"Lights on, or off?"

Raphael had his hand over the light switch, meeting her eyes gently from where she sat on the edge of the bed. Eva shrugged, "Which do you prefer?"

"I'll see you clearly regardless. It's your preference."

"Turn them off," she nodded towards the large window overlooking the illuminated city of New York. "There's enough light coming from the window."

Raphael switched the lights off, and the moment the room fell into a romantic dimness, Eva felt her heart jump into her throat. The city glow outlined Raphael like a stunning marble statue, his eyes dark and piercing as he crossed the room. His smirk looked wider in the shadows. "I felt your pulse spike from here."

Eva's shoulders tensed and she avoided his eyes. She didn't notice he was standing in front of her until she felt his cold hand take hers. He gently pulled her up to her feet, and with his free hand, took her chin to pull her gaze to his. "I won't be angry if you want to stop; I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I'm not uncomfortable," she shook her head. "I'm just nervous."

"It may be hard to believe, but so am I." He brought her hand to press against his silent chest. "You don't feel it?"

Under all the adoration and love she felt floating around him, there was a flicker of uneasiness. She smiled at him. "I have to focus a little harder to feel it."

"I'm good at hiding it," he pressed his forehead against hers. "It's a bad habit; I shouldn't hide myself from you."

"It's not like you can," she teased with a laugh. He hummed in response and kissed her. It was gentle and almost shy, like he didn't want to scare her, or pressure her. Eva had already decided she wanted this with all her heart and brought him closer with her arms, kissing him harder to let him know. He took the hint fairly quickly and his hands slipped under her sweater to smooth over her bare skin. His hands were cold and she jumped, their kiss parting momentarily as they laughed breathlessly.

Eva pulled at his crisp white shirt, untucking it, and then began to unbutton it from the bottom up. Her hands were trembling from the thrill of his fingers tracing each bump of her spine, each swirl of her scars left behind by runes. His thumb traced the crater in her abdomen, taking in the jagged edges of her skin and the soft texture of the center.

Eva miraculously finished unbuttoning his shirt, and after he removed his golden chain cufflinks and placed them on the nightstand near her purse, he drew his arms behind him to pull his shirt off. Her hands immediately ran over his chest, taking in every inch of it, smiling at him as she felt his soft chest hair tickle her palms. He always wore a thin gold chain that once held a cross; he'd taken it off since it burned his skin at the touch. He had a cross-shaped scar just between his collarbones to prove his futile attempts to wear it. Eva supposed he didn't wear it now so others wouldn't be suspicious of his immunity to holy artifacts.

Her knitted sweater came off next. She couldn't help but giggle when he kissed down her neck and shoulder, finding his lips ticklish, but more so because his hands were fumbling with the clasp of her bra. Her heart skipped a beat when she felt the garment loosen around her chest and slide off and onto the floor. She knew he could feel her frantic pulse along her neck but all he did was plant a soft kiss on her shoulder and purposefully sigh against her skin to make her jump. "You're beautiful, Eva. Una belleza."

"You're just saying that," she mumbled. His hands were all over her chest, touching her in ways he knew were going to make her whimper. He smirked against her lips.

"I'm very honest," he said. "When I see something I don't like, I'll be sure to let you know."

Perhaps it was something innate in vampires that made them look glorious in darkness. Some people may describe it as dangerous, or creepy, or frightening. Eva found Raphael to be beautiful with his flawless skin and darkened eyes and sharp jaw. His hair, normally styled perfectly, was messy and beginning to curl over his neck and temples. Despite the fire eating away at her just below her skin, Raphael remained exceptionally cool to the touch. Where her chest was rising and falling rapidly with frantic breaths from every intimate touch of his fingers and tongue, his chest didn't move. She was panting against his cheek and lips, but she never felt his own breath mix with hers. It was so strange, but it made her heart flutter. She couldn't explain it even if she tried.

He was so gentle. He eased her through every touch and kiss, always making sure she was comfortable and happy. She shivered when he kissed over the healed puncture wounds where he'd bitten her. Almost as if her body remembered the surge of energy his bite had given her, she arched against him, pressing their naked bodies together deliciously. She was proud that she drew a soft sigh from him.

"Te quiero con la vida, mi ángel."

Spanish was falling from his lips like prayers. She was too lost in her pleasure to register his sweet words, only noting his whispers were soft and breathless. Eva dug her fingernails into his shoulders, feeling his muscles clench with his every movement. He grunted at the feeling despite the scratches healing instantaneously.

"Con todo mi corazón."

"Rapha," she whimpered helplessly, clinging to him. It was all she could do to remain grounded in reality and not float aimlessly in her whirlwind of pleasure. "What—"

"Nada, mi cielo." He rolled his hips in such a way that made fireworks explode in her eyes. "It's nothing."

He couldn't hide the emotion he was projecting unknowingly. Eva didn't understand his words, but his emotions spoke for him. Like that summer day in Rockaway Beach, his enveloping love brought tears to her eyes. She swallowed back a sob by bringing him in for a deep kiss, a kiss she parted to say, "I love you too. With all my heart."

Eva's body was humming and nothing could wipe the goofy grin off her face. It was endearing to see Raphael look so content and relaxed as he lay there on his side next to her. His chocolate brown eyes flickered over the scars and fresh runes he was tracing with his fingertips. He was oddly obsessed with doing so, to the point where he asked if she could lay on her belly so he could follow the black swirls left behind from a recent Accuracy rune that ended over her back.

"Keep doing that and I'll fall asleep," she mumbled, her eyes fluttering. He didn't respond, too engrossed in what he was doing. When she pressed a hand against his chest, it seemed to land him back in reality. "What's wrong?"

"I'm bad at this," he admitted. "Pillow talk. I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. You just look very distracted."

"You're naked, you smell delicious, and you're looking at me with that stupid grin on your face and those googly eyes," he said softly. "You should be offended if I wasn't distracted."

"I think your pillow talk skills are exceptional." She moved close enough to press their bodies together under the soft comforter. She threw a leg over him and curled up against his chest in a close embrace. "You underestimate yourself."

If he responded, she never heard it. She fell asleep in his arms, in the coolness of his embrace and the warmth of the comforter—the perfect balance. When she woke up, the yellow glow of New York City's nightlights was still illuminating the luxurious hotel room. She didn't wake up on her own—she would've slept until sunrise if Raphael hadn't been pressing kisses on her face.

"May I ask why I'm being woken up from the best sleep of my life?" she asked, trying to push him away playfully. It didn't work, and he only brought her closer.

"I'm a Daylighter, but unfortunately, my motorcycle only runs in darkness," he began. The slur in his words told her he'd also woken up not too long ago. "So unless you want to embrace New York City's lovely rush hour, I suggest we get dressed."

Eva hummed. "Same time tomorrow, then?"

"I'll be watching my telenovelas tomorrow at that hour," he teased. The spark in his eyes was predatory and mischievous. They gave him such an uncharacteristically playful and laidback look, and Eva loved it. It oddly suited him better than the constantly-irritated-with-everything demeanor he enjoyed to flaunt. Eva laughed when he pushed her onto her back and caged her in his arms. "But I think I can make some time for you right now."

There was almost an hour left until sunrise when he dropped her off at the Institute. They always kissed each other goodbye, but now, there was a different familiarity between them. The way he pulled her close and held her against him was like puzzle pieces that knew the intricacies of the other in order to fit perfectly. It made her melt against him.

In the time it took her to shower and throw on a T-shirt and jeans with her favorite sneakers, it was early morning. Eva walked the twisting hallways of the Institute and arrived at the kitchens where the inhabitants were all gathered. Maryse was just heading out as Eva was coming in; the woman greeted her kindly and disappeared through the door, steaming coffee mug in hand. Jace was buffing his nails with the tablecloth, Alec still looked half-asleep, and Izzy was pouring maple syrup over burnt pancakes. Hodge, who normally looked so sharp, was hunched over the kitchen counter, rubbing his temples with his forefingers. He jumped when the toaster beeped and two slices of bread popped out of it.

"I swear I don't remember drinking last night," he grumbled.

"That's a hangover, if I've ever seen one," Jace said. He met Eva's eyes as she walked towards the table. "Doesn't that look like typical Hangover Hodge?"

Eva bit her lip. She felt guilty Hodge had to suffer through a splitting headache just so she could spend the night with Raphael doing unspeakable things. How much of that vodka did Izzy even use? Hodge looked dreadful!

Izzy didn't seem concerned about Hangover Hodge, though. Her expressive dark eyes widened, following Eva like lasers as she sat down. All Eva had to do was smile to have Izzy's jaw drop with an enormous silent gasp and hold back a cry of joy.

"What's the matter with you two?" Alec asked, looking between his sister and her parabatai.

"Isn't it obvious?" Jace raised a knowing eyebrow. "Hangover Hodge, Eva looking like the cat that eat the canary—or the bat, I should say—Izzy doing her little victory dance—"

"I don't want to hear about this!" Alec blushed bright red. "I'm eating!"

"Can you lower your voices, please?" Hodge pleaded from the kitchen counter. He was rummaging around the cutlery drawer for a butter knife. "It's too early to be yelling."

"Yeah, Jace, lower your voice," Eva scoffed, sticking her tongue out at him like sisters do. "No one thinks you're clever or funny."

Jace smirked deviously. "At least we won't have to worry about little vamps running around."

"Who left what running?" Hodge finally found the butter knife and settled down in an empty chair. His grey-streaked black hair was messy on his head and his glasses sat askew on his nose. Eva swore his shirt was buttoned incorrectly. "Was it the stove? It wasn't me."

"We're eating breakfast in my room," Izzy picked up her plate of pancakes along with the bottle of maple syrup. "Make yourself something quick. I want to know everything."

Izzy dashed out of the kitchen and Alec, embarrassed, left right at her heels. Jace threw her a jab about naked vampires before he narrowly dodged a spoon tossed his way when he ducked out of the kitchen. Eva turned to Hodge, his head in his hands after finding the task of spreading jam over his toast too strenuous, or perhaps the smell of it nauseated him.

"I'll make you some tisane," Eva stood and rubbed his back in affection. She could feel the scar from his shoulder injury over his tweed suit. "You want it lemon flavored, or with mint?"

"Lemon, please." He didn't raise his head to look at her.

Eva wasn't as good at making tisanes as he was, but after so many years under his wing, she could brew them decently and make them taste almost as good as the ones he made. She stirred the lemon juice into the mug, the citrus and herbal smell making her sigh pleasantly. She tapped the spoon against the edge of the mug and then set it down in front of him. Since he wasn't going to eat the toast, she decided that would be her breakfast, and tucked the jar of jam under her arm along with a juice box from the fridge. "Drink all of it, Hodge. It'll make you feel better."

"Thank you, Mari—" he cut himself off abruptly. Eva was shocked to see he sobered up so quickly; his skin went deathly pale. Before Eva could even form words to speak, he waved his hand in the air dismissively, "I'm speaking nonsense; I'm never drinking alcohol again..."