ㅤㅤNeo hurried up the stairs, explaining the situation to one of the curious and unsure guards who was luckily soon distracted by a passing Raemith. He bolted beyond the Nameless sanctuary's white doors, which he glanced at carefully before passing it by and running up the steps to Quilliene's room. He didn't even raise his hand to knock before he burst in.
ㅤㅤQuilliene was sitting on the opposite side of her bed, away from the door and facing her window. She jumped to her feet and turned to face the door when he came in, panting and bedraggled. She wiped her face - the only sign that tears had been there were the purple streaks down her cheeks, like lavender droplets. Her makeup and everything else was perfectly intact, probably induced by magick. Still seemingly sad, she turned away to the window and sighed.
ㅤㅤ"Liene..." Neo said softly, closing the door behind him. He circled around to stand in front of her, looking her over. "Are you okay? I heard you sprained your ankle, but still-" He put his hands on her shoulders, and she looked at him. "I-I'm sorry - about the Nameless, the bomb, and fuck I even kissed you, that was an accident, this is all my fault, if we just didn't dance, then none of this would've happened-"
ㅤㅤHe barely breathed while he rambled on, but she didn't care much to hear him turn himself into a worry wort. Even with how cute and sincere it sounded, she didn't care. A part of her seemed to glimmer purple before she grabbed his collar, pulled him down, and simply kissed him. Right then and there, with one hand on his cheek. She silenced him completely for the moment.
ㅤㅤNeo, on the other hand, had his confused stare boring into her for a moment before... he kissed her back, pressing against her lips and closing his eyes. They explored the soft skin of each other, her hand cradling his cheek in place while his own wrapped around the back of her neck. His other arm fell down behind her and pulled her in closer.
ㅤㅤThen they separated. He was entranced in the moment, not realising he was holding in his breath the whole time. When they parted, he opened his eyes, though he didn't really want to - as soon as he did though, he was glad, because she was smiling at him. He sighed out a warm puff of air that smelled a bit like mint, and she leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder.
ㅤㅤ"You're okay." Quilliene mumbled, finally relaxing. "Everything was crazy today, but... the moments with you were enjoyable." she gently took one of his gloved hands and held it tightly within her own. "But... that bastard needs to pay."
ㅤㅤ"I know..." He whispered, gripping her hand but also placing his other on her shoulder. "I... thought he was dead."
ㅤㅤ"I thought he was, too." Quilliene sighed, then shifted to look up at him. "But... I think we need help. We need her - to lure him out."
ㅤㅤNeo grit his teeth, looking at the ceiling. He knew what she meant. "Yeah, I know you're right. But she'll be mad at me."
ㅤㅤShe looked up at him, and he matched her gaze. "True," Said the queen. "But I'll be there this time. You may not be able to resist her very well, but my willpower is something to comprehend - so says Circe."
ㅤㅤHe glanced to the side, nodding. "Yeah... I think she's right." He said, then looked at the door. "...Maybe we should stop hugging before someone sees us."
ㅤㅤNow Quilliene was smiling, having been pleased he agreed with her. She backed up a little bit, lifting both of her hands and gently cupping them around his cheeks to have him look at her. She was still getting used to the feeling of his skin. It was weird, but it was something she had always wanted, and now that she had it... she was happy. She brought his head down to rest her forehead against his.
ㅤㅤ"We don't have to move right this second." She said softly. "A couple more minutes or so."
ㅤㅤFor him, it felt so strange to have her touch him that he almost pulled away. Neo had never felt true skin unless it was his own, and his was rough with callouses and scars across his form. Hers was soft, dainty, and pure. He relaxed into her grasp, closing his eyes as he pressed his forehead against hers, a soft smile dancing its way across his lips.
ㅤㅤQuilliene saw that smile. She exhaled and closed her eyes as well, with that smile of his ingrained into her mind. She dreamt of this some nights - embracing him and being showered in his touch - but this was a more peaceful version of all that passionate intimacy she might have though of. It was her her first time being able to touch him truly as well.
ㅤㅤShe had always been scared to touch him before - not because she might get hurt, but because she didn't want to see him pull away from her in fear. Fear of himself. She opened her mouth to say it, for those words to leave her lips, but she clamped shut and simply held him close. Not yet. This feeling was still ripe. She wasn't going to tie it with a ribbon right now.
ㅤㅤAll she wanted was for this to last forever.