fic: Oaths

[bonnefois]

Title: Oaths
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 6k
Author's note: Contains AA6 spoilers. Kink meme any/any (m/f preferred) take a vow for a month of celibacy.

The monk Nahyuta is referring to is Saraha.



The files were just a little too high. If she stepped up on one of the lower rungs, just to show all those people who mocked her height that she didn't need any stepladders or ladders. Not like she had any experience on that...okay, maybe she did, but it was prosecutor Gavin's fault for saying how she was even tinier than Apollo, and with twice the temper.

She puffed out her cheeks. Whose bright idea was it to make the evidence box so high that their leading forensics expert couldn't even reach it? How was she supposed to even process things like this, when the aisles were too narrow to fit a ladder between?

"Detective Skye," Nahyuta said in a low, soft voice. She loved the way he said her name, like liquid silk. He reached above her, and his hand brushed sensuously up her back as he did so. She couldn't help but shiver at his touch. All her earlier irritation faded. Nahyuta was a damn master at calming her down, in every way possible.

He placed the evidence box on a much more accessible shelf.

"All you ever need to do is ask, Detective Skye," he said.

"I'll tell you that when I barge in during your meditation hour and ask for things from the top shelves. I'm sure you'll be thrilled," she said.

He chuckled. "So be it."

She felt him push her hair back, and felt his lips brush the back of her neck.

"Here?" Ema said. She turned to face him. He was unreadable. And his respond was to lean in, and kiss her again. The shelf was hard against her back, but she hardly noticed. He bent down, just one little secret kiss, that turned to three, and four, and her hands underneath his shirt. She arched against the shelves, as he kissed the juncture of her neck. She'd thought it would be just a single stolen kiss, but as his hands started to undo her belt, Ema realized she was in for much more.

He ground against him, only to be rewarded with a low moan. Pushed against the back of the shelf, she arched her back in the sheer pleasure of the moment. But the moment was broken by the sound of a crash, and cold, wet thing that coated down her neck and back. Ema let out a shriek, and whirled in horror to find the evidence box tipped over. Only a few drops of ink remained in the inkwell they'd recovered.

"Oh no! I had to process these! And my lab coat!"

Nahyuta looked in grave silence at the utter mess their careless tryst had made.

What a way to come down.

They bent down quickly to gather up anything, before it got further contaminated. Just behind them, someone cleared their throat. Ema whirled about, only to find the former queen staring impassively at them from the doorway.

"Queen Amara! What are you doing here?" Ema hated how her voiced squeaked.

"There was a scream," she said.

"Oh―um--Nahyuta--I mean--P-prosecutor Sahdmadhi was helping me..."

"--Find evidence," he continued. "She couldn't reach it. But I misjudged the distance, and some ink toppled on her."

She stared regally over the mess, and gathered her colorful silk robe closer against her slim body. Queen Amara smirked. "Is that so? I think not. Do you think you're the only ones who've used the prosecutor's desk for other purposes? That's where you were conceived. Dhurke and I would sneak in there--and my sister, she would be livid. Somehow, she always knew..."

Thanks, queen of oversharing, Ema thought. Even she knew better than to sass the former queen. Especially when said queen was also the mother of her boyfriend and boss.

Nahyuta just stared, blank faced, like something inside him had deeply broken, and would never quite be the same.

"Anyways, I'm going to get changed," Ema said.

"You should, there's handprints in the ink, you know. Right near your..." Queen Amara pointed down. Talk about getting caught red-handed. At least the former queen had a sense of humor, even if it was bizarre and prone to telling waaaaay more about her marriage than Ema needed to know.

And she didn't share her sister's habit of wanting to execute people. Always a plus.

"And Nahyuta, dear, you're covered in her lipstick."

Nahyuta touched his lips in shock. Ema made a quick retreat, before anyone else could see the evidence of their poorly planned impromptu make out session.


*

Even after three showers, ink still stained her neck. At this rate, she might have to dye her hair dark, because this half-black look was just not doing it for her. Thankfully, there'd just been enough ink to still use it as evidence, so it wasn't a complete disaster. And the former queen stayed in her gardens, because Ema couldn't meet her gaze without blushing.

Ema hoisted her bag, and knocked at Nahyuta's office. He'd been rather grave looking when he said I need to speak with you. Please join me in my office in fifteen minutes.

Always a bad sign. Then again, she'd seen him make the exact same look while ordering burgers, so maybe it wouldn't go so bad. Just maybe.

"You needed something, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi?"

Nahyuta steepled his fingers.

"Surely, you know the month of Tn'el is quickly approaching."

Ema tapped her lower lip thoughtfully. "You give up something this month. Something about religious fervor and devotion. What? You don't have to look so surprised. It's pretty hard to not live in Khura'in and not pick up the holidays. All the other detectives were talking about what they were giving up."

He nodded.

"I wish to take part."

It would be hard to think of anything Nahyuta could give up. He wasn't exactly the hedonistic sort. When he wasn't working, he usually was meditating, running the country, or reading up research on his next case. These days, he had no time to play the Dahmalan, or engage in a game of Kachu'demahl, not with the entire fate of Khura'in resting on his shoulders, to say nothing of his sizable workload as a prosecutor.

"What, no burgers?" she said.

He shook his head, and whispered something which made her mind go blank.

"Wait, you want to---"

"I'm sure you don't need to be reminded of the evidence storage room incident?"

Ema's face burned bright red at the memory. A brush of his hand had turned into a kiss, and that kiss had turned into another, and another, and before they knew it, a whole boxes of evidence had gotten damaged. She still hadn't gotten the ink stains out of her capris and lab coat. Not only that, she'd left a ink mark like a butt print right there on the shelves, and some very suspicious hand prints on her lab coat.

This wasn't even the first time something like this had happened. Going to work under a Khura'inist monk, she hadn't thought risky public make outs (and sometimes, even sex) would be a problem she had to deal with. But here she was, with the ink stains to prove it.

"A whole month, though? That seems...excessive. Can't you just do an eight-hour sermon and get it over with?"

"It will give us time to clear our minds. Of course, I will need to ensure that temptations will not occur. You understand, don't you?"

When it came to him, she didn't understand a damn thing. As much as she wanted to protest, the ruined lab coat was right there, a constant reminder of how maybe they were going just a little overboard. Risky public make outs were one thing. Accidentally almost destroying vital evidence was another.

Ema sighed. "I better get stocked up on Snackoos."

He chuckled. "You're strong. You'll do fine. Now, about that evidence..."

Ema pulled out something from the bag and began to read over what she'd managed to salvage from the inkwell.

*

But just twenty-four hours into the month, and she was seriously doubting his belief in her.

She'd finished fifteen bags of Snackoos in the past few hours and it'd done nothing for her mood. Thank god she had one of those enviable metabolisms which meant she could eat as much as she wanted without worry.

Pull yourself together, Ema! You lived without sex for years. You've survived way harder times than this. It's only a month. You can do this!

The mental motivational speech fell flat as he walked by. Her breath caught, her determination wavered. She remembered all too well how he looked out of those gold brocade vestments. The graceful arc of his body over hers, pinning her down to the sheets and fucking her senseless. Why even bother with this whole month thing, anyways? Just make a no make outs in the evidence room, and they'd be fine.

"Detective Skye," he said. His gaze lingered on her. Ema felt breathless. His bright green eyes were mentally undressing her. She knew the signs, she'd seen him aroused so many times.

Ema smiled. "I'm doing better now that you're here. You got any plans for lunch? Don't tell me you're skipping."

"A very wise woman told me to research effectively, I need to ensure I get the proper nutrition. I was truly surprised how many calories are needed for proper focus and retention," Nahyuta said.

"And she's right. The brain needs its fuel. You need some company while you eat?" Ema leaned in a little closer. "We could discuss the case."

Nahyuta smiled slowly. "Have you made any breakthroughs?"

"Oh, I'm sure we could. You always research everything so thoroughly. Sometimes, even all night long."

"And you always are so thorough in your examination of crime scenes. Even hours, if it requires. Your work ethic is truly...admirable." Nahyuta licked his lips.

God, she was wet. She was so wet. She wanted to ride him right in this hallway, with guards only just around the corner.

He slowly leaned in, as if they were two magnets drawn together. Would he kiss her right here?

"Nahyuta--" she gasped.

He looked stunned, like he'd been doused in cold water. Nahyuta slowly took a few steps away. For a moment, he shuddered, and shook his head."Apologies, I have---a meeting I must attend. Another time."

"Another time, then," she said with palatable disappointment.

But she'd been close enough to know she'd made him hard. He must've known from the hitch in her voice, how she said his name exactly the same way as she did when she neared climax, how aroused she'd been.

Ema let out a long breath, as disappointment overwhelmed her. A month of devout prayer. A month of him being distant. A month without his lips slowly moving down her neck, to linger over her breasts, and then lower, lower...

Her body tingled--ached--for the touch of him. It'd only been a day. The withdrawal symptoms should've at least waited a couple days.

How the hell did she manage this many years? She shoved a handful of Snackoos in her mouth. The worst part was she couldn't even ask anyone what to do. Who would she even ask? She usually consulted Ahlbi for cultural details that eluded her studies. This wasn't something she could exactly ask a child.

Ema sighed and made her way to the lunch hall. This was going to be a long month.

*

The bed was empty and cold. He'd moved to other chambers for the month, to 'avoid temptation.' Ema clutched the blanket tighter about her and sighed. She'd taken for granted the warmth of another body nestled against her. Especially in the cold Khura'inese climate.

He always woke early. And in the morning light, he looked like some god from myths, caught in light and a halo of dust motes. She could sleep a couple extra hours now. Though she'd had to add extra blankets.

When she came out for breakfast, she noted that his necessities were already packed up. Her toothbrush looked so lonely there, resting against the porcelain sink. After showering and getting dressed, Ema walked out to the empty kitchen. All the modern equipment she'd shipped in looked a stark contrast from the traditional pots, and the mitamah border. She poured Snackoos into her bowl, and filled it up with enough coffee to try and pry herself awake.

It did nothing for the dark cloud of sorrow and irritation which hung over her all day.

*

By day four, she'd pushed herself deep into work. So deep that by the time she came home each night, she would be too exhausted to feel the sudden pinprick of loneliness at the empty rooms. It was more than just sex; every day was filled with the absence of him. By day five, she found a weakness in a case Nahyuta had been building.

She caught her breath as she lingered at the door. He always praised her, and smiled when she made big breakthroughs in cases. She hadn't even realized until now just how much she'd missed hearing good job, Detective Skye. You're brilliant. He'd only done the bare minimum of speaking to her. Apparently, he really was going for the full nineteen hours of prayer a day this month. Even though they worked together, he had been scarce lately. There was always a meeting, or something else that came up.

She shifted from foot to foot as she waited for a response. It seemed so much longer than usual, but then, she knew he wasn't out. Maybe he was meditating again. It wouldn't be the first time she'd had to go in and leave papers for him to read later.

But, she thought, he might not read them before tomorrow's trial. And she couldn't imagine the sermon she'd get if the case was ruined like this.

Even if it was all his own damn fault.

She pushed the door open and peered in. Nahyuta was at his desk.

"Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, there's something that needs your attention. It's about the case that's going to trial tomorrow."

He didn't look up from his scrolls. "I see."

"Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, it's about the evidence--it's really important."

He still didn't look up. "I will come in due time."

"In due time? The evidence is due to be submitted tonight, so unless you want to go unprepared, I suggest you get on it!" She slammed the case files on his desk, and stormed out.

So much for not affecting their work. He couldn't even stand to be in the same room with her. Even as Ema knew it was because he probably wanted to rip her clothes off, it still was no comfort.

*

Ema packed a sandwich with extra Swiss cheese. Maybe she'd add another layer of cheese for every day, until she utterly reeked of the food he so loathed. She might even import some Limburger cheese before the month was over.

Her plan was thwarted by the fact that he didn't even show up for lunch. She ended up reeking of cheese for nothing.

Nahyuta threw himself into work so completely that he'd often forget to eat without prompting. Since she'd come, Ema had grown used to dragging him out from pouring over case files to go get something from the corner stores, or simply leaving bags of Snackoos on his desk.

She let out a soft sigh. Had his cheeks looked thinner, or was it just a trick of the light? She couldn't tell.

*

When she watched trials from the gallery, she lost sight of the case, because all she could think of slowly unbuttoning that monk's vestment and then riding him, right there on the prosecutor's bench. For hours, she'd watched just in from the lobby, the door open a slit. Apollo's bluffing had gotten Nahyuta particularly angry, enough for his meditative composure to fall, and the beads to rattle. "I wish I was his prayer beads, then he'd bang me on the prosecutor's desk," Ema muttered.

Did he know she was watching him from the wings? His shoulders were squared, even stiff. He always had good posture, but something seemed off. He had to sense her.

Good. She hoped he knew that she was taking in the lines of his back, and licking her lips as her gaze went lower. By the time she got ahold of him, she was going to leave so many hickies all over his skin, even if it took hours. A shame his collar was so high, and nobody else would know.

Then again, it'd hidden all traces of the other times she'd left a framework of marks all over him, and saved them a lot of embarrassment. But this time, she wanted people to see him marked as her own. Hers.

Just two weeks ago, she'd kissed from his Adam's apple down, in a slow, wonderful night. She bit her lip at the memory. Nahyuta had looked so confident, as he crushed Apollo's every bluff. Underneath that monk's vestment was more strength than his gentle demeanor belied.

"I call Detective Skye to the witness stand."

Files in hand, she stepped into the court.

"Go on, Detective Skye." He smiled, and her knees grew weak. What if she kissed him, right there? She'd probably be thrown out for contempt of court, or some other thing. But it would be so worth it, even if he scolded her.

"Your testimony about the autopsy report, if you will."

"Nahyuta..." she said softly.

"Detective Skye? Do you need something?"

Yes, you, she thought. Already, she could feel her face heating. She licked her lips. His lips looked so supple, so tempting."

"I present, um..." She shuffled the papers, and tried to find her place. Her mind was still clouded by lust. "Nahyuta-- er, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, I mean, the evidence--"

"Wait, is she saying Nahyuta is connected to this case?" Apollo said.

"No! I just--" She steadied herself with a handful of Snackoos, and shoved them in her mouth, before the judge could reprimand her. She turned her burning cheeks away. If she looked at him, she'd just get caught up in his gaze, and maybe blurt out something really embarrassing.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Anyways...the case..." she cleared her throat.

Sadly, it wasn't the most embarrassing thing she'd done on the stand. Not even in the top ten.

*

In just a couple days, it'd be three weeks. While she'd endured more difficult days in her life, she still gritted her teeth as she opened up another bag of Snackoos. The entire table was littered with silvery bags, boasting Chocolatey goodness!.

If only they did something for the sexual frustration and state of her relationship. That'd be great.

She heard the door close. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of gold edge and brocade.

She puffed out her cheeks. "Didn't think I'd see you before the month was out. So what, you here to tell me how much I sucked on the stand today? Tell me something I don't know."

He didn't respond. She gathered up the empty bags and tossed them. Nahyuta disapproved of when things got too messy. The state of her desk from back when she worked under Prosecutor Gavin would've probably sent him into some meditation-fueled breakdown, where he attempted to preform an exorcism on her towering stack of papers. She affectionately liked to refer to it as the leaning tower of pizza.

"Hope you're remembering to eat," she muttered. "You always overwork and forget to eat anything when I'm not there to go drag you down to the Burger House."

Through it all, he said nothing.

"Well, get on with it, start your sermon. I know I messed up. At least let me get seated so I can take notes on all the way you think I suck."

"The month ends now," he said softly.

He was closer than she realized, with one hand against the wall, effectively pinning her in. The gentle Nahyuta she knew had been stretched taut, and this blatant desire on his face was hot as hell. Ema knew he was waiting for her. As much as he wanted to, he wouldn't make another move until she gave her consent.

"Oh, hell yes."

His lips hungrily had covered hers. She wrapped her arms about his back and clung tight. He was hard against her, and she ground her hips against his bulge. She felt a little shiver of pleasure as she head him moan. Oh, she'd missed the sound and feel of him aroused against her.

"Bed," she gasped.

"I could take you here, right against the wall," he murmured. Everything was so warm. His kisses, his hands, his skin. She just wanted more, more, more.

"That's hot, but it's asking for an awkward trip to the doctor, and the last thing I want to do right now is stop," Ema said.

"I can think of a way to make it work."

He ripped the buttons clean off in a hurry to open up her green vest. She liked this top, but this was way too hot for her to care much.

"I'll replace it," he said.

"It can be fixed later," she said. Her pulse had increased at the sight of him so aroused that he lost composure.

Her vest―or what remained of it--fell to the floor, and soon he'd undone her belt, and bra as well. Thank Science for the invention of the front-opening bra. He kissed down her collar bone. She shivered at his touch. Nahyuta buried his face in her chest the moment the cups opened up. His tongue was soft, and wonderfully warm against her nipples. As he sucked one, he slowly stroked the other, until they were hard against his caresses. Ema arched against him, unable to keep her moans quiet. She'd been so grumpy, she hadn't even masturbated. Weeks of sexual frustration and desire bubbled up, until she was a moaning, whimpering mess. And he wasn't even inside her yet.

"More," she gasped. "Don't stop. Don't even think of stopping."

Nahyuta didn't even bother to undo her capris. He just pushed his hand between the band. Her skin tingled as he pushed his hand down to rest between her thighs. and began to rub against her panties. Ema arched her back, and kissed every inch of him she could reach. Which wasn't that much, considering he towered over her.

He rubbed across her crotch, close enough to squirm, but just gentle enough not to get her off. He was teasing her.

"Dammit.." she gasped. "Come on---ahh..."

"Patience," he said.

She tried to take control of the situation, to grind herself against him hard enough to get off, but all that did was make him draw back.

"Nahyuta--"

She kissed her so hard, the cold door of the fridge was hard against her back. She was pinned, only able to grind against him. He pushed his knee between her legs. She rubbed herself against him. Her panties were slick with her wetness.

When he pulled back, she gasped for breath.

"I don't think I can wait until we get to the bedroom," Ema said.

"As the Holy Doctrine of the Holy Mother said, some fires must be doused, others must become an inferno to be sated."

"Are you literally interpreting your holy doctrine about arson to reference kitchen sex?"

He smiled. "This is no literal fire, but a reference to lust. Did you think the Holy Mother was chaste? Where do you think the royal family came from?"

"So wait, there's a whole part of Khura'ism devoted to kitchen sex?"

Nahyuta leaned in and whispered. A shiver ran down her back at the feel of his breath. "There are parts to Khura'inism you cannot even imagine."

"Show me," Ema said.

He kissed down her stomach, and began to undo the buttons.

In retrospect, she should've pulled those off before she got in this situation, but there hadn't exactly been time. He'd been kissing her, pressing her against the fridge and then undressing her. She couldn't even remove her shoes without ripping the ribbons.

"Hurry upppp," Ema gasped.

"Patience," Nahyuta said.

"I ran out of that weeks ago. Even the Snackoos aren't doing it anymore. I need you inside me now."

He pulled her capris down to her knees. Then, he bent to undo her shoes, and let them fall to the floor. Now, with only her lacy thong left, she bent to pull it down, before he could tease her again. The minute he buried his face between her thighs was a long, beautiful sense of relief. She couldn't help but whimper as his tongue touched her sensitive slit. He parted her legs, and licked up her folds. The jolt of pleasure was enough to make her back arch.

"Oh...more..."

He slipped two fingers into her. He slowly began to thrust his long, graceful fingers inside, until she felt the beginning of that warmth, that pleasure shuddering within her. She always came so effortlessly with him, but with that sexual drought, she probably made some Guinness World Record.

But Nahyuta didn't stop. Even as the wonderful sensations coursed through her, she felt his tongue soft against her. Was he tracing letters? Leave it to Nahyuta to do something as sappy as licking love letters across her body with his tongue. She'd have to ask what he said later, because she was way too caught up in her climax to tell the exact words.

It was only when she was on the verge of her second--no, third--orgasm that Nahyuta pulled away. He rested against her thighs. With the pad of his thumb, he made soft circles about her clit.

Ema let out several long breaths, and took in the quiet of her mind after orgasm. Instead of the usual racing thoughts of science facts and old songs stuck in her head.

"Clothes off. Now. I've been patient for long enough."

"If this is what you call patience, I worry for you," Nahyuta said.

The faint curve of his lips made her realize it was just Nahyuta teasing her. Still, she wasn't about to let that one go. "If you think that's impatient, you haven't seen anything yet. If you keep me waiting, I'll go get the scissors out of my bag, I swear," Ema said.

"As I told you once before, I could teach you to meditate. It would do wonders for your patience, and create an outlet for clarity and calmness."

Ema cupped her breasts. "Meditate on this!"

"A monk once did. He meditated tirelessly on the female form of his master to remove all lust and objectification from his mind."

She guided his hands to her breasts. Nahyuta let out a low groan in the back of his throat, as he gently squeezed.

"...I am far from that level," Nahyuta said.

"With me around, you're never going to reach it," Ema said.

"There is no need--for scissors," Nahyuta said. He had to pull away to reluctantly to untie his boots. With a certain smugness, she watched more of his skin be revealed.

"It would be hot, though. Admit it," Ema said.

Nahyuta lifted his pale eyebrows. "Would it now? Have we not destroyed enough clothing for one night?"

"Oh yeah, trust me. It would. And I'm willing to destroy as much clothing as it takes," Ema said.

"What admirable determination," Nahyuta said.

Ema laid down on the floor. She didn't even care that the floor was cold, and uncomfortable against her back. Nahyuta lifted her head, and rested his arm underneath, to give her neck something softer than the hard floor. Ema let out a long gasp as finally, finally, finally he pushed into her. She wrapped her legs tight about him, and for a moment, he didn't even move. Ema held on tight, and dug her nails into his back.

He kissed down her, as she arched to meet his touch.

She let out a little whimper in the back of her throat as he finally pushed into her. Oh, his fingers were good, but his cock was so much better. He was thick, so wonderfully thick as he started to slowly thrust into her.

It wasn't just the orgasms she'd missed, it was him. The warmth of him against her, on top of her, beneath her, the scent of him and feeling of being filled by him. Ema felt a release deeper than an orgasm, one of relief that he was finally back. Finally in her life again.

And when her orgasm finally came, it was almost an afterthought to how good it felt to just be in his arms again.

They lay on the floor together, spent, sticky and a breathless. As much as Ema liked lying in the crook of his arm after being fucked senseless, that only worked in beds, or on reasonably soft couches. Floors just didn't cut it.

As Ema leaned up, until she was seated on the floor, she noticed there was a butt print on her fridge. So much for the month teaching her anything. Now both the shelf and her fridge had matching butt prints for proof of all the wild places she'd been with him.

Gooseflesh prickled over her skin. Ema rubbed her arms. "You know, I think it's fine to go to bed now. I really think I can manage it. Also, my butt is going numb."

He held out his hand, and helped her up. And then, without another word, Nahyuta swept her up bridal style, and carried her off.

Their clothes were left in heaps on the kitchen floor. She could always clean the fridge tomorrow.

She rested her head against his chest. She loved this gallantry of his, and being carried, then gently laid down on her bed, with a kiss to each knee, before he pulled the covers up. In a few minutes, he crawled in and was curled up close against her. His foot traced down her leg.

"Nahyuta―about this whole Tn'el month. You said this would 'clear our heads' but what is it even doing to our work? You've been so distant. There was that one time, I stood out in the cold for hours and eventually had to slip it under your door because you wouldn't even answer when I knocked, and I knocked hard enough to almost tear that door down, trust me."

"I was meditating in the back chambers."

"For eight hours straight?"

"My mind was clouded," he said.

"And then, when I asked to to come look at the evidence that other time, you wouldn't even go see. You wouldn't even look at me."

"It's rather difficult to walk while fully aroused."

"Oh!"

"Indeed," Nahyuta said.

"So, wait...If Khura'inism isn't about celibacy, then why did you give it up?" Ema ssaid.

Nahyuta closed his eyes. "It took all my concentration to keep my feelings in check. The more I denied myself, the more I found myself unable to stop this lust." He smiled. "Whenever I am around you, I find that I lose every bit of self-control in the face of your beauty, your brilliance, your smile. And being this far away from you made my mind more muddled, and twisted my soul. There was no clarity to be found. But I thought, what if my respect is lost in this lust? We almost ruined a case because of my foolishness. A soul could've been lost, its last rites never read. But... it did not work."

"Honestly, you can respect someone and want to fuck them into the mattress too. Just because I think you're an excellent prosecutor doesn't mean I don't want to touch your butt all the time," Ema said.

"Women are treated awfully. Objectified and commodified. I didn't want my lust to become that ugly."

Ema rolled her eyes. "I get it, you respect women. But you're my boyfriend, not some asshole screaming 'nice tits' as I pass by. You wanting me is never ugly like that."

"The intensity was like being swept away," Nahyuta said softly.

"I guess I can see it. I really never thought you of all people would be the 'tryst in the storage room' type."

"I too, never foresaw that happening. But since you came into my life, everything that seemed impossible is suddenly possible for me."

He gently began to stroke her hair. "Like happiness. I never thought I could know this peace."

Ema clutched closer to him, and buried her face against his neck. "Geez, I missed you. Not just this, but you. I missed talking to you and eating after work. You wouldn't even stay in the same room with me," she said.

"It took every last bit of my strength to not kiss you right there, even as the people watched. During that courtroom, when you said my name....I wondered if I could keep the tatters of my self control in check."

"You too, huh? I definitely had a couple of thoughts like that." She'd been right. He'd been as hot and bothered as she was.

"On the witness stand?" Nahyuta teased.

She puffed out her cheeks. "It's your fault for being so distracting. Standing there at the prosecutor's bench, being all smug and commanding. It was hot, okay?"

He bowed his head, and pressed his palms together. It was different than the greeting, yet the positioning was strangely similar.

"Please accept the humble apology of this servant of the Holy Mother. I have forgotten myself. The Holy Mother calls for unity, and trust. Celibacy was nothing when I was alone, but in this, I strained the bond between us. I tried to strengthen my self-control, but I failed horribly."

"Hmmmm. I might be persuaded to forgive you if you grovel. Because I could use with some groveling," she said.

Nahyuta raised his eyebrows teasingly. "I seem to remember spending quite a bit of time on my knees."

Ema laughed. "Fair enough."

"If I may, I have a suggestion. Any food tastes delicious to the starving," Nahyuta said.

"Wait, let me try and translate this. You want to go grab a snack? I always keep some handy--" Ema tried to dig down, but Nahyuta rested his palm on her arm.

"What I mean, is waiting for you every night will be its own reward. A day spent thinking of your lips would make every kiss even sweeter. Perhaps this can douse the overwhelming flames of lust within me."

"Just don't spend so much time on me that you mess up the evidence, okay?" Ema said.

"The same should be said of you, considering that last trial..."

"That was one time. Also, it was your fault. Standing there at the prosecutor's bench, looking all smug and kissable. I hadn't even gotten to kiss you in days. So what if it accidentally sounded like I was trying to present you as evidence of a murder? Next time, why don't you just give up meat for the month?"

"I was referring to the ink incident," Nahyuta said.

"Oh yeah. Hey, you were the one who kissed me, so we're both guilty," Ema said.

"No, I was the one who started it. I shall spend many hours on my knees to atone, and gain forgiveness. Should eight hours be enough?"

"Just about," Ema said.