Cinder pressed against Roman, the glyphs that decorated her skin pulsating with heat. It wasn't because she was angry, the usual influx of emotion that sent her Aura into a frenzy, but rather affection, as if she was trying to keep him warm. Roman hesitantly wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin atop her head. Though Cinder was intimidating and incredibly powerful, Roman was a good six inches taller than her with her heels off.
Roman didn't know when Cinder started coming to him, why she would show up unannounced at his door with dark circles around her eyes and her lips pressed into a grim line. But he would offer his touch to her, drag his thumbs across the swells of her collarbones; encase her ribs with his hands. And she melted into him like they were one.
Roman stared down at Cinder as she came closer, backing him against the bed. He sat down with a heavy thud, and she paused to laugh a little. It was the first time he had seen her laugh without any malice in her tone. He had witnessed her laugh at the murder of innocent citizens of Vale, clap in delight at the reports of a successful assassination. But here she was, running her long red nails along his jutting cheekbones, the echo of her soft giggle ringing in his ears.
Roman pulled her gently onto his lap so that her bent knees were digging into the comforter underneath them. She smiled bashfully, red lips curling halfway into a smile. He traced the coils of her spine through her dress; she had come to him straight after work. The bare expanses of her shoulders and neck were marbled with gooseflesh, and Roman kissed them carefully, branding her skin with his soft mouth.
Cinder stared down at him for a bit, wide golden eyes searching his. For what, he didn't know. Her black curls tumbled along her shoulders, and Roman reached up to tuck one stray lock away.
"I think that I kinda like you." She whispered suddenly, hands sliding into his hair. She twisted her fingers just hard enough for him to feel pressure against his scalp.
Roman grinned toothily, white teeth flashing in amusement.
"Yeah?"
Cinder nodded slowly, slackening her hand and bumping their foreheads together.
"Well, that's good, because I kinda like you too."