Chapter 17

A/N: Check the ratings and tags, I've updated them for this chapter. I guess you all know what that means. Here be smut.

Niles was aware as he kissed Daphne that she had moved to do the same, wanted the same thing. Their lips brushed, kisses tentative at first, before becoming more fervent and almost clumsy in their urgency. He pulled Daphne against him, moaning her name against her mouth. Her hands grasped at Niles, grabbing the waistband of his pants as she tried to press him closer still to herself. They stumbled backwards, landing against the fainting couch awkwardly. An amused laugh escaped Daphne's throat. The sound made him weak at the knees.

A thought of pausing things and heading upstairs to the bedroom crossed Niles' mind, but was quickly forgotten as Daphne moved against him, pressing him down on the couch, kissing and sucking at his neck, his jaw. Niles submitted, letting Daphne take the lead. He would go willingly wherever she wanted, he only wanted to please her, be hers, only hers, forever - her scent and touch and presence overwhelming his senses in the best possible way.

Daphne's hands had started to untuck Niles' shirt at the same time Niles had slipped his hands under her blouse. The sensation of his hand against her bare back made her shiver, and Daphne wanted nothing more than to press her body harder against his. Clothes were just an annoying barrier now. Daphne was on top of Niles and didn't notice that he was only half on the couch until she shifted herself to help start removing clothes, the change in her position unbalanced him and Niles fell onto the floor with a thud.

"Oww..." He laughed, lying awkwardly on the rug below her.
"Are you all right?" Daphne peered down from where she was lying on the couch, slightly concerned.

Niles pushed the ottoman away from him a bit, allowing a bit more space to recover from the fall.

"Yes, I think so. Nothing broken. Nothing important, that is - my dignity is a little bruised." He grinned up at her as he ran his hand through his hair.

Daphne noticed how sexy he looked right now from her position above him. His shirt untucked and partially unbuttoned, suspenders looped off his shoulders. As he laid there he tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to use one foot to remove the shoe on the other foot, wiggling in a slightly frustrated way. After a couple of attempts he managed to get the first shoe off, but didn't even attempt to try to remove the second one the same way.

Smiling at her awkward idiot below, Daphne, leaned over the edge of the couch and kissed him. He reached up, running his hands through her hair, brushing it back and away as it fell over her face as she bent down. The kiss deepened, the frantic pace from earlier had slowed now as they lingered there, reveling in the kiss as they let their desire build again.

Daphne broke the kiss, sitting up.

"Sorry, leaning over like that is making me dizzy."
"Are you sure it's not just my amazing kissing skills?" Niles grinned up at her, looking quite comfortable on his spot on the floor.

Daphne tried to shoot him a wry look, but failed as her mouth pulled into a smile, betraying her. She reached down, hand extended, intending to pull Niles up so they could recommence on the couch. As Niles took her hand, he pulled her towards him, and Daphne slid off the couch, joining him on the floor. She landed heavily on her backside.

"Ow- Niles!"
"Sorry." He looked genuinely concerned for a moment. "Are you hurt?"
"I landed a little hard on my hip, but I'll live." She rubbed it gingerly. "Might have a bit of a bruise tomorrow."
"Here, show me." He still looked concerned as his hands moved to the hip she was rubbing.

Daphne laughed, and Niles looked momentarily confused.

"That's a clever way to ask me to get out of my pants."

She chuckled again when Niles realized the implication and started turning red. Daphne rolled on top of him, and kissed him again.

"You're cute when you blush."
"Mmm..." He was distracted, his hands had moved back under her blouse as he fumbled his way across her back.

Daphne was lying on Niles, her weight settled against him, her hips pressed against his groin, hard within the now tight confines of his trousers. She was rocking slightly against him as they kissed, and each movement sent jolts of pleasure through him. He moaned again underneath her, keenly wanting to be rid of their clothes so he could fully appreciate her. Daphne must have had the same idea, as she stopped kissing Niles, and sat up, starting to unbutton the rest of his dress shirt. Niles took the hem of her blouse, and started to lift it upwards. She had to pause a moment to allow him to pull it over her head. She returned to the task of unbuttoning his shirt as Niles stared at Daphne, appreciating the new sight of her in her bra.

Dress shirt now unbuttoned, Daphne stood up, and pulled Niles into a sitting position. He shrugged the unbuttoned shirt off, and began to clumsily remove his undershirt as Daphne slipped off her jeans. He jumped in surprise, shirt still stuck over his head when he felt her grab his feet, realizing she was removing his remaining shoe and socks.

"Hey!" Niles jerked his leg as Daphne had taken the opportunity to run her finger over the sole of his foot, tickling him. She let out a mischievous laugh.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Now free of his shirt he looked back at her, now standing there in nothing but her bra and underwear. Niles gazed at her longingly, when he noticed she was giving him a similar look. That stirred something deep within Niles, knowing that Daphne wanted him as much as he wanted her. He finished removing his trousers, and he went to stand up when Daphne was suddenly back on top of him. Niles laid back down, still willing to let Daphne decide their next move. She traced her fingers over his chest, and Niles couldn't help the noise that left his body. He ran his hands along her back again. Daphne arched into his touch, shivering as his fingers traced along her spine.

"God, Niles, you drive me crazy..."

He started trying to remove her bra, fumbling with the clasp. Daphne reached behind and unclasped it with ease, removing the undergarment with a well practiced movement. Niles gazed at her, enraptured.

"Daphne..." He breathed.

He reached up, almost reverently, hesitating slightly before cupping her breasts in his hands. Daphne pressed herself against his hands, moaning encouragingly. Niles ran his thumbs over her nipples, watching as they hardened under his touch. She leaned forward as he played with them, and kissed him. Niles hands instinctively moved down to her hips. He slid a hand between the thin fabric of her underwear, and across her ass. God, how he loved her ass. He gave it a squeeze, something that he'd wanted to do for years and years and now he could and oh! the slight gasp Daphne made when he did so was almost enough to drive him crazy. He groaned, and pressed himself upwards against her, frustrated by the barrier of underwear still between them.

Daphne seemed to be equally frustrated, as she lifted herself up and allowed Niles to slip her underwear off over her hips. She kicked them away barely needing to pause what she was doing, and helped Niles with shedding his boxers, the last remaining remnant of his own clothing. Both fully naked, Daphne pressed herself against him again, and kissed Niles hungrily. He reciprocated, before breaking the kiss.

"Fuck..." Niles gasped. He felt like he would explode from the sensation of the kiss, of Daphne's naked body pressed against his own naked body.

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to reset himself.

"Are you okay, Niles?" He heard Daphne's voice near his ear, slightly worried.
"Yes... just need a moment to... catch my breath..."

She seemed to understand what he needed and paused what she was doing. Niles felt her shift slightly to the side so she wasn't completely on top of him. Niles opened his eyes, the moment passing. The last thing he wanted was to get too excited, and have things end too early for him. It wasn't normally an issue he had, but it had been a few months since he had sex, and it was Daphne, here, with him. Niles looked back at Daphne, and he noticed her looking at him, at his body - hungrily, lustfully. Wanting him.

Niles pulled her back on top, half wondering how this was going to work. Everyone he'd slept with, sex had been in a bed with him on top 90% of the time. Missionary. Lube when needed. Almost always planned and organized, leaving no room for surprises or uncertainty. It was routine. He had left himself in Daphne's hands, to control and dictate the pace, but he was a little embarrassed to admit the floor of the living room was unexpected and unprecedented territory. He decided to trust her. Something about the spontaneity, the urgency, even the location, was driving him wild. Daphne had resumed kissing him, grinding against him, teasing him, not yet taking him inside her. He could feel the heat of her vulva against his cock, and he found himself unable to resist touching her further.

"I want you so bad..." He reached down and let his fingers brush against the folds of her entrance.

Daphne arched her hips at his touch, a low groan escaping her lips as she tried to keep her lips pressed against his.

"Mmmm... yes, right there..."

Niles repeated the action, exploring, caressing, stroking, before he slid two of his fingers slowly into her. Daphne started to thrust against his fingers almost immediately as his thumb found and traced its way around her clit. Niles suddenly gasped as he felt Daphne's hand against his erection. Already slightly lubricated from his precum and her own wetness from when she was grinding against him earlier, she added her own saliva with her hand as she stroked him in a steady rhythm, matching the speed with which he thrusted his fingers insider her.

They continued like this for a couple of moments, lost in each other's eyes and their own ecstasy, before Daphne gasped out, a low urgency in her voice.

"God Niles, I want you. Inside me. Now."

He was all too happy to comply. The moment he removed his hand, Daphne had lowered herself against him again, grinding against his hardened cock a couple of times before guiding him inside.

It took everything in Niles' power not to burst right then and there as he felt her slide down his shaft and tighten against him. Daphne paused, seemingly knowing Niles needed a second to recover before they continued. She leaned forward and locked her lips against his, thrusting slowly at first as they got used to the sensation of being one, before the pace quickened. Niles' hips bucked up to meet Daphne's as they thrusted; his voice a low groan, Daphne's of gasped encouragement and desire.

It almost became a race. Niles was unsure how much longer he could last, as he felt the pressure within him build, threatening to pull him over the edge with each thrust; only held back by a single thread of awareness. He felt Daphne shudder and tighten against him, her thrusts suddenly erratic as she climaxed, and that last thread snapped, as Niles felt himself succumb to that pull of ecstasy as he came, losing all sense of anything else but himself, her, and the pull of lust.

Niles slowly became aware again of his senses. Of the warm, flushed body collapsed on top of him. Of ragged breaths as they tried to regain their composure. The almost hyper awareness of each others' touch, sending shivers of pleasure down their spines as they ran their fingers over each other. Niles didn't know how long they laid there like that, neither wanting to move and break the embrace they were in.

"Wow..." He didn't think he could find the words to describe things any more eloquently at that moment.
"Yeah..." Daphne's voice echoed his, seemingly equally lost for words.

Another moment passed, and Niles felt himself more aware of himself, of his surroundings. He looked at Daphne, still lying on top of him, her head resting against his shoulder, staring at him in complete adoration. It was a look he felt like he had waited more than seven years to see. A lifetime. He leaned forward and kissed her, brushing a lock of her damp hair behind her ear, large smile creeping across his face as he realized how happy, content and perfect everything felt at that moment.

"I love you, Daphne."
"I love you too, Niles."

He shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware of how hard the floor actually was.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to move to the bed now. The floor is killing my back."

Niles was still grinning like an idiot after they had relocated upstairs. They shared a quick shower, which led to more fooling around - after which, they needed another shower. They were now lying in bed, entangled in each other's arms. Niles was idly running his hand up and down Daphne's arm, lovestruck smile still on his face. Daphne was tracing her fingers across his chest and jawline, as if trying to memorize every inch of him. Daphne thought about their argument earlier. The things he said, just before they made love to each over had helped assuage her of a lot of her concerns. Some of it hurt, but very little of what was said was unexpected.

Except for one thing, which ate away at her a little. Daphne glanced up at Niles, realizing that if she didn't know better, she never would have guessed he was so upset less than a couple of hours ago.

"Niles?"
"Mmm?" He seemed to be someplace else, barely registering the sound of his name.
"You said something earlier tonight... I want to know if it's true."

Niles moved slightly, repositioning himself so he was looking directly at Daphne, giving her his full attention.

"All of it was true... I thought that was the point. But was something in particular bothering you?"
"Well, it's just that one of the things you said that I don't think I knew about until tonight."
"The snoring? Don't worry, it doesn't bother me. I actually thought it was quite cute and-"

She slapped his arm playfully, shutting him up. He feigned pain, chuckling at her reaction.

"No, you idiot. And I don't snore." She shot him a look as if daring him to argue, pretending indignation at the thought.

He kissed her cheek, happy to mollify her on this point.

"Whatever you say, my love. What was it you were asking about, then?"

Daphne bit her lip, unsure how to proceed.

"The part where you said... that you thought you were a disappointment, and not good enough for anyone. Do... do you really feel that way?"

She'd notice his face become more somber as she spoke, when he realized the topic. Niles sighed.

"Yes... and no. It's... complicated, I guess."
"Do you want to talk about it?"

He shrugged, unsure.

"I mean, I don't know where to start. And I certainly don't want to burden you with my worries."
"It wouldn't be a burden. I love you. I'd want to listen if something was worrying you. Help you if I can."

Niles smiled at her, touched at the thought.

"I appreciate that, Daphne. But I don't know if it's something I want to talk about... not tonight, at least."
"Okay. I'm here to listen if you ever do want to talk. About anything. But, there is just one thing I want to say about that, right now."

Daphne looked at Niles, turning his face towards her, wanting him to hear, to believe what she said next.

"Niles, I want you to know that you are good enough. For anyone. You are one of the best people I know. And you've never disappointed me, or let me down. I don't think you ever could. Please don't listen to anyone who ever tries to tell you otherwise. Even if that person is yourself."

Niles looked at Daphne as she spoke, and she though she could see him holding back tears. He pulled her closer, and kissed the top of her head, before burying his face against her neck.

"Thank you, Daphne. That means a lot. More than you know."
"I love you, Niles. So much."
"I love you, too."

They didn't broach the topic again that night, and the heaviness of the moment lifted. Both still riding a high from their evening together, they just laid together in bed, curled up against each other, something inane playing quietly on the television in the bedroom, only background noise as they kissed, or talked, or just laid there, completely content with each other's company.

They fell asleep eventually. Before he drifted off, Niles thought about what Daphne had said. It truly meant a lot to him, knowing that she thought he was good enough. It was a validation he never realized he needed. Niles watched Daphne as she slept, her head against his shoulder, his arm underneath her, wrapped around her body. Her was leg thrown over his, entangled in the sheets. Niles was trapped in that position, on his back, but he didn't care.

He smiled as she started to snore lightly, settling into a deeper sleep.

She can deny it all she wants, I don't care. I still think she's perfect. Completely, utterly, imperfectly perfect...

My Daphne.