WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

45.Underneath the Christmas Glow

The room was still cloaked in the warm afterglow of their intimacy. Vanessa and Astra lay entangled on the small office's plush rug, their bodies pressed together, each finding solace in the other's arms. The golden light from the desk lamp cast soft shadows across their skin, and the faint scent of vanilla tobacco and Astra's perfume lingered in the air.

Vanessa lazily traced patterns along Astra's bare shoulder, her lips pressing occasional kisses to the top of her golden head. Astra let out a contented sigh, her hand resting over Vanessa's heart, feeling its steady rhythm. The quiet was perfect, until a sharp knock at the door shattered their peace.

"Hey," Ian's voice called from the other side, muffled but unmistakable. "Everything alright in there?"

The change in Astra was immediate. Her muscles stiffened against Vanessa, her green eyes narrowing as her head snapped toward the door. The warm, dreamy expression she'd worn seconds ago melted into a glare so sharp that Vanessa almost pitied the door for being on the receiving end.

If Astra had lasers in her eyes, the door would have been reduced to a pile of ashes in seconds. Vanessa couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the sight, though the tension in Astra's jaw made her hesitate.

Vanessa tilted Astra's face back toward her, brushing a kiss to her forehead before murmuring softly, "Breathe, little one."

Astra didn't answer. Her green eyes flicked back to the door like it had personally offended her.

The knock came again, more tentative this time. "Astra? Van? You guys good?"

Vanessa sighed and cupped Astra's face, her thumbs stroking along her cheeks. "Hey," she whispered. "I'll handle it, okay?"

Astra huffed but nodded slightly, her lips pressing into a pout that made Vanessa's heart ache with affection. Vanessa smoothed her hair, kissing her temple before calling out toward the door, her voice light but steady. "We're fine, Ian! Just... exchanging gifts. We'll be back in a few minutes."

A moment of silence followed, then the faint sound of Ian's retreating footsteps echoed down the hallway. Vanessa exhaled a small breath of relief, her focus shifting back to Astra, who still looked far from calm.

Pushing Astra's golden hair behind her ear, Vanessa leaned in with a gentle smile, her honey-brown eyes twinkling. "You know," she murmured, her voice soft and teasing, "you're ridiculously cute when you're mad. Or jealous."

Astra's green eyes snapped to Vanessa's, her expression torn between disbelief and indignation. "Cute?" she repeated, her tone scandalized. "I'm not supposed to be cute, Van. I'm supposed to be terrifying! I'm supposed to scare everyone else away because you're mine, and no one else's."

Vanessa's laugh was warm and low as she pulled Astra closer, her arms wrapping securely around her waist. "Oh, you're definitely terrifying," she said, though her grin betrayed her amusement. "But to me, you're also adorable. And I like that combination."

Astra huffed again, though the faint blush creeping up her cheeks undermined her attempt at a stern expression. "You shouldn't like it," she grumbled. "You should fear me."

Vanessa cupped Astra's face, her thumbs brushing along her cheekbones as she leaned in. "Sorry, babe," she said, her voice softening, "but there's nothing about you I could ever fear. You're mine, just like I'm yours. And no one, not Ian, not anyone, could ever change that."

Astra's lips parted slightly, her green eyes shimmering with a mix of emotions. "You mean that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vanessa kissed her gently, her lips lingering for a moment before pulling back just enough to speak. "I do," she said firmly. "I'm in love with you, Astra O'Kelly. All of you, the terrifying, the adorable, and everything in between."