Hello

You are standing with Leo at the gallery's railing, which runs all the way around the ballroom, excluding the two storeys high floor-to-ceiling windows. From up here, you not only have a good view of the elegant yet tastefully simple hall, where the orchestra is positioned between the two wide, sweeping staircases on the ground floor, but you can also quickly reach the buffet in the separate room on the first floor or go for a stroll in the garden outside.

Night has already fallen, and the fairy lights and lanterns are competing with the starry sky.

"It's more beautiful at the hot springs," you whisper. Just loud enough for Leo to hear, but quietly enough to muffle your words.

"What?" he asks.

"Oh, nothing," you reply and shake your head, a bitter smile on your lips. "Just... The stars are beautiful..."

He looks at you as if he knows that you're missing his sister. Managing a soft smile, he makes a well-meaning suggestion: "Hey, (Y/N)? Do you want to dance with me till—"

Although Leo is like a little brother to you and you’ve become very close, you turn him down. You fall straight for his line: “I’m flattered, Leo. But I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. I’m not a very good dancer.”

That's just an excuse. Although there was a grain of truth to it. Dancing isn’t your thing. Music doesn’t  appeal to you either. You had no understanding of beats or rhythm. But the main reason was that you only wanted to dance with one person: With her... Mereoleona.

The woman you got close to, but who was so out of reach at the same time.

It's not that you didn't ask her if she was coming to the ball. You really did. At least, you tried. But you failed so miserably.

“I am outside if you are looking for me. Or at the buffet...” Without waiting for a response, you stepped outside into the fresh night air. Letting Leo alone at the party. But you need a moment for you alone.

The cool evening air greets you and you instinctively wrap your arms around your shoulders. As you do so, you brush against the scar on your left shoulder. It's one of many that you received in your last fight. It was the worst one.

"Although the dress is beautiful, I think it would have been better if it had covered my scars completely", you whisper to yourself. However, your friend was so enthusiastic about sewing this dress for you as soon as she heard that would go to the ball. Nothing could stop her. Not even the news that you would be going alone. Without a partner to dance with. She still put all her energy into making this stunning dressA simple forest-green dress with many layers of semi-translucent silk draped over the skirt. According to your friend, she was inspired by the greens of leaves, moss and even emeralds. A kind of forest guardian was in her mind. And she came close to achieving it. The highlight was the embroidery, which resembled ivy tendrils that seamlessly transitioned from the skirt into real vine-like growths, alongside the real flowers in delicate pastel colors.

Though you feel a little uncomfortable showing your scars so openly, they were the reason you wanted to get stronger. They were the reason enough for you to ask Mereoleona to help you out with your training. Maybe also some sort of excuse to be near her.Not knowing what had possessed you, asking her – out of all the options you had –  seemed like the only logical course of action for you back than. To your surprise, she agreed.

Only hours after your request you found yourself, you, a humble forest mage, in an active volcano. Yet it made you stronger. More resilient. More resistant to your counterelement.

“Embrace the heat like a little sunflower...” she had yelled at you back then. Apart from the fact that sunflowers have as much to do with your Sylvanus magic as a matchstick with a volcano, you felt flattered but also like a burnt flower.

A few days ago, after your latest training session yet, you asked her about the ball. If she'd be coming too. But without looking at you — her attention belonged to the stars in the night sky — she took a sip of her sake and shook her head.

"No, sweetheart. You should know me well enough by now to know that this isn't my sort of thing."

"Oh... I see..." You also looked away. A little hurt… you really should have been able to guess.

"Besides... Who do you think I am? Most men are so scared of me that they won't even train with me — let alone dance with me. That’s how I ended up in the wild...”

"I would love to dance with you. And I’m also not afraid of you… ", you formed those words in your mind. Unable to speak them out loud. Ignoring another thought occurring to you...

To you, Mereoleona is a mentor, a friend and... maybe even more. At least for you.

How many times have you sat together in the hot springs and drunk sake? In this short amount of time... it's been countless moments for you...

You walk a few meters towards the fence surrounding the garden and lean against the railing to gaze absently at the stars. Her words – that no man would dance with her, that she hadn’t even hinted that two women could dance together, rejecting the idea outright – were heartbreaking. Devastating.

So devastating that you didn't even dare to bring the ball theme up at all towards her since than. Yet, it feels like a lost chance to you. "But what if she was waiting for me making the first step?", you ask yourself. "Maybe she would have come to the ball...”

Another cold gust of wind blows around the castle walls and sends a chill over your skin. You shiver.

”Or I would have got proof that she isn't into women. Not into me..."

As you gaze silently into the starry sky, music softly playing in the background, you notice couples sneaking outside to exchange secret kisses. Loneliness reaches out for you, and the feeling of being out of place grows even further. You are looking down on you. Once more you can't shake off the feeling that you're dressed up too nicely for the circumstances. For girl alone at the big ball…   “I probably should have just stayed home in the first place. But it’s not too late to do it right now”, you tell yourself.

All those swirling thoughts surrounding Mereoleona have really dampened your mood. So what's the point in staying any longer anyway?

Before heading down the stairs from the Garden and away from the Castle, you look at the stars one last time. Like if you're demanding a fortune-telling. In that moment of hesitation, you hear a familiar voice. Not that of a goddess telling you what to do... But similar: “There you are, la. They've put some new dishes on the buffet.”

 And just like that, your plan to go straight home has crumbled to bits, even before you’d properly planed it out. All because of Charmy, who spotted you trying to escape and called you over to eat. While guarding the buffet with Charmy, to make matters worse, a few friends of yours came over and ask you to dance. But every invitation—whether it came from—you consistently turn them down, one after another.

“All in all, it was a wasted evening that dragged on far too long…,” you remark with a deep sigh. “I really should have left when I had the chance.” You take a bite from one of the little tartlets, your expression grim yet tinged with sadness.  Not even these little treats, prettily decorated with cream and berries, can cheer you up anymore.

So you finally say goodbye to Charmy after just two or three small pastries—one of them clutched in your hand as a snack for the road—and go looking for Leo. Since he accompanied you to the party, at least you want to say goodbye to him.

As you navigate through the dwindling crowd of ball guests, you make your way from the buffet over to the gallery and glance briefly down over the railing. Maybe you can spot him from up there and won’t have to search for long. The music is still playing, and a few couples are left dancing. A few other people are standing off to the side of the dance floor, deep in conversation. Among them is Leopold, standing next to his brother and his... "Wait a minute?!? This can’t be true. Is she… Is she actually?!?"  Startled by the sight of the three Vermillion siblings chatting with the Silvas, you clatter down the stairs in your heels.  “What’s she doing here? Why? She told me she wouldn’t be coming. And now she’s here after all? What’s going on? Did someone else ask her?” Your heart starts racing, just as your thoughts already are. “Has she been dancing with someone all evening while I was moping and stuffing myself with canapés? Why? How? When did she arrive?" You fight back the tears welling up and approach the siblings.

 “Huh?” Leo notices you. First out of the corner of his eye, then he turns towards you and waves with his arm outstretched. “Hey, (Y/N)! We’re here!” At that, his older siblings turn towards you too.

Fuegoleons with his warm smile, and Mereoleonas broad grin showing her fang. Both smiling at you like nothing is wrong. Only Leo looks a bit worried. “Where have you been? We’ve been missing you. You missed the big surprise too…” He pouts as his sister – who was presumably the big surprise – opens her mouth. “Hey, sweetheart,” she calls out.

With her short hair, you almost don’t recognize her at first glance. She isn’t wearing a dress, but a suit with a red tie. Over that a very wide-cut jacket trimmed with fur. “She’s really dressed up for the evening …”, you remark in surprise, as you hesitantly raise your hand in greeting and shyly approach the little group. “Should I say something? Should I ask her what she’s doing here? Or… do I even want to know…” You stand there, feeling uncertain and nervous, glancing to the side and rubbing your forearms. Yet even without looking at her, you can feel Mereoleona’s piercing gaze.

“Are you alright?” she asks you. “I thought I’d find you on the dance floor. But I haven’t seen you all evening and now you’re coming from a completely different direction.”

“Erm, yeah... I was with Charmy. At the buffet and stuff...”

You point your thumb behind you, vaguely in the direction. “Well, I just wanted to say goodbye. The evening went on longer than it should have. I ate too much and...”

“…moped about it”, you add in your thoughts. You’re annoyed that you didn’t just head down to the dance floor and just stood at the buffet like its personal watch dog. If only you’d gone down just once. If you’d accepted the dance from Finral or anyone else, you would have noticed her sooner. Would have been able to spent more time with her.

“But... would that have changed anything?” This thought pierces you like an icy knife. It's like a mocking version of yourself showing you how spineless you really are. “Would you really have asked her then? You don’t even find the courage to do it right now.”

“So you’ve just been eating all evening?”

Her question brings you back to the present. As you look up, you see her looking at you in bewilderment.

You nood. A little eembarrassed.  “What? And you didn’t dance?”

You shake your head.

“Not at all?”

“Not at all”, you repeat her words.

“What? Why?” She takes a step towards you, pushing her brothers with Nozzel and his siblings into the background. They, too, look a bit puzzled at first. Fuegoleon is the first to understand, as he signals to his sister with a wave of his hand that they’re going to let the two of you alone. She nods in agreement and turns back to you.

“You’ve been buzzing about the ball for days. About how you’ve never been dancing before and wanted to make up for it. That your friend wanted to sew you a dress especially for tonight. Making me want to see you dancing either… Giving me a reason to caome too…”She blushes a little, adding in a whisper: “You look stunning, by the way... My dear Guardian of the Forests... "

“Thank you...”, you manage to say.

“But what changed? Why did you just eat the whole night? Did everyone turn down your invitation to dance? Or did the men not even dare to ask you?”

She turns away from you, raising her voice. She shouts at the remaining ball guests: “Why didn’t anyone dance with her? Who put this beautiful girl down? Who here deserves a kick in the ass?!”

She was ready to punch the next person, already cracking her knuckles.

As a silent reply, you point to yourself.

“It’s me...”, you add in a low, ashamed voice.  “I am the only one to blame. Because I refused all dances.”

Her gaze wanders back to you. The eyes widen in disbelief, mirroring your sorrow.

“Why?” Meroleonas voice softens…

“There is only one person I want to dance with...”, you press out.

“What? Who are you talking about?” she asks with a shaking in her words.  

Nervously, you clench your hands. Your gaze wanders to the ground. Unable to look her in the eyes. The courage that flared up briefly has fizzled out. Extinguished. The same agonising questions press upon you again. “What if she says no? What if she doesn’t want to dance anyway...”

But the thought that this might be the very last chance for you, to tell her how you fell, igniting your courage again.

With wide eyes, you look up and straight into hers, as you form the words:  “It’s you. I only ever wanted to dance with you from the very start... But I wasn’t sure if you’d even come. If you’d dance at all. Or if you’d dance with another woman... With me.”

Silence.

Even the music in the background stops, as one of the musicians announces the final dance of the night.

“But now I think it’s too late anyway. I spent the whole night at the buffet, eating. It’s already dark outside and the last dance is about to start. So...”

You turn around and are just about to leave. You don’t even dare to wait for her reply. As if the announcement of the last dance is rejection enough. But Mereoleona stops you, as usual, with her flame paw. “You always give up far too quickly, sweetheart. What made you think I’d say no?”

You have no real answer to this. Only being able to point out vage that Mereo has always spoken of man to dance with. Never even hinting that she was into other woman at all…  

“Maybe I should have asked?” You look at each other with anguish.

She nods and lets go of you with her paw.  

“Maybe you wouldn’t have been disappointed…”

The piano begins to play, with a few harp tones woven into the melody.

“But who am I to judge you? I was afraid to ask you out too. Until now...” She holds out towards you, smiling at you shyly. “Wanna dance with me, (Y/N)?”

Your eyes widen in surprise. Despite being so happy, your first reaction was to wave it off: “I can’t dance.”

“I don't care. I can’t either. So come with me, sweetheart.” She grabs your hand and drags you onto the dance floor as the fiddlers join in with the rhythm and the light goes dim.

The initial worry, mixed with shyness, quickly fades, as you find yourself at the dance area. You smile to yourself and taking Mereoleonas hand. Playfully, you turn around on your own axis towards her.

With your back to Mereoleona, you cross your arms with hers in front of your chest, leaning towards her. Feeling her warmth. Her heartbeat. Making yours beat faster.

As you turn back after a few moments – embracing the music and the feeling of being hold close by her – and face her eye to eye, your mutual cluelessness about how to dance becomes obvious. First two are unsure what to do with your hands; Just holing each others? Classic couple-dance? But this unease and desire for each other leads to an intimate embrace. With hesitation and a hint of nervousness, you place your hands on Mereoleona's shoulders. Shyness returns. You cannot look at her without your cheeks flushing red.

Despite having trained with her for countless hours, even sitting naked next to her in the hot springs, dancing this close to her makes you so nervous that you can’t even look at her.

Of course she notices: "Hey, look at me, sweetheart. What’s wrong? Can’t even look at me? Do I look weird? Or is something else bugging you?” She strokes your cheek and chin to lift your gaze to hers.

 "No... it's just... we've never been this close before."

“Are you sure?”

The music volume turns up for a few notes, mostly the sound of the piano preparing for the loud, thudding beat of the bass drum.

"Remember all the training fights? Just think how much physical contact we've had already.” To emphasise her point, she pulls you in closer. "I know almost every single inch of your body. I know your heartbeat, how you breathe and how you move, and even your scent... I know all of this by heart.”

The beat of the bass echoes through the room and intensifies the shiver of delight that her words have sent down your spine.

"Also, I know how much you have changed and how strong you have become. You are one of the few people who weren’t afraid to fight me...”

You remember her words from back then, when the two of you were sitting together in the hot springs and gazing at the stars. “…how I ended up in the wild...”

You had another thought back then that you didn't want to admit... “She never showed it, but could it be that she, the undefeated lioness, felt lonely or even hurt somehow?”

Now, it is you who is pulling her close.

"Mereo, you're not someone to be afraid of. I know how gentle you can be, how soft and caring.”

Mereoleona laughs loudly in response and shakes her head. "You’re brave to tell the lioness that she’s gentle."

However, you notice the tremor in her voice. Proofing your assumption: "Yeah, she'd never admit it. She's too proud. Still… I can show her, that she is not alone…"

You lean your forehead against her shoulder. Snuggling up to her, you show her that you're not afraid of her, while the slow, gentle rock ballad carries you both across the dance floor.

Somehow peaceful, somehow melancholic. Fitting for these sorts of thoughts.

As the final notes play, you whisper to her: “Mereo... You’re important to me. You should know this...”

A soft smile flickers across her lips as she leans in for a gentle kiss while the last note slowly fades away.

“Maybe I’m a bit overdressed”, you think to yourself, pulling your cloak closer around you. It’s a bit cold tonight, after all. But mostly because of the feeling of many eyes on you. They cling to you as you make your way further.

Yes, you are not the only one in evening wear tonight. Not the only one in a big, elaborate dress. Nevertheless, many people turn to look at you.

“Maybe it’s a good practice for later. Then everyone will be looking at me.” A cold shiver runs down your spine as you think about what’s to come. Out of all people, you (Y/N) were chosen by Fuegoleon Vermillion to be his dance partner tonight. But not just for a little dancing here and there. No, the situation was far more serious than that. It was more significant. It was more formal.

As part of the event, the leaders of the nine orders of magical knights were obliged to open the ball. Of course, this included the opening dance, which was reserved for them and their partners only. It was a great honour, but Fuegoleon put a lot of pressure on you.

Thinking about this, you came to a new conclusion; “Maybe my dress is right for this.” You nod to yourself, still feeling a little unsure and look down on you. Just to make sure…

A deep forest green dress with its layered, semi-translucent silk in beautiful shades of green, inspired by moss, ivy, leaves and even emeralds. It was as if your Silvanic magic had been stitched into the dress itself. Dark green embroidery ran up the top, only to seamlessly transition into some sort of real vine that hung loosely over your upper arms. As if that weren’t enough for a mystical dress that could easily belong to a forest fairy, little flowers in pale shades of pink adorned the entire skirt of the dress. Like a fragile meadow in a deep, dark forest.

Still, you couldn’t believe he had asked you out, to be his partner tonight. Torn between being the happiest girl in the Clover Kingdom and the weight of nervousness, you hear his voice.

“(Y/N).” Fuegoleon was already waiting for you in front of a small fountain between two large ivy- and wisteria-covered staircases. The stairs lead up into the big royal garden and eventually into the castle and the ballroom.

“Have you been waiting long?” you ask him, you voice a little sore. “Am I that late?”

He only shakes his head, a soft smile on his lips. “No, I’m just early. I just couldn’t wait to see you.” His gaze wanders down your body, you can see a sparkle in his eyes before he looks back into yours. With almost reverent awe, he whispers: “You look stunning and beautiful. The dress really emphasises your magic, showing everyone that you are the queen of the forest. You have truly grown into a strong woman, and the dress shows this perfectly.”

Your cheeks flush red instantly. You can just about stammer, “You are handsome too, Fuegoleon.”

“Oh dear, I’m just wearing a simple black suit.” He waves it off with a laughter. Still, you notice the little rosy glow in his face.

"Yeah... but the ponytail suits you, and your earrings are shining more than usual." You look away, feeling embarrassed. "Sorry, I’m not good at making compliments. But you are simply beautiful. Inside and out. Thank you for choosing me as your partner tonight. I hope I can fulfill this duty.”

“Not so formal, (Y/N).” Softly, he takes your left hand and raises it, looking deep into your eyes. “But thank you. I am honored to have you as a Partner. You are perfect for me, my dear.” He says, kissing your hand gently.

A simple gesture that makes you blush even more and simply takes your breath away.

“Shall we, (Y/N)?”

“Yeah”, you answer, hooking your arm through his. Together, you climb the stairs and head towards the ballroom.

After the Wizardking’s opening speech about the last battle with the elves and the upcoming one with the Spade Kingdom, the „real king“ enters the stage and a more boring version of the same speech begins.

You and Fuegoleon are standing on the gallery, with a good view of the ballroom.

„Soon”, you whisper, and he nods. „I’m still a bit worried. I hope the big dance will go well.“

Despite many hours of practice over the last few weeks – you had to learn the waltz and some other dances from scratch – you couldn’t help but feel that this situation was different. It wasn’t just you and Fuegoleon anymore. No, the ballroom is full of people who will be watching you.

Hoping that Fuegoleon could calm you down, you look up at him. But you only notice his eyes, which are narrowed as he gazes around the room. You follow his gaze, not knowing what he is looking at.

“Are you nervous too?” you ask shyly, expecting him to disagree. But he only says one word.

„Paparazzi...“ He sounds almost disgusted and nods towards a group of people on the other side of the balcony, looking in your direction. They are whispering and someone of the group is pointing unashamedly in your direction. Another one is taking notes.

“Mhh?”

„They’re already eying us up.“

„But aren’t you used to it? As the leader of the Crimson Lions, you’re almost always the centre of attention.”

“And yet I still don’t like those people...”

You swallow. Regretting you words in an instand.

“Those people always like bad news – for more attention. It’s unfair to be judged by a stranger who takes unflattering pictures of you or makes up an story just to sell more copies of his article...”

He pauses for a moment to look at you. His fingers lightly stroke down your left arm as he finds your hand. Your fingers automatically interlock, and he holds your hand firmly yet gently.

“Today we are showing ourselves publicly. As a couple... not only on the battlefield, but at such an elegant event. They will look at us with eagle eyes. They already do...” He sighs deeply, his grip on your hands still firm. “That scares me...”

“Do you regret asking me out?”

You notice that he twitches slightly. He looks at you, taken by surprise.

Then he grips you more tightly. “No,” he says firmly. “I would always ask you, (Y/N). Yet... I am afraid of not being able to protect you from such things. I... don’t not lose you because of bad headlines and untrue stories. I want to protect you, no matter what. And I don’t want you to see what I’m capable of if someone hurts you in any way...”

You look at him in disbelief. The strong leader of the Crimson Lions, yet so fragile. You would never have thought that those were the ghosts hunting him: other people’s opinions, with the power to be written down and heard. To be believed in...

Something you’ve hardly experienced so far. Not in such a big social circle. So you don’t want to presume, to offer advice. You don’t even know if you have understood the whole situation. Understanding it as a full picture.

But seeing him so worried about you, you couldn’t help but make a comment.

You grab his hand harder. You squeeze it once to let him know: I’m here for you.

„You know,” you whisper. “The practice sessions were so much fun.  We’re not going to let today’s evening get ruined. We’re going to dance all evening. We’re going to have good food and simply enjoy ourselves! And if there are people with too much fantasy and spare time who think they can write a dramatic story about our little dance, let them do so.” You take a deep breath as you realise you could talk yourself into a rage. You clear your throat. „It’s shitty, yeah. To be judged by strangers for just five minutes of a somewhat meaningless dance when we have fought out dozens of battles on the other hand; if anything, we should be judged by them. And I am not willing to give them this sort of power over me just by getting a glimpse of my life.” Unnoticed by you the flowers on your dress, begin to open their petals slowly.

“Fuegoleon, I am flattered that you want to take care of me. I'm touched that you're worried about me. I really appreciate it. But don’t forget: I’m a big girl – I can handle it.”

At that moment, your magic flows into the dress and lights it up. The flowers began to bloom as if to show not only Fuegoleon, but everyone, how strong you have become.

It outshone the unenthusiastic applause for the unpopular king with ease.

Fuegoleon smiled at you. He knew he had made the right choice. He knows you two will support each other no matter what.

Nevertheless, the dance and the unnecessary proof from the paparazzi judges was yet unfulfilled, but about to begin.

“Let's show them everything we've got.”

You nod in agreement and allow him to guide you down the stairs and onto the dance floor. While the orchestra plays a light-hearted song, you and the others take your positions. Applause accompanies all of you, along with exclamations of amazement

You and the other couples line up in a circle, just as you did in practice, and the music falls silent for a few heartbeats.

You take a deep breath. The tension mounts. It reaches a new peak. Because you know it's about to begin. The adrenaline rushes through your veins, your heartbeat quickens. It's similar to the feeling before a fight. It lets you sink into deep focus.

The first few notes on the piano are played. As the violin joins in, it's your sign.

Your hands become slightly sweaty. With the tension flowing through you, you can feel the tingling sensation in your fingers and toes.

As in the rehearsal, you start with a curtsy while Fuegoleon bows to you and offers you his hand. You take it.

Feeling the shaking in his fingers. Just a little, but you can feel it clearly.

In time with the music, and a turn around your own axis, you take a step towards him, so that you find your way into the starting position for the dance.

His fire arm gently wraps around you to place his hand on your lower back. You put your hand on his shoulder in return.

To the rhythm of the violin, joined now by the trumpets and clarinets, the real dancing begins.

Following the traditional waltz steps, you move in a large circular formation with the other couples. Let the music carry and guide you.

Then comes the first change of rhythm to 2/4, which is the special feature of this selected musical piece.

There's no problem for you. The transition of your steps is seamless.

The music becomes much brighter. It's a harsh contrast, but a vivid one. It is more cheerful and less stiff.

You are now moving out of the classic waltz position for the next steps. Two turns around yourself, while you still hold Fuegoleon's hand with your right hand. Fast and almost explosive.

Followed by a fleeting moment, in which you look each other in the eyes intensely. A smile crosses his lips.

Yes, that was the part that didn't always work in rehearsals. The fact that this difficult part turned out well is a victory in itself.

Thereafter, the focus shifts back to more subdued melodies, leading to the transition back to the traditional waltz.

You move to the soft sounds and the sudden shift in tempo and the joyful, unworried feeling another two more sets.

Each time, you manage this feat more easily. Gaving you more validationund fulfilling you with pride.Still... The thrill keeps you in its grip. But in a good way. It helps you to concentrate and feel the music more intensely. Feeling the touch between you and Fuegoleon more intensely.

 It’s time to switch back to the quiet part one last time. From your current position, with your back to Fuegoleon — who held you in an embrace for a moment too long — you turn around again. Already convinced that you had rocked this waltz, you become slightly distracted. Too much confidence far too soon.

Your fingers slipped through Fuegoleon's. This brief moment of panic is enough to make you lose your footing. You stumble, but manage to catch yourself. But the damage was already done, and a sharp pain shot through your foot.

“Buckled?! This has never happened before.”

For a moment, everything around you seems to go dark. It's as if time has stopped. You know it happened, but it was so unexpected that you cannot fathom it — it's like a doomed moment. In a book, you would have to reread the same passage over and over.

But here? There's no time.

The music doesn't stop for you. It doesn't turn back for a second chance. The beat goes on. But without you. Without Fuegoleon.

Without the two of you.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly, but no less concerned.

“I'm fine. I just hurt my ankle. But it'll only hurt for a few minutes. Nothing bad.”

“And yet I can see the pain in your eyes. I don't think you'll be able to finish the dance.”

No matter how it annoys you, you have to agree with him. Just giving him a nod. 

Questions about whether everything would be over now and how you had ruined the dance come to your mind. The paparazzi's sharp stares, which you had tried to ignore, now seem to pierce you. Yes... All eyes are on you now. Not in the way you had hoped, though. Rather, in the way you feared.

“We're blocking the other dancers...”

“Sorry for this mistake, Fuegoleon.” Tears are welling up in your eyes.

“Don't worry, I have an idea. May I?”

 Before you can respond, you feel his arm around your back.

He crouches down briefly, using his uninjured arm to reach around your voluminous skirt to your knee.

He lifts you up and takes a step inside the circle of dancing couples.

They react quickly, closing the gap you have left behind.

“There are only 30 seconds left. Don't worry. I think we can handle it this way”, he whispers, his gentle smile free from any reproach.

You simply nod, smiling determinedly.  As he dances with you to the rhythm of the music, you continue to move closer. Carrying you on his arms, yours around his neck.

Leaning closer, into each other. Touching each other foreheads and noses. A soft kiss is the next logical step...

Bonus:

In my head, Astarion would go back to camp after this and question everything about his 'simple little plan'. Not only was he crazy enough to lure a gnome into his fangs, but this gnome also played a kind of uno reverse when Tav, well aware of what she was doing, let herself be lured into his fangs. And he's the one who falls for her in the end. And even after her emotional lecture she tells him, that she likes him. That he matters…

 He wouldn't come out of his tent because he is  somehow embarrassed by all of this. He is developing feelings and he isn’t good at handling them. So he tells the others that he has caught a cold.

Like: *hüstel* “I think I got sick the other day. I can come out and have some fun with you guys...”

Gnome-Druid Tav would be there for him, making him hot tea to help him recover. Yes, she knows tea isn't really his drink, but she thinks he really has a cold or flu.

This makes everything worse because he has never experienced having someone care for him.

Maybe Astrion tells Tav that he doesn't have a cold, but that he has some strange feelings, and confesses to her. Or he simply leaves the camp and never thinks about this kind of Tav again.

 I don’t know… xD

Julius looks up from the documents and looks directly into Fuegolen's eyes. Then, he looks back down at the papers. He slowly begins to shook his head before looking up again.

"Do you really think this quest is for you and your order? The Crimson Lions are mostly male. I would rather hand this matter over to Charlotte and her order."

He lifts some of the papers by grabbing them at one of their corners and slowly, though not very interestedly, slides through the pages of reports.

"I don't believe in such things. This mostly sounds like an urban legend to me," Fuegoleon explains. His voice strong, he is convinced by his opinion.

This case, also referred to as the "Black Widow-Case”, revolves around a woman. She is said to live in the wild and lure her mostly male victims into a swamp where she kills them after an act of love. Hardly anyone has survived, and those who have returned are poisoned and scared for their lives. The villagers living close to these swamps gave her this very specific name, inspired by the poisonous spider itself. The fear of who might be the next is ever-present. No-one has dared to venture into the swamps for some time now. Those who did were never seen again. Although there were paths through the bog that led to other villages and connected them with each other. But these paths are now even more dangerous than those through the dark forest. One false step and the whole area becomes a region ruled by a great mana. Ready to kill everything with its venom.

"However, the number of cases involving missing men, poisoning victims, and deceased individuals is increasing. The facts tell a different kind of story.” The Wizard King puts the files back on the desk, rests his elbows on the tabletop, and cradles his chin in his hands. "I really don't feel comfortable giving you such an assignment, Fuegoleon."

But young captain of the lions reassures Julius again that he can do it. “Who says it’s an evil mage who poisons people? Who says she does anything else to the men beforehand? No. He shook his head decisively before crossing his arms.  "I don't believe in such things. My order will investigate and solve this case."

The two men exchanged a penetrating look. Then, Julius relented and left the Black Widow-Case to the Crimson Lions.

"Good. Marx will provide any additional information we have. You and some of your squad-members will leave the other day. Alright?”

"Hey, sweetheart." She cuddles up to you and wraps her arms around you. "You are present enough. You always have been. I love spending time with you. Doing all the everyday things. Like cooking together, waking up next to each other. I also love seeing you in training - the sparkle in your eyes and how much you have improved since you first came back. Those are the things that matter to me. So don't worry about things like Christmas presents. And besides; I told you yesterday that if anything, I am the one who is the idiot. I really hurt you. The accusations... And the thing with the mug. You've put a lot of thought into this, and I'm doing it badly. I'm really very sorry. But... "She sighs heavily before admitting that she has broken it by mistake.  "But... My brother was able to fix it. But this accident has given me an idea. Even though I told you a moment ago that gifts do not matter - I have something for you." She suddenly sounds a bit shy.

"Huh? Don't tell me you bought a similar one?"

"Maybe?!"

She has bought one. You can tell by her reaction.

"Let me see it!"

"Not now... Later. Let's just stay here in bed for a little longer, okay?" She hugs you tighter again and plants kisses all over your neck. "It's a good thing we didn't take the opportunity to go to a hotel... We would have had to get out by now and so..."

She puts you down so that she is spooning you from behind, before she squeezes you tightly and plants a kiss on your temple. "Would you mind another round? We are still naked..."

"Huh? I thought we were having a serious conversation."

But she ignores you. So you know this conversation is over by now. She has other priorities…

"You know... I had to hold back a lot when you slept in my bed before." She runs her fingers along your silhouette. Tenderly stroking your skin down to your buttocks. She squeezes them tightly before sliding her fingers past them, sending chills down your spine. She finds her way to your clit and strokes it. You moan softly and move closer to her, needy but unintended.

"It was hard, you know. You had no shame and pushed your beautiful body too close to mine. Like now." As she says this, the fingers of her other hand touch your breasts. Softly at first, but slowly harder as she plants kisses on your neck.

She really already knows your spots.

"Mereo, what are you doing? We just woke up and..." She silences you by pushing her fingers inside you.

"Already so wet... Don't tell me you don't want me to do this. I only touched you gently." As she says this, she squeezes your nipples harder to make you moan louder. You hold on to your pillow with one hand, the other hand grips Mereoleona's waist. Still you thrust your hips against her.

Her movements speed up. She puts another finger in.

You can't resist these touches any longer. She makes you come too quickly.

"Sorry," you moan without breath. "That was too good and too unexpected..."

But she seems satisfied as she licks her wet finger she pulled out of you. "Since you got so much of my taste yesterday, I can get a taste of yours too...", she explains with a meaningful grin on her lips.

You feel a little embarrassed after she reminds you of what you all did to her the other night. But yeah, you are good with your tongue after practising with sour gummy snakes...

"Ok, now that we are done here, we should get ready..."

"Ready?" You look at her as she stands up. "I thought we had a lot of time to spend together. Since we didn't check into a hotel... Besides..." Your stomach rumbles. "I'm hungry."

"Then it is a good thing that we are invited to my brother's house for Christmas lunch..."

"We?"

"Of course you are coming. You just said you were hungry. And; have you already forgotten that you and I are together now?" She kisses you on the forehead and you both get ready to leave.

"And it's really okay to be here with you?"

"Of course," Mereoleona answers. "You are my girlfriend now and my brothers already knows you. Only Theresa, our godmother, might be here. So, no need to worry..." To give her statement more weight, she firmly puts an arm around you. Pulling you closer.

Uncertain, you look around. It had stopped snowing by now, but the front garden and the small neighbourhood on the edge of town were covered in a thick layer of snow. 

It was then that you noticed the mistletoe on the edge of the small porch above the front door. A smile flickers across your lips. "As if it was meant to be..."

"Did you say something, sweetheart?"

You point to the mistletoe with the forefinger of your left hand. "We have to kiss," you say with a sweet grin.

"I see. But not that I need a reason to do so."

Still with one arm wrapped around you, she moves around, like a little dance. You go along, giggling, letting her lead you until you are in her arms, bending backwards. Your fingers intertwined, she whispers sweet words in your ear.

Meanwhile;

The snow creaks loudly under your feet as you make your way through the snow-covered town. Your trolley rolls along clumsily behind you through the snow.

Apart from you, there are only a few other people and a few more cars out in the heavy snowfall, although the roads are still cleared.

An icy wind blows thick snowflakes into your face and your cheeks are already red from the cold.

"Really bad weather," you think to yourself, "and according to the weather forecast, it's supposed to get even worse today. Hopefully the trains will still be running."

With your trolley, you make your way through the snowy city to the nearest underground station to get to the main station.

On the plus side, the subway is pretty empty and not as crowded as usual.

Arriving there, you have to admit that you should have gone home yesterday. The station is full of people, most of them looking angry and confused, others standing in a long, chaotic queue outside the service centre or around the large Christmas tree in the main hall.

"What is going on here? Are the trains really not leaving because of all the snow?"

What began as a thought is soon confirmed as a bitter reality. You find your way through the cloud of people to your platform. There you check the timetable.

"They can't be serious? They cancel almost every train?" Shocked, you also check your app for the latest train schedules and changes. But the same picture. "Damn... I should have done this earlier, then I could have saved myself the trip here".

What began as a thought is soon confirmed as a bitter reality. After picking up some snacks for the journey home to your parents - not that Charmy hadn't packed you something, but the journey home was long and not only sweet things would be appreciated - you make your way to the platform. You still have plenty of time, but the station was too crowded for you. As you arrive, your eyes fall on the timetable hanging above the platform. And suddenly your mood is sinking. Just like your bag with the sandwich you bought a few minutes ago.

"They can't be serious? They cancelled my train?" Shocked, you also check your app for the latest schedules and changes. But the same picture. Even worse. Because of all the snow, there are almost no trains leaving Clover City. But you are not the only one who has just noticed that there are no trains. There are quite a few people on the platform, hoping to get where they want to go.

"Damn... I should have done this earlier, then I could have saved myself the trip here". You bit your lower lip. "My parents will be sad, but there's nothing I can do about it. I hope Charmy will take me in again for the next few days..."

As you were about to make your phone calls to tell your parents the bad news and to tell Charmy that you were coming back, you saw another person coming down the stairs from the passageway to the platform.

At first you can't believe your eyes, but when she sees you almost lonely on the platform, she smiles shyly at you.

"Mereo," you mumble and lower your phone.

Hesitantly, but after a few steps already, you rush up to her and fall around her neck. She welcomes you with open arms and embraces you.

With tears in your eyes, you ask her what she is doing here.

"I just wanted to say goodbye to you. But I didn't expect to find you in all this chaos. It was my last attempt to see the platforms..."

"You're lucky, I was just about to leave..."

You put some distance between you and her. At the same moment, you remember that you are having some kind of argument and that you probably still do so. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, and you looked down, embarrassed.

Still, your fingers dig deeper into the fabric of her coat. Her grip around you tightens. As you look up, her face comes closer to yours. Forehead against forehead.

"I'm so sorry (Y/N). I never meant to hurt you like this. But still... I can't bear the thought of you being with someone else, or complete without you. I need you. I missed you so much."

"Me too," you wisper. "But I couldn't find the courage to go back to you. I was so afraid that you would really hate me after I left..."

"There is no reason for me to hate you. I am the jerk here. Not you..." A single tear runs down her face and you kiss it away gently before kissing her with all your feelings.

Getting lost in the moment with her, only to be interrupted by the nasal loudspeaker announcement on the platform: "Please do not leave your luggage unattended..."

You both have to laugh.

"I think that was for me," you laugh. "And I thought my train was coming. Well, I was wrong. There is no train coming today. But I could have guessed, with all this snow..."

"So you're not leaving?"

"No," you say and go back to your suitcase. "Tell me how, without trains..."

"I see," Mereoleona's meaningful smile appears on her lips. "I'm just in the right place..."

"You are. Otherwise I would have called Charmy and gone home. Or to a hotel, with this bad weather." Worried, you look into the distance and think: "A hotel would be better. Then you see Mereo shaking her head: "No hotel, sweatheart. We are not in a tawdry love drama. You are coming with me."

With these words, you pick up your luggage and leave the platform together.

As you fight your way through the crowd, to the car park, you become curious. You want to know how she knew you were at the station.

"Let's just say a strange bird told me..." she replies.

"I hope this bird was also able to apologise to its chrush," you said softly and cling to Mereoleonas Arm. And you could swear to hear Yami sneezing from far away.

Yeah, I think that would be a nice (also obius ending for this story...) A bit short, I have to admit, yes. But we are all here for the dirty stuff to happen...

So warning: smut ahead...

When you get home to Mereoleona's flat, she can't hold on any longer. Not even the door is properly closed as she pushes you against it. She kisses you, full of desire.

"Slowly," you whisper against her lips.

"I don't care about slow. I've held back long enough...", she simply replies.

"Okay, I get it," you smile. "But then let us at least close the front door properly..."

As you do so, taking off your jacket, she falls back over you. Only to notice: "You feel cold." Carefully, she strokes your flushed cheeks - which are not only so cold because of the cold winter weather outside.

"Maybe we should warm up... Under a warm shower. We have things to do..."

Mereoleona has dragged you under her shower and now it is not just the hot water that warms you.

She embraces you from behind. Her warm hands glide over your naked skin, the water from the shower is splashing softly as if in the far distance. She is all that matters now. Her touches send shivers down your spine. When her hands reach your breasts again, you let out a soft moan. Yes, this is what you always wanted her to do to you.

"Come on, (Y/N). Let me hear your voice," she whispers into your ear as you let out a soft moan. A smirk flickers across her lips. "I know this is the spot..." Her grip gets tighter and tighter.

You also no longer need to hold back.

She kneads your nipples harder, making you moan louder, your voice drownes out by the monotonous sound of the shower. She moves closer to you, nestling against your back. Biting gently into your shoulders, leaving bite marks. You can't stand it any longer. You want her so badly.

One of her hands moves to your chin, pulling your head back. You lean into her, running your fingers over her face before closing your eyes. Her face moves closer to yours. You feel her breath on your mouth.

Moments later, your lips meet in a passionate kiss. For real this time...

"Turn around," she orders, pushing you against the tiles, the water from her rainforest shower still spilling onto the floor. Her left hand slides down your silhouette, stopping at your butt. "Lift your leg."

You do as she commands, and not only does she squeeze your buttocks harder, she also seems to support you there.

Still you wrap your arms around her to prevent you from falling.

Leaning forward, Mereoleona kisses you first on the lips, before leaving a trail of bite marks and kisses on your nipples, which she also cares with her tongue now. You lean your head back, you can no longer hold it. The touch alone is driving you crazy.

"Mereo... please..." you whimper, biting your lower lips.

"Yes, sweetheart." Her other hand slowly reaches your vulva, stroking it gently at first, making you beg again. Then she slowly slips her fingers inside you...

As you dry yourself off, you notice the bandages on her hands. You had felt them, yes, but you had ignored them until now. "What have you done?"

"I burned myself with your food," she says in a monotonous voice. "But it's not bad anymore."

Feeling guilty for a moment, you go over to help her remove the wet bandage and look worriedly at her wounds.

"Don't worry... It's fine." She tries to convince you again. But you can't help kissing her palms gently. Then you cuddle up to her hand. You hold it close to your face.

"The one who always eats. I've never seen her without food - like a squirrle."

"Oh, you mean Charmy."

She nods and takes a sip from the water. "But I'm not really sure. Besides;" Mereoleona opens one of her kitchen drawers - a junk drawer to be precise - and hands Yami a mobile phone. "She forgot her phone here when she left. Not sure if she's coming back or not."

"That explains why she's not answering..." he mumbles as he takes the phone.

"Can you do me a favour?" Mereo leans against the kitchen counter and runs an absent-minded hand through her red mane. "Please bring her back her phone if you intend to meet (Y/N)."

"Why don't you do it yourself?" He scans her. She looks even more pale than she did a few days ago. "Has the lioness lost her teeth?”, He is trying to tease her, but it doesn't work...

"I just don't know if she wants to see me or not. I'm too scared that she won’t give us another chance. That's all..." She tries to justify herself. But Yami has seen through her. The argument with (Y/N) has somehow broken her...

"Alright - then I will pay her a visit." Yami says and scratches his head. "Shall I send her greetings from you?"

Mereoleona looks at him for a few moments. Then she takes a deep breath, it looks as if she is thinking hard.

"Not really, but I need to know something..." She gets back up and opens one of the cupboards to show Yami the meanwhile repaired cup.

"This is the cup (Y/N) was supposed to give you," he recognises it. "I know it's ugly and I told her that it's not your taste, but it's still not nice to break it."

"Don't insult this thing! My brother tried his best to save it." Mereoleona gets louder and almost a little angry. "Better tell me where she bought it. I have to buy a replacement, I can give to her. The Cup has somehow grown to her. But this thing," she lifts the mug a little to make sure she means the broken mug, "this mug should always remind me of how rash I always am and how deeply I hurt her feelings..."

"Pretty poetic for someone like you. But if you want to know, she bought the mug in that little tea shop in the mall. Right next to the entrance in the south-west. But..." He hesitates and looks at Mereoleona. "Will you give it to her? Or are you going to make me do messenger runs again?" Yami laughs, perhaps trying to provoke her again.

But as Mereo refuses to react and just stares grumpily into the distance. So the uninvited visitor simply slaps her back. "Better you decide soon. Tomorrow is Christmas again, you know..." With these words he leaves.

Again, Mereoleona stays home alone, but with a little gleam of ambition in her eyes. It seems there is still a little spark in her. "I'd better go and get her that mug..."

It's still snowing outside the CC. The afternoon is early and you are sitting in the almost empty café, sipping a cup of coffee. Soon the afternoon crowds will be rushing in from their last-minute Christmas shopping, so take advantage of the current lull to brood over your problems on your laptop.

After Marx left the company last week, your boss only had you to shout at. And since you already had a keyboard on your conscience and private documents on the company PC, another warning was probably not far off.

Somehow justified, of course, but with this boss it would only be a matter of time before the next little misstep ended in dismissal.

"So... should I just get a new job or look for a new place to live? And should I get the new job in Clover City or far, far away?" You ponder as someone sits next to you.

"Is this seat still free?"

At first you will to point out that the whole café is free. But then you look up from your laptop and see Yami.

"Yo," he greets you as he sits down and hands you your phone. It is turned off, but when you try to turn it on again, it seems to have enough power.

"Where did you get it?"

"I went to see your girlfriend. But I am not allowed to send you greetings, because she still feels bad about the argument and the misunderstanding".

"You've made a real mess of things," you grumble. "As soon as we got together - we wanted to take things slowly - poof. That was the end of the relationship."

"Did you really split up?" Your friend takes a sip from his coffee.

"I don't know. But I haven't heard from her in the last few days. But I must not complain. I haven't made any efforts to see her either. Even worse; I have just bought my train ticket for tomorrow afternoon – I’m going to celebrate Christmas with my parents. And before you say something, I know myself that I am probably running away from something..."

"As good as any adult would do. So you're not going to tell the Not-So-Scary Woman that you're leaving Clover City?"

"I don't know. I miss her, yes. But I'm too scared that she won’t give us another chance…"

"You know what..." Yami finishes his coffee with one last sip. "Believe it or not - I have heard that line before today." With these words, he gets up, grabs one of the newspapers lying on an old but still fashionable sideboard, and disappears in the direction of the toilets...

"What is that?!!!" Kira-Clover lets out a shrill scream. Dorothy looks at you in surprise and mumbles something about having guessed it. But you have already noticed what is now clearly visible to everyone on the white wall. You feel hot and cold and wonder why the hell your half-completed bucket list is flickering on the wall. But then you remember.

"No?!? I haven't seriously overwritten all the work I've done in the last few weeks with my unhappy bucket list?" you ask yourself in disbelief.  "That strange Pop-up yesterday... Damn it! I should have read it properly...", you remember, boiling hot. "Damn it! Now I've really screwed up..."

Biting your lower lip, you begin to tremble and feel tears welling up in your eyes. That goddamn list! All the things you wanted to do to have a perfect Christmas. But pretty much everything on that wicked list had turned into a negative version of it.

Marx looks at you in disbelief, you look at him in despair and shake your head, while your boss throws a tantrum in the background.

Just as Dorothy is about to save you by simply unplugging the beamer, Marx closes the file.

Then he pulls a USB stick out of his business bag. "You're lucky I always make independent copies on my stick for cases like this..."

A few moments later, the correct and complete file is on the wall and your colleague pulls you over to the chair where he was sitting. "Sit down - I'll take it from here."

As confident as ever, Marx answers the newcomer's question and a few others. But he also knows the answer to the boss's question as to what the hell that was all about.

"Just a little reminder of what you should have experienced before Christmas. That's all, just a little relaxation. Don't take it too seriously if you don't like it."

"But these are private documents on our SharePoint! That's not acceptable. The woman is attracting negative attention again. I can't let her get away with it."

"(Y/N) has a lot of personal problems at the moment. She lost her flat due to structural problems and is now living on a friend's couch.  As a close colleague and friend, I know about her problems. If you were a responsible boss, you would have understood and taken her off the extra work. If you were an even better boss," Marx's face darkens within seconds, "you would have done your own damn work, or not sent your Secretaries, who have screwed up the whole work in first place, on holiday. Or not approved their time off at all. You would have kept an eye on their work. And most of all, you wouldn't have let bystanders take the rap for a year's worth of crap for two weeks. Since Julius hasn't been here due to illness, the department has gone down the drain".

You hurry after him.

A murmur goes through the rows of colleagues. But most of them have to agree with Marx. After all, they hadn't known the usually quiet chief secretary could get this angry. Even the current boss, Mr Kira - Clover - looks at him with an open mouth. He really can't think of anything to say in his defence.

"I don't want to be part of that atmosphere anymore. The team is great, but the boss is rubbish. And since Julius won't be back for a while, I've asked for a transfer". The colleague rummages in his bag once more, slips an envelope into the boss's hand and leaves the meeting room, wishing everyone else a Merry Christmas.

"Marx, wait! Thanks for saving me. Even though it was really cool how you handed in your notice, I still can't believe it. Are you really leaving?"

He nods: "Thank you for the flowers, but I would have preferred not to. Both..."

You purse your lips in dismay and nod guiltily. But then your colleague pats you on the shoulder. "But I had to do it. I mean the dismissal. The last few weeks have been too much for me. And for you too, as I can see. Thank you for all the hours we have spent together in the office. But now take care of your private problems and get your love life back on track, yeah?"

"Hatschi," you sneeze loudly.

"'Gesundheit...'"

"Thanks, Marx. Oh dear, the overtime isn't good for me in the long run. I hope I haven't caught a cold..." you mutter.

"I wouldn't be surprised. It's quite chilly here in the office..." Marx remarks and you hug your cardigan tighter.

"But it'll be over soon," he adds with a smile. "The presentation should fit in with tomorrow's conference, don't you think?"*

"Then we're finally finished here. It's not that late. Only half past nine," says Marx and stretches. "Shall we go for a bite somewhere, (Y/N)?"

You nod, glad that the extra work seems to be over at last. "The lists are neatly saved on the Sharepoint and the PowerPoint for tomorrow's presentation is ready."

"I'd love to. I'm really hungry."

"Well then - let's pack and meet at the lift."

With these words, Marx gets up, collects his laptop and his cup of cold coffee and leaves your office.

You stretch too and start to pack your things and close all open programs.

"Oh, I still have those," you mutter, noticing the open file of your bucket list with its own 'gift ideas' section. "Well, that list hasn't really paid off this year. I have no idea why I touched it again this afternoon? Oh yes... It's because..."

When you click on the view with the gifts, you remember. You have deleted Mereoleona's gift idea. You don't know what got into you, what kind of frustration and sadness, but you actually went back and edited the list. Probably you just wanted the list to be tidy in a fit of mental weakness. But the blank space after her name bothers you. "Mereo..." you mutter softly and sigh, "I can't help but miss you..."

You hadn't heard from her in days. How could you, without a mobile phone? But she hadn't even come to CC. She was supposed to know that you were with Charmy by now. You sigh deeply. But you can not only blame her. You are also this worse.

"It's stupid, but I can't let it go like this... "

You start typing. "Reconciliation and a kiss under the mistletoe..."

A hesitant smile flickers across your lips. "Maybe I should go talk to her. Using the excuse of getting my mobile. Maybe tomorrow after work..."

Relieved that all the work is finally done, and with a growling stomach, you and your colleague head for the nearest fast food restaurant.

Charmy was more than surprised when you showed up on her doorstep late the other night. She was on the verge of beating you up with a brom, thinking of you as a supposed intruder who had knocked politely. But as soon as she saw you, with your red eyes and your luggage, she knew what was wrong. And she's been looking after you ever since. With lots of chocolate to fight the frustration and sadness inside you.

"That your girlfriend would believe such stupid assumptions..." says Charmy, shaking her head as she goes back to her kitchen. "And that she would be so mean to you. Lucky for her I wasn't there."

"Would you have beat her up with your broom, you little Witch?"

"Broom and Dustpan! I have to pull out the big stuff for her." She answers. "Did she just take her frustration out on you, or also on Yami?"

"I don't know. I think it only hit me because she came home on Monday from the youth group training, where her brother had been talking to his mates about the thing. There was no time to stop by and see Yami. But I think it was on her mind. But yeah, I never thought she could get so mad at me over something as silly as this misunderstanding. She was already mad, when she read Yami's message on my mobile on Sunday. He was just asking for the name of the restaurant I had suggested when we went shopping, to take his girlfriend there for a special Christmas date. So I think the frustration had probably been building up in her for a while."

"Still - that's no excuse to hurt you like that. "

Fuegoleon wraps a final layer of bandage around her left hand and tapes the end with a plaster. "There, that's it. Bandage changed. Does it fit? You can't do much with your hands anyway, but it shouldn't be too tight."

She moves her fingers and turns her wrists. "I think so. Thank you..." she mumbles tonelessly.

But her Brother can't help but remark that he sometimes doubts that Mereoleona thinks at all.

"Otherwise you'd have thought better a week ago when you attacked (Y/N) in the shower. You're lucky Mina didn't take it too badly. And you wouldn't have taken the already burned food out of the 200 degree hot oven with your bare hands, and most of all you wouldn't have believed Leo's nonsense about (Y/N) having something going on with his PE teacher Mr. Sukehiro. Just to name a few recent examples".

Like a pile of misery, Mereoleona just lets it pass. She doesn't say anything. Not anymore. Instead, she changes the subject: "Can you at least fix the cup?" She looks over at her brother, but he just shrugs. "We'll see," he says as he goes to the sideboard in the hall to put the first aid kit back in its place.

He swallows: "I really thought my teacher was serious about him and (Y/N) being together. I mean, we saw them in the mall and he said she was his prey. But..." He trailed off. He looked away shyly. "I didn't know he just recalled your words from the christmasmarket back than. That you and she... Well, I always thought that she and our brother would get together..."

Not only that Mereo burned her hands badly the other day, she also managed to destroy the strawberry cup that had been sitting innocently on the kitchen counter. In her attempt to rescue the burnt food from the oven, which was already helplessly sending out dark smoke signals as you left the flat, she had rammed the cup with the casserole dish.

The cup, which she thought was ugly as hell despite the information that it was actually a Christmas present for her, flew in a less high curve, but straight onto the stone-tiled kitchen floor, where it shattered into dozens of pieces. 

But when she saw the shards on the floor, she felt even worse than she already did. As if this cup was a symbol of how your friendship and feelings for each other were now broken for good...

"Sorry, sister... "Leo now pushes his way ruefully out of his room into the spacious hallway, at the end of which his brother's bright office was located behind a room divider in the shape of a terrarium for Fuegoleon's pet Tatsu - a tame, somewhat overgrown iguana. Mereoleona sits on a backless stool and looks grimly at her little brother.

A bitter look meets Leo's eyes. Then an arm is put around his shoulders. "You and Mereoleona are too much alike. Neither of you thinks at least a little bit through..." Fuegoleon says in a calm voice.

"You're really mean today, brother..."

At first Yami thinks that the boys might have found out that he smokes the cigarettes himself, he takes away from the students he catches smoking.

But no, this is not the reason for Leo's angry behaviour.

"We've seen you cheating on Miss Roselei!" says Asta without a great deal of hesitation.

"How dare you think that (Y/N) would like you more than my older brother?"

"What do you mean?" Irritated, the teacher looks between Asta and Leo.

"Pretending is pointless! We have photos!"

Yami raises his arms in defiance. What do the three of them want from him? Or rather just Leopold and Asta. Yuno is clearly uncomfortable with the situation. So uncomfortable that he does not even look at his physical education teacher.

And then this accusation. (Y/N) and himself? Or her and Fuegolen? Yami cannot help but laugh. He knows very well that his friend of many years is more interested in other women than in men...

"Why are you laughing? What is so funny?"

"Sorry guys, but this joke is too good. Fuegoleon and (Y/N)? Or..."

He can't even lough about himself.

"Don't be so mean to my brother!" Leopold yells now. "They are meant for each other! And you are destroying that!"

"Are you sure, little lion?" Yami grins. The little brother seems to be not so on the ball...

That's why he wants to help him and remember Leo, who was the one who marked her territory at the Christmas market.

"Better beg away from her - she is my prey." He echoes Mereoleona’s words. With a serious expression, he looks at Leo before bursting into laughter. "Do you remember those words? If not, think about them and who is into (Y/N). But if you want my honest answer - she and I are very close. I hope I have made myself clear - and now out of the way. I have to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant for Christmas".

With these words, Yami walks past his students, who look at him in confusion.

"That went wrong somehow," Leo mumbles. 

After a long day at work, you came home very late. Mereo had taken over some lessons at the Fighting Club for her sick brother that day and was training the group of teenagers around her youngest brother Leopold . So - she wasn't home.

Then you put on your Christmas playlist and make yourself a cup of tea. Yes, in your new mug. Only becouse Mereo doesn't like it, doesn't mean you can't. Besides ;You have already grown to it and like it anyways.

"Too bad - but I will prepare dinner for us. Maybe she will be happy to have something good to eat when she comes home. So let's get to work," you say, pulling up your sleeves and tying on an apron.

While tapping your feet to the beat of every Song, you are chopping lots of vegetables and prepairing the meat. Not knowing what storm is coming...

"Great - now put everything in a casserole dish and pop it in the oven!"

After putting the meal in the oven and setting the timer, you tidy up the kitchen and start setting the table.

"Well, only about 10 minutes left. I hope she will be..."

Just as you were hoping that Mereoleona would be home in time, you heard the front door open.

 "Hi," you greet her happily and want to hug her, but she pushes you away. "Spare me the nonsense! What are you doing? Standing here like a housewife. I can make a joke of myself! Also; today was Training. Where have you been?"

Shocked by her suddenly dismissive reaction, you back off. "Um... sorry. But I thought you would enjoy a good meal after getting home so late? And I was looking forward to it, too, after a stressful day at work." You try to smile.

"Aha, work is your excuse. Are you sure about that?"

But she does not answer your question. "Do you know what I think - oh no, I know; you have been secretly having an affair with Yami!"

"You can ask my colleagues if you don't believe me. And anyway, it's monday. Tomorrow would be our training. I think you are messing things up. But this isn't an interrogation now, is it?"

"Excuse me? What am I having?" Your eyes widen, but moments later you start laughing out loud.  "Nice joke, really. Where did you get that stupid idea from?"

But Mereo does not lought. She is serious.

"Look," she takes her mobile phone out of her gym bag and slaps it on the kitchen table. "Leopold sent me these pictures after training." Her phone shows far too many pictures of you and Yami. All taken at the mall on Saturday when you two were shopping for Christmas presents.

"Oh, these ones. Just Yami and me buying some presents. But I have to admit... they are very unflattering."

You feel hot and cold. Not just because someone has secretly taken pictures of you. Also because they really do look a bit like there is more between you and your childhood friend.  And Mereoleona leans ominously over you like a wild animal.

"Are you sure? Leo told me a different story. How Yami told him and the other boys that you are his prey. So... what kind of stupid game did you play, (Y/N)?"

"What the hell did he tell them?" you ask yourself in horror. "His prey? Of course - Yami does not talk like that. Those are Mereoleona's words. But..."

You cannot be sure if Yami really called you his prey or if these are just Mereoleona's words describing what he said.

You press your lips together. And even if the anger about your friend's premature conclusions is boiling inside you, you try to avoid an escalation.

Again, you try to talk to her. Tell her about the situation in the photo. "The picture is from Saturday. We were helping each other to find a present for the person we love. He for Charlotte and I for..."

But she cuts you off: "I thought you were alone?"

"I never said I was alone!"

She thinks about your words and seems to be satisfied by now.

But then: "And why did he say something about a date you suggested?"

"Huh? Date? Yami and I. Never! Whatever gave you that idea again?"

"Last night, when you went to the toilet during the film. I just read the lock screen of your mobile and..."

Now, for once, you are the one who interrupts her: "You have read them! What is wrong with you?" Your eyes narrow to small slits and you look at her with a grim expression. " I thought this fear of you was off the table? But no, you needed to fall into another wild conspiracy. Well done, Mereoleona!"

You don't say anything more. You just get your mobile phone and don't even bother turning down the happy Christmas music singing in Spanish - and give it to her. "Here! I have nothing to hide and I don't mind if you read it. Go ahead and read the whole chat with Yami! Look at all my Pictures, my other Chats, my E-Mails. If you want to, you can check out my bank account. And don't you dare be jealous! Do not even dare to question my faithfulness. Besides - I only like girls! Being with Yami or your brother - ridiculous! I don't know what annoys me more, your lack of trust in me or that you have jumped into stupid and unfounded accusations!"

You don't mind the dinner timer going off either. You went into the bedroom, followed by Mereoleona, who was still reading the texts. She is already sorry for the accusations and is about to apologize.

So you don't want to hear her excuses and apologizes.

But now you are far too angry. Angry at the lack of trust and the false accusations. Also at Leo and the photos he may have taken, but surely sent to his sister. You never had anything to hide from her.

"(Y/N)? I am sorry. I shouldn't have..." Then she stops. She stands watching you, silent and with a look of disbelief on her face, as you pack your bags.

"Save yourself the trouble," you grumble. "As I said - for me there is only you. But if you can't even believe this simple thing..."

"Where are you going?" she asks. Her voice is shaking.

"I don't know. But I have to calm down. I need to think. It hurts too much to stay here now..." With a sad look in your eyes and your luggage in your hands, you head for the front door with the first tears rolling over your face. But before you go, you decide to tell her the truth about the cup. "Oh, and something else," your voice trembles as you wrap your scarf around your neck and point your head towards the kitchen counter. "That ugly cup was supposed to be a present for you. Yes, I was foolish to think you would like such a sweet thing. But it reminded me of one of your first times outside the martial arts school. When we went to the strawberry field in early summer. From that day on, we met all the time. We became good friends and something more. But anyway - I'm off".

Mereo has accompanied you to your flat today. To get the rest of your stuff out and to talk to Henry, your landlord. He was still very sorry about the situation, but he had managed to rent some storage units for his tenants, where they could put their larger items until the water damage and the electricity thing was fixed. Although the damage was already greater than previously thought, the full extent was still not yet clear. It was also unclear how far the damp in the walls had secretly seeped into the individual flats...

So you and Mereoleona took a few boxes of your belongings. Just small, loose things that you didn't really need at the moment, but didn't want to leave in the flat either. Sometime between the holidays, you and your dad would get the bigger furniture. You also meet Vanessa and Finral there, who are also packing some of Vanessa's stuff into the storage room. She also has a little early Christmas present for you, although she thought you already knew what it was and would have seen you before the holidays. But she wanted to give it to you anyway.

Besides, Henry had said that as soon as the weather will get better, the damage would be repaired as quickly as possible. And so - all the stuff had to be removed from the flats anyway to make way for the renovation. Yeah, let's not put anything away - it's a shitty situation. But Henry is doing his best to solve the problems.

"The food was good," Mereoleona praises the food to the waitress after you have paid. Like a thank you for the day's help. "Now just a good shot of liqueur for the digestion and I am more than happy." A huge grin appears on her lips as she leans back in her chair. You, too, smile from ear to ear - just to see her so happy.

"Any of you?" The waitress looks at you, but you shake it off as you start to get up. "I'm fine. I don't need anything."

"Are you sure? You know they can make you something non-alcoholic."

The hostess nods and lists a few options, but you stay with it.

"No, don't worry. I just need to do one more thing before we go. Get your drink, okay?"

When you left the table to go to the toilet, you didn't take your bag or phone with you. Why would you do that? And while Mereoleona was getting her drink, a message arrives on your phone. Because it was on the table, she notices it vibrating.

In any other situation, this would not bother her. But she saw the sender's name on the screen: Yami.

She still sees him as some kind of threat. The way he and you spoke to each other. The intimacy between you... She just doesn't like him. So... She dares to look at your Lookscreen.

"Hey (Y/N), about that date you suggested the other day. Please..."

"Date? And she's the one who suggested it?" Her heart starts to beat faster. "She's my prey - not his. What are you doing, sweetheart?"

"Oh! Yami has thought about it."

Shocked and surprised, Mereoleona spins around, your phone still in her hands. But you don't mind, you just open the screen by putting your finger on the fingerprint sensor.

Now she can read the whole message from your friend. He just wanted to know the name of your favourite restaurant to make a reservation for Christmas Eve.

"Finally - he wants to ask Charlotte out on a date."

Mereoleona makes a sign of relive and leans her head against your arm.

"You can answer him if you want," you tell her.

"Better do it yourself," she hands you your phone. "I'd write him anything but the name of the restaurant."

"Don't tell me you're still jealous?"

In reply, Mereoleona sits up and crosses her arms. Her gaze wanders out of the window. It is still snowing outside.

"Come on - he is a friend I have known since childhood and he has a crush on Charlotte and besides; he is a man." You wrap a hand around her and plant a kiss on her head. "Dummy. You don't have to worry about him. No more than about Charmy or Vanessa. You are the only one for me."

She turns again and looks at you. Still a little uncertain.

"You can believe me, Mereo. I am not the type to lie to someone." Again you plant a kiss on her hair, before you get your jacket and bag, and the other bag with the early Christmas present from Vanessa; of course she made you a wrist band. But one in the striking colour Crimson Red.

You put it on and smile at her. She seems mollified. At least for now.

"That's our sports teacher over there, Mr. Sukehiro, right? And isn’t this (Y/N) with him?" Asta looks around to his friends questioningly as he points across the wide corridor to the accessories shop diagonally opposite the games shop.

It is you and Yami standing there. Neither of you are aware of the group of teenagers, all but one of them - all too subtly - disappearing behind one of the many decorative Christmas trees that line the mall.

"It's not funny - it's a children's scarf. With a stupid design too," Yami grumbles, pushing your hand down while you're almost in tears from laughing. "Oh come on, the dinosaurs with the Christmas hats are so cute."

"May I remind you that I want you to help me find something for Charlotte. Or are you already done because you have your fancy toffee, what do I know, coffee?"

"Sorry! But let me have a bit of fun," you wink at him as you spot a scarf by chance. You only saw it out of the corner of your eye, but you grab it immediately.

"Charlotte's favourite flowers are roses, aren't they?"

Yami nods in agreement, but equally confused, until you show him the scarf. A warm scarf, made of high quality fabric, decorated with a rose tendril pattern. Red roses on the front, blue on the back.

"Charlotte will love this," you whisper meaningfully as you teasingly wrap the scarf around him.

Yami just nods silently as a smile appears on his lips. Then he hugs the scarf tightly with his fingers. "Thanks. It's perfect."

"Sure. Will you see her at Christmas?"

He shakes his head and is about to tell you that he is not sure whether Charlotte has time or not.

But you don't let him get away with that, and contradict him. "No excuse! You have to invite her for Christmas Eve. Maybe for dinner. How romantic would that be? The two of you under the Christmas lights of the city, eating together and finally telling her about your feelings for her."

But Yami just blinks and seems a little overwhelmed by your suggestion, which makes you roll your eyes. "If you want, I can tell you the name of a very good Italian restaurant that Mereo and I always go to," you say with a meaningful look in your eyes.

"I'll think about it, but for now let me go and pay. OK?"

"Sure! But then you have to help me find something for Mereoleona. I was thinking of a cup, because I broke one of hers the other day."

Yami looks at you in surprise.

"The woman likes to drink, if I remember her correctly. And she is not into tea... Better buy her a bottle of her favourite beverage and off you go."

"Oh come on... that's so unimaginative... Can't you think of something better?"

"No. I think that's already perfect."

After your good friend has paid for his beloved's present, you stroll on through the shopping centre.

The shop, where Yami bought the scarf would had have other nice ones, but Mereo didn't really wear them. Most of the time she pulles the zip of her winter jacket up to just under her nose.

A few shops they are selling cosy blankets. But you don't buy it. Your lover was never really cold. She was always too warm, like an oven.

Mereoleona loves to cook, but you didn't think kitchen utensils belonged under the Christmas tree... Nevertheless, Yami and you dare to go to a kitchenware shop and have a look around.

All under the stunned gaze of the group of teenagers who had been spying on you.

"I can't believe it," Mimosa whispered in her soft voice. "Mr. Sukehiro is cheating on Miss Roselei. What a tragic skandal..."

"Don't exaggerate," Noelle grumbles.

"But how are you going to explain this?" She shows her friend all the photos she had secretly taken. Then she points at you both.

"Well," the youngest of the Silva's gets into a bit of explaining trouble and finally has to admit it. "They look very close, yes..."

"I... I think they are just good friends," Leo comments, but his expression is one of helplessness. "When we were at the Christmas market, we also met Mr. Sukehiro there. And they already seemed very close then. But... I mean, I know (Y/N). She is even closer to my brother. So... no problem, I guess."

"Do you want your brother to be (Y/N)'s boyfriend?" Asta looks at his friend.

 Leo just nods energetically. "I really like (Y/N). In fact, she is like a big sister to me."

"And I always thought about Mereoleona and her. Not really about your brother being together with (Y/N)," Noelle comments with a confused look on her face.

"Oh no! They are just really good and close friends," Leo says confidently, almost convinced. "They often go out for dinner after training, visit Fuegoleon and me for games nights and also go to the hot springs together."

"Doesn't sound like 'just friends' to me." Yuno's voice is dry and unimpressed as always, despite the - according to Mimosa - tragic skandal.

"Okay. Let's put (Y/N) and your siblings aside for a moment," Noelle says. "The question here is: why is Mr. Sukehiro cheating on our other teacher?" The rest of the group, except for Yuno, just nods.

"Could it just be a big misunderstanding?" He chimes in, but is drowned out by Asta's suggestion that they confront Yami at school on Monday, and the voices of agreement from the other three.

In the end, you decided to buy a cup after all. As you and Yami walked past a tea shop, near one of the exits of the mall, you noticed one of the cups on display.

Now at home, you take it out of your bag and unwrap it from all the paper that kept it save. You look at it again, still thinkig that it is cute. But you're still unsure.

"Despite Yami's concerns, I bought it anyway." You put the mug, which has no handle to make it look even more like a cup, on the kitchen counter with some of the other purchases.

It was early in the evening and Mereoleona would probably take her time getting home from work. So you use the time to take a shower before you put the shopping away and start cooking.

But when you come out of the bathroom, your girlfriend and host is already home. She is standing in the kitchen with the mug in her hands, you meant to give her, and is sceptically looking at it.

"You're home early," you say as you see her standing in the kitchen.

She looks at the mug with disapproval, even contempt. She does not like it at all. That is more than obvious. And something inside you tightens.

"What kind of ugly thing is that?"

You didn't want to tell her that you bought it for her. Not anymore... She would laugh at you and make you feel worse than you already do. So you decide to stick to the other truth.

"Yesterday I broke one of your cups in the morning. So I bought this one. I think it's nice, with all the little strawberries." By the end of the scene, your voice was getting higher and you were talking even faster. Perhaps to get through your attempt at explanation more quickly. But you still like the design is cute, but also minimalistic. Not too obtrusive...

As Mereo says nothing, you add, trying to sound as convincing as possible - as if that would help: "Oh, and it's a unique piece. I bought it today on my Christmas shopping trip. In a little tea shop in the mall. They work with the old and somewhat famous pottery on the northern edge of town".

As if she knew them. As if that would make the situation any better.

She looks at you with a raised eyebrow and misunderstanding in her eyes. "Are you really telling me that you bought an ugly 30€ cup to replace a 3€ Ikea cup?"

"Um... seems so?!!"

"Oh dear... That's nice of you, but you could have saved yourself that." She comes over to you and ruffles your still moisty hair. "But if you want, I can keep it. It's your cup, for whenever you're here at my home." With these words she presses the cup into your hand.