"She would have been doing the world a favor, and I would have hailed her a hero." Thaola shakes her head. He didn't understand. Not only was murder against the law, and just wrong, but one princess murdering another? Especially with all of the rumors flying around? That would be hell for Ruina. She would not be hailed a hero, but rather a murderer. She would no doubt either be in prison for a long time, or perhaps there would be demands to have her life ended as well. This spar was no joke. It had been dangerous and it had been wrong

-------

She should just go back to her room. What was the point of roaming? She'd seen these halls so many times. Not to mention there would be nobody out at this time of night. Of course her mind did stray to last time she was out walking last at night. She'd encountered Enzo. Would she encounter him again tonight? Of course, last time it had been because of nightmares. This time it was because of him. He was keeping her up. The mere thought of him kept her wide awake. And the fact he had been ignoring her, well, that was just another level of stress added. Well, and there was some hurt there too.

And then after she turns the corner, she pauses. No way. Of course he'd be roaming the halls the same night she was. "Ruina." Ruina manages a small smile,"Enzo." He was in knee high socks, baby blue shorts, and a red t-shirt. Ruina's breath catches in her throat, damn, did he look good in everything? She hoped that none of her internal conflict was showing externally. "Nightmares again?" Ruina blinks, another small smile flickering across her face,"If only it were just nightmares." Oh, she couldn't even get to sleep to have nightmares. And here was the reason why. Standing before her, looking a little concerned.

She hadn't been this close to him since the dance. Even during classes they were further apart. It felt odd to be so close. And yet, she wanted to take another step forward. She fought the urge to. No way he liked her back. And even if he did, he was with Amber. Ruina was many things, but she was not the kind of person to try and steal another women's man. Even if the women in question deserved it. Ruina shifts as his eyes flicker towards her clothes, great, now she felt insecure. The clothes were rattier then last time and no doubt had some stains. Her hair was wild and unkempt on her head. Although she'd brushed it before she went to bed, tossing and turning for a few hours had done it no good.

A small smile creeps across her face as he fiddles with the hem of his shirt. "I know I look ridiculous, but if you could spare me the laughter and do it behind my back later, that would be much appreciated." He was kidding right? He looked awesome. In fact, she was the one who looked terrible. "I wouldn't say you look ridiculous." She replies, flashing a small smile at him,"And I wouldn't laugh." God, she should turn on her heels and leave. He deserved the silent treatment after he'd given it to her. But she loved talking to him and she just couldn't make herself walk away.

She was hurt that he'd ignored her, he could at least told her why he was ignoring her. And she wanted to apologize about Amber. She never meant to take it as far as she did during the spar. She only meant to give her a small nick, maybe throw her around a little. But what she'd done, it.... It made her feel guilty. She could have killed Amber. What would Enzo have thought then?

"Enzo." Is it normal to get chills when someone says your name? Not bad chills, they were pleasant actually. It made him smile without having to consciously act. The look in Ruina’s eyes led him to further believe she was troubled by something. Well, from what he knows she can be plagued by terrifying nightmares. So he was still guessing it was that. "If only it were just nightmares.” His head tilted to the side slightly in curiosity, as it usually did when he was curious about something. If it was that bad though… he didn’t want to pry. The likelihood of him even being able to remedy what was troubling her was slim anyway, so he wouldn’t push for elaboration.

Ruina did respond to him though, even smiled. Is that a good sign? Enzo suspected someone truly angry with him wouldn’t have been smiling and talking with him. "I wouldn't say you look ridiculous." Enzo couldn’t help but ease into smiling when she did. Has she always had such a perfect smile? "And I wouldn't laugh.” Enzo’s thoughts had already begun to erupt in a dizzying swarm. So badly he wanted to lean into his sea of thoughts, and they encouraged him to do so. Ruina. It was as if because he had separated himself for a few days, he was hit so much harder in her presence with his thoughts. Instead of leaning in, he jumped, he jumped into that sea. For a moment, all he could do was stare at her, falling into the grey spectacle that made up her eyes. There was still a faint smile on his face, but he wasn’t really in the present as much as he was living in his head.

The fight, Amber’s existence, everything… it didn’t exist currently. It was too loud in his head to recognize that his surroundings were otherwise mostly silent, and that noise inside is what made the separation between thoughts and actually speaking damn well near impossible. “I really like you.” He mumbled, a distance in his eyes. Only seconds after he mumbled what he genuinely believed was another thought, his eyes widened as his ears filtered that they had heard his own voice. His smile faltered as he shook his head slightly. “N-no, I didn’t… I mean I did, but I didn’t m-mean to say that out loud,” he stammered nervously, a hand moving to the back of his neck as he tried to find a way to not make this awkward. But he was falling short. “I mean, I do… like you. I k-know you probably feel very different… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, I d-didn’t mean to say that. You weren’t supposed to hear that, ever. Just, after the break up fight with Amber earlier, I’m k-kind of all over the place. I should… go, b-before I make this worse, I’m so sorry.” He should run.

And his mouth opened as if he was going to keep talking, and he would keep rambling. Enzo was shunning himself very deeply for his reaction, for saying anything at all. Evidently he was flustered, and his gaze couldn’t decide whether Ruina or the floor was more interesting. What did he just do? And it just occurred to him he didn’t even tell Ruina about the break up prior to his rambling, not that it made it any better. Where is his head at tonight? Well, he knew it was revolving around Ruina, but she wasn’t supposed to know that! The wereleopard shifted his weight on his feet as if deciding whether he should just turn away to save him from much more embarrassment, and yet he still had the urge to keep talking. “R-really, I’m sorry, that was so stupid… I just…” He uttered while trailing off, thinking of what more to say while looking at her with both his embarrassment and with an apologetic gleam.

He might as well forget about even attempting to be around her, it would just be awkward. It’s not like he confessed, or covered for himself gracefully. It was stupid, it was all so stupid. If his mind could just shut up for 5 minutes, that would be wonderful. But he is not so blessed, and he was certain his attempts to keep apologizing and rambling would make it so much worse than it already was.

Did his smile always do this to her stomach? It felt like there were butterflies just swarming around. And then he was staring into her eyes, and she couldn't help but get lost in his. Those amber eyes... She remembered the first time she met him. She always did find Enzo attractive, how could she not? He was. Both him and Ikaris were attractive. But, she never felt any attraction to them in terms of crushes. Until now. She was falling for Enzo harder than she thought was possible. And yeah, those jade green specks had always been there. It made the amber color pop. And Ruina loved it.

"I really like you." And then Ruina froze. She didn't really hear that did she? Yeah, yeah, her sleep-deprived mind made that up. "N-no, I didn't... I mean I did, but I didn't m-mean to say that out loud." Okay, so her mind didn't make that up. But he was kidding right? Messing with her? "I mean, I do... like you. I k-know you probably feel very different... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, I d-didn't mean to say that. You weren't supoosed to hear that, ever. Just, after the break up fight with Amber earlier, I'm k-kind of all over the place. I should... go, b-before I make this worse, I'm so sorry."

And then as Ruina processes his words, she realizes he was going to just leave. "No! Wait. Please. Don't leave." Did she sound desperate? Probably. Hopefully that didn't chase him away. She was still trying to fully process and comprehend all the words that had just tumbled out of Enzo's mouth. He liked her, and that thought alone made Ruina smile. So, she didn't have to worry about hiding her feelings for him. Because she liked him too. It was also adorable how he suddenly became a stuttering mess. They had actually discussed people who stutter and both had agreed it was annoying. But... When Enzo did it, she found it adorable.

And then she finally processed the part about him breaking up with Amber. "You.... You broke up with Amber?" There was shock in her voice. She knew that he had planned on it, he told her that. But she never thought he'd do it so soon. Was it because of her? How did the werefox take it? And what would that mean for Ritha? Would Iprihan do something about it? And why was she so happy about the break up? She shouldn't be.... Or should she? Amber was a bitch and Enzo deserved so much better. Someone to love him for him and someone to treat him right. Not just as a possession... Or worse, a puppet. Should she say something? Would cheering about the break up be wrong? Would acting a little upset be wrong? What should she say?

"R-really, I'm sorry, that was so stupid... I just..." And then the biggest smile split Ruina's face. There was no way he was messing with her. This was real. All of it. "I like you too, Enzo." He had no need to apoligize or ramble that it was stupid, because it wasn't. Ruina felt the same way about the wereleopard. She never expected to. Even though she had found both him and Ikaris attractive when they'd first met, she never even thought she'd ever end up liking Enzo. She just always thought Amber and Enzo would be together forever. Sure it was an unhappy relationship, but they were royals. Every royal couple she'd ever met was unhappy. Her parents had been happy once, but they weren't anymore.

They'd drifted apart and they didn't even sleep in the same room anymore. They only stayed together for the kingdom. Together they were a powerful pair of rulers, but as a couple? There was just no love between them anymore. It had faded out.

Many nights ago, Enzo had told Ruina that a loveless marriage was for royals. That it was a tradition, a cycle. And in return Ruina had told him that cycles weren't meant to be broken, that maybe their generation would be the exception. And standing in the hall, there with Enzo, she honestly wanted to be the exception. She wanted to break the cycle. She'd known Enzo as long as they'd gone to school together, and she never expected to feel what she felt for him for anyone. She had expected to go to school to maybe learn some things and then go home.

Having a crush? Falling... dare she think it? Falling in love? That had never been a thought that crossed her mind. She long ago left behind the idea of love. Love was for the commonfolk. Love was for those who were not bound to a crown... To a throne... Or worse... To a kingdom. Commonfolk could move and leave and fall in love with someone else. But royals? They were bound to the kingdom. To leave was like treason. To fall in love was a betrayal to the throne. Love was for the foolish, not for the royals... But yet.... Rules were made to be broken.

"No! Wait. Please. Don't leave." Enzo wasn’t quite sure he should stay, but nothing in him could leave after Ruina told him not to. There was a little bit of uncertainty in his stance though. Did she want him to stay out of pity? To let him down gently? Enzo was tempted to ask in defeat for her to let him down gently, but quickly. There haven’t been many times Enzo has ever felt shamefully vulnerable, but he did in this moment. His eyes had been downcast to the floor during these thoughts though, and when he moved his gaze back up he noticed her smile. She was smiling? That sight allowed his posture and expression to subtly relax. Did she, maybe, feel the same?

"You.... You broke up with Amber?" Enzo could understand the shock in her tone, and from his neck, his hand moved to push his hair back as he nodded. “Yeah, earlier today.” He said quietly, but not regretfully. In fact it was probably one of the most empowering decisions he’s made in quite a while. There were so many things his decision could have impacted, and he didn’t end it out of selfishness, no matter what Amber would say. The multitude of things that could happen riddled him with a very deep anxiety, but he would address those potential consequences as they come. He already had his parents to pay a visit to, and probably answer to, but he was not backing down from the decision he made to end it. Amber was out of his picture relationship wise, but he knew for certain she would not be out of the picture when it comes to his life. That he dreaded, but he would figure it out.

Enzo should keep talking, or perhaps he’s already said too much. The smile that reached onto Ruina’s face though was something that Enzo desperately wanted to take as a sign for what he’s praying for. "I like you too, Enzo." And there it was, words he never thought he would hear from Ruina. The wereleopard’s heart was already being worn so openly on his sleeve that he didn’t have it in him to contemplate that it was some kind of cruel joke to tell him that. His relationship with Amber was a cruel joke, and Enzo was hoping that was the worst joke that would ever be played on him. But Ruina? He didn’t get that feeling from her; the feeling that she would toy with him in any way. He trusted her, he liked her.

“When I imagined this moment in my head, I never actually got this far.” Enzo admitted shyly with a smile. More so, his thoughts never did allow him to perceive Ruina as returning the feeling. And now, well he got exactly what he wanted. It’s a good feeling. While he will still always waver into being a pessimist by nature, Enzo wanted to be optimistic about this. It did briefly occur to him that his likings had shifted from a princess of one kingdom to another, and honestly he wasn’t sure how the three kingdoms would perceive a future King taking a liking to the Truhan princess. Well, he knew Amber and the Queen of Iprihan would be pissed, they would be anyway that the arrangement was severed. His parents? More than likely will believe Enzo is aiming lower than his worth, and will shun him for using heart over head. Truhan? Well, Enzo was crossing his fingers that he could avoid adding a third set of royals from disliking him.

“Do you mind if I start that whole thing over? When this story is told, I want to look charming, not like a ‘fumbling with his words stutterbox’ kind of guy.” Enzo smiled to Ruina, stepping closer to her as his eyes locked onto hers with a gentle gaze. “I really like you Ruina, more than I thought I could like anybody for that matter. I like being around you, I like the feeling I get when you smile, and I just like you, for you. It just so happens I’m recently single as well.” He chuckled lightly, but he felt that was a much better way to tell her that he liked her. And it would be a much better version to tell Ikaris, and anyone. “I come with baggage though should we make any commitments,” he playfully warned, “a crazy ex, a weird best friend, and the title of future King of Ritha. I do hope the less than desirable aspects of my life don’t make you rethink your feelings for me.” Enzo finished with a kind of smile he probably hasn’t had on his face in a very long time. He was happy, sincerely happy. And that feeling wasn’t a common one for the wereleopard.

There was a small fear that because they were royals, it could complicate things. Not to mention the former royal Enzo was with. Enzo knew for sure though that if Ruina was comfortable with some of those things that could prove difficult, then he would spare no energy in pursuing something with Ruina. That’s what he wanted, he knew that. It’s what he’s daydreamed about for some time now. It was still hard to believe she felt the same, and he definitely didn’t want this to be a dream.

"I imagined this moment a lot. But in my mind, Amber was still in the picture, so I knew I would never actually say anything." There was a lot of joy radiating around Enzo, although a spark in his eyes faltered momentarily. He should have just ended it sooner. And while he did break it off with no selfish intentions, he knew he still had lingering selfish, spiteful intentions for staying with Amber. That was before he couldn’t fight or push away his feelings for Ruina though. He liked her more than he would have liked to spiting Amber. And Amber is a memento of his relationship's past, and a burden of the future, but she is nothing to him in his present right now.

However it had to work, Enzo would not relent in anyone interfering with what he desires with Ruina. After breaking away from something that made him believe his life was a controllable thing, well he wouldn’t put himself in a position to ever be used. Like a tool, that’s how he was used. A tool to bridge a gap of power. Enzo is so much more than that though, and when he has something to believe in, there isn’t a force powerful enough to stop him. And he believed him and Ruina could work. His parents could fuck off. And he’d say that to their face. Amber could fuck off. And he’d say that to her face. There is Enzo’s side, and there will be the losing side when it comes to the consequences to come. Although, Enzo had a few tricks up his own sleeve to sway his father into ultimately tolerating the break off from conjoining Iprihan and Ritha. Ruina’s thoughts were right about Kings liking power, King Saxon is no exception, and Enzo was sure he could remind his father how good it feels to shoot for maximum power with an alliance. Queen Annika wasn’t a very supporting mother, she wasn't exactly a mother at all, and Enzo doubted the rift in their relationship would ever allow him to earn her favor. But he could live without it.

Enzo’s eyes flicker down to Ruina’s hands, and for the first time, he didn’t have to go rigid at a touch to tell his unwanted partner he wanted nothing to do with them. Enzo was able to… enjoy it. His eyes moved up to meet with Ruina’s again as she began to speak. "Enzo, you're the reason I'm wandering these halls tonight. The reason I haven't been able to sleep or focus the last few days. Every thought I have is about you. I can't get you out of my head, and while I wish I could sleep, it doesn't drive me crazy. I like talking to you, I like when you smile, I like when you are being a fumbling with his words stutterbox. I like how you have green flecks in your eyes. I like how you make me smile. I like being around you. I like you, for you." Enzo didn’t know his chest could swell with so much overwhelming happiness from every word that came out of her mouth, but it did. Now Amber has said a plethora of things to try and flatter Enzo, to try and make him happy, but nothing she has ever said amounted to what Ruina just said. “And as for baggage, I've got plenty of mine own. It may not be a crazy ex, or any ex for that matter, and I may not carry the title of the crown princess. But still, I am a monster deep inside, Enzo. You almost saw it when I was sparring with Amber." Enzo’s smile only faded slightly at the last part. Yes, he saw something during the spar, and perhaps he made a wrongful comparison with Amber. He’s just accustomed to associating negativity with Amber though, but looking at Ruina now, monstrous side and all, she is who he fell for. Though he held his tongue for now.

"I carry different burdens then most princess do.” Something of almost protest sparked in Enzo’s eyes, but his own smile returns as hers does. "I have never done this sort of thing. I've never had a crush or anything, so all of this is new for me." Enzo understood, in a way this was new for him too. Being with someone he can appreciate, and care for, and not have to tip toe around thoughts of whether he’ll be belittled or undermined. “Ruina, that’s who I fell for. Ruina Agarvran. I fell for all of you, and that includes any faults, and all of your perfections. You just so happen to be a princess, burdens or not. I have faults, and burdens as well, but who doesn’t?” He smiled, moving a little closer so his arms could loosely wrap around her waist as his head angled a little lower to keep their gaze locked. “This will be new for me too, and it scares me just as much as it excites me. But I know what I want, and that’s you, us. And if you want it too, then I’m already there. I never believed I would get anything better than Amber, I never wanted to try outside of her because of that fear, but I want to try with you because I feel things I’ve never felt before with you.”

Enzo sighs softly before continuing. “I know you’ve seen my less than perfect behavior in a relationship, but that’s not what I want to be. For you, I want to give you everything I have to offer. No one will be as deserving as you are for what I can give, and what I will.” Ruina might as well already own his heart, and truth be told, Enzo has a lot of love to give, he’s just never had anyone to give it to. But he wanted that person to be Ruina. Leaning down a little further, he dipped his head low enough for their foreheads to nearly press together, while his eyes traveled lower to her lips before they moved up to meet her eyes again. This was new for her, he understood that, and he didn’t want to risk coming off too strong. So he hesitated moving any further, though the temptation was there.

Ruina noted the spark falter slightly, but just as quickly it came back. And it warmed Ruina to know that the spark was there because of her. She had always wanted the best for all of her friends, even Amber, and to know that she could offer Enzo something better than Amber could, it warmed her. Perhaps she was not the perfect person, but she would not treat Enzo like Amber did. She wanted to be with Enzo because he was an incredible person, not because he was the crown prince of Ritha. If he had been the lowest servant and homeless, Ruina would still want to be with him. She liked him for who he was, not what he was. The looks were a bonus as well.

She knew Amber would not be happy and no doubt would try to break them up. But Ruina had a feeling they could handle anything and everything the werefox threw at them. Perhaps even an alliance could be offered, would the wereleopard king refuse such a powerful alliance? Would he dare try to choose Iprihan over Truhan? But, honestly, Ruina just wanted to be with Enzo. If making an alliance between their kingdoms made that easier, then she was all for it. But, she just wanted to be with Enzo, that was it. She would defy her father if she had to.

Ruina's heart drops slightly as his smile fades for a few seconds. So he had seen something. He had seen that monster. What did he think of that? That side of Ruina terrified her, but she didn't want it to scare Enzo away. She was ashamed that she had almost attacked Amber again, that she had to pause and think about it. She should have just pulled away. To even think the thoughts she had.... It had Ruina ashamed and guilty.

Ruina couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the spark of protest that flashes in his eyes. But the smile on his face made up for all of it. "Ruina, that's who I fell for. Ruina Agarvran. I fell for all of you, and that includes any faults, and all of your perfections. You just so happen to be a princess, burdens or not. I have faults, and burdens as well, but who doesn't?" Ruina's hands move up to interlock behind his neck as his arms wrapped loosely around her waist. "This will be new for me too, and it scares me just as much as it excites me. But I know what I want, and that's you, us. And if you want it too, then I'm already there. I never believed I would get anything better than Amber, I never wanted to try outside of her because of that fear, but I want to try with you because I feel things I've never felt before with you."

Her heart was swelling so much she swore it was going to explode. She'd never felt such happiness, or so many different emotions. "I know you've seen my less than perfect behavior in a relationship, but that's not what I want to be. for you, I want to give you everything I have to offer. No one will be as deserving as you are for what I can give, and what I will." Ruina smiles,"Enzo." She loved to say his name. Enzo. Enzo. Enzo. "I cannot promise that I will be a perfect girlfriend, I will have my ups and downs. But I swear I will never be like Amber. I want you for you. I don't care about your title. I would still want you if you were homeless and a mere servant." She blinks at him,"You deserve the world, Enzo. And I'll do my best to give it to you. I'll do my best to make you happy, and I'll damn sure do what I can to make this a better relationship then you had with Amber."

"I don't ever want to fight with you. But I know we will, every couple has fights, but I never want to fight with you like you fought with Amber." She was just pouring her heart out to the wereleopard. "I want to be the person you run to when you need moral support. I will always be here to listen to you, if you want to rant, or cry. And if needed, if you need to blow some steam. I will always help..." She quickly adds,"Sparring." Her face flushes slightly, but she keeps going. "I will stand beside you when you need me, and I will stand beside you when you don't need me."

Ruina's grey eyes were alive with joy and passion,"Enzo. I want to be the person who can make you smile when no one ever can. I want to be the one who can make you happy in even the darkest moments." She chuckles, she never thought she'd ever feel like this for anyone. But here she was, pouring her heart out. "I always believed, I always knew, that you deserved so much better than Amber. Someone to love you for you, someone to want you for you. And I want to be that person. I will never care about your rank. Your rank has no effect on me. Enzo Verlice...."

And then his face comes closer. She feels their foreheads brush. And her breath hitches again. His eyes dropped to her lips before they moved to her eyes. She was no expert, but she was pretty sure that meant he wanted to kiss her. And damn, she wanted to kiss him too. So, with just a hint of hesitation, Ruina closes the space between them. Pressing her lips against his. This was her first kiss, and damn it felt good. Her grey eyes stay open for a second and then they close as she leans against Enzo. She had no one to compare this kiss to, but she would proclaim that it was the best damn kiss she'd ever had. Well, no doubt the kisses would only get better as time went on.

Enzo could tell just from when Ruina brought up what happened with Amber that she was ashamed. In retrospect, he would have been ashamed of himself for acting in that way too. But he wasn’t ashamed of Ruina, and he didn’t believe she should be either. What mattered was that she didn’t do more, even if she had wanted to, even if she could have gone further. She didn’t. And in that ability to pull back, Enzo saw perhaps a better side to Ruina than Ruina saw in herself. But that’s okay, even if it takes a lifetime for him to show her the way that he sees her, he’ll get there.

“Enzo." If it was possible for hearts to do flips, then Enzo’s would every time he hears her say his name. He certainly liked to hear it, and it made him smile with so much content he was sure he was melting into Ruina. "I cannot promise that I will be a perfect girlfriend, I will have my ups and downs. But I swear I will never be like Amber. I want you for you. I don't care about your title. I would still want you if you were homeless and a mere servant.” A quiet laugh pushes past his lips at that, but that meant a lot to him. Enzo never wanted to just be regarded as just a title. At the end of the day Enzo is still a person, and one that craves happiness. Enzo’s finding that with Ruina, and he will never let it go. “You deserve the world, Enzo. And I'll do my best to give it to you. I'll do my best to make you happy, and I'll damn sure do what I can to make this a better relationship then you had with Amber." Ruina would never have to try hard to make Enzo happy. And he didn’t want perfect, all he wanted was her.

"I don't ever want to fight with you. But I know we will, every couple has fights, but I never want to fight with you like you fought with Amber. I want to be the person you run to when you need moral support. I will always be here to listen to you, if you want to rant, or cry. And if needed, if you need to blow some steam. I will always help..." Enzo of all people knew couples fight, but he was so tired of the kinds he had gotten used to. And Enzo was sick of being so tired, and drained. Just being in Ruina’s presence rejuvenated him, and he needed that. Even if they had squabbles in the future, he would never let it get to a degree even close to his fights with Amber. Although, he did smirk a little with a raised brow at what she ended with. "Sparring.” Enzo couldn’t help the small laugh he gave, but he found her flushing cute. "I will stand beside you when you need me, and I will stand beside you when you don't need me." Enzo’s gaze communicated everything he was thinking. He’ll stand at her side with nothing short of pure adoration and unwavering devotion. Always. The light in her eyes was something Enzo had never seen in Ruina, and he was falling deeper into that light. It’s a light that he would come to look forward to in her eyes, and he would do whatever he could to ignite it.

"Enzo. I want to be the person who can make you smile when no one ever can. I want to be the one who can make you happy in even the darkest moments. I always believed, I always knew, that you deserved so much better than Amber. Someone to love you for you, someone to want you for you. And I want to be that person. I will never care about your rank. Your rank has no effect on me. Enzo Verlice...." Enzo loved listening to Ruina, her voice, he would never tire of it. And hearing his full name, it made a surge of butterflies swirl inside of him. As he watched her, he noticed a moment of hesitation, but he lowered his head just a fraction more so their lips could meet. His eyes fluttered close at the contact, and his grip around her waist tightened in a hold of security as he gently expressed his passion, and perhaps even love, through the kiss. For the first time in so long, his mind went numb from the bliss that took over his senses. It was by far the best kiss he’s ever had, and it was something that made it seem as if time itself slowed just for them to enjoy the moment.

When he did hesitantly pull away for a breath, his eyes were still closed as he rested his forehead against hers, but he was smiling. “Everything you’ll be for me, is everything I’ll always be for you, Ruina. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, and who knew you were right in front of me for so long? You don’t know how badly I wish I could have seen you before, but I see you now,” he whispered as his eyes opened and he pulled his head up to closely hover above hers, “and you’re all I’ll ever want to see.” Enzo can never say he’s been as open as he has been with Ruina currently. It would certainly take a little work for him to be more open rather than religiously conceal his thoughts and feelings. But he wanted Ruina to be the person he could confide in, and likewise, he hoped she knew he would always be that person for her. He would do, and be anything for Ruina, and that fact would never change.

The fact that she was making him smile, made her smile. She didn't think her smile could get a lot wider. But it felt like her space was splitting in half. She had no idea she could even smile so... wide... so real. Ruina had imagined what it would be like to fall in love countless times, even when she tried not to, when she thought love was for the commonfolk. But comparing it to how she felt about Enzo? She never thought she'd ever feel this way for anyone. The fierce desire to protect him from anyone who tried to harm him, the need to be around him.... The way she smiled or felt when she was around him.

She'd seen couples fight, some were bad, some weren't bad. She'd seen her parents fight. It had been an accident, she had walked in, having been looking for her mother and her parents had been in the middle of a heated argument. Of course they quit as soon as they saw Ruina, but still. It was a memory engraved in her mind. It was something she never wanted to do with Enzo. She never wanted to argue to the point of raised voices, hell, she didn't even want to argue at all. But she knew, it would be unavoidable. She just hoped it wouldn't get bad. Definitely never as bad as it had between Amber and Enzo. Perhaps she'd never been around to witness a fight, but she'd heard plenty about them.

Enzo's smirk and raised brow only made Ruina flush more. She had not meant that to come out that way. But it had, and apparently he'd taken it that way too. Ruina wasn't exactly complaining, but she did figure it was probably too early to be.... well... doing that. Normally Ruina could never look somebody in the eye for so long, unless she was trying to intimidate them. However, staring into Enzo's amber eyes, she just felt like she was falling into a pool. She felt like she could drown in those eyes, and she was loving it. Enzo was making her feel things that she never knew she could feel. Emotions... She'd never felt so happy around anyone. She felt like she could fly.

When Enzo leaned forward to meet her, butterflies exploded in her stomach. It was a gentle kiss, and all she wanted to do was press herself closer and keep kissing. She could have stood there forever kissing him. It was her first kiss, ever, and she was already addicted. Addicted to everything about Enzo. His eyes, his smile, his personality, just him. Him. She wanted to literally stand there forever and kiss him. She didn't care who saw or who protested, she wanted to. And yes, she was scared, she was scared that someone would try to break them up. Cough, Amber, cough. Like their parents. Or someone else. And she was scared that it just wouldn't work. That maybe royals really weren't meant for this love stuff. But, Ruina was also willing to give it a try. She wanted too. She wanted to jump across that void, arms wide and just hoping she'd make it across. That they'd make it across.

She had no idea how long they'd kiss, it could have been minutes or hours, or even seconds. But she was out of breath and she wanted another kiss. As Enzo rests their foreheads together, Ruina's lips were partly open, pulling in air. "Everything you'll be for me, is everything I'll always be for you, Ruina. You're everything I've ever wanted, and who knew you were right in front of me for so long? You don't know how badly I wish I could have seen you before, but I see you now." Ruina's eyes flicker open, meeting Enzo's amber ones. And a smile blossoms across her face again. "And you're all I'll ever want to see." Those words alone sent shivers and chills through her body, and in a good way.

"I would have waited a thousand years for you. For this moment." She whispers. Oh what a story this would be. They'd met in school, and they'd become friends through a group of friends. They danced together at a dance to piss off his girlfriend at the time. It started to evolve into more. Said girlfriend got pissed and started targeting Ruina. Ruina wasn't taking any of the girlfriend's shit and beat her ass in a sparring class. He broke up with said girlfriend and both of them happen to be wandering the halls the same night. They'd ended up talking and somewhere along the way, Enzo had confessed, sort of blurting it out. There may had been some stuttering. And then he'd done it again, with less stuttering. And then she'd confessed. And then they'd kissed.

An interesting story. Of course, she would probably avoid Enzo's stutter, or maybe she'd talk about it, call it adorable. Because she had never seen Enzo stutter. She didn't know where their relationship was heading, but she didn't care. She wanted the present, the now. Live in the present. Remember the past. And prepare for the future. What ever happened, Ruina was ready to face it. She was prepared for it. As long as she was with Enzo, she felt like she could face down anything. Pissed off ex's. Angry royals. Anything. Everything.

Honestly Enzo had never considered love to be more than an intangible desire. A desperate want to feel a connection with another. Confidently, he could say Ruina changed his outlook on something he wasn't ever quite sure he believed in. Ruina made him a believer. Love, real love, Enzo was beginning to decipher it. It's hard for him to define, but it's something he couldn't imagine not having after getting a taste. To love, and to be equally loved… they are new sensations to him. Ones he does aspire to never let go of though.

Enzo had to suppress a small chuckle at Ruina's flushing. He full well knew her intentions with what she said, however, he was still childish with insinuations. Besides, he wasn't quite looking for a physical relationship, or at least one founded by being physical. Vulnerability on an emotional level is primarily what Enzo seeks. Even with his fears of opening up, and even being viewed as weaker, he still desires finding that kind of trust within someone. Already, Enzo was certain Ruina would be that for him. He can't promise his struggles with communication won't be frustrating, he can't promise his bullheadedness won't drive her up a wall from time to time, but he can promise his feelings and his devotion will never waver.

As for trials and tribulations of the future, of course Enzo would always have his concerns. At a time like this, he wanted to be able to wish away some of the dread worthy obstacles they were bound to face. If he could undo his boyish and naive crush on Amber, he would. If he could have been born without any royal ties, which are really only good for complicating and attempting to destroy love, then he would. In reality, he knew he didn't have the power to undo these things, nor could he actually wish them away. But for Ruina, she inspired a sense of unrelenting fight in Enzo. Real love is worth fighting for, and he'll be damned if his fighting spirit ever wanes from fighting for them both.

"I would have waited a thousand years for you. For this moment." A smile reached his eyes with a soft light. "I would have never kept you waiting that long." Although he felt the exact same for Ruina, and for their present. However, he'd probably have grown impatient after 500 years or so, and he wouldn't have had the self control to stop what he was about to do next. Leaning down a little further again, he pressed his lips to hers again with his eyes closing. Would he ever tire of this sensation? Never. Moving one arm from her waist, his hand moved up to be able to gently cup the side of her face. Enzo ended up smiling into the kiss, but he couldn't help it. The wereleopard would have never known he was her first kiss either with how perfect and in sync they were with one another. Is that love too? When two fit so perfectly together that it's akin to a lock and key? It must be.

Enzo couldn't imagine letting Ruina go, not even to depart for the night. Not when he just got her. If he could hold her until sunrise, and perhaps even a little longer afterwards, he would. It's truly amazing though the things he was already willing to do for Ruina. Basically to the point that if she were to ask him to jump, he'd say 'how high?'. When the second kiss ended, Enzo drew in a deeper breath before his eyes opened to study Ruina. As if he still couldn't believe this was real. But it was real, all of it. How could he sleep now knowing his reality was so much better than any dream he could have? "I don't want this to end." Enzo spoke in a tone of admittance. He didn't want this moment to end, and he never wanted them to end. Watching his own parents' love fade and dwindle down to the obligation of being there for one another terrified him. It would quite literally break his heart into a thousand shards to feel what he feels now, only to have this feeling fade over time.

Moving his hand from the side of her face, his arm went back to resting around her waist. While Enzo was expecting heat from some sides when this becomes public, he had to admit, their story was a nice one. Of course, Enzo would persistently deny any stuttering should Ruina tell the tale of this particular moment. While he would never call Ruina a liar, at best he could say he remembers himself having been very well spoken. In all honesty though, he kind of liked that Ruina was the sole reason he was so nervous he stuttered. Enzo didn't know anyone could have that kind of effect on him, but he's thankful that out of everyone, it's Ruina that has that kind of effect.