Kitsu's tail and ears fell, her eyes welling up with tears.
"But I thought... you would be my blood donor for the rest of your life," she said tearfully and tried to hide her face.
Kael's chest fluttered. Does she really want to be with me for the rest of her life? Shall I propose to her? How weird would that be for her? What do I do? I really couldn't bear to see her crying. Kael took her hands and gently wiped away her tears.
Kitsu gazed up at him with a trace of hope in her eyes.
"Kael, would you really want to spend your whole life with me?" Kael finally asked, his eyes still welling with tears. Looking into those eyes that brimmed with tears once again warmed her up.
"I thought you were enjoying my company, too."
When he heard these words, Kael relented, bending only to pull her into a warm hug.
"I never said I wasn't. It's just… I have to go. My father will start looking for me if I don't return tomorrow," Kael explained, looking at her as she snuggled closer to him.
"I can conceal us with magic. You won't have to worry about anyone else."
Kael turned to her and thought for a moment. That could be great, but I can't do such a selfish thing to my parents. Even if they are pushing me to marry quickly, I know it's because they want the best for me. They've looked after me all this time. He again turned his gaze back to her.
"I cannot do that to my parents, Kitsu. I am sorry. But I do have one solution to this problem... but I am not sure you will accept it." Kael continued to rub her back, soothing her.
Kitsu looked up at him hopefully and asked,
"What is it?
Kael looked into her eyes, still unsure if he was prepared for such a huge responsibility. He stroked her cheek and pulled her closer.
"My father has been forcing me to get married to someone so that I can produce an heir before he passes away. He wants to make sure the future of the company is secured. So, if you agree, we could, you know, get married."
Kitsu's thoughts were racing, so she buried her face in his chest. What if I say yes? Will his dad accept me? Should I? Is this really happening now?
She looked back at him, and his eyes were so filled with so much care and affection.
"I don't know; I have never been this close to anyone, and I am not sure whether I'm ready for such a relationship," she confessed.
Kael's face fell. I guess she's right. We don't even know each other properly. This is probably the end. He felt defeated.
"But. That seems to be the only solution. I think we could at least. try?"
Kael's eyes lit up with joy. He quickly lifted her by her armpits and spun her around, laughing.
"Thank you, Kitsu! You can't imagine how happy I am right now. Thank you!"
Kitsu's eyes were glowing as he twirled her, but she was filled with joy and started to laugh with him. Maybe I did the right thing, she thought.
Suddenly, Kael ceased twirling and furrowed his brows.
"How will we explain your tail, ears, claws, and fangs to them?"
She couldn't help it and burst into laughter at how fast he switched from laughing to serious.
"Don't worry, I can shapeshift into human form," she said with a warm smile.
Kael smiled back and hugged her again, still wondering if his father would accept her as his bride. For a while, neither of them spoke. They simply held each other, basking in each other's warmth.
"So... this means you'll also be my blood donor, right? You'll let me drink your blood whenever I want?" Kitsu asked playfully, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Kael's heart melted at her cuteness. She looks so adorable when she's worried.
"Of course. I'll be your husband, after all."
The word "husband" sent a thrill through Kitsu. She buried her face back into his chest, feeling excitement rise within her. I can't believe I'm marrying the man I met just two days ago while drinking his blood. She started inhaling his scent, her tail wagging happily.
Curiosity overcame Kael, and he reached out and lightly touched her tail. Is it like a normal body part? Does she control it, or does it move instinctively?
Kitsu froze at his touch and let out a soft moan.
"Kael, please… It's really sensitive there."
Kael immediately pulled his hand away.
"Sorry, I didn't know."
Kitsu smiled sheepishly.
"You don't have to be sorry. I just wasn't expecting it."
Kal looked at her again. It felt so good having her in his arms. He looked out the window and saw that the curtains were still closed. He carefully shifted her to the side and pulled the curtains open, his eyes wide with surprise as he saw that it was pitch black outside. How long have we been snuggling?
He turned to Kitsu, who sat on the bed, staring at him with a curious expression.
"Shall we dine? It feels like we didn't catch the time."
Kitsu felt the pang of emptiness when he broke their embrace, but the suggestion got her to jump merrily.
"Yes! What shall we eat? Shall we cook meat again? I loved what you grilled last night!"
Kael couldn't help but chuckle at her childlike enthusiasm.
"Alright, we shall prepare meat, but not grilled. I shall cook for you something different."
Kael opened the freezer and pulled out meat, peppers, tomatoes, garlic cloves, and one large onion. He started to chop the onion and looked back at her. She was staring at him intently beside him. Kael leaned forward and kissed her on the top of her head before continuing to prepare dinner.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Kitsu asked,
"What are you cooking, Kael?"
"It's called Saç Kavurma. It's a kind of sauté of meat. You'll like it," he replied. She nodded and continued to watch him.
Kael chopped the onion, peppers, and tomatoes into small pieces and minced the garlic. He pulled out a special pan for the dish, called a saç, that he always kept in the cabin for this meal. He heated the pan and added some oil to it. And began dicing the meat. He threw in the meat when it was hot, cooking it until it released its juice and browned a little; he then added the chopped onions and garlic, stirring and cooking until the onions softened. He later added the green peppers, stirring a few more minutes. As the peppers softened, he added the tomatoes and mixed everything, letting it cook until the tomatoes formed a light sauce. He sprinkled in black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes, lowered the heat, and let it simmer. Turning back to Kitsu, he found her still watching him.
Her gaze was full of admiration as he cooked with swift, precise movements. Kitsu set the table while Kael finished cooking.
Kael kissed her forehead again before plating the saç kavurma and serving it to her.
"Remember, you have to use the fork this time," he teased, handing her the utensil.
She sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
They both ate their dinner in comfortable silence. Yet, despite the quiet, one thought echoed in both of their minds: I'm falling for her/him.