ISKRA
For a heartbeat or two he braces for the worst. The whipcrack of her rebuff, a rise of her ire, likely nuanced with magic or might, or some cutting remark about his inability to properly read a damn thing. She doesn't do any of that though, instead she surges.
It’s chaos in the shape of lips and laughter, of relief and certainty, of her. It crashes into him with a kind of force he’s wholly unprepared for, a kiss full of that wild heat only Mel has ever known how to wield. His breath stutters as he presses back into her, caught between disbelief and the burn of finally. He melts into her with reverence, the kiss not smooth, not practiced, but real—one hand cupping the back of her head now to support her rise, to hold her to him like he's always wanted. He tastes the salt of the sea spray, the burn of the bottle, the years between them, all folded into this one impossible, inevitable moment. A laugh escapes him against her mouth, unguarded and golden. “Always gotta beat me to it,” he breathes, eyes bright, lips brushing hers as he pulls away just enough to speak.
His body hums like lightning waiting to strike, but he doesn't press further, just revels in this moment where he has finally reached for her and she has delightfully tugged back. He presses his forehead to hers, tenderness seeming to flood all the places his grief had been living, granting him something shimmering instead of swallowing. It's his turn now to draw his fingers through her hair, thumb rubbing along her jaw, pulling back to search her eyes and offer a lopsided smile. He's dreamed of doing that since the day he met her, and gods, it was everything and more. He's so afraid to ruin it now though, so he withdraws, rising back to his feet and offers a hand to help her up.
There's an awkwardness to him, like he isn't sure how to be next to her now, like he'd never imagined what next after that, as short sighted as ever. He clears his throat, “I guess we should head back?” He rubs the back of his neck, the wind tugging at his shirt and stealing away the last of his bravery. The warmth of her still lingers in his hands, still presses a shy smile to his lips.
It’s chaos in the shape of lips and laughter, of relief and certainty, of her. It crashes into him with a kind of force he’s wholly unprepared for, a kiss full of that wild heat only Mel has ever known how to wield. His breath stutters as he presses back into her, caught between disbelief and the burn of finally. He melts into her with reverence, the kiss not smooth, not practiced, but real—one hand cupping the back of her head now to support her rise, to hold her to him like he's always wanted. He tastes the salt of the sea spray, the burn of the bottle, the years between them, all folded into this one impossible, inevitable moment. A laugh escapes him against her mouth, unguarded and golden. “Always gotta beat me to it,” he breathes, eyes bright, lips brushing hers as he pulls away just enough to speak.
His body hums like lightning waiting to strike, but he doesn't press further, just revels in this moment where he has finally reached for her and she has delightfully tugged back. He presses his forehead to hers, tenderness seeming to flood all the places his grief had been living, granting him something shimmering instead of swallowing. It's his turn now to draw his fingers through her hair, thumb rubbing along her jaw, pulling back to search her eyes and offer a lopsided smile. He's dreamed of doing that since the day he met her, and gods, it was everything and more. He's so afraid to ruin it now though, so he withdraws, rising back to his feet and offers a hand to help her up.
There's an awkwardness to him, like he isn't sure how to be next to her now, like he'd never imagined what next after that, as short sighted as ever. He clears his throat, “I guess we should head back?” He rubs the back of his neck, the wind tugging at his shirt and stealing away the last of his bravery. The warmth of her still lingers in his hands, still presses a shy smile to his lips.
I'm losin' my grip, caught up in the current
I can't swim, I'm startin' to slip
I'm runnin' out of breath, I'm scared to death
I gotta keep my head up, Up above the water
I can't swim, I'm startin' to slip
I'm runnin' out of breath, I'm scared to death
I gotta keep my head up, Up above the water
