(*SEMI-HIATUS*)

I am back.

          “How did you find this cottage?” Despite feeling glad about seeing her new friend, Snow couldn’t help but feel concerned. Florian might have gone out for the day to do some errands, once he comes back and sees Vali, it wouldn’t be good for both of them. She looked around and then back to Vali. “Let me just finish my laundry. I can meet you by the stream if you want.” She tried to think of a way to make sure that Florian wouldn’t see them, but knowing her cousin, he would always find a way to make her get away from anyone. Snow gave him a strained smile and rushed back inside the cottage. 

           Not too long after, she emerged from their home and gently took Vali by his arm.

“you’re sjöfn.” a smile teased his lips, the rim of the glass breaching the part so he could consume more of his drink. his stare remained on her interested stance, peering out from the corners of his eyes. he made the woman wait, slowly indulging in the cup of liquor until the glass was entirely clean. only then, did he speak again.

“he keeps his private life to himself, leaving some parts to the imagination. he didn’t mention you would be here, and it looks like he’s convinced of it too.”

gustav sat across the room in a drunken stupor, his voice booming against the walls of the room as he told stories of his past escapades. bill had heard them all, some intensely exaggerated to fulfill gustav’s need for superiority.  

“you look like you don’t belong,” his voice brought sjöfn out of her focus, tearing her attention away from her fiancé. the statement was set plainly, but there was no malicious twist in his voice or features.

“that’s a good thing. better than any of the drunkards or the frigid women who can’t go a second without spreading rumors. freja can talk anyone’s head off.”

and on that cue, the two found themselves being scrutinized by the crowd of overly-extravagant dresses. a chuckle was elicited from the coincidence, bill not at all surprised with the stories that were bound to arise from the interaction. instead of finding his place back with the other noblemen, he set down his glass, replacing it as he took sjöfn’s hand in his. 

“no one is out on the terrace. we could give them something to talk about, hm?”

      She felt her eyes brightened as he mentioned his name as if he knew every part of her. He became clearer in her eyes and she was able to see more of his features. Her face became warmer and warmer by the second. It was the first time she ever felt this way to someone. When she first met Gustav, she didn’t even feel as if the man would devour her.

      With the way he was acting, Sjöfn could already tell that he was full of passion. It was not like Gustav has lack of passion, he just has a different definition of it. As the man talked about Gustav, her attention was all to him. It was not even the fact that he was talking about her betrothed that made her listen to him intently. Even laced with alcohol, his words made sense.

      The only time she has met with her betrothed was when he was introducing her to everyone like a trophy. She didn’t think much about it, but it seemed that because of her presence, people started to swarm around. That was when she ended up by the table near the wall. For a graceful lady like her, it was ironic. Her gaze landed at Gustav’s direction then back to the man. 

“fuck off,” were the first words spoken out of axel’s mouth. he was irritated, albeit not surprised by this sudden drop-in. he had expected this even after the posed funeral, knowing every aspect of florian’s devilish mind. it was a twin thing.

the man took a seat at the dining table, hands shaking as he rattled the carton of cigarettes. one was pulled out, the tobacco almost crushed by his firm grip. axel could barely look at his brother without an expression of disdain, so he went for a blank slate.

“you’re not welcome here, man. you know that, even when you were alive.”

his eyes screwed shut for a moment, trying to push away the tension headache that was making itself known. or maybe it was just the effect of florian’s presence. the only way to rid himself of his mirrored image was to give the man what he wanted, then he’d be gone quicker than he popped in.

“what the hell do you want?”

         His brother’s reaction was not something he was not surprised about. However, it would have been nice to actually see him happy when he was around. He knew that his brother might have been affected so much with his antics but he didn’t care. What was so bad with him being back anyway? It was not that he was going to start doing what he did all those years before he went to pose as dead. 

      Hearing from his twin that he was not welcome in his house somewhat sent a sting in his heart. Even if he was a bad man, he still cared for his twin. They had each other’s backs always. The smirk on his face turned into a frown. His twin’s opinion was much more important than anyone else if only Axel knew that. He let out a sigh as he threw himself on the sofa nearby where Axel sat.

      “What do I want? I think you knew that dearest, twin. You know that we had that twin thing, right?” He crossed his legs and crossed his arms by his chest. He watched his brother with an intensity as if he was his prey. 

          she can barely contain the silly smile on her face. ❝ no, no. you needn’t apologize. I should be the one apologizing —- for what I said… so.. sorry. ❞

     ❝ … perhaps. ❞