A/N: Another chapter, this one is a…well it was a fun chapter to write. There is a couple of steamy scenes in this chapter so if this is not your thing then I suggest skip. Some Valentine's Day fluff as well between Tom/Christian and Hermione. Some parts of this Chapter and the next are inspired by the song 'The Payback' by James Brown. I called this chapter Intermission because in a sense it is. I apologise if I have missed any mistakes.

INTERMISSION

13th February 2014

The British Ministry

Tom POV

Well that was oddly satisfying, going in for the kill but not actually killing anything. The room reeked of fear just the way I liked it; however, I could have done without the shit smell. And I mean shit as in excrement. I scared the poor kid enough that he shit his pants. I pulled out a small tube of hand sanitizer and squirted a small amount in to my other hand. I looked down at the frightened boy or wannabe man, Miles Petherbridge who thought he could roll with the big boys. Oh, how he was mistaken. I turned from his prone frightened form; I couldn't do much else because I had an audience. I did after all get what I came for, the secret ledger showing the transactions of cursed objects sold on to the black market. I thought I'd remove one thing off Hermione's plate. She has been rather stressed lately, maybe this trip to Mongolia will be away for us to have some time away from everything. Even if it is a work trip.

I turn to see the audience gathered around staring through the window into the room, and a casual looking Harry Potter leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed.

"Christian what are you doing? We can hear his sobs of fear and distress all the way down the hall. You know cleaning and maintenance will probably bill you for this- you know getting rid of the smell in the carpet", I raised an eyebrow at him I was expecting a different reaction.

"I was expecting a reprimand not a discussion on the cleaning of said carpet"

Harry pushed off the frame as I got within a few steps from him. "I figured you had a good reason for scaring the literal shit out of Petherbridge, plus the guy is a bit of a pompous arse- worse than Malfoy if that is even conceivable", I laughed, this was such a weird conversation to be having with the golden boy.

"Yes, well here" and I thrust the document folder at him, "some light reading for you, I think you and Kingsley will find it particularly enlightening", he quickly scanned the front page and whistled lowly.

"My this is interesting...so can we leave?...the smell is becoming over powering" and he flapped the folder back and forth like a fan. I moved out of the room and we moved in sync walking down the corridor, people blatantly staring at what I don't know.

"So how is Hermione doing? Did you get anything for her for Valentine's Day?" I felt rather offended by that question, however, I know that was not the intention.

"What do you take me for Potter? I may turn a blind eye to some social conventions because they are a nuisance, but even I do not want to suffer Hermione's wrath or tears if I forget. She says she's fine, but I know Ron not talking to her is taking a toll, even though it was her idea not to talk". I looked back at Harry and he was deep in thought.

"It will take some time and I know that it is frustrating for you. I'm sorry, man. You know Hermione usually doesn't do Valentine's? She always rebuffed Ron, telling him not to get her anything"

"I know Harry we both are practical people, and Hermione has no desire for copious amounts of cheap chocolate and the wrong flower arrangement. Where no thought has actually gone in to acquiring the given gift. I had a custom-made briefcase and matching compendium made with her name embossed on each in gold lettering. Does that pass the Harry Potter approval?" I tried not to be smug about it and hoped I hadn't completely ruined the moment we were having by making a jab at Ron's lack of imagination when it came to gift giving.

"No...I mean… yes! That's a really thoughtful gift Ron would never have thought of that. Not that I'm comparing but it is hard not to. But Hermione will love it, especially because it is personal and practical"

"That's what I thought. Has Hermione mentioned to you the meeting we are having with Kingsley today at 1?", since he was somewhat included in the secret about the magical fluctuations he may as well hear out what we discovered.

"No, but I'm assuming you want me to come if you are mentioning it?", sometimes I don't think I give Harry enough credit. We stopped outside Hermione's office door.

"You assume correctly"

Harry brought his wrist up so he could look at his watch.

"Alright, I'll see you in a couple of hours and good luck", with a slap on the shoulder he turned on his heel and left, me looking confused by the 'good luck'.

I opened the door to Hermione's office and stepped inside. She was waiting for me with her arms crossed. I got the feeling something was about to happen and Harry's good luck made all the more sense now.

"What have I done now?", there was no use trying to hide it since she obviously already knew.

"Petherbridge really?", gossip certainly moves quickly in these halls.

"Well my dear, you have been so stressed lately that I thought I would take the initiative…and unburden you of this issue" I stuck my hands in my pockets to stop myself from fidgeting under her harsh gaze. I seriously wonder what my wicked alter ego would have done if he was ever faced with Hermione's current stare, it would have withered any lesser man. She was formidable and I soaked it in, revelled in it. If only she knew what it did to me. She approached me and ran her fingers up and down under the lapels of my suit jacket.

"Well that is certainly nice of you to lessen the weight on my shoulders, but you should have told me. Plus, now we will never live down the office gossip…I can't believe you made him literally shit his pants!", I knew she was angry, but she was also trying not to laugh. It was a funny situation and I regret none of it. She whacked me on my chest to make the point, but it was all bark and no bite.

"Well they were doing something illegal and profiting from that activity. You have been putting it off, because you didn't want the confrontation with Pascale…so it was easier for me to just do it. Besides not many will want to fuck with me now because they will be too frightened to do so" I gently ran my hands down her body and cupped the globes of her arse. I swear she wore this skirt just to frustrate me. Hermione brings impulses out of me I never knew existed. Normally I would never be doing what I am doing right now…and contemplating on doing.

I slowly walked her back to the edge of her desk, she looked wide eyed but didn't stop me.

"Hermione…"I put on the seductive drawl that usually made her weak for me, I leaned in my mouth just short of hers.

"Christian we shouldn't be doing this right now any one could walk in", I smiled she was already beginning to squirm under my hold. Her protest was weak, it was called locking the door and a silencing charm. Solved.

"Do you ever think he wonders how sweet you taste? If he just had the courage to do it", I ran my hands slowly up her thighs up under her skirt and back down again, repeating the action at an achingly slow pace.

"Wh-what?" she was a little breathless and I loved how I affected her.

"The ginger moron", I curved my hands around her thighs, loving the feeling of her soft sensitive skin.

"Christian", I assume that was supposed to be a form of admonishment for my actions, though by the licking of her lips I knew she wasn't going to tell me to stop.

"Does he know how sensitive your breasts are, especially when I salve them with my tongue and tug at those little rosy peaks with my teeth", yes I was a bastard for tormenting her, but she needed a stern reminding that she is mine and to stop moping over that ginger twat who hasn't spoken to her since that night at the Weasley's, when we gave Harry the portrait of his parents. Quite frankly it was becoming irritating and I had had enough.

I pushed up her skirt so I could have better access to where I desired. I skimmed edge of her panties, with my index finger my eyes watching her face for reactions. It was just her mouth opening slightly to accommodate her light panting, cheeks beginning to flush and her eyes closed.

"I wonder if he still craves…" I begin to say as I run my knuckles along her warm centre. I could feel the damp seeping into the fabric indicating her own desire. The smell of her arousal was intoxicating, and I feel myself become light headed. " misses the feeling of your delicious little cunt wrapped around him", with that I dove into her panties and cupped her. Her tissues where swollen and she was unbelievably wet. I couldn't help rubbing my fingers in circles at her entrance. "Do you think you've ever been this wet for him?", I whispered huskily into her ear, nipping at her ear lobe.

"Do you?" I bit down a little harder.

"No", she gasped, she tried to move her hips, but I was trapping her with my own body. I let my other hand snake into her hair, lightly massaging her scalp. She moaned in pleasure. That's the kind of thing that went straight to my dick, but this was about her, I had to tramp down my own urges for later.

"Kiss me", she tried to capture my lips, but I pulled on her hair, preventing her from moving forward.

"No", I tugged at her again. "Look at me sweetheart", I waited until she opened her eyes. She challenged me with her eyes, but I dared her to try. Her confidence waivered as I slid a finger inside her. She drew in a sharp breath and gripped the edge of the desk behind her to give her more stability on her wobbly legs.

Without preamble I inserted another finger, pumping in and out of her, while I lightly brushed over her bundle of nerves with my thumb. She gasped and I could see her wanting to close her eyes in pleasure, but she knew I wanted her to look at me. I wanted to see everything.

"Do you think he would take care of you like this? Giving you what you need?", I couldn't help but taunt her, mock her choice of previous partner. This was a competition after all and one I intended to win. Her chest was heaving and sweat breaking out on her brow. She gulped in air to quickly to try to grab some resemblance of composure, but it was slipping away as I curled my fingers just so and she whimpered. I sensed she was close her inner muscles quivered and strained.

"Well answer me, would he?"

"N..no", she bit down on her lip.

I tugged on her hair again bringing our lips together, but not kissing. "Who takes care of you?", I murmured. I tightened my grip in her hair, really pulling at the roots. I felt her resolve slip away, she gave in.

"You do", I twisted inside her again, her thigh muscles just about giving out. I crushed her to me to support her as I increased my speed, bring her impending orgasm to a head.

"Say it", I whispered in her ear.

"Tom", my 'name' on her lips sounded so good. Her hands left the desk and clawed at my jacket as her orgasm washed over her, her muscles gripping me like a vice not letting me move. I waited patiently for it to recede. With heavy lidded eyes she pulled back, tangling her hand in my hair and yanking me forward crushing her lips against mine. It was an all-consuming kiss, tongues fighting, biting of lips and swallowing each other's moans. Salazar knows how long we kissed for, probably too long. I slipped my fingers out of her and I tilted back so I could bring my fingers to my lips and taste her. She watched with the fire reigniting in her gaze.

"Do you understand now my dear? Just focus on us"

"I know…oh my god…I called you Tom", she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. I laughed.

"It's ok sweetheart just don't make a habit of doing it. Tom was my past, his past. Christian is my future…with you", she relaxed and buried her face in my chest. I rested my chin on her head and just held her for a little longer, where it was just the two of us and we left the world outside.

"What do you say we exchange our Valentine's Day gifts tonight instead of tomorrow?", she pulled back and I stepped away from her so she could fix herself up.

"Why?", she tugged on her skirt and walked over to the mirror hanging on her wall to check her makeup.

"Well, if we have to leave tomorrow, it would be easier to do it tonight and since when do we follow the masses?", she chuckled.

"Sure, if that's what you want Christian, I don't mind", I noticed her emphasis on my chosen name. I would never let her know how much it thrilled me to hear Tom escape her lips in rapture. If I was inside her I most likely would have been unable to stop the orgasm that would have pulsed through me at her breathy Tom. I halt my libidinous thoughts filing them away for later and analysis.

"It's nearly 1, so let's go down to the cafeteria and get a sandwich then make our way over to Kingsley's office"

Kingsley's office 1pm

Hermione's POV

He is such an arsehole. I amend that a sexy arsehole. He has ruined my panties and now I have to walk around the rest of the day with wet knickers. I'll get my revenge on him, two can play at this game. Part of me agrees that I needed that reminder, I know he was getting frustrated at my moping and I need to let go of the friendship with Ron. Perhaps in a year or so we could be friends again, once certain feelings have blown over.

"You alright sweetheart?", I blinked exiting my thoughts, my gaze refocusing on the ruffian in front of me, my ruffian.

"Ah…(clears throat)…yes can we just stop at the bathroom quickly before we head up?", I needed to deal with this wet panty situation. I stood indicating I was ready.

"Sure sweetheart", at his acknowledgement I wandered off to the bathrooms. I ducked in to a cubicle, did my business. I hesitated as I leant down to pull my panties back up, instead I stepped out of them and tucked them in the pocket of my jacket. I smirked and an idea formed.

I washed my hands and slipped one back into the pocket that held my panties. I saw Christian leaning against the wall tapping on it to an invisible tune, he noticed me but didn't move. I snuggled into him and I slowly brought out the panties and tucked it into his chest pocket. His lips slightly parted watching as I used a finger to poke the offending garment into his pocket. I stepped back and began walking away, I turned back and he was still in the same place watching my arse. I stopped and he snapped out of his daze and came jogging to catch up. He pulled me into a side hug.

"You little vixen. What was that for?" he growled in my ear.

"Pay back", I said smugly.

He grunted in frustration "You are so going to get it when we get home"

"Promises promises" and he kissed the side of my head as we approached Kingsley's door.

Entering Kingsley's office, I noticed Harry there and unfortunately Ron. What the hell was he doing here?

Sensing my disapproval Harry chirped in "I told him he couldn't be here; this was a confidential meeting".

"What I'm part of the golden trio too, it's him who shouldn't be here", Ron pointed to or rather jabbed a finger in Christian's direction.

"I guess I'll just have to be vague about what it is we are referring to"

"Aww come on Hermione, you can tell me I won't blab to the rest of the department", I rolled my eyes.

"There was a reason Kingsley didn't invite you to these meetings Ron. I'll be surprised if doesn't kick you out now", The dark-skinned man entered his office and scanned his eyes over us, assessing the current tension in the room. He looked at Ron and sighed. He seemed to not want to argue today, he looked exhausted.

"Ok what's the run down? I got your memo and proposal Hermione and I have agreed to let you and Christian go to Mongolia to pursue this lead. I agree with your expert assessment. And thankyou again Christian for your assistance. So that being said I have already spoken with the Mongolian Wizarding Government and they have permitted you a three day pass, I hope that is sufficient enough time to do what you need to do", I looked to Christian he knew where we needed to go.

"That is enough time Minister I know where we need to go, so that should be enough to get what we need", he looked confident, I just hope that this priestess was still in the same town.

"What you can't just let her go with him to some foreign country, what if he is luring her into a trap?"

"Ron this is a very elaborate trap if it is and this has nothing to do with our personal relationship. It is a business trip, for our research. Grow up", I didn't want to get into this now especially in front of Kingsley.

"Ron, I have approved the trip they leave tomorrow at 7am sharp and will return Friday in the afternoon at 4pm. So, you will arrive there around 2pm their time and be back here 9am Friday morning our time. There is a seven-hour time difference, them being in front. I hope I got that right. Here are the details and documents that you will need. The rest you will have to figure out on your own. Hermione and Christian you can have the afternoon off to pack and organise yourselves. Dismissed", I reached out to grab the thick envelope and smiled in thanks to Kingsley, it was a vague conversation because of Ron being there but he had all the details in the memo I wrote for him.

Christian stuck his hand out for me to take and I laced his fingers with him. He was being possessive again, not that he wasn't normally, but this was a little show for Ron.

The four of us trailed out of his office and we headed back towards my office. I wanted to talk to Harry, but Ron would not go away.

"So, Mongolia…can't imagine it would be that exciting to go there, the country is pretty barren. Do you know where you are going to be staying?", Harry asked breaking the awkward silence.

"Yes, I have a tent we will stay in once we get there. This is a magical village fairly remote, there isn't going to be tourist accommodations available. Once we get to the ministry, we will floo in to the village, it is ten hours from the capital city"

"Well good luck and enjoy tonight, we'll see you on Friday", Harry winked, and I narrowed my eyes, did he know something? I turned my attention to Christian who was glaring at Ron, it was stone cold, like buried 100 feet in snow in Antarctica cold. I always shivered when that look came out, it reminded me of every heinous act he has committed. Then I remember the little girl he told me about, and I feel a small sense of pride, it's wrong of me I know but I admire his strength and determination.

I tugged on his hand "Come on let's go, I may even give you a treat if you cook dinner tonight", I knew that would work, his attention swung to me and he grinned, like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.

"Sure, whatever you want"

Later in the evening

I watched Christian cook in the kitchen while I lounged on the sofa. He was precise with everything, how he chopped each vegetable, to how he stirred the contents in the pot. It was like watching a master at work. It also made me hot under the collar, especially when the memory of earlier was still fresh in my mind. I wanted to repay the favour somehow and there was one thing I hadn't done yet. He had quite fervently gone down on me numerous times, but he has never let me do it to him. He has probably taken my response that I hated doing it to Ron literally and now feels when I offer it is more an obligatory remark than genuine.

I could see the way his muscles flexed underneath his shirt, the way he moved about the kitchen, it was fluid and graceful. It made my mouth water. I had never been the one comfortable with my sexuality and during school yes, I was often called a prude. The problem was I never knew how to deal with it, with what I wanted and take it. Part of that problem was Ron; he was my only experience and thus I listened to him talk about girls and figured what he said was factual. How very wrong I was. Christian kept telling me not to be ashamed and own it. Maybe if I….?

I could do this I could make him feel good, like he did to me today. I pulled out his present from behind the couch cushion and walked over to the kitchen.

"What are you making?", I asked wrapping my arms around his waist, kissing the centre of his back.

"A beef teriyaki stir fry, simple relatively quick and delicious"

"Mmm sounds delicious. Here…it's not much but I hope you like it", he looked down at the small rectangular box I was holding out. He placed the knife down and wiped his hands on the tea towel.

"I'm sure whatever it is, you have thought about this and placed personal meaning to it which makes it all the more special", he took the box and kissed my forehead. He gently pried open the lid, with his long dexterous fingers and displaced the lid off to the side. He stared at the interior of the box for a long time. It made me nervous, what if the photo was completely sappy and just plain stupid? He's the ex-dark lord for Godric's sake of course he hates sappy. Now I just felt like a silly school girl again, rather than the grown ass woman I was.

"Hermione…it's special I will treasure it"

"You don't think it's stupid? I…just saw the photo after Ginny took it…and I saw how happy you were and the way you looked at me…I thought it would be nice to have in your apartment…", I bit my lip to stop it from trembling, I could feel my eyes well and I wasn't sure why I was reacting like this. He put the bottom half of the box down and pulled me into a bone crushing hug. He moved his hands to cup my face and kissed like a man starving for water in the desert and I was the oasis. I loved being kissed like this, like I am the centre of his universe.

He rested his forehead against mine to catch his breath. "The photo is special Hermione and worth more than any expensive trinket you could have gotten. Now let me finish dinner woman so I can feed you", He had everything set out and figured it was stir fry so it wouldn't take long to cook, so I kept busy by setting the table, pouring a glass of red wine each and feeding Crookshanks who was loitering in the kitchen. Christian often spoils him and was slicing some raw chicken strips for him, while I topped up his water and his dry food. Before we go, I'll have to remember spell his bowl so it refills automatically when it gets empty. I'll add that to the list on fridge of things not to forget.

Five or so minutes later he walks over to the table with two steaming bowls of beef stir fry, it smells as good as it looks.

I dig in with gusto that half a sandwich I had at lunch was a distant memory, I was hungry, but not just for food.

"Mmm this is delicious I should let you cook more often"

"Does that mean I get my treat later, since I've been a good boy today", I snorted at his attempt at innocence. The puppy dog eyes though….

"Yes, you have been a good boy today, only making an employee shit his pants in front of his peers and glaring heavily at Ron. I'd say that was about as good as it was going to get"

"The bar is set rather low"

"No, I'm just being realistic, you do scare people. You have a scary look especially when you are angry, but it does rather endear me to you when you go primal. Very manly"

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is Mr O'Toole"

He watched me eat like a hawk, he would watch the fork go back into the bowl come up to my mouth and then into my mouth. I was not bothered by it as it was something he tended to do regularly, but I never asked him about it. He still ate but watched me.

Once we were done, he led me back over to the couch with our glasses of wine. He pulled out of his pocket a small box that he then enlarged and handed it to me. I raised my eyebrows I honestly wasn't expecting him to give me anything.

"Sweetheart you didn't expect me to not give you anything did you?", he had a cheeky smile on his face as I blushed in embarrassment.

"Well I didn't want to assume you would" I looked at the box and was a little anxious and a little excited to see what he had decided on.

I pulled at the ribbon sealing the box and watched as the bow came apart. I gingerly lifted one corner, peeked inside and then completely threw the lid off. A new briefcase and matching compendium, the leather was soft and supple, and they had that leather smell I love so much. I then noticed the gold embossed letters that spelled out my name, personalising them. They were beautiful not mention the price tag that came along with these.

"Christian these are wonderful, thank you", I moved the box off my lap on to the floor and crawled over to him and on to his lap. I took the glass of wine out of his hand and leaned over to place it on the coffee table. I couldn't help myself and I just had to have him here and now on this couch. I needed to show him how much I felt for him but couldn't quite express.

I ran my hands up and down his chest, before I finally lent forward and kissed him slowly and deeply. He must have sensed I needed this, because normally he would have taken some form of control. I slipped my hands under his shirt and gently lifted it, only breaking the kiss to completely remove it. I pushed him back on to the sofa, surprising him a little but he still didn't say anything, just watching me seeing what I would do next.

I ran my hands up and down his sides as I kissed down his neck suckling softly every now and then, eliciting small moans from him. It felt nice having someone that was all mine, not a piece of property like ownership, but just someone as my equal- the other half.

I licked at one of his nipples to see if they were just as sensitive and gently bit down. "Mmm", he groaned with his eyes closed and jerked his pelvis, I felt his prominent erection beneath were I was sitting on his lap. I did it again with the other one and got the same response. I resumed kissing and licking down his stomach even his belly button which made him laugh. I shimmied back and pulled his pants and boxer shorts with it. I took a moment to appreciate his form, he was mine…all mine. I spread his legs so I could kneel in between. He was now back watching, I returned to licking his hip bones and teasing the delicate skin with my teeth. He groaned loudly when I slid my hand in between his legs and cupped his scrotum, softly squeezing each testicle. He was breathing faster almost panting, his erection was weeping and the head was red and swollen. He was enjoying this and I must admit I was too. Making him feel like this was heady and addictive.

I bent down skimming my lips along his length curious to see what pleasureful noises I could get him to make, he bucked up involuntarily. Flattening my tongue I dragged it up from the base to the tip slowly, the groan was low and guttural, he shifted sideways trying not to jerk his hips in my face. I did it again, this time taking note of the velvety softness and the warmth of his skin. I took the head into my mouth, and swirled my tongue around the tip, it was silky and salty. He was shivering under my attentions, I could feel his knees quivering next my hips.

I resumed my ministrations enjoying his breathy moans as I took him deeper and deeper into my mouth. I liked the way his fingers curled into the couch cushions.

"Hermione…"

I traced his taut thigh muscles with my fingers while marvelling at how he tasted against my tongue. His moans turned almost painful as he was trying to hold out and made me rub my own thighs together as I could feel my own pulse of need for him growing.

I brought a hand up to stroke him in tandem with my tongue and he felt harder under my touch if that was possible. I looked up to watch his reactions, not just listen to them. His eyes were tightly closed, his brow furrowed, lips parted, and cheeks flushed. I also adored his expression when a wave of pleasure would hit him, and his teeth would catch his bottom lip. He was vulnerable in these moments and he showed weakness, which he hardly dared show anyone. I was privileged. I hummed as I slid my lips down his erection again and twisting my hand. One of his hands snapped to my hair tugging firmly on me to lift my head, I reluctantly complied.

"I'm…going to ..come... if you keep…doing that", his voice was strained, breathless and was struggling. Trying to suck in air to regulate his breathing. He looked so undone and I did that. I shot him a mischievous look. I moved back to slip my clothes off, him watching me with lust heavy eyes. I crawled back over him. Giving his erection one last lick and kissing all the way back up to his mouth and I kissed him so he could taste himself on my tongue and lips. I snaked my hand in between us and gripped his erection, making him groan in restraint. I positioned him at my entrance, rubbing him along my folds coating him in my desire.

"Fuck", he cursed out his hips moving like he isn't quite in control of his body, the primal urges taking over.

I continued rubbing myself over him it felt really good, I loved watching him being on the verge of absolutely shattering. He was gasping for air and then without warning I slid down on him and let out my own lustful moan. He was trembling trying not the come, his eyes were squeezed so tightly that he looked like he was in extreme discomfort. I rested my hands on his chest and undulated my hips, grinding in to him. Then lifting myself up and slamming back down. I found a rhythm, chasing my own orgasm, which wasn't far off. He would jerk his hips up and I changed it up falling in sync with him.

We were both panting heavily, him thrusting in me harder. I let him take complete control as he pounded into me from below. He was hitting the right spot inside of me and suddenly my muscles began tightening around him. My impending orgasm was fast approaching, I could feel it, the coil inside me about to snap.

"Christian", I whined, my body was overloaded and god damn it I needed the release.

"Sweetheart" he gritted out and moved one of his hands down quickly between us to, with surprising tenderness touch that bundle of nerves and I lost it. No sound came from my mouth as I exploded and clenched around him. My brain was passed that and short circuited on release.

All I vaguely heard was a so beautiful and then he stilled, his own blissful release upon him. He pulled me down on him so he could cuddle, he was gracious enough to do a quick scourgify to clean us up and another flick of the wrist to re clothe us. I was content to lay on him all night, although I don't think he was as comfortable as I was. Reluctantly, I sat up so he could and I needed a few minutes in the bathroom to properly clean myself up and brush my teeth. I silently made my way to the bathroom.

I came out later after having a quick shower and now in my pyjamas, to Christian leaning against the wall next to the bathroom.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?", I frowned because nothing was wrong.

"What do you mean? Sorry if I gave you that impression, but I feel great" and I beamed at him as I circled his waist and lightly stroked his back.

"Are you sure? You don't have to do that again if you aren't comfortable with it", I pulled on him to move so we could go back to the sofa.

"I wanted too. I... enjoyed it...watching you come undone like that it was...empowering. So, no I'll do it whenever I want" I said resolutely, no room for arguing. I plopped back down on the couch, patting it for him to sit as well. He did and then I snuggled up to him and conjured a blanket to cover us. The fire was lulling, watching the flames dance and the sound of crackling wood. It may not be real, but I sure did a fine job of making it look and sound realistic.

We cuddled not speaking a comfortable silence filled the room, we didn't need to speak. Both of us lost to our own thoughts. I reflected that it was a nice Valentine's Day, I think the best one I've ever had, and it made me look forward to the next one. Hopefully, in five years or even ten we are still doing this, the day before Valentine's Day our day. Celebrating our...affections for each other. It felt right and I hugged him tighter, burying my face into his chest. He kissed the top of my head in response and it was all I needed as I drifted off to sleep.