The First Kiss

Edelgard was worried. Ever since their excursion to visit Starkus, Karkass had grown awfully obedient. There were times when she didn't have to say a word and he listened to her unspoken order. He behaved like an entirely different person.

It had gotten to the point where she asked Almerya about it... though she wasn't a big help. She advised the same thing she always did: Ask him!

Magmaranda had been less useless.

Since Karkass and Edelgard started living together, her attitude towards Edelgard had changed for the better, and they even got along, now...

Though they definitely weren't friends.

More like acquaintances, she felt.

"You are right. That doesn't sound like him," she had said, scratching her chin. "Did his health get worse and he's trying to hide it?"

"I don't think so. When I rest my head on his chest at night, it doesn't rattle as much as it used to... if anything, it's getting better," Edelgard said, cocking her head.

The perplexed expression on Magmaranda's face escaped her sight.

While they didn't find a solution to this predicament, it had one positive aspect. Edelgard could go out with Serya and Graetia for once!

"Have fun," Karkass told her, promising to guard the house.

"Yeah," she said, hugging him. She embraced him for a while to hide her blush, then waved him good-bye. "See you later!"

He had grown so docile that she didn't bother telling him the last part...

'Don't do anything stupid.'

She watched her go.

At first, she cursed the ignorance of Edelgard for leaving him unattended, but after a while, she noticed that something was off.

"He's not coming out..." she mumbled to herself.

It had become something like a ritual for her to look after Karkass in the morning, to make sure he wouldn't escape...

After a few days of nothing, however, she grew suspicious.

For the first time, she left her hiding place and entered the hut, finding him waiting at the table, his hands folded together.

He looked entirely at peace until he noticed her.

"Magmaranda..."

She hid her surprise.

"That Edelgard must be quite a beast for keeping you here without a fight," she said, sitting down across her old love. He tilted his head but did nothing to stop her. "She was quite worried, you know? She even came to me, and that says something."

Karkass kept his curious expression, but a smile crept on his face.

He chuckled into his hand, coughing a bit.

"Really," he said, looking up. "First it's Starkus, and now it's you?" He began chuckled again. "I wouldn't be surprised if she got my parents to come here, at this point."

Magmaranda's eyes widened.

The old Karkass was back.

The dreamy look in his eyes, the fire burning behind them, his face, his gestures...

A tear dripped on the table, and she furiously rubbed them away.

She didn't want him to see her like that.

Karkass just watched her in silence, waiting.

Eventually, the tears died down.

"She certainly taught me some things about living," Magmaranda admitted, nodding. "So, what's up with you...? Though I can pretty much guess what's going on."

"I love her," he said bluntly.

"..."

"Does it hurt?" he asked, pitying her.

Magmaranda shook her head.

"No. I can't say I like hearing it, but..." She shook her head again. "It doesn't hurt. I'm happy for you, yeah."

That may have been a lie.

Maybe.

"... Thank you."

She balled her fists tightly to hide her emotions. This simple thank you penetrated her to the very core.

She smiled.

"So... when will you tell her?"

He faltered there, looking away. Was he... blushing?

That was so like him, Magmaranda thought. Telling her was easy, but telling Edelgard the very same thing...

It was one of many qualities she liked about him.

"I won't. She has such a long life left to live and being bound to me... wouldn't make her happy."

Magmaranda narrowed her eyes.

Technically speaking, he was right... if he was talking about an elf.

"You should tell her," Magmaranda advised, watching Karkass's head jerk up in shock. She kept pressing the point. "I was the one who burned her hair away. I studied her body, and I watched her recover... even with the holy water that falls from our trees, she healed too fast. We found her passed out in the forest, with short ears and only her hair to resemble ours. You should tell her," she finished, standing up to deliver the final argument, "because her ears aren't the only thing that fell short for Edelgard."

They were made for each other, Magmaranda thought, admitting defeat.

She was gone before Karkass could stop her.

"Welcome home."

"Karkass? What's wrong, your eyes are intense today... oh, no, does it hurt? Should we apply more paste today?" She let the basket of scavenged goods fall, hurrying into the back room. "Where is it, ah, here, Karkass- Eh?"

She was surprised to find his face in front of hers when she turned. She almost fell on her butt, but Karkass caught her, pulling her close.

Edelgard felt her heart beat faster and faster, and also... Karkass's heart beating just as quickly. She looked into his beautiful eyes, mayhaps the only part of his body that didn't look sickly.

"Edelgard," he said, his voice trembling slightly. A blush donned his cheeks, and his lips fought with his words. "I love you."

The world stood still.

Suddenly, she discovered his lips on top of hers, demanding contact, sending bolts of pleasure through her body.

She was overwhelmed.

Edelgard closed her eyes, accepting Karkass... accepting his love.

He was surprised by his boldness.

Fear raced through his mind for just a moment, until he saw Edelgard close her eyes, answer his movements, leading him on...

They kissed with their lips, they kissed with their tongues.

With tiny steps, they inched towards the bed, falling together, never separating. They forgot to eat, they forgot to sleep.

It was a long while later until they stopped kissing, or at least it felt like an eternity.

They smiled at each other.

Edelgard gently caressed his cheek, and Karkass traced her cheekbone, her neck, her collarbone...

She chuckled, kissing him again.

It was over in but a moment.

She moved her lips away, only their foreheads touching now.

"I love you, too," she muttered, and the kissing started again.