━ ◦ ✤ 𝕱𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔰 & 𝕾𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 ✤ ◦ ━【тєиzαι & кιттєи】🅽🆂🅵🆆

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴡᴇsᴛ ᴄᴏᴀsᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ
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Even though the sky was being veiled by soft grey clouds, causing tiny snowflakes to fall in a delicate dance, the day was still undeniably beautiful. The air was still with no trace of a breeze, the cold was bearable and didn’t sting the tip of her nose, but more importantly - there was wonderful company.

Suited in a vibrant baby pink skiing outfit with reflective pink goggles perched atop of her head, Rose was more than ready to hit the slopes. Eagerly, she spent the past few days before their trip researching how to ski and what to expect. Despite lacking real life experience, she felt more than ready to participate.

“Well, I did promise the doctor that I’d keep her safe.”
”Mia, Addy. I’ll probably be taking Rose to the beginner slope. We’ll catch up with you once she’s comfy.”​

”Sounds like a plan!” Addy chimed in with her approval, Mia nodding her head in agreement. Neither of them honestly minded tagging along as Rose acclimated herself to skiing, but Addy couldn’t help but ponder on the idea of Val seeking this as an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with her - perhaps harboring a budding interest. Regardless of what Val’s intentions were, it would still prove to be a worthwhile opportunity for them. “We’ll catch you guys later!”

Rose lifted her arm as she waved at the two once they ascended on the ski lift, leaving her alone with Val for the meantime. Briefly, an awkward silence settled between them - she felt conflicted on what to say since this was the first time she had been alone with a guy other than her father. As if sensing her initial discomfort, Val attempted to strike up conversation in hopes to put her at ease.

“Excited? So am I.”
”It’s been so long since I touched the ice like that.”
”Don’t worry though. It’s actually a lot gentler to land on than you think. I honestly prefer this over the sand at the beach.”​

“I am SO excited!” Rose was practically bouncing around with excitement as she clenched her hands into fists within her gloves, holding them near to her chest. Her raw energy was infectious, radiating a force that could draw a smile from anyone around her. She was the pure embodiment of joy.

“That’s a relief that the landing will be smooth.” Watching as Val leaned down to scoop a generous amount of snow, she followed suit as her gloved hands gathered a handful of the perfectly textured fluff. Her palms pressed it together to form a loosely shaped ball as her eyes gleamed playfully. Drawing her arm back, she’d toss the orb down the hill, watching as it tumbled and scattered upon impact with the slope.

“What about you? Say… Hmm…”
”If you had a choice, would you rather spend a vacation at a beach resort or at a snowy one! Answer whatever you want, don’t worry, I won’t judge.”
”But depending on your answer, we’ll have an idea of where to go for summer break.”​

”Hey, why’d you say it like that?” Bursting into a fit of giggles, Rose couldn’t understand why Val chose to word his question the way he did. As the next ski lift approached, she followed his lead as they stepped into place, being allowed on board. Carefully she settled onto the seat, feeling the lift slightly shift as Val joined her before it smoothly carried them upward. “Honestly? I want to do everything!” Determination flickered against her azure eyes as the landscape’s reflection danced within its shimmering depths.

“I wouldn’t mind going skiing again, but I have yet to go to the beach since being ill.” In spite of briefly mentioning her illness, she still wore a smile as bright as the sun, unfazed by the challenges it posed. Nothing, not even her illness, would stand in the way of her desire to explore this grand world. “So, with that in mind, my answer would be the beach!”

Fumbling for a moment as she wrestled her backpack off from her shoulders, she rested the bag on her lap as she began to unzip it. Pulling out something that resembled a Capri-Sun pouch, she’d hand one to Val before retrieving one for herself. In lieu of it containing juice, it would instead hold the fruity blood cocktail - the concoction that Val had given to Arc, which had made its way to Dr. Thorne. “Here, it’s your recipe! Dad made me some to sip on throughout the trip so I wouldn’t get sick.”

Pulling out a straw, she’d carefully puncture the pouch with ease as her lips sealed around the tube. As the rich, delicious taste washed over her taste buds, she hummed happily as her legs swung back and forth over the lift. Her eyes closed as she savored every drop, indulging in the moment until the sound of sucking air resonated. “Ah~ That was delicious!” Putting the remnants back into her backpack - being mindful to not litter - she shifted her attention onto Val as her eyes shimmered with newfound glee.

“Say, I never thanked you properly for the recipe! You mentioned it briefly before we left earlier.” Admiration was etched across her face as genuine appreciation glowed from her smile. Rose truly valued the effort Val had put into crafting a drink that allowed them to feel somewhat normal - let alone sharing the masterpiece and not gatekeeping it. “I had a hard time stomaching blood, which made it worse for my illness… but with this? I think I’ll be just fine!” She hoped that upon hearing those words - that she was able to drink what she needed to survive because of him - it would brighten his way.

”Maybe I could figure out a recipe for ice cream by then, Imagine taking what we need as a dessert!”​

“Really?! Oh, please please please!!!” The girl nearly burst with excitement as she had to restrain herself, not wanting to rock the lift too much and risk any mishaps. The thrill of the moment still buzzed through her, but she kept her movements in check as her enthusiasm still shone through her bright expression. “…Sorry.” Shuffling back into her seat as she realized she had unintentionally leaned forward, Rose let out a laugh at her own silliness.

Carefully, the lift carried the duo to the smaller slope before they stepped off, the equipment swiftly ascending in its repeating cycle to retrieve the next rider. Taking in the lively scene before them, they would be met with a handful of newcomers braving the gentle hill as an abundance of laughter rang out as some tumbled clumsily, while others happily cheered in triumph due to the thrill of making it down without a single fall.

“Wow…” Lingering in the moment, Rose’s eyes drifted as she embraced the lively scene encasing her. Tightening her gloved fingers around her ski poles, she finally brought herself back to reality. “Are you ready to try it out? I am!” She asked as she scooted over to stand on the edge of the slope, her gaze surveying the pristine stretch of snow. “I’m going for it, wish me luck!”

Remembering the videos she watched, she planted her poles into the cushiony snow before pushing herself off the slope, feeling her body begin to descend in an effortless grace. Her skies carved smooth arcs into the white fluff as she gained some speed, feeling a familiar rush of adrenaline settling within her chest. Tuning out the rest of the world around her, she could only hear the rhythmic sound of her skis slicing through the snow, her hair wildly flinging behind her in an elegant dance with the breeze.

Shifting her weight from side-to-side, she weaved through the terrain as if she had practiced the meanouver many times before. Her knees bent as she made her body lay low, embracing the small acceleration as she sailed over the crest. As she neared the bottom of the slope, Rose slowed her pace as she skidded her ski’s to come to a smooth stop. Whipping her head back to look at Val, a satisfied grin tugged at her cheeks as she lifted her goggles, her exhaled breath releasing wisps of steam into the air. “I probably should’ve mentioned that when I see someone do something I can replicate it pretty well.” Rose’s second ability allowed her to mimic anything she had seen, whether the was from a video or right before her eyes. Her execution wasn’t always flawless, but as long as she was determined to recreate it she could easily make it happen.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ʙʟᴜᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:30
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ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ᴇʏᴇs, ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ sᴛᴀʀᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ sᴛᴀʀs
ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴡᴀʟᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ʙʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ʟʟ ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴀ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ
ʏᴏᴜ'ᴅ ʙᴇ ᴍɪɴᴇ, ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍɪɴᴅ ɪғ ɪ ᴛᴏᴏᴋ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏɴɪɢʜᴛ?
ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛʜɪs ʟɪғᴇ​

”With time, I’m sure you will.”
”If I may, just a little touch to ease your nerves.”​

“Hmm? Oh! O-okay!” Twyla wasn’t entirely sure what Arc’s intention was, but it became clear as he gradually started to lean over her. Widening with surprise, her eyes locked onto him as her body froze into place, feeling her hurt thrum like a caged bird within the confines of her ribs. Bracing herself for what was to come next she squeezed her eyes shut, she half expected his hands to wander in area’s that she wasn’t quite prepared for yet.

Instead, the warmth of his lips gingerly planted against her forehead, eliciting a soft shiver to scatter along her spine that coaxed her eyes to open yet again. An unexpected sense of calmness blanketed over her as awe speckled against her irises, feeling the nervous tension that had once grappled her slowly begin to melt away like snow against the rays of sunlight.

”Better? I hope so.”
“To be honest, I never thought I’d be using my powers like this. It’s a nice change, you know? To have my human side be so attuned to the vampire one, and it's all thanks to you.”​

”Yes! I don’t feel so nervous anymore.” There was a spark of excitement that laced within her voice, sensing a newfound strength that seamlessly breathed new life into her. She felt as light as a feather as a surge of confidence pierced her chest - as if she could take on the entire world as long as she had Arc at her side. The brush of his fingertips against hers as they intertwined atop her lap didn’t startle her - she didn’t even flinch. Instead, she tightened her grip as she anchored herself into his warmth as her lilac hues gazed into the endless depths of his cerise ones.

”I can’t take all the credit, Arc.” She confessed with a hushed voice as she raised her free hand to gingerly cup his jawline. Idly, her thumb began to trace aimless circles slowly against his skin, providing him a silent gesture of reassurance. “You never gave up on your dream to live a normal life, your dedication alone proves that. You’re strong, resilient, and never take ‘no’ for an answer. You deserve to give yourself credit, too.” It didn’t feel right to claim full credit for the way his life was beginning the change for the better - it wasn’t fair. The first rule in any change was that it could only happen when the person desired it for themselves, and Arc did just that.

"I used to hate the vampire side of me. It used to be everything I thought was wrong about me... That was, until you showed me that there was something good to come out of it. That I don't have to sacrifice myself to be strong enough to protect others."
"You've taught me so much in such a short amount of time. I could see why the goddess was so adamantly against me meeting you, Twyla. She probably knew that I would somehow fall in love."
​

“And you’ve taught me so much too, and I know it’s only the beginning…” Watching as he gradually began to close the distance between them, her body followed suit, nestling her forehead against his own as the tips of their noses grazed each other. Despite their kind being known for their naturally chilled skin, his lips seared against hers as he claimed them - feeling much hotter than the water that surrounded them. The heat that radiated off from his body made him feel almost human, causing her to curiously wonder if he had felt the same warmth from her as she pressed her chest delicately against his own.

"With the woman you are. With the taste of your lips. With the feeling you give me of home. I don't think I want to go back to being alone."​

”Then don’t.” Twyla’s voice carried a desperate edge - almost commanding - as if hoping he could knit pick her secret message within her words. ‘Don’t go, you’re too deeply intertwined in my life now… so much so that the mere thought of you leaving is utterly unbearable.’

"If this is a dream, don't pinch me. I don't want to wake up."
"But if this is reality, then I hope I wake up to this again and again. I'd like to be among the last faces you see before you sleep and among the first you see when you wake."​

Wanting to lighten the weight of their sentimental conversation with some playful humor, she’d use the hand that still rested against his face to gently pinch his cheek with her thumb and index finger. She was careful to not make it hurt, but just enough to make him feel her invading touch. “See? It’s not a dream, it’s reality… and I’m not going anywhere, so long as you’ll have me.” Lifting both arms to drape over the nape of his neck, she’d resume their passionate kiss, only to break away once she felt his lips parting to speak.

"No matter what happens next. No matter how afraid you might feel about me, I want you to know."
"I love you, Twyla. If its possible, I'd like to make my relationship with you official."
"I can't see a future without you in it. Will you be mine?"​

Her lower lip quivered as she struggled to contain the overwhelming rush of emotions that stirred within her from his confession. Her hues moved as she searched his face, battling herself as she failed to find the right words to properly express what she was feeling. “Arc…” Her voice wavered as she spoke his name, cracking underneath the weight of holding back her tears - but they held no hint of sadness, instead, they were tears up pure, unbridled joy.

“I love you so much that it hurts my chest and makes it difficult to breathe.” Twyla permitted her actions to speak, finding her words failing to give justice to how deeply she meant them. Keeping her arms entangled around his neck, she’d guarantee her movements were deliberate but held tenderness. With a measured care, she shifted her body to straddle him, mindful of where she positioned herself with his healing injuries. Her legs rested in a way that wouldn’t apply too much pressure on his bad leg, but was enough to hover over his thighs as her bare chest pressed into his own.

“Words seem to be failing me when it comes to expressing this new feeling, but my answer is yes. Yes a million times.” The words hung in the air, heavy with almost a hidden intent, as she leaned downwards to collide her lips with his in an almost feral ardor - as if making up for lost time. She was making herself vulnerable to Arc, trusting him to care for her in ways she would for him. She was acutely aware that her touch would possibly caress the flames that were growing between them, tempting him to surrender and finally release the desires he had been holding back in an effort to be modest.

Pulling her lips back momentarily, she drank in a deep breath of air as her chest rose and fell from adrenaline - feeling as if she had just begun to quench a deep thirst. The lids of her eyes fell half-way as she hazily looked at him, noticing her own reflection whirling within his love-drunk hues. “I trust you, Arc. With every fiber of my being.” Her arms reached down to gently take both of his hands, lifting them to gingerly place each palm against her bosoms. Immediately she felt the warmth of his fingers as they effortlessly molded around the soft counters of her breasts, the flesh malleable under his commanding touch. Twyla knew he wasn’t afraid to touch her, but something within her conscience told her to let it be known she wanted this. “This body is yours, and I want you to do as you see fit with it.”
Perhaps the mana that Arc had poured into her had taken effect with its full potential, or maybe she had found the courage that was buried within herself - Truthfully, she wasn’t sure which one it was. All she knew was right now, in this moment, she couldn’t stop. She had to let him know the longing that surged throughout her that she had held onto by herself in secrecy. Her every touch, kiss, movements, and words made it unmistakably clear just how profoundly she The yearned to connect with him, and ultimately become one.

“Please stop me if I’m being reckless.” His feelings, thoughts, and emotions mattered to her more than anything in this world, never wanting to push him beyond what he was comfortable with - even if he was the one to instigate this scene. Her head began to lower as she pressed delicate kisses against his neck as her lips trailed along his flesh, feeling his veins slightly pulsate beneath his skin. Opening her mouth, she’d graze her teeth along the length of his neck, as if daring to sink her fangs into him, but she would never resurface old wounds - such cruelty was beyond her.

Lifting her gaze, her eyes settled against the other side of his neck, catching sight of the scar left behind by the Goddess. A frown involuntarily tugged at her lips before leaning inward, applying the gentlest of kisses against the old wound that harbored so many haunting memories - as if hoping her comforting touch alone could soothe what time couldn’t heal.

“I know I can’t erase the ache of the past…” She spoke above the scar as her exhaled breath tickled his skin before leaning down to kiss it again. “…But what I can promise you is that I’ll make sure your future is bright.”