My heart pounds loudly in my ears as I sprint down the halls. My chest heaving and my hands trembling. I need him, that much is apparent. Months away from ones Bonded, isn't advised. It is a painful existence, for both. Tearing you apart from the inside out. I could only imagine he felt the same as I. The thought of that nearly broke me. Imagining him in pain because of my actions ignites a new anger in me.

Oh my beautiful beloved.

I couldn't reach the main hall fast enough. Be that as it may, all movement stopped once I finally caught sight of him. All feeling vanished. Every piece of my being solely consumed by him. Just as beautiful as the day I let him go. His golden hair fell down his back in delicate waves. His small hands clutched themselves at his chest, which heaved exactly as mine. He was already crying though, rivers falling from big, green eyes, across plump, flushed cheeks. The sight of his precious tears, breaking my heart.

I couldn't move, couldn't speak, and no matter how much my chest heaved, I knew for a fact I couldn't breathe. I was nothing in that moment. Completely engrossed by him, his being. He was the first to move, running to me as though I’d disappear if he didn’t get to me fast enough. I watched with wide eyes as he stumbled in his haste to reach me. He stopped when we came to be toe to toe. A soft hand ran across my cheek, whipping away tears I hadn’t even noticed were there.

I could only stare at him in awe. He was here. My darling. My beloved. He was finally back with me. I hadn't noticed how much it had really hurt to have him gone. How painful it had truly been. Never again will he be away from me. Never again. A vow I will not break.

Finally, I regained control of my limbs. I grabbed his hand that rested against my cheek, holding it in place firmly. A gorgeous, infectious smile grew on his lips, pulling one from mine as well. I gently cradled the back of his head, fingers weaving with thick, soft strands. I pulled his head to mine, rested my forehead against his. We stood there for an indiscernible amount of time, simply breathing each other's air.

I studied his face, closely, as he did the same to mine. Dark bags ran under his eyes, a certain dullness residing there. It wounded me, yet again. He had experienced a pain I had not. One unbeknownst to me. His tears had stopped now, though he continued to release little hiccups from his throat.

“My stars,” He started, moving his hands to my stomach, gripping on the embroidered fabric there. He stared down at his hands, enraptured by what he saw. Almost as though he too couldn’t believe he was truly touching me. I nosed his temple, breathing in his scent. Rose and vanilla flooded my senses, encasing my heart and mind in unadulterated him.

“My world,” I continued. I moved my hand to his chin, delicately lifting back up his fallen head. I locked my eyes with his, studying yet again. Gold flecks lined his iris, shimmering in the light. I couldn't help but brush my thumb across his cheek. He truly enthralled me. His hold on my being tight and everlasting.

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“My breath,” His gentle hands moved up my chest and shoulders slowly, before reaching my neck. He pulled me down further if that were even possible. I drew in a shaking breath as he pressed our chests together, closing any lingering distance there. I watched as pink lips parted, drawing in a sharp gasp that I knew was due to our bodies finally making contact.

“My soul,” I breathed out on his cheek. His delicious lips hovered mere centimeters from mine, tempting me. He brushed his nose along my jaw, just barely caressing it with his lips. I found myself gently running my own lips along his hairline. My hands moving on their own, one settling securely on the small of his back while the other tightened its grip on his hair. I heard him let out a long exhale at my hand’s placement and I couldn’t help to contently sigh with it.

“My heart,” The words were whispered into my neck, as he buried his face there. I pulled his head away, needing to see his features again. His long eyelashes brushed his cheekbones as he closed his eyes. Our noses bumped together at our unperceived close proximity. His hand clenched and unclenched where they rested at my neck, as though he were barely holding himself together. He tried desperately to connect our lips. I felt a low whine rumble from his chest at my defiance.

“My love,” I finished. He gasped excitedly at my words, finally I could kiss him. Our kiss was gentle, small, yet it portrayed all the love unable to be expressed over our months of separation. It reminded me much of our first kiss, all those centuries ago, when we had been but children. Young, inexperienced elves, yet already knowing of the wonders of love.

The next kiss we shared was much different. Yet beautiful in its own right. He had clearly been disappointed in the cursory kiss I had instigated, and so pulled me down for its more heated twin. I couldn't help but smile into this one, his need was clear. He pressed himself more firmly against me, brushing my lips with his tongue. Unfortunately, here is where I had to pull away, people were still present.

Tears rimmed his eyes at my disconnect, him trying to chase my lips. As much as I wanted to comply with him, I’d rather others not see him in such a state as I’d leave him. I moved my mouth over to his ear, wrapping both my arms around his thin, strong waste.

“We have an audience, my flower,” I could hear the small gasp he let out, and couldn’t help but smile gently as he buried his face in my neck. I felt as he mouthed a small, ‘I’m sorry’ across my skin. Gently, I caressed his back in an attempt to sooth his worries. However, the discourteous chuckle that left my mouth most likely had the opposite effect.

“Do not apologize, little dragonfly. You’ve done nothing wrong,” I could feel the smile that stretched across his lips at my whispered reassurance. He turned his head to face mine, love shining brightly in his eyes. A mirror of mine own, I’d assume.

“I’ve missed you,” His hand rested itself on my cheek, gently caressing the skin there. “Oh how I've missed you,” My heart shattered at his tone. It sounded pained, strained, as though it took all his energy to simply utter those words.

I pressed a kiss to his forehead, then cheek, then shoulder, before burying my own face in his neck, mirroring his earlier actions. “I’ve missed you just as much, my beautiful flower,” I listened with glee as a miniscule, exhausted giggle left his lips. The pure elation in it fuelled my own.

I straightened my neck, connecting my black eyes with his beautiful green ones. He glanced down at my lips, drawing me in yet again. When with him, the world around me faded, everything blurred, unimportant. I leaned down, bumping my lips against his. “I love you,” I breathed out. My words tickled his face. He softly brushed his lips with mine again, before replying in kind.

“I love you too.”