Rebel Hearts

A real happiness

Kelly swallowed, her heart pounding as Scarlet's intensity pinned her in place. "That's the deal," she whispered, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably as her voice wavered.

Scarlet's smirk deepened as she brought her lips close to Kelly's ear, her voice a soft, tantalizing murmur. "I've already said it, princess. Maybe not in numbers, but I've been yours for a long time."

Kelly blinked, her breath hitching as Scarlet pulled back just enough to look her in the eye. "Scar," she began, her voice faltering under the weight of Scarlet's gaze.

But Scarlet wasn't about to let her off the hook so easily. "Your turn," she said, her tone firm but playful. "Three words, eight letters. Say it."

Kelly's cheeks flushed, her chest tightening as she tried to muster the courage. For all her teasing and wit, Scarlet had a way of making her feel utterly vulnerable in moments like this. She opened her mouth, hesitated, then finally let the words tumble out, quiet but certain.

"I love you."

Scarlet's expression softened immediately, her teasing demeanor giving way to something deeper, something raw and genuine. She leaned down, her forehead resting gently against Kelly's. "Took you long enough," she whispered, her lips brushing against Kelly's in a kiss that was as much an answer as it was a celebration.

Kelly smiled against Scarlet's lips, her arms winding around her neck. "Don't get cocky, Scar."

Scarlet chuckled softly, her hands slipping to Kelly's waist as she held her close. "Too late," she murmured. "You're mine now. Three words, eight letters—and I'm never letting go."

Scarlet moved with a fluid, almost effortless motion, her arms wrapping securely around Kelly as she gently but swiftly shifted her to sit on top of her. The movement was so smooth and natural that Kelly barely had time to react before she found herself straddling Scarlet, her breath catching at the sudden closeness.

"Scar!" Kelly's voice came out half a protest, half a laugh, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink as she instinctively placed her hands on Scarlet's shoulders for balance. "What are you doing?"

Scarlet leaned back slightly, her hands resting lightly on Kelly's waist, her gaze filled with unguarded adoration. "Just giving my princess the throne she deserves," she teased, her lips curling into a soft smile. "Besides, I like this angle. It suits you."

Kelly rolled her eyes, though the corners of her lips betrayed her with a shy smile. "You're impossible," she muttered, shaking her head. But the way Scarlet was looking at her—like she was the most precious thing in the world—made her heart flutter.

Scarlet tilted her head, her fingers tracing idle patterns along Kelly's sides as she took in every detail of the girl in her lap. "You know," she began, her voice quieter now, "I could stay like this forever. Just holding you, looking at you... You're so beautiful, Kel."

Kelly's blush deepened, and she lowered her gaze, unable to meet Scarlet's intense stare. "Stop saying things like that," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's embarrassing."

Scarlet chuckled softly, reaching up to tuck a strand of Kelly's golden hair behind her ear. "Can't help it. You make me lose control, remember?"

Kelly bit her lip, her hands tightening slightly on Scarlet's shoulders. "You're such a handful, Scar," she said, her tone affectionate despite her words. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

Scarlet grinned, her fingers brushing lightly along Kelly's jaw. "Guess you'll just have to keep me around and find out."

Kelly finally looked up, her hazel eyes meeting Scarlet's with a mixture of exasperation and undeniable affection. "You're so cheesy," she said, though the soft smile tugging at her lips betrayed her true feelings.