Chapter 103: Sealed by a Kiss

--Chapter 103--

Title>> Sealed by a Kiss

Ymir led the way through the academy grounds without a word.

The silence was unsettling but Dean followed her closely. Staying behind her wasn't all that bad especially with the amazing view.

After a while, they left the warmth of the bonfire behind as the noise of the celebration gradually faded into the distance.

The stone paths grew quieter the farther they walked until the only sounds left were the gentle rustling of leaves overhead and the distant crackle of the bonfire behind them.

Even after they were completely alone, neither of them spoke immediately. Dean knew enough of Ymir to not be bothered by it.

This wasn't awkwardness. She had something in mind.

After another few moments, she finally stopped walking.

They had reached a quiet overlook near the edge of the academy where the lantern light barely reached. From there, the bonfire looked smaller, its orange glow flickering beneath the night sky.

Ymir rested both forearms against the stone railing.

"They came," She said softly.

Dean stepped beside her, his eye brows raised casually. "Who? The Old men?"

She nodded. "They don't leave Argent territory unless something matters."

Dean looked toward the distant bonfire. "I figured as much."

"You know they're not just here to watch Marcus," she continued in a calm tone.

"They're here to make sure Hel'Khar goes as expected."

Dean stayed quiet and snickered inwardly 'As expected huh..'

Ymir slowly folded her arms over her perfect chest. "You've beaten Marcus once."

"Yeah..." Dean shrugged.

"You embarrassed him."

Dean rubbed the back of his neck. "You know i wasn't exactly trying to."

Her answer came immediately. "I know. But your intentions don't change what happened."

She finally turned toward him. "Do you understand what Sunday means to him now?"

Dean looked down and then up to meet her eyes. "I know it stopped being just a challenge the moment people started talking."

Ymir nodded once. "And after tonight?"

Dean didn't answer immediately. He thought back to Marcus and the elders standing across the grounds.

The way all three of them had been watching this table instead of the games.

"They think I've already taken something from him."

"They do," Ymir looked forward again, hiding a red flush that rose from her chest and up her neck.

After a long silence, and taking in her answer, Dean let out a slow breath.

"You should know I don't intend to lose."

"I know..." Ymir chuckled softly.

"I'm serious," Dean rolled his eyes.

"I heard you.."

Dean laughed quietly. "You really don't make this easy. You know."

"I wasn't trying to," She waved her hair.

That finally drew the smallest smile onto his face. As both of them fell quiet again.

The breeze drifted through the trees, carrying the faint scent of burning wood from the celebration behind them.

Only then did Dean notice something. He looked toward Ymir properly. Her hair was still tied neatly behind her head.

Without thinking too much about it, he slowly walked to her and raised his hand.

Ymir turned immediately she felt him approaching. She watched his movement carefully but didn't stop him.

His fingers found the wooden pin holding her hair in place. He hesitated for only a second. Then gently slid it free as the pin slipped into his palm.

Almost immediately, Ymir's auburn hair spilled over her shoulders, falling naturally around her face as the evening breeze caught a few loose strands.

She didn't move to fix it. Or moved at all. Her sky blue eyes just stared directly into his.

Dean smiled warmly. "There you are.You look prettier like this."

And for the first time in her life, the confident werewolf looked genuinely caught off guard.

She wasn't embarrassed, Just... surprised.

"You notice things," she said quietly, looking down for a moment, as if she had lost something there.

Dean shrugged. "Hard not to. You are beautiful."

Neither of them looked away. But Ymir slowly stepped closer until they were separated by little to half a step.

Dean could feel the warmth coming from her despite the cool night air.

"You asked if I understood," he continued softly.

She nodded calmly, her eyes still locked on his.

Without flinching, he answeres. "I do now."

Those words caused something to soften in Ymir's eyes. Her chest lit up with a sensation she couldn't put words to.

Without another word, she reached up, caught the front of his haori with one hand and gently pulled him toward her.

Their lips met without rush or hesitation but with a sense of clarity, certainty...

...And a promise that needed no words but the slow dance of their tongues.

They remained inseparable for another second or two as Dean moved his hand around her waist, pulling her warmth even closer.

After they finally separated, neither of them moved very far.

Their foreheads remained only inches apart.

Ymir looked into his eyes for another long moment before speaking.

"Win."

Dean smiled. "Bossy, much?"

The corner of her lips lifted just enough to notice. "Always."

She caressed his hand as she took the wooden pin from him before stepping away.

This time she didn't put it back into her hair.

Instead, she simply closed her fingers around it almost to savour his touch.

"I'll see you on Sunday."

Dean smirked after licking his lips, savouring the sweet flavour of her lips.

"Of course..."

Ymir held his gaze for another heartbeat before turning around and walking back toward the bonfire.

Dean remained where he was. Watching as her hips swayed happily in her retreat.

Only after she disappeared among the laerns did he finally let out the breath he'd apparently been holding.

"...Well. That was..."

Suddenly he felt a familiar bounce land on his shoulder. Ash had somehow appeared without Dean noticing.

The little slime looked up at him with enormous sparkling eyes before bouncing excitedly in place.

Dean looked sideways to lock eyes with the little menace.

"Not."

Ash bounced harder. His body glowing like a disco ball.

"One."

Bounce.

"Word."

--End of Chapter--