Gehenna's Gate

Far From Heaven

When Vena awoke the next morning, it was to the gentle feeling of fingers trailing across her back. The sensation was so relaxing that she remained that way for a while, goosebumps erupting across her skin and a warmth spreading through her body.

Softly, she hummed, so comfortable and relaxed.

A kiss was pressed to her shoulder, lingering there for a few moments before she finally decided to raise her head.

Xiao met her gaze softly, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. His hair was still a bit messy, the morning sunlight hitting his golden eyes just right, it was hard to even remember a person as handsome as him could even exist, let alone that he was her lover.

"Good morning, beautiful." His voice reached her ears, the sound immediately bringing a smile to her face as she sleepily tried to sit up in bed.

Memories of the night prior still ran through her head, yet it still didn't feel awkward or out of place. She still felt like she was safe, comfortable. At home in another being's arms.

"Good morning, cutie." Vena returned the sentiment, noticing as the man leaned forward a bit, eyes flicking down to her lips to signal what he wanted.

With a warm giggle, she met his lips in a kiss, happy and without a care in the world.

"As much as I hate to admit it, you should probably check your phone. It's been going off all morning." Xiao reluctantly admitted, obviously not wanting to cut their time together short.

Vena gave a soft sigh and roll of her eyes, already knowing who the culprit was as she got up out of bed to go respond.

"Rae and Kazuha," The girl confirmed, feeling a twinge of guilt now as she remembered how worried she'd probably left Rae the night before.

"Rae wants to go to the mall and she invited Kazuha along..." Vena winced a bit, almost feeling as if she was kicking Xiao out now, but she knew he'd understand.

"I'm sure she's worried sick about you." Xiao admitted, casually putting all of his clothes back on before coming up behind the girl.

Vena was so distracted by trying to respond to her texts that she almost didn't feel his fingers gently resting on her shoulder, right where her mark usually was.

Feeling his eyes almost burning holes into her skin, she remembered the impulse decision she'd made a week ago, which was definitely what he was now staring at.

Now she'd regretted sleeping in a tank top. The tattoo she had gotten prior had completely slipped her mind with everything going on.

Spinning around to face him now, Xiao simply crossed his arms over his chest, one brow arching as he waited for her explanation.

"Look... now you never have to worry about anyone else seeing my mark, okay? That objectively makes me safer." Vena tried hard to justify her choice, knowing now it may have been a decision swayed almost entirely by impulse and clouded judgement in a stressful situation.

Xiao's expression flattened a bit at that, eyes half-lidded, clearly not really buying her reasoning.

"So this tattoo was a very planned and thought-out decision, right?"

The girl's face burned a bit with embarrassment, sky blue eyes now trained on her own feet, her lips pressed together in a hard line. After a few more silent moments, she simply shook her head no, unable to lie as always.

"Why a black rose?" Xiao's voice had softened, almost as if he already knew the reason.

Vena frowned a bit at this, assuming he probably did know the exact meaning behind the flower, which would make her reason obvious. While the tattoo itself may have been an impulse decision, the design wasn't, and still held an important meaning to her.