HAPPINESS
1318 Words
-Why would you say such a thing? – Ussi breathed out, and Souna found herself pinned to a wall under his strong forearm and his scrutinizing sight.
The small scratch her dagger had made was barely visible on the side of his neck, yet it oozed a fine trickle of blood which he distractedly wiped as he stared at her with inquiring relentlessness.
-Because I can see how you glow when you are around your brothers, Ussi – She replied, extending her arm and caressing his cheek – You have been practically beaming with joy since the moment we crossed those gates!
-So what? Can't I just be happy to be here and enjoy myself a little? – The warrior puffed out, letting go of her and receding – How does that end up translating into me regretting things and wanting to come back? Cause I don´t!
- Ussi, this is what you do, you are a Yahurian – Souna sighed - I want you to be happy, and I can't help but think that maybe I took you away from what you love most!
-What I love the most is you! – He replied, a hint of exasperation embedded in his tone – And you didn't take anything away from me… I chose you! Remember? I chose you and our children!
-But… - She mumbled hesitantly, biting her lip and looking at him with concern – What if you regret that choice now, or maybe not now, but somewhere along the way?
-Oh… Do you think that I want to go back to being alone here again? – He scoffed bitterly – Do you really believe that I wish to have an endless sequence of overlapping battles and wars as my sole purpose in life?
- Well… You used to live for it – Souna reasoned, holding his sight defiantly – There was a time that was your everything!
- Exactly! That's all I knew back then! – Ussi yelled at her, frustrated – I didn't know any better… My whole life was reduced to eating, sleeping, training, and fighting. Rinse and repeat…
He paused. Walking up to her, lifting her chin up with his finger, his eyes looking into hers and clouding.
-Then I met you… – The warrior whispered, a dreamy smile extending on his face – And all I could think about from that very first moment was what a sick play of life it was that the path I had been walking all those years was the same one leading me away from you. And I wanted to backtrack! You bet I did!
Souna shivered at his words, seeing the raw emotion titillating inside his clear eyes and gasping in surprise as his hand clutched hers, tightening around her fingers fervently.
-Don´t you see? I racked my brains for a long time, trying to figure out how to stay around you, at least for a little longer… - He took a deep inhale, his eyes welling with tears – And just when I had abandoned all hope, I got my way out! Against all odds! I got my chance to be with you… To live with you!
Ussi smiled painfully, his face descending towards her and gently pecking her lips, then deeply sighing.
-So, would you please explain to me why in hell would I want to throw all of this down the cliff and come back here instead? - He asked, tilting his head purposely at her.
-Because you miss this… – Souna whispered, extending her hand and gesturing to the training pit – You miss being a Yahurian!
-Souna… - Ussi murmured, taking a slow breath and massaging his temple – I am a Yahurian, I will always be one, no matter what. I don't need to live here for that to be true.
He paused, silently pulling her by the hand and making her sit on the cold, stone steps beside him. His sight darting towards the starry sky as he gathered his words.
-You know? I often think about what Pahoka-Xe once told me about my fate – Ussiariah´s deep voice echoed around the deserted place - About becoming a different man… I didn't get it back then, but she was right. The man I am today cannot exist within these walls anymore. So, I am bound to be forever a hybrid. Living and oscillating between these two worlds… And boy, it is a wonderful thing!
-How? – Souna breathed out, scanning his eyes in the light of the torches – What could be so wonderful about being split between two opposite lives?
-Because I get to have it all! Don't you realize how lucky I am? – He exclaimed, smiling widely – I still have an army to command, I am still a warrior! Which I love…. But I am also a husband and a father now… which I adore!
-So, you swear that you are not being unhappy then, darling? – Souna tentatively questioned, giving him a faint smile.
-Souna, I've got more happiness in my current life than any man could ever dream of – Ussi sighed, reaching for her hand and rubbing the back of it distractedly, his eyes darkening – And that is why it is so damn scary having it threatened by the menace of war now.
-Then the more reason to fight back! – She responded firmly, her grip tightening around his fingers with determination – If they think that we are letting them take this away from us, then they've got another thing coming.
-You bet they do! – He smiled, pecking her cheek cheerfully and pulling her up by the hand – See? That's why I love you… You always find a way to brighten things up.
-I love you too, Ussi – Souna sighed, longingly brushing the trimmed hair covering his jaw and kissing him hungrily – I'm sorry I doubted you… Would you please forgive me?
-I would, but you must swear that you will never make such a foolish suggestion again – Ussi chuckled, shaking his head with incredulity and snorting – Were you going to dump me, uh? What were you thinking?
- Who knows? Maybe I just wanted to throw you off, so I could finally get to you for a change – Souna taunted him, gesturing at the thin scratch on his neck – What's the matter Commander… Are you getting old?
-What a filthy, filthy liar… – Ussiariah muttered, clicking his tongue with disapproval, and smirking playfully at her– Well, if that's the story you're sticking to, then shame on you! How dare you pull such a shady trick on this poor enamored man...
He paced slowly towards her, his eyes sparkling with deviousness as he towered over her and made her nervously giggle, his open hand waving towards the dark, empty tunnel leading outside the battleground - But we can't let this go unpunished, can we?
-Please, Ussi – Souna exclaimed, nervously laughing as he kept steadily closing in and guiding her to the passage in deliberate silence – Stop! What are you doing?
- You've been very, very naughty, Your Majesty – Ussi smirked, his teeth glistening maliciously under the bright moonlight - Let us teach you a thing or two about the dangers of playing with a man's feelings.
-Wait! - She yelled between amused chuckles as she receded instinctively into the deserted space, every muscle of hers involuntary tensing with expectation and arousal as she braced herself for whatever he was concocting – … Are you going to spank me?
-Only if you want me to…. – He replied in a very low tone as he earnestly approached her. His tongue licking his lower lip lustfully only for a second, before pouncing gracefully at her and making her squeal with utter excitement.
- Writer
