The reader and the talker.
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the rights to the characters from Carmilla.
Chapter 10:
The night wasn't as cold as Laura had expected. Maybe it was the alcohol keeping her warm, or the anger that was still rushing through her body. She didn't really know.
It was a cool evening, no wind was blowing and Laura's jacket was actually making her a bit too warm. Spring was coming and she could feel it in the air. Suddenly she felt a hand grab hers and she turned her head and looked at Carmilla, who was still looking forward towards the streets. Laura smiled a small smile when she saw Carmilla also smiling. The taller woman was very confusing but sometimes she would show affection in the smallest ways, and that was all Laura needed. Laura squeezed Carmillas hand, only to have it squeezed back. Laura's small smile turned into a grin.
"If you smile that big your lips might fall off." Carmilla teased her as she looked over at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I think I'm allowed to have a grin after the events of the night" Laura answered simply, still smiling at Carmilla, who smiled back before looking at the street ahead of them.
"True"
"By the way, thanks for coming up to us when Danny and I were talking. Even though that maybe wasn't the nicest or most civilised way of handling the situation I really appreciated you having my back."Laura admitted as she placed a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
"Anytime creampuff. I saw you guys and you didn't look pleased. I just wanted to check that you were doing alright. Plus you had been gone for a while." She said simply as she shrugged her shoulders.
Laura blushed at the thought of Carmilla being worried for her and she looked at the woman next to her. She couldn't help herself and she quickly gave her a kiss on the cheek. Carmilla opened her mouth a bit in shock and gazed her fingers where Laura had kissed her. She felt a faint blush creeping up on her cheeks and she turned to look at Laura who was blushing furiously, looking anywhere but at her. Carmilla chuckled at how cute she was being.
"You're such a dork" Carmilla said as she shook her head in amusement.
"Hey, that's not something you say to a girl who just kissed you." Laura said, still slightly embarrassed. Carmilla stopped in her tracks and stopped Laura and looked at her. Laura could feel herself blushing even harder, the taller woman looked at her with soft eyes and a smirk was plastered on her lips.
"That's not how you really kiss a girl though…" Carmilla said as she took hold of her hip and pulled her in. They were face to face now, inches away and Laura could feel Carmillas breath on her lips. She looked up at the woman's brown eyes who had turned soft, however she was still smirking.
Carmilla couldn't help but smirk at the girl in her arms. Maybe it was the alcohol in her system that was making her braver, but somehow it felt right to kiss her. She wanted to kiss her. She bit her lip and started to lean in.
"LAURA!"
Both girls quickly pulled away from each other, Carmillas hands leaving her hip. Laura felt extremely flustered while Carmilla simply seemed annoyed. They turned towards the sound and saw Danny coming running towards them with big steps. Carmilla's eyes went cold.
"Great, just great." Carmilla said under her breath.
"Danny, what are you doing? I thought you went home?" Laura asked, still flustered but a bit annoyed at the redhead for ruining their moment.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry that I made you cry. I really didn't mean to…" Danny apologised, looking at Laura and then down at the ground, feeling embarrassed.
Carmilla let out an annoyed sigh while Laura didn't really know how to react. "Danny, I know you didn't mean to. But I'm still mad and honestly, I don't feel like talking to you right now. We can talk later this week I guess, but for now can you please take a step back? Just let me breath for a second okay?" Laura said, trying to keep calm. She was still annoyed at Danny, but she didn't want to get angry again, especially since she was spending a really good time with Carmilla.
"That's fair…I understand" Danny said defeated. "And you" She turned pointing at Carmilla. "Don't hurt her." It was defiantly a threat.
Carmilla narrowed her eyes at the tall redhead in irritation "Well Xena, I don't think you have the right to say anything after the little trick you pulled tonight." She said coldly.
Danny was taken aback, but she knew deep down for once Carmilla was right. "Fine, whatever. Laur, I'll talk to you later okay?" She said, her eyes looking somewhat worried. She was afraid of losing Laura, she really felt like they had something, like a connection. She knew she had overstepped. But at the same time she really didn't like the brunette in front of her. There was something about her that was off.
"Yea, I'll talk to you later Danny." Laura said after a while, still not knowing how to feel over the whole situation. She was still annoyed at her, but she was mostly annoyed at her timing to be honest.
"Yea, see you." Danny said defeated as she turned her heel and started walking away from the two.
They stood there for a while, not really knowing what to say. Carmilla looked over at Laura, who seemed to be in another world, lost in thoughts.
"Hey" Carmilla said, making Laura snap out of her state and turning to face her. "Are you alright?" She asked, looking worried at the shorter blond.
"I mean…yea I guess. I just, I don't like fighting with my friends…" She said, drifting off again. Carmilla looked at her a bit worried. She didn't like seeing Laura sad, not one bit. The bubbly blond could get on her nerves sometimes, but she clearly preferred her when she was smiling than having a hurt look on her face.
"Let's go. The sooner we get home the faster I can show you some real wine." Carmilla said, a small smile creeping up on her lips as she gently took hold of Laura's hand again.
Laura looked at Carmilla and smiled at her. She had never guessed that Carmilla would ever have this side, gentle, caring and just so protective in a way. It was such a huge difference from the woman she had met at the bookstore. "Yea, I can't wait" She smiled a genuine smile and Carmillas smile widened when she saw Laura smile back at her.
After coming home, the two was greeted by excited but tired William who came up stroking himself against their legs. And to Carmillas surprise, he had gone to Laura first. She shouldn't be jealous but still, William always greeted her first. Carmilla proceed by fetching the wine and some blankets.
"Why the blankets?" Laura frowned as she looked at Carmilla in confusion.
"I told you we were gonna watch the stars. I thought we could go to my secret place." She said with a small smirk on her face.
Laura looked suspicious at the brunette. "Is this the part where you take me to your dungeon and I'm never seen again?" She teased.
"Yea, I'm surprised you finally figured it out" Carmilla teased back.
Carmilla took her hand, leading her out to the stairway and as they started walking up the stairs Carmilla turned around and looked at Laura "You have to close your eyes." Carmilla said with a hint of excitement. Laura couldn't help but smile at her. She had never seen Carmilla excited over anything before.
"Okay, but I'm extremely clumsy, so if I fall I'll blame you."
"I won't let you fall cupcake." Carmilla answered. Laura looked at her for a second, a bit worried over the thought of going up the stairs blinded but she trusted Carmilla. She didn't know how, seeing how Carmilla had acted towards her in the past. But Carmilla had a look in her eyes that really showed that she wouldn't let anything happen to her.
"Okay…" Laura said after a while of silence. She closed her eyes and felt Carmilla squeeze her hand again, reassuring her that nothing was going to happen.
After some difficulty walking up the stairs blinded and with some missteps Laura finally heard Carmilla say "One more step cupcake and then we're there." Laura nodded back. "I'm gonna let go of your hand now, I'll be right back! But whatever you do don't open your eyes okay?"
"Okay, don't be gone too long though." Laura said, a hint of worry in her voice over the thought of being left blind in a staircase.
Laura heard Carmilla walk off and suddenly she heard a sound that reminded her of a big door being pushed opened. Carmilla took hold of her hand again and led her outside.
"You can open your eyes now" Carmilla whispered in her ear, her breath hitting her ear which gave her shivers.
Laura opened her eyes and gasped. They were standing on a rooftop, with the whole city lighting up in front of them. You could hear the city below them, the cars passing by, people laughing drunkly on the streets. In front of them was a old couch covered in plastic, probably to protect it from the rain which Carmilla was taking off at the moment. Laura looked up at the sky and was left in awe. The stars were shining so bright against the dark sky.
"Carmilla…this is amazing!" Laura exclaimed finally looking at her. Carmilla who was opening the bottle of wine looked up at her and smiled at her.
"Yea, it's my favourite place to go actually. Just to calm down. I usually never show people this place but I figured you needed to calm down a bit" She answered with a shrug of her shoulders. Before Laura could answered a pop was heard as she opened the wine and started pouring it into the two glasses.
Laura was shocked at how caring Carmilla was being towards her. She was letting her in to her world pretty quickly and Laura was trusting the woman in front of her more and more. She didn't know why, but there was something special with how she treated her and looked at her.
Carmilla sat down and motioned her to do the same. Laura sat down next to her and Carmilla handed her the glass. There was silence for a while, the women enjoying looking at the stars and enjoying the silence. Carmilla loved it up here, she could hear the city roaming under her, thinking about all the lives in the city. All the individuals living their lives, so many different thoughts, situations and feelings. And that somehow we are all connected. Also, Carmilla loved looking at the stars, it made her feel so small against the universe. She loved the combination of the two.
She was brought out of her thoughts when she felt Laura shift beside her so she was facing her.
"Hey Carm… I wanted to thank you for tonight. For caring I guess. It means a lot for me. What Danny said really hit a nerve and I don't know… Thank you." Laura said, blushing slightly.
"No problem cupcake, plus I had fun messing with Danny for a bit." She answered smirking at the blond.
"Yea I saw that." She chuckled "You really don't like Danny do you?"
"Was it obvious?" She answered with a grin on her face which made Laura laugh and nudge her shoulder.
"Oh stop it! You guys did not go along!" She said still laughing which made Carmilla laugh.
"Well, she was being annoying plus she wasn't being nice towards you. I always tell people what I think. I'm sorry but your friend is an imbecile." Carmilla said as she took a sip of her wine.
"Don't say that. She's really nice! Maybe not tonight, but she's a good friend of mine." Laura said as she frowned slightly at the brunette.
"Well, she hasn't proven herself yet. But I'll believe you the day she does" She said, looking out over the city.
There was silence for a while, both just enjoying each other company. After a while Laura started chuckling which made Carmilla turn to her with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" She asked as she looked at the smiling woman next to her.
"I just, I think it's funny don't you?" She answered as she giggled a bit. Carmilla frowned in confusion. "I mean, who would have thought that you and me would be sitting here watching the stars together drinking wine after that encounter at the book store." She continued still giggling from time to time. Carmilla smiled at Laura because she was right, it was quite a turn of events.
However Carmilla was confused. Really confused. She knew she liked Laura, but earlier that night she couldn't even be close to her. Now all she wanted to do was kiss her. Usually she always went after what she wanted but now she just didn't know how to. However, her hand was still on her leg. And as Laura had said the first time they met at the bar. Baby steps.
"Well" Carmilla started, as she placed her hand on Laura's tight, which made Laura's eyes widen for a moment. "I'm glad it happened. I thought you were just an innocent, bubbly girl when I started to get to know you. But you turned out to something else." Carmilla finished as she smiled at her, squeezing her tight. Laura looked at the dark eyes looking back at her and swallowed.
"It's going to be interesting to see how it's gonna work out with you working for my mother." Carmilla continued, breaking the eye contact again.
"Yea, I guess" She said as she took another sip of her wine. Carmilla was right, there was a huge difference between cheap and expensive wine. "I mean, she's still hardcore I guess?"
Carmilla nodded "I think she's gonna push you extra hard now. You'll probably dislike her even more. But she will do it because she wants you to be the best. Trust me." Carmilla said as she turned her entire body towards Laura, sitting crossed legged on the couch.
"Yea, I am familiar with that…" Laura said as she pressed her lips together tightly.
"I'm guessing your father, seeing from what happened earlier tonight." Carmilla said, tilting her head slightly.
Laura fidgeted with her hands in her lap, not meeting Carmillas eyes. "Yea, I mean I love my father and we have a great connection. But he's just so… I don't know. He wants me to be the best, which is fine! But he pushes me a bit too hard sometimes and tries to lead me instead of letting me find my own way you know?" She finished uncertain as she quickly looked at Carmilla before she looked back into her lap.
"Cupcake" She said as she took hold of her hand. "You are ridiculous and headstrong." She said with a huge smile on her face as she nudged her arm. "He can't be anything but proud of you." The smile still on her face as she looked at Laura in amazement. Laura smiled timidly as she pushed some fallen hair behind her ear.
"You know you don't need to say those things right?" Laura said, looking at Carmillas hand in hers.
"I know. But I want you to understand how amazing you are. I haven't known you that long, for a couple weeks now I think. But seriously creampuff, you're special." She continued as she squeezed her hand which made Laura look up and smile at her.
"I…I… thank you." Laura said timidly. However her facial expression changed and she got a serious look on her face as she looked at Carmilla.
"I know you're not one to talk about yourself. I mean… your pretty reserved. But I haven't heard anything about your father. I'm just a bit curious." She knew that she overstepped when she saw Carmilla sit up straight and her hand going back to her own lap. But she wanted to know more about her and even though it would take time.
"Well, I haven't heard anything about your mother." Carmilla said back, but not in the harsh tone that Laura was used to when Carmilla got defensive.
"Well…" Laura started, looking out over the city. "My parents and I were in a car accident when I was a kid. Dad and I made it out fine, but mom. Well, she didn't make it…" She finished, her voice had gotten thicker as she spoke as she held back tears. Carmilla looked at her with saddened eyes. The moment she had met Laura for the first time she thought that she was the kind of girl that got everything on a silver plate. That she had just flowed through life. But the more she got to know her the more she respected the girl in front of her.
She took hold of her hand again which made Laura turn to look at her with glanced eyes. "I'm sorry that you had to go through that Laura." Laura's eyes widened at the sound of her name. She had never heard the brunette use her name. Ever.
"Yea, me too…" Laura said and then Carmilla pulled her closer. She pulled her against her chest, suddenly feeling the need of protecting her from everything evil in the world. She didn't want to see more pain in the girls eyes. She just wanted her to smile and be happy. She wrapped her arms around Laura, letting her get comfortable in her embrace, and they stayed like that. With Carmilla holding Laura, stroking her hair as Laura was cuddled against her chest. Laura immediately felt more relaxed. She could smell Carmillas scent, she could hear her heartbeat, she felt her strong arm around her and her hand stroking her hair. Somehow she felt at home, which was odd seeing they had never been this close before.
"I can't remember my father." Carmilla said after a long time of silence. Laura stayed lying on her chest, feeling that Carmilla didn't want her to look at her when she talked about her father. "We… welll… He left my Mother before Will was born. After that, my mother had a lot of problem financially and had to take other ways of getting money. It ended up with social services taking us from her." She sounded distanced as she talked, almost like it wasn't her that had gone through everything. But Laura figured that she couldn't really remember exactly what happened because she was so young. Laura didn't really know what to say. It didn't really feel like Carmilla was done talking just yet. Carmilla took a deep breath and sipped her wine before continuing. "Will was 5 and I was 6 when Elizabeth came to adopt us and after that she's been our mother. We've never clicked me and her…but I'm still grateful for what she did." She finished, looking up at the stars. Laura pushed herself upwards so that she was resting on Carmilla's shoulder, joining her in her star gazing.
"I'm sorry for what you went through, but I'm happy Elizabeth came for you guys. It's not usual for siblings being adopted." She said after awhile. She felt Carmilla nod her head.
They stayed like that, talking about the stars, the people who were spread all over the city in front of them, they pointed at where people they knew lived, Laura showed her her apartment. It went on like that until sunrise as the sun started rising in front of the Laura let out a long yawn.
"I should be heading back." Laura finally said as she sat up and stretched her back. Carmilla nodded and did the same, almost looking cat like at how bendable her back was.
"I think I'll sit here for a while more. Do you know your way out?" She asked as she stood up, reaching out her hand to Laura to she help her up.
"Well, even though I was blinded the whole way I think I'll figure it out." Laura said with a smirk on her face as she took hold of Carmillas hand. Carmilla pulled her up quickly, making Laura bump into her.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Laura said flustered as she looked up at Carmilla. Carmilla was smiling down at her, holding her hips tightly.
"You're really are clumsy aren't you cupcake?" She said as she chuckled.
Laura felt another blush creeping up. "I-I- Well, yes I am. But I've always been clumsy even as a kid. I mean I remember this one time when I was on my way home and I tripped on a-"
Suddenly she felt Carmilla's lips on hers. Interrupting her. Her eyes opened wide in shock, but as she felt Carmilla pulling her in by her hips she closed her eyes and kissed her back. Her arms wrapping themselves around the taller woman's neck. Carmilla started kissing her slowly, softly and Laura felt her knees go weak. Laura felt Carmilla's lips, they were soft, yet rough at the same time. She felt how the taller girls woman's hands started stroking her sides. She needed to be closer, Laura tilted her head and pulled her in by her neck. She felt Carmillas tongue against hers, she tasted like wine and Laura felt how her her stomach did a flip. She heard how Carmilla's breath started to quicken as she pulled her in closer. The kiss got deeper, both needing more of one another. However Laura felt that she needed to breath, she pulled back from the kiss and opened her eyes. Carmilla was looking back at her with a huge grin on her face and Laura couldn't help but smile back and let out a little laugh and Carmilla did the same. Laura pulled back a bit so she could have a better view of the woman in front of her, however they were still locked in their embrace.
"Wow…you're a really good kisser." Laura said after a while, still a bit out of breath. Carmilla let out a chuckle and shook her head at the girl.
"Well, you weren't so bad yourself sundance." Carmilla teased back as she grabbed hold of her side, which made Laura giggle. They looked deeply into each other eyes and Laura leaned in giving her a small peck on her lips.
"I should really get going though. I had a great time tonight." Laura said, still a huge grin on her face.
"Yea me too actually." Carmilla admitted with a smile.
They stood like that for a while smiling at one another, kissing each other quickly from time to time. Laura finally shook her head and let out a laugh.
"Carm, I really need to go! I have a paper to write for work about the company to show your mother what my strong sides are. Plus I promised to meet up with LaFontaine and Perry later today and I really need some sleep." Laura explained.
"Cupcake, do you really have to bring up my mother when we're kissing. It's kind of a mood kill." Carmilla said with a grimace. Which made Laura giggle.
"Well, I had to set you off somehow right?" She said as she pulled away from her and started to put on her jacket. Carmilla sat down on the couch again and wrapped herself up in her blanket.
"Yea, well it worked." Carmilla said simply as she snuggled up in her couch. Laura looked at her and couldn't help but smile, she looked so cute all wrapped up, her hair messy and looking a bit tired.
"I'll see you around?" Laura asked unsurely.
Carmilla looked up at her and smile reassuringly. "Of course you will." Laura couldn't help but grin at her.
"Okay, awesome! See you around!" She said enthusiastically which made Carmilla chuckle at how cute she was.
"Yea" She answered and once again their eyes locked and they smiled at one another. Finally Laura shook her head one more time.
"Okay, stop doing whatever that is! I really need to go now! Bye!" She said and turned and started walking towards the door.
Suddenly she felt Carmilla turn her around kissing her. Once again she was caught off guard but before she could answer the kiss Carmilla had pulled back smirking at her. "Bye cupcake." And she turned her heel and went back to her couch.
Laura started walking down the stairs and she couldn't stop smiling. The whole way to the apartment she was smiling and she fell asleep with a smile on her face, still thinking about Carmilla.
Laura was woken up by her phone ringing. She started muttering about her stupid phone and answered.
"Hello?" She answered in a sleepy and horsed voice.
"Hey Laur, it's LaF. Where are you? Me and Perry have been waiting for you for like fifteen minutes." They said.
"Oh shit, I overslept! I'll be there in ten minutes!" Laura said hurriedly as she jumped up from her bed.
"It's five o'clock in the afternoon. How could you oversleep? Aren't you the person who has always been up before sunrise?" LaF asked suspiciously.
"I'll explain everything when I see you guys okay?" She said, her phone pressed against her shoulder and her ear as she tried to put on her jeans.
"Sounds good! See you soon!" They said as they hung up.