Breathless
Author's Note: I noticed a little too late that I'd been putting the wrong name for the instagram spoof. It's Magicam not Instaglam, not even sure where I got the two confused. I'll rectify it at my earliest convenience.
Secondly, I understand I'm tiptoeing dangerous territory here, but I'm hoping you'll all understand that this physical relationship I've created between Yuu and Leona is there to help the story progress and not as meaningless smut. If you've any concerns with this please let me know and I will do my best to adhere to it.
Thanks and Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 7: Brother Bonding
Yuu stirred awake in the early morning, the sun had yet risen, but there was an amber glow emitting from somewhere. She blinked her sleepy eyes realizing the glow came from a nearby lamp that had been flicked on. She yawned and sat up, the sheet her limbs were tangled in were ridiculously soft and bougie. The bed itself was grand in size, and she felt like she could spread out and still have room for three more people.
"Hmmm? Vil?" She stared bleary-eyed into the dimly lit room, wondering if she'd been moved into Pomefiore.
"Guess again." Leona's voice startled her from behind. She felt the bed shift with weight and glanced back to see the lion prince lounging beside her…. Naked from the waist up.
"Leo… ooooh right." She held her head. "So it wasn't a dream. That really happened."
"Too late to regret it now, princess." He tucked his arms behind his head. "Cry about it if you want."
"If I recall correctly you were the one who ended up crying, Leona." She winced, her muscles screaming from overexertion.
"You tell anyone about that, I'll make you cry for an entirely different reason." He glared at her… but then his face softened when she lowered the sheets. Rolling towards her he reached out and stroked the bruises on her wrists. "You alright?"
"A little sore, but I've had worse." Sensing his guilt, she lay back down and turned towards him. "I don't regret it, Leona… despite the aches and pains, I really enjoyed it."
"Good," he stroked her hair and brushed his thumb along her cheek. His eyes went uncharacteristically gentle, and it made Yuu flush and fidget.
"Um…" she let out a nervous laugh. "I should probably go before the rest of the dorm wakes up for practice." She started to get up, but he pulled her back down right on top of him. "Hey!"
"What's your rush, princess?" He trailed a hand up her spine, making her shudder. "Afraid I'll ruin your reputation?"
"No… more like I'm afraid Vil will try to kill you if he finds out what we did." She straddled his stomach sitting upright. He'd been nice enough to give her his P.E shirt to sleep in, so she remained modest but still exposed.
"The key word there is try." He shifted her lower and made Yuu tense up. "Relax… you can go back to your overbearing brother in a minute. Let me just enjoy this while I can."
"What do you mean while you can?" Her hands covered his on her hips, the touch so gentle it caught Leona off guard. "Was this… a one time thing?"
"Do you really want this kind of relationship with me on a regular basis?" His voice went gruff, even as his hands wandered. "I'm not exactly what you'd call a doting boyfriend. I'm selfish, and possessive."
"I don't need you to be doting, Leona. I get enough of that from Vil and my new foster father." She paused for a minute, contemplating on what to say to him. "It doesn't have to be permanent, or loving, or even long term. I will settle for whatever you have to give me."
"Settle?" He scowled at that, and his hands stopped at her waist gripping it firmly to keep her in place. "You shouldn't have to settle for anything or anyone."
"I don't have to… but I want to. I want to be with you, Leona. You make me happy."
That offhand comment hit Leona harder than any slap to the face. His heart did a slow roll in his chest and his grip on her tightened just a little.
"Why?"
"I don't know why… You just do. You give me a break from the chaos going on in my life.'' She leaned back down over top of him. She lay her lips on his in a gentle kiss. "Mmmm so yeah, let's enjoy this… no expectations, no rules, no strings attached. When we're ready to call it quits we tell each other up front without any hurt feelings. Is that something you could be content with?"
"One condition…" he rolled her over so she was under him again. "We add one string. I want you exclusively… if you want out then you tell me, but while you're with me you don't go to anyone else for this kind of attention. Deal?"
"Hmmm…" she grinned up at him, liking the possessive look in his eyes. "Deal."
"Good, now then…" his smirk came out to play. "Let's see if I can make you really happy."
~Ramshackle Dorm: Yuu's Room~
Grim was still asleep when Yuu opened the door to her bedroom. The sun was peaking out the windows now. She estimated she had just enough time to shower and change for practice, and hoped Grim hadn't noticed she'd been gone all night. She stripped off Leona's shirt and placed it in her wash pile then slipped into the bathroom to shower.
Grim woke up at the sound of the shower, and groaned as he rolled up and off the bed. He blinked sleepily and eyed the rising sun with a frown. He wished Vil hadn't given Yuu this stupid early to bed and early to rise routine. There's no way he'd be able to get his full 12 hours like this.
His stomach growled, and Grim grumbled again heading into the bathroom.
"Yuu… I'm hungry. Can you tell Vil that you decided to skip your lessons today so we can go get some breakfast? We could even walk into town so you can still get some exercise."
"It's not the exercise I need but the practice. There's not much time before the first audition and Vil and I have to be en pointe… heh so to speak." She giggled at her own inside joke.
"This whole movie thing is starting to bug me. You're not acting like yourself. You're being really weird." Grim crossed his arms. "It used to be that you loved just sitting around the dorm with me, cooking, reading, and playing games. Now I hardly ever see you."
"Oh come on, Grim. You know you're my number one. My Magicam proves it." She turned off the water, and reached for a towel wrapping it around herself before pulling the curtain back. Immediately Grim noticed the bruises and made a gasping sound.
"Where'd you get those bruises?"
"Huh?" Yuu glanced down at her wrists and bit her lip. The dark purple marks were very apparent against her pale skin. "Shoot, they are pretty noticeable."
"What happened?! Who did that to you?"
"No one, nothing happened. They're just grip marks from when Vil kept me from falling during practice. It's no big deal." She waved it off and immediately tried to think of ways to cover them up.
"No big deal my furry patootie!" Grim jumped down following her back into the room. "Your feet are a mess, you're tired all the time, and now you've got all these nasty bruises."
"Oh please, I got worse from Vargas' P.E. class." she slipped on tights and leotard before putting a black wrap around skirt on. She found some athletic tape, figured it would do, and wrapped it around her wrists and hands. She'd tell Vil it was to help with hand and finger placement. "Look, Grim, I realize you're worried but I'm fine."
She inhaled deep, and for the first time in weeks smiled genuinely.
"In fact I feel more than fine. I feel fantastic!" She did a pirouette around the room. Leona had been rough on her, it was true… but she'd never felt so light. It was as if all the weight she'd been carrying before had suddenly emptied out of her. "My body feels loose, and light… almost as if I could dance on clouds."
"Hmm?" Grim crossed his arms and took a good long look at his companion. The smile on her face was so bright and cheerful, it was hard to find fault with it. She no longer looked pale and out of sorts… but instead flushed, cheery, and ready for the day. "I guess if you're really feeling okay I'll let it go… but I'm gonna keep my eye on you, Yuu. If Vil pushes you too hard, I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind."
"Okay, that's a deal." She laughed and sighed happily as she glided over to her dufflebag. She made sure everything was packed, and ready before practically skipping out and down the stairs with Grim at her heels.
~Pomefiore: Practice Room~
"Morning, big brother!" Yuu floated over to Vil who was already stretching at the barre, and stood up on her toe shoes to give his cheek a kiss. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"You're awfully chipper." Vil smiled as he dipped into a plie' "Did you have good dreams?"
"Oh the best…" Yuu followed his example, and only winced a little as she dipped into a plie. Her thighs were sore, but it was a tolerable pain. "I'm ready to finally get this routine down pat!"
"Good, because they've moved up the audition." Vil told her with a slight frown.
"Oh?" Her eyebrows lifted. "When is it now?"
"Tuesday."
"Tuesday?!" Yuu's eyes went wide. "Seriously!? That's three days from now!"
"Yes… which means we only have two days to perfect it. I've already told Crowley, and he's excusing us from classes. I hope you're ready for a long day." Vil turned around and patted her shoulder. "We can do this, Yuu… do you trust me?"
"Yes…" She nodded, but gulped loudly. Suddenly all the tension she'd let go was starting to build up again. "Yes, let's do this!"
"Good… finish your exercises, and let's take it from the top."
She nodded and went through the rest of her exercises breezily. It wasn't until they actually started the routine did last night's events start to take their toll. Her core muscles waned but she powered through it, forcing herself to jump higher, pirouette faster, and hold uncomfortable positions longer. Vil took notice of her discomfort and stopped the routine halfway through.
"Are you alright? For someone who's chipper you seem to be in a lot of pain." He saw the athletic tape and when she hid her wrists by tucking them behind her he scowled. "I haven't been too rough with you have I?"
"No! No it's okay, Vil, really. I just overused my muscles yesterday. I'll be okay." She promised and purposely kept her hands hidden from his inspecting eyes. "Some tired muscles and bruises aren't gonna stop me from doing my best. We don't have time for you to baby me now."
Vil outmaneuvered her. He managed to take hold of her hands and kept her still.
"Don't fight me, let me see."
Resigned, Yuu allowed Vil to unbound the athletic tape from her hands and wrists. Her head lowered when he let out a gasp at the sight of her bruises.
"What in the-"
"Please don't freak out! It's from when you caught me from falling yesterday, trust me I'm fine." She tried to pull her wrists away but Vil kept her hands firmly in his.
"Why didn't you tell me you were injured? Part of the training is knowing how to care for your body, Yuu." He ushered her out. "Well practice later. Come with me."
"What? Where are we going?"
"I've got some balms and potions that'll help ease the ache and pains and remove the bruises. I need you in top form and you can't be if you're limping around and flinching at every grab." He took her to his bedroom and ordered her to sit as he got things ready.
"Better do as he says Yuu. Those bruises are nothing to sneeze at." Grim put his two cents in.
"I didn't even realize they were there…" Yuu looked down at her wrists. She recalled the way Leona had tackled and pinned her down. She'd probably gotten them as she'd struggled. It had hurt at first because she'd been caught off guard… but then afterwards everything felt so languid.
His eyes had never left hers, the movement was slow… almost lazy… but it allowed her to feel everything. She remembered the feel of his hands, the taste of his kiss, and the weight of his body. She remembered the scent of his hair as it cascaded around her, the sound of his breath on her ear, and everything inside her just filled with such affection and want.
"Yuu? Yuu?!" Vil waved a hand in her face. "YUUKI!"
"WHAT?!" Yuu jolted out of her daydream and made Vil sigh heavily.
"I took it as a good sign when you came into the practice room so chipper. You're really worrying me with this dazed look of yours. What's with you?"
"I'm sorry, I was daydreaming… I guess I'm both nervous and excited for the audition." She fidgeted.
"Ah… that's true this will be your first official audition wouldn't it?" Vil nodded his head, understanding. He took her wrists and placed a cloth around them with a potent smelling substance on it. Yuu immediately felt the aches dissipate.
"Yeah… Do you really think they'd approve of me, Vil?" She lowered her head. "I know the real point of this audition is to help change your image, but I can't help but feel I'm holding you ba-OW!" Yuu pouted. "Why'd you flick me?"
"Because you're being stupid, that's why. You continue to doubt your own talent and it's irritating to listen to." He popped open a bottle and poured it into a cup. He tilted her head back and helped her drink it down. "I wouldn't be wasting my time training you if I didn't think you were capable of excellence."
Yuu made a muffled sound as the foul tasting liquid coated her throat. She did her best not to gag and just made a sickened face.
"Vil's right, Yuu." Grim agreed with Vil. "Besides, look how hard you've been working. You're constantly checking your Magicam and thinking of new posts to add. You put in 12 or more hours of practice a day, and still take the time to help me, Ace, and Deuce with our homework. Cut yourself some slack!"
"You've been doing all that?" Vil narrowed his eyes on her.
"Well… yeah… aren't I supposed to?" She blinked.
"Not to that extreme… moderation is the key to success, my dear sister. No wonder you're running yourself ragged." He took her chin in hand and lifted it up and down. "I think for the time being you and Grim should stay here at Pomefiore. Just until I know you'll be alright on your own."
"You don't need to babysit me, Vil."
"Clearly I do, or you'll make me worry until I get wrinkles." He pet the top of her head "No arguments, Yuuki. I'll have Epel and the others help you pack what you need."
Yuu puffed out her cheeks with a pout, but sighed in resignation. Vil really did look worried about her, and she supposed it wouldn't be too bad getting pampered.
He spent another hour fussing over her health. Though she'd already showered that morning, he made her take a long hot bath to soothe any remaining aches and pains that the potion hadn't seen to. Once back at 100% he put her through the wringer. They did the routine over and over, breaking only for light meals and hydration.
School was out for the day, and visitors popped their heads in to check on practice; Rook, Epel, Ace, Deuce, and surprisingly Jack.
Yuu's eyes immediately went to Vil when Jack entered the room. There was only the slightest change in his demeanor, but the smile in his eyes was apparent. The guy didn't have to say a word for her to know he was head over heels. She wondered if he was even aware of it… just like she hadn't been aware of her own affections towards Malleus.
"This is a surprise. What brought you all in today." Vil questioned with a smile.
"You were absent from class, and Professor Crewel said it was because you've got an audition coming up. We all came to see if there's anything we can do to help." Ace answered with a wide grin.
"Yeah, you were a big help during the VDC, we wanna contribute somehow." Deuce added with a supportive smile.
"Oui, we all had that same thought. So Epel and I volunteered Monsieur Howl's assistance for your weight training Vil." Rook slapped Jack on the back making him grunt.
"Vil's been a big help to me so I wouldn't mind showing him a few tricks to build up some more muscle if that's what he wants." Jack grunted, turning his head away flushing. "Though I really don't think you need it."
Oh, surprise, surprise, Yuu thought with a secret smile. The attraction was mutual.
"I appreciate the flattery, and the assist, but there's something else I'd like to get your assistance with if that's alright." Vil motioned him over. "Yuuki take your stance for the lift."
"Okay."
"Mind if we stay and watch at least?" Ace asked, setting his book bag down next to Yuu's.
"Sure, why don't you guys have a seat over by Grim?"
"Take a load off guys." Grim waved his paw out and the others all sat against the wall around him.
While the others got settled, Vil got Jack into place. He casually adjusted his stance, lingering just a little longer on his arm muscles than necessary. Yuu wished she had her phone so she could take a picture. The two of them just looked so gorgeous together. The true definition of beauty and beast.
"Alright… What I need is an outside perspective. Yuu and I have been trying this lift but something's not working. I wanna see what it looks like from an outsiders perspective so I can see what's going wrong."
"Couldn't you just take a video?" Ace suggested.
"No, I need to see it in real time. I can get a better feel for it. Jack, all I need you to do is catch Yuu as she runs and leaps into your arms. You'll then lift her up above your head and keep her steady there for twenty solid seconds." Vil explained.
"Seems simple enough." Jack shrugged his shoulders to loosen his muscles a bit. "Ready when you are, Yuu."
"Yuu, Jack is taller than me and has a longer reach, so the height is gonna be a bit disorienting. Try to stay focused." Vil instructed.
"Got it…" Yuu shook out her nerves as Vil counted the time in.
"Five, six, seven, eight and run, run, run, LEAP!" Vil gave the commands, and Yuu set the dismount. She leapt in the air, legs spread out in a perfect split. Jack caught her with ease, then hoisted her up by her waist. Yuu kicked her legs up and used Jack's arm and her center core as a brace to keep herself in the precarious position.
"Whoa…" Deuce clapped. "That's amazing!"
"They're supposed to hold that for half a minute? I couldn't hold that for five seconds let alone 30." Ace admired with a gawk.
Vil nodded his head, circling the two of them as they held that form. He then waved a hand, indicating to Jack to release Yuu. Jack did as instructed, and carefully caught Yuu princess style as she fell back down.
"Woo, thanks. That was a much higher drop." She patted his chest and slipped out of his arms. "Well Vil?"
"It's as I thought. There's nothing wrong with your form, Yuuki. I need to give you a steadier base." Vil rubbed his muscles. "Let's try it again, but with me this time."
"Why not run through the entire routine? That way you have a better feel for it in the future." Rook suggested.
"Hmmm… not a bad idea actually. Alright, Yuu, take your beginning stance. Epel when I give you the signal, start the music." Vil motioned with his fingers as he gave the room a quick pace to work the blood back in his muscles.
"Yes sir!" Epel kept a hand ready on the play button.
"We're gonna want to capture this." Rook picked up Vil's and Yuu's phone and readied the cameras. He passed one to Ace who leaned towards the action anxiously, and the other two Deuce.
"Yuu, look at me." Vil gently turned her head towards him. "I need you to trust me." He positioned himself behind her, hands gently supportive on her shoulders. The gesture was so small, but so encouraging. "I know Jack is stronger, but I'm your brother. I will never let you fall. So believe that I will catch you."
"I trust you, Vil." She smiled and turned her head back down in the ready position.
When the music started, Yuu slowly rose en pointe into an arabesque. Vil strokes her shoulders and then over her arms til their fingertips touch. He stepped first guiding her forward. Yuu's body, smooth as silk, followed his direction with practiced ease.
The onlookers watched with awe as the two moved together in a dance that was romantic and yet not at all sensual. There was love being expressed between the two, but that love was unconditional, and familial. Vil cradled his little sister, gently and protectively, swaying her back and forth then releasing her as she pirouetted away from him. He stretched his hands out, as if to call her back to him… but was ignored.
Instead, Yuu danced on her own, a joyful and spirited solo that she danced with flourish and flair. She remained obvious to her brother, who shrunk back feeling lonely, but not wanting to interfere with his sister's obvious joy. They danced in synchronicity now, one with joy, and the other with sorrow.
Then they stilled, their eyes met and realization struck.
"Here it comes… the moment of truth." Rook put his hands together in a small prayer.
Yuu made a running leap towards Vil, and just as Jack had done, Vil caught Yuu spinning her once before hoisting her up. Deuce captured the moment in a single snapshot on Yuu's phone, his breath caught in his throat as the emotional moment hit him hard. Though Vil struggled to keep Yuu upright, he refused to let her drop. Yuu felt his struggle, but kept her position trusting Vil to do his part.
Then she dropped, smoothly into his arms where he spun her once more and carried her as the music faded to silence.
The group applauded, and the two dancers took a bow.
"Bravo! Bravo you two! That was magnifique!" Rook wiped tears from his eyes, as did Epel and Deuce.
"Amazing. I didn't know dancing could be so emotive." Epel sniffled. "You could read the story so clearly in the way you two moved together. It was so powerful."
"I agree, even someone like me who doesn't know anything about this could see it." Jack agreed with an approving nod. He stepped up to Vil and patted his back. "You did good."
"Thanks, but I'd like to get your advice on a few things I could change to get a better grip." Vil pulled Jack aside so the two of them could talk shop. Yuu took the time to rustle through her bag and pull out her tower. She wiped away sweat and laughed as Ace and Deuce crowded in for hugs.
"Look at you, Miss Ballerina." Ace gave her cheeks a pinch. "I hope you're ready for your close-up. You're gonna kill at that audition."
"Thanks, Ace." She rubbed her cheek and accepted her phone back from Deuce. She blinked when she noticed the new notifications on her Magicam. "Oh! Deuce did you post a new photo?"
"Yeah, I hope that's okay. It just seemed like a waste not to show it off. No worries, I didn't mention anything about the audition. I just put-"
"Spending quality time with the best brother ever…" Yuu read aloud her smile spreading into one of pure affection. "... he'll never let me fall. #bestbrotherever #shoenhietsibs4thewin. Aww! Deuce!" She hugged him. "This is great! You picked the perfect moment too. I can't wait to read the comments!"
The picture in question went viral. Everyone on social media talked about the image of Vil Shoenhiet and his new sister staring affectionately at each other. The way Vil had captured the image made it appear as if Yuu was cascading from heaven, and Vil was there to catch her. Some fans added stickers like halos and wings to make them appear more angelic and reposted them on their own social accounts. The image spread so fast that the world deigned Yuu as the new "Angel of Social Media."
This… didn't sit well with the one who had taken the title priorly. Elena Mariposa, Fairy Princess, Model, Actress, and future Queen of Briar Valley didn't care for this Yuuki person. Not only did she steal her title of "Social Media's Angel" but she was also someone who had earned the affection and respect of her future husband Malleus Draconia in less than a year. A feat which had taken her years to accomplish.
Envy, and vanity boiled in her belly. She knew jealousy was a petty thing, and had it been someone of great beauty and high regard she might have taken this loss with a bit more decorum… but this… child… was a human, and a plain one at that.
"I must say, darling…" Elena laughed and quickly closed her phone to put the image out of sight. "Your friend, Yuuki, is making quite a name for herself."
"Yes, and to tell you the truth I'm glad for it." Malleus smiled affectionately at his own phone. Though technology still eluded him, he'd taken great care not to break his communication device for it was his only connection to his friends back at Night Raven College. "I'm indebted to Shoenhiet for taking her in and helping her unleash her hidden talents."
"Vil has become quite the philanthropist, hasn't he?" Elena smiled, though her eyes remained distant and cool. "I've worked with him before, and he's usually so cut off and private about his social life."
"Speaking of which, weren't you also auditioning for that movie Shoenhiet mentioned to me? The one about the dancers?"
"Yes, why? Would you like me to back out? I can concentrate on our wedding plans if you'd like." She hugged his arm and nuzzled in.
"You love to act, and to dance. I wouldn't deny you this joy." He gently stroked her hair. "I wish you well, my future queen. Do give my regards to Yuu and Shoenhiet."
"Of course, my love…" Elena smiled again, but this time it turned dark and just a bit wicked. "Of course."