Hi all! There is sexy time in this story, of course, but also a lot of narrative so bear with me. The romantic in me couldn't waste the opportunity! Though the sub in me is even more excited for the next chapter, so that I can vicariously live out the perfect ending to Eric and Arya's D/s journey.
~Gaelen
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Arya was still in a funk by the end of her last day with Claire and Eric. She had never regretted the need to leave a place this intensely - even leaving home for the dreaded capital had been less depressing than this. But there was no alternative, and she tried to hide her feelings as best she could.
As she parted from the siblings for the night, her heart was in her throat. She desperately hoped that Eric would slip her another note. But his mood was pensive and he seemed distracted as he kissed her hand goodnight and left without any indication of initiating a final tryst.
Arya cried when she returned to her room, burying her face in her pillow and weeping for her loss. Not that she'd ever had Eric's love or commitment in the first place, but the knowledge that their separation was not only imminent, but apparently immediate, was devastating. She had been counting on one last night together, and her heart broke when the clock tolled midnight and he still hadn't come to her.
By one o'clock Arya was done waiting. She steeled her resolve, thinking,
if he won't come to me, I'll have to seek my own pleasure.
She knew she was being driven by emotional reasoning, that she might be intruding not only on his privacy but also flouting his intention to distance himself from her, but she was past caring. Her hopelessness had turned into recklessness, and she slipped quietly down the hall to his quarters. She was surprised to see light through the crack in the door and heard the sound of raised voices.
Arya cupped her hand to the door and listened.
"Stop being so stubborn!" Claire cried, her voice uncharacteristically angry. "Can't you see how foolish you're being?"
Eric grumbled a response that Arya couldn't hear, and Claire responded emphatically, "She loves you, you idiot!"
Arya's heart jolted with shock.
"And I KNOW you feel the same about her! Can you not admit that even to yourself!"
"I have!" Eric's voice cried, sounding frustrated, and loud enough for Arya to catch the words this time. She gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth. "Just stay out of it, Claire!"
There was a mumbled response and then footsteps. Arya panicked, hearing the steps draw close. She leapt behind the closest piece of furniture, knowing she wasn't entirely hidden but not knowing what else to do.
Luckily, Claire was fuming and distracted when she stormed out and Arya escaped detection.
She remained crouched there for several minutes, her mind racing and breath ragged with adrenaline and wonderment.
He loves me? ....
"He loves me," she breathed, beaming, tears forming in her eyes. Her reckless abandon turned to confidence and joy. No matter his reservations, she had heard all she needed to and she strode towards the door. She knocked softly, and heard Eric grumble and curse.
"What now, Claire?" he asked angrily as he jerked the door open. His mouth fell open as he took in Arya's flushed face. He blushed like a schoolgirl for the first time in their acquaintance and Arya grinned.
"May I come in?" she asked softly.
Eric ushered her in quickly, looking up and down the hall worriedly. He appeared speechless, and Arya felt awkward for a moment. She hadn't truly thought out a plan, and now that she stood in front of him she was overcome with nerves. Her hands shook, but his deep, blue eyes were shining with equally apparent nerves and that calmed her somewhat.
His breathing accelerated as Arya lowered her eyes and reached for his hand. He squeezed it and she brought it to her lips, kissing the palm and rubbing her face against it. His fingers caressed her cheek before moving to comb through her hair.
His grip tightened and he pulled her in for a kiss. It was hard and desperate, and Arya returned it with equal passion, wanting him to feel through her lips everything she was hoping she could gather the courage to voice. She pressed her body against his lithe form, loving how their shapes molded together.
She pulled back after several minutes, breathing hard as she held his head in her shaking hands, pressing their foreheads together. "I had hoped you'd come to me tonight," she admitted. He made a small noise in the back of his throat that sounded like regret or apology, and Arya continued, "but I understand why you didn't. And perhaps it's a mistake for me to have come to your door, but I couldn't bear leaving without a... proper goodbye."
Eric's hands moved slowly up her neck, causing shivers down her back, and he held her face just as tenderly. He was silent for a minute and Arya could practically feel the wheels turning in his head. "I'm sorry," he finally whispered.
"For what?" Arya asked, pulling back to meet his eyes.
Eric was mesmerized for a moment by the beauty of their almond shape, the delicate brows and straight nose, and kissed her deeply.
"For being a coward," he ruefully admitted. She could see the self-disgust in his eyes and stroked his cheek lovingly.
"You aren't a coward. You haven't broken any promise, you haven't done anything I haven't wanted or asked for. And despite how I feel about you," Arya added breathlessly, avoiding eye contact, "I wouldn't blame you or be offended if you asked me to leave right now."
Eric's fingers gently lifted her chin, his eyes searching hers as his lips pursed and a war raged inside him. Rather than voicing his thoughts, Eric drew her close and held her tightly, clasping her against his chest with a ferocity that almost squeezed the life out of her.
"How do you feel about me?" Eric asked softly, still clutching her to him.
Arya smiled against his chest and pulled back. "Now you
are
being a coward," she teased. He met her gaze, startled, and she added, "For making me say it first."
Recognition and shame flashed across his face. Before she could continue, he kissed her hard, his mouth claiming hers. She opened for him, allowing his tongue to dance with hers, returning his passion by suckling on his tongue and sucking his bottom lip into her mouth. They were panting into each others' mouths as they pulled back. Eric steeled himself.
"Iloveyou," he blurted out, too fast to understand. Arya looked at him, perplexed, and he took a deep breath. He felt as though his heart was about to beat out of his chest.
"I love you," he repeated softly, stroking her cheek.
Tears welled in Arya's eyes and she grasped his head in her delicate hands, staring into his eyes. "I love you, too," she replied hoarsely, a tear flowing down her jaw and dropping to the carpet.
Eric held her to his chest, his own eyes welling up with tears. He had never imagined that this moment could be so intimate, so incredibly vulnerable and precious. "I never want to let you go," he whispered. He held her tight and Arya radiated joy and warmth as he basked in her glow, never wanting to leave the light of her love.
"Does this mean-" Arya began, stopping as a blush spread over her cheeks.
"Does it mean what, honey bee?"
"Uhm," she tried again, looking nervous as he watched emotions flicker across her face. "Well, does it mean that we can now... do
that
?"
Eric let out a deep belly laugh, causing her frame to shake as he held her to him and kept laughing.
"You perverted little nymph," he teased. "And yes I will absolutely ravish you in every single hole, but first-"
He stepped back and walked towards his dresser, his heart in his throat as he drew out a small box. Arya's eyes went wide as he knelt before her. He laid the box on the floor and took her hands in his.
"Lady Arya, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"
"Aren't you supposed to ask for permission from the father, first?" Arya asked, almost too stunned by his proposal to know how to respond.