A/N: This is part III of The Pleasure and the Pain trilogy—the final installment. It's written a bit differently than the first two, but I'm happy with it. If you haven't read the first one, they could all be stand alone stories, but work well in this little thread.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, if I did, they'd be living the happily ever after I so desperately want for them.
The Pleasure and the Pain: Pleasure's Reign
She used to lie awake at night wondering if she'd ever find someone to love her.
He used to lie awake at night wondering if anyone would ever understand him.
She'd read a book to escape from the world.
He'd read a book to discover the world.
Her walls were built of shame and fear.
His walls kept him from letting anyone near.
Whether by fate or the tug of their souls they were drawn together.
And then they danced.
No music guided their steps. No rhythm moved their hearts—and yet for years they danced around each other—the bearers of unnecessary pain.
Was it her smile that finally opened his eyes?
A smell or touch in the midst of some gruesome tragedy that awoke in him the memory of something long forgotten?
The only thing that either knew for sure was that something changed and they danced a new dance.
He was the only one who could do this to her.
She was the only one who could do this to him.
Was it the twinkle in his eyes that made her say 'yes'? Unlikely—as she had longed for that moment.
But their life together was not all smiles and pleasure. No, what happened to each when they finally set fears aside, finally opened their hearts wide—what happened was two fold.
You see, in opening up for the love and the joy, the happiness and smiles, worry came in too. New fears were born, but were overcome accordingly as they grew closer. And they were happy.
But her baggage remained. So she left, not wanting to burden him with the pain of her past—but in doing so she placed a different kind of pain on them both. So she dealt with her past and eagerly returned home to his waiting arms.
Now she'd lie awake and watch him—thanking the heavens for something so undeserved.
Now he'd lie awake and watch her—knowing she was the only one that he could ever care so much for.
Now she'd read a book to discover the things that he love, to share in his joys.
Now he'd read a book to lull her to sleep with his voice.
Now her walls were constructed of his muscular arms that encircled her as she slept and kept her from harm.
Now his walls held her close to his heart and for him that was enough, at least, it was a start.
Fin
A/N: PLEASE REVIEW. Please?