While they were both on good behaviour the rest of the night, the tension between them shifted. No longer was there the frustrated, unrequited longing. It became supplanted by the deep sexual tension created by mutual teasing and flustered breaks before crossing boundaries. Having broken new territory and then set immediate boundaries caused them both to push their limits as far as they could without breaking the rules. In short, they couldn't keep their hands and lips off each other, but continually reigned themselves in at the last moment.

When Emilia's phone vibrated with a deadline reminder at midnight, she cursed. Magnus was on top of her on the couch, his shirt long discarded over the back of it.

"Message?" He murmured, his lips still caressing her neck.

"Deadline reminder," she sighed, sliding her hands off his shoulders.

Magnus pressed himself up, then reached out a hand to pull her to sitting as well. "Not for tonight?"

"No, I have an article due by the end of tomorrow. I always set my reminders for midnight the day before. It's written, but I have to edit it. I kind of lost track of it during… everything."

He traced his fingers up her arm to her neck, carefully avoiding the strap of her tank top, per the rules. "So we should probably turn in, then."

His voice was calm, collected, but she caught the mischief in his gaze.

"I should," she confirmed. "I know you said you'd stay with me, but you really don't have to if it'll make you uncomfortable."

"It won't," he replied quickly.

"I didn't mean… emotionally."'

"I know," he smirked. "I'll behave. I promise."

"Hopefully I will, too," she smiled back before leaning forward to kiss him.

Each time their lips connected she felt a fire inside. Everything from fluttering warmth to a blazing passion, but it was always there. As much as Magnus kept reference the taste of her, she felt he shared her experience in that feeling.

She pulled back and eased off the couch, collecting their empty wine goblets. Magnus followed her into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her just below her chest as she washed the two glasses and put them in the drainer. As she dried her hands, he kissed his way from her shoulder up her neck.

"Are you still going to be this distracting to chores when we're together?"

He chuckled, kissing the side of her head. "No, I'll be of more help. So long as you keep using that word."

"Which word?"

He turned her around to face him. "Together."

"You like the sound of that, do you?" She smiled.

"Very much," he said just before pulling her in close and pressing his lips to hers.

Upstairs, Emilia changed into suitable-for-tonight bed clothes. Often she slept in the nude and had several times while Magnus was staying there, always with a dressing robe and/or clothes within easy reach. After braiding her hair, she tossed the braid over her shoulder and pulled back the duvet. Magnus emerged from her bathroom in lounge pants, tying a knot in the waist cord.

"Chastity belt?" She teased.

"I could take them off if you'd feel more comfortable," he winked.

Her eyes flickered to below his waist, and the obvious bulge growing there, before meeting his gaze. "Comfortable is not the word I'd use."

His smile faded and he walked around to her. He placed his hands on her waist, but kept a few inches between them. "I know we can't tonight - I mean, I said it first. No matter how much I want it, it's not happening. No pressure. But I don't know that I can control all my… responses."

She smiled, pulling his hands away but holding on to them as she closed the distance between them. She tilted her head up and he bent his down to kiss her. As they kissed, she pressed her chest to his, the thin, tight material of the tank not providing much of a barrier between his bare chest and her hardening nipples. When they brushed against his upper abdomen, he gasped.

"Neither do I," she murmured as he pulled back. "So at least we're in it together."

His face grew serious and for a second she thought he meant to chastise her. But then his smile returned and he bent and kissed her nose. "Shall we?" He asked, pulling back and glancing to the bed.

She nodded and climbed in first. He got in beside her. Taking the initiative, she turned and pressed her back against his chest. He wrapped an arm around her but kept his pelvis tilted back and away.

"You can adjust to keep my hair out of your face," she said. "I want you to be able to breathe through the night."

"I'll manage," he said, kissing the back of her head before nudging it so his head was above hers.

She sighed, pulling the cover up a bit higher.

One of her hands sought his, wrapped around her waist, and their fingers danced together for a few minutes. Magnus adjusted his position again, shifting his hips forward a bit. She could tell he was trying to avoid pressing against her with his arousal. She pulled her fingers from his grasp and moved her hand around to his waist. She pulled on him, nudging him closer.

"Don't worry about it," she murmured. "I don't mind."

"You sure," he asked, his voice almost trembling.

She gripped the top of his exposed hip, now actively trying to press them together.

He chuckled and shifted himself again, his erection now pressed firmly against her, almost rubbing between her cheeks. "Alright then."

Kissing her shoulder, he moved her hand from his hip and snuggled against her again. She sighed, relaxing back against him and they soon fell asleep.

Emilia's sleep was sound for the first time since before her assault. Magnus clung to her throughout the night. When he would awake, he would stretch or reposition himself gently so as not to wake her and listen to her steady breathing to lull himself back to sleep.

Emilia woke with the dawn, as she often did and briefly marveled at how it had arrived without waking in the night. She felt Magnus' arm around her, keeping her body pressed against his and she smiled. She ran her fingertips over his hand and arm. After a moment, he stirred awake and gave her a gentle squeeze. She shifted around to face him.

"Morning," she smiled.

"Morning," he returned, groggy.

"You can go back to sleep if you want," she murmured. "The sun's awake, so I am, too. But stay if you want." She moved herself up to kiss his forehead.

He pulled her close again, snuggling against her. His lips meeting her neck and shoulder. "You stay, too," he said between kisses.

She giggled, running her hands through his hair. "I have to edit my article."

He grumbled something unintelligible and she kissed his head.

"I mean it. Go back to sleep."

He kept clinging to her. "Nope."

"Fine," she sighed, and shifted one of her legs over his hip, then turned them so she was straddling his wait. "Then prepare for morning breath."

He chuckled just before she dove down, her lips connecting with his.