I Adore You

Nestled amongst the blankets, one hand propped under his head and the other gently resting against the man next to him, Loveless awoke. He knew that he should get up. However, the concept of leaving his warm bed to stand in his cold house to enchant for a few hours was far from tempting. And, for once, he had slept quite well, free from the troubling dreams that bordered on nightmares that plagued most of his nights. The covers moved next to him. 

"Probably still reading," Loveless groggily thought. 

He barely opened his eyes and, carefully shifting to make it seem like he was still fully asleep, readjusted his position so he could gaze at Barnabas in secret. The white haired elf was still fully engrossed in his book despite it being hours into the night, unbothered by the low amount of light the now dying fire gave off. His fingers occasionally tapped the cheap paper cover as he mouthed out words and names Loveless knew he would have difficulty pronouncing if he were to speak them aloud. Loveless' heart ached with fondness, what a beautiful man. 

With a fake yawn, Loveless stretched and sat up.

Barnabas jumped slightly. He closed the book, keeping mark of his place with his finger between the pages. "Did I wake you?"

Loveless pressed a kiss against Barnabas' temple. "You didn't," He said as he nuzzled against him. Begrudgingly, Loveless slipped out of bed and slipped on his pale brown trousers and red smoking jacket he had left draped over his dressing table. "I'll be back in a few hours or so."

"I'll stay up for you," Barnabas replied with a grin.

Loveless chuckled. "I'm sure you will."

______

Loveless finished up the draft for the work he had been commissioned for, a simple layered enchantment that truthfully felt a little beneath him, and several small projects for himself. A good night's work all and all. He felt like he still had the energy to do more, but between his lover waiting for him in the other room and the chill in the air that made his fingers feel stiff, Loveless decided to call it for the day -or night rather. He washed his hands in the small basin of water he left perpetually filled in his office, taking care to remove the soot that magic liked to build up under one's nails, before heading back to bed. 

Loveless opened his bedroom door to find Barnabas crouched before the fire prodding it with the poker. "Did you finish your book?" 

Barnabas nodded as he shifted the coals in the hearth, stirring it back to life. "Yes."

Loveless undid the belt to his jacket and tossed the article of clothing over the back of a chair. "Was it any good?" 

"For what it was, yes." He stood, brushing his hands off Barnabas added, "This one at least ended happily."

"Oh, you don't enjoy last minute tragedy, my dear apothecary?"

Barnabas scoffed and crossed his arms in mock anger. "Absolutely not. I paid for romance." 

"Only a few cents, though," Loveless teased as he crawled back into bed.

Barnabas followed after him, laying down next to him and cuddling close. "That doesn't matter," he said as he tapped Loveless' boney chest. "I don't want a tragic ending, I want sweetness. I paid for sweetness."

Gently, Loveless took Barnabas' hand from off his chest and brought it to his mouth. "Like this?" He kissed the brand marks upon Barnabas' palm.

Barnabas giggled. "Exactly." 

Loveless wrapped his arms around Barnabas and pulled him on top of him, the man's body felt cold against him despite Barnabas' having been so close to the fire only moments before. "Have I told you how much I adore you?"

Barnabas pressed his face against the crook of Loveless' neck. "I could bear to hear it again."

"There isn't anyone in this world that I adore more than you, Barnabas, and I pray you feel the same about me."

Barnabas' face turned bright red. He pressed a kiss to the corner of Loveless' jaw. "I do. I can't imagine myself being anywhere but right here with you."