The cool, gently flowing waters helped to ease the fatigue from his aching body, breathing a bit of life back into his tired bones, even though it had been merely a few hours since their battle. As he lay there, eyes closed lightly, his thoughts began to drift to the battle with the mammoth beast and it's corrupted minions. As he was apt to do after a particularly rough fight, he began to replay his path through the battle, weighing out the choices he had made, finding merit in some, flaws in others, as he scored his own performance, eager to improve his abilities, as always. Most of the fight went as well as it could have, but he knew that he had rushed his attack on the behemoth, which caused him to not be able to set his footing properly so he could get out from under the beast. That simple mistake was over his desire to keep Levani safe, to make sure the creature wouldn't have a chance to kill her while she had been perched on it's face. That was always his downfall, caring too much for those around him, always willing to risk his own life instead of theirs. It was an admirable trait, sure, but it caused him no small amount of problems and pain, specially considering his current situation.<br/><br/>Kallo's pale eyes opened slowly as he felt Levani put her hand on his chest, her touch more soothing than it should've been. At her words, he merely shook his head, lifting a hand to place it over hers on his chest for a brief moment. “I do not mean that I am weak, or that I would willingly give up... I cannot do such a thing. I meant more that my purpose was lost, the path that had been so clear before me had become hazy and that I had given up on hope.” Pressing gently against her hand, his pale gaze studying her face as he lay there in the cool waters, he offered her an affectionate smile. “You gave me hope again. That's what I had lost... that's what had led me astray, and you... the exotic little lass that you are, gave that simple gift back to me. You have become my strength.” Pulling his hand from hers, letting it fall back to his side as he looked up at the clear sky, an absent smile on his lips.<br/><br/>“Kimough huh? What a sad way to go. Truth be told lass, I feel sorry for the beast. I'm sure he was a majestic creation, once upon a time.” He gently shook his head, a slight blush creeping into his cheeks as her words sunk in. “Maybe so lass, but I pushed my boundaries too far. You have my sincerest apologies for forcing that kiss on you... I... I just reacted.” At that moment, he gazed up at her, wishing to take her face in his hands and steal another kiss from her, to see how she would react without the impending battle looming over them. Pushing the thoughts from his mind, he let his eyes fall closed again as she pulled her hand from his chest and sat back against the opposing bank.<br/><br/>“Aye lass, that is a strange thing. I know you've said you've always been alone... but you talk of the tribes teaching you things, sharing with you. Have you never desired their companionship? Their presence?” It was truly an odd thing to him that she had never felt lonely before, that no one in her life had ever made her feel like she needed them there. At that moment, one of the many pieces of Levani's puzzle fell into place, helping him to realize that maybe it wasn't that she didn't feel anything for him, but just the opposite. Maybe she just didn't know what it meant to feel the pull of the heart, to desire the closeness of another person. The thought drew a soft chuckle from his throat, a wry smirk curling the edges of his lips. “Maybe no one ever took the time to show you what you meant to them. I wonder if that's the reason you've never felt lonely lass. Could it be that you've never felt love before?” Even as the words left his mouth, he regretted speaking them, giving voice in their mutually understood tongue to his feelings for her.<br/><br/>Before he could sit up and cover his words, hide the meaning that he had so casually let slip, she was already leaning over his body, two of her necklaces held in her small hands as she settled them on his chest. A gift. She was giving him a gift in an attempt to soothe him, to show him that he did, in fact, have something of value. The smile that shined up at Levani was as genuine as ever, the gratitude shining brightly in his pale eyes. “Thank you lass... truly.” Before she could sit up to give distance between them, his arms lifted out of the water and wrapped around her frame, pulling her close to him, his embrace gentle and loving. “This may seem a little unbelievable to you, but I've never been gifted anything in my life. Not something physical in nature that I could touch or see.”<br/><br/>Realizing that he had pulled her close to him, cradling her gently in his arms, he offered a meek smile and slowly let his hands slide from her body, fighting the urge to keep her there, to feel the comfort of her skin against his. “Sorry lass... I wasn't thinking... I...” Clearing his throat as rose tinged his cheeks again, he shook his head, his words failing him as he looked up at her, unsure of what to do or say at that moment. Cursing himself silently for being such a fool, he fought with himself over what he should do over his absent minded reaction to her gifts. Part of him wanted to quickly get out of the water and occupy his mind with anything other than Levani, yet more of him wished to remain where he was, to put his hands back around her and hold her close, taking comfort in her presence.