Derek falls towards Aria's side, breathing heavily. Skin covered in sweat.
Derek collapses beside her, chest heaving, skin glistening with sweat and the faint shimmer of supernatural heat still radiating between them. His breath comes in ragged gasps—more than exhaustion. This is something deeper.
The bond.
It's not just awakened.
It's surging.
Every nerve ending hums like it's been rewired, every heartbeat echoing hers as if their blood has decided to run on the same rhythm. His hand finds hers instinctively—fingers lacing together without thought—and when she turns to look at him, even in the dim light, he sees it: Her eyes are brighter now. The gold more defined—no longer just flecks or shadows… But a glow that pulses gently with each beat of her heart. Like stars syncing to his moon.
Derek stares at her, voice raw and trembling: "I didn't mean for this… I tried… so hard… not to want you…"
Aria lifts their joined hands, pressing his against her lips. "You don't have to apologize," she whispers: "For being mine."
Derek closes his eyes as her lips graze his skin, chest constricting painfully. It feels so right to touch her, but he knows he can't let his guard down now, even if he wants too. He takes a deep breath, eyes still shut—trying to find the words: "I… need to warn you…"
She presses her lips against his, to shush him up. Aria pulls away, "Don't spoil the moment with insignificant details." Aria sandwiched his cheeks in between her palms and looks Derek straight in the eyes. "And even if it turns out that you're the Dracula himself, I won't run away."
His lip's part—to argue? Explain? But her hands cradle his face gently, thumb tracing his cheek, and he can't look away… He searches her eyes instead—something tender rising in his own to meet hers.
When he speaks again, his voice is a low rasp of sound—like something cracked open in his chest: "You… would stay?"
"Without hesitation."
The words send a shudder through him—pain, disbelief—almost relief. Derek closes his eyes as her thumbs move in slow, gentle strokes along his jaw.
He lets out a breath, voice low in the quiet darkness: "Even if it puts you in danger?"
"Even if it puts me in danger... You'll be there to catch me when I fall, and I think the ground would be at a misfortune, seeing how it would never get lucky enough to scrape me." Aria said with a soft smile.
He lets out a low, rough laugh, opening his eyes again to find hers. The sound is edged with something like wonder. "God, you're a stubborn little troublemaker." He reaches up, fingers brushing against her jawline—almost in disbelief that she's real. "You should run far away from me."
"From this."
His breath catches as her eyes meet his—almost as if her gaze itself is burning into him. "So why the hell are you not?"
"Because being with you... I feel complete."
His heartbeat stutters slightly—but when he answers, his voice is rough with the truth. "You have no idea… what that does to me, princess."
"Then how about we jump into a second round, and you show me?" She asked teasingly.
Derek's eyes darken, a shiver of need running through him at her words. The air around them crackles—the bond surging in response. His fingers tighten on her hip instinctively, anchoring himself.
"Careful…" He murmurs, "You're playing with fire."
"And I'd like to get burned... by you..."
His breath hitches—and then he's hauling her against him, rolling them over in one swift movement until she's pinned beneath him. His eyes rake over her hungrily as he leans in, bracing both hands on either side of her head.
"You're already going to burn, princess…" He growls low. By your own damn desire, Derek added in his own mind.