Title: The Meaning of Spring

Word count: 680

Fandom: Chronicle of a Death Foretold

Pairing: Flora Miguel/Santiago Nasar

Rating: T

Enjoy!

Flora walked along the corridor of her house. She heard the scratch of the keys on the front door and looked up.

Santiago was here.

Flora didn't think, and instead pulled him in by the collar as soon as she opened the door. Santiago smiled down at her.

"Well, we're eager." He suddenly shivered. "Jesus, it's freezing in here."

"I know, I couldn't sleep at all last night."

Flora swayed and Santiago grabbed her by the hand.

"Whoa there. You need to sleep."

"Wow, who knew?"

Santiago rolled his eyes at her sarcasm. Flora yelped as he picked her up.

"You okay?"

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" she murmured against his chest. He chuckled.

"I could say the same thing about you."

He carried her to her bedroom, where the blind was closed against the sunlight that threatened to stream through at any moment. Santiago lay her down on her bed and Flora sat up. He stared at her, overwhelmed by her presence, and Flora just smiled.

"Come sit."

Santiago felt unable to move, and he wasn't sure what to do. He felt like he could just take her there and then, but instead shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the images that had suddenly formed.

Slowly, he moved, and then he sat beside her.

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I feel dizzy when I lie down."

"Please tell me you're not coming down with a cold."

Flora laughed. "I wouldn't be that pessimistic." She then paused. "Why do you ask?"

"I..." Santiago faltered. He knew the truth, but it was too embarrassing to admit. Instead, he just smirked at her and ran a hand across her side.

"H-Hey! Santiago stop!"

Flora began laughing and trying to push him away as Santiago continued teasing her by poking her sides. All of a sudden she whimpered, shifting her hips, and he stared into her eyes, running a hand along her thigh. Flora let out a small noise akin to a moan.

"Flora. Flora Flora Flora," Santiago cooed, rubbing her thigh, and Flora suddenly felt dizzy with want.

"Jesus," she whispered. Flora felt a strange tingling feeling in her stomach and grabbed onto Santiago tightly, trying to ignore the feeling between her legs. "I'm going to be sick," she gasped, and Santiago's brows furrowed with concern.

"You're scared."

"W-what? No! That can't be it! I just...I...I..."

"Flora."

Santiago saw tears pool in her eyes and began to panic.

Shit shit shit shit shit shit what did I do Jesus Lord what did I do?

He stared at her for a long time, unsure of what to do. Flora blinked, and tears stuck to her eyelashes. Santiago took his hand away, sitting on the edge of the bed, but suddenly she was kissing him desperately. Conflicting emotions coursed through him as he kissed back. His mind went fuzzy, but soon he stopped her.

"Flora please. You're scared. Stop doing this to yourself."

His girlfriend whimpered and he looked at her again. This time, it was his turn to feel dizzy. He groaned and put a hand to his head. "Fuck," he muttered.

"What is it?" Flora asked. Santiago looked her over and kissed her again. This time though, he couldn't stop himself. He continued kissing her and pulled her onto his lap. Flora ran her hands through his hair and soon the two broke away for air. Santiago inhaled her scent and closed his eyes. "You smell like spring," he murmured against her neck. Flora smiled, brushing some hair out of her eyes. She then got off his lap and pulled up the blinds. Santiago groaned in annoyance and shielded his eyes from the afternoon sun.

"Come on, you said you liked spring!" She put her hands on her hips, giving him an indignant look.

"Yeah, but...only with you." Santiago kissed her.

In that moment, he realised that he'd never felt so complete with Flora by his side.