Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

- - -

​​

Serina's apartment was spectacular, or maybe it was the fact that it was hers which made it the best place I've ever been to.

Everything smelled of jasmine and Japanese wisteria and if there is Heaven, I was in it.

The maid called Maria welcomed us with a first aid kit in her hands, and Serina instructed her to get me a new set of clothes.

I wanted to say that only my pants are torn from knee down, and it's not necessary, but I also wanted to stay here as long as possible, and the maid going to purchase clothes sounded like a much-needed extension, so I told her my clothing size.

"Hold this on your head…", Serina instructed while giving me an ice pack.

She asked me to sit on the sofa and I followed her instructions obediently, pretending to be a good patient.

Serina got on her knees in front of me and cautiously folded my torn pants starting from the bottom hem up to my knee.

I enjoyed the small frown of concern on Serina's face as she inspected my injury.

The sight of Serina cleaning my wound with the utmost care left me breathless.

Without any warning, images of her doing things to me while kneeling between my legs flashed in my mind.

Easy, easy… this is NOT a good time to get aroused!

Until now, there were people around us and only our hands touched, so it was fairly easy to stay focused.

However, now Serina was touching my leg and kneeling in front of me, and I couldn't prevent my mind from coming up with various possibilities; the fact that it was just the two of us in this apartment was only making things worse.

- - -

Author's note: this is from Serina's point of view

- - -

Duke's wound stopped bleeding by the time we reached my apartment and I realized that it was not so bad as I imagined it to be.

Why was the scent of blood so overwhelming in the car? Is it because it's Duke's?

For some inexplicable reason, I can clearly distinguish Duke's intoxicating scent of pine trees mixed in with the ocean, so maybe I'm sensitive to his blood as well? I wished for that to be true because it would reinforce my thoughts about how Duke is special to me, and I hoped that he feels the same in return, at least a little bit.

I tried to focus on Duke's wound as I cleaned it.

I asked him a few times if it hurts, but every time he ambiguously hummed in response and I didn't know what it meant, but I kept going. I guessed if it's uncomfortable, he would say something.

Once the bandage was secured in place, I looked up at Duke and met his eyes that were fixed on me with the intensity that made my heart race.

Is the bandage too tight? Should I offer him painkillers? Why is he not holding the icepack on his head? "How do you feel?"

"Amazing."

I had no idea how to respond to this, so I didn't. I kept the first aid kit on the side table and sat on the sofa.

I stared at the pattern on the carpet, painfully aware that Duke was sitting at an arm's reach and that he was observing me keenly.

Why am I breathing so loudly? Can he hear my raging heartbeats?

The butterflies in my stomach made me feel like I'm about to throw up, and the fact that it was just the two of us in my apartment made everything worse. Or maybe better.

I couldn't make up my mind if the current situation was good or bad, and I balled my hands into fists in order to conceal the fact that I'm trembling.

The silence between us was tightening like a string that was about to snap at any moment or maybe pull us closer, and I had to say something.

"So...", I gathered my courage and looked at him. "We spoke a lot about our high school days, but you didn't tell me what you are up to currently."

"Nothing much. Work mostly, and I picked up a few hobbies."

"Hobbies? Like?"

"Photography and magic."

A small laugh escaped me. I could hear Aldus's words echoing in my mind: 'Magic is the science you don't understand.'

"Magic?", I had to ask.

Duke wiggled his eyebrows playfully and all my tension disappeared to the point of me forgetting why I was nervous in the first place. The only things that mattered were me and Duke and my aching need to get closer to him.

"Mhm…", he confirmed with a deep hum that did something funny to my insides. "Magic. Do you want to see?"

I struggled not to smile (unsuccessfully). "Yes, please."

Duke saw my skepticism, but that didn't discourage him.

Duke rolled the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows, scooted closer to me, and spread his arms in front, like he is ready to pull something out of thin air.

I observed his hands intently, ready to call him out on whatever trick he planned, but nothing happened.

He paused and threw me a sly side-glance. "Close your eyes."

"How am I going to see the magic if I close my eyes?"

Duke gave me a lopsided smile. "Trust me."

I exhaled and made a face before closing my eyes.

"Are you ready?", I heard him ask.

"Yes.", I responded while wondering, what kind of so-called magic he will show me when I don't see a thing?

I felt a splash of air just below my nose and held my breath as his lips pressed against mine.

The butterflies in my stomach stilled, and the smallest movements of his lips made me all tingly and weightless while rainbows exploded in front of my closed eyes, and I was confident that if there is any magic in this world, this was it.

The kiss was light and careful as if he was exploring new territory while gauging my reaction.

It ended too fast, and I opened my eyes when Duke spoke, "I call this the magic of two kisses."

Duke's smile told me that he enjoyed my reaction, and I could only imagine how red my face was.

It took me a moment to understand what he said, and I frowned in confusion. "Two? I'm quite confident that was only…"

And then he kissed me again.

This kiss was more desperate and demanding, like he was starving for it.

A kiss. A real kiss. The one where he sucks on my lips and lets me taste him. The one that makes my heart beat so wildly that it feels I'm going to explode. The kiss I dreamed about since forever, and the one I asked for in my dreams… it was right here, happening, and it was wonderful, sweeter than honey, and filled with the scent of pine trees and the ocean that rolled through me with every raging heartbeat.

I knew that this kiss will change everything as we shared our feelings, confirming that the crazed attraction is mutual and that being friends is not enough. Finally.

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