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You sat, quiet and alone at one of the tables at the Angel's Share. It had been a long day, and it took all your effort to read the book in front of you and ignore the ache in your heart. It hurt, of course, but it had to be ignored, for there was no way to fix it.
Silently sipping at the lukewarm apple cider made you feel icky. You didn't like the taste very much, but you could endure it, like all other things. You wanted to order grape juice instead, but you didn't want to talk to anyone who wasn't your lover right now... No, it was more like you couldn't talk to anyone who wasn't him right now... You couldn't stomach it.
Your lover... When you thought of him, you naturally felt a little bit better, but you delved into your sadness once again after realizing that you couldn't run up to him and beg him to hold you. He wasn't that type of man. He wouldn't shirk from his duties just because your heart was aching. But, your soul was desperate for his touch, so you waited here, waiting for night to come and for everything to close up for the night. That was the only time he could be yours, unless, of course, he was swept away by something more pressing, something that better fit into his goals.
It was sad to think of yourself as such an expendable thing in his life, but you weren't able to distance yourself from him. Deep inside your soul, you felt that insatiable ache of true love. You couldn't run away even if you'd tried.
—
Night came. The doors of the Angel's Share were locked and all of the patrons and workers were sent home. The only people left were you and your lover, who was shelving the last of the bottles of wine needed for tomorrow.
Soon, he was finished and untied his high ponytail with a sigh that quietly betrayed his exhaustion. He hung his apron on a hook before making his way over to you. There were faint dark circles under his soft eyes, and you wanted to hug him right then and there, but abstained from your desires as he spoke softly.
"Why are you here? Do you need my help?"
He was as taciturn as always, but you just smiled at him and shook your head and moved silently closer. You felt the heaviness in your chest lighten a little as he placed his hand on your shoulder, massaging his thumb lightly into your skin.
"If you don't have anywhere you need to go... Do you want to come home with me?"
His words were all you needed to hear to bring a smile to your face. You beamed at him, beyond excited to spend the night together in each other's comfort.
"Yes! Please let me come!"
Your face flushed with embarrassment at your undeniable excitement, but he just smiled softly at you and walked back to the winery with you, hand-in-hand.
—
Time passed. The two of you were relaxing on a couch in his personal quarters on the second floor of Dawn Winery. One of his arms was wrapped comfortably around your shoulders as you gently played with the rough, scar-ridden fingers on his other hand.
His presence seemed to have lifted you out of your sadness for now. It was much easier to breathe and be calm when so close to him. Such was the effect of true love, you thought. It would be nice to have a home to return to with him every night. But, it was impossible for now, and you were grateful for what you had.
You looked up at him, smiling as he returned the favor, smiling at you with a gentleness most others never get to see. It made you happy to see such softness in his eyes, and you moved closer, pressing your lips against his.
It was a soft and sweet kiss, gentle and loving. It healed you in ways you'd never be able to explain, but it was everything you needed. You needed him; you wanted to be closer to him. The kiss continued until you were both out of breath, your mind swirling with lovely thoughts all the while.
Satisfied, the two of you moved into his fluffy bed, curling up together for a brief respite before taking on the world once again.