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“Hey Monica, do you know how to kiss someone?”
This causes a loud drop of multitudes of books and grimoires onto the wooden floor, in the middle of it was a girl with messy braids trying to get out of the mess.
“Wh-What??!”
“Kiss someone you know? They’re doing it here in one of Dustin Gunther’s books”
The young witch sprawled out of the bundle of books and finally out of it, a cat with black fur was in the middle of the room on a table. His paw atop of it as to show the page he’s reading, curious of what conducted this question she glances on the page to read the passages of the novel her familiar has been going through this past week.
Romance novels were never something of interest since it was a concept all too confusing and unfamiliar to her, even reading the novel this cat was reading it seems a kiss was described with far too much action than she thought. Something along the lines of fervent breathing and tongues clashing and all, it brings a kind of fear under her skin much more on the idea of doing these kinds of things with other people.
“It sounds like an action scene!”
“...This sounds scary…”
If kisses were like this and it can even end up with the other’s mouth with a bruise or hurting, that was something she should definitely avoid.
“You’ve never kissed anyone right, Monica?”
“I-I’d rather not, the novel seems to make it sound painful…”
“I thought humans usually used their mouths but I didn’t know tongues are a thing”
“...I think I wouldn’t want either to happen.”
That’s what Monica Everett tells herself as she goes back to the stack of grimoires on the floor, wanting to go back to her previous plan of studying the records of stars for the work one of the sages asked of her.
“Don’t you want to try it?”
“Please no.” Monica immediately responds with a deadpan voice and opens the first grimoire to start her records, she doesn’t see herself in the far future at all ever having the idea of romance much less the attempt of a kiss. That’s just not going to happen with her current living state, that’s what Monica tells herself.
Today, Monica Everett’s goal was to finally kiss her disciple.
It’s been a long brewing goal these past months, after a year of confessing each other’s feelings albeit a little awkward it was and some misunderstandings along the way, it worked itself out. Though the people around them were more relieved than anything, indicating the only two people who were unaware of what was happening was between the two of them.
Peering through the kitchen door that was wide open was the sight of a tall blonde man working his way through a batch of dough, sleeves pulled up to his shoulders and his back in perfect view that had a neatly tied ribbon of his apron.
It never ceases to amaze her even until now on how wonderful the sight of the golden ratio he possessed is, truly a perfect measurement of a human being from the top down to the soles. How could a human with such a beautiful and amazing number even begin to look upon her, she still couldn’t believe it at some moments.
“Monica…?”
But her thoughts come to a halt at the sound of his voice and the way he calls her name, it fills a flutter in her heart and it brings a spring to her step when he turns his head to look at her. Having the face of the former 2nd prince of the Kingdom, Felix Arc Ridill. It held the kind of tenderness that would make someone melt with the look he could give someone, but she remembers how Isaac would mention it would be the complete opposite if he had his original face.
But none of that matter because he was always going to be Ike, her Ike.
“Did you need something?”
Now that his eyes were on her she felt the nervous feeling coming back and made her shake. She was sure of this little goal of wanting to execute it today, but it was hard to remain casual about it when his eyes looked at her with all the gentleness he could hold. It was all directed at her and that’s not an easy thing to stand tall and confident when you know the person you like looks at you with compassion, but she runs through the numbers in her head for the thousandth time to pick herself up.
“I-I was curious what you’re baking today…” Voice trailing off a little as she approaches him in the kitchen, letting her eyes instead focus on the counter of dough starting to be formed into shapes. Seeing the intricate shapes and figures of what used to be dough and now being shaped into cookies, Monica still finds it amazing how detailed her beloved disciple makes them with definite skill.
“I wanted to give some to the neighbor with the blueberries they handed over yesterday, they gave quite a big batch so it would be nice to share some of it with them.”
A smile reaches her face at the thought of that happening, their neighbor was quite a nice old lady and Isaac always seemed to enjoy her company too when she was away for the capital on sage missions. It truly comes from these kinds of actions where her partner’s kindness shines through, no cunning plans or leverages or negotiations to be made. Just showing appreciation for a gift to their neighbor.
“My disciple really is kind.” Monica smiled proudly and a chuckle comes out of the young man.
“It’s only thanks to how kind my master is too.”
Ike’s smiles were always blinding in more ways than one, but the ones he mostly showed towards Monica always had that showcase of affection that her cheeks always feel warm when such a smile appears.
Looking satisfied with a flustered Monica in front of him, Isaac goes back to focusing on shaping out the cookies for their neighbor while the silent witch herself was still lost in her thoughts.
Shaking her head, she almost got lost from her true goal! Though maybe she can wait after Isaac was done with the cookie, she remembers Nero saying that being straightforward was the best case. Even if most of his advice was from the Dustin Gunther novels, most of the information about a lot of things in the world are from books, even if fictional.
Just say it, breathing in for some courage. She’s read the books and Nero always seems to have the right advice too so she trusted her familiar.
“Ike…”
Hiding her nervous tick of twiddling her fingers under the counter, Ike just finished a batch of the cookies and had them all on a tray in swift motion as his hands then move in a uniformed manner as he took off his apron and rolled his sleeves back down. His attention then directed at her as he put the dough aside, wondering what the girl he adores has to say.
“Yes?”
“W-Well umm…”
Just say it! Why were the words suddenly stuck in her throat, the witch lamented. Monica took another deep breath again before speaking.
“Do-Do- DO you wan-Want To K-KITHH- AGHH”
Monica bit her tongue.
‘I MESSEDDD IT UPPPP AHHH!’
Downcast at such a fumble and now much embarrassed than intended, Monica was sure that the image of the cool master and partner Ike had of her was gone. This was truly confirmed when she glanced at the shoulders of her disciple shaking and his face turned away, a hand covered his mouth and it was the all too familiar look of him trying not to laugh.
Sniffles start to fill the kitchen and this in turn makes the young man stop and instead assures her with a pat on the head.
“I’m sorry, you were far too cute.”
“I-Ike really is me-mean…”
Soft and gentle, he leans down and her worries wash away when the familiar and delicate sensation of paw pads descends on her forehead. She reels in to the touch for a second before it's gone as it eases her nerves.
“There”
“Huh…?”
“You wanted a kiss, no?” Well, that was a kiss but not the one she intended.
“Y-Yes, but I was thinking something else…”
“Hmm?” His face now dons a somewhat sad look “I guess my kisses aren’t enough for Monica…” This causes the girl to flinch, he was teasing her! Through the years that pass by, the witch herself has taken note of many things about her disciple down to every number and that may include the decibels of the cadence of his voice. This tone she knows was a mischievous one and she’s not letting it get to her.
“It-It’s not that! It’s just…I was talking about a different one.”
“Oh? Is my master being greedy for one on the cheek?”
Monica almost pouted but she stops herself and looks at him, though her words still came out much quiet than she wanted.
“...The lips…”
The moment she says those words the atmosphere turns a little different, Ike’s posture changes a little and a look of surprise appears for a second before he looks away. This was her time to take the reins and fulfill her goal.
“I was always curious why…Ike doesn’t want to kiss me…”
There was a little doubt in her thoughts that never seemed to go away as the months past their budding relationship, she heard many girls giggling about how a kiss is like walking on the clouds or one that can make you feel like flying. From the older ladies she’s friends with like Mary or Melissa, it was something electrifying that has your thoughts be put into halt and have you in a stand still.
It never had the same description for each person, so she resorted to the books and stories Nero tells her and it was also a curious thing at the back of her mind. But it decidedly steps out more and more now that she’s with Isaac, curious of the idea of giving him the kind of kiss people always seem to put much importance off.
But it’s not to say other kinds of kisses weren’t important to her, she treasured each one and remembers them. When in the palace they had their titles on their name, as Felix he always sneaked in a kiss on her hand and a smile before they got busy with their duties and it gave her a little assurance for the day. On occasions where she’s nervous and anxious, a soft peck on her forehead seems to put her at ease each time like a spell that makes her feel safe. The ones on her cheek were always so sneaky and it never fails to make her flustered, but she doesn’t feel anger when it's immediately washed away by the affectionate look he gives her after such a cheeky act.
And she grows the courage each time to do the same, since her dear Ike finally doesn’t have to hide away his affections for her.
“It’s not that I don’t want to…it’s just…”
“...Just?”
A sigh comes out of him as his posture looks to be in a frazzled state.
“I…I wanted to make it special.”
His hand reaches to the right side of his bangs and he fiddles with it, a nervous tick he’s been doing ever since his initial months of staying in Southern Dole.
Cute, Monica thought.
“Being around Ike is always special, each day he’s here and not in Erin is special because I get to be with you.”
This causes a pink hue to appear on his face as she moves closer and looks up to him,
“Is it okay…if I can kiss you?”
A pause of silence, but Monica stands tall herself as she focuses her eyes on him. Quite the contrary to Isaac who was losing his composure but ultimately sighs with a wry smile.
“Always.”
This was it, it was finally happening. She always thought she would have her eyes opened when it happened but her mind says to keep her eyes closed. Letting her senses take over as she hears Isaac lean closer and she lifts herself up to the tip of her toes.
Chu
It was soft, truly her lover’s lips were like the paw pads of a cat even in the brief moment she felt it. Gentle and careful, it carried the kind of warmth she would feel when she was in his arms for a quick but tender kiss.
Her fingers immediately trace her lips after it, catching any sensation left on it as she looks down.
‘That was…different’
Monica doesn’t notice the immediate worry that flashes on Isaac when she furrows her eyebrows and her eyes are in that kind of thinking state.
“Monica…” This catches her attention and she realizes how close they were. “...Did you not like it?”
“No! It’s all good!” Feeling herself a little tense and way too warm at the distance right now, she resorts to fingers twiddling as she forms her thoughts.
“Are you sure…?”
“Don’t worry Ike, it’s just that…” Her eyes look away. “Nero told me that kisses usually involve tongues…”
Isaac freezes.
“...but it turns out you can do it without one…” Those last few words were under a whisper but the young man heard it all, feeling a sense of his pride crumbling to bits.
Monica this whole day made sure to expect some kind of action in preparation, but didn’t expect the approach Ike took. Instead of the fear she felt reading it years ago and hearing it from Nero, the kiss she got from Isaac felt nice.
It felt like a warm hug, a loving smile and an intimate sensation of longing altogether, it has her reeling herself to want it. As if she was running on her feet as she chased for that feeling again on the traces of her lips, wondering if that softness Ike gave her had any remnants of it.
“Wha…I…” Unbeknownst to her thinking of the kiss, she glances up to a completely flustered Isaac. Face red as tomatoes and composure completely gone, he takes a moment to turn around and has his hand lean on the wall for support. “Give me a minute…” Sounding much distraught and embarrassed by the minute, this has Monica suddenly worried.
A quick flash of black fur passes through Monica’s vision as Nero lands on the kitchen counter, looking in wonder of whatever happened to the former prince. Having been watching everything from the kitchen window all this time.
“But when you think about it, in the academy you were flirting quite boldly, sparkles.”
This has Isaac fall to his knees in embarrassment even further.
“I-IKE?!”
“...I’m sorry for my past actions…”
Such were the results of a first kiss.