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

[tiltingwithlips]

"!!"

Her hand slides up from his cheek to tangle in his hair, as if to keep her anchored.

[valiantrebel]

Is that good? That -- seems good? Because he's pleased, certainly, and everything below the waist feels quite good.

Maybe some repetition?

[tiltingwithlips]

Her breath comes in gasps, surprised but certainly not displeased. And he's right: it does get easier, slowly but surely. She starts to loosen her grip on his hair and shoulder -- and there, there's a moan.

[valiantrebel]

There, was it?

He slows down, draws it out at the crest of the roll -- and much to his own surprise, is moaning himself.

A good spot, apparently.

[tiltingwithlips]

Oh, a very good spot. She arches her neck, tipping her head back against the bed.

So much for loosening her grip. At least now it's because she wants him closer.

[valiantrebel]

What the lady wants, the lady will get. Particularly because Harry wants every possible inch of her skin on his, as long as they both can keep this up.

Their noses are nearly touching when he laughs and threads his fingers through her hair. "And you wanted to sleep."

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate blinks up at him, and then bursts into giggles.

"But I was younger then, love -- ah -- you must forgive me my folly."

[valiantrebel]

He actually has a joke on the tip of his tongue -- but it's cut off by the absolutely amazing something that just happened when she giggled. In the moment before he can respond, he totally unschools his face, brow knitted and jaw slack.

"...God's me, I'll forgive anything, my lady!"

[tiltingwithlips]

His face is not making it easier for her to stop laughing, you know.

[valiantrebel]

Oh, because she's so dignified?

Don't mind that goofy grin he's wearing, he'll just be over here, kissing along her neck and seeing what happens if he speeds up a little.

[tiltingwithlips]

Her dignity is beyond reproach!

She winces a little at the first change of speed, but relaxes as she exhales. His lips on her neck help a great deal.

[valiantrebel]

He's more than content to keep them there, but he'll still make forays elsewhere, over her throat, along her jaw, down her collarbone.

His hand is wandering too, along the dip at her side and over toward the small of her back.

[tiltingwithlips]

Inhaling, she arches her back beneath him -- and then gasps at the way it changes the sensation.

"Oh, love."

[valiantrebel]

Words are not his first instinct right now, not here between her thighs. He hopes he'll be forgiven that, and that a rapturous smile and how he needs her lips will do for an answer.

[tiltingwithlips]

Groaning against his mouth will probably serve as a reply on her part, then, no?

[valiantrebel]

A marriage is all about communication, after all.

Well, and perhaps the desperate, involuntary noises he's making as the wash of sensation, of heat and body and Kate, starts to build toward overwhelming him.

[tiltingwithlips]

Confusing and unfamiliar as this may be, she likes it. Wrapping her arms around him, she grips his hair and holds him close.

[valiantrebel]

Ah, that pull -- he twists his head, just enough so that she's tugging a little more.

"Ah -- Kate -- by God, love--"

He can't be held responsible for anything he says, or possibly does, so close as he is.

[tiltingwithlips]

Oh, she'll hold nothing against him.

Except, you know, herself?

[valiantrebel]

Good thing, because he needs the anchor.

Kate, don't be too shocked, but your lord husband is vocal when he comes. Very vocal.

And so, so happy.

[tiltingwithlips]

That is the least surprising aspect of this whole night.

Her breath catches as he comes; she can feel him inside her, feel him coming apart in her arms in a glorious way.

[valiantrebel]

Even Harry Percy will go quiet after giving voice to all that. And maybe even a little docile.

It's lovely, this moment, catching his breath and close as two people can be. If they can just stay here, just like this, not even separated yet...

[tiltingwithlips]

Panting a little herself, she nuzzles his cheek.

"My lord?"

[valiantrebel]

He smiles, and reaches to stroke her cheek.

"Yes, my lady?"

[tiltingwithlips]

She smiles back up at him, automatically.

"Art well?"