Chapter Text
Alisha storms into the hotel room. It’s unladylike, but right now she doesn’t care. Her emotions have been strung along for too long. Rose lounges on one of the beds, entirely unimpressed by her show of irritation. “Just tell me what happened.”
“I already told you, just leave it alone.”
“Do you have any idea what it’s been like knowing he’s been gone these months and not knowing why?”
“No, I don’t. But princess, this doesn’t concern you.” Her posture is lazy, voice provoking.
Alisha swipes her hand. “I’m a part of this if you like it or not. You can’t keep me in the dark forever.”
“Can’t I? When you are already blind?”
That hurt. Alisha turned her face away in shame. “As if it’s a choice. I wanted to be there with you all. I wanted to so badly. But all I did was get in the way.”
“That’s right, princess.” There it was again, princess. The title sounded insulting coming from her lips. “You should just mind your own business so we can do our jobs.”
“Damn it!” She doesn’t usually swear, but she doesn’t usually allow herself to become this worked up either. “Why are you being like this? Sorey was my friend. I deserve to know.”
Rose gives a bitter chuckle. “I don’t owe you anything.”
On a better day, she might beg, but real anger is beginning to churn in her chest. “I demand that you tell me this instant.”
“Or what? You’ll arrest me? Under what authority? I’m not from Hyland, remember?”
Alisha shrieks, lunging at her. Rose’s eyes light with challenge, and she lungs back, forcing Alisha back against the nearest bed.
“I’ll…I’ll—” Her mind is spinning in blank circles. What can she do? Then, without rhyme or reason, she’s kissing her. Rose pulls back, confusion written on her face. She isn’t angry, more…thoughtful. Alisha is suddenly aware of how close they are. She’s flat against the bed with Rose’s body hovering right above her. Just a little closer and…
“What in the hell was that?”
Alisha’s mind stutters. What was it? “A threat,” she says. “Tell me or else I’ll kiss you again.”
Rose straightens her posture, a smug expression on her face. “Fine. Do it.”
“What?” Alisha’s anger has all-but disappeared now, embarrassment taking its place. She surely can’t back out now, can she? “Fine!” she stutters out.
She sits up, pressing their lips together softly. Rose is quick to react, though, pushing them back down flush against the bed. Her lips work against hers insistently. Alisha’s mind is becoming hazy. Her hands find Rose’s upper arms and hold there. Rose’s body is warm against hers. It’s nice.
Finally, Rose pulls back to allow them to breathe. Her smirk reminds Alisha of their conversation. “That’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, sweetheart.”
As condescending as it is, the endearment makes her face warm. “For the love of Seraphim, just tell me!”
Rose heaves an exaggerated sigh. “You really aren’t about to give up, are you?”
Alisha balls her fists. “No.”
Rose climbs off her, sitting on the edge of the bed instead. “Okay.”
Alisha blinks. “Really?”
“Do you want to hear it or not?”
“Yes, yes, please.” Alisha sits up quickly, full attention at the ready.
“He’s asleep.”
She waits, but Rose doesn’t continue. “That’s it?” she asks annoyed.
“Yep.”
Alisha shrieks, plopping back onto the bed again. “You are hopeless.”
Rose side-eyes her. “Yeah, yeah.”
“The worst.”
She chuckles and the sound is light, genuine. “Can’t deny it.”
“Hey,” Alisha rolls onto her side, facing her, “it’s okay.”
“What do you mean?” she asks, composure shaky.
“I get it. You don’t want me to worry. You want to be the one to shoulder it all.” She reaches for her hand, surprised by how calloused it is. “You’ve dealt with a lot already. Besides, it’s honestly killing me not knowing.”
Groaning, Rose whirls on her. “You are killing me!”
“Me?”
“You.” She gestures at her crudely. “You’ve got this all wrong. You shouldn’t be threatening me. You should be bribing me with what I get if I tell you.”
It takes a moment for realization to hit her, but when it does Alisha can only stare. Rose wants her to kiss her. She…She…Again, Rose diverts her wheeling mind. The woman crouches over her, face impossibly close. “Has anyone told you you have the most gorgeous eyes?”
There’s no more room for doubt, now. Something fits into place, and Alisha kisses her again, hand finding her back this time. The kiss is slow but lingering. It’s real, without challenge or anger. Just desire. She’s slow to open her eyes when they break apart, the feeling of her lips too pleasant to let go immediately. Her eyes snap open when Rose begins chuckling.
“It’s like you’ve never kissed anyone before.”
“I haven’t.”
It’s Rose’s turn to be dumbfounded. “You’re shitting me?”
“No. I have never kissed anyone.”
Rose flops onto her back beside her. “Jeez. You could have said something.”
Alisha smiles, brushing a hand through her hair. “I was the one to kiss you, so…”
“True.” She’s smiling too now, and the air between them is finally settling into something more natural. “Okay.” There is a brief pause before she goes into explicit detail about what happened to Sorey. He isn’t dead, she assures her repeatedly. They just won’t be seeing him again.
Alisha is silent for a long time, digesting the information. “Thank you.”
“Huh?”
“For telling me.”
Rose snorts. “I really don’t get you.”
“That’s fine. It just means we need to get to know each other better.”
Rose smirks. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“Believe it or not, I don’t easily give up on a challenge.”