with this ring, I thee wed

[tiltingwithlips]

Man and wife.

They are at last man and wife, he hers and she his -- the Lord and Lady Percy.

It has been quite a day.

When the festivities are finally done, they have burned a great many candles, eaten a great deal of food, danced many a dance. Elizabeth is the one who finally takes Harry's hand, covering a yawn, and tugs him towards the door of the hall. The remaining guests raise a cheer and a cup as the couple head upstairs to their rooms.

Kate leans on Harry as they ascend the stairs, loose-limbed and smiling from exhaustion.

Comments

[valiantrebel]

The smile he gives her is a bit abashed. "I must stick with my sword, it seems."

[tiltingwithlips]

"So much, I have heard, is the task of every man and wife."

[valiantrebel]

His expression turns amused. "Did I just hear such a jest from thee?"

[tiltingwithlips]

"I am not deaf," she says dryly. "Art thou?"

[valiantrebel]

"How's that? I heard thee not."

[tiltingwithlips]

She hits his shoulder again, giggling.

[valiantrebel]

"Ow!" That's bare skin, Kate! More teasing than indignant, of course. He grins again and leans in -- leans toward the bed, in fact.

Why are they standing? That's not what bedrooms are for.

[tiltingwithlips]

She can agree with that!

Although the transition from standing to sitting on the bed is a little awkward, since she tries to keep holding onto him while hesitating between standing and sitting. Laughing, she ends up on the bed, pulling her stockinged feet up onto the covers.

[valiantrebel]

Wait, was he fumbly and bashful a minute ago? Because this is just giddy-making. He climbs up beside her, laughing himself, and plants his hands on either side of her hips.

[tiltingwithlips]

Her breath catches a little, for no reason she can really define; she lifts her hand to his cheek to trace the line of his jaw.

[valiantrebel]

It's not instinct that has him keep his eyes on hers; he wants to.

The feeling of her on him, however light--

Oh, he wants her.

The kiss just happens, but he certainly plans to dip his finger under the hem of one stocking, at the top of her thigh.

[tiltingwithlips]

Well, this time, she knows why her breath catches. She makes a faint sound of surprise against his mouth and wraps her hand around the back of his neck, bracing her other hand against the bed.

[valiantrebel]

He breaks the kiss to smile. "Wait until we begin," he says, low in his throat, thick as thieves.

He moves his hand up her side, to the side of her ribs, and swipes his thumb over her breast, her nipple, just light enough.

[tiltingwithlips]

"Oh--"

Too light, if you ask her -- it tickles. She arches her back without thinking, dropping her eyes to watch his hand.

[valiantrebel]

The added pressure on the next pass is more accidental than anything else. That said, the fact that she's watching means he feels like this should be more of a show.

"Do you ever do this?"

[tiltingwithlips]

"Do what?" she breathes, glancing up at his face.

[valiantrebel]

"What else? When thou'rt alone..."

Now his thumb's moving in small circles.

[tiltingwithlips]

Her cheeks were already flushed; they go a little pinker now.

"My lord--"

[valiantrebel]

He stops, knitting his brow faintly. "Do you not like that?"

[tiltingwithlips]

"Nay -- that is, I do, my lord--" She licks her lips. "Don't stop."

[valiantrebel]

Very well. He can feel how hard her nipples have gone, which is—lovely. Fascinating. He watches her face, her lips. "I've still no answer from thee."

[tiltingwithlips]

Firm: "I have never done this before, Harry."

So there.

[valiantrebel]

"I did not mean this!"

He knows that much.

He lifts the hand by her hip and splays it over her thigh. "I only wonder what it is you like, and whether you know of it yet."

Girls are not boys, though. Maybe they're not driven to find out?

Oh Harry.

[tiltingwithlips]

She bites her lip and loops one arm around his neck to keep him close.

"I tell thee, my lord -- my Harry -- that I like thee."

[valiantrebel]

"As much, I pray, as I like thee." There's no sense in being so close without another kiss.

Then: "I'll trust thee as thou shalt trust me." He slips one hand behind her back: shall they lie down?

(It must needs be said, because he's starting to feel a little constrained.)