Eleven Ways to Love

Once at home, Delphine is a whirlwind getting upstairs as she becomes giddy about the thought of dressing up. It’s definitely one of the joys of opera, she finds, is getting to dress up fancy. Not the fancy her parents paraded her around in, but the fancy that’s more subtle. Demure. Mindful. Delphine will never dress the ways her parents used to dress her- like some doll to be shown off when really she wants her voice and personality to be what draws people in.

Tiberius watches in amusement as his mate all but tears up their room in the search for perfect outfits. He finds it cute, really, how excited she gets to dress herself up. Delphine always looks radiant, but even more so when she’s smiling, happy, and in her element. He suspects she could’ve been a fashion designer if opera didn’t work out for her. Or a model. He’d love to see that.

“Ti,” Delphine approaches him shyly and he nearly gets a hard on at the mere sight of her little smile. “Do you… can I pick your outfit too?”

He has to resist the urge to kiss her and pin her to the bed, forgoing dinner altogether, to answer her, “Of course my little songbird.”

Delphine beams at him and then she’s a hurricane once more, throwing clothes at him that she wants him to try on. Different combinations of shirts, pants, ties, and shoes. Tiberius gets the distinct feeling he should have a whole room dedicated to their clothes and ‘fashion shows.’ Delphine would look cute surrounded in a space she can mess up and pose in as much as she wants.

“You know, if you keep making cute faces and taking too long, I might just have to keep you here all night,” Tiberius grabs her by the waist and pulls her in close in spite of his imposed rule not to touch her as much.

Delphine blinks at him in confusion before her face breaks out in a brilliant blush and she’s smacking at his chest, “You can’t do that! You already promised me a fancy dinner.”

He chuckles, “I suppose I did, but you’re just too adorable to resist when you’re like this.”

Her knees rest on either side of his thighs, straddling him, and she pouts. The pout drives Tiberius insane as he grinds up into her core and the following gasp has him rolling them over on the bed. Delphine stares at him with wide eyes and parted lips that look so damn kissable. He doesn’t hold back anymore and kisses her with all the adoration he can manage. Delphine’s arms wrap hesitantly around his shoulders before kissing him back. It quickly gets heated and when they pull back for air, she’s quick to squirm out from under Tiberius.

“We’ll have time for that later,” Delphine turns her nose up at him. “After dinner!”

Tiberius groans a little even as he laughs, “Alright, alright, whatever my Delphie wants.”

Delphine is all smiles and giggles as she finishes dressing the two of them- understated outfits that scream sophistication. Tiberius isn’t even sure how she manages to look so effortlessly put together even if the closet is a mess. His hands encircle her waist and a little gasp escapes her, he loves it. He loves the feel of her beneath his fingers, the shy smile she gives him in tentative pushes of intimacy, and how her eyes are always filled with wonder. Tiberius is happy to say he’s in love with her and not just because they’re soulmates, but because he genuinely enjoys her as a person.

He’s watched her put in the work for the Austerus, her care for the cast and crew, and how easily she gets along with anyone. Sure, Delphine had been a little upset at Julian and his mate, Marcus, having betrayed her, but confessed she couldn’t stay mad. Julian is her best friend and Marcus has only ever been kind to her. Tiberius’ heart thuds at the thought of her being so caring and loving, what it would be like for their child.

Delphine smiles up at him, “What are you thinking about? You look… intense.”

He kisses her without preamble, slow and passionate, pulling away and leaving her breathless, “I am simply so in love with you. I will do anything for you, no ask is too much or too little. You are my entire world and I don’t want to lose you.”

Delphine’s eyes become misty at the confession. She’s never had someone so sincerely say they love her without demanding all she has from her. Her own parent’s love had been conditional and contingent upon how obedient she was. How well behaved she was to the point she was merely a doll for them to play with. Tiberius’ confession has brought far too many emotions to the surface for Delphine to form words. She pulls him to kiss him this time, the first time she’s initiated any thing of the kind. They melt against one another.

Delphine can feel the mate bond pressing on her soul and she accepts it. She won’t fight this point of fate anymore because why would she? It all started out rocky, to say the least, but Delphine has never felt more respected than in his presence.

“Let’s go to dinner,” she whispers against his lips.