One Step at a Time... KOTLC One-shots

Thirteen (Marellinh)

            The quiet buzz of the Sanctuary filled the air, giving the space a sense of life. Marella sat at the edge of a pond, her legs stretched lazily into the cool water.  She flicked sparks from her  fingertips, marveling at the way they sizzled and popped before the water consumed them. Each spark of yellow and orange sent colorful fish darting away, and Marella smirked to herself.

"Do you have to terrorize the fish?" Linh called out, standing knee-deep in the water. Her hands moved fluidly in the liquid, guiding the school back into a safe alcove. 

"I'm not terrorizing them." Marella protested, flicking another spark. "I'm... enlightening them. Preparing them for the big, scary world."

Linh sighed, her expression caught between exasperation and amusement. "Or you could let them live peacefully." 

"Where's the fun in that? And, come on, I can entertain you and the fish at the same time! Multi-talented. " Marella shot back, leaning back on her elbows. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the way Linh moved gently in the water, or the way her silver-tipped jet-black hair shimmered in the sunlight with every movement. It was hypnotic. 

Linh turned, catching Marella's gaze. "What?" 

"Nothing." Marella shrugged, flicking her eyes back to the sparks on her fingertips. Linh waded closer, her eyebrows raised. "You're unusually quiet. Should I be concerned about this?" 

Marella scoffed, sitting up. "Me? Quiet? Please. I was just thinking about how you are like the mom of the group. Always fixing things. Always so responsible."

"And you're the chaos." Linh replied, her mouth twitching with a smile. 

"Exactly. Perfect balance. Admit it-- you'd miss me if I weren't here to keep you on your toes." Marella grinned. 

Linh shook her head, though there was something softer in her eyes, something that made Marella's heart stutter. "You're ridiculous." Linh decided. 

"And you like it," Marella smirked, holding her breath for the girl's response. Linh froze for a fraction of a second, her fingers trailing small ripples in the water. "Maybe I do," she said softly.

Marella blinked, her usual wit abandoning her. "Wait... really?"

Linh's cheeks turned an adorable shade of light pink, but she didn't look away. "Well... you're not exactly subtle, Marella. And... I've been hoping you meant it."

Marella's heart did a weird little flip, and her breath caught in her throat. She scrambled for words, for the sarcasm that usually shielded her. But nothing came. She cleared her throat, leaning a little closer before whispering, "I do mean it. You are... amazing, Linh. You make me crazy, in the best way. I've wanted to tell you for a while now, but I just didn't know how."  

"How long?" Linh inquired, her voice as soft as Marella's. Marella shrugged, running a hand through her hair. "I don't really know. A few months now? I don't really keep track of this stuff." 

Linh's lips parted, surprise flickering across her features before it softened until it turned to something gentler. "Months?" 

"Yeah. Actually, I think I realized I liked you the first time I saw you." Marella admitted nervously. 

"But... the first time I met you, you were checking out my brother." Linh said, sadness creeping into her voice. Marella patted the space next to her, and Linh sat down. Marella hesitated, then reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. 

"No. I was looking at you, Linh. You were standing slightly behind Tam, and... I was looking at you." She gave the silver-eyed girl a smile, and the smile she received was more than a little shy. 

"Really?" Linh asked softly, tentatively. Marella nodded, running her fingers over Linh's hand in small circles. Linh gave her a smirk, which somehow looked both amused and incredibly sweet. "That's a lot of build up for someone who's usually so direct. Were you trying to impress me?" She laughed, and Marella felt her face go red. But her smile turned to something genuine as she admitted, "I've liked you for awhile now, too. I guess I'd just thought you'd think I was boring." 

Marella gave her a playful nudge with her shoulder. "Linh! Boring isn't even in the same universe as you!" She gave the girl a sly smile, leaning even closer to her. "But... what you're saying is... I had you hooked from the start?" 

Linh covered her mouth in surprise, then burst out laughing. Marella grinned back at her, quietly pleased with herself for the fact that she'd gotten Linh to laugh.

"Marella! Stop with the flirting! " She gasped after she'd stopped laughing. "But is it working?" Marella asked, wiggling her eyebrows. Linh buried her face in her hands, though her shoulders shook with more laughter. Marella could make out a muffled, "Yes, I think it is." from the girl. 

"Don't worry, my precious little Linh. I'll try to tone down the chaos a little for you... a little. But don't think I'll ever stop!" Marella teased merrily, and Linh peeked through her fingers. 

"Oh, I'd be concerned if you did," Linh replied.

Marella wrapped an arm around her more-then-friend's shoulder, pulling her close. "I'll never stop. I'll always be there for you." 


        (Hello!! It's been a hot minute since I've done a Marellinh/ Linhella one, but here's a chapter to make your soul happy. I personally LOVE this chapter, and I hope you found it as cute and funny as I did :) I am very happy with it. Have a great day!!) --TianaSokeefe42