disclaimer: i do not own escaflowne, or it's characters.

here you are, i hope you like it.

-midori-thumb

Feathered Wings and Things

In the Morning

The sun was shining in an early morning sky, the sun light was falling on Hitomi's sleeping face. Her eyes slowly opened as she noticed the sun's warmth. She looked in front of her, and saw someone beside her.

She blushed, it was Van. He lay on his stomach, his head resting on his bare arms and he was facing her. She smiled, he seemed so peaceful while he was sleeping. She continued to look at him, until his eyes opened suddenly, and he was looking back at her. Hitomi blushed and averted her eyes. He smiled.

"Good morning," Van said quietly, with another grin.

"Good morning," she returned shyly.

He lay there looking in to her green eyes, and she gazed back into his brown ones, slight blush playing on her face.

Van then slowly moved his arms out from under him and lifted himself to his knees. Hitomi uncurled herself and sat up beside him. Hitomi looked over at him and marveled at his wings once again. They were shining beautifully in the sun.

"How beautiful," she said breathlessly. Van looked at her, and smiled when he realized what she was looking at.

"You've said that before," he remarked teasingly.

"Yes but, they seem even more beautiful in the sun light," she said quietly.

Van remained on his knees as he stretched his wings out. They then began to shrink and sink beneath his skin. The wings disappeared, his skin was only slightly more red where the skin sealed up, then the rest of his skin's complexion.

Van looked over at Hitomi and smiled as he sat down on the ground. She sat next to him as he wiped his brow with his arm. Van leaned back on his arms and threw his head back to look at the sky. The sun was rising, and Hitomi joined him in watching it. She then glanced over at him.

He was beautiful, the early morning sun shining off his dark hair and off his tan, bare arms and chest. She blushed as her gaze had moved to his chest and strayed there. She quickly turned her head, and looked down at the grass.

Van noticed her quick movement, and looked over at her. Hitomi's thin frame was folded neatly, with her legs against her chest. Her blonde hair lighter, as it reflected the sun's rays. Part of her hair was blocking her face from his view, which made him curious.

Van reached out and moved her hair behind her ear, she was slightly startled at first, but let him continue. Hitomi looked over at him, he was resting on his arm again and was leaning toward her. Van met her eyes.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see your face," he said to her quietly. Hitomi blushed.

He just kept looking at her, and she looked back. After a long moment, and a longer silence, Hitomi nervously said, "This is…strange."

"I know," he answered quietly, never looking away from her eyes. "But what else is there to do . . . after this?" he asked just as quietly, with a slight grin playing on his lips.

"I . . . don't know," she said quietly. Their eyes were fixed to each other, and it was becoming more and more intense and harder to break away from the other's gaze. Hitomi began to redden, and yet she couldn't look away. Her heart was pounding.

Van then leaned in closer to her, he reached over her and placed his hand on her waist. Hitomi turned pale as he then moved her so she was right next to him. Their eyes still locked together.

Van slowly leaned in to her, her eyelids dropped, finally breaking their gaze. He first kissed her lightly on the lips, she tasted too sweet. She trembled as he kissed her again, more deeply. As they kissed, Van made Hitomi lean back to where she was laying down on the grass.

The kiss was broken by Van, he leaned away to meet her eyes again with his. He held her gaze and then moved a strand of her hair away from her face. Van smiled at her, and she timidly smiled back.

He leaned in again and gently tapped her nose with his own. She let out a small laugh, but was soon silenced by another kiss.

Van leaned over her and sank deeper into the kiss. Hitomi moved her hands to lay her palms flat against his chest, and they slowly moved up over his collarbones and wrapped behind his neck and head. Hitomi pulled him closer to her, to where Van's chest began to lay up against her own. They could feel each other's chests move as they breathed more quickly.

Van broke away from the kiss quickly, then laid down beside her on his side. He let his arm fall down across her chest. Hitomi was flushed, and tried to catch her breath.

Hitomi turned to look at Van, he had his eyes closed, and his nose was pressed against her shoulder. He then kissed her shoulder, she laughed and Van smiled. He kissed her again on the arm, and held her close to his chest. His eyes remained closed, as she looked at him the best she could from her position.

"Hey, don't go asleep," she said quietly, her own eyes closing slightly, "we have to go to the castle."

Hitomi's eyes shot open, "They're probably wondering where you are." She grabbed his arm and tried to move it, but he wasn't budging. "There could be panic in Fanelia right now because their king is missing." She tried once more to break his grip.

"No you don't," he said, moving his head to rest it up against Hitomi's. "Hitomi. I think Fanelia can spare to be without a king for an hour or two." His breath was warm against her neck, and she closed her eyes. The sun was very warm on her skin, she noticed and then started again.

"What time is it? What about breakfast? Surely someone by now has noticed you're gone," she said more alert. Hitomi didn't bother trying to break Van's gentle yet strong grasp, because she knew he wouldn't let go unless he did it on his own.

"Okay," Van sighed, Hitomi could feel it on her neck. "Calm down, we'll go," he said, with a grin. He released her and lifted himself up slightly, resting on his hands. She looked up at him, he had her pinned between his stretched out arms.

"One more thing though," he said, and then dropped his face down to hers. He lightly brushed his lips up against hers before he kissed her once more. Hitomi flushed.

Van then sat up on his knees, and Hitomi did the same. They both got up on their feet, Hitomi was holding on to Van's arms for support as they did. They then made the mistake of gazing into each others eyes again.

"Oh no," Hitomi whispered.

Van whispered back in a teasing manner, "Don't worry, we're going back," realizing what she was worrying about. "But we'll finish up later today."

The End

there you are, thanks for reading.

- midori-thumb