A/N: Just so you know, you rocked my world with all the comments to this story. I have to admit, I have no idea where this story came from. Holly asked for smut, and I'm uninspired for anything dirty lately, and then this happened. All 3 parts of this. This is the last one (unless anyone has more coming back requests). Many thanks to oneapotheosis for proofing this and being my beta! Thank you for all the kind words, and I really hope you will like this one as well! Don't forget to tell me!
It'd felt like forever – from the moment he walked out of their house until the moment when, finally, he stepped foot into their fortress once again. Elizabeth was holding her breath the entire time, only fully aware of the fact when she finally released it when he was safe and sound within the walls of their home. The house was empty in those early morning hours; the kids went to school, unaware of the real reason for their father's absence. Unaware of the danger he was in. She couldn't go back to the office. She couldn't bring herself to spend one more minute there without seeing him first, without crawling into his arms and knowing that he was really there.
She heard the front door open and dropped everything to the floor, not caring of the loud noise it made, or the mess. She ran to him, only to be welcomed into his arms as he dropped his bag to the floor. He picked her up in his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist and arms around his neck. They smiled at each other before he pulled her to his lips, devouring her mouth, sucking her lips and taking her breath away. She pulled back and his eyes met the sight of her puffy blue eyes and teary face. He lowered her body until her feet touched the floor. His hands moved to cup her face, drying her tears.
"Babe, I'm here. I'm okay." The lines of worry already drawn on his forehead.
She wiped her tears and gave him a light nod. His eyes were questioning, though he didn't need her explanations. He knew why. The fear in her voice still haunted him, it still echoed in his ears. Don't die on me, she'd begged. It was a primal fear, the fear of being abandoned. Because once, she was. She tangled her fingers with his and he followed her up the stairs. She pulled the hem of his t-shirt the minute they entered their bedroom, longing to get him out of his clothes, to examine his skin, to look for any damage. She had to see, to feel that he was just as he left - unharmed. Allowing her to undress him, he stood with his chest bare, watching as her eyes roamed every inch of his skin. He had some bruises and wounds, but the blood had dried already, leaving a trail on his tanned skin. She pressed a kiss to the point where his heart was beating, feeling his pulse against her lips. Another tear streamed down her cheek; I will always show up for you, she remembered. He lifted her chin to him, but her eyes kept staring at the floor. He was gentle with his fingers, caressing her face and tucking her hair behind her ear.
"I'm listening". But she shook her head at his words. "Elizabeth, say it. Voice it. Speak. Please".
"Not now". She moved her hands to his belt.
He stilled her, holding her hands in place. "And the tears?" he questioned, tilting his head to meet her eyes.
"Make them stop". She leaned forward. "...the way only you know how". She breathed against his lips before slowly, shyly, kissing him.
He released her hands and allowed her to undress him completely, to inspect every inch of his body. She ran her hands up and down his arms and his chest, making him shiver at the feeling of her soft touch. He pushed her to the bathroom, his own hands moving to her clothes. He let the water run, filling the room with steams, clouding. He pulled her under the stream and the water quickly washed the traces of blood off his body. She watched as his skin was covered only by fading marks, nothing but a long lost memory of a time she almost lost him. She had to swallow hard to keep the tears from falling again, and he noticed. He let his lips fall on hers, kissing her hungrily, asking to swallow her tears, to swallow her pain. He picked her up in his arms, lips still moving against hers. He pressed her back against the cold tiles, and she squealed into his mouth. The harsh contrast of cold against her skin and the boiling water being a reminder that she was not dreaming. She felt his hand move from her side to her abdomen, then he cupped her breast, and his thumb ran over her nipple. She cried out, letting her head fall to rest against his shoulder. His mouth replaced his hand, his lips now sucking, his tongue swirling. She ran her hand through his thick hair, pulling him to her, pressing him against her body.
"More, Henry". She mumbled.
He complied. His hand moved between them, finding her slick center. He had to close his eyes at the feeling of her so warm, so wet. I almost lost her, he thought. Almost. He let his fingers do the work he knew by heart, the motions he'd mastered. He rubbed her clit, pressing just enough against the sensitive skin. She moaned, the sound echoing within the walls of the shower, ringing in his ears. He felt her nails dig into the skin of his back, her teeth sinking into his shoulder. He pushed his fingers inside, and the tight muscles of her center wrapped around him, contracting, holding him in place.
"Look at me". He whispered, but she refused to lift her head from his shoulder. He pushed deep inside while his lips kissed her neck and behind her ear. He knew she was crying. Although the water seemed to wash away her tears, he felt her shudder just slightly. "Elizabeth". He called again, letting his fingers settle against her spot inside. She met his eyes then, her lips parting as a throaty cry escaped her. He kissed her then, letting his lips be the words he couldn't express.
"Baby" she cried, and the word sent a shiver down his spine. It was rare that she called him that, and it only made him realize just how badly she ached for him, how scared she was. Maybe still is. He moved his fingers faster, pulling at her swollen spot. She cried with pleasure the minute his thumb brushed against her clit, joining the pushing insider of her. He felt her legs tighten, linked around his waist, and the walls of her center closing around his fingers. Her head settled in the crook of his neck again, and the warm tears slid down his skin, being washed away with the drizzle of water.
He waited for her body to relax, for the trembling to stop. But she was sobbing now, quietly, yet so loudly it hurt his ears. He tried to lower her to the floor, to pull her for a hug and wipe her tears. But she clung to him, unwilling to let go. With shaking hands, she reached between them, gripping him and stroking gently. He wanted to push her hand out of the way, but she insisted, tightening her hold, rubbing faster. She inhaled, letting a loud sigh leave her mouth, her tears now falling silently.
She met his eyes then, "be close" she whispered, "as close as possible". He shifted, lifting her weight just enough to help her guide him to her. She slid down his length, the tiles still cold against her back. Their cries were muffled as their lips crashed together, closing the only space left between them.
He moved against her, pinning her to the wall, holding her so tight he left his prints on her delicate skin. She didn't mind; those were marks she could see, a vivid evidence of his existence. He kept her from falling, holding her weight as his body worked inside of her. It was this basic act - him holding her weight, her physical weight, her emotional. He carried every burden she carried, suffered every pain she did. It was so basic, she didn't know how to cope without it. And she almost came close to having to. She leaned her forehead against his and their eyes closed. He swore he heard her cry, but the water blurred the sounds of her, and his own vision. "Baby" he called, and it was so desperate she was forced to open her eyes.
She kissed him again, her tongue slipping inside. She gasped as he pushed hard suddenly, as his tongue moved over hers. "Again" she begged and he thrust hard, stretching her muscles around him. She cried out loudly, her heels digging into his waist, pushing him deeper. She closed her eyes and threw her head back as he repeated the motion, groaning as his length hit her just right. He kissed the middle of her neck, licking the drop of water that washed her tears, running down her body. He grunted the minute she clenched her muscles around him; it was her own silent way of asking him for more, for everything he had to give her. He moved faster now, pressing her so tight against the wall she could barely breathe. As close as possible he thought as his lips covered hers in a desperate kiss. He reached between them, knowing he wouldn't be able to last much longer, needing her to follow him into a few moments of bliss. He knew that the moment it would all end, he will have to pick up the pieces he left behind when he walked out the door. Maybe there was no fix, not after all the leaving he was doing recently, with all of the almost. He pressed his finger to her clit and his erection to her spot inside of her, moving in unison, so perfectly fitting to her every desire. She trembled just slightly when the pleasure began, and with his last deep, hard push, she convulsed, her tiny form gripping him strongly, shaking violently against him and crying out his name in an ear wrenching scream. He followed her, filling her with his hot essence, her name falling from his lips. Her muscles wrapped around him so tightly, needing to keep him in place as her arms and legs followed suit. Never letting go of you - the words of her movement, speaking volumes in their silence.
When he finally stilled against her, he could still feel the tremble of her body. He shut off the water and slowly placed her back on her shaking legs. She refused to let him go, clinging to him like a child. With his arm wrapped around her, he helped her out of the shower, reaching for a towel and wrapping it around them. The water dripped from their wet bodies, just like the tears that fell from her eyes. He lifted her chin, her eyes reluctantly landing on his. Sorry she tried to say, but nothing but a cry came out.
"I showed up for you" he said, his hold firm. "I always will".
She wrapped her arms around his chest and the sobs were now loud and clear, agonizing in their sound within the quiet of the room. He ran a soothing hand on her back, but her cries never died down. "Please…" she mumbled, heaving with every breath, "don't ever leave".
"I'm not going anywhere" he promised, and it was not the first time. Only he had. He twisted his fingers with the chain that hung around her neck, the same as the one around his. Protect me, and he promised to so long ago.
She met his eyes, desperately searching for words she couldn't find. Don't walk out on me, on us. Nothing came out, but he understood every word she had to say.
"I will be yours. I am yours".
