Embers of Sun and Flame (Fuegoleon Vermillion x OC)

Chapter 54 The choice

The door to the room opened, and a man they both recognized entered. One that made Fuegoleon's hold of Solara grow stronger.

Can't we catch a break, for fuck's sake? Fuegoleon's brows furrowed, as he got up, and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, but refused to budge from the spot.

"I supposed you have every right to give me that look," Valereon commented with a trace of a scoff as he quirked an eyebrow while holding a bouquet.

"An understatement, but yes. I do have a reason to look at you like this," Fuegoleon glared, while still seated on the bed with a slightly slouched posture. His eyes pierced through the platinum blond man, who simply stared back with a straight posture.

"What do you... want Val?" Solara whinged, while trying to sit up. It felt as if her middle was on fire as she did so, and pulses of piercing, numbing pain struck through her as if spikes.

Fuego turned slightly as he heard her and felt the bed shifting under him. But his eyes kept stealing glances towards Valereon's direction, as he wanted to be sure that there was no threat incoming. Valereon, however, didn't bear the face of grudge or of ill intention. Instead, as he heard the whine, the faint cry leaving Solara as she sat up, a veil of sorrow was pulled over him as his face twisted into a melancholic frown.

"I.. um..." he began, but paused as he waited for her to settle into a seated position, and wrap her arms around Fuegoleon's middle, while leaning against him. "I wanted to wish you a speedy recovery," he replied, as if trying to recite a report. But instead failed as his words fluttered from him, laced with softness.

Valereon's eyes landed onto the ring that decorated her finger, glittering in the faint light of the room. And the sight, it made him swallow. "I brought you flowers," he continued while presenting a bouquet of hydrangeas and pansies.

She glanced over Fuego's shoulder and looked at the finely crafted display of flowers. "Thank you. That is very considerate of you," she whispered, but averted her gaze.

He stood there, watching the vermillion-coloured locks tangling together with strawberry blonde, and bit down his teeth. "M-mmm," he finally mumbled while turning to place the flowers onto her bedside table, as Fuegoleon's eyes followed his every movement.

The flowers were placed onto the wooden surface, but as soon as the stems and silken petals left his grasp, he stopped, contemplating. It was as if he had remembered something, or that a thought had struck him; it was impossible to tell which option it was.

"[You know... I still...]"

"Hm?" She hummed, looking at Valereon, as Fuegoleon tried to focus on the mumbled words that were spoken.

"[You should... see if he's the one before making such a commitment]," the blond man spoke, without gazing to her. The words tumbled from him with restrain, as well as a hint of sorrow.

Fuegoleon could feel her arms tightening around him, as she stayed silent thinking about what to answer. His eyes shifted to the side every now and then, trying to catch a glimpse of her, and the expression she wore. But he could only see her hair, the side of her face, and her arms, squeezing him in her embrace.

"I was planning on asking for it," she replied, the words rolling over Fuego's shoulder, but the statement gained no reaction.

Valereon's head turned slightly, as if to look towards her from the corner of his eye, without actually daring to do so. Which was followed by a nod, and then he began making his way to the door. His steps rang in the air, as the only sound in the room, until his hand took a hold of the door handle.