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Ominis did not get asked for. It was a given in his mind that he lived a quiet enough existence that there was no reason, aside for perhaps Sebastian dragging him into some god forsaken task, for Ominis Gaunt to be requested to report to a teacher.
This having been take into account, he could not think of a single reason as to why he had been summoned to Professor Weasley’s office, and in the middle of class no less. He was racking his brain as he walked, but there was no semblance of an idea of what this could be about. Sebastian had been too busy running around with the new fifth year to even think about drawing Ominis into one of his schemes, and he himself had certainly not done anything to incur the wrath of anyone short of the house elf he had walked into after she had apparated directly in front of him.
He rounded the statue that centred the courtyard before entering the Transfiguration corridor and was barely a few millimetres from the door when a voice caught his attention.
“Mr Gaunt, there you are. Thank you for coming so quickly. If you wouldn’t mind following me.” The sharp click of Professor Weasley’s heels against the dry stone floor was easy enough to follow, though he noted she seemed to sound rather thrown. Not so much panicked, as Professor Weasley knew nothing but perfect control over all situations, however there was some unevenness in her tone, as if she though still in control, was somewhat perplexed. Further, her steps were rather frantic, and Ominis found himself struggling rather more than he cared to admit to keep up without having to break into a small jog.
He recognised the familiar surroundings of the faculty wing, though as their destination loomed, he also found himself in a state of confusion similar to Professor Weasley.
“I believe you are acquainted with our new fifth year?” Whilst this may explain the strange anomaly which was his summoning, Ominis was still very much in the dark about the context and Professor Weasley wasn’t making much clear to him.
“We have met, yes. Though I may be inclined to ask what this is about, Professor?” Whilst he always made sure to maintain his polite manner around the faculty, there was little point beating around the bush with such matters as this. He was already known for being rather curt, a trait that Sebastian liked to remind him of frequently, so he thought little of how it may sound to the women in front of him past his adequate language.
“It will be clear in a moment. I feel this may be better dealt with head-on.” His suspicions came to fruition once the pair reached the hospital wing, and Professor Weasley finally slowed her pace. He could hear some vague conversation, seemingly Nurse Blainey fussing around what he assumed was what ever it was he was here to deal with. They approached the small hospital bed, and it dawned on Ominis that the rest of the room was empty, and that all the ruckus being incited from Nurse Blainey came down to one person.
“Professor, is that you?” He knew that voice, and having had her name spoken only moments before he was starting to connect the dots. Perhaps she had gotten herself in more trouble than she bargained for and he was simply deemed the most responsible associate to take her back to wherever she was to go.
“Yes, dear. I may have a small solution to, at best, lessen this situation.” The shuffle of feet signified that Professor Weasley had no turned her attention to Ominis, who was trying his best to piece together the jagged fragments of context he was being handed.
“Mr Gaunt, it should so seem that our lovely associate here has taken her little hobby of fighting poachers a touch too far, and has such been inflicted with a blindness curse.” The pieces were starting to click together, and he was not enjoying the answer.
“We have been able to ascertain that it isn’t permanent, however we cannot remove it at the time, and the recommendation from St. Mungo’s is to just allow it to run it course, should meddling with the curse inflict a greater damage.” Professor Weasley’s words were clear. The girl in front of him was temporarily blind, and the powers above have stated she is to remain as such for a prolonged time.
“And as I am also blind, I suppose I am now the expert here.” He could hear the girl spluttering from below him, and it was becoming more evident that this plan had not been discussed with her either.
“I would be so grateful if you could just look after her, until she is able to function alone, as if this lasts much longer it may affect her grades, which as they are currently non-existent, is a bit of a difficult fix otherwise.” He could see where the women was coming from, though it didn’t mean he agreed any less so. He however returned her request with a sharp nod, and he was soon left wandering the halls with a women on his arm who was determined to drag him to the floor with her.
“You’ve got to trust me or this isn’t going to end well.” She was flailing her free arms around as they walked, no doubt looking like a complete idiot, and throwing them both of balance as he himself struggled to guide them to the Undercroft. At least if he managed to get her somewhere private, they might have a chance to discuss some plan of hazard rather than ambling down the corridors like a pair of drunkards.
“You get called out of class and now you have a women on your arms. Whatever you’re having, I’ll take it.” Ominis did not fight the deadpan that swept over his gaze as he heard the last person he felt like dealing with right now.
“Whoa, mate, I know you don’t have much luck with the ladies but is drugging them really where you’re at.” There was a clear twinge of concern laced into the teasing tone of Sebastian’s voice, which only drew a scowl from his counterpart.
“Shut up and help me get her to the Undercroft.” The women on his arm was strangely quiet, and though it was certainly a curveball to suddenly lose an entire sense, it was also impossible for her not to recognise Sebastian and his pretentious voice.
“I do not feel comfortable being a part of whatever kink-.”
“Seb. I can’t see.” A quiet voice from beside him stopped Sebastian in his tracks, and his attention was cast over at the women gripping tightly to his best friend’s arm like a lifeline.
“Like you’ve got something in your eye or…” The subject of Sebastian’s attention raised her head and made some miserable attempt to turn her head towards where her friend was situated. The sharp intake of breath he took was evident to even her newly heightened hearing.
“It’s not permanent, but we don’t know how long it’ll last…” The word ‘curse’ was not dared uttered, lest something ugly been awoken in Sebastian Sallow. He did, however, seem to grasp the severity of the situation and finally moved to offer his arm to the other side of Ominis’s companion. Though he swiftly realised his mistake before gently reaching over and guiding her free arm around his and finally they were able to guide her through the hallways a touch more smoothly than Ominis’s sole attempt.
She stumbled over the entrance to the Undercroft, only being saved from a face full of stone by Sebastian’s firm grip on her forearm. Sebastian cast his gaze over to Ominis, whose own features where contorted into a strange mixture of thinking and loss.
“Right, between the two of us, we’ve probably got all your classes covered?” Ominis’s voice caught the attention of the third occupant of the Undercroft, who had swiftly collapsed against a pillar with her head in her hands. She was quiet for a moment, before nodding without lifting her head from her hands.
“Hey, are you alright?” The voice above her was soft and hesitant, but she couldn’t pin point it’s source and it sent her head reeling. She knew she wouldn’t be able to hold herself together if she dared lift her head from her hands, but it seems the choice was taken from her as she felt a gentle hand peel hers away from their tight grip on her skin. Her name filled the room, firm and yet laced with concern as Ominis crouched down beside her, hands still gripped tightly around her wrists.
“This is like my worst nightmare…” Her voice was quiet and broken, and maybe if she had spoken a single word more Ominis’s heart my have broken with it. The words were snatched from his throat, leaving him dwelling in the feeling of her skin against his.
“It’s going to be alright. You’ve got the professional right here at your disposal. We’ve got you.” Sebastian filled in the void in Ominis’s mind, though Ominis was unsure if this was because the man beside him had noticed his falter or if he was going to cut in regardless.
“He’s right. We’ll get you through this.” His words returned to him, though he hoped she couldn’t hear the wobble as he tripped over the start of his sentence. He wasn’t sure when, but his thumb had begun to rub small circles over her pulse, and he could hear her breathing begin to sync up with his small sweeping movements.
A small thank you was uttered from her as she finally lifted her head, though the hesitation was evident in her actions as she attempted to hold herself as normally as she could.
“Are you alright to try going to class?” A moment of no response was followed by a small nod, and she allowed Ominis to pull her from the cold floor. He moved to release her, but as he did he could feel the swift movement of her hand reaching out to follow him, although she did then miss her target. An arm was offered out to her and soon her tight grip was latched onto the fabric of Ominis’s robe.
***
With a vague plan of action laid out and a series of meeting points laid out for situations like when she had divination and astronomy without either of the boys, the newly curse inflicted witch was thrust into what should have been a relatively normal school day.
She could hear the whispers as they walked the halls, and she had no doubt that the details of her affliction had travelled far and wide, and had it’s far share of alterations. One would think, however, that people would be more wary of what they say, however much of their careless whispers were clear as day and not the kindest words she’d ever heard.
“Don’t pay too much mind. People are desperate for something to talk about. I’m sure they’ll all have forgotten with the week once the next scandal breaks out.” Likely alerted by the tightening of her grip on his upper arm, Ominis leant over to whisper his own truths to the poor women beside him who had to trust him blindly. The pair had spent more time together in the last two days than they had the last 6 months of knowing each other, and Ominis was tentative to say he wishes they had been doing so from the start. She was surprisingly good conversation, and it made sense as to why Sebastian was so entranced by her.
She always had a story to tell from her need to venture out into the Highlands, and once she let go of her inhibitions, she was rather energetic and Ominis found it somewhat contagious.
And temporary as it may be, it was nice having someone who understood his blights.
“That’s not-… Nevermind…” Truth be told the words around them didn’t mean much to her. She’d been the centre of many a gossip trend throughout her last year at Hogwarts, and had gained a thick skin against the whispers of the student body.
She hadn’t meant to overhear some of the crueller words uttered when she had stumbled into the bathroom, Ominis waiting outside for her, and had hidden with her feet drawn up once she had heard voices. She cursed herself for her actions, knowing she had faced much worse, and yet somehow teenage girls were still more daunting than trolls.
“Someone’s been saying it’s contagious?” Whilst the words were spoken with clear dramatic emphasis, the underlying amusement took away from the fear they were supposed to incite.
“Like, we can’t go near them?”
“No, no. Come one, you’ve seen the way she clings to him. They’re totally fucking.” She didn’t want her assumptions to be true, but given the main topic of conversation enveloping the school there was no way they weren’t talking about her. Her and Ominis.
“Merlin’s beard. I mean, getting fucked so hard you go blind.” The voice was clearly tempted, but a small yelp indicated a small smack had been dished out in response.
“No, you whore. Like he’s infected her or something.” The girl hiding out in the toilet stall winced. She didn’t care what other people thought of her, but knowing her actions were tarnishing Ominis cut deep. She had half a mind to make her presence known and reprimand the pair of girls outside, but there was no way she would command the fear she wanted if she stumbled out of the stall in front of them.
The sound of her name from beside her brought her out of her thoughts, and she turned her head in the direction of the voice.
“Sorry, away with the fairies, I’m alright.” Ominis let out an unconvinced hum at her response, but didn’t question her any further as he guided her towards their next class. She could here Sebastian greet them, calling to them from across the corridor from what she assumed was the entrance to the potions classroom, if she had judged their travels well enough.
Her assumptions were proved correct as she was guided to a seat, leg pressed flush against Ominis’s as they squeezed onto a small bench on the right side of the class together. Though she usually sat on a bench with Sebastian and Garreth, Professor Sharp had relocated her for a few lessons in order to ‘allow Mr Gaunt to help her learn to navigate before she would be permitted near a cauldron alone’, which basically translated to she was currently a danger to herself and her classmates if left unmonitored.
Sharp, however, had failed to see that Ominis was almost as useless as she was when it came to navigating. There was a reason potions was Ominis’s least favourite class.
“Can’t we just get Sebastian?”
“And let Sharp see this mess? Absolutely not!”
“Did we put the Billywig stingers in yet?”
“Yes, I, uh… Maybe?” A groan was given in response to Ominis’s unconfident answer as she moved to grab more stingers.
“Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?” A hand stopped her, catching her by the forearm and halted her sweeping motion across the table. Sebastian’s voice carried over the room and she turned her head in the direction of the sound to show she was listening.
“Better put more in than none?” She wasn’t even convinced by her own words, and Ominis scoffed beside her as Sebastian guided her hand away from the bowl of bubotuber pus she was seconds away from knocking onto the floor.
“You two are getting nowhere… And you’re about three steps behind even thinking about Billywig stingers.” Sebastian was clearly exasperated by the pair of them, and they could hear him shuffling around as he moved to fix whatever mess they had unknowingly made.
“I don’t know why you think it requires three people to do the job of one.” The trio froze on the spot as Professor Sharp’s cutting tone sliced through the classroom, drawing it to silence.
“Whilst I am fully aware of the, current circumstances, I am not going to allow any further allowances than those that I have permitted already. So I believe that is going to have to be detention. For all three of you.” The ex-auror walked away without further elaboration, leaving the three still standing at the small bench. Ominis is glaring at his two compatriots, though not in their direction. Sebastian was cursing himself for being selfless at his own expense whilst the third of the group was stood in silence, mouth slightly agape as she tried to rationalise an argument, but nothing was coming to her mind.
She was only dragged out of her stupor whence the pot beside her began to bubble over, sloshing it’s contents over the desk and ruining any chance of salvation.
“This is going to take so much extra work to make up…” The whine she emitted elicited a chuckle from the taller man beside her, but to her other side the shorter man simply reached out and placed a hand on hers, a short but firm squeeze emanating from him before he pulled back, as to not let anyone else know of his actions.
***
She had no way of telling what time it was as she sat against the cold floor of the Undercroft. Maybe if she stayed there long enough, the darkness would simply swallow her whole. It was strange, having someone who understood her situation to the very core, and yet she couldn’t utter a single word to him about it. This was his ever waking moment, everything he’d ever known, and he coped. So why couldn’t she. The week had been long, and despite the constant encouragement, it wasn’t getting any better. Nothing was getting better. Every morning she awoke once more to darkness tore the hole in her heart wider, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold out.
And the only person she could talk to about it was the only person she couldn’t. How could she, when the thing that was tormenting her temporarily, was his only fate?
The last thing she expected to hear was the familiar clang of the Undercroft elevator, and the haunting creak of the small metal gate that led into the room.
“Is someone here?” Ominis’s voice cut through the silence. Maybe he had heard her breathing, or perhaps he just knew, as he always seemed to see more than most.
“What are you doing up?” Her voice was small, since it had not expected to be used at such an hour. Her name echoed out from in the distance, partially in recognition though mostly in a solemn question. Neither expected the other, and that truth was made evident by the brewing tension in the cold room.
The silence held firm as Ominis made his way across the room, settling down beside her, shoulders pressed together. A moment or two lingered before she let out a taut breath, catching the attention of the man beside her.
“I, uh, I went to the bathroom, and when I came back… I must has miscounted the dorm room doors…” Her head was thrown into her hands as she spoke, and he barely caught the end of her words as they became muffled in her palms.
The quiet settled over the pair once more, and she could feel the panic rising within her as Ominis failed to respond. Unable to take it anymore, she shifted to stand, though she resented herself for continuing to run away.
“I got into bed with Sebastian in our first year.” The phrase was said so bluntly that she was taken aback, unsure how to respond.
“I know you feel like you can’t talk to me. But you can. Please.” She could have melted on the spot as desperation crept into the back of his words, grounding her once more. His hand found hers, drawing it up from the cold ground and onto the warmth of their legs, which were now crushed together as he pulled her closer.
“I know it’s not a fun experience. Just because I can live with it doesn’t mean you have to hold it in.” She was so focused on the feeling of her hand in his that the feelings of hopelessness that plagued her seemed to melt away.
“It’s really hard…” She winced as her voice cracked. He’d gotten into her mind, and it didn’t take long before the tears were free flowing, sobs racking her body. The hand holding hers tightly disappeared for a moment, but before she had time to mourn the loss she was pulled into the chest of the man beside her, arms wrapped firmly around her frame.
“You’ll be okay. I’ll get you through this.” There was something so much more reassuring to hear Ominis take control. It had always been ‘we’. Him and Sebastian. But Sebastian, as well as he meant, did not understand.
“I know Sebastian means well, but I can’t listen to him talk about when I have my sight back a moment longer. What if it never comes back? Do I spend my whole life waiting for something I can’t have?” The words were choked as she spoke and Ominis might have missed them had they not been pressed so closely together. The arms around her tightened in a show of comfort, and she swore she felt lips ghost over her hair before they pulled away.
“I will speak to him. But you are right. Moving forward, we shall simply live in the now, and deal with whatever happens in the future as it comes.” The concept of ‘we’, her and him, made her chest swell, and for a moment the gaping hole in her heart felt a little smaller. A small nod was the only response Ominis received, but he could feel it against his chest as her cheek brushed against his waistcoat.
***
Two months, one week, and four days.
She counted off the date in her head as she rose, darkness once more unbudging in her vision. It was strange, but she no longer felt the wave of despair each morning. Instead she allowed her fingers to fun over the fabric of the sheets that pooled over legs, revelling in the feeling under her fingers as she took in a deep breath, before finally moving to start her day.
Her dorm mates seemed to have accepted the situation, and once a thorough explanation from Professor Weasley had been thrust upon them, they had moved to help her quietly. None dared talk about the situation, but it finally dawned on them the reality of her infliction.
A small thank you left her lips as a foot slid her shoes against the side of her toes, saving her a moments more fumbling along the dirty floor. She received no response, but perhaps she preferred her dorm mates no speaking about it manner of going about things. It felt more natural to just go about her day without being reminded constantly that life had once been a little different.
Ominis had taught her the basics of his movement charm, though she could just about manifest the concept of the furniture around her enough to not be constantly walking into the low standing tables that littered the communal area.
This in turn meant the rest of her housemates knew it was best to move from her direct path, lest she take them down to the floor with them.
She tried not to dwell on her newfound clumsiness, just glad she could finally manoeuvre around her common room without running her hands along the walls, snickers following her ever uncertain move.
She met with Sebastian and Ominis outside the entrance to her house common room, though it seemed both boys had been up much longer than her as they had had time to fully awaken, unlike her who had to stifle a yawn as she joined them.
The walk to breakfast was familiar now, and she didn’t feel so inclined to hold on to either of the boys in order to move through the corridors of the castle. That didn’t mean she wasn’t shifted to the side every so often by a firm hand in order to avoid the looming trip hazards of the rough stone floor, or an bumbling student unaware of their own surroundings.
A hand fell against hers as they entered the hall, merely guiding her towards a table and into the small bench lining it without banging her knees against it’s rough grain once more. Ominis’s grip lingered for a moment longer than needed, but she was more disheartened when he did finally release her from his gentle touch to situate himself in a seat beside her.
Sebastian in front of her was rattling on about the most recent book he had pulled from the restricted section, but not a single word from his mouth reached her ears. Her mind was entirely consumed by the feeling of Ominis’s pinkie brushing against hers where it was situated beside her on the bench, out of sight of prying eyes.
Silence fell suddenly, and the loss of the ambient noise of Sebastian’s voice drew her attention back to him.
“Shit! I’ve got detention with Weasley! If I miss another one I’m so screwed.” Sebastian’s voice was muffled, presumably by the toast crammed into his mouth as he haphazardly gathered his belongings, bolting out of the hall before either of his friends could get a word out.
A laugh burst from her lips as she heard the door slam, quiet against the sound of a thousand students chattering away, but Ominis caught it and a soft smile spread across his lips. His hand shifted lightly, ghosting over the top of hers before falling down on the back of her hands.
“I suppose that means it’s just us this morning.” His voice was so clear in her mind he might as well have been the only other person in the room. A smile of her own graced her features as she turned her hand over to grip his tightly, moving to stand and pull him with her.
“I think we deserve a little sunshine, don’t you think?” She could have suggested anything and he would have gladly gone along, so when he found himself sat beside her on a small bench, hands still tightly wound together, he was at a loss for words.
The sun was warm on his face, a light breeze drifting through his hair, whispering it’s secrets against his ears. Though it made no difference, he still felt his eyelids flutter shut, dwelling in the sensations around him, and her hand in his.
A soft gasp from beside him drew his attention back into reality, and he turned his head towards the sound, confusion mapped over his face.
“You have a new freckle…” Her voice was soft as if she was in awe, and he could feel her fingers skim over the top of his cheek, and the only thing holding him back from pressing his skin into her touch was the realisation.
“You can see?”
“I can see.”
Two months, one week, and four days.
***
Upon the return of her sight, it seems that Ominis’s new found friend had put it upon herself to make up for the last two months of not being out in the Highlands. His hand ghosted over the empty space beside him at dinner, and without the feeling of her hand in his, his mind began to wander.
Was it all a matter of circumstance?
Was it just because he understood her situation?
Had he been reading into signs that weren’t there?
Across from him, Sebastian watched as Ominis’s brows furrowed. The downtrodden expression had been painted on the blind man’s features for the past three days, and Sebastian was almost beginning to think it was just his resting face. He had some idea of what he thought was causing it, though he hadn’t been able to track down the cause quite yet. He had some idea of where to find her, though he had hoped she would just turn up to dinner and save him some time.
Sebastian let out a sigh as he gave into the fact she wasn’t coming, before rising and pushing himself out from under the table, drawing Ominis’s attention.
“I’ve got to go do something. I shall see you in the common room later.” Once again, Sebastian left before his friend could get out a reply, though Ominis wasn’t sure he even had one to begin with as he listened to Sebastian’s foot steps fade, swallowed by the sound of idle chatter around him.
Sebastian on the other hand, made a swift beeline for the nearest floo station, and started what he hoped would be a quick search.
To his luck, it seems her friend’s were surprisingly reliable. She landed in front of him just as he reached the peak of the hill, chest heaving as he struggled to find his words to catch her attention. She swung around to the sound of her name, a wide smile spreading across her lips as she recognised her friends.
“What are you doing out here, Seb?” She placed her broom against the small rack beside the time trial podium before brushing down her windswept hair in some attempt to regain her presentability.
“Looking for you. You’ve been a little elusive as of late.” This earned Sebastian a sheepish grin from the woman before him.
“Guess I’ve kind of been a bit swept up in catching up. Sorry about that.” Sebastian had to give it to her, despite how smart she was, she really was very single minded. He wasn’t going to hold that against her. He was much the same.
“It’s not me you should be apologising to.” This seemed to take her by surprise, the cogs in her mind turning as she ran through the list of people she could have possibly wronged. Sebastian couldn’t help but deadpan at the slow woman.
“You spend almost everyday with him for two months straight and then you just up and disappear.” Sebastian almost regretted the words as soon as he sees the dismay sweep across her face as she realises.
“Merlin, he must hate me…” A hand reached up and ran it’s way through her hair as panic set into her mind. She’d been so wrapped up in being able to get back to normal that she’d completely overlooked what she was leaving behind.
“He seems more forlorn, really. I suppose he misses having someone who understands him. Keeps looking at his hands for some reason. Like he can even see them.”
Oh.
Whilst it seems Sebastian hadn’t quite hit the nail on the head, it dawned on her exactly what she had done. But she wasn’t about to screw up just yet.
“I should probably talk to him. Could you perhaps ask him to meet me in the Undercroft. Tonight?” This seemed to be exactly what Sebastian was aiming for as the smile returned to his face and he agreed before turning to find his other friend.
“Oh, and Sebastian?” She caught his attention once more before he left, his head swivelling around to glance at her.
“I feel like he might be a little sensitive about all this, so could you perhaps leave us be for tonight? I’ll come find you should I need your help.” Sebastian seemed to take this very much at face value and began his descent down the hill, entirely missing the red hue developing over her cheeks as he went.
***
She hadn’t been down in the Undercroft since she had regained her sight. She hadn’t realised how comfortable the atmosphere of the large room was as it was entirely overshadowed by the haunting décor that met her gaze as she looked around.
“Sebastian said you wanted to talk.” His voice cut through the silence, curt and polite as if they were barely acquaintances. She winced as she turned to him, but held her ground as she moved forwards, closing the gap between them.
“I, I wanted to apologise.” Ominis raised a questioning eyebrow, but said nothing as if to push her to continue.
“I got so caught up in being able to do all the things I wanted to do, it seems, um, it seems that I’d forgotten the things that were always there for me.” She continued forward as she spoke, eyes locked on Ominis with each shaky step. She could stop at any moment, but she forced herself to go on.
“I’m sorry, Ominis.” She stopped her advancing with barely a few centimetres between the tips of their shoes on the ground. She watched as Ominis’s lips pressed themselves into a thin line, unsure of how to proceed. She wasn’t sure if he even knew how close she was, so she gently reached her left hand out to his right, lifting it from against his side. He flinched for a moment at the contact, but his whole body relaxed under her touch, revelling in the feeling of her thumb running along the creases in his palm.
She lifted his hand between them, palm face up, before placing the item in her right hand across it. Ominis’s furrowed his brows for a moment, before running the content of his hand through his finger to decipher it.
Within his grasp was a cloth, folded into a long strip.
He pondered for a moment before it dawned on him, and he lifted his attention to the woman in front of him, who hadn’t said a word yet. He could hear her breathing catching in her throat as she waited, apprehension evident in her chest.
Slowly he lifted the cloth in front of him, either end of strip pinched between his fingers as he raised it up and forward until he felt her hair tickle the sides of his hands. Carefully he wrapped the cloth around her head, feeling her own hands raise to keep it in place as he took a hesitant step forward in order to reach around and tie it behind her head.
His hands didn’t fall once he had finished, instead they lingered behind her for a moment, before brushing lightly through her hair, over her ears and finally along her jaw, drawing her head up to him. She leant into his touch, signalling that he was in fact correct in his assumptions.
He was in awe for a moment. This woman was bearing herself to him, only him, as equals. Given the opportunity, he would have spent a lifetime mapping every inch of her face, drawing out the structure of her face in his mind. But there was only one thing he wanted to, no, needed to do, right then.
His lips ghosted over her, warmth breath tickling her upper lip as she shuddered in his grasp. Her hands rose to wrap around his wrists in some futile attempt to pull him closer, but she needed him to make the final move.
The minute gap between them was closed with an impatient movement from Ominis. He could no longer bear to have her so close without claiming her as his own.
The kiss started gentle, the unspoken feeling between them communicated through their intertwined lips. But soon their bodies were pressed impossibly close as Ominis’s hands dragged themselves from her jaw through her hair, and her hands travelled down his arms to draw him in closer by his collar.
Desperate mumbles and colliding emotions filled the silence of the Undercroft, and for the first time she was truly comfortable in the darkness.