Rain remains quiet for several moments following Tess's question, his heart racing and his thoughts in disarray. He's relieved that her method of deducing his strength seems to be something potentially unique to her. However, she's now under the exact kind of impression he hoped to avoid people having of him. Sure, she thinks his Bloodline is God-tier, not Primordial, but that's not a reassuring distinction in his mind.
Instinctively, he's gripped with anxiety, wondering if he was wrong to let himself get so close to Tess...to put so much trust in her. As he glances at her, though, his apprehension wanes some. She's just staring at him, curious but patient. Her eyes are warm and supportive, and she's wearing a friendly smile on her face. There's none of the mischief or suspicion that he's seen when she's being manipulative.
'I...think it's okay...it's Tess. I can trust her...right?'
As if sensing his hesitation, Tess gives him an apologetic smile, her tone becoming reassuring – encouraging, even.
"Don't worry, Rain...I'm not going to tell anyone...ever. Actually, I'm sorry for even phrasing that as a question...you don't need to answer. I just want you to know that I understand why you didn't tell me more...why you've been so secretive about your abilities. If you do ever want to talk about it, though, I want you to know that you can trust me."
As if trying to cement her point, Tess gives him one last reassuring look, then turns her attention back to the fire in front of them, sipping her cocoa. It's as though she's trying to say that she'll pretend they never had this conversation...if he wants.
After several long moments, she still hasn't spoken, and Rain's anxiety has mostly disappeared. In its place, he feels more than a little...partial...to Tess. Looking up from his mug of cocoa, he glances over at her affectionately as a small smile plays on his lips.
"You're wrong about some of the details, Tess, but...you've got the general idea right. For what it's worth, I'm hoping that one day I can answer all your questions. That sounds...nice...you knowing more about me."
Her gaze snaps to him suddenly, her expression full of surprise, but he just continues smiling at her warmly. After a moment, she smiles back, her eyes taking on a strange but intense quality, and their gazes remain locked like that for quite some time.
Eventually, Rain realizes how awkward he's being, and clears his throat nervously as he glances away into the fire.
"Ehem...so, uh...I guess it was my turn in your game. You want a truth or a dare?"
After another moment of staring at him, while Rain fails to meet her gaze, Tess's eyes become slightly mischievous, and a small smirk forms on her lips. She looks back at the fire, sipping her cocoa, and responds in an amused tone.
"Actually, I'm a little sleepy...mind if we go to bed now?"
*****
About fifteen minutes later, Rain is lying on his side within the tiny shelter, staring outside at the fire. Even though the fire is barely burning now, his entire body feels hot. The reason is Tess. Not only is she mere inches away from him, close enough that he can smell the lavender of her favorite soaps and feel the warmth of her body, but there's also...
"Ehem...uhm...Tess, are you almost done? And was it really necessary for me to be in here for this?"
Rain hears the sounds of fabric shifting around, and soon Tess's voice, slightly amused.
"Just a sec...I promise. And yes, I need you to keep watch out the shelter opening...you wouldn't want anyone to see me like this, would you?"
He bites his cheek to keep the mental image out of his head.
'Literally who!? Who would see you when we're all the way out here!?'
Rain lets out a small sigh, trying to calm himself.
"Explain to me again why you have to...change. Why can't you just sleep in what you were wearing?"
He hears Tess click her tongue disapprovingly behind him, but her voice becomes almost teasing.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk...I could have done that, but sleeping in a bra isn't comfortable, Rain. I'd rather not do it unless I have to. So, I can't keep wearing this thin, skin-tight training shirt either...that is, unless you want to see the outline of my boobs. Is that what you're saying, Rain?"
Rain feels heat rush to his face at the forced mental imagery, and his voice becomes nearly shrill.
"Wh-...what!? No, I never said that! Don't put words in my mouth, Tess!"
He hears her chuckle in amusement, then there's the sound of someone moving around on the ground behind him.
"Alright, you can turn around now."
Letting out a sigh of relief, he rolls over onto his back and casts a glance at Tess. She's lying on her side, facing him, her head propped up in her hand. She's still wearing the dark training pants from before, but the tight, black training shirt has been swapped for a thicker, looser, dark blue cloth tee. Tess is also sporting an amused smile, her emerald eyes studying him curiously. As his gaze rests on her, she speaks with a teasing tone.
"So...be honest...did you peek?"
Rain feels his face heat up, and his voice once again becomes defensive.
"No, I didn't peek! Why would you even think that!?"
She pulls her free hand to cover her mouth, chuckling at him, then she reveals an affectionate smile and waves at him dismissively.
"Oh, relax...I'm just teasing. But to be fair, most guys here would have at least tried to catch a glimpse in your position."
Rain groans internally, casting an admonishing look at her.
"Well I hope that you're having fun teasing me."
Her smile only becomes more amused.
"I am, in fact. Thanks for being so accommodating."
He rolls his eyes in response, and brief silence descending over the shelter. As the silence continues, Tess's body heat and scent assaulting his senses from inches away, the experience becomes unbearable for him. Eventually, he offers some polite small talk to distract himself from how close she is.
"So, uhm...you said that this is your first time camping, right?"
Seeming to recognize his awkward attempt at breaking the silence, Tess smirks and nods at him.
"That's right. I read about it when I was younger, and I even asked my parents to go one time, but there aren't any safe, forested places in the city that we could afford to camp in."
He nods politely...that's pretty much what he assumed.
"Makes sense. Well, I hope this is living up to your expectations then...are you having as much fun as you'd hoped?"
Her smirk disappears, and she smiles at him genuinely, her green eyes becoming a bit warmer.
"Yes, my first camping trip has been delightful so far. You know, this is also my first time trying cocoa, my first time playing that game, and my first time sleeping over with a boy. I'm getting quite the collection of novel experiences...so, thanks for that, Rain."
His eyes snap to her in surprise, his expression bewildered, and to his horror he starts speaking before he has time to think it through.
"Wait, you haven't...err, I mean...uhm..."
She narrows her eyes at him.
"Rain...you wouldn't be implying that you think I sleep around...would you?"
He freezes.
'Shit...that...'
He quickly rolls over on his side to face her, waving his hands dismissively.
"No, no! Nothing like that! But I mean...you're just so popular with the guys here, so confident with your whole flirty routine...well. I guess I just assumed that you'd spent the night with at least one guy in your life..."
Tess purses her lips thoughtfully as he trails off with an embarrassed tone. Her face studies his as though she's trying to gauge his sincerity. Eventually, she lets out a small sigh, and her gaze relaxes and seems to slide past him, as though she's staring off in thought.
"You know...it wasn't always like that for me. I was actually an ugly kid, I think...it wasn't until after my Marking that I started drawing all this attention from guys. Honestly, it was...really overwhelming, at first. I had zero dating experience before getting Marked. My first date, my first kiss...it all happened here, at the Academy. So, while I'm not some innocent flower, I'm also not that experienced, Rain. I've never spent the night with a guy."
Rain's eyes widen in shock at he processes what she's saying. He would have never guessed that the girl that seems to love using her looks to tease and fluster him, and who's the breezy center of attention everywhere she goes, spent most of her childhood as some ugly unwanted like him. He tries to imagine what it would have been like if, when he came here, all the most beautiful women in the place were suddenly throwing themselves at him near shamelessly.
'Honestly...I think I understand her a little bit better now. It doesn't excuse her behavior from when we met, but...I can at least empathize with wanting to feel wanted. If I'd suddenly had her powers...her looks...how would I have acted?'
He glances over at Tess, studying her unnaturally beautiful features, wondering what she may have looked like before. Eventually, his gaze and tone turn sympathetic as she looks back at him curiously.
"I'm sorry Tess, I had no idea. Truthfully, that really does sound...troublesome. I'm not sure how I would have reacted in your shoes."
Tess gives him a polite smile and shrugs. Then, her smile turns playful.
"Thanks, but don't worry about it. I'm used to it now. Anyway, now you know that you're my first, but...what about you? There were lots of kids in the orphanage, I'm guessing, and you've been at the Academy for over a month now. Ever had any girls over in your bed?"
Rain once again feels heat rush to his face.
'Gods...she really doesn't understand the nature of a personal question, does she?'
Despite his annoyance and embarrassment, he still feels compelled to answer her. She did just bare her own history to him, after all. So, he directs a calm gaze at her, his tone blunt but nonchalant.
"No, I can't say that I've had the pleasure...my dating experience is even less than yours."
For a moment, he swears that he sees...satisfaction...in her expression. But she quickly smiles and rolls over onto her back, leaving him uncertain. Confused, Rain follows suit, lying on his back once again.
After a short silence, he feels her grab his hand, and he looks over in surprise. She's looking at him as well, her eyes studying him affectionately, but her smile holds a trace of apprehension. Her voice comes out...hesitant.
"Hey, Rain...can you promise me that you won't let anything ruin this...our friendship? Not just other people or the Crucible, but like...if I did something that messed it up...you wouldn't just stop being my friend, right? You'd let me try and fix it?"
His eyes widen in surprise, taken aback by the unexpectedly serious question. Tess just continues staring at him expectantly, her emerald eyes betraying more of her anxiety as the silence between them stretches. Rain purses his lips, staring off thoughtfully for a moment.
'I can't imagine what she could possibly be worried about, but...I also don't want to promise her more than I can give her...'
Eventually, he looks back at her apologetically, but he tries to make his tone reassuring.
"I...promise that I won't let anyone or anything else dictate the terms of our friendship – that's between us. And short of you turning against me, I can't imagine reasons for cutting you out of my life. But that does mean there are betrayals I might consider unforgivable. I mean, how can you call someone a friend if you can't trust them again, you know? However, if that happens, I promise to at least hear you out...even if I think fixing things is hopeless. How's that?"
He watches as her face seems to relax, and she stares back at him appreciatively for a moment. Then, she squeezes his hand and releases it, turning back to look up at the sky.
"Thanks, Rain...that's more than enough."