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2/10/97
'Warmth'
By Jessica (a.k.a. GWoman1)
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Sometimes, all that mattered was to hold him.

The entire world was reduced to the feel of their bodies as they lay, entwined, in the deep, black darkness of the early morning. She could feel his chest as it rose and fell, rose and fell. Deep, life-giving breaths that he never took otherwise. She would revel in these stolen moments, when he was asleep.... at peace. It was such a rare state for him.

Until they had finally realised the passion that they shared for each other, she had never once seen him as relaxed and peaceful as he was when they were at home together. Curled up on the couch sharing secrets, laughing together at a stupid movie, making love slowly late at night.... these were the times when she felt she was seeing the real him. The him that no-one else ever saw. It made her both happy, but also, sad. Sad because if he just let himself open up, try to release the pain that had dominated his life for the past 25 years, he could share that wonderful part of him with other people. Happy, because he trusted her with that part of him mostly lost, on a dark night when he was 12.

As they lay together, she would note the sensations that their contact caused in her body; the tingle low in her belly when his warm breath caressed her... the way, that even in slumber, he would stroke her soft hair, a touch that sent such calming waves of peace throughout her.

She glanced over at the window, where a cool breeze caused the thin curtains to undulate and billow slowly outwards. She watched the slow billowing for a moment, transfixed. Then the breeze reached them, and she shivered. He whispered softly in his sleep as his arms instinctively tightened around her, and she forgot all about the cold as she concentrated on the feel of his naked skin as it lay pressed against hers. His warmth. His warmth that was hers and hers alone, for eternity.

At that thought, her mouth softened into a gentle smile and she turned her head, nuzzling into his neck. It woke him up, and she felt more than heard the soft chuckle low in his throat. That made her smile even wider. The knowledge that something so simple could bring some happiness into his miserable, loveless (except for me...) life, filled her with a light and a bubbling joy like nothing she had ever experienced before. She thought that he felt the same joy, and it was that shared happiness and love that had kept them going through all the horror and pain.

And this morning, she had another little piece of joy to share with him.

She slid over him until her body was full on top of his, and looked into the warmth of his colour-change eyes. So much like him.

'Fox.'

She searched his eyes, and found how they lit up as she called him by his given name. Another thing he allowed no other to do, but which brought him such simple joy whenever she said it. Especially in the throes of lovemaking, when it was all that could escape her lips, coming out in a strangled whisper, over and over as she floated over the edge of ecstasy.

'Fox.'

She took one of his hands and placed it on her side, drawing it down until it rested between them, his palm on her stomach. She lay her head on his shoulder and whispered in his ear.

'Now, Fox.... now there are going to be two of us to love you.'

She felt him jolt, and his hands flew to her face, pulling it up and searching her eyes desperately, as if she might be playing a cruel joke, but not really believing she would. As he saw the inner glow that radiated through her gaze, his face shone with wonder and joy, and his face brightened into the most beautiful smile she had ever seen him give. He slid his hands around her back and pulled her close, grinning all the while.

'Dana... Dana. Oh my god...'

He said it over and over, until he broke into wondrous laughter, and held her tighter. She joined him in his joy, their laughter entwining until they could laugh no more for a lack of oxygen. As they looked at each other and she brushed a lock of hair off his forehead, he could just stare into her eyes and say.

"Two of you. That is something I could live with. For ever."

Finito!!