Emma Vanity was taking a swim since it was Thursday and Rosier was busy with his advance apparition classes. Last night another round of bruises were given to her and it stung a bit as she swam in the Great Lake. She heard a clearly Scottish accent cry out, rather suddenly, “Emma, Keech!”
Emma looked over surprised and saw Victor Lynch standing there with a ton of books laid on the floor. He was standing tall and his eyes were wide. Emma, who swam out of the water was generally confused. What was the matter with him? She got out of the water and she realized Victor was looking at her scars and bruises.
‘What’s the matter, Victor?” Emma asked curiously, understanding it was about the scars but not understanding what was actually wrong. Did she look that unattractive?
“Nothing is wrong with me, Emma. But look at you!” He said, waving his hand around her. “Your body! When did this happen!” Victor said, his voice teetering on anger. Knowing that these must be recent. Because not only have they gone swimming before and decently recently but these bruises still looked like they hurt.
“Oh…. It’s nothing. I don’t know. Evan.” Emma said, shrugging. Expecting that to explain them.
“That doesn’t explain anything, a real boyfriend wouldn’t treat you like this!” Victor said, loudly still taking in her scars.
Emma looked annoyed. “Firstly, Evan is not my boyfriend. Everyone has to stop saying that. We’re just promised to each other.” She rolled her eyes.
“Fine, husband. Doesn’t change that he shouldn’t treat you like that. “ Victor said, narrowing his eyes.
Emma looked down at them again. She hesitantly asked,“Do they make me look ugly?” Her brows furrowed and she looked at him frowning. It was about the only thing that bothered her about these scars.
Victor returned with a smile. “I wouldn’t say that…” he said it jokingly and still Emma glared at him and took a seat on his blanket. She sighed.
He looked her over once more, taking in her body appreciatively. “They’re attractive. I guess.”
Another glare. Victor laughed. “You really look fine.”
Emma looked hesitantly at him and smiled. “I don’t mind it too much. Its just pain. I think it gives Evan pleasure .”
“M’dear that’s not pleasure. That’s abuse.”
Emma squirmed, uncomfortable all of a sudden. Is it really that bad?
“I think Evan does it show he cares.” Emma said, flashing the define scar on her neck of his name, lifting her hair up.
Victor blinked a few times. Was that really his name carved into her? Keech, he was crazy. “That’s not caring, that’s obsession!” Victor said, matter of factly.
“An unhealthy obsession at that.”
Emma shrugged. “Well I technically don’t know any other way.” She said slowly. “What is it usually like?” She asked, letting her hair fall back into place.
Victor smiled and closes his book and puts it on the pile of other books next to him.
“A real boyfriend…” Victor began, ignoring Emma’s protest of calling him a boyfriend.
“holds your when you cry and kisses the wounds that you have gotten not from him but others, mental and physical. Someone you can snuggle with and watching movies together. Someone who can makes you smile daily and writes you little notes through out the day. Takes you out to dinner because he wants to.” His eyes were warm and inviting in this moment and he looked up into the sky and away from her until he got to the last part. “Someone who doesn’t beat you and leaves scars all over you body.” At which point Victor glared at her once more.
“He basically does that,” Emma said.
“Whenever I’m hurt he finds the person who hurt me and torture them, isn’t that love?” Emma asked, looking towards him. Pretty sure that his answer will be a no. She didn’t understand why not though.
“Emma, that’s not the right thing to do!” She was still not getting it! He grabbed her hand, looked into eyes to make sure that she’ll understand.
“You’re worth more than this, Emma. Find a guy who doesn’t brand you.” He said seriously.
Emma looked cautiously at him, still unsure what to believe. “But the sex is pretty great Victor… I don’t really understand those wants anyway. Why would I want to snuggle with someone? What is even snuggling?” Emma asked.
“Snuggling,” Victor said, loudly and important as if he was a teacher and she her student. “ is the warming felt from the inside of the person, bringing it outside to show them they care. Here let me show you.” He said quickly shifting.
“Victor- what.” Emma said, beginning to protest.
Victor shushed her and carefully laid her down, his arms wrapped around her as they starting spooning. He whispered, softly in here ear, “This is snuggling.”
“Well… this is okay. I can understand the appeal.” Emma said, slightly smiling. Happy to be done with their confusing conversation before and she moved in closer into Victor’s arm. She then winced in pain as he accidently brushed her back to hard and she shifted to look at him.
“My back still kind of hurts because of the bruises.” Emma said, looking down since this apparently was bad. Victor’s eyes darken considerably as Victor moved his face closer to hers. “I just don’t like to see you hurt, Emma.” Their faces were pretty close.
Emma rolled her eyes and tried to take the conversation off this. She was fine.
“So, do you give soft kisses, Victor? Emma asked.
“What?” Victor asked incredulously. What did she mean?
Emma giggled. “Well you clearly don’t like it rough so are you just ever so gentle?” She raised her eyebrow playfully.
Victor almost scoffed. “Clearly from the statement alone, you know nothing about me.”
Now it was time for Emma to look surprise. “What do you mean?” Now she was curious. “What do you do? “
Victor laughs. “I don’t know…it looks like you’ll have to find out.” Victor gave a grin and tapped Emma on the nose lightly.
Emma, who couldn’t resist a challenge had to ask. “Is that a challenge, Victor? Because I take my challenge very seriously.” She was smiling now. Tempting him.
“Depends on where you want to go with that challenge, Vanity.” His arms still wrapped around her brought her even closer to him.
She studied him for a moment and lifted her head up and put her lips centimeters away from his. “Oh, Victor.” She started. “I don’t think you could handle me.”
“I think you want a challenge yourself, Vanity and who am I to deny a lady her challenge?” He said, smirking.
“Correct me if I’m wrong Victor but are you calling yourself a challenge?” She said, matching his tone.
“I might be, Vanity. If you think you can handle me.” His eyes now trained on her lips.
“Well Victor, I see no reason to try and get with you. Clearly I have my hands filled with Evan. If I even want to kiss you, which I do not want to do, You’ll have to deal with him.” Emma said, her body language telling a different story.
“I think you have your hands filled with me now, Vanity. I’ll deal with Evan later.” He said as her pushed just a bit further and kissing her softly at first then a bit harder. Emma returning it, smiling until she pushed away, their bodies still close.
“No… seriously we should stop. I rather you not have to deal with him.” Emma said, sitting up.
Victor was still smiling as he sat up and went just as close as they were before, her words not affecting him. She cupped her face and leaned in. “I thought I was going to show you how a real boyfriend would act?” As he kissed her once more, this time Emma did not stop him and finally when both were out of breath they stopped and broke apart.
“You’re decent.” Emma said, grinning at him teasingly.
“You’re okay.” Victor said, running his hands through his hair, returning the tone. Emma suddenly frowns and got up quickly. “You seriously shouldn’t have done that though…” Emma said, looking around. What if someone saw?
He got up and stood next to her putting his fingers on her lips. “I won’t tell, will you? I’m pretty sure you won’t.”
“Why is that?” Emma asked, studying his eyes and then letting her eyes travel back to his lips.
“I don’t think that’s how you’d want to go unfinished…” Victor said quietly, smiling hold her cheeks softly so she’d look up at him.
Emma started stuttering. “I have to go…” And then she ran back to the castle leaving Victor standing there alone with his books. Emma didn’t look back.