Do You Know Who You Are?

@ castle.

Charlotte gazed up at him adoringly as he said he loved her, relieved that he not only felt the same, but had admitted it to her, had promised that he wouldn't leave her. She let out a content sigh as he began to kiss her neck, her eyes starting to close as her fingers tangled in his hair to draw her closer, but when she felt his cock pushing into her her eyes opened wide as a gasp left her, shuddering as he burried himself in her slowly.

"O-Oh, Cain.." she moaned, dragging her nails down his back and arms, glad for the few moments he was giving her to adjust. The way he held her, waited for her go-ahead, the way it felt to be filled by him... This had happened before. She could remember it, their first time, in that little farm shack she'd seen in those odd memories earlier, in a tiny bed that seemed like it'd break with both of them on it. She could remember the sweet things he'd whispered to her as he took her virginity, and how he'd been so careful to make sure she'd enjoyed herself.

"Cain.. I-I remember.." she breathed after a moment, her arms snaking around his neck to pull him closer, pressing a deep kiss to his lips. "Our first time.. in the farmhouse... I don't know how I forgot." She murmured between kisses, whining a bit needily when she finally felt ready for him to move. "More.. I want more.."

It had taken every ounce of his control not to start fucking her right away. Antonio had no idea when the last time that she had slept with someone was and he wasn't interested in hurting her. He wanted her to enjoy this just as much as he was. Antonio let out a throaty moan, his head dropping forward to rest against her shoulder. Antonio had to focus on kissing the skin that he could reach, that he nearly missed the words that she had uttered.

Antonio's entire body went from being relaxed and comfortable to tense, his muscles tensed and ready to shove himself away from her. He was expecting her to tell him that he needed to stop. That she wanted to take it slower or that she never wanted to see him again. Antonio couldn't say he would blame her, his thoughts were racing, She would tell him to go and he would have to figure out a way to keep her safe from afar. How, Antonio didn't know but he would make it work. He had to.

But then she was pulling him in closer and Antonio was sure his heart just about burst. He swallowed thickly, reaching up to cup her cheek. He brushed his thumb over her cheek, hesitating for a moment before he leaned forward, kissing her deeply. Antonio couldn't remember the last thing that he had felt this complete.

"Shh, darlin'. It's okay. 'm not going anywhere. I promise," he breathed softly, nipping at the skin as he started to pull away from her. Antonio bit back a groan as he began to fuck her, his hands teasing against her sides. This was meant to be gentle, loving. Not like what he often had with a girl from his bar - all meant to make him forget the woman that still held his heart in her hands.

@ castle.

Charlotte's hands moved up his chest and shoulders to rest against his cheeks, holding his head in her hands as she returned his kiss, pouring every bit of her love for him into it. She didn't know how she could have forgotten him, how she could have forgotten how much love she had for him, but she had, and she'd have him explain everything to her. But not right now. Right now was for making up lost time.

She moaned breathlessly as he began to fuck her, her arms wrapping around his neck as her legs did the same around his waist, her hips moving to meet each of his thrusts. This was heavenly, and as she tilted her head up to kiss him again she knew that she'd never let him out of her sight again. She'd never leave him again.

"Oh, Cain.." she breathed against his lips between moans and kisses, feeling like she owed him a kiss for every day they'd spent apart over the last however many years. "I love you. I love you so much, darling." She breathed, to reassure him that everything was alright, that she wasn't upset or mad at him for what he'd done. That she loved him despite who he was. "I love you, Cain. God, you feel so good."

Antonio didn't know how he was supposed to feel at the moment. He was torn between feeling completely elated because he finally had Charas in his arms. And she remembered. That was perhaps the most important part of the whole thing because she knew who he was and she still wasn't trying to pull away from him. In fact, it seemed like she wanted even more of him, once she remembered who she was to him. Who he was to her.

On the other hand, Antonio was utterly petrified. He had done it time and time again, he had lost Charas because of his own selfish need to be close to her. What would happen when they came for her again? It was inevitably going to happen, he knew that. Would he be able to protect her? He would pray like hell that he would be able to but God wasn't on his side, hadn't been for as long as he could remember.

His hand settled between her thighs and he was quick to press his thumb against her clit, massaging in quick, tight little circles as he continued to fuck her. "You feel so good, darlin'," Antonio moaned, angling his hips so he could thrust deeper. "I have always belonged to you," he promised in a low voice, peppering kisses along her neck and collar bone.

@ castle.

Charlotte moaned as he thrust his cock in deeper, fingers gripping his arms a bit tighter as she grew closer and closer to her high. She couldn't believe that she remembered. Couldn't believe that this was all real. But it was. She felt like she was in heaven, having her soulmate here with her again after so long, and with him doing everything he could to pleasure her it wasn't long before she orgasmed, crying out his name.

"Cain! Oh, fuck, you feel so good, my love." She drew his face to hers to pepper kisses over his cheeks and nose before her lips found his, kissing him desperately as she stifled another moan as he continued to pound into her, prolonging her pleasure. "Mine... You're all mine, my love, and I'm all yours.. Forever." She breathed between kisses, holding him close as he fucked her.

"I'll never leave you again, I promise, Cain." She knew it was something that she probably shouldn't be promising, given who he was and everything that had happened to them over the years, but she meant it. She'd do everything she could never to leave him again, to keep him safe and happy like they'd always talked about, no matter what she had to do to accomplish it. She'd make a deal with the devil if it meant getting to live a long happy life with Cain.

Antonio buried his face in Charlotte's neck, nipping at the skin as he stilled inside of her. He pulled away once he was finished, dropping against the mattress. His arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close, refusing to let go of her as Charlotte whispered to him. He smiled at her promises, reaching up to cup her cheek. He stroked her skin, letting out a soft sigh. It had been so long since he was with Charas that he knew when the time came, he would never let a thing happen to her.

There was nothing in this world that Antonio would not do - he would go to the ends of Earth to keep her safe. Antonio had restrained himself in the past - Antonio had promised Charas that he would keep her safe without destroying the world. But at this point? Antonio would do whatever it took. He was not ready to do another two thousand year stint without his soulmate by his side. The thought of losing her again made his stomach churn.

"I won't let you go. Ever again. I swear it to you," Antonio whispered, teasing his fingertips over her arm. He smiled as he watched his fingers work, still in absolute belief that Charlotte was here - she was happy and she was safe. "I won't let anything happen to you. The world will perish before you are taken from my arms again," his voice took on a hard edge that he rarely used around Charas but this time, there was no convincing him otherwise.

@ castle.

Charlotte shuddered as she felt him release inside of her, curling into his arms as he laid on the mattress next to her, and made sure to pull the blankets around them both. She returned his smile, finding his smile to be the most beautiful thing she'd seen, especially considering it'd been so long since he'd smiled at her. As his fingers grazed her arm hers gently brushed over his cheeks and lips, tracing the contours of his face, as if familiarizing herself with him again.

"I'll do anything to keep us together, Cain." She promised softly, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to his lips. "We'll have a long, happy life together. Just the two of us, or whoever else may come along. But I'll never leave you, Cain, and I'll do anything to keep that promise." She reassured him, kissing him again before snuggling closer to rest her head comfortably against his chest, her fingers moving to gently trace over the mark on his arm.

She was quiet for a long while, basking in the afterglow of their pleasure and happiness, but eventually she spoke, voice soft. "Why didn't I remember you at first?" She asked, not sounding accusatory or mad, just curious. She wanted to know what exactly was going on, as all of her memories of him seemed to be from a long, long time ago, which didn't make any sense to her, given where they were now.

Antonio's grip tightened around Charlotte's waist, nearly to the point of bruising but he hoped that she understood why he was doing it. He needed to know that this was real, that Charlotte was really here - in his arms. That he wasn't going to blink and she would disappear. His stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot at the thought. Antonio let out a low growl as he leaned forward, pressing a desperate kiss to her lips. "Never again will you be taken from me. I swear it by God himself - there is nothing that can or will separate us. Never again. I will not go another two thousand years without the light of my life by my side."

He was quiet for a long moment when Charlotte spoke, his fingers teasing through her hair. Antonio felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. He knew that the time would come again when he would have to fight for Charlotte. For her love, for her happiness, and ultimately for her life. Antonio had meant it though, he'd kill for her at this point. Even if it meant Charlotte hating him for the rest of her life because he broke the promise that he would never spill blood again.

"I suspect that it has something to do with how long we were separated. You lived hundreds of lifetimes while we were separated. Normally, you remember in a matter of minutes at most when we reconnect. We are meant to be together - torn apart time and time again. It is my punishment," Antonio uttered, letting out a dry laugh. "The demons that were after you tonight... were probably sent because we live so close together. To end you before we could be reunited."

"They will raise the alarm. In fact, they probably already have..." Antonio trailed off, his brows pulling together at the thought. "There is nothing you have to fear. I promise you, my darling."

@ castle.

Charlotte let out a little whimper as his lips crushed against hers, her hands resting on his cheeks to draw him closer as she kissed him back, pressing her body further against his. She'd missed him so much, and while being with him felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest, like she could finally breathe for the first time in years, worry still settled in her, clouding her mind. She was scared. Scared to lose him again, after having not had him for so long. She couldn't go through that, not again, even if she did eventually remember him.

She studied his face silently as he played with her hair, finger gently brushing over his cheeks and lips, relearning the features of his handsome face. She had it all committed to memory, but it had been so long since she really looked, and she'd be fine if they spent the rest of the week like this. A worried frown formed on her lips when he mentioned why she'd forgotten, and what those demons that had been after her yesterday were probably after. Her grip on his arm tightened a bit as he spoke of it, biting her lip nervously even though he told her not to worry.

"I don't want you getting yourself hurt, Cain.. I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you because of me." She murmured softly, pressing a light kiss to his cheek. "There must be some way to lift your punishment without bloodshed... Haven't you suffered enough?" She frowned as she looked at him sadly, unable to imagine how hard all these years must have been for him. "Did... Did you want to see me again? I know you mentioned that we've been apart for a long time, and I can remember a few times like this, where you found me again after a few years but.. but this time it was so much longer than before."

"Darling, I would die time and time again so long as I knew you were going to be safe. You don't ever feel any sort of ill feelings about anything that happens to me," Antonio spoke, nearly growling as he did. He shook his head, his face taking on a hardened look as he sat up slightly straighter. He leaned over her, brushing her hair behind her ear. Antonio's face relaxed a bit as he looked down to her, his eyes sweeping over her features. "I missed you for so long, darling," he whispered, his breathe catching. He leaned down, capturing her lips with his. He sighed as he pulled away, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I do not claim to be a good person, darling. I am better than I was, I have not had blood on my hands in thousands of years but..." Antonio trailed off, shrugging his shoulders. "But I had it on my hands for thousands of years. This is my punishment. I do not know if I ever will be free of this curse but I will do what I can to keep you safe. You should not be damned just for loving me," he declared lowly. He continued to play with her hair, the simple act enough to bring Antonio comfort.

Antonio shifted around enough until he could turn and face Charlotte even as he played with her hair. "I always wanted to see you, darlin'. There was never a day that went by that I didn't miss you. I didn't long to feel your weight against my side or for your touch but I made you a promise last time that I saw you. I promised that I would stay as far from you as I could because you deserved to live a long life. You did not deserve to die time and time again, just for the sin of loving me." Antonio's voice fell quiet as he spoke. "For what you have given me, darlin', I would give you anything at all that you asked for. With me, you will never have to worry or long for anything. Ever again," he murmured, pressing a lazy kiss to the side of her mouth.

@ castle.

Charlotte's fingers gently brushed over his cheeks as she gazed up at him lovingly, hoping that the simple act comforted him enough so that he didn't get upset. She smiled gently when he said he'd missed her, her fingers tangling in his hair as she returned his kiss. She closed her eyes contently as he rested his forehead against hers, her arms wrapping around his neck loosely to keep him close. "You are a good person, Cain.. I know you are." She whispered as she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, relishing the feeling of his arms around her. "You don't deserve this anymore, you've paid the price of you misdeeds for thousands of years, you deserve to be free."

She happily curled into his arms as he shifted in bed, pressing another kiss to his lips as she relaxed against the pillows, listening to him speak. "I just want a long happy life with you, Cain. It's all I ever wanted." She whispered softly, running her fingers through his hair gently.

Antonio didn't think that he would ever be able to convey just how much he enjoyed the simple act of holding Charlotte to his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair, smiled sadly at her words. He wanted to agree with her, he did, but he knew that getting out of this curse was likely something that would never happen. Antonio had spent the better part of the first century where they were separated trying to find an answer to their problem. But there had been nothing. How did you break a curse placed on you by God? It was something he'd pondered for a long time, even before he'd met Charlotte.

"I know, darlin'. I will try my damnedest to make that happen. I swear it to you," Antonio felt the determination creeping into his tone and he hoped that Charlotte would recognize it. He prayed that she would know because after being separated for so damn long, Antonio was ready to put an end to them beng separated. He didn't know how he could but he would find a way. Where there was a will, there would be a way and Antonio was past determined at this point.

@ castle.

Charlotte gazed up at him as he simply held her, leaning her head into his hands as his fingers brushed through her hair, her own moving to delicately trace over his face, the features she'd missed so much in their time apart. He hadn't changed a bit, maybe a new scar here or there, and she wondered if she'd changed at all from the last time he saw her, wondered how different she was from the Charas he fell in love with. She'd do anything to protect him, to give them a chance at having a life together. He didn't deserve to suffer anymore, he'd gone through enough, and she wanted nothing more than to help him break his curse. It was always him who tried to do everything for her, always him who kept her safe, who tried to find a way to break their curse. She'd have to try it herself sometime when he wasn't around, as she was sure that he'd disapprove of her trying to get involved.

"I know, Cain. I know." She murmured soothingly, pressing a loving kiss to his lips as she drew him closer. "We belong together. They can't keep us apart forever." She murmured, gently brushing her fingers through his hair before pressing another kiss to his lips.

Antonio let out a strangled laugh as he buried his face into the side of her neck. His grip tightened on her waist, holding her as close to him as he could. He loved the woman that he held on his lap and he wished that he could go back to when this had all started for him. To this day, Antonio could still feel the jealousy he'd felt that day when he had killed his brother. It was still just as strong as it had been then but his love for Charas, it burned even brighter inside of him. He wished not for the thousandth time that he would have never killed his brother because then he wouldn't have been cursed. But then... then he would have never lived long enough to meet Charas for the first time. Antonio wondered to himself, would that have been the better option?

"I'm sorry," he admitted in a low voice, his words muffled by her skin. "I won't ever let anything happen to you again. But now that they know where you are, after our bath, I need to do a few things to ensure your safety. If I can't be here for any reason, I want t make sure that you're safe. I don't want you to ever worry about anything happening to you. No one will ever lay a hand on you again."

@ castle.

Charlotte smiled as he laughed, nuzzling her nose into his hair as he pulled her close, fingers tangling in his hair as she pressed small kisses to his forehead. She was so absolutely and completely in love with him, and she couldn't imagine how she'd lived without him all these years. Hearing him apologize and swear to protect her made her heart ache, and she took his face into her hands and pressed a loving kiss to his lips.

"You have nothing to apologize for. I will never, ever blame you for any of this, Cain." She murmured, brushing his hair away from his face, although she nodded in understanding when he said he needed to do a few things to keep her safe. She wasn't too worried, but she knew it would make him feel better if she let him do whatever he wanted. "Alright, that sounds fair. But I'd very much like to stay in bed all day with you. It's been too long."

Antonio couldn't describe the way his heart swelled when Charlotte leaned to kiss him. It was everything he had wanted for so long but he had resigned himself to the fate that would lead him far away from her. It had been painful but necessary to keep her safe. Or so he had thought. Now that he knew demons still hunted her, even without his presence in her life, Antonio would not rest until he knew she was truly safe. He would never let harm come to her again.

He had been driven in the past but now, he felt as if he'd been wronged because he'd thought Charlotte was safe without him. And she wasn't which only meant one thing. Antonio would not rest until he took down anyone who so much as threatened her or looked at her the wrong way.

"With time, I will make sure even that is not necessary. But for now, until I figure out our next move, we cannot be too careful," Antonio murmured. "But that's only when we choose to get up. I suspect that we don't have to move just yet," he teased. Antonio leaned forward, capturing Charlotte's lips in a heated kiss. "There are plenty of things we can do in the tub, hm?"

@ castle.

Charlotte giggled against his lips at his teasing, pressing her body as close as she could, pressing a few additional kisses to his lips before speaking. "There's also plenty of things that we can do in bed.. Or on the couch, or the floor, or the kitchen table.. Anywhere, really." She giggled as she kissed him again, although this time her kiss was deeper, hungrier. She loved him so much, and spending so many years away from him made her want him all the more.

She moved until she was crouched over him, straddling his waist as she kissed him, her hands resting against his chest. She began to trail kisses along his jaw and neck, nipping gently at his skin. She didn't want to hurt him, but she wouldn't mind leaving a few marks behind. She wanted everyone to know that he was hers.

Antonio couldn't help but laugh at her comment, shifting toward her form. His grip tightened around her waist, holding her in place as Charlotte deepened the kiss. Groaning into the kiss, his fingers brushed against his sides. He tilted his head back when she started little nips against his neck, allowing more access to his skin for her. Antonio wished that he could just lay here with Charlotte for the rest of time. Moments like these, Antonio wanted to savour and he was more than willing to do that for the moment.

"I'm always yours, darlin'," Antonio breathed, arching into her touch. He wanted to reach out, to grab at her but there was so much time to make up for that he wanted to give her the chance to explore more. Antonio remembered everything that happened between them, he wasn't so sure if Charlotte remembered everything or just bits and pieces at the moment.

@ castle.

Charlotte hummed against his lips as his fingers brushed against her side, wiggling her hips a little against his. Some of her memories were still fuzzy, but given that it had been hundreds of years since she'd seen him, she figured it was reasonable to not remember immediately. but she knew that she loved him, and remembered enough to know that he loved her too.

She trailed kisses along his jaw and neck as she pressed herself close, nipping at his skin teasingly. "It's not always about me, my love... What do you want?" She asked between kisses, kissing back up to his lips.