Winter Swan

How could something like this happen?

The nasty fight was finally over, and suddenly, it was just Kail and Silje standing in front of the storage building. Silje stood in shock as she closed her eyes and wondered.

Why did she call out to Kail so desperately?

One thing she knew for sure was that as Kail walked away from her, she knew she couldn't survive the loneliness and the pain she would feel without him. At that moment, she felt like she could do anything to avoid being alone again.

That was why she screamed his name. And Kail came to her.

Silje looked at his face which was covered in blood. She hated him for such a long time that it was strange to feel this way about him all of a sudden. It was confusing.

When she didn't say a word, Kail raised an eyebrow. He asked calmly, "What are you looking at so intently?"

"It's just… there is blood on your face."

She didn't know what to say, so she told him the first thought that popped into her head. Looking closely at her, Kail gently took her hand.

"…"

When she didn't react, he took her hand to his burning cheek. He whispered softly like the wind.

"If you touch me like this, I think I will feel much better."

Silje didn't move her hand away. Instead, she caressed his face and they looked at each other silently.

After a long silence, Silje said something practical.

"I think the first thing I need to do is to help you stand up."

When Silje took his arm and helped him, Kail smiled at her sweetly.

"How obliging of you."

"Well, since this all happened because of me…"

Kail grinned and replied, "If you are going to help me, do it right. Grab me tight."

"What?"

"Put some muscle into it. And by the way, every time you talk, it echoes in my head."

Silje flinched in fear.

Was he hurt that badly?

He was indeed beaten by Felicien and the others, so should he go to the hospital?

Kail limped weakly, but he didn't stop and continued on with the help from Silje.

She felt weak herself, but Silje also felt lighter somehow. So many different and mixed emotions had poured into her for the past few weeks, and today, she was finally able to recognize and admit what they were. She still felt concerned, but she felt free, like a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

She had no regrets because it was her choice.

"What are you thinking about?"

Kail must've been studying her face. When he saw her thoughtful eyes, he smiled at her softly but gloomily.

He looked self-assured as usual. The way he looked at her was serious, but there was no demand in his eyes. There was no pressure for her into show him affection or verbally admit her feelings for him. He seemed happy just to be near her.

They entered the storage room and Silje helped him onto the sofa where Kail laid down and closed his eyes.

He seemed dead and Silje wondered, 'How long is he going to be like that?'

Silje smiled bitterly as she looked at him. As always, she couldn't predict what he would do next.

Suddenly, he reached out for her and guided her to the washroom.

"It's time to get washed up."

Kail pointed at his face covered in dried blood. Silje slowly turned to him and looked at him with her quiet black eyes. His beautiful green eyes were seductive like the aurora, and they were directed only at her.

Silje knew that this was her fate.

Her destiny.

Kail tested his feelings for her, and with the unexpected happening with Felicien and the gang, he confirmed that he was helplessly in love with her.

Kail continued, "You have blood on your face too."

He then turned on the shower. Warm water streamed down on them immediately and Kail caressed her cheek.

Silje wanted to tell him that it was not necessary, but despite her flinch, Kail continued to gently wash her face with his hand.

Silje said to him, "You don't have to do that. I can do it myself."

But Kail ignored her and continued to wash her face to remove the dried blood. A delicious tension enveloped them as his hand held her cheeks softly. His eyes darkened as he replied, "I just want to clean your face. That's all."

Ignoring her protest, he continued to clean her thoroughly and gently. He seemed to be determined to get all the blood off from her face.

Silje sighed and said to him, "I don't want this, but if you insist, then I must insist on doing the same for you."

She spoke confidently and reached out to him. When she started to wash his face, Kail laughed quietly. His lovely laugh filled the storage building and seeped into her heart.

"I would expect nothing less from you, Silje. I like it."

The blood on Kail's face was stubborn. She rubbed his face a few times, but she had a hard time making his face clean.

"Dried blood is harder to get off than I expected."

Silje didn't hesitate as she used both of her hands to scrub his face. Kail grinned and moved the shower head so the water fell on them directly.

A warm stream of water covered the both of them.

Dark wet hair and green eyes. As Silje felt his stare, this situation finally started to feel real.

In this small space, she was with him and he was with her.

She had never felt like this before, so it felt strange and unfamiliar. All she has experienced from school was fear and anger. She had never fallen in love before; in fact, she never really trusted anyone at all before.

Kail made her feel strange yet wonderful. His cheeks were hot from the shower water. When she was done with her task, Silje looked into his eyes without hesitation and announced, "All the blood is gone. You're clean."

Kail smiled faintly and he kissed her while burying his hands in her hair.

The room was quiet except for the sound of water falling. Silje breathed him in and it made her feel peaceful, warm, and oddly sad. Perhaps it was because she remembered the physical pain he had to go through that night because of her.

Kail said, "You washed my face for me, so I suppose I should show you my appreciation."

And with that, he kissed her again.

"…"

Silje raised her eyebrows.

Kail kissed her hungrily. His lips were soft and warm, and Silje closed her eyes. Kail took her into his arms and claimed her lips over and over again.

The steaming water continued to fall and finally, Kail panted and forced her lips to part. She felt helpless against him; she was a nobody and she caused him so much heartache and hardship. Yet despite it all, Kail still gave her all of him including his soul.

The way he looked at her was… overwhelming. He stared as if she was the most precious thing in the world to him. He was burning for her as he kissed her hard.

"Ahh…" Silje moaned.

His rough and demanding kiss made her weak.

Dammit.

Silje laughed at herself for being so helpless against him, but she wasn't angry or upset.

This was her choice.