Mother...
Flávia's voice echoed as Serapynhe stepped away, after I dodged her kiss.
"What is it, Flávia? I only came to check on my young disciple," said Serapynhe calmly, though her tone carried a subtle challenge.
"Mother..."
"You..."
Flávia had arrived just in time to see the failed attempt at a kiss. Even though her mother acted as if nothing had happened, Flávia's blood was boiling. Yet Serapynhe didn't seem to care.
"Have a good rest, Bruno. I'll take my leave now," she said as she stood up. And as she passed by Flávia, she whispered something inaudible before closing the door behind her.
"Flávia... I..."
I didn't know what to say. She stood there, thoughtful, but her voice came out sweet:
"Bruno, I made some hot chocolate using a spiritual fruit that tastes like cocoa... and I brought some cookies, dusted with blood."
She approached me with a full tray, placed it on the small table, and helped me sit on the sofa nearby. Then she sat beside me, speaking quickly.
"Flávia..."
Ignoring the vitae-filled food and even her explanations, I raised my hand to her cheek and looked into her eyes. As I had expected, the tears began to fall like a stream.
She rested her head on my chest. I could hear her soft sobs, and I simply waited in silence for the right moment to speak.
I kept listening to her cry. The warmth of her cold body left me lost in thought. My desire to protect her had never felt so intense. My blood pulsed just from seeing her like that.
"I... I saw her trying to kiss you," Flávia said, trembling, still crying, though without sobs.
"I turned away."
"I would never do something like that to you... Even though my fear let her get close, I'd never dare to betray you. Not even under the worst torture."
"I know..."
"But her... why is she like this? She raised all of us with brutality. I lived under her wings for so long... And now that I've finally escaped, she still tries to steal you from me?"
She spoke with eyes full of tears.
"Sorry... you saw me cry again," she whispered.
"Flávia," my voice came out serious, deeply honest, "how can you apologize for crying in front of me? You chose me, and seeing your love, I chose you too. Apologizing is almost like ignoring everything we've become."
I pulled her into a hug, onto my lap, despite the pain. My lips met hers.
"Flávia, I love you."
"Bruno... I love you even more," she replied, eyes misty with emotion.
"I know," I said with a small smile.
She rested her head against my chest again, speaking in a soft, sad tone.
"Bruno... I'm scared...
So many things. I always think I've grown, that I'm stronger, in control... but then something happens to show me I'm not.
I'm afraid of losing you, afraid she'll take you away from me. Afraid of never being free, afraid of not being enough for you. I'm scared, Bruno... of so many things."
Her voice was muffled against my chest. Holding her hand, I spoke without looking at her:
"When you're with me, don't be afraid. Think of me as always ahead of you. I'll never leave your side. Not again. You're so much more than enough, more than I ever hoped for. And even if something happens, I'd still tattoo your name on my skin, carve it into my soul, and live waiting for you."
"Always."
"Really?"
"Never without you," I told her.
Time seemed to slow. Flávia and I were in perfect harmony. She squeezed my hand like she was afraid to let go.
"I wish I had met you before...
I wish I had recognized you when I was still human. I'm sure I would've fallen in love all over again. And then, you would've stolen my heart twice."
"Really?" she asked, regaining a bit of her glow.
"Yes, definitely. A villainous little Bat who stole my heart on purpose... and still cries when she gets bullied."
I teased her, trying to lighten the mood.
"Bruno, I'm so glad I met you. You're amazing. I'm truly happy that you accepted me — sincerely, no jokes," she said, taking my hand and placing it on her heart. It beat like a strong drum, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.
Looking into her serious eyes, I kissed her slowly.
"Flávia... thank you for loving me. If you hadn't saved me...
If you hadn't loved me...
Know that I'll always be with you, no matter what. I didn't accept you — you changed me. You saved me, found me. You accepted me, even when I didn't feel worthy. And you gave me love and understanding. Thank you."
"Even if the world ends, and this is the end... every second by your side was worth it. Thank you, Flávia."
"Thank you, Bruno. Truly... it was worth it."
Together, we smiled at each other. I felt truly happy hearing everything Flávia had to say about me. Funny how the same boy who once burned with hatred was now in love, in a situation that would've once driven him insane.
"Sometimes, fate isn't so bad," I said aloud, leaving Flávia confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked, curious.
"Nothing. Things are just funny," I answered, playfully biting her neck.
"Ow..." she giggled softly.
"Bruno... remember when you mentioned the tattoo? I was thinking of—"
"No," I interrupted, already knowing where she was going.
"But it's just a small tattoo..."
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"You bully," she said, laying her head on my chest with a smile.
And that night, we talked about so many things we had never spoken of before.
Ahhhh...
In a faint motion, my eyes opened. It was already daytime. After spending the night awake with Flávia, we had decided to sleep for a while. And since vampires sleep little, and Tenebris has no real sun — only a false one — it's always better to wake with its arrival.
I was still in Flávia's room. She slept on my arm like a tired kitten.
Today, thankfully, I had no training. I wanted to spend the day with Flávia and Selena, but Selena was with her mother, far away.
So, it would be just me...
And the little Bat.