Chapter Text
It’s half-time in the game. Or something like that. In fact, you've never been a fan of sports, but you won’t complain if it's the perfect excuse to have a hot woman sitting next to you.
You and Ell have been hanging out for months now. If by 'hanging out' you mean phone calls at two a.m. to tell you she's alone in her apartment and almost demand you come over to have sex with her.
And it’s not that that it bothers you, but for some reason, you're tired of the same routine.
It's strange because you'd wouldn’t usually complain about having a woman like Ell waiting in her warm bed, ready to do nonPG-13 things with you. But after that, what else is left?
Tradition says you give her a little kiss and leave her apartment at the first light in the morning.
You rarely acknowledged it, but something inside tells you that you need more than that. You're craving something else. Or someone else. Maybe.
So what happens next is that you are at this basketball game, hoping to turn it into a date with Ell. That's how those stupid romantic movies work? Don’t they?
At least that's what you thought until you see the light blonde's attention is more focused on her cell-phone than you.
"Ell, cut it out? You're not even watching the game."
"And you are? Tell me Carmilla, which one’s our team then?"
"Uhm ... The guy with the striped shirt?"
"That's the referee, Carmilla!"
"Okay, I have no idea what's going on, but I wanted to spend a little time with you. Could we at least do that?"
Ell stops for a moment and puts her phone in the pocket of your jacket which she has around her shoulders. You go to hold her hand, and she grudgingly accepts it.
The teams are in their seats watching their respective angry coach, dressed in a suit and pounding on what looks like a board while he's screaming like crazy. Ell tries to stifle a yawn to hide her boredom. You aren’t any more entertained than she is, but you try at least to pay some attention to what’s happening in the game so as to have some sort of conversation between the two of you.
The key word is 'try' because a few minutes later, Ell's phone rings again and she loosens her grip on your hand to answer it. You try to keep your poise while the cheerleaders make their 'halftime' show. At least the brunette one on the left isn't that bad.
Suddenly the stadium goes crazy, shouting, whistling and clapping. You see an old lady pointing her finger to the set of screens that are suspended in the center of the court. That's what it’s called, right? Your gaze is drawn to it.
You could see a cheesy template with a red heart in the middle of the screen. On the bottom right of the design, there's a 'Go Silas Vamps!' above a poorly drawn basketball. On the left, there are some hearts around curved letters revealing the caption, 'Kiss Cam.'
Within the heart, you see a couple kissing passionately. Perhaps more PDA than you’d prefer to witness, but you still think it's nice to see.
The next couple on-screen is the old lady who pointed out the screen minutes ago and a man who seems to be her husband. She gives him a peck on the lips. They look really happy to display their love to everyone. You smile a little because it is part of what you're secretly looking for.
Two more couples later and Ells' still immersed in her cell phone without saying a word, when you feel more stares than you want focused on you. The 'Zetas Bros' in the front rows are looking around to gawk at you, while whistling like a bunch of Neanderthals.
When you look back to the screen, you recognize the people on it. The stupid heart encloses you and the tall blonde on your right. The same blond who has no idea what's going on.
When you realize what’s happening, you try to elbow Ell subtly. The blonde responds with a bored 'mmm?' without taking her gaze from the device, so you elbow her a little harder.
"What do you want, Carmilla?" she groans.
You point out the screens on the ceiling, and an annoyed Ell raises her gaze to where your finger points.
"Oh, my God! What is that?"
"A kiss-cam, Ell. It's supposed to…"
"I know how a Kiss-cam works, Carmilla. But you hardly expect me to play into something that vulgar. It’s idiocy. I'm not going to kiss you in front of all these sweaty, drunk and horny college students just because they want to see two hot women kissing to fulfill their lesbian fantasies."
The camera continues filming the two of you for a few seconds more until it goes to another couple. The guy just sees the camera and he's practically devouring his girlfriend's lips.
A siren announces that the match is ready to resume. Or at least you think that's what’s happening when you see the players take a position within the rectangle, while one of the striped guys has the ball in his hands.
Meanwhile, Ell turns her attention back to her phone.
"Babe, can you get me another beer?"
"Ell, the game just restarted. You could have asked at half-time."
"First of all, it was just the first quarter not ‘half-time,' she sighs. “Secondly, you have no idea what's going on out on the court.Thirdly, missing two minutes of a game that you don't even understand won’t kill you."
You get up lazily from your seat and go to buy her a beer. What the hell, you might as well get yourself one too.
When you return to your seat, you pass the beer cup to Ell, who takes it in her free hand and takes a sip.
"Carmilla! What the hell is this!? "
"Beer?"
"This is warmer than coffee. You could have at least asked for a cold one."
You sigh in exasperation and mutter whisper something like, 'I'm sorry' under your breath.
"Bitch!"
You hear a faint murmur coming from the seat to your left. And for the first time tonight, you turn your gaze into that direction. And you thank heaven that you did.
Sitting next to you is a gorgeous tiny girl, with disheveled honey hair and wearing an oversized foam finger with the words 'Silas #1' on one of her hands. She’s so petite that the thing practically covers her forearm. The girl's still facing forward, acting as if she never said a word.
You think she's incredibly cute. What the hell, Carmilla? You never think that about a woman. That she's sexy, perhaps. That she has a hot body, definitely. That it would be a delight to have her in your bed, of course.
But never 'cute'. What the hell?
The woman shouts a very enthusiastic 'Go Vamps!' and turns her free hand into a fist in support of the cavemen on the court.
"Excuse me?"
"Uhm?"
"Do you have something to say, Cutie?"
"Oh, my God! Did I say that out loud? I am sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't want to be rude or pry. I just thought what your girlfriend said was really rude. I mean, I don't know why she didn't want to kiss you because, I mean, Oh, my God! Wow! You're ... Wow! I wouldn't mind kissing you whenever I could. So, I don't understand why she refused to do so. I think it’s kind of cute to show the world that you're with someone you love, or someone you care about, or just someone who you really feel attracted to. I mean, you're ... super hot and beautiful and attractive and did I mention hot? I don't know why she couldn't just give you a sweet kiss and smile without making a big deal about refusing. I don't know ... and I ... I'm sorry, I'll shut up because you're looking at me like I’m this weird, nosey and irritating girl. I am so sorry. I'll just stop talking and watch this match that I don't even understand at all, but it looks interesting and... Go, Silas!? "
You can’t help but chuckle when you saw the clumsy way in which the honey blonde tries to make herself understood. You may notice her shoulders relax when she see’s you’re charmed. A small smile makes your heart flutter, and you can't deny that you find her even cuter the second time around. Which ugh! Goddamnit, Karnstein!
"It’s okay, Cupcake; I know what you mean, and I know she seems rude, but she's not my girlfriend, we're just ahm ... 'study buddies' so I really shouldn't expect the girlfriend treatment."
"But surely you deserve something more? I mean, I don't know you, but you seem nice, and you're beautiful and can I repeat that you're hot? Because you are, really. And I think you could easily find someone who would treat you the way you deserve, who appreciates what you are. Sorry if I'm prying again, but I've seen you being really sweet to her and give her your leather jacket, take her hand and go for her beer even though you’re missed part of the game and while you were there, our team managed to take the lead with an excellent play by Kirsch and you missed it because you were out looking for her drink and she still didn’t appreciate it. I don't think that's fair. I mean, if you were my girlfriend, well ... I wouldn’t ask for a beer, maybe a grape soda, but I couldn't do anything else except hug and kiss you to thank you for it."
When she finally finishes speaking, you gaze into her eyes for the first time, and they seem to shine in the same way that the stars do; those beautiful stars that illuminate the darkest nights and you love them, both of them. They are truly beautiful. She looks even more gorgeous with the soft pink coloring her cheeks. You are lost in her eyes when another klaxon sounds from the stadium speakers, making everyone know that another time-out has occurred.
Both of you make yourselves more comfortable in your seats, and you can't help but think about what this woman said. You're shocked that in just a few minutes, you were captivated by her. The funny thing is, she noticed every that you did for Ell, and you are sure that Ell didn’t even notice when you gave her your jacket. It was just at the beginning of the match when she hugged herself, and you realized she was cold; so without thinking twice, you took your jacket and put it around her shoulders.
Saying Ell's attention is still transfixed by whatever’s on her phone is an understatement.
But you find yourself putting your arm around her shoulders to try and hug her. You find it odd to have attended this game in the hope of it turning into a date with Ell, but you’ve actually spent most of your time talking to a stranger.
Ell’s phone rings insistently, and she answers it. She doesn’t even acknowledge your attempt to embrace her.
The minutes pass and you find yourself looking around the hall; it’s full of jumping kids, annoying college girls and proud fathers. Ugh!.
Some Zetas have taken off their shirts and each have a letter painted on their chests to spell out ‘Silas Vamps.’ You can’t but help notice that the 'S' of the vamps has been replaced with a 'Z.' Geniuses! They can't even spell properly. You'll never know how they got into college. You roll your eyes at the scene.
You hear some howls and hooting again. When you look at the screens, you groan. For the second time, you can see your image next to Ell inside of the stupid heart. This time, you touch her shoulder to get her attention.
"Oh, my God! Really? They will not give up! Do they think I’m going to kiss you, just because we are on the screen? What the hell Carmilla! What are you doing to make them believe that we are going to kiss in front of all these people? I told you this would be dull. We could have stayed in my apartment, doing more ‘interesting' things than this."
Ell has covered the receiver of her cell phone while she's looking at you almost indecently. Or to be more accurate, totally indecently. But soon she returns to her phone call without paying more attention to the screens.
For the first time, you feel uncomfortable around Ell. Because despite being aware that there isn't a real relationship between you two or that you even have any feelings for her, for once in your life you expected to be treated as a real person by her and not as a piece of meat. You’re not just somebody that she can use for her own pleasure. Fuck!
Any hope you had fades away when she spoke to you like that in front of all those people. You try to keep the disappointment off your face, but you already know you’ve failed. A little kiss would have made you happy. That's all you have been waiting for from her. But no.
Between 'boos' and some jeers, the camera finally moves away from you and Ell. You can see other couples doing what you have been denied. Twice.
A couple of 'Summers' laughing and kissing, one of them embraced around the neck by the other one while she can’t help but smile.
Some girl gives a small peak on the lips to tease her boyfriend, and he responds giving her a long kiss.
One little boy kisses a girl on the cheek while the little brunette girl can only open her mouth wide in surprise.
Great! Even a five-year-old girl got a kiss. Yet you, a grown woman, can’t even persuade Ell to give you one. Pathetic, Karnstein!
You know, like the stranger said, one little kiss would have satisfied you. It didn’t need to be a passionate kiss, just a small gesture to show that you have someone that cares for you and maybe someday, love you.
"Could you get me another beer? And this time, it better not be one that feels like hot chocolate," says Ell grumpily, while putting her call on hold.
You would rather not fight with her again. So, you're about to get up when you see the honey blonde, the 'cute one,' taking her cup and draining the last of it into her mouth. You’re pretty sure that she’s drinking grape soda. When nothing else comes out of the container, the woman lifts it so that it’s completely vertical over her mouth and hits the bottom of it to make the ice fall. All the ice cubes fall together at once, filling her mouth completely and almost choking her. The blonde immediately spits them back into the cup, and you wish you could laugh openly at her being so cute. Her chin is drenched with melted ice, and she cleans it with the sleeve of her 'Silas University' sweatshirt.
You want to laugh so hard at that moment, but thankfully the gods take pity on you for once and you manage to hold it back. She's just adorable!
When you return, you hand Ell her drink. This time, you've made sure that her beer is almost as cold as her heart. Good one, Karnstein! You should write it down, so you don't forget it next time.
But you also have another cup in your hand and you pass it to the other blonde when Ell isn't paying attention. You doubt she cares anyway.
You see the look that passes from confusion to gratitude that the honey blonde gives you and you will return the gesture with a breathy chuckle. When she takes the cup, you sit and approach to whisper slowly in her ear.
"I noticed the lack of grape soda, Buttercup, and I thought you would need more in your system to cope with this insufferable game."
With raised eyebrows, she looks inside the cup confirming that it is indeed grape soda. A smile appears on that beautiful face and you feel a strong urge to be the reason that that smile will never be erased from there.
But that’s a stupid thought. You’ve just met this girl and don’t even know her name. All you can do is imagine what it would have been like have brought someone like her instead of Ell. Not only 'someone like her,' but actually being with her.
"Thank you. Mmm ... delicious, "she says in a whisper after sipping her drink. You can almost feel the warmth in your cheeks after hearing that. What the hell? A pretty girl just whispers a few words and you blush like a fucking teenager? Get your shit together, Carmilla Karnstein!
"And why are you here? I mean, I'm glad you're here because, well... you brought me grape soda but I mean your ... 'study buddy' seems like she doesn't enjoy basketball and it's clear that you couldn’t care less about this match either."
"Well, actually this was an attempt to 'date.' Ell is not a big sports fan, but my brother couldn't make it, so he gave me the tickets. And I thought it would be fun to do something that didn't involve nudity between us. I realize now it was foolish to think that someone would want to spend some time with me without sex being involved. You probably think it's stupid. I shouldn't be complaining about girls wanting to sleep with me," you reply.
"I'd do it."
"What!?"
"I mean, I'd go out with you, on a date and spend time just talking to you and getting to know you. You have this mysterious broody air that tells me there's more there than meets the eye. And besides, I think it's a silly stereotype that a beautiful woman has nothing to say or can't be gentle or is too dumb to provide good conversation. And you look like a very smart person."
"And you?"
"I am very smart too."
This time, you can’t help laughing because her naivety is amusing.
"No, Cupcake, I mean, why are you here? You don’t look like a sports fan either."
"Oh! No, well, my best friend's boyfriend plays for the Silas team, and he's also a very good friend of mine, so we're here to support him. She always makes me come to cheer him on, and some matches are actually enjoyable, but not for the game itself. Cheering and screaming to vent exam stress is good though. It can be fun."
"Yes, I know what you mean. My little brother loves these games. He's a very proud sports fan, and he's yelling at the TV all the freaking time."
"Little brother?"
"Yeah, well, actually we're twins, but I'm older than him by 16.98 minutes."
"And that makes you wiser?"
"Totally!"
"You seem to have a very good relationship with him?" the girl asks.
"Yeah, well there are days when we want to kill each other, pluck heads, remove our intestines, make us eat the other's bladder, normal sibling things. But overall, we get on quite well."
Is that the music of heaven? Oh no! The little blonde is laughing.
"I can only imagine you two fighting like cat and dog. You'd be the cat of course.“
"Would I?"
"Totally," she replies with a grin.
The blonde seems entirely convinced by her theory. You decide to leave it be because there's another irritating klaxon that marks the end of another quarter. Or whatever Ell named it? Oh, shit! Right! Ell is beside you, still attached to her cell phone without the slightest remorse. You lean back in your seat to see the cheerleaders come on court again. Suddenly the hot brunette cheerleader no longer seems worthy of your attention.
Cheers and howls are coming from the 'Zetas' when, for the third consecutive time tonight, the camera focuses on Ell and you. You close your eyes because you swear that when you manage to find out where that dimwit is, you’re going to kill the damn camera director.
This time, you don’t even try to get Ell's attention and turn to the opposite side to distract yourself with the other blonde.
You think the correct term is 'myocardial infarction.' It's definitely what you feel when you find a pair of lips on yours. Sweet and soft lips that taste of grape soda and chocolate chip cookies. There is a third unrecognizable taste, but you're sure it's typical of their owner.
You don't know when you started to kiss her back, but what you can be sure of, is that this is the best kiss you've ever had. It has nothing to do with those received while naked in the throes of passion, coming from someone that often doesn't even have a face or a name worth remembering.
On the contrary, it is soft and intimate, as if both of you want to discover everything about the other. Although you initially register the screams and cheers around you, it’s as if the stadium had magically emptied after a few seconds, because you’ve become lost in the taste of this lovely blondes lips. You can't hear anything because the only thing that you’re aware of is her.
One hand rests on your cheek, and you swear you could die of happiness at that moment. That kiss makes you feel so much; both the warmth passing through your body and the chill running through your spine. You think you hear a voice calling your name, followed by fast and furious footsteps moving further away.
You reluctantly open your eyes, because you're afraid that doing so would wake you up from this beautiful dream. When you do, you have a divine vision in front of you. The tiny honey blonde human slowly opens her eyes too, and her lips are slightly parted, so that you feel her heavy breathing.
"That shouldn't have happened," she says eventually.
You freeze for a moment. What were you thinking, Karnstein? Of course, you shouldn't have returned the kiss! Dumbass!
Mumbling a 'sorry,' you lower your gaze and try to get away, but the blonde still has her hand on your cheek, and she stops you. You look at her to find a broad smile and almost stunned expression.
"No, I mean, I just wanted to kiss you on the cheek, but you turned at the same time, and I couldn't stop, and then you kissed me back, and I no longer wanted to stop and wanted to thank you for the soda and ..."
You shut the girl up with another kiss. God! Do the tiny blonde’s lips need to say so many words when you could be doing better things with them now? You kiss her, kiss after kiss until you can't breathe anymore.
When you break apart again, both of you are laughing.
"Hey, vampire! Your girlfriend left over ten minutes ago."
Says a tall ... Whoa! ‘huge' redhead who is sitting next to the blonde. You have no idea how you missed 'Xena'. Girlfriend?
...
...
...
Oh! Right!
You look to your right to find an empty seat where Ell was sitting. Ten minutes? Wow! How does this blonde play with time like it's magic?
You sit up straight trying to see the rest of the game. Lie. You’re not really sure what else to say to the blonde. You had been kissing for several minutes and what are you supposed to say to her now?
A tall puppy, the same height as Clifford, (What did their mothers fed them as babies? Radiation?) makes a three point shot, and 'Silas Vamps' are in the lead again. The honey blonde screams as if she were cheering a rock star. She jumps and shouts, throwing her arms into the air. The man turns in the direction of the redhead friend to blow a kiss that ‘Xena’ catches and places in her jacket pocket. Gag! Gross!
The blonde sits back down, and you think it's better to get out of there when you feel a weight on your shoulders. Immediately you turn around to find one of the blondes arms is around you.
You raise an eyebrow in surprise, but you can not fight the smirk that adorns your face.
"What?" she asks, and you move your gaze towards her arm.
"Oh! I told you if you'd brought me grape soda I'd hug you and kiss you, and you did, so ... "
The blonde shrugged as if there were nothing extraordinary about it. You lean back in your seat to fit into the blonde's hug properly and move closer to her.
"Carmilla."
"Laura," she replies with a smile.