INHUMAN

[   HAND   ]     ,     sender  kisses  receiver's  hand.

[   COURTESY   ]     ,     receiver  kisses  sender's  hand.

[   KNUCKLES   ]     ,     sender  kisses  receiver's  knuckles.

[   AFFECTION   ]     ,     receiver  kisses  sender's  knuckles.

[   TENDER   ]     ,     sender  kisses  receiver's  forehead/temple.

[   CARE   ]     ,     receiver  kisses  sender's  forehead/temple.

[   LIPS   ]     ,     sender  kisses  receiver  on  the  mouth.

[   SEALED   ]     ,     receiver  kisses  sender  on  the  mouth.

[   HUG   ]     ,     sender  hugs  receiver  close.

[   EMBRACE   ]     ,     receiver  hugs  sender  close.

[   KNEEL   ]     ,     sender  gets  down  on  one  knee.

[   REVERENCE   ]     ,     receiver  gets  down  on  one  knee.

[   OFFER   ]     ,     sender  offers  their  arm  for  receiver  to  join  them  somewhere.

[   JOIN   ]     ,     receiver  offers  their  arm  for  sender  to  join  them  somewhere.

[   ENVELOPE   ]     ,     sender  writes  receiver  a  love  letter.

[   LETTER   ]     ,     receiver  writes  sender  a  love  letter.

[   FLOWERS   ]     ,     sender  gifts  receiver  flowers.

[   BOUQUET   ]     ,     receiver  gifts  sender  flowers.

[   DANCE   ]     ,     sender  asks  receiver  to  dance.

[   WALTZ   ]     ,     receiver  asks  sender  to  dance

[   SILENCE   ]     ,     sender  and  receiver  enjoy  a  quiet  moment  together  without  conversation.

[   READ   ]     ,     sender  reads  to  receiver.

[   STORY   ]     ,     receiver  reads  to  sender.

[   CARRY   ]     ,     sender  carries  receiver  in  their  arms.

[   LIFT   ]     ,   receiver  carries  sender  in  their  arms.

[   HUG   ]     ,     sender  hugs  receiver  close. 

[   INTERLOCKED   ]     ,     sender  holds  receiver's  hand.

[   INTERWOVEN   ]     ,     receiver  holds  sender's  hand.

[   GENTLE   ]     ,     sender  holds  receiver's  face  in  their  hands.

[   CRADLE   ]     ,     receiver  holds  sender's  face  in  their  hands.

[   CONVERSE   ]     ,     sender  has  an  intimate  conversation  with  receiver.

[   SHARE   ]     ,     receiver  has  an  intimate  conversation  with  sender.

[   COOK   ]     ,     sender  cooks  a  meal  for  receiver.

[   CHEF   ]     ,     receiver  cooks  a  meal  for  sender.

[   POEM   ]     ,     sender  writes  a  poem  for  receiver.

[   ODE   ]     ,     receiver  writes  a  poem  for  sender.

[   GIFT   ]     ,     sender  gives  receiver  a  gift  (  specify  ).

[   PRESENT   ]     ,     receiver  gives  receiver  a  gift  (  specify  ).

[   HOLD   ]     ,     sender  and  receiver  cuddle  together.

[   BACK   ]     ,     sender  gives  receiver  a  back  rub.

[   MASSAGE   ]     ,   receiver  gives  sender  a  back  rub.

[   ASSIST   ]     ,     sender  helps  receiver  put  on  a  piece  of  clothing  or  jewellery. 

[   HELP   ]     ,     receiver  helps  sender  put  on  a  piece  of  clothing  or  jewellery. 

[   RAINFALL   ]     ,     sender  kisses  and/or  dances  with  receiver  in  the  rain.

[   DOWNPOUR   ]     ,     receiver  kisses  and/or  dances  with  sender  in  the  rain.

[   BASKET   ]     ,     sender  and  receiver  share  a  private  picnic.

[   WORSHIP   ]     ,     sender  kisses  and/or  touches  receiver's  body  with  reverence.

[   DEVOTION   ]     ,     receiver  kisses  and/or  touches  sender's  body  with  reverence.

[   ALTAR   ]     ,     sender  watches  receiver  walk  down  the  aisle  towards  them.

They had saved him from that which could destroy even an indestructible beast of a warrior such as himself. In this proceeding months, even as his heart formed all of these little fractures knowing there was much that couldn't be, he felt full with a sense of purpose. One that even the whole of Korbin had failed to reward him with.

To die for these peoples and aide in their plight would have been as much of an honor as serving as guardian of Asgard. But his features cringe again, wincing at her offering comforts that he too would offer her. Neither of them were alone, and though his death would have been quick, the death of Medusa seemed slow and daunting. Drawn out by isolation and self sacrifice.

"Your Highne--" Stopping himself, he resets. "Medusa. I have pledged myself. To you. I would die to see you safe. I would live to see you happy. I would give all to see you smile..."

The weight of wanting to kiss her but having no lips, the burden of wanting to hold her, but not having rights to her heart, the pain of wanting to love her, but knowing she was still so far away...

From her thigh he pulls his hand away, resting it upon her upper back, still practiclaly absorbing her whole shape. Thumb, despite being so large, rolls a gentle circle against her tense muscles, taking a moment to simply look at her. To see her as she was and for all hse deserved. Bill despised that he loved her but in the same breath he could not help himself.

Even if he were not basking in the radiance of her beauty's light he would be enamored. Captured by her gentle soul and bold heart, he could not escape.

But when he speaks to her, as he pledges his allegiances there is no denying, there is no room for misinterpretation. He speaks to her & her alone. He has stayed here for her. He risks his life for her. He endures, for her. Somehow those vacant eyes have pierced the veil she has worn all these years like a second skin. One that, when she looks upon herself in a mirror, had replaced her memories of her youth. Of the brave & joyous young woman she used to be. She had always been a selfless person — but somewhere along the way she had given too much amongst the vastness of what had been taken.

As they look upon each other Medusa is profoundly grateful for his ability to see through it all. How he can, she cannot say — oftentimes she can hardly see through her own plight & sorrows & into her soul. But he does, just as she can see into his. & how beautiful a thing it is, how precious & true. She realises that he thinks the same of hers, even if she does not. In the darkest corner of her mind she still believes she is undeserving.

But in her heart she can feel the truth. How it swells when he is near, how his large form curls around hers in protection, how his warmth leeches into her being & radiates, thaws what has long been frozen over. Despite the anguish the past few days has caused her, Medusa finds the strength to smile. It is small & somewhat pained, but it is sincere. It is for him, because of him. In spite of the pain there is still some joy to behold in all of this. He is alive. He is with her. He is hers.

She will cherish this fact for the remainder of her days.

Bandaged hand moves to the fullest part of his jaw as her other slides upward over smooth, supple skin to mirror it. Firmly, insistently yet with a gentle touch does she guide his maw downward between them, so she may look upon him eye to eye, as much was possible with their difference in size. Thumbs brush across his copper skin affectionately before she turns her cheek, presses it to the topside of his maw as slender hands guide his head to press more firmly against hers.

WINONA RYDER as MINA HARKER and SADIE FROST as LUCY WESTENRA

BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA (1992)

go on mortals try your luck