World After Worlds

Yanarym heard the situation from Guide-sama, she shrugged her shoulders and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was done washing, her hair was still damp but she dried it enough for it to stop dripping. Put blushes on her pale cheeks, pink tint on her lips, some eyeshadows, and a short line of ink of her eyes to act as an eyeliner. She stared at herself for a second and smiled at gratification seeing her natural beauty enhanced. The original was already pretty, but upon discovering how much Kraig liked her pretty face, of course she had to use it as leverage to drag that man into the abyss of 'love' or so she might call it his doom?

She purposely disheveled her hair and dress and did not put her sandals correctly, took her books on the study table, and accidentally spilled her ink in the bottle on the table. "... I'm beginning to become a real klutz," she said and looked at her dress that had dribbled with black ink. It didn't look bad so she had not troubled herself to change into something else. Using the scratch paper on the drawer she lifted the bottle of ink and cleaned up the surface. Matteo would surely clean this later for her so she did not bother to thoroughly wipe it.

She jogged to the spot she was standing on. She lacked exercise—'actual' cardio so she immediately ran out of breath. Feeling that she looked fresh but obviously in a hurry, she opened her door and rushed to the salas or living room where the two men were at. The tension between Matteo and Kraig lessened as her presence arrived, they seemed to want to hide the fact that they had an under-surging conflict.

She smirked at the thought, probably, Matteo didn't want to get scolded for being caught getting jealous. However, Kraig had a reason why he concealed his true emotion as well. He was standing on guard, he was on a defensive stance on her. It might seem Yanarym had him in her clutch but he was way too far out of her reach. Though two months was a short period to determine his affection, judging from how easily he had given in to his carnal desires, she presumed it would be easier for her to conquer his heart. She should have known, love had a different deterrent from lust.

"I'm sorry! I did not wake up on time! Did you wait too long?" Kraig shifted his eyes on her and smiled. Her hair was messy, she was holding books and she wasn't wearing her sandals properly. The straps of her dress weren't tied neatly.

"No need to hurry, I told you to take your time." When she reached out to kiss his cheek as her greeting he crouched over and slipped his fingers on her hair, and brushed it gently. Stealthily glancing in Marcus' direction, Marcus caught him taunting and he just grinned in the contentment of annoying him.

"But we'll be late if I don't hurry, sorry..." He smiled and untangled the dress strap.

"I'm fine, silly, I had fun looking at your baby photos, you were adorable." He leaned to her, "But you're much beautiful now."

"Don't joke around!" Her cheeks flushed into beet red, his smile widened. She is not wearing an undergarment? He unconsciously concluded after knotting into ribbon the straps. He took her books and temporarily settle them on the couch next to them. He paid attention to her sandals, he looked down and squatted on the floor. "Why do you even fetch me every day? What did I tell you? I keep telling you that you should wait in the academy. Going to my house will cost you time and energy." She placed her hand on his shoulders to get support as he scraped her feet and made her properly wear her string strap flip flop.

"And what did I reply to that? I keep saying that I want to see my girlfriend first thing in the morning, why are you antagonizing that?" He looked up to her and she was still blushing, she pouted her lips as for her reaction to his response.

"I don't want you to be exhausted because of me…" when he was done, he stood up and dropped his lips on her forehead, he had a whiff of her mild citrus scent. She was wearing perfume today. "Are you listening?" He wrapped his arms around her little waist.

"Yes, Love."

"You are not…" he looked at the living room and Marcus was out of sight. Good.

He smiled mischievously and whispered to her ear, "I am, you know, I'm young. I can walk, run, hop, and do many physical activities—I won't get so tired. Not so easily, if you know what I mean."

"Love!" He laughed at her adorable outburst.

"I'm just saying, don't worry too much. I like fetching you here. It's been weeks since I have been doing this. It has become my routine now, and a little warm-up won't be so bad, right?" He cackled and her cheeks grew redder.

"Stop it!" Pushing his chest, he caught her arm and drew her in. Wrapping his arms around her petite frame, she looked up to him with sparkling eyes  "Kraig!"

"You forgot my lip-kiss." She pressed her lips shut before she tiptoed to reach his lips to smooch. "We should probably go. I bet you are not full yet. Let's eat at the bakery. I brought some pasta." He held her hand and took the box of pasta on the table and took the books.

On the way to the door, Marcus showed himself again and walked towards Yanarym without taking a glimpse of Kraig. "Take care," Kraig heard him say and kissed Yanarym's left cheek, almost kissing her lips. That made Kraig stare at them dumbfoundedly but it appeared like it was nothing to the two of them. Yanarym even smiled at Marcus and waved her hand before pulling him into the house.

"What did you bring? Marcus gave me toasted bread, do you think it will be a good combination with the pasta?" She innocently asked him, Kraig blinked his eyes to wake himself up from bewilderment.

Do they kiss regularly? It was so casual for them. Yanarym was not acting guilty or confused with what Marcus did. So it was normal for them? He saw her kiss Marcus' cheek a few times but the way Marcus kissed her was so… passionate.

He would always wait for her outside the house so he had no idea what Marcus would often do to his girlfriend before she left for the academy. Kraig redirected his eyes to the paper bag she was holding, Marcus gave that to her. Kraig wanted to burn that thing to ashes.

He inhaled sharply and shifted his eyes on the road, he should not put any malice on that. Yanarym see that as a friendly gesture, there was no meaning behind that fucking kiss but… he wanted to scold her. He wanted to tell her to not allow even Marcus to be intimate with her. That he was the only man allowed that could kiss her cheek! He wanted to get angry because he had the right to tell her what to do or not to do however if he did—

"Love," her mellow voice echoes in his ears, causing him to cease his wild thoughts. Halted her steps, which made him stop walking too. She strode to his front and she was concerned with his odd behavior. "What's wrong? You suddenly become quiet." He looked at her eyes and it was more frustrating because she looked so innocent! Like she had done nothing wrong!

"Do…" Marcus always kisses you? That was what Kraig was about to ask but he held his breath, he had strained himself for a long time, he couldn't afford to tell her he was jealous of what Marcus did to her.

"Do? Do what?"

For god damn sake, Kraig, it's just a kiss on her cheek! Let it go! He rebuked his thoughts. "Nevermind, let's go."

"No, tell me what's wrong. Something is bothering you." She uttered concernedly but seemed to be dejected seconds after his silent response. "Can't you tell me? You were fine before we left the house."

Kraig clenched his jaw and showed her a big forceful smile, "It's alright, I just remember something sad." He said and she was not convinced but nodded. Like what she always did, respect what he wanted for her to do. But it did not feel right. Kraig swallowed a chunk feeling something squishy on his chest. It was very uncomfortable.

She began to walk again but he held her hand tightly and remained on his spot, when she turned to look at him, "When will Marcus leave, Rym? Did you not tell me he would be gone sooner? When is that?" He aggrieved, squeezing her hand tightly.