[There's a vague, distant thought somewhere far in the back of her mind, hard to grasp and even harder still to hold on to, that wonders whether this is Rohan's first kiss. It's possible, probably. She doesn't know what he did or didn't do in all the years that she was malingering in her alleyway. He might've, somewhere along the way — but it's just as easy to imagine that he didn't, because it's Rohan, who doesn't like anyone (except her) and never lets anyone get close (except her).
Last Cordis, she told him that she's selfish when it comes to him. There's always that part of her that doesn't want to share him. That's the part of her that hopes that maybe it is. He's not her first kiss, but maybe she's his. One more memory for the tally they're trying to build together. One more way she's a part of him that won't disappear.
It would be terrible if that were the case, she thinks. And it would be nice.
But it's the right answer, because of course it is. Of course Rohan came up with the solution, because it's Rohan. Their lips brush and the chroma blooms like a springtime flower waking up in a thaw, and gradually the scatterlines of crystals begin to fade away from where they're set in her skin, returning some of the color to her face.
She keeps her eyes closed, in part because they're kissing but mostly as a kindness to him, so that he can pretend whatever he needs to in order to reconcile himself to this. She doesn't look; she just lifts her chin to find a better angle and nudges more firmly against him, slanting her mouth against his because it feels better that way.]
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Last Cordis, she told him that she's selfish when it comes to him. There's always that part of her that doesn't want to share him. That's the part of her that hopes that maybe it is. He's not her first kiss, but maybe she's his. One more memory for the tally they're trying to build together. One more way she's a part of him that won't disappear.
It would be terrible if that were the case, she thinks. And it would be nice.
But it's the right answer, because of course it is. Of course Rohan came up with the solution, because it's Rohan. Their lips brush and the chroma blooms like a springtime flower waking up in a thaw, and gradually the scatterlines of crystals begin to fade away from where they're set in her skin, returning some of the color to her face.
She keeps her eyes closed, in part because they're kissing but mostly as a kindness to him, so that he can pretend whatever he needs to in order to reconcile himself to this. She doesn't look; she just lifts her chin to find a better angle and nudges more firmly against him, slanting her mouth against his because it feels better that way.]