Mal sat in her room in an armchair by the fire, fingers pressed to her lips as she tried to make sense of the thoughts crashing around in her head. Ben had kissed her but it didn't make sense, why would he do something like that? How did she feel about it? Did she want him to do it again? She just didn't know what to feel anymore. She knew he'd entered her room, his footsteps getting closer until he knelt before her chair. "Mal, I'm so sorry, I didn't think." Warm hands took hers, thumbs caressing the back of her hands. "I just- you're smart and witty and beautiful, you make me laugh all the time, but that's no excuse for what I did. Just because I'm in love with you doesn't mean you feel the same and I shouldn't have kissed you like that. I just hope this doesn't ruin our friendshi-." Mal's lips silenced any further utterings, her hands cupping his cheeks as she kissed him.

"C- can we go back to the part about you being in love with me?" Mal's voice was quiet and unsure, she wanted to believe it but good things weren't meant to happen to people like her. Princes weren't meant to love prison girls. Ben's kisses were all she needed to know it was real, to know it was exactly what she wanted. Somehow Ben had wormed his way into her life and her heart and she hadn't even known until she thought he might die. Ben plummeting from his broom was the scariest thing she'd ever seen, not because she didn't like death because she'd seen dead bodies before, but because she wasn't ready to face a world without his light in it and she doubted she ever would be.

Taking Mal's hand Ben led her up to the Gryffindor common room where, once again, a victory party was in full swing, the only difference was she was their 'most valuable player'. Forgetting about the snitch and winning the game in favour of saving Ben had earned her a warm welcome in the lions' den and they made sure she knew it. No one cared that she was wearing green and silver robes, they just wanted to congratulate her and thank her for a spectacular save before shoving food or a drink into her hands.

Eventually she managed to escape the crowd, taking a seat beside Lonnie and Jay on a couch. Ben had a line of well-wishers as well, everyone wanted to let their Captain know they were glad he was okay and he was, more than okay actually. Not because he hadn't died from falling off his broom, although that helped, but because he could still taste Mal's lips on his own. For once he didn't want to celebrate with the team he just wanted to lock himself in Mal's rooms with the mischievous faerie and let her know just how much he loved her, but tonight wasn't about him it was about her and letting her see that she was good and that people cared about her.

Blue eyes glanced across the room at a faerie trying her best to stay awake while a fourth year babbled at her. Chuckling Ben strode over, politely cutting in before offering Mal his arm to escort her back to her rooms. Gratefully she took his arm, letting him lead her back to her room but the moment he closed the door it was like she'd found a second wind. One look at his face, streaks of gold still not completely washed off, and she had him pressed against the door, her lips attacking his hungrily.

Strong arms wound around her waist, lifting her off the ground as he carried her into her bedroom. Not once did his lips leaves hers, not until they stood beside her bed. Giving her one last kiss he sighed, stepping back to give her some space. "Get ready for bed, I'll see you in the morning." Ben turned to leave when a small hand caught his, the gesture halting him in his tracks.

"Stay." Her words were soft, almost whispered, but he heard them as clear as if she'd yelled. Nodding once he took a seat on her bed, using his shirt to rub the remaining paint off while she slipped into the bathroom to change into her pyjamas. A ratty shirt and pair of shorts was her usual sleepwear but Ben thought it looked cute on her. Stripping down to his shorts Ben slipped into her bed, a soft smile on his face as she joined him, arms holding her tight as they finally let sleep take them.

May your thoughts and creativity flow

-Lady Ami DragonHeart