You said we would stay up to watch the sunrise, to see the brilliant display of light crest the top of the trees and spread its tendrils of warmth across the world, but you fell asleep, your head pillowed in my lap, and I ended up watching the most beautiful sunrise catch the light in your hair.

I was captivated with the way your chest rose and fell in such a regular, slow pattern and the contented purring that grew in the back of your throat as the sun warmed you. I felt your weight shift as you turned, buried your face in the curve of my leg, but it wasn't a pressing weight. It was the weight of a lifetime together, the weight of this thing I carried for always. And I laughed as I thought, "Well, is this what love is?"

The sun played across your body, dappled in light and shade, and I thought how ironic it is that you and I are so different. Life and death. Light and darkness. And you made me whole, I mused, grinning down on you.

You were my perfect half.

And it was amazing how true that was. You were my protection, my saviour, my keeper. You filled me with your very essence--all that you were belonged to me and only me. Trembling, I leaned down and pressed my lips against yours, lingering only a moment so perhaps my stolen kiss would go unnoticed.

But you felt it; you knew. I saw your eyes flutter open and you were assessing me, your deep-set eyes sending tiny shivers of desire into the core of my being. My heart stopped, missed a beat, and I knew I was blushing. I felt you searching, but for what I couldn't tell. I smiled tentatively and curled my fingers around your cheeks, my palms flat against your face.

You leaned your head back to catch my gaze, and I couldn't move. You smiled knowingly, and I, caught in your allure, smiled back. But it was your eyes, I realized, that smiled, and they lit up your face with their dancing light, drawing my attention to them. I saw in them so much; your truth, your light, your hope. Like a wave, your love crashed over me and I gasped, taken aback by the sheer force of it.

Your eyebrows creased questioningly and then you smiled for real. I wondered what you were thinking, but then I saw it in your clear eyes: I love you. I never loved anyone but you. And I knew it was the truth, because you were never very good at lying; your eyes shone all emotion.

I love you. Only you. I thought it was your eyes, but no--your voice, your thoughts were real; your eyes only echoed the words.

"Do you believe it?" you asked, and I blushed deeply as you sat up and pushed under my arms. "Do you know I mean it, Sarkandi?"

I nodded, struck speechless by your arms around my waist, your question, your eyes shining your blind, foolish trust. I only nodded, biting my lip; you mimicked my movements and then you lunged forward and kissed me.

I was ready for it; I opened my mouth to your wanting tongue, opened my body to your roaming hands. And your lips lingered, longer than mine had, taking the breath from me until the need for air became so pressing that I forced our mouths apart. And there you sat, your eyes dancing with your laughter, your face flushed, mouth curved in a slight smile.

"You; my Sarkandi. Only you." I nodded, pressing my forehead to yours, my fingers tracing the strong line of your jaw; you pursed your lips contemplatively.

"Nn, want you," you breathed, and I licked my lips knowingly--purposely--seductive. I saw you squirm, your eyes left mine for an instant and I had to draw your attention back.

"Why?" I asked, and your eyes met mine again. And this time you didn't look away, only smiled, eyes sparkling.

"Don't know," you said, shrugging, and your hands found mine on your cheeks. "Don't know, I just want you. I need you."

"Why?" I asked again. You looked at me funny, and I laughed. "Don't know. I can't live without you." I wanted to kiss you, I realized, more than I'd ever wanted to before. I scrunched up my nose, and grinned.

"Mine," you whispered, and I felt your heart racing against my chest as you pulled me into your embrace.

My mind went racing with my heart, and the last thing I remember was your lips on my jaw and your eyes screaming I gotta have you.