This is a short one-shot I wrote a while ago.
Where are you? Why haven't you answered your phone? I need you, brother. Where are you?
Tristan sighed when he read the text on the screen of his cell. 8 missed calls, few from Aurora, the rest from Aya. For heaven's sake, he had only been away for few hours. Obviously he had a lot of responsibilities as the leader of the Strix, but couldn't he have just few brief moments for himself? He would have wanted nothing more than stay between the peachy satin sheets, but unfortunately that wasn't an option. He got up as carefully as he could and opened the closet in order to find himself some clean clothes.
Most of the clothes didn't belong to him, but he had his small corner. There were few suits and shirts hanging neatly on the hangers and he had a shelf for his socks and boxers. He didn't feel like taking a shower, he wanted to keep her scent on his skin as long as possible, who knew when the next time would be. After choosing one of the suits, he stepped out and started to get dressed. She had a beautiful antique dresser; he looked at his reflection in the mirror while buttoning his shirt. His hair was messy…
"Good morning," a sleepy voice from the bed murmured.
Tristan turned to look at her, she looked beautiful even when her long honey brown hair was messy and her bright green eyes were still sleepy. She was lying on her side, naked under the covers.
"Good morning," he replied.
"Are you going to sneak out without a goodbye?" she scolded.
He smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I wouldn't do such a thing."
She yawned and blinked her eyes.
"What time is it?"
"It's still early, go back to sleep."
She looked at him and pouted her lips.
"Yes, I suppose I have to settle for sleeping since you are going to leave me here all alone."
Tristan leaned towards her and gave her a tender kiss.
"Forgive me, my dearest."
She smiled and nipped his lower lip.
"How could I stay mad at you?"
He ran his finger along the line of her hair.
"Yes, sometimes I'm too charming; it's a problem really…"
She let out a soft laughter and smacked him with a pillow.
"I'll show you charming…"
"Hey!" he protested when she jumped on him and pushed him on his back. He couldn't help but laugh when she captured him under her small frame with a satisfied "Ha!" of triumph.
"I won," she announced and kissed him.
"Yes, you usually do," he replied and enjoyed the beauty of her. If he could only stay right here… She ran her fingers over his cheek and settled onto her back next to him.
"Your sister?" she asked.
"Yes."
"I see."
Tristan bit his bottom lip.
"We have… a complicated relationship."
She smiled.
"Yes, I have sort of figured that out by now."
They both rolled on their side to face each other.
"Thank you for once again listening to my rambling," he said while tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
"My pleasure." She paused and bit her lip before continuing. "When are you coming back?"
"I'm sorry, but I really don't know."
She nodded.
"I understand, just don't forget about me."
"That could never happen," he assured and kissed her hand. "My beautiful angel."
That was truly what she was to him. She offered him a brief moment of peace. During that moment he could forget everything else, he could simply be himself. Only couple of members of the Strix knew about her. Those members were absolutely loyal to him and they guarded her when he was away.
"Tristan?" she murmured. "About your sister… Are you ever going to tell her about us?"
"I would like to," he sighed. "I really would, but Aurora can be a little…unstable."
"I understand, but I'm your wife…"
"Yes," he cut in and kissed her. "And I want to keep you safe. Please trust me on this."
"Fine," she sighed. "We'll keep this a secret then."
"Thank you."
He was just about to kiss her when his phone rang again. He really felt the need to throw his phone out of the window, but he couldn't do that. His moment of peace was over.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go."
"Yeah, I know," she sighed."Just a second…" Her head disappeared under the covers; apparently she was looking for something.
"Found them!" she announced and returned holding her pink lace panties.
"A little souvenir," she said innocently and put the panties into his jacket pocket.
"Thank you, how very kind of you."
He kissed her one more time before reluctantly getting up.
"I'll call you as soon as I can."
She nodded and sent him a flying kiss.
"Be safe."
He allowed himself to look at her for a brief moment before walking to the door. Perhaps marrying her had been a selfish thing to do, but he really didn't care. When he had first seen her, he had immediately known that he wanted her. Courting her hadn't been easy; she had turned him down many times before agreeing to even tell him her name. Stella. His lover and his companion. His best kept secret.