Solace

Noah's teeth pressed together lightly around her flesh, biting ever so slightly. Then his lips departed from her neck, and shifted back down to her breasts. He had left his mark on her. Noah buried his face in her breasts as shudders racked through his physique, causing an espicially loud groan to erupt from his parted lips. He barely felt it as Teanna's fingers trailed down his back, for he still focused on thrusting into her. This need...

Noah's thrusts alas slowed, which would cause Teanna to gradually slide lower on the wall. Noah rubbed his cheeks against her breasts, once more planting his seed inside her. He knew that women could get pregnant from such actions, but it never occurred to him that he could get Teanna pregant. That was rather strange. Perhaps he pushed the knowledge to his subconscious without realizing it, or .. maybe he just didn't know he could. Alas, his thrusts stopped, and Noah's body gave a violent spasm.

-Teanna's arms were wrapped loosely around him by the time, the water washing over their body, she'd just noticed it was still turned on. She lifted a foot and with her toes, she turned off the water, laying there with him in the tub. Silence, utter silence. She had blocked every sound from her mind except the words she so very much wanted to tell him. Her lips parted, and she moistened them with her tongue, then as silently as she could she cleared her throat. "I love you... Noah..."

Teanna whispered, her eyes closing in disbelief that she had admitted it to him. Her arms dropped to her side, and her heart pounded in her chest. She didn't want to lose him, but she feared that her words would push him away from her.

Noah liked the sound of silence. He valued it. .. and yet he feared it. He remembered the silence as they locked him away, in the dark. The silence that filled him with dread. He hated the silence. But this one is different. It's the type of silence where you lay against someone, safe and cozy.. Noah's arms came around her body when Teanna whispered those four words to him. He held her against him, and he whispered softly into her ear, "...I love you."

Noah felt Teanna's heart, beating rapidly. Is she nervous, or just aroused? He started to sit up, with his arms around her to help her up gently. He was learning tenderness, learning to love... These lessons should not end. He didn't want to be what he once was. Staring into Teanna's eyes, Noah brushed his lips against her cheek. "..You taught me, to love." His mind was made up. He knew what he had to do.

-Teanna took in a deep breath as she heard his words, and her whole body grew weak. Thank God for his arms around her, otherwise she would have fallen. No. Otherwise, she wouldn't have even been able to get up! As she got out of the tub, she slowly bent over picking up the towel, surprised that she didn't fall over. Teanna then looked back up to him and she shook her head. "I didn't teach you anything, Noah. You already know how to love, we all do, we just need someone to love."

She wrapped the large towel around both of their bodies,keeping it up with her hands against his back. Her head was against his chest, listening to his heart-beat. She had never been this close to him before, he had never allowed her, he had never allowed himself. But now, now she didn't want to be parted from him. Teanna looked up to him with a small smile and leaned up to press her lips against his chin. "Aren't you tired?" She asked curiously, watching him with sleepy eyes.

Noah blinked, staring blankly at Teanna at her words. Did he know how to love before? Now that Noah thought about it, out of everyone he knew, the only one he truly cared much for is Camile. But that's a different kind of love. I love Teanna. Repeating this in his mind, Noah knew it to be true. He had been attracted to her for her intrepid personality, and the kind hospitality she offered him. The large cloth wrapped around their bodies, and he held her tight against him. Won't let go.. He pushed himself up with a palm to the tub, standing. Holding Teanna against him as he did so, his lips grazed along her eyebrow. "Lets ..." He hesitated, "Talk." He never said that to someone before. Normally, when Noah wants to speak to someone regarding an important business, he just brings up the topic. Having bottled up his history and feelings for so long, Noah had trouble with expressing how he felt.

He kept the length of himself inside her, carrying Teanna out of the bathroom with him. Their bodies were damp, pressed tight together. Reaching the bedroom that Teanna had shown him earlier, Noah put her on the bed, laying down ontop of her. He didn't want to get out of her. Noah loved the feeling of himself inside her, the warmth and pleasure. He wanted to keep himself there as long as he could. Arms around her frame, Noah rolled off of Teanna, then just as quickly pulled her ontop of him. There was a brief silence as Noah tugged the blankets up around them.

"How can you love me?" How can you love what you don't know?

At hearing his words, a strange fear gripped her. Before, she had been quite comfortable with the idea of sharing her life story to him, because on way or another, he always ran off. And that time he left her, he had even forgotten her! So... The idea that he would know what she went through, and what she did, was quite comforting considering that he would forget. But now, now that he was here, with her, loving her. He loved her. And she loved him. And that made it so much more complicated.

She was glad he kept himself inside her, but she wouldn't give herself to him again. Not that she didn't want to, she could have made love to him all night, but she was so very tired. Teanna lowered her body against his, laying her head against his chest. She wanted to fall asleep. Lay there, sleep, and wake up to find him holding tightly on to her, so tight she could not move away. Be with him, forever. Teanna closed her eyes, laying there in silence, even though he had asked her a question. After a few moments, Teanna's lips parted, and she spoke "How could I not love you? You didn't let me in..I know that. You didn't tell me the complete truth about you, but nor did you lie. But everything you did for me, Noah, you saved my life twice, you put me back on my feet. That made me thankful. And then, your embraces, the small gestures. That made me like you. And then, what you meant to say but could not,yet your eyes gave away... That, made me love you."

Noah thought of his past, and he knew he wanted to share it with her. But where to start? There's so much, just so much pain. He glanced down at her for a moment, staring at her face. He would have to leave sooner than he had expected, to settle some matters first. How would he able to tell that to her, after penetrating her, twice? Noah had ran away from her twice already. Would she forgive me if I disappeared again?

His fingertips stroked her hair, and he felt .. comfortable, as if he belonged there. Home. She's my home. A strange thought, indeed, but it made sense once a person thinks deeper into it. He was holding her tightly, craning his neck to kiss her forehead, before leaning back to relax. Noah's still new to this affection showing thing, but he liked it. He was warming up to the notion of being so close to her, holding her tight. Then Teanna's words made Noah pause to listen, and his eyes closed briefly. He didn't know how to tell her, but he knew he had to. Time...

"...Teanna, by tomorrow, I must go again. Give me some time, I'd be back. I will tell you all you want to know when I do." Noah's eyes were opened, gazing down at her. Is she angry? Hurt? Disappointed? Noah cupped a hand under her chin, tilting her head upwards so that his lips forced themselves on hers. He wanted to kiss her, just once more at the very least before he had to go. It would be months before he can return, and this time, he knew he'd yearn for her even more than he did before. Just one more kiss...

-Teanna smiled as she felt his fingers passing through her hair, it felt so nice, having someone to love, to trust, to be with. Maybe... Maybe she'd have a chance at the happily-ever-after family thing, anyway. But, she wasn't sure if he was a family person. It had taken him so long, so long to acknowledge the fact that she was more to him than just a friend. Her fingers traced idly along his chest, enjoying the feel of his skin.

And then his words washed over her, he'd be leaving again. He said...he said he'd stay for a few weeks. He'd told her he'd stay. Teanna's eyes filled with tears, she wanted to hit him again, but as he kissed her she gave in completely. Her lips moved against his, but in a few moments she pulled away. Her whole body hurt, and she wanted to cry. No, no, he'd just.. he'd just come to her, he'd just opened up, and now..now he was leaving her. Leaving her again. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right!

Her hand curled into a fist and she slammed it against his chest, then looked up to him with evident pain in her eyes. "I don't care about your past, Noah! I just want to be with you, now, present and future!... Please don't go away... Please.." Her eyes stung, the familiar feeling when you hold back tears that are meant to be shed. Teanna closed her eyes and dropped her head back against his chest. "Don't go..."

Noah noticed the tears that filled Teanna's eyes, and his hand would lift. Fingers stretching out so that the tips traced along her cheek, ready to wipe away Teanna's tears if any did shed. He was kissing her, as long as he possibly could. Noah made sure that he would remember the taste of her lips. It would have to last him a few months. Then Teanna pulled away from him, and he wanted to continue kissing her. But ... she punched him. Noah hadn't expected it, but it didn't hurt anyhow.

Noah flipped Teanna back over to lay ontop of her, gripping her by the wrists to pin her down against the bed. "Just a few months, Teanna." He couldn't just drop his responsibilities and be with her. Some things need to be settled first. His lips pushed itself back on hers, then pulled away as her head rested against his chest. "I will be back at all costs." Noah squeeze her wrists lightly, kissing the top of her head. He would only have tonight left to spend with her. Tonight. "Trust me." Noah almost sounds as if he's begging, and perhaps he is. He didn't want to let her go after all they experienced together. Noah remembered the joy she gave him, the anger, sadness, and even the yearning of separation. He would not abandone her forever.

-Teanna couldn't stand to hear another word, but she knew he had to. Sadly, that thought didn't do any good at all. A tear trickled down the side of her cheek and she turned her head, wiping the tear against the sheets since her hands were pinned. Teanna took a few deep breath, staring off at the wall on her right, counting the dots on it. She had to calm herself down. "I...Do trust you." She whispered hoarsely. And then she rolled him off of her and sat up, pulling her knees up against her chest. She leaned her chin against her knees and sighed. "Will you be leaving in the morning, or... sometime during the night?"

Teanna turned her head towards him, but at the sight of him she felt more tears streaming down her cheeks. "Noah..." Teanna whispered and threw herself back against him, her arms wrapping tightly around him, as tight as she could.

She's crying. These thoughts sifted through Noah's mind, soaring through like clouds in the sky. His mind can be so crazy sometimes, with his thoughts bouncing in a frenzy. At other times, they're so peaceful, like a fish in the wide, blue ocean, or clouds in the indigo sky. Leaning down to kiss near the corner of her eyes, Noah hoped to kiss away the tears. Then Teanna had pushed him off of her, and he sighed, feeling himself slide out of her. Pulling a leg up, it bent at the knees as Noah's elbow would rest upon it. "I will leave in the morning."

Noah opened up his arms to Teanna when she threw herself back onto him. Embracing her in his strong arms, Noah's head rest above hers. "If I were to spend one night with you before I leave, I'd want to see you happy, smiling, and radiant." Noah remembered how different she was in the rain. She was brilliant, like a jewel in a storm.

"How am I supposed to be happy if I know I won't see you again for... For God knows how long?" She sniffled and looked up to him. She knew she wouldn't lose him, she knew he'd be back, yes, but, she wanted to be with him. Teanna wiped her eyes and took in another deep breath, she didn't like crying...She didn't like to be seen crying. Crying showed weakness, and she hated that. She didn't like to be seen as weak. It was enough of a pain that men considered women weak, she didn't want to give any proof to that statement.

She held tightly onto him, and the only thing that she had left to say was "I love you." Which she whispered softly, pulling herself up so that her lips may press against his once more. One more kiss, and another, and another, never to let them end. She moved her lips against his gently, and lifted her hand to brush her fingers along his cheek. She'd miss him. She'd miss him so very much.

"...You wouldn't know." Noah was afraid to give her an exact time. If he said he'd be back in three months, it might take longer. If he said he'd be back in a year, it'd worry her. So he chose to not give her an exact date. All he would promise is that he'd be back, as soon as he possibly could. Noah reached out, running his slender fingers through her blonde hair. These months would seem like an eternity to him, but when he come back .. if he come back, it'd be fine. No, he will be back, he knew. He had given Teanna his word, and his word's as good as gold.

"I love you." The way she said those three words to him, for some reason, it made his heart beat faster. It made him happy. Being with her like this made him feel complete. Brushing her hair aside, Noah laid back down, bringing the blanket over their bodies. His lips were moving with Teanna's gently, as if afraid to hurt her. She seemed so exhausted. He must've tired her, or something. Alas, his lips pulled away, "When I come back, welcome me with your cooking."

"Don't...Go off into the night, though.. Please? Let me wake up beside you, Noah...Please." Teanna whispered, begging him. Another sign of weakness, but she couldn't help it. For the fortieth time, the same thought hit her, she wanted to be with him. Just him. Only him. Forever him. She loved the sound of his voice, the way he told her he loved her, the way he'd spoken her name. "Would you like anything special for when you come back?" Teanna lifted herself, supporting herself on her elbows as she looked at him. Yes, she was tired, but she would stay up just a bit more, to watch him, to speak to him, to touch him, all for the last time in many months, or possible years.

Noah gave a slight nod at her .. begging. He curled up, in the usual position that he slept. "Whatever you like to cook best." He nodded, then closed his eyes. "Hum a melody?" Noah was tired, alas. He needed to rest, to sleep. He wanted Teanna to hum him something, her favorite little lullably, perhaps. That would ease his usual nightmares. Now that Camile's in his reality, he doesn't dream of her anymore. But those haunting dreams, oh, they still remain. "..Don't turn off the lights." Yes, that same, bizarre fear of the dark still exist in Noah.

His body relaxed, and he wanted to just sleep, with Teanna near him. He wanted to wake up tomorrow, with her beside him; to have her bare body warm his bed each morning. That's the life he wants to live from now on. She's given him a future. He has to hold onto it.

-Teanna nodded softly and she lifted her hand, tapping a finger against her lips. After quite a long silence, Teanna began humming a waltz, the same waltz that had haunted her for so very long. Yet it did not have the same effect on her, it didn't inspire all the fear that it did before. She would watch him sleep, or if not sleep then at least lay there before he slept. Her fingers would then pass through his hair, and her lips curled in a small smile. "Don't worry...The lights will stay on."

Teanna continued humming, both herself and him to sleep. She felt safe, the pain had went away, because she knew...She knew she would wake up beside him. She'd wake up in his arms, she'd wake up with his kisses, even though...even though he'd leave. He'd be back. She knew he'd be back.

Noah was sleeping, but he didn't dream. .. Well, maybe he did. He's not sure himself, but he swear he heard something like humming near him. Then there was a voice. It wasn't the voice of a woman's that would purposely speak softly to please a man. It was the voice of a genuine woman, one that he respected. With those thoughts in his head, Noah slept peacefully. He hadn't, for awhile.

Sunlight coruscated upon Noah's face, casting shadows with the assistance of his thick, long eyelashes. Morning. Noah's eyes flickered open, and he laid there in silence, adjusting his eyes to the sudden light. Then he shifted some in bed, ever so slightly. He felt slightly cold, and he knew he had no clothing on. Teanna?

-Teanna had gotten up early as usual, before the sun was really up and out. She glanced at him, as he lay asleep beside her, and she leaned over and whispered a soft "I love you." In his ear before kissing his cheek. Teanna got up and out of bed then dressed up, well...not really. She just put on a robe and walked downstairs. She hoped he could stay for breakfast, she was going to cook.

Teanna didn't want to make much, she could never eat a lot for breakfast, nor could she eat anything heavy, such as eggs and bacon. THere was too much oil in them, too much grease, too much harsh taste. So Teanna had made pancakes. Maybe he'd like them.

Noah's eyes were wide, and his hands scrambled along the bed, searching for Teanna. Not here. His heartbeat increased. Where is she? Getting up, he first checked the bathroom. Not here. But at least his pants are still there. It had dried overnight. Slipping on his pants, Noah trudged downstairs, without a shirt on. Where's that shirt?

Noah was downstairs, and first glanced towards where he had dropped his bag earlier. Then he saw Teanna in the restaurant area, and the scent of food filled his nostrils. She's cooking. Noah headed in that direction, brushing the silver hair from his eyes. "Teanna?" His whisper was soft, and those long fingers of his brushed lightly against the wall as he moved.

-Teanna had placed the pancakes into two plates and a few jams and sauces for the pancakes on a tray. Then she heard footsteps and immediately turned, she thought maybe someone had walked into the restaurant. But it was too early. And then she saw Noah's figure, moving towards the kitchen. Teanna smiled brightly, her whole face lit up in joy, and as soon as she set the plates back onto the counter top, she ran straight to him. And as she had done once before, she allowed her body to collide with his as her arms wrapped tightly around him. "Noah."

She looked up to him and quickly jumped up to press her lips passionately against his, an appropriate 'Good morning' kiss. "I hope you like pancakes." Teanna whispered against his lips, gazing into his eyes.

Noah grinned when Teanna's lips curved in that familiar, bright smile. Holding out his arms to her when she ran at him, their bodies collided. Arms closing around Teanna's figure, he whispered against her ear, "Teanna." Then she jumped up to press her lips against his, and he returned the kiss. He was unused to it, of course. This isn't his usual way of starting a morning. But he could get used to this. He wanted to get used to this, actually. This is his future.

"Yes, yes I must say I do." He whispered back at her, eyes coming alive with a passionate emotion. Noah reached over to trail a slender finger along a single strand of her hair, then he moved towards the table. "Eat with me?" One hand grasped hers, firmly, unwilling to let go.

-She was so happy, she felt as though she could move mountains and probably...run down the street and hug every person, even though they might hate her and her business. Oh well. Poor envy-filled snobs. "Well I'm glad you do, my love. Since..that's what we're having for breakfast." Teanna turned her head, looking at the tray with the plates and sauces. It did look good, and the few strawberries and cherries that she placed along the perfectly round pancakes made it all look even more delicious.

Teanna turned back to smile at him as he took her hand. "I do need my other hand though, the tray's too heavy for me to carry with just one." Teanna grinned at him and turned to look back at the tray.-

My love. Noah liked how she said that to him. He turned, sharp eyes flicking towards the tray with the plates and sauces. It seems she worked hard on it. Noah hesitantly released her hand, then stepped closer. "Let me help you." Noah moved towards the tray, reaching out to grasp the edge of the tray, but paused before his hand could actually grip it. What if the tray is hot?

Noah glanced towards Teanna, waiting for her cue. His eyes traveled swiftly up her body, of which is covered by the robe. Noah remembered last night. He hadn't felt so alive since .. well, since forever. It seems that Teanna had a way of awakening something in him. Something that's hidden away, concealed under his disciplined emotions.

-Teanna smiled brightly at his offer. She nodded her head, "Thank you." Teanna then walked over to the cabinet beside him and pulled out some cutlery then walked towards the table. No, she wouldn't be sad. It was stupid to be sad and miss out of the fact that she still had him with her for a few more minutes or hours... Hours sounded better. Noting the fact that he was looking at her, she remembered that she was only wearing a robe, and she felt a bit embarrassed. But... He seemed to like the fact that her bare body was only covered by a flimsy robe.

Teanna then sat down at a table, placing the utensils on the napkins and waiting for him with the plate. It felt nice, it... it sort of felt like... he was more than just... What were they any way? Yes, she'd told him she loves him, and he had said the same, but..where did that leave them? What were they?

Grasping the edge of the tray firmly, Noah picked it up and followed Teanna towards the table. Setting down the plate at the table, Noah sat down on a chair beside Teanna "Finish the story you started before?" Noah wanted to hear it. It would be something to think of when he left. It would ease the fact that he'd long for her, for her touch, for her voice, for her. The story seemed significant to Teanna, and so Noah wanted to hear it.

His hand crept out, digits curling around her wrist loosely. Noah brushed the flat of his thumb smoothly along the inside of her wrist, then he spoke up, "Thank you." He turned his eyes on her, gazing intently. He would have to remember that face, each single detail. Each, single, detail...