I was inspired to create a part two to Beyond Words... Enjoy ✨💚 They remained that way for some time. Eris's arms draped across the Drifter's shoulders, his hands firm on her thighs, his head resting in her lap. She nuzzled into the dark strands of his hair, letting it tickle against her face as she breathed him in. It was oddly… comforting. Like home. Like she had always belonged there. Then, a thought crept in, pressing against her mind. Her fingers twitched, loosening their grip as she pulled back enough to look down at him. The Drifter lifted his head, his eyes locking with hers, waiting. She hesitated- just for a second. Then, before she could second-guess herself, her body moved- as if drawn by something beyond reason. Her hands found his shoulders, grounding her as she sank into his lap, her legs settling on either side before she had the chance to stop herself. His breath hitched- but he didn't move. He just let her stay. His gaze lifted, his eyes locked onto hers- hesitant, afraid… longing. “Eris,” he rasped as his hands curled around her hips. She stared down at him, gaze flicking over his lips, hovering there for just a second too long before meeting his eyes again. He smiled- small and shy, as he slowly, carefully slid his arms around her waist, pulling her closer- urging her into the moment. His forehead met the soft fabric of her robes- lightly brushing over her collarbone. And for a second, he just stayed there, as if afraid moving too fast or breathing too hard would shatter the moment. She shuddered in a breath, her fingers ghosting over his shoulders, trailing up the curve of his neck before slipping into his hair, pressing him into her- into her chest. Into the warmth of her body. He felt so seen, so vulnerable. But also so warm. Safe. At home. He exhaled softly, sinking first into the fabric, and then into her body, his arms still tight around her waist. She let her fingertips press into his scalp, tracing slow, lingering strokes through the short strands. Then, her fingers slipped beneath the fabric of his headband. She hesitated- just for a breath, stroking her thumb across the fabric, before slipping the headband off. He shivered, pulling away just enough to meet her gaze, his own wide with surprise and surrender. Her chest rose too sharply, her grip on the headband long forgotten. She should look away. She didn't. Her eyes were back on his lips- on every tiny movement, from the slight twitch at the corner to the way his tongue had flicked out- just enough to wet his bottom lip. She caught the way his mouth parted- his breath slow, steady, deliberate. He leaned just a fraction closer, his fingers tightening against her waist just enough to make her aware of the heat between them. It was an offer. Eris felt it, even with her eyes set on his lips, she felt the way his own gaze had dipped lower. She knew exactly what he wanted to do. And it was exactly what she wanted as well. The last sliver of space between them evaporated. At first, it was soft. Slow. Hesitant. Their lips brushed- just barely, testing. And then something changed. The kiss deepened- fast and unrestrained. Every last shred of hesitation forgotten as their mouths collided, sloppy, uneven. Absolutely perfect. Their breath mixed in what little space was left between them- warm and dizzying. The Drifter groaned into her mouth- low and rough as he tilted his head, deepening the kiss. Demanding more. Taking more. Swallowing the soft gasp that left her lips, kissing her like she was the only thing that ever made sense. She could tell he wanted more- the way he held too tight, kissed too long- and she wanted it too. But- not yet. She pulled away- not far, just enough to search his face. And what she found stole her breath all over again. Eris should have stopped. Should have said something. Should have given herself a chance to breathe. But the way Drifter was smiling up at her- cheeks flushed, swollen lips pulled into a lazy grin, shining eyes locked on hers, like she was the only thing he wanted in the entire galaxy? There was no stopping. Her hands found his cheeks, tilting his chin up just enough before she crashed back into him. This kiss was different. Hungrier. Unstoppable. Their mouths parted, breathless- heat shooting through every inch of her as her tongue met his. Slow at first. Gentle. Then heavier. Deeper. Desperate. The Drifter inhaled sharply- his teeth scraping against her lip, their tongues pressing together, chasing more- all thoughts of personal space long gone as his hands trailed up her spine. Her fingers tightened against his cheeks, pulling closer, stealing more as her legs pressed into his sides. The Drifter groaned again, the sound vibrating against her lips as their teeth collided. He held her too tight, too hard, like he needed to feel every inch of her pressed against him. They were so close, so lost, so tangled together- and then they slipped. The Drifter fell backwards, instinctively gripping Eris tighter as she tumbled with him, breathless and still clutching his face as they landed with a heavy thud on the wood floor, limbs tangled and breath stolen The Drifter blinked, looking up at her, and then- he laughed, his face red and his smile wide. “Guess we got a little carried away, huh?” he asked as his eyes slipped lower, studying her beautifully swollen, red lips. His breath hitched. He did that. He was the reason this strong, impassioned, badass woman was out of breath, cheeks flushed, lips bruised, staring down at him- so full of awe it nearly undid him. “Perhaps so,” she murmured, masking her flustered state in the only way she knew- by pulling him closer. She slipped her hands back into his hair, her fingers threading through the dark strands as she leaned in, just a little closer. “I didn't mind none…” he groused, still watching her mouth. “Nor did I,” she replied. And with that, she put her lips back to his, taking in every taste and movement as he curled his arms tight around her, as if he'd never let go.