Sunstruck

Author's Note: This story takes place in the timespan covered by Moonstruck's Intermission.

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It was late in the evening, a few days after Salamander's death, and Dhiren sat down next to his bondmate's tent and looked up at her. "You grew up in a monastery, right? I know Anshu has things he can't or has to do - like not eating red meat and keeping his head shaved. Do you have anything like that?"

Nuwa shook her head. "The monastery of my adoptive father, Wisdom of the Eastwind, yes. But I haven't taken any formal oaths. I wanted to, but they wouldn't allow me." She smiled at the memory. " 'Not before you have seen the alternatives and are sure that this is what you want', they said. I still don't eat meat, though. Partly out of habit, partly because usually I can't afford it. And I don't want to cause an animal pain on my behalf, if I can survive without it."

"Does it bother you that I hunt and eat animals?"

Nuwa paused, considering his question, and shook her head again. "No. I know that you're not doing it for entertainment like some people do. We all need to eat something." She gave Dhiren a thoughtful look. "And you may be a special case besides. I don't know what Luna teaches, but since she has given you this ability ... There are many paths to enlightenment, I think." She laughed quietly. "Also I try not to be obnoxious about my beliefs. If I was meant to preach, I would have been a Zenith."

Dhiren laughed with her, relieved. "Good." Then, on impulse, he rose to his feet, stepped closer, and impulsively leaned in to kiss her. It was a simple kiss, just a quick pressing of his lips to hers, but still, Nuwa's eyes widened in surprise, and she blushed deeply. Automatically, she took a step back, feeling a whirl of confused emotions, happiness and uncertainty and desire, all spilling through the bond.

"Was... was that okay?" Dhiren asked, blushing nervously himself. "... After what happened to Salamander... I thought we should take advantage of the time we have. I love you, and there's no telling what'll happen to us once we reach the Empty City, or after that... I don't want either of us to regret not having acted on it if something bad happens."

"It... That was... nice," she finally said, awed at the depth of the feelings she was experiencing. "I... I really like you, too," she added earnestly, and blushed again at how inadequate the words were. "Together...," she murmured, a beatific smile growing on her face. "We'll not let the Empty City get in the way of that. And there will be no cause for regret. Remember what I said to Anshu," Nuwa said, looking into Dhiren's eyes. "Every moment with those we love is a gift."

Dhiren nodded slowly. "I guess they are. Although some gifts are better than others. So we should make the most of the moments we have, right?"

Nuwa grinned at that. "It's not very courteous to compare one gift to another... But yes, some gifts are better than others. I don't think I've ever been given a better one."

"Really?" Dhiren smiled uncertainly. "It was my first."

"Mine as well," Nuwa told him with an answering smile.

"... Want to try it again?" Dhiren asked, managing to sound hesitant and eager at the same time.

With a nod, Nuwa took a step back toward him, bringing her lips to his. This time the kiss lasted longer than a moment, instead seeming to go on forever. Finally they came back up for air, and by mutual, unspoken agreement, both sank down to the ground and cuddled close, the slender young woman nestled against the tall, broad-shouldered boy.

Dhiren kissed her again, this time open-mouthed, and she kissed him back - hesitantly at first, but with growing eagerness. His arms slipped around her waist, and he took her hands in his. They were rough and callused from years of farm work, but gentle for all that, and he held her close, breathing in the scent of her hair.

Only one thing marred the innocent intimacy of the moment - Nuwa's firm ass pressed against Dhiren's cock. His heart started to race, and she kissed him fiercely as she took one of his hands and slipped it under her robe, guiding his fingers straight to her hot, wet pussy. Their breathing quickened between quick, hot kisses as he pulled her robe open to get at her small, perky, beautiful breasts and his pants down to free his shaft. Then it was his hard cock, not his fingers, rubbing against her wonderful, wet pussy, and she moaned softly as he shifted position and started pressing into her...

Then Nuwa shifted against him, her discomfort obvious through the bond, and his fantasy evaporated. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "You're so beautiful, I can't help but get excited."

Nuwa blushed at the compliment, feeling his honest love and desire. "You don't have to apologize, Dhiren. It's just... I'm not used to being thought of that way," she said shyly, snuggling against him and finding a place of perfect comfort in his arms. "Simply... hold me?"

"I can do that," Dhiren said, and kissed her softly.