chemicallyyourss - Tumblr blog

chemicallyyourss · 6 months ago

Note

please the smut that got posted as a follow up inspired by this was SO good

If they really did have feelings for each other but they disconnected, Cinder had her priority in Luna and years later they meet at a meeting of Politicians in Paris, and they connect again, (obviously for reasons Cinder here has a suitor, named Tristan, and too yes Kai has jealousy) whatever happens in all that way, cinder ends up choosing Kai

I need a little angst and too many reasons kisses and hope for both

Masterlist

I didn't align the fic with the reason as mentioned, but as expected there's too much angst (it's me, it shouldn't be surprising anymore heheh) and too many kisses, I hope you like it, (other Tristan fics would take time, anon <3) just as much as I loved writing it <33

we have grown (but still haven't changed)

Word: 7.1k

Genre: Angst with an Happy Ending, Alternate Universe (Senator AU)

Kai's Perspective:

"Ayumi," he groaned, leaning against the door. Her girlfriend laughed at his antics from the large bed. "Who are you even trying to impress?! Ema is already so in love with you!"

"Oh, shush Kai- a girl has to feel pretty, I don't want to see my pictures in the papers tomorrow and think I could have done better," she explained, still sitting before the mirror, trying to correct her eyeliner.

Making no effort to move from her position, Kai looked at Ema now, begging her to get Ayumi off, thankfully, she was more affected by Kai than her girlfriend was.

"Baby, Kai is right- if you keep on doing that winged eyeliner to perfection, we might never make it to the party," she pointed, walking up to her so that she could help her with the problem.

With Ema looking into it, they are all out of the room in minutes. And as they enter the Chamber, full of influential people, bureaucrats, and royalty, the alcohol reeks in the atmosphere, a combination of pungent and luxury put together only for the ones in drowning in cash.

He wonders why he accepts such invitations. These noble festivities never appealed to him but the prospect of socialising with people who could help him have better connections always prevailed over his comfort.

When he noticed Ayumi picking up a cocktail glass from the nearby table, Ema rolled her eyes, muttering, 'Not so early' under her breath. Her concerns were valid. Ayumi was a lightweight, and starting so early would lead to a very sorrowful tomorrow morning.

"Well, I will leave you two to it, while I make some new friends," he said, and before leaving, he decided to advise, "Don't drink too much- we have a flight in the morning."

Ironical, he picked up a cocktail himself, to keep his hand busy, Kai had no intention of getting drunk. There was too much press, and having a public disgrace wouldn't do good to his job well.

"Kai," someone shouted, a voice Kai knew too well, "-Fancy seeing you here," Victoire said, coming to his side as she kissed his cheek.

"There are only too many invitations I can decline, Your Royal Highness," he explained, a low curtsy accompanying his words.

"Kai," she whined, a weak eye roll, "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Victoire."

Kai knew how Victoire had taken a liking to him, something he wasn't very fond about. However, he always saw a friend in her, someone sane in the Royal Family. She was a wonderful woman, dedicated and kind towards her role as the future Queen, something that he admired about her but it didn't matter a lot for his heart had been fixated on someone else.

"Victoire, I'm just a senator, you a future Queen," he said politely, not wanting to disappoint her.

She chuckles at his remark, and sips wine, "That shouldn't stop you- a man has to dream," she says and the implication isn't lost on Kai.

He smirks, "Well, if one can dream, why limit oneself to-" his voice dies as his gaze lands on a metal hand. Kai doesn't know many people who attend these parties who have metal prosthetics, and when the person turns, it's all the confirmation Kai needs. It was Cinder, Selene Blackburn, he painfully reminds himself.

In a pale blue dress, that reaches her mid-calf paired with high heels, her long legs on display- she felt so different from how Kai remembered her. He wondered what she was doing here in Paris, she was supposed to be on the fucking moon!

Had Kai known, he would be a few feet away from his once-lover, Kai would have declined to attend.

Seeing his shocked face, Victoire glances in the direction he is looking. Seeing what has made him tongue-tied, she remarks, "Don't tell me you didn't know she would be here!"

"You knew she would be here?" he asked, exasperatedly, watching some stranger wrapped their hands around her waist, resulting in a pang of jealousy coursing through his veins.

He reminded himself, that Selene Blackburn was just a ghost from his past. A phantom, if he recalled the way she left. She wasn't his anymore, especially not to feel jealous over.

"The invite said 'welcome event for the new Lunar Ambassador' Kai, I assumed you would read it," she explains, and Kai in all of his good sense hadn't read the invite, it was his assistant who had replied on his behalf, but he wasn't about to look ignorant before Victoire.

"How was I supposed to know that the new Lunar Ambassador would be my ex-fiancee," he exclaimed, Cinder seemed not to have noticed Kai staring at her, which was a good sign. He needed to get out, away from the woman standing before him and lock himself in his room till it was time to board his flight tomorrow. It had taken a long time for Kai to get over his breakup with Cinder, and a small insignificant event wouldn't ruin the peace he had created.

However, as he tried to get away, Victoire was deemed to have read his thoughts and poised herself as the only obstruction to his plan, "Kai," she hissed, loudly enough to have got a few people staring at them, including her, so much for an easy escape he thought, "-you can't flee!"

Well now he couldn't, he would have to thank Victoire later for being such an understanding friend.

"Ka-" Cinder voiced, hesitantly, "-Mr. Crown, I, uh, well I didn't think you would be joining us," standing an arm's length from him, and wondered how they had managed to find themselves here.

"Miss Blackburn, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said, the formal words he reserved for everyone rolling off his tongue, "My best wishes on your new role," he wished, fighting off the questions he wanted to shoot at her, of what she was doing here after all these years.

He didn't seem to notice Cinder replying as Victoire filled in the conversation, however, he did feel the way his heart kept thrumming inside the confinement of his bony cage- so loud that he wondered whether it was audible to Cinder.

Staring at her, Kai realized how much she had changed in the last 3 years. Her lips which had always been chapped from frequent biting, were now full and painted in deep mauve, it seemed to portray Cinder as more daring than he remembered. Hair in an intricate braid, further away from the high ponytail she used to prefer. Kai wondered if Iko had convinced her- if she needed the convincing anymore.

He couldn't smell the peppermint odour of her perfume that she had been so fond of, instead in its place was a sweet fragrance, which was everything Selene but nothing like his Cinder.

He felt mad trying to piece over all the insignificant changes in her, from the woman he had once loved. Still does.

"Oh, darling, you seemed to have made friends," someone said, shaking Kai from his reverie, it was the man who had pulled Cinder closer before, his hand on her waist, giving Kai a wave of longing so powerful that it nearly left him reeling.

"Hello, you must be-" Victoire, enquired from beside him, "Tristan Padilla," the man provided, "-it's nice to meet you, Mr.Padilla. I'm -"

"Everyone knows you, Your Royal Highness, please excuse my not curtsying. I'm not very good at it," he joked, turning to him, as he said, "And you must be Mr. Crown- the youngest senator to make it in the Global Parliament, I have heard a lot about you."

Victoire rushed a glance at him, matching his reaction, it was one thing to have come across Cinder tonight, another to think that her date would be a fan of his, "I assume all things good, besides you flatter me too much. Forgive me, but do mention what brings you here. Vic and I are unaware of your position."

In his hazy mind state, Kai misses slightly raised eyebrows of Selene at the mention of his friend's nickname.

"All good, our Queen. Bless her, and she brings you up as an example. I'm a member of the Imperial Tribunal, acting as a date for this beautiful lady tonight," he explained, pointing towards Cinder.

His words landed rather painfully on Kai's heart, his mind trying to smother the surge of jealousy spreading through him. Yet again a painful reminder to himself that Cinder wasn't his anymore, not his to love, not to take on dates, or to be proudly shown as a plus one in public events.

"Kai?"

He blinked and tore his gaze away, to stare at Victoire.

"Selene asked whether you are selected for the Council of Equality."

"Uh, yeah- no, I mean, the members haven't been designated yet but Torin believes I will be a member," he provided, unable to look her in the eye.

"Torin is always right when it comes to you," she said, spoken with such indifference that it angered Kai. He hated her for trying to pretend like they were two old friends catching up and not someone who he failed to forget every day- like a haunting memory of the past.

"Who is Torin?" Tristan asked as he shuffled a little closer to Cinder.

Kai swallowed, Victoire coming to his rescue, "He adopted Kai when he started working for his office. Torin is like a father to all of Kai's friends."

"That's sweet," Tristan grinned, sipping from his glass.

His port rang, a sharp tune ringing in the silence left behind. It was Ayumi, an alarming concern took over him, she was at the same party but the girl had no regard for personal safety.

Sliding on the accept option, he excused himself, "What happened?"

"Kaaai," she whined, voice slurred probably with all the alcohol she had consumed, " I'm getting married."

"What?"

"Did you not hear me, Kai?" she groaned and spoke louder, "I'M GETTING MARRIED."

"I heard that, Ayu. I mean why," he asked.

"Because I love her. Will you officiate our wedding, Kai?"

"I do find it touching that you want me to officiate your wedding but what will Ema think?"

"Why would Ema oppose the idea?" she asked confused.

"She would be disappointed- " explanation cut as he heard the familiar voice of Ema in the background as she yelled 'Ayumi'.

"Who are you talking- Kai, oh, don't worry. She got drunk earlier than usual and some fellow told her they recently got married and Ayumi being Ayumi got rather driven," Ema provided some clarity for Ayumi's behaviour.

"Did she propose?" he laughed, keeping his nerve in check. He and Ayumi were trying to find a ring that Ema might like, their venture had not been fruitful yet. Kai hoped that Ayumi had not uttered gibberish nonsense in her intoxication state.

"She tried smooching my face as she yelled 'You may kiss the bride' so nah, my baby didn't propose," Ema explained as Kai breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is she okay?"

"Oh definitely, she fell asleep on the couch, she might need help getting her up later but before that," she said and didn't continue anything further, making Kai question if he had lost Ema.

"There?"

"Yes, yes. I just- well, I saw Selene. Please don't alarm yourself, breathe deeper for me. I don't know if you came across-"

"I talked with her," he said, stopping her from speaking.

"Are you okay?" she asked, voice full of concern, Kai could imagine her brows furrowing in worry, fingers running through her hair.

"Fine, didn't talk as such, Vic did most of the talking. She is with someone," Kai explained, somehow talking to Ema about this felt relieving. She had known Kai for years now, Ema and Ayumi were his family- they were always there for him and he would always be there for them, like old buddies or platonic soulmates.

"I'm sorry, Kai," she whispered and he nodded in return. The two held on to the comm, not knowing what to say. The silence was finally broken when Ema groaned, "I think she is drooling on my arm- I'm so disgusted right now," eliciting a chuckle from his lips.

"Never fall in love- it fucks up hygiene!"

"Oh shut it, Ema- you are too lovesick to care," he said, moving further away from the crowd.

"Hardly, now I have to get this one up."

"Do you want help?" he asked, hoping Ema would accept it.

"We will manage, but thank you," she said, her words hanging between the two, before she said, "Kai, you do realize that you can get going before something happens."

He nods, something not very visible to her before admitting how he will think about it. As the call ends, he is left alone with his thoughts, somehow missing the company of Victoire. She could be flirtatious but it was always consented by the two, having her by his side when he came across Cinder made the whole impact milder.

He considered leaving early but the prospect of sitting in his room with only the company of his thoughts wasn't entirely appealing- that is why he found himself sitting in a secluded corner sipping champagne. Pity.

He watched Cinder on the dance floor, wrapped in her date's arm, she seemed to be laughing at something he said. Kai could feel his stomach clench, as he saw the two kissing, frame dipped low, as they moved to the music.

Swearing, he searched for something stronger, looking around the table when he felt the nudge. Schooling his features, he put on a polite smile before turning and saw the cause of his dilemma.

"Hi"

Kai was too stunned to speak, he hadn't imagined that Cinder would approach him willingly- he noticed her hand waving in his face, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes. Just startled," He replied, maintaining some distance between the two.

"Do you mind if I join you?" she asked, and before Kai could verbalize a reply she had taken a seat next to him. He remained mute, unable to fathom what conversation to have with her.

"I thought you wouldn't be coming tonight," she meant after the prolonged silence.

"I didn't know you were the guest, Riggs, my assistant didn't mention what the event was for. Had I known-"

"You would have declined, and we wouldn't be sitting here right now," she completed his words, eyes staring into his. The force with which she looked at him was overwhelming, Kai looked away, glancing at the crowd, "I don't understand what brings you here."

"Would you think it's a lie if I said you?" She said, making Kai whip in her direction.

"Selene, please," he pleaded, this time holding eye contact, "don't torture a man with forsaken hope."

"What if it's the truth, Kai?"

"Then you won't be twirling around with your date tonight."

"Tristan is my friend," she explained, as she looked away, Kai stared at her side frame and noticed strands of hair coming out of the braid. She looked thinner than he remembered, the clavicle prominently visible to the naked eye.

"I don't mind if you move on, Selene. I expect you to."

"Well, have you moved on, Kai?" she asked, twirling the amber liquid in her glass, he knew she would see the orange light blinker for his response.

"On most days, I have," he says, gulping the regret he had felt for hours.

Cinder gave him a sad look, "I feel stupid and I want to apologise for all the things I did to you."

Her words stunned him, he wanted to pick a fight over the remark but forced himself to keep his nerves in check, tightening his hold on the glass, "If you expect me to say that I forgive you- then now isn't the best time to ask. Maybe try again some years later," he hissed.

"Kai, I know-"

"You don't know anything, and your sorry doesn't account for the whole load of shit you left behind. So please, if that's all you wanted to say to me, then I will take your leave," he exclaimed, trying to move away from the woman he loved so much that he couldn't stand her presence anymore.

He moved through the crowd, deciding to get back to his room for good-

"Kai, please- just hear me out once-"

He could hear her voice coming from behind him, but he had no regard for having a conversation that was going to disturb his peace of stars know how long. However, when her voice became louder, he desperately shut his eyes, hoping, not praying that it was a poor nightmare from which he soon woke up. Reality wasn't very comforting- so he spun around on his heels, "What do you want from me now, Selene?"

"I'm sorry but I just want to explain-" she requested, eyes boring into his, pleading.

He turned around, and walked up the staircase, taking up his cue, Cinder followed him if he was going to have this conversation, he preferred not to have it under the eyes of hundreds of people who gossiped for a living.

"You have the time it takes for the elevator to reach my floor," he mumbled, walking into the elevator, and breathing a sigh of relief when he realized that his floor was different from hers.

"I already said I'm sorry and I want you to know that I'm not here to rub my presence in your face or just to spite you-" she started, as Kai cut her off, "-I know you and I know that you wouldn't be that petty, but -"

"-let me speak, please," she asked, Kai hadn't lost his kindness so he kept numb, "-I saw it as a chance to make things right-" and that was all it took for him to lose his calm, "I think it's too late to play the good person card, Selene and I'm telling you this not because I have moved on from whatever past we shared but because you lost your chance when you left with no resemblance of an explanation," he roared.

She did take his outburst rather well, before continuing, "You have to un-" She was about to continue when an unexpected interruption occurred, a crude sound that rippled through the elevator.

Kai felt weightless for a split second before his body crashed into the aluminium frame, her body stumbled right into his, causing him to inhale sharply. The car went dark, with no light except the dim glow seeping through the floor gaps. The buttons were no longer lit up, and everything was quiet except for the distant sound of creaks as if the cables were about to snap. And when his senses finally did kick in, he shivered at the proximity he shared with her, his eyes met hers for a fleeting moment before he pushed himself away from her.

"What was that?" she asked, trying to find her footing in the dark. He ignored her question, making his way to the opposite side to test the sturdiness of the elevator. After being convinced that the entire shaft wouldn't tilt or drop several storeys, he turned saying, "It seems like the elevator broke down."

"That is obvious," she concluded, moving around to call the emergency line, "The line is dead, buttons off-" A loud screech stopped her words, the elevator was hanging in the midst of nowhere, and Kai wondered whether his earlier analysis was a failure, for there was a huge possibility of the elevator crashing down hanging above them.

"We have to stop moving, preferably sit down or this is going to smash into the ground with us," he explained, checking his ground, moving around to find a place where the shaft supported both of their weight without added damage.

"Don't these rich assholes do maintenance?!" she exclaimed, both of them standing a few feet apart, Kai wondered if she was just alarmed as him.

"I have sent them a call, network sucks, but I hope someone has the sense to check in, do you have the safety pack you always carried?"

"I didn't think I'd need it so I removed it."

"Ironical how one time you need it, you don't have it on you," he says, words coming sharper than he intended.

"What is that supposed to mean it's not like you are being much help!"

"It doesn't matter, we can't do anything except wait till someone notices the lift isn't working," he states, slumping down against the long frame, a few minutes ago he had decided to leave and now he was stuck in the very presence of the person he was fleeing from. He noticed her turning away, sitting across from him, and in a foolish attempt not to look at her, he closed his eyes, head leaned against the cool frame. He wondered whether they would walk out of this situation without having said any words or perhaps having a life-altering conversation that would make him-

"I came back," Cinder said, so much for wist wishing, Kai thought, throwing a questioning glance, "-you mentioned, I have all the time until you reached your floor."

Kai had to keep in the horrendous chuckle instead he muttered, "That seems very convenient for you."

"Your words, not mine." She tested, but Kai had no energy to fight over it.

"I'm sorry for coming back-"

"Selene, I'm not sad that you are here, I'm a little disappointed that you always convinced me otherwise."

"Don't call me that," she alluded, forcing him to throw hands, "That is your name, Miss Blackburn."

"Not to you-"

"It doesn't matter which name I used before, I won't be using it again."

"Kai, you know I don't-"

"Please," he whispered, willing her to stop, "I want to keep my word but not at the cost of my peace, so I request you not to force a conversation on me."

She didn't deem his statement worthy of a reply, and Kai felt relief. He stared at the emergency button that glowed in neon red colour and wondered if somebody had realized that a mishap had occurred. He couldn't help but think about all the gossip, he would have to deal with in the upcoming events and sighed at the thought.

"Hey, am I audible?" someone yelled, and if his senses served him right, it was Victoire.

"Yes, I thought I would be stuck here forever, the shaft seemed to have cracked over Victoire," he shouted, hoping that she might have some miracle to get him out.

"Oi, yeah, the shaft's all splintered and barely holding the car. If I were you, I'd decide against any movement. It might take some time to get you off the hook. Are you alone, boi?" Someone questioned.

"Oh no, Miss Blackburn is in here. Could you reckon how long it might take?"

"A few hours."

Kai could hear Cinder groan beside him and he could agree with that emotion. He failed to hear Cinder replying to the workers, too lost in his frustration. He scrolled through his port, the lack of a network made passing time harder than it would have been otherwise. Opening one of the electronic copies of his speech for the upcoming events, he checked for any changes- this time could be better spent well instead of mulling over past nonsenses is what he convinced himself.

It was better pretending he was alone in a dark cart than facing the reality of sharing space with Cinder. He was quite contended until Cinder decided to pick up the conversation they had dropped.

"I know you don't want to speak but I also know that you will avoid me like the plague once we get out of here, so I request you to please give me a chance to explain myself," she disclosed. Kai wondered if her face was visible would he notice the way her eyebrows furrowed or the way she bit the inner side of her cheek, instead he looked away, with no reply.

A shrug and later Cinder spoke again, "I know it's stupid coming back and expecting you to accept it. But Thorne and Iko convinced me that it was a good idea-"

"What made you think that parading around with a suitor before me would be like extending an olive branch?" He asked bitterly, thinking about Tristan's fingers thrumming against the slit of her pale dress.

"He isn't my suitor, just a friend-"

"And as far as I know friends don't kiss each other like that," he snapped, ".. I have no problem with you working here but if you expect me to pretend that we are friends now, well then you are being a fool- and no matter what Thorne or Iko convinced you it won't change."

She didn't say much, and Kai could feel her seething in the small space, "You're angry but I don't want Tristan to -"

"I don't give a fuck about him, Cin-" he stopped in his track, the old name rolling off his lips. Out of memory.

"Why won't you say my name?!" she cried, eyes sparkling in the dark, which made Kai squirm.

"Selene," he whispered, jaw clenched, and she was in his face, "Cinder, I hate that name and you know it, it's Cinder!!"

She was inches away, Kai could feel her warm breath on his face, her body heat spreading in the minimal space between the two. He couldn't think, all of his thoughts were brought to a standstill as her brown eyes looked down on him, the darkness around gave them a sharpness, but most of all he couldn't say her name because he was afraid- he was terrified that if he said it, he would never be able to stop, her name wasn't something to throw around casually in a fight, it was supposed to be expressed with endearment-

"Kai, say my name."

"Move," he demanded as he struggled to breathe, backing away farther from her presence, trying to force the air inside his lungs.

Breathe, breathe, b r e a t h e.

"Kai- are you all right? Can you hear me- Kai say something!?"

"I'm fine- please, please back off," he pleaded once there was a sense of calm inside his mind.

"Do you want me to -"

"Just give me a moment, Cinder. Please." He begged, not willing to have a panic attack with her present. And that name he was so hesitant to utter seemed to do its magic as she stayed away.

"Cinder," he said with a tight-lipped smile, his stomach clenching with a single word, "I don't mind if you are dating Tristan, you are allowed to date, after all, it's your life."

"For the umpteenth time Kai, do you not hear me?! I'm not dating him- I fucking love you!"

Kai blinked, words not sitting well with him, "You don't know what you are saying-"

"I'm telling you I love you, how hard is that to understand?!"

"Because you said the same thing before you left with no explanation 3 years ago!" he exclaimed, heart pounding loudly, wondering if their voices were audible to the people outside.

"That was different and you know it too," she cries, her body now closer than it previously was. There's not much place to move around when you expect an elevator car to crash any moment, he thinks.

He slashes away the thought that tells him that he is only moving closer because he might never get a chance again to be so close in her proximity.

He chuckles darkly, "I don't know anything because you never said anything. You decided to pack up and leave with no courtesy of a message- and to talk about Carswell Thorne, where was that asshole when I needed him!"

"And I asked you a chance to explain myself now-"

"Cinder," he grits his teeth, " I don't think you understand- you are 3 years too late to that."

"I was scared," she sobbed, "- and you were always so far away. Reality came crashing down when you proposed and I didn't know what to do so I left. You had a lot of rumours going on and I believed in and can't forgive myself for what I did."

This time Kai heard her, allowing himself to breathe in the dark closeted space, before reacting to her words. Rumours, she had said.

"Now that I find fault, you decide to stay quiet," Cinder hurled, and all resemblance of patience flew out the roof.

"What rumours?" He whispered, voice soft and vulnerable.

"That you were pursuing Daiyu while I remained away!" Cinder yells, and Kai can't help the blood-curdling laughter that erupts from his lips, if not for the darkness, he would have looked like a madman.

"I propose and your first thought is I'm cheating on you with my assistant?" Kai bellows, voice filled with mock resentment as he hides his heartache.

"Because you were never there, Kai!"

"And you weren't either, but I trusted you-" Kai cries, fingers tugging at his hair, "-and you clearly didn't."

His words seemed to have landed harsher than he intended to, as Cinder remained quiet, and Kai didn't prefer the much-wanted silence anymore, "Cinder, I didn't mean-"

"You have every right to be angry, Kai," Cinder shushed him, a sniff that followed at the end of her words, confirmed the hurt his words had caused.

He longed to cross the small distance between them, hold her against his chest, as he apologised for his words, or as she whispered words of assurance, as he sobbed like a heartbroken child in her arms, instead he shuffled for his port, and switched on the torch.

In the scarce light of his port, Kai wasn't able to see much, only the cross-legged sitting posture of Cinder as she stared back at him. Even in the hazy light, Kai couldn't help but admire her features, her cupid's bow which had been perfectly painted in mauve before, looked chapped and worn out from being gnawed on, an anxious tick of hers. The hair intricately braided together was now coming out from multiple places.

Against the darkness, she looked more like Cinder than Selene. Much like his Cinder, who slept on desks because she was too busy to find time to rest, and the ones who had a knack for opening all of the appliances in his apartment only to tinkle with them for days, even weeks.

"I'm sorry," Kai whispers, for what stands behind them, he wouldn't willingly hurt her sentiments. She chose to stay mum, and Kai let her be, not wanting to hurt each other anymore.

Their stillness was disturbed by the flickering of light above them. They believed the car was back operating. However, his hopes were crushed rather quickly as the room darkened again, a brief moment of collapse shook the two in the cart, as they landed on their back. The port crashed, taking the small source of light with it, and the loud voice made Kai wince, a very auditory sign that he would need a new port after this.

"Fuck," they muttered under their breath, sharp pain in their lower back becoming prominent with every movement.

"Are you guys okay?" Someone yelled from outside, and Kai held back a sour retort.

"Uh, yes. However, we would appreciate less adventure," Cinder spoke, and had it not been for their lack of visibility, Kai would have been convinced that she was rolling her eyes, lips drawn in a sneer.

"And Kai?" Victoire asked, and he didn't refrain from rolling his eyes this time, as he shouted, "Alive and blind."

"Don't worry, you'll be out soon," she responded, something Kai didn't seem worthy of replying.

He wondered looking for his port, but not wanting another mishap, decided to stay put, and from Cinder's breathing determined she was closer, perhaps a foot away.

"She is pretty," Cinder whispers, pulling Kai out of his mistaken doze.

"Who?"

"Princess Victoire."

"Looking at her parents, I'd be surprised if she wasn't," Kai jokes, remembering how he had first confused her mother for the young princess. It seemed the English Royals had ageless beauty.

"One would say that about your kids too," Cinder exclaims, and even without any vision, Kai snaps his head, too stunned to speak.

"Excuse Me?" He says after having found his voice.

"I meant- well, your kids would look bea-"

"I understood what you meant, but what do you mean our kids?!"

"You want me to explain reproduction?"

And with it, Kai clears his throat, preventing Cinder from saying anything more disturbing.

"Cinder," he hisses, "Victoire and I aren't dating."

"But she has always been fond of you-"

"And I have always declined her affections," Kai expresses.

"Why would you-"

"Is it so hard to believe that I love you, Cinder?" Kai begged, swallowing the lump of emotions he felt.

"No," she murmured, voice barely audible.

"Then why was it so difficult for you to believe it?" He asks, desperately looking for an answer, that he failed to find in the last 3 years.

"Kai," she croaks, "I was stupid."

"Being stupid doesn't warrant silence of 3 years, Cinder," he reasoned, hand pulling at his face, as he inhaled sharply, hoping their voices weren't loud enough for passersby to hear.

"I became insecure, and your assistant always intercepted our calls telling how you were away but you never called back," - a hiccup breaks her in between, "and as you realized that I was adamant about not leaving Luna, I thought you wouldn't want me anymore. I believed you asked me to marry you only out of pity- hoping I would refuse so we could break up."

With every word, Kai's angry resolve crumbled, and behind was the boy left in the wake of his girlfriend's disappearance, clueless and heartbroken. His eyes shut in scrutiny, as he suppressed a sob trying to escape and asked, "So why come back after so long?"

"Because I'm stupid," Cinder mutters, this time with a wet laugh, and it helps unwind the tension in the room, "-and also because I love you."

Kai's eyes are wide awake, shuffling closer out of reflex, "Don't do this to me, Cinder."

"Why don't you believe it too, Kai?" She questioned, shaking her head, lips raised for a shadow of a smile.

"It's too hard, Cinder. It's too hard to remember the life we had," Kai sniffed, trying to wipe his tears.

"Please," she begged, "I know I have broken your trust, but I also know how devastating it has been to stay away from you, thinking of you every minute and seeing you everywhere I go. I was scared and let my insecurity get the best of me but I don't want this to go on any longer. I need you to be my life."

Their faces were millimetres apart, and Kai felt her ragged breaths ghosting across his face, nose brushing, and wondered whose heart was beating so loudly that he couldn't hear his thoughts over it.

He couldn’t help it. He kissed her. It felt like coming home.

Cinder inhales sharply, making him jolt back, a string of apologies already on his lips, but they are left unsaid, as she smashes her lips into his in a fierce kiss, fingers finding their rightful place in the tufts of his hair.

It's all the action Kai needs to press his body further against hers, backing her against the cool walls of the elevator, and feels the shiver that runs down her spine, however, Cinder doesn't mind, pulling at a handful of his dress shirt, as she glides her tongue over his lips, making Kai gasp.

SC- SCREE- CREESH

The metal scraps struck against each other, bringing a thorough stop to their desires.

"Let's not tempt fate," Cinder whispers, her hot breath against his ear.

"-Not with you finally back in my arms," Kai agrees, pressing kisses against her jaw until his lips moved to the sweet flesh of her clavicle, her warm skin pecked between his teeth.

"This doesn't change anything," he mutters, forehead pressed against hers, breaths mixing, until Cinder closes the small gap, nudging her lips to his mouth, as she kisses him. Soft and slow, like they have all the time in the world, as their lips glide against each other. Until they have to pull back for air, pecking the corner of his lips, Cinder says, "-but this makes it better."

Kai doesn't reply, instead choosing to capture her lips, this time eliciting a moan, making him shudder. He didn't realize how outlandish it felt to kiss Cinder, and having lived with only the memory of their kisses, it was quite clear how much of this feeling of a warm fuzzy passion in his body, he had missed.

"I missed you, so fucking much," he whispered, face pressed against her hair, as he inhaled the scent, of peppermint and dew drops, so uncharacteristically Cinder. Her hands wrapped around his torso, as she mumbled apologies, her grip so tight, that it felt like even the smallest mistake could lead to his disappearance.

"Kai," someone yelled, breaking the hallow of their bliss.

It was Victoire. Having completely bypassed the fact that they were still stuck in the elevator, Kai didn't find his voice for a second, his sense intoxicated from being so close to Cinder again.

"Yeah," he replied, as Cinder fumbled with his tie, struggling to unknot it in the dark.

"We are restarting the power, it would take a minute for the elevator to be back working. I would suggest sitting down to avoid any harm," Victoire explained.

"Okay," he croaked and hoped it didn't sound too dubious, a sharp tug of his hair, pushed his head back, giving the access Cinder had needed to kiss his throat.

"Do you want to sit?"

"I'd not squander an opportunity to fall on you accidentally," Cinder hummed, amusement evident in her voice.

As mentioned by Victoire, the elevator starts working, without any upheaval, much to Cinder's disappointment.

In the white light of the elevator, Kai notices how rugged they look, so different from how they had entered, but what is unmistakable catch is the smile on her face.

A short ding signals the reach of the closest floor, and as the door opens, Kai can see the relieved faces of the workers. Victoire is standing among them.

"Oh Goodness, I can't believe you were stuck in for over an hour!" She exclaims, apologizing for the mishap along with the resort representative.

"Not to worry, Vic!" He mentioned, and let the physician look at him for any injuries.

"You look quite dishevelled," the stranger commented, causing Kai to cringe, he might have wanted to tell everyone that Cinder was his again to love, but he didn't wish them to find it like this.

His dress shirt coming out at odd places, a few buttons loose and his tie hanging at a peculiar angle, were taletell signs enough.

"The cart was moving quite tumultuously. You would have to forgive us for our appearances, good sir," Cinder remarked, coming to his rescue.

"I think we should let the two rest," Victoire advised, and Kai smiled in relief, thankful to have her intervention.

Everyone dispersed, leaving only the likes of him, Cinder and Victoire behind, and having already reached his floor, he decided to call it a night too.

"Aren't you on the 11th floor, Selene?" Victoire questioned, eyebrows raised, as she noticed Cinder following him.

"Uh-huh, I didn't notice it," she said, hands moving awkwardly around as she tried to look sane, "-I think I'd prefer the stairs. Good night to you!"

With that Cinder had left, and Kai tried hard to stifle a laugh when she threw a look of scorn behind Victoire's back.

"That was weird," Victoire noted after Cinder was out of hearing range.

"Indeed," he admitted, as they walked to the end of the hall, where his room was situated.

"Night, Vic," he mentioned, kissing her cheek, as he faked a yawn, if experiences served him right, he knew how Vic would launch him with multiple questions, and right now he wasn't up for scrutiny, especially if Cinder was going to come to his room later.

His trick worked well as she let him be, mumbling her goodbye, as he shut the door. Kai couldn't accept what had just happened, it was like a dream that began as a nightmare. He discarded his rumpled clothes and got cleaned up, washing the smell of liquor and sweat that had clung to him.

"You don't need to put it on," Cinder said from behind him, as he was picking a tee to put on.

"Someone is too quick," he said, turning around to see her in the same dress from earlier.

"I have three years of lost time to make up to," she remarks, catching him halfway, arms locked around his neck, as her tongue outlines a full bottom lip.

There isn't much argument to put up against, as he leans into her touch, body flushed as they fall into his bed later, their clothes strewn across the floor.

"Don't you think you are cheating on your suitor?" Kai asked, in between kisses, chuckling at how she shoved him down at the question.

"I'm with my fiancee, so if anyone is cheating it's you," she whispered, bringing a halt to their activity.

"You're engaged to Tristan?" Kai asks, hurt clear on his face.

"I can't believe, I would be marrying such a stupid fellow!" Cinder says, defusing the tension in his shoulders.

"That is a stupid way to say yes," Kai retorts, cutting short her comeback, as he kisses her. He didn't intend to stop doing it anytime sooner.

...

tagging: @gingerale2017 @slmkaider @impossiblesuitcase @selwithwonderland @fangirlforever0704 @cinderswrench @salt-warrior @kaiderforever

#sorry not sorry #kaider #the lunar chronicles #i’m slightly ashamed but i stand on business

20 notes · View notes