NEIN (girlxgirl)

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G E B O R G E N H E I T

(n.) Hard to translate into english. It's felt at intensely emotional moments, such as coming home after a long time, or holding someone you love really closely. It basically means to exist and to feel intensely in the moment.

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KAEL WOKE up at around 2 AM, and Natasja knew because she heard the groan and succeeding hisses of pain as footsteps trudged to the bathroom. She was placed on duty to keep an eye on Kael, after Aspen told her to. She still hadn't fallen asleep, her eyes wide open against the dark as she reminisced the new information she gained earlier that evening.

"M-me? Why?"

Aspen shook her head. "We don't know. Just as we don't have a clue as to why they want Kael so badly. Just recently, they sent a letter to the first base of the Academy, telling us to surrender the two of you. Specifically the two of you. The Academy believed it was a joke, and a few days later they were attacked. That's when we realized who we were dealing with."

"Oh god. So this 'mission' is really just Kael and I running for our lives."

"No, not running," Aspen placed a hand on top of Natasja's. "Training. Learning. Kael is right, she needs you to be strong. She may have the strength, but without her sight she's still limited."

"But I've seen her move. She's better than a person who can see."

"Nat, you forget she has demons. And when all you see is the darkness, you're constantly with them." Aspen released her hand. "Please, take care of her. Keep an eye out. Protect each other. And the Academy will protect you."

But Natasja wasn't so sure she could trust the Academy to.

Vomitting sounds came from the bathroom as Natasja kept her gaze fixed on the lava lamp that illuminated the room in red hues. Natasja watched the bubbles float, hearing the faucet turn on. In a few minutes, Kael walked out, the red light kissing her semi-naked body. She had taken off her shirt and was clad in sweatpants and her signature Calvin Klein sports bra. She stood there, blank eyes staring off into nothing, her posture relaxed as she breathed. Then she ran a hand through her dark, messy hair and raised her head up, blowing out a breath. The action caused her abs to contract, and the shadows of the low red light exemplified the lines on her stomach and hips. Kael Maddox looked absolutely sexy.

Natasja felt heat pool at the bottom of her belly and she bit her lip. How could she be so damn attracted to someone she recently met?

Kael had been through so much, Natasja could tell. Something had happened to her before, something that caused her to be able to kill so easily. Whatever it was, it turned off a part of her humanity.

She watched the tall German woman's throat contract as she swallowed, then released another breath, sighing. Natasja didn't know what came over her, but she found herself getting up off the sofa she was crashing on and walked to stand in front of Kael.

Kael sensed her, but didn't bring her head down just yet. Her throat was in full view to Natasja.

Natasja couldn't help herself. She raised a finger and lightly traced the taut skin of Kael's jaw, going slowly down her throat and collarbone. She skimmed over the scars, and marvelled at the muscles underneath her single fingertip.