Foreigner of Fire

7 - Confessions

Ash sat inside the craft cabin, locked on the canvas as Lily painted. Every now and then, he would stop her and ask her to use a different color or mix more water. The last few campers in the cabin filed out as the sky darkened outside and more clouds loomed overhead. After spending the previous day with Beel bickering about the painting as Lily worked, he had gone off without a goodbye.

"When did you start painting?" Lily suddenly asked. Ash smirked.

"That is not a question I can answer, to be honest." He grinned.

"Okay..." Lily shrugged. "How about your family? Your little brother seems annoying." She giggled.

"Oh, he is. The whole lot of them. I never had a mom, and my dad is never around. It's my job to look after them. They're old enough – all adults, really." Ash sighed before running a hand through his jet black hair. "But straight-up dickheads." He shook his head before getting up and walking over to Lily. "You're not like those other girls I've met."

"What do you mean?" Lily put the brush down and raised her eyebrows. From above, they could hear the soft pitter patter begin.

"Come on. Let's head to your cabin before it starts getting heavy." Ash avoids the question for the time as he washes up her brushes and palette quickly. He covers her painting and they leave to her cabin.

Just as they got inside, it began to pour heavily and they put down some extra duvets on the floor to sit on. Lily grabbed two mugs from the cabinet above the sink and set up her electronic kettle to boil.

"What did you mean by that?" She asked again. He didn't reply for a while.

"I've had a good, long life. Met a lot of girls, slept with as many..." He said quietly. Lily froze as she sat with her back to him and she could feel a sort of tightness spread across her chest when he admitted to having slept with other girls. "But you..." He frowned to himself. "You're special."

Lily took the kettle off and poured the two mugs full of water after putting in a few scoops of cocoa powder. She stirred it with her handy small frother. "How so?" She finally asked, breaking the silence.

"You're difficult." He grinned as she returned to the blanket, holding two mugs of hot cocoa. He took a mug for himself when she handed it to him. "They come so easy, you know. I say hi and they're already dripping wet. Girlfriends, sisters, fiancées, wives – mums! – " he visibly shuddered. "I've done them all." Ash turned to face her as she took a sip of cocoa. "But I have never actually desired someone as much as I desire you."

"Nice line," she smiled. "How many other girls have fallen for that?" She asked.

"None yet." He chuckled before sipping his own cocoa.

None yet... Because I've only used it on you...

"Tell me about yourself." He raised his eyebrows at her in curiosity. "How's your love life been?"

"I am a god-loving christian. I've never made time for boyfriends or things like that." She waved her hand at him carelessly.

"Not even a date?" His eyes widened.

"Nope." She popped her p. No, not her 'p'.

"So...You've never even kissed a boy?" Ash already knew the answer to the question he found himself asking. Lily blushed wildly.

"No..." She said quietly. Neither have I actually wanted to kiss anyone before you...

Shut up, Lily. He's a player. Lily told herself firmly. She's read all about it, how the players and womanizers just feed you false words of hope and romance before walking off after breaking your heart once they gain what they wanted.

"So...I wouldn't be wrong to think that you're 100% virgin?" He raised an eyebrow at her in amusement.

"You would be very right to think so." She said, lowering her voice and her gaze. What was she doing?

"I wasn't lying when I said I never wanted anyone more than I want you." Ash gave her a sad smile. "If I could make you mine, I would."

"Put a ring on me, then." She challenged.

"Maybe I will." He announced.

"You're not serious, are you?" She widened her eyes.

"I quite am." He finished his cocoa and put the mug aside. "You want to hear what I'm going to do to you once I get that ring on you?"

"N – No?" Lily stammered, hugging her mug to her chest. He chuckled and she knew he was going to tell her anyway.

"I'm going to do you so hard you'll beg me for more." He smirked when he saw the blush that spread across her face. For some reason, something in her body ignited when he said those words and her legs felt weak. There was heat rushing down below and she hoped he wouldn't notice. "I also have a promise to make to you." He said, matter-of-factly, when she didn't reply.

"What is it?" She finally piped up, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I vow," Ash raised his forefinger in the air. "That I shall be the one to take your virginity."

• A PEREGRINO IGNIS •

When the rain thinned down, Ash left for his own cabin and Lily watched him leave. Ash hurried through the thin drizzle and entered his cabin. He wasn't one to lie – even if Lily didn't believe most of his words. He knew Lily wasn't a one night stand or a sex-buddy. No, Lily deserved much more than that.

He liked her.

He actually liked Christ-loving Lily Powell.

Ash sat down on his bed and took out his little notebook. He was almost done with his poem, with two extra days left to spare. He worked quickly and swiftly, filling in the last line like he was well practiced in the art of poetry.