Writer's note: I am really getting lazy with these writer's note. But I'm finally on a break, so I would be able to write more. It's been such a long hiatus!
To read the other chapters, click the links below:
To read the other chapters, click the links below:
part 6 - Bonds
part 7 - Disclosure
part 8 - Confidence
part 9 - Wishes
part 10 - Thoughts
part 11 - Chocolate
part 12 - Wölfe
part 13 - Bliss
part 7 - Disclosure
part 8 - Confidence
part 9 - Wishes
part 10 - Thoughts
part 11 - Chocolate
part 12 - Wölfe
part 13 - Bliss
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the pictures
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Flambéed Love
~Stars~
Flambéed Love
~Stars~
Minori let out a long, deep sigh as she finally returned home and closed her front door. She was working extra hard today, finishing up her work earlier than usual to make room for an event she has been anticipating tonight. She dropped her sling bag down on the wooden floor, took off her bandana, and began undressing herself. A hard day at work had covered her body in sweat, especially now that winter is almost coming to an end; and besides, she wanted to make herself look more presentable for her plans tonight - for various reasons. She looked at the time - 4:37pm - which means she still has about a little more than a hour before she needs to be ready. 'Plenty of time!' Minori smiled to herself, and slowly entered the bathroom for a warm relaxing shower.
...
Minori lazily turned off the running taps as she finished washing off the last remaining soap of her body, and swiftly exited the shower to grab her bath towel. The warm water started dripping down her locks and down her body, and so she quickly dry herself with the said fabric, making sure she was warm enough before she stepped out of the bathroom.
Wrapped just in her white towel, she began making her way down the corridor to the other end of her house, into her small walk-in wardrobe. It was strangely not placed just beside the bathroom, which was something that Minori had always wondered, but never minded anyway. She began with her undergarments, before she started browsing through her wardrobe for the right outfit to wear. But before she could decide on anything, three firm knocks could suddenly be heard from her front door.
'Uhh who could it be?' Minori looked towards the front door with worry. It's only 5pm, and she still has an hour left before the agreed time, so no one should be here yet...
But with no answer from Minori, three more firm knocks could be heard again, coming from the same location.
'Uhhh what do I do.. I'm not dressed yet.' Minori panicked.
"Minori??" A familiar subtle voice was suddenly heard. "Are you there? Are you okay??"
"Rae.. Raeger?" Minori's eyes widened in shock, and she quickly put on a night gown to cover herself as she ran to the door and opened it, without too much thought.
"Raeger! You're here early," she looked into his eyes "is everything okay?" Minori exclaimed and panted upon seeing the chef.
The chef, upon seeing Minori, suddenly looked stunned. His pupils grew large, his cheeks grew rosy, and his heart rate went up. The sight of his sweetheart draped in a thin night gown that covers little of her almost drove him wild. He did come to her place before at night - on her birthday to be exact - but she was wearing something warmer, something less revealing. He tried so hard not to stare, but he couldn't help it - and so he kept his gaze fixed onto her.
"Raeger?" Minori called his name, growing concerned since he didn't say anything in return, but her voice quickly brought him back to his senses.
Very suddenly, he stepped closer towards Minori, making sure that his larger build would cover her smaller body. He looked around, looked behind him, and then gently dragged Minori inside the house, quickly closing the front door - much to Minori's astonishment.
"Rae..Raeger? What's wrong" Minori asked once again.
"Minori!! What are you doing stepping out of the house like that? What if someone else sees you??"
"But I heard your voice.." Minori replied quietly. "So I knew it was you.."
"Well, but what if I came here with someone else? I don't want any other man to see you like this okay!" Raeger replied hastily, holding her arms tight at the same time.
Minori looked at him with wide eyes, incredibly surprised by what she had just heard. Quite flattered too in fact, but she didn't like hearing him raise his voice like that. "Ah.. I'm.. I'm sorry, Raeger." She began. I really didn't mean it like that.. I was just in a rush to answer you.."
Raeger, now fully realising what he had just said and how he's raised his voice to Minori, quickly apologised in return. "Mi..Minori, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you like that, I just.. I just.. I don't want any other man seeing you and even worse, try to do.. something.. bad to you. I just never want that to happen." He looked deep into her eyes, gently massaging the spot on her arms where he tightened his grip on before, waiting for her reply. "I'm sorry."
She smiled sweetly, raising her right hand to his face to caress his cheek, assuring him that everything's okay. "It's okay, Rae. I understand what you meant. Just don't raise your voice like that again, okay? I don't like it."
"I promise I'll try my best not to, honey." Raeger smiled back in return, and the two of them came closer towards each other for a warm, loving embrace - signalling an end to their tiny argument.
"Did you just call me honey, Rae?" Minori suddenly asked, looking up towards his face.
"Oh.. You're right. It just came out of my mouth." Raeger replied, the two of them still in an embrace. "Well.. umm, what do you think of that nickname then?" He asked, unsure of how she feels about it.
"I really like it." Minori beamed - assuring the chef - and tightened her hug with him.
"Yeah? I'll call you that from now on then." Raeger smiled kissed her head, turning her cheeks rosy. "Oh what, your hair is still very wet!"
"Yeah.. And I still haven't picked out my outfit yet. I literally just came out of the shower a few minutes ago. That's why I got a lil' bit flustered when you knocked on the door." Minori explained.
"Oh, I see." Raeger began. "But still.. you know. It's.. quite unfair." He sheepishly said and turned his face away.
"Hhmm? What do you mean by that, Rae??"
"You really don't know, Minori?" Raeger asked quietly, still looking the other direction. He started to blush even harder, thinking of what to say next.
"No, I really don't."
Raeger hesitated, before quietly saying, "It's your clothes, honey. I can see... uhm, some of your skin." He tried to tell her subtly. "And it's making me.. want to do some things to you." He blushed harder.
"Oh!" Minori gasped, now blushing hard herself. "I.. I'm sorry! I'll go put something on right away!" Quickly letting herself go of his embrace, and she turned herself towards the wardrobe, intending to run into it - but was stopped before she could.
"Minori, wait!"
Raeger caught her in his arms again, this time from the back, and he hugged her waist passionately, earning yet another small gasp from Minori. He leaned in slightly, gently moving her damp hair to just one side, exposing the right side of her neck - and he kissed it for a few seconds, before letting her go.
Minori gasped from the new sensation, which tingles all over her body. It somehow left her wanting more, but she didn't know what that 'something' is. She turned towards Raeger, blushing and now speechless.
"Now we're even." Raeger smiled, gently looking at Minori's flustered face. "I'll wait for you to change and then we can start heading for the Starlight Gala?"
Still blushing, she slowly nodded her head and walked towards her wardrobe, picking out the cutest, warmest outfit she could find.
...
"Raeger, Minori, I see that you two are here early." A tall figure, accompanied by his slender partner, started approaching from afar as Raeger and Minori finally arrived at the trade depot.
"I can say the same to you, Klaus." Raeger gave a little smirk. "Iris, I hope you've been well." He greeted her politely, smiling in the direction of the novelist, and he watched his girl get very excited over seeing one of her best friend. Minori had so many questions to ask Iris - especially with how exhausted she looked again - but she decided to wait until they could be somewhere more private.
Following a few more chit-chats, the two pairs finally parted and went their own separate ways to find a nice comfortable spot for the stargazing night. Raeger and Minori found a nice little corner where they can lean on, and decided to take a seat there on its ground. Raeger then adjusted his position to be able to lean back against the wall, and then spread his legs open. "Minori, come sit here in front of me." Raeger patted the space in front of him and smiled sweetly at the farmer.
"Oh, okay!" Minori nodded and stood up once again from her seat, cleaning some dust off her dress, and walked to the space in front of Raeger and took a seat there. She adjusted herself comfortably, and now leaning back against the chef's firm chest. Her head fits right under his chin, and Raeger hugged her around her waist.
"Comfortable?" Raeger asked sweetly.
"Uhuh!" Minori replied, snuggling in his embrace.
Seeing her reaction, he smiled, and planted a kiss on top of her head. They stayed in that position until the event started, occasionally moving their limbs around to stretch. Veronica finally turned off most of the remaining few lights in Oak Tree Town to signal the start of the event, making the place almost pitch back - a perfect environment for stargazing. The villagers looked up the glittered sky and relaxed, getting awed by its beauty and appreciating their peaceful life in this small yet charming town.
As Minori continued looking at the sky and was enjoying the warmth of her loved one, she suddenly heard a rustle coming from the left side of her place, and immediately turned her attention towards the source, which Raeger noticed.
Although it was hard to see, the couple saw the same tall figure and his slender companion stood up from their seat, and quickly leaving the depot. Knowing Iris' love for stargazing, Minori couldn't help but wonder why she would leave early.
"Minori, is everything okay?" Raeger whispered, caressing her body to comfort her when he noticed her growing uneasy.
"Yeah..." Minori replied hesitantly, "I hope so.." she continued, signifying her apparent concern for her friend. 'She did mention she was sick, but it's been a while and she still looks unwell.. what if..' Minori continued her train of uneasy thoughts, until she felt Raeger's arm tightened around her and his head leaning slightly into her neck again.
"I'm here if you need to talk, okay." He comforted her with his words, even though he was unaware of the whole situation, and comforted her with his affection.
Minori smiled gently, and snuggled even deeper in his embrace, "Thanks, Rae." - before re-assuring the chef and motioning him to continue their stargaze. She didn't want to read too much into things for now, and simply wished for the best, for whatever it was. Hopefully the dazzling night sky could ease her worry, and perhaps, one of those gems in the sky could grant her just one wish - that her best friend is okay.
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