Confessions of Love
A/N - This was written for Reclaiming Dom Week at fiefgoldenlake dot proboards dot com. Crossposted to thekingsown dot org Tamora Pierce fanfiction archive site.
Dom watches as she walks down the staircase. The whispers starts as she steps onto the floor, the rumour mill set alight as it always is with her presence. She looks stunning in her scarlet dress, the low neckline accentuating her bosom and making her waist look almost tiny. He's loved her for years, and each time he sees her, she's even more beautiful than her remembers. Her hair has grown longer since he saw her last, her chestnut tresses flowing prettily as she scans the room with her sparkling eyes.
His heart races as she walks towards him, and he hopes desperately, that this time, she will see him and the love that he could be, not just the friend he is. Her loyalty, strength and compassion stole his heart away just as quickly as her quick wits and playful flirting. Tonight, he tells himself, tonight I will tell her I love her. She stops as Neal interrupts her for a chat, and Dom begins to fume silently. Meathead.
Not to be discouraged, he gulps down his wine, and handing the glass to a nearby server, he moves to interrupt them. With a glare at his cousin, Dom asks her to dance, and she accepts just as politely. She is warm and soft in his arms, and this dance is just like every other that they have shared; full of light banter, gossip, reminiscing and dazzling smiles. All too soon the music ends, and he leads her to to a quiet spot on the balcony, not ready to let her go just yet.
She looks at him, wide eyed, and he wonders whether she could possibly return his feelings for her. Dom knows there is only one way to find out, and he kisses her sweetly. Her lips are soft and yielding, her body warm as it melts into his. He pulls away gently, waiting for her response.
"I love you too," she says quietly, and he grins as he pulls Maura close for another kiss.