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“I miss it when you were covered in blood and shaking.”
False turns around at the sudden voice behind her. She knows that voice and tone already, all smirking and smug. It’s Cleo, with her arms crossed, observing her, for God knows how long now. Why is she just walking around anyway, it’s like 2 p.m. everyone is working or whatever, well at least False is doing her job as minister of transport right now, making paths and roads and she had some business with Wels too apparently, so she’s busy.
“I’m sorry?” Is the only thing False can quickly come up with.
She is not ready for a conversation, especially with Cleo, especially a day after Demise. False has a lot of work to do and doesn’t want to be involved in any kind of shenanigans at least for some time, and those almost always come with Cleo, so…
False actually takes a second to think a little about what Cleo has just said, it’s kind of a good response… Well maybe not from her, because she knows exactly where this is going. And ridiculously it’s making her blush. It’s time for their monthly weird murder conversation, which usually proceeds a lot of unnecessary tension between them and then it might become either passionate kissing or an ugly physical fight, that False prefers to not think too hard about because then she gets a little to concerned about both hers and Cleo’s state of mind and relationship. What even are they at this point?
“Well you know when-“
“Also I wasn’t shaking at any point, I was very collected and calm.” False says flatly, as if it’s going to make her position in this conversation any better. She’s already giving in to whatever Cleo wants to hear from her.
Cleo laughs at that.
“Sure. Sure. And also didn’t run away the moment I saw you at my base. And didn’t anxiously check for traps every waking moment. And didn’t climb onto your “pillar of safety” every time anyone entered your vicinity.”
False rolls her eyes. Of course Cleo knows all of her already. They had the first row seats to watch her run around from bed to bed, never sleeping in the same place, and make sure to not stand still at any point around people. She hides her face with a hand, embarrassment (probably) ties a knot in her throat. She feels her face redden.
“Thought you had a job to do, no?” False retorts.
False’s hand falls to the hilt of her sword. It’s the sudden swirl of emotions that Cleo just seems to stir whenever around her. Now False is all: mildly frustrated, curious, flustered and maybe a little thrilled. It all just bounces around her head now.
False looks at Cleo. A proud smile grows on their face. Oh, they’re fully aware of what they’re doing to her.
“Wanted to congratulate you on the most recent victory of yours. No need to be so rude. Just couldn’t help but stare at you, all normal again.”
False decides to ignore the last comment.
Cleo chooses her words carefully. Like she’s trying to get closer to a wild animal. False can play that game too.
“Aww, go on then.”
“Well, I’m really proud of both Ren and you. Also I’m really glad he humbled Bdubs a bit. But most of all I’m glad you were the one to come out alive.”
That sounds really genuine. Almost makes something in False’s chest flatter, but she stays strong.
And then Cleo steps closer. False’s flight or fight instinct immediately kicks in and she almost jolts away. But Cleo’s hand secures her in place and so False’s hands unconsciously grab tightly at the hem of their shirt. They look each other in the eye.
“Calm down” Cleo says breathlessly, they grab the back of her head and bend even lower to whisper in her ear.
“I just love seeing you embrace your nature.”
The pull away. The same smile, baring sharp teeth.
False shivers and her breathing becomes heavier. She feels it within her bones, something boiling underneath her skin, it’s an urge to bite trying to make her give in to it. She needs to tear Cleo apart right now. Needs to punch her and taste their blood and get kicked back. But instead she just lets go. False is totally civil and human, and Demise is over so she doesn’t need to be mildly violent to people surrounding her anymore.
“Thanks, I guess. Now, go do something useful instead, will you?”
“Oh okay, I see. Well I guess I know where I’ll build another rubbish dump!” They say dramatically and turn away, starting to walk in general direction of their village.
The tension is not gone. It just changed into something better. Something more pleasant. False feels great. It’s the first things that hits her. And it’s strange to feel excited and ready rather than paranoid, however welcome. She loves feeling this sudden overflowing warmth.
“Well I won’t hesitate to get to back, y’know” False laughs. “I will kill you, by the way.”
“Okay! I will be waiting you then, yeah?” And they run off.
False smiles to herself, now all giddy. Oh how she loves talking to Cleo. The two of them will certainly spend an evening together, and False will make sure to fulfill her promise wholly.