#ENIDHRENA

[recitedemise]

She was engrossed in her book, navigating the familiar space of her study with practiced ease, dodging the low ceiling beam she had collided with countless times before. But today, there was a new obstacle she hadn't yet noticed—a taller, solid presence that suddenly loomed before her. Before she could react, she crashed into his chest, jolting slightly at the unexpected collision. However, the familiar scent that enveloped her drew a gentle smile to her lips. Leaning up onto her toes, she pressed her soft, pale lips against his cheek, lingering for a moment in the comforting embrace before whispering a gentle, soaking herself in his scent, filling her lungs before whispering a chuckled "sorry." With that, she continued on her mission, navigating the room with renewed determination, her mind still lost in the pages of her magical books - oh she would run into a door or such very soon again.

This is incandescent. In fact, out all those visions he's humored in his sleep, this, this here, trumps all a dream. Everything is cozy, the fragrance she wears so delicate and sweet. He can find her everywhere, in the silence and in the nights, her half-mumbled thoughts giving chase to shadows, and the sweet off her bath in her sleep-rucked sheets. He can't remember when home had last felt so...home. But watching so dazzled as she traces the room, her presence so tender had settled in everything. Her tea is in his cupboards. And her hands are on his chest.

Oops. "Quite alright," Gale smiles, and gingerly, his whiskered cheek finds a kiss. He looks down, a tremendous affection ferrying this want-starved heart. He itches to find her, to settle his palm along the slim of her waist; however, she's gone, gone, fluttering, nose buried in her passages, and he wonders if it tells her how he truly yearns. He's always here staring. Always there waiting. She stands emblazoned by the sunlight, her flyaways licked amber, and he like so dearly how she fills the room.

"I've half the mind to believe you a cartographer with all this mapping about you do," he settles on instead, his skin still tingling. Good heavens, Gale. "And yet, despite the enormity of this space, it still seems to me trouble will find you. Someone should keep an eye on you in case you get lost. Well, my services are readily available. Denote me your true north."

Oh, that's so abysmally silly, Gale! Still, he smiles, and reaching out, stops her from colliding with a table. His hand, warm and steady, finds the dip of her back. "What am I to do with you?" The answer is plain: anything she desires.