neil josten's #1 fan

Raine King loved the sun. She felt a certain connection to it ever since she was a little kid, running around the family garden in the fanciest of dresses. It was deep, powerful, almost as if the sun itself was constantly wrapping her in a delicate embrace. She adored that feeling, always smiling when she felt the warm rays on her skin — a reminder of the unusual bond that she was unable to explain. The sun made her feel safe, comforted and even when she got older and more mature, the bond never faltered in the slightest. 

She never really understood it and, frankly, never had the chance to. Her childhood wasn’t exactly long, so the freedom in doing whatever she wanted lasted just for a few years. She never blamed it on her parents, who she loved dearly, but rather on the society’s need of control and the constantly rising expectations. She was born into a prestigious family, the richest one in all of Rochester, as people loved to say, which meant there was always someone watching her every move. Especially given the fact that she was the only daughter of the Kings, with her other sibling being an older brother Royce. 

Raine was grateful for her life and thrived in it, thanks to the teachings of her mother, but there were times where she had to take a moment for herself. She’d slip away, even if just for a second, from her duties and expectations towering over her, to find peace in the warm embrace of the sun. Only then she felt unburdened, as if it was the only thing that managed to keep her grounded. Occasionally she saw her mother’s gaze trail after her, her eyes full of doubt and wonder, as she disappeared in the back of the estate, but she never said anything. After all, it was the only thing she had of her own.

As the years passed, her affinity for the sun only grew stronger, even despite her spending less time outside, forced to participate in social activities arranged by her parents. Sometimes she could feel the sun responding to her, the warmth intensifying and wrapping her in an invisible embrace when her mind felt too heavy. She knew it was irrational but deep in her heart she believed it was right and couldn’t shake the feeling that it was more than just a coincidence. 

Her brother, Royce, often teased her about the strange connection. “You’re not a flower, Raine,” he’d say with a chuckle. “You don’t need the sun to survive.”

"Perhaps not," she’d reply with a sly smile. "But maybe it needs me."

He’d just shake his head in response, amused by his sister’s almost whimsical and dreamy thoughts, but never really discouraged them. If anything, he envied her ability to find peace in something so simple. 

Unfortunately life had a way of testing even the strongest bonds. As she slowly neared her twentieth birthday, whispers of an arranged marriage and ways to strengthen social alliances grew louder, reaching even the most oblivious of people. Her father, ever the strategist, saw her not just as his beloved daughter, but also as a crucial piece in his grand plan of maintaining his status as the wealthiest person in the area. Owning a bank was one thing, but social standing and reputation was the other. Raine understood her duty, she knew about it since she was a little kid, but the thought of being bound to a stranger, someone she didn’t love, filled her with dread.

She never heard a final decision however. There were rumors about Vincent Dwyer’s son, a young man with a golden heart and a knack for economics, who was bound to return to Rochester in a few weeks and apparently an eligible bachelor, but the words usually meant nothing. The uncertainty should have been comforting. The lack of a final decision meant there was still time to push back against the inevitable. But instead, it gnawed at her, constantly tormenting her in moments during which she was supposed to feel peaceful, comfortable. 

Raine knew what was expected of her. She had been raised for this, prepared for it in every way possible. She learned how to reply with wit and grace, but with care to not offend anyone and never say more than the man, how to smile even when she didn’t feel like it and how to pose under pressure of gazes and rising expectations. She had watched her mother, watched the wives of her father’s associates, and understood what would be required of her.

But understanding did not make it easier.

Perhaps this is why she found herself spending even more time outside, strolling around the gardens and just enjoying the presence of the sun. It eased her nerves, helped her organize her thoughts, but the looming feeling that something was about to happen still lingered. 

And even the sun was unable to help.

Her parents thrived in social situations, so it wasn’t a surprise that they loved regularly throwing gatherings for the elite to talk, drink and dance. It was also a perfect occasion for them to flaunt their wealth and showcase the superiority they felt, while acting that every single guest is a close friend of theirs. There was a small ball at the end of every month, usually at the beginning of the last week, and during that time the King estate always became more lively. There were people everywhere — if not attending the party then just preparing it, hanging decorations and moving tables around. 

Over the years Raine learned to like those events, but still considered them to be a bit too much. Neither her parents, nor the guests, however, seemed to think the same, so was forced to stay silent and just smile. Only her brother seemed to sometimes share the sentiment, but exactly just like her, would never talk about it out loud. They just went with it, acting as if those evenings were their favourite in the world.

As yet another month came to an end, Raine found herself in a dark green gown picked by her mother just a day before. She always said it matched her eyes, but King knew it was because she just liked the colour. Her ginger hair was tied with a decorative clip and let loose over her back, blending perfectly with the entire outfit. She always looked like this, especially during spring, and yet she never got tired of it. 

And it made her mother proud.

She and Royce met in the hallway right as the event started, as usual. It was their tradition — they always showed up together, hand in hand, talked for a while and only then went their own ways. Their parents approved of it and it made them free from greeting people at the entrance, so it continued even as they both got older. Besides, the company of a siblings was a much better start to something as grand.

“You look wonderful, Raine. As ever,” Royce said with a smile.

“You don’t look too bad yourself.”

Royce offered her his arm, which she gladly took, and moved towards the main door. With a pleasant, trained smile on both of their faces, they entered the dining room that got turned into a ballroom. A string quartet was already playing in the corner, the sweet notes inviting nearby people to dance. She caught a glimpse of her parents greeting a group of possibly important guests and nodded towards them, but she got pulled by Royce towards the food tables before she could do anything else. 

They answered polite greetings from people they passed, bowing their heads and sending them fake smiles. She recognized most of them, as the social circle that was being invited to these kinds of events rarely changed, and yet the amount of guests present still surprised her. The ballroom was alive with movement and Raine could feel the weight of it all slowly pressing against her. It was yet another night where every single interaction held its own purpose, full of unspoken rules and rising expectations. She was used to it, practically trained for moments like these, but that didn’t change the fact that it felt slightly overwhelming. Her brother felt it too, she knew he did, but they both were able to perfectly mask it. 

Not from each other, however.

Royce moved away but leaned down slightly when they finally reached the tables, so that only she could hear him. “Father’s outdone himself this time,” he started, picking up two glasses of champagne from a passing tray. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many people who pretend to like each other in one place.”

“Wait for your wedding then. I’m pretty sure mother has already invited the entire town,’’ a chuckle escaped her lips. Everything about her brother’s engagement and upcoming wedding seemed to be extremely rushed, but it didn’t stop Mrs. King from giving her all when it came to details and planning. 

“You have a point,” he replied, offering her one of the glasses. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen those invites in person. Mother sent them all herself, didn’t she?” Raine only nodded her head, happily accepting the champagne. “Can you blame her, though? She thrives in situations like these,” she said after taking a small sip.

From the corner of her eye she saw an unfamiliar figure approaching them, which made her turn around from the table to face the newcomer. Royce was faster than her, however, immediately recognizing the woman, who greeted him eagerly as she got closer. 

“Rose,” Royce nodded his head and snaked his arm around the blonde’s waist, pulling her closer. She smiled brightly at him, making herself more comfortable in his embrace. “Have you met my sister before, darling?” 

It was a question that didn’t need its answer. Raine would definitely remember someone like her if they ever crossed paths, Royce's darling fiancée seemed to be way too remarkable. Her blonde hair was tied into a sleek, braided updo, complimenting the light dress she chose to wear. King could immediately sense a kind of effortless grace around her which, frankly, made her even more intrigued. 

“No,” Raine finally said, her voice steady. “I don’t believe we’ve met. It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Rosalie.” The smile on her face never faltered, but it was only a matter of time before any hint of how conflicted she felt started showing up. 

Because, in reality, it was hard for Raine to even find the right words. Her eyes traveled across Hale’s face, taking in her beauty as her grip on the glass tightened. Rosalie Hale was beyond breathtaking. She couldn’t however say it out loud, not in front of her brother, the fiancé, or anyone in the room. Even an innocent compliment could be easily turned into something much more.

It took her a minute to finally extend a hand towards the blonde. “Raine King. But, I suppose, you already know that.”

“Perhaps,” she chuckled. “It’s an honor to meet you at last, Raine.” She added, tilting her head just slightly, as if she was studying Raine in return. A trained, polite smile appeared on her lips and she looked up to match the ginger’s eyes. 

Royce, oblivious to the silent exchange between the two women, only murmured something under his breath, and reached for a flute of champagne from a passing tray. “I figured you two would get along splendidly. My sister has always had a knack for recognizing true elegance, you know.” His grip around Rosalie’s waist tightened, almost possessively. 

Her heart was pounding. Not from nerves, definitely not, but from something else entirely. There was something captivating about Rosalie that she hadn’t expected, something that both unsettled and excited her. It wasn’t just the otherworldly beauty and the way she carried herself, but also the intriguing look in her blue eyes, so similar to the moon, and yet entirely unreadable.

Rosalie finally released her hand, letting the man pull her closer to him. “Your brother speaks very highly of you.”

“Does he now?” Raine asked, raising an eyebrow. “That’s quite rare coming from him,’ A hint of amusement could be heard in her voice as she looked towards Royce, resting her free hand on her left hip. 

He scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “Now, now, don’t go tarnishing my reputation in front of my future wife.”

Her fingers flexed around the stem of her glass as she studied the woman in front of her. Before she could say anything else, however, Royce set down his glass and clasped his hands together. “That’s enough talking, don’t you think? Rosalie, would you do me the honor of a dance?”

The blonde agreed almost immediately. As Royce led her towards the dance floor, Raine remained rooted to her spot, but could swear that Hale’s gaze lingered for a while too long.

She took a big sip from her glass feeling conflicted. 

Looking at how happy Royce was with Rosalie was painful. It was a weird kind of pain, unexplainable and utterly confusing, but a strong one nonetheless. She didn’t even know her beyond that short introduction, and everything she had ever heard about Hale was vague. Her brother wasn’t a storyteller, as his stories always seemed to contain the least amount of details possible, but that could be expected from a person who preferred to get straight to the point. 

Perhaps it was the mysterious aura around Rosalie’s persona that made her feel like this. All this time she knew her either as the fiancée, or, as her parents used to say, the younger blonde who managed to get Royce to finally settle down. She always considered it a hilarious term, quite controversial and not exactly true, but never really questioned it — she didn’t feel the need for it. 

What she felt was unexplainable, or so she thought. The answer was right in front of her and yet she really didn’t want to look at it, deciding to fight against it instead. 

She was too proud to admit that she was jealous of her older brother.

Her mother seemed pleased to see her socialize with guests scattered all across the floor. The interactions were just mere formalities, simple greetings with trained, fake smiles, but it was enough to keep the meddlesome Mrs. King away. Some people stayed by her side for a while longer, engaging her in a conversation without any further meaning, some even offering a dance when their true partners weren’t looking in their direction. She accepted one of them, joining the only man who wasn’t half her age on the dance floor, but was quickly left alone after the song changed, the band deciding on playing something much less upbeat. 

It was typical for nights like these, really. But she’d have to lie if she said that she didn’t enjoy it.

And yet, despite the grandeur of it all and the champagne in her hand, Raine couldn’t shake the lingering distraction that had settled in her chest. Her eyes kept drifting back towards the dance floor, where Royce and Rosalie still moved to the soft tunes coming from the makeshift stage. His hand rested on the curve of her waist, guiding her effortlessly and shielding her from others around them, while Rosalie gracefully followed, a faint smile on her lips. 

“Enjoying yourself?” A voice to her left startled her slightly.

King looked back to see Jolene Coleman, a long-time friend and, to be completely honest, the closest one she had, grinning at her. The sight of her was soothing, successfully aiding her in taking her eyes off of the dancefloor. 

Jolene tilted her head slightly, amusement visible in her golden eyes. “You looked absolutely enthralled a moment ago,” she teased, lowering her voice just enough to make it clear she wasn’t referring to the party.

Raine just rolled her eyes in response, setting her empty glass down at the edge of the closest table. A new one quickly appeared in her hand as a server with a tray full of freshly poured drinks passed by her.  “Hardly.”

Jolene hummed, completely unconvinced by her friend’s words. She turned her eyes towards the dancefloor, focusing attention on the exact same spot Raine’s gaze had been moments ago and, after a longer moment, smirked. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

“I suppose.”

“Careful, darling. That almost sounded like admiration.”

There was a moment of hesitation and Raine looked like she wanted to say something, but her lips closed after a short second as if she drastically changed her mind. She just shot Jolene an aggravated look instead.

“You do realize I can read you like an open book, right?” Jolene chuckled in response, taking a step forward to match her friend’s position. She wasn’t wrong and Raine knew that, but in that moment she really wished they weren’t as close. No one had to, and should, know about that conflicted attraction she felt. “That little furrow between your brows? The way you were gripping your glass like it personally offended you?” Coleman continued with a teasing smile. “And let’s not forget the way you didn’t notice me approaching until I spoke.”

Raine sighed. She hated the fact that Jolene was right. “It’s nothing,” she insisted, taking a sip. “Just… an observation.”

“Observation,” Jolene echoed mockingly. “Interesting choice of words. Most people don’t look at something, someone, so intensely when they’re simply ‘observing’”.

King exhaled sharply as she felt heat slowly creeping up her neck. The last thing she needed at that moment was her friend’s relentless prodding, no matter how justified it was. Especially given the fact that she had no idea why she felt that way. She and Rosalie had just officially met and yet she already felt weirdly attracted to her. This shouldn't happen and, what was more important, wasn’t proper or normal according to societal standards. 

“It’s nothing, Jo,” she repeated, much firmer this time. “And even if it was something, which it isn’t, it would hardly matter.”

“Ah, so you mean that it would matter, but just not in a way you’d care to admit?” 

If a glare could kill, Jolene probably wouldn’t be standing next to her anymore.  “Must you be so insufferable?”

“It’s my charm. You knew about it when you agreed to become my friend, darling” she grinned, completely unbothered by Raine’s slightly hostile attitude. 

Before she could say something, however, a sudden burst of laughter rose from the dance floor. It wasn’t too loud and almost no one noticed it, but Raine was standing a bit too close — hence her sudden reaction that made her turn her head towards the noise. Royce was leaning in, murmuring something to Rosalie. Whatever he said must have amused her, as a delighted smile appeared on her face to cover the sudden outburst.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to look away as Jolene hummed thoughtfully at the sight. “Funny. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look at some that way.”

“That’s because I don’t,” Raine set her glass down on the table, a little too forcefully. “You’re reading too much into things.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

Jolene studied her for a long moment, then merely shrugged, as if conceding. But the satisfied smile tugging at the corner of her lips told an entirely different story. “Fine, darling. Whatever you say.”

There was a short silence between the two women, during which Raine managed to relax and, once again, focus on something entirely different as Jolene finally broke through the quietness.

“You know,” she drawled, tilting her head. “I was actually looking for you earlier. There’s someone I want to introduce you to.”

Raine lifted a brow. “Someone? Who is it this time?” 

“Yes, darling. A real friend of mine,” A smirk appeared on Jolene’s lips. “He’s recently arrived in town, and I have a feeling you two might get along.”

“Are you trying to set me up again?”

Jolene gasped, placing a hand over her heart in a feigned offence. “Me? Matchmaking? Perish the thought!” She laughed. “Especially now that I’ve seen some things.”

Raine rolled her eyes, taking another sip of champagne after picking it up from the table again. “Right. Because you’re always so selfless.”

“Well, if you want to stay here and brood then just say so.”

She so didn’t. 

Jolene looped her arm through Raine’s with ease, steering her towards the other end of the ballroom. They weaved through the crowd, passing mindlessly chattering guests and even her father, who just nodded in her direction. It was only a matter of time until he found her to introduce to someone she probably already knew, claiming that the person was knowledgeable and a perfect match. He always did.

It took them a while to reach a tall, well-dressed man standing near the windows. He was alone but seemed to enjoy his own company nonetheless, his gaze stuck on the old painting on the wall. 

“Carlisle,” Jolene greeted, making the man focus their attention on both of them. Her hand hasn’t moved however, almost as if she was trying to keep King’s by her side to prevent her from escaping. 

Carlisle was tall, almost towering over both her and Jolene, and there was a certain sharpness to his features that only complimented his elegant facade, just like the white suit he was wearing. His blonde hair was neatly combed back, revealing a very familiar eye colour — the same golden shade that Jolene had and one she was so jealous of. She never saw it in anyone else but her friend which made her sure that it was undeniably rare. Perhaps her and Carlisle were related to some extent? 

“Hello Jolene,” he replied with a smile, greeting her with a side hug that finally made Jolene release Raine’s arm. “Ah, and you must be Raine King,” he said, turning to her direction. His voice blended with the music around them, but she could easily understand him. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”

Surprised by Carlisle’s words, Raine shot a sideways glance at Jolene, who merely offered her an innocent smile. “Have you now?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Should I be concerned about what’s been said?

Carlisle chuckled. “Only if you find flattery concerning.” He extended a hand towards her. “Carlisle Cullen. A pleasure to finally meet you.”

It was yet another introduction this evening, but at least this time she felt somewhat at peace. Definitely much different than before.

Raine hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in Carlisle’s. His grip was firm but not overpowering, the coldness of his skin making her shiver ever so slightly. “The pleasure’s all mine.”

“So what brings you here, Carlisle? If you’re looking for excitement, you’ve come to the wrong place,” She was pretty sure she had never seen him around, so the curiosity was understandable.

“Nothing quite so dramatic, believe me. I move around now and then and Jolene was kind enough to introduce me to the city,” he replied almost immediately, his gaze moving towards Coleman for a second. It made her wonder if they knew each other before his arrival — Jolene never really mentioned him in their conversations but then again, she also loved to keep her secrets.

“That’s very charitable of her.”

Jolene placed a hand over her heart, trying to look offended. “I’m a beacon of generosity.”

Raine snorted, shaking her head in disbelief. “That’s one word for it.”

Carlisle's smile remained, a hint of amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "Jolene speaks highly of you," he admitted. "And given the company she keeps, I had to see for myself."

“And what do you see, then?” Raine couldn't help but be intrigued by his words. Jolene always kept interesting company but Carlisle must’ve been the most fascinating of them all. He took his time, as if measuring his words with care, before finally speaking.

“I see someone who carries herself with quiet confidence,” he said quietly. “Someone who knows how to easily hold her own.”

Jolene smirked. "Careful, Carlisle. If you start throwing compliments around like that, she might actually start believing them."

Raine shot Jolene a look but couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her. "I’d argue that’s not the worst thing to happen."

The ginger tilted her head slightly, trying to gauge whether there was deeper meaning behind his words or if he was merely playing the part of a well-mannered guest. He wasn’t wrong, but the accuracy of his words and the tone he used made her think that it wasn’t something that was said purely out of politeness.

Jolene, as she always did, broke the short silence with a clap of her hands. “Well, now that you’ve properly met, I’m afraid I must leave you for a moment. I haven’t had a chance to taste the colorful pastries yet.” She pointed towards the tables full of food, as if to confirm her words. “Don’t have too much fun without me." She winked at Raine before disappearing back into the crowd.

King suddenly felt aware of how quiet it really was between the two of them. Without the company of Jolene, who always managed to throw in some kind of a witty remark, it was completely silent. Even the sound of the music seemed to be toned down, the delicate sounds of violin no longer echoing in her ears.

She was the first one to speak.

"You don’t seem like the type to attend parties just for the company," she mused, crossing her arms. "Or am I mistaken?"

Carlisle regarded her for a long moment before glancing past her, as if scanning the room. "You’re not. I find these gatherings useful," he admitted. "You can learn a great deal about people by simply watching them."

"Observant, are you?"

"A necessity, in my case." His tone remained light, but there was a slight hint of something deeper. Something Raine couldn't quite put her finger on.

She didn’t want to press into the matter, however. She wasn’t a terribly curious person, couldn’t be, so she knew exactly when to stop talking about something. It was a courtesy of her mother’s teachings and a necessity in times like these.

That didn’t stop her from continuing the conversation, however. 

"And what exactly had your attention before we interrupted?"

Carlisle’s gaze returned to the painting behind them. "A rather remarkable piece. It looked like it was painted centuries ago, but the woman that’s portrayed has an expression that feels almost… modern. As if she knows something the rest of the world doesn’t."

Raine turned to look at the painting properly for the first time. It was an old portrait of a woman with oddly piercing eyes looking straight ahead who, upon further inspection, looked very much like a blonde version of Jolene. The woman from the painting might have been a distant relative of her family, but someone also could’ve just hung it here because they liked it a bit too much. 

"She doesn’t seem like she’s keeping a secret," Raine murmured.

Carlisle hummed in agreement. "Some secrets are worth keeping, you know. It’s easier when you hide it."

She looked back at him then, catching the flicker of something unreadable in his gaze but decided to ignore it. “You know, if it makes it any better, it’s probably a grandmother I don’t know about. Maybe the wicked one no one ever mentions?” She laughed quietly, slightly changing the topic. 

Carlisle only shook his head at her words, but she could see a smile that was tugging at the corners of his lips.

The conversation between her and Carlisle seemed to flow effortlessly, almost as if they knew each other for a much longer time. Even when Jolene joined them again, carrying a small plate of food to give to Raine, who due to an occupied mind haven’t really eaten that evening, the topics weren’t even close to running out. Raine found Carlisle extremely intriguing and if it only was possible, she’d probably talk to him until the banquet ended —  especially given the fact that it made her forget about Rosalie.

Her father, however, had much different plans and somewhere during a conversation about Cullen’s travels, approached her only to pull her towards a circle of people who worked for him at the bank. He introduced her to them, claiming that they wanted to meet the daughter of the respected Royce King, despite them already knowing exactly who they were. She didn’t say anything, though, and only smiled politely at them, letting one of them drag her towards the dance floor. 

The man she was forced to dance with, Vincent Dwyer, was constantly juggling between two topics as if he had nothing else to talk about. His movement extremely sluggish, he kept unsuccessfully complimenting her while also talking about his son, Ezra who, as she already knew, was considered to be a good match for her husband. It wasn’t a pleasant experience at all and rather annoying, but out of good manners she never moved away from him, letting him twirl her to the sound of violins.

When she finally managed to excuse herself, saying that she needed to sit for a moment and have a drink, she tried looking for Jolene and Carlisle, but they were nowhere in sight. Perhaps they left already, or just moved to a different side of the ballroom — no matter what it was, she wasn’t planning on running around the room just to find them. She went outside instead, passing through a rarely used balcony door. It was one of the very few places that guests rarely went to, so she knew she’d be able to breathe easily here.

Raine leaned against the balcony, closing her eyes for a short moment. She let the wind tug at her hair, enjoying the comforting silence and the feeling of a refreshing coldness. It was quite a difference from the small ballroom, where the air was thick with strong, floral perfume and whispered conversations. She let herself sink into the quiet, listening to the rustling of colorful leaves that just fell from the trees, the occasional chirps of birds who were just flying by and the soft, almost unheard hum of the wind. Her eyes opened and she looked up towards the moon, that was trying to hide behind the tall trees at the back of the estate.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” A familiar, yet unexpected voice rang out behind her, making her look down from the starry sky.

She didn’t turn around, however, her grip tightening on the uncomfortably cold railing. There was no need, she knew exactly who decided to join her. And yet she couldn’t quite figure out as to why Rosalie Hale, the blonde beauty she currently couldn’t stop thinking about, was there and not inside socializing with all the people her parents invited to the gathering. It was a perfect opportunity to make a name for oneself, after all. 

“Stunning. Although I’ve always preferred the sun,” her voice was smooth and quiet, but she knew that, despite her tone, Rosalie could hear her perfectly fine. It was never too loud out on the balcony, apart from occasional giggles and footsteps right below it when guests got too tired of the ‘party’, and a faint melody played by a string quartet. 

She heard Rosalie move. Her heels were clicking against the white stone, slowly, cautiously.

“May I?” She finally asked, breaking the silence. Raine looked to the side, locking her eyes with the ones that belonged to Rosalie. A friendly smile appeared on her lips as she moved her hands closer together. “Be my guest.”

For a while, neither of them spoke. 

“Did anyone ever tell you that your eyes resemble the moon?” She was yet again the first one to break the slightly awkward, but pleasant silence. She turned her gaze away from her, however. “I thought about it earlier when we met.”

It took Rosalie a while to answer. “No,” she said truthfully. “Royce always says they’re more violet. He always gives me violets when we meet.”

“Well, personally, I think they look much more blue. My brother never was good at naming colors,” she joked, looking towards the trees under her. She didn’t really want to look at Rosalie, not yet.

Hale chuckled at her words. “Maybe you’re right,” she admitted and then, when Raine thought she wouldn't say anything else, she heard a faint thank you. The appreciation of her compliment made her heart flutter, but she didn’t let it show.

Raine finally allowed herself to glance at her, stealing a proper look now that they weren’t surrounded by expectant eyes and obligations. Rosalie looked ethereal in the moonlight, the glow casting soft shadows over her face and making her blue eyes shine even brighter.

“Are you enjoying yourself tonight?” Rosalie asked suddenly, shifting the conversation.

Raine scoffed, shaking her head. “You could say so. I could use less dancing with strangers.”

Rosalie let out a small, knowing laugh, the sound surprisingly warm.

“Are you?” Raine raised an eyebrow, daring to meet her gaze again. “You look like you enjoy the attention.” She knew it was supposed to be teasing, but she really felt like Rosalie thrived under the gaze of people. Almost like she and her family usually did.

Rosalie smirked, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Attention isn’t the same as admiration,” she said, her voice softer now, almost wistful.

The silence came back, making Raine wonder. Rosalie’s presence felt both unnerving and soothing at the same time, making the thoughts from earlier come back to her at a fast pace. Royce wasn’t here this time so she could let herself say more, get to know the person that managed to capture her attention so easily, but in the end she knew that nothing else could happen. 

And, besides, she knew that the weird feeling tugging at her chest every time she looked at Rosalie was bound to disappear the next day. It had to.

Because she never felt this weird kind of attraction, so sudden and out of place. And, if that wasn’t enough, also very much forbidden. 

Raine never considered herself to be shallow. She had no experience when it came to love or attraction, but she was wise enough to know that looks were not the only thing that mattered. It felt silly, considering Hale otherworldly beautiful and subtly longing for her without even knowing her for longer than five minutes, she knew that. But there were some things she couldn’t stop. 

And even if she wanted to get to know her better, she had to remember that she was about to become Royce’s wife and thus, her sister in law.

As if that wasn’t enough, she was also a woman. Society would never approve of them two acting as something more than regular acquaintances or friends — she knew it all too well. The people were cruel and they considered reputation to be something important, almost sacred. Therefore, the fact that she even felt this way towards Rosalie, a person of the same sex, had to stay hidden, unknown. 

She always could hide it so well, even when her father constantly kept talking about arranging her marriage with a man, introducing her to potential candidates. It wasn’t just the fact that she didn’t want to tie herself to a stranger — she also couldn’t see herself next to any man at all, even a best friend.

That feeling had to disappear. Quickly.

Raine exhaled slowly, willing herself to push down the strange and unwelcome feelings clawing at her chest. The air between them was thick with something unspoken, something neither of them could afford to acknowledge.

Rosalie was watching her. She could feel it.

“I should be inside,” Rosalie finally said, though she made no move to leave.

“Yes, you should.”

A flicker of something passed through Rosalie’s eyes. Amusement? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it was gone too quickly for Raine to decipher.

“And yet, here I am,” Rosalie murmured, stepping closer.

Raine could feel her breath hitch, making her unable to breathe properly for a split second. Just enough that she knew she had to force herself to look away. If she kept staring, if she let herself imagine even for a moment that this could be anything but fleeting, she’d only make things harder.

So she turned her gaze back toward the trees. “Maybe you just needed fresh air,” she said quietly.

“Maybe,” Rosalie said. “Or maybe I just needed a moment away from all of them.”

The way she said it made Raine look back at her. Rosalie wasn’t just speaking about the guests. It was clear in the way her lips parted as if she had more to say but thought better of it.

She didn’t want to overthink it. She couldn’t.

“Dance with me?”

It was almost as if the time suddenly stopped. Raine hesitated, her breath turning shallow and quick. Rosalie’s words were completely unexpected, almost insane, but hearing something also never felt so good.

It felt improper, unthinkable, and yet at that moment all she wanted to do was to take Rosalie’s hand and forget about the connection she had with her brother. Her mind screamed at her, trying to make her say no, but her instincts said otherwise. 

And this time she really wanted to follow them. 

So she did. 

Rosalie pulled her closer, placing a firm yet delicate hand on her waist. There still was a healthy distance between them and Raine really wanted to close it, but she knew she couldn’t. They swayed to the faint sound of music, completely invisible to people inside because of the annoyingly thick, blue curtains she was finally thankful for. “I was actually looking for you earlier. We didn’t get the chance to properly talk,” she heard Rosalie say.

A soft smile appeared on her face. “Well, you found me. I wouldn’t really call this talking, though”

Rosalie only chuckled at her words, turning her around when the tempo changed.

Raine wasn’t sure how long they danced together, but when they finally stopped and Rosalie moved away, she knew it made her want more. Her touch, so delicate and unexpected, felt wonderful on her skin, and the close proximity made her feel like nothing ever before. She could feel the heat flushing to her cheeks, but that could be easily blamed on the cold air if anyone tried asking her about it. 

No. This shouldn’t have happened. 

She needed to go back inside. She needed to walk away before she did something she couldn’t take back.

“I should -”

But before she could finish, Rosalie reached for her wrist.

A light touch. Barely there.

But it sent a jolt through Raine’s entire body, freezing her in place.

She looked down at where Rosalie’s fingers rested against her skin, and then, slowly, she looked back up.

Rosalie wasn’t smiling anymore.

There was something in her eyes, something hesitant, almost questioning.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved.

And then, just as quickly as it happened, Rosalie pulled away, taking a step back.

“I should go,” she said softly.

Raine nodded, forcing herself to take a slow breath. “Yes.”

Rosalie hesitated, lingering just a second too long before finally turning away. She walked back toward the balcony doors, slipping inside without another word.

Raine stayed behind, blankly staring at the door and wondering if she should also head inside, but quickly decided against it. This was the only place where now, especially after Rosalie had left, she could be alone with her thoughts. So improper and forbidden, but thoughts nonetheless. 

She released a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

Raine had always belonged to the sun. But maybe, just maybe, she was beginning to crave the moon.

dividers: cafekitsune gifs: hagrove