[werewolf AU] homeward bound

[tiltingwithlips]

The coronation is done -- and quite an event that was -- and true to his word, the new king Henry, the fifth of that name, provided all that the Percys needed for their journey north. In truth, they needed little; they came from Warkworth with hardly anything in tow, and return the same way.

But they do carry with them the security of the King's pardon, intangible (and if Kate is honest with herself, still somewhat dubious. Henry is sincere in wishing them to be allies, she is certain, but his subjects may not forgive so easily).

It's a few days ride to Warkworth. Kate has spent much of it in thoughtful silence. As they ride up to the castle gate, though, she lets out an audible sigh of relief.

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[tiltingwithlips]

She gives his head a little shake, laughing, and lets go as they finally reach their own room.

[valiantrebel]

Just as they left it.

There's an old, stale scent still in the room: theirs, Harry realizes. That's him from before.

It's not precisely as they left it, though: indeed, within the last hour, someone has very hastily come in and freshened up the sheets. Perhaps there was a reason so many met them in the halls.

He has to laugh, and holds his arm out with a grandiose gesture. "Your bower, my lady."

[tiltingwithlips]

The smell fills her nose, and it is home -- their clothes, their things, their scent from the years of chats and fights and love-making.

She pulls Harry after her as she enters, throws her arms around him, and kisses him.

[valiantrebel]

This -- this makes the world right at last. He pulls her close by the waist and doesn't rush the kissing.

[tiltingwithlips]

When the kiss breaks, Kate presses her face into the crook of his neck to inhale his scent, dogs and all.

[valiantrebel]

He closes his eyes and lets his neck bend forward, his lips coming to rest at the exposed skin on her shoulder. One breath. Two breaths. He brings one hand to her cheek, and strokes it with his thumb.

[tiltingwithlips]

"Didst thou not promise me a year?" she breathes.

[valiantrebel]

A kiss behind her jaw. "I'd call it a hundred, now that we are here."

[tiltingwithlips]

"Nay, promise no more than that thou canst give." She tips her head back, baring her throat. "But promise all thou canst and I'll promise thee the same."

[valiantrebel]

"Anything." A slow line of kisses over her throat. "Deed -- or breath -- or act -- 'tis thine." One finger lingers over the soft skin at her clavicle.

[tiltingwithlips]

One long, slow inhale, and a long sigh to match it.

She's had her fill of taking charge and wrestling for control, for the nonce. They're home and pardoned and safe, with no stripling king to teach or fight or worry over; she may lead or follow as she wishes and stop worrying about the consequences.

[valiantrebel]

Harry brings his mouth back to hers. Being here gives him patience. He can run his hands down over her sides, over her curves, under her thighs, and he can lift her up to his hips with hardly a break in his kisses.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate laughs, delighted, and wraps her arms around his neck.

[valiantrebel]

The bed is just there, but no need to put her down yet.

No need for so much clothing either, now that they're here. He pulls down the neck of her dress, not enough to ruin it, but certainly enough to expose unkissed skin.

[tiltingwithlips]

Sighing, she presses a kiss to his temple.

[valiantrebel]

He lets himself be kissed. The hand at her breast splays out; he presses his fingertips into her skin, feels her warmth, her solidness.

He takes his lips to her collarbone, and the space just beneath it.

[tiltingwithlips]

Her breath catches softly, goes out in another sigh that's just this side of a moan.

[valiantrebel]

He lifts his face to hers, eye to eye. Without looking away, he skims his fingertips over her face, along the lines of her cheekbones, across her lips.

[tiltingwithlips]

She closes her eyes, and her lips part as she inhales.

(She can't stop smiling when he touches her.)

[valiantrebel]

His own eyes light up. Before she can open hers, he moves in to kiss her again -- and to cross the space between here and the bed, so he might tip them both onto the sheets.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate opens her eyes with a startled laugh as she lands on top of him.

"Harry!"

[valiantrebel]

"Ah! My poor arms!" He runs his hands over her hips, grinning. "Have pity, if thou wilt not have mercy."

[tiltingwithlips]

"I may be merciful," she allows, cupping his face in her hands.

[valiantrebel]

"Wilt thou?" He pulls at her skirts, bunching them up so he might rub the backs of her thighs. "Even now?"

[tiltingwithlips]

Smirking, she leans down and kisses him again, long and warm.

Merciful enough?