It's short but I like it. Happy holidays everybody :)
Disclaimer: Just a fangirl going through withdrawals thanks to the winter hiatus :'(
Neither of them had ever been one to undervalue security and stability. In their line of work, as well as in their personal lives, those weren't things you ever took for granted. However, they had been known from time to time to take for granted the comfort of a warm embrace. Too many lonely nights spent nursing broken hearts and hiding scars had hardened them against the need for such affection.
But tonight, his arms wrapped around her makes her remember. She remembers how much she had longed for this, despite the transgressions, despite the lies, despite the chauvinistic façade. Who would've thought the world's oldest frat boy might become the object of her affections, of her desire, of her…love? Certainly not she; there had been too many missions carried out, too many deaths witnessed (or caused), too many secrets kept. She needed a stability they both feared he could not dare to provide. But in his warm embrace, none of these things matter. As his fingers lightly trace patterns along her sides, on the small of her back, the struggle ends. She relents. In these arms, she is safe.
Holding her to his chest as her arms curl around him, damn near clinging to him, makes him remember. He remembers what he had once agreed to sacrifice for the loss of this, despite the accusations, despite the tested loyalties, because he blamed himself for both of their transgressions. Who would've thought the assassin, the trained killer, the woman who followed any order her country, her director, her father, gave her, might become the one person with whom he felt…safe? Whom he grew to love unconditionally? Never in his wildest dreams had he; there had been too many mistakes made, too many ordeals suffered, too much jealousy. They both longed for a semblance of normalcy which they both feared they could not find in each other's lives. But in her soft, sweet embrace, nothing matters. As she breathes a sigh of relief, as years of pain and struggle roll off her shoulders, off his shoulders, the fight ceases. He relents. In these arms, he is safe.