Home On The Plains

Chapter 7

QUANAH POV

  The one time I open up to her, and she shuts me down!
I can't-...that was-...
I was so rude to her.
GREAT SPIRIT WHY AM I AN IDIOT?
We were actually there together, something could have happened. Maybe she misspoke? I should go back to her.
But I can't.
I've already gotten mad, no use going back until she apologizes.
Will she apologize?

TOPSANNAH POV

   I've got to apologize! So I find my way out the forest, put the berries up, tend to the rest of the chores, put on my best dress, and head to Quanah's. I even brought some of the berries as a big "SORRY! I REALLY, REALLY WANT TO MARRY YOU!"
It's not too obvious I like him, is it?
Is it?
    I reach Quanah's teepee and call out softly.
"It's me."
"What do you want?" An angry voice calls.
"To say I'm sorry!"
There is silence.
"Come in." He says. 
I lift up the teepee flap. Quanah's teepee is large and open spaced, with a single bedroll next to the fire. Weapons by the stacks pile up against the "walls" of the teepee. Quanah sits alone, his back to me. I get a sudden sense of bravery, ere I go and touch his back. I feel him shiver underneath my fingers. I sit down and press my forehead to the nape of his neck. His breathing halts for a moment, then comes in deep, slow gasps. I rest my hands on his knees.
"You came to say you were sorry. Say it." He says, without the slightest hint of annoyance on his voice. In fact, it had a deep rumble to it, as if he was very satisfied...
"I'm sorry, Quanah. I do want to marry you. More than anything, I promise you."
"Even after the wolf thing?" A pensive Quanah asks.
"Even after the wolf thing." I laugh. He turn to face me. It is quite sudden, so I fall face first into his chest. My hands fly out to catch myself, but they end up jabbing him in the stomach. He grunts.
"I'm so sorry!" I start to get up, but Quanah holds me down.
"It's alright. Stay here."
  I nod and bury my face in the crook of his neck. He spreads his legs and bit and I crawl in between them. He pulls me up into his lap, then his hands run through my hair.
"Smooth..." He murmurs. I smile happily. I start to kiss him, but freeze and roll off his lap.

QUANAH POV

  "What's wrong?" I ask Topsannah, who has rolled out of a very comfortable place for me.
"My Ap,...I shouldn't be doing this with you." She paces around my teepee, looking frantic. I get yo and hold her in my arms. She trembles and squirms closer. I take one hand and hold her face.
"Ever been kissed?" I ask her.
"No, why?"
Then I lower my lips to hers and everything explodes inside me.
My legs threaten to give out and hers do, but somehow I keep us both up and in the kiss. I whimper against her mouth. It's been so long since I kissed someone. So. Very. Long.
Her lips are soft and plump. I know she is scared but she likes it. When I can't breathe anymore, I let her go and turn my back on her.
"Go to your Ap."
"Yes." She gathers herself and reaches for the flap.
"And Topsannah?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
Then she dissolves  into the crowd of people outside.