Pureblood Elite

Disclosure

Disclosure

He was unjust. He knew that and she'd pointed that out to him by claiming that he was the very reason that kept her from gaining a proper understanding. Deep down, he wished it was that simple; that he'd have her sit down, look at him and listen while he poured his heart out and flooded her with the events of that fateful night and the rest that followed after, however, it was more complicated than that. He'd buried the past within himself and tried to let go of everything that didn't serve him anymore. He functioned in his day-to-day life and had enough self-control to pretend - for Celeste's sake - that he'd moved on and the past hadn't haunted him, but he never imagined he'd have to face these consequences and open up about the horror that had been his reality to the person who'd been the trigger for the events and whom he loved too much to wish to hurt. Unsurprisingly, she got fed up with his inability to communicate and not only that, she grew aggravated over the fact that he refused to let down his guards, so she changed her approach and reprimanded him, which he endured frozen in that same position. Every word, every criticism that left her mouth was well-deserved, moreover, as she summarised every little hint, every blurry detail he'd shared with her so far, it did become clear to him that he was at fault. He'd not been successful at expressing himself and he needed to change that. At one point, she furiously pushed the covers away from her and to the side, giving him the impression that she'd get up and storm away, leaving him to his thoughts, which set off an alarm in his head, so he jerked up as well, dropping his arms to his sides and turning his head towards her to watch her with a terrified expression, like a deer in the headlights. It did hurt him to see her come undone like that- especially as he was the cause of her distress, though, if anything, it helped him pull himself together and genuinely want to alleviate the situation. "I'm sorry" He breathed with exasperation after long moments, his agitation evaporating as suddenly as it appeared. "I didn't mean to-... *trails off and looks away with embarrassement* I'm not angry at you... no... If anything, I'm furious at myself..." He admitted in defeat as he grabbed the covers draped across his lap and began nervously fiddling with the creases, displeased with how he treated the situation and her. "We shouldn't be having this conversation in the first place if I hadn't- No *shakes his head* What happened, happened. There's no point in blaming yourself as it won't change things for the better... *He murmured, closing his eyes for a bit and cutting himself off, repeating the words his therapist told him during a session, before taking a steadying breath and slowly turning towards her* Cissa... I need you to know that I'm aware I should have told you already... but time never felt right for it... *pauses for a second* When we've met at the party... It was achingly familiar... but you felt distant... I didn't know what to expect- or rather didn't expect to share my life with you again... then... as time went by, it became more and more of a burden to keep it from you- but at the same time, I started to fear losing you more and more-... I didn't want to risk it... I understand if you'll be mad at me for not saying a thing... but please- I beg you to keep in mind that I had the best intentions... that I love you and I don't want to cause you any pain... If I could, I'd go back and change things... just so I wouldn't have to put you through this"

Disclosure

He was dissociating, so much so that the moment her soothing caresses ceased and she peered up at him hadn't even registered to him at all, only when she addressed him, he snapped back to reality and released another heavy sigh. "That is my dream as well" He breathed back, forbidding himself to believe that their ideal life together could be anything, but a dream once the conversation would be over and he disappointed her once again. Naturally, he wasn't surprised that she didn't have a clue on what he might admit, for both him and their daughter made sure his secret was kept safe, however, as he listened to her and realised just what she was doing- how she assumed it was his self-doubt again and how she tried to convince him that he was enough for her, his heart ached even more, for she further proved that she deeply cared about him and that she wanted the absolute best for him, which made it all even worse as he knew he'd only cause her pain with his own weakness and selfishness. Unexpectedly, she reached up and carefully covered his cheek with her palm, catching him off guard, before taking control and angling his face to make him look at her, which - although regretfully - he did, and what he'd seen lurking behind her expression made him spiral deeper into sorrow. Upon locking eyes with her, he couldn't quite decide whether she appeared to be more concerned or frightened, but the look upon her face combined with her nervous speculation made him feel anxious regardless. It was clear from her words that she'd assumed the problem he'd soon describe was much simpler, easier to fix and accept than he actually believed it was, though, he couldn't be upset at her for nervously trying to guess the issue instead of actually letting him speak. "You didn't know what you've chosen then..." He replied weakly, absolving her and shaking his head as to emphasise his words and the fact that he had kept an important detail from the past to himself; a key detail that would have immediately explained to her why their daughter mistreated her and why he was afraid to surrender and commit to their re-heated relationship. "...and I'm not planning to walk away... though you might want to... for I have lied to you... on many occasions... *inhales shakily* Your troubled relationship with Celeste... is my doing- she's mad at you because of me. I've begged her not to blame you... but I've been too selfish and despaired to consider the consequences... I... I just wanted a way out" He explained as best as he could, failing to realise that he didn't quite make sense, but he was too overwhelmed and clueless on how to describe the incident and pour his feelings into words.

For a long moment, Narcissa did not speak. The moment the words left his mouth, Narcissa felt something cold settle in the pit of her stomach. Not because of what he had said but because she didn't understand it. The room seemed to fall away around them as his broken confession settled into the silence between them. Her mind searched for reasons as to why he could be the reason that Celeste was sharp and short with her over the past few years, but she couldn't figure out exactly what he was referring to. Her brows drew together in confusion as she searched his face, trying desperately to connect his explanation to anything she knew. The pieces existed, but they refused to fit together. For several long moments, she simply stared at him. "Lucius...," his name escaped her softly as her brows remained furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand." Then shook her head faintly, as a strained smile flickered across her face. "No, that's not true. I understand that you're frightened. I understand that you've convinced yourself this will make me leave...but I don't understand. I know she's upset I left you and she blames me for what was a broken relationship. And I accepted that. None of that is your fault, my love," she kept her hand on his cheek as she tried to give him an encouraging smile while her eyes searched his desperately. She looked for answers, for context, for...something. A painful knot formed in her throat. "If Celeste resented me...," her eyes closed briefly as she inhaled slowly, "...how could I blame her? I left. I was the one who walked away. I may have believed I had my reasons at the time, but to her...to her I was simply the mother who wasn't there and the reason her family fell apart." Her smile faltered as she continued, "If she believed I abandoned you, then perhaps that's because, from where she stood...perhaps it looked that way. So please...," her voice was barely audible now, as a fragile smile broke through the sadness as she thought about that dark time. "Don't carry this anymore, my love. Celeste and I will be just fine." She wasn't sure she entirely believed that, but she knew that was what he needed to hear in that moment to let go of this pain he was carrying. Her hand slipped from his cheek to cover his trembling one and she tightened her fingers around his. Her blue eyes remained locked on his, hoping this was just him blaming him for something that wasn't even his fault but the look on his face, the tremble in his hands, told her it wasn't that simple.

Even after he'd stated he lied to her multiple times and he'd been aware of the reason of Celeste's estrangement, but refused to tell, she remained adamant and kept turning a blind eye over the truth. She seemed puzzled at first, but as the moments passed by and she started feeding him excuses she believed wholehearted, but he refused to accept, she slowly regained her composure. None of it made sense. He expected her to grow mad at him, to question him and demand an explanation before she exploded with rage, yet none of his predictions came true and it made him feel more hopeless than earlier. Anything- any other reaction, but pure empathy, he could have dealt with easier, he felt, however, either by choice or conviction, she remained calm and tried to talk him through his misery, taking the blame she assumed was justified and doing her very best to convince him that he was irreproachable, which was a blatant lie. He listened to her with glassy eyes and by the time she finished her generous monologue, he simply couldn't take her kindness any longer. "No" He roared with frustration, tearing his hand away while bolting up into a sitting position, shaking his head. "You really don't understand..." He whined with despair as he lifted both of his hands to cradle his temples, hoping to ease the tension that had been building up in his head. "...So stop being nice to me. I don't deserve it" He concluded through his teeth, needing a few moments and a couple of deep breaths before he was able to continue this one-sided conversation, for he was on the edge. "You are not to blame... I have asked you not to do that to yourself and I wish you'd have listened to me- I hope you will now... It-... It's not just your fault. We both have made our mistakes. I... The two of us were in our marriage and I was cruel to you. *sighs* You've begged to me... warned me, but I have let my addiction consume me. It was my choice... my responsibility- and I have failed. Do not try to exempt me- n- not now and not once I have told you what I need to... just... listen to me... please" He pleaded with his eyes shut tight, losing his momentum by the end.

Disclosure

He was dissociating, so much so that the moment her soothing caresses ceased and she peered up at him hadn't even registered to him at all, only when she addressed him, he snapped back to reality and released another heavy sigh. "That is my dream as well" He breathed back, forbidding himself to believe that their ideal life together could be anything, but a dream once the conversation would be over and he disappointed her once again. Naturally, he wasn't surprised that she didn't have a clue on what he might admit, for both him and their daughter made sure his secret was kept safe, however, as he listened to her and realised just what she was doing- how she assumed it was his self-doubt again and how she tried to convince him that he was enough for her, his heart ached even more, for she further proved that she deeply cared about him and that she wanted the absolute best for him, which made it all even worse as he knew he'd only cause her pain with his own weakness and selfishness. Unexpectedly, she reached up and carefully covered his cheek with her palm, catching him off guard, before taking control and angling his face to make him look at her, which - although regretfully - he did, and what he'd seen lurking behind her expression made him spiral deeper into sorrow. Upon locking eyes with her, he couldn't quite decide whether she appeared to be more concerned or frightened, but the look upon her face combined with her nervous speculation made him feel anxious regardless. It was clear from her words that she'd assumed the problem he'd soon describe was much simpler, easier to fix and accept than he actually believed it was, though, he couldn't be upset at her for nervously trying to guess the issue instead of actually letting him speak. "You didn't know what you've chosen then..." He replied weakly, absolving her and shaking his head as to emphasise his words and the fact that he had kept an important detail from the past to himself; a key detail that would have immediately explained to her why their daughter mistreated her and why he was afraid to surrender and commit to their re-heated relationship. "...and I'm not planning to walk away... though you might want to... for I have lied to you... on many occasions... *inhales shakily* Your troubled relationship with Celeste... is my doing- she's mad at you because of me. I've begged her not to blame you... but I've been too selfish and despaired to consider the consequences... I... I just wanted a way out" He explained as best as he could, failing to realise that he didn't quite make sense, but he was too overwhelmed and clueless on how to describe the incident and pour his feelings into words.

Disclosure

Upon rolling over to his back, he laid still, heart furiously racing with rapture as he was trying to catch his breath. He did intend to reach out to her, both physically and verbally, however, she was faster to do so and gently slipped her hand over his own to envelope it before finally sliding her fingers between his own, which was a gesture that immediately warmed his heart and made him turn his head to the side to eagerly check on her, only to find that her eyes had been closed. Nevertheless, the radiating joy and immense satisfaction had been written all over her face, which made him smile with contentment as he regarded her silently for only a few seconds, for she declared her love for him once again and he felt the urge to not only assure her of his own feelings, but somehow reciprocate the gesture too. "I love you too" He breathed out softly, then curled his fingers to somewhat secure hers in his loose hold so he could lift her hand and bring it up to his face to press a lingering kiss on the back of it. "I always have and I always will... no matter what" He confessed with the utmost honesty, then brushed his lips against her knuckles, not seeing any point in denying that even when she wasn't his- even when he probably shouldn't have, he loved her all the same. "Would you have imagined... - weeks ago, that we'd end up in this bed... *laughs breathlessly, wrapped up in blissful sentimentality, then releases her hand to turn onto his side* If I didn't know better, I'd be convinced I'm dreaming... and what sorrow would the morning bring then" He finished his monologue in a different way he'd planned to, subconsciously bringing light to the fact that he did have dreams in which they were still together as well as to the dismay he'd dealt with each time he woke up and was faced with the mournful reality. "But you're here, Cissa... we've found our way back to each other" He pointed out with a soft smile as if to question his own perception and truly make sure it was all real, placing his hand flat to rest on her smooth stomach before sliding it over to her side, loosely draping his arm over her as he scooted closer.

Narcissa's eyes remained closed for a few moments longer, a peaceful smile resting upon her lips as she listened to the familiar cadence of his voice. Even now, after everything they had endured, it still had the same effect on her. That feeling of blissful peace. The feel of his fingers intertwined with hers and the kiss upon her knuckles, it all drew a soft sigh from her. When she finally opened her eyes, she turned her head toward him. The tenderness she found there nearly stole her breath. At his question, a faint laugh escaped her. "Weeks ago," she repeated softly. "Lucius, weeks ago I was still trying to convince myself that you were impossible." The smile that followed was fond and impossibly warm, letting him know her words were meant to be lighthearted. "And yet here we are." She shifted closer when he draped his arm around her, naturally fitting herself against his side as though to be close to one another was not close enough. Her fingertips began to trace little circles across his chest. "But no," she admitted after a thoughtful pause. "I wouldn't have imagined this. I did always hope...that one day...well, there were moments when I allowed myself to wonder. Briefly. Usually when I was alone." She shook her head faintly. "Then I would tell myself not to be foolish." Narcissa paused again and then continued her thoughts aloud, "Some dreams can be fragile. Hope is fragile...but what we have now doesn't feel fragile." Narcissa leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. "It feels real...earned." For a moment she simply studied him, her blue eyes searching his face as her expression grew gentler. "And we did find our way back to each other. But do you know what I find most remarkable?" A playful glimmer finally returned to her gaze, "That after everything that happened, after all the years, all the arguments, all the opportunities we've had to drive one another completely mad...I still prefer falling asleep beside you to anyone else in the world." Drawing a little closer, she rested her forehead against his chest and sighed happily, "So no, my love. I don't think you're dreaming. Though if you are, kindly don't wake up. I'd rather stay right here next to you for as long as I possibly can."

Naturally, he understood just what she meant by 'impossible', however, his mind immediately registered the different meaning of those exact words together and he couldn't help, but arch his brows and widen his eyes in feigned shock, finding the made-up implication of her, allegedly claiming that he was an impossible person, rather funny in that context. Softened by her own innocent and fond smile, he couldn't keep up the illusion for long enough and started chuckling at his own silliness. "Honestly, I am... sometimes" He commented, not truly expecting her to either deny or confirm his statement, so instead of adding anything else, he grinned at her and planted a kiss on the top of her head as soon as she scooted closer to him, then listened to her curiously. Despite his own experience - that she missed her and thought about her more frequently than he ever admitted to anyone -, her confession about having vain hopes of that nature as well as reoccurring thoughts about him did surprise him and left him with mixed feelings; on the one hand, he felt sad for her for having similar struggles as him, wishing to be together and assuming it would be impossible, but on the other, her unconditional love and her resilience warmed his very soul. He was doing his very best to stay silent and simply let her share what she wished to, however, by the time she mentioned that she instructed herself not to be foolish, his heart was overflowing with emotion and he was physically unable not to make a sound, so he let out a sympathetic 'aww' and began lightly caressing her side as to express his adoration and his sentimental approval of the situation without cutting her off. As she went on and elaborated on her idea about dreams and hopes, then drawn the conclusion of what they had now didn't feel fragile, but was real and earned, he felt his throat tighten as the familiar sting of guilt pierced through his chest. "It is real" He assured her softly after a longer moment - for that was true - then released a heavy sigh, fighting against the truth and the emotions that desperately wanted to surface, threatening to ruin the mood. Not only the urge to come clean he had been fighting, but his expressions too. He needed to keep a straight face and hold back a care-worn frown while he held her gaze, which in itself felt like a betrayal. He didn't want to hurt her. He never wanted to, and while he knew it would be inevitable, he also did realise that keeping the secret for any longer would further aggravate the situation, especially as they'd supposed to have started with a fresh page. "Hm?" He hummed back to her question on what she finds remarkable and mustered a soft smile, though her glimmering eyes probably didn't reflect in his own clouded ones, for he'd already been distracted and consumed by his own thoughts. She'd said everything he could wish for... even more, yet, the words that meant to caress his soul and bring him comfort had only disturbed him. She didn't deserve to be fooled like that and he had to take responsibility for his decisions - even if it meant he'd alienate her. "Hope is worse" He stated gloonily and out of the blue, referring back to what she'd previously said, completely ignoring her affectionate joke and the rest she'd elaborated on after, which he struggled to pay attention to anyways. "Dreams- you can't control, but undying hope... it's a conscious decision... a self-inflicted torment" He continued, almost in a sinister way, blankly staring at a point somewhere above her shoulder, but holding onto her just as tightly as before. "Narcissa. I can't- *shuts his eyes tightly as if to gather some courage and hide his regret, but pushes on* I haven't been honest with you... There's something you must know" He stated with a heavy heart, scared for her and for himself.

Disclosure

Upon rolling over to his back, he laid still, heart furiously racing with rapture as he was trying to catch his breath. He did intend to reach out to her, both physically and verbally, however, she was faster to do so and gently slipped her hand over his own to envelope it before finally sliding her fingers between his own, which was a gesture that immediately warmed his heart and made him turn his head to the side to eagerly check on her, only to find that her eyes had been closed. Nevertheless, the radiating joy and immense satisfaction had been written all over her face, which made him smile with contentment as he regarded her silently for only a few seconds, for she declared her love for him once again and he felt the urge to not only assure her of his own feelings, but somehow reciprocate the gesture too. "I love you too" He breathed out softly, then curled his fingers to somewhat secure hers in his loose hold so he could lift her hand and bring it up to his face to press a lingering kiss on the back of it. "I always have and I always will... no matter what" He confessed with the utmost honesty, then brushed his lips against her knuckles, not seeing any point in denying that even when she wasn't his- even when he probably shouldn't have, he loved her all the same. "Would you have imagined... - weeks ago, that we'd end up in this bed... *laughs breathlessly, wrapped up in blissful sentimentality, then releases her hand to turn onto his side* If I didn't know better, I'd be convinced I'm dreaming... and what sorrow would the morning bring then" He finished his monologue in a different way he'd planned to, subconsciously bringing light to the fact that he did have dreams in which they were still together as well as to the dismay he'd dealt with each time he woke up and was faced with the mournful reality. "But you're here, Cissa... we've found our way back to each other" He pointed out with a soft smile as if to question his own perception and truly make sure it was all real, placing his hand flat to rest on her smooth stomach before sliding it over to her side, loosely draping his arm over her as he scooted closer.

Disclosure

Surprisingly, he was able to move on fast, in fact, his mood improved so rapidly that after a few caresses and kisses, it felt as if she hadn't even brought up the topic of the bandage around his arm, which was fortunate, for he'd have hated to disturb her and for their wonderful date to have such a horrible ending. Yes, he should- and he wanted to tell her about it, however, there was something else he wanted for her to have more than anything else: he wanted to pamper her, to worship her and to demonstrate just how much he still loved her, how much she meant for him- and that, their blissful reunion in every way was more important to partake in than a confession that could easily ruin everything before it even started. "Not just one task, but one of my favourites... There is a difference, trust me" He countered with as much severity as he could muster, playing into the dismayed, sulking role he'd taken up on, and to his pleasure, he could take it even further right after getting a vague answer for his guess, nevertheless, if she was watchful enough, she could spot the ever-present, fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips that betrayed him right away. "Talking about a difficult life..." He sighed, shaking his head when she claimed he'd made a miscalculation and she wasn't wearing red, finding it more and more difficult to keep acting displeased when he felt the exact opposite and simply couldn't wait to finally devour her. Without wasting another moment, he glided the zipper down with child-like enthusiasm, grinning ear to ear upon spotting her lacy lingerie that he wanted to take a better look at right away, so he slid his hands up along her body through the fabric of her dress, took hold of the straps and slowly stripped her out of it, hungrily eyeing her curves framed by the lace until she twirled around and deprived him of the view. Nevertheless, he couldn't have complained, for she'd offered another that he appreciated the same. "A stellar surprise... and I love dark green... *he mused with a smirk, selfishly assuming that she'd chosen that specific piece and colour for the same reason* especially on a firm ass like yours" He boasted, reaching behind her and giving her a series of light pats before reaching for the bottom hemline of his undershirt and smoothly bringing the whole thing over his head to get out of it and toss it aside. "Tempting.... but... Aren't we going to do naughty things anyways?" He asked back cheekily upon being called out for gawking at her, though, he didn't get embarrassed by that, in fact, he only peeked up for a second before lowering his eyes once more to feast them on her plump bosom. "You're astonishing... I've been yearning for this moment-" He began explaining, growing a bit sentimental over his statement and by the overall mood, as well as he realised that words couldn't properly express what he wanted to communicate, so he trailed off before finishing, pulled her closer to him and claimed her lips sensually, gradually deepening the kiss as he carefully backed her up towards the edge of the bed and gave her a light push to make her sit down on the mattress without breaking away from her, but bending over.

Narcissa couldn't help but chuckle as he claimed it wasn't just a task but his favorite and she knew that to be true. There were too many memories to keep count of that the first thing Lucius did once they arrived home from an outing was to help her out of her clothes, even if it never led to anything, but it usually did. "Yearning," she echoed softly, one brow arching. Her fingers slid to rest on his exposed chest. "My poor husband." The title slipped from her lips deliberately. She made it sound warm and affectionate, but also possessive. He was hers now and she never wanted to know differently again. For the briefest of moments, her blue eyes softened as they searched his face. But then the teasing returned. "And here I thought the true tragedy of your evening was discovering that I wasn't wearing red." A quiet laugh escaped her after he gave her a few pats on her behind, trying to seem as though she was unfazed, but secretly loving his touch, which she knew he would know this no matter how she responded. Narcissa let herself be guided backward until the edge of the mattress met the backs of her knees, though the faint smile playing at her lips made it abundantly clear that, despite allowing him to steer the moment, she had no intention of surrendering complete control. The kiss lingered only a heartbeat longer before she broke it herself. Not because she wished to but because she knew precisely how much it would torment him. Narcissa's gaze wandered over him for a moment before returning to his eyes. She reached for his pants and hooked her finger inside the band to pull him closer. Her fingertips occasionally brushing against the exposed skin beneath as though by accident, when they both knew that her teasing was very intentional. She leaned forward, letting her lips brush the side of his throat as her fingers worked to undo his buckle and his pants. While her fingers did all the work, Narcissa leaned closer and whispered near his ear: "And for the record...I knew exactly what color you were hoping for. You know how much I hate to be predictable and I do so enjoy surprising you...pleasantly, of course."

He stopped in his tracks when she repeated his word back to him, as if to emphasise it further, but she brought it to another level by arching a brow at him as if he'd said something peculiar. He'd felt tempted to elaborate, to finish his sentence and tell her exactly for how long and how much he wanted- needed to reconnect with her in every aspect, not just when it came to intimacy, however, as smoothly as she'd responded, she'd moved on and rendered him speechless at once by addressing him in the way his heart had been longing for the most. Silently, he locked eyes with her and revered in her pools of blue, losing all his will to overexplain and try to make himself understood, for he knew perfectly well that she was aware of what he felt, moreover, their silent exchange, the undeniable deep connection, held more meaning and emotion than anything else could've conveyed. He'd already been smiling fondly at her by the time she'd switched back to their shared humour, but when she'd done so, the corners of his lips curled up even more as he admired her. "No... *he breathed softly, shaking his head* The true tragedy is that you're still wearing something" He purred right before proceeding to engage her in a kiss and pushing her down in a sitting position, which she'd utilised right away, for instead of allowing him to devour her first and take care of his remaining clothes later, she broke away to assess the situation - letting her gaze wander down his torso, then linger on his belt just long enough to be suggestive and increase his heartrate - then took control of it herself. She was fast, skilled and efficient; nothing less than he expected and experienced when it came to her, however when she hooked her finger into the band and gave it a confident yank, it still made his breath catch in his lungs as he lurched forward. It was obvious that she had full control over her actions as well that she was better at containing herself than he'd ever been, yet, in that moment, she let some of her impatience and eagerness show, which made her the more attractive to him and further elevated his desire. As the tips of her fingers dipped beyond the band of his trousers and tantalisingly brushed up against his abdomen - provocating him just enough to reel him up to the utmost, but not providing him what he needed just yet - he couldn't muffle a laboured breath that transformed into an erratic moan on exhale. Nevertheless, he stood still, shut his eyes and bit down on his lower lip while he listened to her. The way she dropped her voice combined with her intoxicating closeness and the fiddling of her fingers drove him crazy and almost made him lose his mind, though he knew he wouldn't have to bear the suffering for much longer, so he remained strong until he'd finally felt the buckle come undone and his trousers starting to slide down along with his boxers as she undressed him, which was a huge relief for him and that he rewarded it with a lustful groan that both functioned as a reaction to her ministrations and as a response to her statement. Without wasting a second, he quickly took off his socks, the last remaining article on his body, and crawled on top of her, as she scooted towards the middle of the mattress, dedicated to cover as much area of her skin with soft kisses as he physically could in his state. With his hands roaming all over her body, he savoured her lips one more time before finally stripping her of the last barrier between them and scooping her up to finally claim her by making sweet love to her.

Disclosure

Surprisingly, he was able to move on fast, in fact, his mood improved so rapidly that after a few caresses and kisses, it felt as if she hadn't even brought up the topic of the bandage around his arm, which was fortunate, for he'd have hated to disturb her and for their wonderful date to have such a horrible ending. Yes, he should- and he wanted to tell her about it, however, there was something else he wanted for her to have more than anything else: he wanted to pamper her, to worship her and to demonstrate just how much he still loved her, how much she meant for him- and that, their blissful reunion in every way was more important to partake in than a confession that could easily ruin everything before it even started. "Not just one task, but one of my favourites... There is a difference, trust me" He countered with as much severity as he could muster, playing into the dismayed, sulking role he'd taken up on, and to his pleasure, he could take it even further right after getting a vague answer for his guess, nevertheless, if she was watchful enough, she could spot the ever-present, fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips that betrayed him right away. "Talking about a difficult life..." He sighed, shaking his head when she claimed he'd made a miscalculation and she wasn't wearing red, finding it more and more difficult to keep acting displeased when he felt the exact opposite and simply couldn't wait to finally devour her. Without wasting another moment, he glided the zipper down with child-like enthusiasm, grinning ear to ear upon spotting her lacy lingerie that he wanted to take a better look at right away, so he slid his hands up along her body through the fabric of her dress, took hold of the straps and slowly stripped her out of it, hungrily eyeing her curves framed by the lace until she twirled around and deprived him of the view. Nevertheless, he couldn't have complained, for she'd offered another that he appreciated the same. "A stellar surprise... and I love dark green... *he mused with a smirk, selfishly assuming that she'd chosen that specific piece and colour for the same reason* especially on a firm ass like yours" He boasted, reaching behind her and giving her a series of light pats before reaching for the bottom hemline of his undershirt and smoothly bringing the whole thing over his head to get out of it and toss it aside. "Tempting.... but... Aren't we going to do naughty things anyways?" He asked back cheekily upon being called out for gawking at her, though, he didn't get embarrassed by that, in fact, he only peeked up for a second before lowering his eyes once more to feast them on her plump bosom. "You're astonishing... I've been yearning for this moment-" He began explaining, growing a bit sentimental over his statement and by the overall mood, as well as he realised that words couldn't properly express what he wanted to communicate, so he trailed off before finishing, pulled her closer to him and claimed her lips sensually, gradually deepening the kiss as he carefully backed her up towards the edge of the bed and gave her a light push to make her sit down on the mattress without breaking away from her, but bending over.

Disclosure

Narcissa's laughter was soft and breathless as she watched him wage a losing battle against his own waistcoat. There was something undeniably endearing about it. Maybe it was the pleasure in knowing she was the reason for him acting this way and feeling so flustered. It was a prideful moment to watch him come undone and to stumble with getting the clothing off. The great Lucius Malfoy utterly defeated by a stubborn button just because he had allowed himself to become flustered. She caught his wrists gently when he abandoned the fight altogether and stepped toward her. "You see," she murmured. "This is precisely why I offered." Her fingers slid over his hands before releasing them. "Have you now," she asked, arching a brow when he admitted he had hoped that she might help him. The answer was obvious, but she pretended to be surprised by the notion that she had to think for a moment before giving it to him. The moment he reached for the strap of her dress again, Narcissa caught his hand and pressed a light kiss against his knuckles, stopping him far more effectively than force ever could. "Patience, my love." The word was spoken with unmistakable amusement. Although she smiled as she said it, there was a tenderness beneath the teasing. Their evening had been built on stolen glances, playful challenges, and the quiet joy of finding one another again after so much distance. She found herself oddly reluctant to rush past it, as strong as her desire was in that moment. With careful fingers, she reached out and began to undo the buttons of his vest for him. Once they were all undone, she gently pulled his shirt out from where it was tucked into his pants. "There," she said softly. "Much better." Her gaze lingered on him. For a moment she simply stood there, close enough to feel his warmth, her hand resting over his heart. Then she glanced toward the bedroom door at the end of the corridor before looking back at him. "Come." Her fingers slipped into his. "We've spent enough of this evening standing in hallways and on staircases."

Naïvely, he thought she'd allow him to undress her right then and there, so when she caught his hand mid-motion and stopped him with another unexpected move on her part, he felt a bit taken aback and seeked out her gaze right away with short-lived perplexion. While her ministrations were enough to stagger him, they were far too permissive and lenient to actually deter him from attempting the same thing later on, nor he had lost his mood or grew upset by them, though, he'd assumed he'd slightly have to alter his strategy. "Easier said than done" He murmured upon hearing her request for patience, though he obliged and instead of grabbing the strap, he moved his hand up to rest halfway between her cheek and her neck before carefully brushing his thumb against her cheekbone, possibly distracting her as she began assisting him with his waistcoat, but it didn't even occur to him, for he was distracted himself. "Gods, Cissa... You're simply divine" He purred with an enamored smile, unable to tear his eyes from her features that he couldn't even see properly as she was staring down at his chest. He should have known that her statement of him being overdressed was an offer rather than an order, however, he was too impatient then to think clearly and tried to solve the situation with force on his own rather than taking a deep breath, calm himself as much as he could and approach the issue of the buttons with discipline. Nevertheless, when it'd dawned on him that she was actually willing to help, he let out a small, relieved sigh and stayed still as much as he could. Thankfully, her composure and calmness had the right effect on him and he was able to slow down himself. "Yes, only a couple more left" He jested about the buttons of the shirt, chuckling a bit and holding her gaze with contentment until she'd finally looked away. Giving her a confident nod of approval, he dropped his hand from her face and welcomed her touch by intertwining their fingers and giving her hand a light squeeze. "Fair point" He agreed with a grin, then began accompanying her up towards the double doors of the master bedroom, which he held open for her and closed behind them carefully before he lead her up to the edge of their bed, where he stopped to seek out her gaze once more. "Just a moment" He muttered, but before she could say anything, he leaned over and sealed her lips with a delicate kiss, then, upon pulling away, he quickly got out of his shoes, shoved them aside and carelessly tossed the waistcoat along with his tie over to the nearby armchair, shooting her a mischievous grin when they landed on the spot. "Okay, I'm all yours now..." He stated happily, then reached for her hand to bring it over his chest. "But I'm still in dire need for your assistance, my love" He informed her smoothly, hoping she'd take care of the buttons fast and they could continue undressing each other without any issues.

Her lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile the moment he placed her hand against his chest and looked at her with that mixture of affection, impatience, and complete surrender that had always softened her toward him. "All mine," she repeated lightly and her brows lifted in a lustful manner. "That is a very dangerous thing to tell me, Lucius. I was under the impression you'd been mine for quite some time already." She allowed her palm to remain where he'd placed it, feeling the steady rhythm beneath her fingertips before smoothing an imaginary crease from his shirt with meticulous care. "Dire need, is it," she mused, studying the remaining buttons as though faced with an immensely complicated task. "Well, that does sound serious." Unlike his earlier attempts to rush matters, Narcissa appeared in no hurry whatsoever. If anything, she seemed determined to take her time. "Let's see what sort of assistance we're dealing with here." Her fingertips brushed his collar as she freed another button, then another and by the time she reached the middle of his shirt, she glanced up and caught the impatience gathering behind his eyes. Immediately, her smile widened. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You're the one who asked for help," her words were murmured near his throat as she leaned in just enough for her lips to brush lightly against the side of his neck in an affectionate gesture rather than anything intended to truly distract him. "Honestly," she continued softly, smoothing the fabric away from his shoulders as the last button was undone, "for someone who claims to be a master strategist, you've become remarkably easy to derail." Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she continued, "Although now I fear you've created a terrible imbalance. You've lost several layers." She paused, look down at her attire and then back up to him. "I've lost none." The satisfaction in her expression made it abundantly clear she was aware of the problem and enjoying it immensely. Until something spotted her eye now that she was fully taking him in. She frowned and nodded her head towards the bandage on his arm from a few weeks ago. "Why do you still have the bandage on your arm," she asked and then let out a soft sigh. "You better promise me that I can look at it later...you might have let it get infected if it still hasn't healed properly by now." She was well aware of how much he hated any hospital or doctor's visits, but he also had to be better about taking care of himself. "But before I take care of you, you still need to take care of me...by helping me remove my clothes," she smiled knowingly at him as her hands had moved to rest along his arms and then up on his shoulders.

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Narcissa's laughter was soft and breathless as she watched him wage a losing battle against his own waistcoat. There was something undeniably endearing about it. Maybe it was the pleasure in knowing she was the reason for him acting this way and feeling so flustered. It was a prideful moment to watch him come undone and to stumble with getting the clothing off. The great Lucius Malfoy utterly defeated by a stubborn button just because he had allowed himself to become flustered. She caught his wrists gently when he abandoned the fight altogether and stepped toward her. "You see," she murmured. "This is precisely why I offered." Her fingers slid over his hands before releasing them. "Have you now," she asked, arching a brow when he admitted he had hoped that she might help him. The answer was obvious, but she pretended to be surprised by the notion that she had to think for a moment before giving it to him. The moment he reached for the strap of her dress again, Narcissa caught his hand and pressed a light kiss against his knuckles, stopping him far more effectively than force ever could. "Patience, my love." The word was spoken with unmistakable amusement. Although she smiled as she said it, there was a tenderness beneath the teasing. Their evening had been built on stolen glances, playful challenges, and the quiet joy of finding one another again after so much distance. She found herself oddly reluctant to rush past it, as strong as her desire was in that moment. With careful fingers, she reached out and began to undo the buttons of his vest for him. Once they were all undone, she gently pulled his shirt out from where it was tucked into his pants. "There," she said softly. "Much better." Her gaze lingered on him. For a moment she simply stood there, close enough to feel his warmth, her hand resting over his heart. Then she glanced toward the bedroom door at the end of the corridor before looking back at him. "Come." Her fingers slipped into his. "We've spent enough of this evening standing in hallways and on staircases."

Naïvely, he thought she'd allow him to undress her right then and there, so when she caught his hand mid-motion and stopped him with another unexpected move on her part, he felt a bit taken aback and seeked out her gaze right away with short-lived perplexion. While her ministrations were enough to stagger him, they were far too permissive and lenient to actually deter him from attempting the same thing later on, nor he had lost his mood or grew upset by them, though, he'd assumed he'd slightly have to alter his strategy. "Easier said than done" He murmured upon hearing her request for patience, though he obliged and instead of grabbing the strap, he moved his hand up to rest halfway between her cheek and her neck before carefully brushing his thumb against her cheekbone, possibly distracting her as she began assisting him with his waistcoat, but it didn't even occur to him, for he was distracted himself. "Gods, Cissa... You're simply divine" He purred with an enamored smile, unable to tear his eyes from her features that he couldn't even see properly as she was staring down at his chest. He should have known that her statement of him being overdressed was an offer rather than an order, however, he was too impatient then to think clearly and tried to solve the situation with force on his own rather than taking a deep breath, calm himself as much as he could and approach the issue of the buttons with discipline. Nevertheless, when it'd dawned on him that she was actually willing to help, he let out a small, relieved sigh and stayed still as much as he could. Thankfully, her composure and calmness had the right effect on him and he was able to slow down himself. "Yes, only a couple more left" He jested about the buttons of the shirt, chuckling a bit and holding her gaze with contentment until she'd finally looked away. Giving her a confident nod of approval, he dropped his hand from her face and welcomed her touch by intertwining their fingers and giving her hand a light squeeze. "Fair point" He agreed with a grin, then began accompanying her up towards the double doors of the master bedroom, which he held open for her and closed behind them carefully before he lead her up to the edge of their bed, where he stopped to seek out her gaze once more. "Just a moment" He muttered, but before she could say anything, he leaned over and sealed her lips with a delicate kiss, then, upon pulling away, he quickly got out of his shoes, shoved them aside and carelessly tossed the waistcoat along with his tie over to the nearby armchair, shooting her a mischievous grin when they landed on the spot. "Okay, I'm all yours now..." He stated happily, then reached for her hand to bring it over his chest. "But I'm still in dire need for your assistance, my love" He informed her smoothly, hoping she'd take care of the buttons fast and they could continue undressing each other without any issues.

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"Oh, did I know exactly what you meant? Mm, I seem to recall there were several occasions where you told me that we weren't mind readers." She remained still as she watched him retreat those few careful steps, her gaze following him with open amusement and unmistakable interest. There was something deeply satisfying in seeing him like this. The way he set down the box with deliberate precision, the pause he granted himself under the pretense of deep thought, even the folded arms that were meant to project authority; she knew him too well not to recognize each for what it was. At the mention of the massage, it drew a slow, knowing smile from her lips. “I appreciate your little faith in me that you have already assumed I have forgotten what we had discussed,” she echoed, one brow arching as she tilted her head, considering him with deliberate skepticism. “Mm yes, how careless of me.” With a smooth motion, she slid her hands upward until her fingers reached his biceps, applying just enough pressure to encourage him to uncross his arms. “You always did have a habit of using my words to twist them to your own advantage. And here I was under the impression,” she continued softly, “that you were equally obliged to return the favor." Her palms drifted slowly down the length of his chest, smoothing over his waistcoat with practiced ease until they came to rest flat against him, directly above the frantic rhythm of his heart which made her smile deepen at the discovery. It also encouraged her to keep his heart rate elevated for her own selfish purposes. “Well, if lying still feels impossible,” she whispered, her tone silken with quiet challenge, “perhaps we ought to postpone anything requiring patience and true focus.” She drew back just enough to meet his gaze again, her own calm and impossibly self-assured. Giving him a dramatic sigh as if what she was about to say was deeply disappointing, she finally said, “Which leaves us with only two alternatives.”

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With her usual gracefulness, she took his hand and emerged from the car, most likely aware of his gaze and perfectly in control of her surroundings. Once she has straightened her posture and shifted the bouquet to her chest, he took the chance and carefully placed the box on top of the vehicle so he could quickly shrug off his suitjacket and slip out of it- not assuming, but being certain of the fact that, despite their stroll not lasting longer than a couple of minutes, she'd appreciate the additional layer on top of her backless dress as it grew rather chilly by the evening. Silently, he draped the jacket over her shoulders while she spoke to him, then smiled at her appreciatively as she'd found a way herself to care for him and adjusted his sleeve, which he didn't even realise had twisted in the process of his fiddling. "I can't promise you I won't accidentally label you as stubborn then... but with the rest, I couldn't agree more, now that you've put everything in perspective" He replied velvetly, still impressed by her intelligence, then gathered the box before closing the door behind them and holding out his arm for her to take upon asking his question. To say that he was anxious would have been an overstatement, however, as she regarded him for a long moment, he felt his heartbeat accelerate accordingly even past her answer, which brought a radiant smile to his face; and not primarily because she did agree to his request, but because she'd made it clear that besides agreeing to it, she'd decided to play along and assist to his silly game that conceived out of pure giddiness and affection on his part. "Right! I know how strict you are when it comes to curfew and certain rules in concern with dating- hence I wouldn't want you to get in trouble... not for being late and least on the way home" He continued cheekily, building on her statement as he began leading her up slowly along the path towards their front door.

She accepted the jacket with a quiet, almost imperceptible pause before her shoulders relaxed beneath its familiar weight. The scent of him lingered there, subtle and unmistakable, and she drew it in without comment, chin lifting slightly as if to acknowledge a courtesy she had never doubted that he would offer. Her fingers brushed the lapel as she settled it more securely around herself, a small, deliberate movement that doubled as gratitude. “You always did notice the things others overlooked,” she said softly, her voice warm but composed, eyes lifting to meet his as she adjusted his sleeve with practiced ease. A faint smile curved her lips, “It’s reassuring to know some instincts never dull.” When he offered his arm, she took it again, her hand resting lightly but confidently against him as they began their slow walk up the path. She listened to his teasing with an amused tilt of her head, the corner of her mouth betraying her enjoyment before she answered. “Strict,” she repeated, a gentle scoff slipping through her refinement. “I prefer discerning.” Her gaze slid to his, sharp with humor. “And I assure you, any trouble I might find myself in tonight would be entirely of my own choosing.” Narcissa leaned in just enough for her words to feel private, shared only between them and the quiet evening air. “Besides,” she added, eyes glinting, “I’ve always found that rules are far more interesting when one knows precisely which may be bent… and by whom.” As they reached the door, she slowed their steps—not to stop him, but to savor the moment—her hand tightening briefly on his arm in silent agreement to the game he so clearly wished to play. Looking up at him, she offered a smile that was equal parts indulgent and sincere. "But you wouldn't let me get into any trouble now, would you?"

Narcissa did not pull away from his touch. If anything, she leaned into it, her chin lifting with deliberate ease beneath his finger as though she had been waiting for exactly that invitation. Her eyes searched his for a heartbeat longer than necessary—cool, amused, unmistakably aware of the effect she had on him—before a slow smile curved her lips. “Lucius,” she said softly, his name wrapped in quiet warning and indulgence all at once, “you have always had a talent for pretending restraint while standing at the very edge of temptation.” Her voice lowered, intimate but steady, never breathless. Control had always been her preferred language. Unless they were in private...and especially if they were engaged in a passionate act of intimacy. Then control couldn't be any further from her grasp. She placed her hand over his wrist, not to remove it, but to still it, her thumb brushing lightly against his skin in a gesture that was equal parts reassurance and promise. “You mistake my leniency for innocence,” she continued, tilting her head just enough to maintain that close, but witty exchange between them both. “I know precisely when I am inviting trouble—and when I am choosing it.” Her gaze flicked briefly to his mouth before returning to his eyes, sharp and knowing. “And as for wanting you to…” She paused, letting the implication settle, savoring the tension he had so carefully cultivated. “I have never been in the habit of asking for what already belongs to me.” Her fingers tightened around his wrist for a moment, grounding him, anchoring him to the present just as she so often did. Then, with a subtle shift, she guided his hand away from her chin and back to her arm, reclaiming the balance between them without diminishing the spark. “Come,” she said gently, stepping forward and drawing him with her toward the door. “If we linger any longer, you’ll prove yourself right—and I rather enjoy the illusion that we are both behaving.”

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With her usual gracefulness, she took his hand and emerged from the car, most likely aware of his gaze and perfectly in control of her surroundings. Once she has straightened her posture and shifted the bouquet to her chest, he took the chance and carefully placed the box on top of the vehicle so he could quickly shrug off his suitjacket and slip out of it- not assuming, but being certain of the fact that, despite their stroll not lasting longer than a couple of minutes, she'd appreciate the additional layer on top of her backless dress as it grew rather chilly by the evening. Silently, he draped the jacket over her shoulders while she spoke to him, then smiled at her appreciatively as she'd found a way herself to care for him and adjusted his sleeve, which he didn't even realise had twisted in the process of his fiddling. "I can't promise you I won't accidentally label you as stubborn then... but with the rest, I couldn't agree more, now that you've put everything in perspective" He replied velvetly, still impressed by her intelligence, then gathered the box before closing the door behind them and holding out his arm for her to take upon asking his question. To say that he was anxious would have been an overstatement, however, as she regarded him for a long moment, he felt his heartbeat accelerate accordingly even past her answer, which brought a radiant smile to his face; and not primarily because she did agree to his request, but because she'd made it clear that besides agreeing to it, she'd decided to play along and assist to his silly game that conceived out of pure giddiness and affection on his part. "Right! I know how strict you are when it comes to curfew and certain rules in concern with dating- hence I wouldn't want you to get in trouble... not for being late and least on the way home" He continued cheekily, building on her statement as he began leading her up slowly along the path towards their front door.

She accepted the jacket with a quiet, almost imperceptible pause before her shoulders relaxed beneath its familiar weight. The scent of him lingered there, subtle and unmistakable, and she drew it in without comment, chin lifting slightly as if to acknowledge a courtesy she had never doubted that he would offer. Her fingers brushed the lapel as she settled it more securely around herself, a small, deliberate movement that doubled as gratitude. “You always did notice the things others overlooked,” she said softly, her voice warm but composed, eyes lifting to meet his as she adjusted his sleeve with practiced ease. A faint smile curved her lips, “It’s reassuring to know some instincts never dull.” When he offered his arm, she took it again, her hand resting lightly but confidently against him as they began their slow walk up the path. She listened to his teasing with an amused tilt of her head, the corner of her mouth betraying her enjoyment before she answered. “Strict,” she repeated, a gentle scoff slipping through her refinement. “I prefer discerning.” Her gaze slid to his, sharp with humor. “And I assure you, any trouble I might find myself in tonight would be entirely of my own choosing.” Narcissa leaned in just enough for her words to feel private, shared only between them and the quiet evening air. “Besides,” she added, eyes glinting, “I’ve always found that rules are far more interesting when one knows precisely which may be bent… and by whom.” As they reached the door, she slowed their steps—not to stop him, but to savor the moment—her hand tightening briefly on his arm in silent agreement to the game he so clearly wished to play. Looking up at him, she offered a smile that was equal parts indulgent and sincere. "But you wouldn't let me get into any trouble now, would you?"