.
.
This is what happened in before their relationship.
"I think my husband is coming, Second Prince," the noblewoman said. They were in various stages of undress; Jacob's shirt was untucked and the top buttons of his collar were unbuttoned, and the strap of the woman's chemise was falling over her shoulder.
Jacob grinned. His hair was disheveled; lipstick covered his mouth and chin. "You are much too skittish."
He kissed her, palming her breast. The noblewoman gasped, taking a breath.
"My lord, I don't think I can lie with you today; I'm not sure how long my husband will be away."
"A shame," Jacob said, pulling back. The noblewoman blushed, crossing her arms over her breasts.
At the ball, she stood with a crowd of other ladies, blushing and talking. She had a fan by her mouth as she chatted and laughed daintily.
Jacob's mouth stretched into a grin, his cape swishing as he approached them.
The lady's eyes slid upwards, then slightly widened. Their eyes met; the woman blanched, then turned her back on him.
Very well then. Jacob wasn't offended. He scanned the rest of the ballroom, looking as the throng of other women were watching him. He knew what they saw: tousled, golden hair, and deep blue eyes like the ocean glittering under the sun, he knew that he was handsome. Already another noblewoman was making eyes at him. She lowered her fan to cover her mouth, tilting her head, beckoning him.
He fucked her in the guest room while the others danced, the lady squealing delighted as he dove wolfishly between her legs. "So charming, Second Prince," she said, beholding him. Jacob grinned.
In his coat pocket, he kept the velvet box and the reusable condom. The lady giggled, spreading her legs, as he tied the ribbon around it.
xXx
.
"Can you not have these dalliances, Jacob?" his father looked at him, disgusted.
Jacob smirked. He tossed his head back, the locks of his hair catching the sunlight streaming behind him. "I believe I am allowed a few youthful indiscretions," Jacob said.
"The noblemen are talking, Jacob! You insult their honor by openly flirting with their women!"
"I cannot help it if they do not give them sufficient attention," Jacob sniffed.
An ego boost. A confirmation of his attractiveness. He was cunning and smart and handsome; what woman wouldn't want to lay with him?
"A moment, dear Second Prince," his paramour said. She blew Jacob a kiss, before sauntering toward her husband.
Jacob's grin slipped. He watched as the woman laughed, her arm threading around her husband's. They shared an easy laugh; both their backs were to them.
"What is it now, Gautier?" his father was saying, and Jacob turned. He saw the identical scene play out behind him: his father and his so-called siblings, standing in a half-circle. The three of them sharing a laugh, sharing an easy confidence. Their backs were also toward him.
No matter. Jacob's eyes slid upwards towards the other potential conquests. He didn't believe in love or marriage; only the fleeting enjoyment of mutually pleasurable court romances.
His mother, after all, never received love, even after marriage.
xXx
.
He was fucking two women in the bed. This was a first for him. At first he was enthusiastic, taking turns kissing and groping them. The women's mouths gasped in delight as he thrust into one while fingering the other, the sheep-membrane condom slipping with their shared fluids.
He came quicker than anticipated, the heightened arousal and the novelty of two women working against him.
They were kissing each other on his bed. Jacob held back, taking off the condom and slowly getting dressed. The woman moaned, their bodies writhing on the bed. After a few moments, Jacob quietly opened the door and left, neither of the women noticing that he had left them.
xXx
.
"Two women?" Hugues raised an eyebrow while Jacob smirked. "And how was it after you left?"
"Oh, they were quite apologetic." Jacob plucked a thread from his vest. "Of course, I hadn't the heart to stop them."
"Here, here," Hugues said, and he raised a glass.
xXx
.
He was sauntering down the hall when a small fast shape slammed into him.
"And which noble's daughter are you?" Jacob said, as Bianca de Arno blanched at him.
Bianca de Arno. The little wife of Zachary de Arno, the bane of his existence. Jacob's mouth stretched as he watched the two of them.
"You walk too fast!" Bianca said to Zachary, and even though it was an admonishment, there was a fondness to her tone that was almost loving. Their arms threaded together; as they walked, they made a single silhouette, Bianca leaning against Zachary's arm.
"How interesting," Jacob said to his advisor. "How often is it that couples publicly grouse at each other?"
"It seemed rather affectionate," the advisor said. Jacob turned.
"Affectionate?"
"When two people love each other, they can speak plainly to each other and tease each other. It is proof of a close relationship."
Jacob's brow furrowed.
xXx
.
He was fucking another noblewoman. The woman's mouth was hanging open in a happy grin. "Oh, Prince Jacob!" she cried, as he pounded into her, the sheep-membrane condom sliding in and out of her. "I love it when you fuck me, Second Prince!"
All these women only give him compliments. Jacob let out a ragged breath, leaning forward.
"Tell me what you know about me," he breathed, and the woman's eyes fluttered open.
"What I know about you?" she said, as Jacob's thrusts slowed. She furrowed her pretty face in concentration. "You are very handsome."
"Indeed, so you can see. What else do you know about me?"
The woman beamed. "You are the handsome Second Prince."
"And what, pray, do you know about Gautier?"
"Um..." the woman frowned at him. Jacob scowled, irritated. He pressed his thumb on her clit like a button.
"Oh!" the noblewoman gasped, and he picked up the pace again.
He got dressed. The woman was chattering idly about this and that, but Jacob couldn't bring himself to listen.
"Oh! Darling, you're home," the woman said, opening the door to see her husband.
Jacob glanced back. The husband saw both his wife standing at the doorway and Jacob lacing his boots, sitting on the bed. The husband nodded at them.
"Did you have a good rest, my dear?"
"Of course, my darling. The Second Prince was here."
They linked arms. The woman's head tilted back in a laugh. For some reason, Jacob felt humiliated.
xXx
.
"That's because you're a trashy villain," Mayumi said.
"What?" Jacob said. It was still in the early days after he and Mayumi first met. They were sitting in the library, Jacob going over rudimentary etiquette lessons, while Mayumi was growing bored and frustrated. Somehow the topic changed to his love life and all the chicks he was banging.
"Why do you call them 'chicks'?" Jacob said. Mayumi chewed on her pen.
"I dunno, it's a colloqualism."
"And why 'banging'? That's not the sound one makes when one's having sex."
"Uh, I don't think it's so much the sound as it is the movement." Mayumi counted with her fingers. "Pounding. Banging. Screwing. Smashing. You know. It's probably from the image of thrusting."
"Clearly in your world, you were a tawdry woman," Jacob said.
"Seriously? This coming from the guy who'll screw anything that's breathing?"
"I'm a man," Jacob said.
"So?" Mayumi said.
"So it is inherent for a man to seek multiple avenues of pleasure."
"But are you happy doing that?" Mayumi said. Jacob scoffed. "No, seriously. Every time you go hook up with some random noble you always come back feeling depressed."
"Depressed?" Jacob looked up. "What are you insinuating?"
"I dunno. Maybe you're using sex to boost your self-esteem a little bit." Mayumi leaned back, studying him. "You're a good guy. I mean, you're cocky and super arrogant. But you're smart and you're hard-working and you always try your best. I think if you wanted to, you could probably find someone who'd love you."
"I don't believe in love," Jacob said. He looked at the book sitting in front of them, the creases of the paper. "Relationships are based on what people can do for them."
"Quid pro quo," Mayumi said. Jacob nodded. "That's kind of sad, isn't it?"
"You are ignorant," Jacob said. He closed the book. "I think that's it for today's lessons."
"Hey," Mayumi said, as Jacob stood. She touched him by the arm. Jacob turned.
"You're a good guy," Mayumi said. "You shouldn't sell yourself short. Some woman would be lucky to have you."
Jacob bristled. He snatched his arm away from her hand.
xXx
.
There was another woman he was seeing. He'd lain with her a couple times, and what they had between them was something like affection.
"Let me hold you," he said, after they'd finished. It was dark outside and he could fall asleep like this. He curled up around her, spooning her.
Her body was stiff. They lay together for a few moments before the woman glanced back at him.
"I need to go back to my husband," she said.
"How cruel," Jacob said. "No sooner do you get your satisfaction, do you wish to leave my bed."
"Second Prince. You know it isn't like that." She leaned forward and kissed him. "I bid you goodnight, my Prince."
"Goodnight to you as well." He lay in the bed, undressed, watching with hooded eyes as the woman dressed in front of him.
She left. He was alone in his chambers with nothing but cold moonlight to console him.
He found himself standing in front of Mayumi's door.
"Yeah?" the door cracked open as Mayumi peered outward, not at all surprised to see Jacob standing in front of her chambers.
"Would it be all right if I join you tonight?" he said. He steeled himself for her rejection.
Mayumi beamed at him. "Yeah, sure, come in," she said, and she opened the door wider for him.
They started sleeping next to each other most nights. Mayumi didn't question it, and Jacob didn't try to justify it. He didn't tell her that some nights he felt lonely and bereft, that it was like the floor had dropped out from underneath him. In the darkness, he reached a hesitant hand toward Mayumi's body, and was rewarded when she scooted warmly against him.
"I mean, you're my brother in this world. It's not as if we're gonna be having sex."
Jacob looked out into the darkness. She was a warm and comforting weight against his chest.
An aching loneliness overtook him. As if she could sense how he was feeling, Mayumi rolled over and gathered him close, wrapping her leg across his hip as she cuddled platonically against him.
xx
This is what happened the first time Jacob wanted to sleep next to Mebuki.
"Would it be alright if I join you tonight?" Jacob asked. It was past midnight and dark in the palace.
"Yeah, sure," Mebuki said, widening the door for him. "Come in."
Jacob smiled, but he had a pained expression. Quietly he stepped in.
Mebuki watched. He shrugged off his coat and took off his shoes, climbing into the bed.
"Eh? You just want to go to sleep, then?"
"Did you think we would be doing something different?"
"I thought you wanted to talk," Mebuki started, but he curled up on his side, turning his back. "Well whatever, I guess."
She climbed in next to him.
Their bodies didn't touch, but Mebuki could tell something was bothering him.
"Did you have a nightmare again?" Mebuki asked.
"No. Why do you ask?"
Because you're a grown man wanting to sleep next to someone without actually fucking them, Mebuki thought, but she turned on her side to face him. "You just seem more quiet," Mebuki said.
"Because it's late," Jacob said. They both let her question stay unspoken.
Her eyes slid sideways. He was hugging a pillow to his chest, curling pathetically around it. Mebuki sighed, then scooted against him.
He flinched as soon as she pressed against his back, spooning him. "Be quiet," Mebuki said. She shifted her leg over his hip. "You're taking up space, I have to do this."
Jacob's voice was soft. "You're not afraid I'll try anything after this?"
"I mean, you're my brother in this world. It's not as if we're gonna be having sex."
He turned onto his other side to face her. His hand brushed against her hip.
She scooted against him, resting on his chest and hugging him with her top arm and leg; Jacob hefted her weight onto his chest, pulling up the covers. They breathed together in silence.
"The daughter of Viscount Danford left me alone in my bed," Jacob said. Mebuki snorted.
"You need to stop fucking all these unavailable-ass women."
"But isn't that the beauty of it? Having no emotional attachments?"
"You're seriously asking me this?" Mebuki asked, craning to look at him.
Jacob smirked. "I suppose this is a bit ridiculous."
"Oh, you think?"
"Coming in here like a child climbing into his mother's bed."
"I imagine your mom didn't even let you do that," Mebuki said, before she could stop herself. Her eyes widened.
"Sorry," she said, but the look Jacob gave her was sad.
"Was that also in the novel?" His voice was quiet. Mebuki cringed.
"Geez, I'm sorry. No it wasn't, I was just talking." She shook her head, hugging him. "Sorry," she said.
"Don't be. You were right about it."
They fell silent again.
"I daresay this is the first time anyone's touched me like this," Jacob said. "Just lying together, still like this."
"You should date someone single," Mebuki said. "Someone who'll care about you and not treat you like some sort of object."
"And what if I am rejected?"
Mebuki stopped. The sclera to Jacob's eyes were shining with wetness.
"Go to sleep," Mebuki said. She cuddled him. "You'll feel better if you sleep."
"You didn't answer my question."
"You're the Second Prince, you're not gonna be rejected."
"If I were a different man...would you find me attractive?"
"I find you attractive right now; but we're friggin' related."
He fell quiet again.
The bed was empty when Mebuki woke. Other than the slightly more rumpled sheets and the indentation in the second pillow, there wasn't any evidence that Jacob was ever there. Mebuki frowned, hugging herself.
She found him in the drawing room, laughing among the shadier nobles. Their eyes met. He paused a moment, then continued talking to the nobles.
xXx
.
They started sharing a bed together most nights, Mebuki mostly taking it for granted.
"You don't even have to knock, just come in," Mebuki said, probably around the third or fourth time he visited. The servants were used to Jacob skulking about the palace; when he roamed around the Princess's wing, no one really questioned it.
Wordlessly he pinched the candle he was holding and climbed into bed, Mebuki automatically cuddling against him.
"You're not afraid you'll start having feelings for me?" Jacob asked, as Mebuki snuggled into his armpit, brazen and utterly shameless.
"Not really," Mebuki said. She felt his hand resting on her head.
"And why is that?" His voice was soft in the darkness. Mebuki considered.
"You're technically my brother. I'm not gonna fuck my brother."
"So is it you feel sorry for me, then?"
"No. I like it when we cuddle," Mebuki said.
She had a tendency to get swept up in things - if her life were a hentai manga and she were stuck with a creepy stalker, doubtless she'd end up in some sketchy half-naked positions. But Mebuki was easygoing, she didn't think too hard about the things that made her happy, and all in all, she liked Jacob well enough, he was firmly in the Pathetic Oniisan Siscon camp in her head, there really wasn't any danger of getting her heart broken.
She started touching him more during their etiquette lessons. The sense memory of her body cuddling him made her unaware of him as a separate person: she'd smack him on the arm when she was excited or let her hand drift on his thigh, or tap his leg for emphasis. She'd list sideways into his shoulder while they walked together; their bodies naturally gravitated toward each other.
She wasn't even aware of it, how her hand was fondly rubbing Jacob's leg, until she saw Gautier staring at them, vaguely disgusted.
xXx
.
"If I ordered the servants to burn down this stupid garden, do you think people would find that suspicious?"
Jacob paused. Instead of training with his sword or colluding with sketchy nobles, he was once again helping Mebuki manage her stupid rose garden. Jacob grinned at her.
"Perhaps you can tell them you're too busy taking succession lessons," he said. Mebuki made a face at him.
The roses weren't blooming. While before, Audulie's rose garden was an explosion of roses, all reds and pinks and yellows that hung heavy on the branches, Mebuki's roses were all just brown leaves and thorns and absolutely zero roses. "This looks like a prison hedge," Mebuki muttered. She used to have a green thumb in the modern world, but that was when she could purchase fertilizer called "Flower Bloom," and just sprinkle it around the soil.
"My darling Audrey. Are you tending to your roses?" Their father walked up her garden. Mebuki and Jacob straightened, looking like two wet cats standing in front of a few scraggly bushes. "Ah," her father said, smiling. "How ominous."
Jacob's shoulders shook as he tried not to laugh. Mebuki smiled sweetly at them.
"Yes, Father. I thought perhaps it best to cultivate the leaves instead."
Jacob was shaking. Mebuki smiled demurely as she elbowed him.
"Roses are delicate, unlike the thorns that protect it," Mebuki said, doing her best impression of a noblewoman. "It is just like our sigil, Father, the delicate rose of Sevran being encircled by a cage of deadly thorns."
"Well spoken as always," the king said. Mebuki preened, pleased.
"Shut the fuck up," she said to Jacob, after the king left them. Jacob laughed and shook his head.
xXx
.
"I enjoy watching you pretend to be a noblewoman; it is almost as if you are mocking them," Jacob said.
"I mean, I practically am," Mebuki said.
They were walking together in a nearby village; one of Jacob's duties was to inspect the outer territories. There wasn't much; after the locals cowered and bowed their heads as the feared Second Prince deigned to bless them with his presence, there wasn't much to do except walk around. "You're unfamiliar with the goings-on in our kingdom," Jacob had said, when he came to fetch Mebuki earlier. "Come with me and I will show you around."
"Uwah! They have skewers!" Mebuki said. Jacob made a face as Mebuki trotted up to the woman making them.
"Why would you want that?" Jacob said, frowning, as Mebuki graciously handed the woman a coin and took a bag of skewers for both of them.
"It smells good! By the way, you need to teach me how to count money," Mebuki said. "I have no idea how many copper-whatevers are in a silver coin, or how many silvers make up a gold."
Jacob frowned as Mebuki held up a skewer. "She was touching the meat with her dirty hands," Jacob said.
"You guys shit in pots, stop being so stuck up."
There was an amiable silence. They walked down the dusty street, watching the merchants peddle their wares, the townspeople walking around them. Everything was colorful and lively and nothing at all like the viper's nest of the palace, and for the first time since she'd transmigrated here, Mebuki felt herself relax.
"You seem more at home with the commoners than people of our station," Jacob said. Mebuki shrugged.
"It kind of reminds me of where I'm from." Mebuki looked out at the bustling street, at the squat, square buildings peppering the village. "If I ever find a way to go back, I'd like to take you to the city. I think you'd like it: there's lots of things to do and tasty things to eat, and I'm sure you'd probably shit yourself looking at all the modern technology."
Her hand found his, gripping it. Jacob glanced down as Mayumi seemed unaware of it. He smiled as his grip around her hand tightened.
"Do you guys have ice cream?" Mebuki asked.
"Ice cream?" Jacob echoed. Mebuki's eyes widened.
"No way. You guys don't have ice cream? For real?"
Jacob sighed. "Once again, I don't understand what you're saying."
"Holy shit! I think I can use my modern knowledge to fuckin' invent something! Fucking finally!"
They went back to the palace. Jacob watched, dull-eyed, as Mebuki furiously tried shaking a jar of salt and cream and blinked when nothing was happening.
"This is disgusting," Jacob said, as they stared at the bowl of salty-sweet cream soup, Mebuki hunching, defeated.
(This was before she knew she had a phone signal - she was going off old memories of making ice cream in a jar, a fun kid's activity she did in elementary school, the throng of them crowding around the teacher with wide, awestruck eyes, as the teacher seemingly performed what looked like magic to them.)
xXx
.
There was a secret message from the kingdom of Aragon, and Mebuki watched as Jacob furtively took it.
He crushed the paper in his hand, before burning it. Mebuki watched as the scroll blackened and curled in the fire, the orange flames reflecting in Jacob's eyes as he watched it.
"Hey," Mebuki said. She stepped next to him, touching his shoulder. "If you have to kill Gautier's family, you should make it quick. Do it while they're sleeping so there's no suffering," she said.
Jacob studied her silently. "You are assuming I wish to commit treason."
"You're having Aragon attack the kingdom. What did you say to convince them?"
"I told them if I were on the throne, we could reset the terms between our kingdoms so that they are more favorable to them." Jacob considered.
"Let's have the Count of Iron and Blood go talk to them," Jacob said. Mebuki tilted her head. "I no longer wish to have them invade. The risks outweigh the benefits."
"You become king in your first life," Mebuki said, but Jacob stepped forward, gently touching her on the waist.
"I'm not sure I want that," Jacob said. And he stepped close, closing the gap between them.
xXx
.
There's no way Prince Jacob thinks of me like that, Mebuki thought.
It was around the time Jacob started sleeping in her bed that Mebuki started to catch feelings for him. Shit, Mebuki thought, and she covered her face in her hand, a slight blush rising on her cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Jacob asked. They were walking in the forest, just after Jacob had gone to inspect his men, Mebuki tagging along for some inexplicable reason. Maybe Jacob wanted to show off, showing her his bigass army and how he commanded more soldiers than Zachary de Arno and the Crown Prince. Mebuki scowled, keeping her eyes fixed on the dappled sunlight and the dirt path winding through the forest.
"You just don't know the power of your own face," Mebuki said.
"How do you mean?" Jacob said. Mebuki gestured.
"This whole thing going on! It's hard for a woman! It's fucking dangerous."
Jacob smirked. "I have it on good authority I have quite a nice face."
"Yeah I know. It's a goddamn problem."
"Why is it a problem?" Jacob said. Mebuki scowled and kicked a rock.
"It's nothing. I'm just in a mood. Ignore me."
Jacob smiled. He stepped beside her, taking her hand.
It's totally normal for siblings to walk together and hold hands, Mebuki thought. She felt his thumb brush against her knuckles. Yeah, she thought, and cringed internally. In fucking Game of Thrones.
Jacob was just dumb. No one else was nice to him. Just let him hold your hand, Mebuki Mayumi. You're smart enough to not get caught up in all that.
That night, he spooned her, and his lips pressed against the top of her head.
He thinks of you like a pet. Mebuki imagined herself like an overly large cat, like a big stuffed animal that Jacob liked to kiss and cuddle. C'mon, Mebuki Mayumi! Focus.
Out loud, she said, "Goodnight, Jacob." He made a happy little sound, squeezing her.
"Goodnight, Mayumi."
He fell asleep while she stared blushing at the darkness.
Okay, fine! So what if she was catching feelings? Crushes are fun! It's like, the next level of hot guy worship! It's totally okay, just so long as she doesn't torture herself for it.
There is absolutely no way, zero percent chance, he feels that way about me. Mebuki took solace in that fact. It's not like I'm hurting anyone. Let's just go ahead and fangirl a bit. And she flopped around and buried her face into his armpit.
"Ahh~~" Mebuki nuzzled his chest, beaming. "This is the best."
Jacob chuckled and brushed his lips against her forehead.
xXx
.
Mebuki Mayumi, aged 26, former corporate drone and lover of handsome men, finally gave herself permission to be completely fucking shameless.
"Jacob~~" She sparkled as she waved at him. "Give me a hug, Jacob!"
Jacob beamed and hugged her. He spun her around as she laughed.
"Ohoho~~. How marvelous~~" she said. Behind her, the knights balked. A cloud of gloom settled over them as Jacob and Mebuki sparkled, oblivious.
"What on earth," Gautier said, walking into the throne room. Hearts and stars seemed to fly off of them.
xXx
.
This is what happened in the novel.
He waited in the forest as Bianca approached, clutching Zachary's helmet in his bag. Earlier, he and his men floated down the fake lace handkerchief down the river, a close-enough replica of the same handkerchief she'd tied around his armor. He knew it would be enough to get her attention. Motioning to his men, he exhorted them to wait on the outskirts of the forest as he entered alone.
The knife Bianca was holding shook in her hand as Jacob blocked her, grabbing her by the wrist and yanking her close. "Don't you think it's pathetic to embrace and keep trying to win over a woman who hates you so much she'd wield a knife against you?" she said. Jacob smirked at her.
"Indeed." He viciously grabbed her by the hair. "That's what I hear as the love child of an abandoned woman, you see."
Bianca struggled. Jacob pulled her close, grinning against her ear.
"It stuck to me even after I regained my royal status, that I'm a pathetic and pitiful man. In order for such a man to survive, he must use everything he can. Seeing how much I implored you for your love, I assumed it might truly be love."
"Fine. Do what you want." Bianca wrenched away from him. "I have not even the trace of intention of letting myself rely on you, so embrace my corpse for all you care!" and she grabbed his dagger from his sheath and sliced off her hair.
A flash of hurt. The slight widening of the eyes as Bianca cut herself free, her long brown locks fluttering in his hand. It was like a slap in the face, her look of utter contempt for him. It knifed him deeper than any weapon.
"W-why in the world would you go through all those lengths just to reject me?!" Jacob cried. Bianca crouched low, glaring at him. An arrow flew though the air, landing at Jacob's feet.
"You would dare attack a royal?!" he said to Gaspar, who came up behind Bianca. Gaspar pulled out his sword.
Jacob took a breath. The situation was spiraling. He ran his hand through his hair, which was disheveled. "I shall give you time, since you may change your mind on your way back," he said, as Bianca glared at him. Jacob's eyes flicked upwards, shining with wetness. "Bianca. There is no one who can rule Arno."
She turned away from him, clutching Zachary's helmet. The look he gave her was hurting and sad.
He brought his forces into Arno. Jacob rode his horse at the front, his army of men marching behind him. The castle of Arno stood like a lonely sentinel against the grayish backdrop, and Jacob's hands tightened on the reins as his soldiers surrounded them.
He would do what it takes to make her love him. He was a man who used everything at his disposal.
xXx
.
Mebuki opened her eyes, staring into the darkness. She had dreamed of the events of the novel again, and her heart ached for Jacob. He was asleep now, tucked against her body, and Mebuki turned with difficulty to face him. His face was smooth and almost boyish, without the smirking arrogance of his waking moments, and as he slept he looked almost innocent.
It would be okay to kiss him, right? Mebuki's heart wavered. If she were in a hentai manga, it would be the same thought process the male lead would have before whipping his dick out and masturbating in front of her, thinking, it'd be okay if she was sleeping, right? It's not as if she would notice.
It's okay if he is sleeping, right? It's his own damn fault for sleeping in the same bed as me, it's not as if I'm taking advantage. Mebuki lay on her side, watching him sleep, feeling a little bit like a predator creep for wanting to kiss him so badly.
But then she thought about his face when Bianca hacked off a chunk of her own hair to escape from him, his eyes wide with hurt and shock as he clutched her tresses. There was a wetness to his eyes that Mebuki didn't expect, as if he were on the verge of crying, this poor, pathetic man whom everyone abandoned.
Her maternal instincts flared up. She wanted to kiss him.
A small kiss to his temple, as if an experiment. Jacob nuzzled his head unconsciously against her lips, and Mebuki pressed another kiss to his forehead. See? This is totally okay. It's not as if I'm molesting him. Her lips found a smooth patch of skin by his eyelid. Another soft kiss. Their foreheads touched. She tilted her head upwards and brushed a kiss to the side of his mouth.
He pressed a kiss to her brow, and Mebuki pulled back slightly, somewhat startled. But Jacob's eyes were still closed, even as his lips curved into a small smile.
Oh. Her heart squeezed in her chest. He's so cute. I love him, and she mentally smacked herself for being stupid.
I'm just gonna fangirl the hell out of him! Yeah, that was the ticket. She slid her arms around his torso, curling against him. Even if none of those stupid bitches appreciated him (and by "stupid bitches," Mebuki was thinking about the stupid royals who turned their backs on him, not necessarily the women Jacob had slept with), Mebuki did. Mebuki would always be on his side. She aggressively cuddled him.
(She had no idea that Jacob was awake, that he felt loved and safe and liked it when she kissed him. His body relaxed against hers as he nuzzled against her head. The feelings of loneliness and abandonment he'd carried pretty much evaporated, and even though their feelings for each other weren't exactly clear yet, they already were used to being emotionally intimate.)