And, yes, I'm talking to you especially, Mrs. V!
Betti doesn't call you WIME for nothing!
As some of my twitter loves know, last Saturday night I was out...trolling. Yup, trolling for fanfic and looking for love. But not in all the wrong places because unlike normal, I wasn't doing a random FFn search. Nope, on Saturday I was looking through the stories nominated in for Indies.
For those of you who don't know, The Indie Twific Awards is an AMAZING place to find under-appreciated gems! They specifically are looking for those writers out there who aren't well known throughout fandom but whose writing is superb.
I decided to read my fellow nominees' entries in the new category: Love Conquers All. And to my great pleasure I found that there are quite a few T rated one-shots nominated in that category (more on that later). But when I got to today's pick, I could go no further. I present to you they luminous, glorious, lovely-in-the-extreme Homecoming by winterstale.
Homecoming is the story of two people who have a true communion of hearts, which amazingly happens within a few short hours. Emmett is a captain in the Air Force, stationed in England during WWII. He's not the jovial Emmett we know and love, though; not on the surface at least. This Emmett has tried for years to pretend to be something he's not, a society swell, and while he does try for the love of his wife, the role never fits him and the effort leaves him sad and lonely.
Enter: Grace. Grace, our narrator, is an entirely new character, one completely of winterstale's creation; and she's lovely. She's a nurse working at the base that Emmett is stationed at, and she's no stranger to trying, and failing, to be someone you're not. Right away, there's a chemistry between these two that will have your rooting for them to get together. And winterstale does not disappoint!
His head shifts a little against mine, and the stubble of his beard grazes my forehead. His skin is so warm and the combination of rough and soft is so nice, I have to rub my cheek against it. I feel him swallow and his grasp on my fingers tightens a little. "Grace?"
"Yes?"
"I sure would like to kiss you right about now."
"I'd like it if you would," I say before I can think about it, and turn my face up to his. His hand slides along my cheek, and he tilts my lips to his. Our mouths barely brush against each other's, and then again with more contact. He pulls away to look down at me, his strong hand smoothing back little strands of hair from my forehead, and kisses me again, this time moving his lips against mine more confidently. As I lean into him, my hand falls in the middle of his broad chest, sliding slowly up towards his neck. Without breaking contact, we lie back against the grass, and he gathers me tightly to him.
"Aw, damn, Grace, you feel good," he breathes against the hollow of my throat.
"You feel about like the best thing ever, Emmett," I mutter, and then curse myself for sounding like a stupid schoolgirl.
He trails kisses back up to my lips and is more insistent with his next kiss, gently exploring my mouth with his tongue. My body and breath react to him in ways I've never experienced before; his mouth and hands are revelations of secrets I never even fathomed. As his kiss becomes more fevered, I respond to him without any of my usual awkwardness. His rasping breath and tight embrace encourage me, telling my hands and mouth wordlessly how to touch and taste him just so. Soon, our bodies are pressed against the other's, every inch of skin seeking contact with it's partner on the other. Emmett's hands slide slowly down my back, coming to rest at the curve of my hips and without warning he pulls me into his straining erection. Even as I gasp at the surge of adrenaline it elicits in me, my hips grind against him in aching, electric response. Completely dizzied from these long-repressed feelings, I have to break away and lean against his forehead, struggling for breath as I nuzzle my nose against his face.
"You feel like home," he whispers against my lips.
Still unable to speak, I reach for his face, seeking out his eyes for reassurance, and answer him with my own hesitant kiss. Smiling in response, he presses his lips to the palm of my hand, his eyes never wavering from mine.
We settle into each other's arms, face to face, running our fingers together. For a while, it's enough to simply look at each other, coming together to share more kisses that build in ease and familiarity. I could lie under the stars like this forever: quiet, wrapped in Emmett's arms, feeling the warmth of his body and his lips brushing against mine. I feel like I've found my place in the world.
And, because there's more than one lemon and because I just can't help myself, here's an extra tease:
I put my fingers against his lips to stop him. "No. You. I want you, Emmett." I look away, blinking into the whipping wind. “Do you ...?” I can't risk more but look back to him imploringly.
“Oh God yes, Grace.” He exhales huskily. “But I think once I start with you, I'll ever get enough.”
He leans forward and kisses me gently, his hand tracing my throat as he slides his jacket from my shoulders. We lay back again, eyes open and watching each other as we touch, slowly, reverently. His head dips, and he pulls gently at my breast, circling with his tongue. My fingers graze along his shoulders and down his beautifully powerful chest, and I lean down to kiss the top of his dark head.
He comes back for more kisses, cupping my face as our mouths mingle.
"Grace," he whispers, trailing his hand along my ribcage, down the slope of my hip. "Soft..." he sighs and buries his lips in my neck.
I find his other hand and kiss each fingertip, his palm and then his wrist, inhaling his scent.
"Emmett..."
His hand, sliding between my legs.
"Grace..."
His fingers, warm against wet, stroking.
"Emmett..."
My hands, searching, grasping, guiding.
"Grace..."
His head dipping again, tasting, twirling, lapping.
"Emmett..."
My legs trembling, I reach behind me, pulling at the grass.
"Grace..."
So, please...Run, don't walk, to go read this touching, bittersweet story. You'll be glad you did.
And before I sign off there are a couple of things to note:
1) This story is up for an Indie (I mentioned that above), in the Love Conquers All category. But you might be interested to know that winterstale has TWO OTHER STORIES NOMINATED FOR INDIES! She truly is a great writer!
The other two stories are 1982 in the AU story that knocks you off your feet category and Sire which is nominated for Best Secondary Characterization, Best Use of a Parent AND Canon or AU story that knocks you off your feet.
2) Voting for the Indies begins February 20th.
Enjoy!!!
1 comment:
Wow!!! This was fantastic....i can't wait to read the whole thing! It was about time we gave Emmett some love!
and a HUGE CONGRATS on the nom too!!! <3 you!!
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