"I... have grown fond of you, you know. I do not know anyone who knows me quite like you do, Nathaniel. And by that, I mean that I am in love with you; entirely and unquestionably. Do what you will with my heart, but it shall always remain yours."
Nathaniel had not, truthfully, thought Fenris’ seriousness thatevening had been forewarning a confession, least of all one so poignant. It wasnot the first time someone had confessed their interest in him, but it was thefirst time someone had done it so directly, unflinchingly meeting his gaze andsomehow demanding his utmost attention. Then again, Fenris was hardly somemaiden blushing and stammering over a confession of teenage infatuation. Hiswords carried far more weight.
He dragged his tongue over his lips, not quite stalling butletting the elf’s words sink in while he determined the best way to respond.Alike though they seemed on the surface, it was times like these that acutely remindedNathaniel just how different they really were. He could have never bared hissoul in such a manner; a part of him squirmed at the very thought, demanding hequiet Fenris before the elf could continue to speak things no man should eversay out loud. But Fenris was his own man, and it was not his place to tell theelf how he was to express his feelings. His only obligation was to respond ashonestly as he was able.
The easiest answer was to reach across and take Fenris’hands in his, uncurling fingers from their tight fists and smoothing his thumbsover the thrumming pulse at the elf’s wrists. His heart was Nathaniel’s, wasit? He would have quirked an eyebrow at such sentiments from anyone else, buthe had found himself growing rather fond of the rawness of Fenris’ emotions andhis frank manner of expressing them.
“If it is mine forever then I suppose I ought to takeexcellent care of it.” He grasped the elf’s wrists more tightly so as to drawhim forward, reaching up with one hand to catch him by the back of the neckinstead. “Seeing as I am also rather fond of the one it beats for.”
