KH:: Alone At Last

Posted on Fri May 16th, 2025 @ 7:35pm by Sr Journeyman Rena & Sr Journeyman Bensen
Edited on on Fri May 16th, 2025 @ 7:36pm

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

Rena was not sure that she was doing the right thing by sneaking into Bensen’s room after not seeing him in a while but it was the only place that she knew eventually he would end up there. She could not send her firelizard as she was curled up asleep by the roaring fire so it left her just to wait and hope he did not panic. It was hard tracking someone down in the crowds and after he had escorted Senabena to bed she had only seen him once at a distance. It had been nice to have some distance for a while but she found herself missing him as the night had dragged on.

Bensen had got caught up in the crowd after he left Senabena. He had tried finding Rena a couple different times but he kept losing track of her among everyone. He finally gave up after what felt like candlemarks and slowly made his way toward his room. Surely, she would be somewhere close by. He yawned a bit as he stepped into his room, but stopped in surprise. “Rena?”

Rena rose from the chair she had been sitting in by the fire waiting. She smoothed the skirt of her dress out nervously. “Hello? We got separated and I assumed eventually you would come to bed.” She explained her appearance there.

A smile touched his lips. “We did. Every time I saw you, I would lose sight of you again.” There had been so many people. “That was a smart idea. I am sorry I could not get back to you.”

The woman smiled and shrugged. “I couldn't get to you either so I decided to be patient and wait.” She stepped around the chair watching him. “It was a nice evening though, best evening in a very long time.”

Bensen nodded, loosening the collar of his shirt a bit. “It was,” he agreed. He stepped up to her, giving her a gentle smile. “I'm glad you're here.”

Rena was surprised as he stepped up to her but smiled a little looking up at him. “No where else I would rather be.” She assured him as she gently undone the ties around his neck.

This was not at all what he had been expecting tonight. Now he was married and would never have to be alone again. “Same,” he assured her as he reached up to touch her cheek.

The younger woman closed her eyes at his touch for a moment before she opened them smiling at him. “Someone touching me other than Brenna is strange.” She admitted blushing.

Bensen nodded in total understanding. “I've never touched anyone like this before,” he said softly. “This is going to be different for both of us.” Bensen had never been this close to anyone.

The woman nodded silently offering a smile as she leaned up to play with the trinket around his neck nervously. She was not sure why she had come there other than to make sure he was safe and knew that she was but now she was not sure what she should do or say.

He gave her a gentle smile as he gently trailed his fingers down her arm. “You know I don't expect anything of you,” he said softly. “Only what you want and when.” He kissed her forehead.

The woman laughed awkwardly closing her eyes at the softness of his kiss and the warm words. “I do not believe I came here to seduce you, Ben. I am very pregnant and that is not overly attractive.” She had never felt that big with Brenna. “I just came because I wanted to be with you and make sure that you were safe.” She explained.

He laughed a bit. To him she still looked beautiful and thankfully healthy. He remembered Oseben being worried sick when Rena had been carrying Brenna. “And I am glad you are here and safe.”

“I knew you would come looking so saved you the energy at this time of night.” She shrugged and stepped back to look at him and then around the room more.

“That was very thoughtful of you. I thank you.” He would have gone looking for her. “So ah,” he said softly. “Would you care to join me for the night?” He offered.

Rena smiled at him thanking her. She tried to be thoughtful and he made it easy. The woman turned to look back at him and took in his words and the way he watched her. “I would like that.” She finally admitted.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Bensen was walking unknown ground and he wanted to make sure he did everything right for Rena.

Rena stepped back up to him and lay both her hands against his chest. “Relax Bensen.” She whispered. Her heart was racing as she tried to think of something to say to make them both relax.

He gave her a crooked smile. “I'm trying to,” he assured her. This was all very new to Bensen and he wanted to make sure it was all done properly and he wanted Rena happy.

“How can I help?” She wondered keeping her hands on his chest feeling the warmth under her finger tips. She gazed up at him and moved her left hand to his cheek and caressed her thumb across in a comfortable gesture.

He closed his eyes, enjoying her touch. He shivered slightly before his shoulders relaxed. “You are helping right now,” he assured her, opening his eye’s part way.

Rena watched him for a moment before leaning up and kissed him softly. It was gentle that left her breathless by the time she pulled back. It was the first proper kiss in private between them but she felt he needed it. He needed to know it was all real.

“If I am staying, I need a shirt.” She breathed. She was not staying in her dress.

Bensen leaned into her soft kiss. He had needed that and to him it seemed like Rena knew just what he needed to calm down.

“Think I can find that,” he whispered, kissing her cheek. “Give me just a moment.”

“Take as many as you need.” The woman nodded and moved away sitting on the chair by the fire again giving him a few moments to sort himself. She did not glance back as she contemplated the kiss, it had left her wanting more and she was not how to feel about that. Was she just starved and desperate for human contact?

Bensen moved to the ornate dresser and pulled open a drawer. He soon found a soft shirt for her to wear. This felt odd and right at the same time. “Think I found one,” he said, returning to Rena's side.

Rena turned a little in the chair to look at holding out a shirt to her. “Thank you.” She took the shirt and smiled up at him. “You have a shirt to go home in, right?” She teased trying to find her equilibrium again.

“Hmm I hadn't thought about that,” he laughed, relaxing. “But yes, I do,” he assured her with a grin. He did not know how but somehow Rena could put him at ease with a simple smile.

The woman laughed a little and put the shirt in her lap. “Are you ready to go to bed or would you like to sit here for a little bit?” She wondered paling a little as she realised, she was going to need help to get out of the dress either way.

“I am tired but I don't think I could sleep yet,” he admitted. He was still pretty wound up from everything. “But what about you? If you are tired then we can settle in.”

Rena offered a shy smile as there was no one to ask apart from him. “I am tired but I will need assistance to get out of this dress so we might as well sit here and do that at the same time.” She said blushing a little as she turned to show the ties on the back of the blue dress.

“Oh dear,” Bensen said when he saw all the ties. “As lovely as you look, I am sure that was not pleasant to sit through,” he commented as he moved around to where he could help her with the ties. It felt a bit odd but right as well as he carefully started on the tiny ties.

“Had worse dresses but not the best being a baby bump.” She laughed a little as she held the corset against herself as it loosened. She sighed happily in relief as he loosened it enough for her to feel the pressure leaving her body.

“I do not know how you wear these. Having a high collared shirt is bad enough,” he admitted. She did look lovely but he never could understand how the women always wore such dresses.

“We do not think anything of it. We just wear them since we were young but I think you have undone enough for me to shimmy out of it now.” She said holding it just a little firmer to keep it secure.

“Hmm hadn't considered that.” That made a bit more sense. it still seemed miserable though. “Good,” he smiled, stepping back. At least she would be able to get more comfortable now.

Rena smiled a little as she stood and shimmered the corset up over her head knowing she would not be able to get it over bump properly, leaving herself in the ornate shirts and under dress. “Just be thankful for high collars shirts.” She laughed looking more relaxed and she leaned over to get her sandals off.

He shook his head as he undid a couple more ties on his own shirt. “I will definitely take the high collar,” he commented, seeing how many layers poor Rena was still in.

Rena laughed a little and settled back into the chair tidying after up her clothes on the floor a little. “Easier. I promise you.” She smiled at him. “Much better without that. Between the corset and baby, glad I did not pass out.” She teased a little. She would never make such a scene but it was hard breathing at points especially with stairs.

“I am seeing that. That was a lot of layers.” Bensen cringed. “I don't know how you did breathe.” he knew he would have been suffocating. “Shards. How did you do it?”

“I just did. I have been wearing dresses like this for a while. I did with Brenna well not at this stage but…” She said smiling at the look on his face. “Bit of a culture shock having a wife hmm?” She wondered crossing her leg and turning in the chair to look at him.

Bensen nodded. “Just a bit. I never realized what my mother and sister went through.” Poor them. He gave her a smile though. “I have a feeling you're going to keep surprising me.”

“I will try and keep the shocks to a minimum. But for a little bit as things change but I suspect you will me.” Rena had no doubt having a new husband after seven months it would be different. Bensen was not Oseben and Oseben was not Bensen, they were different people.

He chuckled a bit. “Just a few shocks,” he smiled. This was going to be all new to him but he was ready. He wanted to make Rena happy.

Rena rose from the chair holding the shirt close. “I am going to change into your shirt.” She said, indicating the bathing chamber before slipping inside. The room was cooler than expected but she quickly washed up throwing some water onto her face and changed out of the dress and underskirts. She pulled the shirt on and laughed a little as it hit knees nearly despite the way the bump making it nearly impossible to wear. She came back out carrying the skirts holding them awkwardly to lay them on the dresser.

Bensen nodded. “Sounds good.” Once she had disappeared, he changed into his own night clothes, slipping into loose fitting pants and a shirt open at the neck. He smiled when Rena returned, trying not to laugh when he saw how big the shirt was on her.

“Never realised you were so tall.” She giggled as she turned to face him taking in how relaxed he looked. “Though a few more sevendays and I think this bump will make it impossible.” It was a little snug around there.

“Hadn't considered my height till now,” he chuckled. Bensen nodded. “We'll just have to make sure you have something more comfortable to wear than,” he promised her.

“I have things to wear … promise. Your shirts are safe. I am just not in my chamber.” She assured him as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. She wore shifts that fitted perfectly. “You are exactly the right height. You are perfect.” she promised him back.

The young man laughed. “I was not worried about my shirts. I was thinking more about you but you are right. Once home we will have all our things again.” he smiled. “Thank you.”

“Far Site feels like a distant memory after the last few days. Home will feel strange for a little bit.” The woman commented quietly as she spread her hands out over the bedding as the green fire perked up her head sleepily and chirped at Rena. “Shh. Sleep.” Rena instructed softly.

“A lot has happened since we left,” he agreed. He had come a single man and was now married and had a family. “I bet you are anxious to have Brenna back in your arms though,” he pointed out, stretching his long legs out in front of him.

“I really am.” She had never been so long without hugging her daughter and she had never had a night away from her let alone 2. “We have never had a night away from each other. So, this was hard at points.” Last night had been hard alone in her bed wondering if her daughter was okay had been hard which was why she had most
likely needed a longer nap than normal.

“I am sure that was hard.” He wondered how Brenna had handled it. Hopefully the little girl had had fun. “Won't be long before you can give her a big hug,” he smiled.

“Last night was a lot of tossing and turning and considering how easy it would be to find a rider.” She admitted turning to look at him better. She blushed a bit looking embarrassed but she loved being a mother more than a harper. “One more night will be fine.” She assured herself with a smile. Distance made the heart fonder.

“Yes, that would have been easy last night,” he agreed. Any of the riders would have taken her back to Far Site. He gave her a gentle smile. “Well, you don't have to sleep alone tonight unless you want to,” he said. He would not force her. If she wanted separate beds for a while he could do that.t.

“I am not about to make you sleep on the floor Ben.” She said lightly leaning over to touch his hand. “I do not want to sleep alone but be aware I do talk in my sleep. Brenna says I talk about harper lessons.” She shrugged. “You will have to tell me.”

He smiled, twining their fingers. “Harper lessons huh? Well, that could be interesting. I will let you know. I do not know if I talk in my sleep,” he admitted.

“How exciting to find out.” She teased tugging his hand a little to bring him closer. “I promise you are not going to do anything wrong in discovering how we work as husband and wife.” She said softly. She had, had to learn how her and Oseben worked and it would be the same with Bensen.

He flushed a bit but then smiled. “Thank you,” he breathed. That had been a bit of a worry for him. He wanted to make her happy but he knew there would be a lot of learning.

Rena smiled and scooted a little closer awkwardly and lay her head on his shoulder keeping their hands together. “Talk… tell me your worries.” She offered staring at the fire ahead of them.

Bensen considered his words. “It is all just so new for me,” he said slowly. “I'm not used to not having a plan in place.” he was always prepared and thought things through.

Rena cringed a little at the fact she had upped his whole world and thought process in one day. That was not something she had wanted but she understood how he worked. “So, let us plan together. This is new for me too…I jumped into my first marriage, this time I had a plan and thought process. We have swapped places.” She said lightly, trying to keep things calm and the tension to a minimum.

The young man chuckled a bit. “I guess we have swapped places,” he agreed. “I am very happy to be here with you and I am also glad you are understanding as I fumbled through it,” he said. He was trying but it was not easy.

“I do not have all the answers but I do care about you and want to help as we fumble through these changes.” She said gently as she looked from watching the fires to looking up at him. “Get into bed.” She instructed softly standing up moving to the bed climbing under the furs. It was a lot cooler in the hold compared to Kymos.

“I don't expect all the answers,” he smiled. Bensen was pretty sure that was not possible. He nodded, moving to the opposite side from her to climb into the bed. It was nice to get off his feet for a bit.

Rena sat down and leaned up twisting the glows into a much lower setting casting shadows across the room. She lay down on her pillow and waited for him to settle down.

Bensen yawned just a bit as he moved to roll to his side. He always slept better on his side, but he also wanted to be able to talk work Rena if she was not ready to settle down yet.

Rena smiled as she noticed the yawn. She leaned over and touched his cheek gently. Cadence finally decided she had enough by the fire and curled up on the headboard above Rena’s head. “She isn’t optional by the way.”

Bensen closed his eyes briefly at Rena's light touch. He glanced up at the little green who seemed quite content. “I wouldn't expect her anywhere else,” he assured Rena.

The woman smiled. “Good.” She whispered thinking that a lower tone suited the change in lighting and tone. “Sleep.” She suggested to him knowing that she would not be able to yet but she was not going to keep him awake.

He really wanted to stay awake but another yawn caught him. “Okay,” he finally gave in. “See you in the morning.”

She nodded and smiled, turning away from him to lie on her side finding it easier on that side. She would be there in the morning for sure. It would not be like Lenya. She would not do that to him.