Kipine Boyfriend: Enoch (rough draft)

Growing up in Hearthway Hollow you couldn’t have asked for a better childhood. You felt safe there, especially after having spent your first few years in hiding. Your father and mother had married, yet you and your father had to remain a secret, as your mother was part of a pack of werewolves who despised humans. When your sister was getting ready to be born, your family ran to Hearthway Hollow. There, you were able to have a somewhat normal existence. 

You had three siblings, your sister and two little brothers. All three of them turned out to be werewolves, meanwhile you were not. Your siblings went on to perform the Hearthway Hollow courting rituals, which you were extremely happy for. You loved being an aunt and having a big family, but you couldn’t help but shake the feeling that Hearthway Hollow wasn’t for you anymore.

There had been a nagging feeling for a while now that, every so often, aggravated you into thinking about moving away from Hearthway Hollow. You felt a calling for something beyond your home, but you could never muster up the courage to get up and do it. You’d been working in the art department of the college, as well as the museum where you had helped curate the temporary art exhibits. Every time a new exhibit came in you were enthralled, and when they left, that feeling returned urging you to go with them.

“The carnival is coming back,” your sister said excitedly one day. 

You looked up from your breakfast and followed your sister’s pointing finger to the window where the poster was prominently displayed. That was when lightning went through your veins and you felt more alert and sure of anything than you ever did. You would leave with the carnival.

You went to Mrs. Locklear, who had been friends with the carnival’s leader for ages. You asked her if it was possible to join and she just gave you a look.

For a moment, it is quiet as she starts to smile. “The carnival is for anyone. Authaire is not picky as to who he takes under his wing, just so long as they need him. Do you need him?”

You frown for a moment, picking at the loose thread at the hem of your cardigan. “Not so much him as I just need to get out.”

“Get out?” Mrs. Locklear leans her head to the side. “Is there something you’re running from?”

“Not exactly, but I’ve felt the need to go somewhere for a while now. It’s like whenever the wind shifts, it’s telling me to go somewhere else. I love Hearthway Hollow, always have, but it’s just-”

“It’s your time.” She nods her head in agreement. “If you need to go with the carnival for a while, then go. I’ll talk to Authaire about it when he comes to visit.”

Over the next couple of weeks, you get things in order. You put in your notice at your jobs, then have a long talk with all your family. They’re shocked, of course, but most are understanding, Your father is the most worried and feels you’re just running away. This could be true, but you haven’t felt this sure about a decision in a long time and you know it’s for the best.

You soon meet with Mr. Faire, who offers you a choice of jobs within the carnival. Given your art skills, you could go into set construction and design, advertisement, he even offered you the opportunity to work on a new attraction.

“It’s something that I’ve been wanting to build up to for a while now, we just haven’t had the time to. It’s our busiest season, you see, but the idea has been rattling around for sometime.” A big smile grows on his handsome face. “But I see now that we were just waiting on you.”

You’re not sure why the words filled you with as much joy as they did, but you were more assured than ever you should go.

“I’m sure you’re familiar with Scarebrooke,” Mr. Faire continues. “Well, it just so happens that part of the mausoleum has just opened up and I think it would be perfect for a sort of art exhibit.”

“A haunted one, I’m assuming,” you giggle, thinking you’ve made a perfect joke.

Mr. Faire nods his head excitedly. “A friend has offered me such artworks! It would be perfect.”

Wait, was he serious? Did he actually have haunted or possessed works of art just lying about? You weren’t sure how to respond, so you just continued to smile.

Mr. Faire gave you a tour of what was to become the haunted art exhibit. It was a long, crooked hallway which felt as if it went on forever. All part of the carnival’s charm and magic no doubt, but you couldn’t figure out how the building looked so small from the outside, and so vast from within. 

Considering that the carnival was going on hiatus soon for the winter and holiday season, Mr. Fair offered you to a home in Scarebrooke, which had a permanent set up during this time. This gave you time to finish packing and settling business, so you agreed. 

You met with the leaders of Scarebrooke, Bram and Coraline, who helped you find a place to stay. It was another building that looked small from the outside, but much bigger within. It was one of the main street buildings that looked old and abandoned. Inside though it was very nice, warm, and welcoming. You got the attic apartment, which was more than enough for you. It was open, save for the bathroom, and had two stained glass windows on each side. 

Then, just before Scarebrooke was to take to their permanent residency, you went to meet who you’d be working with in curating the haunted art gallery. His name was Enoch and was head of the arts within the carnival. He designed most of the posters, as well as designed half the sets within the carnival. 

You consider yourself a fairly tall lady, but Enoch even towered above Mr. Faire. He was thin and rakish, dressed completely in black. He had on a hoodie with the hood pulled up over his head, blazer, then crisp dress pants. On his feet, you noticed he wore high heels, something that probably added to his height. But that wasn’t even the strangest thing about Enoch, it was the mask he wore. It was stark white and shiny, shaped like the face of a barn owl. His height, stature, and the mask made him look like some sort of towering cryptid.

“I think you two will get along just fine!” Mr. Faire says excitedly. “You’re both wonderfully creative people, you must have lots to talk about.”

You look with uncertainty towards Enoch, unsure if he is looking at you or staring off into the distance while his mind wanders. 

“It’ll be nice getting to know you.” You offer your hand to Enoch.

His head tilts down and he then takes your hand, his long, long fingers wrap around your palm and give you a gentle shake. “I am always eager to meet someone else who adores art as much as I do. I am usually bored out of my mind during the winter hiatus, so I am looking forward to all of the work we will be doing together during this one.”

His voice has a rasp to it with a sort of crackle at the end. The way he speaks in moves though all has a certain elegance to it, a level of poise and discipline. In a way, you were excited to be working with Enoch, he was different and you enjoyed that.

Once Scarebrooke was settled for the winter and you were able to unpack, and you spent your first week getting to know your new home. Scarebrooke grew once it came to it’s permanent location. There were now a few more stores, including a grocery store and pharmacy. Some parts of the town grew as well and looked more real than they did in the carnival. 

One afternoon while you were taking some trash out to the curb, you saw Enoch standing at the corner. You waved then wondered if he was even looking at you, it was so hard to tell with that mask on. When he approached, you suddenly realized how you were dressed. You were wearing old sweats covered in paint and stains, a ragged t-shirt that was baggy so you had it tied at the front. Not to mention your hair was forced into a sloppy, oily bun. You’d not washed your hair in a while, and it was only now you realized it.

“How is the move coming along?” Enoch asks.

“Moving right along.” You want to smack yourself. “I’m almost done,” you try to cover your horrible pun. “I’m looking forward to going into work on Monday now, actually. I’ve not left the place much at all since I got here.”

“I much prefer my home than anywhere else,” Enoch replies. “But, I must admit, my imagination has been running wild as of late. I have so many ideas for the new exhibit. I certainly hope I do not overwhelm you.”

“Ideas are good,” you say with a smile. “I’ve got a few of my own, but since I haven’t seen any of the artwork yet I’m not sure where to go with them.”

“You’ve not seen any of the collection yet?” Enoch is aghast. “You simply must see some of it before monday.” He points across the street. “Let me take you and show you some of the pieces, I think it will really help you and your ideas flow.”

You look down at yourself then back at Enoch in his obviously ironed and tailored clothing. You’d had hoodies before, but none that looked like they had been made exactly for you. Neither have you been so confident to wear high heels that look more expensive than your soul. 

“I’m not exactly dressed for that. I’m a mess.”

“Art isn’t created to be admired for the well dressed.” Enoch flourishes his hand out. “If it makes you feel any better, most artworks don’t even know what you’re wearing.”

You adjust the coke bottle glasses on your nose. “I guess that’s true.”

Enoch nods his head then folds his arms behind his back. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but I think it will benefit you and your creativity if you see even a sample of what we are about to work with.”

You let out a long sigh. “I do really want to see it. I’m curious about the artwork here, or at least, what Mr. Faire collects.”

“Wonderful!” Enoch stretches his arms out and offers his hand to you.

For a moment, you’re uncertain you should take it, but you realize it’s a gentlemanly gesture when you cross the street. You half suspect that had there been a puddle, he would have laid his blazer down on you to walk over it.

He takes you back into the mausoleum hall where there are crates waiting. Against one wall there is a line of paintings that have been opened and propped up. Each one, at a glance, appears like any other paintings. There are a couple of portraits that look like sisters, a large landscape of a forest setting, and a still life of a bowl of fruit. The closer you look though, each one has something strange to them. The sister paintings appear human at first, but the more you look, the more you notice that the shapes form together from other images. The faces made from beetles and ants, the lips are moths, the hair is dripping wax. Then the landscape moves. You see creatures roaming around in the brushstrokes, something crawls from within the lake in the distance and falls off the frame. The bowl of fruit is actually a person, their body is twisted and placed to resemble the fruits and contours of the bowl. 

“We have more, of course,” Enoch says. “These are just the ones I couldn’t help but open to look at.”

“Are these ones haunted?” I ask.

Enoch motions to one of the paintings. He kneels down beside it and dusts the top of the frame gently with a sweep of his hand. “The landscape is, it’s cursed. Or at least, the lady who lives in it is cursed.”

“The lady?” You gasp in surprise.

Enoch nods. “You’ll see her every now and again. She’ll come into the painting, wandering around the trees, perhaps sitting at the lake.” He tilts his head to the side. “She’ll watch us the same way we watch her, waiting for the day she can join us.”

“Why is she cursed?” You whisper in awe.

“She was sleeping with a witch’s husband.” Enoch stands unceremoniously. “I’d say the husband should have been cursed too, but I don’t know the full story.” He turns to face you. “You’re from Hearthway Hollow right?”

You’re still a bit shocked by the story of the painting, it takes you a few moments to answer him. “I uh-yes!” You push your glasses back up your nose again. 

“Lovely town, I love the traditions there,” he sighs. “Also the best coffee I’ve had outside of Paris.”

“Caffeine addict?” You chuckle.

He hangs his head shamefully. “Nothing compared to Mr. Faire, mind you, but I absolutely cannot make it through a day without some form of coffee bean inside me.” 

You giggle. “Well, I have an extra coffee press and some coffee beans from the cafe. I can bring those in to keep here while we work.”

Enoch clasps his hands together. “Then we are kindred spirits!”

There is a small room off the hallway that you and Enoch have made into your office. Come Monday when you walk in, you see that Enoch has already designated one corner for the coffee bar. He’s brought in a collection of mugs, a sugar bowl, a small fridge with various creamers, as well as a wide variety of coffee and tea. 

As you’re setting up the coffee press and kettle, Enoch’s high heels begin to click clack down the hallway. As he walks into the room, you turn to greet him. You’d gone the extra mile of styling your hair that morning. You’d left it in a braid all night so the freshly washed locks fell in a cascade of waves around your face. You’d also put on some makeup, so even if you weren’t, you felt a little glamourous today.

Enoch stood still with his hand over his chest. “My, my, is was not expecting a vision today.”

Your heart jumped and jumbled. Laughing nervously you glanced aside. “Last time you saw me I looked like a goblin.”

“Even they have their charm and beauty,” Enoch’s voice sounds dreamy as he comes into the room. “But you’ve transformed yourself into a veela overnight.”

You furrow your brow. “What’s a veela?”

Enoch stills over the coffee press and glanes back your way. “Something lovely.” He stops and clears his throat. “Not to give myself away. But uhm-” he starts the kettle. He then motions to the supplies he brought it. “I wasn’t sure what you liked. So I sort of went overboard.” He clears his throat again. “Let’s begin work shall we! I do hope you were better able to form your ideas.”

“I was. I even did some research.” You walk over to the desk and pull out your sketchbook. “Since this is to be a haunted gallery, I was thinking that we sparse out our more possessed pieces like a song.”

“A song you say?” Enoch turns from making his coffee.

“Yeah, for pacing. You want to disperse everything so it flows well. Like, I thought, we place some pieces at the front that make people question. Is it scary? Is it not scary? Slowly we build, bringing in more and more uncertainty. Then the crescendo, it crashes and overtakes, assuring that the gallery viewer has to run forward through the rest of the hall. Then a lull, a moment of respite and melody, then another crash!”

Enoch nods his head excitedly. “There are so suits of armor that will be just perfect for this. We can have them stand still at the entrance and secretly follow after the guests the entire time!”

Your eyes light up and you break into a grin. “There are suits of armor?”

Enoch claps his hand together. “They just got delivered last night, would you like to go meet them?”

“Yes!” You gasp excitedly.

You and Enoch spend the rest of the day getting to know the artwork for the gallery. Some has been donated by friends of Mr. Faire, or have come from his own personal collection. The suits of armor are from different parts of the world, but have all known each other a long time. You feel odd talking to paintings and having them respond, even shaking their hands, but all the while, you feel nothing but joy.

As the day comes to an end and you and Enoch are settling on ideas, you realize you’ve not felt that nagging feeling once all day.

You start to clean up the desk when Enoch takes his mask off. For a moment, you don’t look, you just stare at the mask he sets down on the table. You then glance up, seeing his fingers brushing away his long black hair. His skin is pure white with pitch black freckles all over his face and neck. He has piercing black eyes that are perfectly round and surrounded by pure white lashes. His nose is long and hooked while his cheekbones are high and sharp. His appearance is striking, but not one you’d consider worth hiding.

Enoch looks at you and smiles softly. “Wearing it is a comfort for me,” he says. “But, since we will be working close together, I want to learn to be myself around you without having to hide.” He clutches his mask in his hand again. “Although, this is a glamour, it will take time for me to show you that side of me.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.” Your face is burning, as his expressions are so sweet, while at the same time, you find him strikingly lovely. “As long as you’re comfortable and happy while we work, that’s what matters most to me.”

Enoch smiles. “I know you’re used to werewolves, but I hope you can grow used to me.”

You want to ask him what he is, but decide that’s a conversation for when you’re closer. “You don’t need to worry about that!” You say to him. “I already like you.”

Enoch’s smile becomes even more shy and he glances away, letting his long hair fall before his face. “Thank you, I like you too.”

“Let’s get cleaned up so we’ll come into a tidy office tomorrow. We’ll start refining our late out plan then.”

Enoch nods, tucking his hair away behind his pointed ears. “I’ll be excited when we run test trials of the exhibit. Mr. Faire usually asks to be the first one to try it. Now that he has his daughter Echo, I’m sure he’ll want to try the ‘kid friendly’ edition.”

The mausoleum museum had two separate events, kid friendly shows between the hours of opening and eleven, then starting at twelve they had more adult oriented shows, in which tours were much more frightening. It was during all of October when Scarebrooke became the main attraction that all of the carnival took this motif. Already, you and Enoch were discussing what to do for Halloween, and between working on layouts and talking with the artwork, you’d been spitballing ideas for then.

Days go by quite quickly, as your work was so much fun. You and Enoch took turns bringing breakfast, but it felt like Enoch was always going above and beyond. There would be days when you were working on cleaning up the hallway that he would have you ready special gloves or a certain cleaning supply. You always had your favorite pens at the ready, and he somehow sneaked a comfier cushion onto your chair.

Back at your old job, or well, both jobs, it was a sort of fend for yourself place. You’d not really had a coworker who went out of their way to help you. Then again, the carnival was all to treat each other like family, so you thought that Enoch was just helping you to get acclimated your your new environment. 

Like in Scarebrooke isn’t too far off from Hearthway Hollow, it’s probably why the two get along so well together. Well that and the fact that Mrs. Locklear sees Mr. Faire like her own family. You make friends rather quickly, starting with Carmine who works in part of the mausoleum museum when the carnival is active. She mostly comes in during the evenings to do a check on the museum and feed a few of the exhibits. There’s also Padubast, a mummy whose act had once been in the hall where the art gallery is going to go, now he has been working from the library and is a teacher at the school. I spend most of my time outside work with one or both of them.

“Enoch has always been so shy, I’m surprised how he acts with you.” Carmine said one day over a game of cards.

“Is he? He’s always been quite open with me. I mean, he wears the mask and all.” You think for a long moment about how Enoch acted with you. You never would have guessed that being shy was part of his game. Then again he always wore all black and stood back, but that seemed normal to you.

“When he first arrived here he rarely spoke to anyone except Mr. Faire or Bram,” Padubast replied. “He just worked on the art for the posters all day and night. I’d never seen him until Muna gave him a makeover.”

“Muna did that?” Carmine gasps. “That explains his heels.”

“How did Enoch come here?” You ask quietly. “I mean, I know a lot of people come here out of need.”

“Enoch doesn’t really talk about himself. He mostly listens or talks about art,” Padubast says. “All I remember from when he first arrived was that he had to stay with Haymitch for a long time.”

Haymitch was the main doctor of the carnival, that must have meant Enoch was hurt when he first arrived. The idea of it made you queasy, thinking about Enoch hurt and alone. You suddenly yearned to see him just to make sure he was alright. 

You waited until the next day though when you had work anyways. As you stepped into the office, there was a bright bouquet of flowers on the desk. You dipped down to sniff them, taking in the sweet aroma as Enoch heels click clack down the hall.

“Enoch, these are beautiful! Where did you-” You stop when you turn around, seeing Enoch wearing something not-black for the first time. He was wearing a tumeric colored sweater with a floppy turtleneck and a pair of overalls. His long hair was down, covering part of his face as he stood unsurely in the doorway.

“You look really cute,” you marvel breathlessly. 

“I wanted to try something different, but I don’t know.” He glances aside shyly, seeming to want to avoid looking directly at you.

“I’m so used to seeing you in black it’s a shock.” You turn to face him fully. “I like it though.”

His lips press into a firm line as he turns to look at you. “Thank you. The flowers were a whim.” He steps close to the desk and touches the petals of the flowers. “I thought you might enjoy the brightness of them.”

“You’re always bringing in things thinking of me,” you giggle. It’s then something clicks in your mind. Everything he’s been doing has been like the courting ritual back home in Hearthway Hollow, just less dead animals. 

You look up shyly at Enoch then back down at the flowers. His fingers are still resting in the petals. You take a moment to run everything through your head just to make sure you aren’t looking at things strangely. But you can’t unsee it. 

You tuck your hair away, fiddling with it as you try to think of what to say next. “Carmine said you’re really shy.”

“I am,” he murmurs.

“You’ve never acted that way around me.”

Enoch steps back and rubs his shoulder. “I know what to say around you. If I feel something is awkward I can talk about artwork or coffee and I know you’ll understand me.”

“You don’t always have to talk around me,” you murmur. “I like even the silent moments with you. Like when I’m working on paperwork and your sketching posters. I like being around you.”

He pinches his fingertips one by one before he looks at you with a smile. “I like being around you too.”

“I know,” you say with a nod. Your hair falls back into your face and Enoch reaches out to brush the lock aside. His fingertips slip against your cheek and his palm then cups it gently. 

He recoils and laughs nervously. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You didn’t have to do the courtship ritual for me.”

He nods shakily. “I wanted to. Besides, it gave me a chance to build my courage up.” He looks back at you. “The part that comes next scares me.”

“And that is?”

“Where I show myself to you.” He lays his hands on his chest with his knuckles facing opposite each other, his long fingers curled into the palms. “The real me, the one without the glamour.”

“Oh,” you murmur. “It’s okay if you’re scared. Take your time.”

He blinks as he looks at you. “Do you even want to see?”

“You’re my friend, even more than that to me.” You flash him a reassuring smile. “I want to see all of you, and more.”

He duskcs his chin down into the folds of his sweater’s collar. “That’s very affirming.” He clears his throat.

“How about you come for over coffee tonight?” You ask softly. “I’ll make cookies, maybe we can watch a movie.” The excitement bubbles up inside you. “We’ll talk, get comfortable, and we’ll let things happen as they happen.”

Enoch agreed to the evening, and after work you rushed home to clean and get ready. Your house wasn’t an awful mess, but you were having a possible romantic fling, so everything had to be perfect and just so. You got cookies into the oven and took a shower before the timer went off. You tied your wet hair up into a bun, not patient enough to let it drip dry. 

As soon as you get the coffee start, there is a knock at your door. You open it to see Enoch standing there, holding another bouquet of flowers and dressed in a dark grey sweater, jeans, and bright red heels. 

“Come in.” You say brightly.

He cautiously steps inside, his long hair falls in front of his eyes as he keeps his head ducked. “Here.” He offers the flowers out. “You liked the ones at the office, so I thought you’d enjoy some in your home.”

“Thank you.” You breathe in their sweet scent and smile up at him. “They’re beautiful.”

He smiles as he watches you. “I’m glad you like them.”

“Let me get these in the vase. The coffee is almost ready. Feel free to have a look around. Aside from the bathroom, this is it.”

“It’s very nice.” He steps inside further. To one wall you have our bed and armoire, while on the other there is your living area with your bookshelves, sofa, and small TV. “It suits you would have something of an artist’s loft.” He walks over to the stained glass window. “It must be beautiful to wake up to this each morning. The sun shifting through the colors, making them dance along your wall. I bet it looks like water colors.”

You can’t find a vase, so you have to make due with an old fast food cup with a cartoon character on it. “It does.”

“Lucky you,” he murmurs.

You pour him a cup of coffee and walk over to his side. “Back when I was little, my dad used to bring home those cheap watercolor sets from the store for my siblings and me. He’d also get these big sheets of paper from the newspaper so we could all sit down and paint at the same huge sheet. In a way, those lights remind me of that.”

Enoch takes the mug and smiles at you. “I’m glad you had a happy childhood.”

“Hearthway Hollow was made for it.”

Enoch looks away sadly, gazing back towards the stained glass. “I wasn’t so lucky, so it makes me happy to hear people’s warm memories. Tell me more.”

You take hold of his hand and it’s still warm from the coffee cup. You kiss the center of his palm then hold it against your face. “You don’t have to tell me anything, but I would like to hear more about you, Enoch.”

Enoch looks at you mournfully. He sets his cup aside and bends over to kiss you. He presses his lips to the tip of your nose then forehead. “Your sincerity warms my heart.”

You tilt your chin up, meeting his lips for a soft kiss. He chuckles nervously, brushing his fingertips against your lips as he smiles. “I need to show you something first.”

You nod. “That’s fine.”

He sets the coffee cup aside and takes off the sweater. He then sits down, removed his shoes as his feet begin to change. They’re bird like and taloned with dark grey skin. Black fur starts to grow over his body, with golden flecks mingled throughout. His neck stretches out much longer and his arms expands out into leathery wings. His face looks more like the mask he used to wear while his long hair becomes a billowing mane around his head. He’s somehow even taller and his head hits the ceiling.

“Oh wow,” you whisper in awe.

Enoch kneels down before you so his head doesn’t hit the ceiling. “I’m a Kipine,” he says. “Not sure if you’ve heard of such a thing, but you can see me now and know.”

“You’re still lovely,” you say gently. “Tall, dark, and handsome.”

He chuckles nervously. “Plese, don’t make me laugh right now. I am moments away from breaking into tears.”

You look up at him with concern, wanting to throw your arms around him and comfort him. “What? Why?”

“He cups his hands around his face, covering his body with his wings. “I have not shown myself to anyone since I came here,” he whimpers. “I was once made a spectacle before, and I don’t want to be seen that way again. I just wanted you to see me...to know me. You’re the only one who-”

You touch his arms and he slowly lowers his hands. “It’s okay. I think you’re beautiful, Enoch. Whatever happened to you before, I would never treat you that way.”

Enoch pulls you into his arms and his black fur feels warm and soft. You take him to your bed where the two of you lay together. He tells you how he’d been kept in a cage as part of a traveling sideshow, one that Mr. Faire raided and rescued most of the creatures there. He had been malnourished and sickly, so Haymitch and Mr. Faire took care of him and enabled him to pursue his talents as he healed. You talked for hours about anything and everything, kissing and touching as you went, both of you falling deeper.

“Mr. Faire always promised me I would find a love of my own, but I never believed it until I met you.” He nuzzles into your hair. “It was love at first sight.”

Your heart is pounding rapidly. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh but I am,” he chuckles. “I like tall, strong women.” He nuzzles to your neck then gently nips your ear. 

You giggle as his hand starts to go up your side. “Enoch, that tickles.”

“I want to see you too,” he whispers. “If you’ll let me.”

You smile bashfully but acquiesce. You strip off your clothes and lay there naked in the bed beside him. As he rises, so does the sun. The bright beams filter through the stained glass and the colors paint themselves on your skin. Enoch’s eyes grow wide as his hands move down your body to touch the colors.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers.

You bite your lip and sit up, kissing him as you climb into his lap. His hands run down your back and you can feel the heat grow between you. Something wet and hard touches your rear and you ease back to rub against it.

Enoch ducks his head down, burying his face into your neck and hair. “Is it too much?”

You take his shaft between your thighs. It’s pitch black, save for the bright pink tip. It has large knots all the way down the shaft and it is wet and slick to the touch. You stroke him in your hands while he moans against your shoulder. His hands squeeze around your waist.

“It’s okay,” you whisper to him. “I want to be your mate. I want to complete the courtship with you.”

Enoch whispers into your ear, something sweet and passionate in his own tongue. You take him inside slowly, growing used to his strange shape and size. You squeeze tight around him, feeling his heat and pulse all throughout your body. His fingers knead into your thighs, helping to guide you as you rock upon him. His thumb then gently rubs to your clit and for a moment you forget how to breathe. 

“Look at me.” His soft words make your eyes flicker to his. His hips rise, moving himself deep inside you. He lays you down upon the bed, gently rocking himself. You can feel each thrust, then as he grinds before pulling back.

The sunrise paints the stained glass over both of you. The colors melt together as you are, becoming warm and powerful. His voice vibrates in your ear as he whispers to you over and over. There is a moment as the world stills you wonder how you got here. The warmth of the sun is soon drowned out by the sound of thunder and rain. Your skin cools, you start to feel your legs again, but Enoch’s warmth is ever there.

He rubs your back slowly as you cuddle to his chest. Legs are tangled, bodies melted, but it doesn’t matter. Right now, everything feels comfortable and right. 

You slip onto the mattress  and Enoch peppers you with soft kisses. His long hair falls around you like a sheet and you smile up into his face.

“I took my glamour back so I could fit on the bed,” he says shyly. “I hope that’s ok.”

You kiss him, pulling him back down on top of you. “I’ll accept any form you choose to take,” you purr. “You’re beautiful no matter what.”

“So are you,” he sighs. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I’ve never felt so close to someone before.”

You kiss him again and run your hands down his skin. “It was nice, wasn’t it?” You sit up and he nuzzles to your breast for a moment. 

“Where are you going?” He chuckles. “Don’t get up.”

“I’m going to make us coffee,” you grin. “It’s morning after all.”

Enoch kisses you. “I love you. And not just because of the coffee.”

You beam happily. “I love you too.”