the trailer to his story branch took me over and I needed to bring this picture in my head to paper (digitally)

Rafayel is moody the whole day long. Every time you start a conversation with him, he snaps at you, scolding you for how bad your memory is, or you don't even remember the little things.

You do your best to ignore it, to stay calm and look over his moodiness, you really try. Eventually, you're already familiar with some of his antics and the sudden toxic outbreaks he has sometimes. Since you moved in you have to face this from time to time and usually, you can deal with it effortlessly because it's just like that — sudden short occurrences that are gone again in the blink of an eye. You understand this, coming from the history you both have, and you mostly can't remember, and it's no big issue. Today Rafayel seems to have a tough time getting over this, and it gnaws at your resolve to just ignore it. Then he says something that lets your composure snap finally...

"Don't know why I even endure this! If I'd only taken your heart the first time I had the chance!"

You freeze on the spot, the knife you cut the apple with stills mid-air, and your brain along with your heart does the same.

"What did you just say?" You turn around to take a look at him as he's serious right now, only to be greeted with a cold gaze and Rafayel gazes down at you from his position behind you.

"What? Are your ears as bad as your memory?" he only states, his sunset eyes glowing slightly blue, and if a look could kill you might die now.

And something in you breaks, you clearly feel it. If it's your heart or your patience you don't know, but this last sentence is enough. Rage burns through you, a blazing fire that consumes all your being and logical thinking. The kitchen knife you're still holding now comes to another use. Tightly gripped in your fist it's now pointed at your chest, the tip scratches the bare skin where your bandeau top is not covering your upper body.

With all the anger that fires through you, you only grit your teeth, spitting your next words like poison at the Lemurian in front of you. "Do it then!" staring him down, proving how serious you are "carve it out. Here I am. Take it if you regret it so much. I won't hold you back!" Tears streaming down your cheeks now, your body trembling helplessly and with heavy pants, you stand your ground towards the intimidating Sea God in front of you. Despite all your physical reactions to your overwhelming rage, the knife above your heart does not twitch, your grip adamant on the hilt.

A second passes, then another. None of you is moving and still staring at the man in front of you, your eyes firing hateful daggers at him, daring him to do what you offered.

Rafayel stares back like he's frozen in time until you see the blue glow in his usual mesmerizing eyes not receding, the coldness still stays.

"That knife is rather useless to carve out a heart." a faint smile tugs at his lips, but his voice is without emotions, teasing you even.

He did not just say that! Enough is enough! You snort and throw the knife onto the counter behind you. "You know what? You're right, so why don't you cast your magical dagger, then?" seething you step closer to him, eyes still glued to his even if it's difficult to see through all the tears that well up.

Oh, you're so angry! How could he dare to make you like this? If the Sea God wants your heart, so he should take it because you're done now! The urge to grab his shoulder and shake Rafayel is nearly overwhelming, the blazing anger tells you to wrap your finger around his throat and strangle him to stop those toxic words from coming out of his mouth. Oh, how much you want to hurt your boyfriend for this!

He suddenly raises his hand to touch your cheek, but you push it aside, wanting to shove him out of your way. If he doesn't do it, fine! Then he should better step out of your way because you're close to murdering him with all that anger that boils inside you!

But before you're able to Rafayel catches you, gripping it adamantly. Out of reflex, you raise the other hand to slap him in his infuriatingly handsome face, but he stops that also. And before you can think of using your feet to kick him into his balls to free yourself, he presses you backward against the kitchen counter.

Trapped between the hard surface at your lower back and his cold radiating body that is flushed to you, you didn't stop shooting daggers with your gaze. The Sea god forces your arms in a hold at your rear, keeping both wrists in one hand. Why does he need to be so fucking strong? It fuels your rage even more. The tears stop well, and you finally can see him clear again.

"You want to hurt me now, mortal?" Rafayels voice is so deep and raspy, a timbre you rarely hear him speaking. It turns you on against your will, and suddenly you are achingly aware of your position and his body that is firmly pressed into yours.

You gulp to clear your throat, and he leans in, dangerously close to your lips, cold-glowing blue eyes observing you, challenging you.

"Don't want to be the sacrifice anymore?"

You groan out, the anger boiling up inside you again, and you crash your mouth onto him, forcing a kiss on his adoringly plush lips.

That catches the Lemurian by surprise, and he freezes for a second, losing his grip on your wrists. You take the chance and wrap them around his neck, pulling him even closer and burying your fingers in his wavy silken hair.

With a sighing moan, he finally reciprocated the kiss, and soon you're fighting for dominance in the battle of tongues. His hands grip your waist, so tightly his fingers will leave bruises on the skin.

A new heat rises inside your body and another urge than to strangle him overwhelms your mind. Hot lips brushing over yours with the same hunger you feel now. You don't know where you start, and he ends as you press into him, his mouth devouring and your mind going dizzy.

You realize the need for air but Rafayel won't let you go, chasing after your lips as soon you pull back, not willing to interrupt the contact. Like this your rear hits the countertop with him lying above you, his hardened length now pressing delicately into the dampening crotch of your cargo.

You're desperate for him as much as he's hungry for you, but you need some air first. Right now! And so you bite in his bottom lip, with a hearty nip.

That finally gets him to retreat with a pained groan, and you are greeted with his usual sunset eyes, only glazed over with desire and the primal hunger for you.

Thank goodness, he is normal again, and you finally start to breathe hastily. But Rafayel is no better, he pants as well and a little blood drops down his bitten lip.

He leans in again, but without kissing you, cradling your face with both hands, and you forget for a moment why you're in this situation.

"I'm sorry, cutie." his forehead touches yours, his voice raspy and his excuse genuine. "Guess I deserved the bite... and everything else."

"I love you, Rafayel," still breathless you whisper the truth. " And we need to work on this, otherwise it will destroy us someday." You know this, your heart is beating only for him, but this can't go on forever.

"I know." hoarsely, before his lips are back on you, gently this time as he still cradles your face between his fingers.