Chapter 1
Victor could feel something pressing down on his chest. It wasn't unbearable, but it wasn't particularly comfortable either. With a soft moan, he opened his eyes a fraction of an inch to see that Ruby was resting her arms on his chest and was staring at him with her large, brown eyes. He smirked at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Nothing."
He raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't look like nothing."
She chuckled softly. "I just like watching you sleep." She ran the fingers of her right hand over his chest, and he shivered. "Magic touch."
"Yep." He reached out to tangle his fingers in her hair. "You look beautiful."
She rolled her eyes. "I look like a mess. Look at my hair." She used her hand to gesture to her mess of brown curls.
"I like your curls."
"I guess they're not so bad." She sighed and studied him. "You were trembling a bit last night."
"Was I?"
"Nightmare?"
Victor shrugged, but knew Ruby wouldn't be satisfied with that, so he told her, "Yeah. Just something about my brother." It wasn't just "something," but he figured telling her that he was relieving the moment he put the trigger to his Gerhardt's head would ruin this lovely morning. Ruby didn't push him; she just nodded in understanding. That was what he liked so much about her. They didn't have to say more than they were comfortable. When she had a nightmare a few weeks back, he didn't need her to tell him that she was dreaming of the times she couldn't control her wolf. He knew what it was, and all she needed to know was that he was there for her. Judging from the way her fingers made slow circles across his skin, she was there for him, too.
"It's funny, though," he continued. "During the dream, I felt a sort of pressure on my arm. And it faded away." He smiled broadly.
"Magic touch," she said again.
After that feeling on his arm, the nightmare went away. It wasn't replaced by anything other than a good rest that continued up until a few moments ago. He pulled his fingers out of her hair and stroked her cheek. "I love you."
Ruby smiled against his touch. "I love you, too." Suddenly, she pushed herself off his chest. He frowned until she placed her hands back on his chest and straddled him instead. "In fact, I think I should show you just how much."
"Well, well, Red. I suppose I haven't realized just how much you actually love me. Care to demonstrate?"
Ruby grinned, showing off her pearly white teeth, and leaned down to capture his lips. Victor responded by putting his arms around her back, pulling her as close as he could get her.
They were interrupted by a swift knock on the door. "Ruby!" Granny shouted. Ruby pulled away from Victor and glared at the door. "That doctor better not be in there again. If you're going to do that, do it at his house."
"Granny!" Ruby shouted, getting off Victor and stepping to the floor. She pulled a dress over her head and opened the door. Victor nearly ducked under the covers. Though he and Ruby had been seeing each other for quite some time, he still feared her grandmother, especially when she held that crossbow.
"Good morning, Granny Lucas," he said sweetly. "My, something sure does smell good. Waffles?"
Granny narrowed her eyes at him. She sighed, knowing that even if she forbade Victor from coming here, Ruby would defy her wishes. She lowered her crossbow and said, "Yeah. Come downstairs if you want any."
"We most certainly will." Once Granny left, Victor quickly dressed and met Ruby at the door. "Breakfast?" He pulled a stray of curly hair away from her neck and kissed the spot that was now revealed.
"Yeah," she said softly. "She better not kill you."
"As much as I fear her, I think if she were going to do that, she would've done it already." He paused. "But, I am not taking any chances."