Narcissa Black Malfoy @mistressofthemanor - Tumblr Blog

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As she opposed him, stopping him before he could add anything else and blame himself even more, he couldn't help, but frown at her in confusion, then, the creases across his forehead only kept getting deeper as she claimed it was her who failed him. Nevertheless, before he could fully comprehend her words and try to figure out just why she felt that way, she broke down and began sobbing while she moved her hands to rest against his cheekbones as to keep him there - which he'd have done anyways, for he needed her closeness as much as she needed his. On instinct, he moved his hands onto her elbows before slipping them up on her arms, then onto her back, attempting to take a steadying breath and control his own emotions for her sake as he rested his forehead against hers and listened to everything she needed to get off of her chest. It wasn't easy for either of them, however, he felt he had to pull himself together somehow and offer some comfort to her at least as he'd been the very reason of her sorrow; only if he'd been able to do anything else, but weep along with her until he felt he had no tears left to shed. For long minutes, they'd stayed still, wrapped in a tight embrace that none of them wanted to loosen or break. Fortunately, he'd found a fraction of his voice after a while and managed to share his thoughts. "Please... don't say that" He whispered- begged with as much power as he could muster in his state, gliding his fingers across her back in a soothing manner as a meager offer of support, which was exactly what he could offer, sadly nothing more, nothing less. If only he could have taken her pain away and make her believe that where he'd ended up truly hadn't been her fault, he'd have done that without any hesitation, for seeing her so heartbroken torn his soul apart. "You've been there for me much longer than I've been there for myself... *sniffles* I have failed myself... I gave up... You'- *pauses for a second to clear his throat in an attempt to strengthen his voice and make the unbearable tightness go away* You've done everything in your power... *tightens his hold around her significantly, but only for a brief moment and to emphasise his words* You've endured much more than you should have... I was... I was far beyond saving- too selfish and apathetic. *he stated, breath hitching at the painful truth* I will never forgive that for myself- for not appreciating your efforts... you... *lets out a deep, but shaky sigh* for intoxicating myself and failing to recognise just how much I've been hurting you in the process... *shakes his head in disgust* We might have failed each other, but from the two of us, I've been the cruel one... I should have accepted the hand you've mercifully offered... I... We shouldn't be discussing my... my... attempt... It shouldn't have been that way... *trails off, finding it more and more difficult to talk linearly instead of jumping back and forth in time* I didn't truly want to die... I just... I didn't think I could- and I certainly didn't want to live without you... I've always loved you... It's true- I've kept making the wrong choices in my life... years on- and as a result... I've hurt you and chased you away... but even I- *shuts his eyes tight* I couldn't live with myself, so no... I've never blamed you for not being able to do it either... and I wasn't mad at you... not for a second... you've endured much more bceause of me- much worse than you should have... I'll never be able to forgive myself for that"

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa could scarcely bear to listen. Every instinct within her begged her to stop him, to cover his mouth with her hand and silence every cruel word he directed at himself before another could leave his lips. Yet she forced herself to remain still, though tears continued to stream down her face, because she understood now that these were not words that he had carried for minutes or days, but rather he had carried them for years. He had spent years of punishing himself, years of believing that she had walked away because he had become beyond redemption, and years of surviving when a part of him had never truly believed he deserved to. Her heart broke all over again. Slowly, she lifted one trembling hand from his shoulder and rested it against the side of his face, her thumb brushing away the tears that continued to escape despite his obvious attempts to remain composed for her. "Oh, Lucius...," she breathed out, his name came out barely above a whisper. "So much of your life has been spent punishing yourself. You speak of yourself as though you were nothing more than the worst thing you have ever done."

She shook her head gently. "I did suffer," she admitted, hurting to do but needing him to understand the truth. "I was lonely. I was frightened. There were nights I cried myself to sleep because I couldn't reach you anymore. But do you know what hurts me the most now?" Her fingers curled softly against his cheek as she forced him to hold her gaze and listen to what she was saying. "It isn't remembering those nights. It's knowing...," she paused as her voice cracked. "...that while I was grieving the husband I thought I'd lost to alcohol...you were grieving the wife you believed you no longer deserved. We were mourning each other while we were both still alive." A quiet sob escaped her and then leaned forward until their noses nearly brushed again as she put her forehead to his. "What a terrible waste of so many years." She swallowed the knot in her throat as she forced herself to go on and keep talking. "You keep saying you chased me away...but that...that is not the whole truth. Because even then...I never stopped loving you. I just...I stopped believing love was enough. Those are not the same thing."

She took a shaky breath. "You say you never blamed me and I believe you...but I need you to understand something too." Her hands slipped into his, entwining their fingers tightly. "I cannot hear that you laid bleeding on that floor because you believed life without me was impossible...and feel nothing. I cannot watch you die in your memories...and simply tell myself I bear no part in your suffering. I know why I left. I know I had reasons. I know I could not save you then. But knowing those things...doesn't stop my heart from breaking for the man who searched every room hoping I'd still be there." She had lost her voice in emotion by now and closed her eyes to stop the tears from continuing to come. Silence settled between them for a long moment. When she finally spoke again, her voice was steadier. "I don't want us to spend tonight deciding whose guilt is heavier. I think we've punished ourselves for long enough." Then, unable to resist another second, she wrapped both arms around him once more and held him as though she intended to make up for every embrace they had been denied over the years.

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masterofthemanor

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mistressofthemanor

Narcissa recoiled with a sharp gasp, her hand flying instinctively back to her own chest as though the memory itself had burned her. She could not breathe. For one suspended, endless moment, Narcissa simply stared at him, as he trembled before her. Her eyes moved to his arm he had instinctively hidden against his chest, the feelings of being ashamed were evident, as though she was the one he needed to protect. Her own chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths that never seemed to reach her lungs. Everything inside her had gone frighteningly still. Her emotions were overwhelming her of grief, horror, and guilt. The images, though the memory faded and gone, felt like they were still there before her. She had never imagined...not even once...and if she had known...

In all the years she'd spent convincing herself she'd made the only choice left to her, never had she imagined that while she had been trying to survive, Lucius had been trying to die. A violent tremor travelled through her. That broken, hopeless man crawling across cold marble, whispering apologies to a family he still desperately loved. Her eyes burned as they filled with tears. She had left believing she was saving them both, saving their family for their children, and perhaps even saving Lucius from the monster alcohol had turned him into. She had believed distance might force him to choose life. Instead, it had convinced him he had lost it. Her stomach lurched so violently she had to press a hand against it. "I..." The word dissolved before it became anything more. She couldn't find another as there were none that held enough weight to be spoken. No apology felt large enough, nor did any explanation feel meaningful enough. Nothing she could possibly say could erase the memory of him searching for her through those empty halls, still believing, until the very last moment, that he might find her waiting somewhere. Even lying on the floor believing he was dying...he had blamed only himself. He hadn't cursed her, he hadn't called her cruel, but rather, he had apologized. He had loved her until what he believed would be his final breath. A sob escaped before she could stop it at the thought of how lonely he had been. Gods...how unbearably alone. She had thought herself lonely back then, and she had thought she understood heartbreak. She didn't know anything close, not until he had stood powerless inside that memory, slowly disappearing before her eyes. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks and her vision blurred until she could scarcely make out his face. He was apologizing again, she realized as he began to speak. Still apologizing, even now, after showing her the deepest wound he had ever carried. He believed he had failed her. She reached toward him slowly, letting her fingertips settle lightly against his forearm, the very arm he'd instinctively shielded.

"No...," she choked out, the word escaped as little more than a broken whisper as her horrified eyes flew back to Lucius. For the first time since the memory had begun, she truly understood how terrifyingly close she had come to losing him forever. "It is I...who failed you..." A sob tore from her throat and without thinking, she closed the small distance between them, both hands rising to cradle his face despite the tears blurring her vision. Her thumbs trembled against his cheeks as though she needed to reassure herself he was warm... alive... here. "I'm sorry. I'm so... so sorry." Her forehead fell against his. "I thought..." she whispered helplessly. "I thought leaving was the only thing I had left to do. I thought if I stayed..." Another sob interrupted her. "I thought I was watching you destroy yourself... and I couldn't save you anymore." Her fingers tightened against his skin, in an unconscious attempt to keep him there. "I never wanted this. I never wanted you to believe your life ended because I walked away." Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks as she continued to try to speak words between her cries, "I would have carried your anger, your hatred... all of it... if it meant you kept living. I could have lived with you hating me. I could never have lived with you dying." All those years she had mourned the marriage, their friendship. He had nearly become something she would have had to mourn forever and thank the gods above that wasn't the life she was living now. She leaned into him instinctively, wrapping her arms around him with desperate urgency, as though some irrational part of her feared that if she let go now, he would disappear exactly as he almost had that night. "I'm sorry you were alone." She closed her eyes tightly as her breathing hitched. "I'm sorry you believed there was no one left to fight for you. And I'm sorry..." she whispered, barely audible, "...that the last thing you saw before deciding to die... was my goodbye. So, if anyone has failed here...it was me."

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masterofthemanor

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masterofthemanor

"No, she couldn't understand" He breathed back, partly to absolve their daughter, but mostly to comfort Narcissa and assure her that if their daughter had been aware of every detail and cause of their hardship, she'd have understood both sides more. However, despite him having mentioned Celeste in the beginning of his attempt at confessing, he knew it wasn't about her - she merely suffered the consequences of his choices and acted with the best intentions in mind without willing to take the whole picture into consideration, but putting most of the blame on her mother - so he shouldn't focus on her for now, but recall the events that had gone down that night. "No" He answered her next question on a husky note, hardly finding his voice as he confirmed there was more to the story. To no surprise, she had put her finger on just what he tried to achieve- that he wanted to prepare her for the disappointment, guilt and possible sorrow as much as he could, and while he didn't mean to scare her, he felt it was better if he warned her and declared his unconditional love that hadn't dulled, regardless of the drastic, but inevitable decision she'd made when she parted ways with him. Eternally grateful for her gesture of reaching out to him as an offer of support, he allowed her to take his hand and in return, he wrapped his fingers around her, capturing her own and shifting his body so he was sitting directly in front of her. "I am terrified as well... but I can't go on like this... I fear- you'd be hurt either way... now... or then... but I'd rather you hear this from me" He explained, referring to an uncertain point the future and mentioning the possibility of her learning the truth from someone else or putting two and two together on her own after a while. Remaining silent for a few moments, he took a deep breath and held out his other hand for her with his palm facing up, wishing to hold both of her hands in his own as he knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park and they'd need each other's support along the way.

"The day you've left me, my love... *begins on a gloomy note, then stops to try and swallow the knot that formed in his throat and threatened to suffocate him* ...still haunts me. I remember... I woke up sometime in the afternoon and... it occurred to me- our argument the previous night... I knew I had- *bites down on his lower lip nervously, hating the mere memory of him having mistreated her under the influence of alcohol* I had been out of it... cruel... heartless- despicable and that we had a vicious argument... *shakes his head* I don't know how you were able to talk to me again... to ever forgive me for that... *exhales sharply, but forces himself to move on for the sake of progress* I was searching for you all over the manor- probably to beg you to take pity on me and to make promises I would never keep... Merlin- this is so difficult... but I don't want to deny the truth... I was at my lowest... or so I thought. *pauses sinisterly for a few seconds to gather some more courage* My head was aching terribly, but I did manage to find your letter after an hour of stumbling... *sighs heavily* I didn't want to believe my eyes... I thought you were simply threatening me- but I saw the rings... some clothes dropped to the cloest's floor... I've realised by the evening that you were serious and it was final" He stopped again, physically struggling to speak as his voice was losing it's strength and his lips kept trembling. "I-... I've only known one way out... so I've fetched a bottle... then another... *closes his eyes shut, disgusted and upset by the thought* It didn't ease the pain... I was... *inhales loudly* I've lost it... I was mad at the world... frenzied... hopeless... I've started scattering things... throwing them... breaking mirrors... bottles. *he admitted as his eyes welled up* At some point, I've ended up on the floor... I don't know how-why... I was in despair... heaving and disoriented. I didn't want to live that way... I hated what I've become.... and the memories flooded me. Of us... our family... m-my past... *takes a shaky breath* I missed you- what we had... then I saw the mark on my... my arm... It broke me. I just- I couldn't take it any longer... so I've- *his voice hitches and his breath stutters as he tries to hold back his snivelling* I've grabbed a shard of glass from beside me and... *sniffles* The pain was unberable... but I knew it'd only be temporary so I've kept gashing... *tightens his hold around her hands without realising* I remember I was covered in blood... slipping in and out of consciousness... w-waiting for it to end... for me to... to disappear. I-... didn't want to live a life without you in it... I couldn't..." He croaked and no longer could hold back the tears from flowing down his cheeks. "Here" He choked out, releasing one of her hands to reach for the end of the bandage and start unravelling it, gradually revealing the scars as he started sobbing.

mistressofthemanor

As she placed her other hand into his, so they were both being held by him, she had tried to mentally prepare herself for what was to come. She had prepared herself for anger, perhaps frustration towards her for her quick temper and her inability to understand what he was meaning when he would not say. She had not prepared herself for this. Each word he spoke seemed to settle inside her chest like lead, heavier than the last, until breathing itself became an impossible task. She sat perfectly still, terrified that if she moved even an inch she would shatter into pieces too small to ever be gathered again.

The day she'd left.

Merlin...She remembered it with agonizing clarity. She remembered packing through blurred vision because if she allowed herself to stop, to think, to look at the photographs lining the corridors or the wedding portrait hanging above the fireplace, she knew she would never have found the strength to leave. She remembered taking off her ring and how her fingers had refused to cooperate. Her fingers were swollen and it barely budged at first, as if even her rings were fighting to stay. How she'd clutched it so tightly in her fist that the edges had left crescent marks in her palm. She remembered writing that letter over and over again, every version somehow crueler than what she truly felt because kindness would have made it impossible; It would have been impossible for him to see that something had to be done because she had tried countless times to explain to him that things had to change and they never did. She had convinced herself she was saving him, saving their children, their family, saving what little remained of the man she'd married before alcohol, grief, and guilt hollowed him out. She had told herself that one day he would realize and come after her, understanding what he was losing by his actions. Instead...

Every sentence falling from his lips dismantled her own belief that he never came after her. He had searched for her. He had looked through the entire manor, where he eventually found her letter and rings. Her stomach twisted so violently she thought she might be sick. Some instinct deep inside her already knew what was coming. It had known from the moment he'd said he was afraid to tell her. Her fingers tightened around his without her realizing. As Lucius spoke of bottles, broken glass, and blood, the world around her seem to give way and his voice became distant, almost mute.

I did this.

The thought struck with brutal force. She had wanted him to wake up and realize what he was throwing away by his actions but instead, he was in so deep, that he tried to throw it all away, including himself. Even now, she knew she could not rewrite history. Staying would have destroyed them in another way. She left because she believed there was no future left to save without taking action herself, finding this to be her last hope. But she had never imagined that while she had been convincing herself he would survive, come out of the fog of despair to come back to her...he had been trying not to. Her chest constricted so painfully she instinctively pressed a hand against it, letting go of one of his hands to do so. Merlin...All those years. All those nights she'd laid awake wondering when would be the day that he would come and bring her home. She squeezed her eyes shut at the guilt, which traveled up her throat and threatened to spill out into an anguished cry. The worst part was that he was drowning, and she knew it, but left him anyways, all alone.

When he finally used his now free hand to begin unwinding the bandage, she instinctively wanted to stop him. She wasn't sure she could bear to see it, yet she couldn't look away. Her trembling hand reached forward as he revealed a multitude of scared cuts along his skin, cuts of pure distress and agony, cutting at the mark that had damaged their family. She hovered over his arm at first, afraid to touch him. When she finally did, she had only meant to comfort him by her touch, but soon the room fell away. The corridors of Malfoy Manor stretched before her, every piece of furniture and several family portraits exactly as she'd left them. She heard a noise and then she saw him stumble into view. His robes were wrinkled, his face drawn with exhaustion, his movements sluggish from drink and the remnants of the previous night. Gone was the immaculate aristocrat the world knew. This was simply her husband, but yet, it wasn't for he was so lost. So withdrawn and angry. He called for her, waited for a moment, and then called for her again, his voice echoing through the empty halls. Each time he entered a room, hope would flicker across his face and then it would disappear when he found nothing.

"I'm here," she said, running after him. "I'm right here." She reached for him, knowing what was coming in the memory. Her hand passed harmlessly through his shoulder. He couldn't hear her, couldn't feel her, because she wasn't truly there, only watching. She was made forced to witness this. At last, he wandered back into their bedroom. His gaze settled upon the bedside table, where her wedding ring lay like a final verdict. His expression didn't change immediately. For one suspended moment, it was almost confusion before it moved into a look of disbelief and denial as she watched him see her letter and moved to pick it up. "No...," she whispered before he'd even unfolded it. His eyes darted across every line, and she remembered writing those words. She wanted to tear the parchment apart, to snatch it from his hands. His knees buckled as though the strength simply abandoned him. He sat heavily on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing. Minutes passed. Or perhaps it was seconds...time had ceased to exist for her. "I'm sorry," she sobbed, as she knelt before him, even though he could not hear. "I'm so sorry."

Eventually, he stood and his movements had become strangely mechanical. He wandered the manor like a ghost haunting his own home. The silence became unbearable. Then a crash, as glass shattered somewhere beyond the corridor. She flinched as the crashing sounds continued, one right after the other. The sound echoed through the manor that she had once been filled with music, conversation, and her children's laughter. Now it was only filled with the sounds of things breaking. The room he was standing in now was unrecognizable as the memory forced her to move with him, fragments of crystal glittered across the floor, portraits hung crooked, and furniture had been overturned. Lucius stood in the middle of it all, breathing hard. She had never seen him look so utterly alone. Not during the war, not beneath Voldemort's shadow, not even in Azkaban. Eventually, his strength gave out, and he collapsed to the floor amidst the wreckage. She did the same, closing her eyes for a moment, not wanting to watch the next part as she sank to the floor against the nearby sofa. The anger in Lucius vanished as quickly as it had come, with only deep pain remaining as his shoulders shook and his lips moved. She couldn't hear every word he whispered, but they came in fragments. Her name. Draco's. Celeste's. Broken apologies. Promises made to no one as he laid there with no one to tell him that despite everything, despite her leaving, she had never once stopped loving him and he was much more loved than he felt in that moment. She crawled toward him and tried to embrace him, too caught up in the emotions to think clearly. He was beyond her reach. The memories came in fractured pieces after that. His eyes wandered and his breathing grew uneven. He stared at the Dark Mark upon his arm for what felt like an eternity. The sight of it seemed to extinguish the last flicker of hope inside him. "No." She was crying openly now. "Look at me." He couldn't. "Please, Lucius..." She watched him make a choice, not out of weakness, but out of an overwhelming sense of torment as he reached for the glass and began to use it upon his arm. A strangled sound escaped her throat before she even realized she'd made it. She couldn't speak. What words existed for something like this? Tears streamed silently down her face now, but she made no effort to wipe them away. "No!" She reached for him again and again, with every attempt ended the same way. She screamed until her throat felt raw. She begged, pleaded, promised impossible things: "I'll stay...I won't leave...We'll find another way...I'll fix it." She watched the color gradually drain from his face and his eyelids grow heavier as the fight began to leave his body. And she couldn't do anything as she knelt, practically laid, beside the man she had loved for most of her life, imprisoned behind the invisible wall of memory. She had never felt so utterly powerless. And it was then, the memory ended and she was back on their bed with Lucius across from her.

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masterofthemanor

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masterofthemanor

He was unjust. He knew that and she'd pointed that out to him by claiming that he was the very reason that kept her from gaining a proper understanding. Deep down, he wished it was that simple; that he'd have her sit down, look at him and listen while he poured his heart out and flooded her with the events of that fateful night and the rest that followed after, however, it was more complicated than that. He'd buried the past within himself and tried to let go of everything that didn't serve him anymore. He functioned in his day-to-day life and had enough self-control to pretend - for Celeste's sake - that he'd moved on and the past hadn't haunted him, but he never imagined he'd have to face these consequences and open up about the horror that had been his reality to the person who'd been the trigger for the events and whom he loved too much to wish to hurt. Unsurprisingly, she got fed up with his inability to communicate and not only that, she grew aggravated over the fact that he refused to let down his guards, so she changed her approach and reprimanded him, which he endured frozen in that same position. Every word, every criticism that left her mouth was well-deserved, moreover, as she summarised every little hint, every blurry detail he'd shared with her so far, it did become clear to him that he was at fault. He'd not been successful at expressing himself and he needed to change that. At one point, she furiously pushed the covers away from her and to the side, giving him the impression that she'd get up and storm away, leaving him to his thoughts, which set off an alarm in his head, so he jerked up as well, dropping his arms to his sides and turning his head towards her to watch her with a terrified expression, like a deer in the headlights. It did hurt him to see her come undone like that- especially as he was the cause of her distress, though, if anything, it helped him pull himself together and genuinely want to alleviate the situation. "I'm sorry" He breathed with exasperation after long moments, his agitation evaporating as suddenly as it appeared. "I didn't mean to-... *trails off and looks away with embarrassement* I'm not angry at you... no... If anything, I'm furious at myself..." He admitted in defeat as he grabbed the covers draped across his lap and began nervously fiddling with the creases, displeased with how he treated the situation and her. "We shouldn't be having this conversation in the first place if I hadn't- No *shakes his head* What happened, happened. There's no point in blaming yourself as it won't change things for the better... *He murmured, closing his eyes for a bit and cutting himself off, repeating the words his therapist told him during a session, before taking a steadying breath and slowly turning towards her* Cissa... I need you to know that I'm aware I should have told you already... but time never felt right for it... *pauses for a second* When we've met at the party... It was achingly familiar... but you felt distant... I didn't know what to expect- or rather didn't expect to share my life with you again... then... as time went by, it became more and more of a burden to keep it from you- but at the same time, I started to fear losing you more and more-... I didn't want to risk it... I understand if you'll be mad at me for not saying a thing... but please- I beg you to keep in mind that I had the best intentions... that I love you and I don't want to cause you any pain... If I could, I'd go back and change things... just so I wouldn't have to put you through this"

mistressofthemanor

She stared at him in silence after he finished, her anger dissolving into something far less comfortable. Her breathing slowed deliberately as she fought to keep herself composed. She couldn't afford to lose her temper now. Not when every instinct in her was screaming that whatever he had hidden was infinitely worse than she'd imagined. Her eyes dropped to the blankets that she had pushed aside before lifting back to him, searching desperately for something reassuring in his face. "I walked away. Whatever reasons I had... Celeste wouldn't have known them...or really understood. All she'd have seen was that I disappeared." Her fingers twisted together until her knuckles whitened, trying to ground herself. "But...," her voice caught despite her efforts to steady it, "Lucius... that's not all of it, is it?" She swallowed hard as the knot was already forming in her throat while her heart began to race. "You're speaking as though you're trying to prepare me for something terrible and that frightens me. I'm frightened because every time you explain why you kept this from me... you make it sound worse." Her eyes shimmered, anxiety creeping unmistakably into them despite the calm she was desperately trying to maintain. "You keep asking me to remember that you love me... that you wanted to protect me... that you'd change the past if you could." The room fell silent for a few moments. She reached for his hand, not just for his sake but for her own, in an attempt to try and steady her heart and mind. Her thumb brushed unconsciously over his knuckles. "I'm terrified of what you're about to tell me, Lucius. But I'm even more terrified of what my mind is inventing while you stay silent."

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masterofthemanor

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masterofthemanor

He was dissociating, so much so that the moment her soothing caresses ceased and she peered up at him hadn't even registered to him at all, only when she addressed him, he snapped back to reality and released another heavy sigh. "That is my dream as well" He breathed back, forbidding himself to believe that their ideal life together could be anything, but a dream once the conversation would be over and he disappointed her once again. Naturally, he wasn't surprised that she didn't have a clue on what he might admit, for both him and their daughter made sure his secret was kept safe, however, as he listened to her and realised just what she was doing- how she assumed it was his self-doubt again and how she tried to convince him that he was enough for her, his heart ached even more, for she further proved that she deeply cared about him and that she wanted the absolute best for him, which made it all even worse as he knew he'd only cause her pain with his own weakness and selfishness. Unexpectedly, she reached up and carefully covered his cheek with her palm, catching him off guard, before taking control and angling his face to make him look at her, which - although regretfully - he did, and what he'd seen lurking behind her expression made him spiral deeper into sorrow. Upon locking eyes with her, he couldn't quite decide whether she appeared to be more concerned or frightened, but the look upon her face combined with her nervous speculation made him feel anxious regardless. It was clear from her words that she'd assumed the problem he'd soon describe was much simpler, easier to fix and accept than he actually believed it was, though, he couldn't be upset at her for nervously trying to guess the issue instead of actually letting him speak. "You didn't know what you've chosen then..." He replied weakly, absolving her and shaking his head as to emphasise his words and the fact that he had kept an important detail from the past to himself; a key detail that would have immediately explained to her why their daughter mistreated her and why he was afraid to surrender and commit to their re-heated relationship. "...and I'm not planning to walk away... though you might want to... for I have lied to you... on many occasions... *inhales shakily* Your troubled relationship with Celeste... is my doing- she's mad at you because of me. I've begged her not to blame you... but I've been too selfish and despaired to consider the consequences... I... I just wanted a way out" He explained as best as he could, failing to realise that he didn't quite make sense, but he was too overwhelmed and clueless on how to describe the incident and pour his feelings into words.

mistressofthemanor

For a long moment, Narcissa did not speak. The moment the words left his mouth, Narcissa felt something cold settle in the pit of her stomach. Not because of what he had said but because she didn't understand it. The room seemed to fall away around them as his broken confession settled into the silence between them. Her mind searched for reasons as to why he could be the reason that Celeste was sharp and short with her over the past few years, but she couldn't figure out exactly what he was referring to. Her brows drew together in confusion as she searched his face, trying desperately to connect his explanation to anything she knew. The pieces existed, but they refused to fit together. For several long moments, she simply stared at him. "Lucius...," his name escaped her softly as her brows remained furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand." Then shook her head faintly, as a strained smile flickered across her face. "No, that's not true. I understand that you're frightened. I understand that you've convinced yourself this will make me leave...but I don't understand. I know she's upset I left you and she blames me for what was a broken relationship. And I accepted that. None of that is your fault, my love," she kept her hand on his cheek as she tried to give him an encouraging smile while her eyes searched his desperately. She looked for answers, for context, for...something. A painful knot formed in her throat. "If Celeste resented me...," her eyes closed briefly as she inhaled slowly, "...how could I blame her? I left. I was the one who walked away. I may have believed I had my reasons at the time, but to her...to her I was simply the mother who wasn't there and the reason her family fell apart." Her smile faltered as she continued, "If she believed I abandoned you, then perhaps that's because, from where she stood...perhaps it looked that way. So please...," her voice was barely audible now, as a fragile smile broke through the sadness as she thought about that dark time. "Don't carry this anymore, my love. Celeste and I will be just fine." She wasn't sure she entirely believed that, but she knew that was what he needed to hear in that moment to let go of this pain he was carrying. Her hand slipped from his cheek to cover his trembling one and she tightened her fingers around his. Her blue eyes remained locked on his, hoping this was just him blaming him for something that wasn't even his fault but the look on his face, the tremble in his hands, told her it wasn't that simple.

masterofthemanor

Even after he'd stated he lied to her multiple times and he'd been aware of the reason of Celeste's estrangement, but refused to tell, she remained adamant and kept turning a blind eye over the truth. She seemed puzzled at first, but as the moments passed by and she started feeding him excuses she believed wholehearted, but he refused to accept, she slowly regained her composure. None of it made sense. He expected her to grow mad at him, to question him and demand an explanation before she exploded with rage, yet none of his predictions came true and it made him feel more hopeless than earlier. Anything- any other reaction, but pure empathy, he could have dealt with easier, he felt, however, either by choice or conviction, she remained calm and tried to talk him through his misery, taking the blame she assumed was justified and doing her very best to convince him that he was irreproachable, which was a blatant lie. He listened to her with glassy eyes and by the time she finished her generous monologue, he simply couldn't take her kindness any longer. "No" He roared with frustration, tearing his hand away while bolting up into a sitting position, shaking his head. "You really don't understand..." He whined with despair as he lifted both of his hands to cradle his temples, hoping to ease the tension that had been building up in his head. "...So stop being nice to me. I don't deserve it" He concluded through his teeth, needing a few moments and a couple of deep breaths before he was able to continue this one-sided conversation, for he was on the edge. "You are not to blame... I have asked you not to do that to yourself and I wish you'd have listened to me- I hope you will now... It-... It's not just your fault. We both have made our mistakes. I... The two of us were in our marriage and I was cruel to you. *sighs* You've begged to me... warned me, but I have let my addiction consume me. It was my choice... my responsibility- and I have failed. Do not try to exempt me- n- not now and not once I have told you what I need to... just... listen to me... please" He pleaded with his eyes shut tight, losing his momentum by the end.

mistressofthemanor

His sudden outburst made Narcissa flinch. She stared at him in stunned silence as he tore himself away from her, watching him fold inward beneath the weight of whatever burden he had been carrying for so long. Then, slowly, she sat up as well. The warmth that had surrounded them only moments ago had vanished, replaced by something cold and uncertain. Her brows knit together. "No?" She repeated the word quietly, almost in disbelief. "No?" The concern in her eyes had not disappeared, but something else had begun to creep in alongside it. "You tell me I've misunderstood...yet every time I try to understand, you stop me." Her voice remained controlled, but the effort behind that composure was becoming increasingly obvious. "You speak in fragments, Lucius. You tell me you've lied. You tell me Celeste's resentment is your doing. You tell me you've hidden things from me. And then, when I try to make sense of what you're saying, you become angry that I cannot," she held up her hands helplessly. For the first time since his confession began, there was a distinct sharpness to her tone. She pushed the sheets and blankets away on the bed, feeling flustered more and more as she spoke. "You keep telling me to listen. I am listening. I have been listening. But you are asking me to solve a puzzle while refusing to hand me half of the pieces. And then you ask me not to be nice to you?" A hollow laugh escaped her. "Forgive me for trying." She paused but not long enough to allow him to speak, "I have spent the last several minutes trying to understand what is hurting the man I love. I have tried to reassure you because I thought that was what you needed. I have tried to take your words at face value because you would not explain them." When she spoke again, her voice was quieter, more tired than angry. "I heard every word you just said. I know you made mistakes. I know our marriage was not broken by one person. I have never denied your responsibility. But neither will I let you decide what I am allowed to forgive. If you have something to tell me...then just for Merlin's sake, just tell me," Narcissa said, her voice almost exasperated by not knowing how much of this uncertainty she could take. She folded her hands tightly in her lap to stop them from trembling. Right now, not knowing was worse than trying to continuously figure out what was going on and clearly, based on Lucius' reaction, it was worse than all the guesses she had had so far.

#masterofthemanor #disclosure

masterofthemanor

Disclosure

masterofthemanor

He was dissociating, so much so that the moment her soothing caresses ceased and she peered up at him hadn't even registered to him at all, only when she addressed him, he snapped back to reality and released another heavy sigh. "That is my dream as well" He breathed back, forbidding himself to believe that their ideal life together could be anything, but a dream once the conversation would be over and he disappointed her once again. Naturally, he wasn't surprised that she didn't have a clue on what he might admit, for both him and their daughter made sure his secret was kept safe, however, as he listened to her and realised just what she was doing- how she assumed it was his self-doubt again and how she tried to convince him that he was enough for her, his heart ached even more, for she further proved that she deeply cared about him and that she wanted the absolute best for him, which made it all even worse as he knew he'd only cause her pain with his own weakness and selfishness. Unexpectedly, she reached up and carefully covered his cheek with her palm, catching him off guard, before taking control and angling his face to make him look at her, which - although regretfully - he did, and what he'd seen lurking behind her expression made him spiral deeper into sorrow. Upon locking eyes with her, he couldn't quite decide whether she appeared to be more concerned or frightened, but the look upon her face combined with her nervous speculation made him feel anxious regardless. It was clear from her words that she'd assumed the problem he'd soon describe was much simpler, easier to fix and accept than he actually believed it was, though, he couldn't be upset at her for nervously trying to guess the issue instead of actually letting him speak. "You didn't know what you've chosen then..." He replied weakly, absolving her and shaking his head as to emphasise his words and the fact that he had kept an important detail from the past to himself; a key detail that would have immediately explained to her why their daughter mistreated her and why he was afraid to surrender and commit to their re-heated relationship. "...and I'm not planning to walk away... though you might want to... for I have lied to you... on many occasions... *inhales shakily* Your troubled relationship with Celeste... is my doing- she's mad at you because of me. I've begged her not to blame you... but I've been too selfish and despaired to consider the consequences... I... I just wanted a way out" He explained as best as he could, failing to realise that he didn't quite make sense, but he was too overwhelmed and clueless on how to describe the incident and pour his feelings into words.

mistressofthemanor

For a long moment, Narcissa did not speak. The moment the words left his mouth, Narcissa felt something cold settle in the pit of her stomach. Not because of what he had said but because she didn't understand it. The room seemed to fall away around them as his broken confession settled into the silence between them. Her mind searched for reasons as to why he could be the reason that Celeste was sharp and short with her over the past few years, but she couldn't figure out exactly what he was referring to. Her brows drew together in confusion as she searched his face, trying desperately to connect his explanation to anything she knew. The pieces existed, but they refused to fit together. For several long moments, she simply stared at him. "Lucius...," his name escaped her softly as her brows remained furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand." Then shook her head faintly, as a strained smile flickered across her face. "No, that's not true. I understand that you're frightened. I understand that you've convinced yourself this will make me leave...but I don't understand. I know she's upset I left you and she blames me for what was a broken relationship. And I accepted that. None of that is your fault, my love," she kept her hand on his cheek as she tried to give him an encouraging smile while her eyes searched his desperately. She looked for answers, for context, for...something. A painful knot formed in her throat. "If Celeste resented me...," her eyes closed briefly as she inhaled slowly, "...how could I blame her? I left. I was the one who walked away. I may have believed I had my reasons at the time, but to her...to her I was simply the mother who wasn't there and the reason her family fell apart." Her smile faltered as she continued, "If she believed I abandoned you, then perhaps that's because, from where she stood...perhaps it looked that way. So please...," her voice was barely audible now, as a fragile smile broke through the sadness as she thought about that dark time. "Don't carry this anymore, my love. Celeste and I will be just fine." She wasn't sure she entirely believed that, but she knew that was what he needed to hear in that moment to let go of this pain he was carrying. Her hand slipped from his cheek to cover his trembling one and she tightened her fingers around his. Her blue eyes remained locked on his, hoping this was just him blaming him for something that wasn't even his fault but the look on his face, the tremble in his hands, told her it wasn't that simple.

#masterofthemanor #disclosure

masterofthemanor

Disclosure

masterofthemanor

Upon rolling over to his back, he laid still, heart furiously racing with rapture as he was trying to catch his breath. He did intend to reach out to her, both physically and verbally, however, she was faster to do so and gently slipped her hand over his own to envelope it before finally sliding her fingers between his own, which was a gesture that immediately warmed his heart and made him turn his head to the side to eagerly check on her, only to find that her eyes had been closed. Nevertheless, the radiating joy and immense satisfaction had been written all over her face, which made him smile with contentment as he regarded her silently for only a few seconds, for she declared her love for him once again and he felt the urge to not only assure her of his own feelings, but somehow reciprocate the gesture too. "I love you too" He breathed out softly, then curled his fingers to somewhat secure hers in his loose hold so he could lift her hand and bring it up to his face to press a lingering kiss on the back of it. "I always have and I always will... no matter what" He confessed with the utmost honesty, then brushed his lips against her knuckles, not seeing any point in denying that even when she wasn't his- even when he probably shouldn't have, he loved her all the same. "Would you have imagined... - weeks ago, that we'd end up in this bed... *laughs breathlessly, wrapped up in blissful sentimentality, then releases her hand to turn onto his side* If I didn't know better, I'd be convinced I'm dreaming... and what sorrow would the morning bring then" He finished his monologue in a different way he'd planned to, subconsciously bringing light to the fact that he did have dreams in which they were still together as well as to the dismay he'd dealt with each time he woke up and was faced with the mournful reality. "But you're here, Cissa... we've found our way back to each other" He pointed out with a soft smile as if to question his own perception and truly make sure it was all real, placing his hand flat to rest on her smooth stomach before sliding it over to her side, loosely draping his arm over her as he scooted closer.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa's eyes remained closed for a few moments longer, a peaceful smile resting upon her lips as she listened to the familiar cadence of his voice. Even now, after everything they had endured, it still had the same effect on her. That feeling of blissful peace. The feel of his fingers intertwined with hers and the kiss upon her knuckles, it all drew a soft sigh from her. When she finally opened her eyes, she turned her head toward him. The tenderness she found there nearly stole her breath. At his question, a faint laugh escaped her. "Weeks ago," she repeated softly. "Lucius, weeks ago I was still trying to convince myself that you were impossible." The smile that followed was fond and impossibly warm, letting him know her words were meant to be lighthearted. "And yet here we are." She shifted closer when he draped his arm around her, naturally fitting herself against his side as though to be close to one another was not close enough. Her fingertips began to trace little circles across his chest. "But no," she admitted after a thoughtful pause. "I wouldn't have imagined this. I did always hope...that one day...well, there were moments when I allowed myself to wonder. Briefly. Usually when I was alone." She shook her head faintly. "Then I would tell myself not to be foolish." Narcissa paused again and then continued her thoughts aloud, "Some dreams can be fragile. Hope is fragile...but what we have now doesn't feel fragile." Narcissa leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. "It feels real...earned." For a moment she simply studied him, her blue eyes searching his face as her expression grew gentler. "And we did find our way back to each other. But do you know what I find most remarkable?" A playful glimmer finally returned to her gaze, "That after everything that happened, after all the years, all the arguments, all the opportunities we've had to drive one another completely mad...I still prefer falling asleep beside you to anyone else in the world." Drawing a little closer, she rested her forehead against his chest and sighed happily, "So no, my love. I don't think you're dreaming. Though if you are, kindly don't wake up. I'd rather stay right here next to you for as long as I possibly can."

masterofthemanor

Naturally, he understood just what she meant by 'impossible', however, his mind immediately registered the different meaning of those exact words together and he couldn't help, but arch his brows and widen his eyes in feigned shock, finding the made-up implication of her, allegedly claiming that he was an impossible person, rather funny in that context. Softened by her own innocent and fond smile, he couldn't keep up the illusion for long enough and started chuckling at his own silliness. "Honestly, I am... sometimes" He commented, not truly expecting her to either deny or confirm his statement, so instead of adding anything else, he grinned at her and planted a kiss on the top of her head as soon as she scooted closer to him, then listened to her curiously. Despite his own experience - that she missed her and thought about her more frequently than he ever admitted to anyone -, her confession about having vain hopes of that nature as well as reoccurring thoughts about him did surprise him and left him with mixed feelings; on the one hand, he felt sad for her for having similar struggles as him, wishing to be together and assuming it would be impossible, but on the other, her unconditional love and her resilience warmed his very soul. He was doing his very best to stay silent and simply let her share what she wished to, however, by the time she mentioned that she instructed herself not to be foolish, his heart was overflowing with emotion and he was physically unable not to make a sound, so he let out a sympathetic 'aww' and began lightly caressing her side as to express his adoration and his sentimental approval of the situation without cutting her off. As she went on and elaborated on her idea about dreams and hopes, then drawn the conclusion of what they had now didn't feel fragile, but was real and earned, he felt his throat tighten as the familiar sting of guilt pierced through his chest. "It is real" He assured her softly after a longer moment - for that was true - then released a heavy sigh, fighting against the truth and the emotions that desperately wanted to surface, threatening to ruin the mood. Not only the urge to come clean he had been fighting, but his expressions too. He needed to keep a straight face and hold back a care-worn frown while he held her gaze, which in itself felt like a betrayal. He didn't want to hurt her. He never wanted to, and while he knew it would be inevitable, he also did realise that keeping the secret for any longer would further aggravate the situation, especially as they'd supposed to have started with a fresh page. "Hm?" He hummed back to her question on what she finds remarkable and mustered a soft smile, though her glimmering eyes probably didn't reflect in his own clouded ones, for he'd already been distracted and consumed by his own thoughts. She'd said everything he could wish for... even more, yet, the words that meant to caress his soul and bring him comfort had only disturbed him. She didn't deserve to be fooled like that and he had to take responsibility for his decisions - even if it meant he'd alienate her. "Hope is worse" He stated gloonily and out of the blue, referring back to what she'd previously said, completely ignoring her affectionate joke and the rest she'd elaborated on after, which he struggled to pay attention to anyways. "Dreams- you can't control, but undying hope... it's a conscious decision... a self-inflicted torment" He continued, almost in a sinister way, blankly staring at a point somewhere above her shoulder, but holding onto her just as tightly as before. "Narcissa. I can't- *shuts his eyes tightly as if to gather some courage and hide his regret, but pushes on* I haven't been honest with you... There's something you must know" He stated with a heavy heart, scared for her and for himself.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa was grateful for his comfort and his listening ear as she went on about her hopes and dreams. However, once she was finished, her smile faded the moment she heard the change in his voice. The shift was subtle, but after everything they had shared, after decades of knowing him, she would have noticed it even had he tried harder to conceal it. Her fingers stilled against his side and for a long moment she simply watched him. The way his eyes drifted beyond her and the way his expression tightened. When he finally fell silent, she studied him for several seconds as her brows furrowed, thinking back on the words her chose to use and what he could possibly be keeping from her. "Lucius, you know that my only dream is to live my life with you, right," she murmured, gently, under the impression that his self-doubt was causing him to think he couldn't fulfill her hopes and dreams like he once did. She wanted desperately to reassure him of that but mostly her own worries grew that surely, he wasn't going to tell her that they couldn't be together anymore. The realization alone made her chest tighten. "Oh, Lucius." For the first time, a flicker of her own fear surfaced; her fear was that he might be preparing to leave because he believed he was no longer enough. "If this is about us... if this is about what you think you can or cannot give me..." She swallowed, hesitating for a moment as her heart began to beat quickly in fear of what his truth may be concerning. "I need you to listen to me very carefully." Her hand moved to rest against his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "I did not come back to you because I expected perfection. I did not choose this because I thought life would suddenly become simple. And I certainly did not fall in love with you solely because of what you could provide. I know who you are." Her thumb traced against his cheek tenderly and affectionately, hoping that he believed her words. "But if you've convinced yourself that you cannot care for me, that you cannot support me, that somehow you've become incapable of helping me build the life I want..." She shook her head again. "Then you're wrong. And if you're thinking about walking away because you believe I'd be happier without you..." The admission came with visible difficulty, "...then please don't decide that for me."

#masterofthemanor #disclosure

masterofthemanor

Disclosure

masterofthemanor

Upon rolling over to his back, he laid still, heart furiously racing with rapture as he was trying to catch his breath. He did intend to reach out to her, both physically and verbally, however, she was faster to do so and gently slipped her hand over his own to envelope it before finally sliding her fingers between his own, which was a gesture that immediately warmed his heart and made him turn his head to the side to eagerly check on her, only to find that her eyes had been closed. Nevertheless, the radiating joy and immense satisfaction had been written all over her face, which made him smile with contentment as he regarded her silently for only a few seconds, for she declared her love for him once again and he felt the urge to not only assure her of his own feelings, but somehow reciprocate the gesture too. "I love you too" He breathed out softly, then curled his fingers to somewhat secure hers in his loose hold so he could lift her hand and bring it up to his face to press a lingering kiss on the back of it. "I always have and I always will... no matter what" He confessed with the utmost honesty, then brushed his lips against her knuckles, not seeing any point in denying that even when she wasn't his- even when he probably shouldn't have, he loved her all the same. "Would you have imagined... - weeks ago, that we'd end up in this bed... *laughs breathlessly, wrapped up in blissful sentimentality, then releases her hand to turn onto his side* If I didn't know better, I'd be convinced I'm dreaming... and what sorrow would the morning bring then" He finished his monologue in a different way he'd planned to, subconsciously bringing light to the fact that he did have dreams in which they were still together as well as to the dismay he'd dealt with each time he woke up and was faced with the mournful reality. "But you're here, Cissa... we've found our way back to each other" He pointed out with a soft smile as if to question his own perception and truly make sure it was all real, placing his hand flat to rest on her smooth stomach before sliding it over to her side, loosely draping his arm over her as he scooted closer.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa's eyes remained closed for a few moments longer, a peaceful smile resting upon her lips as she listened to the familiar cadence of his voice. Even now, after everything they had endured, it still had the same effect on her. That feeling of blissful peace. The feel of his fingers intertwined with hers and the kiss upon her knuckles, it all drew a soft sigh from her. When she finally opened her eyes, she turned her head toward him. The tenderness she found there nearly stole her breath. At his question, a faint laugh escaped her. "Weeks ago," she repeated softly. "Lucius, weeks ago I was still trying to convince myself that you were impossible." The smile that followed was fond and impossibly warm, letting him know her words were meant to be lighthearted. "And yet here we are." She shifted closer when he draped his arm around her, naturally fitting herself against his side as though to be close to one another was not close enough. Her fingertips began to trace little circles across his chest. "But no," she admitted after a thoughtful pause. "I wouldn't have imagined this. I did always hope...that one day...well, there were moments when I allowed myself to wonder. Briefly. Usually when I was alone." She shook her head faintly. "Then I would tell myself not to be foolish." Narcissa paused again and then continued her thoughts aloud, "Some dreams can be fragile. Hope is fragile...but what we have now doesn't feel fragile." Narcissa leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. "It feels real...earned." For a moment she simply studied him, her blue eyes searching his face as her expression grew gentler. "And we did find our way back to each other. But do you know what I find most remarkable?" A playful glimmer finally returned to her gaze, "That after everything that happened, after all the years, all the arguments, all the opportunities we've had to drive one another completely mad...I still prefer falling asleep beside you to anyone else in the world." Drawing a little closer, she rested her forehead against his chest and sighed happily, "So no, my love. I don't think you're dreaming. Though if you are, kindly don't wake up. I'd rather stay right here next to you for as long as I possibly can."

#masterofthemanor #disclosure

masterofthemanor

Disclosure

masterofthemanor

Surprisingly, he was able to move on fast, in fact, his mood improved so rapidly that after a few caresses and kisses, it felt as if she hadn't even brought up the topic of the bandage around his arm, which was fortunate, for he'd have hated to disturb her and for their wonderful date to have such a horrible ending. Yes, he should- and he wanted to tell her about it, however, there was something else he wanted for her to have more than anything else: he wanted to pamper her, to worship her and to demonstrate just how much he still loved her, how much she meant for him- and that, their blissful reunion in every way was more important to partake in than a confession that could easily ruin everything before it even started. "Not just one task, but one of my favourites... There is a difference, trust me" He countered with as much severity as he could muster, playing into the dismayed, sulking role he'd taken up on, and to his pleasure, he could take it even further right after getting a vague answer for his guess, nevertheless, if she was watchful enough, she could spot the ever-present, fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips that betrayed him right away. "Talking about a difficult life..." He sighed, shaking his head when she claimed he'd made a miscalculation and she wasn't wearing red, finding it more and more difficult to keep acting displeased when he felt the exact opposite and simply couldn't wait to finally devour her. Without wasting another moment, he glided the zipper down with child-like enthusiasm, grinning ear to ear upon spotting her lacy lingerie that he wanted to take a better look at right away, so he slid his hands up along her body through the fabric of her dress, took hold of the straps and slowly stripped her out of it, hungrily eyeing her curves framed by the lace until she twirled around and deprived him of the view. Nevertheless, he couldn't have complained, for she'd offered another that he appreciated the same. "A stellar surprise... and I love dark green... *he mused with a smirk, selfishly assuming that she'd chosen that specific piece and colour for the same reason* especially on a firm ass like yours" He boasted, reaching behind her and giving her a series of light pats before reaching for the bottom hemline of his undershirt and smoothly bringing the whole thing over his head to get out of it and toss it aside. "Tempting.... but... Aren't we going to do naughty things anyways?" He asked back cheekily upon being called out for gawking at her, though, he didn't get embarrassed by that, in fact, he only peeked up for a second before lowering his eyes once more to feast them on her plump bosom. "You're astonishing... I've been yearning for this moment-" He began explaining, growing a bit sentimental over his statement and by the overall mood, as well as he realised that words couldn't properly express what he wanted to communicate, so he trailed off before finishing, pulled her closer to him and claimed her lips sensually, gradually deepening the kiss as he carefully backed her up towards the edge of the bed and gave her a light push to make her sit down on the mattress without breaking away from her, but bending over.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa couldn't help but chuckle as he claimed it wasn't just a task but his favorite and she knew that to be true. There were too many memories to keep count of that the first thing Lucius did once they arrived home from an outing was to help her out of her clothes, even if it never led to anything, but it usually did. "Yearning," she echoed softly, one brow arching. Her fingers slid to rest on his exposed chest. "My poor husband." The title slipped from her lips deliberately. She made it sound warm and affectionate, but also possessive. He was hers now and she never wanted to know differently again. For the briefest of moments, her blue eyes softened as they searched his face. But then the teasing returned. "And here I thought the true tragedy of your evening was discovering that I wasn't wearing red." A quiet laugh escaped her after he gave her a few pats on her behind, trying to seem as though she was unfazed, but secretly loving his touch, which she knew he would know this no matter how she responded. Narcissa let herself be guided backward until the edge of the mattress met the backs of her knees, though the faint smile playing at her lips made it abundantly clear that, despite allowing him to steer the moment, she had no intention of surrendering complete control. The kiss lingered only a heartbeat longer before she broke it herself. Not because she wished to but because she knew precisely how much it would torment him. Narcissa's gaze wandered over him for a moment before returning to his eyes. She reached for his pants and hooked her finger inside the band to pull him closer. Her fingertips occasionally brushing against the exposed skin beneath as though by accident, when they both knew that her teasing was very intentional. She leaned forward, letting her lips brush the side of his throat as her fingers worked to undo his buckle and his pants. While her fingers did all the work, Narcissa leaned closer and whispered near his ear: "And for the record...I knew exactly what color you were hoping for. You know how much I hate to be predictable and I do so enjoy surprising you...pleasantly, of course."

masterofthemanor

He stopped in his tracks when she repeated his word back to him, as if to emphasise it further, but she brought it to another level by arching a brow at him as if he'd said something peculiar. He'd felt tempted to elaborate, to finish his sentence and tell her exactly for how long and how much he wanted- needed to reconnect with her in every aspect, not just when it came to intimacy, however, as smoothly as she'd responded, she'd moved on and rendered him speechless at once by addressing him in the way his heart had been longing for the most. Silently, he locked eyes with her and revered in her pools of blue, losing all his will to overexplain and try to make himself understood, for he knew perfectly well that she was aware of what he felt, moreover, their silent exchange, the undeniable deep connection, held more meaning and emotion than anything else could've conveyed. He'd already been smiling fondly at her by the time she'd switched back to their shared humour, but when she'd done so, the corners of his lips curled up even more as he admired her. "No... *he breathed softly, shaking his head* The true tragedy is that you're still wearing something" He purred right before proceeding to engage her in a kiss and pushing her down in a sitting position, which she'd utilised right away, for instead of allowing him to devour her first and take care of his remaining clothes later, she broke away to assess the situation - letting her gaze wander down his torso, then linger on his belt just long enough to be suggestive and increase his heartrate - then took control of it herself. She was fast, skilled and efficient; nothing less than he expected and experienced when it came to her, however when she hooked her finger into the band and gave it a confident yank, it still made his breath catch in his lungs as he lurched forward. It was obvious that she had full control over her actions as well that she was better at containing herself than he'd ever been, yet, in that moment, she let some of her impatience and eagerness show, which made her the more attractive to him and further elevated his desire. As the tips of her fingers dipped beyond the band of his trousers and tantalisingly brushed up against his abdomen - provocating him just enough to reel him up to the utmost, but not providing him what he needed just yet - he couldn't muffle a laboured breath that transformed into an erratic moan on exhale. Nevertheless, he stood still, shut his eyes and bit down on his lower lip while he listened to her. The way she dropped her voice combined with her intoxicating closeness and the fiddling of her fingers drove him crazy and almost made him lose his mind, though he knew he wouldn't have to bear the suffering for much longer, so he remained strong until he'd finally felt the buckle come undone and his trousers starting to slide down along with his boxers as she undressed him, which was a huge relief for him and that he rewarded it with a lustful groan that both functioned as a reaction to her ministrations and as a response to her statement. Without wasting a second, he quickly took off his socks, the last remaining article on his body, and crawled on top of her, as she scooted towards the middle of the mattress, dedicated to cover as much area of her skin with soft kisses as he physically could in his state. With his hands roaming all over her body, he savoured her lips one more time before finally stripping her of the last barrier between them and scooping her up to finally claim her by making sweet love to her.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa laughed softly against his lips, the sound warm and breathless with affection rather than triumph. For all of his dramatic complaints, his accusations of torment and cruelty, he had surrendered to her completely the moment she'd looked at him a certain way. It was one of the things she had always loved most about him. It wasn't his power, his family name or even his confidence, though all those things were an added bonus. However, it was this that made her heart the warmest. The way they began equals and desired one another with the same amount of passion and affection.

As he moved closer, she lifted both hands to cradle his face, her fingertips tracing along the sharp lines she knew by heart. For a moment she simply looked at him, really looked at him. The years between them, the mistakes, the distance, the hurt, and all of it seemed strangely small compared to the fact that he was here with her now. He made the choice to choose her once again. A fond smile curved her lips as her thumb brushed slowly across his cheek. She tilted her head slightly before pressing a lingering kiss to his own lips, not wanting to get wrapped up in the sentiments of this moment, to lose the passion and desire that was built up for them. Soon, they were wrapped up in a blissful moment of attraction and love with left them both breathless and lying next to one another on ruffled bed sheets. As they didn't move for a moment to catch their breath, she reached for his hand next to hers and intertwined their fingers together as she let her eyes close and a pleased smile grace her lips. "I love you," she breathed out, as her chest rose and fell.

#masterofthemanor #disclosure

masterofthemanor

Disclosure

masterofthemanor

Surprisingly, he was able to move on fast, in fact, his mood improved so rapidly that after a few caresses and kisses, it felt as if she hadn't even brought up the topic of the bandage around his arm, which was fortunate, for he'd have hated to disturb her and for their wonderful date to have such a horrible ending. Yes, he should- and he wanted to tell her about it, however, there was something else he wanted for her to have more than anything else: he wanted to pamper her, to worship her and to demonstrate just how much he still loved her, how much she meant for him- and that, their blissful reunion in every way was more important to partake in than a confession that could easily ruin everything before it even started. "Not just one task, but one of my favourites... There is a difference, trust me" He countered with as much severity as he could muster, playing into the dismayed, sulking role he'd taken up on, and to his pleasure, he could take it even further right after getting a vague answer for his guess, nevertheless, if she was watchful enough, she could spot the ever-present, fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips that betrayed him right away. "Talking about a difficult life..." He sighed, shaking his head when she claimed he'd made a miscalculation and she wasn't wearing red, finding it more and more difficult to keep acting displeased when he felt the exact opposite and simply couldn't wait to finally devour her. Without wasting another moment, he glided the zipper down with child-like enthusiasm, grinning ear to ear upon spotting her lacy lingerie that he wanted to take a better look at right away, so he slid his hands up along her body through the fabric of her dress, took hold of the straps and slowly stripped her out of it, hungrily eyeing her curves framed by the lace until she twirled around and deprived him of the view. Nevertheless, he couldn't have complained, for she'd offered another that he appreciated the same. "A stellar surprise... and I love dark green... *he mused with a smirk, selfishly assuming that she'd chosen that specific piece and colour for the same reason* especially on a firm ass like yours" He boasted, reaching behind her and giving her a series of light pats before reaching for the bottom hemline of his undershirt and smoothly bringing the whole thing over his head to get out of it and toss it aside. "Tempting.... but... Aren't we going to do naughty things anyways?" He asked back cheekily upon being called out for gawking at her, though, he didn't get embarrassed by that, in fact, he only peeked up for a second before lowering his eyes once more to feast them on her plump bosom. "You're astonishing... I've been yearning for this moment-" He began explaining, growing a bit sentimental over his statement and by the overall mood, as well as he realised that words couldn't properly express what he wanted to communicate, so he trailed off before finishing, pulled her closer to him and claimed her lips sensually, gradually deepening the kiss as he carefully backed her up towards the edge of the bed and gave her a light push to make her sit down on the mattress without breaking away from her, but bending over.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa couldn't help but chuckle as he claimed it wasn't just a task but his favorite and she knew that to be true. There were too many memories to keep count of that the first thing Lucius did once they arrived home from an outing was to help her out of her clothes, even if it never led to anything, but it usually did. "Yearning," she echoed softly, one brow arching. Her fingers slid to rest on his exposed chest. "My poor husband." The title slipped from her lips deliberately. She made it sound warm and affectionate, but also possessive. He was hers now and she never wanted to know differently again. For the briefest of moments, her blue eyes softened as they searched his face. But then the teasing returned. "And here I thought the true tragedy of your evening was discovering that I wasn't wearing red." A quiet laugh escaped her after he gave her a few pats on her behind, trying to seem as though she was unfazed, but secretly loving his touch, which she knew he would know this no matter how she responded. Narcissa let herself be guided backward until the edge of the mattress met the backs of her knees, though the faint smile playing at her lips made it abundantly clear that, despite allowing him to steer the moment, she had no intention of surrendering complete control. The kiss lingered only a heartbeat longer before she broke it herself. Not because she wished to but because she knew precisely how much it would torment him. Narcissa's gaze wandered over him for a moment before returning to his eyes. She reached for his pants and hooked her finger inside the band to pull him closer. Her fingertips occasionally brushing against the exposed skin beneath as though by accident, when they both knew that her teasing was very intentional. She leaned forward, letting her lips brush the side of his throat as her fingers worked to undo his buckle and his pants. While her fingers did all the work, Narcissa leaned closer and whispered near his ear: "And for the record...I knew exactly what color you were hoping for. You know how much I hate to be predictable and I do so enjoy surprising you...pleasantly, of course."

#disclosure #masterofthemanor

rosieandthemoon

Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal

masterofthemanor

Disclosure

masterofthemanor

A helpless groan escaped his throat the moment her nails dug into his flesh and he felt a shiver sear along his spine as she ran them along his neck, lightly scratching him for now, but he was well aware just what she was capable of, for he'd been fondly and proudly bearing the marks of her love and passion for countless of times in the past. Her brief, but confident approval of his command filled him with great satisfaction, however, instead of either of them pulling away, they gave way to their desire, even if only momentarily, and remained in each other's arms, which he didn't mind at all, though it crossed his mind that they might not be able to make it to their bed, which only bothered him as he wanted to make love to her properly this time, which meant that bending her over the first surface that was available - the small table - to have his way with her wouldn't do.

As he showered her graceful throat with kisses and continued down towards her collarbone, he'd brought his hand up from her waist to sweep her curly locks out of the crook of her neck and sneakily hook his finger into the strap of her dress, slowly pulling it down to gradually expose as much of her bosom as the cut of her dress would allow; sadly, he could only reveal a small portion of her heated, silken skin before the fabric tightened, however, his lips trailed down as far as they could without him tearing the seams - and until she cruelly distracted him by placing her delicate hand to where he ached for it to be the most, rendering his mind blank at once as the short-lived pleasure of being touched for mere seconds bolted through his abdomen. In response to her action, his eyes fluttered closed and he released a shameless moan that held both yearning and frustration, and while he heard the sound of her voice, her observation remained unprocessed by his clouded brain. It was an interesting situation to say the least, for he wasn't sure whether to be upset about the briefness of her touch or to be grateful for her for having distracted him enough to be able to slip out of his grasp and follow his previous request. Nevertheless, he didn't have much time to mull over it, nor to recover, for she took his hand and began leading him towards the stairs, where he obediently followed her. "Sure" He gasped out, seeing but one goal in front of his eyes, so he didn't plan to stop now and debate whether he truly had to let go of her like that or not. As if she wanted to torment him further, she released his hand completely and quickened her steps to get a headstart, most importantly to get just enough space between them to be able to cast a spell to tempt him and have him freeze to the spot with rapture, which she achieved, for he stopped at the bottom of the stairs, letting his hungry eyes feast on her elegant back as the zipper dragged down slowly- painstakingly leisurely, only to stop at the small of her back, which, combined with the motion of her swaying hips drove him crazy, so much so that he dismissed all the decorum he had left and frantically started after her, skipping steps and clawing at the railing until he'd finally met her at the top, though, as soon as he reached out to grab the zipper, she spun around, so his fingers glided to the curve of her waist. "Wha-" He blurted out with a frown, stunned and faltered by her sudden observation that needed a second to sink in. "I- I've hoped you might help me" He stated huskily, clearing his throat as he suddenly became aware of his disheveled state, but despite his statement, he popped his collar up and grabbed his tie to loosen it hastily to get rid of it; as if she wouldn't let him set foot into their bedroom without discarding a few of his garments first. "A lot of layers to tackle-" He explained raggedly as he began unbuttoning his vest, then cut himself off with a loud huff as he struggled to get past the second button with his trembling hands. "Fu- *bites down on his lip to stiffle the ending*... I'd rather undress you" He insisted with a smirk, dropping his hands in defeat, then he stepped closer to her to clutch the strap he'd abandoned earlier, attempting to peel down her dress at the same time as he was leaning in to steal another kiss.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa's laughter was soft and breathless as she watched him wage a losing battle against his own waistcoat. There was something undeniably endearing about it. Maybe it was the pleasure in knowing she was the reason for him acting this way and feeling so flustered. It was a prideful moment to watch him come undone and to stumble with getting the clothing off. The great Lucius Malfoy utterly defeated by a stubborn button just because he had allowed himself to become flustered. She caught his wrists gently when he abandoned the fight altogether and stepped toward her. "You see," she murmured. "This is precisely why I offered." Her fingers slid over his hands before releasing them. "Have you now," she asked, arching a brow when he admitted he had hoped that she might help him. The answer was obvious, but she pretended to be surprised by the notion that she had to think for a moment before giving it to him. The moment he reached for the strap of her dress again, Narcissa caught his hand and pressed a light kiss against his knuckles, stopping him far more effectively than force ever could. "Patience, my love." The word was spoken with unmistakable amusement. Although she smiled as she said it, there was a tenderness beneath the teasing. Their evening had been built on stolen glances, playful challenges, and the quiet joy of finding one another again after so much distance. She found herself oddly reluctant to rush past it, as strong as her desire was in that moment. With careful fingers, she reached out and began to undo the buttons of his vest for him. Once they were all undone, she gently pulled his shirt out from where it was tucked into his pants. "There," she said softly. "Much better." Her gaze lingered on him. For a moment she simply stood there, close enough to feel his warmth, her hand resting over his heart. Then she glanced toward the bedroom door at the end of the corridor before looking back at him. "Come." Her fingers slipped into his. "We've spent enough of this evening standing in hallways and on staircases."

masterofthemanor

Naïvely, he thought she'd allow him to undress her right then and there, so when she caught his hand mid-motion and stopped him with another unexpected move on her part, he felt a bit taken aback and seeked out her gaze right away with short-lived perplexion. While her ministrations were enough to stagger him, they were far too permissive and lenient to actually deter him from attempting the same thing later on, nor he had lost his mood or grew upset by them, though, he'd assumed he'd slightly have to alter his strategy. "Easier said than done" He murmured upon hearing her request for patience, though he obliged and instead of grabbing the strap, he moved his hand up to rest halfway between her cheek and her neck before carefully brushing his thumb against her cheekbone, possibly distracting her as she began assisting him with his waistcoat, but it didn't even occur to him, for he was distracted himself. "Gods, Cissa... You're simply divine" He purred with an enamored smile, unable to tear his eyes from her features that he couldn't even see properly as she was staring down at his chest. He should have known that her statement of him being overdressed was an offer rather than an order, however, he was too impatient then to think clearly and tried to solve the situation with force on his own rather than taking a deep breath, calm himself as much as he could and approach the issue of the buttons with discipline. Nevertheless, when it'd dawned on him that she was actually willing to help, he let out a small, relieved sigh and stayed still as much as he could. Thankfully, her composure and calmness had the right effect on him and he was able to slow down himself. "Yes, only a couple more left" He jested about the buttons of the shirt, chuckling a bit and holding her gaze with contentment until she'd finally looked away. Giving her a confident nod of approval, he dropped his hand from her face and welcomed her touch by intertwining their fingers and giving her hand a light squeeze. "Fair point" He agreed with a grin, then began accompanying her up towards the double doors of the master bedroom, which he held open for her and closed behind them carefully before he lead her up to the edge of their bed, where he stopped to seek out her gaze once more. "Just a moment" He muttered, but before she could say anything, he leaned over and sealed her lips with a delicate kiss, then, upon pulling away, he quickly got out of his shoes, shoved them aside and carelessly tossed the waistcoat along with his tie over to the nearby armchair, shooting her a mischievous grin when they landed on the spot. "Okay, I'm all yours now..." He stated happily, then reached for her hand to bring it over his chest. "But I'm still in dire need for your assistance, my love" He informed her smoothly, hoping she'd take care of the buttons fast and they could continue undressing each other without any issues.

mistressofthemanor

Her lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile the moment he placed her hand against his chest and looked at her with that mixture of affection, impatience, and complete surrender that had always softened her toward him. "All mine," she repeated lightly and her brows lifted in a lustful manner. "That is a very dangerous thing to tell me, Lucius. I was under the impression you'd been mine for quite some time already." She allowed her palm to remain where he'd placed it, feeling the steady rhythm beneath her fingertips before smoothing an imaginary crease from his shirt with meticulous care. "Dire need, is it," she mused, studying the remaining buttons as though faced with an immensely complicated task. "Well, that does sound serious." Unlike his earlier attempts to rush matters, Narcissa appeared in no hurry whatsoever. If anything, she seemed determined to take her time. "Let's see what sort of assistance we're dealing with here." Her fingertips brushed his collar as she freed another button, then another and by the time she reached the middle of his shirt, she glanced up and caught the impatience gathering behind his eyes. Immediately, her smile widened. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You're the one who asked for help," her words were murmured near his throat as she leaned in just enough for her lips to brush lightly against the side of his neck in an affectionate gesture rather than anything intended to truly distract him. "Honestly," she continued softly, smoothing the fabric away from his shoulders as the last button was undone, "for someone who claims to be a master strategist, you've become remarkably easy to derail." Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she continued, "Although now I fear you've created a terrible imbalance. You've lost several layers." She paused, look down at her attire and then back up to him. "I've lost none." The satisfaction in her expression made it abundantly clear she was aware of the problem and enjoying it immensely. Until something spotted her eye now that she was fully taking him in. She frowned and nodded her head towards the bandage on his arm from a few weeks ago. "Why do you still have the bandage on your arm," she asked and then let out a soft sigh. "You better promise me that I can look at it later...you might have let it get infected if it still hasn't healed properly by now." She was well aware of how much he hated any hospital or doctor's visits, but he also had to be better about taking care of himself. "But before I take care of you, you still need to take care of me...by helping me remove my clothes," she smiled knowingly at him as her hands had moved to rest along his arms and then up on his shoulders.

masterofthemanor

He couldn't help, but smile and roll his eyes in a theatrical manner when she twisted his words. "Fine" He sighed, still playing into the dramatic attitude he'd picked up. "You've always had my heart" He murmured with feigned exasperation, though every word had been true and filled with deep affection. Preferably, he'd have said that he'd been hers all along, however, since they've gone their separate ways and she didn't claim him, it wasn't necessarily true, hence he felt it'd be better to express his unconditional love for her - that remained regardless of the distance and of the circumstances - this way. "Feels that way too... quite urgent" He commented, peeking down at her as she examined the row of buttons with unnecessary care, obviously taking her sweet time to tease him a bit longer, however, he didn't say a thing right away, but closed his eyes and tried to follow the trace of her fingers in his head, revering and enjoying every covert caress she'd given him while she fiddled with them. Nevertheless, what felt manageable at first, turned out to be more and more frustrating with each button she'd undone and he'd have sworn that she'd gradually slowed down her pace as well, so by the time she'd gotten halfway, he'd lost control over his expressions, pressed his lips together, opened his eyes and a barely noticeable crease appeared between his brows as he stared at her forehead with disbelief. Of course, she had to look up and check in with him right away! As if she'd sensed the grimace. "I've also said dire" He reminded her softly, then as soon as he'd felt her lips brush against his neck, an indulgent smile stretched languidly along his face. "Careful around the collar with those painted, irresistible lips" He warned her in a jesting manner, then, just when he had the impression he had turned the tides, she cut back and reminded him of his inability to stay in his right mind when he was around her. "Nonsense" He snorted up, a terrible attempt at denying the obvious. "Oh, don't you worry, my love... The problem will be resolved within seconds... I'm much more efficient when it comes to... *starts talking slower and lowers his voice gradually as he notices that she's staring at the bandage he'd completely forgotten to prepare her for in order to take her mind off of it* taking off your dress" He finished, but his attention had wondered elsewhere as he studied her.

Naturally, he'd accounted for this moment to come... That sooner or later she'd notice the bandage or the scars themselves and she'd start asking questions. He'd expected and planned for that night to finally come clean about it, though, it seemed he didn't plan well enough; or rather, he didn't have a script for this scenario. He hadn't known what to expect and how he should even start, so he merely planned to conjure up the courage and be as spontaneous as one could be in this situation, which turned out to be a mistake, for other than freezing on the spot, his lust-filled mind wasn't able to come up with anything; so he stared at her first, then stared at the bandage as if it'd feed him the words. "I-it's a different one" That was what he was able to blurt out finally, half-convincingly, even though it truly had been a fresh one. Fortunately, she'd spoken and - he'd assumed that she'd mistaken his dread for shame - she'd done her absolute best to move past the much needed discussion for now and postponed it for later, which was a relief he feared would turn into regret. Nevertheless, he let the moment slip away in silence. "Oh... Right" He breathed with less enthusiasm than he liked and than he actually felt a minute prior. The passing shift in his mood wasn't because of her or because he'd lost interest in her, but she couldn't have known that, so he immediately cursed himself mentally for the slip up and put on one of his most charming smiles upon looking up from his arm and into her eyes. "Turn around for me" He instructed her and as soon as she obliged, he'd gotten to work, hoping to quickly divert his thoughts and get back on track with her.

Without saying a word, he placed his hands on each of her elbows and slowly brushed his fingers up along her arms, stopping at her shoulders only to gather her locks and pull them to one side of her neck in order to expose her back. Bringing his hands down again, he bent over slightly and planted a gentle kiss at her nape, lingering there for a longer moment just to inhale her scent before he continued, slowly trailing soft kisses along her spine with his hands following suit on her sides until he'd reached the vicinity of the zipper, where he stopped. The pressing issue was already miles away from his mind. Hooking his finger into he fabric right above the small piece of metal, he gave it a suggestive tug, pulling the fabric away from her body for a second and smirking against her porcelain skin without actually peeking beneath the dress. "You've deprived me of one of my favourite tasks" He complained unseriously about the fact that she'd pulled the zipper off herself, then he stuck out the tip of his tongue to graze it along her flesh and proceed upwards until he reached the central spot between her shoulder blades, where he paused and pressed another kiss on her before pulling away just enough to be able to talk. "I'm hoping for red" He breathed close to her, grinning as he held onto the zipper with one hand and sneaked his other arm around her to rest his hand against her stomach and steady her, eager to finally pull it down as far as he could.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa's lips curved into a knowing smile at the sight of his obvious impatience. "Oh, are you," she asked softly, amusement dancing in her eyes as she stepped closer. "You spent an entire evening pretending to be patient," she murmured. "I think you can survive another minute." Then she felt a change. Not a dramatic one and it was very subtle, but Narcissa knew him far too well to miss it. His touch was still gentle; his voice was still warm but something about him had shifted. The easy confidence that had carried him through the evening seemed to falter for the briefest of moments. However, her mind was soon distracted by his actions. When he instructed her to turn around, she complied without protest, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She could feel the warmth of his presence behind her, the familiar steadiness of his hands, and for a fleeting moment it brought her back to years before, endless nights in this very bedroom and she closed her eyes to relish in the memories that were still very much happening in the present. His complaint earned a soft laugh, "Oh, is that what this is about?" She tilted her head slightly as she added, "I deprive you of one task and suddenly I am faced with grievances. How terribly difficult your life must be." When he voiced his hopeful prediction with such confidence, Narcissa laughed softly. "Oh?" She turned then, slowly enough to keep him waiting, but just enough to make him wonder as her grin grew. "Red?" She paused again before she shook her head, "I'm afraid you've miscalculated." As he managed to draw the dress from her body to reveal, she spoke, "Dark green is the superior choice." Her gaze drifted over his expression, clearly enjoying the moment she watched the realization dawn on him, hoping he was still pleased, nonetheless. "You should know by now that I much prefer surprising you." Before he could defend himself, Narcissa rose onto her toes and pressed a brief kiss to his cheek. Though judging by the look she gave him afterward, she knew perfectly well it would accomplish far more than that. "You should stop looking at me like that, darling. It encourages me...to want to do naughty things." The faux-naïf expression she wore afterward was entirely ruined by the unmistakable sparkle in her blue eyes.

#masterofthemanor #disclosure

masterofthemanor

Disclosure

masterofthemanor

A helpless groan escaped his throat the moment her nails dug into his flesh and he felt a shiver sear along his spine as she ran them along his neck, lightly scratching him for now, but he was well aware just what she was capable of, for he'd been fondly and proudly bearing the marks of her love and passion for countless of times in the past. Her brief, but confident approval of his command filled him with great satisfaction, however, instead of either of them pulling away, they gave way to their desire, even if only momentarily, and remained in each other's arms, which he didn't mind at all, though it crossed his mind that they might not be able to make it to their bed, which only bothered him as he wanted to make love to her properly this time, which meant that bending her over the first surface that was available - the small table - to have his way with her wouldn't do.

As he showered her graceful throat with kisses and continued down towards her collarbone, he'd brought his hand up from her waist to sweep her curly locks out of the crook of her neck and sneakily hook his finger into the strap of her dress, slowly pulling it down to gradually expose as much of her bosom as the cut of her dress would allow; sadly, he could only reveal a small portion of her heated, silken skin before the fabric tightened, however, his lips trailed down as far as they could without him tearing the seams - and until she cruelly distracted him by placing her delicate hand to where he ached for it to be the most, rendering his mind blank at once as the short-lived pleasure of being touched for mere seconds bolted through his abdomen. In response to her action, his eyes fluttered closed and he released a shameless moan that held both yearning and frustration, and while he heard the sound of her voice, her observation remained unprocessed by his clouded brain. It was an interesting situation to say the least, for he wasn't sure whether to be upset about the briefness of her touch or to be grateful for her for having distracted him enough to be able to slip out of his grasp and follow his previous request. Nevertheless, he didn't have much time to mull over it, nor to recover, for she took his hand and began leading him towards the stairs, where he obediently followed her. "Sure" He gasped out, seeing but one goal in front of his eyes, so he didn't plan to stop now and debate whether he truly had to let go of her like that or not. As if she wanted to torment him further, she released his hand completely and quickened her steps to get a headstart, most importantly to get just enough space between them to be able to cast a spell to tempt him and have him freeze to the spot with rapture, which she achieved, for he stopped at the bottom of the stairs, letting his hungry eyes feast on her elegant back as the zipper dragged down slowly- painstakingly leisurely, only to stop at the small of her back, which, combined with the motion of her swaying hips drove him crazy, so much so that he dismissed all the decorum he had left and frantically started after her, skipping steps and clawing at the railing until he'd finally met her at the top, though, as soon as he reached out to grab the zipper, she spun around, so his fingers glided to the curve of her waist. "Wha-" He blurted out with a frown, stunned and faltered by her sudden observation that needed a second to sink in. "I- I've hoped you might help me" He stated huskily, clearing his throat as he suddenly became aware of his disheveled state, but despite his statement, he popped his collar up and grabbed his tie to loosen it hastily to get rid of it; as if she wouldn't let him set foot into their bedroom without discarding a few of his garments first. "A lot of layers to tackle-" He explained raggedly as he began unbuttoning his vest, then cut himself off with a loud huff as he struggled to get past the second button with his trembling hands. "Fu- *bites down on his lip to stiffle the ending*... I'd rather undress you" He insisted with a smirk, dropping his hands in defeat, then he stepped closer to her to clutch the strap he'd abandoned earlier, attempting to peel down her dress at the same time as he was leaning in to steal another kiss.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa's laughter was soft and breathless as she watched him wage a losing battle against his own waistcoat. There was something undeniably endearing about it. Maybe it was the pleasure in knowing she was the reason for him acting this way and feeling so flustered. It was a prideful moment to watch him come undone and to stumble with getting the clothing off. The great Lucius Malfoy utterly defeated by a stubborn button just because he had allowed himself to become flustered. She caught his wrists gently when he abandoned the fight altogether and stepped toward her. "You see," she murmured. "This is precisely why I offered." Her fingers slid over his hands before releasing them. "Have you now," she asked, arching a brow when he admitted he had hoped that she might help him. The answer was obvious, but she pretended to be surprised by the notion that she had to think for a moment before giving it to him. The moment he reached for the strap of her dress again, Narcissa caught his hand and pressed a light kiss against his knuckles, stopping him far more effectively than force ever could. "Patience, my love." The word was spoken with unmistakable amusement. Although she smiled as she said it, there was a tenderness beneath the teasing. Their evening had been built on stolen glances, playful challenges, and the quiet joy of finding one another again after so much distance. She found herself oddly reluctant to rush past it, as strong as her desire was in that moment. With careful fingers, she reached out and began to undo the buttons of his vest for him. Once they were all undone, she gently pulled his shirt out from where it was tucked into his pants. "There," she said softly. "Much better." Her gaze lingered on him. For a moment she simply stood there, close enough to feel his warmth, her hand resting over his heart. Then she glanced toward the bedroom door at the end of the corridor before looking back at him. "Come." Her fingers slipped into his. "We've spent enough of this evening standing in hallways and on staircases."

masterofthemanor

Naïvely, he thought she'd allow him to undress her right then and there, so when she caught his hand mid-motion and stopped him with another unexpected move on her part, he felt a bit taken aback and seeked out her gaze right away with short-lived perplexion. While her ministrations were enough to stagger him, they were far too permissive and lenient to actually deter him from attempting the same thing later on, nor he had lost his mood or grew upset by them, though, he'd assumed he'd slightly have to alter his strategy. "Easier said than done" He murmured upon hearing her request for patience, though he obliged and instead of grabbing the strap, he moved his hand up to rest halfway between her cheek and her neck before carefully brushing his thumb against her cheekbone, possibly distracting her as she began assisting him with his waistcoat, but it didn't even occur to him, for he was distracted himself. "Gods, Cissa... You're simply divine" He purred with an enamored smile, unable to tear his eyes from her features that he couldn't even see properly as she was staring down at his chest. He should have known that her statement of him being overdressed was an offer rather than an order, however, he was too impatient then to think clearly and tried to solve the situation with force on his own rather than taking a deep breath, calm himself as much as he could and approach the issue of the buttons with discipline. Nevertheless, when it'd dawned on him that she was actually willing to help, he let out a small, relieved sigh and stayed still as much as he could. Thankfully, her composure and calmness had the right effect on him and he was able to slow down himself. "Yes, only a couple more left" He jested about the buttons of the shirt, chuckling a bit and holding her gaze with contentment until she'd finally looked away. Giving her a confident nod of approval, he dropped his hand from her face and welcomed her touch by intertwining their fingers and giving her hand a light squeeze. "Fair point" He agreed with a grin, then began accompanying her up towards the double doors of the master bedroom, which he held open for her and closed behind them carefully before he lead her up to the edge of their bed, where he stopped to seek out her gaze once more. "Just a moment" He muttered, but before she could say anything, he leaned over and sealed her lips with a delicate kiss, then, upon pulling away, he quickly got out of his shoes, shoved them aside and carelessly tossed the waistcoat along with his tie over to the nearby armchair, shooting her a mischievous grin when they landed on the spot. "Okay, I'm all yours now..." He stated happily, then reached for her hand to bring it over his chest. "But I'm still in dire need for your assistance, my love" He informed her smoothly, hoping she'd take care of the buttons fast and they could continue undressing each other without any issues.

mistressofthemanor

Her lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile the moment he placed her hand against his chest and looked at her with that mixture of affection, impatience, and complete surrender that had always softened her toward him. "All mine," she repeated lightly and her brows lifted in a lustful manner. "That is a very dangerous thing to tell me, Lucius. I was under the impression you'd been mine for quite some time already." She allowed her palm to remain where he'd placed it, feeling the steady rhythm beneath her fingertips before smoothing an imaginary crease from his shirt with meticulous care. "Dire need, is it," she mused, studying the remaining buttons as though faced with an immensely complicated task. "Well, that does sound serious." Unlike his earlier attempts to rush matters, Narcissa appeared in no hurry whatsoever. If anything, she seemed determined to take her time. "Let's see what sort of assistance we're dealing with here." Her fingertips brushed his collar as she freed another button, then another and by the time she reached the middle of his shirt, she glanced up and caught the impatience gathering behind his eyes. Immediately, her smile widened. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You're the one who asked for help," her words were murmured near his throat as she leaned in just enough for her lips to brush lightly against the side of his neck in an affectionate gesture rather than anything intended to truly distract him. "Honestly," she continued softly, smoothing the fabric away from his shoulders as the last button was undone, "for someone who claims to be a master strategist, you've become remarkably easy to derail." Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she continued, "Although now I fear you've created a terrible imbalance. You've lost several layers." She paused, look down at her attire and then back up to him. "I've lost none." The satisfaction in her expression made it abundantly clear she was aware of the problem and enjoying it immensely. Until something spotted her eye now that she was fully taking him in. She frowned and nodded her head towards the bandage on his arm from a few weeks ago. "Why do you still have the bandage on your arm," she asked and then let out a soft sigh. "You better promise me that I can look at it later...you might have let it get infected if it still hasn't healed properly by now." She was well aware of how much he hated any hospital or doctor's visits, but he also had to be better about taking care of himself. "But before I take care of you, you still need to take care of me...by helping me remove my clothes," she smiled knowingly at him as her hands had moved to rest along his arms and then up on his shoulders.

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masterofthemanor

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masterofthemanor

A helpless groan escaped his throat the moment her nails dug into his flesh and he felt a shiver sear along his spine as she ran them along his neck, lightly scratching him for now, but he was well aware just what she was capable of, for he'd been fondly and proudly bearing the marks of her love and passion for countless of times in the past. Her brief, but confident approval of his command filled him with great satisfaction, however, instead of either of them pulling away, they gave way to their desire, even if only momentarily, and remained in each other's arms, which he didn't mind at all, though it crossed his mind that they might not be able to make it to their bed, which only bothered him as he wanted to make love to her properly this time, which meant that bending her over the first surface that was available - the small table - to have his way with her wouldn't do.

As he showered her graceful throat with kisses and continued down towards her collarbone, he'd brought his hand up from her waist to sweep her curly locks out of the crook of her neck and sneakily hook his finger into the strap of her dress, slowly pulling it down to gradually expose as much of her bosom as the cut of her dress would allow; sadly, he could only reveal a small portion of her heated, silken skin before the fabric tightened, however, his lips trailed down as far as they could without him tearing the seams - and until she cruelly distracted him by placing her delicate hand to where he ached for it to be the most, rendering his mind blank at once as the short-lived pleasure of being touched for mere seconds bolted through his abdomen. In response to her action, his eyes fluttered closed and he released a shameless moan that held both yearning and frustration, and while he heard the sound of her voice, her observation remained unprocessed by his clouded brain. It was an interesting situation to say the least, for he wasn't sure whether to be upset about the briefness of her touch or to be grateful for her for having distracted him enough to be able to slip out of his grasp and follow his previous request. Nevertheless, he didn't have much time to mull over it, nor to recover, for she took his hand and began leading him towards the stairs, where he obediently followed her. "Sure" He gasped out, seeing but one goal in front of his eyes, so he didn't plan to stop now and debate whether he truly had to let go of her like that or not. As if she wanted to torment him further, she released his hand completely and quickened her steps to get a headstart, most importantly to get just enough space between them to be able to cast a spell to tempt him and have him freeze to the spot with rapture, which she achieved, for he stopped at the bottom of the stairs, letting his hungry eyes feast on her elegant back as the zipper dragged down slowly- painstakingly leisurely, only to stop at the small of her back, which, combined with the motion of her swaying hips drove him crazy, so much so that he dismissed all the decorum he had left and frantically started after her, skipping steps and clawing at the railing until he'd finally met her at the top, though, as soon as he reached out to grab the zipper, she spun around, so his fingers glided to the curve of her waist. "Wha-" He blurted out with a frown, stunned and faltered by her sudden observation that needed a second to sink in. "I- I've hoped you might help me" He stated huskily, clearing his throat as he suddenly became aware of his disheveled state, but despite his statement, he popped his collar up and grabbed his tie to loosen it hastily to get rid of it; as if she wouldn't let him set foot into their bedroom without discarding a few of his garments first. "A lot of layers to tackle-" He explained raggedly as he began unbuttoning his vest, then cut himself off with a loud huff as he struggled to get past the second button with his trembling hands. "Fu- *bites down on his lip to stiffle the ending*... I'd rather undress you" He insisted with a smirk, dropping his hands in defeat, then he stepped closer to her to clutch the strap he'd abandoned earlier, attempting to peel down her dress at the same time as he was leaning in to steal another kiss.

mistressofthemanor

Narcissa's laughter was soft and breathless as she watched him wage a losing battle against his own waistcoat. There was something undeniably endearing about it. Maybe it was the pleasure in knowing she was the reason for him acting this way and feeling so flustered. It was a prideful moment to watch him come undone and to stumble with getting the clothing off. The great Lucius Malfoy utterly defeated by a stubborn button just because he had allowed himself to become flustered. She caught his wrists gently when he abandoned the fight altogether and stepped toward her. "You see," she murmured. "This is precisely why I offered." Her fingers slid over his hands before releasing them. "Have you now," she asked, arching a brow when he admitted he had hoped that she might help him. The answer was obvious, but she pretended to be surprised by the notion that she had to think for a moment before giving it to him. The moment he reached for the strap of her dress again, Narcissa caught his hand and pressed a light kiss against his knuckles, stopping him far more effectively than force ever could. "Patience, my love." The word was spoken with unmistakable amusement. Although she smiled as she said it, there was a tenderness beneath the teasing. Their evening had been built on stolen glances, playful challenges, and the quiet joy of finding one another again after so much distance. She found herself oddly reluctant to rush past it, as strong as her desire was in that moment. With careful fingers, she reached out and began to undo the buttons of his vest for him. Once they were all undone, she gently pulled his shirt out from where it was tucked into his pants. "There," she said softly. "Much better." Her gaze lingered on him. For a moment she simply stood there, close enough to feel his warmth, her hand resting over his heart. Then she glanced toward the bedroom door at the end of the corridor before looking back at him. "Come." Her fingers slipped into his. "We've spent enough of this evening standing in hallways and on staircases."

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danadeluca

e sentirsi nessunluogo

masterofthemanor

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mistressofthemanor

masterofthemanor

"Yet, you've proven me wrong... Have you not?" He asked back without actually expecting an answer from her, referring back to those handful of occasions when she used her proficiency in legilimency to her own advantage and navigated his mind- apparently, without meaning to, and even though he was irritated with her during those occasions, he did forgave her each time, in fact, looking back, he understood her motives, for apart from those moments they've connected deeply and she slipped into his consciousness by accident, she used her skill as a last resort, when he isolated himself and visibly collapsed under the weight of his problems he refused to share with her in hopes he might spare her and save his family in case the inevitable came, he lost his power and the system he helped building collapsed. Thankfully, those times were over, nevertheless, even if he felt she saw through him and he wouldn't be able to hide anything from her in the long run, he was grateful she didn't attempt to gather information from him that way since they've reunited, for he had a story to tell he wished to convey himself, hopefully sooner than later. "Oh, so you remember" He commented, doing his very best to keep his tone even and to not appear any more enthusiastic than he already had as he eyed her slowly closing the gap between them once more. Despite not having made a declaration, he knew she was very aware of what she was doing and about what she was doing to him as well, yet, he couldn't even complain for constantly having the lower hand, for he enjoyed every moment of it. Carelessly, he let his breath hitch as soon as she wrapped her fingers around his arm, but upon the quick realisation, he closed his eyes, hoping he might just be able to focus on her words this way, for he was slowly getting overwhelmed by her actions and her looks combined. "I was! I'd love to do that" He assured her, his voice more hoarse than he'd have preferred, but before he even uttered a word, he'd confirmed his intentions clearly and by instinct, for as soon as he felt her give his biceps a light squeeze, he dropped his arms and instead of letting them awkwardly hang at his sides, he took the chance and placed one at the curve of her waist and another at the dip of her hip, struggling to keep them from wandering and from pulling her flush against his body, for she was intoxicating him. He drew in a ragged breath when she began with her proposal on what they should do, eager to hear her suggestion that immediately made him open his eyes to peer down at her and by chance, she was looking up at him, so their eyes met and the mere connection sent another bolt of electricity down his spine. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but no sound left his mouth as he drank in her presence with undeniable fascination. Thankfully, it didn't seem to bother her, for she drew her conclusion and the unexpected solution paired with the mere confidence of her delivery shook him up and made him blink at her with perplexion. "Two alternatives?" He asked back with his brows hiking up, needing further explanation, though he couldn't help himself, but laugh and shake his head lightly. "One or plenty... I was expecting, but two... oh, you're full of surprises" He mused, beaming at her while he sneaked his arms around her, not giving her enough time to cut in. "And what two options we have, Mrs Malfoy? Please elaborate" He inquired, holding her gaze as his hands finally found their way back to their usual resting place, onto her cheeks.

As he used her own words against him, she narrowed her eyes playfully before giving him that dramatic eyeroll she used to give when she was enjoying his teasing all the while pretending not to. “Lucius, for a man so intent on appearing composed, you do make it terribly easy to unravel you.” Her hands came to rest against his chest, her thumbs brushing back and forth in her own attempt to show him affection briefly as she held his gaze. However, she was soon taken aback the moment the title left his lips.

Mrs. Malfoy.

It had been so absent from his lips since their separation that hearing it now, spoken so naturally, struck something deep within her. There had once been a time she had heard it dozens of times a day; she was called that with teasing affection, sometimes clipped with impatience and sometimes murmured low against her skin. And now, after all that had passed between them, to hear it again felt unexpectedly intimate. Her expression softened for only the briefest moment. She felt his hands move from resting at the curve of her hips before moving lower still, where her dress clung just tightly enough that there could be no mistaking the shape beneath his palms. Narcissa’s brows lifted faintly as she watched realization settle across his features. Then her smile returned, filled with satisfaction and determination. “As tempting as it is to keep you in suspense…” she continued, one brow lifting delicately, “you have, quite insistently, requested elaboration.”

“The first option,” she said smoothly, as her own hands drifted upward to his shoulders, then around the back of his neck to draw him in closer to her, “is you kiss me properly." Then, before he could act on the invitation, she shifted just enough to deny him again. “The second…” Her voice dropped lower, as her tone filled with certainty, making it a tone that he would well recognize from her when she wanted to be heard and taken seriously, “Is that you stop pretending you require my permission for what has already been offered.” She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze again, as her blue eyes searched his own. “You have spent this entire evening asking, waiting, and second-guessing.” Her expression softened, though her gaze remained unwavering. “And while I have found your restraint unexpectedly endearing…it is becoming rather clear that you have forgotten something important.” Slowly, she rose onto the tips of her feet so that her mouth brushed the corner of his in the softest kiss she could possibly give as she murmured, “You are my husband." She gave that title the pause and realization it deserved before continuing, "And since you’ve finally remembered how to address me properly, I’d advise choosing wisely." Her fingers curled slightly at his neck before she bit down on her lower lip with a sly grin, “And Mrs. Malfoy is not known for her patience.”

masterofthemanor

"Nonsense" He muttered unconvincingly with an ever-present smile, unable to even deny the obvious truth and try to convince her that he was unaffected by her approach. He knew for sure that it'd have been pointless to oppose her as he was practically unable to take his eyes and his hands off of her, moreover, he felt he wouldn't be able to restrain himself for too long anyways as he was craving her with his whole being more intensely with every second passing by, so there was no reason for him to drag things out any more.

Nevertheless, he still wanted to hear what exactly had been on her mind, moreover, he wished for her to feel as thrilled and yearn for him just as much as he had every time she teased him, hence he'd asked back in a more specific way, pulling out an old trick that usually reached the desired effect; and he was so glad he'd done so, for he'd achieved his goal. While her reaction wasn't as spectacular as he hoped it'd be, it was obvious to him that the way he addressed her had gotten to her and she was taken aback by it. He couldn't have timed it more perfectly. She remained completely still, only her eyes grew bigger, barely noticeable and only for a fracture of a second, but it happened and he caught it- not even the deliberate arch of her brows or her confident smile that followed as she regained her composure were enough to take his attention off of that brief moment while she had been stunned. Just as hearing the title filled her with surprisement and satisfaction, that remained unknown by him, the fact that he was able to stop her in her tracks filled him with pride. She had won the battle, it was undeniable, however, he'd gotten in a few, well-aimed jabs as well, which made the already tolerable - even desirable defeat sweeter for him. "Indeed" He replied smoothly to her claiming that he was insistent about her answer, giving her a curt nod as he eagerly awaited her response, pulling her ever so closer to him, yearning to feel her body press up against his, but not pulling her in just yet. Unsurprisingly, he'd loved the first option she offered and for a moment, he thought he might be able to outsmarten her by quickly getting rid of that option, in order to not have to make a choice and pick just one, though, she'd proven right away that she knew him too well and pulled back and away from his initiation of a kiss, which made him release a soft groan of displeasure. "Okay... What's the other-?" He inquired a bit impatiently, finding it more and more difficult to control his urges, but he knew he'd be better off listening to her and playing along with her if he wanted to finish the conversation soon.

He held her gaze intently throughout her speech. From suprisement to disheartening recognition, everything was visible on his face. She had, in fact, caught up with him and was aware of his reappearing internal struggle - that no matter how familiar they'd been with each other, how many years they'd shared together and how they've agreed to start a new chapter, he still struggled to reclaim her to the fullest and actually allow himself to do what he desired to do with and to her, for in the back of his mind, the thought of possibly losing her again loomed. It felt like a cold shower at first, mainly because it was in connection with his low self-esteem, his fears and it could have been made as a critique to his masculinity, for not embracing his role along with the power and the responsibility it came with, however, as she continued and gradually changed her demeanour to a reassuring and affectionate one, he grew at ease and was able to smile it off, in fact, he gained strength from her fierceness. For a second, he wondered whether he should address anything, so she could see clearly, but in the end, he decided against giving an explanation, figuring this might not have be the right time for one, so instead, he shook his head and made a mental note for himself to go through that later. "I haven't forgotten" He muttered, hoping that she didn't actually believe it for a moment that he'd ever forgotten about his role, for he might have grown alienated as a result of their separation and he needed some time to adjust back to how things had been, but he hadn't ever been able to forget about their marriage and about her; just what a wonderful wife, lover and soulmate he had. "No, she's notoriously impatient... always had been" He agreed, unable to hold himself back from chuckling at that, shaking his head at her own sarcasm. "But I understand... and I wouldn't want to abuse your patience so far, so I've made up my mind" He concluded, giving her a final smile before leaning closer to her to claim her lips, delicately at first, then slowly, but fervently deepening the kiss, refusing to only get one of the two wonderful options. "Upstairs" He croaked against her lips, only breaking away to tell her that, however, he sabotaged themselves by not letting go of her and instead, covered her lips once more before giving her ass a firm squeeze. Eagerly, he bunched up the fabric of her dress and pulled it up along her thigh as he drew her flush against his body, wanting to let his intentions be known as well as to have her feel the desire he had for her pressing up against her. "Let's go" He groaned, half demanding, half begging to her as he let go of the dress and gave her a light pat instead before finally loosening his hold around her, but still clinging to her and urging her to arch her back as he dragged his lips towards her jaw and trailed a row of kisses down along her neck.

mistressofthemanor

The deeper kiss melted all her composure far more effectively than any teasing remark had. Her nails dipped behind the collar of his shirt where she ran them against his bare skin and she answered him with equal fervor, moaning softly against his lips, no longer interested in prolonging the game for the sake of it now that he had finally chosen to stop fighting himself. At his rough insistence of upstairs, a soft laugh escaped her against his mouth, eliciting all the emotions of being breathless, pleased, and also victorious. “With pleasure” she murmured, the words laced with unmistakable satisfaction. Narcissa’s breath caught softly against his lips at the sudden firmness of his grip, the sensation of his hands finally settling where they had clearly been aching to linger all evening sending a warm thrill through her. His hands knew exactly where they wanted to go with no hesitation. She could feel the shift in him instantly as the last restraint beginning to unravel beneath her fingertips, his confidence no longer hesitant and cautious, but hungry in a way she remembered all too well. And Merlin, she had missed it. Feeling the unmistakable evidence of his desire against her sent heat curling low in her stomach, and she tilted her head back slightly as his mouth found her throat again, granting him better access with absolutely no intention of pretending indifference.

“You know,” she breathed, struggling only slightly for steadiness as his kisses trailed lower along her neck, “for a man so concerned with behaving properly earlier…”, her hand slid down his chest slowly, deliberately, until it settled over him for a brief, provocative moment, “…you seem to have recovered remarkably quickly.” Narcissa turned her face toward him, brushing one lingering kiss against the corner of his mouth before finally easing herself from the circle of his arms, or at least attempting to as he continued to request that she head upstairs. “Come along, then,” she said smoothly, though the faint flush across her face and the darkened look in her eyes betrayed her own impatience now. “You have to let me go and stop kissing me for a moment so I can climb the stairs, or we'll never make it up there.” Still holding onto him, she began guiding him toward the staircase, her fingers threaded securely with his for all of two steps before eventually letting go. With one hand on the banister, she used her free hand to let magic assist her in allowing the zipper on the back of her dress to tug down slowly as it revealed her back, stopping mere inches from Lucius' favorite part of her. She climbed the remaining steps at an almost leisurely pace, every stolen glance devastatingly composed compared to the increasingly ragged state she was reducing him to. When she reached the top of the stairs, she paused and turned around to face him. Then her eyes flicked downward before raising back to meet his eyes. “You’re overdressed, Lucius.”

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