Work Text:
“You know, we never did get that drink you promised, back in the Embrace. And you never told me exactly how your sister escaped the Mad Sun-King.”
Aloy resisted the urge to fiddle while she waited for Erend’s response. She had no reason to think he’d decline, but that didn’t stop her stomach from twisting uncomfortably.
The truth was, she had ulterior motives. Aloy had been harboring more than friendly feelings for the Oseram man for months now – since he’d arrived at the Base, really. She’d been pushing them aside, trying to ignore them, because she simply didn’t have time to deal with them.
Aloy’s heart, however, didn’t seem to care. Seeing Erend so frequently had all sorts of unfamiliar feelings bubbling up inside her: excitement, affection, yearning. There were more physical sensations too: the fluttering in her stomach, a strange warmth when he was nearby, and an all too frequent ache between her thighs.
She knew what it meant. Rost had given her a vague talk when she was younger, but she hadn’t thought much of it because she was entirely focused on her training. As soon as she left the Embrace though, she began to see things. Couples. Engaged in… physical acts of intimacy. So while Aloy understood the mechanics of sex, she’d never been tempted to try it for herself. Until recently.
She’d returned to the Base one morning and come across Erend fresh from the shower with nothing but a towel slung around his hips. Faced with the impressive bulk of his bare chest, Aloy’s whole body had flushed with heat. Instead of actually taking him in, she’d turned on her heel and immediately retreated to her room, her face hot with embarrassment.
After that incident, she’d doubled her efforts to bury her feelings, with limited success. However brief that glimpse of him had been, she had a picture in her mind now. The broad expanse of Erend’s chest floated across her thoughts all too frequently. His arms, too. Even hidden beneath his tunic, she couldn’t stop thinking about the sheer strength they held. Aloy began to wonder about touching Erend – how his hair might feel between her fingers, how those strong arms might feel wrapped around her, how his fingers might feel against her skin… and how his lips might taste.
Aloy wanted to do something about it, but she couldn’t afford the distraction, not when they were so close to capturing HEPHAESTUS, and giving GAIA what she needed to finally heal the biosphere and take down the Zeniths. After that, after she had fulfilled her purpose, then she could consider her own desires.
But then they’d lost Varl.
And the absolute fragility of life and their odds of success had come sharply into focus.
For once, Aloy decided she wanted something for herself.
The loss of her friend hurt, like an impossibly heavy weight on her chest, but it made her all the more determined to reach for something good in her life… to reach for Erend. Before she no longer had the opportunity.
And so Aloy found herself standing before the man in question, waiting for his response with bated breath.
Erend had asked her for a drink the very first night they’d met in Mother’s Heart. She remembered it all too well, as clear as the day it had happened. It was the first time anyone had ever asked to spend time with her, and she’d never forgotten it. Of course Aloy hadn’t realized until much later that his invitation might have more romantic intentions behind it. In any case, it seemed as good as any place to start, before the more difficult confession of feelings that lay ahead.
Thankfully Erend didn’t make her wait long for a response. “I guess we never got around to it, world ending and all,” he said in that gentle voice she’d become all too fond of. “No time like the present, though. If you're up for it.”
His words eased the tension in her gut, prompting her to smile. “I am. I think it’s time for us to finally have that drink.”
“Yeah?” Erend trailed off, as if he didn’t quite believe she’d agreed, even though she’d been the one to bring it up in the first place.
Aloy raised a brow, waiting for his mind to catch up.
“I mean–yeah–of course!” he stumbled over his words, clearly flustered, and gestured for her to join him.
She followed him to the nearby bench and they both sat down, regarding one another silently for a moment. Aloy had assumed he’d provide the drinks, given the small brewery he’d managed to set up at the Base, but he made no move to do so. She looked at Erend expectantly, but his face remained blank, almost as if he was in a daze.
“...oh!” His eyes widened as his oversight dawned on him, and he immediately sprung to his feet.
Aloy’s heart swelled with affection at his awkwardness, his lack of finesse putting her at ease. She smiled again as he moved away to get their drinks, unable to resist the opportunity to admire his broad form. It wasn’t long before he returned with two tankards of ale and handed her one before sitting down across from her.
“So,” Aloy began, taking the drink he offered. “How did Ersa escape Mad Sun-King Jiran's palace?”
Ulterior motives aside, Aloy did actually want to know the answer. Ersa had been the person Erend was closest to – she’d practically raised him – and Aloy was disappointed she’d never had the chance to meet her.
Erend was a good storyteller, and his clever words combined with the soothing timbre of his voice had Aloy grinning at him, and even laughing. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d laughed out loud, but with Erend it seemed effortless.
She found herself disappointed when she reached the bottom of her drink and the story came to an end. Erend took their empty tankards away, but she made no move to stand up, instead opting to remain seated on the bench.
“You were right,” she mused. “That was a story best told over a drink.”
“All good stories are.” Erend gave her a soft smile, sitting down across from her again.
Now came the hard part. Everyone had already gone to bed, so the timing wasn’t going to get any better. It was now or never.
Aloy swallowed down the lump in her throat and steeled herself before speaking up, “Erend, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Oh? Any more news on the Sons of Prometheus?” he asked casually, as if he was expecting a routine conversation.
She shook her head, mildly disappointed that he assumed she only wanted to talk to him about mission-related matters, but she supposed she couldn’t blame him. “No, all quiet on that front. I haven’t heard anything about them since we took down Asera.”
“Oh. Well. That’s a relief.” Erend paused, running a hand through his hair. “What did you want to talk to me about then?”
Aloy sucked in a breath, trying to ignore the way her heart was beating rapidly in her chest, before blurting out, “Us. I want to talk about us.”
“Us?” he echoed, brows raised in surprise.
“Yeah.” She nodded, resisting the urge to look away. “I just–I’ve been thinking.”
“Sounds dangerous,” he teased, with a slight grin.
“I’m not finished,” Aloy huffed, but there was no bite to her voice. “I’ve been thinking about how much I’ve missed out on. What I want… and how much time we might have left.”
Erend nodded patiently but it was clear from his expression that he didn’t know what she was getting at. Not that she was doing a great job expressing herself. She probably should’ve thought of what to say before just letting the words tumble out of her mouth, but it was too late for that.
Aloy sighed and closed her eyes for a brief moment. “I’m not good at this, Erend.”
He offered her a soft smile, though he still looked mildly confused. “Good at what, exactly? Because I can’t think of anything you can’t do better than most.”
It was a sweet sentiment, though not entirely true. “Feelings, Erend. Talking about them. I’m not–I can’t–”
“Hey, it’s okay,” Erend said gently. “Just tell me what’s on your mind.”
“You,” Aloy blurted out. “You’re on my mind.”
“Me, huh?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice, though he still didn’t seem to grasp her intentions.
She groaned internally, running a hand over her face, and then decided to change tactics. “Erend. When you asked me to have a drink with you back in the Embrace, that was… you were interested in me, right? Romantically.”
Erend’s amusement faded into bewilderment at the apparent change of topic. “Yeah. I mean, I barely knew you, but…” he trailed off, cheeks flushing slightly pink.
“Are you still interested?” Aloy pressed him, trying to catch his gaze.
“I, uh… I’m not sure how you want me to answer that,” he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“With the truth, Erend.”
He sighed. “Aloy, I just don’t want to make you uncomfortable. You weren’t interested then and I accepted it.”
“To be fair, I didn’t really know what you were asking at the time. And yes, I had other things on my mind.” She drew in a breath, biting her lower lip. “But now…”
“Now?” Erend’s voice perked up ever so slightly.
“I like you, okay?” Aloy finally spat the words out. “I’m interested in you. Romantically. That’s what I’ve been thinking about and that’s why I asked you for the drink.”
Erend’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Aloy, I–” His mouth hung open for a moment before closing again, and he stared at her like an unwitting grazer caught in her sights.
When he didn’t continue, doubt began to prickle in her chest, so she pressed him for a response. “Erend.”
He blinked a few times and seemed to come back to himself, stammering, “You… like me?”
“Yes,” Aloy grumbled, looking away from him as she felt heat rising in her cheeks. “If you don’t feel the same, it’s okay,” she continued, even though her chest felt tight at the very thought. “But if you do...”
“I do,” Erend blurted out. “Forge help me, Aloy, I do feel the same. I never stopped. I like you. A lot.”
Relief swept over Aloy’s body, and a weight she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying suddenly lifted as she looked up to meet his gaze. Erend’s blue eyes were bright with hope and he was wearing the sweetest smile she’d ever seen gracing his handsome face. Her heart warmed at the sight and she couldn’t help but smile back at him.
“Um, okay… good,” she finally managed to respond. “Then–then I want to do something about it. Us. Before it’s too late.”
“Aloy,” Erend said gently, eyes softening. “Is that the only reason? Because of what we’re up against?”
She shook her head. “No–yes–I mean, that’s part of it… why I’m bringing this up now. But it’s not the only reason.” She paused, gathering her wits. “I want you. I have for a while, I just didn’t think I had time, but then we lost Varl, and–”
“It’s okay, I get it.” he assured her, reaching out to touch her knee. “It’s been a tough time for all of us. Nothing wrong with wanting something for yourself.”
The heat of his gloved hand on her knee was entirely too distracting, and Aloy resisted the urge to shiver at his touch.
“Gotta say, I’m surprised,” Erend continued, oblivious to her reaction. “Didn’t think you could be interested in a guy like me.”
Aloy forced herself to ignore the weight of his hand. “I am. I know you don’t see it, but you’re… you’re so good, Erend.”
“I, uh… thanks, Aloy…” Erend’s voice cracked, eyes slightly wet as he squeezed her knee. “Got me all choked up over here.”
Her heart lurched at the intensity of emotion in his voice. Aloy wasn’t sure what to say, so she placed one hand on top of his in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. It seemed to work, because Erend responded by threading his fingers through her own. Aloy’s heart skipped a beat; no one had ever held her hand before, and she found that she liked it. A lot.
They sat in silence for a few moments, until Erend began to stroke the back of her hand with his thumb. It was a tiny, soft gesture, but for someone so unfamiliar with casual touch, the sensation stirred warmth all over her body. Aloy’s recent fantasies came rushing back to her and suddenly she felt greedy and desperate for more.
“Erend, I–” She broke the silence and looked up at him again to find him watching her carefully. “I want–can we–” She gestured vaguely between them.
“Make a go of it? Give us a try?” Erend suggested with a warm smile.
“Well, yes, but right now I was hoping we could, you know…”
“Have another drink?” he asked earnestly.
She lost her patience and blurted out, “Sex, Erend.”
Erend choked out a strangled “oh”, pink blooming in his cheeks, and he dropped her hand to rub his face in disbelief. “Forge’s breath, Aloy, never one for subtlety, are you?”
“Hey, I was trying to be subtle, you just weren’t getting it,” she huffed, also blushing despite herself. “Well? Do you want to?”
“Aloy, I can’t even tell you how much I want to… do that… with you,” he said, voice somewhat strained. “You’d probably run for the hills if you knew–”
“Erend,” Aloy interrupted, reaching out to take his hand again. “Need I remind you that I like you?”
“Still trying to wrap my brain around that one,” he admitted softly.
“Well, I do,” she insisted. “I like you. And I like your body... I want to touch you, and I want you to touch me.”
Erend muffled a groan in response, his face now a deep shade of red. “And you said you weren’t good at this,” he quipped.
“What? You liked that?” Aloy asked, raising a brow. She’d simply told him what she wanted in plain words; it hadn’t occurred to her to be alluring. “That… worked for you?”
“Aloy, anything you say works for me,” he confessed, twining their fingers together again.
“Oh.” His admission was more pleasing than she expected, and she felt her cheeks grow hotter. “So, is that a yes?”
Erend waited to catch her gaze before responding, “By the forge, yes. If you’re sure–”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t,” she said flatly.
“Yeah, fair enough.” He paused, eyes softening. “I just–have you ever–”
Aloy shook her head. “No, I haven’t. But I’m pretty sure I know how it works and I’m tired of denying myself. I want you. All of you.”
“Fire and spit,” he muttered, seeming to gather his wits before his voice took on a mirthful tone. “Well, if she wants me that badly–” he teased, eyes twinkling.
“Erend!” Aloy huffed, but his joke put her at ease. Regardless of what they were about to do, he was still just Erend – her first friend.
He held his hands up in mock surrender, with a grin that made her gut twist in the most delightful way. “How about we start with a kiss and go from there? We can keep going or we can stop whenever you want.”
Aloy nodded her agreement and slid toward him on the bench, while Erend shifted slightly so that he was facing her, still clutching her hand and squeezing it softly. She inched closer to him and was struck by the sheer size of his body next to hers – Erend was not a small man but somehow he seemed even larger up close. The urge to touch him was strong, so Aloy lifted her free hand to brush her fingers against his cheek. His skin was warm and the coarse hair of his beard tickled her fingers. Erend’s eyes were fully focused on her, soft and patient, allowing her to take whatever time she needed.
Her gaze dropped to his mouth, her heart beating faster in anticipation, and she finally leaned in to brush her lips against his. Erend’s lips were softer than she expected, plush and warm, with the slightest traces of the ale they’d been drinking. Aloy liked the sensation, lingering there for a few moments, before pulling back slightly to murmur, “What are you waiting for? Kiss me back.”
She didn’t need to tell him twice. Erend’s mouth was on hers, hot and firm, but unhurried. Aloy relaxed into the kiss, losing herself to the press of his lips against hers. She lowered her hand from his face to rest on the curve of his neck, while he tilted his head to deepen the kiss.
Aloy lost track of how long they’d been sitting there, just kissing, when she felt the gentle press of Erend’s tongue along her lower lip. She opened for him instinctively and he carefully slipped his tongue into her mouth. Something hot and jagged sparked deep inside her, so she tightened her grip on his neck and attempted to match his movements. Erend’s mouth was hot and wet, and the slide of their tongues together was entirely more rousing than she’d anticipated. Aloy hadn’t known how good it could feel just to kiss someone, and she found herself wondering why she’d waited so long.
She couldn’t get enough of Erend, moving closer to wrap both of her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. He grunted his approval, settling one hand on her thigh, and a delicious heat flared to life in her belly. The air between them was suddenly thick with desire, so Aloy let instinct take over, clambering into Erend’s lap and straddling his hips with her own as she kissed him fervently. For his part, Erend matched her enthusiasm, settling his hands on her waist and meeting each of her kisses with his own. The heat pooling in her gut gave way to a demanding ache that prompted her to rock against him for relief. Erend groaned at the movement, and she felt the vibrations all the way down to her toes.
Aloy pressed herself closer still but was met by the clang of steel against steel, as their belt plates bumped together. The noise startled her into breaking the kiss, though she didn’t move far, resting her head against his forehead while she tried to catch her breath.
Erend did the same, panting heavily, before he murmured, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah–yeah,” Aloy mumbled breathlessly. She reached down to unthread her belt with practiced ease, allowing it to slip from her hips and clatter to the floor.
If Erend was surprised by the move, he didn’t show it. Instead he pulled her against him and leaned in to start kissing her again. Aloy almost lost herself to his mouth once more, but the cold steel of his belt plate pressed against her insistently.
She pulled away to mutter, “Can you take this thing off? It’s in my way.”
Erend grinned at her, though his voice was somewhat hoarse. “Well, we can’t have that. I’ve seen what you do to things that stand in your way.”
How did his voice sound so good? So raspy and low that she could almost feel the vibrations rumbling over her body. Erend spoke to her all the time but she’d never had this kind of reaction before. Aloy was so gone for him in that moment, that she was equal parts aroused and bewildered by it all.
Fortunately, Erend appeared to have things more under control. He released his grip on her waist and fumbled with the hidden clasps of his belt, pulling it off and setting it aside on the bench. Aloy was on him then, kissing him frantically, pressing her chest to his and eager to get as close as possible. Without the plates in the way, her hips found his and it wasn’t long before she felt something hot and rigid between her thighs.
Oh. Oh.
Erend was… aroused. Because of what they were doing. Because of her. It was one thing to understand the mechanics of sex, but another thing entirely to feel him hard against her, knowing she had caused it. The knowledge was heady, heightening her own arousal, so Aloy ground herself down against him, desperate to feel more. They both groaned at the contact and their kiss grew even more heated.
“Erend,” she whined, fingers digging into his hair.
He grew bolder, broad hands slipping down to squeeze her backside. The ache between her thighs grew rapidly and she rocked against him at an increasing pace while he kneaded her flesh. Erend abandoned her lips to nip and suck at the curve of her neck with a fervor that had Aloy gasping in response. Her whole body felt warm, tingling with pleasure, and she realized with a start that she was going to come right there in Erend’s lap, fully-clothed, in the middle of the Base’s common room.
Aloy was dimly aware that their location was not ideal but she couldn’t bring herself to care. Instead she doubled down, rutting against him, chasing her pleasure until it crested and broke over her in a flood of searing heat. She let out a strangled moan as she rode it out, rocking against him until she finally slumped into his chest.
“Fuck, Aloy–” Erend grunted into her neck, panting heavily. “That was–did you–”
“Mmm,” she mumbled, nodding against his chest. She’d brought herself to release before, many times, but using his body to do so was thrilling in a way that was completely new.
“Fuck,” he cursed again, smoothing his hands up and down her back. “You’re something else, you know that?”
Aloy finally lifted her head from his chest to study him. Erend’s face was red, and he looked a little stunned, but his eyes were heavy with desire. “Something good, I hope?”
“The best,” he responded without hesitation, leaning in to place a kiss to her lips.
She immediately deepened the kiss, pressing herself close against him once more. She could still feel the firm length of him between her legs, and although her immediate need had been sated, she wanted more. “Let’s go to my room,” she murmured.
Erend ceased the movement of his hands and inhaled sharply. “O-kay,” he practically squeaked his agreement.
Aloy slipped out of his lap and moved to stand on shaky legs, her body already mourning the loss of his. Erend got to his feet beside her, and didn’t seem to be doing much better, wobbling slightly as he adjusted his trousers. He looked somewhat dazed, so she took his hand and led him towards her room.
As soon as the doors closed behind them, Aloy began to strip off her remaining clothes and armor, starting with her bracers, and then moving on to her vest.
“Aloy, wait–” Erend placed a hand on hers, stilling her progress.
She frowned. “What? You don’t want to see me?”
He shook his head. “Aloy, I’ve wanted to see you naked for years at this point.”
She blushed at his casual admission. “Then why?”
“I want to undress you,” Erend said softly. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Oh.” Aloy felt the heat in her face slowly spread to the rest of her body at his unexpected, but enticing, request. “Yes, okay.”
Erend smiled at her, eyes darkening, before he carefully removed his gloves and dropped them on the floor. She lowered her hands to her sides, and he took over unraveling the ties that held her vest closed. His hands were enormous compared to the small fastenings and she could see his fingers shaking ever so slightly as he worked to free her.
“Nervous?” Aloy asked softly.
“Yes,” Erend admitted. “I’ve just wanted you for so long. I never thought you’d want me back, so I can’t really believe that you’re letting me do this.”
“I do want you, though.”
“Yeah… yeah.” He nodded, though she could tell he didn’t quite believe it.
“Erend, it’s just me.”
He looked at her, fingers stilling.
“I’m still the same person you met back in the Embrace.,” Aloy reminded him. “That hasn’t changed.”
“I know.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Doubt you have let me do that, though.”
She smirked. “Yeah, I probably would’ve hit you.”
“And I’d have deserved it.” He paused. “We’ve both come a long way since then.”
“We have. Now you have a task to finish,” Aloy said playfully.
Erend chuckled. “That single-mindedness sure hasn’t changed.”
He went back to work on her vest, finally pulling the garment open, sliding it down her arms and letting it drop to the floor. He cupped her face and kissed her again, which Aloy gladly returned, but he didn’t touch her body. Eventually he pulled back, tracing a thumb along the underside of her chest wrap. She shivered at the light touch.
“Okay if I take this off?” he asked gently.
Aloy nodded. She was tempted to speed the process along but Erend had asked for this so she tried to remain patient. He took his time, slipping his arms behind her and trailing a finger up her spine. Her breath hitched at the sensation, still bewildered by the fact that such a light touch could evoke such a strong reaction from her body. Erend waited for her breathing to slow again before he carefully unwrapped the ends of her chest wrap, allowing the fabric to flutter gently to the floor.
Aloy shuddered as she felt her nipples pebble against the cool air, now clad only in her trousers and boots. She waited for Erend to step back, and was not disappointed to find his eyes heavy with desire when he did finally take in her bare chest. Tension rippled between them, but the franticness from before had dissipated into something slower, but deeper.
“Aren’t you going to touch me?” Aloy finally asked, impatience getting the better of her.
“Oh, I will.” Erend shot her a hungry look. “If I touch you now I’ll never finish undressing you. And I really want to see all of you.”
“Fine.” She let out an exaggerated sigh, then raised a brow at him. “Lose the armor, you’re overdressed.”
“Oh, she’s bossy now is she?” Erend grinned and immediately began unfastening the rest of his armor. He got stuck on a few clasps because he was staring at her instead of focusing on his task, but eventually he prevailed and his armor was nothing but a heap of leather and steel on the floor.
“Lose the shirt, too,” Aloy demanded.
Erend’s grin widened into a smirk and he did as asked, pulling the striped linen over his head and tossing it into the rather large pile of clothing and gear he’d amassed. She felt her body flush at the sight of his bare chest, keen to look her fill of him now that she was allowed to. Erend was impossibly broad, his arms thick with corded muscle and dusted with dark hair, but there was a softness to him that made Aloy want to wrap herself around him and never let go. Oseram ink trailed around his arms and across his chest, urging her to reach out and trace the intricate patterns.
“Can I…” she began, one hand hovering over his chest.
“‘Course.” He placed his hand on hers and guided it to his heart.
Erend was soft and warm but solid beneath her palm. Aloy had never touched anyone like this before, skin against skin, and she found that she loved it. She trailed her hand across his chest and around one of his arms, wanting to touch him everywhere, but apparently he had other plans.
“Aloy,” he interrupted gently, stilling her hand. “I love what you’re doing, but… can I finish undressing you first?”
Aloy pretended to think it over, before offering him a small smile. “I suppose.”
Erend was so intent on his task that he didn’t bother to tease her back. Instead he stepped closer, settling a broad hand on her hip. He slipped a thumb just beneath the waistband of her trousers, and all thoughts of teasing left her mind, replaced by a searing need deep in her gut. Aloy’s heart started to beat faster as Erend’s thumb dipped lower, trailing across the top of her smalls, before he removed his hand entirely and placed it on the laces of her trousers. He searched her eyes for permission again and when she nodded, he carefully unlaced them, allowing the fabric to drop from her hips and pool around her boots.
After another quick check-in, Erend kneeled down in front of her to remove her boots. Aloy wobbled unsteadily on her feet, reaching out to grip one of his broad shoulders as he lifted her feet one by one to slip off both her boots and trousers. Then he gazed up at her, his hands coming to rest on her hips. Of all the reverent looks Aloy had received over the last few years, none of them even came close to the one Erend was giving her now. Her heart lodged in her throat at the intensity of emotion and want in his face.
It was almost too much, so she slid a hand into his hair and urged him on. “Go on, take off the rest of it.”
Somehow being entirely nude before Erend felt less overwhelming than the ardor she found in his face. He complied readily, warm hands slipping below her smalls to pull the last scrap of fabric down her legs, and she immediately kicked it away. Erend remained on his knees before her, watching her carefully.
Aloy shivered. “Erend, I–”
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “Do you still want me to touch you?”
She swallowed and nodded, grateful for Erend’s complacent and understanding temperament.
Erend trailed his hands up her legs, settling them on her thighs, the heat of his palms leaving a trail of fire in his wake. He lingered there stroking her skin for a few moments, getting her used to his touch, and once again stoking the embers of desire that had been simmering inside her. Eventually he slid his hands around to grasp her backside, gently squeezing the supple flesh. She let out a hum of encouragement and he pressed a kiss to her abdomen, gripping her more firmly.
Aloy hadn’t known it could be like this… so soft and gentle and purposeful. After all, the only couplings she’d seen were frantic encounters in alleyways, desperate and quick. Their earlier activities in the common room had been more in line with what she expected. Not this… careful and deliberate exploration that Erend seemed intent on. Aloy was enjoying it but it left her feeling more vulnerable than expected. She was tempted to return to the franticness from before, but something held her back.
He seemed to sense her hesitance. “Are you okay, Aloy? We can stop if–”
“No!” She shook her head. “I don’t want to stop, I just–this is more emotional than I expected.”
“Ah.” Erend removed his hands from her body and slowly rose up to stand before her. “Yeah. Sex can be… intense. Some people can separate the emotions from it, but I never could. Everyone’s different.” He pressed a kiss to her brow.
Aloy sighed. “Emotions are… difficult.”
“You just need a little practice.” Erend offered her a warm smile. “If this feels like too much right now, we can try another time.”
“No,” she replied immediately. She wasn’t going to run from her feelings any longer. “No. I want to feel it. All of it. All of you.” She paused, looking him up and down. “Take your pants off.”
Erend’s face broke into a wide grin. “You got it.” He wasted no time unlacing them and shoving them down his legs. She couldn’t help but notice the rather prominent bulge in his shorts, but before she could do anything about it, he asked, “How about we move this to your bed?”
“Yes, okay.” Aloy nodded her agreement.
Erend held out his hand and she took it, allowing him to lead her to the back of the room. He guided her down onto her bedroll so that she was on her back and he was hovering above her. She immediately felt more comfortable this way, safe amidst the familiarity of her soft blankets and furs.
“You good?” he asked, eyes warm and soft. “Want me to keep touching you?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “Please.”
Erend smiled again and leaned down to capture her lips with his, settling one broad hand on her stomach. The kiss was slow and deliberate and Aloy found herself in no hurry to rush it along. He rubbed gentle circles over her skin, getting her used to the sensation while he kissed her thoroughly. Erend’s touch gradually drifted higher on her torso until he was just grazing the underside of her breasts. Heat pooled low in her belly in anticipation, so she pressed herself up against his hand for more. Erend took the hint and finally lifted his hand to cup her breast.
Aloy gasped into his mouth as he began to squeeze the sensitive flesh, sparks of pleasure rippling out from her center. How did his touch feel so much better than her own? She supposed his downright massive hands helped, but there was more to it than that.
Erend broke the kiss to murmur, “Good?”
“So good,” she sighed happily.
He chuckled and moved away from her mouth, pressing wet kisses along her jaw and down the column of her throat. He gripped her breast tighter, thumbing her nipple while he licked a stripe across her neck.
“Erend–” she groaned. “–fuck.”
Aloy felt him smiling against her neck, but he didn’t stop, instead moving his hand to her other breast and repeated the movements that had her squirming beneath him, rubbing her thighs together in a bid for friction.
“You like that, huh?” Erend sounded rather pleased with himself. “How about this?” He pressed a soft kiss to the underside of her breast.
“Yes,” she hissed. “More.”
He replaced his hand with his mouth, sealing his lips around her nipple and sucking the tender flesh into his mouth. She moaned at the sensation, her nerves thrumming with desire as Erend continued to lavish attention upon her breasts. Eventually he moved on, trailing kisses down her abdomen, over her navel, and lingering just above the thatch of hair at the apex of her thighs.
He waited for her to meet his gaze before asking, “Can I put my mouth on you?”
Aloy raised a brow. “There? People do that?” She’d seen men on the receiving end of such an act but never a woman. Apparently, she still had more to learn.
He grinned at her. “Some people do. But only if you want me to.”
She bit her lip for a moment. Erend clearly knew what he was doing and he’d already brought her so much pleasure with his mouth, she could only imagine how it might feel against the most sensitive parts of her. “Okay. Yes. I want you to.”
His grin widened at her acceptance and his voice took on an eager tone. “I’ll start with my fingers, okay? You’ve done that, right? Touched yourself–”
“Yes, Erend, I’ve touched myself before,” she interrupted him with an amused smile.
“Okay. Good… good.” He seemed slightly flustered for a moment, but by the time he had settled between her thighs his composure was back. “Ready?”
Aloy propped herself up on her elbows to glance down at him. Whatever vulnerability she’d been feeling earlier was now gone, replaced by the desperate need to feel his hands on her. “Yes, I’m ready,” she breathed. “Touch me.”
Erend’s eyes darkened and he let out a muffled curse, before turning his attention to her center. He started off slowly, as he had before, trailing a finger over her curls and giving her time to adjust to his touch.
She was once again amazed by his gentleness. The light brush of his fingers against her was a far cry from the weighty swing of his hammer she’d seen on the battlefield.
However light his touch was, it was still incredibly rousing, leaving Aloy’s body tense with anticipation. When Erend finally slipped a finger between her folds, the sensation had her gasping and squirming beneath him.
“Erend–”
“Good?” he asked. “Tell me what you like.”
“I–” She flopped back against her pillow, unable to hold herself up while he was touching her like that. “Inside,” she grunted. “Put your finger–”
“Inside, I got it,” Erend huffed with amusement, pressing a wet kiss to her thigh.
Aloy closed her eyes to focus on the thick finger he had positioned at her entrance and sucked in a breath as he carefully pushed inside. She could feel herself stretching to accommodate him, the sheer breadth of his finger filling her in a way she couldn’t. It was nothing like touching herself, she decided, as her body gave way to him. He began to stroke her inner walls, exploring until he found the sweet spot she could barely reach herself.
“Oh!” she cried out as he caressed the sensitive flesh, her hips arching up into his hand. “That’s good.”
“Yeah?” Erend rumbled. His strokes remained gentle, stoking the flames of her desire at a maddeningly slow pace. “You ready for my mouth now?”
Aloy opened her eyes, shifting slightly to glance down at him. She wasn’t sure she’d ever come across a headier sight than Erend settled between her thighs, eyes heavy with lust, focused entirely on her pleasure. “Yes. Please.”
He brought one of her legs up over his shoulder and she settled back down on her pillow, trusting him to take care of her. He continued the gentle caress of his finger while he pressed his lips to her inner thigh and began to nip and suck at her skin. Erend took his time, moving from one thigh to the other, until she was so aroused that it was almost painful.
“Erend–” Aloy whimpered. “–just touch me already.”
He grunted, moving slightly to brush his nose against her curls, before using his free hand to spread her thighs further apart. The anticipation had her whole body wound tight, and by the time Erend finally pressed his tongue against her clit, all it took was a few firm licks and solid thrusts of his finger to send her over the edge. Aloy shattered, crying out as pleasure burst over her body for a second time that evening. She clenched hard around his finger and he kept up his gentle touches while she rode out her release.
Despite the slow and deliberate build up, Aloy truly hadn’t expected it to happen again so quickly. Neither had Erend, apparently, because when she finally came back to herself and looked down at him he was wearing a smug grin. She couldn’t exactly blame him.
“Guess I’m more talented than I thought,” he mused playfully, planting a soft kiss on the inside of her thigh.
“Erend–fuck,” she sighed, twitching at the light touch, her body still overly responsive.
The movement did not go unnoticed. “Y’know, I don’t think I got enough of a taste,” Erend said slyly, removing the finger he still had nestled inside her and bringing it to his mouth. “What do you think? Can I keep going?”
Aloy groaned. “I think… you can do whatever you want with that talented mouth of yours.”
His face split into a wide grin at her words. “I’m gonna remember that one.”
“You do that–”
Aloy’s words dissolved into a low moan as Erend slipped a finger back inside her and began to trace her folds with his tongue. It felt incredibly good, but she was more prepared this time and didn’t immediately shatter at the contact. She closed her eyes and tried to relax into his touch, but her body was wound tight, her nerves still buzzing with pleasure.
“Aloy,” he murmured, teasing her entrance with a second finger. “Do you want more?”
“Yes, do it,” she hissed.
Erend grunted his approval and went back to lapping at her with his tongue while he carefully eased another finger inside her. It was… a lot. She felt full to bursting, overwhelmed with the competing sensations as he worked her over with his fingers and his mouth. Aloy grappled for something to anchor herself amidst it all, fisting one hand in Erend’s hair. He growled, increasing the force of his thrusts until another climax seized her. Time seemed to slow as the pleasure held her and then broke over her, sweeping out from her center, all the way to the tips of her toes. She let out a deep and guttural moan as she convulsed around him, giving herself over to the ecstasy flooding her senses.
Aloy had no idea how much time had passed when Erend’s eager face appeared over her. She felt boneless, sated, her limbs heavy with pleasure.
“Oh good, was worried I might’ve broken you for a minute there,” he quipped, easing himself down on the bedroll beside her.
“You did,” she groaned. “Erend, that was…amazing.”
“You were amazing,” he murmured, pulling her against his chest. “Thank you.”
Even in her blissed out state, Erend’s words didn’t make sense. “Why are you thanking me? You did all the work.”
He kissed her forehead. “I know it’s not easy to be vulnerable like that with another person, especially… y’know, with how you grew up. It means a lot that you trusted me.”
“Oh.”
Somewhere along the way Aloy had come to trust Erend implicitly. First, in battle, then with her mission, and now with her body and her heart. She felt something soft and warm settle in her chest – something a lot like… love, if she had to name it. She wasn’t quite ready to give voice to it yet though, so she cupped his cheek and drew him in for a kiss instead.
Erend returned her kiss readily, and Aloy could taste herself on his tongue, which was strange, though not unpleasant. Although he’d focused on her pleasure alone, it hadn’t dampened his arousal and he was still hard as steel when her hips found his. She broke the kiss and urged him to roll onto his back, before climbing on top of him.
“Aloy,” Erend began, settling his hands on her thighs. “I love your enthusiasm, but aren’t you tired after all that?”
“Maybe a little,” she admitted, smoothing her hands across his chest. “But I haven’t even seen all of you yet. And I really, really, want to.”
His fingers flexed against her thighs, gripping her tighter. “You do?”
“Yeah.” Aloy dragged herself along his clothed erection for effect, and then moved down his thighs to place her hands on the waistband of his undershorts. “Can I?”
“Uh, yeah,” Erend croaked.
She tried to replicate the gentleness he’d shown her, slipping her fingers beneath the fabric and carefully easing the shorts down his thighs. His cock sprang free, all flushed and straining and thick like the rest of him. She’d caught glimpses of aroused men before, always averting her eyes before she could see too much, but now she found she couldn’t look away.
Erend cleared his throat. “You, uh… like what you see?”
“Yeah.” Aloy swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. “I do.”
She moved beside him and dragged his shorts the rest of the way off, leaving him bare before her. There was so much Erend to look at that she didn’t know where to start, so she glanced at his face, finding it a brilliant shade of red. She held his gaze for a moment, almost losing herself in the softness of his eyes.
“Can I touch you?” she asked gently.
“By the forge, yes,” Erend responded, propping himself up on his elbows for a better view.
Aloy turned her attention back to his cock and lifted her hand to carefully trail a finger down the length of him. He hissed at her touch, his entire body going rigid beneath her, so she pulled her hand back. “Sorry, I–did that hurt?”
“No–” Erend huffed out a laugh. “–the opposite. You can, uh… be a little firmer, if you want.”
Firmer. She could do that. Aloy reached out to wrap her entire hand around him, and this time he let out a strangled moan. Satisfied with his reaction, she carefully started to stroke him up and down. Erend’s skin was hot and silky smooth in her palm and she liked the feel of him more than she expected.
“Is this okay?” she asked, mindful of how attentive he’d been with her.
“Fuck, yes,” he grunted, pressing himself up into her palm. “Better than I imagined.”
Aloy was immediately intrigued, and she couldn’t help asking, “What else have you imagined?”
“I, uh…” Erend hesitated for a moment, though he didn’t stop meeting her strokes, brows pinched together in pleasure.
“Please? I want to know.”
“...yeah, okay.” He took a deep breath. “I, uh… I think about you coming back from the wilds, finding me in the common room, and kissing me senseless. Then I carry you to your room, undress you, and kiss every single freckle on your body until you’re moaning my name.” His voice grew more hoarse with every word. “I think about you finding me in my bunk in the middle of the night and having your wicked way with me, riding me so hard that I can’t think straight.”
Erend’s words had heat crawling across her belly once again. Aloy inhaled sharply, slowing the movement of her hand against him.
“Too much?” he asked cautiously.
“No,” she assured him. “I like the sound of that, actually.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.” Aloy nodded, biting her lower lip. “Can we try it? Can I… ride you?”
“Can you ride me?” Erend sputtered, voice cracking as his eyes grew impossibly large. “Fire and fucking spit, Aloy – of course.”
She grinned, pleased by his enthusiasm, and immediately climbed back on top of him. He guided her into position so that his erection was trapped between them, and she dragged herself along him a few times, eliciting a low groan from both of them. She rose up on her knees and looked down to find Erend gazing up at her with the most devastating mix of lust and affection that she’d ever seen.
“You sure about this?” he asked softly.
“I am,” Aloy assured him. “But thank you for checking. Now and before. You make me feel… safe,” she confessed, reaching down to caress his cheek.
“Safe,” he echoed, voice thick with emotion.
“Now,” she continued, “I want to feel all of you.”
Erend nodded his agreement, so she took him in hand and guided him to her entrance while he held her steady with his hands on her hips. It took her a few tries to get the angle right, but soon enough she managed to notch the tip of him inside her.
Aloy started to sink down on him, trying to ignore the slight pinch as her body stretched around him. She was still slick with arousal, but Erend was a big man in every sense of the word, so she had to carefully ease herself down the length of him, rather than taking him in one stroke like she wanted.
“Easy – try to relax,” came Erend’s gentle voice, though she wasn’t entirely sure who the comment was meant for.
Aloy braced herself against his chest and he began to smooth his hands up and down her thighs, while she continued her slow descent. She tried to focus on Erend, on the pleasure etched across his face – pleasure she was bringing him – and soon enough she felt him bottom out, the blunt head of his cock bumping against her innermost walls. They both grunted at the sensation, his grip on her thighs tightening while he held himself still beneath her. Aloy closed her eyes, biting her lip as she adjusted to the sensation of being completely full. She felt breathless, as if there was no room inside her for anything but him, and for a moment, it was almost too much.
“You doing okay?” Erend asked softly.
“Yeah… yeah. It’s just–it’s a lot.”
“Right. Just take your time.” Erend’s voice was gentle but strained, and when Aloy opened her eyes again she found him clenching his jaw with the effort of remaining still.
Even in this he was putting her needs first. She felt her heart swell with affection and… love.
Dammit, she loved him.
The words were on the tip of her tongue but she’d never said them before, so she held them back. Instead she nodded at him and said, “It’s okay, Erend, you can move.”
“Thank the forge,” he murmured, gently rocking against her.
The too-full sensation was fading rapidly, and after a few more thrusts Aloy’s body relaxed around him and she began to meet him thrust for thrust. She found a rhythm quickly enough and she took over, moving Erend’s hands from her hips and placing them on her chest, while she ground herself down on his cock.
“Aloy–” he moaned her name, roughly squeezing her breasts. ”Damn, you’re a quick learner.”
“Maybe I just have a good partner,” she said breathlessly. “How does it feel?”
“Amazing,” Erend groaned. “I’m not sure how much longer I… I wanted it to be good for you.”
Aloy slowed a little. “Erend, I’ve already had three orgasms, I think I’m having a good time.”
He huffed out a laugh, which dissolved into another groan as she picked up the pace again.
She grinned down at him. “Now I want to make you come.”
His breath hitched. “Shit. Yes.”
Aloy continued to move over him, using his face to guide her movements. She’d managed to find an angle that had her own pleasure building, but Erend was her primary goal. She wanted to watch him fall apart. She moved his hands back to her hips and pressed herself against him, chest to chest, all while continuing the rapid motions of her hips. The low grunts and strangled moans he was making were delicious, and she couldn’t get enough.
Aloy dipped down to draw Erend into a sloppy kiss, clenching around him, and suddenly he was letting out a string of curses. He thrust up into her several times, gripping her hips hard enough to bruise, until she felt the dizzying warmth of his release bloom inside her. Finally, he stilled beneath her, and wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her tight to his chest.
“Forge’s breath, Aloy–” came Erend’s strangled voice. “–I love you so much.”
They both froze when they realized what he’d said.
“Shit. Sorry, I–I didn’t mean to say it so soon,” Erend stammered. “You don’t have to say it back. Actually, let’s pretend I never said anything.”
“Erend.” Aloy lifted her hips, allowing him to slip out of her. She sat up and their shared release began to seep out and pool on his stomach.
“Shit, shit–” Erend sat up, one hand holding her steady on his lap, while searching for something to soak up the mess.
“Erend, it’s okay–”
“No, I got it,” he assured her. He located his discarded undershorts and used them to wipe away the stickiness.
“Erend,” Aloy repeated. They were both seated now but she still had her thighs wrapped around him, holding him in place. She brushed her thumb across his chin, waiting for him to meet her gaze.
He did, but his trepidation was obvious in the way he held himself, shoulders slouched and his gaze wavering.
“Erend, what you just said–it’s not too soon.”
“It’s not?”
“No, I–I feel it too,” she said softly.
Erend’s hesitance melted away and his eyes lit up. ”You mean… you love me?”
“I do.” Aloy blushed, but she didn’t look away. “I do love you, Erend.” The words were unfamiliar on her tongue, but they also felt right.
“Blessed forge, just when I thought this night couldn’t get any better…” He hugged her tight against his chest.
“It has been a pretty great night,” she agreed, resting her head on his shoulder.
“No regrets, then?”
“My only regret is that we didn’t do this sooner. I had no idea what I was missing.”
Erend chuckled. “We’ll just have to make up for lost time.”
She pulled back from his embrace so she could look at him, and gave him a playful smile. “I’m okay with that.”
Erend kissed her then, slow and deliberate, sinking one hand into her hair, and Aloy sighed at the rightness of it all. She was tired though, so she broke the kiss and finally climbed out of his lap to lie down on the bedroll beside him. She motioned for him to join her, and when they were both curled together under the blankets, facing each other, Aloy decided she had one more thing to say.
“I’m glad you’re here, Erend,” she began softly. “I couldn’t do any of this without you.”
“Sure you could–”
“No.” She reached out to stroke his cheek. “No more diminishing your contributions.”
Erend looked a little sheepish. “I, uh… okay.”
Aloy wasn’t finished yet though. “You’re clever, strong, and thoughtful, and you’re so caring and compassionate that I feel better just being around you. Plus, you’re pretty handsome.” She paused for a moment, lips curving into a grin. “And you have a great mouth.”
“Thanks, Aloy.” He blushed under the weight of her words, but he didn’t shirk away. “And that mouth is yours now… whenever you want it.”
Her grin widened. “Good to know. Maybe after some rest?”
“Well well, she does get tired after all,” he teased.
Aloy rolled her eyes playfully. “Not for long. Think you can keep up?”
“I’m looking forward to finding out.” Erend leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead. “Now c’mon, let’s get some sleep.”
It wasn’t long before her eyelids grew heavy, and she was just on the edge of consciousness when she heard him murmur, “I love you, Aloy.”
“I love you too,” she whispered, before drifting off to sleep.