[fade out and back in]

The potion had given him an almost supernatural experience. The man laid on the bed, trying to get his heartbeat and breath under control again after the physical activity. The things Nadine had brought had been explored and tried during their 'session', and he had enjoyed every second of it, especially the things Nadine had responded to in a manner that made him go wild. She was an extraordinary woman and she had certainly made him experience something that had been new to him just now.

"That was amazing", he sighed, kissing her on the temple if she laid next to him. "You were amazing." He sighed deeply, a content sigh, and stroked a bit of hair out of her face. "I love you, Nadine." Now the first 'I love you' was past them, they just kept coming, because finally Aldrich had found someone to be open with. He didn't have to hold back or pretend like he didn't really care. He was allowed to care for and about Nadine, and it made him happy. Nobody would believe her if she would tell them how kind and happy he was around her, because Aldrich was known for his douchebag behaviour. But Nadine had changed that.

Nadine flickered her eyes open at the kiss and his words, smiling softly before resting her head on his chest. She needed to catch her breath after the prolonged exchange, and listening to Aldrich's steady heartbeat was a perfect way to do it. The witch wasn't used to being so tired after a round, but this had been no ordinary tango. While she'd loved every minute of it, and all the ways Aldrich found to excite her, it had exhausted her to the core. She was certain she would feel more than a few things in the morning, the prospect of just sleeping in with tomorrow off-duty sounding better by the second.

"I love you, Aldrich," she rolled over to face him, her cheek still resting on his sternum. "Thank you. For everything."

Nadine wrapped an arm around him, the other coming to rest on his chest beside her face, stroking up and down on his skin slowly. This was nice. This was peace. This was contentment.

"This isn't a dream, right?" she asked, eyelids heavy as she blinked. "You'll still be here when I wake up?"

He played with her hair as she rested her head on his chest, which was moving up and down more steadily now. He smiled, touched by her words. She really didn't need to thank him. Everything he said and did was out of love, and he sincerely wanted the best for Nadine, and for them together as a couple. Aldrich thought again how odd it felt to be this lovely-dovey, although he thoroughly enjoyed it. It almost felt like a teenage love, except that he knew that this wasn't just some temporary romance. This was forever.

The man sighed and pretended to become very serious all of a sudden. "I'm afraid I won't be here when you wake up, my dear", he said, as if this was a dream, or as if he would leave in the middle of the night. "But if I'm not here, you will find me in the kitchen making you breakfast, and I'll pout and tell you to go back to bed because I was planning on bringing you breakfast." He chuckled and squeezed her tighter. "No, don't worry, I won't be going anywhere."

Nadine frowned a bit, sitting up as Aldrich started so seriously...then rolled her eyes and poked him on the nose. "You're a terrible rascal," she sighed, resting her head back as he squeezed her. "My terrible rascal."

It did not take long for Nadine to fall asleep, exhaustion fully taking her. Besides, she felt safe here with Aldrich. Tonight dreams of Moloch would not haunt her, the only shadows being that of her and Aldrich tangled together. Her heavy breaths would turn into light snores, chest rising and falling rhythmically.