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When Ruan Mei messaged Herta about an experiment that she had failed yet again, Herta rushed over to Ruan Mei's lab. This isn't the first time it had happened. It happens occasionally that it might become a routine for both of them.
Being the diva she is, Herta's visit wasn't to help or reassure Ruan Mei of her failure, instead to congratulate her on her failure. Of course, with some gifts that includes her burnt pastries baked using curios from the Simulated Universe as the ingredients. Which, is also a failure. As she said, for a genius, nothing is more precious than a failure. Thus, a gift is a necessary.
However, this time she visited empty handed. In fact, Herta has other ideas stored in mind and she is one hundred percent sure Ruan Mei would love it.
Herta was greeted by one of the cute little cake creatures. She had seen many of them, but this one seems to be resembling her. "Maybe I could ask your creator if I could take you back with me" she said while poking its body.
It lets out a 'mew' as if it's agreeing with her. "Oh? You even have my personality. That's interesting". She picked up the little critter and studies its appearance.
"Even if it agrees with you, I won't allow it". Herta raised her head as she heard a familiar voice. Ruan Mei had approached her while she was occupied with the critter. "And why is that, if I might ask?" She questions with a smirk on her face. "Is it because of its appearance that resembles me?". Ruan Mei's face remains neutral as if unfazed by her words, but Herta can read her more than anyone can. "Perhaps" is the only word that came out of her mouth.
Herta puts the critter down and stood up. "Anyways, I'd like to congratulate you on your failure once again!" Ruan Mei only sighs as the sentence that has been repeated for dozens of time came out of Herta's mouth. "Did you perhaps bring your pastries again?" She asked, preparing for the worst. "None! I completely came empty handed". This made Ruan Mei react a little. On her visits, she always bring her burnt cooking as a gift. So, she came completely empty handed was a surprise for Ruan Mei. "Is that so? Then, come join for tea".
As they walked down the hallway of her lab, Ruan Mei spoke, "Why is it that this time you came empty handed?" She asked out of curiosity. A giggle escaped Herta's mouth, "You'll see soon enough". Without asking any further, they continued walking.
The room was relaxing as always. The perfect atmosphere to have a tea party. "Help yourself" Ruan Mei offered her the pastries and tea as they sit across each other. Herta picked up a cream puff. It quickly melts as it enters the mouth. The soft texture and the sweet whipped cream certainly made her wanting more.
Across her, sits Ruan Mei enjoying her tea, and maybe enjoying the view a little. She admits, Herta's beauty was unquestionable. Could it be the reason that it almost made her heart thump a little everytime Herta appears? She didn't understand this feeling. Why does her heart react this way?
"I know my beauty truly amazes you, but you have been staring at me for a while now" Ruan Mei snapped back into reality as Herta has caught her staring at her. "Pardon me, I was just gathering my thoughts".
Although she had brushed off her thoughts aside, Herta seemed as if she can read her thoughts, or it is Herta being Herta. She didn't know. "Is that so?". She rests her head on her palm, moving closer to her. "Though it seems that you are enjoying the view of me savouring your pastries" she said with a hint of a mischievous tone. Ruan Mei could only stare at her blankly as if searching for a response. "Did a cat got your tongue?"
Ruan Mei simply shook her head, "No, I was amazed that you have read my thoughts correctly." This time, it was the other way around. Herta simply froze, not expecting Ruan Mei to be so blunt. She cleared her throat and continued eating the pastries as if ignoring her remarks. Ruan Mei once again stared at her, no, admired her face as she finishes the plate full of cream puffs while averting her gaze elsewhere.
Herta gazes back at Ruan Mei as she heard her stood up from the chair, only to be met with Ruan Mei walking towards her. She then bent down, face centimeters away from Herta's. She felt a hand resting on her cheeks and caresses her face. Her brain has short circuited, processing what is happening. Ruan Mei stared at her admiringly with a straight face, she thought, she didn't know, she can't think properly when she is in this type of situation. It didn't help that the latter's face inches closer towards her. Her face is now beet red as she closes her eyes, preparing what's to come.
She felt her cheek was being licked, her eyes widen and her brain shuts down immediately. Herta cannot process what has happened. "I never thought you to be a one messy eater," Ruan Mei said as she pulls back, hand still on Herta's cheek. "Pardon me, there was some cream on your cheek and I cannot resist myself from doing that". She was left with no response from the other and found her in a dumbstruck state.
Herta covered her face with her witch hat and mumbled something in which Ruan Mei cannot hear. "What were you saying?" She gave her a puzzled look. Herta lifts her hat and tries to gain composure, but her face being all red gave away that she was embarrassed by all of this. "Ehem, a-as I was saying, you could have wiped it off normally" she says while her eyes were elsewhere.
Ruan Mei hums in amusement. "Were you perhaps expecting something else?" Herta only scoffs at that question, ignoring the fact that she was half correct, no maybe accurate. "Why would I, The Herta, expects something from someone else" she lied, she was definitely expecting something else, but Ruan Mei didn't buy that lie though.
"Is that so?" She said with a small smile plastered on her face. "Then, I am sure you would not mind if I do this" She close the gap between their faces making Herta shock once again for her poor heart. "What are you-".
Both lips interlocking each other. Herta eyes widen as she let out a shock gasp. Indeed, she was shock, but she soon melt into kiss leaning closer to Ruan Mei as if wanting more. Herta puts her arms around Ruan Mei's neck, pulling her closer. Herta felt like one of her dream was coming true. The kiss was soft, but long.
They finally pulled away, running out of breath. They only stared at each other until Herta shoved Ruan Mei face away with her hand and the other hand covering her own face. "This is unfair," she grumbles. "That was supposed to be my gift for you, that's why I came empty handed!" At first, Ruan Mei was shocked, she then let out a small giggle that made Herta blushes more, a very rare sight indeed. "Well then, I suppose it is not too late to give it to me" she said smiling at her.
"What's the point-" she cuts herself off, understanding what Ruan Mei meant, "Oh, fuck it-". Without any hesitation, she pulled her into a kiss once again. If the first one wasn't long enough, this one is surely long enough until they cannot breath anymore, both melting into the kiss. Until Herta pulled away again.
"Next time, I won't let you outbest me"
"Good to know there is a next time"