Welcome to Gaia! ::

He could feel his heart pounding against the bones of his ribs, drumming senseless and wild. Her lips were cool against his warm flesh, and they trickled a wave of chills up and down his spine in a series of waves. It tickled inside of him, somewhere deep, stirring the sleeping beast inside. Her fingers antagonized him, trailing a hint of promises and sealing it with a kiss. Titillating thoughts seeped, and hormones charged in a stampede. And now, she was teasing him, bright blue eyes sparkling up at him.

She was doing anything and everything to get under his skin, and he knew it, too! He couldn’t fight the smirk that wormed on his lips, excited with the passion of this forbidden love. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his breath trickled down her neck. And her fingers slid down the cloth of his shirt until her nails raked down his chest and it was all he could do not to melt in her touch. ”Make me,” he mocked her, just as teasingly. He stuck his tongue out at her, but not for as long as he planned.

Instead, he got distracted, that look, that smile, those lips. He dove in for a deep kiss, snogging her in the flower garden of Hogsmeade park, curled his fingers in her soft hair playing with it gently. It wasn’t exactly his best plan, actually, he wasn’t really sure if he could even call this a plan. But he coiled an arm around her waist and rolled in one swift motion, lying on his back in the grass and staring up at the vampire strewn on top of him. ”You pay attention to me, you love me, it’s my turn for attention now.” He smirked, deep and wide, and criss crossed both arms around her back to keep her pinned in place (not that it’d work, but, he could amuse himself with trying, can’t he?)

He hummed a gentle purr in the depths of his throat, smiling. Fingers tore up and down the flesh of her arms, of her waist, grazing nails into her skin teasingly. She was cold, but the heat of his body was warming her quickly, almost tricking him into thinking she was alive again, alive and human. She was tormenting him though, and they both knew it. He just didn’t know how much more of it he could take, but he was already squirming in place, fighting back the urges pumping in his veins. Soon her fingers were threading in his hair, curling in the short, grown out strands of what had once been a buzzcut style. Her eyes twinkled like mischevious little stars, glowing brightly against the night sky.

”Nooooo, you haven’t.” He smirked and teased, stuck his tongue out at her but got distracted too quickly. Her lips roamed his neck, and he couldn’t help but crane his head to one side, giving her more reach of the pulsing veins throbbing in his neck. His lips pressed against hers, soft and demure. But then his fingers cupped the side of her face, thumb grazing the flesh of her cheeks as he deepened the kiss. ”Oh, you can, can yooou?”

But then her mocking smile breathed something dangerous. And his eyes widened, no matter how hard he tried not to show the surprise, but he couldn’t help it. The thought of her running away had pursed his lips and muddled his brows together, almost challenged. His arms wrapped tighter around her waist, but he never said a word. He didn’t want to beg, and he didn’t want to make demands, either.

But she wiggled in comfortably, and he loosened his grip, comforted by the notion that she seemed far too happy being in his arms than to run again, like she had last time they were out alone together like this. ”You better not,” he still warned her. It was just another empty threat, but, neither seemed to mind. She leaned in closer with her forehead pressed against his, her nose hovered inches above. But he shifted uncomfortably, a little bit this way, a little bit that way, and tried to hide the red tint glowing in his cheeks. ”Wait-- what?!” He laughed, smirking. ”Yeah, no, I don’t think so kitten.” He grinned. But he was still squirming. At one point, he wiggled a hand down between them, somewhere against her stomach and against the fabric of his jeans to position himself much more comfortably. (And without the muscle accidentally jabbing into her, alerting her, making itself known!) Oh gods! He couldn’t let that happen! Her eyes danced, and it killed him to know that he had no other choice. He rolled her over, pushed her off and sat up and feigned a few short sneezes. They totally sounded fake, dammit. Maybe he should have coughed? It was too late now, though. He sat cross legged and tried to focus. Oh, c’mon Dom, think of grand-mère’s wrinkly hands, those old, icky, veiny, wrinkly hands. C’mon, c’mon, c’mon mate! WRINKLE HANDS

”Uuhh, ahem,” he cleared his throat, and coughed, eyes panicking as he rubbed his nose to keep up the charade. ”Errr, sorry.. excuse me, that was probably, definitely, abso-bloody-lutely not what you were expecting, huh?” He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. ”Whoops?”

’WRINKLE HANDS, DOM, THINK ABOUT THE WRINKLE HANDS!’

He tried to steady his breathing, tried to focus, calm his thoughts, slow the flow of blood, distract himself; anything he could possibly think to do to restrain himself. But it was hard! And he certainly didn’t want to spend all of his effort into this, when he could be doing other things. But, he couldn’t do that. Not unless she wanted it, not unless she started it. But dammit, she was really trying to start it, wasn’t she? He glanced over his shoulder and, there she was, innocent and perfect as could be. He didn’t buy the act for a minute. Her giggles had distracted him, and he was about to push himself up to his feet when Grace decidedly put her plan into action.

”Woah,” he exclaimed in surprise, his girlfriend tackled and wiggled into his lap, making herself nice and comfortable. His eyes widened and his breath was caught in his throat. ”Iuh--” Dominic blinked and stuttered, her lips leaving little butterfly kisses all over him. ”Graaaceee,” he was almost begging her to stop, or maybe it was to keep going. Not even he was really sure which. His back his the grass with a little more force than he had expected, and she straddled her legs around him, blinking down at him bashfully.

”---” Dom couldn’t even utter a sound this time, his breath was caught in his throat and he couldn’t breathe. Merlin, he couldn’t focus on anything except her vivacious blue eyes, and those lips, that smile. He was drowning. Her lips graced his nose, once, twice, a few more times before he lifted his lips so they crashed together lustfully. He couldn’t help himself. ”Grace,” he tried to mumble in between kisses. ”Graacee.” Then he fished in his pocket for his twelve inch wand, and gave it a furious flick. ”Petrificus totalus!” He finally snapped! It was that; or rip her clothes off. And he wasn’t so sure he’d get very far before she slit his throat, if that happened. To be honest, she’d probably still slit his throat either way. The spell struck her, and she stiffened, making it easier for him to roll her back on the grass and off of him. His brows wormed up in fear and humor as he stared down at her. ”Sooo, uhh... how mad are youoouu?” He knew she couldn’t talk, couldn’t move unless she could do silent magic. And to be honest, he didn’t know what she was capable of anymore. He never saw her in classes, and her vampirism made her significantly harder to fight off. Somehow the blood rearranged its flow and coursed with adrenaline, because there was no telling just what the hell was going to happen next.

The silence lingered eerily, mocking his every word. Slow concave brows dipped in fear, the reflection of blue in his eyes darkened dull and gray. Sitting cross legged, his heart dipped low and the strings of guilt weighed him down. Slow, tentative fingers moved to reach for his wand, to quell the effects of the spell he’d cast on such a fleeting impulse. But a fleeting glimpse of movement had caught his attention, and she was up in a flurry, arms tucked around her legs with her knees folded against her chest. Grace, he wanted to say, but his voice had sunk somewhere below his heart, lost at sea. He rose his eyes just in time to see the slash of ivory whip through the air and rip into his cheek. ”Ugh-,” he gasped, shocked and broken. A hand instinctively cupped his cheeks, it stung. The color was drained from his world; it was bleak and gray. Every ounce of pain riddled in every fiber, he almost choked. The will to cry strangled in his throat and every beat of his heart ached vicious, poisoned. Insecurities tangled in his throat, unwanted and forgotten.

The emotions were so fleeting, they’d come and gone so fast, he almost had to wonder if he even really felt it or not. But when the sting of his cheeks pulsated with pain, he knew what’d happened then. Blue eyes glistened; he never wanted to be the source for so much pain for her. He’d always told himself that, after everything that had happened to her, he could never....

”Grace, please,” his voice cracked just as she turned to run, and he jumped to his feet with one quick burst, ready to chase her if he had to. No, please don’t! He thought she was going to run, he knew she was going to; she always did! But she hadn’t, not this time... Her words still echoed mercilessly in his head, and it hurt. Gods, it was like she plunged a dagger in his heart, it hurt. In so many more ways than he ever thought possible. It literally hurt. His brows creased deep and his fist dug into his chest, trying to cancel out the pain with a different kind.

Nobody had ever told him about this, about how much it could hurt. ”Gracie please, it wasn’t like that.” He begged, and he’d never thought he’d hear himself say those words, especially in this context. It’d all happened so fast, he barely even remembered the details now. He was panicking! He didn’t want her to run. She always ran, but he couldn’t let her go this time. He’d never know when he’d find her again. ”Grace, please, look at me.” His voice cracked, forceful and hoarse.

”I do want you; haven’t I shown that to you? I left everything, for you! Don’t leave me…” He almost screamed, but he couldn’t. His voice had dropped down to a bare whisper; but he knew she could still hear him. He didn’t dare to take a step forward, he was almost scared she’d disappear if he did, and just like that, he’d be alone.

Time hung on silver strands, dangling like hooked bait, waiting, just waiting. The melody of sorrow painted on the night sky, echoed in the chirp of crickets and birds, the rustle of leaves and grass. He stood with baited breath, waiting. Every muscle tensed, rippled with might and magic. But none of that would help him now, he needed her. So very slowly, she turned. Glistening tears slid down her cheeks, she swiped at them furiously, but he still saw. His lips parted to speak, but his voice felt heavy in his throat, stuck. She shook her head and it was all he could not to cry with her.

They both knew; they’d always known. It could never last. One day, he would be old, and she’d still be the exact same girl that’d he’d fallen in love with. Nobody around would understand, how could they? And death? Death for him would be the end of everything, the end of his career, of his dreams, of hopes and ambitions. He’d be giving her his life, and he didn’t know if he could do that. It scared him. He’d already sacrificed so much, hadn’t he? ...Hadn’t he?

”Grace,” he whispered gently, ”how could I not?” The desperation was riddled in his features, flexed in furrored brows and in the wrinkles around his frown. He didn’t know what else to say, but it was the truth, he knew it. He’d never been more sure of anything in his life before. His arms felt heavy as he wrapped them around Grace, curling tight around her small frame and burying his face in her hair. But it still hurt.

”You know I love you, right?” He’d said those words before, but always in such a playful tone. He’d always meant it, but now, he was serious, it was serious. He needed her to know that. No matter what happened, he had her now, and that was enough for him... He just didn’t know if it’d ever be enough for her.

Heavy arms wrapped around her, coiled the muscles in tight. One hand tangled his fingers in her hair, softly stroking the back of her head affectionately. His other arm possesively wrapped around her waist, his flesh hot against her cool back that was exposed from under her cropped lavender shirt. Small, fleeting kisses trailed along the top of her head, from her forehead, to her temple, down her jawline, and her cheeks, anything his lips could reach. His heart still bled for her. It hurt, even though she was so close, and everything was okay now, it still hurt.

It hurt knowing this would never last. Most children, teenagers, grow up their entire lives thinking they’ll find the perfect someone, and when they do finally get their first crush, their first love, they think it’s perfect, that it’ll never end. He’d never be one of them. So, so naive. He knew it wouldn’t last. And it wasn’t fair! Sometimes, some nights, he’d stare up at the moon wondering where she was, and what she was doing. If, somehow, she’d be happier without him holding her down. Because that’s all he saw. His life was mapped out for him, from every detail to every day. It was scripted. But she had the chance for freedom, for a life he could never begin to imagine. She could travel, do things, change things, explore the world, meet new people... And he’d... He’d be stuck. Trapped in a hourglass, and the sand was pouring down around him, drowning him to his neck.

The glass could break, with one fell swoop, and they both knew it. She could be the one to break it, to set him free. He’d dreamed about it, so many times. An undying life with Gracie. It would mean losing so much he held dear to him, but he’d always have her. Shouldn’t that be enough?

He was greedy! Selfish. How could he ask her to stay with him, to give up a life like that, for him! She could have had anything... ”No, don’t apologize, I’m the one who’s sorry.” He stiffled a small breath, emotions cascading in his throat. ”I shouldn’t have done that... I should’ve just told you...” He gulped.

“....I’m not ready.”

Dominic shuddered a shaky breath that he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding in all this time. But he’d been afraid; what if she had ran? What if that was the last time he ever saw her? Dominic couldn’t think like that, his sanity depended on it. Neither one would ever know it, but the echo rang so crystal clear in their minds, but complete polar opposites. Neither wanted to make the demands, to be the greedy one, and they both were so critical, so hard on themselves. He almost wanted to tell her how he felt, to explain everything in one gasping breath. But that, that would definitely have ruined the moment. And he wasn’t about to make that same mistake again.

”Hey, I don’t think I was in the wrong for hexing you, I did what I had to.” He smirked, the highlight of a laugh glistened under his breath, but it was still too early for the humor to really settle in. The wound was fresh; barely scabbed over. The truth only served to pick at it, pluck the scaly flesh from the incisions until the blood flowed free. He wouldn’t admit to that.

She wiggled to the tips of her toes, an earnest smile lurched to his lips and those dimples marveled in each of his cheeks (even if the red hand print still glowed dim.) ”I like to think I’m one of a kind, thank you very much, the only way to do that is to keep surprising you, right?” He was just teasing her now, trying his best to lighten the mood, to ease the heavy weight where his heart had been dropped like a stone. ”I love you too,” he whispered gently in her ears, his hot breath trickling down her neck. She nuzzled herself gently against him, and a small moan flittered from his lips as he wrapped his arms tighter, eliminating any breath of space that may have separated them before.

”Heh, aw, Grace. Well if you do, I can’t guarantee that I won’t do the same too. I mean, c’mon, you know I don’t have a lot of self restraint.” Merlin, that was an understatement.

”Oh yeah?” His tone just as teasing, just as challening as hers. He smirked, stuck his tongue out at her, but didn’t linger long. ”Good,” He batted an eyelash with a provocative wink, cocky in every way. Any last, ill fleeting emotions were draining away and the smile sat much more peacefully on his lips now. ”Alright, alright, I’m sorry, you know I’m kidding, mate.” He laughed, stroked the back of her head and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. ”Say, how long have we been out here?”

Blue eyes skimmed the starry night sky, the moon hovered high above. The clouds hung and crawled low to the earth, and in the distance he could hear the muse of owls caught on the breeze of the wind. He knew the sun was a looming threat, but he didn’t know how much longer they had. But he glanced down upon her with glittering blue eyes, her mischevious voice fluttered in his ears and enraptured him. The time of day completely forgotten. ”Really?” His coy voice slid across her flesh. ”I guess I’ll have to keep that in mind then, huh?” He laughed softly. Honestly, he didn’t know why he’d been so hesitant, or why he still was! He felt ridiculous, and lame, but he wanted it to be special. Especially since, in his eyes, love had always been such an arranged and contract agreement. He just... wasn’t sure what to do. Or what was right. "C'mon, I'm kind of getting hungry.. We should head back to Hogsmeade."