Delilah felt dazed as she made her way down to breakfast, her throat raw and chest sore.

  She spent the entire night coughing up blood and her body had been covered in a thin layer of sweat. Plus her nerves were in a jumble after the little stunt Tom pulled. She realized he technically didn't do anything, but the slightest brush of his cheek to hers was enough to send her mind into a frenzy.

  Damn him.

  As she sat down at the table, Delilah noticed the girls were looking rather giddy at such an early hour. While the boys, save for Pyrrhus, looked miserable. "Why're you in such a good mood?" She asked Lolita, prodding at her food. She still had no appetite, she hadn't eaten a proper meal in nearly three days.

  "We start dancing lessons today, or more so rehearsal. Oh, it's going to be splendid." She clapped her hands together lightly, her tone airy as her brown eyes danced towards Cain. "And what's wrong with your voice? It's all croaky." Delilah shrugged, "allergies."

  She felt her lips tug down at the sides, she was in no mood to spin around a ballroom for hours at the rate her stamina was going. Simply walking down the stairs was winding her.

  "I promise not to step on your toes too much." Elio's voice mumbled into her hair before he pressed a kiss to her head. "Morning, how was your friend?" He asked and Delilah prodded at her food. "What?" He raised a brow at her as he bit into his breakfast. "In your letter, you said you were visiting a friend."

  She felt like smacking herself for forgetting. Delilah didn't want to lie to him, but she couldn't very well tell him she was meeting up with Dumbledore. That'd raise too many unwanted questions. "She was fine, I helped her with a little last minute gift shopping." Elio then smiled, his cheeks pushing out a bit due to the food he was eating. "Anything for me?"

  "Wouldn't you like to know?" She mused, happy to have a distraction from the person who just walked into the room.

  "Late night?" Abraxas chuckled. Despite her efforts, Delilah turned and felt her eyebrows rise at the site of Tom. He didn't look too awful, she was sure she looked much worse, but his appearance was far less put together than usual.

  There was just a twinge of purple under his eyes, the color more prominent due to his pale complexion. His typical neatly done hair was in messy waves and his tie was loose.

  Who was she kidding? He didn't look awful at all, in fact, she much more preferred him this way. Delilah felt like smacking herself yet again as she became acutely aware of Elio holding her hand.

  Tom barley spared a glance at Abraxas, but it was enough to wipe the smile off the blond's face. There was some truth to the boys words. He did have a late night, which resulted in him falling asleep at his desk around five in the morning.

  There was barely anything on the Deathly Hallows in the Avery library. Which he found ridiculous all things considered. He looked at Delilah then, and noticed she too looked rather dreadful. Her skin lost the warm glow, her eyes appeared to be sunken, and her lips were tinged red. He also noted how she was clearing her throat every few seconds.

  With a hand running through his curls a few times, his hair was back into a more presentable bravado. Waving his wand, his tie straightened and smoothed out, but the circles under his eyes remained.

  Delilah let a small sigh slip, she liked seeing him not put together.

  They entered the ball room, the tile was an inky black and stretched out, taking in the golden light of the many massive chandeliers. The walls were high and lined with golden framed mirrors, and the ceiling held a large fresco of couples waltzing.

  Underneath them with their fine heels and boots, Delilah felt like they were treading over her as if she was nothing but dirt.

  There was an old, stern looking man standing in the middle of the room. He had a long nose, receding black hair, and pert lips. "You and you." He snapped his fingers as he pointed at Pyrrhus and Lolita. "But I'm with Cain," she began but the old man leered at her and she begrudgingly made her way towards Pyrrhus. "Oh don't look too happy." He gave her a satiric smile as she looped her arm with his, nostrils flaring.

  "You and blondie." The man snapped his fingers at Abraxas and Aurora, the couple smiling in relief.

  Next the man snapped his fingers at Delilah and she felt Elio's grip tighten on her arm. Her heart sank as his eyes drifted towards Tom. "And you."

  "Fuck." She muttered. The look of amusement that flickered in his dark eyes made her feel like she couldn't walk properly.

  Could that actually happen? Could a person forget how to walk? As she made her way towards him, it all felt wrong. She felt wrong. Her legs felt too heavy, and they felt like they were bending the wrong way. Her steps either felt too short, or her stride too long.

  What was wrong with her?

  Despite her trouble, she managed to find herself barely a foot in front of him. "Good morning." He greeted, an easy smile on his lips. She raised a brow but had to quickly turn away to stifle a cough. After a few seconds of aggressively trying to clear her throat of a copper taste, she turned back to him with rosy cheeks.

  "Sorry." Delilah wasn't exactly concerned with the notion she was coughing up blood, mostly just annoyed. It was highly inconvenient. Before Tom could reply, the doors swung open and in stepped about half a dozen more people.

  Delilah blinked, they seemed to be about her age, maybe a little older. And all in such fine robes, one girl wore deep red silk, it could've been mistaken for blood. One boy however, caught her attention.

  He wore dark blue robes with fine bronze embroidery dancing along the cuffs. He was dark skinned, high cheekbones, and had warm brown eyes that seem to light up in the golden hue of the room. There was a small quirk to his lips that gave him a boyish charm and she stilled when his eyes landed on her.

  And then he was walking towards her.

  Absentmindedly, Delilah began to fix her hair and she turned to Tom. "Is there anything in my teeth?" She smiled widely and Tom quirked a brow, suddenly taking note of not only how some of her bottom teeth were crooked, but the flush that was crawling up her neck.

  His eyes danced towards the form making his way to them and something seemed to drop on his shoulders, nearly crushing him. He looked back at Delilah who was smoothing down her hair.

  "Fixing your hair would be a fruitless attempt, Pontmercy."

  She glowered at him, but it quickly melted into a smile as the boy finally neared, stopping about five feet away. "Riddle." He nodded his head once at Tom, whom only gave a slight bow of his head. "Eques." There was a hidden clip to his tone that went unnoticed, by all except Delilah of course.

  Her eyes flickered between the two, chewing on her lip in slight disappointment. "You two know each other?"

  "Sadly," he laughed and turned towards Delilah, holding out a hand. "I'm Aleksander Eques, I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting, Miss?" She placed her hand in his and he brought it to his lips, placing a feather light kiss to her knuckles.

  Tom nearly let his lip curl at the slight shiver Delilah gave at the contact.

  Sadly they knew each other, indeed. Aleksander was an insufferable git who stuck his nose in places where he didn't belong. And always the ramblings of the 'greater good', it was utter nonsense. Thankfully, Tom only ever saw him at events such as these.

  "Delilah Pontmercy."

  Tom's cheek twitched at the blush pooling in her cheeks.

  "Is that an accent I detect? Do you mind me asking where you're from?" She asked, her body leaning towards him.

  Tom suddenly felt severed off, disconnected from her, and he hated it. He was usually her sole focus, she only ever got that flustered around him, and it felt off that her attention was now aimed elsewhere.

  He felt misplaced, and that didn't settle well with him in the slightest.

  As if some deity heard his thoughts, the old man snapped his fingers at Aleksander and led him away to partner with a girl with fiery red hair. "May we talk again later." He winked before walking off, and Tom felt that weight lift off his shoulders. Only slightly.

  "Well, he seemed lovely." She mused, her eyes lingering on the boy's retreating form before looking at Tom. "What?" There a gleam in his eye that she hadn't seen before, she couldn't place it.

  "I must admit, it's so amusing watching you make an attempt at courting." His tone had a bite despite his efforts, but he let his lips quirk at the sight of her eyes widening. That lovely blush deepening in her cheeks.

  He could accept that blush, for he was the one who caused it. "And I must say," he leaned in close and Delilah's breath caught in her throat. Flashes of last night arose.

  He was so close.

  Burnt wood, parchment, cigarettes.

  "What would dear Rosier think? Seeing you in such a flustered state and all caused by another man?"

  His breath warmed the side of her face and she felt like smacking him. But he was right. What the hell was she doing?

  She had a boyfriend for Merlin's sake.

  Her eyes flickered around the room and saw Elio was arguing with Olive on foot placement.

  "I've no idea what you're on about." It was a rather lame response, but she couldn't think straight. Tom raised a brow at her response before turning to their apparent dance instructor. The sudden urge to punch him in the ribs was strong, but Delilah forced herself to face front.

  "Good morning, my name is Adonis and I'll be coordinating these rehearsals." The old man quipped, his voice echoing off the walls. "Form two rows, partners facing each other, men on the left, women on the right."

  The group did as told, and Delilah found herself standing five feet across from Tom. He didn't appear too thrilled to be there, and she was sure he'd rather be hexing someone or something into oblivion. Or something worse.

  She shivered as she thought of Katerina's back.

  No, she didn't know if Tom was responsible for that. Innocent until proven guilty, she had to remember that. Although, as she thought about how Tom nearly pushed her off a tower to plummet to her death, how innocent could he be?

  Adonis walked through the two rows, back straight and chin held high, his eyes scrutinized each and everyone of them. He stopped in front of Delilah, a judgemental glint flickered across his features as he looked her over. "And you are?"

  She glanced at Lolita to find her stifling a laugh at her predicament. "Delilah Pontmercy, sir." Was she supposed to curtsy? It felt like that's what he was expecting. "And do you know the workings of Regency dancing, Miss Pontmercy?"

  A scowl nearly made its way to her lips. His belittling tone made her feel like an incompetent five year old. She wanted to say yes, of course she knew. But learning how to dance hasn't ever been one of her priorities, and lying would only make a fool of herself.

  "I've never had the chance to learn." Her voice was clipped as Delilah locked eyes with Tom, who seemed to be enjoying her embarrassment.

  "Clearly," Adonis said. He sighed and looked at Tom, "I trust you can handle this?" Was she dreaming or was there a hint of respect shown as he addressed Tom? Delilah bit at her lip, she knew he was popular at school, but it never occurred to her he might actually have a name for himself outside of Hogwarts.

  Which was stupid of her. Of course he'd create a title for himself, he had to build up the right reputation if he ever wanted to succeed. His ambition was a strong fist that seemed to motivate everything he did.

  Tom tilted his head down, "of course, sir." His dark eyes landed back on Delilah. As amusing as it would be to watch her stumble along and fail, his patience could only wear so thin. Hopefully her dancing wasn't as dreadful as her singing.

  Their instructor walked through the steps a few times, taking full pleasure in offending Delilah at any given moment. After nearly an hour, Adonis clapped his hands and music started playing, a nice orchestral tune that went in step with their moves.

  Delilah mentally counted the rhythm so she would know when to start. Her palms were sweating and she wiped them impatiently on her robes. Why was she nervous?

  It was only Tom she was dancing with, and it wasn't necessarily romantic. Plus there's witnesses if he decided to pull anything. Which he probably wouldn't, he was many things, but an idiot was not one of them.

  A chord struck on an invisible violin, the beautiful sound echoing off the marble floors and everyone stepped forward.

  Delilah felt her heart pick up pace as she watched Tom grow near, his right arm out and she placed her hand in his as they walked in a circle. It felt strange touching him, a notion she realized was highly uncommon. Sure, they've come into contact before.

  For instance, when she nearly passed out in his arms and he had to carry her. When he pinned her to a wall. When they helped each other walk to the infirmary after their duel. When he took off her socks. When he held her chin. When she held onto him after almost falling to her death. And just last night, when his cheek lightly grazed hers.

  But this was different, this was intentional by both parties and strangely enough, it felt normal.

  It almost felt right.

  They continued with the steps, Delilah only fumbling a little as she walked around Olive to join Tom again. He took her hand in his as they turned, taking two steps forward, then back. "May I ask a question?" His voice was almost drowned out by the music and the others light chatter.

  She wanted to say no, or something more snarky, but she knew he'd ask anyway. Delilah nodded as they stepped away from each other and paused as another couple walked around them before joining back together. "What else do you know about the Deathly Hallows?" Tom felt her body stiffen beside him, but she thankfully kept dancing. "Are you still on that? It's just a fairytale Riddle."

  A pang of worry shot through her stomach but she couldn't identify the source. "Enlighten me then." He chided as he stepped around a girl from the new group. Delilah didn't miss the way the blonde's eyes followed Tom's form.

  She had to admit, he looked more stoic than usual and all the more alluring. His clothes fit his form well and the golden light of the room seemed to seep into his skin. He was practically glowing with mischief and charm.

  Delilah debated with herself as Tom led them down the line, weaving between others with graceful steps.

"Which of the hallows would you like to know about?" A sigh left her lips, she felt weak for giving in so easily. But Tom would no doubt press her further until he got what he wanted.

  The Elder wand was his main concern, but there was no need to be so obvious. "The cloak of Invisibility is a strange one. There are many means of obtaining a cloak, they're quite expensive, what makes this one in particular special?" As they danced across from each other, Delilah did her best to ignore the dark brown eyes burning into the side of her face, effectively heating up her cheeks.

  "Well for starters, this cloak was said to be crafted by Death itself. And this cloak is true, unlike ones you can buy. Bought invisibility cloaks wear out over time, but this one has infinite strength. Which is why the third brother was able to hide his whole life. And then he gifted it to his son, and so forth."

  Tom hummed as they stepped towards each other, their bodies nearly touching. Both their arms were raised, palms out as they lightly pressed together, before stepping away.

  Her skin was still cold.

  "And the Elder Wand?" Currently, he was positive Grindelwald was in possession of it, which is why his plans for France this upcoming summer were in motion. But he didn't know the full scale of the legend, and to his delight, he had a book about the tale in the form a five foot two insufferable blonde.

  "I don't know too much about it," Delilah's throat itched with the need to cough, and she felt something warm pool at the base of her tongue, but she forced herself to clear her throat. "But I think there's a reason it's so powerful, and not just that Death supposedly created it."

  Tom looked down at her with a curious glint in his eyes, and Delilah recognized it almost instantly. The sight made an odd, warm feeling swarm in her chest. He had that same glimmer, a thirst for knowledge, that she so often saw Hermione get. It was endearing and Delilah had to blink away the feeling.

  Endearment and Tom Riddle are two things she never would've put together.

  "Yes the wood is from an Elder tree. However, think about it! The core is from a thestral. Creatures so rare and that which represent the after effects of death." The blank look Tom was giving her made Delilah scoff. "Please tell me you're not one of those people who don't think they're real." Tom only shrugged a shoulder as they took careful steps around each other, in tune with the music. "There are very few accounts proving their existence."

  "Well proving you wrong will be easy, seeing as they pull the carriages at Hogwarts. The forest is filled with them! And at night you can see them soaring above the trees, in winter it's quite haunting seeing as they look rather intimidating-"

  "Pontmercy," Tom's tone made Delilah stop her rambling, that glimmer had shifted to something else. Perhaps consternation? But no, that couldn't be it. "What?" Delilah said dumbly and felt suddenly small as they stepped towards each other again. As her hand lightly touched his, the warmth from his skin shot through her, sending a rage of a shiver down her spine.

  "You've seen a thestral?"

  She nodded, not going further on the subject.

BTom looked at her for a moment. Really looked at her. Her eyes were bloodshot, indicating she didn't get much sleep. But he wondered what else those blue pools had seen.

  What wonders, what secrets, what knowledge, what horrors? He wanted to know about everything that was wrapped up in that sublime mind of hers. He wanted to know it all.

  It took him a second to process what she'd said. Delilah had the ability to see thestrals, which were creatures many debated on the existence of. He didn't completely doubt whether or not they were real, but Tom needed to see things to believe them. He's read on many accounts that the only way to gain the ability to see a Thestral, is for someone to witness death and truly be moved by it.

  As they danced, Tom wondered what her life was like before Hogwarts. She never talked about anything concerning her family or friends. Which was curious in itself, given how attached she seemed to get to people. As he watched the mess of blonde hair move around the room, steps in sync with his, he tried to guess at who she might've lost. Most likely due to the war effort, but she never indicated signs of mourning. Perhaps solemn glances now and then, but he always assumed she was reminiscing in her own self pity.

  "Are you an only child?"

  His question caught her off guard, causing Delilah to trip over her own feet. "Sorry, what?" Why in the name of Merlin was he asking her that? Why would Tom bother to ask about her personal life? Surely not to make light conversation, Tom wasn't the type to initiate mindless talk.

  "Do you have any siblings?" He raised an eyebrow at her sudden shift in behavior. Something in her closed off, a guard seemed to fall.

  She didn't trust him.

  He sighed at the thought. Yes, he supposed he's made it rather difficult for her to trust him. Which was a pity, really. Everything would be so much easier if she blindly fell into his palm. But a part of himself actually liked her the way she was. She was resilient, which was at times annoying, she wasn't so easily persuaded.

  Tom loved a challenge.

  "Why do you want to know?" The look she was giving him was rather amusing. "Simple curiosity, Pontmercy."

  Would there be any harm in telling him? She supposed not. After all, Delilah opened up to Elio, and she wasn't exactly divulging information of the future.

  She talked about her brother, how insufferable she found her mother, her best friends. Delilah paused as Harry's bright green eyes sprung into her mind, mischievous and alive with hope.

  "This Harry seems like quite the character, he took down a troll when you were eleven?" Tom asked, moving around her in a circle before stopping in front of her so she could do the same. "It was an interesting year, to say the least." There was a newfound lightness in her, he could physically feel whatever stress was weighing on her shoulders lift.

  The song ended in a smooth, sharp, single note. All the couples back in their rows, facing each other.

  Much to her surprise, Delilah enjoyed herself.

  Dance lessons had continued for the next few days. In all, Tom supposed it could've been worse. But he had better things to do with his time.

  Making his way to the third floor, to his surprise all the boys were already present. Which was odd, seeing at they usually stumbled in late. Tom raised an eyebrow at Abraxas, who was fidgeting with the sleeve of his robes and his eyes were flickering all around the room.

  Perhaps he's worried his dear Aurora will catch wind of his summer plans? The girl would no doubt disagree. He'd have to do something about her. Aurora wouldn't see eye to eye on their particular views and would no doubt cause unnecessary trouble. Though, Tom would have to be careful. Abraxas was obviously infatuated with the witch, and if Tom did anything too brash, Abraxas himself would become a problem.

  Sitting himself down, Tom motioned for the others to do the same. The room they were in was a sort of study. Moderately high ceilings, tall windows, numerous bookshelves, and a large table for meetings. Slap a few maps on the walls, one could even consider it a war room.

  "I assume you're all familiar with the works of Beedle the Bard?" He was met with nods and a few confused stares. So just the same, they all thought it was the simple workings of a fairytale. "Do the Deathly Hallows ring any bells?" He asked. The boys looked at each other for a moment before shrugging.

  "No, my lord." Elio mumbled, scratching at the nape of his neck. Tom sighed through his nose, of course they wouldn't know. "But you all know of the Three Brothers?"

  "Yes, my lord. The wand, stone, and cloak?" Abraxas racked his brain for the details of the story. But it's been years since he's read it. His nanny would read it to him before bed, which was a bit odd considering how dark the tale was.

  "Correct, or in other words, those are the Deathly Hallows. The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility. Dear Grindelwald is in possession of one." He said slowly, watching their reactions carefully. He was mostly met with furrowed brows and Pyrrhus shook his head. "Wait a minute, you think the Elder Wand is the same one from the story?"

  "It makes sense, it's fashioned from the Elder tree, is known to be the most powerful," he trailed, they boys' expressions went unwavered. "That doesn't explain the other two. What about the stone and cloak?" Cain asked, earning nods from the others.

  "That's what you're all for, you're all to go and begin research. Find information wherever you can, trips to Knockturn alley wouldn't hurt. And this summer will provide endless opportunities." Tom stared out the window, not looking at anything in particular.

  He noticed a grove of sorts not too far off, accompanied by what appeared to be a garden of statues. In the midst was a blonde girl staring up at what appeared to be a fallen angel, holding its severed wings in his hands.

  Even from this distance, Tom could tell Delilah was enraptured with the sculpture.

  "See to it and bring me what you find."

  There was a sharp rap on her door and Delilah nearly fell off her bed. Her mind was fuzzy, it was on the brink of unconsciousness and she blinked away the feeling. Yawning, she tightened her robe around her as she opened the door.

  "Elio? What time is it?"

  He smiled at her and grabbed her hand, not bothering to answer her question. "C'mon. I've got something to show you." He tugged her down the hall despite her whispered protests, Delilah tripped a few times due to the dim lighting provided by few candles.

  After what felt like ages, Elio stopped in front of two large oaken doors. Delilah looked around, not recognizing the hall around her. She hadn't ventured to this side of the manor yet. "Are we allowed to be here?" She said as quietly as she could, but her voice sounded incredibly loud to her own ears. "Do we see a sign that says we aren't?" He said.

  She raised a brow at him, he was in an awfully good mood. Elio opened the door a bit and peaked his head in before pulling back. "Cover your eyes." Delilah stared at him blankly, "what?" Elio muttered something under his breath as he walked behind her, taking liberty in doing the task for her.

  He slowly led her forward and pushed open the door, Delilah taking careful steps as she went. "What've you got planned?" She laughed quietly, listening as intently as she could to get any context clues.

  Elio shut the door with his foot once they were inside and slowly uncovered her eyes. He rested his hands on her shoulders and leaned forward, his lips softly brushing against her ear. "Open."

  Delilah did as told and smiled at her surroundings. It was a large room with hardwood floors, but the entire wall opposite of her was of floor to ceiling windows. Making the room appear to be opening up to a meadow. There was only about half a foot of wall space between each window, and even then it was painted a dark blue that matched the night sky. It felt like there was no wall at all.

  Moonlight flooded the room, the blue tint being the only light source. Delilah squealed as a Elio took hold of her hand and spun her around. "Do you like it?" He had a warming smile on his lips that she felt her eyes drawn to. She nodded once, and before she knew it they were kissing. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he placed his hands at her waist.

  Elio leaned back, looking down at her with a lovely blush as he led them around the room in a graceful steps. "I wanted us to have our own private dance before the ball." He whispered, but even then his voice echoed around the room. "It's lovely, even though you did drag me out of bed." Delilah chided with a bemused expression.

  "Yeah, but aren't I so much better than sleep?" He pecked her forehead, then her nose as she hummed. "Not really, no." Elio raised a brow and then pressed a light kiss to her lips. "Really?"

  "Really. You ought to try something else if you think I wouldn't go back to bed in a heartbeat-" he picked her up then and Delilah let out a sharp laugh of surprise. Elio spun her around, lifting her by her waist and she gripped onto his shoulders. "Elio if you drop me I swear to God I'll-"

  "You'll what?" He lowered her only a bit, hinting at her to wrap her legs around him. Which she obliged to absentmindedly. "I don't know," she muttered and brushed his hair back. "I think you'd look rather fetching with pink hair, would you not?"

  He hummed, feigning to think about it for a moment and he couldn't help but smile as Delilah laughed. "Do your worst." He dared and she kissed him lightly on his jaw. "Oh, I will."

  He rested his forehead against her and closed his eyes for a moment. "Can I tell you something that mind sound absolutely ridiculous?" Delilah hummed and messed with the hair at the nape of his neck. Elio adjusted his hold on her, wrapping his arms more securely around her waist so she wouldn't fall.

  "I think you own my heart, Delilah Pontmercy."

  He felt her freeze up and panic shot through him. He wondered if it was too soon to admit such a thing, or if he did it too abruptly. But then Delilah shook her head and continued to mess with his hair. "You don't know what you're saying." Her voice was so quiet Elio almost didn't hear her, but her breath was warm on his lips.

  "I know perfectly well what I'm saying. I'd do whatever it takes to make sure you're happy, y'know. I'd protect you from anything, you know that right? I'm here. For whatever you need."

  Each word from him was like a knife in her chest. He didn't know what he was saying. How could he? How could Elio possibly feel that way about her? What has she done to make him feel such a way? If anything, he should be breaking up with her right now.

  "You don't mean any of that." Delilah closed her eyes at the warm touch of his hand against her cheek. His thumb grazed softly over the skin, back and forth. "I mean every word. I always will."

  "How do you know? Things change. People change. What if, I don't know... down the line you might find out something about me that you hate? You notice my flaws, and then you can't stand me. All that time would have been wasted." Delilah didn't understand. She couldn't. How can anyone possibly love her in such a way, when she never gives anything in return?

  "Are they flaws if I'm in love with them?"

  They finally looked at each other then. Lips inches apart. Blue staring deeply into green. Her breath hitched. There was that one word. That terrible, yet beautiful word.

  Love.

  Love only got people hurt, it got them killed.

  Delilah couldn't find any words suitable enough to reply. Her mind was moving a mile a minute and her eyes were dashing across his face. Trying to pinpoint any signs of him lying. Trying to find out if this was some sort of cruel trick. That he didn't mean to say it. She was waiting for him to take it back.

  Elio smiled then. It was small, but it was enough to calm her down. "It's okay."

  It really was.

  He didn't need her to say anything. He knew she might not love him back. That was okay. He would take it day by day, and maybe over time, things would change. Maybe not. And he kept telling himself that was okay, too.

  Delilah placed both hands on each side of his face, letting the warmth fill her. Elio repressed a shiver at how cold her touch was, he thought he'd be used to it by now.

  He slowly leaned forward to kiss her and felt a bullet of relief hit him in his chest as she responded. Kissing him with a certain fervor he wasn't aware she had. With one arm still wound securely around her waist, his other hand trailed up her back to cup the back of her head.

  She pulled back, tugging his bottom lip a bit as she did so and when she met his gaze the desire that dripped off him made her body flush with heat. Reaching a silent understanding, Elio squeezed one of her thighs for a moment before setting her down, the two not waisting any time as they made their way back to his bedroom.

  They did their best to keep quiet in the halls, stealing kisses from each other, occasionally bumping into the wall in a mess of tangled limbs. From an outsiders perspective, they probably appeared drunk.

  When they reached their hall, Delilah wrapped an arm around his neck to bring his mouth to hers. Elio hiked up one of her legs around his waist, pressing her into the wall next his door as his tongue brushed against hers.

  Fumbling for the doorknob, he managed to pry it open enough, stumbling back into the room with her still promptly wrapped around him. Elio kicked the door shut, locking it with the wave of his hand.

  Delilah abruptly stopped, her chest heaving and Elio looked down at her confused, but not angry. "We don't-"

  "No, I want to." With each breath, her body seemed to tremble. She took his his messy hair, flushed cheeks, and swollen lips. He was beautiful. And she was stupid.

  She undid her robe and let it fall to her feet. Elio's eyes raked over her in her diaphanous nightgown. The candlelight leaving next to none for the imagination. He took a tentative step forward, placing a hand at her waist while his other tilted her chin up to meet his gaze.

  Before he could utter a word, she crashed her lips against his and they stumbled towards the bed. Elio pulling her sheer nightgown over head while Delilah undid the button of his trousers.

  A moan broke from the back of his throat as her hand slipped beneath the hem of his boxers and began to palm him with just the right amount of pressure. His tongue danced around hers as he slowly pushed her back onto the plush mattress, the silken sheets feeling like cold water against her skin.

  Quickly ridding himself of the rest of his clothes, Elio then hovered above her and couldn't help but marvel at her beauty.

  She shrunk in a bit, her cheeks ablaze.

  "What?"

  Elio shook his head, pressing his lips to hers for a moment before leaving a heated trail to her neck. Her nails dug into his shoulders when he began to suck, his mouth hot and wet and he'd surely leave a bruise.

  As he kissed her his hand danced down her torso, feather light and she shivered at the sensation. Her legs absentmindedly parting further for him.

  However he paused just before he reached where she wanted him most.

  "I've... I've never exactly done this before." He whispered, his pale green eyes seemed to glow in the dim light.

  Delilah smiled gently, resting her palm to his cheek as she ran her thumb along the soft skin under his eye.

  "We'll take it slow."

"I wanted this night to be for you-"

"It's for both of us," she assured him with another kiss, pulling him in closer with her hand resting on the nape of his neck.

Looking down, he was already hard, his erection standing up against his stomach at an impressive seven inches.

Turning them over, she rested just below his navel and Elio's hands came to rest on her hips. He breathed in deeply at the sight of her above him, looking like an angel with the way the candle light formed around her.

His eyes trailed from her collar bones, the elegant curve of her shoulders, down to her breasts and lower... his mouth watered.

Delilah leaned down then, trailing kisses from his jaw, leaving searing open mouthed ones on his neck, along his chest and his muscles contracted a bit as she ran her tongue along his abdomen.

Her breath was hot as she moved back up, her hair falling in a curtain around them and her eyes were bright and wide, her lips plush and red.

Elio had never felt more human than he did in that moment.

Without a thought his hands buried themselves in her hair, pulling her so close they seemed like one and he kissed her as if it was worship.

There was nothing sweeter than her.

When he gave an experimental tug on her locks, she whimpered and the sound set a fire off within him.

He wanted her. More than he's wanted anything in his life.

"Can I take you now?" He panted, one of his hands moving down to rub circles into her hip.

"Please-"

He cut her off with another kiss but ended up biting her lip when he felt her wet heat slide against his shaft.

Delilah's hand snaked down and wrapped around him, lining him up with her entrance. The head of his cock slid against her clit for a moment and she nearly crumbled with how good it felt.

Shockwaves of energy rushed through Elio's veins, he took hold of both of her hips before slowly pushing into her.

Her head fell against his shoulder and she sucked in sharply as he filled her.

She was so tight wet and warm Elio felt as if his mind would go into a frenzy. Delilah's hips rolled back and he watched as her cunt slid all the way down him, all the way to the hilt and he let out a weighty moan.

"Fuck," his voice was hoarse and it made her muscles tighten around him.

  Then she slowly raised herself and leaned forward, his cock sliding against her walls in a way that was sinfully delicious and stimulated her clit.

Her face contorted into that of pure pleasure and he wanted to do nothing else but get drunk off it. Before he could think he stilled her hips, and before she could question him he turned them over again, still buried in her.

Elio began thrusting into her shallowly, eliciting sparks of euphoria deep in her stomach. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her lips lifted to meet his, causing him to go even deeper and she let out a small cry when the head of his cock bumped into her cervix.

When he slowly pulled back out, the bottom of his shaft dragged against something spongy and she felt as if she was being unraveled. Elio thrust back in, this time the tip hitting it and she moaned out his name in an incessant chant.

"Elio, Elio... fuck keep going."

She was so tight and pulsing, he angled his hips in a certain way, determined to keep hitting what he could only assume was her g-spot. One hand twined itself in her hair while the other kept himself up right, going harder and harder.

With this new angle he slid against her clit, his pelvis grinding into her.

She came around him with a cry.

Elio kept going, again and again and she felt overwhelmed, her whole body buzzing and she bit into his shoulder in a way she was sure would tear through his skin.

God she was so tight around him, his hand involuntarily yanked on her hair harder and she whimpered and shuddered against him.

The sounds she was making were the closest thing to heaven he'd ever get. For he knew he would always be damned to hell. But there and now, with this sensual and physical and raw moment between them.

This was his small - yet monumental - moment of heaven.

Her legs were shaking around him but he kept going, kept chasing. He leaned down and started sucking and biting in the cavern where her neck met her collarbones, his hand wound tight in her hair as his pace became something akin to violent.

His whole body stiffened and moments before he fell off the blade's edge of blissfulness, he pulled out and he came, hot spurts of his come landing on her stomach.

She was panting heavily, dazed as she watched the muscles in his stomach contract. She didn't have time to fully appreciate the sight as he pulled her hair back, making her back arch into him and he kissed her desperately. 

  Delilah breathed slowly through her nose as she lightly ran a hand up and down his chest. His face was rested in a blissful slumber, a soft smile to his lips. She stared in a strange fascination at how his hair fell against the pillow in light brown waves, a contrast against the creme colored fabric.

  Her skin felt smooth against the silken sheets, bare and warm. There was a vulnerability to them at the moment. Both naked beneath the sheets, bodies pressed together in tired content after the events that took place only two hours prior.

  They'd both given a part of each other up, and it was gentle and good.

  Delilah sighed through her nose and sat up, brushing her knotted hair back from her face. Apparently Elio had a thing about pulling it.

  She kept desperately pushing back the thoughts threatening to ruin her whole mood.

  Thoughts of what lies ahead. Of what she just did with Elio, and how much she'll undoubtedly hurt him in the future. She was going home at some point, she knew that. But he didn't. And she'd just given him false hope.

  That was enough to make any man break, no matter how strong they were.

  Delilah began to get up, but an arm snaked around her waist and held her softly but firmly. She looked over and found Elio looking up at her through shining eyes, a tired smile to his bruised lips.

  "Stay with me, my darling." He mumbled, clearly on the verge of passing out soon. Elio didn't want her to leave, her presence alone seemed to anchor him down to reality.

  Delilah pulled his arm away and gripped his hand, placing a kiss to knuckles.

  She stayed.

  As she laid down however, the one thought that posed the most threat broke through her mind's barricade. And that thought was of a certain boy who smelt like burnt wood, parchment, and cigarettes.