Basilisk (Dark Ominis Gaunt x OC gothic romance)

Chapter 55: Most Ardently

~~Ominis~~

Neither one prepared...

Ominis followed Ariadne along the path toward Upper Hogsfield, smiling as he listened to the birds singing around them, hearing the brushing sound of the grass as it blew in the wind. It was such a serene moment, walking down the path casually with Ariadne holding his hand to guide him, his wand in the other hand to make sure he wouldn't trip. He'd never really been able to focus too much on the surrounding area with Damien and Sebastian rushing him across the area, so this was a welcome change.

"Oh, I see a good place." Ariadne said eagerly, tugging him a bit faster.

"Where are we going?" He laughed in amusement as he followed her into the grass, leaving the path behind them.

"You said you wanted to read, right? Well I think it would be nice for you to have a spot with some nice sounds too." She said with a smile in her voice.

That was... really considerate of her. He felt his heart clench at the thought, that she had been looking all this time for a place for them to relax that would be pleasant for him. She really was so sweet, and the action spoke more about her feelings than words ever could. Dare he hope... that she had grown feelings for him as well? She had never said anything like that, but the soft tones of her voice, the little touches she gave him to tell him she was around him... perhaps those were her ways of telling him.

Perhaps this was another way, as well.

But he was done guessing. He was worried, but he was also determined to broach the subject. He wanted to know what the building connection between them was... and if he was the only one that felt it. He was pretty sure he wasn't, but he needed to ask. He needed to know.

In a way he was glad he had changed since his school days. Back then he would have been too afraid to even try this, nonetheless be so bold in his determination. He had learned to be stronger from his brother and father's constant torture and pushing. Though it had come at a terrible cost, if this newfound strength had led him to happiness... then it all would have been worth it, in a twisted way.

His heart was beating hard in his chest as she led him over into a field, the grass brushing against his knees with how tall it was. Finally she brought him under a large tree, the shade making him cooler as it blocked him from the sun's hot rays against his skin. He listened and heard a softly running brook nearby, the leaves of the tree rushing overhead as birds sang. The grass made a soft undertone to the sounds, and it really did sound lovely.

"You were right... this sounds wonderful." He said with a warm smile.

"I'm glad you think so." She said with a soft squeeze of his hand. "Come on, let's sit under the tree and you can hold me as I read to you."

He smiled again at the thought and nodded, turning his wand toward the tree and sitting back against the trunk, holding his arms open for her in invitation before she settled back against him.

He murmured happily as her silken hair ran across his cheek and shoulder, her curves fitting against him as his hands rested gently at her waist. "What are we reading?" He asked softly against her hair.

"We're continuing Pride and Prejudice. We're almost done with it." She said, her head turning to tell him she was looking back to him.

He rather liked this book, Darcy reminded him a bit too much of himself when they'd first met, but he also grew through the story to love Elizabeth just like he had with Ariadne. The first proposal had gone... frankly terribly, mostly because the moron had insulted her family and convictions even as he confessed his love for her. He certainly hoped he was never that stupid.