#hellspell

in the morning, he would find her in their kitchen--humming some ancient song under her breath as she mills about making biscuits, tea and frying some sausage on the stove. muffins fill the air with the sweet scent of blueberries mingling with the savory smells of the herbs and seasonings she used on their breakfast. wearing nothing but a white apron framed in ivory lace, the witch's hair is a messy pile upon her head. light dusting of make up and nothing but a smile over her shoulder greets him upon entering. "ahh, hello, my love.. it's silly, really. a stupid little holiday created for money but.." up to her tiptoes she goes. a kiss pressed to his bearded cheek. "merry.. happy.. valentine's day." let her be sappy. she's earned it. so has he via a doting redhead that is as starry eyed as can be.

The odors wafting upstairs already prepared his senses for some of what's going to greet him in the kitchen. Now that he is out of the shower, putting clothes on and taming his damp locks at least some; what Cain does not expect, however... Upon entering the kitchen, his gaze lands on a barely covered, petite body. Brows twitch up in genuine astonishment whereas the same sensation bleeds into his greeting past a grin: " Why, hello there~ " Rowena's lush red hair appears to glow in the sunlight streaming through the windows, almost like a halo. Yes, he'd be aware of the irony in that. Slow steps carry him closer to her, eyes wandering up and down along her frame he lacks shame for enjoying the view thoroughly.

All the while she goes on about such holiday's silliness. Cain surely agrees, but sees no point in stating the obvious and instead pulls Rowena close, his free hand brushing ginger locks behind a pale shoulder. " Rowena MacLeod... you are full of surprises ", precedes a kiss to her forehead, the hand now idle atop her shoulder inching up to cup her chin. " I love you more than I can say. "

A confession sealed with a kiss to her lips, Cain maintains an act of obliviousness to this day's meaning — pretends to have forgotten. Because he does, indeed, have something planned for Rowena as well. But breakfast first.

@hellspell said: "Hello, darling. It's been too long. Where have you been hiding?"

“ Your hips moving against mine like that - it’s torture. ”

It's been maybe a minute or two. That Cain has been watching Rowena grind the herbs for a spell. A myriad of items lay ready to be used atop the same table, which he paid no mind. No, his attention was on her alone. He shouldn't have peeled his attention from the pages of the book in his hands, now can't get back into the lore; bewitched. With a thud, the book is slammed shut and then set aside before he rises from his chair and ambles over. Approaches Rowena from behind. Has to lower his head a tad so he can rest their temples together while planting his hands on her hips.

Until he shifts closer to erase whatever meager inch separating their bodies— Cain notices her working hands slowing down as their hips connect. Quietly amused, he drawls: "Am I distracting you?" As if it wasn't obvious. He holds her flush against himself, head turning just enough so a kiss finds her rouge-dusted cheek. Then follows correction: "Staying away from you is torture."

[ PINCHING ] receiver holding sender's chin between their thumb and forefinger

Teleportation had been a less time consuming and more comfortable way of getting from A to B. Only the truck's enclosure separates them from getting sodden by the rain loudly pattering against roof and windshield. The outside world is a blur, gray in gray. Cain stared ahead in mild disbelief for a couple moments; it's as if they drove through an invisible portal from sunshine to... this. " Do we really want to get out now? " Thinking aloud is all he's doing, quiet enough for the watery noise to drown out his voice. Cain doesn't mind getting wet. But Rowena's costly attire and makeup won't thank him for dragging her along. She's claiming his attention effortlessly, grabbing his chin to gently enforce eye contact and he obliges— curiosity washes over his mien.

As he quickly feels like he's getting lost in her captivating eyes, he decides to lean in and seal her lips with a kiss before drawling past an impish smile: " Let's stay inside for a while. "

[ STROKE ] sender absentmindedly plays with receiver's hair while they're focused on another task

Rest. Not sleep, no drifting away, just idleness. He finds it with his head in Rowena's lap, the rest of his body stretched along the sofa's length. She's immersed in a book. Only soft motions of her fingers twirling strands of his hair make her attention known, albeit its divided. Cain doesn't mind. He might not realize he's pinning his own attention to the clock on the wall, through half-shut lids— its ticking competes with the song of crackling flames in the fireplace. Otherwise, no sound, unless he'd focus on Rowena's steady heartbeat. Comfort isn't always found in words. Sometimes, shared silence cradles weary souls much gentler in the presence of unlimited trust and understanding conveyed by simply existing side by side with each other.

The occasional scrape of long nails over his scalp being the cause of goosebumps, Cain feels fatigue gradually mounting in his limbs that seem to become heavier and heavier. He might as well sink into the cushions and vanish in them. Maybe he should do just that; doze off. Because nowhere is more peaceful than here. Right now.

💋

Vengeance is bittersweet. In unison, brutality coupled with witchcraft, they took down those who made the grave mistake of killing Rowena. However short-lived their success. Cain finds no pleasure in the deed, the bloodshed, not anymore. Nonetheless can't he deny the measure of relief flooding him now that they paid— Rowena seems to feel the same. And to seal that victory with a kiss, some might call poetic. But abating adrenaline makes room for overflowing gladness to know a loved one avenged, more importantly: safe.

Cain brings a warm palm to the side of her delicate neck, tip of his thumb gently tipping her chin up. " Are you all right? " He searches in her eyes for an answer before Rowena will voice it, leans down to plant a kiss to her red lips. Assurance unspoken; see, he hasn't lost his humanity. As promised.

𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐇   𝐎𝐑   𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒  🔮🌿🧹👁️‍🗨️ (did cain just get magic'd? prolly. she admits nothing.)

The tricky aspect about witch magic is that its target notices no change until the effect wears off. Cain has no idea that beholding Rowena right now isn't the first time. It isn't the first time her presence, her smile plants that seed of pure adoration in his chest; he needs a couple of seconds to sort his thoughts.

" Respectfully, smash. " Will Cain be irritated with the fact that Rowena hexed him, later? Yes. But in this very moment, all he can think of is how honored he should feel for this stunning woman to show such interest in him.