ElfStruck 03

He had been surprised by her boldness, Rufus shocked to find Alicia placing her hand on his thigh. He had never been touched so high up on his leg before, the princess staring up at his face as she lay snuggled against his side. Her eyes twinkled with mischief, a hint of a smile on her face as she watched his reaction, moving her hand up higher along his leg. It stole his breath away, and he gasped, crying out her name.

“Alicia!”

She instantly froze, eyes turning worried as her hand remained on his thigh, fingers a hairsbreadth away from his crotch. “Did I do something wrong?” She asked nervously, confusion showing on her face.

“No…!” He squeaked out, then bit back a frown, Rufus deepening his voice. “No!”

“Then…?”

“Alicia…” He took hold of her wrist, lifting her hand up off his leg. “You shouldn’t rush into these things. Especially if you’re not ready.”

“But..” Her teeth flashed, the princess biting down on her lower lip. “Silmeria said…”

“Silmeria’s not here right now.” He was quick to remind her, Rufus still holding her hand prisoner in his. “It’s just you and me, and we should take things slowly.”

“Slowly?” Alicia asked, then nodded. “I think I’d like that. Okay….slowly..” A smile, her eyes expectant as she looked towards him to guide her towards their next step. Rufus realized she was expecting him to have all the answers, to know the right things to say and do, and he hoped he did not disappoint her.

“Well…” Rufus let go of her hand, reaching instead to tenderly brush back the golden curls that kissed her cheek. “We start with a few touches…get comfortable with one another.”

“I’m already comfortable with you.” She announced, reaching up to touch his face. Her slender fingers caressed his cheek, thumb stretching outward to press against his bottom lip. “I couldn’t tell you I love you if I didn’t feel like I knew you so well.”

That made him smile, enjoying the feel of her soft fingertips touching his skin. It felt so good to be touched by her, Rufus unused to anyone expressing even the slightest bit of affection towards him. One could easily say he was starved for love, but he wouldn’t rush through this, not unless she was really ready. Rufus was intent on keeping things innocent between them for now, wanting to slowly work at building a relationship between them. Little did he expect that the princess had other things on her mind when at the moment her hand was still innocently pressed against his cheek!

Alicia was smiling, and she reached back to finger his hair, eyeing the beads that were decorating the loose strands by his face. Her fingers touched the hardened clay, thumb rubbing across the surface and she was speaking then. “I always wondered why you wore these. But I never dared ask.”

Rufus shrugged, hearing the beads click as she moved on towards the rest of his hair. “It’s silly, but they’re a memento…the only thing I have from my mother…”

“It’s not silly.” She protested, and she lifted up the hair over his ears, touching at the red cloth that covered the pointed tips of his ears. “It’s precious to you if you kept them.”

“Maybe…” He said doubtfully. “I…I never knew my mother, so how can I feel close to her?” He shrugged, not wanting to think about the woman who had abandoned him, leaving behind only a baby blanket and a lock of hair that was decorated with the beads.

“But you do.” Alicia said, a warm smile on her face. Her fingers were tracing down the curve of his ear, and he twitched, trying not to show how much that touch affected him. “You feel a connection to her through those beads, perhaps every time you hear them rattle you subconsciously think of her.” She was still touching his ear, Rufus fighting to not react like a cat, wanting to purr at the feel of her finger’s stroking. There was many nerve endings in the human ear, but it couldn’t compare to amount that was in an elf’s, Rufus luxuriating in the feel of her finger’s caress.

He must have made a noise, some sound of approval, for she was still touching his ear, even stroking behind it, and that made him exhale, a shaky, shuddery breath of air. Alicia giggled, and gently pried his right ear out from under the bandanna, touching the very tip of it. “You shouldn’t hide your ears…” She murmured, watching him intently.

“I hate them.” He said, feeling his face was flush with heat. He kept his eyes closed, Rufus leaning into her touch, enjoying the bliss it produced. “They, along with my hair reminds me of what I am. They’ll never let me forget for my hated half existence.”

“But…if you weren’t half elf, we wouldn’t have a prayer at defeating Odin.” Alicia pointed out, and he felt her move, body pressing insistently against his. “I love them, love your elf side as much as your human side.”

“A….Alicia!” He exclaimed, shocked to find her pressing her lips to his ear. Again he was twitching, his eyes snapping open. She was on her knees, stretching upwards to reach his ear, lips gently nibbling along the curve. “D…don’t…” He murmured, vowels stretching out the word in a moan. She merely giggled, and now she added tongue to her repertoire, licking along the inside of his ear.

“Alicia!” Again he called her name, catching at her waist, but making no move to pull her away. Her one hand was in his hair, holding his head steady, her other arm resting loosely across his collarbone. Her fingers idly rubbed him, an absent minded thought, the princess’ true intent focused solely on his ear. Strong sure strokes, the princess’ tongue growing bolder as she gained confidence.

If not for the tree against his back, Rufus would have fell over when she mouthed his ear lobe, teeth gently grazing against it. He all but whimpered, a moan escaping him, and he felt he lost track of time, just letting her molest his ear. In fact he could have spent all day with her pressed against him, her soft body pushing into his, breasts squishing against him. But he felt he was rapidly loosing control of the situation, the tingles in his ear shooting all the way down his body, right into his toes!

“Alicia…”

“Yes Rufus?” Such an innocent sounding voice, his angel, his princess surely not knowing how badly she affected him with her actions. He licked his too dry lips, and felt for her like a blind man, reaching out to slide his hands along her waist, pulling on her. She was reluctant to move, and he pulled her, causing her to topple forward, Alicia plastered on top of him. For a second they stared startled in each other’s eyes, lips close together.

“You shouldn’t do that…” Rufus told her, and saw her blink owlishly at him.

“Why not?” She whispered, and he swallowed, nervous.

“It’s just…too much….too soon…” He said, seeing her frown. “It felt good though! It felt real good!”

“I’m glad!” She exclaimed, her warm breath on his lips. He had to take control, decided Rufus, let him be the guide in their interaction. And the best way he decided to do that, was to kiss her, gently pressing his lips against hers. She all but melted against him, Alicia holding onto his shoulders, Rufus’ hands on her waist. He kept them there, frozen on the spot, scared to move knowing anywhere else would invite her to misunderstand. He wanted only to kiss her, and even as she sighed into his lips, she was opening her mouth.

Their kisses were getting better as they both gained experience, this time they did not bump teeth, and their tongues mingled together. He stroked the tip of his tongue along her velvet muscles, wet caresses across her length, and she did the same to him. Alicia actually started getting aggressive, bumping her tongue almost impatiently at his, coaxing him to dance with her.

They only broke apart cause they needed air, Alicia panting, slightly winded from the kiss. It did interesting things to her bosom, chest heaving slightly as she panted. He tried not to stare at the rise and fall of her chest, noticing the wildflower necklace spilling out of the top of her shirt. The scent of pinalope seed was heavy on her skin, the charm working well against his vocal powers. Her blue eyes were clear, determined and vibrant, not at all like when they had been at the inn. She was in full control of herself, knowing what she wanted, and right now it appeared she wanted another kiss!

Alicia didn’t wait for him to claim her lips, she pressed her mouth against his, sealing her lips into place. Gentle mashing, showing the same care she had exhibited towards his ear, teeth catching at his bottom lip, giving a slight tug. He mimicked her movements, gnawing on her lower lip, hearing her make a pleased sound. Alicia wiggled against him, causing his hands to inadvertently slide along her waist, Rufus struggling to keep them in an innocent place.

As they kissed, Alicia tried to make herself comfortable, tired of being on her knees. She pulled him downwards, Rufus hunching over at an awkward angle as she set her plump bottom directly over his lap. Her rear sat situated against the center of his pants, her weight a pleasant feel against his manhood, her movements grinding against it, causing his cock to twitch with reaction.

He nearly stood up, depositing her on the grass, not wanting to get a hard on while she was in place to feel it. But her grip was strong, fingers digging into his green poncho, lips staying connected with him. She only broke the kiss to place sloppy small ones along his jaw line, kissing towards his exposed ear once more. He moaned and tried to avoid her lips, finding himself burying his own mouth against the side of her neck.

“Rufus…” He loved the breathless way Alicia said his name, her hands pulling at his clothes. “Can we do more than just kiss?”

“I..I don’t know…” He said, trying to clear the fog out of his brain. He knew he had a reason for wanting to hold back, but when she was mouthing at his ear, it made it hard to think on anything but the pleasure. “We should wait until you’re ready…”

“I’m ready!” She announced, voice insistent. “I promise I am! Please…” She added, Alicia’s voice wheedling. “Just a little more…it feels so good to touch you…I want…I want more…I need more…”

He groaned into her neck, his hand in the soft silken strands of her golden mane, tugging on it. She willing followed, offering her throat up to him, Rufus growling out, “You’re making it so hard to stop.”

“Good! I’m glad!” Alicia smiled, moaning as his lips sucked against the front of her throat, Rufus mouthing at the skin that wasn’t covered by the high collar of her blouse. “I don’t want you to ever stop!” She added, pushing against his mouth. He tried hard not to suck, not wanting to give her a mark she wouldn’t be able to easily hide, but he found her flesh a tempting canvas for his lips.

Swear words erupted from him, sounding beautiful in elvish, Rufus still licking and biting at her skin. Alicia let out an excited sound, wiggling against him. “I love it when you speak in your native tongue. It sounds so beautiful, so exotic. Talk to me some more in elvish.”

Rufus blinked, surprised. “Uh….” More words from him, Rufus telling her it was storming in Solde, and about the price of fish in Villnore. It didn’t matter to her, she did not understand him, sighing wistfully at the sound of his voice.

“More!” Alicia demanded, even as her hands pulled at the giant leather sash around his waist, her fingers finding the straps that held it in place. He let out an exclamation in elvish, Alicia laughing in delight, even as she pulled off the sash, setting it down on the grass. His poncho immediately loosened, and she mischievously stuck her hands under it, fingers grazing the light material of the shirt underneath it.

“Alicia…that’s enough.” He said in Norse, and she shook her head, pressing close to hug him. He sighed, thinking it was a small miracle she was keeping her hands above the waist, even as she wiggled in his lap once more.

“It’s not enough!” Alicia protested, eyes passionate with her denial. “Please Rufus, I want more…”

“Er…at least wait until we get to an inn…” He said, hoping she would use the time to change her mind about seducing him out of his clothes. Again she was shaking her head no, and her frowned at her. “You deserve so much more than a romp in the dirt! Your first time should be in a soft bed, with a ceiling over your head for privacy.”

“My first time?” She asked, sounding excited, and he blushed realizing what he had blurted out.

“Never mind.” He sighed. “I misspoke. I’m getting carried away, thinking of things I shouldn’t.”

“Why…? WHy shouldn’t you?” Alicia asked, and he blinked.

“You’re so innocent…I’m corrupting you with my touch.” Rufus said sadly. “I’m making you behave in a way that’s not like you. Your eyes are clear, but maybe you’re just a little elf struck. You can’t be ready to…to do as much as you’ve already done with me!”

“I am not charmed, and I am not a little child.” Alicia said, smiling at him. “Silmeria told me all about what goes on between a man and a woman when they are in love. I want to experience that with you. Rufus, our time on this world is so short, if one thing all the pain in my life has taught me, it’s that! We have to seize the moment, because tomorrow might never come! Don’t live your life in regret.”

“That’s pretty deep thinking for a princess.” He teased her, and she nodded.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think…” Alicia said, sighing. “But maybe you don’t like forward girls, and I am being too pushy. Would you like me to back off, and let you do the chasing?” She offered him a nervous smile, eyes looking hopeful.

“Hmm…” It wasn’t that her behavior was putting him off, quite the opposite in fact! But Ruffs smiled, liking the thought of gaining back control of the situation. “All right…you do what I say, and if I say we stop, we stop, no protests.” Her lower lip jutted out, the princess pouting at him. “Promise me Alicia…!”

“I promise…” She sighed, and he leaned forward to kiss her forehead, brushing aside her bangs.

“That’s all I ask. Now…” He tugged on his poncho, pulling it up off his head so that he sat before her in just his light gray undershirt. “Where were we?” His eyes twinkled with mischief, the half elf once again touching her waist. “I believe you were touching me like this.” His hands were on her, and he tickled her, slowly going up over her leather vest. She giggled a little, but couldn’t really feel the effects through the leather. “How about we take this off…?”

“It’s only fair.” Alicia agreed. “You took off something of yours after all.”

“Right.” He liked that kind of reasoning, Rufus working open the buttons of her vest. He eased it off her, and then went back to tickling at her sides, and this time she laughed harder, actually squirming in his lap. She was trying to evade his hands, even as he tickled under her arms, and over the sides of her breasts. Her breath caught in her throat when he touched the plump sides of her breasts, eyes turning serious.

“Rufus…” A blush on her cheek, the princess grabbing at his wrists. “You can touch them if you want.”

“You’re not really giving me a choice here are you?” He asked, letting her place his hands on her chest. Her twin mounds felt as nice as he remembered, and he squeezed, hearing her let out a sound of surprise. “What is it?”

“Silmeria never told me how good that would feel!” She confessed, and he chuckled.

“I wonder what else Silmeria neglected to mention.” He wondered out loud.

“Let’s find out together!” She said enthusiastically, wiggling her breasts against his hands. He rubbed at them, palms grinding lightly in place over her nipples, finding twin points of hardness starting to press into his skin. His fingers flexed, squeezing her, and still it wasn’t enough to satisfy him, Rufus realizing he wanted to touch them directly, wanted to see her with her shirt open.

“Alicia…can I…can I open your blouse?” He asked, fingers hesitating over the pearl buttons. She made a sound of agreement, nodding her head, the blush back on her cheeks. He quickly worked the fastenings open, letting out a shaky breath as he went to peal open the material. He blinked surprised, seeing her round breasts encased in white lace, the cups offering only minimal covering, part of her nipples showing.

“What’s this?” He asked, tracing a finger along the lace, right along the underside of her left breast. Rufus had never seen a bra before, and he didn’t know what to make of it. It both intrigued him, and annoyed him, Rufus having wanted to see her breasts out in the open.

“It’s a bra.” She explained. “It’s for support.”

“Hmm…I’ll be all the support you need.” Rufus quipped, touching her breasts once more. His fingers nudged the cups downwards, letting her breasts pop free of the bra, nipples crinkled and pink, Alicia blushing even harder as he stared.

“Don’t just stare….say something!” She said, even as she brought an arm up to cover her chest.

“They’re….you’re beautiful.” He hastily corrected himself, mourning how she hid herself from him.

“I think since I took off my shirt, you should take yours off.” Alicis said, looking everywhere but at him. “It’s only fair.”

“All right.” He agreed, and made a move to unbutton his collar.

“Let me do it!” She protested, uncovering her breasts to reach for his buttons. He watched her work, eyes intent on her task, Rufus finding his own straying towards the globes of her chest. He obligingly raised his arms at her urging, Alicia sliding the shirt up over his head. She pulled back, shirt still in her hands, and looked at his bare chest, approval in her eyes. “You’re brown where I’m pink…” Alicia said, touching his left nipple, fingers ghosting across so fast he thought he imagined it.

“Uh yeah…” He nodded, impatient to touch her again. But she wasn’t done with her explorations, fingers touching the lines of his abdomen, eyes admiring. “You have a lot of muscle hidden under your shirt….It’s nice…” Her hands felt good on his skin, palms smoothing along, rubbing him slightly.

“Thanks.” He said, reaching for her breasts. “It’s all that archery. It builds up the arms, and even lets me bulk up a little elsewhere.” She gasped as he touched her nipples directly, thumb and forefinger capturing a nipple, rubbing them. The friction must have felt good, she moaned, arching her back, and he rubbed faster, giving a little twist and a pinch to both nipples.

“AH!” She exclaimed, surprised. “That…that makes me feel tingly…!”

“Tingly?” An amused smile from him, and she nodded.

“Yes…it’s nice.” She smiled shyly at him, and he continued his exploration of her breasts. He squeezed them together, he let them bounce back into place, eyes delighting in their jiggle. He held them in his hands, just enjoying their weight in his grip. But mostly he played with her nipples until he couldn’t take it anymore, bending forward to kiss the top of her breasts, peppering her skin with kisses. Alicia sighed and smiled, her hands in his hair, petting him as he licked a path down to a nipple.

“OH!” She exclaimed in surprise when he fastened pursed lips onto her hardened flesh, sucking it into his mouth. He fed greedily on her skin, sucking and pulling on her nipple, feeling her lean into him. His tongue plastered itself against the tip, pressing downwards on it, then moving away. When he wasn’t sucking he was licking, giving hard flicks of his tongue against it, Alicia squirming and moaning, rear pressing against his manhood all the while. It got a reaction out of him, he felt himself start to stiffen, and hoped she wouldn’t notice.

Her hands were on his arms, the princess holding onto him for support, wiggling insistently against his lips. He opened his mouth wider, practically inhaling a generous portion of her areola into his mouth, leaving a wet ring on the pink skin. When he finally let her nipple pop free of his mouth, Alicia let out a protesting whine, making him grin. He was hardly finished with her, hands squeezing her breasts together so that her nipples were side by side. His tongue was fierce, licking across them, hard flicks making her writhe some more.

If the wiggling hadn’t been arousing him, Rufus knew the sound of her voice crying out like that would have made him stiff as well. He released her breasts, kissing back up to her neck, and she sighed, whispering out a demand. “Don’t stop!”

That made him pause, Rufus unsure of what to do next. He knew the mechanics of sex, but it left him more than a little uncertain. There was such a huge difference in size between them, he worried he’d hurt her, and he didn’t want that. But more than that, he didn’t want to ruin her, finding her innocent, clean. He felt like he had dirtied her enough, even as they both cried out for him to do more to her.

“Rufus please…” Again with that maddening wiggle, her voice holding a hint of pleading to it. “I…I feel funny..”

“Funny?” He asked, once again glancing at her eyes to make sure they weren’t glazed over. “Funny how…?”

“Tingly!” Was all the answer he got, Alicia wiggling so hard her skirt rode up her thighs, flashing her white panties at him. “Rufus!” She grabbed at his hand, her touch distracting him from the cotton between her legs, and he looked at her. She kissed him, even as she tugged his hand lower, pressing it against her nether region. Alicia moaned into the kiss, wiggling against his hand until Rufus could not take it anymore. He nudged the band of material aside, and he delicately touched her slit, marveling at the satin feel of her body.

Alicia cried out, spreading her legs slightly, and he worked his finger into her, stroking along her folds, amazed to find dampness on her. “You’re wet Alicia.” Rufus whispered, holding up his fingers which were glistening with moisture.

She flushed, crying out, “Silmeria said that’s natural!”

“Natural…” He touched his tongue to his wet fingers, tasting her.

“Don’t taste it!” She gasped alarmed, Rufus smiling to reassure her.

“You taste wonderful…” Another lick of his fingers, his eyes thoughtful. “Like honey.” She blushed pleased, even as he returned his hand to her womanhood, eager to do more exploring. “What else did Silmeria say?” He asked casually, looking for some guidance as to what he should be doing next.

“She said you have to make sure I’m really wet…” Alicia blushed, eyes lowered shyly. “Else it will hurt…She said the first time will hurt too…But I’m okay with a little pain…” Her babbling died off in a startled cry, Rufus dancing his fingers along her pinkness. She wriggled, as he slid his fingers along, up and down, until he felt something different.

“What’s this?” He asked, not knowing the name, but touching that tiny button of flesh. Alicia really screamed then, her hips bucking against him as he stroked her clit.

“That feels really good.” She cooed at him, and he took the hint. His finger flicked across it, and then he was rubbing, pushing insistently against it. It made Alicia whimper and whine, body trembling, hips shaking like crazy. His eyes widened as he felt her grow wetter yet, soft pants escaping her as she cried and bit her lip hard enough to bleed.

She suddenly cried out, almost falling backwards out of his lap, her whole womanhood overflowing with moisture, soaking his hand. “Wow…” He whispered, staring in surprise, finding his fingers moved a little easier along her body. Alicia clung to him, breathing heavily, chest heaving in an enticing manner that had him placing a quick kiss against her left breast.

“Silmeria said it would feel good, but I never imagined…” Alicia whispered, a dreamy smile on her lips.

He knew what had happened, knew she had come, something he had experienced only with the use of his hand on his own cock. He smiled at her, pleased he could give her such pleasure, even his dick strained in his pants.

“OH!” Alicia said, and tried to stand up, glancing down at his crotch. “Silmeria said you have to return the favor!”

“Favor?” He asked blankly, holding onto the shaky princess.

“Yes..” She blushed, and stared meaningfully at the bulge in his pants. “She said…men like it when….when girls use their mouth.”

“Their mouth?” He blanched, getting her meaning, and pulled her back down, situating her in his lap. “Absolutely not! That’s…that’s dirty!” He couldn’t imagine making Alicia take his dick into her mouth, blushing in horror at the thought.

“But…”

“No buts!” He said insistently, and she pouted.

“Then at least…go all the way with me.” His eyebrows raised in surprise, and she hastened to explain. “I’m wet enough, and I’m prepared to deal with a little pain. Please Rufus, please! I want this, want you so badly!”

His hesitation was melting in the face of her pleading, his resistance being weakened by the blood having rushed to his cock. He licked his lips, Rufus asking her one last time. “Are you sure?”

She nodded, and it was all the encouragement he needed, his hands shifting her up slightly, so that he could get his pants open. He sighed with relief, his cock springing forth, Alicia trying to get a look at it. But he held her in such a way that it made it difficult for her to see, Rufus not wanting to frighten her with his size.

His one hand let go of her, to reach for her panties, Rufus tugging them down in one swift movement. “I love you Alicia.” He impulsively said, kissing her on the lips once more. Her smile was dazzling, the princes throwing her arms around him, breasts squishing against his bare chest, even as he fought with her hips, trying to line her up with his dick.

“I love you too Rufus!” Alicia said in between ecstatic kisses, gasping to feel him rubbing his length against her womanhood. He tried to slide into her, and he missed, frowning.

“Hold still Alicia.” Rufus said, concentrating with all his might to push into the girl straddling his lap. His cock entered her, and she let out a high pitch squeal as he pushed inside, coming up against her maiden head. “Forgive me…” He whispered, and shoved, breaking it in one swift movement.

“OUCH!!” She cried, and her nails dug into his shoulders, drawing his blood. “That HURT!” Tears were in her eyes, and she looked at him extremely upset.

“Sorry….But you knew it would.” He was a little confused.

“I didn’t know it would hurt THAT much!” She complained, and he sighed.

“Want me to pull out?”

“NO!!” Alicia grabbed onto him, practically shoving herself deeper on him. It tore a groan from him, even as he protested, not wanting her to hurt herself further. “I’ll be okay! Just move!”

Rufus winced at her cries, hearing her sniffle as he began thrusting his hips, bouncing her lightly in his lap. He gritted his teeth, amazed at how good she felt, his hand simply couldn’t compare! She was tight, and she was warm, moisture and blood slicking the way for him to move easier in her. He wasn’t sure how long she cried, but soon her sobs turned into cries of pleasure, Alicia enjoying the friction he generated between her legs.

He nipped at her shoulder, kissing the sleeve of her open shirt. He continued to move in and out of her, watching her breasts bounce in time to his thrusts. And when she clenched down on him, squeezing tighter he nearly lost it, screaming out to her. “Alicia, you feel so good!”

She was licking at his ear again, tongue buried along the inside of it, adding to the pleasure he felt. He hugged her tighter, breasts mashed against his chest, Rufus leaning into the tree trunk, using his hands to lift her up and down in his lap. He could feel himself leaking pre cum in her, realizing he was close. “I should pull out.” He said. “Don’t want to get you pregnant.”

“NO!” Alicia cried, holding onto him tighter. “Don’t want you to stop! Stay inside me!” She added her own wiggle to her bouncing, grinding on him, making it impossible for him to resist the siren call of her body. And when she spasmed all around him, clenching and unclenching his length, he felt himself go off, shooting his load deep inside her.

“Ah!! Feels strange!” Alicia commented. “Warm…nice…”

“Yeah.” Rufus agreed, but he privately worried. What if she got pregnant? Could a half elf even be capable of reproducing? He loved her, but was he ready to marry her? Did she even want that kind of commitment from him? He stroked her hair, watching as she collapsed against him, resting her cheek on his chest. He wondered if Alicia could hear the beating of his heart, Rufus knowing it was moving faster than ever, racing with his thoughts.

“I love you.” Alicia said, needing to constantly confirm her devotion. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“You’re welcome Alicia.” He said, kissing the top of her head. She smiled and snuggled, content to go to sleep in his arms. He let her, his thoughts keeping him awake, even as he kept alert for monsters and bandits, knowing they had been careless in more ways than one. But looking at her in his arms, he wasn’t completely full of regrets, knowing he held onto the greatest treasure of Dipan.

Somehow, someway it would all work out. And whatever happened, they’d go through it together. He’d make sure of that, Rufus though, a determined look in his eyes.