The Twilight Twenty-Five
Prompt: Comfort
Pen name: Cass189
Pairing: Edward/Bella
Rating: M

Definition of Comfort:

1. To soothe in time of affliction or distress.

2. To ease physically; relieve.

3. A condition or feeling of pleasurable ease, well-being, and contentment.

4. Solace in time of grief or fear.

BPOV

When in need, people found the most varied forms of being comforted. When loneliness hit them, the sadness and reality were just too much to handle and people sought comfort in what they could, what they sometimes knew, opting to hold on to what was available to them.

Some people found comfort in music or in books that lead them to a different world where everything was better, where happiness was possible.

Others found that comfort in destructive addictions. Alcohol, illicit drugs, random sex with strangers…

When it came to me, I knew I could always find that much needed comfort in his awaiting arms. His kisses, his caresses and warm embrace were certainly addictive as well, but they weren't destructive. On the contrary, his affection was the only thing that was able to keep me going, to make me smile when everything was too much, when my day-to-day life was unbearable and I just wanted to disappear forever.

And that was why, time after time, I kept on coming back to him. I kept on running into his arms and welcoming the security and the protection he provided me with.

When we were together, he would often say I was a wild and free spirit and that he would never be able to hold me down, no matter how much he wanted to, because I would always end up leaving. He said that as easily as I came to him, I left.

It was true. I always did leave, but what he didn't know was that I wanted to stay. I had already made my mind, came to a decision, and I wanted to stay and change everything.

We had long ago crossed the 'just friends' line, so why not give our relationship a real try? I was always so afraid, that I never let him hold me down. Afraid I wasn't good enough. Afraid I wouldn't know how to love him properly. Afraid I would end up hurting him, damaging him.

But now, I found myself in a position where I wanted, needed even, more than only a night of comfort every now and then. I needed to fall asleep and wake up in his arms every day.

The rain soaked my clothes and made me shiver as I walked to his apartment, but I didn't care. I just needed to be with him, hear him tell me that everything would be alright.

I needed to tell him I wanted him. I needed him to make me forget the horrible day full with distractions at work, discussions with my father and unwanted attention from a certain someone.

I climbed the stairs to his apartment and knocked twice on the door, knowing he was probably in bed at this time.

I didn't have to wait long until he opened the door, though; smiling down at me and then frowning once he noticed I was completely wet.

I didn't care about that, though. He was wearing only a white t-shirt and his boxers and he looked amazing. He made my mouth water.

"Bella, you're soaking wet." He pulled me inside the apartment with him and closed the door behind us. "Why are you so wet? Did you walk all the way over here in the rain?"

I moved a little so I was looking directly at him and raised my hand so I could brush the hair away from his face.

"I wanted to be with you." His frown softened a little at my confession and he smiled while leaning in to lightly kiss my mouth, his hands brushing the damp hair away.

"You should have called me and I would have gone to meet you." I shrugged and welcomed another one of his kisses that warmed my whole body, making me feel instantly better. "Let's get you out of those clothes before you get sick."

He took my hand in his and led me to his bathroom where he took my clothes off and wrapped a big towel around me.

I leaned into his embrace when he did so and buried my face on his neck while his arms surrounded me. He was so warm and smelled so good; it was almost as if all my worries had vanished.

He caressed my arms and kissed the top of my head as I wrapped my arm around his neck and played with his soft hair.

"I'll fill the bathtub and run you a bath, yes?"

"There's no need. I'm warm already and feeling much better now that I am here with you."

"I know, but I really don't want you to get sick. Come on." He let go of me and started to run me a bath as I stood there looking at him.

"Will you join me?"

"No, this bath is intended for you only. But I will be here giving you a lot of kisses and maybe even a massage." I smiled up at him and moved so I could kiss his covered chest before he unwrapped the towel from around me and helped me in the bathtub.

As I sat down and leaned back, the warm water covered my body, making me moan in pleasure and relaxing every single one of my muscles. Edward was right, this was a good idea.

He knelt down beside the bathtub and moved one of his hands to the back of my neck, massaging it just like he had promised.

"Did you have a bad day?" I nodded as Edward's other hand spread the soap and the bubbles along my legs, my stomach and my breasts. It felt so good to have him touching me. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. It doesn't matter anymore." I turned my head to the side and sighed when he leaned in, brushing our lips together. "I missed you, though."

"I missed you, too. I'm glad you came around." I smiled and kissed him again.

It was always like this. I had to be the one to come around to him. He would never do it because he never knew if I wanted to be with him or not. I was always the one deciding when and if we met each other, but the truth was that now, I wanted him to come around to me. I wanted to be with him. I always did…

"Edward, I want to stay here with you."

"And you can, love. I'm actually not letting you go out in the rain and…" I cut him short my shaking my head.

"That's not what I meant. I want to stay, with you." I looked straight at him, willing him to understand what I meant and he did.

"You do?" I nodded.

"Yes, I do. When I'm with you, I feel so good! You comfort me, give me strength, make me feel safe and loved… I feel like I can only be myself when I'm with you. You make me happy and I don't want to lose you, but I don't want to hurt you either." There, I had said it. He finally knew how I felt now.

I could only wait for his answer, his decision, now.

He was silent for what seemed like an eternity before finally speaking. My heart had broken into an accelerated run while I waited to hear what he had to say.

What if he didn't want anything permanent with me?

"You truly want to stay with me? No changing your mind at the first difficulty we encounter or running away?"

"No. I want to be with you."

"Then you can never hurt me. The only way you can do that is by leaving, you should know that already."

"Does that mean you want me to stay with you?" He surprised me by actually laughing.

"Yes, you silly girl, I want you to stay. I love you, so how can I not?" My heart swelled and I felt myself being immersed by an overwhelming sense of belonging and happiness as the realization that I loved him hit me.

"I love you, too." He didn't allow me to say anything else. He simply leaned in and involved me in a breathtaking kiss that shook all of my being.

I lost track of how long we stayed there, kissing and caressing until he took my hand in his and lead me out of the bathtub, wrapping the towel around me again and drying every inch of my skin amidst peppering my body with light kisses.

Once I was dry, we walked to his bedroom where I lazily took his clothes off while kissing every inch of skin that was revealed to me.

We made love throughout the night over and over again until our bodies became limp and we could only cuddle together.

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him so his chest was pressed to my back and I sighed in contentment.

"This truly is happening. You are really here with me. It's not just one more dream like so many others I use to have with you."

"You dream with me?" I felt him nod behind me and then kiss my shoulder. "What are those dreams about?"

"Usually, I just dream that we are together and that you're not leaving." I smiled a little.

"It's funny. I usually dream with that, as well… and I'm not leaving this time. Not unless you want me to." His arms tightened around me and he kissed my shoulder once more.

"Never." I smiled, widely this time. Yes, this was the most amazing form of comfort and I would have it every day from now on.