And then, realizing she had already opened up, she began to respond softly, almost like a faint hum.
— Not exactly... but I can hear a few things when your feelings are really strong or focused on me. Like right now.
— You're thinking, "How can your Little Bat be so shy even though she's ten years older than you?"
Her face was gentle, still blushing, her voice slightly altered by shyness. She began running her fingers slowly along the collar of my shirt, as if building up the courage to speak.
— The truth is... even though I'm older, I started liking you really early, remember? So, I've always been waiting for you. But I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this. And when you tease me... any attempt to seem confident just crumbles.
She looked me in the eyes, serious, as if holding something back. But the words came naturally:
— You disarm me. It's like all my control just... disappears.
There was a brief silence. Dense, but sweet. The kind of silence that carries a thousand unspoken words the room insists we understand.
— So, if I end up like this... all soft and shy... it's your fault, — she finished, smiling shyly.
She leaned in slowly, as if waiting for a response from me. And, in a gentle gesture, rested her forehead against mine.
— But I think you like seeing me like this... like seeing me vulnerable, you bully-nator, — she whispered with a small smile, giving me a nickname.
I didn't know whether to smile or melt. This little creature had a way of getting to me like no one else. Her soft voice, her fingers playing with my collar, her forehead resting on mine…
I slowly reached up to her face and began caressing her cheek, her hair, while locking eyes with her.
— Bully-nator? — I whispered, pretending to be offended. — Look who's talking... Who's the little vamp that melts me with just a goofy smile and a tilted glance?
— You call me a tease, but you're the one always stuck to me. If I'm the bully-nator, then you're the queen of husband-teasing.
— Vulnerable? — I continued. — To me, you're not vulnerable, Little Bat. When you get like this... soft... I feel your trust in me. And that... that's priceless.
My voice came out low, but steady, as our bodies met in a hug that felt like a quiet vow.
She giggled softly, and for a few seconds, the world went still. That moment was ours alone.
— You say sweet things just to make me cry, don't you? — said Flávia, eyes glassy, like a stream about to overflow.
— What a crybaby Little Bat I have here, huh? — I teased. — If just a few cute words make you cry... imagine when I mix in cute and teasing ones.
I ended with a gentle kiss on her lips.
— Nope, — I replied in her style. — I only say sweet things to show how I truly feel. And I want you to know: it doesn't matter which version of Flávia is here... I love every one of them.
— Whether it's the feisty one, the shy one, the cuddly one, the strong one, the clingy one... even the one who gets a bit... unstable sometimes... what was it again? The yandere one?
She looked at me with sparkling eyes and a smile so pure and adorable it nearly stole my breath.
— Every version? — she asked, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous grin.
— Every single one, — I said, pretending to be serious while my heart did flips.
— Even the version that wants to give you a little bite? — she said excitedly.
Before I could answer, she grabbed me by the collar and began covering me in little bites — on my neck, shoulder, collarbone — as if claiming territory. Then sealed it with a kiss on my lips.
— Haha! — she laughed like a victorious child. — What version is this? The dangerous Little Bat? Or the one with the bitey-bites?
— Your favorite, — she replied, forming a tiny bat with her fingers. — And you love this version, don't you?
— I do, — I said, moving closer. — But when someone gets bitten... they should get kissed too, right?
— Maybe... how many?
— No less than ten per bite.
But just as our lips were about to meet…
Buff.
Ignis, curled up in a makeshift bed on the floor, huffed and grumbled like he was telling us we were too clingy and loud.
— Jealous, little dragon? — Flávia teased, making Ignis huff again, this time in a strangely cute way.
We both burst out laughing.
Then Flávia gently grabbed my nose and said:
— Bruno, my mom gave you the day off from training. And since your body's still in pretty bad shape... I'm going to make you something.
— Something like...?
— Food, — she said like it was the most obvious thing.
— But vampires only drink blood, — I replied with a playful grin.
— Not when the food has vitae, — she said calmly, leaving me standing there like a fool.
She got up. Now uncovered, I could see her outfit: black sweatpants, a shirt with a cute little bat on it, and... the famous bat slippers. The ones that inspired her nickname.
— Haha... how beautiful my Little Bat looks, dressed like a little bat, — I said, laughing joyfully.
Still wearing the slippers, she gave me that shy look that seemed to say, "Stop teasing me or I'll cry."
— Hmph.
She let out a small huff and walked off with quick little steps.
As the door closed behind her, I turned to Ignis.
— You should hurry up and find a little dragoness for yourself, — I said, laughing.
He huffed and released a puff of smoke right into my face, clearly in response.
— Haha, a day like this after a hellish one... a beautiful wife and a grumpy pet... makes everything better.
Ignis practically growled.
— Pet? Animal? And you, you human... vampire... rat teeth... pale...
He was trying to insult me, but clearly still learning. It was hilarious.
That's when…
Clack.
The door slowly opened.
— My Little Bat again?
But no.
It was Serapynhe.
As soon as I saw her, I instinctively tried to stand up. Seeing her now could only mean one thing: death. No... seeing her under any circumstance, after that kick, was always dangerous.
— Master, I...
She cut me off with a sweet voice.
— Don't worry so much. I just came to see how my distinguished disciple is doing.
She entered with soft steps. Instinctively, my eyes fell to her outfit: a sheer, lightly purple nightgown falling to her knees, with an elegant baby doll set underneath — accentuating her curves in a way that was nearly hypnotic.
She walked over and sat... right on my leg. Not next to me. Almost like she was replacing Flávia.
Her index finger started sliding down my bare abdomen.
— How are you feeling, my disciple? — she asked, with a smile that seemed to savor my hesitation.
— I'm well, master. Thanks to Flávia who took care of me.
— Thanks to Flávia, hmm? You two make quite the spicy couple. But why do you call her "wife"... and me by name?
Her finger was already at my neck, creeping upward.
— Out of respect, master. I can't say certain things in front of you, — I answered, unsure.
— Hm... you're hesitating in front of your master?
She ran her finger across my lips and laid down on my chest — exactly where Flávia usually lies.
— I think I was too hard on you. You're not holding a grudge against your master, are you?
— Of course not, master. I know your intentions were to make me stronger.
— Oh, really...?
And then she tried to kiss me — quick, just a peck.
But I dodged.
SLAM!
The door burst open.
It was Flávia.
— Mom... what are you doing...?