Harry didn't think he'd ever be able to return to being warmed by fireplaces. Or clothes for that matter. God, he never wanted to put clothes on ever again. That was his first coherent thought as he tried to catch his breath. How could a fireplace ever satisfy him again when he had experienced such glory? How could flickers of flame excite him like a kiss from Donna Sheridan? How could the crackling wood ever compare to her soft breathing as he lay his head on her stomach? How could even a blazing bonfire ever give him the same heat as Donna's legs entangled with his own?
Donna's breath was beginning to return to its regular pace. Harry was slightly proud to have tired her out. In fact, he was more proud of that accomplishment than anything he had ever done before in his life, even if he might not admit that out loud. He needed to maintain some dignity.
But who needs dignity, Harry thought, when this is so much better than dignity?
Harry was afraid to speak, worried that doing so would force them to return to reality. He wanted to stay in this cocoon of hotel sheets, his head resting on her stomach and his arms wrapped around her waist.
He wasn't entirely sure how they had managed to get to this point, if he was being honest. Just mentioning spending the night together had taken every ounce of his reckless courage, but now here she was, lying beside him. Usually, he was anxious in every decision he made, constantly questioning the results. But today, with Donna, he must have done something right.
It had all started when she told her to kiss him as she backed him against the wall. No, he supposed it had to start when they ran through the rain back to the hotel. In retrospect, perhaps it had started when they met in the hotel lobby that morning. Harry was slightly convinced it had started the day he was born, and this moment was the culmination of everything that had happened in his lifetime.
And it was all worth it, Harry thought. For this.
Donna shifted slightly underneath him and Harry squeezed her gently in an awkward, parallel hug.
"That was...the best thing that has ever happened to me."
A genuine smile was plastered to Harry's face as he continued.
"I mean, I've had a pretty good life. Lots of happy memories, but, that was the best. Was it good for you?"
Harry reconsidered his question while waiting for Donna to answer. While he didn't have any other experience to compare it to, he thought Donna had seemed to enjoy it. Probably not as much as he had, but she hadn't complained or anything. Although, the mechanics had shocked him a bit. Not that he hadn't known going in- his father had tried to give him a very censored lecture several years ago, and discussions with classmates had filled in the rest. But fitting that? In there? It couldn't possibly be very pleasant for her.
"No, I'm sure it must have hurt," Harry added a bit guiltily.
"It was," Donna paused, "very nice."
Donna's voice was very casual, and she placed a hand on Harry's head and absentmindedly stroking his hair which, while dry for the rain, had perspired quite a bit as a result of….their lovemaking.
Very nice, Harry thought. I did that. I was very nice.
"Thank you."
Harry gave her another tight squeeze as an expression of gratitude before rolling his head slightly to look up at her.
Good God, she is beautiful. She is divine. I would die for her-
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when a slight smirk brought the corner of Donna's lip up.
"Thank you for what?"
Her voice was innocent in tone, but certainly not in nature. Harry thought for a moment.
"Thank you for not laughing."
"Well, I laughed a little bit."
That was true. While they had both been very passionate, and Harry in particular, very eager, their banter had never really ceded during the engagement. At one point, when Harry had finally gotten the courage to place his hands on Donna's bare skin, he had remarked that he might lose consciousness. She said it was adorable and didn't attempt to stifle her giggle.
Although, that did give me another excuse to kiss her, Harry pondered. Being laughed at is quite enjoyable when this is the result.
"And I suppose, Harry, I should thank you."
Astonished, Harry pulled himself up into sitting position and looked down at her in shock.
"What could you possibly have to thank me for?"
Donna teased, "You were quite the gentleman."
"Well, I-"
Donna sat up alongside him, keeping the bed sheet wrapped around her torso.
"I didn't lose control due to overwhelming lust, so I suppose that is the bare minimum to being a gentleman."
Donna laughed and placed her arm on his shoulder. He blushed and looked shyly into her eyes, as though they weren't already lying in bed together.
"Donna, I know you're leaving tomorrow, but I personally think you should stay. Right here."
"And for how long?"
"As long as you'd like. The rest of the week. The entire summer. The whole next semester."
Forever, Harry silently added.
"Well, I can't stay right here. I'll have to get out of the bed eventually. Food is necessary to live."
"No, it isn't. We'll live on sex alone."
Donna playfully elbowed Harry's stomach and he exaggerated a pained response.
"Wouldn't that be lovely, Donna?"
Harry nestled closer to Donna until their faces were mere centimeters apart.
"It would be wonderful."
Harry delicately kissed her again, feeling his heart flutter as she kissed him in return.
"Although, in that situation, I think we'd have to change your nickname slightly," Donna added.
Harry tilted his head, slightly confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we couldn't call you Harry Headbanger. If you lived on sex alone, you'd be Harry Headboard Banger."
Harry burst out laughing at the thought of such a promiscuous nickname. But soon, he had a smirk on his face as he turned back to face Donna.
"You didn't even accept Harry Headbanger at face value. I had to buy a guitar just to get you to believe me."
"Then I guess you'll have to prove yourself worthy of the title."
"Will I?"
Donna opened her mouth to reply, but Harry kissed her again. Donna playfully shoved him away before pulling him back in.
"You continue to surprise me, Harry. I guess you're more spontaneous than you claim to be."
Their banter continued as they kissed, embraced, and...more. As the night drew on, Harry turned off the lights to go to sleep, both of them fully exhausted. In the darkness, they continued to whisper about anything- from silly jokes to their dreams of the future to secrets they would never have dared to say in the light. Eventually, Donna fell asleep, snuggled in Harry's arms.
Feeling his resolve to stay awake weakening, Harry couldn't help but whisper once more into the night although nobody was awake to hear him.
"Donna, I love you."
