The Last Time

"You should tone it down," his childhood friend advised. "I know that lovebirds tend to do all kinds of things, but you aren't in any position to exert yourself like that."

"I dare to agree," a second elder admitted.

Magmaranda and Almerya came to visit them a few weeks later but found only Karkass at home. Edelgard was out and about, getting Argus Milk, gathering fruits, berries, and nuts, as well as plucking roots from the ground.

"You know I won't tone it down," Karkass replied mockingly, shaking his head. He lifted his arms up to his shoulders and shrugged, adding insult to injury. He knew that these two would forgive him, so he turned ruthless. "Love is the best medicine."

"Don't quote the ancient texts just because they sound convenient," Magmaranda warned, and Karkass playfully pulled back. He knew she didn't mean it. The elder sighed. "But really, your numbers have all gotten worse. Your emotions must serve as some kind of drug against the pain because you shouldn't feel any better from what I saw..."

"Maybe that means your instruments are flawed?" Karkass suggested.

"I doubt that," Magmaranda said, shaking her head.

"... you won't live long at this rate, Karkass," Almerya finally said. Her tone was dark, and he knew she spoke the truth. He could act it up all he wanted, but in truth, he already knew... That's why he couldn't allow Edelgard to see him weak... not until they... not now. "You will be the first one to become one with nature."

"Live long... I won't live long, anyway. What are a few more centuries, if I could go out in peace, instead? Allow me this liberty... I won't ever be forgotten. I will live on in the minds of all those who pass on this story about the first elf who returned to nature's loving embrace. Maybe I will even meet the goddess, and she can tell me why I had to go so soon."

He smiled at the floor.

The elders were silent.

After minutes like this, Almerya stood up.

"Edelgard will come back, soon," she deduced, looking out the window. "Let's not let her know what will happen. It will be difficult enough as it is."

"..."

"Come, Magmaranda."

Reluctantly, she followed Almerya to the door. Only then did she turn around once more, looking at Karkass with moisture in her eyes.

"Don't be reckless," she told him.

They shared a meaningful glance.

"When nature knocked on my door, I told it to wait for just a day longer..."

Magmaranda's tears started rolling.

"... and nature obliged."

Edelgard hurried back to the hut.

A big grin was plastered on her face as she thought of all the things she would do with Karkass once she was home...

"Hehe~~"

A blissful laugh escaped her lips as she jumped from hut to hut. Finally, she slid down the wall of her home, landed, and entered.

At the table sat Karkass, deep in thoughts.

His chin rested on his folded arms, and his elbows rested on his knees. She knew better than to distract him when he got like this, so she worked on the roots instead, stealing a glance behind her from time to time.

He seemed better as of late.

His ribs weren't as prominently visible as they had been, and he smiled more often... but when she saw him like this, Edelgard couldn't help but think that all of this was only in her head.

"My love," he said after a while, turning to her. "Sit down with me... please."

"Yeah."

Edelgard nodded, sitting down next to him.

He wasn't looking good.

Karkass scowled, and he was about as nervous as he had been before confessing his love. It was a weird combination.

She gently caressed his cheek, stroking the hair away from his eyes... his beautiful, light-brown hair.

"Do you think... my illness can be spread?" he asked.

"Are you worried about me?" Edelgard tried to dissipate the gloomy tension in the air. She never felt the same symptoms Karkass complained about, so she never thought that it was possible. The elders all seemed fine, too... Karkass didn't answer, though. He was clasping his hands rather tightly so that the skin turned a milky white. "Not through being with you, not through kissing, not in any way I can think of, no..."

"Not in any way you can think of, huh?" He turned thoughtful. "What about a way we have yet to try?" he suggested. Edelgard cocked her head. What did they have left to try... oh. Her mouth clapped open as tons of blood gathered in her cheeks. "I'm asking if my children could catch my illness. Traits are passed down all the time like this... like the color of one's hair..."

"Your illness is no trait... it's an outside influence," Edelgard suggested, holding up a finger.

She wasn't sure, actually.

"... What if it falls ill, just like me?"

"..." What could she say to quell his worries? She leaned closer, kissing him, disrupting his negative thoughts. When she separated, she made sure that he looked her in the eyes. "I will love your kid nonetheless."

"... You are unfair," he complained, taking her hand. "Edelgard, you are so unfair..."

He led her to the bedroom but they didn't lie down.

Karkass caressed her exposed belly, then allowed his fingers to wander. They eventually reached her back, where her bra was knotted. Swiftly, he opened it and the cloth fell...

He looked at her breasts, and Edelgard squirmed when he placed a kiss on them. Her nipples stiffened instantly, and a sweet moan echoed through the room.

His hands wandered on, to her loincloth, hiding her pussy... He slid it down her legs, which have turned wobbly with embarrassment and pleasure, then he did the same for himself. Edelgard was a bit angry with herself for not helping, but the next jolting currents Karkass produced with every touch made her forget that thought.

He gently placed her on the bed, separating for a second.

"Haah... haah..."

Already, Edelgard's breathing was heavy and ragged.

They locked eyes...

"I want your child, Edelgard."

She saw his penis, erect and ready, and she opened her legs, receiving him, accepting him.

"I'm ready..."

At first, it hurt, and she bled... Karkass blew his first load after a few strokes, but he said that he could continue, so they did. The second load came soon after, but by the time he blew the third one deep in her womb, the pain was gone.

She moaned loudly as Karkass continued to pleasure her passionately, and they screamed in unison as he exploded for a fourth and final time, in the deepest parts of her womb.