EMPYREAN || T.M.R.

•TWENTY SEVEN•

Conscious sat in front of the vanity mirror in the bathroom connected to her new 'room'- or their room. She was comfortably wrapped in an emerald bathrobe, her long blonde hair now damped from her bathe. It had taken another twelve hours for the sedation Tom had given to finally wear off and he insisted she relax in bath whilst he attended to dinner for the couple. She scoffed at herself through the mirror, taking in her situation more. If Tom wanted to play house then fine, they'll play house. She glanced down to her right and opened the drawers hoping to find a brush for her hair but it was empty. She did the same on the other side and still found them to be empty. She frowned before glancing around the bathroom, it was quite grand. In the centre a large tub resided with a skylight roof allowing the night stars to shine. On both sides on the wall were sinks and vanities which she assumed one side was for her and the other Tom. Perhaps his side would have? As she was about to get up to check she heard a faint knock causing her to freeze.

"Are you done?" She heard Tom's voice call from the other side of the door. She wrapped the robe a bit closer as she stood up fully now and made her way to open the door for him.

He was dressed in a black dress shirt tucked into black slacks and no shoes, his socks padded quietly against the marble floors

"Yes.. I was looking for a brush though.." Conscious smiled faintly to greet him.

Tom didn't return the expression but simply walked past her and towards his side, opening the bottom left drawer and pulling out a hair brush.

"May I?"

She tilted her head to the side, not understanding what he meant.

"Your hair, may I brush it." Tom repeated.

Conscious's mouth made an 'O' shape before she nodded and he gestured her to sit back down in front of the mirror to which she did. She felt a wave of old emotions rushing through her, back at their time at Hogwarts before... everything.. this was a ritual for the two. Tom use to always asked to brush it back in the dorms but it's been so long since.

He grabbed an extra towel before moving to stand behind her, using the towel to pat dry any dampness still before separating her hair into two sections. He began brushing the left side with extra care and gentleness, and Conscious watched him through the mirror.

"Am I being too rough?" Tom asked as he met her gaze through the mirror.

"No, it's nice... I.. missed this." She replied, thinking back to the last time they've shared such moment together. It almost felt forgotten amongst the chaos.

Tom hummed in a quiet agreement, it was hard to read his expression. It was drastically different than before, he seemed calm and much more composed. He returned his gaze back to her hair working through the small knots before moving to the next.

"Do you still remember how to braid my hair?" She asked.

He paused his actions before flickering his eyes back to meet hers through the mirror. "Of course tending to you like this gives me such joy."

Conscious smiled again, "Can you make a single one then"

This time Tom returned it, "After dinner, I want your hair down to match the dress I've chosen for you."

"You bought me a dress?" She asked as Tom went back to finishing her hair.

"I'd buy anything your heart desires darling, gems, diamonds, clothing it doesn't matter. Ask of it and it shall be yours." He replied, finishing her hair leaving it parted down the middle and blonde straight locks flowing effortlessly down her shoulders and trailing down her back.