[oom] New Moon

[hell_in_highheels]

She's standing at the window, looking out over the Scottish landscape, watching the night sky.   The moon is new, and without the competing light, the stars are spectacular.  River kneels up on the window seat and touches the controls that bring the opacity down to zero.  Starlight isn't as bright as moonlight, but it's still enough that she can make out the horizon.  The landscape is stunning.

She settles back, sitting on her heels, arms crossed over her chest, hands rubbing her upper arms, smiling up at the night sky.

He said yes.

He said yes.




She can't help but wonder...  What comes next?

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[hell_in_highheels]

"No, no. That's quite all right."

And yet, she finishes the second one, and her first glass of wine, giving him a playful tap as he watches her set the glass down.

"Besides, don't want to spoil my dessert."

There might be the tiniest bit of a leer in her eyes at that.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Richard finishes chewing, eyeing her thoughtfully.

"And what's for dessert?" he asks, sniffing curiously.

[hell_in_highheels]

Her smile deepens and she looks up, humming playfully.

"Guess you'll just have to wait and see."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Not even a hint?"

Look at those puppy dog eyes.

(He's really bad at puppy dog eyes.)

[hell_in_highheels]

"Well, it's not mint ice cream," she teases.

She leans one elbow on the table and idly strokes a finger down the side of her neck.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"I can live with that," he says once he realizes he's been staring.

Mint ice cream is completely unnecessary at this stage.

He pokes her foot with his toe.

[hell_in_highheels]

River beams under his scrutiny, her scent a wash of love and triumph.

"Unless of course, you want mint ice cream," she teases, looking at him through her lashes as she takes another bite of her steak.

Her bare foot brushes along his, teasing along his arch.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"I believe I'll pass."

He restrains the shiver that passes through him, instead curling his toes under.

"Unless you prefer I was less distracted?" It doesn't seem likely.

[hell_in_highheels]

"Hmm. I believe..." The side of her foot rests alongside his, curves touching curves like two halves of one whole. "That you are precisely the right amount of distracted for my nefarious purposes."

Perhaps it's the glass of wine that's making her cheeks flush, but she thinks not.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Fair enough." He's quite content to let his foot rest there.

"As long as you understand there may be consequences to your actions."

[hell_in_highheels]

"Oh?"

She fills her glass again and offers to fill his.

"Serious ramifications, hmm?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He nods, holding his glass for her.

"That entirely depends on what your planning."

[hell_in_highheels]

"There are consequences for every action, some easily foreseen, others completely unexpected. Every pebble tossed in the ocean causes ripples."

She holds her glass up for a toast.

"If you're willing, I think I'm ready to makes some waves."

Even though the tone of her voice is steady, her scent ripples with a certain wildness.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He gets the feeling this conversation just turned rather serious.

He reaches for his glass, fingering the stem.

"Tonight?"

[hell_in_highheels]

His hesitation calls up the sharp ache in her chest. The ache she's been holding onto since she first realized her way forward.

"Unless you have some compelling reason to wait..."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He doesn't answer at first. He eyes his wine glass, brows furrowed.

Is he really going to do this? He certainly believes what you lose is well worth what you gain, but will she? He knows she thinks she does and that she's done the research, but how can either of them be so sure this is what she wants?

He frowns a little more. She's done the research, more than he could have ever imagined possible. She knows as well as anyone can without being bitten what she's getting into. He can smell on her her much she wants this.

And the truth is, if it all works out? He wants this too.

He lifts his glass. "No. No reason."

[hell_in_highheels]

Her eyes close for a long moment as the air fills her lungs again. When she opens her eyes, she smiles at him, trying to keep the mood light. Her heart is in her mouth. For all this is a serious decision, she doesn't want it to be a somber occasion. It's a joyous one.

My love, my mate. Make me yours.

She extends her glass to meet his.

"To us." The ring of crystal against crystal is as loud as a bronze bell in her ears.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He smiles at her fondly, but a lot of the earlier playfulness is gone. This is a serious decision, and he's glad she knows that.

"To us," he echoes, bringing his wine back to take a sip.

Please let this be the best choice.

[hell_in_highheels]

She drinks, her eyes never leaving his. And then she sets her glass aside.

Her foot shifts alongside his, joined by its mate to capture him for a brief moment before she's pulling away, rising from the table and taking his hand.

"Dance with me?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"All right," he says, smile turning a bit awkward as he trails along behind her.

It really has been a long time since he last danced.

[hell_in_highheels]

She leads him a few steps into the study, where the lights are low and the music is a bit louder. Not much, but enough.

She turns and steps in close, guiding his hands to her hips. Dancing, in this case, is simply standing close, swaying in time to the music. It's easy enough to follow the rhythm of her body.

The backs of her knuckles caress along his jawline, and then her hands are stroking the nape of his neck, marking his hairline, urging him down to her. This close, he fills her senses, and she inhales his scent, her eyes closing as she rests her temple against his cheek.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

This is simple enough that he remembers it quickly, hands and arms wrapped around her and holding her close. He presses against her, frowning at the feelings swirling through him, worry and anticipation and love and a little bit of fear. This can all go so wrong.

This can all go so very right.

He breathes in the very human smell of her, wanting to remember it.

[hell_in_highheels]

She can feel the vague tension in his body, and holds him close, melting against him from shoulder to knee.

She wishes she could tell him it will all be all right, but she knows that's not entirely true. Things will go wrong, but they will be inconsequential in the long run. She knows, without knowing how and without needing to know how, that together, they are strong enough to weather any storm.

She sways to the music, nuzzling along his jaw to his chin, rubbing her lips over the scruff there.

She knows about irrational fears. All she can do is be there for him on the other side, and trust that he will be there for her.

Right now, all she wants to do is lose herself in how good he feels in her arms.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

The latter, at least, he can accommodate, especially with her nuzzling hitting all the triggers to be an affectionate alpha. It's not something he has an issue with.

"I love you." And as much as he nurses the secret fear he might lose her over this, he does want to try. Because she asked him to.

He swallows. "Where?"

[hell_in_highheels]

"I love you, too, Richard."

The truth of that is reinforced by her scent washing over him.

"You always stop yourself, when we're making love. I thought you might -- that we might..." Her voice trails off as her hands tighten on him.