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Ashe’s fingers running under her right eye wake Petra from her sleep. She doesn’t know if he meant to wake her. He is usually so hesitant around her tattoos, even though he isn’t as shy with his other affections. Would he have ventured such a touch if he knew she was awake?
Petra shifts slightly and hums, before opening her eyes and holding Ashe’s hand against her face. “Good morning, mahal.”
“Petra!” Ashe’s face flushes bright red as Petra brings his hand to her lips. “Um, morning!” His blush still grows brighter as Petra leans in and presses a kiss to his mouth.
“Why are you looking so flustered?” Petra presses the back of her hand against the usually fair skin of Ashe’s forehead. “You are not feeling below the weather, are you?”
Upon seeing his girlfriend’s genuine concern, some tension releases from Ashe’s muscles, and his mouth curves up into a smile. “Not at all, my love. I just… didn’t know if you would be mad at me.”
At this, Petra sits up in surprise. “Why would I be mad?”
Ashe joins her in sitting up against the headboard. Bashful, he averts his eyes to his lap. “I know how special Brigid tattoos are. It was probably rude of me to touch them, I’m sorry.” He continues to stare down until Petra uses her hand to lift his chin towards her.
“You do not need to be feeling sorry, Ashe.” Petra runs a thumb over Ashe’s freckles. “Indeed, my tattoos are very special, but as the one I love, of course I’d share them with you.” She takes his hand and brings it back to her face. First she guides him to trace over the mark under her eye. She continues to lead him, his fingertips smoothing down her neck until she stops him at her upper arm. “You can touch…”
Ashe nods his head quickly, slightly stunned. Very lightly, he starts to draw over the patterned band tattooed on her tricep. “…Thank you, Petra. For sharing so much of yourself with me.”
“Of course, my love.” Leaning into him, she rests her head on his shoulder. Her lips brush against his neck, before just letting herself just lie against him. “You know, there are many other ways that those from Brigid share our tattoos.” She reaches out and runs a hand down Ashe’s arm.
“Oh, how so?” Ashe asks, always eager to learn more about Petra’s home. It warms Petra’s heart more than a Brigid summer each time he receives her customs with such an open mind. She leans back and takes his hand, intertwining their fingers.
“Just like how the markings on my arms are for strength, and the one by my eye for clear vision, there are also tattoos that signify great love.” She locks eyes with her lover, but it’s not as assured as her gaze tends to usually be. “I—I would never force you but… one day I would like for the both of us to—”
“Yes.”
Petra raises her eyebrows. “Do you even know what you are saying yes to?” She tries hard to hold back a smile.
Ashe sputters, cheeks growing pink once more. “I mean, since we were talking about tattoos—and love—I assume you meant special markings for couples?” He rubs the side of his neck, sheepish.
Petra can contain her smile no longer, and she surges forward to crush her lips against Ashe’s. “Not just couples, but a great love,” she says once they break apart. “One… that would last for the rest of our lives.” Petra can feel Ashe take a deep but steady breath. Little does she know it’s because he is preparing to take hers away.
He takes her face in his hands, bringing her in for one more heated kiss. “Even more of a reason to say yes, then.”