They both leaned in slowly until she felt his lips pressed against hers, closing her eyes to better feel how soft and supple they were. She savored them but not for too long, remembering the first time she'd let herself become too caught up in the moment. She began to pull away, but Astarion held her there, circling his arm around her.
"You don't need to retreat. Not tonight. In fact, not ever."
He made a point by letting his hand slide down her back and touch the exposed skin where her shirt had lifted.
"I've made you wait long enough. I greatly appreciate how considerate you've been of my boundaries, but I think a night of passion is in order. We're finally together again and I don't wish to hold back any longer."
"If, you're sure."
"I'm positive."
She blushed and leaned in closer to nuzzle against his neck, speaking her next words more quietly. "Before that. I wanted to say, I haven't done this sort of thing much. My experience may be lacking..."
He raised a brow, adjusting so that he could see her face. Was she self-conscious of how vastly different their experience was or silently comparing herself to others? She may have been blessed by divinity, but she was capable of feeling the same insecurities as any normal woman.
"Look at me, Orianna."
She shifted back to gaze at him sheepishly.
"I have bedded hundreds of people, half of them I barely remember. Most of them didn't even grant me temporary bliss..."
He caressed her face, thumb stroking her cheek.
"You're the first person I've chosen for myself. Someone I want to be with, whom I want to get lost in. We aren't just having sex. I planned to make love to you. Thoroughly. Deeply."
That last word sent shivers up her spine. They had been teasing the idea of intimacy but never took things too far, merely sharing in friendly affection. So, to go from dipping their toes in the water to jumping headfirst into this ocean of possibility was exciting and nerve-wracking.
"I'm in your care."
(Explicit Content Removed. Full version available on "Archive of Our Own, Moth to a Flame by Ringo101")
"You were amazing." She sounded breathless, wrapping her legs tightly around him, not yet wanting to be separated.
He laughed huskily and shook his head. "You stole the words right out of my mouth."
Astarion nuzzled his face against hers with satisfaction. He affectionately kissed her brow, ears and cheeks, any place he could reach before ending on her lips. His eyes were searching hers, but they weren't looking for anything in particular. He simply couldn't stop looking at her.
"What is it?" She gazed into his deep red eyes lovingly, tracing a finger along his cheekbone.
"I'm so happy. Probably the happiest I've ever been."
With little warning Orianna's vision became blurry, tears clouding her vision. She asked herself, why of all times was she crying now? However, she knew it was because her walls had crumbled to dust somewhere in the middle of their entanglement. She had kept up this tough persona for so long, only ever shedding tears alone when the urge would strike. Now she felt safe enough to be vulnerable. All the tension in her body was released in the form of crying laughter. To feel true love and happiness after decades of loneliness.
Astarion didn't ask what was wrong. He didn't need to. He could sense what she felt easily enough for he felt something similar. He simply kissed her salty tears away and joined in her laughter. All of the events of the past had somehow brought them together, and he wouldn't have changed a thing.