Swirling flames devoured the logs, wisps of smoke drifted alluringly around the glowing embers. The light of the fire glistened in two pairs of eyes. Friday night. Olivia and Alex lay on the floor by the fire; Alex's head sprawled across Liv's stomach.
Liv ran her fingers though golden locks absentmindedly as she watched the dancing inferno.
"What is it about the fire?" Liv waited for her lover to continue, "What makes it so…enticing?" Liv smiled as she turned her attention to the woman in her arms,
"The danger, the unrelenting power, the possible advantages, and most of all…the challenge of taming it." Liv was suddenly struck with a revelation,
"You." Alex turned, propping herself on her elbows to properly face the detective,
"Me?" Liv smiled at the classic look on her face, 'Spill.' Liv turned her head to look at the fire,
"You are a fire. You are dangerous," Alex opened her mouth to protest but Olivia shook her head and continued, "To love you I have to surrender myself. I have to lay my heart in your hands. I have to trust that I won't be burned. You are powerful. You command the attention of everyone when you enter a room. You strut with an air of confidence one only attains from knowing how to get their way. In the courtroom you are impenetrable; you shake every person with your beauty and sharp tongue. In the bedroom you are a storm of passion…with an equally sharp tongue." Live paused to look back at Alex… noting the cocked eyebrow at the innuendo.
"Being with you is an unimaginable blessing. I have never felt so complete or alive. You are the most caring person I have ever been with. No one else has dared to fight me when I am self-destructing, or to scour the city to find me. No one else can make me forget about the horrors of my job. No one else can take away the pain. My god…I wake up each morning to see you next to me. I come home for you. You keep me safe, grounded…you are my fire."
Alex was astounded; they had been living together for the past six months but Liv had never been one to pour out her soul. She didn't realize that she was crying until she felt Olivia wiping away her tears and cupping her face.
Alex looked so stunning; the light from the flames gave her blond hair a soft halo. Liv felt words tumble out of her mouth,
"Marry me." Alex was now completely in shock. All she could do was nod fervently. Olivia felt a huge grin swell across her face as she kissed Alex. It was slightly wet, due to the fact that Alex was still silently crying. Liv didn't care; it was the best kiss she had ever experienced…full of love and promise…of a future-together.
As they broke apart Olivia could see an idea spark in Alex,
"So this is how you tame me?" She was teasing her and Liv could feel herself flushing,
"No."
"No?" Liv leaned in and stopped, centimeters away from Alex's lips,
"Where would be the fun in that?" Alex laughed and closed the distance between them, intent on showing her the full intensity of her flames.