hollow // credence barebone

30. end of the day

—18!—

it was a half-decrepit hotel with rickety stairs and stained carpets, but it was good enough. it was better then the roof of ca' da mosto or an empty ballet room. the door locked behind them in a quiet shut, and elise placed a few charms on the doorknob. one of her hands was still interlocked with his, and she could feel his eyes on the nape of her neck. it made the hair stand out on her skin as the last shred of doubt was locked outside of the door. in this room, only the two of them remained.

she turned back to him, gazing on his face. by now it was clear that no matter how much she looked, she wouldn't be able to look enough. he was beautiful in a way she never suspected a man could be. every curve to his features brought recognition, and recognition brought comfort. she'd loved him for so long she didn't even realise it was love until the door closed behind them and she was left to admit how undeniably strong she must have been not to grab him by the collar already.

his eyes were something in between curiosity and anxiety, careful as they slowly traveled over her body. he watched as her hand slowly dropped the wand to the hotel floor as it rose onto his hip. she trailed her finger over the belt that held his trousers, scorning a little bit before she rose an eyebrow at him.

"do i even want to know why you kept that thing?"

he shook his head, "not today."

"not today." she dropped the topic, but her finger kept tracing millimetres under the hem of his trousers. she marked her way right above the button as she sighed. "so, what should i wish you for your birthday? happiness and health sound rather funny. wealth? i charmed the receptionist to give us this room for free... how about patience, then?"

as she was saying it, she let her other hand leave his while she slowly pushed him into the room, until his back hit the wall.

"patience?" he asked, his voice a near-whisper.

she smiled up at him, "i figured you'd need it. i have a... particular vision of what i'm about to do to you and i don't want to be interrupted."

his eyes twinkled as the corners of his lips lifted in a smile, "is that so?"

"mmm," she hummed, leaning closer towards him. "legends say that it's the kind of ancient torture that makes all men humble and obedient."

he chuckled, "are you into that thing? it's not that hard to make me obedient, you know?"

"quiet," she whispered with her lips dangerously close to the skin of his neck. "it's my birthday gift, too."

it started with her lips locking onto the skin of his neck. she could taste night breeze and distant fragrance of sandalwood. the aroma was rich and creamy, having an immediate affect on her senses that seemed to muddle. she trailed her kisses up onto his jaw as he craned his head a little. her hand moved higher until it was placed on his chest. beneath her fingertips, she could feel the fluttering of his heart.

the space between them closed, rendering the time and all distance useless. the kiss felt like a bullet piercing through the sky and lodging itself perfectly in the target. they both heaved a gasp as their lips interlocked and moved half-blindly, trying to find unison. his hands instinctively rose up to her waist as he pulled her closer to his body, turning his head and locking onto her lips a little harder. he gave out a surprised exhale when she pulled away and grabbed at both of his wrists.

"keep those right here," she spoke into his ear, pushing his hands away. "or i will jinx them to the wall."

his eyebrow rose slightly as a little shiver made its way down his spine, "oh."