"Merry Christmas."
"Mmm..."
Hermione smiled from her place on Severus' chest, her voice whispered so that it wouldn't break the haze of morning too abruptly. They'd returned home after Hermione had inadvertently drunk some of the twins spiked punch and well after she'd landed her own. Mrs. Weasley had been beside herself with anger at her son for breaking her trust and coming to the party. He had been sent back to the ward immediately, unable to even spend Christmas day with his family. Ginny had captured her long enough to try and get the full story about her relationship with Severus but Hermione had only told her that it was something the both of them were exploring. Nonetheless Ginny had been exceptionally giggly about the entire affair.
All in all, it hadn't been a bad night. Severus had put bruise salve on her hand when they'd returned home as her hand was, at that time, becoming stiffer; it hadn't been broken thankfully but Ron's skull was as thick as they all believed it to be. They'd gone to bed shortly after, quickly divesting themselves of their clothes for their pajamas before climbing into bed merely enjoy the others company.
Now it was Christmas morn, a day for love and family. Hermione had no other plans than to spend it with Severus, preferably with as much skin contact as possible. She shifted a bit more lowering her head down to kiss her way up from his sternum to his lips. The action rewarded her with a sleepy groan that made her blush.
"What're you doing?" His words were mumbled, so unlike his normal punctuated tone and he raised a brow then his head, opening his eyes just enough to see the top of her head.
"Saying good morning." Hermione grinned placing a kiss on the corner of his mouth.
"In what language?" His words came out in a heavy exhale but his lips did curl a bit and his hand did come up to rub her back.
"Love." Hermione hadn't hesitated for a second, but her brain did finally catch up with her mouth a few heartbeats later. When it did she found herself frozen in place looking into the dark mysterious eyes that had fully opened.
Severus' brain sparked like oxygen being quickly added to a fire and he found himself reaching down to push himself up into a seated position. Hermione pulled back to allow him to move, coming to rest on her knees beside him. She looked just as apprehensive as he felt and he wasn't sure which way to possibly go. No one had ever used that word in any capacity in his presence before, not the way it had come from her lips.
Hermione felt her entire body growing warmer and warmer, she wanted to say it, she needed to say it but fear in his eyes stayed her tongue. She too didn't know the proper course to take either. She had said it genuinely with all her heart. She did love him but the fear of his rejection worried her. She knew what kind of man he was, what he had been through. She didn't expect lavishing adoration, she didn't want that, didn't need that, but she did need to know if he felt the same, even just a little bit.
Severus' brow furrowed as he tried to sort through her mental monologue and what was his own. Deep down, he too feared what she was feeling now. The fear that what they were doing wasn't going to last, that it was just a small reprieve in an otherwise depressing existence. "Love..."
"Yes..." Hermione licked her bottom lip slowly and she reached out placing her palm flat over his heart, so many emotions flash through his eyes. She had to be brave, it was in her nature, "I-."
A sharp knock downstairs startled the both of them and rather abruptly broke any possible moment that had been shared between them. Hermione turned her head slowly, her brow furrowed in confusion; who could be knocking at their door this early? She didn't need to voice her concern as Severus was up and armed with his wand within a few seconds. She had been sure she had been just about to say something that was sure to change their entire relationship, though she wasn't completely sure as to which direction it would be.
Hermione slipped out of bed to follow after him, grabbing her housecoat in the process while the man continued downstairs without even a thought. Hermione struggled to get her sore hand through the sleeve just as she managed to get to the bottom landing without tripping and maiming herself; it had only occurred to her as he was about to open the door that she'd left her wand upstairs. She was just about to go back for it when Severus had pulled the door open.
"Oh my, you really do know how to get an old woman's heart beating."
"Mrs. Walton..." Severus lowered his wand with a heavy breath, his shoulders relaxing and his wand coming down to hang by his side. The sun that hit his snowlike chest making him narrow his eyes to his own brightness. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Oh well, I was just making my rounds, Merry Christmas Severus and oh, your lady friend too, Hermione wasn't it?"
Hermione gave a nervous and extremely embarrassed wave from the middle of the hallway where she stood, her arm wrapping tighter around her housecoat. No doubt the both of them looked a right mess. Possibly even guilty of an act neither one of them had even attempted since living together.
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Walton." Hermione came closer looking at the basket that was being offered to Severus.
"Merry Christmas, dear." The elderly woman gave a small wink to Severus when he took the basket filled with freshly baked cookies before turning down the walk to toddle on to her next house. Severus just stood there dumbly for a moment before he felt Hermione's cheek pressing against his arm.
"If you keep standing there like that the sun is liable to get jealous." Hermione slipped her hand into the basket pulling out a beautifully decorated sugar cookie before taking a small bite. Her humor dissolved any previous tension between them and his glare at her remark only made her smirk wider around her cookie.
Severus rolled his eyes and closed the door a little heavier than intended but it wasn't out of anger, just carelessness. He heard Hermione giggle when she turned the corner into the kitchen and he shook his head looking down into the basket, "That is not a proper breakfast."
"Then you better get in here and stop me from messing up your kitchen then hmm?"
Severus snorted and shook his head turning to follow after her, his lack of clothes not even catching his attention until the cool air of the downstairs started to raise goosebumps on his chest. "Don't you dare touch a thing."
Hermione turned when he came into the kitchen, leaning back against the counter to take another bite from the cookie in her hand, a small smirk of her own on her lips as she watched him set the basket down on the table, "You might have to stop me, this cookie would be absolutely wonderful with some tea."
She made to reach back for the kettle a giggle bubbling up her throat as he closed the distance between them in a few long strides, his arms were around her in the next moment. Hermione giggled as she playfully wrestled in his hold. They'd played this game twice before, each time ending in Hermione being picked up and deposited in the living room with a deep long breath-stealing kiss. He never touched her harshly, just playfully and she absolutely loved it.
"Must you play this game?" Severus grumbled with a smirk, pulling her close, holding her by her lower back to pull her away from the counter and into his chest, a few crumbs from the cookie in her trapped hand falling against his skin.
"But it's my favorite." Hermione licked the crumbs from the corner of her lips before leaning her head back to offer him a kiss, "By the way, you should walk around without your shirt more often you-"
He cut her off with a soft kiss tasting the sugar on her lips before pulling back to spin her out of his kitchen and into the living room. Her giggle was like the sound of small bells jingling in the wind and it was possibly the most pleasant thing he'd ever heard in all his years. He smirked when she tried to hold onto his arm and lowered his head down to kiss her neck, a sure fire way to make her release him.
"Ah! Now you're not playing fair!" Hermione let her head fall completely back letting out a deep pleasured sigh; even as he continued to walk her back, she knew her balance was safe in his arms. She felt the back of the couch against her knees and finally released his arms so that he could get on with whatever he had been planning. She fell back into the cushions watching the muscles in his back flex as he walked back into the kitchen. It was a wonderful view.
Severus ran a hand through his sleep-tousled hair and carefully set his wand on the window ledge above the sink. His mind was still trying to catch up to everything he'd just experienced and everything he'd done. It had felt so natural to play with her, to feel her pulse beneath his lips. His mind turned back to what she had been just about to say when his heart leapt just a little bit. He'd done it so casually like it was scripted. He hadn't checked with her beforehand, he hadn't delved into her mind to make sure what he was doing was acceptable.
Of course, he couldn't deny her reaction to it, the heat of her breath against his ear and the way she'd melted into his hold. She'd enjoyed it, yes, but he still felt as though he'd lost control of himself. It wasn't the first time he'd kissed her neck but it had always been after she'd offered herself to him. Never had he gone in for it on his own. What was he doing? What had happened to him?
"Do you want an apron?" Hermione had returned to stand in the doorway, though she kept her feet off of the tile so that she could claim that she wasn't actually in the kitchen if the argument arose. She could tell he'd gone to his dark place again with the force in which he'd pulled the skillet from the cupboard.
"No, thank you."
"Severus."
"Yes?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing...I just...got carried away..." He kept his back to her but he could feel her eyes on him. A sneer crawled its way over his face but he tried to keep it hidden behind his hair.
"Carried away with what? The kiss?" Hermione put her hand to her neck that was still tingling. When he didn't answer her, a frown formed on her lips and she came into the kitchen; the happiness from their little game going out. She approached him without fear, grabbing hold of his bicep to turn him so that he would face her properly, "Severus look at me."
Severus turned to her handling but didn't raise his eyes from the skillet he was about to set on the burner, his entire body tense like a wound spring.
"Look. At. Me." Hermione gave his arm a little shake, her tone growing harder. When he lifted his head like a scolded child she felt a bit guilty for taking the tone with him, but he was grown man, a proper tongue lashing was the least of the trials he'd faced. "Don't turn sour on me, and don't let the little voices in your head tell you something that isn't true. I adore your touch, everything thing you do, you've never hurt me. I know you never will."
Hermione released his arm letting her arm fall back to her side, "I mean it. You're far too grown to let those fears take you under. Trust me, I will tell you if you've gone too far, until then, just...stop second guessing everything you do with me...I'm not made of glass, and I think I proved that very much last night." Hermione held up her bruised hand for him to see, accenting her point very clearly. "Now, give me another kiss or I'm going to just keep talking."
Hermione wrapped her arm around his neck but didn't pull him down, rather she waited for her words to sink in; when they did she accepted his kiss with a small hum. She let her hands run down his waist and gave him a tight hug before pulling back to lick the taste of him from her bottom lip, "I mean it."
"I understand." Severus pressed another kiss to the top of her forehead closing his eyes for a moment to let her words fully take hold in his mind, "Now get out of my kitchen."
"Yes, sir." Hermione giggled and pulled back taking another cookie with her on her way out, though instead of going into the living room she made for the stairs to get dressed for the day. She knew what she said was straight from her heart, and thus would take some time for him to really think about alone. She didn't mind that he needed to be alone to think only that he would think about it. She meant every word of it, she loved him and she was sure, she was ready for more. She just had to find the right moment to tell him but first, she had to make sure he wasn't afraid of touching her.
oOo
"Severus?"
"Mmm?"
Hermione came to stand between his knees holding a small box in her hand, "I know you're not really the gift receiving type...but I wanted to give you something... it's our first Christmas together and...I know the holiday doesn't really mean much to you but..."
Severus raised his hand to end her rambling before setting his book aside to give her his full attention, "I can learn to enjoy this, I know it's a special day for you. You'll just have to forgive me while I'm still learning." Breakfast had been a pleasant banter filled affair with small jokes and light kicks from beneath the table. Hermione had threatened to drag him out into the snow if he didn't stop brooding and he fully believed her. He'd retreated to the living room when she'd disappeared upstairs after finishing her breakfast.
"I don't think that will be a problem." She gave him a soft smile before offering out the box, "I hope you like it."
Severus took the box into his hand before reaching out to pull Hermione to sit beside him. He offered her a smile before pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "I already do."
Hermione smiled and nuzzled into his side wrapping her arm around his waist and curled her legs up onto the couch. "I'm sure you'll like it more when you open it then."
Severus snorted softly but pulled the string with his free hand. When he finally managed to get the lid free his eyes widened with confusion, "How did you...?" His fingers wrapped around the old leather sitting inside the box. They were his tools, his potions tools. The tools he'd been able to keep with him ever since he'd finished his mastery. They were old and some were nearly impossible to replace.
"I happen to have a sort of friendship with the current Headmaster of Hogwarts." Hermione kept her cheek light but couldn't help but feel a little proud of herself for having gotten him exactly what he'd wanted. Though it wasn't something new, it was something that was his. Something that she was sure he was missing after all this time. "I've also arranged to have your Alchemist's cabinet brought here...though it'd probably be a bit easier if I knew what wards you'd used to keep it in place."
"I'll teach you..." Severus was still in awe that she'd managed to recover his tools, he pulled his arm from around her shoulders to pull the leather strap holding the tools wrapped safely in place. As the toolkit rolled out over his lap he couldn't help but feel as though a piece of him had come home. A man was a not a man without his tools. He'd made potions of course, but with a proper toolset, there would be nothing he couldn't do.
Hermione smiled more, tucking some of his hair behind his ear to just enjoy the hidden happiness curling at the corner of his eyes, "I'm glad you like it." She rested her head down on his shoulder just letting him have his moment with his long-lost tools.
"Thank you..." Severus turned his head, reaching up to lift her chin, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips before placing another on the center of her forehead. He placed the tools on the table in front of him turning to pull her tight into his side.
Hermione smiled into his chest holding him close, the words she'd almost uttered upstairs coming to the tip of her tongue, "I love you, Severus."
Hermione felt his hold tighten but didn't have the courage to open her eyes just yet. She could actually hear his heart growing faster in her ear. She stayed as she was, her mind racing through so many things. So lost was she in her own mind that she barely felt the first tear roll down her cheek. When the second fell on her eyelash, however, she realized it wasn't she, who was crying. Her heart jumped into her throat when another tear left a hot trail down her jaw and she found herself opening her eyes to look into the face of the man she'd just confessed to.
Severus' face was stuck somewhere between fear, confusion, and adoration. Hermione was sure he wasn't even aware of the tears that had fallen from his left eye. No, his focus was somewhere far away. She could almost hear the gears in his mind turning, clicking, locking into place. When the fourth tear landed on her cheek she had to act, she had to bring him home, safe and in her arms.
"Severus..." Hermione whispered his name, releasing his waist so that she could be eye level with him. To her great surprise, his hands shifted to cradle her head, holding her where she needed to be to see into his eyes.
Severus traced his thumb lightly over her cheeks, tracing her features with the skill of well-worked hands. He searched her heart for lies but found only truth. His jaw flexed for a moment as though he made to speak before his lips parted ever just so, his face turned helpless then, lost completely at sea with the emotions filling his eyes.
Hermione smiled gently thumbing away one of the tears that dared to bubble up under his lashes, "Show me..." Her eyes never left him and she felt everything he did at that moment. It was overpowering, painful, yet beautiful all the same. Her nose lightly ran against his and his breath mixed with hers as though his very soul passed from his body into hers. She knew words were like his bond, but she didn't need to hear him say it, she could feel it, all the way down into her core.
The light that exploded in front of their eyes was nothing compared to the feeling of their hearts reaching out and taking hold of the other. Severus pulled Hermione closer, a simple kiss igniting a passion neither one of them could control. Hermione took the tools place on his lap pressing her knees tightly to his hips, months of restraint fell away as she let her body just do what it was meant to do.
"Severus..." Her breath ghosted into his ear as he traced the path of her once damaged throat, the fine hair-like scar tingling under his lips. She didn't know what she wanted, only that she wanted more. A deep moan-like hum was her response and she arched back when his hands slipped under her sweater to run up her back.
"Please... don't stop..." Hermione could hardly control her own thoughts, his hands felt like fire burning their way up and around her sides. His thumb lightly grazed the bottom of her brassiere and she gasped arching further. Her hands decided to move then, coming down from his shoulders to the small place between them as she struggled to release the buttons on the shirt she'd brought down for him.
"Wait..." His voice sounded strained when he spoke, his hands lowering down to her hips. The look of her face, flushed and needing of his touch made his heart skip, "Not here...the bed..."
Hermione couldn't have cared if they were on the moon. She'd finally confessed her true feelings and he, in turn, had shown her his. There was nothing to stand in the way of their relationship now. She wanted this, needed this more than anything she ever thought she would.
Severus wrapped her closer as the smoke telling of his apparation engulfed them both. He heard Hermione squeak just a little in his ear as her body went a bit weightless for a few seconds before she was settled back down in his lap inside the safety of their bedroom. They appeared just as they had been, though now their bed was beneath them.
"You have to teach me how to do that." Hermione giggled into his smirk, running her nails through his hair just the way he liked. She'd learned that he was very similar to her in that he absolutely loved his hair being played with. It had taken some time but eventually, she'd been able to get him to let her touch it.
"Now?"
"Mm-mm, later," Hermione smirked at the astonished tone he'd taken as if she were really going to stop now. She kissed his jaw and lightly scratched the back of his head pulling out the moan that had stuck in the back of his throat. It was so deep, so rich, like dark chocolate melting with caramel. It made her shiver.
Severus could feel every band of restraint snapping away with each new discovery her lips made on his neck. Her own skilled hands had started their way down on his buttons and for once, he was glad it was the only layer that stood between them.
His hands weren't idle either, slowly exploring flesh he'd touched before, only to feel as though it was different, softer, warmer. His fingers traced the well-worn path his fingers often took to ease her into sleep before they came up against something that was never present during their nighttime ritual.
Hermione took a deep shuddering breath as he leaned forward capturing her lips in a kiss that portrayed so much more than either of them could handle. Hermione breathed heavily through her nose as her hands came up to thread through his hair tangling in the back to pull him closer. A small tingle and the feeling of a pressure releasing told her that he'd found and aptly disposed of her bra and she couldn't help but moan when his fingers delicately teased the released flesh.
The next moment felt like a dream. She fell back into his arms, her legs shifting out from under her to rest on either side of his hips. Her need for air was a distant memory as she tilted her head, the taste of him on her tongue sent fire burning all the way to the tips of her toes and she couldn't stop the moan that bubbled up through the back of her throat. One hand left his hair to claw at his shoulders pulling him closer, when she felt the weight and heat of his chest against her own so completely she felt as though she were spiraling down a deep well, never to be seen again. When his hips joined the rest of him, she could hardly think to breathe anymore, her body had taken complete control, lifting her own to meet his.
Severus could barely control the deep moan that passed his lips when her hips rose, still, he kept himself in control, shifting his knee to support most of his weight. His hands that had wrapped behind her pulled back just enough to aid him and he felt rather than heard the most beautiful whine he'd ever heard. His own head felt incredibly light and he knew he'd have to take a proper breath soon however, when her taste exploded against his tongue wiping out all logical thought.
His hands sought hers as he laid her down, pulling her exploring fingers from beneath his shirt to entwine her fingers in his. This was her first time, he knew, he wanted to make sure it was as magical as it could possibly be, he didn't want her to see straight for days. His lips caught hers only to stifle her protests before he lowered his head back down.
A whispered spell parted the sweater out of his way as he went down. He could feel her heart beating through her skin and nearly hear it in his ears when his lips ghosted their way down her sternum. Her hands popped the joint in his hand when he used his nose to push the sweater off the swell of her chest, his breath raising the flesh beneath. He didn't need to open his eyes when he captured her in his lips to hear the slur of curses passing her lips, her face twisting in pleasure.
Her hands left their fruitless endeavor to push his shirt from his shoulders to tangle in his hair. When he tested just how sensitive she was with his teeth he was sure he lost a few hairs from her hands curling tight when he added his tongue he knew he was going to have a headache from her grip, but he didn't care, so long as she was enjoying everything he could offer her.
Hermione was sure she'd left Earth. Her entire world was dark, unable to open her eyes as her body flooded with new sensations. Like a drug, she was completely swept under and he hadn't even taken off her clothes yet. She could hardly believe this was what she had been missing. She now had an entirely new understanding as to why Ginny and Harry couldn't control themselves. She never wanted this to end.
When his head shifted to the side he'd neglected she had to release his head for fear of making him bald. Her hands went over her head curling tightly into the pillow beneath. She managed to lift her head and open her eyes long enough to catch his dark head going back down. She didn't resist her body's command to arch nor when her legs opened wider raising her hips. The heat of his stomach pulsed straight through her core and she wondered if he felt as amazing as she did in that instant.
As if sensing her thoughts he released a deep body trembling moan, his hands running down to push the sweater further apart. His chest met with her bare skin and a sharp spark of raw energy ran between them. Severus raised his head then, flushed with eyes so dilated the gold that usually flecked the bottom was nearly gone.
He came up, hovering over her on his forearms to let her catch her breath and to catch his own. Her skin tasted like nothing he'd ever had the pleasure of knowing, pure ambrosia, "Hermione...?"
"Yes...?" Her eyes fluttered open, slightly unfocused and as dark as his own.
"Are you sure...?" He pulled a bit of hair trapped between her parted lips before running his thumb over her flushed cheek.
"Please...Severus...I want...I want to feel you... completely...Can...can I touch you, please? I want...I want to..."
"Always..." Severus leaned down running his lips over the scar that was meant to keep them apart, now a distant memory of the trials she had suffered to be in his arms. His chest flexed reflexively when her fingernails lightly grazed over the fine hairs on his chest. He shifted just a little more, holding himself up on his hands to let her explore conquered territory.
"You're so handsome..." Hermione whispered her own small spell, removing his shirt with barely a thought. The light that shined in from the window cast deep shadows over ever ridge of muscle creating dark valley's. If she had her way he'd never wear a shirt again. Then again, it was such a treat to remove it from his person.
"Not as much as you are beautiful..." The smile that split her face made his heart shine and he took a slow breath when her hands ran up his scar ribbed sides.
"Does it hurt?"
"No..."
"Good." Hermione shifted her legs pushing on his inner thigh for him to roll over. As much as she enjoyed her view she wanted more. She smiled innocently to his raised brow and waited for him to do as she'd asked. When he shifted onto his side she gave his shoulder a small push, putting him onto his back. She wasted little time crawling over him settling her weight just over her hips.
The sight of him laid out before her was just as pleasurable as his view of her had been. A small roll of her shoulders removed the sweater to fall somewhere lost to the floor. Her stomach twitched as the warmth of the sun bathed her bare skin. It was the first time she was exposed so completely to him, at least in her right mind. Her chest fluttered with a small fear that he may not like what he saw.
"Perfection is no where close to where you stand." His eyes caught hers as he spoke, wanting her to know that she was the very essence of beauty. His long fingers trailed up her arms that rested just to his sides and he gave her the smallest of pulls. Like she, he wanted to feel her skin against his own. Feel her heart beat in time with his own.
Hermione blushed straight down to her chest and she leaned forward to his kind guidance. His hands abandoned her arms to thread through her curls and she let out a heavy sigh of pure bliss when their skin finally touched. Revigorated, her head tilted down to explore this glorious new feeling. Her hands ran over his sides while her tongue took hold of something he certainly wasn't prepared for. The small grunt and light jolt of his hips told her so but she didn't relent, she did however open one eye to watch his face contort while her lips and tongue tried to mimic what he'd done to her.
Severus pressed his head back into the pillow, his hands leaving her hair to run down her shoulders, as much as he tried to contain himself the pulse between his legs was growing in strength, clouding his mind of all thoughts but the woman in his arms. He wanted to show her there was more, so much more. When she made to go lower he held his breath, her stomach pressing down to something that made even the strongest man weak. Her name passed his lips as a deep moan and he suddenly felt her slim fingers beneath the waist of his pants.
"Ah...Stop..." Severus panted heavily, pulling his hands down to take her arms, the look of confusion on her face twisting his heart, he offered her a crooked grin before closing his eyes to catch his breath, "Not yet..."
Hermione would have laughed if she had a mind too, as it was she only wanted to see more of him, all of him. She didn't resist when he pulled her back up nor when he laid her on her back. Her brow twitched a little when he put his finger to his lips before leaning over her to lock her in a mind-numbing kiss.
A wave of his hand removed all layers between her and him, the rush of cool air making her gasp and press her legs tight together. When his hand came to rest on her stomach she quivered with the fear of the unknown. Fingertips ran over her inner thigh and her body's response betrayed her shyness. When those same skilled fingers grazed lightly over her core she couldn't remember to breathe.
"Severus..." His name rolled into a deep eye rolling moan as his fingers found something she never knew existed. Her body rose on its own when a wave of pleasure shook her frame, "Severus...ah...what...? Oh..."
Severus watched her through lidded eyes before slow shifting himself down the bed. He kissed his way down the valley of her chest, over the fluttering plain of her stomach until finally, he placed the softest of kisses just above his working thumb. He paused, just long enough for her to tell him to stop, but her mouth never uttered a single syllable of resistance.
Hermione's eyes shot open to a world of bright colors no human eye could ever possibly perceive, hot, she felt hot. Her entire body rolled with the rhythm in which his tongue moved, completely out of her control. Seconds or minutes passed, she couldn't be sure before a starburst of pleasure rocked her core. His name left her lips with such power that sure the entire world could hear her even though her voice barely rose over her panting breaths.
When his face came back into focus and her body finally came back down to earth she felt an energy rising inside her. She wanted him to feel what she'd just felt, she needed him to feel the same power. Her mouth moved but no sound came forth so she moved her hands as best she could to pull him closer. She wanted to become one with him, wanted him to see what she had seen.
Severus moved to her request, coming up between her knees. When her eyes finally focused on his own, there was no question of what she wanted. A short kiss between her panting breaths allowed him the time to adjust and a small spell to both protect them and ease any discomfort passed his lips before he took her hands in his pressing them gently beside her head.
The moment their bodies became one, Severus felt himself falling just as she had. A world of color and emotion so powerful he knew nothing else but the love between them. His natural gift and their own hearts beating in time encasing him in a world that was completely of its own. He'd never felt something so powerful in all his life as he did his love for her and her love for him. It transcended all barriers, all shields, everything was laid bare in that one moment.
His hands left hers to hold her closer, her name whispering past his lips into her ear rising their power to new heights. When their release grew to its peek neither one of them existed outside of the other. It was a bright new world and they would never be apart again.