In Luxor

[thecoolone]

In all the years he's worked here, Bill has never stayed at this particular hotel, nor has he had the pleasure of waking up in luxury looking out at the Nile.

It's a very lovely way to start the day.

Remnants of room service linger: a flower in a vase, an empty champagne bottle and two flutes, clothes on the floor, a gem-encrusted golden bangle on the bedside table along with a scarf, a tanzanite necklace, a collection of teas, a handful of new gemstones bartered for in the Bazaar Al-Amun, and a few other odds and ends.

He's got notes to make based on overheard conversations, but not just yet. Now the sun is rising, Fleur is nestled close to him, and all is well with the world.

Comments

[leplusbeau]

*Fleur makes a sleepy stretch that ends with her collapsed across Bill's chest.*

Told'oo waz good idea.

[thecoolone]

"A perfect idea."

He strokes her hair softly; a warm breeze blows in through the open window.

In many ways, this is so much better than magic. It's real, it's honest, it's heartfelt. Leaning back on the pillow, her hair under his fingers, Bill considers things. He considers the way it feels to wake up with her, and the way it feels to fall asleep with her at his side, and the way he knows he must blush when he sees her walk into a room. He considers the reactions of people he knows, not that their opinions would sway his actions one way or another; he's never been one whom people could tell what to do.

He feels his heart beating against her.

"Fleur, I love you. I'm so glad we're here together."

[leplusbeau]

*She kisses the hollow of his throat.*

I love you too, minet. Only man I ever called that, you know?

[thecoolone]

Bill is both stunned and satisfied.

He's had his share of women, just as he's certain Fleur has had her share of lovers, but none of them have made him feel quite so...

...glad to be a part of something.

That's it.

For him, right now, there's no one else. He might talk to a pretty girl or nod in appreciation, but he doesn't care about any of them. He can see spending a great many days with Fleur at his side.

"You're the only one I love. The only one I have loved, the only one I can see myself loving."

He may not be certain of all the reasons why, but that doesn't matter. She simply fascinates him, and has him entirely wrapped around her finger.

Bill doesn't mind in the least.

[leplusbeau]

*wiggle wiggle*

*Fleur is looking up at Bill's face with her chin on his chest.*

...if we are not careful, we are on our way fast to something seriouz.

[thecoolone]

"Is that a bad thing?"

He asks it in all seriousness: he's not certain of the answer.

He's only certain of how she makes him feel.

[leplusbeau]

*Very slowly, she raises herself on her hands and throws a leg over his hip. His wrists are held over his head.*


Iz more question, minet...*Her mouth is hover just a breath away from his.*...can you handle all of me? Everything I do?

[thecoolone]

He knows what Fleur is capable of doing: he's seen her in action.

But he loves her; he loves all of her. The good and the bad.

Straining forward, he kisses her mouth. It's a reckless thing to do in the midst of this conversation, but he can't help it. She's a challenge, an adventure, an opportunity.

Bill lives for adventure.

He would love to live for the adventure that is Fleur.

"I think," he breathes between kisses, "that we make a very good pair."

It may not be a direct answer, but it's the one he means to give.

[leplusbeau]

*Her eyes flutter shut.*


Stupid adventurer. Stupid...stupid...wonderful...


*She breaths out words between kisses, and her grip slides up to his hands, fingers slipping between his.*

[thecoolone]

That first night, their first night back together, Bill wondered if he'd made a mistake. She'd already left him once and going back was treading on dangerous but comfortably familiar ground.

It was also a thrill, a ride, a bit of danger.

He had no intention of continuing things, but his heart dictated differently. And who was he to argue with his heart?

He loves her, even though sometimes -- in the back of his mind -- he feels that their relationship is doomed. But she's Fleur.

She's Fleur.

There's no one like her. No one in the world, in the universe. And no matter what he thought that first night, now he doesn't want to lose her; he simply can't stand the thought.

He knows he'll do whatever he must to keep her.

His fingers close on hers, clutching her hands tightly.