The L Word (ask for invite)

[Felicity Mason]

She let the kiss continue for some time. One hand cupped his cheek while the other combed through his dark hair. The way she could make him respond to her made the young woman feel more proud than she'd ever felt. Her tiny heart fluttered against her ribs as if it might try to escape. She had the urge to bring her hand to her chest to press it back in. He had this effect on her. Love was powerful. Did things to people.
She pulled away after the longest time, as desperate for air as she was for him. She still clung to him through, her every cell in her body aching for something she could not have from him. She opened her mouth.

"I..." the tip of her tongue was frozen on the letter L. She was looking into his eyes, lost.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Time was of no consequence. Not here, not now. He had no idea how long they kissed before she had to pause. He couldn't help but grin at her, feeling somewhat pleased with himself. It was stupid and silly and he couldn't help it. Korriban had tried to make him grow up so quickly, it felt nice to just indulge in being less serious. Well, maybe seriousness was the wrong word. Severity? That was probably more fitting. He tilted his head to one side, waiting for the girl to continue.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

She shouldn't have said anything. Now he was watching her, waiting. Now she had to say it.

"I love-" Her voice cracked. No. No. No. She couldn't do it. She was cursing herself in her head. Had to fix this. "...This library. It's almost nicer than daddy's."

She closed her eyes, face burning. Disaster. No way she could ever live this down.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

"I promise not to tell your father that," Owain replied with a smile. He had thought she was going to say something else. Ah well. Wishful thinking. "I think your father's library has more variety in terms of books though," he shrugged, taking her hands in his own. So small and delicate. He couldn't help but run his thumbs over her knuckles. A stupid and pointless gesture. "I'm glad you like it - you need a touch of home here. Someplace that isn't foreign and strange," he said with a nod.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Stupid. She was so stupid. He wasn't fumbling like this. Maybe it was for the best then that she choked and couldn't say it? He hadn't said it, after all. If he felt the same, surely he would have said as much by now. It should have made her feel relieved to think that, but instead she was just disappointed. Love was powerful, yes, but it was also painful, the most painful thing she had felt in a long time.

"Y-yeah..." she looked down at her hands in his, "Um. S-so, is there anything that reminds you of home?"

Stupid question, but it did help change the subject.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

She was changing the subject. Clumsily. Normally he'd let it go...but not today - not here. He had come with her to help her, and she had to know he could be relied on. "Songbird, what's up?" he asked her, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. Physically she seemed fine, but he wasn't a doctor. Or maybe she was just really homesick. He probably shouldn't have brought up the ibrary in Dis. Stupid!

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

He could see right through her like she was made of glass. The girl winced, pulled away from him, turned towards the bookshelf.

"It's nothing, Owain. Just me being a coward. You can't help me with that."

She smoothed out the wrinkles in her pretty gold ballgown, adjusted her curls. Turned back.

"Now, come on. I talk about myself all the time. tell me something about you. Something I don't know."

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

She turned away from him, and he hung his head. Right, wrong move. Maybe...maybe he was the problem that plagued her? But she just couldn't bring herself to tell him? Maybe. "I'd like to," he said before she turned back around. Then her question. It hit him, the memory of what he had done for her, what she couldn't know. Blood, metal. Horror. In her name. For her. She wouldn't understand. But he wouldn't lie to her. "I'd do anything for you," he settled on answering. Urgh, young love. Stupid stupid stupid.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

I love you. I. Love. You. This words should have been easy to say. His answer brought heat to her face and tears to her eyes. He may as well have said it himself just then. She knew. She just knew what he meant.
She closed the distance between them, lacing her arms around him, face resting lightly on his shoulder.

"I know," she whispered, "but why?"

Maybe he could be braver than she could. Maybe he could say it. Maybe he could give her courage.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Urgh...she just had to ask. He managed to keep the grimace off his face, even though he knew what she wanted. What she needed to hear. Did he though? Really, truly? Would it last? Did that matter? Did the future ever matter to him? No...it was about now. What did he feel now? Not what might happen, how he might change...what did he feel at this moment, with Felicity hugging him, holding him close?

As if you had to ask.

Owain sighed. "Because I love you."

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

I love you.
A sharp breath. Frozen. Did she hear it right? Did she imagine it? No. Not even she had an imagination that big. She pulled away slightly, just enough to look him in the eyes. Courage. She'd found it at last.

"Owain..." Blue eyes studied his face for a moment. She was young, very young, but not stupid. If he was playing a joke on her, she would know it just by looking at him. He was honest. She touched his lips with hers, just a quick kiss, barely more than a peck. "I will always love you."

Always. Forever. It was a very long time. Felicity thought she knew what that meant. For a girl her age, forever was so soon and so far away. It could mean what she wanted it to. In this case, she truly did mean forever, or at least the rest of her life. For the first time since arriving here, she had forgotten why her Mother had sent her here in the first place.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

She had to one up? Now of all times? He broke into a grin despite himself. It felt good to hear those words, even if he knew they weren't quite right. Always was false. People and times change. They may fall out of love with another. Always was the wrong word. But it didn't matter. Becuase here and now, they were both in love. And they had finally accepted it. What a pair of stubborn tauntauns they made. He leaned in to give her a much deeper kiss than her peck on the lips had been, something more fitting of their confessions.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

They were competitive, even in love. She wasn't about to let him win. She kissed him back, pressing against him. She was going to ruin her dress, or at least crinkle it horribly. Didn't matter. They wouldn't be making it back to the gala. They were alone. They were in love. And now they both knew for sure.

She pulled away after a moment, smiling as she touched his forehead with hers, catching her breath.

"I love you. I can't believe you said it first."

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

So close. It always felt right. To be this close to her. As if nothing else mattered. It felt nice not to worry.

She pulled away, the two of them needing air. Owain grinned as she rested her forehead against his. Such an intimate gesture, now so easy for her to do. The girl had certainly matured in their time together. "Well, i got tired of waiting," he shrugged, winking at the blonde in his arms. He let his hands drift up and down her body, enjoying the sensation of her.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

They were standing between two rows of tall bookshelves. If anybody walked in on them, they would have maybe a few seconds of cover. Risky.

"You've always been impatient," she giggled, running her fingers up his chest to his shoulders, "but then, so am I. Guess that means we're a perfect match."

Perfect. Yes. She'd completely forgotten why she was here. Mom, dad, Duchess Magrath- they were all miles away from her thoughts now. There was only one person in all of time and space that mattered to her right now.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

"Perfect indeed," Owain agreed, kissing Felicity's neck. He loved how she responded to that, no matter how many times he did it. They were playing a dangerous game now, risking exposure and scandal. But he didn't care - he loved her, she loved m, they were together, here. The boy's hands continued venturing over her body, teasing and stroking.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

It would be a scandal. If they were caught. It could be life-ruining. Might prevent her from making useful connections, making the right friends. Finding a mother-approved husband. Oh no. What a nightmare.

She sighed when his lips met her neck. He made her feel weak, as if all her limbs suddenly turned to very warm butter. She knew where this was probably going to go. If he was looking for her to object, to act responsibly, he would have to look elsewhere.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

She made no move to stop him. She relaxed in his arms. So warm. So soft. He traced a line of kissed to her lips, a hand coming up to rest on her shoulder as he gently pushed her up against the bookcase.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Her back hit the bookcase behind her. Her face was positively glowing pink now. She closed her eyes as he kissed her, hands tracing up his back, finally coming to rest on his shoulder blades. Her dress was starting to get crinkled. How could she explain that away? She was careless? She tripped? She decided it was a grand idea to roll around on the library floor for a few minutes. Just for fun. The Duchess would buy that in a heartbeat. Absolutely.

[member="Owain"]