“Uah!” Amara yelped as she was flung through the air. Contrary to her expectations however, she didn’t feel any sudden pain when she landed; the familiar cushioning against her back made her realize where she had ended up before her eyes could register her surroundings.

Sitting up on the sofa, Amara looked around but couldn’t spot Ezme anywhere in her living room. 

Why is she angry? I don’t think I’ve done anyth-

The sudden flap of wings made her flinch, interrupting her thoughts. Ezme had appeared right in front of her, glaring down at her with crossed arms. “Why were you with my brother?”

Amara furrowed her brow in confusion. “What?”

“Why were you with my brother?!” Ezme exclaimed angrily. 

“I went there to look for an item I could study.”  Amara replied seriously. 

“Then why were you being friendly with him?” Ezme countered. “You know that he was the one who suggested that we use a mortal as a champion, right?” 

“Well, yeah...but I don’t think he’s a bad person.” Amara cocked her head as she looked up at Ezme. “Besides, didn’t you say that you wanted me to give your siblings a chance?”

“Y-you…” Ezme clenched her fists for a few moments and hid her face before she spoke. “Then why were you offering him coffee and snacks?”

Amara shrugged. “I thought he might like them.”

Ezme was silent for a while before she asked quietly. “...Do you like him?”

I’m not dense enough to not realize what you’re asking.

“I’d like to be friends with him.” Amara stood up and raised her hand to touch Ezme’s cheek. “I only like you, Fluffles.”

Seeing the twitching wings and feeling the heat from Ezme’s cheek against her palm brought a smile to Amara’s face. Ezme suddenly pushed her hand away as she looked up at Amara accusingly. “Morpheus called me Fluffles.”

Amara’s smile turned strained for a moment as she felt guilty, before she decided to tease her. “And?” 

“Insufferable!” Ezme howled and pushed Amara so she fell down on the sofa. “It’s your fault!”

Amara tried to keep the corners of her mouth down into an apologetic smile. “Sorry. He’s not very good at remembering names it seems, I told him your name is Ezme. If it’s any consolation, he doesn’t remember my name at all.”

“Hmpf.” Ezme pouted and crossed her arms as she sat down grumpily next to Amara. 

Amara reached out and stroked Ezme’s feathers. “Sorry. Let me make it up to you?”

Ezme snorted in response. “How?”

Amara smiled wryly and leaned in closer as she spoke quietly. “I can think of a few ways.”

Ezme turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow, but turned away and blushed as soon as she saw Amara’s expression. “Shameless.”

“You don’t want me to?” Amara cocked her head as she teased. 

“Pervert.” Ezme sighed before she turned to Amara with furrowed brows. “You better not flirt with my brother. Or anyone else for that matter.”

Amara smiled and stroked Ezme’s cheek. “Why would I flirt with anyone else? I only want you.”

When she started closing the distance, Ezme blushed intensely as she turned her face away and covered Amara’s mouth with her hand. “Enough! Insufferable!”

Amara leaned back and raised an amused smile. “I just wanted to make it up to you.”

“Insolent mortal! Then go and make me a coffee!” Ezme exclaimed and crossed her arms as she kept her face hidden from Amara.

“Alright then.” Standing up with a grin on her face, Amara headed towards the kitchen. When she reached the alcove, she glanced back and saw Ezme’s fluttering hair settle while her face was hidden from view. 

Adorable.

 

_______________

 

Coming back with a pot of coffee and cups, Amara saw that Ezme was sitting where she had left her. When she entered through the alcove, Ezme didn’t notice her return as she was engrossed in reading a small pile of old papers with pink cheeks.

What’s she reading?

As she reached the table and started pouring coffee, Ezme still hadn’t looked up from what she was reading. Amara spotted an envelope and a single loose paper on the table, suddenly realizing what the angel was reading.

Ah. The princess’ letter! I completely forgot about it!

Crap. Does Ezme know I’ve been reading the princess’ fanfiction of us?

As she looked at Ezme’s expression, her interest in whatever she was reading was clearly apparent.

Maybe she hasn’t realized that I know the princess writes R-18 novels about us?

Seems like she likes it as well.

Amara smiled wryly. “What are you reading?”

Startled by her voice, Ezme flinched as her head flew up and looked at Amara. “N-nothing!”

Oh my.

“Really?” Amara smiled as she pointed at the envelope. “Is that the princess’ research? Anything good?”

Ezme blushed intensely and hurriedly reached for the envelope, putting the pages in before it suddenly disappeared from sight. “Nope. No use for you at all.”

“I see.” Amara smiled wryly as she picked up the cups and made her way to the sofa, handing one of them to Ezme as she sat down next to her. “What if I wanted to read it anyway? I’m curious.”

“T-there is no need!” Ezme proclaimed hurriedly. “It’s just...fanaticism. The princess is a devout believer. You'd be bored.”

Fanaticism. Ahuh.

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t read it?” Amara asked curiously.

“Yes! There’s no need for you to read her nonsense!” Ezme insisted. 

“I see.” Amara watched Ezme with an amused smile.

I already know where the princess keeps her drafts. I can get another copy at any time.

That must be the letter she wrote then?

Amara reached out and picked up the loose paper on the table. When she was in the middle of unfolding it, Ezme yanked the paper from her hand and started reading it. Amara exclaimed as she looked at the angel, who had already started reading the letter. “Hey!”

“What?” Ezme asked innocently without looking up from the letter.

Amara sighed before she replied with a wry smile. “You know, it’s pretty rude to read someone else’s letters. What if there was something private in it?”

“So what if there was?” Ezme’s face grew red and avoided her gaze by reading the letter. “Aren’t we c-courting each other now?” 

Ho-ho. It’s good that you know. 

Amara smiled widely as she sipped on her coffee. “Indeed we are. Indeed-”

“Insufferable.” Ezme interrupted, making Amara’s smile grow higher while the angel continued reading.

Since you know you’re mine now I’ll let you off this time, Fluffles.

Amara’s smile faded gradually as Ezme’s expression grew dark when she squeezed the letter tighter. Uh-oh.

“Impudent...insolent…” Ezme muttered.

What did she write? Amara patted Ezme’s wings as she asked in a considerate tone. “Can I read it?”

Ezme squeezed the letter with a conflicted expression before she handed the letter to Amara. As she started reading, she could see in the corner of her eye that Ezme eyeing her reactions closely. 

I better be careful with my expressions.

“Looks like the princess cares about your happiness.” Amara commented. 

“Well, the mortals in my domain are indebted to me. Of course they would care about my happiness.” Ezme snorted.

Amara smiled wryly. “To the point of threatening me not to break your heart? Your brother was the same.”

Ezme cocked her head. “Morpheus did?”

Amara shook her head. “I think his name was Biradol.”

“Biradol?” Ezme sank into contemplation. “Really?” 

Looks like she didn’t expect it. Amara nodded and smiled wryly. “So it appears that if I make you unhappy there will be a line of people waiting to punish me.”

Ezme raised an eyebrow and smiled sadistically. “Do you really think I’ll need someone else to punish you for me?”

Cold sweat broke out on Amara’s back as she remembered what had followed whenever Ezme’s sadistic smile had appeared previously. “No. Not at all.”

Ezme sipped on her coffee with an amused smile. “Good that you know.”

Amara took a deep breath to calm her nerves before she continued reading.

“Pfft.” Amara was close to burst out laughing several times while reading. It wasn’t until she was finished that she realized Ezme’s expression had turned dark during that time.

“What’s so funny?” Ezme asked harshly.

“Devout believer indeed.” Amara smiled as she put down the letter and looked at Ezme as she added innocently. "She's even writing about us."

Ezme sighed and nodded. “Too devout in my opinion. I should punish her...maybe tell the king to re-educate her.”

Re-educate? Does that mean no more R-18 content? That would be a shame.

Amara considered before she replied. “Is that really necessary? Isn’t having fanatic followers beneficial for you?”

Ezme pouted as she crossed her arms. “...There are limits, you know. After a point it just becomes bothersome.” 

Can’t argue with that.

“Maybe telling her that she won’t get any more pictures would be enough of a punishment. After all, I suspect you don’t want to give her the kind of pictures she’s asking for.” Amara replied in amusement.

“We’re not giving her any more pictures at all!” Ezme exclaimed. “And that’s not even a punishment, she doesn't have a right to them to begin with!” 

Damn.

Amara considered for a while before she replied. “What about ordering her to write? After all, she offered to write in exchange for the pictures, so you could just tell her to do it without a getting a reward?” Two birds with one stone.

“Th-that’s….no! She needs to stop writing!” Ezme exclaimed.

“Why?” Amara asked innocently. “What’s wrong with her writing?”

“It’s none of your concern!” Ezme replied harshly.

Fluffles, you’re too fun to tease.

Amara raised an eyebrow in amusement. “The letter said her writing would be about us.  I’m curious what it would say abou-hmmpf!”

Before she knew what had happened, Ezme had grabbed the back of Amara’s neck and brought their lips together. The gentle teasing of a tongue against her lips finally made the realization dawn on her.

Completely taken by surprise, Amara attempted to pull back to regain her composure as her cheeks heated up rapidly, but Ezme’s iron grip didn’t allow her to escape.  

“Ezme-hmpf!” As soon as Amara tried to speak, Ezme took the opportunity to push past her lips, fazing her further. When the angel moved on top of her while exploring her mouth, Amara finally surrendered and wrapped her arms around Ezme.

When the kiss ended, Amara felt embarrassed as she had forgotten to breathe and had to gasp for air. While her breathing was calming, she glanced at Ezme who was looking down at her with pink cheeks. As their gazes met, Ezme whispered with fluttering eyelashes. “I don’t want to talk about the princess. It’s boring. Don’t you agree?”

Amara gulped audibly and responded weakly. “Ahuh.”

Ezme smiled as her eyes narrowed in satisfaction while stroking Amara’s jaw, giving her goosebumps. When their lips reunited, Amara felt more relaxed but had no chance to take control of the situation. Lost in the moment, she was only aware of the soft scent of Ezme’s hair and the assertive tongue that teased her own. 

The kiss continued until she suddenly heard a strange sound, and upon realization the source was herself, Amara’s face grew hot quickly. Ezme seemed to have been influenced by it as well, because she suddenly pulled away and stood up. While Amara was too embarrassed to look at her, Ezme spoke awkwardly. “H-how about we get some training in? You’ve probably been slacking.” 

Amara nodded in agreement and when she looked up, she saw Ezme leaving towards the alcove. Covering her mouth with her hands, Amara tried to wrap her brain around what had just happened.

What the hell was that?! 

Holy shit!

Amara fanned her blushed cheeks before she stood up to follow Ezme to the training room.

You won this round, Fluffles.

I need to up my game.