The Knight

Danger

All of the Knights gathered in the cafeteria of the reformed prison ship and Vydia took a seat on one of the tables and her boots rested on the bench below it. She leaned her elbows on her knees and folded her hands to hide the shake in them.

She wasn't sure why she was nervous, but something in the back of her mind was set on edge and she didn't like it one bit. She glanced around slowly, trying to focus on anything that would calm her down. Her gaze landed on the kitchen counter behind the glass cafeteria doors and she smiled to herself.

Vydia had always had a habit of sneaking down in the late hours of the night (or rather the time everyone deemed it was time to sleep, since it was basically always night in space) and sneaking some snacks.

She had gone down there one night, dressed only in her thin black sheath and an even thinner black robe, with plans to raid the cabinet for a cup of pudding or something as equally satisfying. She crept into the kitchen and froze, when she realized she wasn't alone.

Ren was standing in front of the cabinets with a spoon hanging out of his mouth and he turned around. His gaze landed on her and he pulled the spoon out of his mouth and smiled shamelessly.

"You don't have to look so guilty," he teased. "Food's here did all of us."

He tossed something in her direction and she caught it swiftly. It was a pudding cup.

"Oh, uh, thanks." She walked around the counter and Ren handed her a spoon. He watched her closely and she felt her cheeks heat up with blush.

"You don't trust easily," It was a statement, not a question. "You've been with us a year and you still don't trust any of us."

"Your powers of observation are astounding," she said as she peeled the wrapper off her cup. "Tell me more, oh wise one."

She looked up at him and batted her eyelashes. Ren laughed and he took a step towards her. He was close enough to touch now.

"You're also very sarcastic." He said as he gazed down at her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner," she winked at him and ate a spoonful of pudding. "Pick a prize, any prize."

"Any prize?" He grinned and his gaze fixed on her lips. "A kiss."

Vydia yanked the spoon out of her mouth and frowned. "I—what?"

"A kiss." He said and his brow furrowed.

"Oh, so I did hear you right." She said under her breath. She looked down, suddenly finding her pudding cup to be very interesting.

"Yes, you did," Ren said slowly. "But if you don't want to, uh, that's. . . Fine."

"I didn't say that." Vydia said quickly and then she just about wanted to drop dead because she said that way too fast.

"So, can I kiss you or are we going to save ourselves some embarrassment and pretend this conversation never happened?" He said with a sideways smile.

"I—uh, yes," she said softly. "You can kiss me."

Ren chuckled and he grabbed her hands gently and made her face him. He tipped her chin up and leaned in slowly, like he was afraid she'd change her mind or maybe he was trying to give her time to change her mind.

He pressed his lips to hers lightly and his hands slid down to clutch her waist and bring her body closer to his. Vydia sighed against his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him closer. She didn't realize how long she had been waiting for this moment and it didn't disappoint.