#tiwkitty

Rolling over in bed, Marley looked over at the space next to her, a small smile washing over her face. There, sleeping soundly next to her, was her girlfriend. Kitty was facing her, one arm under the pillow, the other holding the white sheet to her chest. "How did I get so lucky to have you?" She voiced to herself as her hand reached out, fingers brushing fallen golden tendrils back into place by Kitty's ear. 

The blonde let out a soft noise of acknowledgement, Marley biting her lip to suppress the urge to say 'aww' really loud. Moving a bit closer, Marley traced patterns on Kitty's forearm, making her way down to the small of her girlfriend's back. "You're beautiful," she whispered, always amazed by how gorgeous her girl was when she slept. Or, well, existed. That too.

Kitty moved closer to Marley in her sleep, her leg entangling with Marley's, her head moving to rest on the brunette's chest. Marley smiled softly, pressing a kiss to Kitty's forehead, wrapping her arms around the smaller girl and rubbing soothing circles into her back. 

"I love you." The girl slowly disentangled herself from Kitty, sliding out of the bed and moving to grab her clothes for work. Walking around the side of the bed, watching as Kitty rolled over onto her back after having searched for Marley's form and then slipping deeper into sleep. Leaning over the side of the bed, Marley pressed a soft kiss to Kitty's lips, smiling into the kiss. "I'll see you tonight, Kit Kat."

When Kitty would wake up, Marley wouldn't be there but breakfast would be waiting for her on the bedside table; a steaming plate of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a glass of orange juice ready for the taking. A note was beside it, written in Marley's cursive writing. 

Earlier that day, Kitty had been on a coffee run when she'd noticed a small box a few houses down. Upon further inspection, a small puppy was inside. Kitty, despite what other's had said about her, actually had a heart so she picked the little puppy up and took her home. Her name was Starbuck, after the coffee drink she had pertained for her girlfriend and she didn't even have to pout to get Marley to agree to having another animal.

A smile spread across her face as she saw how Starbuck's chin was resting on Kitty's chest, the blonde petting her new puppy softly. She had promised Kitty that they would do something tonight and she had planned on taking her to a New Years party but something else made her choose to do a different thing entirely. Maybe it was the fact that things had been rough lately and she wanted to do something special. Or maybe it was just the fact that she was known for being a sap and this time was no different.

The brunette grinned, knowing that the blonde would be very confused once she realized they weren't going to a party. Marley bit her lip as she walked up to Kitty, smoothing out her blouse one last time before tapping her shoulder. Hazel eyes sparkled as they met blue, happy to see her girlfriend. “Ready to go, babe?” She held out her hand for the girl to take so she could help her up, noticing how the blonde’s eyes drifted to the outstretched hand before returning her gaze. Marley felt her heartbeat speed up just like it always did, just like it always would.

Once Kitty had gotten up and placed the still sleeping puppy next to Xander, Marley continued to hold her hand, needing to feel close to her girlfriend after everything that had happened. The cuddling at night had actually increased on her end. Marley never really started out cuddling in bed, she'd do it sometimes but she was usually a girl that when her head hit the pillow, she was out. But as of late... Marley had made it her intent to snuggle into her girlfriend, to shield her from anything that could possibly hurt her. That was, until the nightmares started up and Kitty held her. They never discussed it of course, knowing one day they should. But for now, Kitty would just hold Marley tightly until the girl calmed down and drifted off into a restless sleep.

Marley focused back on the present and gave the girl a grin before squeezing her hand. "Let's go. I want to get there with plenty of time before the countdown starts." Biting her lip as nerves took over, she led them out into the backyard. Normally she would be all for flooing or apparating but she wanted to show Kitty something that she'd finally gotten over her fear of. Marley let go of her girlfriend's hand before picking up her broom that was leaning up against a chair. Taking a deep breath, Marley got onto the broom, turning and looking at Kitty, giving her a nod to hop on. 

Once the girl finally managed to close her dropped jaw, Kitty got on behind Marley, causing the brunette to take another deep breath. “Hold on, okay? And if anything goes fishy, just...Take over. You're my first of doing this with and I'm--I've only had lessons once. So just... Let's do this.” She felt arms wrap tightly around her torso and a head press against her back, signaling that the other girl was ready or scared. Perhaps both. Kitty knew Marley had a death-like fear of heights so this was probably causing the blonde to be a little bit panicked.

With a final sharp intake of breath, Marley pushed off the ground and soared into the air. Within moments they were high above their flat and on their way to the destination. It was a tense fifteen minutes of flying as Marley slowly and carefully made her way towards Hogwarts. She'd got her Aunt to her in and soon enough, they'd arrived at the Astronomy tower where a red blanket was waiting along with some candles and sparklers. The brunette let the broom come to a halt and helped Kitty off before she got down as well.

Her legs stopped being shaky almost instantly and she grinned before grabbing Kitty's hand once more as she led her to the blanket. Sitting down, she pulled Kitty along with her before situating herself so her back was leaning against a pillar and Kitty's back was resting against her chest. Resting her chin on the blonde's shoulder, Marley grabbed the sparklers and then some blue and green facepaint. “Ravenclaw and Slytherin have such a good color combo don't you think?" Marley had Kitty turn to face her momentarily as she put some paint on her finger and drew a heart on Kitty's hand, putting '2018' inside of it, blowing on the paint so it would dry.

After she was done, she muttered a charm, getting the paint off of her fingers. “So, your turn. Don’t draw bad things on my face.” The brunette watched as Kitty drew the same thing that she had done on the blonde’s hand before the girl did the cleaning charm as well. Marley let out a breath of relief, glad Kitty hadn't drawn a derogatory image on her face. The girl rubbed the back of her neck slowly, realizing that she hadn’t really thought all of this out. She probably should have done that before she had planned all of this.

Before she could stop herself, the bookworm side of her came out. “Did you know that there is superstition that says failing to kiss someone on New Years ensures a year of loneliness. Good thing we're girlfriends and we have each other to kiss so that means we won't be--" Marley took one look at her girlfriend's raised eyebrow and swallowed thickly, finishing her thought. "Shutting up now...” The brunette swore under her breath, realizing that her rambling and mental tirade had put her in a rather awkward position with her girlfriend who was now trying not to laugh. The sparklers that were now floating in the air lit up, signaling that there was three minutes left before midnight.

Her heartbeat picked up, thumping in her chest wildly as she blinked several times. She had wanted this to be romantic and she'd just... Gone and went all brainy. Her mind was racing as she slowly inched closer to Kitty, noticing the girl’s lips curl up into a smirk. "Your mom accepted us and that was the best feeling in the world. She doesn't hate me, your sister actually likes me and so does your father. Maybe... I don't know but... This Christmas--It was the first Christmas since my mum died that I felt like I could actually have a family again."

Marley breathed shakingly, resting her chin against Kitty's shoulder as she felt the blonde reach a hand back and thread her fingers through her hair. "You're the best of my life and you're--You're seared onto my heart, Kitty. You always will be. And no matter what happens in the future, I want you there by my side. You'll be there till the end of me, Kit Kat." The brunette bit her lip as she heard Kitty hoarsely whisper out, 'or vice versa'. It was then that the countdown began, Marley holding off on their kiss just for this very moment. 

5. Blue eyes locked with hazel ones as she pulled her chin away from the blonde's shoulder, her pulse racing as she saw the sparklers turn to timers around her before she watched as Kitty turned in her arms so they were looking into each other's eyes.. 4. Marley worried her lower lip, the blonde got even closer to the brunette, their breath puffing against each other's lips. 3. Marley's eyes slowly slid shut, ready to move in when Kitty stopped her. "Nuh uh. You always swoop in with your little move. I'm kissing you tonight, Mars Bar." 2. Marley inhaled sharply, feeling Kitty's lips ghosting over hers. 1. "Mar--" 0.

But her words never came out as lips connected softly, fireworks going off overhead, marking the new year as cheers went off in the distance as students from Hogwarts were all razzled by the new year about to begin. She would have been a little worried about what she had almost just asked the blonde but she was thankfully too preoccupied to take this in to account. Her chest tightened and her heart slowed down as her lips moved slowly over the other girl’s, feeling like she was floating.

Kitty was well aware of the fact that Marley had been avoiding her all day. Under normal circumstances the blonde might have confronted her, but today kitty hadn't managed to tear herself away from her box of tissues long enough to hunt the girl down and knock some sense into her. It had started as a cough last night, and this morning she'd woken up to a full-blown cold - Feeling another coughing fit coming on, she attempted to clear her throat, only to have Marley stop in her tracks and ask her what it was she wanted. Kitty's face flushed red "Oh, I - I was just clearing my throat...Sorry." she replied, her voice hoarse.

Marley bit her lip before nodding. Of course the girl was just clearing her throat. She shouldn't have gotten up her hopes to think that something could have been initiated. Instead Kitty was just clearing her flaming throat and Marley was left feeling like an even bigger idiot than she already was. "Oh, of course. Anyway. Have a goodnight, Kitty. Sleep well." Marley smiled sadly, grabbing the doorknob and preparing to leave the room so Kitty could get some rest.

Kitty felt her heart sink when she saw the disappointment that was hidden behind the brunette's smile. Her eyes drifted to Marley's hand which had a firm grasp on the doorknob and she knew that the taller girl was preparing to exit the room - An internal war raged within the blonde; her head was telling her to let Marley leave, but her heart was telling her to make her stay. In the split second that Marley stepped forward, Kitty made her decision, "Wait! Willyoustay?" she blurted out "I mean, I - Uh, I just have trouble sleeping when i'm sick and I...will you tell me a story?" It was a pathetic attempt at getting her to stay and she was sure Marley would see right through it.

Marley had no idea how pathetic that just sounded, luckily enough for Kitty. Her heart and brain had stopped working when she heard Kitty call out the word 'wait'. Marley slowly turned around, blue eyes meeting pleading hazel and that's when she realized there was a lump in her throat. The girl nodded, taking her hand off the doorknob before moving to the bed and sitting on the edge of it. "There was once a blonde princess that managed to capture the hearts of three people. Two were princes and the other was a peasant girl." Marley smiled sadly before continuing. "The peasant girl had always thought that the princess was the most beautiful in all of the land but she'd never been able to tell her, not until it was too late. Time seemed to run out and the peasant girl thought that maybe fairytale endings just weren't meant for her."

Marley picked at the bedspread before biting her lip and meeting Kitty's gaze momentarily before dropping back to the bedding. "The peasant girl went through many trials and tribulations, battling dragons and inner demons that she thought she'd never be able to move past. She'd lost her heart to a darkness that had consumed her all the while, the princess was together with a handsome prince and the girl thought all hope was lost. But the peasant girl had a secret weapon, she'd gotten her heart back. And before she could chicken out, she proved to the princess that she loved her with every fiber of her being. After several weeks of waiting, the girl thought that maybe the princess wouldn't return her feelings. But then a knock came on her door and before she knew it, in the pouring rain was the gorgeous princess, proclaiming her love for the peasant girl. And they both lived happily ever after." Marley inwardly kicked herself, knowing that wasn't true so she added on to it. "Well... Almost."

Kitty sunk back into the pillows that were stacked against the headboard, getting comfy as she listen to Marley's soothing voice. She couldn't help smiling when she realised who the brunette was actually talking about. As the story drew to an end Kitty clapped, showing her appreciation for Marley's storytelling abilities "Loved it! I only have one qualm...What's with the Almost? Does that mean they don't get their happy ending?" She questioned, "I feel robbed, what's a fairytale without the happy ending? Is this one of those 'To be continued' scenarios?"

Marley rolled her eyes when Kitty clapped, pushing on the blonde's leg gently. Her heart dropped into her stomach however and the smile faded when Kitty asked about the 'almost' portion of the story. "I.. Well, um..." The brunette cleared her throat, eyes remaining glued to the mattress in hopes that she wouldn't catch gazes with Kitty and probably see those questioning hazel eyes. "Well the peasant girl kind of made a mess of things and broke her princess's heart. So she's not sure if she can ever get her true love back or not."

Kitty felt a tickle at the back of her throat and prepared herself for what was to come, suddenly her body was wracked with sneezes as her hands flew up to cover her mouth. "Sorry" she sniffed, as she reached for a tissue that would soon join the already large mountain of tissues that had formed in her trash can. "Of course she can, it's called true love for a reason - ya know?" Kitty was playing innocent, but she knew Marley could see right through her - She always could...except when it came to sarcasm, that was the one concept that Marley could never seem to grasp.

Marley had been too busy waiting for the girl to say something that she wasn't expecting when the five sneezes came out of seemingly nowhere. Marley about jumped before holding up the garbage can for Kitty to throw the tissues in and then cast a simple cleaning charm on her hands with her wand before setting it back down. It was then that she realized Kitty had said something, something that made her breath hitch. "She wants her back... More than anything." Blue eyes finally met hazel, locking with them as she tried to gather up some semblance of courage.

Kitty shot Marley an appreciative smile as the brunette lowered the trash can. Their eyes met momentarily and Kitty bit her lip before dropping her gaze, "Well maybe if the peasant asked the princess really nicely, she'd be willing to give her a second chance - But just to be sure the peasant girl should probably buy the princess a big, fat bouquet of roses and some chocolate frogs." Kitty had put up a bitter front after their break up, but she'd always known that should Marley wish to reconcile, she'd take her back - Admittedly, she'd planned on making the older girl work for it, but after seeing her in the hospital last week that idea had fallen by the wayside.

Marley bowed her head when she heard Kitty's demands, knowing that the girl obviously wasn't going to ever let her forget what she'd done. But at the mention of a big, fat bouquet of roses, Marley looked up at her curiously. Kitty had never been one to like a huge bouquet of roses, a single red rose had always been their thing. The brunette scooted a bit closer to Kitty on the bed, still wary of how close she should be without pissing the blonde off. "I don't..." The girl began, not sure how to start this since she'd already apologized so many times. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, Kitty. Not after what I did. And if a single rose at your doorstep won't let you know that I still... That I will always be in love with you than a big bouquet of them won't do the trick either." Marley pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to not get emotional over this. "I want you, I will always want you. But don't you get it?" Blue eyes locked with hazel now, tears demanding to fall but being held back by sheer willpower. "I need you to want me back. I need the girl that I'm in love with to want to love me back."

Kitty furrowed her brows, rolling her eyes in annoyance. How could Marley honestly think that she didn't want to be with her? Of course she did - There was nothing she wanted more. She'd practically just admitted that she was willing to give their relationship a second shot and here was Marley telling her it wasn't good enough, she was sorely tempted to kick the brunette out of her room right then and there but the last thing she wanted to do right now was fight. "Of course I want you, you idiot - I never stopped wanting you. Do you really think I would have invited you to move back in if I didn't?"

Marley sighed. Maybe she had taken the wrong approach. Actually, she knew she had. Kitty always seemed to take things the wrong way, no matter how she tried to word them. That's why she was never good at speeches or talking. But music, music she could do. Music she could pour out her soul and know that people understood her. Kitty calling her an idiot made her smile a bit, the name no longer being mean but one that was almost a pet name of sorts to the brunette. The blonde's words registered to her though, Marley's heart stopping. The implication. The meaning. The love. Marley scooted closer to Kitty, her hand reaching up as if to touch the blonde's cheek but chickening out at the last moment. "You're right... I am an idiot. But I'm..." Marley took in a sharp intake of breath, gathering up the courage, or balls as Ryder would say, to say the rest of her thought. "I'm your idiot."

Kitty 's features softened and she let the frown slip from her face as Marley shuffled closer to her - Any closer and Kitty was sure the brunette would be sitting on top of her. Kitty let her gaze wander to Marley's face, her hazel eyes briefly flickering to the older girl's lips before returning to hold her gaze. Hearing Marley's reply, Kitty couldn't help but smirk and it took every ounce of willpower she had not to push Marley back on the bed and snog her senseless. "Touché, Rose...Touché." Clearing her throat Kitty spoke once more, "So are we...." She trailed off, using her pointer finger to signal between herself and Marley, "What I mean is - Will you go out with me... again?"

Marley rose an eyebrow at the smirk, confused as to what that could have possibly meant. Did Kitty like that she had said that? Biting her lip, Marley was confused by the way Kitty seemed to lean in towards her before pulling back. It was then that Kitty was clearing her throat and gesturing between them that Marley knew something was about to happen. Good or bad, she had no idea. Finally Kitty spoke and Marley about choked on air. Kitty wanted her back. She wanted to be girlfriends again. Marley inched a bit closer to Kitty, their knees now touching as she held her gaze. "Kitty, I..." Marley bit her lip, trying not to be an emotional git right now but ultimately failing. "Of course I'll be your girlfriend again. And I swear.. I will never lie to you ever again."

Kitty waited with baited breath for Marley's answer as she mentally scolded herself for sounding like a nervous git - Kitty Wilde didn't do nervous, at least that's what she told herself, but it seemed when it came to Marley anything was possible. Upon hearing Marley's answer Kitty resisted the urge to fist pump and the butterflies that had formed in her stomach seemed to dissipate. "Good." Swallowing thickly, she leaned forward ever-so-slightly, her left hand coming up to cup Marley's cheek before she inched forward even further, her lips softly colliding with the brunettes.

Marley took a deep breath as she waited for say something, trying not to freak out. Her heart was in her throat and she was pretty sure that if she tried to talk anymore it would sound like someone had died. But then Kitty said good and Marley's heart soared. "Good?" She asked the question even though she knew the answer, watching as Kitty leaned forward and cupped her cheek. "Finally." She managed to breathe the word out just before Kitty's lips landed on her own, her own hand going and cradling Kitty's neck. Her lips slid gently over Kitty's, remembering how good this felt and how much she'd missed it, missed her. Marley pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting together as she kept her eyes closed. "I love you. So much." She wanted to say more, but she needed to kiss her again, couldn't fight the temptation to make up for lost time. And so with practiced ease, Marley's nose brushed against Kitty's in that all too familiar way and closed the distance once more. Of course, she remembered her manners, somewhat. "Am I..." A kiss. "Allowed to..." Another kiss. "Sleep in here--mm--tonight?"

Kitty let herself fold into Marley, her hands becoming lost in the taller girls long mane. The blonde was so lost in the kiss that she had completely forgotten about how crappy she felt with her blocked nose and constant sneezing, not to mention she hadn't even considered passing her cold onto Marley. "I love you too, Rose -" She was about to continue but was cut off when Marley kissed her once more. Raising her eyebrows, she let out a chuckle at Marley's question, "Of course, just don't try any funny business" she replied, shooting a suggestive wink Marley's way.