The bouquet was made up of a beautiful array of colourful geraniums, and Ben examined them one last time before entering the store - making sure none of them had accidentally been damaged, that there weren’t any broken stems and the like. Once he was satisfied, he nodded and pushed the door of Madame Malkin’s open.
He felt nervous, for reasons he couldn’t quite place. His thoughts raced as he went inside; what if she didn’t like the flowers? What if she didn’t like flowers at all?
He steeled himself with a deep breath, and that was when he saw her. She hadn’t noticed him, yet - too focused on her work - and Ben just watched her for a moment. A fond half-smile tugged at his lips.
“Nora,” He greeted, his voice soft so as not to startle her, “For you.”
Ben held out the flowers and tried to gauge her reaction. It was his thank you for everything she’d done for Briar - the dresses, and (more recently) for keeping her safe.
It was also his answer to the kiss they’d shared. His own way of saying that he wanted it to happen again, if she did.
Things had started winding down in the Garden hours ago, in the late afternoon. Not many people picking up flowers after the sun went down, but that didn’t stop Melissa from keeping the small neon sign in her window flicked on for any passersby to see. You never knew when someone needed a last-minute bouquet, herbs or if they needed a place to stay. Melissa was happy to stay a bit late anyway, appreciating the alone time.
The frogs that had made the pond down the street their home croaked a symphony for the blonde, wrapping her up in the sound as she scribbled in her sudoku book. There was a thump upstairs, loud enough that she could hear it above even the frogs’ raucous music, causing her shoulders to tense. If it was one of her usual tenants, she wasn’t sure why they didn’t come to see her first, at least to let her know they were there.
Just when Melissa had set aside her sudoku puzzles and stood to check on her stray, the bell above the door of The Garden rang. Already on edge, Melissa jumped, knocking her book to the ground and cursing before she saw a familiar face. “Nora!” She clutched her chest. “I thought...I don’t know what I thought. That you were a big bear, coming through the door to eat me, I suppose.” Melissa attempted to shake off her unease with a laugh, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Henri could feel the tension since she’d been released into Nora’s custody. There’d been a fleeting moment where she’d believed that Nora had left for good, but there was always a small part of her that silently prayed that Nora still loved her. And she was grateful. Eternally, that the small part of her had been right.
They hadn’t spoke much at all since Nora brought Henri back to her home (a place she’d yet to visit since their claim dissolution), things admittedly felt a bit awkward, and after a long hot shower, Henri settled in. Resigned to the waiting game that would result in either freedom or prison. She shook the thought of the latter from her mind, and at present--nearly 10PM at night, Henri slowly padded toward Nora’s bedroom, leaning against the door frame to silently peer back at her former claim who was quietly reading a book on her bed. Tears pricked at Henri’s eyes as a smile grew on her face.
Within her chest, her heart flutters with the ferocity of a flock of butterflies caught in a tempest, and Henri tugs at the collar of her suit, face flush with nerves. Across the expanse of the makeshift dance floor assembled over the snow white sand of the beach, stands the love of her life: Nora, returning her gaze with an affection unmatched by anything Henri had ever seen in her life.
From the speakers, the slow strums of their favorite song--an old ballad from the 1970s--begins, and both Domme and submissive take slow, swaying steps toward one another; surrounded by cherished loved ones watching in revered silence.
Baby I’m-a want you...
Baby I’m-a need you...
You’re the only one I care enough to hurt about.
Henri pulls Nora flush against her, left hand gently splayed against the small of Nora’s back, and the right takes Nora’s own, held aloft. They sway, her head resting gently against the crown of Nora’s, eyes fluttering shut at the dreamy song that plays. Nora sings along.
Maybe I'm-a crazy, but I just can't live without your loving and affection;
Giving me direction.
Like a guiding light to help me through my darkest hour.
There’s no one else around them in that moment. It’s only Henri and Nora. Nora and Henri. Domme and submissive. The diamonds that dust Henri’s collar glimmer like a constellation against Nora’s supple skin. The mere sight brings tears to Henri’s eyes; she’s never wanted something so badly as this very moment. The confirmation that Nora was hers, and that she was Nora’s. Nothing else happening in the universe mattered in those moments.
Henri gently spins Nora out, only to pull her back, even closer, pressing a kiss to the column of Nora’s elegant throat, and the submissive sighs. Blissful and light hearted.
But then Henri’s side begins to burn.
Throbbing with slow pulsations in step with the deep thrumming bass of the song. Tears well in her eyes, and Nora steps back, horror painting her features as Henri crumples to the floor, groping at a rapidly growing stain of blood. She wants to cry out. To apologize. Anything. But the sounds don’t come. Her eyes flutter open, and the pristine beach is gone. Replaced with the dim lights of the city filtering in through the windows into Charlie’s living room, where she lay on a dingy couch, curled up, hand pressed against her stab wound. Tears prick at her eyelids.
Used to be my life was just emotions passing by.
Then you came along and made me laugh,
And made me cry.
You taught me why...
At the sound of the buzzer, Henri presses the call button to unlock the street level door. Opening her own door, she engages the dead bolt to leave it ajar in the doorframe for ease of Nora’s entry into the meager apartment. Mildly nervous, Henri busies her anxious hands with glasses, preparing ice water for them both. She hadn’t hit up the local liquor store lately. Not for lack of time, but out of fear.
She sets the glasses down on the coffee table, and waits on the couch, glancing idly at her nails.
Henri the amount of strength, grace, and spirit you’ve shown in the past month is remarkable and I love you all the more for it. I’m glad you let me be by your side and I don’t think I can tell you enough how much I love you. I’m proud to be yours, in a way that I hope you’re proud to be mine. Congratulations.
Honey, honey, honey shhhhh.
Right now, all I want is to go celebrate with you...in our bedroom!
