This is my second installment in the Water Marsh fanfiction catalogue. My preferred pairings will be featured in the oneshots. This is the second one. Enjoy!

STRESS (Kyle X Miakis Suikoden V)

She moaned as he pressed his body tightly against hers, his skillful hands caressing her whole body. His lips planted wet open-mouthed kisses on her neck as she arched it higher for him to gain more access. She pressed his head closer to her neck, her fingers getting tangled with his fine pale blonde mane. The man groaned as he rubbed her hard stomach, eliciting another moan from the purple haired woman. After the fast-paced moment of passion, the two of them looked at each others' eyes, inner flames still burning and hungry for more.

The man crushed his lips against the woman's without warning, hungrily tasting her supple lips for the first time that night. The two of them reciprocated with much ardor and intensity that it nearly swallowed them whole. The man pushed her face closer to his as he ate her lips, sucking and nipping on them, trying to prolong the foreplay before fully entering her sensual mouth. The woman moaned at the man's actions and with the slightest opening of her mouth, his tongue found its way inside it, fully tasting her sweetness. Tongues collided and the kiss grew hotter, fiercer, and more demanding. No one wanted to back out.

After a minute of tongue-clashing, the kiss was broken. Both parties were heavily panting. The man pressed his forehead against the woman's as they continued to silently pant, beads of sweat trickling down their warm bodies. He pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist protectively. They were sitting on the side of his bed inside his personal chamber as a member of the Queen's Knights.

Too much has happened and the latest was that of Sialeeds' betrayal. The stress and tension inside the Sindar Castle was too much, especially to them who actually spent ages with the Queen Arshtat's younger sister. They felt something more than just mere betrayal. Frustration. Loss. Confusion.

They mutually needed this. They weren't in any kind of intimate relationship. They were friends and colleagues with benefits. Any carnal longing can be fulfilled by the other and it will be given as soon as the partner so wishes.

For a couple of seconds they evened their breaths. The woman looked up at the man's grief-stricken face. With her right hand, she tenderly rubbed his cheek. This small act of consolation made the man stare at the woman's concerned eyes. They stared at each other, lavishing in the silence that enveloped them.

"Kyle..."

"I know, Miakis, I know..."

"Depression won't take us anywhere..."

"I know. It's just that... I feel so betrayed. We all feel betrayed. We trusted her, Miakis. We served her. We entrusted our hope partially on her. And then..."

"Sshh. Stop. This has been hard on the others too."

"Why did she do this? To her own niece and nephew? To the memory of her sister? To her country? To us?"

Kyle sounded so frustrated. Miakis knew why though. For a while, Kyle admired Sialeeds not only for her beauty but also for her innate strength and conviction. To see her switching sides racked Kyle's world. It's not about the attraction anymore. It's about the trust he gave her, which she broke for reasons still unknown. Miakis was a little bit jealous but she won't tell him that. She knew what she was to Kyle and she wouldn't dare challenge that anymore. She was happy, knowing she could do something for him, and that they mutually gain something from their platonic relationship.

"She has her reasons. We'll find out soon enough what those reasons are. Until then, let's be strong for the princess and the prince."

When Kyle did not respond, Miakis took it upon herself to continue their little activity. She pulled his face towards her and kissed him as hungrily and as passionately as he kissed her earlier. Kyle responded instantly, carrying her lower body to position her on top of his lap. She wrapped her legs around his torso, rubbing his nape as their tongues once again went to battle. Kyle groaned as he rubbed her ribcage sensually. Because of the pleasure coursing all throughout her lithe body, Miakis pulled away from the kiss to moan his name. Kyle started to kiss her collarbone, sucking on one particularly sensitive part. This made Miakis scream his name louder.

"Kyle..."

Kyle knew that they weren't allowed to go to the next level yet. He craved her but he kept his lust monster on a leash. Instead, he embraced her tightly, resting his head on top of her bosom. Miakis' fingers played with his hair. Once again, silence enveloped them.

"...What we're doing...do we still have a purpose? A true meaning to our lives of service?"

"Of course, Kyle. As long as Falena has a queen, we are to protect her as we would protect her land and her people. Remember that."

"...We needed this session badly, didn't we?"

"...Yes. I needed to satisfy myself enough for me to forget what is happening around us momentarily."

"... Miakis. I'm always here for you. You know that right?"

"Mmhmm. I'm always here for you too. Never forget that."

"...You won't leave me like her, won't you?"

"...I won't."

At that, the two knights embraced each other, never letting each other go. Under the eerie glow of the moonlight passing through the small cracks in the bedroom window, their figures can be seen slowly taking each other's armors off.

THE END