Kurt looked at you silently as silence fell over you both. Something tightened your chest, made it harder to look him in the eye.

Was that shame?

You had never felt anything like this before. And yet you wanted to tell him everything, lay all your cards on the table and be honest.

That had never happened before.

The most horrible thing at that moment wasn't the weight of his eyes, the slight disappointment but the lack of anger. He felt betrayed. But somehow he had also reckoned that there was such a thing as escape money.

Because he knew you. And he knew how hard it was to bind a woman like you. You were like the water of a river, constantly on the move, wilful and committed only to yourself.

He had tried to turn you into a pond. A fatal mistake, as he now had to admit thanks to the disappointment in his chest. And yet one question was burning on his mind.

"What has changed?", he asked. "You never made use of it. So what changed?"

There was no reproach in his voice, no anger. He only wanted the truth. Taking a deep breath, you close your eyes.

"I did.", you admitted. "All my life I've done what I wanted. Just like I wanted. Not even Myers managed to force me to do things I didn't want to do."

You raised your eyes and looked at him.

"I'm not stupid enough to think I can tell you what to do.", he said in a rough voice.

His grip on your thighs loosened. But before he could pull away, you put your hands on his to keep him from slipping away.

"Even if there are things I don't feel like doing, I've had to learn over the years that sometimes you don't always get exactly what you want.", you smiled gently. "Sometimes... compromises are worth it. For a certain someone."

He sucked in a sharp breath. His eyes closed as he dropped his forehead against yours.

"No more secrets.", he said.

"Just the truth.", you confirmed and kissed him gently.

When his eyes opened again, there was a deep thought hidden in the white. He hesitated briefly.

Then his hand slipped into one of the many pockets of his trousers. He wrapped it around something small and held it out to you. You opened your hands to cup them but he hesitated.

"I want to have the Lady Sapphire by my side.", he said. "As my Lady Sapphire."

Laughing softly, you kissed him again.

"That can be arranged.", you purred.

He smiled mildly. Then he dropped a small box into your open hands. Your heart skipped a beat as your fingers reflexively wrapped around it. Soft velvet nestled against your skin.

"Don't open it yet.", he said and kissed your forehead. "I know your answer right now is not the one I want to hear. Keep it. And when it's all over... we can discuss the details."

Your fingers trembled. It felt like the air in the room was getting thin.

"When?", that was all you got out.

"Six and a half years ago.", he admitted, honest and vulnerable. "Been carrying it around all this time."

Surprised, you tore gaze eyes off the box, looked at him with wide eyes.

"The first time I told you I loved you...", you whispered.

He smiled, so full of good memories. He still remembered that day fondly. And would probably never forget it.

"Was that a lie then?", he asked, now that he knew you hadn't planned to stay.

Something burned in your eyes. You laughed it off.

"That was the day I realised that there was no point in running away no more.", you admitted. "You would have followed me to the end of time."

He chuckled amusedly, deep and throaty. The smile that curled his lips was genuine.

"I probably would have even tried to capture you.", he said.

Leaning forward slightly, he looked deep into your eyes. Your fingers closed tighter around the box.

"Kurt...", his name was barely more than a whisper on your lips.

He shook his head.

"Don't answer yet.", he asked, putting a finger to your lips. "First we'll make sure we have an eternity together. Then..."

"What if I already know my answer?", you asked instead.

Jolted out of his thoughts, he inhaled sharply. The expression on his face crumbled for a second. Then he smiled more gently than you had ever seen before.

With trembling lips, you leant forward to steal a soft kiss. He tasted of bourbon and coffee. His eyes fell shut.

"Take your time with the answer.", he breathed, one hand on the back of your neck. "Be sure of it. Because if you accept, I'll never let you go again. Even if you hate me for it."

Chuckling softly, you clasp the little box in both hands. You couldn't help but grin against his lips.

"That's the most pleasant threat I've ever been given.", you purred.

In one fluid movement, you slipped off the box, ducked under his arm and withdrew from his influence.

Kurt let it happen, knew it was time to give you your space. Otherwise you'd feel too backed into a corner and run away. He had already made that mistake once. That wouldn't happen again.

He leant against the crate with watchful eyes, his gaze following you as you strutted towards the door. You held his offer tightly in your hands behind your back. He grinned with satisfaction. But something was still niggling at him.

"And you haven't forgotten anything?", he asked teasingly when your hand was already on the door.

You turned round to him with a flourish.

"And that would be?", you asked with your head bent.

His eyes travelled along the curves of your cleavage, over your stomach and to the bare thighs that protruded between the slits in your dress.

"I have a problem that you caused.", he said and leant back.

Your gaze fell on the prominent bulge in his trousers. The way it looked, it was getting damn tight in there. You smirked, bent forward teasingly to give him a deep look at your boobs.

"Just a little more patience, Colonel~!", you whispered with a smile. "Then I'll take care of you."

He gritted his teeth.

"Really?", he asked with a growl.

"As often as you like.", you disappeared with a wink.