[007]

[wavesofjade]

Your Attention Please, Students.

First Of All I Am Afraid That I Am Going To Have To Take Matters To The Headmaster If Another Student Comes Into The Hospital Wing After Falling Through The Ice At The Edge Of The Lake.
It Is Not Strong Enough To Hold Your Weight, Please Do Not Walk On It!

Secondly, I Understand That There Are Important Exams Fast Approaching.
For Those Of You Whose Nerves Are Adversely Affecting Your Studies The Hospital Wing Has Mild Calming Draughts On Hand.
Do Not Hesitate To Approach Us If You Find Yourself Needing Help.


[Private to Kurloz Makara]
Do You Have A Free Period Later This Week, Dear?
Your Help In The Hospital Wing Would Be Appreciated.
I Am Very Impressed With Your Progress So Far.

[Private to Rhys Rhydderch]
Rhys, May I Have A Few Moments Of Your Time?

Comments

[wavesofjade]

[At first she thinks there's something wrong, that he'll gently push her away and say he shouldn't, she shouldn't, and confirm that the subtle (and at times, not so subtle) warnings that people have been giving her about him for some times now. She can't say for sure when she stepped over the line between playful flirting and an active pursuit, but she knows that it has been over thirty years since someone made her feel like this.

When he kisses her, she could swear for a moment that she feels her heart racing. Her slim arms come up around his neck and she moves up onto her toes, one thumb gently brushing against the soft hairs at the nape of his neck.]

[higherthaneverybody]

[He knows very well he shouldn't. This is a bad idea in so many ways, not the least of which is the fact that she's too clever by half, that she might figure some things out if he allows her to get close, things that no one should know. She could be very dangerous to him, and he to her, if he's honest with himself.

But.

But she's beautiful and intelligent and funny and interesting, and her life has been more than ordinary and she likes him and she makes him feel that curious quickening he had in his youth, when it seemed as though there were endless possibilities, wide open, and not just plans within plans. And he likes kissing her, as he pulls her body against his with an arm around her waist, a soft, low noise at the back of his throat - likes her soft lips and the very, very faint taste of blood he might just be imagining, and the smell of her, sharp and lovely. And so he keeps kissing her, makes it just a little deeper, just a touch more heated, even though he knows it could all go to hell so very, very fast.]

[wavesofjade]

[She's the first to break it, though reluctantly, and with a soft exhale of breath that she'd been holding onto. She bites her lower lip and curls her fingers lightly against his chest, her palm resting over his heart. The sound she makes is soft and thoughtful, and though her mind is racing she's not sure what to think.

Though she finds him attractive, and in more ways than just one, but he's always kept himself distant. Until now.

Dolores kept her silence, looking up at him, waiting for him to speak.]

[higherthaneverybody]

[He looks back down at her, and it takes him a few moments to speak, just studying her face, allowing his heart to calm.]

I won't apologize - I'm not sorry. It would be foolish to regret something like that, with you, and I've wanted to for awhile. [murmurs finally] But I suspect I should not have done that, as sweet as it was.

[wavesofjade]

[Her condition leaves her more sensitive than most to other people's heartbeats, and it's somewhat gratifying to find that she can do that to his.]

No apologies.

[She shakes her head, letting out a little sigh.]

I have wanted to, as well.. and I do not regret it. The question is, shall something be made of it?

[higherthaneverybody]

I am not- [he pauses for a moment, considering how to say] I am not the kind of man who makes for a good partner, not the kind that you deserve. I have secrets, that I don't think you would find acceptable.

[It's as blunt as he can be without saying outright what those secrets are. But she deserves as much of the truth as he can give her.]

[wavesofjade]

I will be the one to decide what I deserve.

[She touches his cheek, briefly, then lets her hand drop.]

But I will leave it to your choice, my dearest. I will not deny my feelings for you.

[higherthaneverybody]

[He looks down at her, his gaze dark and intense with emotion.] And what are those feelings, annwyl?

[It's not something they've ever really spoken of driectly - he has to know before he can make any sort of decision about this.]

[wavesofjade]

[She smiles at the term of endearment, and gently places her hand on his arm.]

I do not give my heart easily nor without some consideration.. but I would give it to you, and trust that you would keep it safe.

[higherthaneverybody]

I don't know that I can be trusted. [tells her, brow furrowed and expression troubled. He wants to be. For her. But there are other forces in his life, forces which might not allow him, as much as he wants to ... ]

[wavesofjade]

Rhys..

[She hushes him, cups his face with both hands and touches one thumb to his lips. It's drawn lightly over the lower and she shakes her head.]

If I truly could not trust you.. you would not worry about it.

[higherthaneverybody]

It's not so black and white as that. [He protests, but he's tired of protesting, and the way she's looking at him - it's too much to expect him to keep resisting. Hell with it, he's always made his impulses work for him, anyway.

So his hands slide around her waist once more, pulling her to him as he tips his head to kiss her again, something slow and deep and lingering, backed by the heat of desires repressed for too long.]

[wavesofjade]

[It was not meant to be a simple statement, but she knows what she means by it, and she feels the moment he stops resisting. It's strange how safe she can feel in the arms of someone she knows to be dangerous, someone she's been warned against, but she'll take this risk for now.

She returns the kiss, slow and deep and warm, lips curved in a smile as she draws back from him.]

I will not push you into anything, my dear, but I judge you worthy of my trust.

[higherthaneverybody]

I would not hurt you for the world. [And that much he can say with utter conviction - come what may, he would never do that. He smiles, then, warm and a little wry.] And you can't help but push me, by being who you are. You're a temptation that's proving impossible to resist.