The first time he tried to kiss her, it was overbearing and sudden. She compared it to old fairytales; except the fairytales seemed to have lied about dashing knights, or simply left important things out, like the sputtering, angry maidens.

The second time, it was almost gentle, and almost mutual. But it wasn’t. Her nerves were shot, and she pushed him away because she had to, because it was dangerous for them both.

The third time, she caught him by surprise. Standing at the threshold to the Mysidian Temple, with all of Earth cheering their return, it finally felt right.