My vampire queen.

7. A slice of the past

Vanya said softly, "That's quite big for you," as she watched the white fabric fall carelessly over Cosima's body and reach her legs. "Is it at least comfortable?" With her golden eyes carefully focused on the younger girl's face, the queen asked.

"Mhm." With a languid smile, Cosima pressed her nose on her arm and sniffed a little. "It smells like you." Cosima silently hummed as she observed Vanya's towering body with a composed smile.

"Of course, it smells like me." The queen answered, weaving together her golden eyebrows as she spoke. "It's mine." She folded her arms and observed as Cosima's little frame was engulfed by her T-shirt.

"It's pleasant to have something from you to hold close to," Cosima said, her words filtered through the T-shirt's material. The feeling caused Vanya's face to soften; this sweet image made her heartstrings twist into delectable knots. "You smell so nice." With her teeth brushing her lower lip, Cosima purred.

Her brown eyes, so kind and tolerant that the term patience itself could not express their depth, greeted Vanya's quivering pupils with serenity. Vanya's shoulders sagged as she felt herself dissolve beneath Cosima's stare. Under her gaze, Vanya felt so vulnerable and exposed that Cosima could see every barrier Vanya had built collapsing.

Cosima only lifted her arm, put her palm on her face, leaned forward on her tiptoes, and brushed her pale skin with her thumb as her lips were pressed against it. "Thank you for the clothes." With a soft sigh, she lowered herself once again while stretching and straightening her arms. "They're comfy."

Vanya turned her head away and stared out the window, her eyes wide, as she refused to accept what this girl had done to her. She could feel the heat clinging to her pale, ghostly cheekbones and rising up her neck.

"Aren't you going to change too?" Cosima gave a yawn. "You're still in the uniform." Vanya took a quick look at what she was wearing—her go-to navy uniform that she had been wearing for as long as she could remember. "Right"

With that, Cosima pivoted on her heel and stared at the floor, providing the queen with enough seclusion. Surprised, Vanya raised an eyebrow, but then nodded to herself, taking off her shirt and shrugging it off. She set the upper portion on a chair and removed her perspiring turtleneck to expose her fair flesh underneath. She grabbed a white T-shirt and slipped it over her head before slipping into cozy sweatpants.

She looked down at Cosima, her lips pressed firmly together as she towered over the little figure. Upon seeing the significant disparity in height between them, she tucked her lower lip between her teeth. She was facing Vanya with her back to her, her head bowed slightly as she fidgeted, twisting her fingers at strange angles.

Cosima and Archie seem to have the same behavior. When they're anxious, they both like bending their fingers.

Sandra saw that Emmy was shivering a little after seeing Orlok and gave her a hug. Would it make Cosima stop twitching? Vanya was a little taken aback since she had no idea how natural it was for Sandra to interact physically with others. She could be really envious.

With hesitation, she put her arms around Cosima's waist and drew her back until her back was against Vanya's chest. Considering how distant the older woman was, her brown eyes opened slightly at the unexpected touch.

"Do you want to perhaps have a tour of my palace?" Vanya felt like biting her tongue to retract her remarks, but Cosima seemed interested even before she finished them. She nodded slowly, curiosity glimmering in her eyes. She smiled more broadly and said, "I would love that."

Vanya wanted to hit herself for letting a question so innocent slip her mind.

"Fine then." She sighed and released Cosima, keeping her hands to herself and biting her lip into a grimace as she put them in her pockets to avoid making any physical contact with the girl. As they strolled through the lavish hallways of her castle, Vanya pointed out the minute features of the furnishings. Cosima paid close attention, posing inquiries and expressing sincere gratitude for Vanya's home.