Stella lay there for a long time, feeling as if she were floating.

When the half-fairy’s lips gently pressed against hers, and his hand stroked her belly and side, it felt so comforting.

Was this what it felt like to be a leaf drifting along a small stream? Not moving a hand or foot, simply surrendering herself to the flowing current.

‘So this is what a real kiss is like.’

She’d heard about it a few times from the elves who loved to boast or from her companions. But she’d always brushed it off—like what’s the big deal about pressing lips together?

When she’d actually kissed the half-fairy to give him medicine, she was even a bit disappointed. All she’d felt was, ‘That’s it? What’s the fuss all about?’

Sluurp, smooch.

But this was different.

Wanting each other—confirming that fact transformed the act of kissing into something else entirely.

It was difficult to explain, but Stella found herself wishing for this moment to continue. A little more and she’d fully understand the difference…

Smooch.

When his little tongue slipped into her mouth, Stella eagerly licked and caressed back with her own.

‘… Am I doing this right? Am I too clumsy?’

She wasn’t sure.

She wanted to do well.

Finally, the half-fairy lifted his head, ending the long kiss.

“Stella-nim, it’s good to breathe now.”

“……”

Only then did Stella realize she hadn’t breathed for a while. She didn’t know the timing so she just held it in.

‘… He noticed!’

An elf inexperienced in kissing?

It sounded as silly as a squirrel falling from a tree. She worried the half-fairy might laugh at her, but thankfully, he showed no sign of doing so.

He simply began gently stroking her neck and chest with a tender, soft touch.

‘He’s really skilled with women.’

Even in the eyes of the less experienced Stella, it was clear that this half-fairy was skillful. He must have had plenty of encounters.

Perhaps with Mirna or Elga? No, he must have many women following him. As she thought about this, she suddenly became curious about how she compared to those other women.

Then—

Squish.

She felt something thin slip between her legs.

“… Hic!”

Thanks to this, Stella was pulled from her thoughts and let out a sound like a deflating balloon. Something had entered her… the half-fairy’s fingers!

Squelch.

“… Ah!”

“It’s surprisingly… tight. Didn’t you say you had plenty of experience?”

Her face flushed instantly.

“… Theo-kun, you should know by now that that’s a lie….”

“Why would you lie about something like that?”

“… Well, fa-faries without experience are made fun of.”

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Stella averted her gaze. She thought the half-fairy would make fun of her.

Living for so long without a single romantic encounter was a problem, but the half-fairy didn’t laugh.

Squelch, squelch.

Instead, he simply moved his fingers inside her, making Stella shiver and nearly moan from the sensation.

‘Is he… really planning to do this with me?’

Her first experience.

As the thought took hold, Stella felt her breathing grow shallow. Her anticipation mixed with tension. Fear and hesitation intertwined with excitement and curiosity.

It was a feeling she’d never experienced before.

Swish.

At last, the half-fairy removed his hand and lifted her thigh. Sensing that something was about to happen, Stella’s skin prickled with nervousness.

“W-Wait! Um, actually, is this… okay? Theo-kun, are you alright with this… you know, with me? You might have kids, um…”

“I wouldn’t do this with just anyone. But I’m happy to with Stella-nim. How about you? Do you want to do it with me?”

“Well…”

Stella thought for a moment.

In her long life, she hadn’t encountered someone who truly captured her interest. She had grown up seeing her brother Opal, who was perfect.

In that sense, the half-fairy was more than good enough. He’s kind, able to take the lead, and charming.

“It’s okay… Doesn’t everyone do this? It’s not a big deal. If they can do it, so can I. Alright, let’s go. I’ll do it.”

* * *

“Alright… I’ve made up my mind. Yes.”

Stella kept muttering words to herself, as if convincing herself. It was funny to watch, and kind of cute.

“I’ll do it! I’m doing this! I can do it!”

She must be scared.

It would be difficult to handle my size without some serious resolve. Could it even fit into such a small space?

Even I felt hesitant.

But technically, it was designed to give birth to a child, so it should fit me as well.

“I’m doing it… yes, I can do it.”

So I slowly moved closer to Stella, who was still murmuring to herself, and carefully squeezed through the narrow opening.

“Ah… ah, nngh….”

“I’ll go slowly, very slowly.”

“Ugh, no… I don’t think… I can….”

“It’s all already in.”

“Really…?”

That was a lie.

I was only halfway in. I thought about shoving the rest of it, but Stella looked pained. So I held her and gently stroked her forehead.

“You’re doing well.”

“Hmph, w-well, it’s nothing…!”

Praising an older woman like this in bed felt strangely satisfying, almost like it fulfilled some primal sense of conquest.

Though I hadn’t even fully entered, I felt a pleasant thrill and my lower half tingled with anticipation. I decided to pause for a bit, giving her time to adjust to my size, and simply shared warmth in the stillness.

Sususu-.

Perhaps because of that, the dizziness and heat that filled my head moments ago gradually began to subside, like hot and cold water blending into warmth. It felt as if Stella was absorbing my heat.

Was this the dual cultivation Kubilai talked about?

Maybe it was because we were skin-to-skin.

Or because we had become truly one.

Through Stella’s soft chest pressing against mine, beyond her heartbeat, I felt a wave of emotions—embarrassment, confusion, and a deep sense of loss.

A profound loss.

Chururuk-.

Then tears suddenly welled up in my eyes, falling onto Stella’s face and neck.

“Oh, I’m sorry… I don’t know why, but I suddenly felt very sad….”

These sudden tears probably weren’t my own feelings, but Stella’s. She seemed to understand that too, as she pulled me into her arms.

“Theo-kun, you’ve peeked into my heart.”

“……”

“All the tears I’ve held back as an adult… they’re now flowing from you. You’re shedding the emotions I haven’t resolved.”

Stella’s embrace was warm and gentle. I settled in her arms, letting myself relax.

As we held each other, my heart softened like pudding. I could close my eyes and fall asleep in this—

“… Theo-kun, you can move now.”

Stella’s soft whisper reached my ear.