*Ana*
"Please, no more!" I squeal between tears. My sides are burning from laughing hard, and I can barely breathe. But this doesn't stop Nicoli. He ignores my pleas for mercy and carries on his assault.
"Bombs away!" Nicoli throws another snowball to explode over my back.
"Ah!" The shock of ice-cold snow burrows underneath my collar. It's so cold that it almost burns. I immediately try to swat it out, but the snow seems to travel further. It's down too deep; I can't get it. I must stand and suffer until it melts.
Snow is so mean! I shiver as the snow again finds my skin. It sinks through my clothes like sand. The icy burn reminds me of the hot summer sand in Nochten.
"It's too cold," my nose drips an icy snot before I peer back at him.
"I want to go back inside."
"No way!" Nicoli blows a raspberry and is bent over. He gathers more snow in his gloved hands.
"Not until you eat one- now, come here!" Nicoli charges at me.
"No!" I threw up my arms and caught his hand.
"Let go!" Nicoli pulls back, but I am determined to wrestle the snowball free. I push my weight on him as my hand pulls the opposite way.
"I said, no more-" I pull his arm up, but I'm surprised he can pull back. He's strong, strong enough to match me. Even though I am older, Nicoli is as strong as I am, and worse, he's more eager.
Instead of being weakened by the cold, Nicoli only grows determined.
"You asked for it!" Nicoli steps in to push me back.
"Ah?" I feel the tug before noticing his foot is on my hem. And then everything is moving.
"Nicoli!" I can't stop as my feet slip in the snow. I'm falling forward into Nicoli.
"Whoa-" Nicoli yells, but it's too late. The momentum pushes Nicoli down with me, and we both are falling. I close my eyes to embrace the impact. Nicoli hits the ground with a great thud.
"Umphf!" Nicoli groans before I open my eyes again.
"Oh no!" I immediately sat up.
"Nicoli, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to," I glanced over his body. Is he okay? Did I hurt him?
"I didn't mean- Are you okay?"
"Haha!" A sudden burst of laughter breaks underneath me.
"Nicoli?" I freeze in place as Nicoli continues to laugh. It's sweet and warm despite the freezing air.
"You cheater!" Nicoli flashes his big blue eyes up at me to catch my breath momentarily.
"I- I didn't cheat." I stumble and turn my head. But even if I'm not looking, I can still feel his eyes. He's watching me.
He's looking at me. The thought tickles something under my stomach to make me warm up.
Keep looking at me. The voice surprised me. It's not me. But I, too, feel the same. I don't want Nicoli to stop because I like it. I like it when Nicoli looks at me.
How warm he feels. How soft. My breath grows deep as I am suddenly aware of him beneath me. It makes my nose itch. There is a new smell in the air.
It's coming from Nicoli, and I notice he smells different. The scent of soap and grass was long gone.
He now smells like honey and cloves.
I move my tongue across my lips as my eyelids grow heavy. The smell is intoxicating yet soothing. I want to breathe in deeper.
It's so lovely. I lean in to get another whiff. The smell feels my chest, and my teeth begin to tingle.
"Brother," I close my eyes as my body falls further. I have this sudden need to touch him. My lips want to press on something soft and warm.
I want to kiss-
"Let me show you my toys!"
"What," I am snapping back up as Nicoli moves.
"Yeah!" Nicoli gently pushes me aside to stand. He pats off the snow before holding his hand with a great smile. His chubby cheeks are as pink as his nose from the cold.
"Come on, Ana!" Nicoli says with a great puff of air, and I blink after him.
How is he still energetic? I am bewildered. I can feel my body starting to ache from the cold, but he seems unharmed. He is just a ball of energy. His body shifts from one side to the other.
"You...keep calling me 'Ana.'"
"Of course." Nicoli returned with an easy smile, "It's what you said to call you that first night."
"You- you heard me?" The blood drains from my face.
"Wait, you were awake?!" The big problem comes to mind.
For how long? I feel my heart fall. What does he remember?
"Nicoli, that night, I-" I start, but Nicoli is moving again.
"Now," Nicoli takes my hand and pulls me up, "let's go!"
"Uh- um?" I stutter and blush. I smack my lips as if to speak, but my mind suddenly rushes.
Was he awake? Does he remember? How much does he remember? I am spinning as Nicoli holds my hand tighter.
"Pick up your feet, Ana!" Nicoli yanks me to stumble forward. I lose my thought as I realize his warm hand pulls us back inside.
-x-
Everything looks the same. I noticed the blue & yellow room. It seems as if nothing has changed since I was here last time. Even the bed is the same.
The bed's still- I feel my skin prickle at the sight and swallow to steady my breathing. The view makes me uneasy, just like the room. I'm nervous to be back here again.
I'm worried something might happen like last time.
But it won't. I have to tell myself.
It won't because I am different now. I'm not upset like last time. So today will be better.
Nothing is going to happen. I repeat.
I won't eat Nicoli.
The sound of a door closing, followed by quick footsteps, breaks me back to the present. I am still in Nicoli's room, and he is going to where I was weary about.
Nicoli climbs onto the bed and starts fussing with the pillows. His little tongue sticks out as he seems to be building something like a pile. Once tall enough, he burrows inside before turning to beckon me to follow.
"Nicoli?" I don't move from my spot.
What was he doing?
"Come here," Nicoli waves his hand to me. He seems to want me to climb inside, but I'm already feeling my throat tighten.
"I'd rather not-" I don't think this is a good idea. The bed is a no-go zone that I'd rather avoid.
"Just come here, Ana," Nicoli calls again more adamantly.
"But-"
"Please, Ana," Nicoli peeks his head out to stare me down with big blue eyes, "I want to show you something."
Show me what? I weaken on the spot. I'm less curious than he compels me.
"Er...alright." I relent, unsure what else I can do. I can refute him if he keeps staring at me like that. The only thing left is to follow along, and I tread cautiously. My eyes run over the pile of pillows.
"Nicoli, I'm here -" I'm too surprised to scream as the hand suddenly yanks me in. Nicoli drives me deep into the small hovel before I know what to say. I find we are now in the center of a wall of pillows.
The space is small and tight. It's barely big enough to fit us without touching each other. My cheeks blush as Nicoli's knee presses into mine as he shifts to make room for my butt.
"Nicoli, I don't think we should-"
"Look at this," Nicoli whispers, pulling something up from the pillow. It's a small bear.
"That's my gift-" I stop as Nicoli surprises me with a kiss. It's a small and quick peck on the lips.
"It's my favorite toy in the WHOLE WORLD. Thank you so much, Ana!" Nicoli hugs the bear.
"I will treasure it always." Nicoli kisses the bear's face the same way. He then takes my hand. I can feel his warm skin heat my normal cold one. Again, I note how plump and soft his hands feel. They are the perfect size, too. His hands fit neatly into mine.
"I love you, Ana," Nicoli says.
"What!?" My cheeks burst into flames from shock. What did he say to me? What? At the confession, Ana felt her cheeks burst into flames and almost choked on her dry tongue.
"L-love?" I choke on my dry tongue and have to cough.
"Did you just say you love-" I cough again as my eyes spin.
I can't remember the last time someone uttered those words to me besides Maddie. It makes me doubt I heard him right.
How could anyone say something so easily as love? I cough and hold my head to try to stop the dizziness. I must have heard wrong.
Nicoli wouldn't just say he- Everything stops as Nicoli squeezes my fingers.
"You love me, too, right Ana?" Nicoli asks eagerly. His blue eyes sparkle despite the dim light.
"Nicoli-" I squeak as my throat tightens.
I can't breathe. Nicoli's scent is thick and concentrated inside the fort. I can't escape the intoxicating feeling.
He's too close. I tremble as my arms become heavy. I can't move. I'm too weak. And something feels wrong with my teeth- my baby fans are tingling again.
"Ana, did you hear me?" Nicoli repeats, leaning closer.
"I…" I can't feel my hands anymore. I'm not sure if I'm even breathing.
Am I going to faint?
"I said, do you love me?" Nicoli looks directly into my eyes. His blue eyes are intense, and I shiver. I want to hurry away, but my limbs are numb. And Nicoli isn't helping.
"Ana," Nicoli draws closer. His voice is thick in my ears.
"I…" I push out the word, but my throat is tight.
I need to leave. But Nicoli traps me by grabbing both hands.
"Ana? Hello~" Nicoli sing-calls into my ear.
"Ana, are you there~."
I need to run. The thought is ringing in my head. I need to move before something happens.
"Nicoli-" Please, let go before I-
"Empress Anastasia? Are you here?" Maddie's voice cuts through from the door.
Maddie! Relief washes over me at the voice. She sounds like a choir of angels at the moment.
Maddie, my savior!
"I'm here!" I use all my energy to crawl out of the pillows. Immediately, the door opens, and my head hits the open air. It's Maddie, and she spots us with a shake of her head.
"Empress, I've been looking for you this whole time." Maddie sounds annoyed." We need to start preparing you for supper."
"Coming!" I use the last of what I have to jump out. I bounce off the bed in a mad scramble. Pillows fly as I move and fall to the floor as I dash toward Maddie.
"What in the world?" Maddie looks after me, confused, but I don't stop. I rush past her. I'm about to enter the hall before something yanks me backward.
What? I snap back to widen my eyes. It's Nicoli, and he has me by the hand.
"Brother?"
"Why are you going?" Nicoli stares after me with big eyes.
"Don't go."
Why are you looking at me like this? I sink into seeing his expression. But just as quickly, I have to shake it off. I need to put space between us.
"I have to go." I tug back my hand. Nicoli frowns, but let's go. I waste no more time and rush past Maddie. I move out into the hall with my hair and shawl trailing behind me.
Breath. I cough as I take in sharp breaths of clean air as I run. It hurts to both simultaneously, but I can't stop. I have to drown out the smell of before.
Just breathe. Calm down. It's okay. Nothing happened. I think as I push my legs even harder as I run away.
It's going to be okay.
*Maddie*
"Ana? " Maddie called at the girls' odd behavior. But Ana did not attempt to converse.
"We should make haste." Ana excused herself and kept marching. She seemed focused on getting back to her room.
Did they fight? Maddie wondered at the girl's sudden readiness to leave. Curious, she shot a look back to the room.
"Oh god!"Maddie almost screamed out of fright to find herself not alone. Nicoli was already standing next to her.
"Ah, your highness." Maddie nervously laughed at her nerves. She had not heard the boy creep up to her.
"You startled me."
"Sorry, didn't mean to." Nicoli smiled up at her but quickly became distracted. His blue eyes were quick to find Ana. He stared after her and moved to hold the bear closer to his chin.
"Oh, the bear." Maddie realized and brightened. He had it.
Ana must have given it to him just before. Maddie paused to note the boy's expression. It oddly reminded her of a puppy.
And now he doesn't want her to go. Maddie realized, then laughed.
How sweet.
"Don't worry; you two will be together soon." Maddie voiced to ease the boy.
"Until then, good afternoon, Your Highness," Maddie bowed before taking off to follow Ana. On a whim, Maddie stole one last look over her shoulder.
Nicoli was still standing by watching. The little bear was tucked tight under his chin. His blue eyes seemed to linger after Ana was out of sight.
He's simply a doll. Look how devoted he already is. Maddie beamed a new smile and waved. Seeing that both children had already taken to each other was a great pleasure.
Won't his majesty be pleased? Maddie lifted her head higher. She was sure the rest of today was going to get better.