Author's note: I do not own Trinity Blood or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list alpha. Theme 3: Punk.
Breathless
It really had not been Caterina's day at all. She had far too much on her plate from the start, and things had quickly gone from bad to worse. With her Uncle's visit, Caterina hadn't had the time that she'd wanted to spend with Abel. He never took death well, especially the death of people he felt he could have saved. Everything was falling apart around her, and Caterina felt off balance and helpless.
She had known something was wrong when her uncle had asked to meet her, and Caterina had been expecting a trap of some sort, but she hadn't expected an attempt on her life. Nor had she expected Isaak Fernand von Kämpfer. She had been off balance the entire time, and she hadn't known how to deal with the situation at all. If it hadn't been for Abel, Kämpfer would have succeeded in killing her.
Caterina had no doubt that Abel had saved her life again. She didn't really know what she would have done if he hadn't arrived when he did. But her heart had been in her throat from the moment he'd put himself between her and Kämpfer, and she had been rather terrified when he'd taken the attack meant for her. She had never seen him hurt this badly before. Truth, Caterina had not actually seen Abel in battle much, but she had yet to see him in a fight that actually physically taxed him. Mentally and emotionally was another story but still.
Abel had shielded her with his own body, and as much as Caterina didn't want to die, it hurt to see Abel in pain because of her. But then again, she didn't want to hurt Abel, and she knew that her death would do that. So she found herself trapped by indecision. All she could do was stand their and let him fight for her. It was the worst thing she had ever watched. She was breathless with her heart in her throat the entire time. She can't even remember what knocked her out.
But it was coming around and seeing Abel laying there on the concrete that really broke her heart. She had been utterly terrified that he was dead. Neither of them ever spoke of it, but both she and Abel knew that she had feelings stronger than friendship for him. Caterina had known for years though that Abel wasn't ready to let someone that far into his heart, and Caterina had been content with the friendship they shared. She could be just Caterina with Abel instead of Cardinal Sforza or the Duchess of Milan. She couldn't lose Abel. Not now. Even if the AX didn't need him, she did.
By the time other members of the AX found the two them, Caterina had gotten herself better under control. Abel was immediately taken to the infirmary, and Caterina had gone with him. While there was plenty to get sorted out, she could trust Father Havel to handle most of details. Caterina kept vigil at his bedside. The nurses assured her that he seemed perfectly fine, but she couldn't bring himself to leave. She was half afraid that if she left his side, that something might happen to him.
Caterina couldn't hold back her relief when he opened his eyes, and at the soft noise she made.
"Caterina? You're all right?" Abel squeezed her hand. "That punk didn't hurt you?"
She smiled and nodded. "I'm fine. You saved me again."
Then Caterina leaned in and kissed his forehead. "Thank you, Abel."
