Valerian felt his heart swell—and something else, too. Merlin he needed this. He needed Greengrass. He'd tried to tell himself that if he could just find someone—anyone—that he could have gotten over this, could have gotten over him, but now he couldn't imagine ever considering it an option. Greengrass' fingers left a trail of tingles as it traced down his chest and to his belt, and by the time they were on the buckle Valerian realized he'd been holding his breath. He hadn't wanted to rush, but he was beginning to think it was an inevitability.

Valerian reached up and hooked his fingers into the neckline of Greengrass' shirt, pulling him in for a kiss. His hands mimicked the path that Greengrass' had followed on his own body, but he took the time to fumble with the buttons of Greengrass' shirt, sliding his fingers underneath the fabric as he undid each one. He pulled back from the kiss, his eyes dropping to the visible skin of Greengrass' chest.

"All yours," he murmured distractedly, now very confident that he wouldn't be able to slow down unless Greengrass didn't stop him.

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