Alethea could feel the somewhat conflicted feelings within Thal-ion, although they seemed less so than her own. At least where the conflict was concerned. In everything else, desire, affection, his own seemed to match hers. Yet, in the end, he proved stronger than her. Whether or not he truly wanted to, he pushed those feelings down, and rather than give into his passion, he leaned down and gently kissed her brow. And then he embraced her, holding her close, wrapping her in warmth and comfort. He shared with her his understanding, his acceptance of this as it was.<br/><br/>She wasn't sure if perhaps he believed that this was what she wanted, that she hadn't wanted him to kiss her, that she doubted this, that she wanted him to be stronger than she was, or if perhaps this was what he really wanted, or at least believed to be best. Maybe some part of her had wanted that. Maybe some part of her had needed that, for him to be strong, to show that this truly was real, that he truly did care for her enough to push down his own desires if it was what was best for her, to prove that he really would wait. Such thoughts had never truly occurred to her, but perhaps it was true nonetheless.<br/><br/>Either way, she felt some small sting of disappointment when he didn't kiss her, and yet she felt some form of relief, too. Not because she hadn't wanted it, she did. But whatever the reason was, she suddenly felt like whatever doubt she had was gone, and in its place was clarity she had not had before. This was what she wanted. Not resting or relaxing, or even talking. Well, she did want all of those things. But not now. Right now, she wanted him. Not because she wasn't strong enough to resist, but because she no longer felt the need to. Or perhaps she had simply decided to throw caution to the wind. She didn't know for sure which was the reason, or if it was some mix of both, but she was certain now of what she wanted.<br/><br/>Her own eyes met his as his finger lifted her chin so that their eyes met. And in her eyes was resolve. But she wondered briefly, was this what he wanted? Would he want this if he knew she did? Or did he truly just want to rest and talk? She didn't really have an answer, but she supposed that there was only one way to find out. "I don't want to talk," she responded with a hoarse whisper. Without another word, she stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. It was soft and sweet at first, but it soon deepened into something more, filled with passion, desire, and affection as she stepped closer to him, so that there was no longer any space between them.<br/><br/>After a long moment, she pulled away, only enough to breathe and to speak. "It seems I was wrong. This is what I want after all," she spoke with a breathy whisper. "But if it isn't what you want, then now is your chance to stop me," she offered, hoping very much that he wouldn't wish to. But if he did, she would yield. She didn't wish to rush him or push him into anything any more than he wished to do such to her. And so, once again, she found herself waiting with bated breath for his answer.