A quiet sanctuary: Your arms.
Read the short story on Ao3. Or, just expand <3
A tempest raged that night at Hogwarts, unleashing its fury upon the castle with relentless force. The violent waves of the Black Lake slammed against the windows of The Slytherin Common Room, their echoes reverberating through the place like a warning from the depths below.
A wave of concern washed over Ominis as he heard Lorrain’s heavy footsteps approaching. Her normally confident and joyful demeanor, replaced by a deep sorrow that seemed to weigh her down. She sank into the furthest and most isolated couch in the corner, curling up into a fetal position as if trying to make herself smaller.
Ominis stood up from his seat and made his way to her side. He sat down, gently placing an arm around her shoulder.
"Meva Lorra… " His voice was a soothing balm, soft and gentle as it washed over her in waves. The blonde’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as if to shield her from the world.
With careful tenderness, Ominis brushed aside strains of her strawberry light hair, tucking them behind her ear. His fingers traced along her hairline, searching for braids but found none. A warm smile graced his lips, accompanied by a lilting tune that he hummed softly. Meanwhile, his other hand drew gentle circles on her back, each motion like a soothing caress.
Ominis gently squeezed Lorain's hand, feeling her fingers tense and wriggle beneath his touch. He could sense a heavy weight on her mind, even if he couldn't quite pinpoint the source. Lorrain’s normally lively eyes held a hint of sadness, like a storm cloud threatening to overtake the sun. Ominis knew she had been pushing herself too hard, filling her days with endless activities until it all became too much for even her boundless energy to handle.
"What's wrong?" He finally asked softly.
After a few moments, and battling with a knot on her throat, Lorra managed to speak.
“My heart hurts." Her hand reached for Ominis' and guided it to her chest. She signed with a heaviness in her heart. The weight of loneliness and sadness weighed heavily on her emotional energy. Aching and raw, her heart felt fragile and vulnerable. Ominis furrowed his brow in concern, struggling to understand at first.
But then it clicked - she wasn't talking about her physical heart, but rather, the state of her emotional well-being. Her emotions were in turmoil, and he could sense it clearly from the way she held herself.
"I don't know why," Lorra's voice cracked as she choked back tears. "I'm sorry... I didn't want you to see me like this..."
Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and tears cascaded down like a waterfall. Ominis leaned down, his gentle touch wiping away the wetness with his thumb. She had seen him so vulnerable before… what was there to be ashamed of?
"Don't apologize, dear," He said soothingly, trying to cheer her up. He kissed the side of her head and ran his fingers through her hair tenderly. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Lorra's throat felt tight as she shook her head no, unable to speak through the lump that had formed.
"Alright," Ominis replied softly, understanding her need for silence.
He pulled her into his embrace on the couch, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her soft hair. The sweet scent of her filled his senses as he nuzzled against her neck, trying to bring comfort to her troubled heart.
Ominis continued to hum his happy tune, the melody vibrating through his chest and into Lorra's hand as they intertwined. She cried in silence, her emotions pouring out like raindrops onto his cloak. He held her firmly, feeling her heartbeat against his palm, a rhythm that matched his own. The sound of her tears was drowned out by the sound of the waves against the window.
As they laid on the soft couch, Ominis began to trace her silhouette with his fingertips, his touch gentle and slow. He kissed her forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose, and finally her chin, each touch a loving caress. After a few moments, Lorra's breathing became slower and she began to caress Ominis’ cheek, a sign that she had found peace in his embrace.
He turned towards her, their eyes locking in an unspoken understanding. Then he leaned in slowly, their lips meeting in a tender kiss. They’d found solace in that quiet sanctuary: in each other's arms.
👉Lorrain was not feeling good that night, and Ominis understood the assignment.
👉 She had no words to describe how she was feeling. He didn't need any to make her feel safe.
