Experiment in Romance(Kiri)

[Kiri Honeywater]

As the falcon landed she let go of his arm her eyes going from the strong, handsome bird to him. "A letter? Like a messenger pigeon only more manly?"

Silver Star sounded like a rather perfect name for such a majestic bird of prey. Falcons always made her smile, though most animals did. She sat still watching the two and laughed at Star's comment then frowned.

"Are you alright? He said something about locking him in a cage?" Kiri scooted forward to try to get a better look at his forehead. As the bird shifted his attention she smiled at him.

"My name is Kiri, Kiri HoneyWater. Pleasure to meet you." Her blue eyes weren't too happy for the bird hurting Locke. "You're quite a handsome bird, you know."

Most birds enjoyed being complimented from her experience but each animal was different. Maybe he'd be insulted by her flattery.

[Locke F. Herald]

Locke finished fumbling with the letter and laid in out on the grass in front of him, using a book to hold one end of the paper down to prevent it from rolling. He then unrolled the paper with his only free hand, keeping Star perched on his other arm.

"Oh that. Yeah when I was little I locked the cage shut when he was sleeping. He's an outdoor bird, he was really mad when he woke up and couldn't get out." Locke said, paying no mind to the peck. "Oh I'm fine, that was just his reminder to me I guess, he wouldn't hurt me. He clawed me once when I was little, Dad threw a fit."

Star, for his point, looked over to Kiri as she addressed him. He then hopped from Locke's arm to hers, his claws not pressing down on her fair skin at all. Locke looked over to make sure Kiri was all right, as the bird began talking to her.

"Kiri? Only one except Frankie that can talk, that's weird. And yes my plumage is exceptional for attracting a mate, kind of you to notice unlike the other ground plodders. By their standards you are attractive enough for your choice of mates too, right?" He said. He'd seen enough humans to know the standards of beauty for their odd society. It was complicated, but he'd got the basics down, if only it was based on the sheen and size of feathers, that would be so much easier. He lifted his head with a sense of dignity. "A tall and noble companion Frankie calls me, not a bad title from a ground plodder."

Locke, for his part, had begun to read the letter in silence. His facial expression changing with every few lines. Amusement, to worry, to relaxation, and then his face froze. Not afraid, not like reading that someone had died, more like he just got sucker punched. He just started at the paper dumbfounded.

[Kiri Honeywater]

Kiri smiled as the bird went to her arm glad that Locke wasn't really hurt. She sat interested and listening intently to the bird. But occasionally her eyes went to Locke as he read the letter.

"Your feathers are some of the best, most preened, shining feathers I've ever seen." Her hand gestured at his wings. "Such powerful looking wings too. The tail feathers are perfect! So well taken care of."

She smiled at his compliments and bowed her head a bit in thanks. "Why thank you. I'm sure all the lady falcons fawn over you."

Busy complimenting the bird she missed most of Locke's reaction to the letter. But at a quick glance she caught a not so happy look, and smiled at the bird then it registered. Not so happy look!

"Locke? Are you alright?" The young fae scooted closer holding her arm steady so as not to disturb the majestic bird.

[Locke F. Herald]

The bird stood up tall, with no small amount of pride at Kiri's comment. "You have fine taste there, a keen eye for beauty." Then he seemed to notice Locke too. "The nest is getting a little crowded." He said with a nod.

Locke was slightly aware of Kiri's presence and her question. But that silly dumbfounded look would not leave his face as he looked back at the letter and opened his mouth as if to speak.

"Dear Locke..." He began to read from the letter, his voice a little shaky.

After a moment, he continue with the reading.

"Your mother told me to write this letter, but I'd been putting it off for a while. Nobodies dead or hurt, it's not a bad letter, but it is an important one. Well, we've known about this for a while, but we kept it from you, if you knew you might not have gone to the Academy, and that was what was best for you. Everyone has to leave home eventually, and it's a good thing that cat's out of the cradle, cause it might be needed again." Locke paused for a moment, then continued.

"So I suppose this is my way of telling you that you are no longer the youngest Herald. It should be around March. We'll send you a letter with more information later."

There was more to the letter, but Locke stopped there for the time being. He then looked up at Kiri, and in turn the bird on her arm that looked away.

"Oh boy, here come the water works. Kid always was a cry baby." Star took off and perched on the branch of a nearby tree.

"I'm....going to be....a brother?" He said, more for confirmation that he understood the letter right.

[Kiri Honeywater]

She rose her eye brows at the birds comment not really understanding. But as Locke began to read his letter she started to understand. It sounded wonderful to her. A new sibling? A baby? It sounded exciting! but why didn't Locke look excited? Water works? He was going to cry because he was going to have a sibling?

"Locke, that sounds like wonderful news! You're going to be a big brother!" Kiri ignored the bird and scooted closer to Locke with a bright smile in place. "Oh, that's wonderful! You'll be the best big brother. You have so much to teach him!"

He looked stunned, and the look from earlier...what was wrong? She'd love to have a baby brother or sister. A family. His family was getting bigger. The playing, the feeding, and the bonding. The learning that goes along with a new life. A new life! It was all amazing to her, but she loved children.

"Do you not want a baby brother or sister?" Concerned now Kiri reached for his hand. "It won't be for some time now, and you'll be gone at school a lot. So you won't have to be around much if you don't want a new sibling. Or is that what you're worried about?"

She glanced at the bird for some help but she felt like she wasn't going to get any. "Are you worried that your parents will forget about you or something? Locke, please tell me that isn't it. You're smarter than to believe something that silly."

Smiling she reached to touch his cheek trying to comfort him. If he needed comfort. She was so very confused on how to deal with this.

[Locke F. Herald]

Kiri was stating all her theories and guesses and Locke couldn't help but smile. When she touched his cheek he snapped himself from the dream-like state and took her hand with his. He bought his other hand up and held hers in his, smiling at her.

"You have...interesting theories. But no that isn't it, I am happy for my family, my bigger family, because...well..."

He smiled a bit, locking gazes with her, he seemed to be using her as a emotional crutch lately. Wasn't healthy, but he did have issues.

It came with being a genetic hiccup.

"For the beginning of my life I kept feeling like I was a problem to my parents. My father didn't have anyone he could take outside or teach his trade and tricks to, and my mother didn't have someone she could go shopping with or just talk to really. I was sort of...a place holder I guess? When I was younger, I wished for a sibling, not for me, because I wanted there to be someone there my parents could do those things with. I felt...a sense of obligation I guess? But I never went along with it. I came to terms with the fact that...my parents were happy with how I was, with who I was. I am happy for the new life, I really am, but I don't know if it's the old feeling rearing up. Maybe I like the idea of a sibling because I feel they can take my place in the family, and do the things I couldn't. Or maybe they will be branded by my simple existence, as the 'sibling of the stray.' by stupid and foolish people."

He smiled at her. "They may be the words of the stupid and uninformed, but they can still hurt. I'm good at ignoring them, but I only got that way by being exposed to them. They...might have to go through what I did. Which means...I have to be a real big brother, I have to be there for them, to help them like I needed it back then."

Locke sighed briefly. "It's not that I'm not happy. It's just a lot of responsibility for me, I'm not sure I am ready for it and it's not even my child."

"I don't know how to help people, I don't know how to comfort them when they are sad, I just use my logic and reason and whatever. That doesn't work with children...they are fragile. I need a gentle touch, and...well... I need your help Kiri. To help me learn to be a good brother for my sibling."

He'd kept his eyes on her until then, he was very serious now. This was something important, something that needed to be done.

Someone he'd never met needed his help, and they didn't know it yet. And he was preparing to give that help the best he could.

"Please?"

[Kiri Honeywater]

As Kiri listened to his input on him being a child to his parents she had to bite her lip. One reason was to keep her mouth shut and let him talk, the other was to keep from crying. Her childhood had been filled with love, caring, and gentle words. His, from what she could tell, was full of heartache, misunderstandings, and harsh words. Complete opposites. Oh, how she wantd to wrap him into her arms, and tell him that she'd do everything in her power to make those bad feelings go away.

At his request she nodded vigorously with a bright supporting smile. "Of course I'll help! I'll do whatever you need me to do."

She placed her other hand over his in her hand. "I'm sure your new sibling will feel over joyed to have you as their brother. We all fill a certain spot even if its not the one we think we should fill. You were and are the son they love, Lock. I...think you know that. You might not have done all the regular things kids do, but there's nothing wrong with that."

Giggling she winked at him. "At least you'll be able to help him with his homework."

[Locke F. Herald]

"Thank you..." He said, letting trail off when she agreed. And she started the Kiri pep talk, god he'd heard he speak like this so often. He was just an emotional train wreck wasn't he?

"You're right...of course." Locke said nodding, with a smile. "You always make so much sense, if I trusted in people a little more, I might not keep having these problems." God she was so beautiful. Was it just the fae's supernatural beauty he saw in her? Or her honeyed words?

For once Locke didn't even need to doubt himself, he knew the answer. He loved her for who she was, not what she was. She wasn't an emotional crutch for him, she wasn't an ethereally beautiful creature, she definitely wasn't a toy for him to throw aside when he got bored.

She was Kiri HoneyWater. And she was exactly what he needed. Someone who was everything he wasn't, everything he needed to be complete.

Without hesitation, he pulled her hand up and placed a kiss on it. He didn't bring his eyes to her as he continued.

"How did I get so lucky to meet you? What did I do, to deserve you?" Locke asked, more to some higher power then to her. "Kiri, do...do you think...I'm worth all this? I always thoughts men...were supposed to be the strong ones...the ones who comfort the girls. And here I am the one always breaking apart. If I didn't have you to hold me together...I...don't know what I'd do..."

How he'd managed to survive with out Kiri? He knew that.

Behind lock and key, blinds drawn and doors shut. Locked in the tower of ivory. The tower she pulled him from. Without his walls, he was finding just how weak he really was...

[Kiri Honeywater]

Smiling that was a good step forward. For a minute there she was afraid she'd never get a decent smile out of him. A real smile. A strong smile. He still didn't sound too sure of himself but that was alright. At least he wasn't talking about such depressing things anymore. She couldn't take it. Hearing him talk like that. Why couldn't he see how wonderful he was?

"With the childhood you had of course you're going to keep people at bay. It's alright." Kiri smiled rubbing her thumb over his hand. "I'm here to help you any way I can. Besides it's better to be wary of people than to trust them all the time."

Not everyone was lollipop's and rainbows. The young fae girl stayed away from the non-rainbow people most times but she'd met a few before. People who'd said horrible things about Locke. Her kind, intelligent, considerate Locke.

As he kissed her hand her cheeks tinged a bit and her eyes went soft. Her kind, loving, gentle Locke. Shaking her head as he talked she tightened her grip on his hand.

"Locke, you're more than worth it. There isn't any problem. I don't see any anyway." She shrugged gazing at him lovingly. "So you're not some macho man. They usually annoy me. I love you the way you are Locke. Every part of you."

Kiri leaned forward a bit but not to kiss, that action didn't seem to go over well with him. "You'd be the same as before. I think you're strong, and the fact you can show me a bit a weakness lets me know you trust me. I feel honored that you can trust me so much."

She leaned away now her expression soft. "You're stronger than you let yourself believe. I couldn't of gone through your childhood and be so kind." Looking to a blade of grass she bit her lip thinking how brave he'd been to face all those awful bullies.

[Locke F. Herald]

Locke smiled to himself at her soothing words, washing over him like a gentle breeze. He took them all in as if they were what gave him life, and they might very well be. Then his eyes opened wide when she said something, something that he never could.

"I love you the way you are Locke."

She'd said it, she'd done it now. Now he had to, he felt that way too. He knew it. Nobody else had done all this for him, nobody had pulled him out of his world and taken his hand like she did. Guided him into the real world, helped him, cherished him, and thought themselves the luckiest person in the world for his existence. She'd said that, and she was so naive, and so pure, if he couldn't believe her, who could he believe? Kiri was too pure, she never lied, she always meant it...

"...L-Love..." He managed to get out, as if he was out of breath. He may very well have been. "...you...too." He mumbled. He was burning red, but he lifted his eyes to her. He had to see her reaction. Had to see those eyes again.

[Kiri Honeywater]

Kiri's eyes welled with tears but she blinked furiously and jerked her head upwards to stare at the sky. She was so happy yet sorrow was suddenly drowning her.

"You don't have to say it back." Her hands lifted to wipe away the unwanted tears. "I'm not going to force you to do or say anything you don't want to."

Maybe he just had problems with saying stuff like that. Like the kissing. Why was she acting like this?

"Say it when you're ready. Don't say just because." Rubbing her nose with the back of her hand she stood. "Where did you want to go next?"

He obviously cared greatly for her and yet the fact that he couldn't say it....Kiri shook her head and fussed with her hair, then picked up her barely eaten food.

"Shopping? Book store? A walk?" Back to the academy... She turned with a smile as bright as any she'd ever given. That smile never reached her eyes which were carefully guarded to hide her thoughts and feelings. "Or maybe desert? Do you like sweets?"

Rambling fixes everything...

[Locke F. Herald]

Now she thought he hadn't meant it? Oh man, how was he so bad at this? He really did mean it now, he wouldn't let this drop. He'd said it, he was going to ensure that the message was clear.

Silence for a brief second, then he stood as well, taking a step towards her to close the distance. "I...didn't say it...because I had to..." Locke said, finding that he was still mumbling. That wasn't good, that wasn't going to convince her. He needed to stand tall, be strong, buck up and deal with it like a man.

"I said it." He started. "Because you needed to hear it. I needed to tell you. And you deserved to know...I...I don't know what love is like, but I don't know if anything could be better then the way you make me feel...is that love? You are...always there for me...I know I'll be there for you...but I wasn't sure that is what love was..."

Now he began to falter. Tripping at the finish line as it were. Instead he redoubled his strength, and got out the end of his message, what he couldn't say at their last meeting but found he meant more then anything now.

"Kiri HoneyWater...I love you."

[Kiri Honeywater]

Still he couldn't just out and say it. She was rushing things! They'd only being going out for a short period of time. Why was she pushing it? No, she was trying to drop it. It was really fine with her if he wasn't ready to say it.

"Locke, really. I know you care about me. But if you're not sure how you feel..." Then he said it again, with her name this time too. Her hands covered her mouth and she couldn't stop the tears this time. "Oh, Locke."

She wanted to kiss him, hold him, at least grab his hand, but she was afraid. This was so much for him, or so she felt like it was. This day had been an emotional hurricane and he was stuck in it. As a girl friend she shouldn't be making things harder when he had more serious things to think about. Like a new sibling.

Dropping her arms to her side she held out a hand for his head bowed but no longer crying. It was hard to breathe, her head was light and the world was spinning. He'd just said I love you. A boy, the boy she'd pined for, had said I love you. Was it possible to be happier?

Sniffling she smiled and lifted her head. "You...are the best thing to come into my life. It's like...all my wishes and dreams came true in you. Or is it you just became my wishes and dreams?" Kiri giggled softly lifting her non-outstretched hand to wipe away the last remnants of her tears.

[Locke F. Herald]

The smile, that smile so bright it blacked out the sun by comparison. He took her hand in his, and lifted his other hand to cup her chin in his hand so he could look straight at her, at her smile.

"That smile." He said to her, his own smile widening. "That is the smile of the girl I love." Now that he had said it once, he had no trouble saying it again. She loved him, she really did, and she knew that he loved her too. "When you smile, I can't be sad. It's just too perfect. I don't know why I was afraid, why I doubted it. But it's true, you are...perfect." He said learning towards her a little more. Suddenly he became aware of exactly where he was. A few sparse inches between them, their eyes connected, and her chin cupped in his hand as their other hands were classed together. They were so close he could swear that he could hear the beating of her heart...

Or was it his own? Beating rapidly, almost out of his chest, and there she was, inches from him.

'Do I...?'

A million thoughts ran through his head in the millisecond of that thought. Only a breathless whisper escaped his lips though.

"Kiri..."

[Kiri Honeywater]

It felt so right to have his hand in hers, but then he got closer. Eyes bright her smile changed a bit one of hope that he might just do what being so close often lead to. It seemed a perfect time to do so, but only if he wanted to.

"I'm far from perfect, but I'm glad that I can make you happy." Just her smile could do that? Good thing for him she smiled very often, especially around him. His hand on her cheek made her eyes close and she turned slightly into it. "And you say you're not romantic. If you weren't then how could you make my heart flutter so with just a touch?"

Kiri opened her eyes slowly when he whispered and her hand squeezed his. "Yes, Locke?"

Locke. She loved his name. She loved his hands. She loved how completely bashful he acted around things such as this. It was cute and it was sweet. It showed how he respected her, or that's what she told herself. He'd researched to find out how to be a good boy friend. Who did that? Him, her handsome, considerate, Locke.