As morning came, I opened my eyes and saw Chris's leg drapped over my thigh as she clung to me. Absolutely adorable. I tried to move out from underneath her, but she stirred slightly, murmuring. "No, hubby. Five more minutes..." And then she snored lightly.
I chuckled, my heart melting at the affectionate nickname, I couldn't help but relax once more and let her have those five minutes. Actually, make them ten.
Nah, that's all I needed to fall asleep again and that became thirty more minutes.
After that I wake up to her whining to herself about going back to her duties, when in fact, actually sleeping through the night, while being human-ish feels better.
But inevitable I can't fall back asleep, and so she too can't. We just stay in each other's embrace looking at the ceiling.
"You know, this is nice, getting good sleep..." She commented.
"Yeah, and with your dreams... Can't escape me even in your dreams." I teased looking at her with a smug smile.
She looked at me confused before her cheeks turned light pink, her face expressing realization. "Did I say anything in my sleep?"
"Just called me hubby. I wonder what that implies. Say, what was in your dream?"
She didn't say anything for a moment, contemplating if she should tell. "We were getting engaged, ceremony and all... And then~" she didn't finish her sentence. I could guess though.
"Our honeymoon, or... consummation."
She nodded, keeping silent.
It's adorable how she reacts when I'm the one on the offensive.
I reached my hand up to cup her cheek, in that moment I got lost in her eyes which shined like twin amethyst jews.
"You are just as beautiful in this state as you are normally." And without another word I leaned in and kissed her gently - slow and sensational.
This pulled us into a bit of a longer session, just enjoying ourselves. I just couldn't help myself...
After all of this, I went out and got us some breakfast, I also got caramelized apples, because there's hardly any other sweet I found appealing.
I returned back to her and had breakfast with her, this time her not being it.
And so after this we headed out towards the Oasis Fortress; although she could go to the afterlife, she thought it'd be suspicious if she just vanished fully.
There she finally becomes her true self and leaves after a quick goodbye kiss.
With that it was time I made realize my blueprints. So I began with finding the place, made it next to the concrete factory, and I also moved(yes, literally - cut+paste type shi) the metal factory a bit closer to the concrete one, then making the rail part factories inbetween. My vision for this is a bit of a industrial complex, perhaps I could also add a trading route which is for a train that will come, get the stuff from this complex and then drive it to the stations to sell for cheap.
So with this done i personally placed the first few meters of rails before beginning to print the RailSetter, a simple train cart, an engine, that uses its rotation to periodically place the metal part of the rail and base of the rail.
So yeah, that's what I did all day, placing rails.
Then came the sunset, and so peace with my dear, nothing intense tonight.
From there it was just a cycle, work, home, sleep, Eris though, she searched for contact, more like affection, and I did not fail to provide her.
But one of those nights, I saw something far more vivid than the usual hazy dreams. It felt personal, I was back home, in Bulgaria, and what seemed to be Sofia... Or something similar, I can't quite remember, it has been so long since I was last there.
I sat in my luxurious apartment, on the balcony, and looked down at the glowing city. This feeling of ownership, although not official, I hold power here. I am a powerful man, a mutra(a mafia person), a corruptor.
I got a call from my right-hand man, about a new rival in the political field, with determination and ideals that would shake the world I have a built, so I let him know to know his place, a simple shakedown, and a few threats. I did that personally, to see his face, he had almost the same name as me, and the same face as me, but younger. He asked me why I do what I do to gain what I gain. And I replied "Because I can."
After this I wake up, wondering what the meaning of all of this is... That wasn't comfortable, I didn't enjoy this dream... Yet, I began to understand the desire to not lose power.
The day that came after was like any other - work. I got on the RailSetter and just continued from where I left off yesterday. Truly a lovely experience, if you are planning on pretending like you are doing something.
So yeah, after that I had another lovely night with my dear.
The dream after though, it was a whole different story - I was in Slunchev Briag, a place far closer to my home town, it was a cool night and I was being driven, along with my father, in a car that spoke of style. My father had a wide smile on his face, it's cause: his upcoming birthday. The outside was filled with neon lights, some from casinos, other from nightclub, many were from simple rent apartments. It all felt so distant yet so close. Honestly I would live here if it weren't so loud. My father? He probably would stay. Unlike me he is more outgoing.
"Eh, Svetlio, cheer up!" he barked without looking. "It's my birthday! We celebrate tonight! My boys are already there waiting!"
I nodded mildly. He didn't notice. He was too busy booming laughter at whatever joke someone told him over the call.
We pulled up to the curb where two shaved-head bodyguards stood like statues, parting the crowd as if Moses himself had returned. My father hopped out, instantly swallowed by greetings and loud voices calling his name.
He was in his natural habitat.
I stepped out more quietly. Immediately I heard him shout, "Brother! Look at you! Still alive, eh?" to someone across the lot.
An older man approached, tall, strong, grey in the beard but lively in the eyes. One of those uncles you aren't related to but are expected to call uncle anyways. He gave my father a firm hand shake and then a bear hug that cracked something.
Then he turned to me.
"And this must be Svetislav!" he said warmly, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a half-hug. "Last time I saw you, you were barely to my waist. Now look at you - same cold stare as your old man when he was your age."
I forced a polite smile. He saw through it but chuckled anyway.
"Come, let me introduce my daughter. She's inside."
Very nice, the lore must continue.
We walked through the crowd, past the entrance where a bouncer nodded instantly at the sight of my father. Inside the club, neon lights flickered across faces, the bass rumbling through my ribs.
And then...
She stepped out from the side of the hallway.
Velena.
Long silver hair like moonlight. Eyes purple, sharp, a little mischievous. Black outfit, not tight like the party girls around, but loose, comfortable, stylish in a quietly confident way. Purple lipstick - striking against her pale skin.
She looked nothing like the other mutra daughters who dressed like walking billboards for their fathers' wealth.
"This is my Velena. Be nice, eh?"
She looked like she chose her appearance deliberately. She gave me a small nod, then a tiny smirk.
"So... this is the infamous Svetislav," she said. "My father talks about you like you're supposed to be impressive."
I rolled my eyes. "Sorry to disappoint."
"Oh no," she said, leaning closer with a teasing lilt. "I didn't say you disappointed me."
Her father coughed in embarrassment and quickly excused himself to rejoin my dad. Leaving us alone.
She tilted her head toward the back of the club. "The young ones are over there. Want to hide with them until the old lions finish roaring?"
I shrugged, indifferent about my situation. "Sure."
We walked deeper inside, lights passing over us in streaks of violet and gold. The music got louder, the people got rowdier, but somehow Velena and I felt separate from all of it.
"Not your scene?" she asked.
"Not really." I shook my head as I sipped from my whiskey.
"Same," she said. "Too loud. Too many pretending."
She nudged my shoulder lightly. "But you're interesting when you're quiet, you know that? Like you're thinking about something smarter than all this."
"I'm thinking about leaving." I replied bluntly.
She laughed - light, unexpected, almost musical.
"Oh, you're fun," she said. "Dangerous type. The ones who don't buy into the glam. The ones who plan."
Her purple eyes glowed under the strode lights. "So tell me, Svetislav... what do you really want?"
The way she said it, half-flirt, half-test, pulled onto something inside me.
Before I could answer, she leaned closer, her breath brushing my ear.
"You know... if you're bored," she whispered, "I can find something interesting for us to do."
I looked at her, unamused.
She smiled wider. "See? I like that expression. Means you're tempted... just not convinced."
And boy was she right about it. Her teasing, her tone, her confidence - it all felt too familiar, pulling at me subconsciously.
"Come on," she said softly. "Let's see how long you can pretend you're not enjoying this."
And so the night dragged on. A few wiskeys later, the light weren't getting any dimmer.
The music vibrated throguh my bones, and Velena... well, something about her was getting under my skin.
It wasn't just lust. It wasn't just curiosity. It wasn't just the whiskey, either.
It was a pull. Pure gravitational pull.
Her teasing smirk, her little nudges, the way her purple eyes tracked every reaction... it was like she'd tuned herself perfectly to whatever frequency resonated with me.
I didn't know what it was. Didn't even try to label it. It just was.
We were sitting at one of the high tables, half-hidden from the wild crowd. Velena leaned toward me with that same mischievous glint.
"You're starting to loosen up," she said softly.
"And you're starting to enjoy this too much."
"I enjoy a lot of things," she whispered, brushing her fingers against the rim of her glass, "when the company is interesting."
I felt that one, deep in the spine.
Before I could answer, a stumbling idiot, another one of the younger guests, lurched over to us.
"Ey," he slurred, swaying forward, eyes locked on Velena. "Can I buy you a drink?"
I just looked at him and then laughed. I then looked at Velena, who was also trying to hold back a laughter. This man is too clueless.
"No, leave." She waved him off. "Shoo."
He blinked, confused, then scoffed and stumbled away.
We both were rolling on the floor laughing.
Then we finally regained control, just to sit there for a bit. Man this was boring.
"Wanna leave?"
Her lips curved into a victorious, slow, knowing smirk. "So I've finally tempted you," she whispered.
I gave a smirk of my own, shaking my head and standing up, though I would be lying if she didn't succeed.
We both stood, and as we walked toward the VIP section where our fathers were, Velena leaned closer.
"Try not to act too eager," she teased. "People might think you actually like me."
"I haven't decided yet," I shot back.
"Liar."
We approached our fathers, who were still laughing loudly, still in their own world.
"Ey, Dad," I said, "we're going out."
My father looked genuinely offended.
"But you didn't even get any cake."
"I'm getting another type of cake," I said confidently, "if you know what I mean."
The older men exchanged a look.
Valena's father smirked, nodding with clear approval.
"She's a good girl," he said. "Sharp. Knows what she wants. If she chose him... I'm fine with it."
My father grinned proudly. "That's my boy."
And that was that.
Velena's father snapped his fingers, and a tall, rugged man in a black jacket appeared beside us.
"Todor," he said, "you're going with them. Drive them, stay close, make sure nothing happens."
"Yes, sir." Todor replied giving a nod.
She sighed dramatically. "Oh, the royal treatment. Bodyguard included."
"Would you rather go alone?" I asked.
She leaned into my arm with a sly smile.
"No," she purred. "I like danger. But I like surviving it too."
With Todor leading the way, we stepped out of the club and into the warm, buzzing night of Slunchev Bryag.
The BMW hummed as Todor pulled away from the club, the neon lights dissolving into the rearview mirror.
Without any direction, I pointed to what first came to mind - Nessebar, another one of my favourites.
Todor parked next to the old church, allowing me and Velena to jump out and proceed with our walk. It was surprisingly quiet, I'd imagine there'd be some people, but there weren't. Maybe we are far too gone into a night.
Velena inhaled. "It's lovely, isn't it."
"It's one of the few pieces left untouched, at least for the most part." I said as we walked side by side, Todor behind us. "Like some relic. Or... reminder."
"A reminder of what?" she asked curiously.
"That things don't need to change to have worth," I answered. "Modern Bulgarian culture always pretends everything has to move forward, but here - I gestured around, - here's proof something ancient can still have magic."
"Sounds like you came up with it on your own."
"Yup..."
She chuckled lightly at my simple answer, a faint smile remaining on her face.
"It also reminds me of Bulgar."
She burst in laughter. "You? Watching Bulgar? That is... actually adorable."
"I'm full of surprises."
"I can see that."
We found a bench that was overlooking the sea. The shinning moon created a lovely path that swayed with the waves. We finally had our quiet moment.
Then she broke it.
"You know... for a moment back there, I thought you were just another pretender. Another boy trying to act like a man. But now... I'm not so sure?"
"How so?" I asked calmly.
"You're too real," she said simply. "And real people are rare."
After this we decided to take a walk through the Old Nessebar, drifting without a map, letting the stone paths and a few coin flips decide for us.
"So," she said after a while, "what kind of person do you think you are?"
I exhaled through my nose. "That's not a small question."
"I don't ask small ones."
I thought for a second, eyes tracing the uneven stones beneath our feet.
"I think i'm someone who hates wasting potential. People, places, ideas - doesn't matter. If something can be better, I want it to be."
"And if it can't?"
"Then I accept it," I replied. "But I won't pretend it couldn't have been different."
"She nodded, absorbing that. "You're not cruel, but you're not soft either."
"I don't see the point in either extreme."
"That explains why you looked like you wanted to throw that drunk idiot into the sea."
I just shrugged.
"My turn," she said enthusiastically as if this is a game she likes to play. "I think I'm someone who watches first. People reveal who they are when they think no one's paying attention."
"And what have I revealed?"
"That you don't enjoy power - you tolerate it. Use it. But you don't worship it."
I stopped, realizing that we are spinning in a circle.
She stopped too, but not for that reason. She turned to face me under the dim light of an old lantern. "That's rare... Especially where we come from."
We didn't say anything for a moment, and we didn't say anything after. I nodded back towards the direction of the caer and with that we turned back, heading straight for it.
The next place I wanted to go, along with her, - the beach.
The drive to the beach was quiet, the car keeping all the sounds out. There were people, because Slunchev Bryag never sleeps.
As we got our shoes and socks off and stepped onto the sands, I took a deep breath and opened my arms as if embracing nature. "This... is perfection"
Valene glanced at me.
"Nature doesn't pretend," I continued. "It doesn't posture. It just is."
I smirked slightly, then added: "Though I have to admit... the view gets even better when you're leading it."
She scoffed, but her cheeks warmed.
"Oh? Careful," she said. "Compliments might make me unbearable."
"I can handle unbearable."
She gave me a chuckle, after which we walked for a bit and stopped at one of the lounge beds. Velena leaned closer.
"So," she said softly, "if this is a dream... what do you want from it?"
I turned to her, my face snapping in position.
"Right now?" I asked with a charming smile.
She nodded.
And I answered honestly. "You."
That did it. All of this pent up energy that had been gathering since the moment I met her just came out.
Without a word she leaned forward.
The first kiss was gentle, teasing, curious. The second lingered longer. And by the third, her hand was gripping my jacket.
The world narrowed to warmth, breath, the taste of whiskey and sea air.
Each kiss grew deeper, slower, more deliberate, until the ache set in. The kind that demanded more than what restraint allowed.
Somewhere behind us, Todor cleared his throat loudly. I could tell it was pretty awkward for him.
We broke apart just enought to breathe.
"...Right," Velena muttered, forehead resting against mine.
Todor sighed.
"Miss," he said diplomatically, "your father gave me keys. For emergencies."
She looked at him. Then back at me. Her smile was dangerous.
"Well," she said, standing and brushing sand off herself, "this feels like one."
The pharmacy stop was quick and quiet.
The cashier didn't say a word. Neither did we.
Back in the car, Velena leaned against me, fingers tracing lazy patterns on my sleeve.
"So," she whispered, "still pretending you're not tempted?"
I smirked.
"Not anymore."
After that we got in the hotel room, the door clicking shut behind us.
She pressed me against it, lips already searching mine again, heat and intent finally unrestrained...
She leaned close, breath hot against my lips. Her fingers traced up to my shoulders, before suddenly pulling me into a deep passionate kiss. She breaks away only to whisper, "Finally."
I smirked, and with a teasing tone said: "All your efforts paid out, huh?" My expression was sly, tired...
She giggled softly, nuzzling into my neck.
This act brought me a sudden feeling of familiarity, though I couldn't tell from where.
"It took forever. You are quite the good actor." She teased back, as if it were always in her favour; it was.
Her hands started to wander lower, unbuttoning my shirt slowly. "But I always get what I want."
Slowly, I placed my hands on her waist, pulling her a tiny bit closer and staring deep into those violet eyes.
A soft sigh escaped her lips. "You should use those hands for something else..." She said, her voice soft and inviting, yet with that certain undertone of desire. Taking my hand, she led it lower to her hip.
I laughed sligtly. "You don't need to teach me."
From there another kiss commenced. Giving me the opportunity to slowly move us towards tthe bed. She fell softly on her back and I positioned myself above her.
She laughed into the kiss, her hands roaming over my chest and shoulders, exploring every centimeter of skin. "Show me then..." She challenged, arching her back slightly. "Make me forget my own name..."
I chuckled darkly, straightening up. My hips moves a bit forward and back, teasing, eventhough we are both still clothed down there.
She moaned softly, hips lifting to meet mine. "Fuck..." she gasped out. "You are going to make me soaked if we keep this up..." She whined playfully.
"I'm just preparing you for what's coming next." I replied, there was a certain commanding tone behind my voice.
Her eyes darkened with desire at my words, her core clenching emptily. "Then stop teasing and give it to me already..." she demanded. "Show me that side you've been hiding all night."
I tilted my head and smiled, she was so adorable, finally speaking her desires outloud. I pulled away enough so I could finish undressing.
Her eyes fell on me, hungry, her own hands moving to remove the last bits of barrier that is standing between us.
I grabbed the box of condoms I bought from the pharmacy earlier and put a condom on.
I looked back at her and smiled, feasting my eyes on her form. She was sitting in this open pose, waiting for me.
"You're staring..." She teased, runnign her hands down her own body. "Are you gonna do something about it?" Her fingers reached down as she began to play with herself. "Or are just gonna stand there?"
"You ain't reaching it far with just your fingers." I teased back, positioning myself right above her. Her hair flowing below her like a halo.
"Then fucking give it to me!" She snapped impatiently, lifting her hips off the bed.
I took hold of her hips once more before inevitable beginning the process with an inside thrust.
She threw her head back with a loud moan as I filled her completely. "Fuck yes!" She reached up and held onto my shoulders, nails digging slightly into my skin. "Harder..." She ordered breathlessly, already matching my pace eagerly.
I took hold of her chin and pulled her to meet my lips. Her moans turned into soft whimpers against my lips. "Mmmph..."
Her hair quickly became messy, and her makeup started to smear due to the rough treatment.
She wrapped herself around me as I sped up the pace. The bed started to shake violently with the force of each thrust.
Then I decided to take her in another position.
"Turn around." I commanded quietly as I pulled out.
She immediately complied, turning onto her hands and knees without hesitation. Her hair fell to the side. I put my hands on her hips and without as much as a warnign thrusted back in.
The sudden impact made her cry out loudly, her back arching as she pushed back against me. I continued as she sung her shameless demands. "AgH! Yes! Fuck me like that! Hard and fast!"
I gave her a light, playful slap on the ass, something in me as if snapping.
Her hands gripped the sheets underneath her as this continued on. Her moans drowning any other noise that might be.
I put my hand on the back of her neck and pressed the side of her face against the mattress, not rough enough though, I'm not trying to kill her.
Her moans were a sign of her complete submission, although it's quite obvious we are both here for one thing... To consume one another. That thought was like fire, but I couldn't see it, my own mind was too far gone.
This continued on for a few more minutes, before we both had that high that we so desperately chased.
And then everything went blank.
Morning came gently.
The sunlight filtered through the curtain, catching dust in the air. I was awake before I realized it, lying still, staring at the ceiling.
I felt... dazed.
Not confused. Not shaked. Just thoughtful.
Velena lingered in my mind, the walk, the kisses, the heat of her presence, the way she wanted without apology. The sex too... vivid, unrestrained, human in the most primal way.
I felt discomfort at first, but then I realized it. A piece of me still wants it. Oh, the pleasure.
I looked at Eris who napped next to me, the look of her calming my rushing thoughts.
Then I accepted it... That part of me.
As we sat down to eat, my breakfast remained untouched. Coffee too, though I'd been stirring it absentmindedly for a while now.
Eris, of course, noticed.
"You're awfully quiet this morning," she said gently. "And your coffee's going to get dizzy if you keep that up."
I smiled faintly. "It's nothing much. I had a dream."
She tilted her head in interested. "Oh?"
Although she didn't ask for details, I told her anyways. About it all, even about yesterday's dream and just how much about myself I learned from both.
Eris listened fully. There was no jealousy in her gaze as I mentioned Velena, whom I introduced to look just like her, but of course with slight differences.
"And what did you realize?" she asked softly when I finished.
"That I don't need to reject those parts of myself," I said. "That I can accept my darker impulses without letting them control me." I looked at her. "And the funny thing is... it only made you more beautiful to me."
Her breath hitched just so slightly, before we fell into comfortable silence.
She stared into her tea thoughtfully.
"...You know," she said, "I think I understand." She looked back at me. "Velena sounds like a version of me that has no restraint. Human. Passionate without being weighed down by responsibilities... I admit... I have lust too. I tempt you sometimes - on purpose."
I confirmed. "Like the first week."
Her cheeks turned pink instantly.
"...Yes... Like that."
"But what we have isn't lesser because it's gentler. It's deeper. Unconditional."
I reached across the table, taking her hand into mine.
"That's exactly why I cherish it, and why I think we'll enjoy it even more going forward."
She squeezed my hand and said softly. "...Then eat your breakfast before I decide to distract you again."