Always Running
Challenge Eighteen: March Madness Redux
Title: Always Running
Author: delayed_poet
Wizard/Witch: Roger Davies/Patricia Stimpson
Rating/Warnings: PG 13/R
Genre: Romance/Passion
Word count: Exactly 500
Prompt: #14 Spring Thunderstorm
Summary: She could only give him her body for so long before he also had her heart. Even though she knows he will leave, even though she knows he will break it, she is powerless to take it back.
The rain poured down in heavy torrents around the couple. She clung to him desperately, grasping at this last chance to be together. She knew that if she let go now, it would be the end - the end of everything that could be between them.
She couldn't bear to think about it.
Pushing all thoughts of what would come after from her mind, Tricia moved her body with his. Their joining was as fierce and violent as the wind around them, as the vicious sound of thunder that quickly followed the dazzling flash of lightening.
When they had finished, they lay side by side, oblivious to the rain pounding against their heated skin. She watched him stand, watched how he carefully avoided looking at her, and her heart felt as though it was being ripped to shreds.
He opened his mouth as though to speak, but she stopped him. She knew what he would say. She knew he was about to run from what they could have.
"Please, don't." Her voice cracked, and she closed her eyes against the tears. The sound of Apparition resonated unnaturally loud through the air.
She stood slowly, pulling on her clothes without really thinking about it. She took her wand out and pointed it deliberately at her temple.
"Memoria Chiara," she said in a voice that was too clear, too carefully controlled. She had to do it, though, because as hard as it would be for her to remember this last meeting, she couldn't imagine the pain she would feel if she forgot it.
The sound of Apparition cracked once more, and she spun around to the source of the sound. Her heart stopped for a moment too long, her knees felt weak, and then Roger was there, pulling her into his strong arms, kissing her.
His lips moved from hers, across her jaw, down the side of her neck. She shuddered, her body ready for him once more.
"Roger! Y-you came b-back!" Tricia forced the words out, confused, but undeniably pleased.
Suddenly, he pulled away from her, taking her face between his hands. His eyes were focused on hers, and she felt a shiver run through her body that had nothing to do with the biting rain.
"I couldn't stay away." He punctuated each word with a kiss. "I'm tired of running, Tricia." His eyes were intense, focused. "I love you."
Her heart sped up at the words she'd thought she would never hear from him. It was her deepest fantasy come true. She felt the tears prick her eyes but did nothing to fight them.
"Oh, Roger! I love you, too!"
This time their love-making was slow, sweet. They took their time exploring each other's body and, when he slipped inside of her for the second time that day, it was an entirely new experience.
Something had awoken in them, something pure and beautiful. It was like waking up after a long winter to see that there was hope.
A new beginning.
Author's Notes: What can I say? I'm a sucker for happy endings! The spell "Memoria Chiara" is Italian and roughly means 'clear memory'. Essentially, it ensures that the memory she is focusing on when she casts the spell will never, ever fade. Many thanks to the wonderful gelsey for being the fabulous beta that she is!
Proof-reader: gelsey