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Finally, Nandor’s sighing and whining wasn’t the only thing that could be heard in the vampire residence on Staten Island. The clack of heels on the hardwood floor resounded as Nadja was pacing around the mansion frantically. She passed by the library room, hearing some noise there and went inside only to find a disheveled looking Guillermo, resting on a chaise longue, turning in his sleep. After looking around to make sure there was no cameraman near her, she bent down to take his glasses off and set them on the nearby table. If anyone actually recorded this, she could always claim she doesn’t want her club’s accountant to steal more money for a new pair of glasses and it definitely wasn’t an unprompted act of kindness.
It wasn’t Guillermo who she was looking for, so Nadja left the library. Her search proved to be successful as she entered the fancy room and noticed the familiar head of blonde waves from behind the furniture.
To be completely honest, Nadja didn’t fully realize how poorly she had been treating the Guide until she actually mentioned it in their previous conversation with Nandor. What was bizarre about the situation is that she wasn’t unfamiliar with lashing out at people just to let go of her rage, mistreating her coworkers and acting aloof at all, yet this time it truly didn’t feel right. She would have killed anyone who would acknowledge it, but this time Nadja did feel a tingle of guilt.
Her first impression with the Guide wasn’t even remotely good, the beginnings of their companionship weren’t exactly a walk in the park. When she took over as leader of the local Vampiric Council, the Guide thought she was going to lose her bloody mind, to be honest. However, as time passed, the two developed a sense of mutual understanding and started to grow on each other. With them spending most of their days together, working at Nadja’s club, it was only a matter of time for them to become, well, good friends.
Nadja enjoyed the Guide’s company, admired her straightforward work ethic and the way she took no shit from anyone (except from her, maybe). After her therapy sessions with Laszlo she clearly let loose a little, which made Nadja’s affection for not only her as a coworker but as the person they really were, grow even further. What was most satisfying to Nadja was how loyal she was to her, how she would do the things she asked for with minimal complaint and sometimes, she pondered upon how far she could go. What could be the thing that the Guide would deem as too much, or would she actually do anything for her?
Apart from the memories of what Nadja did to her that could be considered treating her like shit, what also lingered in her mind was what she said, that all she wants to do is please her . It was endearing, her eagerness to help and serve her, but oh, did Nadja think about it in another context. Perhaps she could address that later, but for now, it was time to sort things out.
There was some quiet chatter coming from the fancy room. The Guide turned her head as soon as she heard footsteps approaching. Nadja crossed the room to stand in front of her, noticing her doll seated in front of the vampire, on a patterned pillow of the armchair, having some conversation with her. She took in the sight of the Guide, looking as majestic as she always did in her long black gown, with her silky hair. Her expression was peaceful, a lopsided smile that revealed the tip of her fang gracing her face. Nadja kept her stare focused on her as she sat down on the sofa next to her. The room went silent for a while, until she spoke:
“So, about what you said earlier…”
“I didn’t actually mean to say that, mistress Nadja,” The Guide turned to her, crossing her legs, and flashed her teeth at her in a nervous grimace, “It just slipped.”
“No, what is said is said,” Nadja shushed her, as she held up her palm, “And you certainly do have your reasons to feel this way.”
The blonde vampire quirked an eyebrow in genuine confusion. Her boss never talked to her like that, never expressed any concern about how she’s doing and how she feels, at least not directly, just in ways Nadja would like to pretend the other did not notice. She was curious about where this conversation is going, and she wasn’t the only one, as the doll watched them, mumbling something they couldn't really hear.
Nadja couldn’t believe herself, swallowing her pride and trying to apologize to somebody who works for her, when she might as well have just ignored the way they felt and carry on with more orders but some odd force made her really want to make this right. Therefore, she inhaled a sharp breath she didn’t need and braced herself.
“I do appreciate you,” she admitted, twisting her lips in a half-smile, half-grimace, “And I apologize for acting otherwise.”
She could see the Guide’s eyes light up at the praise and realized that sight and the way it stirred something inside her, could be worth her unspeakable humiliation. Frankly, the Guide’s wide-eyed gaze was truly adorable. So were the many ways in which she twisted her face, just like right now, as she looked absolutely dumbfounded. Concern washed over Nadja as the other remained completely silent. There was truly something extraordinary about that Guide, something to make the merciless Nadja of Antipaxos worry about whether she said something wrong.
“What?” the dark haired woman frowned in question.
“I’m just… so surprised,” she finally spoke, her lips morphing into a pout and Nadja’s mind trailed off to how good that lipstick looked on her, “You admitted to doing something wrong, I can’t believe it!”
The Guide let out a chuckle, a way too pretty sound in the current situation, very unhelpful to Nadja, who wished she could wipe that stupid grin off her face.
However, she was right, so all the younger vampire could do is roll her eyes and sigh with defeat.
“Yay, kiss and make up!” the doll in front of them exclaimed in her usual melodic voice, “Seriously, I mean it.”
Nadja turned her face to her doll and scoffed at the remark. The doll was practically her, after all, so obviously, she knew what she truly wanted.
She wanted to pretend she didn’t just hear that, but as she turned back to face the Guide again, she realized her face was closer to her own than it was before. The feeling of a breath on her cheek and the way she could see herself in the depth of her eyes only confirmed it. When the Guide looked into her eyes like this, breaking the eye contact only to peer at her lips, Nadja felt like she could melt under the intensity of that stare.
Her apologizing and simply the way the Guide’s actions could make such a strong woman as herself feel defeated, and for fuck’s sake, even a bit shy, made her think that it’s about time she took matters into her own hands.
Precisely, her hand cradled the Guide’s cheek and she made the effort to stare back at her with even more intensity, until she tilted her head and her eyes went shut as their lips brushed against each other. The feeling in her chest made Nadja realize just how much she longed for this moment and now, finally, her tender lips were on her own and her Guide was ardently kissing her back. She could feel a palm placed on the back of her neck, slightly stroking her hair. The Guide let out a delightful gasp when Nadja sucked on her bottom lip a little too hard and in response, ran the tip of her tongue against the back of her lip, licking her teeth ever so slightly. It was enough for Nadja, craving every last bit of this exquisite connection, to deepen the kiss, her tongue sliding into the other’s mouth, in attempt to make the most of this pleasure. The most gratifying thing for Nadja was the way the Guide moaned against her and she made sure to return that satisfaction with a deeper, more throaty sound.
In that moment, it felt as if they were one, so much that there was some sort of emptiness inside them as they pulled back. Brushing her fingers through blonde curls, Nadja’s face was graced with a warm, sweet grin and the Guide returned it after placing a quick kiss to her cheek. Both of them could hear the doll cheering for them in the background.
The apology was definitely worth it, Nadja figured.