"Shin? What are you doing here at this hour?" Lena was surprised by the man standing outside her room, but more so by his dazzling appearance.
The sleek black suit brought out a gallant charm in him, but the loose tie stuck out like a sore thumb. The perfectionist in her took over, and Lena got a step closer to adjust it properly. It was only when her hand accidentally touched his firm chest, that the woman realized, how little space was left between them.
"Shit. I shouldn't have come here." His breath got noticeably heavier, and Lena felt the blush creeping into her cheeks.
Shin was absurdly her type. His dark, tousled hair framed the handsome face she could stare at for hours, and his scarlet eyes seemed to be burning more intensely than usual. Lena was hypnotized by their warmth as if they were purposely melting her heart. The tingling in her abdomen became harder to ignore until she noticed the man seemed feverish.
"You're burning up! Did you drink too much at the reception?" She put her hand on his forehead, confirming her suspicions.
His face was hot, and a faint alcoholic scent still lingered around his lips. Lena quickly grasped she had only smelled it now because their faces drew very close together. It was a mesmerizing realization. If she stood on her tiptoes right now, their lips would almost touch. This thought was dangerous. There were some lines she didn't mean to cross, yet Lena felt inexplicably tempted to test this theory.
"Two or three glasses, I didn't pay much attention." He backed away a little, shattering her brave attempt before it had even begun.
Lena was mortified by what she had almost done. Jumping on a possibly sick man was one thing, but she was a step away from passing a point of no return. Shin meant everything to her. There was no telling when it had happened, but he became a central figure in her heart. Existence dearer to her than she could rationally fathom. Getting rejected by him was not something Lena could bear right now.
She unconsciously bit her lip, trying to drive the impure ideas away, but they were stuck with her like the smell of his cologne. Lena's gaze was focused on the ground, so she flinched when Shin started softly playing with her hair. The sensation was electrifying. Each stroke made shivers run down her spine, and at first, she forgot about shame.
"Fuck. You're so adorable." His voice was sweeter than honey and warmer than the sun, but it snapped her back to reality. They were dancing over the abyss, and one wrong step was enough to pull them down. To make them feel the pain of hitting the ground instead of the pleasure in the air. Her head was spinning with tentativeness, and his upcoming departure complicated things even more.
"S-shin w-w-what's going on?" Lena uttered, trying to make sense of his actions.
Was there a chance Shin was reciprocating her feelings? Or was she just a momentary distraction, his action fueled by anxiety and alcohol? She wasn't sure if Ernst had told him about the potentially lethal mission of shutting the Legion down, but then this emotional turmoil would all make sense. A man without a future, living fully day by day. Indulging his carnal desires like there was no tomorrow, without the thought of what comes after. Who he leaves behind.
"I know I'm a madman. I know I shouldn't. I know the chances of me coming back alive are grim. But damn it, this is the first time I'm sure of anything, this is what I want. If you don't feel the same then please, close the door, and forget it had ever happened. Otherwise, I'll interpret it as a welcome." Shin sounded completely sober, but something about it made it even more unreal.
Lena forced herself to face his gaze, and it hit her like a punch in the gut. He was serious. She felt it instinctively. The love he had in his eyes, the desire, mixed in with hesitance and fear of rejection. Shin had the same look on his face she always had when facing the mirror before their meetings. All the uncertainty melted in an instant.
She loved him. He loved her. What was there to doubt? The world they were living in was nothing short of apocalyptic. Nothing was guaranteed, every day was just another miracle. Why worry about the future? Lena knew the day of his departure would be the end of her world, but as a wise man had once said, who kills themselves because they're going to die tomorrow?
If their little world was gonna end anyway, why not use the remaining time to its fullest?
"I h-haven't closed it…" She muttered under her breath, not knowing how long the silence between them had lasted. Shin gave her the warmest smile she had ever seen, with a loving gaze focused solely on her. Lena mustered the courage, narrowing the space cruelly separating their bodies.
The hand buried in her hair gently pulled the girl closer, with Lena closing her eyes as an invite. Shin put his lips on hers, beginning slowly, almost with caution. It was new for both of them, but this ancient art wasn't taking long to learn. The kiss got more intense, as the lust took over the two lovers. None of them knew how they ended up inside, but the sound of the door closing wasn't enough to stop their affection.
Lena wrapped her arms around him, silently begging him not to stop, and the man obediently complied with her wish. She could feel the coldness of the wall on her bare back when he pinned her against it, but the woman didn't mind. Her outer robe ended up on the floor moments ago, leaving Lena in nothing but her daring dress.
Shin moved away from her lips, making her fear it was already over, but her partner had other plans in mind. He moved his focus lower, caressing her neck with lustful kisses, leaving his marks in not-so-hidden places. Lena couldn't name the new sensation, but it was like pure electricity rushing through her body with his every fondle. A resonant moan escaped from her mouth, flooding her with embarrassment.
"S-sorry, I'm still n-new to this." Lena didn't know if she was doing it right, and Shin probably had a ton of experience.
She didn't want to come off as inadequate, but her knowledge in that area was minimal, never mind the real practice or experience. The girl stared at her feet, not wanting him to see how red she was, but the boy put her face in his hands and lowered himself to look her in the eyes.
"That makes the two of us. We don't have to do anything you don't want to but remember. I'm as new to this as you are." His cheeks were similarly red, and he was barely catching his breath after their make-out. Lena felt a wave of relief and relaxed enough to start laughing at herself.
"I was so afraid to make a move on you. To take this risk, when it could potentially tear us apart. Losing you as a friend would be too terrifying. Yet here we are, together in this cramped room, and I'm feeling fantastic. Why was I hesitating for so long?" She asked with a regretful smile, more to herself than him.
"Silly, I can't get enough of you, how could I ever let you go? I'm the fool for not making this step sooner. Lena, you have no idea how long I've felt this way about you." Shin did something bordering on impossible and put his guard down. He let her see the pieces of him that were buried deep inside, exposing his raw feelings to this special person.
"We are dorks, aren't we? I was searching for you all evening, hoping to snatch one dance for myself. I was confident it would be my peak of the night, but now I'm not so certain anymore." Lena felt the tension leave her body, leaving only a refreshing lightness. She was filled with joy and couldn't help but smile brightly.
"I feel like a thief for robbing you of that opportunity. The truth is, I ran away. I wasn't confident I'd fit in with you in the spotlight. Lena, you were shining like a star. I couldn't take my eyes off you. Sorry for acting like a coward. Let me atone for that. I know it's not exactly a fancy hall, but may I have this dance, my Lady?" He took her hand like the etiquette required and gently pressed his lips against her palm.
"It would be my pleasure." She made an elegant curtsy, and let Shin guide her to the carpet.
The ballroom music was audible through the open window, creating a climactic atmosphere despite the lack of decorations. There wasn't much space, but the middle of the room offered enough to make a decent stage for a pair. The piece was slow but rhythmic, allowing inexperienced dancers to easily get into the melody.
It was a slow dance, their bodies entangled together, swirling and swinging to their hearts' content. No words were exchanged, but there was no need to. Lena knew everything she needed to thanks to his warm gaze, and the way he carefully touched her after the turn temporarily broke their embrace. She snuggled into his chest, and Shin laid a soft kiss on her head.
"I love you, Lena." He whispered into her ear, and Lena felt as if she was drowning in bliss.
"I love you too, Shin. I loved you for years, and I plan to continue doing so until my last breath." She stood on her tiptoes and leaned in for a kiss. There was no hesitation left in her. Lena decided not to live with regrets any longer, allowing herself to be enchanted by the moment.
Shin picked Lena up and placed her on the desk, knocking all the papers off to the floor. The woman was too invested in what was happening between them to even notice, with his hands on her thighs making her crave more. She felt his calloused hands slowly wandering up her naked back, exploring every inch of her sensitive skin. Lena couldn't stop the sweet sounds of pleasure when her whole body was stimulated by his touch until the man cruelly broke away without a warning.
"Fuck, you're driving me crazy. If I stay here any longer, it'll be hard to restrain myself and not do things you might regret. I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you when I cool down, right now I'm thinking like a beast, not a man." He took another step back, not wanting to scare her.
"What if I want you to stay?" Lena asked in an innocent tone, but her actions were saying the opposite.
She got off the desk, once again closing the gap between them, this time fully aware of what she was going for. Shin's eyes were burning with desire, but he was visibly hesitant to touch her more intimately. Lena saw that, and took the initiative by reaching for his hand, and placing it on her chest. Her pulse was almost audible, but she wanted Shin to feel it.
The man froze at first, but then he grasped the meaning behind the gesture. He tenderly caressed her blushed cheek with his free hand, asking for her permission for the final time. The girl bestowed him with an angelic smile, and kissed his palm, sealing the deal.
She recalled Annette's words, from when she had handed her the adult gift. Good girls truly turned into the wildest. Lena had finally let go of her leash and didn't feel like stopping tonight.
August 14th Republic Year 357 (Stellar Year 2138)
18 days until the Start of the Legion War
Elizabeth's recovery pace was beyond miraculous. After a few days of non-stop IVs and submerging her body in different fluids, she looked like somebody who had a minor accident, not a victim of an explosion and fire. What should've taken months if not years was achieved in days, and even Zelene was astonished by the results.
"Am I finally getting out of here? I miss sunlight." Since Liz's throat was perfectly fine again, the teen was agonizingly craving for a cigarette.
"You may not be bedridden anymore, but that doesn't mean you're healthy. I'll move you upstairs if you promise me you won't go out without an attendant." The scientist wasn't thrilled by this change, but Elizabeth has been growing more and more impatient with each day. Zelene was worried her niece would try to run away and stop the treatment altogether if she didn't comply with some of her demands.
"I know, I know. I doubt I'd go far on that wheelchair anyway. Just let me go back to my room and I'll be the best patient you've ever had. I'll even drink that stinky juice with every meal, so please, take me out of here." She pleaded, tired of the basement's stale air. It took her a while to figure out they were under the Birkenbaum's mansion, in the same place she previously saw the decomposing bodies. Luckily this section didn't seem to have any cadavers, and Liz wasn't eager to probe her aunt further.
"Keep the medical monitors with you at all times, and stop fussing about vegetables. This treatment might be revolutionary, but it's still a wild experiment. The old fashioned method of getting back on your feet may prove as effective." Zelene's tone remained deadpan, but Liz talked with her enough in the past few days, to recognize she was joking.
"Only if you exclude the beets. On that, I won't compromise." Liz smiled to show her aunt she got it, getting an awkward laugh in response. She couldn't deny that Zelene was eccentric, but the woman didn't seem heartless.
Her attendants moved the equipment before taking her with the bed, so the room upstairs looked more like a makeshift lab than a teenager's bedroom. Nonetheless, Liz felt cozy in the familiar space, with the sight of the blooming garden outside visible through the big window.
Elizabeth's legs were still weak, and most of her skin needed to be lubricated and bandaged, but other than that, she was fine. It was like getting a second chance in life, and Zelene was the one who bestowed it on her. The woman briefly explained that this was a side project connected to her work in the military, but Liz knew her aunt would never disclose the full truth.
From what she had gathered during her stay underground, the girl deduced a few things. Firstly, this technology wasn't omnipotent. Secondly, she was lucky to avoid seriously damaging her vital organs, with most injuries focused on direct points of contact with the fire. The cyan substance needed strong oversight while administered to the body, and the more complicated the structure, the harder it became.
Her final conclusion was made thanks to the overheard conversation between the nurses, about the upcoming prisoners' shipment. She couldn't be certain, but according to that information, the dead bodies she had seen probably belonged to the death row inmates. It didn't absolve Zelene of the crime of the human experimentation, but she could at least assume her aunt wasn't involved in any kidnappings, and Liz was likely safe here.
Somewhere in her pondering Elizabeth dozed off, only to be awoken by the sound of the rubble hitting the window. It was dark outside, meaning she had been sleeping for a few hours, but the familiar sounds made it clear who the culprit was. Liz battled with her conscience, between keeping the promise to Zelene and meeting William again. Ultimately her longing for him tipped the scale, and she wrote a short note explaining she went for a short walk.
Getting into the wheelchair by herself wasn't easy, but her resolve was too strong to be stifled by such hardships. It wasn't easy, the struggle took multiple minutes, with many grunts and curses serving as the background music. Lastly, Liz managed to move the medical monitors to their dedicated pockets and, with a heavy sigh, she headed towards the garden.
Operating the wheelchair was way harder than it looked, especially with her weakened limbs. The process was painstakingly slow, but the girl refused to give up and rolled forward. When she arrived at their usual spot it was an hour later, but the elvish boy was still there, longingly staring at her window.
"Will! You're here!" Elizabeth tried not to be too loud since it was the middle of the night.
"Lizzy? Is that really you?" William couldn't believe his eyes, since the person in front of him looked closer to a mummy than his dearest friend.
"Who else would run to you in the middle of the night? Well, not run specifically, but you know the drill. We can hold a fair race tho." She smiled, wanting to uplift the mood, since the man was barely holding back tears.
"I...I thought… Dammit Lizzie, never do it again. I was here every night, waiting to catch any glimpse of you. Birkenbaum told me you were recuperating and not to bother you, but… Fuck, I was so afraid I had lost you…" He couldn't hold them any longer, so they naturally started flowing on his cheeks. Liz wanted to comfort him in any way she could, but her touch made them pour even harder.
"I'm sorry I haven't contacted you. Honestly, I thought you had left for good. With the bombings and stuff the country is unstable, and you… you could've fled to safety." Liz didn't want to sound accusatory.
When she was in pain, she sincerely wished Will was already far, far away, safe from anything that may follow. Elizabeth partially hated how her heart rejoiced after seeing his face again since he was probably staying here solely for her sake. She didn't know what to say to make him feel better, deciding that staying quiet and letting him cry freely was the best she could do.
"I feared the witch had lied to me, and she was the one who confined you. I know the news may shock you, but bear with me. Zelene Birkenbaum isn't just some wealthy noble, she is the top-secret military inventor tasked with creating a new weapon of mass destruction. The things we saw in the basement, her suspicious disappearances, it all comes together. I came to get you out of here, everything is ready. The only part missing is my Elizabeth." William frantically explained his plan, but Liz couldn't focus on what he was saying. Most of it was already known, and although Will's story sounded more dramatized, the facts checked out.
"Will… how do you know all of this?" Elizabeth had the knowledge because her aunt confessed it herself, but William was an outsider who, by his own admission, hadn't been let inside the mansion since their last meeting.
"Does it matter now? You aren't safe here. There is no telling what this madwoman might do, or if she tries to implicate you. Liz, do you remember the corpses? You have to get out of here yesterday. The transport is ready, it was put on hold for you." He understood the girl must be confused, but this opportunity could never present itself again. Elizabeth sneaked out without any surveillance, and they had an actual chance of escaping this mansion together.
"It does matter. If this knowledge is top secret, how does a boy who's here to recuperate have it? Besides, where should I run to? Leaving now would mean giving up my inheritance and with it everything I had left in the Roe Garcia. Let me stay here for a few more weeks, I'll get back on my feet and claim my independence. Vanishing now would create more trouble than it gains." Liz was hesitant, especially since her aunt presented this situation from a different angle. Will didn't know about that development, and something in his story didn't add up.
"Lizzie, we have no time to argue now. Please, just trust me on this. I've arranged things with the Republic, you'll be granted asylum upon your arrival. Don't worry about housing or food, my country will take good care of you. All that matters is we have to go now before they'll notice you've gone missing." William was slowly panicking, with the lights in one of the windows suggesting someone had woken up.
"My God, she was right. It wasn't just paranoia, you are a spy."