Kathryn (returnedtoyou) wrote in theheartyearns, @ 2008-01-09 14:01:00 |
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Entry tags: | character: kathryn, character: miles, pairing: miles/kathryn |
Who: Miles and Kathryn
What: A crazy night
Where: Their flat
When: Future-verse, AUDarkening
Note: Written via email, never posted
It had been a quiet night. Dark- the moon was waning- but the stars gave him enough light to see. Admittedly Miles hadn't planned that- it was a convenient circumstance, and one for which he was grateful. He was out tonight for a reason, and what he had to do would have happened regardless of the moon or stars above. He had a job to do, and it had to be done tonight. Miles took orders. Not blindly, of course, but he knew his place. He wasn't a leader- nor did he have any particular desire to be. He believed in this cause, though, and tonight was another stepping stone.
His information had been good, and the mark was in the appointed spot at the appointed time. Miles knew that there were some among his brothers and sisters that enjoyed this process, that took their time extracting every ounce of pain and pleasure that they could. He wasn't one of them. While he had no aversions to killing as it was necessary- as it was tonight- Miles was not there for himself. He was there because what he would do would benefit them all, in the end.
He wore nice trousers and a fine shirt beneath his suit jacket, and sat calmly on a bench, waiting for the mark to approach. He wouldn't attack him from behind- he was no coward. It was a similar reasoning to why he dressed nicely- he wanted the mark to know, in his last thoughts, that he had been killed by someone better than he.
It was quick work. Miles stood as the mark approached, the other man tipping his hat as if in greeting. He was dead before he hit the sidewalk. A quick concealment charm hid the night's work, and from there the magical disposal of the body was nothing. Miles hadn't even gotten his hands dirty.
He stood, and a sound across the pathway caught his attention. Miles' wand was out, another curse a second from his lips when he recognized the intruder.
Kathryn.
Miles' eyes narrowed. She knew what he did- or, at least, he assumed she did. They'd never talked in details of the war- she had been too young, but he had gladly sided with Voldemort. Miles supposed that killing muggle sympathizers wasn't particularly dinner conversation, even if you were of the same opinion on the matter.
But she was here. Here, watching him kill. She should have been miles away, safe at home- not here where anything could have gone wrong. He had prepared himself for every eventuality- but not this.
"Leave." Miles' voice was low, rough. There was no measure of kindness to him now- a marked difference from how he normally treated her. He didn't wait to see if she obeyed him, though, instead casting a perfunctory glance around the scene before apparating away, himself.
He hadn't told her where he was going. Which was strange to her, because he usually at least mentioned something. But tonight he had said nothing- she could tell something was different- he seemed almost anxious. Excited, maybe. She couldn't quite make out the emotion- it was just a slight undercurrent.
He hadn't said goodbye. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but she was curious. He was dressed exceptionally well, after all. She apparated after he did and stood back, watching. She couldn't turn away as she watched the mark fall and was just about to leave when he caught sight of her. She couldn't respond as she heard his voice and apparated- still stunned at his tone- just moments after he did.
She knew what he did, knew what Caleb expected of him at times. It was something separate, something not quite real, almost, from them- from her. But she had never actually seen it- and to be honest, it rather fascinated her. Of course, she hadn't quite expected him to be so angry.
Arriving in the flat, she glanced around, wondering if he was already there- she couldn't see him from where she was standing in the foyer. Then again, he could have apparated elsewhere- she didn't know what he usually did in this sort of situation. Sighing, she reached up to pull the ribbon from her ponytail, tucking it into her pocket as her hair fell around her shoulders and she slipped off her shoes. Okay, so maybe she had messed up. But she hadn't known what he was doing! Really, though, where on earth was he?
He hadn't gone far- only a few city blocks away. Just enough so that, Miles hoped, he could walk his frustration off. An hour later, however, it hadn't done him much good. Another hour after that, and he still had his hands buried deep in his pockets, and was still walking at a furious pace. He had no idea where he was, and he didn't much care.
How could she? Was she out of her mind? Anything could have happened to her- hell, half a second before he'd recognized her, he'd been ready to hex her himself!
It was three hours before Miles even considered going home, and another hour after that before he actually did. It was well past midnight by now, but his thoughts were keeping him wide awake.
Miles apparated silently into the flat, and immediately turned to the bedroom. The door was open, and he could see that Kathryn wasn't inside. Hmph. Turning back to the kitchen, he pulled a wine glass down and picked a vintage at random.
He wasn't a drinker. Well, correction- he didn't drink to forget his problems. He certainly enjoyed his wine, but he wasn't one to drown things away in liquor. Tonight, however, might be the exception. Miles poured the wine without care, and quickly downed half of his glass. He could barely taste it. Refilling his glass, he kept the bottle uncorked and stayed facing the counter, his hands gripping the marble there until his knuckles turned white.
She had tried waiting up, and had spent the first two hours pacing around the flat once she discovered that he wasn't there. She'd eventually changed, finding one of his shirts and slipping it on before pacing some more. After working herself up, she finally curled up on the corner of the couch, silently fretting to herself. He was angry, obviously, and she wasn't quite sure what to think or what to do.
She was dozing when he arrived, and didn't hear him until he was in the kitchen. She stayed where she was for a few moments, trying to gauge just how angry he was. She couldn't tell much, to be honest, and sat up, looking over her shoulder toward the kitchen.
"Miles?" she started, her voice soft. A quick glance to the clock showed her the hour, and she winced before looking back to him.
The wine glass- now empty- was set back down on the counter with an audible sound. He recognized her voice, of course- nevermind that there were precious few others who were allowed in through his wards. Miles didn't turn, though, instead staring steadfastly ahead at the grain of the wood in the cabinet door. "What?" he asked. The animosity was obvious in his voice, and he hated that it was directed at her, but at the moment there wasn't much he could do to stop that.
Kathryn hated that she visibly flinched when he spoke to her. "I- nevermind." Standing, she sighed softly and watched his back for a few moments. Turning, she started toward the bedroom and paused once she had reached the doorway. "I'm just glad you're home."
Miles didn't acknowledge her speaking, but waited a few moments, expecting to hear the bedroom door close. When he didn't hear it, he finally turned from the counter and walked in long strides to the corridor that separated the kitchen from the bedroom. Kathryn was still standing in the doorway, facing him now.
"What were you thinking, Kathryn?" His voice was louder than he had expected it to be, but Miles didn't tone down as he continued. "You must be absolutely out of your mind to follow me on a night like this!" He slammed a hand down on the counter, his fingers quickly clenching into a fist and then relaxing. "Anyone could have seen you! He could have killed you! Hell- half a second longer without seeing your face and I would have killed you, myself! Is that what you want, Kathryn?"
Kathryn took half a step back as he started toward her. Thinking? She- well, she hadn't, really. "A night like this? How was I supposed to know it was 'a night like this'? I hadn't been told anything." He was right, though- it was stupid of her to follow him. But still- how was she to know? "And no, of course that isn't what I want. Why would I?"
"So, what- you need full fucking disclosure from me before I'm allowed to leave the flat, is that it?" Miles' eyes narrowed- he could feel his pulse racing, but this wasn't a good sort of energy rush and he knew it.
"That isn't what I meant and you know it," she replied, shivering when she caught his look. This didn't bode well- and she had never seen him this angry. His words, though, had already begun to upset her and she couldn't quite to decide whether to be angry or- afraid, almost.
"I'm doing this for you, Kathryn!" The silencing charms on the flat were certainly getting their use tonight. "For you, and everyone like us who deserves a better world!" His hand unclenched, and he reached into his pocket for his wand- though he kept it at his side now. "And this is how you're repaying me- after all of this?" His free hand gestured vaguely at their surroundings. "By putting yourself in danger?"
Kathryn took another step back as he yelled, trying to remember where her own wand was as he pulled his out. "Wait- now you're going to throw this back in my face?" Fuck. It was still in the living room. "I didn't know- didn't mean to- Miles, please, don't-" Fear won over, and she really kind of hated that.
Miles raised his wand, but pointed it over Kathryn's head. A quick word, and the bedroom door slammed behind Kathryn. He could tell that she was scared, and a very base part of him fed off of that- he quickly silenced those thoughts, however, by closing the distance between them. He placed his wand back in his pocket as he quickly stepped toward her. His hands went to her wrists and he backed her into the door, at the moment not caring how rough or not he was. Miles' lips were against Kathryn's, and he pressed himself fully against her. He tasted a slight tang of blood, but he didn't know if it was hers or his own.
She jumped as the door slammed and didn't have time to do anything before he'd slammed her into the door. He had her wrists, and she struggled to pull them from his grasp but he was too strong. She tried to twist away from his kiss, but couldn't- she tasted the blood, too, and was fairly sure it was hers- either from her own nervous fretting or his roughness. And yet after a few moments she found herself not caring- even managing to kiss him back, though she was still trying to pull her hands from his.
Her struggling only made Miles grip her wrists tighter, to press himself harder against her. He broke from their kiss, but only just enough to bite at her lower lip- not gently, but then nothing about this was. There wasn't much of a reprieve, however, because a second later he was kissing her again- even fiercer, if it were possible.
Kathryn cried out as he bit her lip, trying to catch her breath. But then he was even closer, kissing her harder, and she could feel her body start to yield to his, even as her mind tried to tell her to stop.
He pulled back again as her cry registered, though belatedly. Miles' grip on Kathryn's wrist lessened, though he still held on to her- she could push him away now, if she tried. "Leave," he said, for the second time that night- though this was almost a warning. "Leave, or I won't stop again."
She was tempted to consider it, but instead she found herself shaking her head. "No," she said softly. "I won't."
Miles' eyes met hers- there was still anger in his gaze, but now something else as well. It was only there for a moment, however, because then his eyes closed and he kissed her again. It was still forceful, keeping her pressed hard against the wall just by virtue of his size over her. His hands moved to bring her wrists over her head, shifting so that one of his hands held both of hers. This left his grip looser than it had been before- perhaps slightly less threatening, but definitely still more than normal. His now free hand moved to the buttons of her shirt- his shirt, something in his mind registered- but just grabbed at the front of the fabric, clenching it in his fingers.
She met his gaze, not blinking- not entirely sure what he was thinking. She was still a little afraid, but was now more sure that he wasn't going to do anything too rash to truly harm her. He moved her hands and her back arched into him as he kissed her again.
He had never meant to hurt her- one of the reasons he was so angry was because he nearly had, and worse. As Kathryn arched toward him, Miles pressed back just as hard, his hips matched to hers. Breaking their kiss, he leaned to her neck, biting her skin at the curve there- though he wasn't meaning to hurt her, Miles was still a long way off from his normal gentle self.
Kathryn certainly didn't seem to mind. To be quite honest, she rather liked when he got rough. He bit her and she couldn't help the noise she made- something like a gasp, but not quite. "Miles-" she breathed, though she wasn't wanting him to stop.
Miles loved when she said his name like this- whether because of his own vanity or another reason he didn't know, or much care. His hand tightened its grip on her wrists for a moment, and he tugged at her shirt- once, then twice, pleased to hear two or three of the buttons fall to the floor.
She heard the buttons pop and smiled, half-heartedly tugging her wrists. She wanted more, though, and whined softly. "What- what do you need, love? I...anything. Just, please-"
Anything? Miles gave a sound very near to a growl, pulling back from his ministrations at her neck. He brought his lips to hers, speaking a word low and rough. "Quiet." He didn't give her a chance to reply, kissing her forcefully again. Miles' hand dropped from her shirt- now hanging open around her- to her knickers. He placed his palm against her skin just below her navel, his fingers slipping under the edge of her knickers.
Kathryn made a strangled noise of her own that ended up caught up in the kiss. Twisting her wrists again, she managed to pull one of her wrists from his grasp. Her fingers immediately slid into his hair, twisting slightly as she pulled herself closer.
Miles matched Kathryn's noise, biting at her lower lip again as his fingers slid further down toward her. There was no pretense, not this time, and he ran one finger slowly and deliberately against her clit.
Her breath caught and she moved her leg, wrapping it around him to pull him closer. The motion also gave him better access- not that he seemed to have a problem to begin with. Her hips bucked, wanting more.
He was only holding one of her wrists now, so Miles tightened his grip a bit more. He loved to feel her pulling him closer, but he resisted- instead wanting to continue on as he was, he pressed two fingers quickly into her, his hand twisted enough so that his thumb could brush her clit as his fingers worked.
Kathryn cried out, though it was muffled by his lips on hers. Her hips moved, though not away as her legs moved further apart. It was wanton, yes, and she really didn't care- nor did he seem to.
Miles didn't care, no- not at the moment, at least. He worked his fingers faster, twisting his hand to hook them inside her, looking for that one spot. He gave another sound into their kiss, biting her lip again as he pulled back, his eyes- dark, intense- meeting hers.
Kathryn opened her eyes as he pulled back, her gaze meeting his. She didn't know what to make of the look in his eyes, but found that she couldn't look away, even if she had wanted to. He found the spot he'd been looking for and it was just moments before her orgasm hit her and she cried out, clenching down on his fingers.
He withdrew his hand- being sure to brush her clit again as he did so- and quickly moved to undo the fastenings of his own trousers. This was all much more rushed and with much less care than Miles gave- but he wasn't thinking about that now. He pushed them down just enough, then leaned toward her again to pull her own knickers down as well. Breaking their gaze, Miles squeezed Kathryn's wrist with one hand, his other guiding himself to her entrance and pushing fully into her. His hand then moved to her waist, pulling her flush to him as he moved against her.
Kathryn couldn't help but cry out, her eyes squeezing shut as he pushed into her. She was already a little shaky and unable to control her breathing, and this- fuck, it still felt good to her- it hurt but she could feel herself moving with him, wanting more.
It didn't take Miles long to find his release- he didn't even try to hold back. He was reduced to relatively base emotions and actions, and what he'd needed was this- to have her, to know she was his, to feel alive with her.
She'd been so close to her last release that it really hadn't taken her long to find another, his bringing on hers. Her breathing was heavy as she tugged her wrist free from his grasp. It unnerved her, almost, how her body betrayed her even as her mind had been telling her to say no. When she was sure he wasn't yet reaching for her wrists again, she moved her leg back down, pulling away from him as her hand moved to the door handle behind her.
Miles took a quick step backward as Kathryn pulled her hand away. His own hands went to his trousers, fastening them back into place but hardly paying attention to the action- his eyes were on hers. He looked scared- of what he'd done, of what she had every right to do to him in return. "Oh, Merlin- Kathryn-" His voice was strangled, and he turned to back himself into the wall. He covered his face with his hands, then running his fingers tightly through his hair. "What have I done?" This lower, as if to himself.
To be honest, she didn't really know what he'd done. She felt used and confused, yet when she saw the look in his eyes, she knew that he was truly upset over what had happened. Turning the handle, she pushed the door open and stepped toward him, a hand slowly coming up to rest on his arm. "Miles..."
He flinched at her touch- Miles couldn't help it. He'd rather been expecting something more violent than that, though, and the way she said his name gave him pause. Dropping his hands, he looked back to her. "I am so sorry." His eyes quickly closed. He couldn't look at her- didn't deserve to.
She couldn't quite bring herself to say that it was okay, because really, it wasn't. "I...I know," she said, her voice still soft. "Come here." She just wanted to comfort him- though she knew she didn't exactly look her best, bruised and sore as she was. Her lip hurt, and she was fairly sure it had bled earlier, but she could take care of it all in a bit. Her hand found his and she started to turn toward the bedroom.
Miles followed her into the bedroom, silently. As he reached the bed he turned, sitting on the edge and leaning over to rest his elbows on his knees, head in his hands. "You do not have to stay," he offered, quietly. "I- wouldn't blame you."
"I told you earlier I wasn't leaving," she said, moving out to the living room for her wand and then to the dresser to find another shirt. Once she'd changed, she moved back to stand before him, gently running her fingers through his hair. "Is it- is it always like that? After..?"
He hadn't moved the whole time, his face still shielded by his hands, staring steadfastly at the floor between his feet. "Nearly always, yes," Miles admitted, quietly. "Before it was... meaningless. Fulfillment of a base desire to- to prove that I was still alive." He paused. "Tonight- I- You-"
"Tonight what?" she asked before she could stop herself, ignoring the spark of jealousy she felt at the mention of others. "And- I didn't mean to anger you. I wasn't- I mean..." She trailed off, biting her lower lip. "I am sorry for following you."
"I know you didn't," Miles admitted- well, he knew that now. "But you were there- you saw what I'm capable of. I could have lost you- at my own hand."
"But you didn't," she said, sitting beside him on the edge of the bed, one leg drawn up under her. "I'm still here." Her lips quirked into a faint smile. "And still in one piece, I think."
He could feel the bed move as she sat, and Miles gave a groan- frustration this time. "No thanks to any of my actions." It wasn't meant as a dig against her own strength- but Miles has been more than a bit forceful.
"I could have struggled more," she said, reaching for one of his hands. "Honestly, Miles, it's okay. Will you look at me, please?"
Miles let Kathryn take his hand, though he left it rather limp in her grip. He swallowed, his Adam's Apple moving up and down slowly as he did. Turning his head, he finally looked at Kathryn- but again, his eyes closed quickly and he looked back down. "I'm so sorry..."
He still wasn't looking at her. Her hand came up to his cheek and she scooted over, dropping her forehead to his. "It's okay, love. We're both here- alive- and everything is going to be fine. I promise. I'm not- I'm not angry, and I'm not going to leave." She pressed a soft kiss to his temple.
He didn't quite understand how she could be so easily forgiving, but as Miles thought of it, he realized he perhaps shouldn't turn that luck away. He was quiet for a moment, considering, and then stood. Keeping his hand in hers, he gently pulled her to her feet- and then into an embrace, his arms around her. Her head easily fit against his chest, and he kissed the top of her hair.
Kathryn stood as he pulled her up, not quite sure what he was going to say or do next. But then his arms were around her and she closed her eyes as she hugged him just as close. And then, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, tears were in her eyes and she sniffled, softly.
Miles could hear that she was crying, but he wanted her close for a minute more before he addressed that particular thing. He took a deep breath, breathing in her scent, finally moving away just enough so he could tilt her head toward his. His thumb brushed the tears from her cheeks and he leaned down, pressing an infinitely gentle kiss to her lips.
Her hands fisted in the fabric of his shirt where she'd slipped them under his jacket as she raised herself up to press her lips just a little more firmly against his. It was just a few moments before she pulled back, bringing a hand up to swipe at her eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm crying." She sniffled again and pushed some of her curls from her eyes.
He echoed her motion, tucking a bit of hair behind her ear. "It's okay." Miles brushed another tear away from Kathryn's cheek, and met her gaze again, his voice still soft. "Kathryn- don't let me do this- hurt you- again. Not ever. I- I couldn't-"
Kathryn listened, her gaze moving down to the space between him as she shook her head. "I-I can't promise that," she admitted softly. "Not-not if it means- I don't want- you can't go to somebody else. I'd rather you come to me like that than somebody meaningless..."
"No, that- that's not what I'm asking," Miles said, still softly. His hand moved from her cheek, touching his fingers to her shoulder, but then falling away. "It's- it isn't right, for me to- to need that, Kathryn. Not from- anyone- and especially not from you."
"But if you can't help it," she started, looking back up to him before her gaze moved to the side. "I just- no. I can't, and you- we...I liked it, and I knew- I mean..." She broke off with a sigh. "I don't know what I mean, Miles. I was scared, yes; you were so angry and I hadn't meant to- and what you said, I-"
Miles hesitated a moment, but then brought two fingers just under Kathryn's chin, gently turning her head to look at him again. "I know that I was angry, Kathryn, and- I cannot apologize enough for taking that out on you," he started, slowly. "I- I had thought that your following me was- was you not trusting me. Before- well, before tonight- I didn't think I'd done anything to warrant losing that trust."
Kathryn let her gaze move back to him, then shook her head, slowly. "I- no. I mean, it's not that I don't trust you. I just- I wasn't thinking when I did, and then I couldn't turn away and- no. I do trust you, and I'm sorry..."
"You have nothing to apologize for, Kathryn," Miles assured her. "I-" He hesitated again, then made sure to meet her gaze before continuing. "I am not like others. This- what I did tonight- I do not do it for the enjoyment. I do it because I know that it will make a better world. For myself, and for those I love- for you, Kathryn, and for our children."
Kathryn found that she couldn't look away as he spoke, her eyes widening just slightly by the end. She knew he wasn't like the others- it was part of the reason that she loved him so much- and she knew at least this much of his reasoning. "I know you're not," she started. "And I-" She couldn't help but smile a little. "Our children?"
He seemed a bit surprised to be called out on that bit of it, and Miles very nearly smiled in return- almost. "Well," he brought his hand up, tucking a bit of hair behind her ear, "I had rather hoped that we would have them, one day."
"Well, yes. I just mean- you still want them with me?" She nearly hated herself for actually asking it, and would likely later regret sounding so insecure. She tilted her head just slightly toward his hand as she looked down again.
"I want everything with you." Miles' reply was genuine, and he very much sounded like he meant it. Keeping his hand at her cheek, he leaned down to kiss her again- this time letting it linger, sweetly. As he pulled back, he kept his forehead to hers, his voice a whisper now. "Kitty... Will you marry me?"
Kathryn returned the kiss, reassured by his words. She blinked, though, at his question. Had she heard him right? It seemed she had- after all, it wasn't like she had bad hearing or anything- and she looked back to him for a few moments, almost stunned. Once it had sunk in, she nodded. How could she answer any differently? "Yes," she whispered, kissing him again. "Yes, I- yes."
This wasn't like Miles- he was a planner. Everything in their relationship- each date, every present- he'd done his best to plan and plot it out so that it might go as well as he could make it. It wasn't as if he hadn't been planning on asking Kathryn to marry him, though- just, well, not like this! He couldn't take it back- more to the point, he didn't want to.
Her hesitation, quite honestly, scared him. It was enough that he'd asked this so spontaneously, but then those few seconds- and it couldn't have been more than that, really- they may have been more stressful than anything else. But then she said yes- three times- and Miles finally did smile, and brightly.
Leaning down for another kiss, deeper this time, Miles dropped his hands to Kathryn's waist. Pulling her closer to him, he lifted her up, spinning them both around in a slow circle as they kissed.
She was faintly surprised when he lifted her up, but she was laughing by the time he'd set her down and they had pulled back from the kiss. One hand rested at the back of his neck, the other on his shoulder as she smiled up at him. "I love you," she said, leaning up to kiss him again.
Oh, he loved hearing her laughter- especially like this. "I love you, Kitty." Her nickname came easily to his lips, but Miles was still rather glad to be using it- just glad for that familiarity she allowed him to have. Pulling back from their kiss, he added, belatedly, "I- I'll get you a ring..."
"You don't have to," she said, shaking her head. "You've already given me one." She felt better at his use of her nickname- she had noticed earlier that he wasn't using it and it had made her nervous.
"I do," Miles insisted. "This-" His fingers brushed against the ring she wore on her left hand. "It's not an engagement ring. You deserve something... more." A smile quirked at the corner of his lips. "Call me old fashioned if you'd like, but I think that a woman of some standing, like yourself, ought to be... properly adorned." Nevermind that he was sure she'd seen Tes' and Daphne's rings- he had to give her something to hold with that crowd.
"I don't really want to get into this argument," she started, smiling again. "If you really want to, then I'll wear whatever ring you give me." She leaned up to kiss him again, her fingers sliding up into his hair. "Honestly. All I care about is getting to marry you."
She was right- after everything else, arguing over whether or not she got a different engagement ring probably was a bit ridiculous. But Miles returned Kathryn's kiss gladly, then kissing her forehead as they broke apart. "We will," he said, simply. "I promise."
"Good," she said, smiling faintly. "Now, I think we have some celebrating to do. And I think you might be just a little overdressed for the occasion." Her hands moved up to loosen his tie. "Except this time, we're going to do it properly. In bed-" Tie loosened, her fingers started on the buttons of his shirt- "And we're going to take our time about it."
"Properly?" Miles asked, raising an eyebrow and bringing one hand up to cover hers, stilling it. If that was what she wanted, then that's what he would do- but it certainly didn't start with her undressing him! Instead Miles easily lifted Kathryn into his arms, supporting her with one arm under her knees and the other at her back. Kissing her forehead, he carried her to the bed and set her down, gently.
Leaning over her, Miles brought one hand to Kathryn's cheek and kissed her again, deeply this time, his tongue brushing against her lips as his free hand moved to her shoulder.
Oh, she did love when he did that. She was laughing- happily- as he picked her up, her arms around him. "Properly, yes." She was still sitting up as he leaned over to kiss her, and her lips parted as she felt his tongue. Her hand came up to rest over his as she leaned back a bit, pulling him down with her.
Miles easily followed Kathryn down, the hand at her shoulder sliding slowly toward her hand. Resting on his side next to her, he broke from their kiss and started to press kisses along her jawline and down to the curve of her neck.
Her breath caught as he kissed a slightly sore spot. Turning her hand, she laced their fingers together as his hand reached hers and gave it a light squeeze. "Miles," she whispered, wanting to say something, but then she was distracted by his lips on her shoulder and she closed her eyes.
He hadn't meant to touch any part of her that was sore- but then again, Miles hadn't meant to hurt her at all, in the first place. He pulled back, slightly, giving her a worried look. "I should-"
Kathryn shook her head, leaning up to kiss him again. "Just keep kissing me," she said, her hand moving to the back of his neck. "I'm fine."
As much as he did still worry he would hurt her- well, hurt her more- Kathryn's insistence did reassure Miles. He couldn't exactly say no, when she was talking like that. Miles brought his hand back up, resting two fingers under her chin as he pressed his lips to hers again.
Her fingers slid into his hair as her lips parted, wanting to deepen the kiss. She released his hand so hers could move up to work on the buttons of his shirt. She rather wanted it off- wanted to feel his skin against hers.
Miles obligingly deepened the kiss, but he once again brought a hand over Kathryn's to still her movements. She'd wanted proper, and he would do that. Breaking from their kiss, he gently moved her hand away from his shirt and brushed the fabric of the shirt she wore away from her chest. The buttons had mostly been lost sometime before, so the fabric fell away easily enough, and Miles slid down to press light kisses first at the hollow of her neck, and then down toward her chest.
She whined softly as he stopped her hands again. "Miles, I want-" She trailed off on a moan, her back arching into his touch.
"What do you want, Kathryn?" Miles asked the question, but stayed intent on his current action- one hand at her hip, he brushed his tongue across a nipple once, then twice, and then a third time, slower, before blowing a breath against her skin to cool the same place.
"I want-" she gasped as she felt his tongue- "I want to feel you. All of you, with nothing between us. Your skin on mine..."
While Miles was, admittedly, having a bit of fun taking things slowly, he couldn't really deny Kathryn when she was talking like that. He kissed her skin again, but only once more before he sat back up and undid the buttons of his own shirt. Once it and his tie were cast off the side of the bed, he reached for Kathryn's hand, gently easing her to sit up again. Leaning toward her again, he started to slowly push the shirt off her shoulders, kissing the bare skin he exposed as he did.
Kathryn sat as he pulled her up, a hand slowly trailing up his side and then down his chest as he nudged off her shirt. Smiling, she turned just a little more to face him, dropping both of her hands so he could pull her shirt completely off and toss it over with his. That done, she leaned over for another kiss.
Miles returned Kathryn's kiss, his fingers easily sliding into her hair. He moved to his knees beside her on the bed as they kissed, his other hand sliding to her waist, his fingers playing at the band of her knickers.
Kathryn moved to her own knees as he did, her own hands trailing his skin before moving to his belt, gently undoing it as her lips parted to deepen the kiss.
His hands moved over hers, but this time Miles helped Kathryn with her task. His belt undone, he flipped the catch of his trousers and easily slid them down. Miles pulled back from Kathryn's kiss so that he could stand- though only long enough to allow his trousers and shorts to drop to the floor. One hand on the bed, he leaned over to kiss Kathryn again, his second hand gently tugging her knickers down.
Kathryn smiled against his lips as she moved to let him pull her knickers off. They joined the rest of their clothes and she pulled him toward her as she lie back on the bed.
Miles easily rested over her, supporting himself with one hand on the bed to Kathryn's side. Scissoring their legs, he brought his free hand up to caress her breast, once again easily deepening their kiss.
Kathryn moaned softly, her back arching beneath him. It was a few minutes before she broke the kiss, her breathing heavy as her lips moved to ghost his jaw line. "I need you, Miles," she whispered, pressing a kiss to a spot just behind his earlobe. "It never stops, doesn't go away..."
"I do not want it to," Miles replied, quietly. He rested his cheek to Kathryn's as she kissed him, his eyes closing a moment. "I love it- the wanting, the craving- feeling that I could not even make it through one day without feeling you against me like this-"
"Neither do I," she admitted, pressing another kiss just a little further down his neck. "I- we barely finish and I want you again. Any way I can..."
"You can have me," he assured her, "any way you want me." Miles meant it, too. Tilting his neck so as to give her better access there, he ran his hand down her side, fingers curving around her waist.
She smiled as she pressed a kiss to the curve of his neck, her back arching when she felt his fingers at her waist. "I like the sound of that," she said, shifting just slightly beneath him so he could more easily settle between her legs. Turning her head, her lips found his again in a deep kiss.
Miles gave a faint noise into their kiss, his tongue running against Kathryn's. It was like a hunger he felt for her, sometimes- but, as he'd told her, it wasn't a hunger that he ever wanted to be rid of. Settling between her legs, Miles' hand moved from her waist back around to trace two fingers about her navel, then splaying his palm flat against her skin.
She sucked in a breath as his fingers trailed over her stomach- it tickled a little- and she couldn't help the noise she made when she felt his palm. One of her hands moved to his back, the other to his cheek as she leaned up into the kiss, returning it with equal fervor.
He didn't break their kiss, but Miles shifted slightly over her again as his hand moved lower. Tracing one finger along her, he easily avoid touching her clit- essentially just teasing her, slowly. "How do you want me now?" Miles asked, whispering against her lips before kissing her again.
Kathryn bent her leg at the knee, her foot resting on the bed near Miles' hip. She returned the kiss, her hips bucking toward his touch. "Inside of me," she whispered in response, "Slowly. Please, Miles..."
Miles nodded just faintly, his hand moving away from her. He shifted lower, resting on an elbow over her as he slowly, guided himself to her entrance. He moved gently, cautiously, leaning up to kiss her as he did. Especially with the night's earlier events, he wanted to be sure he didn't hurt her- even inadvertently.
Kathryn returned the kiss, glad for it as he slid into her. She was still a little sore, but she certainly didn't want him to stop. She was still for a moment until he was fully inside her before she moved her hips just a tiny bit.
While he still felt abysmally bad for what had happened, most everything else faded away when Miles was with Kathryn like this. There was nothing else that mattered, not right now. He moved his own hips in response to hers, though still keeping his actions slight. Their kiss was gentle, and Miles brought his hand up to Kathryn's cheek.
Kathryn moved her own hand up to his, giving it a light squeeze as she leaned up, her lips parting just slightly. "More, please," she whispered between kisses as she felt her body begin to mold to his, moving in time as her free hand moved to his back, fingers trailing down his skin.
Miles' eyes squeezed closed tightly as he felt Kathryn's hand against his skin, and he arched toward her. He quickened his movements, though still only just barely. The hand at her cheek slid down, moving over her chest and massaging there, slowly.
She moaned, her eyes closing as her head fell back. "Miles," she breathed, moving her hips with his. "Please..."
"Kathryn..." Miles' voice was a whisper against her skin, and he turned his head to catch her lips again. His hand stilled on her skin, but he didn't stop moving his hips with hers, increasing the rhythm just slightly again. "Kitty," he added, softer, "tell me what you want..."
"I want you," she whispered, opening her eyes to meet his gaze. "But you already know that. I want this. To feel you bringing me closer with every thrust, your lips on mine, on my skin... I just- I want to feel it. How much you love me..."
Miles kissed along her jawline, moving enough to whisper in her ear. "I love you, Kitty. Every thing about you- the way you look at me, and the way you feel like this, when I'm inside of you." He paused, dropping his head to kiss at the curve of her neck.
"I love you too," she said softly, her head falling to the side to give him better access to her neck. She was close, she could feel it, and one of her hands moved to find his, lacing their fingers together. "Miles, I- just a little more..."
He continued to kiss at Kathryn's neck, though gently, not wanting to leave any marks. Squeezing her hand in return, he breathed her name against her skin again. "Kitty..." His second hand moved down her side, running slowly around to the small of her back, pulling her closer to him as he moved. "My Kitty..."
"Mmhmm," Kathryn moaned as her back arched against him, her hips moving draw him even deeper. "Yes, love, right there..." Her free hand came up to bring his lips back to hers just moments before she found her release, squeezing his hand and making a muffled noise into the kiss.
Feeling her release easily brought Miles to his own, and after two more thrusts he gave a moan, finally breaking from their kiss. He reconsidered this, though, kissing Kathryn again, deeper, as his hand moved back up her side.
She was smiling when he broke the kiss, eagerly returning his next one, her fingers trailing along his back as one hand moved to rest just above his arse, the other moving back to tangle her fingers in his hair. Her breathing was uneven when they finally pulled back, and she couldn't help but smile a bit lazily. "Oh, Miles, I do love you..."
Miles shifted away from Kathryn slightly, easily keeping an arm around her. He wanted her to be close, just for that reassurance. "I love you, too, Kitty," he said, solemnly, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
To be honest, Kathryn loved the closeness- moments like these where it was just the two of them, here and now and nobody else in the world mattered. She smiled, turning toward him and snaking an arm around him to keep him close as well. Her fingers traced a light pattern on side as she pressed a kiss to his shoulder.
He brought a hand up, twirling some of her hair around a finger. "I mean that, Kitty, you know." Miles still seemed a bit hesitant, the more he thought over the night's earlier events. "I believe it is something I said when I gave you this-" His fingers brushed against the sapphire ring she already wore. "I would not settle for anything less than perfection, and you've shown me nothing but that."
"I'm glad to know that I don't disappoint," she replied, blushing faintly. "And I know you mean it, love." She smiled when she felt his fingers at her hand. Meeting his gaze, her smile brightened. "And we're getting married!"
Miles couldn't help but smile in return, kissing Kathryn's forehead again. "Yes, love, we are. Though," he quirked a slight smile, "did you think that I wouldn't ask?" Even if he still hadn't, not properly.
"Well, I knew you would, but I didn't think it would be tonight." She hadn't really known what to expect when it came to a proposal. It was just one of those someday things; she knew it would happen eventually, but she hadn't really thought about any of the specifics.
"Neither did I," Miles admitted, quietly, looking away, somewhere over Kathryn's shoulder. "I just-" He sighed. "After what I did, I wanted to know if that- if something I'd had in mind for so long- if it was still true."
Kathryn was silent as she listened to him and she nodded once he had finished. "I... Of course it is. Love, it... All of this doesn't just go away. It's going to take more than just a rough round of sex to push me away." She was teasing a little as she said that, and she tilted her head slightly as she brought a hand up to pull him down for a gentle kiss. "I love you, Miles. And I don't think anything is going to change that."
"I hope not," he said, still quiet. "You have become a part- a part of my life, Kitty, and one that I do not want to give up." Miles was hesitant to say that she was a part of him, though that may well have been true, too- he just didn't know if that made him somehow less of a person.
She wouldn't have thought any less of him if he were to say it. As it were, her cheeks flushed a faint pink. "I don't want to give you up, either." Of course, that was probably obvious from the things she had said to her parents when they decided to have their talks with her about her relationship. "And I won't, either." There was a slightly stubborn set to her jaw as she said it.
"I love a girl who knows- and takes- what she wants," Miles said, finally showing a slight grin. He did, too- confidence like Kathryn's was surprisingly rare in higher society's circles. Too many women were content to be figures alone- but not Kathryn. Thank Merlin.
"I'm glad you do," she said, laughing a little. "Otherwise I think we might have a bit of trouble, don't you think?" She couldn't help but smile at his grin, and she leaned up to kiss him again, simply because she wanted to.
"We would, but there's no need to dwell on hypotheticals, love." Miles reached a hand up, tucking a bit of hair behind Kathryn's cheek. "You," he added, quieter, speaking close to her lips, "are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Almost any other woman would have questioned that statement, and Kathryn very well might have if she wanted to think about some of the witches she'd seen him with in the past. But she wasn't any other woman, and Kathryn was certainly more than happy to believe him. "No," she agreed. "No need at all." She smiled as he toyed with her hair, her own hand moving to rest on his side, fingers gently tracing light patterns on his skin.
Miles slowly drew his hand away, letting her hair slip gently through his fingers. Offering Kathryn a smile, he traced the back of two fingers along her cheek. "I hope you know how very happy you make me, Kathryn," he said, softly.
"I have an idea," she replied, blushing faintly. "And if it's anywhere near as happy as you make me... Well, I'm glad for that." Her eyelids fluttered shut as his fingers trailed her skin and she smiled. "Married. I still... Well, yes, I believe it, but Merlin... Oh, I can't imagine anything I want more."
"I must admit, Kitty," Miles said, quirking a smile, "that I'm glad to hear that. Not meaning any disrespect to your parents, but I had wondered if, growing up with a marriage like theirs, if that was something you wanted for yourself."
"I wanted marriage someday, yes," she admitted, shifting just slightly beside him. "But I didn't want a marriage like theirs, no. I wanted more. Love, friendship. A man who didn't mind that I don't want to simply sit at home and look pretty."
"That would be, if nothing else, and abysmal waste of potential, Kitty," Miles said, solemnly. "Men of our society are too used to discounting women based solely on that- that they're women." He quirked a smile, kissing her briefly. "You've rather shown us, though, haven't you?"
"I've done my best," Kathryn replied, her hand coming up to his cheek as she kissed him again. "And that is just one of the reasons why I chose you. You don't mind that about me."
"More to the point, it's one of the things I admire most in you," he corrected, barely hiding his smile. "Since my father's death, my mother has been a mere shell of her former self- as if her own existence was taken away with his life. It's... rather disheartening, to say the least."
Kathryn nodded, her hand falling from his cheek. "I- Merlin, I don't know if I could ever be like that. Not that I wouldn't be upset, in her position, but... Well, I don't know." She looked back to him, suddenly realizing something. "I'll- I'll have to meet her soon, won't I?"
Miles laughed aloud- he couldn't quite help it. Part of him knew that his mother had never met Kathryn, but he'd barely made the connection until just now. "Yes, I suppose you will," he admitted. "Certainly before she reads about her only son's engagement in the Prophet- though I'd rather you had a proper ring on your finger, when she first sees you."
Kathryn blushed faintly at that, leaning up on an elbow beside him. "Do you think she'll like me?" she asked. She couldn't help the question- she knew very little about his mother, after all. "I mean. I don't know if she had any sort of expectations for you, or who you were supposed to marry or-"
Miles brought a hand up, gently pressing a finger to Kathryn's lips to still her worries. "She will like you," he assured her. "My wanting you to have a ring is for my own benefit, not yours," he added. "As to her expectations- I have already fulfilled quite a few of them, with my current position in the Ministry, and with my actions during the war." Pausing a moment, Miles added, "She does want to see the Bletchley line continue, but- that is something- I have discussed with her, already." Which was, perhaps, a bit vague.
Kathryn stopped speaking, her eyes wide as she listened to him. She nodded, blinking before settling back down at his side. "I-okay." She reached for his hand and laced their fingers together. She wanted to ask about what he had discussed with his mother, but wasn't quite sure if it were something that might be too personal. "It- It will continue," she added, softly. "Likely not for a while yet, but you will have heirs."
He gently caressed her cheek again as Kathryn settled back down beside him. "I do not mean to imply that it is anywhere near a deciding factor in all of this, Kathryn," he said, gently. "It is not just a matter of producing heirs- if it were, I would have taken a wife some time ago. While, yes, I do want to have children- with you- I do not want them now. There is... to much else happening- or not happening. I would not wish any child of ours to be born into a world where there is a Weasley for Minister." Among other things, of course, though that summed up the situation rather nicely.
Kathryn couldn't help but laugh softly at that, nodding. "I certainly am glad for that. I'd hate to think of you with any other woman." Not that it would have mattered, were that the case. She certainly wouldn't be here if it were. Her hand came up to his as she turned slightly to face him. "I'm not in any rush for them. I'd like to enjoy just being married to you for a bit first, I think."
"I would, as well," Miles assured her, leaning across to kiss Kathryn's forehead. "There is still much I want to do with you- things that I have to show you..."
"Oh?" she asked, an amused smile on her face. "Dare I ask what kinds of things you'd like to do with me?"
"And spoil the surprise?" Miles asked, doing his best to sound at least a bit incredulous. A slight smile started to betray him, though.
Kathryn caught his smile and laughed- she couldn't help it. She did so like to see him smile. "Alright, alright," she said, rolling onto her back beside him. "I can try to be patient." Or maybe she'd just wait to catch him off-guard, if that ever happened.
"It will be worth it, Kitty," Miles assured her. He curled one arm lazily across her stomach, bending his head down to kiss her bare shoulder as he curled up beside her.
"I'm sure it will be," Kathryn replied with a smile, her hand coming up to rest lightly on his arm. She gave a happy sigh. "I do love you..."
"And I, you," Miles assured her. His eyes closed after a moment, and he added in a sleepy voice, "Breakfast tomorrow morning- after I make love to you thoroughly?" Sleepy voice or not, it just sounded as if it was the most normal thing to suggest.
"I like the sound of that," she said, smiling at his tone of voice. "I'll be here- wouldn't dream of missing it." She leaned over to give him another kiss. "Sweet dreams, love."