8 - Fireworks

Later that day, Saera heard there was to be a fireworks display outside the city walls, and begged Jin to go with her. Only a family so well acquainted with mining could afford the luxury of fireworks, and to Saera, it would be a new experience.

They walked down outside of the palace walls, stopping at the outskirts of the rice fields, the moon reflected on the surface of the water. Other couples and small groups littered the area around them, voices hushed in anticipation of the beauty to come. Saera shivered slightly as the cool night air cut through to her skin. Without a word, Jin pulled off the haori he wore, draping the heavy fabric over her shoulders. He stood in the moonlight in just a thin linen shirt, the fabric rippling gently in the wind. The earring he wore shimmered dimly, swaying lightly in the breeze.

Saera swayed the tiniest bit on her feet. She had had one too many cups of sweet rice wine after Risa had teased her mercilessly at the evening meal, Saera having told her of the lack of physical interest Jin seemed to have in her. The teasing had hit home, for Saera knew it to be true. In the seven days since her arrival, Jin had never done more than touch her arm, let alone make any advances. The time they had spent together had been more as friends politely inquiring into each other's interests and lives. In the beginning Saera had appreciated his respect for her space, but now she wondered at its cause. She had known many men in her lifetime that would not have hesitated to claim a woman at the first opportunity. She worried that Jin found her unappealing. As they waited in the moonlight, she glanced up at him, standing quietly beside her. Does he not find me attractive? Perhaps he isn't interested in me at all? She stepped closer to him, slightly emboldened by the wine that lingered on her tongue.

"Jin, I -"

A loud boom like thunder echoed across the sky as the first firework exploded in a fiery red spray. A collective voice of admiration rose from the onlookers, and Saera immediately turned, captivated by the show. The sound echoed in her ears as more patterns erupted across the sky: golden flowers, plumes of red and white, sparkling arrays of colour. The familiar whistling sound preceded the explosions, filling the air relentlessly, and Saera laughed giddily, amazement spread over her face and her earlier concerns forgotten.

Saera danced close enough to the rice fields that she was in danger of stepping in water. Jin reached out and pulled her to him, holding her from behind as the sky bloomed into streaks of gold and red. She swayed in his arms, exalted as a child, until the last of the sparks trailed through the sky like shooting stars. "It was so beautiful!"

You are beautiful, Jin thought, but didn't say a word. He held her quietly, savouring the feel of her warmth against him. She smelled sweet, like flowers and wine, and her hair was soft as silk against his cheek.

The distraction of the fireworks gone, Saera turned her attention back to the man holding her.

"Jin." She twisted to face him, her smile gone. "I… I wanted to say, I have had a pleasant time this past week…" She bit her lip, uncertain of how to proceed, the wine muddling her brain. "I know that this.. Relationship may not have been what you wanted, so I'm sorry, but…" she faltered, at a loss for words. "As I've come to know you, I feel that we could be good together…"

When he didn't respond, she grimaced. "Talk to me. I never know what you're thinking."

Her eyes searched his, wide and earnest, and Jin swallowed. He had been careful ever since she'd arrived seven days prior, afraid to let his guard down and show feelings for a woman he had just met.

"I…" his voice cracked, and he stopped to clear his throat. "I want you to be happy."

Her brow furrowed at his evasive response, and she was quiet for a moment. "Do you think we might be happy together?" He opened his mouth to reply, but she spoke hastily again. "Do you think you might be happy with me?"

Jin tried to respond, but his throat felt choked and stiff. She was too close to him, her form too soft and warm in his arms. Not trusting his voice, he nodded enthusiastically instead.

Relief spread across Saera's face, and she smiled. She reached up to untangle his earring, her touch warm against his neck. Jin shivered in the cold night air.

They were alone now. All of the other spectators had long since left the area. Saera's heart thrummed in her chest as Jin clutched her in his arms, unwilling to end their first embrace. He was so hesitant, it frustrated her. Saera tilted her face up, feeling his breath brush her cheek, their lips inches apart. When he still didn't move, she pressed forward, rising to the tips of her toes, their lips barely touching at first, then meeting more firmly.

The kiss emulated the explosives they had just seen. Desire flared in Jin's chest as their lips touched, like a thousand fireworks detonating at once. Saera wound her arms around his neck, and he pressed his hands firmly against the small of her back. They swayed slightly, both a little unsteady as their kisses increased in fervor.

They embraced for what felt like no time at all, but the moon moved across the sky, the world quietly asleep around them. The blood rushed in Saera's ears, her focus only on the man in front of her. Whenever she pulled away, she was struck with the urge to kiss him again. She shivered, this time not from the cool night air. This wasn't her first kiss. So why did it excite her so?

"Let's go inside," Jin murmured, his voice holding promise. The entire keep seemed deserted, the streets dark and empty. They hurried to the main gate, moonlight chasing at their heels. The walk to Jin's room had never felt so long, not even when Saera had been exhausted from traveling. He held her hand as they hurried through the halls, stifling their laughs, doing their best to avoid detection at the late hour.

Only when they had arrived to Jin's quarters and the door had closed behind them did Saera let out a suppressed peal of laughter. Grinning, Jin grabbed her waist in both hands and kissed her again. She fought back, their lips and tongues fighting with one another. Saera pushed him towards the large, four poster bed that they'd shared for the past week, shrugging Jin's jacket off of her shoulders and moving forward without breaking the kiss. When the back of his legs collided with the bedframe she pushed against his shoulders, forcing him down to the bed.

"Wait," he gasped.

Saera stopped immediately, pulling back, worry etched in her face that she'd done something wrong. Jin let out a groan.

"Now that I've kissed you once, I want to do it a hundred more times…"

It was uncommon for Saera to feel shy, but her eyes widened at his tone. His voice was husky and deep, in a way she hadn't heard from him before. Something stirred within her, and she swallowed in anticipation.

But instead, Jin sighed. His shoulders slumped forward in defeat. "Let's, um... Slow down."

Rebuffed, Saera backed away, shame rising in her cheeks.

"Just… traditionally, we have to wait the thirty days…"

Saera avoided his eyes, humiliated and shy. It was rare that anyone cared to follow the old traditions anymore, and his words sounded like an excuse.

"It's not that I don't want to." Jin reached out to pull her back to him so that she was sitting on his lap. "Just… ah… to be safe, let's wait until after the wedding..." He kissed the top of her head, his voice apologetic.

Saera felt lost, and she averted her eyes in embarrassment. "If that's what you want…" She struggled to sort her thoughts while the heat of desire still burned inside of her, but a thought struck her mind. "Is it your first time? No one adheres to those traditions anymore."

"No!" Jin flushed at her bold question. "Although it has been a long time… I just - I don't want - I can't explain. I'm bound to certain rules…"

Saera scrunched her face up in confusion. "I don't understand. "

Jin's lips moved with a tormented expression, but no sound came out. "I can't explain," he finally whispered. "I have to follow the traditions."

Saera ran her hand through his hair, still confused but no longer as embarrassed as before. "I don't understand. I thought you didn't want me. You were treating me coldly before today."

"No, it's not that…"

Saera continued her musings, still seated in his lap. "First the change with the engagement, and now this, with the traditions… What aren't you telling me? What's going on with this marriage?"

Her train of thought was shattered when he started kissing her neck, his lips moving hotly over her skin. She gasped in surprise as a tingle ran through her. "You just said to stop!"

"In a moment," Jin mumbled, and pulled her down beside him.