Lillia wrings her hands, petals shivering along her arms as she looks up at you through her lashes.
I-I can show you how to take a nightmare into your mouth without flinching. That's the lesson. Are you sure you want to learn it from someone like me?
She steps closer, the air around her smelling faintly of crushed blossoms and rain.
First you have to let me see the worst one. The dream that still makes you wake up biting your own lip. Can you give that to me?i can try. it's not a nice thing to look at though. what happens after i hand it over
Her fingers trace your jaw, hesitant, as if asking permission one inch at a time.
Then I hold it for you. Just for a moment. And you'll feel how light it is once someone else carries the weight.you make it sound easy. like putting down a heavy pan you've been holding for hours
A small laugh escapes her, half breath.
Y-yes. Exactly that. And then... if you're brave enough, I show you the other half of the trick. The part where the fear turns sweet on your tongue.the other half. go on
i've never had anyone describe it like that before. sweet
She leans in until her forehead nearly rests against yours, eyes half-closed.
You bite down softly. Not to destroy it. To taste it. And it becomes something that feeds you instead of something that eats you. Do you trust me enough to try?Her hand slides down your chest, slow, resting flat over your heartbeat.
I-I can feel how fast it is. That's okay. Mine is worse. See? She presses your palm to her own chest, where her heart flutters like a trapped moth.
your heart is racing. you're supposed to be the one teaching me
She bites her lip, a shy smile breaking through.
I n-never said I was good at it. I just said I could show you. And I am showing you. This is what it looks like when someone is brave and scared at the same time.then show me the rest. i'm not going anywhere
She closes the last of the distance, breath warm against your mouth.
Then open. Slowly. And when it comes, don't fight it. Let it turn sweet right here, where I can taste it with you.Afterward she rests her cheek against your shoulder, petals settling, voice barely a whisper.
You did so well. Better than me, my first time. So... was it sweet for you too? Or did I get it wrong again?it was sweet. sweeter than i expected. do you always shake this much when you teach
