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You huffed in annoyance as yet another set of siblings disturbed the peace and quiet of the library. Your grip tightened on the tome you read as more boisterous laughter filled the room despite Sister Leah hushing them. "Satan below I swear these fuckers-"
A chuckle interrupted your agitated grousing. You didn't even feel him sneak up on you until he wrapped an arm around your waist.
"Are testing your patience?" His voice drawled out behind you with mirth. He playfully, and mindful of his horns, bunted you with his forehead. "Careful sweetheart you'll rip your book if you grip it tighter." He gently pulled said book from your hands and set it aside with your page marked.
You sighed at all the papers and books scattered across the table you'd claimed. Feeling you tense, Aether released some of his calming quintessence. You let your shoulders sag as some of the irritation slipped from your body. With his arm still on your waist you leaned into Aether's comforting touch.
"I know I should calm down Aeth but these assholes are disturbing my studies. I'm supposed to review this tome at the end of the week with Cardinal Thomas." You started rambling off all the stuff you still had to research and the other scriptures that go with this one. Aether placed a calming hand on your cheek and turned your face back towards him. He held your gaze as gently as he did everything else when it came to you. You found that you couldn't look away from his beautiful eyes while they flooded with worry and something you couldn't name.
"Sweetheart, you'll burn yourself out at this rate." He soothed some more of the tension with another wave of tranquility but you still worried about all the things you needed to do. His hand glided down from your face in a familiar path to your hand. He held it so gently as he brushed your knuckles with his thumb. It was sinful how easily he could distract you with such simple touches. "I'm gonna take you somewhere and you have to trust me."
You tried to protest as Aether gathered your stuff in his other hand and began to pull you from the library. "Aether! I have to log the books out first!" He continued to walk you out, with a wave of the tome over his head to Sister Leah; who just waved you off with a smile. You could only hope she logged them out for you as you was pulled away.
You kept sneaking glances at Aether as you two passed through the halls, hand in hand. There were no words exchanged but you could still feel the comfort and care from just being near him. The hand enveloped yours acted like an anchor. It grounded you to him without burden. There was never any doubt since you first met that he was a light in the dark. As you passed a familiar hall you felt him slow slightly like he remembered the same thing you did; but you continued past it.
"I'm glad you ran into me." His words were light but held so much. He glanced back at you for a split second. That unfamiliar emotion burning in his eyes before he looked forward again.
"So am I." It was such a simple response that meant everything. You could never regret meeting the best person in my life. You don't think you could ever tell him just how much he means to you.
You finally reached a silent almost dead area of the northside of the abbey. No one else strayed this far into the church, except high members of clergy and the bell ringers.
"Aether," you stopped and like a magnet so did he. "I don't think we're allowed in this area."
He pulled you gently to stand beside him. "Don't worry, sweetheart," he gestured towards a door towards your right. "No one will be upset if you come with me. I promise."
"But-" you didn't get far in your weak protest before he spoke up.
"If you really don't want to go, we won't go. Simple as that-" he leaned down and pressed his forehead to yours. "But trust me you'll be safe where we're heading and no one will ever say anything. I told I promised and I meant it."
"Ok," you agreed softly.
"Ok?" He lightly teased me but there was genuine concern in his eyes.
"Ok- yes I'll follow you wherever you go." You fought the grin on your face as he smiled at you.
"That's my girl." He softly squeezed your hand and he steered you towards the door. Behind it laid a set of stairs that led up to the steeple. He didn't hesitate to reassure you . "I've got you; just follow me"
"Of course, always."