Yes, I know it's a one-shot. And yes, I know I should be updating my chapter stories. This is my way of placating my readers. I promise I will update some, if not all of them, within the next month, at the very latest. It's the end of semester, and anyone who's been to college/uni knows all hell breaks loose at the end of semester. Major assignments are due and exams are looming. So bear with me chums, and meanwhile, enjoy this.

I roll over and you're not there. Your side of the bed is cold – how long have you been gone? I sit up and see light drifting down the hall. Another bad dream. I wish you would wake me, talk to me. I pad down the hall, the wooden floor cold underfoot, the air in the house – our house – so cool I have goosebumps. I see you, sitting in the big tatty old armchair you love before the dwindling fire – so you have been up for a while, then – your head buried in your hands, your shoulders shaking with silent sobs. I wait momentarily, mesmerized by flickering shadows dancing across your figure, then I walk over to you and you wrap your arms around me, your face pressed to my stomach, the tears warm and wet on bare skin. And still you cry. And I don't know what to do. This, us, is still so new. You pull me into your lap and it's us, together, in the dwindling light of the fire. I use my mouth, my hands to tell you that it's alright. That I love you. That you mean more to me than anything, ever. And you whisper your disbelief. I press my mouth to yours, hot and needy and panicked. You break, finally, the sobs torn loudly from your throat. You confirm my suspicions, that since we moved in together nothings been the same. You've lost your friends, the only family you knew. They don't understand. And I feel you pulling away from me, wanting back that life you had before. My heart breaks, knowing I am not enough for you. Why can't I be enough? My friends, my family have accepted you. But it's not the same, is it? I know I will let you go, even though I've come to need you like air, like food, like water. I get off your lap, trying not to shake, whispering I understand, it's ok, when it's not and it hurts and I'm trying to keep the quiver from my voice. I wonder how – if – I can continue to be without you. I expect I will waste away to nothing. I need you. And I turn away as the first tear falls, because I love you. I want you to be happy. You deserve happiness. To keep you to myself would be selfish. As the tears fall thick and fast I stumble away. From you. From the pain. Then your arms are around my waist, spinning me to face you, your green eyes confused. And your mouth is on mine, hot and needy and panicked. We tumble to the floor, a tangle of limbs, gasping for air. The floor is cool beneath my back but I'm beyond caring. In you I find truth, safety. You love me, more than anything, ever. And it's us, together, in the dwindling light of the fire. And it's perfect.

Ta-da! Like it? Review! Or...don't. A review would be awfully nice though, even if it is to tell me to get a move on. And flames are acceptable, it's mighty cold here at the moment! :P