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The rainstorm caught them both by surprise. Even Sabin thought they had more time to set up their tent before the sky opened above them. Hard, freezing droplets pelted into his skin as he and Celes rushed through raising their shelter.
His clothes stuck to his skin as they finally finished. Water dripped from his beard and he fought the urge to shake it off like a dog. Pity they couldn’t start a fire until the storm passed; its warmth — and drying abilities — would be sorely missed.
“Well,” Sabin said, pulling his tank top over his head, “at least we’ve got the tent to tide us over.”
Celes stared at him blankly, wringing out her hair. “What are you doing?”
“Getting out of these wet clothes. Obviously.” Sabin’s sash and pants went next. “First priority is getting dry and warm. I assumed you of all people knew that, General.”
She looked away as if to grant him privacy. Sabin was a Figaro; he wasn’t ashamed of how he looked nor did nudity bother him. “I’m not a General anymore.”
“But you are wet.” Edgar would have wiggled his eyebrows at the innuendo. Sabin thought about it, but resisted. “And cold.”
Celes snorted. “I have ice magic running through my veins. Cold is the least of my worries.”
“Wish I could say the same.” Sabin spread out his clothes to dry, then climbed into their bedroll. Well, his bedroll, but a plan formed in his head. “You might need to warm me up.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Body heat. It’s the most efficient way.” It was the truth. “You should get out of those wet clothes too. Don’t want you getting sick.”
Turning away, Celes hesitated. Sabin waited her out. Even if snuggling was off the table, she deserved to be warm and dry. Finally, she sighed. “You have a point,” Celes relented.
“I can close my eyes if it will make you feel better.”
Another huff from her. “No need.” With military quickness and efficiency, her clothing joined his. In the dim light of their single lantern, Sabin could just make out the curves of her body as she moved. She’d been so thin when they reconnected in Tzen. Traveling kept them active, but she looked healthier now, stronger.
He’d always found that attractive, but unlike his twin, he could wait until the time was right — and the lady receptive — to make a move. He half-expected Celes to stick to her own bedroll, yet she slipped into his without hesitation.
“Happy now?” she grumbled.
“And warm, thank you.” Sabin tucked her slim body against his larger one. Her skin was cool to the touch, a side effect of her magic. On impulse, he kissed the top of her head. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“I see you already have.” There wasn’t any bite behind her words. She wiggled against him, and Sabin resisted the urge to groan. Soon she’d be able to feel exactly what that did to him.
Then she slid a leg between his, pressing herself against him. Chilly hands rested against his chest. “Is this alright?” she asked.
His body was in full agreement. His mind needed to make sure she was on the same page. “Wonderful,” Sabin admitted. “You?”
Another pause. “I’m getting used to it.”
To hell with it. If he never asked, then he’d never know. “I have another way we can keep each other warm.” Sabin rubbed her back, tracing each knob of her spine.
“Oh?” Her eyes fluttered closed, just for a moment, before refocusing her gaze on him.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her cheek, then hovered over her mouth. “Body heat,” Sabin reminded her. “You might not mind the cold, but I can keep you warm. But only if you want it, too.”
Yes, he found Celes attractive. Yes, they could fool around without strings attached — on his part, anyway. Yes, he would always respect her right to say no.
One corner of her mouth twitched. “I thought you were a monk.”
“I am,” Sabin chuckled, low and deep. He buried a hand in her wet hair. “But I never took a vow of chastity. I’m allowed to enjoy life’s pleasures. And so are you, Celes.”
Slowly, giving her the chance to stop him, Sabin brushed his lips over hers. He expected her to take charge of the kiss, to show him exactly what she liked, just as she did with everything else in life.
Instead, there was a softness, almost an innocence, in this kiss. Her trust in him meant everything. Sabin teased her lower lip with his tongue, groaning when she deepened the kiss. They didn’t need to move beyond this and he’d be perfectly content to explore this new side of her.
One hand rested on his shoulder while the other smoothed over his wild hair. She could pull and tease as much as she wanted; Sabin wouldn’t mind. Celes broke the kiss first, breathing heavy against him. “Are you sure this about keeping me warm?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It can if you want it to be.” Sabin rolled her underneath him, watching her face for any signs of discomfort or resistance, and not finding any. “Tonight, we don’t have to save the world. We are two people sharing this moment in time.” Sabin brushed a strand of wet hair out of her face. “For the length of the storm, at least, we’re allowed to enjoy this.”
She licked her lips, quiet, eyes calculating. Again, Sabin waited her out. When was the last time Celes let herself do something simply because it brought her pleasure?
“For the length of the storm,” she decided, “and we can figure out the rest later.”
“Deal.” Sabin grinned and kissed her again, guiding her leg to wrap around his hip.
The world may have ended already, sure. Their friends and allies were scattered to the wind. Kefka ruled the world from his tower, crushing his opposition.
But they had this moment right here. Sabin was alive, and so was Celes, and that was worth fighting for. Sometimes all they needed was a little reminder.