Having suffered what he had with Alessio, Ravin supposed he should have never let himself fall in love with Ben as he had. He should have known that the life their love deserved could never really exist, not in the confines of a society that neither understood nor accepted them. But despite the dangers, the potential for heartache, Ravin had been pulled to Ben, like the inexorable tug of gravity that keeps your feet tethered to the earth. He had no fear because the same pull that had made it impossible for him not to love Ben was the same force that would keep Ben in his life always, no matter what was to come.

Ravin let Ben pull him upwards, into his arms. He pressed his cheek to Ben’s, leading the dance to the rhythm of the crackling fire. After a moment, Ravin began to sing. Softly, so that just Ben could hear. A sad but beautiful ballad, about broken hearts, hope, and love. Ravin’s voice is what used to bring in extra coin, busking on the streets of Skia as a young child. But he hardly ever sang anymore - certainly not when anyone was present. But he did so now, nuzzling into Ben’s neck, swaying to the song.

Ben would have been more than happy to sway here to no music other than the sounds of the crackling fire and the beat of their hearts. As Ravin rested his cheek against his, his hand moved to gently cradle and caress his cheek and neck, fingers softly playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

When Ravin started singing softly Ben had been a little surprised. He didn't know he could sing. But it was clear he was very good at it. Ben held him closer, his heart melting and burning painfully all at one to the sound of his voice. He turned his head into Ravin's neck, his lips brushing softly against his skin as they swayed and Ben listened to the sound of his lover's melodic voice. A voice that would continue to fill Ben's dreams long after Ravin had disappeared, as if the man was haunting him.

Ravin couldn’t have known this was the last time he’d hold Ben this close. In his mind, the time they had together was infinite. The pause on their intimacy was just that: a pause. A necessary hold as life settled into a new rhythm. Perhaps if he knew just how short their time would be, he would have thought differently. But for Ravin now, at this moment, everything was perfect. He wasn’t letting Ben go. He still had both the man and woman of his dreams. He had two children that he loved more than life itself. After losing Alessio, he couldn’t imagine a world in which he’d ever love again. But now, his life was full of a light so bright he was in awe that it could possibly exist.

Ravin smiled for joy as he sang. Joy that such a man could exist, and that he was lucky enough to hold him in his arms. Once Ravin’s song ended, he’d start another. Another and another until his feet couldn’t carry him anymore. Until he took Ben away to their bed and made the most of their last night together.