#goodbyeeeeeeeeeeee

THE HEAT BETWEEN THEM WAS ALMOST BLISTERING - AND THAT WASN'T JUST DUE TO THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER. The steam that settled around them served as a smokescreen of sorts- though he could see every inch of her very clearly, droplets settling against her warm skin like dew, soft to the touch, particularly when his lips settled against it. Each kiss was slow, planned, tactful, he himself silently relishing in each new sensation.

THEY WERE ALONE IN THE FIREHOUSE - FOR NOW. Spontaneity had never been a specialism of his, and yet, there'd been something in his psyche that'd found their sudden, developing circumstances very appealing. One thing had led to another - for want of a far less cliche term to describe it - and the pair had ended up in one of the large showers, Lyra backed up against the wall, in the man's arms, his surprising strength providing adequate support as they moved together, not caring for how drenched they were quickly becoming. Yes, this had been borne out of passion - but he was still determined to pour affection into his actions where possible; gentle caresses of her cheek with his thumb, the interlinking of fingers when possible, the frequent murmuring of are you alright? and does this feel good?, her comfort and enjoyment mattering above all else to him.

STILL, THE POSSIBILITY OF ONE OR MORE OF THE OTHERS RETURNING ANCHORED ITSELF AS A LINGERING THOUGHT. Unable to shake it from the furthest depths of his psyche, he'd been faced with no choice but to place a delicate palm over her mouth, keeping his pace slow - whispering in her ear, amidst heavy, drawn-out breaths,