#longexcerpt

๑ Tajena remembers her first kiss ๑

Lalik grows quiet again, only a very small noise of swallowing revealing that they are still there. That they haven’t disappeared again.

My father... My father would have them thrown out of the castle and I would never see them again.

What a horrible thought.

Not even thinking about my actions, I place my hand over theirs. Startled, Lalik turns toward me.

How beautiful their eyes are! A shade of the deepest mountain lake that spreads from his pupils and blurs into a clear turquoise shoreline. How long have those deep blue eyes watched me this way? Not like a big brother or a loyal friend or a trustworthy companion - but like a secret admirer or someone who wants to be my...  lover?

Lalik twists their hand in mine so that they can grip my fingers and caress my skin with their thumb. One light stroke. Two. And then they stop. They lean forward, in one quick unstoppable motion as if they are falling, and press a kiss on my forehead.

They used to do this when I was very little, and I would always kiss them back, usually pecking them several times. I once playfully kissed them on the lips and I remember they went red like a tomato. I never understood why were they so upset and forbid me to do that ever again.

And now I know...

Lalik withdraws slowly, leaving a cold sensation on my skin. They stop quite near my face.

They are glancing very intently at my lips as if they are reminiscing about the same past event. When our chapped lips touched for the first time, in a cheeky game, rushed by joy and tenderness.

[post canon]   

[Elemir's route]

๑ Elemir and Tajena have a long winter walk ๑

~

"I really hate dogs," Elemir's statement breaks the calm of this wonderful evening.

Our walk took us quite some distance away from Svarograd and our entourage. On the outskirts of a meadow we came across a small village. There were only children playing in the snow, bristling with energy, cheeks red and plump like apples. Seven of them, I've counted, and two quite large dogs looking as dangerous as wolves.

"Why?" I ask him this every time, always hoping that I will somehow manage to change his mind at the end of the discussion. "I still can't believe that your mother's dogs were that bad."

"They were horrible little demons!" And here we go again. "They were evil, I'm telling you. And they hated me."

"They must've had a good reason - your mother told me you were horrible little demon yourself when you were five."

"No, Andesila was the demonic one. I was tragically misunderstood."

I couldn't help but giggle, even though I didn't believe a word. 

The playing children moved further away leaving us alone. Evening fell on top of Hrs' bright-haired head and the cold breath flew by us, cutting our nostrils with sharp aromas of snow and smoke.

"I'm cold," says my big husband, pulling the bear fur covering his shoulders and back over his face.

I press my finger on my lower lip, amused. "Really?"

"Yes, really," he grunts, irked and a bit... embarrassed? "We don't have cold winters like these in Ubeja. Not with such strong winds."

"Strong winds?", I laugh, "It's a breeze."

Elemir turns toward me, his eye glaring at me like I'm dirt under his fingernails. It doesn't bother me, though - the blush of his cheeks wasn't that red before I started teasing him. And that's my victory. 

Still, why stop there when there are even deeper shades to be coloured with. "Would you like my coat, oh my gentle husband?"

This time Elemir snorts. "I would take it but I wouldn't be able to cover a single shoulder blade with it." He waves with his amputated left arm. "Maybe just half of it?"

I hit him in the shoulder. "Well, sorry, that's all I can do for you at this moment."

He raises an eyebrow before grinning. "Is it now?"

Elemir towers over me, his smug smile affecting my lips as well.

"You know what else is cold?" he asks in low voice.

Even though I'm expecting a lewd joke, I still answer: "What?"

"My lips. Can you warm them up?"

Not lewd, but corny. "That's so cheesy, even coming from you."

"Maybe..." He takes me by the waist and pulls me closer to him. "But did it work?"

As he bends down, leaning in for a kiss, I press my gloved fingers over his lips and rub them like I’m cleaning some stubborn stain. “Better now?”

A short confusion flashes over his features before he realizes what have I done. With a smirk, he lowers his hand down my back and grabs my behind, pulling me up to his chest. “You little demon.”

“But only yours.”

[post canon]

[a bit naughty 😏]

[Ino's route]

๑ Ino loves to have a midnight snack ๑

~

An unpleasant dream wakes me. Nothing important - just an ugly fantasy of my mind. But I can still feel the putrid residue of the dissipating nightmare. I roll over, half-asleep. The sheets are cold on the other side, uncomfortably so.

"Ino..."

I moan, looking for his skin to warm my body. My fingers are gliding across the pillow, expecting to feel strands of his hair. But find nothing.

Startled, I open my eyes. He's not... there. Again?

With an exasperated sigh, I get up and cover myself with a robe. Again, Ino, really? Walk isn't something I prefer doing in the middle of the night to warm myself up. Luckily, I know exactly where to go... This time.

I'm surprised to find kitchen lit. Barely, true, but it was pitch dark the last time I came here in a similar ungodly hour. It's way past midnight and there should be no servants here. However, I soon spot the source of light: a man and a woman hid themselves, wedged between a table and a shelf, trembling in fear. They were holding hands staring somewhere to the back of the kitchen.

"What is going on?" I whisper but I still startle them.

[post-canon]

[Lalik’s route]

๑ Tajena ties Lalik to their bed (it’s not smut, I promise) ๑

~

As I push Lalik back into their room, I spot the chair that I need. Or maybe I should use the bed? The bed is sturdier; it can withstand strong motions.

"What's going on?" Lalik's expression is somewhere halfway between amusement and suspicion.

"It's a surprise." 

They raise an eyebrow. "A good surprise?"

"Of course." I hope.

"Is it a fun surprise?"

"Lalik..."

"Can I guess what it is?"

This can go on forever. "Lie down."

"Lie--" They stutter, red faced already. Perv magician. "Lie down? On... the floor?"

"No." I'm trying to be as patient as possible. "On the bed."

They swallow hard before asking: "Why?"

"Just do it. It's. A. Surprise."

[crossover au]

[Howl of the Blood + Lecture Me]

๑ Spin the bottle! ๑

~

ME: Okay, so here's the thing...

INO, ELEMIR, SABBEHA: *lacking any enthusiasm* We are being interviewed again?

LALIK: *pouting* You've never interviewed me!

ME: No, this isn't an interview, this is a game. And, Lalik, I have a set of questions prepared for you later so stop whining. Anyway, this is the spin the bottle game.

ELEMIR: The kissing game?

ME: Yup.

ELEMIR: Yo, I don't want to spin the bottle in this sausage fest!

SABBEHA: Me neither!

LALIK: Where's Tayena? Shouldn't she be here too?

ME: That's the point. Everyone wants to kiss her. There's no fun in that. *grins evilly*

SABBEHA: But we don't want to kiss each other. At least give us one person to look forward to. Otherwise it's no fun at all.

ME: *realizing that actually makes sense* Too late now. She's at the gym.

ELEMIR: I refuse. There is literally one girl and she doesn't even like guys. It's not fair.

SABBEHA: *placing one hand on her chest overly-dramatic* Why, Elemir, I had no idea you could be so courteous.

ELEMIR: *winking* Just ask all the ladies.

SABBEHA: *rises an eyebrow with disgust* I'm afraid I have to agree with the obnoxious blonde gorilla. I have nothing to look forward to.

ME: Okay, FINE.

*Oliver, Dani and Filipa enter*

ELEMIR: Ohhhh, a crossover! That's more like it! Minus the dude. No offense.

OLIVER: None taken. What are we doing?

ME: Spin the bottle.

INO: *annoyed* There's too much people now.

FILIPA: *looking @ me* Are you joining us?

ME: No.

FILIPA: Then we need one more girl.

ELEMIR & SABBEHA: Yes!

ME: No. Not gonna budge. There's 7 of you now. This will take on forever. Nobody's gonna read this. *mumbles to herself* And I have to write it all...

DANI: Who cares? We're all gonna kiss~ <3

ME: *defeated sigh* Okay. Take your places. Who's gonna go first?

FILIPA: Let's go alphabetically.

DANI: A, B, C, D... That's me!

*** BOTTLE SPIN No 1 *** *bottle points at Sabbeha*

DANI: Oooh, lovely~

SABBEHA: *smirking* Not bad at all.

DANI x SABBEHA: *le kiss* 

EVERYONE ELSE: *jaws drop*

ELEMIR: I could look at them all day.

OLIVER: And all night.

ME: *squints at her two characters noticing a distinctive pattern there*

ME: All right, that's enough! I'm not gonna write this all week. Next!

EVERYONE: *collective whine*

ME: Elemir. It's your turn.

*** BOTTLE SPIN No 2 *** *bottle points at Ino*

ELEMIR: No! Nope, not gonna happen!

INO: *shrugs*

ELEMIR: I don't care he's a dude! I just don't like HIM!

INO: I don't like you either, but this is just a game.

ELEMIR: *blushing*

ME: Yeah, maybe you could just, you know, CHILL.

ELEMIR: You made me like this! *sigh* Fine. I don't want to be a party breaker. Just... give me a second. *takes a deep breath, closes his eyes with his hand and pouts*

ELEMIR x INO: *le kiss*

ELEMIR: Ughhhhhh! Don't ever mention this to me EVER!

INO: Did you eat mushrooms this morning?

ELEMIR: SHUT UP!

ME: NEXT! Filipa.

*** BOTTLE SPIN No 3 *** *bottle points at Lalik*

FILIPA: Oooh. *grins* Come here, cutie.

LALIK: *gulps*

FILIPA: Don't worry, I won't bite... Unless you want me to.

LALIK: *blushes* N-no need!

FILIPA x LALIK: *le kiss*

LALIK: *covers his red face with his hood*

ME: Ino, you're next.

*** BOTTLE SPIN No 4 *** *bottle points at Lalik*

LALIK: *still blushing* Me again?

ME: *shrugs* The bottle has spoken.

FILIPA: *nudges Dani* This is gonna be good. A furry top and a twink. INO: *frowning* I'm not a furry! *points @ me* She is!

ME: I'm not a furry!

SABBEHA: Don't lie. You have a crush on Legosi from Beastars.

ME: *chokes on her coffee*

OLIVER: You really do have a thing for hairy dudes, dontcha?

ME: MOVING ON! 

INO: Wait. I still didn't kiss him.

ME: *groans* Oh my god, then do it!

INO x LALIK *le kiss* 

ME: Lalik, it's your turn.

LALIK: WHAT! I have to kiss again? 

ME: Yes! Take that bottle or so help me, I'll take all your action figurines!

*** BOTTLE SPIN No 5 *** *bottle spins for a long time*

ME: What?

*bottle still spinning*

ME: *notices Lalik's glowing eyes* Hey, no cheating!

LALIK: *panicky* I don't know who to choose!

DANI: *happily* I know! <3 *throws herself at Lalik and topples him over*

ELEMIR: Hey, that's not fair! 

DANI: Don't worry! There is enough of me for you, too! *jumps on Elemir*

ME: *rubs her temples* For the love of...! That's enough. Let's wrap this up before--

OLIVER: Wait, I didn't get to kiss anyone.

ME: Seriously? You three are constantly making out! Why do you need a bottle?

OLIVER: *rubs his chin* True. I've kissed all the fictional ladies in this room. Except for that drop-dead gorgeous vixen. 

SABBEHA: Not happening.

OLIVER: I'm sad to hear that. Such a mature unforgiving beauty. I would die for just a one small peck.

SABBEHA: *smirks* Well, when you put it like that, who am I to refuse a smooth talker.

OLIVER x SABBEHA *le kiss*

ME: Okay, out, out! We're done.

ELEMIR: *muffled voice* Can we have a crossover au with the Lecture Me crew?

[canon]

[Sabbeha’s route]

๑ Sabeha’s bewitching ways ๑

~

The night had fallen more than an hour ago, but the earth is still warm. I am starving and every part of my body aches. But I can't move; not before I get some news. I have to wait. And hope. 

Curtain moves in a swirling motion and a small figure emerges.  

"There you are," Sabeha's voice is stern, "Temperature has finally dropped. She's resting."

A weight of a thousand stones falls off my shoulders.

Kalina... my sister... is going to be okay!

My legs wobble and I would have collapsed if the vidarka wasn't there. Sabeha manages to slow down my fall, but the effort makes her drop to her knees with me.

๑ Where we learn why Tayena reads romance novels and just how suave Elemir is ( spoiler: a lot ;) ๑