Anachronistic: Endless Masquerade

36 | Second Chance

- 36 -

It almost would have been better to wake to a youkai attack. At least then, Pandora would have known what to do. She had trained for years to handle herself physically and emotionally during a hunt. Instead, she woke up to Lilith curled up beside her. It sent her heart and mind racing. The sense of losing control drew her right to the edge of a panic attack, but stopped short.

        Is she giving me a second chance? What should I say to her? What if I fuck it up again?

        Her anxiety told her she needed to act fast, but also that nothing she did would be the right choice. A test with no correct answer. She laid still for minutes, tying herself in knots before she decided the best thing would be to ignore all of it. The plan she came up with was so simple she didn't know if it could rightfully be called a plan. It didn't amount to much more than conversation over breakfast in bed, but her mistake last time had been moving too fast. If Lilith really did mean to give her a second chance, she would let her set her own pace.

        The hardest part was ignoring the apprehension growing in her chest. It had seemed easy enough as she carried Lilith back to the room, ensuring there would be no repeat of the previous day's events. She even managed it as she crossed the ship to the galley and brought back food. But now, as she stood outside the cabin door, she was terrified of what might happen once she opened it.

        Calm down, Pandora. If you go in you could damage your relationship with Lily, but if you leave now you've ruined it anyway.

        She placed one of the two plates she had brought across her forearm and balanced it there. This freed up a hand to retrieve the key, but the challenge of not spilling it also helped to keep her mind off Lilith long enough to unlock the deadbolt. She took a deep breath and, with a trembling hand, pushed the door open.

        "I brought some food. Are you hungry?"

        Pandora held her breath waiting for Lilith's answer. Can we even go back to normal at this point? Will she forgive me? What if she's still mad I ran?

        For a heartbeat, their eyes met, then there was a shuffling. Bedsheets burst into the air followed by the creak of springs and a heavy blow to the chest. The force nearly knocked the plates from Pandora's hands. Lilith clung tight around her midsection, head pressed into the cleave of her breasts. There was no need for words. Her heart shouted its approval with hurried beats directly into Lilith's ear.

        Pandora set a plate on the bedside table, then spun to set the second beside it, Lilith's embrace unflinching as they moved. Now that she wasn't holding anything, Pandora brought a hand down on Lilith's head and began to jostle her hair. That was enough to break up the hug and send Lilith retreating.

        "Hey, cut it out!" she demanded, but Pandora could hear the smile in her tone. It was followed by a small squeak right before a heavy weight slammed against her chest. She fell back and landed on the mattress, Lilith collapsing on top of her. Embarrassed, Lilith tried to push herself up and away as an apology spilled from her mouth.

        "I'm sorry. I lost my balance; I didn't mean to—"

        She was cut short when Pandora pulled her back down on top of her, locking her in place with a hug. She savored each detail: The warmth Lilith gave off, the weight of her body, and the gentle rise and fall of her breathing. They were both silent. This time, Lilith didn't try to rise. Instead, she pulled her arms in and clutched Pandora's sides.