The kiss was soft and light, as if Aster was only testing how the water in a sea or lake would feel by just dipping his feet in it. The feeling of his lips softly brushing against hers felt cool and oddly refreshing; it was not the nerve-wracking tension that Alexis had thought would occur with a first kiss. It was just the way Aster usually made her feel in his actions: safe and relaxed.
Alexis probably could have enjoyed savoring the moment a lot longer, but it was over all too soon as Aster pulled away from her slightly and ended their kiss. Now that the fleeting moment of bliss was over, she had no idea how to even begin processing her jumbled emotions to find a way to respond to him about it.
Alexis' mind whirred with questions. What's going to happen now? Does this mean that Aster will want us to become a couple? Is that what's supposed to happen now!? And do I even want that yet?
Sensing Alexis' anxiety, Aster gently placed his finger on her lips to silence her. "I know that there's a lot on your mind right now. That happened a lot more suddenly than I thought it would, and I'm sorry if it just ended up confusing you. I just want you to know that I'm always here for you whenever you need me, Alexis," he reassured her softly.
Even though it felt as if there was a lot she could have said, at that moment, Aster's words right now were all that Alexis was content to focus on right now. So she simply gave him a relieved smile and nodded slightly in response to him. There would be time for her to think about everything later, but for now, all she needed to know was that they were both on the same page with being comforted by each other's presence.
Once the moment of mutual understanding had passed between them, Aster returned to the previous topic. "It's still hard for you over there, isn't it? I mean, having to see over half your dorm possessed on a daily basis."
Alexis sighed in sad frustration. "It feels more like a mausoleum than a dorm. Almost everyone just walks around like they're doing drills and talks in whispers. No more duel enthusiasm, no more gossip even since there's nothing really to gossip about what with almost everyone only caring about the stupid Light. Never thought I'd actually miss the gossip. Atticus says it's the same for him; he's bored out of his mind at the boys' dorm."
Aster looked at Alexis sympathetically. "I know it must seem like I'm removed from all that with living here by myself and the Pro League, but I'm sorry to hear that."
Alexis hesitated uneasily for a few seconds before continuing. "But it's more than that now. I can't really explain it, but it feels like they're somehow…expecting something. The way they've been even more secretive with their talk and everything, it feels like something is going to happen. And then I had that dream and…I just don't know. But I don't like it…"
"You don't have to go back, you know. You could stay here," Aster suggested quietly.
Alexis just stared at Aster, not sure that she was comprehending what she had just heard. "But that's- I don't want to get in trouble…"
Aster waved his hand in irritation at Alexis' priorities in the moment. "Trouble? Like they have any right to condemn you for this after what happened to you and the state they've let the school get into. You shouldn't feel like you have to stay somewhere where you don't feel safe, Alexis. And if anyone does complain about it, then I'll deal with them myself."
"Well…that's true," Alexis agreed with Aster's opinion carefully, yet still not fully committing to his idea.
Aster's expression softened. "It's up to you. I have a spare room here, and you could let me know if you have any more nightmares more quickly."
The reminder of the reason for her visit tonight sealed Alexis' decision for her. She wanted to be able to talk to Aster sooner especially if there were any details about what could happen to him in her dreams. "Okay; I'll stay here," she agreed firmly.
Xxx
Not long after their conversation, Alexis stared vaguely around the room that Aster had shown her to. While she was noticing the details around her-the pristine white chest of drawers and varnished wood desk table with the matching chair nestled in the corner near it-her mind was still preoccupied with everything that had just happened with Aster. They had just kissed; her first kiss no less, yet he didn't seem to even want to address it further. He had simply gone back to focusing on the topic beforehand, acting like offering her to stay the night was completely under the pretense of wanting her to feel safe.
Lying down on her back with her hands folded behind her head, her elbows extended upward, Alexis tried to let the softness of the dark blue comforter on the large, king-sized bed divert her thoughts. But it wasn't working. Does he regret it? Or is he afraid that I will?
Before she could ponder any further, the noise of the door opening softly startled Alexis out of her thoughts. She was surprised when Aster walked in and casually opened the small shuttered sliding closet door.
Aster turned his head slightly to the side to glance at Alexis. "Feeling a bit better now?" he asked casually.
Alexis could only manage an awkward half-smile as she answered Aster. "Yeah; I guess so."
Aster returned Alexis' smile easily. "That's good. Now I'll be able to rest easier."
Alexis watched in surprise as Aster took off his suit jacket and undid his tie. For one wild moment, she was torn between wishing for and being nervous that he might take off his shirt as well. But thankfully for her senses, he stopped there.
After depositing his jacket and tie in a corner of the closet, Aster casually sat down in bed next to Alexis, as if it was a regular routine for them. While he looked to be the very picture of relaxation, Alexis felt as if her heart was thudding loudly enough to break right out of her chest from the unexpected action.
"Aren't you going to…stay in your room?" Alexis barely managed to squeak out.
Aster smirked deviously at Alexis' reaction, clearly enjoying himself. "This is my room."
Alexis could feel the heat rising on her face. "And you're just mentioning this now!?"
"It's the only room on here with an actual bed, so I didn't have much choice for where you could stay," Aster answered simply.
Alexis' outrage was subdued by Aster's thoughtfulness. "But I don't want to take your room from you…"
"It's not in my good conscience to not give a lady proper accommodations, I'm afraid. But if you prefer it, I can leave," Aster offered.
Alexis was momentarily distracted when Aster caught a few strands of her hair by the side of her face between his fingers. As they slid down the length of her hair, his fingertips just barely brushed against her already overheated cheek. She was finding it impossible to form a coherent sentence while preoccupied with his electric touch.
"Do you want me to leave?" Aster whispered to Alexis. His face was so close to hers now that his breath tickled against her skin.
Just like that, Alexis felt her resistance crumble. "No…" she heard herself murmur quietly, giving in to the undeniable comfort of Aster's presence next to her.
Without warning, Aster started kissing Alexis again. His hands had snaked around her waist sometime before then and he now had her practically welded against his own body as they kissed slowly, yet deeper this time.
By now, Alexis' hands weren't motionless at her sides anymore. Sometime during the kissing, she had wrapped them around Aster's neck in a possessive circle to give them even better access to each other. They continued like that for awhile, their mouths moving against each other wildly, only separating slightly in-between kisses as they let out a few gasps for air before resuming again. She never wanted it to end.
This is what it's like to want someone… The realization dawned on Alexis suddenly in the back of her mind somewhere. It was both exciting and frightening to her.
Once they had reached another "intermission", Aster released his hold on Alexis and drew back a few spaces between them, finally ending their passionate kiss. Maybe he was worried that he had overwhelmed her, because Alexis couldn't help thinking that Aster looked almost as surprised as she felt right now. As it was, her head felt as if it were spinning, dizzy and lightheaded from the euphoria of the experience.
"Aster… I…" Alexis trailed off, unable to even figure out just what she wanted to say right now.
"Why don't we get some sleep now?" Aster suggested gently.
Alexis internally sighed in relief at Aster's suggestion. Their latest encounter had started to bring sensations to life that had just barely scratched the surface of her awareness before during all those little moments with him of accidental touching and slightly closer proximity. But despite how strong her attraction to Aster had grown, Alexis didn't think she was ready to see just how far they could go tonight. Luckily, Aster seemed to have sensed that as well, and she was grateful that he had left it there and brought up the subject of sleep.
Not long after their brief exchange, with the room plunged into darkness after Aster had turned off the nearby nightstand lamp, Alexis curled up close in his arms beneath the warm blankets as if it was the most natural thing in the world for her. He was the only person who was able to make her feel such an extreme range of emotions, from raging passion to a serene calm. Right now however, she was quite grateful for the latter since she was finally feeling properly exhausted from everything that had transpired tonight starting back from her dream. She knew there would be plenty of time for her to analyze things tomorrow.
Right as she was starting to drift off to sleep, Alexis heard Aster's gentle whisper in her ear. "Sweet dreams, Alexis…"
AN: Finally finished with this, and I'm embarrassed at the sugar overload here. Anybody else got cavities yet? XD Well, it's only going to get worse, I should warn you.
