Chapter Text
“Orpheus,” She half-sobbed into the telephone the next morning.
Alice was back at her apartment. There were no guests. That had been a lie which she was going to feel very guilty about once she ranted out her current predicament.
“Alice?” On the other end, Orpheus sounded very worried, “What happened?” As if remembering something, he added, “You were visiting Mrs. Plinius yesterday, yes? Did something happen there? Did she do something?” His voice held a hint of danger as he enquired the last part.
“No, it’s not her,” Alice sounded distraught, “It’s me!” She declared with a wail.
Orpheus did not speak for a couple of seconds, “Alice, can you tell me what happened?”
Obviously Alice couldn’t tell him everything so she stopped fretting for a brief moment to speak properly, “I think I am in love with Mrs. Plinius.”
There was a loud clatter on the other side, followed by a long silence.
When she finally heard Orpheus again, it sounded very much like he was taking a deep, pained breath, “Obviously,” He began, “It is very brave of you to tell me this. I support you and you loving women would not change anything because you are still my sister and I care for you. But,” Orpheus’ tone turned pleading, “Does it have to be Melly Plinius? There are plenty of other women you know-”
“Orpheus.” Alice interrupted him, “I-I am very grateful that you are taking this very well.” She really was, had she not been on the verge of losing her mind because of panic, she would have cried a little at her brother’s easy acceptance, “As for my feelings towards Mrs. Plinius- I am afraid I may have been in love with her for a while now. Yesterday simply happened to be the day I became aware of it.”
“So what you are saying,” Orpheus’ voice turned tired, “You are too far gone.”
Alice blushed on hearing that. Why did that make her sound more pathetic than she actually was. Which was none at all. She cleared her throat, “I do not know what to do. Yesterday, I choked on my tea and burnt my tongue in front of her. Do you think she sees me as a fool?”
“Given your past interactions with her, I highly doubt it. She seems to hold you in high regard.”
“Well, yes….but….you know…..I was very embarrassing yesterday.”
“Did she look disgusted? Or angry? Or that she wanted you out of there?” Orpheus already knew that the answer to all his questions would be in the negative. It was very mature of him how easily he was accepting his sister being in love with the one woman he wished she wouldn’t have been.
Alice thought back on it. Melly hadn’t had any of the expressions Orpheus described, “Well no, she was-” Alice paused. Melly had looked sad. And a little hurt. Had her departure been that abrupt?
A realisation struck Alice. She covered her mouth in shock, “Oh my god, Orpheus,” She said, horrified, “I have made a huge mistake.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Alice stood up, still holding the receiver, “I need to see Melly right away.”
“What?! It’s still morning. And have you seen the weather? It’s bound to rain soon. It will take you at least until afternoon to get there-”
But Alice had already left the receiver hanging to freshen up and get ready as quickly as possible. She grabbed her coat and tied her hair up. There was no time for her to waste, she wanted to act quick.
On her way out, she picked up the receiver to say, “Sorry, Orphy, I’ll catch you later. I need to hurry now.”
“I- at least take an umbrella! It’s gonna be pouring. Alice, Alice? Alice?!”
But the journalist was already gone, leaving the novelist's voice echoing in an empty room through the reciever.
*****
Did Alice regret not taking an umbrella? Maybe but that was something to ponder about later. Currently as she made her way to Plinius estate, all she could think about was how foolish she had been the day before.
Melly had opened up to her. Told her something she trusted only Alice with. And while Alice had forgotten all about Melly's confession regarding her husband's death yesterday in all the frenzy of realising her own feelings, Melly must have not. Hence, watching Alice fumble and excuse herself so abruptly must have left Melly wondering if her earlier conversation was what had led to the sudden avoidance.
Alice recalled the hurt look on Melly's face. Did she think Alice had been trying to leave because of that?? The thought made Alice feel ill. She'd hate it if Melly began to doubt her friendship and trust in Alice all because of a misunderstanding.
So when the journalist had nearly thrown herself on the front door of Melly's home, drenched and soaking, knocking with all the strength she could muster, she was sure she had likely looked like a pathetic wet feline on the entomologist's doorstep when the said woman opened her door.
Melly's eyes widened, her face was a mixture of shock and disbelief, which all quickly melted away to worry when she realised the state Alice was standing in.
“Alice?! This- you, get in, quickly. You are shivering. Quick. It's freezing out there.”
Indeed, the journalist was trembling like a leaf on a branch on a particularly windy day. With a shaky smile and a weak voice, she muttered a thank you and followed Melly into the house.
Melly took her to a bedroom with a lit fireplace, instructing a bunch of startled maids to prepare the guest room and a change of clothes for the poor Miss DeRoss who was following her, leaving puddles of water all over the floor in her trail.
She then asked Alice to sit on the armchair by the fireplace and brought about a thick blanket to cover her, while handing her a steaming cup of tea, “Drink it while it's hot, it will help with the cold.”
Alice accepted it with a smile and took a sip, resisting the urge to wince as the steaming liquid made her all too aware of the burns on her tongue again.
Melly didn't notice the brief look of pain that crossed Alice's face. She sat down on another nearby chair and looked at Alice with a very disappointed look, “This was a very poor decision, Alice. The weather had been dull since dawn, surely you must have expected a downpour when you left, why did you not bring along an umbrella? On second thoughts, why did you go out on such a stormy day at all?”
Alice was not used to Melly's scolding tone and the correct course of action currently would obviously be to feel remorseful and apologise for her foolishness. But to Alice, who was feeling a little too happy just being in the presence of Melly, she only smiled sheepishly, “I really wanted to see you.”
She couldn't tell if it was the light casted upon Melly's face by the fireplace, or if there was really a vague sort of redness spreading on her cheeks, but Melly cleared her throat, “You could have waited until the storm had blown over.”
Alice set her cup down, her eyes fixed on her hands fiddling with the hem of the blanket wrapped around her, “Sorry, I couldn't wait…..it was important….”
Melly opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by a knock on the door. The entomologist stood up to open it and spoke a few words to the maid standing on the other side. When she was done, she turned around, “The guest room and a new change of clothes have been arrange-”
Before Melly could finish her sentence, she was startled by Alice's sudden movement of approaching her and clasping her hands. Melly looked up at the other woman in surprise, “A-Alice?”
“Melly,” Alice breathed out, “I need to tell you something.”
The journalist was a little too close. Melly was an inch or half taller than her and yet at the moment, it felt like Alice was towering over her. Her hands wrapped around Melly's were warm, a result of the hot tea she had been holding earlier, perhaps. But that was not what Melly was mostly focused on now, it was the fact that Alice took another step close to her, allowing her to view the journalist's determined face up close. Alice hadn't untied her drenched hair yet, but some strands had come loose anyway and were framing her eyes. Her beautiful eyes, the color of hazel nuts, Melly had always found them so enchanting. The curious spark in them whenever something caught Alice's interest. It was intriguing to observe.
But right now, there wasn't a spark in Alice's eyes, there was something much more brighter, more intense. A passionate fire. And it was directed at Melly.
The intensity of Alice's gaze made Melly blush and look away, “I-is everything okay?”
Alice took another step and Melly found herself subconsciously stepping back, except behind her was the door, her back was pressed against the door. There was no more space to back away into.
Melly wasn't particularly worried or scared. She knew Alice would never hurt her. She was just confused.
“Melly,” Alice repeated again, “About yesterday-”
Melly's confusion turned to panic, “We-we don't have to talk about yesterday.” She didn't want to. She was scared of what Alice might say.
“No, please, listen. Yesterday, I-” Alice hesitated, her cheeks coloring red, “I happened to realise something.”
Melly's expression turned uncomfortable, “Alice you don't have to-”
“I am grateful for your trust,” Alics said as sincerely as she could, “And I trust you.” Truth be told, Alice had long suspected what Melly had told her yesterday but never once did she antagonise Melly for it. All the months she had spent with Melly had made her realise that Melly was a smart, empathetic woman. Anything she'd do wouldn't be without a justifiable cause.
But that was not what she had come to discuss here. Melly was looking at her, eyes wide and waiting.
Alice took a deep breath, “I know I acted a little weird yesterday. I am very sorry. It had nothing to do with what you told me. Though I understand if it had come off like that.”
A relief like no other spread through Melly, “I- do you mean it?” Melly hadn't had a wink of sleep wondering if she had scared Alice off with her revelation. She had been terrified at the prospect of losing the only person who had ever come close to understanding her. The only person she had trusted with all heart. Alice was too special to her. The thought of losing her made Melly distraught.
But now, with Alice assuring her and talking so genuinely, Melly felt hopeful.
Alice tightened her hold on Melly. The room was dark, the only light being from the embers crackling in the fireplace.
“I mean it.” Alice said confidently, “And,” She paused before saying the next words, “There is something I must confess to you as well. It has to do with my realisation yesterday.”
Melly swallowed, anticipation bubbling within her, although she herself was unsure why.
“Yes?” She said.
Alice opened her mouth and closed it, her face growing redder by the second, “You know I just realised I didn't quite think about what your response could be to what I am about to say to you.”
Melly blinked at Alice and let out an amused laugh, “Well, shouldn't you tell me then? You will get your answer if you do.”
“W-well, yes,” Alice stuttered. She looked into Melly's eyes again, “Melly,” her voice was low, scared.
Melly took the initiative to pull Alice even closer to her, their hands still clasped between them, “Tell me, Alice.”
Alice swallowed. Melly's face was so close to hers. The rich scent of honey was reaching to Alice's senses again.
“Melly….I am afraid my adoration for you may have reached far beyond friendship.” Her heart was pounding. She was scared, but she had to continue.
Melly watched Alice in surprise as the latter went on, “I do not know when…..but it seems I have fallen for you. Romantically. I am in love with you.”
Alice bit her lower lip, assessing the reaction her words might have on Melly.
“O-oh,” Melly was blushing. Such a sincere confession. And from a person she cherished so much. Although she herself wasn't sure of where her feelings for the journalist lay, she was sure it wasn't far off from what Alice felt for her. It was unbelievable to think so.
Alice looked at her expectantly, her eyes holding hesitation and uncertainty. She really looked adorable sometimes.
Melly smiled, “That was very brave of you Alice.”
“Oh-uh, th-thank you…” She averted her eyes, bashful.
Melly freed her hands from Alice’s grip, making the latter panic for a brief moment, until it was replaced by surprise when Melly placed her hands on either side of Alice's face.
Alice looked at her questioningly and Melly pulled her face close, “Are you not going to seal your confession with a kiss?”
Alice's blush deepened, she stammered, “I-I….c-can I?”
“Of course.” Melly murmured and without waiting for the other woman to say anything, she pulled her even closer and pressed her lips against Alice's.
The journalist was caught off guard. She had no prior experience in kissing, but she still tried. Closing her eyes, she pushed herself against Melly, letting the older woman guide her mouth. Her hands rested against the cool wooden door on either side of Melly. Melly's hands were still on Alice's face, keeping a firm grip as she continued to kiss her.
Alice felt her mouth part open, letting Melly's tongue intertwine with her own.
And then she pulled back with a hiss of pain.
The abrupt action threw both of them off. The two women just looked at each other for a moment. They were still standing close. Melly looking at Alice with a curious look while Alice looked back with an embarrassed one.
“I-” She started.
“Yesterday,” Melly said, calmly, “You burnt your tongue, didn't you?”
Alice laughed weakly, even more embarrassed, “You noticed?”
Melly sighed, “It was hard not to. You poured down a cup of steaming tea down your throat.”
Alice flushed in embarrassment. She wasn't exactly sure how to save her image in front of Melly currently.
Luckily for her, Melly simply brushed her thumb against Alice's lips and looked at her with a gaze full of love, “They say honey helps with burnt tongues you know.”
Alice leaned into the touch, catching Melly's affectionate gaze with a loving look of her own, “Really? Then surely you wouldn't mind demonstrating it to me?”
Melly's eyes twinkled in amusement as she leaned forward and planted a soft, short kiss on Alice's lips, “After you get changed, you will catch a cold if you stay like this any longer.”
As if on cue, Alice turned her face away from Melly's to sneeze. Feeling the shivering cold much more than before, the journalist wrapped her arms around herself and said in a weak voice while smiling, “Ah I think I already am.”
++++