Kind of a short chapter to lead into the next, but it's important for Leven
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"This feels weird..." Alana sighed out, a blush on her face, as her legs squirmed.
"Aren't you a little old for this to be your first time? Surely you've got some experience." Leven huffed, working his fingers extra carefully but quickly.
"No, I don't have experience with this, it is not that strange," Alana whined.
"How have you never worn pants before?" Leven finished unknotting the thin rope. Alana and Leven were on deck, Leven doing actual work, Alana following him around. It was late evening, twilight, and the ship was far from any landmarks that Alana could see. Kazumi, Ivo, and Leopoldo were below deck going over maps for their next stop.
"I'm not sure. I have always only been allowed to wear skirts or dresses." Alana made a large lunge forward in her new pants. They were very fitted, and a gray shade, almost black. After the night with Kazumi, Ivo had shown her that he also got her things in town that day, despite her never asking. All those things being clothes. She tried declining, but Ivo insisted, saying her dress was getting too worn being a pirate ship maid. She had to agree, it has been three days since then and today was the first day she has actually worn a set of her new garments. She wore a black, high neck shirt, her pants, and a pair of black knee-high laced boots. At the palace, she would never be allowed to wear this much dark clothing, and black was unheard of for a royal to wear. These clothes showed her figure a lot better than the dress she wore, her hips and butt especially.
"You'll get used to them eventually, pants will be better in the long run," Leven said working on the next knot.
"Yeah, you are right." Alana sighed. She was done with the chores Kazumi had given her, which had grown fewer and easier as time went on and decided to keep Leven company as he fixed the fishing nets. He did not have to do such a job, but he liked it, it gave him something to do in downtime.
"They..." Leven started but hesitated. "They look nice on you." He finally admitted.
She was frozen in place for a second. Did Leven... actually just say something nice to me?
She immediately broke out into a smile, crouching down to tackle the man in a hug. "Thank you, Leven!" They fell to the floor, Alana had him in an anaconda-like hug.
"Wha- hey, that wasn't even a real compliment!" Leven tried pushing her off him, the warm and fuzzy feeling growing inside him made him feel uncomfortable.
"I'm just so happy you actually said something nice!" She pressed her cheek to his, nuzzling his soft skin with hers. Leven finally managed to pry her off of him. He instantly turned his back to her to hide his bright red face and also used his forearm to help with the task. She sat on her knees now, facing his back, still smiling. There was a long pause as Alana waited for Leven to call her 'idiot' or any sort of mean name like he always does but it was taking longer than usual. Right as she was about to speak, he cut her off.
"Is it because I look like this?" Leven almost whispered.
"What do you mean?" She asked, her brows pulled in.
"You hug me so easily, and you put my hand on your chest like nothing." Leven continued. "Would you do it that easily if I was Leopoldo? Or Ivo? Or even Captain?" His voice was growing angrier and louder.
"I don't understand, Leven," Alana said, her heart was tightening.
"I look like a kid to you, so you're comfortable doing those kinds of things, right? You don't see me like a man!" He accused harshly as he turned, and his eyes were filled with an emotion she could not place. It stunned Alana into silence for a moment. It was true Leven looked a lot younger than he was, he was slightly shorter than her, and his face was extremely youthful.
"Leven, I-" Alana started to find the words to help her counter. Leven looked away again. I knew it, she only sees me as a kid, yet I am older than her. She is the only woman I have ever wanted, and she does not even see me as a man. It's not fair!
"Leven, I am not comfortable with you because of how you look." She said, and he tensed at her words. "I am comfortable with you because of your actions." She placed a dainty hand on his shoulder. "As much as I like the others, I can see they hide behind smiles and kind words, or no expression at all." She explained further. "But from the start, you've always been upfront with me. You've been the most normal person on this ship, and I feel comforted by that, Leven." She said, meaning every word. "You know that incident, with the child?" Alana asked, feeling almost bad for bringing it up as seemed to be a sore spot for the men. He did not reply. "Well, when I was going to be hit again, I remember feeling terrified, and it was like the whole world became quiet. But the first thing I heard was your voice, and then I saw you. You looked so amazing, you were the one who got to me first, and came between me that man. You protected me. I would never think of you as a child." His eyes widened by a fraction, and his heart was thumping like crazy in his chest.
"Then do it again." He ordered.
"Huh?" Alana quizzed.
"Hug me." He said. "Hug me again." She laughed and hugged him from behind, it was a big bear hug, nothing sensual, but Leven could have melted away in it. For the first time, he was able to be in her embrace without feeling like a child being coddled, and he savored the way her long thin arms engulfed him. His happiness was short-lived when he saw a ship approaching out the fog.
"Alana..." He warned. "Go get the others." His tone made her look up confused and she followed his gaze to the approaching ship. They both stood, Alana immediately going below deck, as Leven stayed waiting for their arrival.
Please, give me a reason to cut you down for ruining that moment with my idiot... But I suppose that's reason enough