Bronn smiled as she turned in his arms but remained within them. Now that he had her back in his arms, he didn't want to ever let her go. He pressed his lips against the top of her head and smiled against her soft, luscious locks of brown hair.

He knew without even having to look at her face that she would love his home. Nature was just something that Victoria had always loved, and she was perfect as a nature sort of girl. After all, nature was beautiful, Victoria was naturally beautiful, that was how Bronn saw it anyway. He let his arms loosen slightly around her in case she wanted to step out of their embrace.

She was shaking slightly, and he felt concern flash through him but the shaking soon subsided and he assumed it was from the possible danger back in Wales. Here, he was safe. The Dark Ones couldn't come near his home, he had special wards around it to keep them out. This was his safe place. "This, is my home, Victoria."

Victoria smiled softly when Bronn kissed her hair. It was one thing she'd missed fiercely about him. He never failed to show her how much she meant to him. But it never seemed like act, or like he was going out of his way. That is, until those few weeks before. It had all stopped. He'd put up appearances, somewhat, in front of the other guys. But when they were alone...well, they really weren't alone much then.

She couldn't help the ache in her heart. They'd been pulled apart. He'd been dragged into a world he didn't want. And she'd tried to build a new one, though being a school councilor wasn't really what she wanted to do. It was just a job, something to fill the days. She wasn't even really that busy, spending most nights at the flat. But now...what?

She took a long look at the house that she never wanted to forget, turning to face Bronn, sadness in her eyes. "What do we do now?"

Bronn had always been the kind to show his love through simple actions. He never felt the need to say it to much, but Victoria had always known he cared. In fact, he hardly even thought about it, it just felt so natural and right to press a kiss to her hair, or to hold her hand, or rub her back whilst she fretted about something. He regretted those last few weeks and all the times he could've kissed her or held her. So many missed embraces.

Those weeks had been incredibly hard on him. Having Victoria constantly ask what was wrong, or just to see the hurt when he pushed her away was almost enough to break him. He'd been so lost in those weeks, so tortured with what he had to do to her, to the place they both loved. He instinctively tightened his grip as he thought about it.

The sadness in her eyes tugged at Bronn's heart-strings and he kissed both of her cheeks, reaching one hand up to tenderly cup her face. "I'd be lying if I said I knew. Al I know is that I love you Victoria, and I don't want to lose you again."

Victoria let her eyes close as he touched her cheek, leaning into it to kiss his palm. She felt like her body was bipolar, her love burning through her, followed by a chill of something else. Still feeling like the world was passing her by too fast, she looked at the man she'd loved since she could remember. He'd been her second friend, her first kiss, her first love. And, after all this time apart, he still loved her.

Moving her hand into his hair, she pulled him to her, whispering against his lips, "I love you." She sighed into the kiss, feeling like she was coming home. This was how they were supposed to be. Together. Happy. No, deliriously happy. They were supposed to have a family. Raise them in a house, just like this one, and she would bring the muggle world into their lives, because that was who she was. And he would be the perfect father. So, why couldn't they have that?

When she pulled back, she felt another tear escape. "Then don't. Don't ever let me go." Fuck those Dark Ones! They could go to hell for all she cared.

Bronn dreaded the moment that Victoria would suddenly push him away, scream at him that he wasn't good enough for her - that this wouldn't work, that he was being selfish for playing with her emotions the way he was. He knew he wasn't good enough for her, she was a million times better than he was. He was plain, ordinary, she was feisty, loving, passionate, beautiful, she was just... Victoria. There was no other way to describe her.

He used to lay with her in his arms at night, wondering how such a beautiful creature was his. And then, she'd been ripped away from him cruelly. Over the time they'd been a part, he'd fretted for her well-being, constantly wondered about her, and worried mostly that she'd find someone else. But the fact that she was in his arms - where she belonged in his mind - seemed to discount his idea that she had some other man in her life.

His lips were gentle against hers as he savoured every moment, running his hands all along her body to memorise her. "Y-you mean it?" He whispered in shock, staring at her hesitantly. He was still slightly tingly from when she'd told him that she loved him, and now she wanted him back? The smile that grew on his face was un-stoppable.

A small voice in the back of Victoria's mind murmured for her to stop. To wait, to think. But her heart sang louder, yearning for the man in front of her. He knew her. Knew her secrets, her dreams, her desires, her flaws. He loved her through them all. Until the Dark Ones got to him, she never doubted him. And the grin on his face made it clear that he still loved her, just as fiercely.

She grinned back at him, her first genuine smile since she'd stumbled across him in the snow. Everywhere his hands touched sang out for more. She wanted nothing more than to lose herself in him, damning the evil wizards that had torn him from her. Torn the life they'd had right out from under them, before they'd even really gotten started.

"Yes," she nodded, eyes shining brightly. She could see the wonder playing in his eyes. If she was honest, she was still in awe herself. At the reality of it all. A part of her still waited to wake up form this dream.

Biting her lip, she took one of his hands in hers, linking her fingers through his. "So, do I get to see the house?" She lifted their joined hands to kiss his knuckles.

It amazed Bronn that she was still here, next to him, when clearly he didn't deserve her. Though he'd sacrificed everything for her, for her happiness, her safety, he still believed that he was scum of the earth. He'd destroyed the place they both cared about, the place that she loved so much. He could feel his mood darken slightly at the memories of that night, the pain in her eyes, the agony on her face. He blinked and they were gone.

He just wanted to drown in those beautiful, big chocolate doe eyes. They enchanted him, they'd haunted his dreams, those eyes. The eyes that he loved so much, the key to her soul. He let out a shuddery breath as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering on her cheek as he smiled back at her, before letting his hand slowly drop.

For a moment, there was only silence and a blank expression on Bronn's face. And then, he smiled so brightly he rivalled the sun and he swept Victoria up into his arms, pressing his lips against her forehead and placing her back down again.

He smiled as she linked her fingers through his and squeezed her hand softly. A goofy grin spread across his face. "of course, m'lady." He eagerly lead her over to the ladder and tapped his wand against it, muttering the password and immediately appearing in his lounge.

Victoria had barely caught her breath, her mind still reeling from Bronn's smile, when he somehow aparated them into his living room. His smile was something she'd never gotten used to, no matter how frequently she saw it over the years. Yes, he would laugh, and joke, and grin. But his full blown smile, the 1000 watt one? It had always felt like it was her smile.

She blinked a few times, trying to regain her equilibrium. Whatever magic he'd done, it wasn't aparation. It left her dizzy, and a little giddy. It may not be the spell, she thought, wistfully. Hugging him close for a few seconds, she stepped away from him and looked at the house.

Everything was so clean and soothing, the light wood of the entire house mixing well with soft greens, blues and tans. The furniture was sleek, but not uncomfortably so. She could imagine her self falling fast asleep on the couch, thought there weren't many requirements for that. Victoria could sleep anywhere.

Taking in a deep breath, she tried to stamp down her subconscious, which seemed to be mumbling negative words that she couldn't quite understand. "This place is amazing, Bronn. It's like a dream!"

Bronn's smile that was on his face right now, it was a special kind of smile. It wasn't a cheeky little grin, nor a smile of happiness. It wasn't small, or lop-sided or crooked or anything like that. It definitely wasn't even anywhere near being a smirk. No, this smile? THis was special because the only person that had ever been able to cause it had been the lovely lady in front of him right now.

Bronn gripped her tightly as she hugged him to her, breathing in her woodsy aroma once more. He felt his heart clench painfully with how much he loved this woman in his arms. He let her slip out of them once more, not wanting to do anything that might scare her away, though at the moment he was pretty sure she wouldn't run.

He could tell by the look on her face, the way her eyes swept over the soft, light wood that was complimented by faded jade green and darker, deep oak colours, the way a small smile played on her lips as her eyes lit up with excitement. She was so cute, adorable, beautiful.

"Would you like the tour, m'lady?" He grinned at her compliment and bowed with a flourish of his hand, before offering his arm to her.

Victoria saw pain flicker through Bronn's eyes. Resting her hand on his cheek, she looked up into his face, trying to read whatever emotions were there. She was terrible at reading what people were thinking. At that thought, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She tried to shake off the odd feeling in the pit of her stomach.

At his showy bow, she giggled. She raised her head, trying to look snooty and hooked her arm through his. "Most definitely, good sir," she tried to say in a British accent. It wasn't bad, after years of practice. She'd only moved to London when she was ten, so had retained most of her American accent. It had been a little joke over the years, her trying to adopt a British one.

First stop was the kitchen. It was gorgeous! Very spacious, with a wonderful island in the center where a few stools were placed. It was one of her favorite things about kitchens like this. The idea that you could have a nice little meal right there, without having to go all out at the dinner table. AND.....of course the food.

She grinned cheekily. "Don't know how you could top this. It's officially my favorite room."