A/N: Thanks for all the support, you guys are an amazing bunch of people :) Now this little piece is set somewhere after rescue (of course) but before the whole OMG claire's-his-sister-drama. I hope this makes up for the previous angst ;)
Softly
The second time they kiss, no one hesitates and no one runs away.
They're sitting in her living room, enjoying a rainy afternoon together in her new house (the smell of fresh paint still lingers in the air). She's sitting on the couch, he's on the floor in front of her, trying to solve the mystery of putting together a coffee-table and Aaron's peacefully asleep in his playpen. She teases him about his (lack of) abilities to assemble the table. And they both try really hard not to wake up the baby with their laughter.
He abandons the instructions and looks up at her from his place on the floor with mock hurt in his eyes. But he's helpless against her brilliant smile and he feels something shift in the air between them.
They lean towards eachother slowly, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. His hand cups her cheek and her hand comes to rest on the back of his neck, her fingers stroking through his hair. They meet halfway and he catches her lips in a soft, slow kiss. Her mouth is warm beneath his and she pulls him a litttle closer, making his heart soar. When they break apart they're both still smiling.
He tucks a wayward curl back behind her ear. She blushes slightly.
(...and no one's sorry.)