Shorts

4. This was home

By Fedski

"Darien? Where do you call home?"

He missed a gait but continued walking alongside her. The sentence lingered in the air. She could till see his gorgeous face all mixed up in fear, pain, happiness, love and shame. She knew the question she asked had irked him. She had not meant it, but when she saw his shoulders hunch and his eyebrows constrict for a second she knew she had seen the old cold stare slowly mask his eyes. She had heard the sharp intake of break and had known that the question had taken him off guard. She had felt his defenses spring up suddenly around his heart. The mask, the skipped step the hunched shoulders, the breathing had all dissipated within seconds, but the tall stone wall around his heart stayed frozen in place, and she died a little knowing that there was some part in his life she apparently wasn't privy to. She felt him shuffle slightly and took it as a sign of awkwardness. She pondered guilting him into confessing his unusual behaviour but decided against it. She was never good at forcing others into divulging secrets however desperate she was to know them. Immediately she turned to him, halting their walk.

"Darien look. You don't have to say anythin-" She was cut off as he pulled her into a warm embrace. Her arms returned the gesture clasping together around his waist. He pulled her deeper into his embrace and she rested her head near his shoulder inhaling the spicy smell of roses. She felt his arms encircle her more fully as if afraid she would disappear at any moment and she sighed in pleasure as he started running his fingers through her long golden hair.

"Serena." He murmured as he kissed her forehead. She responded to the name tilting her head up slightly to catch his eye. On contact she gasped. His majestic blue eyes were glassy, painted with what could soon be tears. She was shocked. Never before had she seen him so open, so expressive, so…vulnerable.

He had always been a rock. The one sturdy thing on the whole entire planet, he never allowed for anger, he never lost his cool and so, it was alarming to see him, the most collected person in the universe dissolve into tears. Her natural instinct to spare him pain kicked in and she began to apologise profusely.

"I'm so sorry Darien. I should have never-" Again she was interrupted but this time by a quick but passionate kiss. As they broke apart Serena remained still with her eyes closed.

That kiss. There had been so many emotions swimming around in it. It was the most delicious cocktail she had ever tasted. There was some worry, and some sadness and a touch of happiness added spice but the best part was the overpowerment and infusion of love. His love for her. She smiled and opened her eyes to see his adorning face beaming at her again. He smiled as she blushed shyly licking her lips.

"Wanna try that again?" He asked cheekily and she swatted him playfully on the arm. He lifted his hand in surrender then dove back in and scooped her up swinging her around like a helicopter, reveling in the gorgeous sight she made. Golden locks flew about them creating a barrier of sunshine between them and the moonlight. Her melodic laughter rang out through the night and his accompanying deep chuckle joined her. As he set her down he collapsed to the ground, unintentionally bringing down his treasure. She gasped and he caught her pulling her onto his chest.

They lay there savoring the moment. Pulling her to him he called her name.

"Serena?" Her face turned up to him in reply. Looking deep in her eyes he knew her answer. "About before…my home?" She tensed hearing the seriousness and will for her to understand in his words. She took a breath and waited. "It's with you."

A/N: Hello! Hey, sorry it's been a while even though I'm on holidays. I've been going through all my HSC stuff (That's like Senior Year crap for you Americans) and found this story.

I had to write it for english, our teacher wanted to see our writing skills for a part in the examination where we get to write creatively. Yadda yadda yadda, boring crap etc.

So i found this and decided to post it up. :)

A big thanks to LillianMarie2 and AREBELLA VIOLETTA for your reviews on the previous chapter! Thank you so much for your support!