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Yet another day passes at Oletus Manor, as the Survivors and Hunters tire themselves out match after match, after match. For some, each passing day felt more bleak than the last and that there was no hope left for them. For others, they’re just relieved they get to live to see another day. The night was serene and beautiful, the moon illuminated the dark exterior surrounded by dead trees and overgrown plants. The manor’s interior was no different, cobwebs filled each corner of the hallways with little light to brighten up each corridor, at least the bedrooms and bathrooms were in somewhat good shape.
Quinn grew tired of the endless matches she had to participate in, it almost always ended up with her either getting Terror Shocked in the middle of vaulting a window or barely making it out alive through the dungeon. The very few rare occasions she survived without a single scratch were mostly ones where nearly, if not all of her teammates were sent back to the manor. True, it was tiring to go through the same day over and over again; but at least she was surrounded by people she cared about, even if they didn’t feel the same way about her. She’d made several friends during her time here and bonded with both her fellow Survivors and Hunters, despite how many times she gave them an acid burn. She was able to keep her mind off of her past for the most part and feels better being here despite the current condition she’s in.
Quinn had finished yet another match, giving her teammates an opportunity by sacrificing herself. She spent half of the match being chased by Joseph, letting herself get knocked down as she rescued someone she deeply cared about. She was beyond exhausted once she was back at the manor, wandering around mindlessly until she stopped by the empty dining room, entering it and sitting down at the table. She’d lay her head down, placing the half full Erlenmeyer Flask near the edge of the table as she cooled herself down. The room remained silent, it was almost perfect for her to take a quick nap until someone would come and find her. Several seconds had passed, it didn’t take long for her to start drifting off to sleep until she was awoken by a pat on the back. Startled, she jolted awake, hitting her head against a candlestick and knocking over her flask. Luckily, the figure standing behind her caught it right before it hit the ground, a small portion of the solution staining the checkered floor. “You should be more careful with where you put this, you could have burned yourself you know.” the figure says, holding onto the bottle.
Quinn groaned in pain as she got up “I am well aware of that, my mind is quite dazed, however-” she paused mid sentence, realizing the voice of the person talking to her. She turned around to see Luca holding the flask in his hands before handing it over to her. “I believe this is yours.” he remarks, letting out a chuckle. Without hesitation, she pulled him into her embrace, sighing in relief as she held him close. “You’re alright! Did the others make it out? How are they?” she asks him. “They’re alright thanks to you, especially myself.” Luca responds, smiling as she hugs him. The two had been involved in a romantic relationship for several weeks, though Quinn was still adjusting herself to positive affirmations and the idea of having someone deeply care about her. She lets go of him, taking back her flask and readjusting her glasses, looking away so as to not show too much of her face, painted pink with embarrassment.
“My apologies if I was being overly attached, dear.” she remarks nervously, looking back at him. “No need to worry, darling. I loved every moment of it.” he says playfully, Luca always loved any sort of affection he received from his dear Quinn, despite how inexperienced or bashful she is with it, he’d always find himself smiling around her. Relieved, Quinn smiled and looked back at him, letting a quiet chuckle escape from her lips. “How did the match go, did you win?” she asks, placing his chin between her thumb and index finger. “Almost, we got a tie.” he responds, placing his arm around her waist. “Joseph knocked me down before I could get to the gate and chaired me, but Melly and Edgar made it out.” Luca slowly pulls her closer before briefly being pushed away. Quinn grabbed his face and pulled him towards her with a worried look on her face. “Joseph got you?! Are you alright? Does anything hurt? Did you break anything?” she bombarded him with these questions, pressing his face against hers before he grabbed her arm and giggled. “I’m alright, Quinn. I’m just tired from today’s match, that’s all.” he responds, smiling at her. “Darling, you know how much I worry.” she sighs and locks her fingers with his, pressing each other’s foreheads together. “I know, it’s what I love so much about you. I can assure you, I’m alright.” Luca says, grinning as the two embrace each other once more.
“If you’re so sure about it, then I trust you mon amour.” she traces her fingers against his face before letting go of him. “At least let me take care of you, dear. You look more worn out than you say you are.” she says, holding his hand. “If that’ll keep you from worrying too much about me, then feel free, darling.” he remarks, smirking. The two exited the dining room, roaming through the halls as Quinn led Luca. “So, where exactly are we going?” he asks as Quinn briefly pauses in her steps. “It’s a surprise. If I told you now, it wouldn’t be one anymore, would it?” she looks back at him, bashfully. “Just trust me on this, dear.” she says even more nervously before continuing on her way. Curious about this so-called surprise, he followed along, curious about what she had planned for them.
Luca sighed in relief as he stepped into the bathtub filled with warm water, nearly falling asleep several times because of how relaxing it was. Despite the condition of the other rooms in the manor, the bathrooms and the bedrooms were kept decent enough for any guests to stay in. “If you’re getting sleepy, we can always wait until tomorrow.” Quinn jokes, walking in wearing a white bathrobe with her long auburn hair down. Luca jolts awake, hiding his face in the water as she lets out a giggle. “I can’t help it if the atmosphere’s this relaxing, dear.” he jokes back, sitting up as Quinn sits down on a stool placed beside the bathtub. “Hold still.” she says before pouring a pitcher of water over his head, soaking his hair. “Are you sure you’re alright with this?” she asks hesitantly. “As long as it’s with you my dear, I trust you.” Luca responds, pushing his hair back to look at her.
Relieved, Quinn smiles as she picks up a bottle of shampoo, pouring it over his head. She ran her fingers through his hair as she massages his scalp. He sat calmly as he let Quinn take care of him, it was quite sweet of her to do something like this for him. It didn’t take long until Luca started leaning towards her, completely lovestruck as he lay his head on the edge of the tub. “Is everything alright, dear?” Quinn asks, holding her hands up. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, we could stop now if you want.” she says nervously, looking away from him. “My love, what are you talking about?” Luca asks, sitting up and grabbing her hand. “If anything, what you’re doing is sweet. You have nothing to worry about.” he says, gently pulling her closer as a blush spreads across Quinn’s face. “Right, of course! I just get a little concerned sometimes, I don’t want to accidentally make you upset or hurt you.” she says with concern in her voice. “I’m still not used to all this, Luca. It’s only been a few weeks but it feels like everything’s going by so fast and I’m afraid I might mess up something…” she turns away from him.
“I understand what you’re saying Quinn. It does feel like time flew by all so quickly, but your concern shows just how much you care, darling.” he reassures her, placing a kiss on her cheek. Luca chuckles as he watches her face turn a bright red with a bashful expression painted all over. “In all seriousness, you have nothing to worry about.” he says, caressing her cheek. “Do you really think so?” she asked reluctantly. “Of course, my love. You’re the most wonderful thing that’s happened to me ever since I arrived at this manor.” Luca smiles as he runs his fingers through a lock of her hair. Quinn smiled as she turned back towards him and placed a kiss on his lips, pulling away as his fang pierced her lip. “You’re too sweet, you know that?” she says, letting out a giggle. “I could say the same thing about you, sweetheart.” he smirks, placing his thumb over her lower lip. The two basked in the moment as the moonlight shone over them, Quinn continuing to spoil him with her love.
They left the bathroom several minutes after, dressed in their respective night garments as they lay in bed, holding each other close under the covers. “Thank you for making this night magical, darling.” Luca says as he lay against her chest. “Of course, my dear, I love you so much.” Quinn responds, placing a kiss on his forehead, the two giggling. “I love you even more, darling.” Luca remarks, twirling a lock of her hair. The couple slowly drifted off to sleep as silence filled the manor. The night was peaceful, offering them and many others living within the confines of the manor a momentary bliss. As the night passes, the cycle continues; they win, they lose, and they love.