This is the final chapter, so it's just a bit longer than the others. Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers—and a really big thank you to those of you who have stuck with me since the first chapter. I'm very grateful for all your comments and encouragement; it makes me feel like I'm worth something. Thanks for putting up with me! ;;

ForestGlenny, could you e-mail me so I can ask a bit more about your fic request? And Ziggy Pop Eno, I sent you an e-mail, did you get it? If not, could you e-mail me about your request as well?

For warnings and disclaimers: see previous chapters. You probably don't want to hear it again anyway.

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

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The ornately decorated massive oak doors that led into the study presented a rather formidable problem for the young fifth demon lord Raenef. The silver tray with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate perched on top must be carried with both hands or it would be dropped, he decided, tracing the intricate dance of the carved lines in the door with puzzled green eyes. But he required the use of one of said hands to knock on the lovely door. He was about to knock with a raised toe, when fortunately a glaringly simple solution to his predicament presented itself suddenly. (Very fortunate indeed, for knocking with a foot when one has only one other such limb to stand upon is a feat for a person with enviable balance; an attribute our dear Raenef does not possess.)

Closing his eyes and focusing, he reached out with his aura to the demon on the other side of the barricading door. Almost instantly an answering aura brushed against his own, and he smiled; Eclipse's aura always made him feel enveloped in an impenetrable blanket of security. Eclipse had taught him this trick not long after the very… interesting events at the introduction ceremony, when he had asked about the telepathy his tutor had used. (He had been hesitant to ask, as Eclipse was strangely wont to obliterate unoffending random objects in his vicinity whenever the meeting was brought up.) His presence announced, he teleported to the other side of the door.

The raven-haired demon was seated at the youth's desk, pouring over a parchment filled with the type of political flabber-gab that consistently resulted in migraines, but he rose upon the entrance of his liege. He sweat-dropped at the sight of bubbly little Raenef holding the silver serving tray before him.

Damn Erutis and her comment about the French maid dresses.

"I brought you some hot chocolate, Eclipse." The blonde smiled up at him hopefully. "Take a break from work with me?"

Eclipse considered saying something along the lines of 'demon lords do not serve their servants,' but decided against it. Anyway, Raenef seemed to have completely forgotten about the kitchen incident… and the sled incident… and the study incident…

"Alright," he consented, and Raenef beamed joyfully. The gods knew Raenef was infinitely more enjoyable than wishy-washy politics.

The youth followed his tutor over to a couch that had not been there two seconds prior, positioned in the center of the room and facing the fireplace. A small beautifully carved coffee table was set in front of it, and he set the tray on its surface before settling beside the other demon on the couch.

The chocolate was rich and hot and wonderfully soothing, filling him with delicious liquid heat, and Eclipse was warm and strong and intoxicating beside him, and oh, so close… Time seemed to dissolve as the firelight danced like glowing fairies before his eyes, enchanting his mind into a languid fuzzy relaxation. Eclipse's shoulder looked so comfortable… then suddenly he was leaning on it and a soft sigh escaped him.

It would be so easy… so easy to just say it, say it right now… just three little words…

"Tired?" Eclipse's eyes were soft and luminescent in the flickering firelight.

Say it…

"A bit," he conceded. Amusement flickered across the other's face.

"If this is a 'bit' tired like you were a 'bit' cold earlier, perhaps you should turn in, my lord."

Tell him now…

He flushed slightly and smiled, regarding his now nervous hands that were tensed in his lap. "No, I don't want to go yet. I want to stay a little longer…" Timid emerald eyes rose to meet Eclipse's dark gaze.

I'm in love…

"…with you."

It just seemed so natural, with Raenef looking up at him with those brilliant green eyes shimmering with the reflected firelight, and his full luscious lips just slightly parted invitingly… and indeed, it seemed a force almost tangible bound them together, an undeniable attraction, pulling them irresistibly closer… And so it seemed so natural to Eclipse to lean forward, gently caressing Raenef's powder soft cheek, and close the short distance between them so their noses brushed… Raenef's eyes slid shut as their breaths mingled hotly, tingling…

No one interrupted this time. The world fell abruptly away as their lips met in a tender embrace, initially tentative and then melting into pure sweet bliss as Raenef's mouth blossomed open in welcome for the other to slip inside. A soft moan from Eclipse was drowned in the youth's mouth, sending shivers racing through his body. Raenef was so hot and sweet and delicious Eclipse was overwhelmed, losing all sense of everything except Raenef, so pliant and willing and soft. Unconsciously he pulled him closer until the blonde was in his lap and his arms were snaked around that slim little waist, while slender fingers combed his long silky raven-tresses.

When at last they parted their gazes locked again, and Raenef opened his mouth to give voice to those three little words that had evaded his tongue for so long. But suddenly he discovered there was no need. Love was there in Eclipse's eyes, in the way he looked at him so warmly. It was there in his arms, in the gentle but protective way he held him. It was there in his fingers, stroking his hair affectionately. It was there in his smile, so tender and soft. Love shone in every little gesture he made. Words were unnecessary.

So Raenef kissed him again.

Because actions definitely speak louder than words.

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Chris fell off the sofa, convulsing with laughter. "Oh, you are so smashed." He watched Erutis through fits of giggles as she valiantly strove to get up off the floor. After several very unsteady attempts, she collapsed in defeat.

"Shuddup," she slurred, lobbing a pillow that soared past a good three feet away from the cleric's head. "I'd come atchou wish che fire poker but I'm not sure whish one offew to attack."

Chris grinned, chucking the pillow back at her; she tried to dodge it but got a face-full anyway. "So much for revenge, huh, page of a demon lord?"

She rolled her eyes. "Ashif you fared any besher, exshiled monk." Grabbing her mug off the floor, she raised it to him and up-ended it.

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The faint glow from the dying embers of the fire was just enough to cast Raenef's youthful face in a dim radiance, and Sleep's soft touch had gentled his usually vivacious expression into one serene and tranquil. The hour had grown quite late, and the youth had succumbed to slumber curled against Eclipse's side, wrapped warmly in the embrace of the other demon's arms and soothing scent, and with a handful of ebony silk woven through his fingers.

Eclipse himself remained awake, relishing the glorious feeling of Raenef, warm and vital, in his arms at last. And each rise and fall of the blonde's gentle breathing, and each beat of his heart finally relieved the empty ache deep inside Eclipse's soul, filled and alleviated it with the love of the one he loved.

Gazing down at Raenef, he was certain there was no greater bliss.

Gently, as not to wake him, Eclipse lifted the youth and teleported to the demon lord's bedchambers. He laid him on the bed soundlessly and, extracting his hair from the other's slender hand, turned to leave. A sudden tugging on the back of his robes halted him in his tracks. Turning, he met a pair of sleep-clouded emerald eyes, shining silver in the light of the moon.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" The question was soft and tentative; Eclipse hesitated in reluctant ambivalence.

"…please?" Raenef gazed up at him beseechingly, looking so small and vulnerable on the gargantuan bed that Eclipse could not help yielding.

"Alright." He was rewarded with a radiant smile and the blonde scooted over to make room for him. As he slipped onto the rich silken sheets and drew the covers over them, Raenef spooned against him, back to chest, and he wrapped his arms around him in a protective embrace. He heard the other sight softly in contentment, and he smiled at the thought of waking in the morning with his beloved in his arms, and every morning hereafter until Time took their breaths away.

For Eclipse had promised him forever, and he intended to deny him none of it.

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Finis.

And thus ends "First Snow". (Vampy-chan, release the cookies!! ;;) And no, I did not forget to put an "h" on my "Finis". It's Latin. Anyhow, let me know what you thought!

If anyone wants a lemon with this (coughCrowkeeper990cough) review and let me know. I don't feel really comfortable posting NC-17 material under a PG-13 rated fanfic. If I get enough requests, then I'll write one called "The Prism Room". Remember you have to change the rating settings to 'R' (because stupid ff doesn't like NC-17). Even if I write it, I don't know when it'll be posted; I'm going out of country for a few weeks, and I don't know when I'll next get internet access. The earliest it may be up is four days (as per usual); the latest would be in a month. Luv y'all!

Update: 'The Prism Room' will not be up on this site. If I ever get around to writing it (with all the ff frustrations, it's been put on hold) it will be posted elsewhere (i.e., aff . net or a fan site if someone will host me...)

Hugz 'n' Glompz

Ja Bai Bai!