her delight and mortification. Avicia's face toward the screen as she cuddled into Kahdreg's chest. Her lack of moving to a formal seat made him smile as his hand, absentmindedly, stroked down her back.