"I'll make sure you won't regret falling in love with me. I promise."

Your heart was pounding as the burning kiss became more passionate.

Claude's lips left yours to trail down your neck, sucking and biting softly. You clutched his shirt, tilting your head as his soft lips ignited a foreign heat in you.

His fingers unbuttoned your shirt, his lips following behind, kissing the exposed section. Unlike before he wasn't rushing, taking his time with each button coming undone. He wanted to know every inch of you, every curve and contour, and take his time making himself familiar with it.

"Claude.." You whimpered as his soft touch burnt into your skin. Hearing you moan his name, and arch into his touch, he felt satisfaction like no other.

Your soft skin was warm and smooth, a stark contrast to his steel-like body. The impulse to leave his mark on every inch of you drove him to nip on the exposed skin.

With the shirt fully unbuttoned, his warm lips left a soft trail all over your belly, sucking and biting. Satisfied with bright red marks, he flipped you over, exploring your back with the same curiosity as he peeled away the shirt, tossing it over his shoulder carelessly.

"Beautiful.." Claude whispered breathlessly. You flushed red, whatever insecurities were silently festering died immediately.

He traced a finger down the line on your back, enjoying the way you shivered under his light caress before following with his lips, your spine tingled as he leaned down you press a kiss at the center. Flipping you back, meeting your half-lidded gaze, he exhaled sharply through his nose. He stared at you, at your flushed cheeks, the way you bit your quivering lips, eyes clouded over with desire, his pupils dilated, desire and love filled his eyes, darkening them to a deeper hue.

Abruptly, you grabbed his hands working to remove the obstacle with trembling hands. Claude paused and looked at your hesitant expression. Carefully pulling away, he scanned your features for any signs of discomfort. Nervous flustered eyes stared back at him, looking like they want to say something.

"Do you want to stop?" His wandering hands started to retreat. His desire to have you was strong but his love and consideration were greater. He wasn't going to force you to do something you weren't ready for.

"No! That's not it," You quickly shook your head, biting your lips as you scrambled to put your anxiousness into words.

Claude tilted his head puzzled. Propping himself on his elbows, he pushed back your sweaty hair from your forehead and asked softly, "What is it? It's alright if you want to stop. We can do it another time once you are comfortable. I can wait. I was being a bit too pushy, wasn't I?" Claude said through gritted teeth, irked at himself.

Great, now it was making the woman he loved uncomfortable with his overbearing desire.

"It's my first time!"

Claude's thoughts came to a screeching stop.

His blank stare set your nerves on edge as you tried to explain. "I haven't done it with anyone. I'm kinda nervous. No, no, I mean I want to do it with you, share this experience with you, only you. It's just.. you have to tell your partner about this stuff, right? Right..?" Towards the end, your voice faded away as embarrassment crawled in. You covered your face, internally screaming. I ruined the mood, didn't I?!

A low chuckle broke the silence, you felt soft kisses on the back of your hands covering your face. "You're cute, you know that."

You peeked through the fingers, licking your swollen lips, and you asked, "I didn't ruin the moment?"

"No." Claude pulled away your hands, his eyes glistening with amusement and fierce desire. "If anything I want you even more."

"You're turned on by this?" You asked slowly, making a face.

"No," Claude refuted, looking deeply pleased and overly smug as his index finger trailed down your body, lightly scratching your sensitive skin, encircling your navel, humming when you shivered. "but I get to be the only one who gets to touch you, feel you against me, make you mine in every way possible. I'll be your first and last." Wicked satisfaction danced in his half-lidded eyes.

A jolt of fire shot up your body at the glowing blue eyes watching you possessively, adoringly. You pouted, "Don't say scary stuff with such a straight face."

"Does it scare you?" He raised an eyebrow.

"It turns me on." You blurted out.

His speechless frozen eyes expression made giggle. Grabbing his nape, you pulled him down for a kiss and murmured coyly, "Surprised?"

"...Pleasantly."

The playful atmosphere was something he never experienced before, it felt intimate in ways he couldn't describe.

Something more sacred, soul-bonding than just exchanging physical affection. The emotional weight in each touch, the love laced in each caress mixed with the playful honesty was making his head dizzy in a new good way.

"Claude?"

He snapped out of his awestruck musing and glanced down to meet your curious questioning eyes. He shook his head, leaning down to capture your lips in a searing kiss, devouring them like a hungry beast.

He felt warm hands unbutton his shirt open, caressing his exposed chest with little hesitation that stemmed from inexperience. His muscles flexed and stiffen, melting at your touch.

Encouraged, you grew bolder. Claude shuddered at your curious touch.

Quickly getting rid of your clothes, he pinned your wrists above your head in one palm, silencing your complaints with a short kiss.

"Another time. For now, let me savour you."

And he did. Letting you reach high over and over again until you felt like your mind was turning mush, your over-stimulated squirming and trembling, your fingers roughly fisted his hair as his mouth and fingers dug in persistently.

Exhaling in satisfaction, he drooped over you, licking away the astray tears, capturing your lips in a languid kiss.

"Ready?" He mumbled, spreading your thighs as he settled between them. He waited till you nodded, clinging to his broad shoulders. "It's going hurt a bit."

Your eyes squeezed shut as light groans of pain escaped your trembling lips. Your nails dug into his skin forming half-crescent red marks. Shuddering, Claude kept his movement slow and controlled. He caressed your quivering thighs, pouring kisses all over your sweaty, crying face, as he murmured, "Breath... It's okay. "

He didn't know where all this tenderness came from as he softly kissed your wet eyes, murmuring sweet nothingness. Didn't know he had it in him to the this soft. Strangely enough, he wasn't surprised, you always brought out traits he didn't know he had. But one thing he knew for sure he wanted your first time to be a pleasurable memory, not a painful one.

Eventually, your stiff muscles loosened up, fire overtaking you as you let yourself drown in his soothing caress.

You hazily pressed soft kisses on his nape and bit his shoulder making him tighten his hold. On cue, Claude started moving, feeling your body relaxed against him, he hooked your legs around his waist. Moving slowly, gently eventually picking up the pace.

You didn't know how much time had passed, your bodies slicked with sweat pressed together in different positions over and over, possessed by a passion to consume each other. By the time Claude was done, shuddering over you, you were half-conscious body limp with exhaustion, panting hard.

"(Y/n)..."

You winced when he separated. His lips sought yours lazily. He buried his face in your chest as his chest heaved with irregular breaths, listening to your racing heart and heavy pants as you too tried to catch your breath, coming down from your high.

"Gross.." Was the first thing you blurted out after calming down as the sweat on your body started to dry out, leaving behind an itchy feeling.

"Pfft--"Claude laughed, his chest shaking against you as your skin vibrated with the sweet sound.

"Let's take a bath."

Snorting, Claude lifted in your arms, striding to a door hidden from sight. You curled against his chest like a content cat, not paying attention to anything except his calm heartbeat. You blinked your blurry eyes open as warm water made contact with your sweaty skin.

You didn't have the energy to be awed at the sheer size of the bath almost liked like a mini pool filled with spring water. The freakishly clean bathroom matches Claude's clean freak personality. All you did was groan in relief when the warm water loosened up your sore body.

"Hmm."

Submerged in the bath, Claude pulled you on his lap, strong arms coiled around you, his forehead dropped against your shoulder and he exhaled.

"Um, Claude?" You squirmed slightly.

"Ignore it. You're sore." Claude tightened his arms to hold you still, his voice strained as if he was exercising all his self-control. "I know when to stop...Mostly."

"Uh-huh." You did as he told you, even though it was impossible since your own body was tingling in response. You closed your eyes and force yourself to focus on the warm water on your skin. You were drained. No way your sore body could handle more.

For a while none of you spoke only enjoying the spring bath as Claude seemed to be lost in thought, rubbing his nose against your neck lazily when you felt something cold around your neck.

It was a pendant. A simple tear-dropped shaped blue gem pendant with a silver chain. Simple but beautiful.

"What's this?" You asked curiously, tilting your head up to look at him. His calm expression stared back at you, his eyes looked slightly distracted.

Nonchalantly playing with the chain, he spoke slowly, "Mother gifted me to give it to someone I love the most." Claude paused as if he was annoyed with himself. "I don't why I waited till now to give it to you."

"This.."Your cheeks heated up at his blunt words, you ducked down to hide your bashfulness, softly caressing the blue gem that reminded you of Claude's eyes. They had an uncanny resemblance. "Is it alright for me to keep something so precious?"

"Is there someone else I love that I don't know of?" Claude gave you a flat look as if you were an idiot asking an idiotic question. Huffing a little, you rolled your eyes back at him before looking at the pendant with a soft smile.

"I'll treasure it."

"Do whatever you want with it. It's yours." He twirled your hair around his finger, his body curled around yours like a serpent safeguarding its nest.

You felt offended on behalf of the pendant at his careless words, at his indifferent attitude. Why did he hold on to this when he was acting so indifferent? His actions didn't match his words. Typical Claude. You shook your head like a disappointed mom.

"Do you miss your Mom?"

Claude glanced at you, still playing with your hair as if it was the most fascinating thing. He briefly paused, closing his eyes. "Sometimes. Mostly I'm glad she's at peace. She was withering away with each day, adding the toxic atmosphere back then she didn't exactly have quiet peaceful days." Claude said, feeling a strange tingle on his tongue. It felt strange to admit out loud his inner thoughts, especially something he didn't dare indulge in.

You hummed, not having much to say. Strangely it made you feel a little bit bittersweet as memories of your mother came forth.

Claude stared intently at your wet hair before looking at his hands. Big, rough, calloused hands that were twice the size of yours, could easily engulf your head on his palm. Suddenly he had a very childish, ridiculous impulse. He tried ignoring it but your soft wet hair sticking to your naked back and brushing against his bare skin made his fingers twitch in impatience.

"Can I wash your hair?"

You tilted your head back and blinked blankly. You were taken back by his intense eyes looking sharply at you as if threatening, begging you not to refuse. You blinked again trying to wipe away the pitiful whining puppy image from your mind and shrugged nonchalantly, "Sure."

Claude's eyes widened slightly. He flicked his wrist hurriedly, almost afraid you'd change your mind and two bottles of shampoo flew from the cabinet and into his open hand. "...I don't have feminine shampoo."

He bit his lip, scowling at the expensive shampoo, his eyes met yours hesitantly and you hurriedly flapped your arms to reassure him. Again the image of a sad puppy coming to mind.

"It's fine." You stifled your laugh when Claude's shoulders straighten up instantly. "I like your scent. It won't be bad to smell like you."

The subtle look of excitement vanished from his face instead a dangerous glint lit up in his darkened eyes. His lips lowered to your ears and the hair on your nape stood up as you stiffen, turning red at his deep, gruff voice, "Tell me, are doing it on purpose? Do you want to stay in the bed till morning?"

"Wha-?" You splashed water on his face, laughing. "You get turned on by the weirdest thing." You added, giggling. "Not that I'm one to talk."

Claude wiped away his wet face and retaliated by splashing water on you, chuckling when you grumbled at his strength.

Taking a generous amount of shampoo on his palms, he slowly, experimentally layered on your wet hair. In an almost worried tone, he said. "Tell me if it hurts. It's my first time washing a woman's hair."

You sank into the warm water, smiling uncontrollably. Here you thought he behaved this tender with every woman. Okay not with every woman- he was too cold and detached for that but you at least expected with Diana. Him admitting it was his first time being this tender sent butterflies in your stomach.

Sorry Diana I'm such a bad friend for enjoying this.

Looking at his focused face, you smirked, mischievous eyes twinkling with something wicked.

"Face straight, don't look up," Claude said sharply while adjusting your posture, "or else the shampoo will get in your eyes."

The urge to tease him melted away at his caring demeanour. You sank into the water, cheeks red.

The slow and careful movement of his hands going through your hair made you drowsy. Your body becoming sluggish and your eyes heavy with sleep slowly blinked before fluttering close.

Claude paused in rinsing your hair and narrowed his eyes. "...She fell asleep."

He sighed. With careful, cautious movements he lathered soap all over your body and slightly massaged the area he thought ached.

Getting out of the bath, he used magic to dry your dripping hair before doing the same with his. He paused staring intently at your wet naked body snuggled in his arms, contemplating before finally using a towel to wipe your wet body instead of magic.

Claude gladly took time wiping your wet body, before wrapping you in a white fluffy towel and gathering you in his arms, surprised and amused you hadn't woken up as he made his way to the bedroom.

You murmured something sleepily, nestling closer to his chest. Claude found himself mesmerized.

Your peaceful sleeping face, cheeks flushed red with slightly parted lips as you breathed deeply looked so innocent, so pure, it squeezed his heart and filled it with protective instincts.

His lips twitched up a rare soft smile when you crinkled your nose, mumbling something incoherent as you burrowed deeper into his arms. He sighed breathlessly, pressing a soft light kiss on your nose. Laying you down on the bed, he dried himself and pulled on pants before joining you and tugging the blanket over you two.

Laying on his side, propped on his elbow, his fingers brushed back your hair. A soft laughing hum rumbled in his chest when you scrunched your nose at the light touch.

His heart felt content, at peace as he slowly traced your soft features.

He was taken back in past, back when he was a teenager. He still remembered vividly the quietness of the library, the scent of books, the sun rays slipping through the window under which he sat down with the stubborn girl where he was lulled to sleep; a peaceful sleep devoid of any nightmares.

While he was drowsy, on edge of falling asleep, the sensation of something warm pressing against his forehead and the sweet whisper trickling his ear, he still remembered it. The tingling warm sensation remained on his forehead even after waking up.

He had the urge to reenact that scene. An impulse to imitate your actions so you could feel what he felt. Unable to stop himself, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on your forehead. "Sweet dreams."

The tips of his ears turned red, and he buried his face in your hair and inhaled your sweet addictive scent, scoffing at himself for acting like a lovesick puppy as he wrapped his arms around you tightly. Yet his heart continued to flutter, a smile that wouldn't dim no matter how much he suppressed glowing on his lips.

Suddenly the word 'love' was starting to feel inadequate for the feelings he held for you that were surging so recklessly, so wildly in his heart, his soul, and mind alike.

It was terrifying yet he couldn't bring himself to care. He wanted this. The feeling of being swept away in love. In your love, in his love for you.

****

Someone was shaking you, trying to wake you up from the nightmare you were trapped in.

The wails amplified like it never wanted you to wake up from the hell where everything in the vicinity was burning, screams of agony were loud and echoing, and familiar faces were distorted in pain.

I couldn't save them. Everything is gone, burnt to ashes. Your tormented mind wailed as you clutched your hair, your knees scarped as you curled in the middle of the chaos, rocking back and forth. It's my fault. It's my fault... I couldn't save them... I couldn't save--

"(Y/n)!"

You jolted awake, your eyes wide open and burning with unshed tears as a scream almost escaped your tightly clenched teeth. You thrashed around when you felt someone's touch on your cheek, recoiling away instinctively.

"Y/n?"

Hearing the familiar voice, you halted your struggle. Through your teary eyes, you saw Claude's worried eyes peering at you, an indiscernible expression on his face.

Claude...You cried out in relief. He's okay. He's alive.. he's alive... that means they are alive too...

"Hold me." You whimpered, spreading your arms out. Claude not able to keep up with the situation stared at you with frozen eyes. You choked out again, a bit louder "Please! Please, Claude, hold me!"

Flinching violently, he snapped out of his frozen state and without a word gathered you in his arms, tightening his arms around you as he felt you tremble.

His expression crumpled and distorted painfully as your heavy pained breaths and soft cries echoed in his ears.

Your past. The past he had no idea about, only now being unveiled to him was filled with pain and hurt. Why was every time something was revealed to him, only your suffering stared back at him? The pain you refused to show, to tell anyone.... yet..the bright smile on your face never wavered once.

Now your nightmare...

His heart throbbed.

Claude wished he could dig inside your head, look through your memories, burning into his eyes each and every face who hurt you so he could give them a slow painful death. Bring them a fate worse than death.

Claude gritted his teeth. His touch remained gentle as he stroked your back and asked in a low voice, devoid of any emotion.