A teen is stunned to discover he's half-vampire. Will being asexual-aromantic thwart bloodlust, or are there other emotions strong enough to trigger murder?
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Natsu anxiously follows his mentally-ill mother's rules, forcing himself to be an em...
The thing is, I'm not falling. But I am walking like a penguin and look ridiculous as people zoom past gracefully along the ice. Emina and Dante are doing a couple's routine across the rink, and I can't even bother to feel embarrassed by them considering my own awkward shuffling.
"Push off!" Nina calls as she glides by. She circles back around, observing me.
I attempt to move by her example and end up gliding a few centimeters before planting my foot back on the ground lest I fall on my rear.
Nina rolls her eyes. "You'll never get anywhere if you're afraid." With that comment, she skates off, leaving me by myself.
I let out a sigh, knowing Nina is right. There are people here falling, but they're children. It's so embarrassing to be falling down with kids as an 18-year-old. But I attempt again and go about the same distance before losing my balance. Alarmed, I crouch down and steady myself by putting my palms on the frigid ice.
With a sigh of frustration, I hide my face in my arms and close my eyes. The sounds of blades cutting through ice, laughter, and Christmas music flow through my ears. I feel pathetic.
A squeal compels me to look up. A man has his arms wrapped around his lover's waist, and she kicks in struggle. "Kent!" He laughs and places her back down, and she hits his arm playfully. They lace fingers and begin to skate side by side. Some meters away, a couple guides their young child by his mittened hands, his coat a bit too big. They lift him by his arms, and he lets out a loud giggle. Behind him, an older child whines, "Mummy!" and extends his arms as he tries his hardest to speed up. His mother turns around and skates back to him. She gives him a little push, and he speeds up with a broad grin.
I look down past my arms wrapped around my knees at the toes of my ice skates. Suddenly the cold feels harsher, and I'm more aware of the empty ice surrounding me.
"Natsu."
I glance towards the voice and see Sergius and Candra waving from behind the wall.
"Do you need me to come out there?" Candra asks, brows furrowed worriedly. My eyes widen in horror at the thought of motherly Candra leading me like the children being led by their parents.
Someone touches my arm, and I turn to see Nina's hand extended. Her nose is red, but her white teeth smiling at me show she's ambivalent. Slowly, I reach up and put my hand in hers. As I stand, Dante's hand grabs my other arm, and the three of us are off.
Not too fast, but I'm gliding with them. Not pushing my own feet, but they lead me easily. Emina appears in front of us, skating backwards. Her hair today is in its naturally curly state, the fluff under her stylish hat moving slightly in the wind.
Nina squeezes my hand.
"You don't need to skate alone," Dante tells me. "Even when you've mastered it." He winks.
I look at him and give a small smile back. No need to skate alone, eh?
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