Santiago Cantori

*he shivers, breath catching in his chest. When he finally speaks, his voice is muffled against her hair, the words almost inaudible*

Bel'annar'is... ma vhen'an.

(Always... my home/my heart)

I think it is the way you smile when you say it, amor. *grins*

*despite the misgivings hovering at the edge of his thoughts, he instinctively leans into her touch*

Mm. You work so hard. You deserve a break, corazón.

*heart thuds in his chest as he holds her gaze, lips curving in a slow smile as he raises a hand to the curve of her jaw* ...I do believe I can.

Well, I am glad you finally listened. *smiles teasingly* I might remind you of this, the next time you decide to doubt yourself.

*he tilts his head and studies her face, something nagging at him—her eyes don't hold their usual warmth when they meet his own*

Are you.. feeling alright, inansha?

*feels her shaking and tightens his arms around her, pressing a kiss into her hair, his voice low and a little rough when he finally manages to speak*

Mine. Just as I am yours.

+
smears of drying gore, careful to avoid the cuts despite her teasing words—though he did file them away for future reference.

"Tell me something, estrella." He rinsed out the cloth, deep red swirling through the water. "How did you sate the Urge back in Faerûn? Who or what did you hunt?"

He wrung out the cloth and turned back to face her, briefly pausing at the sight of her pulling away the last scraps of her torn, bloodied shirt. Even in such a state she was...ethereal. If anything, the blood and bruises only highlighted her beauty.

Slowly, reverently, he began to clean away the
+

*smiles as he feels Illario's reaction* This? If I wished to challenge you I would try harder, mi amor. *leans up to kiss his neck with a mischievous chuckle* Truth be told, I just wanted to see what you would do. *nips sharply at the pulse point below his jaw* ...And I had not forgotten, cerezito.

And I you, mi cerezito. I... I never thought I would find happiness such as this.

*raises a hand to touch Illario's cheek*

Thank you, amor. Thank you for giving me a safe place to land.

Yes, you are. *raises a hand to gently touch her cheek, then tilts his head curiously* Not that I am ungrateful for this change of heart, but... what brought this on?

*He stares at her with wide eyes, then raises a hand to mirror her own, fingers trembling slightly as he rests them against her cheek. His lips part, but no words come. After a long moment, he lets out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob, and pulls her into a tight, wordless embrace.*

Patience is a virtue, mi cerezito. And sometimes the path of least resistance is the better choice - especially if it ends with us here. *tightens his grip with his legs and rolls his hips up against Illario with a smirk* ...though I know you enjoy more of a challenge.

You are, indeed. *smiles softly* I am glad to hear you finally agree... though I will admit it is a surprise to hear you say it, inansha.

*his hand moves before the words register, closing around the wrist currently wearing the bracelet that hasn't left his wrist since that day*

This is... Mierda, Freya, I had no idea. *looks down at it, then back up, eyes shining with unshed tears* Why would you give me something so precious to you?

*his eyes widen, breath catching in his throat*

I...

*takes a deep breath, letting it out in a shaky sigh, voice rough when he speaks*

Truthfully... I feared the same. I was afraid I had already lost you, inansha. That it was too late for us to take back what was said.

+
He hissed through his teeth in sympathy and leaned in to examine them, reaching for the basin again to begin cleaning away the drying blood. "Forgive me, cariño, but this will sting a little."

+
Turning his head to kiss her palm, he reached out, hesitating just before his fingertips touched the buckles of her armour. "May I?"

When she didn't protest, he deftly undid the fastenings and carefully pulled back the torn leather to reveal several nasty cuts. Not lethal but certainly painful.
+

He smiled, not bothering to hide his relief at her easy acceptance of his aid, and leaned into the gentle touch of her hand for a long moment. If she had not been literally bleeding right at that moment, he would have liked to do more, but priorities had to be made.
+

*tilts his head and groans softly through clenched teeth, eyes half lidded as he looks back at her*

Perhaps I was... hasty. Surely you would forgive a moment of impatience?

*doesn't resist as Illario flips them both, gazing up at him with a smirk*

And what if this is exactly where I want you, mi amor?

*wraps his legs tightly around Illario’s waist to keep him pressed against him*

What then?

*smiles softly* If you truly wished that, mi cerezito, I would do those things for you. *smile sharpens* But I do not believe for a moment that you were thinking of such... mundanity. The truth, now.

*grins like a cat... until she speaks and he realises he may have spoken too soon*

Oh? But you did intend to reveal it? *tilts his head, eyes alight with pleading curiosity*

Something wise and insightful, I am certain.

*smiles and, before she can retort, leans down to kiss the point of her ear where it pokes through her hair*

*watches his hair tumble down around his shoulders, eyes darkening a fraction, and raises a hand to thread his fingers through those silken locks, his voice a low purr*

Can you, now? Do tell, amor.

*grins, sharp incisors gleaming, and moves back very slightly before lunging at Illario and sending them both to the floor with Santiago on top, leaning in to lightly graze the side of Illario's neck with the points of his teeth*

Sometimes, mi amor... You talk too much.

*leans in to make it easier for her, smile softening*

I know.

*looks back just as she does, meeting her eyes, and offers a small smile*

Not as much as it did then.

*grins wolfishly* I am glad to hear it. I would hate to leave you... disappointed. *tilts his head and returns the wink*

*sighs, looking away for a moment*

...I know. And I do believe you, inansha.

*mock outrage* Ye of little faith! Then I shall simply have to prove it to you. Several times, most likely.