#flash exchange

Covering your face with your hands, you try to find a specific rhythm to breathe. Darkness makes your senses stronger, ears and nose catching what eyes can't see. The sound of old wooden clocks. The cracking of the fireplace. Time runs but moves nowhere, so you give yourself permission to cry, warming icy hands with hot tears.

A sudden rush of wind brings you the smell of wet leaves and the melancholy of autumn. Being forced to hang in the air for a split second, you end up in the comfort of your lover's embrace, covered from tip to toe with his endlessly long, endlessly wide coat.   

“He’s caught in the rain. That's why the scent of cigarillos didn't warn me of his presence,” is the only rational thought produced by your tired mind.

“What’s happened?” he sounds unbothered. His long calloused fingers are playing with your hair, a habit he shows when feels nervous.

You’re searching for the right words to come, and Leonardo gladly gives you as much time as you need, lulling you with deep murmuring and gentle touches. 

At some point you accept your defeat and say what’s been on your mind for quite a long time.

“It’s just that sometimes I feel so much doing so little. Today I haven’t drawn a single sketch. But time goes by, and I feel as if it leaves me behind, while others live their lives to the fullest.”

Wiping a tear, you continue.

“And it makes me feel so guilty, so ashamed of myself. The world is full of so many problems that are way more important than mine. Still, I can't get rid of this pain, and it scares me that someday…this dark feeling will never leave.”

You’ve run out of words, and the last of them vanish in the air like the sound of cork pulling out of an emptied bottle. The silence isn't uncomfortable, and you’re grateful that Leonardo allows you to come to yourself.  

The room becomes less dark when he lights a cigarette, creating a puff of sweet smoke. The man’s deep voice sounds like a lullaby, and you press yourself closer to his wide chest, where it’s safe, where it's home.

“I’m an engineer, cara mia, and hardly know a thing about art and stuff.”

A weak smile, the only one you’ve had on this never ending day, carves your lips.

“...but lemme say this. No vehicle is safe to use if you ignore the rumble. Humans are way more difficult than vehicles. And so are their feelings. Learn to accept them, reveal them, that's the only way you don't destroy yourself from within. Happiness doesn't come when sadness is neglected.”

“So, in other words…you cannot see the light without darkness?” you mumble, enjoying the feeling of his voice, scent, words and touch getting through your skin.

A hoarse chuckle is your response. “Couldn’t say it better. You’re good with your words, principessa.”

You slowly sink into the healing yet still so painful abyss of dreams, listening to the melody of Leonardo’s heartbeat. His arms are on your waist, warm, almost hot. Lumiere’s tail tickles your legs. The night is finally kind. 

The singsong of morning birds stirred you awake. With a sleepy groan, your eyes slowly fluttered open as they adjusted to the sunlight slipping through the windows of your and Clavis’s chambers. Sighing contentedly at the sight of him, you nuzzled your face against your lover’s shoulder, pressing a tender kiss on it.

On any other day, Clavis would have been up before sunrise, preparing for the busy day ahead. But today was one of his rare days off, a break you’d insisted he take. Fortunately, he’d listened, proven by the fact that he was still asleep beside you, his breathing slow and even.

You kissed his arm again before lifting your head to observe him. His angelic, sleeping face and bare chest were bathed in soft golden sunrays filtering through the curtains. His lips were slightly ajar, and his brows furrowed. A grin spread across your face as a quiet snicker escaped your lips.

You reached over to gently smooth the furrow between his brows until his face relaxed, a soft purr falling from his lips. He looked godlike in that moment, his beauty almost ethereal, like something from Greek mythology.

“You’re like Adonis,” you whispered, smiling. “My very own Adonis.”

A soft, melodic laugh drifted through the room. With his eyes still closed, he spoke in a groggy tone, “Darling, I know I’m an exceptionally handsome young man, embodying beauty and desire, but be careful with what you say. You wouldn’t want the goddess of love herself to come and steal me away.”

A hum of amusement escaped you as you pressed a tender kiss over his beauty mark.

“She can try,” you teased, as his eyelids slowly opened, revealing the golden treasure of his eyes. “I’d kill for you, die for you. I’d even go to hell for you.” Your voice lowered into a purr. “But the bliss of waking up next to such a handsome man—especially knowing he’s all mine—is unparalleled and something I’d willingly fight for.”

Your words drew a shiver from him, a deep blush creeping up his cheeks and over the tips of his ears.

In one swift motion, Clavis pulled you into a kiss, his fingers threading through your hair as he deepened it, preventing you from continuing your playful teasing.

“Hahaha. Aphrodite is no match for you, my dear.” His words were spoken against your lips, his breath warm and sweet despite the early hour. “Though I do think our love story is more like that of Psyche and Eros.”

“Oh? How so?” You had heard the story before but couldn’t quite remember all the details.

"Well, you see," Clavis began with a playful glint in his eyes. "Psyche, a mortal woman of unmatched beauty, catches the attention of Eros, the god of love. But love, as we both know, never comes without complications. There were secrets, my dear, much like mine—ones you so cleverly unraveled. And there were trials—tests of devotion, much like the ones I may or may not have set for you." His smirk grew, a mischievous edge to his voice.

“Ah, yes. I may be guilty of discovering your secrets with or without permission,” you giggled. “But you’re no saint either, my sweet.” You winked at him playfully.

He grinned wickedly. "And speaking of trials, don’t forget that Psyche even ventured into the underworld, descending into hell itself for the sake of her love. Quite the feat, don’t you think? But she endured it all, just as you’ve faced the challenges I’ve laid out for you. In the end, her love triumphed, and she earned her place beside Eros—immortal, unbreakable."

"So, my love," he teased, brushing his thumb along your jawline, "do you think you’ve passed all my little tests? Or could there be one final trial waiting for you?"

“Knowing you, Clavis, I’d say there’s more than one trial awaiting me,” you chuckled. “The trials may be never-ending.”

“Hahaha. You might just be right, little bunny. But I’m certain you’ll tackle every last one with that stubborn charm of yours—leaving me, as always, utterly captivated.”

With a shared laugh, you leaned in, your foreheads touching, and for a moment, the world felt perfectly in tune.

🌸 Masterlist 🌸

If you’d like to be added to the Tag List, please, fill out the form that you’ll find in my pinned post. If you’d like to be removed send me a DM or let me know in the comments!

If you like my writing, please, consider buying me a ☕ (You can find the link in my bio)  

Tag List:

@shrimpin-kitsune @kissmetwicekissmedeadly @chaosangel767 @ranhanabi777 @solomons-poison

@clavissionary-position @curious-skybunny @queengiuliettafirstlady @shittywomann @writingwhimsey

@venti-tangents @scorchieart @whatever-fanfics @dear-sciaphilia @mxrmaid-poet

@bookoffracturedescapes @yamaguccitadashi @aria-chikage @my-day6 @thaotometsun