[Audio] Backdated to when the darkness ebbs
[The cold--the darkness--all faded away and Chloe gasped when wide eyes took in the third floor of Marigold's Tower. She was in the place where her candle first sputtered out, and she was fumbling for her journal seconds after she processed that fact.]
D-Derek? Derek! I--I'm back!
...I'm back.
D-Derek? Derek! I--I'm back!
...I'm back.
[His reply comes almost immediately after her post, the word a rushed, hurried growl.]
Where?
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[Her breathing was rushed, but Chloe is slowly calming.]
I'm fine, Derek. So--don't worry. I'm fine.
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Stay there.
[He's moving before he even starts talking, out of his room and towards the Marigold's Tower at a full on run. Derek doesn't really care about anyone seeing him and realizing that he's something more than human at the moment; all that matters is getting to her.]
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I won't go anywhere.
[Not this time. Chloe knew how Derek must be feeling. She was staying put.]
Besides, you're the surest way for me to finally get warm.
[Yep. She was joking at a time like this. Really, all Chloe wanted to do was reassure him she was still there. Her voice would keep coming--she wouldn't be cut off again.]
Were you able to get to the others? Stay safe?
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For all that he's clinging to the sound of her voice, he's not actually listening to what she's saying. Comprehending language is a bit above him at the moment, when all of his instincts are telling him that he needs to be with her right then.
Derek doesn't stop running until she's in sight, and then he slows only enough so that he doesn't actually slam into her. He catches himself up short a foot or so from her, and stands there for a moment. Then he's pulling her into his arms, holding her as close as is physically possible and burying his face against her neck, breathing her in.]
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Derek...
[Then his arms are around him and she's tightly clinging to him, nuzzling into the crook of his neck and giving him access to her own. She's trembling from the shock of cold to burning warmth, but she draws his heat from him and has no intention of letting go right away.]
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He presses his lips to her neck, murmuring something against her skin - even he's not entirely sure what they are, and he's definitely not going to admit that one of them might be 'mine' - as he keeps holding her.
There's the slightest hint of teeth grazing against her skin, because he can't help himself, but he follows it up with a gentle kiss to the same spot.]
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So you missed me too, then?
[She already knew his answer, and didn't quite manage to add the teasing to her tone as she had intended. Instead her grip around Derek's broad shoulders tightened further still, and when she felt his teeth lightly graze her neck she gasped, breathing heavily near his ear. Her head tilted back to nuzzle warmly as well as give him more access as warm lips placed a kiss there. She moved to give his neck a kiss of her own. It was electric, being in Derek's arms like this. Chloe felt every nerve ending thrumming through her.]
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He doesn't care about anything but being entirely caught up in her right then, because she's exactly where she's supposed to be. They both are.
With another graze of his teeth against her neck, he pulls away, and then leans back in to kiss her.]
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I'm fine, Derek. See? I'm fine.
[She didn't know if she was saying that for her benefit or his, but it was wonderful to soak in his warmth and breathe in his own scent that always seemed reassuring. When Derek's teeth brushed across her skin a second time, Chloe's fingers dug into the muscle of his back and she unconsciously pressed her body more firmly to his until she found she could breathe again. Her shuddery sigh was a breath across his skin. Then he's leaning back and his lips are on hers and Chloe happily tilts her face up to his kiss, letting him lead this time.]
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Missed you.
[That's a bit of an understatement, but he's not exactly good at expressing himself through words. Instead, he kisses her.
Though he's usually more than happy to let her take the lead in things - both because they both enjoy it, and because he's usually too worried about hurting her, pushing too much to let himself take the control - he needs it right now, needs to be able to take the lead. One arm stays around her waist at the small of her back, holding her to him, and the other reaches up to tangle in her hair as he kisses her.]
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I know.
[She knew what else he was trying to convey--that which he couldn't quite say.]
Missed you, too.
[With Derek's lips on hers Chloe finally completely relaxed against him. Her arms went limp--she felt weak and weary from being tired and hungry and in a constant state of panic. Her hands slid from Derek's back to his shoulders and came to rest against his chest, her muscles taxed from clinging to him. Eyes closed, Chloe doesn't concentrate on anything but the feel of Derek surrounding her--the feel of his lips over hers. It was nice to be kissed like this. It was oddly reassuring when she suddenly felt so weak and drained to find Derek's strength supporting her own.]
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I know.
[And that's really all that needs to be said. They didn't really need words for this.
All he really needed was her in his arms. He felt her relax against him, and rumbled a bit in pleasure - content, his mate safe and warm and relaxed with him - as he stroked his own hand down her back. It was a relief, actually being able to let go. Not having to worry about controlling his instincts anymore, because she was there with him.
After what seemed like a very long time, Derek stopped kissing her, though he didn't let go. He stood there, arms around her and holding her close, just taking in her scent.]
You're probably hungry.
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Ravenous.
[Her stomach protested loudly at just the thought of food, and Chloe blushed, burying her face in Derek's chest a little.]
M'sleepy...
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Not because he doesn't think she could make it herself - although there is a little bit of that - but mostly because he doesn't really want to let go of her for that long.
He smiles the slightest bit at her protesting stomach.]
We'll stop by the kitchen and pick up stuff for you to eat.
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And Chloe is determined to have the strength to make it to the kitchen and back. They've all walked longer and father, after all. Chloe seemed to have conveniently forgotten she hadn't gone six days without food while being on her own, however. In the dark. Terrified.
Nope. She's out of there, now, and she was--weakly--determined to take action of her life once more now that she finally could.
Except even pushing away from Derek to stop leaning on him and borrowing his strength was enough to make the room pitch and spin around her. With a light gasp, Chloe clutched at Derek's shirt and anchored herself there until the room righted itself once more. With a wavering sigh, she nodded.]
Food... then sleep...
[She'd head in that direction in a moment. Then, realizing Derek would worry if she took too long or seemed unwell, Chloe willfully placed one foot in front of the other and tried for a joke.]That is, if I don't fall asleep in the meantime ( ... )
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