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I hum.

“I don'tthinkanything, snowdrop.”

She scowls, and damn if it isn’t the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“Well, enjoy your little win. You clearly needed it.”

I push off the wall and take one step forward. She immediately backs up.

“You’re the one who made this a game,’ I murmur. “And now you’re upset because I’m better at it?”

“I’mnotupset,” she huffs, spinning on her heel. “I’m just done talking to emotionally unavailable snow-beasts, who have a habit of whispering snow erotica into people’s ears, and then leaving.”

“Your scent is still all over my fingers.”

She chokes and halts mid-step, like prey caught in a trap. “I could taste you right now if I wanted to.”

She spins back around, eyes wide. “Excuse me?!”

I shrug.

“Oh, I very much think you heard me, Lumi.”

“You—you—” she sputters, cheeks flaming. “You’re such a... what's the word for asshole in your language?”

I grin. It feels good to finally let go a little. To be the beast she keeps, and not the one who believes he’s not worthy.

“I tried to be patient,” I offer, “But you didn’t like that, did you, Saelûn?”

She cuts me off, and I can tell by the determined little look on her face that I’m not going to like what’s about to come out of her mouth.

Lumi-

I know better the second it pops into my mind, but I’m so worked up, I let it out anyway.

“Wonder if my stalker would make me wait like this?”

Silence. Complete, apocalyptic silence. I immediately freeze.

Dumbass.

Why do I do this when I know better?

The silence stretches an uncomfortable amount of time. I can’t see his face because I refuse to look up from the floor. His gaze feels heavy. Dangerous.

Fucking way to go, Lumi.

“...Andrik?” I try, nervously. “Okay, maybe that was a bit far.”

No answer.

The floorboards creak. Once. Twice. Three times.

He’s coming. God, thou art in heaven, or whichever one is listening right now. Please. I didn’t mean what I said earlier about you choking.

I can see the glow from his eyes, even though I’m still looking down.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt, already backpedaling, hands up like I can ward him off. “That was—I didn’t mean?—”