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“Honey?”
“Yes dear?”
Melly tried to hold back an amused smile as she looked at Alice, “I meant,” She said, “Did you want some honey with your tea?”
“Huh?” Alice's cheeks turned red with embarrassment, “I-y-yes, I'd like some honey…..thanks for asking.” She was unable to look at Melly’s gaze while she said so.
Melly simply smiled and added two teaspoons of honey into Alice’s cup, “Thank you for joining me for tea, Alice. I know you must be busy with your work too.”
“Oh it's no trouble,” Alice laughed, “And you know I'd never give up a chance to spend time with you, Melly.”
Melly laughed, and reached forward to tuck a strand of Alice's hair behind her ear, “Although it has been mere weeks….it feels like we have known eachother forever.”
Alice reached up to hold Melly’s hand before she withdrew it, “I know,” She said, with a sweet smile, “I think so too.”
The two women continued to look at eachother, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes, a silent exchange of affection.
Until it was interrupted by a knock on the entomologist's door.
“Mrs. Plinius?” The butler's voice spoke, “The lord has requested everyone to gather in the common space downstairs. Please, do come.”
“Understood.” Melly replied, and waited until the butler's footsteps faded away to look back at Alice, “I suppose we will have to cut our meeting short.” She said with a sigh.
Alice stood up and walked over to Melly, “Not necessarily. I am sure Mr. Orpheus and Mr. Krieburg will take some time to arrive as well. We can stay here a little longer until then.” She then placed her hands on Melly’s shoulders and leaned down, smiling.
The entomologist hummed and lifted a hand to wipe the side of Alice’s mouth, “I do suppose that is true.” She said with a smile, “No one is ever on time here anyways.”
“Right?” Alice laughed, and then paused to look at Melly. Her beautiful brown eyes were still fixed on Alice, watching, with an affectionate gaze.
Alice felt her face grow warm under those watchful eyes and she decided that she must act before her bashfulness rendered her unable to do anything at all. So she bowed her face, closer to Melly’s, and then kissed her.
Melly, pleased and expectant, put aside her cup to hold Alice’s face, easily relaxing into the kiss. She noted the faint taste of tea on Alice’s lips, coupled with the honey she had added just a moment ago. Very sweet. In a good way. In a way that Melly loved.
When Alice pulled away, not completely, still close enough that she could lick Melly’s lips and say, with a soft chuckle, “You taste like honey.”
Melly smiled, her hands still on Alice’s face. She placed a light kiss on her mouth and replied, “So do you, dear. Honey and tea. Certainly a taste I'd never tire of.”
Alice blushed, “Good.” She said, “Because I certainly want to make sure you don’t forget it anytime soon.”
Melly’s hands went down to wrap around Alice’s waist, pulling her over to make her sit on her lap, which Alice gladly complied with, putting her arms around Melly’s neck and kissing her cheek, “I hope I am not too heavy.”
“Dear, you are not,” Melly laughed, “I like having you close to me, Alice. Your presence soothes me in a way like never before.”
Alice kissed Melly’s forehead, “That’s nice to hear. I love having you around too Melly. In fact,” She pulled back to look at her lover properly, “I intend to keep up these timely visits to you even after we leave the manor, you know?”
“Of course,” Melly said, tightening her hold, “I’d not be able to stand it if you decided otherwise.”
“Why would I?” Alice shook her head fondly, and then paused to look into Melly’s eyes again, “I….” Her face colored, “I really, really like you, you know?” Oh what a coward she was. Still unable to say the word she wanted to say the most to the woman who had her heart.
Melly leaned her head on Alice’s chest, “I know,” She said softly, “I….really like you too, Alice.”
Alice hoped Melly couldn’t feel her speeding up heartbeat. She sighed, holding Melly close, “Let us stay like this a little longer.”
Melly smiled, and patted Alice’s back, “For as long as you’d like, love.”
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