Chapter 099 – Late

[2009 – August]

Opening my eyes sleepily as I lay on my side, I saw Jean right next to me, still sleeping.

Beautiful flaming locks of hair framed her flawless features while a small relaxed smile sat on her soft lips, her eyes closed as she breathed in and out in a steady rhythm. I felt one of her hands still grasping my shirt under the bedding, while the other lay atop the mattress in the space between us.

Moving carefully, I slipped my hand under hers, grasping her slender palm with my own, feeling her warm skin on my own.

I didn't try to wake her, even though I knew that a busy day was ahead of us as today was the day of the photoshoot I had promised Cordelia.

Every minute I spent just watching her as she rested beside me so peacefully, I felt at peace myself. She looked so vulnerable at this moment, and I found myself hoping that she showed me this side of hers knowing that I would protect her, that she was safe with me.

It was a rather foolish and selfish thought, maybe even delusional, considering that she was sleeping. Still, I wished she did, even if only subconsciously.

There was something so intimate about this, watching the one I loved sleeping by my side, Jean's quiet breathing echoing in my ears while fine strands of sunlight fell on her resting figure, making her look so pure and fragile.

I couldn't help the tenderness that welled up inside my heart, wanting nothing more than to prolong this moment for a few more minutes, the serenity and peace it carried with it being something unbelievably precious to me.

I wasn't sure what the future held in store for us and even though I wasn't fond of conflict, nor did I ever plan on playing hero, I knew that there were many battles to be fought if I wanted to preserve this peace.

Similar to Apocalypse, who I saw as a target that had to be eliminated, there were many more beings whose lives I planned to claim for the sake of protecting what I held dear.

Still, I wasn't scared off by this knowledge, as I was resolved and had accepted that this was my path. I wanted to wander this Universe, see all there was to see and then go even further. And I wanted to do so with Jean by my side.

I wanted to see her eyes shine in wonder when I showed her all that this Universe had to offer, and laugh in joy while discovering the unknown. I simply wanted her to be happy.

But I knew that there was a price that had to be paid for all of this to come true, and I was willing to dp that.

Seeing Jean's eyelids flutter open, I pushed those thoughts aside as I quietly watched her while she opened her sleepy eyes. Her hazy green eyes quickly found mine as a lovely smile appeared on her lips.

"Morning.", she whispered, her words barely audible, as if she was afraid of disturbing the quiet beauty of this morning, her eyes lighting up affectionately.

My breath hitched for a moment and my heart skipped a beat. She looked so beautiful at this moment with her wild hair contrasting her pale skin, eyes shining with warm joy while a tender smile sat on her beckoning lips.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say as my heart started to beat at a rapid rhythm. And so I just said the only thing I was sure of at this moment: "I love you, Jean Grey."

…

"I love you, Jean Grey."

His words were spoken serenely and quietly, but when Jean heard them leave Elijah's lips while his eyes glowed with a light so gentle that it was almost heart-breaking, she couldn't help but feel her heart tremble.

Unable to find the words to reply while a storm of tender affection raged inside her, Jean held onto Elijah's hand, pressing it against her chest while looking up at him with watery eyes.

Thankfully, her love understood what she needed as he reached out with his other arm and pulled her into his embrace, freeing his hand in the process so that he could wrap both his arms around her tightly.

"I love you too.", she whispered while burying her head in his chest, feeling his strong heart beat powerfully, while his warmth surrounded her.

Slowly her hands wandered up Elijah's chest and neck, settling on the two sides of his face as she pulled him into a slow and gentle kiss, her inner fire pouring into him as their tongues danced around each other intimately.

In the end, it didn't take long before they both lost their clothes and Jean found herself pressed into the sheets while Elijah's rained down kisses on her neck, shoulders, and chest, his shaft penetrating her deeply.

It was a bout of gentle lovemaking, and Jean tightly held onto Elijah's hands as he pushed her arms into the bedding above her head while she moaned and panted her love's name.

Looking up at him with eyes full of love and desire as he pushed into her with slow and deep thrusts, her legs wrapped around his waist as if to draw him in even further.

Jean wasn't sure how many orgasms rushed through her form under Elijah's gentle assault, what she was sure of though was that the love shining in Elijah's eyes never once lost its intensity as he gazed at her in the throes of passion.

And she finally felt him join her in her moment of bliss, his forehead pressed against hers as he whispered words of love, Jean couldn't stop the flames from rushing out of her trembling form.

They surrounded the both of them, bringing them into a world of fire that existed for just the two of them.

…

As one would expect, we didn't make it on time to our appointment with Cordelia, though thankfully we were only fifteen minutes late. Still, I couldn't quite find it in me to be genuinely sorry about that.