Over the next hour, Zepar slowly forgot his worries over what Aya had seen and found himself relaxing. He realized that he truly enjoyed Aya's company, and during their conversation, she proved herself to be quite witty and charming in her own right.
He cut himself off from the ale when he started to feel his mind fogging slightly, not intending to become fully drunk. Aya had noticed this and slowed herself down, not quitting completely. She needed the liquid courage. She was still a bit nervous around Zepar—not because of how dangerous he was, though that was still a concern—but because every time he smiled or laughed at something she said, she felt her heart skip a beat.
Zepar asked her about her life, and was finding himself enraptured by her stories of her childhood. So much so that he hadn't even realized when the tavern had emptied out aside from the two of them and Boris. The tavern had closed before they'd even noticed, but Boris made no attempt to kick them out. In fact, Boris continued to serve them.
Boris had been worried about his favorite patron and friend since the young man always seemed distant. He was no empath, but even he could feel the loneliness that seemed to radiate out of Zepar. For that reason, he decided he would be his young friend's wingman and thus refused to interrupt the two. It wasn't until well after midnight when the two finally noticed their surroundings again. Both of them blushed as they realized they'd been talking for several hours. They stood and moved to the side so that Boris could finish closing the tavern.
"I-I'm sorry, Boris," Zepar stammered, embarrassed that he'd been so unaware. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I had my reasons," Boris smirked knowingly as he cleaned up their table and headed into the backroom to give the two some privacy. Aya praised the man in her heart for helping her and Zepar have such a memorable night.
"Zepar," she began, stepping closer to him. "I'm not very good with people. This is the first time I've been able to hold a conversation that didn't involve threats or business propositions." She moved even closer, willing herself to take a chance.
Zepar, for his part, was feeling his body heat up as the young woman moved closer to him. He wasn't an idiot, so he knew that there was a mutual attraction between them, but he hadn't expected how comfortable he felt with her.
"I—" he paused, considering his words carefully. "I know the feeling."
"I know," she replied. She moved even closer, now mere inches away. "And I know this is a bit reckless, but...I also know you miss all the shots you don't take." She leaned forward.
Alarm bells went off in Zepar's head as she leaned in. 'Wait, she's not...she IS.' His brain shut down briefly as he felt her soft lips press against his, her eyes drifting closed. Without thinking, he closed his eyes as he leaned into the kiss, his lips parting slightly. Her lips followed suit and a soft sigh escaped her, her arms moving over his shoulders as his hands held her waist.
The kiss lasted a full minute before Zepar's brain finally started working again. He gently pulled his face back from hers, looking down at her flushed face. She was smiling widely as she gazed up at him, clearly pleased by his reaction. He heaved a deep sigh as he stepped back. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to stay in her arms, which promised comfort and acceptance.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I can't." His words were like a bucket of cold water, and they made her heart ache.
"W-what do you mean?" she asked. "I thought—" He silenced her with a finger pressed over her lips. His kind smile sent a jolt down her spine.
"I want to," he admitted, making her heart melt a little. "But I can't, not now." He gently pulled her into his arms, closing his eyes as she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. "I need to understand...who I really am," he explained softly. "So I can't give you what you want, no matter how much I want to right now." His heart was thundering inside his chest, which Aya could hear clearly, making her grin despite his words.
"So...someday?" she asked hopefully.
"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I've been thinking about it ever since I learned who my father is, and I think I need to get away for a while." He pulled back slightly, placing his finger under her chin, gently raising her head to look up at him. "I plan to go on a journey, to finally understand who I am inside...until I do that, I can't give you an answer."
"Then...let me come with you," she pleaded. "I want to go with you."
"No," he said firmly. "Aya, I have no doubt, my journey would be more enjoyable with you there. But I don't want to lead you on. You deserve better than that." He kissed her forehead. "But I promise, the next time we meet, I will give you an answer."
She wanted to protest, but she understood that she couldn't selfishly insist on accompanying him. And while he hadn't promised to be with her, he had promised her closure at least.
"Fine," she agreed reluctantly. "Under one condition."
"And that is?" he asked cautiously.
"Let me see you off when you leave." Her words were determined, refusing to back down.
"If it will give you some peace of mind, very well," he agreed easily.
"Oh, and one more thing," she began hesitantly, a faint blush returning to her face.
"And that is?" he asked, arching an eyebrow at her adding a condition after he'd already agreed to her 'one condition'.
"Just one more," she whispered, leaning in again. Zepar didn't reply. But seeing how serious she was, and perhaps drawn in by his own desires, he allowed himself to be kissed again. It was a tender kiss, filled not with promises, but possibilities. Aya knew that when Zepar returned, the chances that he would reject her weren't zero. So she would burn this moment into her memory, and hold it as a ward against the heartache if the worst came to pass.