Summary: Hermione feels like Lucius is drifting away from their relationship but loves him too much to leave.

I need your love

It started with a missing kiss upon his return from work.

Ever since that missing act in their daily lives two months ago, Hermione had been struggling to banish an insecurity about her relationship with Lucius. It built every day as more things disappeared. She could see him needing her less and less as she tried not to cling on to him more and more.

At least he still remembered to say he loved her at any given time.

For now.

X

Hermione arrived back from work to a glorious sunset and a balm evening settling over the Manor. Not wanting to go in just yet, she dropped her bag and folders on the top of the steps leading to the entrance and walked around the side of the large building towards the orangery. The smell of citrus luring her in as a late harvest of oranges were almost ready for picking. It always reminded her of her childhood holidays in Spain and could stand there for hours taking in the smell by the entrance.

She'd especially done it more recently. Searching for something that would make her heart feel full again. It was like Lucius had taken all her love but no longer had anything to replace it with for her. And she couldn't just leave because she still loved him so much… but what was it costing her.

"There you are," his voice called from behind. "I saw your things and thought someone had had away with you."

Hermione forced a smile on her lips as she turned to face him. "It was stuffy in the office today, I needed the air."

He came to her side, not touching her. No kiss, no arm around the shoulders. He didn't even take her hand like he used to. The insecurity grew a little more with a painful lump in her throat.

She wanted to tell him, to talk him, yet no words would come to her aid. Instead, she turned away and started to walk back to the house, leaving him at the entrance of the orangery.

"What is it?" he called after her.

She stopped to look back. He'd noticed that she had touched him either. It was the first time she'd not parted with some kind of affection towards him since they'd been together.

"I might ask you the same," she replied, the pain clear in her voice. She caught his flicker of confusion as he started to come towards her. "When was the last time you greeted me with a kiss? Or even held my hand?"

Lucius opened his mouth and realised what she was saying.

"Do you even love me anymore?" she asked. The question had been on her lips for weeks but the pain in her heart had prevented her from asking it, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

And then she saw the Lucius she'd fallen in love with; the man of action and not words.

He strode towards her, determination on his features and passion in his eyes. He swooped her into his arms, lifting her off the ground with ease as he kissed her with a fire she hadn't felt from him months. It sent electric thrills through every nerve ending as she wrapped herself around him eagerly. He moved forward, finding the wall of their home and shoved her against it roughly to continue assaulting her with kisses as he ground his body against hers.

He pulled away briefly, to look at her, an apology in his eyes. "I became complacent. Forgive me?"

"Don't do it again," she said firmly.

He nodded before Apparating them away to their bedroom.

Word Count: 611

Written for:

Yearly

- 365 - 251. (word) Banish

- Musical - R&B - No One/Alicia Keys: My heart is hurting

- Insane House Challenge - 658. (scent) Citrus

Quarterly

Red Velvet Cupcakes

- (song) Relight My Fire (4)