Booth felt the air leave his lungs with her declaration, his heart pounding hard in his chest. He couldn't find his words, but his hands knew exactly where to go, as he cradled her head in his hands, bringing his head up slightly, she met him halfway, letting out a needful groan into his mouth. Her hands grasped his arms, squeezing his biceps tightly in her grip, his tongue battling with hers as she pushed harder into him, feeling a tight fluttering of butterflies in her stomach and throughout her body.
"God." He panted. "God, Bones." He growled against her, burying his head in her neck, he kissed her again and again. He rolled her across the carpet beneath the tree, listening to her laughter as he ended up on top, hovering over her as she grasped his arms and chest, her hands slipping down to the hem of his shirt, craving the feel of his skin.
She was sure that she heard him swear when she lifted her hips to his, letting out a gentle moan as she whispered his name again and again. He straddled her, taking his time as he kissed her lips, her temple, her neck, moving down to kiss every available bit of flesh that was flushed and waiting for him. "Booth." She groaned. He would have thought it were in protest if she hadn't dug her nails into his shoulders, pulling him further into her feverish kisses. "I love…" She panted. "I love you." It came out as a whimper as a quick movement sent his shirt from his body to an undisclosed place somewhere nearby. Her fingernails raked down his skin, not hard enough to scratch, but enough for him to feel her need.
"I love you." He mumbled into her skin again and again, listening to her gentle moans of appreciation. "You're so beautiful." He whispered, pulling from her briefly to look into her eyes. He paused for a moment when he noticed there were traces of tears within the blue depths that stared back at him. "Bones." He whispered. "No…No, no..." he said, watching as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
"What?" She asked, her voice coming out broken. "I'm okay." She whispered, setting her head back, she looked up at him, the passion in his eyes instantly replaced by concern. She felt a sharp pang of guilt shoot through her body as she saw the fear in his eyes. "I'm okay." She whispered, catching her breath. "I'm just… I just feel so much right now." She whispered. "I'm okay."
"We don't have to do this right now. It's okay." He whispered as he gently wiped at the tear that found its way from her eye, leaning down to kiss the trail that it left on her cheek, he looked into her eyes again.
"Please don't look at me like that." She whispered.
"Like what?" He asked, his eyebrow lifting as he carefully moved off her, and onto the carpet beside her. He leaned down and traced a finger over her cheek as she looked at him. He noticed her cheeks were a bright pink, her eyes still glittering with unshed tears.
"Like I'm broken, or weak." She whispered. "I am simply finding myself overcome with emotions, and I am trying desperately to remain calm." She whispered. "I'm sorry." She sniffled.
"You're not broken, and you are certainly not weak, Bones." He said. "We went from zero to sixty in about a second there." He replied, watching as her brow crinkled in confusion. "It's okay, we're okay. I am just so happy that we're here together."
"I missed you." She sighed. "I am finding it difficult believing that you're here, that you're whole. I'm finding it difficult to believe that this is real."
"This is real. I'm here, and this is all real." He whispered, still watching her eyes, mesmerized by the way the lights on the trees made them glitter. "Are you alright? You look tired."
"I am." She nodded. "I am very tired." She whispered, letting her hand move over his chest for a moment, her eyes following her movements.
"Then it's probably a good idea if we get some sleep." He said, reaching his hand to hers, laying it flat on his chest. He felt her shift slightly, leaning her head against him. He could sense that she was thinking about something, and he knew that if he waited, she would tell him. "I love you." She mumbled, and then something more against his body. Her voice was low, her words muffled. "What was that, Bones?" He asked.
She looked up at him, swallowing a bit hard, she watched his eyes for several seconds. "Will you sleep beside me tonight?"
"Of course." He said, understanding completely the need to be close to another person after having been alone for so long. He had just spent months bunking among dozens of men, and had longed for the sweet scent of his partner. He was ready and willing for anything she was comfortable with. He sat up slowly. "Of course, Bones." He said.
She smiled slightly at him, pulling herself up carefully. He stood up, and she watched him swing his hand down and pick up his shirt. "Sorry about that." She whispered, suddenly feeling bashful about their encounter. She twisted around and carefully stood up, watching him look over at her and smile as he turned the light on in the room.
"I'm going to go get ready for bed." He said, nodding toward the spare room. "I'll knock." He said, watching her nod.
"Okay." She replied. She stood beside the tree, watching as he walked away, feeling a bit cooler as the door to the spare room closed behind him. After another moment, she carefully unplugged the Christmas tree, and then made her way toward her bedroom to get ready for bed.
Brennan prepared for bed, listening to the sounds of Booth throughout her apartment getting himself ready as well. She crawled beneath the covers of her bed, tucking pillows behind herself, and saving one or two for her companion. She lay on her back, the light on the other side of the bed was on, when she heard a gentle knock.
"You can come in, Booth." She said softly, noting the slight pause as the door opened a crack. "It's okay." She said.
The door opened wider, and Booth stepped in, wearing a pair of pajama bottoms, and no t-shirt. He closed the door behind him and walked around the bed, allowing Brennan some privacy as he sat on the edge of the mattress. "You're sure you're okay with this?" He asked, looking toward her, she nodded.
"I invited you into my bed. But if you're not comfortable, I would understand." She said, watching the shake of his head as he pulled his legs up into the bed and beneath the blankets and sheets and switched off the lamp. The room was still slightly illuminated by the streetlights outside, and when he looked toward her, he could see that her eyes were open as she stared at the ceiling.
He lay his head on the pillow, and turned toward her, reaching his hand for her arm, he gently ran his fingertips across it. "I am very, very comfortable, Bones." He said. She turned and faced him, their bodies only inches apart. "What do you have planned for tomorrow?" He asked, deciding to keep the conversation light, watching her cuddle into the blanket as her eyes stayed on his.
"I was thinking of having lunch with my dad if he's available. I also need to wrap Parker's gifts." She said, a smile on her lips. "What are your plans for tomorrow?"
"To search your bedroom looking for my Christmas gifts when you're having lunch with your dad." He said, watching her jaw drop. He let out a laugh at her surprise.
"Booth!" She laughed, nudging him with her hand, he laughed a bit more.
"Kidding, kidding. I don't really have any plans. I'll probably go get Parker some gifts. I have to pick up your gift." He said, running his hand over her arm gently, bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles gently.
"You don't have to get me a gift, Booth." She whispered.
"I already bought it." He replied. "I have to pick it up."
She narrowed her eyes, feeling his lips on her hand, she felt warm all over. "I also have to call someone about your gift."
"You mean something that isn't socks and ties?" He asked with a laugh, she pulled her hand from his and smacked his shoulder. "Hey! Hey!" He laughed.
"You really know how to ruin Christmas gifts!" She exclaimed, pretending to be angry. "I'm going to sleep." She pouted. "Goodnight." She said, rolling away from him, she tugged at the blankets, pulling them off him, he laughed and before she could turn toward him, he moved toward her and she was trapped beneath his arm, feeling it wrap tightly around her waist. "What are you doing?" She mumbled.
"Holding you." He whispered. "Is that okay?" She answered by pushing herself back into him, a sigh on her lips as she felt his lips on her temple. "Sweet dreams, Bones."
"Goodnight, Booth." She whispered, smiling to herself as he dropped another kiss on her temple, and they both drifted off, perfectly content together.