art by @amuseoffire
Ever since Skye melted my brain with this piece, I knew I had to write something to capture the moment!
.
Khleo knew she wouldn’t get any sort of confession out of Bakri this way. Even if he were to fold in this match, she wouldn’t get him to talk. What she wanted him to know – she tightened her grip – was that they did not have to talk about what happened. There was no need.
Still, Bakri strained against her, all the while battling himself – trapped in a one-on-one match: Bakri vs Bakri.
“Hey,” Khleo rasped. Her voice trembled though she had the upper hand. Bakri was still a tough opponent. Especially since one might say that Khleo was testing her mettle against double.
“Hey!”
Bakri finally broke eye contact with their joined fists and looked up.
“Remember that the one you’re fighting,” Khleo shifted her weight, forcing Bakri’s arm back like a stubborn wrench.
Khleo was almost there.
“is me.”
Something snapped. Muscle tension came undone. Not because Khleo won or Bakri gave up. It all fell to pieces when he accidentally brushed against her cheekbone.
Their hands were still clasped, but no one was trying anymore – Khleo just wanted to be kissed. She wanted Bakri to turn his error into action.
Bakri exhaled… as he pulled back and called it a draw. But not before catching a whiff of bitter hops and wild grains. He realized something in that moment. Something that he willed his hard expression to not betray–
That he had very much wanted to kiss Khleo too.
