More samples can be found here (my previous Writing Freebies thread) and here (my AO3).
A large grin is plastered on Akira's face, his eyes carrying a bright shine to them. Alicia and Jin happen to catch sight of him, and they're curious to know what the reason is for his quite obvious joy. Alicia sneaks up on him from behind, peering over Akira's shoulder and asks, "What's that?"
The young officer jumps, a startled exclamation leaving him. "Gah?! Oh, Alicia... It's just you." Akira exhales a sigh of relief before shaking his head and proceeding to answer her previous question, his gaze falling down to the box in his hand. "It's a bunch of macarons I bought for Stells-- er, I mean, Stella."
There's teasing lilt in Jin's voice as he asks, "Ah, you mean that girlfriend of yours you're always gushing about?"
Akira's cheeks become visibly red as he hastily tries to defend himself, "I-I don't gush about her all the time!"
"Riiight," Alicia responds, unconvinced with a knowing smirk on her face. "You just gush about her 99% of the time while the remainin 1% is when you're focused on work. In any case, aren't those super expensive? What's the occasion?"
"There's no occasion," Akira answers, thankful for thenslight shift in topic. "Stella's been going through a really tough time, so I wanted to try cheering her up with one of her favourite desserts."
Both Jin and Alicia stare at their younger coworker for a moment before breaking out into wide grins. They both pat Akira on the shoulder, much to his confusion. He's so smitten with Stella, it's rather endearing for outsiders like them to watch, and they find themselves rooting for the couple.
"I'm sure Stella would appreciate the gesture, especially since it's from you."
The night air is cool against Lilianna's skin as she links her arm with Dimitri's, the two taking a leisurely stroll of sorts around the monastery. Every now and then, they come across a corpse or pile of one that has yet to be given a proper burial. She closes her eyes every time they encounter one of the deceased, but Dimitri looks on ahead, unwavering, though there is a hint of melancholy hiding behind his features.
The two find themselves in the part of the monastery where the gazebo once stood tall and proud, and they decide to take a small break. Lilianna unlinks herself from the hardened prince and rubs her arms to generate some heat. She had opted against bringing her overcoat, thinking it wouldn't be necessary.
Dimitri glances down at her before breathing out a sigh. He slips off his cloak and instead drapes it over his lover's cold shoulders. It's quite big on her, the furs making it look like they're engulfing her, and a small chuckle makes its way past Dimitri's lips. It's a peculiar feeling. He hasn't laughed like this—a genuine laugh without malice or scorn—for a long time.
Lilianna stares at his face, and it looks like she too is surprised at the sound that he had made. Dimitri's expression then turns contemplative, tilting his head to the side as his fingertips delicately stroke the woman's cheek. "How strange..." he muses. It almost sounds like he's talking to himself, but Lilianna hangs on to his every word. "Back in the Academy, I always thought you couldn't get any more beautiful than you alrady were, yet here you are, having proved me wrong..."
Lilianna doesn't know what kind of face to make, but there's no denying that her heart had skipped a beat from his words. She buries her face a bit deeper into the furs of his cloak. The smell of blood lingers on it, but somehow, she can't find it in herself to be disgusted by it. Rather than be disgusted by the scent, her chest becomes painfully tight that it would be something associated with the prince.
Green, wide eyes stare at the small, flickering flame on the table in front of her. A simple candle. The power had gone out due to the heavy storm raging outside, and Nuria couldn’t remember why they decided to use candlelight when there should have been other alternatives. Not that it particularly matters since it’s such a tiny little flame and there’s nothing to worry about. Or so Nuria tries to tell herself.
A flame. A spark.
In the quiet room, the young woman’s thoughts wander back to a memory that seems so distant in a sense, but one still very haunting. It lingers in the corners of her mind, and guilt settles deep in the pit of her stomach. Her memories always start out bittersweet. Yes, there were difficulties she faced as a child, but she had a family who loved and cared for her.
…Had.
Nuria’s heart lurches in her chest, and she feels sick. She ignores the beating rain against the window, something she usually enjoys, and instead merely focuses on the flame that mockingly dances in front of her. In her mind’s eye, she can see the hot colours of red, orange, and yellow, spread and grow. They fill her entire vision and consumes everything.
(but also thank u for the writing i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ace is only stupid jealous tho so u.u)
