Absence makes the heart grow fonder...
Hearth
“It’s late” she whispered as she peered slightly over the chair. He was sound asleep, seemingly. “Valen?” she was very quiet. “Valen, wake up…”
She really didn’t want to rouse him. He had a long and arduous journey home to her, and although they had been apart for many years she didn’t want him to exert himself any longer. He was finally home and she was here to take care of him.
She moved in front of the chair his breathing muted, the blaze from the hearth was so pleasing that her bare feet felt snug under the sheepskin. She tucked a few wisps of his incredibly long crimson hair from his face and internally considered to leave him where he was comfortable, yet she knew his weary body would appreciate the bed in the next room more.
His eyes opened slightly and even though he could scarcely envisage her entire face, save from the glow of the fire, the mere vision of her fetched a smile to his lips. “Did I sleep long?” he said gently stretching.
She smiled and knelt by his feet looking up in to his face, “Just a little bit.” She patted his leg standing up holding out her hand, “Come to bed where it’s more comfortable.”
He placed his hand into hers but instead of accepting her help to stand he pulled her down into his lap. “Stay here with me. The fire is warm and I have missed you.”
She chuckled and pressed her lips into his neck. He smelt of sweat and earth which reminded her of the surrounding fields. His hold was light and his skin was so warm to the touch. He seemed like a dream. He felt so good and she didn’t want to leave his embrace. She sighed then, “Oh how I have missed you.”
He drew her out gazing into her eyes. There he realised the heartache and loneliness that she had endured since their parting. He suffered the same, leaving her was the hardest thing he had to do, but it was necessary.
His fingers traced her face his thumb caressing her bottom lip. His eyes followed his movements down to her mouth her breathed catching. “I have dreamt about this for so long, it almost doesn’t feel real.” He peered back up into her eyes, “Are you a dream?” he uttered sombrely.
She grasped his hand and tugged him closer to her lips. Her mouth was hot and although her initial touch was chaste, the absence they had sustained intensified their kiss. Her grip tensed, his arm snaking around her waist enclosing their bodies tighter together.
It was as if some part of them that had been lost was now restored. They were finally complete.
They broke free breathlessly laughing as their temples touched. “I am here Valen,” she breathed as she brushed her lips against his once more, “I am right here.”
neverwinter