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Malakai Negri - Malakai hugged her back tightly, burying his nose in her hair. "I love you too," he whispered. He held onto her a little more than necessary, but he didn't want to let go. Eventually, he reluctantly pulled away, pressing a light kiss onto her lips. "Goodnight, baby, I'll see you tomorrow," he whispered, walking out the door. Once back in his room, his wings appeared and his tattoos burned their way onto his skin. A daily reminder of who he really was. What he really was. Kai got ready for bed and then crawled into bed. He curled up in a tiny ball underneath his large wingspan. And there, he sulked. He never wanted to leave. He wanted to forget who he really was. Who his family was. He wanted to stay here and be Camery's bodyguard and boyfriend forever. He never wanted anything to change. Kai lifted a hand to a tender spot on his wing and scratched the leathery surface, digging a nail into his wing. Pain seared through him, but he just shrugged it off, watching his midnight-blue blood leak from the little cut. Soon enough he drifted off to sleep. When he woke it was just before sunset. Kai repeated his morning routine, before the sun rose, his tattoos and wings faded away. He made his way up to Camery's room, dismissing the night guard before crawling into bed with her. He held her close, as if he was afraid she would disappear. |
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Camery Valatieri -
Camery's chest tightened as she watched him walk away, his silhouette growing smaller until he disappeared entirely. Her shoulders slumped, exhaustion settling over her like a heavy blanket. She’d always known this day would come—his job was never permanent. They had time, left, two weeks. But knowing didn’t make it hurt any less. She let out a shaky breath, her thoughts spiraling. Why did it have to be now? Guards typically stayed longer—two years at least. And Kai? He was so much more than just a guard to her. He was her first real connection, the first person she’d let herself truly love. Her heart ached at the thought of losing him so soon. As she moved through the motions of getting ready for bed, her mind stayed heavy, replaying his words over and over. She slipped under the covers, her body sinking into the mattress, though her mind refused to relax. Her heart thumped in her chest, and she struggled to find any sense of peace. Sleep eventually claimed her, but it was restless, her dreams haunted by fragments of him—his voice, his touch, his presence. It wasn’t until a familiar warmth enveloped her that her body instinctively eased. Strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close, and for the first time all night, she felt safe. Camery stirred slowly, her lashes fluttering open. Her breath hitched as she registered the weight of a chest pressed against hers, the scent she knew so well surrounding her. She blinked up, her heart stuttering when her gaze met his. “Kai,” she murmured, her voice cracking with emotion. In a heartbeat, her arms flew around his neck, pulling him close as she buried her face into his shoulder. He was there, with her. He would be for two more weeks, and she at least know that. Her entire body trembled, the reality of his presence washing over her. "You're here," she whispered, clinging to him like he was the only thing keeping her together. |
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Malakai Negri - Malakai buried his face in her shoulder, holding her close. "I'm here, baby, I'm here..." he whispered to her. He just held her as she trembled in his arms. "I love you baby," |
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Camery Valatieri -
Camery curled tighter around him, her body pressing into his as if afraid he might slip away. Her eyes squeezed shut, her thoughts spiraling with emotions she couldn’t quite sort out. It felt so sudden—like she was already bracing herself to lose him, even though he was still here. The thought alone made her chest ache, but having him close, his warmth anchoring her, was enough to ease the storm just a little. She nodded softly, her gaze flickering up to his face. Her cheeks were still flushed, her features slightly puffy from sleep, but her expression was one of quiet relief. He was here, and for now, that was all that mattered. "I love you so much," she whispered, her voice trembling just enough to betray how much she meant it. |
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Malakai Negri - Kai tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then cupped her cheek. "Its okay, baby, I'm right here..." he reassured her, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I'm not going anywhere, yet. We don't have to think about that today..." |
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Camery Valatieri -
Camery buried herself deeper into his embrace, clutching him as though letting go might make him disappear. Her voice was soft but heavy with emotion as she whispered, “I can’t not think about it.” The thought of him leaving clawed at her chest, making it harder to breathe. He was the first person she’d ever loved like this—the first person who made her feel seen, cherished, and whole. Losing him felt impossible to bear. Her fingers tightened around his shirt, her voice breaking slightly. “You said you hated your parents,” she murmured, her brows furrowing. “So why do you have to go?” Her voice wavered with the weight of her thoughts. She let out a shaky breath and buried her face against him. “I love you,” she repeated softly, the words raw and unguarded. |
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Malakai Negri - "I'm not going for my parents, I'm going for my siblings," he explained, although it was a lie. He knew he couldn't tell her what her really why he had to go, but he planned on telling her eventually. She deserved to know the truth. "I don't want to go either, baby... I wish I never had to leave..." he murmured kissing her forehead. "I love you too..." he whispered back, "I'll come back, I promise, baby..." |
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Camery Valatieri -
Camery nodded gently, her thoughts swirling with everything she didn’t know about him. It wasn’t that she didn’t love him—she did, deeply—but the realization of how much of his life he kept guarded left her unsettled. She sighed softly, her body gradually relaxing as his warmth and presence grounded her. He was right. They had two weeks left, and she didn’t want to waste them dwelling on the ache of his departure. She needed to make these moments count. Her gaze lifted to meet his, her voice quiet but filled with hope as she whispered, “You’re coming back?” She leaned back just enough to study his face, her fingers trailing softly down his arms. She could feel the slight movements of his muscles under her touch, steady and reassuring. Her eyes softened as she added, “I just want to spend time with you... as much as we can before then.” Her voice was barely above a murmur, her sincerity woven into every word. It was a plea more than anything. |
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Malakai Negri - Malakai nodded, although he knew she probably would never want to see him once he told her, well rather, showed her the truth. "Of course, baby..." he murmured to her. "What would you like to do today?" he asked, with a faint smile, attempting to cheer her up, even just a little. |
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Camery Valatieri -
Camery kept her gaze fixed on his arms, her fingers lightly brushing against the firmness of his muscles. She frowned slightly in thought, wondering when he had the time to work out. He was always with her, and he’d said countless times that his nights were uneventful. It didn’t add up, but then again, she realized there was still so much she didn’t know about him. Her eyes drifted upward, catching his piercing blue gaze. It always left her feeling breathless, like he could see straight through her. Her own eyes, lighter but framed by a darker blue ring, met his hesitantly. She shrugged softly, her voice low and uncertain. “I don’t know, babe,” she murmured, her tone almost distracted as she got lost in the moment. Her lips curved into a faint smile as she tilted her head, studying him. He was so calm, so sure of himself in a way that made her feel both comforted and unsteady. Finally, she asked, “What do you want to do?” Her voice carried a quiet vulnerability, like she was inviting him to take the lead, trusting him to make the most of the time they had left. |
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Moderate Temperatures and Overcast
