amunyan

[amunyan]

Finally the day has come :D I think the last part was a bit short, but I like it :3. Enjoy it!

Mereoleona opens the door of her old Mercedes, her winter car, which she only uses when it's too cold or risky to ride her motorbike. Like today. It's still snowing and even getting worse. The main road and path have been cleared, but the snow is piled up in the narrow alleys and front gardens.

It is later in the morning and Mereoleona has received a message earlier.

Yami told her that you would be leaving for Christmas.

So she didn't even ask where he got her number from - she could imagine he found it also in her little Brothers file, too - but thought about what to do with this information. But she has come to the conclusion that she has to leave now and give your relationship, or whatever it is, a chance. She needs to talk to you. And so she got her keys and got in the car to go to the train station.

Meanwhile, you are also on your way. "Uff, really nasty weather. It keeps on snowing. And there are hardly any people out here. A little spooky, I have to admit. I think they are all smarter than me. Maybe I should have left yesterday. I hope the trains will run at all today..."

With your trolley, you make your way through the snowy city to the nearest underground station to get to the main station. Arriving there, you have to admit that you should have gone home yesterday. The station is full of people, most of them looking angry and confused, others standing in a long, chaotic queue in front of the service centre.

"What is going on here? Aren't the trains leaving because of all the snow?"

What began as a thought is soon confirmed as a bitter reality. You find your way through the cloud of people to your platform. There you check the timetable.

"They can't be serious? They cancel almost every train?" Shocked, you also check your app for the latest train schedules and changes. But the same picture. "Damn... I should have done this earlier, then I could have saved myself the trip here".

But you are not the only one hoping that your train will leave. There are quite a few people on the platform.

You bit your lower lip. "My parents will be sad, but there's nothing I can do about it. I hope Charmy will take me in again for the next few days..."

As you were about to make your phone calls to tell your parents the bad news and to tell Charmy that you were coming back, you saw another person coming down the stairs to the platform.

At first you can't believe your eyes, but when she sees you in the crowd, she smiles shyly at you.

"Mereo," you mumble and lower your phone.

At first you are hesitant, but after a few steps you rush towards her to fall around her neck. She welcomes you with open arms and hugs you.

With tears in your eyes, you ask her what she is doing here.

"I just wanted to say goodbye to you. But I didn't expect to find you in this chaos. And when I decided to check your platform, I was so glad to see you".

"You're lucky, I was just about to leave..."

You put some distance between you and her. At the same moment, you remember that you are having some kind of argument and that you probably are. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, and you looked down, embarrassed.

Still, your fingers dig deeper into the fabric of her coat. Her grip around you tightens. As you look up, her face comes closer to yours. Forehead against forehead.

"I'm so sorry (Y/N). I never meant to hurt you like this. But still... I can't bear the thought of you being with someone else, or complete without you. I need you. I missed you so much."

"Me too," you wisper. "But I couldn't find the courage to go back to you. I was so afraid that you would really hate me after I left..."

"There is no reason for me to hate you. I am the jerk here. Not you..." A single tear runs down her face and you kiss it gently before kissing her with all your feelings.

Getting lost in the moment with her, only to be interrupted by the nasal loudspeaker announcement on the platform.

"Please do not leave your luggage unattended..." You both have to laugh.

"I think that was for me," you chuckle. "And I thought my train was coming..."

"So you're not leaving?"

"No," you say and go back to your suitcase. "Tell me how, without trains..."

"I see," Mereoleona's meaningful smile appears on her lips. "I'm just in the right place..."

"You are. Otherwise I would have called Charmy and gone home. Or to a hotel, with a blizzard like the one that is coming." Worried, you look into the distance and think: "A hotel would be better. Then you see Mereo shaking her head: "No hotel, darling. We are not in a tawdry love drama. You are coming with me." With these words, you pick up your luggage and leave the platform together.

"Let's just say that a weird bird told me...", she replied.

And you could swear to hear Yami sneezing from far away. "He really is a good friend," you think with a smile. And you hug Mereoleona again.

Yeah, I think that would be a nice (also obius ending for this story...) A bit short, I have to admit, yes. But we are all here for the dirty stuff to happen...

So warning: smut ahead...

When you get home to Mereoleona's flat, she can't hold on any longer. Not even the door is properly closed as she pushes you against it. She kisses you, full of desire.

"Slowly," you whisper against her lips.

"I don't care about slow. I've held back long enough...", she simply replies.

"Okay, I get it," you smile. "But then let us at least close the front door properly..."

As you do so, taking off your jacket, she falls back over you. Only to notice: "You feel cold." Carefully, she strokes your flushed cheeks - which are not only so cold because of the cold winter weather outside.

"Maybe we should warm up... Under a warm shower. We have things to do..."

Mereoleona has dragged you under her shower and now it is not just the hot water that warms you.

She embraces you from behind. Her warm hands glide over your naked skin, the water from the shower splashing gently as if in the far distance. She is all that matters now. Her touches send shivers down your spine. When her hands reach your breasts again, you let out a soft moan. Yes, this is what you always wanted her to do to you.

"Come on, (Y/N). Let me hear your voice," she whispers into your ear as you let out a soft moan. A smirk flickers across her lips. "I know this is the spot..." Her grip gets tighter and tighter.

You also no longer need to hold back.

She kneads your nipples harder, making you moan louder, your voice drowned out by the monotonous sound of the shower. She moves closer to you, nestling against your back. Biting gently into your shoulders, leaving bite marks. You can't stand it any longer. You want her so badly.

One of her hands moves to your chin, pulling your head back. You lean into her, running your fingers over her face before closing your eyes. Her face moves closer to yours. You feel her breath on your mouth.

Moments later, your lips meet in a passionate kiss. For real this time...

"Turn around," she orders, pushing you against the tiles, the water from her rainforest shower still spilling onto the floor. Her left hand slides down your silhouette, stopping at your butt. "Lift your leg."

You do as she commands, and not only does she squeeze your buttocks harder, she also seems to support you there.

Still you wrap your arms around her to prevent you from falling.

Leaning forward, Mereoleona kisses you first on the lips, before leaving a trail of bite marks and kisses on your nipples, which she also cares for with her tongue. You lean your head back, you can no longer hold it. The touch alone is driving you crazy.

"Mereo... please..." you whimper, biting your lower lips.

"Yes, sweetheart." Her other hand slowly reaches your vulva, stroking it gently at first, making you beg again. Then she slowly slips her fingers inside you...

As you dry yourself, you notice the bandages on her hands. You had felt them, yes, but you had ignored them until now. "What have you done?"

"I burned myself with your food," she says in monotone. "But it's not bad anymore."

For a moment you feel guilty and step over to her. You help her unwrap the wet bandage and look worriedly at her wounds.

"Don't worry... It's fine." She tries to convince you. But you can't help kissing her hands gently, finger by finger. Then you snuggle up to her hand. Hold it close to your face.

"Mereoleona," you whisper. "Let's go to bed. Maybe I have a little present for you..."

[amunyan]

Almost Christmas… :D

The doorbell rings. And again. And a third time. Only then does Mereoleona get up from her couch and go to the door to open it.

"Yo."

"What do you want from me?" With narrowed eyes and a look full of annoyance, Mereoleona looks at Yami, who has raised his hand in greeting.

"I just wanted to see what you scary woman did to (Y/N). I haven't been able to reach her for days..."

"The better question is, who told you where I live?"

"Your brother's student file," Yami answers. "You are one of his emergency contacts. But now answer my question. Where is (Y/N)? I thought she was with you?" "Yes - she was." With an inconspicuous gesture, she invites Yami in, who follows and closes the door behind himself. Meanwhile, Mereo has gone into the kitchen to get a glass of water and offers it to Yami, who declines.

"We had a fight and she left," she explains. "It was about how little I trust her and that I really thought she was going on a date with you..."

"You really believed that stupid joke I told your brother?" Yami laughs, but Mereo doesn't. She looks at her visitor with an angry expression in her eyes. She almost grabs him by his neck. But she holds back as he raises his arms in defence. "Oh?You really believed him? Okay... I am truly sorry..." He is quiet for a moment and he really seems to feel guilty.

"I think (Y/N) has gone to her little squirrle-friend, if you are looking for her..." Mereoleona says distractedly.

Yami looks at her cluelessly. "Squirrel friend?"

"The one who always eats. I've never seen her without food - like a squirrle."

"Oh, you mean Charmy."

She nods and takes a sip from the water. "But I'm not really sure. Besides;" Mereoleona opens one of her kitchen drawers - a junk drawer to be precise - and hands Yami a mobile phone. "She forgot her phone here when she left. Not sure if she's coming back or not."

"That explains why she's not answering..." he mumbles as he takes the phone.

"Can you do me a favour?" Mereo leans against the kitchen counter and runs an absent-minded hand through her red mane. "Please bring her back her phone if you intend to meet (Y/N)."

"Why don't you do it yourself?" He scans her. She looks even more pale than she did a few days ago. "Has the lioness lost her teeth?”, Trying to tease her, but it doesn't work...

"I just don't know if she wants to see me or not. I'm too scared that she won’t give us another chance. That's all..." She tries to justify herself. But Yami has seen through her. The argument with (Y/N) has somehow broken her...

"Alright - then I will pay her a visit." Yami says and scratches her head. "Shall I send her greetings from you?"

Mereoleona looks at him for a few moments. Then she takes a deep breath, it looks as if she is thinking hard. An unusual sight.

"Not really, but I need to know something..." She gets back up and opens one of the cupboards to show Yami the meanwhile repaired cup.

"This is the cup (Y/N) was supposed to give you," he recognises it. "I know it's ugly and I told the little one it's not your taste, but it's still not nice to break it."

"Don't insult this thing! My brother tried his best to save it." Mereoleona gets louder and almost a little angry. "Better tell me where she bought it. I have to buy a replacement, I can give to her. But this thing," she lifts the mug a little to make sure she means the broken mug, "this mug should always remind me of how rash I always am and how deeply I hurt her feelings..."

"Pretty poetic for someone like you. But if you want to know, she bought the mug in that little tea shop in the mall. Right next to the entrance in the south-west. But..." He hesitates and looks at Mereoleona. "Will you give it to her? Or are you going to make me do messenger runs again?" Yami laughs, perhaps trying to provoke her again. But as Mereo refuses to react and just stares grumpily into the distance. So the uninvited visitor simply slaps her back. "Better you decide soon. Tomorrow is Christmas again, you know..." With these words he leaves.

Again, Mereoleona stays home alone, but with a little gleam of ambition in her eyes. It seems there is still a little spark in her. "I'd better go and get her that mug..." It's still snowing outside the CC. The afternoon is early and you are sitting in the almost empty café, sipping a cup of coffee. Soon the afternoon crowds will be rushing in from their last-minute Christmas shopping, so take advantage of the current lull to brood over your problems on your laptop.

After Marx left the company last week, your boss only had you to shout at. And since you already had a keyboard on your conscience and private documents on the company PC, another warning was probably not far off.

Somehow justified, of course, but with this boss it would only be a matter of time before the next little misstep ended in dismissal.

"So... should I just get a new job or look for a new place to live? And should I get the new job in Clover City or far, far away?" You ponder as someone sits next to you.

"Is this seat still free?"

At first you will to point out that the whole café is free. But then you look up from your laptop and see Yami.

"Yo," he greets you as he sits down and hands you your phone. It is turned off, but when you try to turn it on again, it seems to have enough power.

"Where did you get it?"

"I went to see your girlfriend. But I am not allowed to send you greetings, because she still feels bad about the argument and the misunderstanding".

"You've made a real mess of things," you grumble. "As soon as we got together - we wanted to take things slowly - poof. That was the end of the relationship."

"Did you really split up?" Your friend takes a sip from his coffee.

"I don't know. But I haven't heard from her in the last few days. But I must not complain. I haven't made any efforts to see her either. Even worse; I have just bought my train ticket for tomorrow afternoon – I’m going to celebrate Christmas with my parents. And before you say something, I know myself that I am probably running away from something..."

"As good as any adult would do. So you're not going to tell the Not-So-Scary Woman that you're leaving Clover City?"

"I don't know. I miss her, yes. But I'm too scared that she won’t give us another chance…"

"You know what..." Yami finishes his coffee with one last sip. "Believe it or not - I have heard that line before today." With these words, he gets up, grabs one of the newspapers lying on an old but still fashionable sideboard, and disappears in the direction of the toilets...

"That guy ....", you mutter, suddenly doubting your decision.

[amunyan]

Since I wanted to post my current story with some changes on AO3, I read it again… and oh boy… I am so sorry!!

English is not my first language at all and so I have to rely on the KI to find my typos and spelling mistakes after I have read it too many times and can't see anything at all anymore… But the last story is something else…

I'm ashamed of myself in front of my little audience here for putting out such a mess - under the pressure and cheering of my own over-ambitious Linda Belcher in my brain, thinking everything is great and posting a chapter a day is a nice idea… until it's not.

As I hadn't planned any chapters for this weekend - due to silence between reader and Mereoleona - I'm going to correct the chapters so far and start with the finale on Monday.

A slightly changed version of the story - I didn't like the outcome of some chapters - will be posted in AO3 :3. (First part ist mostly the same...)

I would be happy if you check it and some of my other storys out- most of them are her too, but one long story not. And thanks to the people who read my story anyway :)

[amunyan]

Today is the day... FemReader has to present her work in front of her department and her boss... what could go wrong? (Maybe everthing an she should have read the notification yesterday more carefully...)

"So much from my side. And now I would like to hand over to my colleague. She can tell you more about the exact course of events in the second semester. (Y/N),  please." Marx gives you the floor and you continue your presentation to your department and your boss. There are only a few people in the small meeting room, sitting at a few desks arranged to form a large table. There is a beamer in the middle, projecting your PowerPoint presentation onto a white wall at the front of the room. 

You are proud and relieved that you have done everything so well in such a short amount of time. You and Marx made a good team. When you finally finish, you both get your well-deserved applause, Dorothy winks meaningfully at you and seems almost more relieved than you both are. But not everyone seems to be satisfied. A new colleague, who has only been with you for a few weeks, raises his hand. "But that's not all the numbers, is it?"

"What? No, of course not," you say quickly, and Marx adds that you've only taken an extract from the tables. "But if you're interested, we can just throw the whole spreadsheet up on the wall. Hold on..." Marx, who has sat down at the desk next to the screen after his contribution, searches for the relevant file on the sharepoint and opens it for everyone to see.

But something is wrong.

"What is that?!!!" Kira-Clover lets out a shrill scream. Dorothy looks at you in surprise and mumbles something about having guessed it. But you have already noticed what is now clearly visible to everyone on the white wall. You feel hot and cold and wonder why the hell your half-completed bucket list is flickering on the wall. But then you remember.

"No?!? I haven't seriously overwritten all the work I've done in the last few weeks with my unhappy bucket list?" you ask yourself in disbelief.  "That strange message yesterday... Damn it! I should have read it properly...", you remember, boiling hot. "Damn it! Now I've really screwed up..."

Biting your lower lip, you begin to tremble and feel tears welling up in your eyes. That goddamn list! All the things you wanted to do to have a perfect Christmas. But pretty much everything on that fucked up list had turned into a negative version of it. Or a clear sign that you have failed. Just like now...

Marx looks at you in disbelief, you look at him in despair and shake your head, while your boss throws a tantrum in the background.

Just as Dorothy is about to save you by simply unplugging the beamer, Marx closes the file.

Then he pulls a USB stick out of his business bag. "You're lucky I always make independent copies on my stick for cases like this..."

A few moments later, the correct and complete file is on the wall and your colleague pulls you over to the chair where he was sitting. "Sit down - I'll take it from here."

As confident as ever, Marx answers the newcomer's question and a few others. But he also knows the answer to the boss's question as to what the hell that was all about.

"Just a little reminder of what you should have experienced before Christmas. That's all, just a little relaxation. Don't take it too seriously if you don't like it."

"But these are private documents on our SharePoint! That's not acceptable. The woman is attracting negative attention again. I can't let her get away with it."

"(Y/N) has a lot of personal problems at the moment. She lost her flat due to structural problems and is now living on a friend's couch.  As a close colleague and friend, I know about her problems. If you were a responsible boss, you would have understood and taken her off the assignment. If you were an even better boss," Marx's face darkens within seconds, "you would have done your own damn work, or not sent your receptionists who screwed up on holiday, or not approved their time off in the first place. You would have kept an eye on their work. And most of all, you wouldn't have let bystanders take the rap for a year's worth of crap for two weeks. Since Julius hasn't been here due to illness, the department has gone down the drain".

A murmur goes through the rows of colleagues. But most of them have to agree with Marx. After all, they hadn't known the usually quiet chief secretary. Even the current boss, Mr Kira - Clover - looks at him with an open mouth. He really can't think of anything to say in his defence. "I don't want to be part of that atmosphere anymore. The team is great, but the boss is rubbish. And since Julius won't be back for a while, I've asked for a transfer". The colleague rummages in his bag once more, slips an envelope into the boss's hand and leaves the meeting room, wishing everyone else a Merry Christmas.

You hurry after him.

"Marx, wait! Thanks for saving me. Even though it was really cool how you handed in your notice, I still can't believe it. Are you really leaving?"

He nods: "Thank you for the flowers, but I would have preferred not to. Both..."

You purse your lips in dismay and nod guiltily. But then your colleague pats you on the shoulder. "But I had to do it. I mean the dismissal. The last few weeks have been too much for me. And for you too, as I can see. Thank you for all the hours we have spent together in the office. But now take care of your private problems and get your love life back on track, yeah?"

After a slightly confused look, you smile at him. "Yes," you say loudly.

[amunyan]

"Um... Mereoleona?! Can we finally start?"

"Have you warmed up yet?" Is the absent answer.

Mina nods: "We've been stretching, doing jumping jacks, squats and push-ups, and fighting... Now we'd like to start with the real training..."

"Just a moment. Not everyone is here yet," Mereoleona reassures her. For the fifth time.

"I don't think anyone else is coming. The training started over half an hour ago. If you're not here now, you're not coming..."

The trainer bites her lower lip as she gazes longingly out into the foyer of the martial arts school. Even though she can't continue training like this - her hands are still in bandages - she wanted to come anyway. Especially after all training sessions up to yesterday had been cancelled. She was fit enough to shout and give instructions. Still... "(Y/N)... Where are you...?" she asks quietly.

"'Gesundheit...'"

"Hatschi," you sneeze loudly.

"Thanks, Marx. Oh dear, the overtime isn't good for me in the long run. I hope I haven't caught a cold..." you mutter.

"I wouldn't be surprised. It's quite chilly here in the office..." Marx remarks and you hug your cardigan tighter.

"But it'll be over soon," he adds with a smile. The presentation should fit in with tomorrow's conference, don't you think?

You nod, glad that the extra work seems to be over at last.

The lists are neatly saved on the Sharepoint and the PowerPoint for tomorrow's presentation is ready.

"Then we're finally finished here. It's not that late. Only half past nine," says Marx and stretches. "Shall we go for a bite somewhere, (Y/N)?"

"I'd love to. I'm really hungry."

"Well then - let's pack and meet at the lift."

With these words, Marx gets up, collects his laptop and his cup of cold coffee and leaves your office.

You stretch for a moment and start to pack up your things and close all open programs.

"Oh, I still have those," you mutter, noticing the open file of your bucket list with its own 'gift ideas' raiter. "Well, that list has really paid off this year. I have no idea why I touched it again this afternoon? Oh yes... It's because..."

"It's stupid, but I can't let it go like this... "

When you click on the view with the gifts, you remember. You have deleted Mereoleona's gift idea. You don't know what got into you, what kind of frustration and sadness, but you actually went back and edited the list. You probably just wanted the list to be tidy in a fit of mental weakness. But the space after her name bothers you. "Mereo..." you mutter softly and sigh, "I can't help but miss you..."

You hadn't heard from her in days. How could you, without a mobile phone? But she hadn't even come to CC. She was supposed to know that you were with Charmy by now. You sigh deeply.

You start typing. "Reconciliation and a kiss under the mistletoe..."

A hesitant smile flickers across your lips. "Maybe I should go talk to her. Using the excuse of getting my mobile. Maybe tomorrow after work..."

With these words, you start to close the other open programs on your PC, but are briefly annoyed by a message that your list hasn't been saved and that you should choose a save location and try again. "Strange. I thought I had saved the documents on the sharepoint. Well, let's just save them again... With a loud yawn and no further attention to the screen, you click on "Save as" and select the file "Lists_complete" to overwrite it with the latest version for tomorrow.

Then you shut down a laptop and pack everything up.

Relieved that all the work is finally done, and with a growling stomach, you and your colleague head for the nearest fast food restaurant.

[amunyan]

Today with a shorter chapter ;) Enjoy

Charmy lives in a small flat above her family's café, simply called CC. And since Monday night, you live there too. Or at least you sleep there and are sad. As soon as you enter the flat after work, you turn into a sad something and crawl under the blanket fortress on the big, cosy couch, and Charmy starts her "job" as your best friend to cheer you up.

"There, there. Here, your hot chocolate... Or would you rather have some mulled wine?"

She looks at you worriedly, while you look at her with dead eyes from your fortress of pillows and blankets.  Like part-time heartbreak, because you can't really mourn the end of your very brief relationship with Mereoleona because of all the work you have to do at your job.

"Hot chocolate is fine," you say blankly. "Thank you... You really are the best, Charmy. Thanks for letting me in the middle of the night. And without any warning on my part."

Charmy was more than surprised when you showed up on her doorstep late the other night. She was on the verge of beating you up with a brom, a supposed intruder who had knocked politely. But as soon as she saw you, with your red eyes and your luggage, she knew what was wrong. And she's been looking after you ever since. With lots of chocolate to fight the frustration and sadness inside you.

"I don't know. I think it only hit me because she came home on Monday from the youth group training, where her brother had been talking to his mates about the thing. There was no time to stop by and see Yami. But I think I was on her mind. But yeah, I never thought she could get so mad at me over something as silly as this misunderstanding. She had already read Yami's message on my mobile on Sunday, when he had just asked for the name of the restaurant I had suggested when we went shopping. He wanted to take his girlfriend there for a special Christmas date. So I think the frustration had probably been building up in her for a while.

"That your girlfriend would believe such stupid assumptions..." says Charmy, shaking her head as she goes back to her kitchen. "And that she would be so mean to you. Lucky for her I wasn't there."

"Would you have beat her up with your broom, you little Witch?"

"Broom and Dustpan! I have to pull out the big stuff for her." She answers. "Did she just take her frustration out on you, or also on Yami?"

"Still - that's no excuse to hurt you like that. "

You just nod silently. "Yeah... it still hurts like hell. The way she insulted my gift for her... and that she has no trust in me. But..." Tears well up in your eyes: "I want to tell her that I miss her already. Although at the same time I want to punch her against a wall. But maybe it's a good thing that I accidentally left my mobile with her. Now I cannot write to her or call her crying. I have far too much trouble and drama at work anyway..."

[amunyan]

The icy wind has brought snow flurries and buried the landscape in a thick blanket of snow.

Mereoleona looks out of the large window in her brother's office at the snow-covered front garden and the thickening snowdrift.

With a deep sight she remembers the evening of the day before and her guilt grows again.

Yes, she jumped to conclusions and hurt you a lot. She only slowly realised that after you left the house and she was alone, with no real chance of contacting you, because you also left your phone in her flat. Maybe a chance that you might come back, but maybe also a sign that you wanted nothing more to do with her.

"You are very gifted, sis. How do you manage to alienate the same person twice in the span of a week?"

"Don't lecture me. I've already received my punishment..."

"Do you mean that (Y/N) is probably gone for good now, or that you've burnt both your palms? Where did you get such a stupid idea? Even small children know that food straight from the oven is hot and shouldn't be touched with bare hands. But my big sister thinks she can control the fire and is immune to it..."

Mereoleona just looks at her brother with a murderous glint in her eyes. But he does not react at all.

Fuegoleon wraps a final layer of bandage around her left hand and tapes the end with a plaster. "There, that's it. Bandage changed. Does it fit? You can't do much with your hands anyway, but it shouldn't be too tight."

She moves her fingers and turns her wrists. "I think so. Thank you..." she mumbles tonelessly.

But her Brother can't help but remark that he sometimes doubts that Mereoleona thinks at all.

"Otherwise you'd have thought better a week ago when you attacked (Y/N) in the shower. You're lucky Mina didn't take it too badly. And you wouldn't have taken the already burned food out of the 200 degree hot oven with your bare hands, and most of all you wouldn't have believed Leo's nonsense about (Y/N) having something going on with his PE teacher Mr. Sukehiro. Just to name a few recent examples".

Like a pile of misery, Mereoleona just lets it pass. She doesn't say anything. Not anymore. Instead, she changes the subject: "Can you at least fix the cup?" She looks over at her brother, but he just shrugs. "We'll see," he says as he goes to the sideboard in the hall to put the first aid kit back in its place.

Not only that Mereo burned her hands badly the other day, she also managed to destroy the strawberry cup that had been sitting innocently on the kitchen counter. In her attempt to rescue the burnt food from the oven, which was already helplessly sending out dark smoke signals as you left the flat, she had rammed the cup with the casserole dish. The cup, which she thought was ugly as hell despite the information that it was actually a Christmas present for her, flew in a less high curve, but straight onto the stone-tiled kitchen floor, where it shattered into dozens of pieces.  But when she saw the shards on the floor, she felt even worse than she already did. As if this cup was a symbol of how your friendship and feelings for each other were now broken for good... "Sorry, sister... "Leo now pushed his way ruefully out of his room into the spacious hallway, at the end of which his brother's bright office was located behind a room divider in the shape of a terrarium for Fuegoleon's pet Tatsu - a tame, somewhat overgrown iguana. Mereoleona sits on a backless stool and looks grimly at her little brother.

He swallows: "I really thought my teacher was serious about him and (Y/N) being together. I mean, we saw them in the mall and he said she was his prey. But..." He trailed off. He looked away shyly. "I didn't know he just recalled your words from the christmasmarket back than. That you and she... Well, I always thought that she and our brother would get together..."

A bitter look meets Leo's eyes. Then an arm is put around his shoulders. "You and Mereoleona are too much alike. Neither of you thinks at least a little bit through..." Fuegoleon says in a calm voice.

"You're really mean today, brother..."

"Perhaps. But let's see the cup you brought...", he mumbles and begins to repair what can be repaired under the eagle eyes of his sister...

[amunyan]

Okay, now the drama begins - who would have ever guessed…

With a little misunderstanding here and a very jealous Mereoleona there…

And I'm also aware that FemReader is overreacting a bit. But in my defence - I know I'm not good at writing arguments and stuff. I'm more into fluffy, lovely things and cuddles… (But I'm trying to improve my wrinting on this topic…)

"Do you still think this is a good idea? I mean; we are talking about our teacher, you are about to mishear ..."

Yuno is everything but happy. But his other friends are serious. They want to know what is going on between (Y/N) and their teacher. Despite what Yuno tells them, they might just be good friends, after Leo told him again about their random encounter at the Christmas market. But the boy can't stop his friends all by himself. And the girls in the group were more than sure that a big scandal was brewing.

"Even Mimosa is talking about it. I am now surrounded by a bunch of idiots. I wonder what kind of crisis we are causing with these hasty conclusions..."

The bell for the big break is about to ring. The boys in the trio's class have just finished three hours of sport.

Asta, Leo and Yuno - forced by his friends - have volunteered to clean up the gym. Without any ulterior motives, of course.

They have already put away the mats and all the other equipment they have used today, and are free to go.

But they do not. Instead, they approach Yami - Leo with a very dark glaze in his eyes and Asta with his arms crossed. Yuno stands beside them, silent.

"Are you finished, boys? Or is there something I can do for you?"

"We know exactly what you are doing," Leo starts.

At first Yami thinks that the boys might have found out that he smokes the cigarettes himself, he takes them away from the students he catches smoking.

But no, this is not the reason for Leo's angry behaviour.

"We've seen you cheating on Miss Roselei!" says Asta without a great deal of hesitation.

"How dare you think that (Y/N) would like you more than my older brother?"

"What do you mean?" Irritated, the teacher looks between Asta and Leo.

"Pretending is pointless! We have photos!"

Yami raises his arms in defiance. What do the three of them want from him? Or rather just Leopold and Asta. Yuno is clearly uncomfortable with the situation. So uncomfortable that he does not even look at his physical education teacher.

And then this accusation. (Y/N) and himself? Or her and Fuegolen? Yami cannot help but laugh. He knows very well that his friend of many years is more interested in other women than in men...

"Why are you laughing? What is so funny?"

"Sorry guys, but this joke is too good. Fuegolen and (Y/N)? Or..."

He can't even lough about himself.

"Don't be so mean to my brother!" Leopold yells now. "They are meant for each other! And you are destroying that!"

"Are you sure, little lion?" Yami grins. The little brother seems to be so on the ball...

That's why he wants to help him and remember Leo, who was the one who marked her territory at the Christmas market.

"Better beg away from her - she is my prey." He echoes Mereoleona’s words. With a serious expression, he looks at Leo before bursting into laughter. "Do you remember those words? If not, think about them and who is into (Y/N). But if you want my honest answer - she and I are very close. I hope I have made myself clear - and now out of the way. I have to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant for Christmas".

With these words, Yami walks past his students, who look at him in confusion.

"Too bad - but I will prepare dinner for us. Maybe she will be happy to have something good to eat when she comes home".

"That went wrong somehow," Leo mumbles. 

After a long day at work, you came home very late. Mereo had taken over some lessons at the Fighting Club for her sick brother that day and was training the group of teenagers around her youngest brother Leopold . So - she wasn't home.

"So let's get to work," you say, pulling up your sleeves and tying on an apron.

Then you put on your Christmas playlist and make yourself a cup of tea. Yes, in your new mug. If Mereo doesn't like it, it doesn't mean you can't use it. It's still cute.

You start chopping lots of vegetables, prepping the meat and tapping your feet to the beat of every song. Not knowing what storm is coming...

"Great - now put everything in a casserole dish and pop it in the oven!"

After putting the meal in the oven and setting the timer, you tidy up the kitchen and start setting the table.

"Well, only about 10 minutes left. I hope she will be..."

Just as you were hoping that Mereoleona would be home in time, you heard the front door open.

 "Hi," you greet her happily and want to hug her, but she pushes you away. "Spare me the nonsense! What are you doing? Standing here like a housewife. I can make a joke of myself! Where have you been today?"

Shocked by her suddenly dismissive reaction, you back off. "Um... sorry. But I thought you would enjoy a good meal after getting home so late? And I was looking forward to it, too, after a stressful day at work." You try to smile.

"Aha, work is your excuse. Are you sure about that?"

You smile. "You can ask my colleagues if you don't believe me. And anyway, is this an interrogation?"

But she does not answer your question. "Do you know what I think - oh no, I know; you have been secretly having an affair with Yami!"

"Excuse me? What have I been up to?" Your eyes widen, but moments later you start laughing out loud.  "Nice joke, really. Where did you get that stupid idea?"

But Mereo does not lought. She is serious.

"Look," she takes her mobile phone out of her gym bag and slaps it on the kitchen table. "Leopold sent me these pictures after training." Her phone shows far too many pictures of you and Yami. All taken at the mall on Saturday when you two were shopping for Christmas presents.

"Oh, these ones. Just Yami and me buying some presents. But I have to admit... they are very unflattering."

You feel hot and cold. Not just because someone has secretly taken pictures of you. Also because they really do look a bit like there is more between you and your childhood friend.  And Mereoleona leans ominously over you like a wild animal.

"Are you sure? Leo told me a different story. How Yami told him and the other boys that you are his prey. So... what kind of stupid game did you play, (Y/N)?"

"What the hell did he tell them?" you ask yourself in horror. "His prey? Of course - Yami does not talk like that. Those are Mereoleona's words. But..."

You cannot be sure if Yami really called you his prey or if these are just Mereoleona's words describing what he said.

You press your lips together. And even if the anger about your friend's premature conclusions is boiling inside you, you try to avoid an escalation.

Again, you try to talk to her. Tell her about the situation in the photo. "The picture is from Saturday. We were helping each other to find a present for the person we love. He for Charlotte and I for..."

But she cuts you off: "I thought you were alone?"

"I never said I was alone!"

She thinks about your words and seems to be satisfied by now.

But then: "And why did he say something about a date you suggested?"

"Huh? Date? Yami and I. Never! Whatever gave you that idea again?"

"Last night, when you went to the toilet during the film. I just read the lock screen of your mobile and..."

Now, for once, you are the one who interrupts her: "You're bold enough to read my messages, but not brave enough to ask me about them?" Your eyes narrow to small slits and you look at her with a grim expression. "If you had asked me right away, I could have shown you our chat and you would have understood that I was helping him to get a date with Charlotte. By suggesting our favourite restaurant. Well done, Mereoleona! Yesterday you complained about the film and the misunderstanding there, but you also fell into that trap."

Even though the comparison is a bit silly, you don't say anything more. You just get your mobile phone - you don't even bother turning down the happy Christmas music singing in Spanish - and give it to her. "Here! I have nothing to hide and I don't mind if you read it. Go ahead and read the whole chat with Yami! And don't you dare be jealous! Do not even dare to question my faithfulness. Besides - I only like girls! Being with Yami or your brother - ridiculous! I don't know what annoys me more, your lack of trust in me or that you have jumped into stupid and unfounded accusations!

You don't mind the dinner timer going off either. You went into the bedroom, followed by Mereoleona, who was still reading the texts. But she is already sorry for the accusations and is about to apologize.

But now you are far too angry. Angry at the lack of trust and the false accusations. Also at Leo and the photos he may have taken, but surely sent to his sister. You never had anything to hide from her. All she had to do was ask. You would have loved to tell her that Yami and Charlotte had a date at the same restaurant you and she always go to.

So you don't want to hear her excuses and apologizes.

"(Y/N)? I am sorry. I shouldn't have..." Then she stops. She stands watching you, silent and with a look of disbelief on her face, as you pack your bags.

"Save yourself the trouble," you grumble. "As I said - for me there is only you. But if you can't even believe this simple thing..."

"Where are you going?" she asks. Her voice is shaking.

"I don't know. But I have to calm down. I need to think. It hurts too much to stay here now..." With a sad look in your eyes and your luggage in your hands, you head for the front door with the first tears rolling over your face. But before you go, you decide to tell her the truth about the cup. "Oh, and something else," your voice trembles as you wrap your scarf around your neck and point your head towards the kitchen counter. "That ugly cup was supposed to be a present for you. Yes, I was foolish to think you would like such a sweet thing. But it reminded me of one of your first times outside the martial arts school. When we went to the strawberry field in early summer. From that day on, we met all the time. We became good friends and something more. But anyway - I'm off".

Mereoleona does not stop you as you slam the door behind you and stumble down the stairs into the cold night that greets you with an icy wind.

[amunyan]

On Sunday evening, your bad mood began to improve. Yes, the mug hadn't been the best gift for Mereoleona. Maybe, just maybe, you should have listened to Yami. But you still had about a week to find something else.

If necessary, you could just ask her out on Christmas Eve and spend some time together. Take a walk through the festively lit city. Go to the spa to unwind after all the hustle and bustle you tried to avoid with your list. Yeah – just the two of you spending quality time together. Just like now;

Snuggled up under a blanket, you and Mereo are sitting on the sofa, with only the floor lamp burning in front of the floor-to-ceiling window to create a cosy atmosphere. There's a 90s Christmas movie on TV that you use to watch every year. Yes, you really wanted to cross watching a Christmas film off your list, when everything else has gone wrong. And until now, you haven't really had the time or the nerve to watch a happy movie. But after this stressful day and a even more stressful week ahead, you really needed to turn on this sort of movie.

Mereo has accompanied you to your flat today. To get the rest of your stuff out and to talk to Henry, your landlord. He was still very sorry about the situation, but he had managed to rent some storage units for his tenants, where they could put their larger items until the water damage and the electricity thing was fixed. Although the damage was already greater than previously thought, the full extent was still unclear. It was unclear how far the damp in the walls had already secretly seeped into the individual flats...

So you and Mereoleona took a few boxes of your things. Just small, loose things that you didn't really need at the moment, but didn't want to leave in the flat. Sometime between the holidays, you and your dad would get the bigger furniture. Besides, Henry had said that as soon as the weather will get better, the damage would be repaired as quickly as possible. And so - all the stuff had to be removed from the flats anyway to make way for the renovation. Yeah, let's not put anything away - it's a shitty situation. But Henry is doing his best to solve the problems.

"Well, she is really going a long way for this misunderstanding. I thought she doesn't want him any more. She's totally in love with his brother," Mereoleona comments on the movie, while nibbling on potato crisps and notices that the bag is almost empty. She looks grimly at the last crumbs in the packet and puts them on the living room table in front of her. "And this guy is such a wimp. He just lets the girl he loves marry his brother, who never was with her in the first place..."

But you could really get used to it. Cooking dinner with your now girlfriend and spending the evenings cuddling on the sofa with her...

"Things will work out fine in the end," you promise her with a wink as she suddenly scoots closer and wraps her arms around you. You blush slightly.

"You know I wouldn't let that happen. Things like you flirting with my brother..."

"Because I would do such a thing with Fuegoleon," you laugh, rolling your eyes. "I have you. The one I've always wanted. Your brother is unimportant".

Her grip tightens. She buries her nose in your hair. "Just to make sure. You know how much I cherish you. How much I love spending time with you. I was so afraid I was going to lose you after I crossed that line. God..." she sighs softly. "It hasn't even been a week. When I think about it, it feels so unreal to be with you now. To be holding you like this."

Even though you know how much Mereo cares inside, it is a little unexpected.

She is able to motivate others and although she always sounds gruff and you might think she is asking impossible things of you, she knows exactly how far she can go. What she can ask of you. Just one of the many things you adore about her.

Still, it was a bit strange to see her so fragile now. But it also makes you happy that she trusts you enough to show you this side of her.

You carefully pull yourself out of her grip and turn to face her. You wrap your arms around her as you snuggle close to her, casually planting a kiss on her forehead before making it clear: "I'm not going anywhere. I'm happy to be with you. But..." You release the hug and stand up. "You keep looking, I have to go to the toilet."

She laughs quietly. "You little liar, you. Should I press pause?"

"It's fine, I know the film almost by heart and it's almost over anyway. I'll be right back. Then we can spend more time cuddling. But this is urgent now".

As soon as you've left the living room, one of the two mobile phones on the small table in the living room starts to vibrate.

Your girlfriend takes her eyes off the TV for a moment and looks at her mobile phone. It wasn't hers. It was yours. Normally she wouldn't have cared, but she notices a message from Yami. The lock screen showed a preview of the message. Just the first two lines, not even the whole first sentence. But Mereoleona gets a bad feeling.

"Jo (Y/N), I thought about your suggestion for a Christmas date ... "

"Date? Has she got something going with that bastard after all? I thought I made it clear to him what's mine. Do I really need to teach him some manners? Although..."

She rereads the text and bites her lower lip. "Is it (Y/N) who is cheating on me? What is going on between them?" She blows air grimly through her nose. "I'm not going anywhere, my ass..." she echoes your words with disapproval. However, she puts the phone down when she hears the bathroom door open. And like a good adult, she does not ask you about the message. She just tells herself that you would never do such a thing and that Yami might have got the wrong number.

[amunyan]

It's getting later every day… although I've written all the chapters in advance, it's taking me a while to finalise them all and be halfway happy with them. But I will try my best to post them earlier the next days. My holydays are right around the next corner…

Christmas pop music fills the air in the shopping mall. On this third weekend in Advent, the shops and aisles, as well as the small cafés and restaurants, are full. Many people use this day to buy presents or spend time with friends.

Leopold Vermillion is no exception. He and his friends, Asta, Yuno, Noelle and Mimosa, are also out buying Christmas presents. The group happily ends up in a game store. At least Leo and Asta, who curiously accompanied him, did; the rest of the friends were more or less forced into the shop.

Now, while Leo looks around for a present for his older brother, being advised by Mimosa and Asta, Noelle stands next to them, feeling a bit ashamed.

"This is a shop for little kids," she grumbles. Still, she seems to like it here, but she would never admit it.  Yuno, who came along because he didn't want to wait outside alone, wanders away from the group and seems very interested after giving some of the products a closer look.

By the time they meet again at the checkout, Yuno's purchase is even larger than Leo's. "How can you have three full shopping bags? I only bought two “little” things for my brother!"

-They were a cube tower of an imaginative design - a tower with an onion roof, entwined with vines - and a matching set of cubes. Mimosa had picked them out, and Leo thought they were very pretty and appropriate for the campaign his brother is currently planning. -

With a shrug, Yuno looks at the two bags. He had taken a liking to the idea of role-playing with pen and paper and had quickly bought everything from books to dice and even figures to get started. "My parents still need presents for Christmas because they are always busy at work and travelling around the world. So they will be happy to wrap it up and I will act surprised under the Christmas tree".

While Leo still shakes his head at Yuno, even though it has secretly ignited his competitive spirit, the rest of the group has made an interesting discovery.

"That's our sports teacher over there, Mr. Sukehiro, right? And isn’t this (Y/N) with him?" Asta looks around to his friends questioningly as he points across the wide corridor to the accessories shop diagonally opposite the games shop.

It is you and Yami standing there. Neither of you are aware of the group of teenagers, all but one of them - all too subtly - disappearing behind one of the many decorative Christmas trees that line the mall.

"It's not funny - it's a children's scarf. With a stupid design too," Yami grumbles, pushing your hand down while you're almost in tears from laughing. "Oh come on, the dinosaurs with the Christmas hats are so cute."

"May I remind you that I want you to help me find something for Charlotte. Or are you already done because you have your fancy toffee, what do I know, coffee?"

"Sorry! But let me have a bit of fun," you wink at him as you spot a scarf by chance. You only saw it out of the corner of your eye, but you grab it immediately.

"Charlotte's favourite flowers are roses, aren't they?"

Yami nods in agreement, but equally confused, until you show him the scarf. A warm scarf, made of high quality fabric, decorated with a rose tendril pattern. Red roses on the front, blue on the back.

"Charlotte will love this," you whisper meaningfully as you teasingly wrap the scarf around him.

Yami just nods silently as a smile appears on his lips. Then he hugs the scarf tightly with his fingers. "Thanks. It's perfect."

"Sure. Will you see me at Christmas?"

He shakes his head and is about to tell you that he is not sure whether she has time or not.

But you don't let him get away with that, and contradict him. "No excuse! You have to invite her for Christmas Eve. Maybe for dinner. How romantic would that be? The two of you under the Christmas lights of the city, eating together and telling her how much you like her".

But Yami just blinks and seems a little overwhelmed by your suggestion, which makes you roll your eyes. "If you want, I can tell you the name of a very good Italian restaurant that Mereo and I always go to," you say with a meaningful look in your eyes.

"I'll think about it, but for now let me go and pay, OK?"

"Sure! But then you have to help me find something for Mereoleona. I was thinking of a cup, because I broke one of hers the other day."

Yami looks at you in surprise.

"The woman likes to drink, if I remember her correctly... Better buy her a bottle of her favourite beverage and off you go."

"Oh come on... that's so unimaginative... Can't you think of something better?"

"No. I think that's already perfect."

After your good friend has paid for his beloved's present, you stroll on through the shopping centre.

The shop here would have had nice scarves, but Mereo didn't really wear them. Most of the time she pulles the zip of her winter jacket up to just under her nose.

A few shops further on you could buy a cosy blanket. But you don't buy it. Your lover was never really cold. She was always too warm, like an oven.

Mereoleona loves to cook, but you didn't think kitchen utensils belonged under the Christmas tree... Nevertheless, Yami and you dare to go to a kitchenware shop and have a look around. All under the stunned gaze of the group of teenagers who had been spying on you.

"I can't believe it," Mimosa whispered in her soft voice. "Mr. Sukehiro is cheating on Miss Roselei. What a tragic skandal..."

"Don't exaggerate," Noelle grumbles.

"But how are you going to explain this?" She shows her friend all the photos she had secretly taken. Then she points at you both.

"Well," the youngest of the Silva's gets into a bit of explaining trouble and finally has to admit it. "They look very close, yes..."

"I... I think they are just good friends," Leo comments, but his expression is one of helplessness. "When we were at the Christmas market, we also met Mr. Sukehiro there. And they already seemed very close then. But... I mean, I know (Y/N). She is even closer to my brother. So... no problem, I guess."

"Do you want your brother to be (Y/N)'s boyfriend?" Asta looks at his friend.

 Leo just nods energetically. "I really like (Y/N). In fact, she is like a big sister to me."

"And I always thought about Mereoleona and her. Not really about your brother being together with (Y/N)," Noelle comments with a confused look on her face.

"Oh no! They are just really good and close friends," Leo says confidently, almost convinced. "They often go out for dinner after training, visit Fuegoleon and me for games nights and also go to the hot springs together."

"Doesn't sound like 'just friends' to me." Yuno's voice is dry and unimpressed as always, "despite the - according to Mimosa - tragic skandal".

"Okay. Let's put (Y/N) and your siblings aside for a moment," Noelle says. "The question here is: why is Mr. Sukehiro cheating on our other teacher?" The rest of the group, except for Yuno, just nods.

"Could it just be a big misunderstanding?" He chimes in, but is drowned out by Asta's suggestion that they confront Yami at school on Monday, and the voices of agreement from the other three.

In the end, you decided to buy a cup after all. As you and Yami walked past a tea shop, one of the cups on display caught your eye...

" Despite Yami's concerns, I bought it anyway. I think it's cute.” You put the mug, which has no handle to make it look even more like a cup, on the kitchen counter with some other purchases.

It was still early in the evening and Mereoleona would probably take her time getting home from work. So you use the time to take a shower before you put the shopping away and start cooking.

But when you come out of the bathroom, your girlfriend and host is already home. She is standing in the kitchen looking at the mug you were going to give her. And now she's seen it.

"You're home early," you say as you see her standing in the kitchen.

She looks at the mug with disapproval, even contempt. She does not like it at all. That is more than obvious. And something inside you tightens.

"What kind of ugly cup is that?"

You didn't want to tell her that you bought it for her. Not anymore... She would laugh at you and make you feel worse than you already do. So you decide to stick to the truth.

"Yesterday I broke one of your cups in the morning. So I bought this one. I think it's nice, with all the little strawberries." By the end of the scene, your voice was getting higher and you were talking even faster. Perhaps to get through your attempt at explanation more quickly. But you still think the design is cute, but also minimalistic. Not too obtrusive...

As Mereo says nothing, you add, trying to sound as convincing as possible - as if that would help: "Oh, and it's a unique piece. I bought it today on my Christmas shopping trip. In a little tea shop in the mall. They work with the old and somewhat famous pottery on the northern edge of town".

As if she knew them. As if that would make the situation any better.

She looks at you with a raised eyebrow and misunderstanding in her eyes. "Are you really telling me that you bought an ugly 30€ cup to replace a 3€ Ikea cup?"

"Um... seems so?!!"

"Oh dear... That's nice of you, but you could have saved yourself that." She comes over to you and ruffles your still moist hair. "But if you want, I can keep it. It's your cup, for whenever you're with me." With these words she presses the cup into your hand.

You grit your teeth and look away as the first tears form in your eyes. Not knowing what hurts more. The fact that she has insulted your gift, or that you still do not really know her?

[amunyan]

"Ah... yes... Yes," you moan softly, your hands clawing harder into the blanket. "That's the spot."

A satisfied grin flits across Mereoleona's lips as she buries her fingers deeper into your skin, applying more pressure. Making you sigh louder.

"You sit at your desk too much, sweetheart. No wonder you're so tense. This is where it hurts, isn't it?" Her fingers press on a particular spot on your back and you let out an abrupt yelp.

"Ow... Yeah, right there."

You grasp one of the pillows in pain, but your lover takes it away from you immediately. She orders you to lie flat on the bed while she massages the tension out of your body. At the crack of dawn. But only because you made a very unfortunate turn in the early hours of the morning when you came back from the bathroom and wanted to crawl into bed again.

As well as being a personal trainer in a gym and teaching martial arts on the side, Mereo was also very good with her hands and knew more than a thing or two about anatomy. She knew exactly where to reach to put an end to your back pain. And you just lay there and let it happen to you. 

But with a glance at her alarm clock, Mereoleona stops.

"Looks like we have to continue when I get home. Will we see each other in training?"

"I don't know. I have to get my other stuff from my apartment... And a lot of work..." You sigh deeply and sit up in bed.

"I see... So I guess we'll see each other in the evening?"

"Definitely." With a blissful expression on your face, you accompany her to the door, she says goodbye, tells you that you can always help yourself to the fridge and her other supplies, and boldly plants a kiss on your lips, so that you can start the day with a stupid loved-runk smile on your face.

Home office was the order of the day today. For once, or you won't be able to complete all your duties for the day...

With a fresh cup of coffee in hand, you open your laptop and join the morning meeting online. Only to get a proper verbal spanking from your boss right at the start. Firstly because of yesterday's incident, and secondly because you're not at work. He doesn't accept your justification that he authorised it yesterday at short notice and that others do it regularly - especially him - which is why the whole meeting is always online and you could do your work from home.

"Looks like this guy is having another really, really bad day. This could be fun..."

But Marx, who had asked for a postponement because of your mistake, also got his punishment in front of the whole office.

All attempts by your colleagues to defend you and him, or to offer help, were stifled.

" Really a hell of a working atmosphere again. Literally. Getting scolded for the stupid spreadsheets and for working from home. But the guy himself spends half the day sitting in cafes doing nothing. And his stupid mistresses too - otherwise Marx and I wouldn't have any problems working through the lists, which are kept like cabbages and turnips. But who gets the blame? Marx and I, of course," you mutter to yourself. What an idiot! If I were the boss, I would have called those wives back from their holidays and made them do the work. Let the three of them choke on vanilla crescents! On top of that, he wants to deduct the keybord I drowned in my coffee yesterday from my wages! Understandable, but he didn't have to say it in front of everyone...", you mutter to yourself.

After all that trouble, you need a second coffee. So you get up, wobble around the counter, put your cup under the machine and switch it on. Only to be reminded by its rattling that this little machine is a very clean thing. It started the rinse cycle and you, not wanting to get a new cup dirty, reached for your mug. But that's when the clumsiness kicked in again. You can't get a good grip on it. It slips from your hands and falls clattering to the floor.

"Well done," you congratulate yourself, rolling your eyes. "That wasn't the plan."

The coffee machine clatters approvingly in the background as you pick up the pieces.

Mereolena wouldn't make much of a cup like that. Or even get angry. But you still have your guilty conscience. And a flash of inspiration.

"Hah! That's it! I'll give her nice cups in a partner look."

For a moment, you think it's the best idea ever. But only until you give it a second thought. Then your mobile phone starts ringing in protest.

"Or not," you have to admit to yourself.

You get up and reach for your phone to answer the call. Yami is there.

"Hey, are you all right?"

"Do you want a serious answer or should I say that everything is fine?" You wrinkle your forehead.

"A serious one - otherwise I wouldn't have called." Your friend sounds unusually serious that day. "I heard about what happened from Vanessa and Finral."

You vaguely know that Yami and Finral live in the same apartment complex. A new neighbourhood that the city had built a few years ago, but for the money they charged for the flats, they could not get rid of them. In fact, it had fallen into disrepair before the city finally gave in. What you did not know was that Yami and Finral were already more or less neighbours, and that the poor Finral was often allowed to play Yami's chauffeur when he overdid it with his forays into the city's bars. So they knew each other quite well.

"Vanessa told us her misery over one or two six-packs of beer. And that you wanted to go to another friend of yours. So I thought I would call and check if you are all right. Having to move out is a big shit. You ended up in Charmy's place, right?"

"Yes, it's really shit! But no, I wanted to go to Charmy's, but since she didn't answer her phone yesterday - and I panicked so much that I forgot that the CC also has a phone - I'm not at her place.

That's why M took me with her after training..."

"I see," Yami laughs loudly on the other line. "The scary witch kidnapped you. And I was worried about you and wanted to cheer you up."

 "Excuse me?!? Mereo is not scary! She is sweet and gentle - she just has her own way of showing it! And just because I am with her now, does not mean that all my problems have been magically solved!"

"You've always been into weird stuff. But that is for everyone." He laughs again.

 "Are you done now?" You grimace in offence.

"Not really - sorry. But listen - the reason I called was to ask if you were free tomorrow. I know - bad timing, but I need you. I still don't have a present for Charlotte and I'm as helpless as ever. I could get you your favourite coffee - maybe a gingerbread latte or some of those crazy flavoured fancy things you like - you complain to me about all your other problems and we can have a nice day at the mall. How does that sound?"

"Except for the fact that the gingerbread latte might be the cause for one of my other problems; perfect!"

[amunyan]

"This is the second day in a row that you have been on the verge of falling asleep..." Dorothy's scolding words make you snap out of it. But in such an unfortunate way that you knock over your gingerbread latte macchiato and spill the fancy coffee all over your keyboard.

"Damn," you curse.

"Are you all right?" She looks over her computer screen with a questioning face. You just shake your head in reply. "Do you have any tissues to hand?"

Now she was the one shaking her head. With an exasperated sigh, you go to the office kitchen to get some kitchen towels and a cloth to clean up the mess.

Only to discover that your keyboard doesn't work anymore. "This can't be happening!" You fiddle with the keys in a huff. Sure enough, the coffee has apparently destroyed them. Luckily only that and not your entire PC...

"Modern day scrap," you curse, and crawl under the desk without further thought.

"What are you doing under there yet?" Dorothy crouches down and watches you skeptically.

"I have to get my keyboard cable out of my computer. What else could it be?" you complain, only to discover moments later that your keyboard no longer has a cable. And there is no longer a big, clunky box under your desk where the cable would have gone. It was just your little laptop with an extra keyboard and mouse. Both connected via Bluetooth.

So; order back. You crawl back under your desk - not without taking the opportunity to bang your head. Grabbing your keyboard, you stomped off to get a new one from the tech department.

Back in the office, you slump down in your chair, tired but exasperated, and rest your head on the top of the desk. You let out a deep sigh that turned into an unexpectedly loud yawn.

"What's wrong, (Y/N)? I don't know you like this. Did you sleep badly? I know a good recipe for a very good sleeping potion, if you need it.”

"Oh no, that's not really my problem," you wave it off. "I can sleep. Very well, if you want. The dreams are my main problem."

Her intense gaze made you give in without any other words needed from her side. "There was this strange situation with her the other day..."

"Fuegoleon's sister you are in love with?"

You just nod. Your colleague knows you far too well already...

However, you are still unsure whether you should tell her about the incident. She is a good friend of yours, yes. But Dorothy is also aware of all the tea that goes on in town. You don't want rumours to spread like wildfire. But maybe a second opinion would be good for you.

"If you promise me that this conversation will not leave this office, I will tell you!"

"Pinky promise," your fiend promises and raises her little finger. You do the same, and Dorothy swears that nothing she says will end up outside these four walls. Not even with Nozel.

And so you tell of the situation on Tuesday, of Mereoleona's warm hands on your skin... And of your desire for her and how much it has grown since then. But also that you are too ashamed to face her again. You even let her messages go unanswered.

Yes, you really are handling this like a responsible adult. Not.

"You really do sound like a little pervert," Dorothy thinks about the whole story. "Everyone can see from space that you want each other. Why are you both like that? Like not telling each other what is going on, but doing things like this. You are both so perverted. She seduces you in the shower, you like it. So what? Then tell her! Do all those dirty things, start a relationship, whatever. "

"But..." You try to find a counter-argument. "Mina saw us. I am so embarrassed and..."

You don't get a real chance to justify yourself - couse whatever you would say would be doomed anyway. There is no more chance to deny it. You have tasted blood and you do not just want to hold Mereoleona's hand and be together. No... you want all the dirty stuff too.

Unsure what to do, you look at Dorothy. But she has already given you her opinion and is back to work. So you take a deep breath and are about to get back to your extra task when your eyes fall on your mobile phone. By chance you notice an incoming call.

 It is Vanessa, for the second time this week. And again with bad news.

"The apprentice didn't see the obvious!" She complained loudly. "The last few days have been pointless without warm water."

"What?" Shocked and with a uneasy feeling in your stomach, you look down at your phone. "What are you trying to say, Vanessa? Will there be more days with just our little fireplaces and cold showers?"

"That would be nice!" She laughs hysterically, seemingly unable to process the situation either. "The engineer has declared our flats uninhabitable."

At that moment you could have heard a pin drop. You could hear what had just been said, but you couldn't understand it.

"Vanessa," you say, exaggeratedly calm and with a dazed smile on your face. "I'm going to hang up now and you call me back and tell me that everything is fine again, okay?"

"I'd like to, but I don't think that would work..."

"But... But...", you start to collect yourself. "What? I thought the pipe break behind the washing machines was the only problem? Yes, and the washing machines themselves, because of the wetness they have taken into their electrical circuit. I can live without them for a while. But... I need my flat. I need a roof over my head! I don't know where else to go.”

"(Y/N), listen. It is not just the obvious leak in the basement. The water pipes in the whole building are leaking, do you understand? It's an old building - shoddily maintained. Our poor landlord Henry is also going to pieces. He has been taken for a ride..." Vanessa tells you, before trying to explain the technical side of things. “In the old house, the electricity and water pipes are still installed close together. They no longer do that in this way. But because all the water pipes are riddled with cracks, through which the water gushes, everything has slowly leaked into the electricity circuit over time. And also into some walls already…”

„And we can’t do anything about this?“

Vanessa dismisses your question, at least for the moment: "The electrician who was here today checked again and was surprised that nothing serious had happened yet and that it was just the irregular power cuts. Like a short circuit or something. They just turned off all the electricity in the house. You can do something about this problem, yes. But not before Christmas. Especially as we're having really bad weather at the moment, with snow and sleet, which is anything but good. You'd have to dry everything thoroughly with big machines. But yes, it's not really possible at the moment.

You sigh deeply: "So we have to move..."

Dorothy, who has been listening with half an ear, looks at you worriedly. But you signal with your hand that you're going to explain everything to her.

"Unfortunately; yes," Vanessa answers.

"You're going to Finral, aren't you?"

"You're welcome to move in too - then we'll banish him to the couch in the living room."

"Oh nonsense - I don't want to disturb you two. I'll probably call Charmy and ask if I can stay with her."

"Are you going to be okay?" Vanessa sounds worried.

You're about to answer when the door to your small office swings open. Marx is standing in the doorway, looking at you with a mixture of suppressed anger and disappointment.

"Vanessa? I'll call you later, okay? Apparently shit's hitting the fan here in the office too..."

Still 12th December; late at night The snow trickles quietly into a muddy puddle on the pavement outside the martial arts school. You are standing in front of the door, your mobile phone to your ear, trying to call Charmy again as she hasn't answered all day.

That was also the main reason why you went to training today, despite the doomsday mood at home. You wanted to kill time and not hang around outside.

But still, Charmy doesn't answer. After a long ringing, only the answering machine picks up. "She's not answering. Crap."

You're wondering if you should call Vanessa and Finral, or maybe even Dorothy, who had also offered her help, when the lights in the building go out behind you Mereoleona steps out into the cold, uncomfortable night beside you.

"Oh, you're still here?"

You nod. Probably because you haven't answered her messages and she's largely ignored you in today’s training, the silence is all the more uncomfortable.

"There are... There are now bigger problems with my house”, you explain to her, trying to keep your voice calm. You don't want her to think you're weak... Also you don't know how close you are to her right now...

"I see. Will you be all right?" she asks, probably just to be polite, as she puts the key in the keyhole and locks the door,  while pointing with her chin in the direction of the suitcase you have with you.

"I have to. I don't know if I can sleep at Charmys yet, but I'll find a way..."

You are not sure if you just lied to yourself. All you ever wanted was a great and special Christmas this year. Spending time with friends, eating Christmas cookies, watching the snow fall. Maybe stealing a kiss from your crush under the mistletoe.

Even if it all seemed pretty standard just a few days ago, this is how you want your life to be now. Just boring as hell. Because the shit that is happening now was not what you had in mind when you made your plans and hoping for something exciting to happen.

If only you and your friends could bake cookies to the background of an old Christmas film you have all seen a dozen times. Or just sit by the fire in your cosy home with a hot drink and watch the snow fall. But now the snow seems like an enemy to you. One of the reasons you can’t return home and have a safe place to stay.

But even if you didn't have the problem of your flat, you wouldn't even have time for Christmas things. You would sit at work and go through the stupid lists of your stupid colleagues. Lists that have been created over the last year without any sense or reason.  And today, you fell into one of those traps and messed up the lists too. And your death line for these lists is coming closer and closer... Perhaps you could camp under your office desk. That way you'd be on time for work, and overtime wouldn't bother you at all... You'd be "home" anyway.

If it weren't so damn sad, you could laugh at this hilarious situation.

Then you notice a hand in your face. Mereo's, wiping away a tear from your eye.

"Then tell me why you are crying, sweetheart. If everything is all right..."

"Ok, fine. I'm not fine," you have to admit. "Charmy won't pick up the phone - I don't know why, so I'm worried about her too - and I don't know where to go tonight. My duties at work have gotten worse, my boss hates me and the person I like ignores me. But the last thing I can understand. I have done the same to her. And I am so sorry. I don't know why I behaved that way. I was surprised when she touched me like that. More so when I caught myself enjoying it. That I wanted her to touch me more. I felt like a pervert and didn't want to look you in the eye anymore.

"I see." Her eyes light up for a moment after your confession. "I also assumed that I had crossed a line the other day. And I think I really did. I frightened you. I took the wrong way. Making the third step before even making the first one. But I can't really control myself when I'm with you." Mereoleona sighs deeply. "Since I've known you, I've always wanted to spend time with you. Get to know you better. Simple things like that. And because we seem to like the same things, you make it easy for me."

You nod silently before looking at her. Seeing a soft smile on her lips. A very rare view. Feel her warm hand still on your cheek. Stroking it gently.

"Would it be ok for you, if you stay at my house until the problem is solved? I can sleep on the couch if that would make you feel better?"

You shake your head. "You know how quickly I get cold. And I don't want to steal your bed, too." You smile at her and close the distance between you. Slowly, you wrap your arms around her waist. She lets you do it and puts her arms around you.

"Is that okay for you too?" Her voice is lower. Her face moves closer to yours.

You nod, biting your lower lip. Nervously. You know where this is going. But you also want her to do it. You want to feel the touch of her lips against yours. In anticipation of your first kiss with her, you close your eyes. It feels unreal as your lips meet in a tentative kiss. Your heart pounds against your chest. Your fingers dig into the fabric of her coat. Your legs begin to feel like pudding. Your embrace tightens. The kiss becomes more passionate. But she doesn't dare to use her tongue.

Unable to open your eyes, you just stand there for a moment after she has parted her lips from yours.

Your cheeks glow.

"Breathe, sweetheart," she whispers against your ear. "Or was I too rough again? Don't worry though." She kisses your forehead softly. "We can take things slowly..."

[amunyan]

I don't know why, but I love the chemistry between Mereo and Fuegoleon xD Together they are so funny and I enjoy writing about just the two of them in fanfictions :3

Anyway… I am not really sure if they solved the shower incident the right way. I mean… yeah… FemReader is old enght in my story, but there is still a little bad flavour…

I hope you like it anyway and keep in mind that this is just a FF. In real life, a trainer doing this would no longer be a trainer…

Mereoleona's warm hands glide over your naked skin. The water of the shower splashes as if in the distance. She is all that mattered now. Her touches send shivers down your spine. When her hands reach your breasts again, you let out a soft moan.

Yes, this is what you wanted her to do to you.

"Come on, (Y/N). Let me hear your voice."

You suppress the thought that this isn’t  something normal, that friends don’t normally do. What was "normal" anyway? It is different with her. Mereo is different.

But still, this is what you always wanted. This closeness to her. These touches.

You allow yourself to think that she might feel the same as her fingers squeeze your nipples harder. Moaning louder, your voice drowned out by the monotonous sound of the shower. She moves closer to you, nestling against your back. You can't stand it any longer. You want her so badly right now.

Then your lust overcomes your common sense.

You lean into her in anticipation of a kiss, running your fingers over her face before closing your eyes. Her face comes closer to yours. You can feel her breath on your mouth. Her fingers on your chin. Your lips almost touch.

But something feels wrong… Everything is dark, except for the soft light of the moon shining into your bedroom, when you open your eyes.

"Just a dream," you mutter to yourself. "Damn... I should have known this would never happen. Or not after I escaped from the shower and didn't say another word to her..."

You put your hands to your face, like you would bury it in them. To suppress the sound of annoyance you now make. The encounter in the shower still feels strange and unreal. Her hands all over your body, an unfamiliar yet pleasant sensation that you want to keep. You want to explore this connection further and find out where it leads to. Yes... You are helplessly in love with Mereo, and her recent actions have only fanned the flames more than they would have extinguished them. You are already dreaming of the two of you having sex... Not just kissing like the nights before.

"She's really great, stunning, and I want to be hers. She took me home to protect me, was a little too jealous when I talked to Yami... But her hug was just... wow. She smells warm and spicy - like cinnamon. Her arms seem slender, but they are strong... I want to be held by them. I want to be held by her and do things with her..." A smile flits across your lips and your cheeks turn pink. But only for a second.

The beeping of your alarm clock brings you back to reality.

“But this would never ever happen again, after I escaped the shower yesterday…”, you murmur to yourself, and reach for your phone to turn off the alarm.

That’s when you see a message from Mereoleona. You briefly consider reading it. But you can't bring yourself to do so and simply wipe it away to better ignore it.

The way all responsible adults deal with problems.

"Mina saw us doing it and my whole naked, gorgeous body. I can never look Mereo or Mina in the eye again..."

"Fuegoleon... I need to talk to you," Mereoleona cuts through the silence. Only the fireplace crackles in the background as her brother, armed with paint and brushes, draws on a small, grotesque creature that resembles a creepy version of a carnivorous plant; a token for the D&D rounds with his friends that he, as a future Dungeon Master, wants to make as exciting as possible.

When his sister speaks to him, he looks up in silence at first, but when she just looks at him insistently, he puts down his brush and the figure and turned away from his desk. "I'm all ears, sister..." "I destroyed everything."

"Oh, right with the door to the house," her brother comments. "So, what exactly did you destroyed when you say everything?"

"Everything! Yesterday, after training, me and (Y/N) took a shower together."

He makes a questioning face. "Naked?!"

"No, in a space suit. Naked, of course. What do you think?"

"Yes, stupid of me," Fuegolen said sarcastically.

"And we were about to have sex."

"Wait, what?" She doen’t spare her little brother any details. But he takes it almost relaxed, only with a deep sigh. "So you and (Y/N)?"

"Yes!"

"I see... Finally some progress in your relationship." "Yes - about 10 steps backwards and downhill. Remember - I told you I destroyed everything!"

"Well, the first time with someone in the shower is probably not everyone's thing. Especially if there was neither a kiss nor a real date before..."

"It's not that. She seems to enjoy it. She even told me she'd like to do it. But we were interrupted. By Mina."

"Oh dear...here we are..." Now Fuegoleon has to take two deep breaths. He, the rather prude acting younger brother, who knows from both of you how much the one was in love with the other, but neither of you really dared to take the decisive step. And now something like this happened...

"Great. You were about to have sex with one of your students while another one was watching you".

"We're all adults. So what is the problem? And above all, (Y/N) is first and foremost a very good friend," Mereoleona pounds on the desk, so that the fine brush with which Fuegoleon had just painted the figure falls out of the paint can. "Only in second place I’m her trainer! Even though I was the one who encouraged her to take up martial arts again. I wouldn't use my position as her coach to seduce her! You don't have to come up with that now!"

"Okay... Than later," her brother raises his hands defensively, but little impressed.

"Back then... when we first met, I saw her tired face. She was exhausted from all the work she had put in. But I still saw a little spark in her eyes when she told me that she used to do martial arts herself. I wanted to see more of that spark. And it lit up. Not only did she give me a little flame, she soon became a whole firework. She is always smiling during the combat training, she is a natural..." Her voice, loud at first, becomes a little softer. She even, uncharacteristically, blushes a little. "As we get to know each other, even outside of training, I have really come to love her. She is funny, caring, but also somewhat clumsy - she makes me want to protect her and fight with her against all odds at the same time."

"Big sister..." Fuegoleon puts his hand on her shoulder. "I know how you feel. But still; if it were just you and (Y/N), I wouldn't say anything. But poor Mina..."

"I didn't touch her! She just saw us. She even volunteered to look in the shower, so it was her fault too. Who just runs into a running shower?"

"Sister! I could also say that she never expected to see you and (Y/N) naked and touching each other in certain places!"

"And also - she is over 26. An adult. And (Y/N) and I have not hurt anyone! We also didn't really have sex..." Mereoleaona continues.

"Anyway - about your problem with (Y/N); take her out to dinner next time. Do it slowly. If she was okay with you touching her, there should be no problem."

"Yes, there is a problem! She is no longer responding to my messages!"

Again, her brother has to sigh and blew air through his nose, almost annoyed. He closes his eyes and rubs his nose as if to calm himself. Or to hide from his big sister that he can truly understand you.

"Never mind. Then let's talk about your other problem. We can't just leave it like that. I, no, you will talk to Mina about what she saw in the shower..."

[amunyan]

Warnings: smut...

Carefully you look around the changing room. "Good - I'm the last one. Now I just have to be quick."

Against your nature, you took your time after training. You volunteered to help tidy up the gym, asked a few more or less serious questions about some of the techniques, only to be left alone.

"Even though we are all women... I am still too shy..."

Wrapped in a towel, you undress clumsily. Then, armed with shampoo and soap, you enter the communal shower.

Another thing you never thought would happen. But because of the current problems in your block of flats... Fortunately, the janitor was able to fix the problem with the power cut last week. But even he thought it would be better to call in a professional. Well, the expert arrived yesterday.

Just an apprentice, it seems, but he was very confident and soon found the cause: a large leak in the technical room where the washing machines are located. It was not hard to miss it, as it was right next to the machines and everyone knew about it somehow, but shrugged it off anyway. A big mistake, because this leak was just a small part of a bigger one, hidden behind the washing machines.  So it was not long before the culprit behind the blackouts was found. One of the washing machines was to blame, as water had leaked into its circuit from a burst pipe.

To fix the problem, the water was temporarily turned off that day to replace the broken pipe. But the electricity in the basement was left off for the time being to prevent a short circuit. And as the boiler was also in the basement, there was no hot water for a few days. Until the apprentice's boss accepted everything... So you had to... The other option was an ice-cold shower at home; and you were clearly more of a hot shower type.

"I hope this is the only time I have to do this..." you say to yourself as you turn on the tap. You still feel more than uncomfortable...

The warm water echoes in the tiled room. You quickly wet your hair and body. But you take a moment to enjoy the warm water on your skin. You close your eyes and lean back a little - a big mistake for beginners. Moments later, you jump when you hear the door to the changing room open.

"What the hell? Who else is there? Wait a minute... That's right. I forgot all about her."

"Nice view. Mind if I join you, (Y/N)?"

Mereoleona was standing in the doorway to the open communal shower in the changing room - yes, they really had skimped on the door and privacy here. Probably because no one would ever shower here anyway.

"Huh?!" You don't really have a chance to disagree, because Mereoleona doesn't wait for an answer. She quickly undresses and is now standing next to you in the shower. You don't even dare to look at her, because you are way too busy to cover your breasts and the area between your legs.

 "Calm down, (Y/N). You have seen her naked many times before. And so has she...", you try to confince yourself. "So why am I so nervous?"

This is a total lie. Maybe you have seen her, because she doesn't mind. But has she seen you? No...

"Hey, don't be shy, sweetheart. It's just us. Still.  You never took off your towel in the sauna until now..." Mereo adds with a grin. "So; why are you here? I never expected to see you showering. Especially not here." She says, turning on the tap of the shower next to yours.

"Neither did I," you reply with an awkward smile on your lips. "But the showers here are more comfortable than mine at home, after the hot water ran out yesterday..."

"Problems in your home again?"

You nod, "Yes. But maybe they finally found the problem. It will just take a while to fix it."

"I see... And you really put up with the public shower here? Instead of asking me for help?" She looks at you with a raised eyebrow and you just nod silently with your lips pressed together.

"Next time you need help, you came to me, understood? You can always ask me, you know."

You nod again, this time a little uncertain.

"Well, at least I get the pleasure of showering with you."

Your eyes drift back to the ground. You can't stand her intense gaze. Nor that she was so casual about this. In comparison, your heart is beating so hard in your chest. On the one hand, you want to escape the situation. On the other hand, you want to stay.

"Can I borrow your soap?"

"Huh? Sure... But didn't you bring your own?"

"Hell, no. I usually shower at home. Well, would you be so kind?" She holds out her hand and you hand her your soap while you wash your hair.

"Goodness, if she doesn't have anything with her, why is she showering here? At first I thought she showered here regularly - she's the type. But now? But not really because of me?" You allow yourself the thought and blush even more than you already do. "What's she up to? She was very engaging and possessive on Sunday too. She cuddled me in front of everyone, called me hers and then kissed me on the forehead." You think about it for a moment, but you don't know exactly how to take it. At least you don't want to see the obvious.

In a careless moment, as you turn to rinse every last bit of foam from your hair, you feel hands on your back. Warm fingers sliding gently over your skin. You jump. Your heart starts beating like crazy.

"Mereo? What are you doing?" You notice your voice is shaking.

"Just taking the chance to help you soap up." She replies with a kind of devilish smile on her lips.

You don't know how to react when her hands touching your skin. It feels soft and gentle as she rubs your back. Even though you wanted something like this, you could not bring yourself to admit it. You are still too busy being shy and ashamed of the situation, your brain has not processed yet.

Instead of feeling, you think about whether this is wrong or not.

"It's okay," you nervously try to convince yourself again. "We're both women... and maybe this is just a normal thing for female friends to do. Or in general. In Japan, people wash each other's backs, if I'm not mistaken. So... I've lost count of how many times we've been in the sauna and so on together..."

Mereoleona's touches become stronger and it's not just your back she's soaping up.

"Where is this going? Is this still normal between friends? She has always been the touchy type. But this?"

Slowly, her fingers have moved down your back to your hips, moving forward over your stomach as she moves closer to you.

Your heart is pounding harder against your chest. Your breathing accelerates. "She'll notice..."

As Mereo strokes your breasts, you have to bite your lower lip to stifle some naughty noises. Your mind goes crazy and you take a small step back, closer to her. You want to touch her too… "Damn it."

You both pause as you hear the door to the changing room swing open, followed by hurried footsteps and cursing. Not only do you catch the voice, but from your point in the shower you can see a little of the changing room. Mina, that's the name of the person, who just entered the room. A sweet but clumsy girl who always forgets something. The young woman ignores the sound of the shower. Still. You and Mereo cannot react quickly enough, alone the fact that Mina is too busy with whatever can save you. At least for the moment.

"What a snot... She always forgets something," you hear Mereoleona mutter.

But you don't even dare to breathe. You just hope that Mina will quickly find what she's looking for and leave. And don't see you two here. Don't see you and your trainer doing dirty things in the shower...

Only now do you realise that Mereoleona still has her hands on your breasts. Even though she's only touching them, it sends shivers down your spine. You can't stand them any longer. She should either fuck you here and now or take her hands off yours. But under these circumstances...

"Mereo..." you whisper, breathing heavily."Can you please take your hands off my breasts. I...."

"Why? Mina will leave any moment."

"But I can't stand it any longer. Please..."

"Thank God. Here it is." Mina happily takes the scarf she thought she had lost. It is only now that she notices the shower is turned on. "Oh... someone else is here?" She whispers under her breath.

"See? She seems to have her stuff. She will leave any minute. Just a little longer, sweetheart." She gives you a couple of little kisses on your shoulder. "I didn't expect you to react like that. I haven't even started yet..."

"This isn't helping. You should stop moving. Please! I am already so damn wet, and not because of the water."

You can't see Mina, but you can hear her footsteps. You hoped she would be leaving by now. But it doesn't look like it...

She walks around the room, coming closer. Perhaps she has noticed your coach's clothes, which she has taken off in a mess, almost in a hurry, and thrown on the floor outside the shower room. Mina, the eldest of the three sisters and a cleaning fiend, would probably be drawn to these clothes like a moth to a flame... Nevertheless; Mereo doesn't seem to care. Or she hasn't noticed. She is still busy spreading kisses on your shoulders, which slowly turn into tender bites and leave their mark. But as she moves, her hands also do. She now pinches your nipples with her thumb and forefinger, probably unintentionally. "Mereo... You can't do this to me. Not now..."

Almost desperately, you free yourself from her grip, grab her wrists and push her against the wall. But she seems to enjoy it. Her wide grin even reveals her fang. She doesn't know what that smile is doing to you. But maybe she senses it.

"Shhh...!" you look at her and listen through the splashing water.

She still stares at you with a mischievous grin. "I didn't know you could be so wild..."

"Mereoleona..." you sigh and look directly at her now. "You know how much I like you and I would not mind if you continue to make me feel your fingers not only on me but also inside me. But now is not the time! So... would you please stop and wait quietly until Mina is really gone?"

For a moment there is only the sound of the shower. Your friend's gaze had passed you by for a moment, but now she looks back at you with a meaningful grin, suppressing a small laugh. "I think you're the one who's been dying too loud..."

Your eyes widen and you turn bright red with foreboding. Slowly, Mereo still fixated on the tiled wall of the bathroom, you turn your head towards the door.

Mina, who is actually standing in the doorway with the clothes in her hand, looks at you in complete bewilderment. Her face is as red as yours. Completely shocked, she drops the stuff she had picked up. "Mina! I... I... It's not..." You try to explain yourself, letting go of Mereoleona's wrists as you move towards her.

But you don't know how to explain this. It's not what it looks like? You didn't really know what it was... Or maybe it's exactly what it looks like?

"It's all right, it's all right," the other young woman sounds almost hysterical. "It's my fault. It's my fault. I'll... I'll go back then. I didn't see anything... I'm sorry!"

"Wait!?" You shuffle towards the door, wanting to say something in your defence.

Only to watch Mina stumble hurriedly out of the changing room, when your potential girlfriend hugs you from behind again.

"You get used to the nudity. But..." Mereo's face cames closer to your ear. "Do you really want me to put my fingers inside you? We can continue right now if you want. We've scared off the little intruder."  She grins at you cheekily, almost defiantly.

"Please forget what I said..." With a pained look on your face, you push her away and leave the shower in shame.

[amunyan]

"So... was that a kiss under the mistletoe yesterday or not?" you ponder as you look at your faithful companion this Christmas season; your bucket list. "Or is the better question here whether it was really a kiss or just something else? Like an accident?"

Leaning back in your office chair, you try to pinch and hold your pen between your nose and upper lip, only managing to do so for just long enough before the tinkling of your laptop disturbs you.

Fearing it might be your boss, calling you, you immediately stop fiddling and grab your headset. But when you see the initials DU in the small TEAMs call window on your screen, you breathe a sigh of relief. "Praise the Lord, it's just her.

You click on the green phone icon to answer the call, and a slightly over-enthusiastic Dorothy greets you with "Good morning!"

"Good morning, or almost time for lunch. You're late! And where are you?" you greet her, "I missed you at the station this morning."

"Sorry - Nozel has a bad case of the flu." She explains. "That's why I'm working from home today."

"I missed you yesterday too," you add, a little offended. "I thought we were all going to the Christmas market. You didn't even cancel." Pouting, you look at the camera on your laptop, but you can also imagine that her flatmate, boyfriend, lover - whatever Nozel is to her - was already sick the other day. So you're not really angry with her. And she knows that.

"Sorry about that. But like I said, Nozel got sick on Saturday night. But it got worse yesterday. He got such a high fever that we even had to go to the hospital.

"Oh dear. That sounds terrible."

She just nods. "But after he got some medicine - and a few hours later - he was as good as new. He just needs to rest for the next few days and I will take care of him. At least for today. Our boss hasn't given me another day. I tried, after I came home with my patient from his family doctor, to have him checked again and get a sick note for his work. But Kira-Clover was not amused by my suggestion to work from home all week. Luckily, I am allowed to work from home today..."

She gave an exaggerated ironic smile before she sighed exhaustedly and asked you about your weekend. "Was it as shitty as mine or better?"

"Well, it started with me getting into a fight with a drunk man at the Christmas party and waking up in Mereoleona's bed on Saturday. And well... That was just the beginning..."

"What, you were with your crush?" Now your friend is awake again. "Tell me everything! And dare you to let something out".

So you tell her about the Christmas party, about your morning at Mereoleona's apartment, and when you finally get around to telling her about Sunday and your more or less spontaneous date at the Christmas market, your boss calls. For real this time.

"Shit... What does he want from me now? Dorothy - I'll call you back!"

Quickly you answer the call from your boss, who orders you to come to his office…

Back at your desk, you notice that it is already half past twelve. You let out a deep sigh and head for the office kitchen to get your lunch.

Returning to your office, you call Dorothy again to apologise for your sudden departure. But she just shrugs it off and wants to know what was wrong. So you tell her...

"Wait? He really gave you all this stupid work that his secretaries are supposed to do?" She shouts in anger, and somewhere in the background Nozel shouts that he wants to sleep...

"Yes - he even made me show up at his office."

"And his personal servants? He even has three of them?"

"One is ill, the other two have other work to do. Getting the company ready for Christmas..." you list.

"Is he serious?!"

"Yes, I thought so too. Not only is he late, but more importantly, for what? There are no clients who have come to see us in our office. Besides - we don't even have a Christmas party!"

"I see... we do have different priorities," Dorothy adds casually. "But can you handle the extra work? It is not little!"

You nod, but even you have to admit it is a lot of work. "I wonder why he asked me?" You are not seriously asking that. You have a pretty good idea why he did it. "But Marx will tell me exactly what to do after lunch. We have to have all this work done by the 20th of December and present it to your department.

"If you need any help, just let me know."

But you winked with your mouth full. "All right. Ah... hot..."

"Curry?"

"Curry," you reply, claiming to have been interrupted. "So, let me tell you about Sunday!"

Again Sunday, 8th of December (Your POV)

"It's snowing," Charmy said happily. "Finally!"

"Let's hope it doesn't melt again before Christmas," Finral added, and Vanessa and I nodded in agreement. "That would be another item on my list to cross off. A snowy Christmas."

We walked over to the small stalls behind the car park in front of the castle, where we showed our tickets and entered the festively decorated castle grounds.

"Wow," Vanessa marvelled. "It's really cosy in here. They really managed to make everything look extremely kitschy, but not over the top. Really vintage."

For me, the decor was a little too old-fashioned, but that was part of the charm of the castle. Like a little lost world. The pine trees that lined the paths between the wooden huts were decorated with simple fairy lights and straw stars. An old children's merry-go-round had been set up in the large square where our little group had entered the market, and if you followed the wrought-iron signs through the area, you would come across a second children's ride. It would be a locomotive, as a symbol on it indicated. There was also a craft market where you could not only buy things, but also watch them being made.

While Vanessa and I were still admiring the decorations, Charmy had pulled out a big list; the girl was prepared.

 "I have a list of all the food available here. And more importantly; where exactly."

"And she says I go too far with my list," I muttered in Finrals' direction, who let out a suppressed laugh. But Charmy was already on her way. Vanessa had just managed to convince her that we should at least take a walk around the market before getting some food. "Hey, (Y/N)! Come to the fun part! I thought you were going with your crush? Not that I don't like your friends - just get to the part where you meet her!" Your colleague interrupts.

"Yeah, yeah - I get it. I just wanted to tell you how nice it was there! And all the interesting stalls. From a mysterious medieval fortune teller selling precious stones, to an old blacksmith selling really pretty decorations, to another stall selling real beeswax candles and honey, traditional bakery stalls, to... "

"You know, I've been going every year for a while now..." Dorothy interrupts you again, "They haven't really changed the concept..."

You look silently into the camera for a moment, then just sigh. "Good - my lunch break is not long enough to tell you everything..."

Dorothy nods satisfied.

"I've been looking at my phone the whole time. Not only was I worried about you, but I didn't really set a time with Mereoleona for that day, or even a place to meet. We just agreed to text each other when we got there.

You notice Dorothy rolling her eyes and your clear voice.

"Anyway... after we had gone for a walk around the area, we split up to get some hot drinks and something to eat. While I was in charge of getting three non-alcoholic mulled wines and one alcoholic for Vanessa, I met Mereoleona's brother, Fuegoleon".

"(Y/N)? Are you here too?" his smile was as sweet as ever. "How are you after Friday night? I was worried..."

"Fuegoleon?! Hi there. Oh, don't worry - your sister took good care of me. And today I only drink children's punch."

"Better that way. But I see - you look as good as ever."

"And you're as sweet as ever - old charmer."

"And yet I know you like my sister more than me. But are you here alone?" He looked at the single mug of alcoholic drink I had already got for Vanessa. "If you like, you can join us. Mereoleona and Leo are saving one of the few standing tables for us," he said, pointing vaguely in that direction.

"So, and here are the three non-alcoholic mulled wines," the saleswoman said as she put the remaining cups on the counter and I paid her. At that moment I could see a little disappointment in Fuegoleon's eyes. "Oh, if that's the case, you can meet your friends."

"Oh, don't worry. If it is ok, my friends would join us too. I wanted to meet your sister anyway. And I owe her some mulled wine after she paid for my drinks on Friday."

With a wink I paid for the three drinks Fuegolen had ordered and joined them at the big table.

"Hello you two," I greeted the other Vermillions and Mereoleona replied: "You are fast. Not even five minutes ago I texted you that we'd be here if you wanted to meet."

We exchanged a few shy glances - or at least I was a bit shy - before I looked for Vanessa and the others, who then joined us. Even though it was snowing, it was quite warm in this big group. So... I soon took off my headband and put it on the table in front of me. It was a bit too big, though, and it kept slipping down over my eyes.

Only Charmy was still browsing the market. Somewhere in the distance, pop Christmas music was playing that didn't quite fit in with the rest of the atmosphere. Unfortunately, we could hear it quite clearly as there was an uneasy silence around the table - the two groups did not really know each other. It was only when Charmy arrived, who has no real reservations about meeting new people, that things really got lively. Everyone at the table tried the snacks and Charmy made a list of who liked what, turning it into one big taste test for our blog. We took lots of photos of ourselves and the food and it was a fun evening.

You still smile a little. Not that it was anything special, but it felt that way that night. Surrounded by the fairy lights and the cosy atmosphere, you felt so close to Mereoleona. Not just physically, you were standing right next to her. "But things got a bit weird when I met an old friend of mine - Yami. We have known each other since our school days. He also helped me move here because he has been living here in Clover City for a while. But I hadn't expected to meet him. It was when we were going home and I wanted to return the cups for the deposit..."

"(Y/N)?! Is that you? How are you? I didn't expect to see you here."

"Yami? Me neither. What are you doing here?"

"She brought me here." He gestured to the side, and as I looked past him I saw a blonde woman, very nicely dressed, standing very close to him, holding his arm. I knew then that he had a date.

"Hello, my name is Charlotte," she introduced herself politely.

"She seems nice, but also a bit... I don't know. Like a fish, a bit slippery. You can't really get close to her," you describe her to Dorothy. "Anyway, we chatted for a few minutes - and got some kind of murderous looks from his companion, and probably from Mereoleona too.

"Are you here with your friends or on a date?"

"More or less... also; both. Either way?" I had no idea. I gestured with my fingers in a similarly confused way.

"You have no idea, I see," he laughed.

"Well." I turned briefly to show my friends. "You know Charmy, Vanessa and Finral. I came here with them, and the other three are friends of mine too. I know them from the fighting club."

"I know them too. Leopold is in my gym class. So I know his older siblings well too. At least his brother. His sister is much too scary."

"Really?" I looked at him in surprise. I had no idea that Leo was in his class. But Yami continued, "And you dream of a date with the redheaded beauty, don't you?" He gestured towards Fuegoleon, but you shook your head. "More with his sister." I admitted in a whisper.  "But I don't know if she'd go out with me or not... no idea."

He laughed again and said something like I would never change my interests. "But I think she likes you too. That would explain why she just gave me such a mean look," Yami said with a shrug. "I wouldn't want to mess with her..."

"What?"

I was about to turn around to check his statement when I felt someone put their arms around me from behind. I recognised those arms and that warm feeling. Her spicy scent. But I had never felt them so close before.

"Mereo...?!"

"Don't get too close to her, Mister Sports Teacher," she looked at Yami, trying to act cool. But I could tell from her hug that she was not okay with it.

"Don't worry," Yami defended himself. "We're just old friends. And I have a girl of my own." He moved closer to Charlotte to make his point.

"Better for you. But she is my prey..."

"I don't know how she got my headband so quickly. Even if what happened next was part of her plan. But she pulled my headband back on, I looked up in surprise, the stupid thing slipped back over my eyes and she kissed me on the forehead. Maybe she was trying to hit the material of my headband, but she ended up kissing me. And once again she pulled me into a warm hug and looked at Yami with an annoyed look on her face. It was as if she wanted to tell my friend to stay away from me, but... yes. That was our Sunday..."

"Hey, that's kind of cute. Even if she is a bit terretorial, she really likes you. There's more to come. And... oh..." Dorothy stops and looks past you, then makes an apologetic face.

"Hm? What is it?"

"(Y/N)?!" That was Marx's voice. Shocked, you turn around.

The diminutive secretary of the currently ill boss was standing in your office. Luckily the door was closed behind him.

"It's nice that you have a sweetheart, but we really need to get started. Now."

"How much have you heard, Marx?"

"Enough. But now come on!"

You look at your watch and think you just missed your lunch break. But Marx is on time, so you say goodbye to Dorothy and are about to go through the files with your colleague when your mobile phone vibrates. A message from Vanessa that does not bode well:

Call me asap! The problem with the electrics is even worse than we thought and the technician who came to our house today gave us super bad news...

[amunyan]

I'm already sorry about this joke… But you'll read the part of what happened at Christmas tomorrow ;D

"Girls? Are you coming at last?" Finral is standing in your kitchen, looking over at Charmy and you as he casually nibbles at some freshly baked cookies. It seems as if he has already given up. As if he knows his friends way too well.

"In a minute! We have to finish this quickly."

You and Charmy haven't learnt a thing this week, so you're both sitting in your flat, once again under time pressure, trying to finish your blog post at the last minute. Although you managed to bake the cookies on Saturday, Charmy's computer didn't work the way you wanted it to yesterday, so you postponed it until today, just as you were about to leave. Luckily for you, Vanessa is taking a bit longer again, so you can finish in time.

"Typical you girls. We never get anywhere on time. Vanessa's still getting changed..." your friend grumbles to himself. "Besides, (Y/N); who else is coming today? You told me that a colleague of yours and her boyfriend and even more friends of yours are coming?"

"Yes, Dorothy and her maybe-boyfriend Nozel are coming. But she hasn't written yet." You take a quick look at your mobile, but still no message from Dorothy. "And I'm going to meet Mereo and her brothers. I hope. She didn't really know when they'd be there, so we just agreed to write to each other when we got there." There has been no news from her either. "A good sign. Looks like we really will be there at the same time."

"I see..." Finral reaches into the bowl of cookies again. He obviously likes them.

"Don't eat too much of the cookies, La. You still have to drive us!" Charmy yells from the living room, already upset, and Finral drops the pretzel-shaped cookie in fear.

"Don't worry," you reassure him, shaking your head gently. "Charmy accidentally poured half a bottle of red wine into the icing. Since then she's been worried that anyone who eats the biscuits will get drunk. But I think even if you eat them all, you won't really notice the alcohol..."

"Good to know..." Still, your friend seems worried...

After crawling into the back seat of Finral's car, an old Ford Fiesta, with Charmy, you take out your mobile phone. "Off we go. Looking forward to seeing you later," you text Mereoleona with a smile on your face.

[amunyan]

There is a terrible burning in your mouth. Like fire.

"Water" is your first thought when you open your eyes. Your throat is as dry as a desert. So you gratefully reach for the water bottle on the bedside table, unscrew it and take a big gulp.

"Ah, that was good," you think as you look around. "This is not my bedroom. Where am I?" Looking around, you take another sip. The place looks familiar, but you can't put your finger on it.

Yesterday was the little Christmas party with the Fighting Club. You had a few drinks and got into an awkward situation with a drunken guy. The last thing you remember clearly is her, throwing the guy who tried to hit you out of the pub and even banning him from the house. Even though she didn't work there. But after that? Your head is blank and you can't remember anything. "I really did drink way too much," you mutter, running your hands through your hair as you start at the sound of a loud rattling next to you.

Frightened, you turn around and jump even more. "Mereoleona?!"

After a loud chuckle, she snorts softly and turns around so that she would be looking at you if she was awake.

You turn red at the sight of your sleeping friend.

"She really is stunning, even when she sleeps. And a bit cute, too," you say softly, a smile playing on your lips. At the same time, you wonder what the hell happened yesterday after Mereoleona saved you - once again. "I really should never drink again in my life, when two or three piña coladas are enough to give me a film rash.”

Nervously, you bit your lower lip and watched her in silence. And slowly, your tense expression seems to relax. You brush one of her wild red strands of hair, hanging over her nose, out of her face as she begins to blink - you thought you were being careful.

She yawns as a meaningful grin appears on her lips. "Good morning, (Y/N). How are you feeling after that wild night last night?"

"What?"

For a brief moment you have the thought that something more might have happened. And although you don't really believe it, you unintentionally look down to see if you're still wearing your clothes. You are, not exactly your clothes, but at least you're not naked...

 When Mereoleona notices, she laughs out loud, and in an instant she pushes you into the blankets and kneels over you. She fixes you with her hands around your wrists.

"Did you really think I would do anything dirty to you while you were sleeping? Especially after you got involved in a fight with a creepy guy? "

You pause before shaking your head. No. She seems a bit wild and uninhibited sometimes, but she would never do anything like that.

"But why am I here with you? What happened yesterday?"

"You drank far too much for your own good. I was a bit worried about what you do when you are drunk. I also wanted to make sure you did not get involved in any more incidents. But when we got up to join the rest of the group, you just fell asleep peacefully. And so I took you home to my place..."

"Even if she would never admit it, even to herself, she is a very caring person," you think to yourself, blushing even more. But she does not seem to notices, or even care.

She lets go of your hands and stands up. "And besides - I don't have to sleep with you while you're half asleep. Where would be the fun in that?"

"Yeah…," you agree barely audibly, wondering what this connection between you is. Friendship? More than friendship? Or something else? You don't know the answer. And Mereo doesn't seem to notice your thoughtful expression either, as you sit up and throw back the blanket.

"Anyway... Would you like some coffee? Or something else," she asks.

"Oh, by the way speaking of drinks, who paid for my cocktails?"

"I paid for them," she grins at you, pausing in the doorway that leads directly from her bedroom into the open-plan living room and kitchen. "Don't worry - it's fine. But if you like, you can have lunch with me next week. I'm looking forward to that." She winks and leaves the bedroom.

You follow her into the kitchen, where she takes two cups from one of the wall cupboards and switches on the coffee machine.

Leaning against the counter next to her, you look at her seriously as you ask her directly: "And tomorrow? Shall we have something to eat? Or mulled wine? Of course only for you, I'll stick to the non-alcoholic stuff..."

Mereo looks at you, almost upset, as her alarm clock in the bedroom starts to ring. Annoyed, she rolls her eyes and stomps into the bedroom. Meanwhile, she calls out to you from the next room to remind you that she's not free tomorrow. "Remember? I am going to this stupid Christmas market with my brothers. I would rather be with you, but..."

"We can," you interject as the coffee machine next to you suddenly starts to rattle, before starting a quick rinse cycle. Startled, you look at the machine with a puzzled expression as Mereoleona comes back into the kitchen, her eyebrows knitted and her eyes narrowed. She is still a little upset. "Come on. You know the tickets for this cheesy shit are sold out weeks in advance!" She takes one of the cups, puts it under the coffee machine and presses one of the far too many buttons.

"Yes - but Dorothy gave me two. Actually four, but that is not the point here. I was going to ask you on Tuesday, but I don't know. I lost my nerve after you turned me around without finishing my sentence". You look away shyly for a moment. 

"Not now. This is not the time to be shy. This is my chance!"

You smile at Mereo and reach for her hand. She allows it, though she looks at you with raised eyebrows.

"So... if you want, we can meet there. And I can buy you a mulled wine or two or three in return for my cocktails".

A brief smile plays across Mereleona's lips; her typical meaningful smile.  And now she was the one who took your hand and extends that touch. She pulls you a little closer into an embrace that is as hesitant as it is gentle. "Sounds great," she says in a low voice before letting you go and becoming her usual self again. "But now tell me - do you want coffee?"