My first kiss went a little like this...

“A first kiss should be special, dove. It's something you never forget.” “Aye...Ae understand. Ae'm still happy if we could stay like this.” A smile creased his broad features at her words and her heart thumped hard in her chest. Strong and warm his hand enveloped her own, fingers tangling together like the kelp that drifted lazily in the glittering bay at sunset. If they could stay together, just like this, she was certain that she could be happy.

----

The giggle had been what gave the young couple away. Back pressed against the warm, sun-baked stones of the back of the florists her lips were lost to more than that sound as they were captured by his own. They smiled into those lips, eager and ready for them as she pushed back and braced her small hands against the span of his shoulders. Only as he pulled back did she giggle again, asking a question she'd been dying to know since they'd begun with that first kiss. “She'll be mad, won't she? When she finds out?” “If she finds out.” He would correct her, a smile creasing his broad features. Playfully she would shove against his chest as she scolded him. “Oh, you're so bad! You're terrible! But a good kisser...” A playful pout. “Am I better than she is?” This question would bring with it a husky laugh, the man unable to help it. “You think I kiss her? Have you seen those tusks? I'll keep my face as it is, thanks, and kiss you instead...”

----

"Then I'm sorry, Nessie. I'm going to have to say no." He spoke, lips skimming her forehead before placing a very soft kiss there. As he pulled back a smile creased his broad features. Eyes wide, she stared up at the man she had propositioned moments before. He had been a stranger, a Victreebell if she remembered. He had been there but it was the sailor who stared down at her, smiling. “After all...” The face would contort, flickering and spasming in unnatural contortions. A stranger again, a sailor, the face couldn't decide as he took a step, advancing on her. “...Have you seen those tusks?”

-----

The cold was the first thing she remembered as she jolted awake, gasping for air as if she had been held underwater for far longer than even she could endure with her totem's gifts. She was wet...drenched in cold sweat that chilled her to the very core of her bones. Clinging to the sheets she would bundle them around her, unable to catch her breath as she doubled over. Biting her lip she would try to force herself to come back to calm and find the heat of her body. It seemed so distant inside of her chest but welled thick and hot in her eyes, tears blinding her as she took a shaky breath and managed to hiccup and inhale. Blessed with the ability to breathe, it would all come out at once as ugly sobs, the tears hot and heavy as they rolled down her cheeks. When was the last time she'd cried like this? What was going on? And why...why had he kissed her? Hadn't he seen her tusks?