[Countdown] 1 - Romeo Scorpius Lucci
“Ahh…this was a good idea.” Romeo leaned back onto the rocks, relishing in his private onsen reservation. “And we'll get a perfect view of a fireworks show from here. This night couldn't be more perfect.”
“It's all thanks to you, Fico-sama,” Emiko cooed beside him.
“Ah, but this specific location for this view was your idea. This night couldn’t have happened without you.” His fingertips lovingly caressed under her chin, and she followed the hand as far as she could lean even as it retreated. He had mentioned numerous times about her tendency to cling to him too closely, and she refused to earn his ire again.
“Still, it’s your hard work that earned us this trip in the first place.”
“That is true. I’ve worked my ass off trying to keep those traitors in line…”
“Don’t think about them, Fico-sama!” Her arms burst from the water, and fingers set to massaging his temples.
He groaned. “You’re right…this is a night to relax.”
“Exactly. Let the steam melt all your stresses away~” She cupped around his face, careful not to disturb any of the recent care applied to it.
In response, he smiled. “I couldn’t think of anyone else to spend it with.”
“Ugh, he’s off galavanting with Baila again.” He held his head in his hand again, signaling her to stay in place this time. “At least with you, I always know when you’re available.”
“I’ll always clear my schedule for you, Fico-sama <3”
“Of course you will,” he said with a smirk. “For me and no one else.”
Tranquil relaxation laid over the pool until they noticed the countdown nearing its end.
“Oh, Oh, Fico-sama! It’s almost time!”
He peered out to the sky. “It is, isn’t it?”
Ever so slightly, she leaned in a bit closer than permitted.
She wanted so badly to hold her Fico-sama for the start of the New Year,
When he didn’t budge, she inched just a tiny bit closer.
Her brain called out, aching for Fico-sama to look at her when the countdown hit zero.
He appeared to be lost in thought.
She couldn’t resist. Her fingertips brushed his arm like feathers, and she found herself leaning into him.
A splash signalled his hand leaving the water to cup her face.
Celebrations kicked off. Fireworks popped in the distant sky as the silver-haired man pulled the woman’s lips onto his own. His face didn’t turn nearly as red as her own, but hungrily deepened the contact, hands tugging her body close enough to test the rules of the establishment.
It took every ounce of her willpower not to claw him closer and closer, fantasizing far past what the uncared-for rules of the onsen would allow.
About a minute after, Romeo finally forced them apart. “You’re mine, do you understand that?”
Confusion swirled her brain, but was cut short by the look in the gorgeous jewels of his eyes—a dark dance of possessiveness, confidence, and desire hovered over her gaze. An uncharacteristic smile had etched itself onto his face. She couldn’t help but beam. “Of course, Fico-sama <3”
“No matter what may come between us, you will never forget that you belong to me.”
“I could never, Fico-sama!” Testing the waters, she continued. “And you belong to me, Fico-sama.”
“No matter what I may do to keep my business running, my heart belongs to you.”
“And I will hold it tenderly, Fico-sama <3 <3”
“And when I need you, you will be there for me.”
“I would clear my schedule for you like you clear a room for me <3”
His expression grew more extreme. “You will always be the person I could trust without hesitation.”
She snaked her arms around his neck, bringing them close again as she reminisced of all the time she spent, hours and days and weeks and months working on her appearance, her behaviour, earning her place of fear and respect amongst the students of Sinostra. “And I will never sacrifice that. I can trust you with my life, Fico-sama <3”
He gently ran a hand along her features. “My gem…there is no other like you.”
“There is none more beautiful than you, Fico-sama <3 I would die for you <3”
“And I would kill for you.”
When they had closed in again, Emiko pushed herself away. “You inspire me, Fico-sama! I must sculpt your perfection again!”
But he pulled her back into his chest. “Why play with some rocks when the real thing is right here?”
Her brain practically stopped functioning. “No piece of artwork…could ever capture the beauty of the true Fico-sama <3”
“And you better remember it.”
