My breath caught as my fingers glided down Charmander's slender arm. The scales felt like warm silk, quivering under my light touch.
Each subtle muscle twitch sent a rush of heat straight through me.
I slid my hand further, past her elbow and wrist, until I reached her tiny three-fingered paw.
Cradling it gently, like something irreplaceable, I marveled at how small it was in my grasp. So warm, so alive.
Her soft pads pressed back tentatively at first, then with more confidence, as if proudly showing her strength.
Up close, her retracted white claws clearly visible, gleamed softly, hinting at their hidden sharpness.
I turned her palm, exposing the tender light-orange center, then slowly brought it closer to my lips as my tongue slipped out, warm and wet.
It traced slowly across it, savoring the hot sweetness mixed with a faint salty tang from our earlier walk.
Her tail flame flared brighter, and her cheeks glowed a deeper orange, like a blushing sunset.
A soft, shaky "Chaa...?" escaped her lips, her voice high and puzzled.
Her claws extended just a fraction, brushing lightly against my chin, not scratching, but pressing with innocent curiosity.
That faint sting pulled a low groan from deep in my chest.
"Chaa..." she whimpered shyly, her small body trembling under the warm, wet sensation.
Her innocent eyes sparkled with confusion, yet she didn't pull away.
This feels so strange... all tingly up my arm. Is this part of Trainer's check for training? It tickles a lot, but... it's kinda nice too.
I savoured the lingering warmth, before slowly guiding her small finger toward my lips.
I drew it deeper into my mouth, sucking gently while my teeth grazed the sensitive edge.
Her whole arm shook, and her tail swished back and forth, the flame at its tip leaping higher and scattering bright sparks into the dappled sunlight.
"Chaaar..." she squeaked, her cute face flushing even more, thinking this was just a toughness check.
Nothing more, but her mind couldn't help but wonder why it felt so strange and tingly.
With a soft, wet pop, I released her finger, leaving it glistening.
"These hands are incredible," I rasped against her skin, my voice rough and heavy. "Let me feel every part, see how perfect they are for building more strength."
She gave a small, shy nod, as if my request was perfectly normal.
…I shifted behind her slowly, my hands gliding over her smooth back scales with deliberate care.
The warmth radiated from her skin like a gentle fire, soft and yielding under my fingers, each ridge pulsing with her steady breaths.
I leaned in closer, inhaling deeply. Her back arched slightly under my touch, scales shimmering as she let out a soft "Chaa...", her voice still high and trusting, tiny tongue flicking out curiously at the new sensation.
Gil's hands feel so warm on my back... must be checking my posture for battles. Why does it make me all fluttery inside?
I slowed my movements, making them as tender as possible, fingers slowly reaching lower toward the base of her tail, savoring every inch of her heated form.
Carefully, I lifted her tail with both hands, cradling the smooth, warm curve as it arched gracefully from base to tip.
I admired every gentle contour of her slender tail, my thumbs tracing reverently along its heated length, but careful not to let my fingers drift too close to the bright, dancing flame at the very tip.
Slowly, deliberately, I drew her tail closer, cradling it between both palms like something sacred.
Her tail gave a small, surprised twitch in my grasp.
"Char… mander…?" she murmured shyly, voice soft and high, barely above a whisper.
Her whole little body quivered once, orange cheeks blooming brighter as she glanced back over her round shoulder.
Big blue eyes wide, sparkling with innocent confusion. What is Trainer doing with my tail…? It feels… funny… warm all over…
I met that gaze and forced a gentle smile, even as my pulse hammered in my ears.
I angled her tail carefully upward so the flame pointed safely away from us both, then slowly, agonizingly slowly, let my fingers slide free, releasing her inch by inch.
The tip of her tail swayed once, flame flaring brighter for a heartbeat before settling again, as if relieved yet still curious.
She blinked at me, head tilting slightly in that adorable way.
"Char?" A single, questioning chirp. Like she was asking how it was.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "It's good. I have properly checked the back. Now the front," I murmured, my voice low and rough despite my effort to keep it calm.
She hesitated for only a second, then gave a small, eager nod. Her blue eyes shone with complete trust. She still believed every touch, every strange sensation, was just another step toward becoming stronger.
"Char! Char!" she chirped brightly, already turning to face me fully. Her chest puffed out a little, as if ready for the next "inspection." Bewilderment lingered in her expression, but so did pure, unshakable faith.
Trainer knows best. This will make me stronger!