He said he would protect you. No matter what.

Loving him meant putting yourself and everything you love in danger. Yet you still love him. You fell for him so hard that his life became your life, his scars became your scars and his enemies became your enemies.

You still remember every word he said, what he was doing when he said them, how they touched and engraved themselves into your heart as you heard them.

Fingertips brushing over the surface of your skin, the lustre of his fingers as soft as the silk sheets that sheathe around both of your bare bodies. The nakedness makes every touch more precious, every look more lustful.

The way his long locks gracefully shift into his dark eyes, the way his fresh lips curve into his heart swooning smile. His bare teeth alone make your heart skip as he leans in closer and lips meet lips to embrace a rosy kiss.

"Look at these hands." He says quietly, a whisper that floats upon your lips as you feel his hot breath close to your face.

You look at his hands as he tells you when he raises them up, adoring each detail of his silvery rings and artful tattoos that spirals a deep black across his skin.

"These hands are what will always protect you." He tells you softly, whispering into your hair while your head lay on his exposed chest. "From anything and everything."

"No matter what?" You ask him, gazing up into his eyes for assurance.

You know your words have more weight to them now. As he automatically meets your gaze, you can find nothing but the truth.

"No matter what."

There's no sweet smile when he says it, a promising and grave feeling in the way he looks into you.

Leaning in, you kiss him lovingly. He kisses you with all the love back and when you pull away, you slide your own hands into his. The ones that should have always protected you.

No matter what.