Work Text:
Rosa wasn't the type of person who overthink this much. She had a pretty easy going and orderly lifestyle. But ever since she found herself back in a romantic relationship (not since her flings during her college days), she can't seem to get her head out of a certain subject. Not to mention her boyfriend is none other than THE Vyn Ritcher.
Despite going a couple of months strong in dating the professor, she still finds it hard to read his mind and emotions, not that it was an easy task for anyone to begin with. One thing that had been bothering Rosa over the months is that kiss she shared during his declaration of love to her. She often–well more than often, a lot of times–replayed the scene in her mind, which still made butterflies flutter in her stomach. But recently she noticed that they had never kissed since then. Not that this is something she's desperate with (maybe a little) but it does make her think, did he like it back then? Was she a good kisser? He certainly was, Oh god it was an impulsive act, what if she crossed certain boundaries? Does he-
"Rosa?"
She blinked. The tea in her cup almost spilled but she managed to regain balance of the cup. Seems she had spaced out again.
She snapped back into reality. A lovely tea date Vyn had invited her to, on a beautiful afternoon. It seems Vyn had to pause his book, noticing his girlfriend was staring into space for a concerning amount of time.
"Something on your mind? Your tea had gotten cold, here I shall pour you a fresh one" Vyn took her cup from her hands.
"I'm sorry, were you saying something before?" Her cheeks redden from the embarrassment
"I was asking if you would want to help me tend the flowers after this"
"Of course, I'd love to help," she replied. She thought the activity might do her good in distracting her from her thoughts.
Setting down a fresh cup of tea, Vyn asked, "you haven't answered my question, what's been bothering you? You look so lost in your thoughts before"
Rosa took a sip from the cup to hid the red forming in her cheeks, she hoped he would drop the subject, it'll be too embarrassing to share her particular concern to him. "It's nothing, just some thoughts about a new case lately" she averted her eyes. It was a mistake to lie to the most renowned psychiatrist in Stellis, Vyn noticed quickly. "I don't think you're telling me the truth, love. What's it that has been bothering your mind? Maybe I could lend some help"
Rosa knew he could. He'd solve all her worries right then and there if he'd kiss her and tell her he likes it. But it's such a childish and trivial matter. Rosa felt like a teenager falling in love for the first time again and she didn't like it, well at least not all of it. "I'm sorry, but really it's nothing, i-it's fine" she stammered as Vyn inches closer to her seat.
"I really wish you would share your problems with me. We are in a relationship after all, but I won't push you on it. I'll be here if you are ready to talk" he gave her a reassuring look. "Okay" Rosa felt warm in her chest, how did she manage to score a man like him.
Soon after they finished their cups, she went to help Vyn tend his garden. She doesn't have much experience on it, but Vyn had explained much of it.
"Wait here, I'll go get the tools"
She stared at his roses, not fully bloomed but it had such a beautiful red hue. She reached for it and leaned for a sniff. Such an elegant scent, remind her of Vyn's when they- there goes her mind again. Subconsciously Rosa lowered her hand and grazed a thorn, "ow" she winced, a tinge of pain. Her reflex to pull her arm out only manages her to stretch the wound. She felt blood and saw it drip from her hand to the roses, just a couple hues darker than the flower. ‘Shit’ she thought, her wound was clean but deep enough to leave a scar.
"Here you should wear gloves to protect your- rosa what happened?" Vyn walked in view, shocked to see her state. He then rushed to her aid, dropping his gardening tool nearby, and taking her hand gently, inspecting her wound.
"I was being clumsy, sorry I think I ruined your flower" he frowned upon her response. "I am far more concerned about you.” he sighed and took another look at her wound, not much of an active bleeding, it was rather shallow but still at high risk for an infection. "Fortunately, the wound is not deep enough for you to need stitches but it could lead to a nasty infection if untreated, Let's get it disinfected immediately"
They head inside and Vyn tended her wound with his first aid kit. "Hold still this might sting a little" he applied the antiseptic solution to her wound, Rosa winced in response but did her best at enduring it. "Were you spacing out again?" He blurted suddenly. His question hits a bullseye. Nothing can escape him can it? "Err... Sort of" he frowned upon her answer. "Whatever it is that has been occupying your mind, it wouldn’t be nothing if you are deep in thought enough to put you in danger. Are you sure I can't be of help?" He finished cleaning her wound and gave her a concerned look. "It's nothing THAT important I can assure you, it's a silly little thought at best- ow" he applied some healing ointment "Sorry, this might sting for a while” he blew on the wound gently. Rosa can’t help but blush at the little action and averted her gaze elsewhere. “Now, I don't think something could be that silly that it caused you harm, hm? what is it?" he asked once more, trying to meet her eyes.
Rosa only sat there in silence for a while, still averting his gaze, contemplating, as Vyn bandaged her hand. He let out a defeated sigh, "well, i suppose it is fine if you need not my help on the subject the I shall-"
"The kiss" she blurted it out, there's no going back now.
"Pardon?" He stared at her confusedly, putting down her neatly bandaged hand gently. "In the manor back then, when you confessed" her face shades in red. "I kissed you so suddenly, it was an impulsive act, I just realized I could've crossed certain boundaries of yours, I didn't consider if you would want to kiss back then” Ah it's out, she silently prays to God to whatever may his answer be.
He chuckles, "this is what has been bothering you?" Rosa's face couldn't get redder at this point "don't laughh, I-i'm seriously thinking I did a grave mistake back then or if you'd like me less or think of me weirdly"
"Apologies, but I do recall that I kissed you back? Wouldn't that be proof enough that I consented to the act back then?"
Ah that's right, Rosa had been imagining too much for her to forget that detail. "So…” she paused, “You liked it?" she finally turned to face him. Might as well clear all of her thoughts that had been bothering her right?
"the kiss? Very much if I remember so" he leaned and smiled tenderly, relishing the memory.
"Then why hadn't you-" Rosa realize she was going to ask such an embarrassing question, her voice dimmed "-kiss me again since" the last part came out as a mumble but Vyn was in a close-enough proximity to hear her mumbling. He figured that he'd teased his rose a little more, "Hadn't I what?"
"Kiss me again since" Rosa half shouted in frustation, she had to cover her face at this point, her bandaged hand started to sting a little from the act. "I thought maybe you didn't like it or I was a bad kisser or-" her hand was removed from her face and her lips were greeted by his. Rosa's eyes grew, shocked, uncontrolled butterflies swarmed her stomach, but she gave in and kissed back.
When he finally pulled back, he whispered in her ears, "if you wanted a kiss, you could've just asked, my rose"
Rosa's brain short circuited for a moment and hid her face in his shoulder. She can't bring herself to face him. Vyn gently pats her head, to calm her down, while his heart also needs some calming.
After a while, Rosa grabs his arm, lifts up her head and stares at him, eyes full of determination.
"Do it again"
"As the lady wishes" Vyn said before their lips crashed once more, his hand cupping her face. Bolder this time, Vyn manages to slip his tongue in mouth between her gasps of air.
As things get more heated, Rosa's mind couldn't think straight, addicted to his lips as if she's under his spell. Drived by her instincts, she moved from the sofa to his lap, finding a more ideal position, but a dangerous one for Vyn. As her unwounded hand crept to the back of his head, Vyn confirmed where this would go, and he is certainly positive he is unprepared for it. So before he loses any more restraints he pulls back, earning a soft whine from her.
"I would give you more than a kiss, if you desire it, but I believe right now it is not the most appropriate time" he breathed. It is much too soon, too sudden, too... tempting.
He stared at her. His rose sitting on his lap, still basking in the post-make out haze. This picture of her surely would accompany him in his lonely nights. Rosa's mind was still blank and trying to process his words.
When she did snap out of it, she hurried up from his lap and sat next to him, a blushing mess. Her mind races as more of her thoughts crept in again, faster than before. This was a mistake, she felt so disgusted of herself for wanting more, he probably hates-
His hand on hers stops her thoughts. Rosa looked at him in his also post-make out haze, his glasses out of line, messy hair and crumpled up shirt. She can't help but blush even more furiously. “You’re doing it again, aren’t you?” Rosa is now convinced this man could read minds to a certain level. She thought those ‘psychiatrists can read your mind’ are just myths. Her silence answered his question.
“I was afraid” he broke the silence, fixing his glasses. Rosa stared confusedly “I was afraid I’d get addicted if I were to kiss you again” he caressed her face.
“And?” she asked, melting in his touch.
He ran his thumb over her lower lips.
“I was right”
- fin