no such thing as a beautiful nightmare {LEO}

[Leogare Lasteulf]

Leo stopped, both mentally and physically. Something was wrong here, something wasn't right. But she was being honest for once, she did want him. She was just timid, self conscious. That in itself wasn't terribly odd, but something about her, this ghost of a woman who had died long ago, began to push itself through the countless veils and shields she had put up to protect herself. This ghost, it was the real Kara. It was weak, it was innocent, and it was afraid. So she hid, hid away that the world could never penetrate her thick hide. And now the hide broke, and this dead ghost finally yearned to break free, to touch, to feel, to live.

How could he possibly turn her away? "If you really want to change, want to change who you are, well then I'm all for it. I think, after all this time, I'm finally beginning to see exactly who is behind all the isolation and lashing out." He took a step or two over to her, where she stood trying to hide herself from him. "I think that would be fine." He said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips once again. Not hard and powerful as it had been before, no this kiss was with a fleeting glance of the lips. A tenderness that Leo might not have seemed capable of. He pulled away after but a moment.

"For tonight...we should get some sleep." He said with a yawn, gesturing to his bed. "You can stay there. I suppose I'll claim the floor tonight." He said with a dumb grin, leaning up against the wall as he sat on the ground. "Won't be the first time."

[ĸara вelova★]

He thought he knew who she was? She wasn't even sure who she was anymore. Before, Kara had fit so well within description. Anyone on campus could tell you exactly what they thought of the intimidating introvert. But now... how did you describe this Kara? She kept her comments to herself, not wanting to provoke Leo any further than she already had tonight. Who did he think she was? She was curious, but not anxious enough to know the answer. At least she wasn't someone he wanted to run away from anymore.

His kiss made her forget about her self-consciousness and she closed her eyes. It was brief, but sweet, and when he stepped back her eyes remained closed for a moment longer. To relish.

When he spoke again and his hand indicated the bed, she grew a little uneasy. But his compromise of her sleeping on the bed and him taking the floor didn't sit well with her either. This was his room. She thought about protesting, but knew Leo was too noble to make a girl sleep on the ground. So she nodded when he claimed his spot on the floor, and crawled into the bed, sliding her legs beneath the covers, then her entire body. Kara hardly made a dent under the blankets, and she turned her back on Leo after getting comfortable.

It was quiet for a long time, and then Kara ventured a soft, "Good night." Soon the night seized her, and silence enveloped the room.