Basilisk (Dark Ominis Gaunt x OC gothic romance)

Chapter 27: Ties

Double basilisk day!

True as it can be...

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~~Ominis~~

It was a small miracle to him that she was letting him touch her hair like this, considering everything that had happened yesterday. He was still curled against her, wanting to comfort her in any way he could. Her cries last night had broken his heart, telling him more than words ever could how hurt she was.

He stroked his fingers through her hair, closing his eyes to relax against her as he just let his hands touch the soft silky locks. It was so soothing, the feel of her, the scent of her, everything about her just seemed to calm that deep unease he felt since casting that damn curse.

He'd hated that strange tension between them when he'd first come to the room, not knowing what to say or do after the initial greeting. Before the sexual tension between them had been palpable and heavy, but now it was like it had vanished. It worried him, that something had changed so drastically between them. He knew how he felt for her, he knew he wanted her to be happy and to protect her... even though he'd been doing a shit job at it so far.

"What were you planning on doing today?" She asked softly against his chest.

"Whatever you wanted to do." He smiled gently, continuing to feel her hair as if he couldn't help himself. The tactile feeling was addictive, soft and silk and so bouncy against his palms. He hadn't felt anything like it before.

Ariadne gave a soft chuckle at his response, nuzzling her face against his chest in a way that made his heart skip. "I want some tea first." She sighed.

"Then tea you shall have." He said softly. "Did you want to get up, or stay here for a bit?"

Ariadne sighed against him. "Stay here." She said, moving closer to him.

He smiled warmly and wrapped his arms tighter around her, glad she felt so safe and comforted by his embrace. He'd been worried she wouldn't feel safe with him anymore, or that she'd turn away from him. The thought of that made a small shudder run through him.

"What?" She asked, feeling the shaking.

Damn. She'd caught that.

"I'm just... glad you still feel safe with me." He said quietly. He didn't want to keep tbings from her. Not anymore.

"You thought I wouldn't?" She asked.

"Considering what happened... yeah. I left you. I shouldn't have ever left you. I didn't protect you." He buried his face into her hair anxiously with the words. He would have a hard time ever forgiving himself for that. He'd caused her so much pain.

"You can't always protect me, Ominis." She said quietly.

"Like fuck I can't." He growled.

Ariadne scoffed softly. "So stubborn." She leaned back and reached up to touch the bottom of his chin to let him know she was looking at him. He liked that she thought to make those little gestures, to tell him what she was doing or something that was happening around him.

"You won't always be able to protect me, Ominis. You have to know that. I'm a tough girl, I can take care of myself sometimes." She said softly.

"I don't want anything like this to ever happen again." He said in a strained tone. His heart ached seeing her cry. She was normally so strong, so daring and bold and tough. To see her crying against him, shaken to her core until she didn't want to leave his arms, it tore him apart.

"Me either..." Ariadne said in a shaky voice.

He held her tighter again, letting out a soft shuddering breath against her hair. What he would give to be able to turn back time and stop what had happened before it had even started. To yell at himself to stay put instead of walking after his father. He couldn't change the past, though.