Riven's teeth slowly unlatched from Soren's skin. He pulled back, chest still heaving, but his arms refused to let go. He leaned forward instead, resting his head on the place where he'd bitten Soren. A ragged, trembling breath shuddered from his lungs, and he clung to the warm body in front of him like it was the only thing anchoring him to reality.
Soren's arms wrapped around him without hesitation. Not too tight—just enough to let Riven know he was there.
The way Soren's hand cradled the back of his head made Riven's heart squeeze. He felt like a child, vulnerable and raw, but for once he didn't have the strength to pretend otherwise.
He didn't even try to stop the broken whispers of Soren's name falling from his lips.
"Soren… Soren… it's… you…"
His breathing stayed uneven, like he was struggling to remember how to pull air into his lungs. But every time he spoke that name, Soren pressed another soft kiss to his shoulder or brushed his thumb gently over Riven's nape.
