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1.
The first time something shifts between them, they are fifteen, Jade working in the stables and Kit, well, Kit was just causing trouble left and right. The girls often found themselves together, usually just enjoying eachothers company.
“Oh my goddess, you almost scared me to death”
Kit was climbing Jade's window to get to her room just above the stables. The knocking on the window almost made her heart stop. Kit usually would let her know before coming to Jade's room at night, but in the last few months it's almost like she was taking every opportunity to be away from the Castle.
Probably because of her mother.
Kit sighed, throwing herself on Jade's makeshift bed, tucking the comforter around her shoulders. Patting the stop on her right, calling Jade to sit with her.
Sitting down beside Kit, she doesn't have to wait more than a minute before Kit is talking, dumping all on her.
“It's like she doesn't understand me Jay, seriously, do you remember that one time when I asked to cut my hair shorter and ended up grounded for almost a month, all I did was ask!” Taking a breath to calm herself down, she continued “I swear, all I did was ask her if we could have more training sessions, just that. But like always, Sorsha dismissed me, said that dealing with swords isn't very ladylike and that I should stick with more feminine things.”
Jade felt bad for her friend. She might not understand everything with Royals, but in her perspective, just a few training sessions couldn't really hurt that much.
“I'm sorry Kit, I understand you are feeling frustrated. Can I do anything to make you feel better?”
Always selfless, always thinking of others before herself, that's who Jade was. A perfect balance to Kit’s bad temper.
“It’s fine Jay, there's not much that you can do, really. Just sitting here with me already makes me feel a little better.”
Scotting closer, Jade offers a hug to Kit. The brown haired girl places herself in her bestfriends arms, feeling much calmer.
A moment later, Kit gets up and sits between Jade’s legs, silently asking for the girl to play with her hair. Complying, Jade starts to brush her brown hair, braiding the strands just like she does on her own hair.
They were just like that, two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together.
ººº
Kit only realizes that she fell asleep in Jade’s bed when she wakes up pressed against a beautiful mass of red curls.
Oh my god she smells so good
Shaking herself of the sleep induced haze, Kit finally realizes how close she and Jade ended up after sleeping together in this ridiculously small bed.
Looking up, Kit feels like time has stopped.
Sunlight is casting a perfect glow on Jade’s hair, her freckles more noticeable since the start of the summer, her beautiful mouth, now pink from the oil she used last night.
Risking a little, not feeling completely like herself right now, Kit tucks a little curl that escaped from Jade’s wrapped hair.
I could totally kiss her right now
Before Kit can really process what just came over her head, Jade stirs awake and all toughs fly out the window after seeing her brown eyes open.
It takes a moment for Jade to understand that she and Kit slept together - not that it was the first time - and in a second she's already up, pushing Kit to get out of bed and return to the palace, before the guards start to search for her.
2.
The second time, Jade is torn apart between understanding her feelings and pretending that nothing is happening.
ººº
Okay, maybe what Jade feels for Kit - everytime they’re together, the butterflies in the stomach everytime their hands brush after a sparring match, the longing glances when she think Kit is to worried with things in her mind to notice, or when they dance at those horrible balls that Queen Sorsha throws every month or so.
Jade knows that even if she has feelings for the other girl, that is all they will ever be. Best Friends. Because, how could Kit, the princess of Tir Asleen like the orphan, stable girl? Even if she did, Sorsha would never allow it.
So Jade enjoys the time they still have together, before she becomes a knight of Galladorn and Kit has to marry some prince in an arranged marriage. They will probably see each other a lot less.
“Ok Jay, what's going on? You’re not usually this bad when we spar. Not that I mind winning, it just doesn’t feel good when I know you’re not trying.” Kit looks at her, and Jade lets herself get lost in the princess's eyes, just for a moment.
“Don’t worry Princess, it’s nothing” Brushing her off, Jade lifts her sword once again.
Kit knows better than to push her friend to open up to her, when she feels comfortable, Jade will talk.
They train for a few minutes before Ballantine comes and calls the princess.
“Your mother requests your presence for supper your Highness” Speaking from below the rocks Jade and Kit found themselves in, the brown haired girl looks at her friend like she just remembered something.
“Oh my God Jay, I almost forgot. My mom is throwing a ball tomorrow. You have to come, please!” Giving the best puppy eyes she can muster, Kit looks at jade.
“It 's not fair. You know I can’t say no to you when you do that.” Rolling her eyes in a playful manner, Jade feels warm all over with Kit’s gaze on her “Of course I’ll go princess, do I have to wear a dress?”
Kit face falls at the mention of having to wear a dress, they both hate the attire.
“I’ll have to wear a dress, so you’ll have to suffer with me”
ººº
Jade finishes braiding her hair just in time for the ball to start. She’s wearing a dress Ballantine gave her when she turned fifteen. She and Kit agreed to meet in Kit's room, so they could go down to the ballroom together.
Heading to the palace, she climbs up the stairs to Kit’s chamber. She knocks on the door once, pushing it open.
“Jade, oh my god, it took you so long to get here.” Kit turns at the sound of the door opening. “Can you help me lace up my dress please?
Okay, Jade thinks, she can totally get up close to her best friend, that she totally doesn't have feelings for and lace up her dress. Easy peasy.
Kit holds her breath, waiting for Jade to stand at her back. Gathering the strings, the red haired girl started to tie up the dress.
When one of the cords falls out of her grip, Jade accidentally brushes her hand on Kit’s back. Desperate to just end her suffering, Jade doesn't notice the way Kit’s breath hitched and the way her hand tensed up for a few seconds.
Finally finishing, Kit turns around to thank Jade, realizing just in the last second how close they were.
Because of the proximity Jade feels Kit’s breath on her face. For a moment it is like there is no one else in the world. Kit’s eyes are like the universe, capturing Jade’s soul.
Looking back, Kit’s pretty sure she imagined the way Jade’s eyes seem to linger on her lips, but there’s not really a way she can be sure, because she was also focused on the other girl's mouth.
They seem to get lost in the moment, but a knock on the door makes Jade step back, like she just woke up from a dream, almost ending up on the ground.
Later that night, when they’re dancing together to the slow song, and Jade feels Kit’s arm looped in her waist, she thinks that she can do this - pretending to be just friends for Kit, push her feelings aside and enjoy the time they still have together.
3.
On the third time, it seems that they’re both trying to deny their feelings.
ººº
They’re seventeen now. Somehow even more connected than before, Kit spends almost all of her time in Jade’s presence, because things in the castle are not going very well. Kit hasn't really explained everything to Jade, but the part she understood has something to do with Kit being forced to marry some random prince.
She doesn't want to talk about it, but Jade can see how much this is affecting her princess’s life.
Her princess. As if.
Jade can only allow herself to dream, and even that sometimes is too much. She cannot let herself fantasize about something that she knows will never happen.
Today Kit is in her room, and for the looks of it, planning to sleep with Jade - again.
Not that she is complaining.
“Kit, you know you can tell me anything right? Not that I mind you sleeping here, but isn’t your mother worried about where you’re staying?”
Kit looks at Jade from her position on the bed. The moonlight is illuminating her face and Kit is sure she has never seen someone more stunning than Jade.
It seems that getting lost in eachothers eyes has become a recurring occasion.
“It’s nothing Jay, my mom just keeps pushing me to act a certain way because ‘men don't like girls like me’” Rolling her eyes, she continues under her breath “As if I wanted a man to like me”
Jade tries to hold back a smile at Kit’s words, but fails.
Kit throws one of the pillows that she hijacked from her room on the palace at Jade’s face, trying to sound mad.
“What are you laughing at Sir Jade?
Jade’s laugh dies a little after hearing Kit refer to her as a knight. Making her feel warm all over her body.
If Kit notices, she doesn't comment on it. The mood seems to change a little bit and Jade realizes it is probably time for them to go to sleep.
“Come on Princess, you already know the drill, stick to your side and maybe we both can get a good night of sleep”
Before Kit can respond, Jade is already on the bed, tucking herself on her corner.
“Oh Jay come on, it’s not even past ten yet”
“I’m sorry princess, but some of us actually have work tomorrow”
“You did not just say that! Just so you know I do actually have a job, doing… humm… Royal stuff”
Jade tries not to laugh. She really does. But eventually it comes out.
“Okay lady, you know what? You’re gonna pay for this”
Without a warning, Kit starts tickling Jade’s side. Where she knows the girl will laugh the hardest.
The red haired girl tries to escape, but to no avail.
They don’t notice, but Kit who was once on Jade’s side ended up being on top of her. Almost straddling her waist.
When she does realize where she is, it's like her brain finally comprehends that she's on top of a beautiful girl, her best friend - Jade, who would never feel the same way Kit feels for her.
Almost at the same second, Jade can feel her cheeks becoming a little hot due to the nature of the situation.
Again, both of them feel like they’re alone in the universe, only existing together. The tension grows and then snaps when Kit finds herself looking at Jade’s lips a little too longer than she should.
The girls don’t realize how they’re almost leaning towards one another, and also, how Jade’s arms are now positioned at the princess' waist.
A noise outside makes both of them jump apart, with Kit almost ending up on the floor.
It’s like a secret agreement between them to pretend like this night never happened.
The next morning, the girls go on about their day, convincing themselves that they don't have feelings for eachother.
4.
On the fourth time, it becomes a recurring fact between them. Everybody pretends not to notice the longing glances, the smiles and how close they became. Jade and Kit catch themselves in more than best friends situations more times that they can count.
ººº
Something is wrong with Kit, Jade hasn't seen her in almost a week and even Airk has come to ask her if she knows what Kit is going through.
Jade knows that sometimes Kit just needs space, but she’s still very worried for her friend.
Friend…
When the guards from the palace appear in her bedroom asking if she knows where Kit is, Jade starts to become really worried.
Deciding to go search for her princess, Jade gets a coat and strides towards the city. She checks every corner, every alley and building, asking if anyone had seen the brown haired girl.
It all comes negative.
Trying one last time before losing hope, Jade enters a tavern that she and Kit had been to once, a long time ago.
The place reeks of vomit and looks horrible, the ginger crosses her finger, hoping the brunette isn't here.
After five minutes of searching, Jade finally found what, or better - who she was searching for.
Kit looks miserable. She’s sitting in a boot, far in the corner, with three jugs of some type of alcoholic beverage in front of her. She hasn't seen Jade yet, but when their eyes connect, Kit shrinks into herself, hiding her face.
Jade feels bad for her friend. She approaches the table and sits beside Kit.
“Don’t say anything Jay, please. I can’t handle another lecture.” Kit hides her face on her arms. “Not from you.”
She can say what she’s thinking tomorrow. Right now the only thing Kit needs is a friend to support her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Scooting closer, Jade passes her arms through Kit’s body, hugging her.
“Not really, can you just hold me please?”
Kit usually hides her feelings behind this impenetrable wall, so for her to be so open about stuff like this, tells Jade that the problems might be bigger than she originally thought.
“Of course princess, but I think it is better for us to go. The guards are searching for you”
“We can go later, lets just be here now”
Heeding to the princess request, she embraces Kit a little bit tighter. Feeling the girl becoming softer in her arms.
ººº
They’re on their way to the palace now. Kit is leaning all of her weight into Jade's side. The ginger is practically dragging the princess though the way.
In about twenty minutes they arrive at the castle, the guards let them in and Jade takes Kit to her chambers.
When they enter, Kit throws herself on her bed.
“Come here Jade”
“I don’t think that is a good idea Princess” Jade tries to be reasonable, but the girl almost melts at Kit's vulnerable actions.
“I’ll stay, but only until you fall asleep”
Jade climbs on the bed, sitting besides Kit. The drunk girl scoots closer, putting her head on Jade’s lap. Treading her finger through the locks, it doesn't take long before Kit’s asleep.
The ginger fails to notice how sleepy she is, and ends up crashing right there on Kits bed.
ººº
It takes a minute for Jade to recognize where she is. She is woken up but the sounds of a woman crying.
Looking down, she realizes that Kit is having a nightmare, and the sounds are coming from her.
“Dad, come home please..” Mumbling in her sleep, Kit shakes her head in Jade's lap “Jay, no. Please don’t do this to me…”
Jade feels her stomach drop at the mention of her name.
The red haired girl puts her hands on Kit’s shoulder and gently tries to wake her up. “Kit, is just a dream, wake up”
Kit doesn’t respond and continues mumbling “ No, no, please”
Starting to panic, Jade shakes the princess a little harder. At that, she finally wakes up.
Kit startles awake, taking a second to understand where she is. When she does, she throws herself in Jade's arms.
“Oh my God Jade, I was so scared” She buries her head in Jade’s neck “You weren’t there and they said you were gone”
“Who said that Kit?” Looking worried, Jade brushes the back of Kit’s head. “It’s okay, everything is fine. See? I’m here with you”
Kit pulls her head back a little, taking Jade’s face in her hands, trying to calm her mind, proving to herself that they’re okay.
Jade mimics her movements, placing her hands in Kit’s face.
They seem to get lost in the moment, Kit brings her head closer seemingly deciding to do something, looking at Kit's mouth without even realizing, Jade thinks her best friend is about to kiss her.
She was wrong
In the last second, Kit swerves her head, putting it back on Jade's neck.
Well done Jade, your best friend is hurting and you are here thinking that she was about to kiss you.
Pathetic.
5.
Sorsha is throwing another ball tonight, and again, Kit invites Jade.
“Please Jay, you have to come! I’ll be miserable without you”
Jade can’t say no. Not to Kit.
“Fine, I'll go.”
“Yes! Thank you Jay” At that, Kit hugs Jade.
Something is wrong, and Jade is choosing to ignore it for the sake of her sanity. Kit has been weird for the past month. She follows Jade everywhere and became super touchy last week.
Jade isn’t really complaining for the new intimacy they have, but for the princess to be acting like this, makes alarm bells ring in Jade's mind.
When Kit separates from the hug, she turns around to leave, probably going back to the castle to sort out her clothes for the event.
“Hey Kit, you know you can tell me everything right. Even if it is just something stupid”
“I know” She pauses for a second, clearly thinking about something, she seems about to say it but stops “Bye Jade, see you in a few hours”
ººº
Jade gets a little carried up on doing her hair in the best way possible, and ends up getting late for the ball.
She rushes through the castle hallways, hoping Kit doesn’t get mad at her. She rounds one of the corners, kind of running to get there faster. In the midst of her rush, she doesn’t notice the person coming her way and crashes into them, sending both to the ground.
“Ouch”
Wait, she recognizes that voice…
“Kit! Oh my God, I was looking for you”
“Well you just found me” They get up and Kit tries to get the wrinkles out of her dress “There's no time jade, we gotta go, now”
She takes Jade’s hand and leads them to an empty hall.
“Jay, I’m in so much trouble. The ball has already started and I’ve been running away from my mother because I don’t want to go. But now she sended the palace guards after me!”
Jade tries not to laugh, she really does. But she can’t hold it in.
“Jade! I can’t believe you're laughing! This a serious situation”
“I can’t stop Kit… I can’t believe…” She doesn't get to finish the phrase because in a second she and Kit are smashed against each other in a tiny storage room, and Kit has her hand on the ginger's mouth.
Putting her finger on top of her mouth, Kit silently asks for Jade to be quiet.
The red haired girl can feel the princess hand on her mouth, touching her mouth. Kit seems to realize that too, because she blushes. Hard.
A moment goes by, and Kit takes her hand away.
“What was that about?” Jade’s breathing is a little erratic because of her proximity to the other girl. The space is so small she can almost feel Kit breathing on her face.
“Guards were passing by, we had to hide” Kit is looking at her eyes now “Didn’t you hear them?”
No, she didn’t hear a single sound. But she believes Kit, why would she lie?
“I didn’t princess”
In the dim light, Jade can see Kit’s shining eyes looking at her, and the gorgeous dress she is wearing. She sees the light makeup Kit is wearing, and the jewels that complete her look.
The princess looks absolutely breathtaking.
“Wow Jade, you look so pretty”
Now is her turn to blush. Jade doesn’t get complimented often, and coming from the princess adds a lot of meaning.
“You look gorgeous yourself Kit”
That seems to make the atmosphere a little bit thicker. Kit’s breathing gets a little more sped up and their bodies come closer without them noticing.
They are looking at each other's lips, noticing every little detail on their faces.
“KIT TANTHALOS” It’s the queen's voice, and she is pissed “If you don’t come out right now I will strangle you myself.”
The girls jump apart, and Kit has no choice but to leave the safety of the room.
THE RIGHT TIME
They’ve done this before. Pretending that they don’t have feelings for each other. That they don’t know the other person's mind like the back of their hands.
The way they are connected, almost like their souls are intertwined, like they were born for each other.
Don't think that they don't see the tension, the many times they almost kissed, because they do. What stops them?
The fear of losing the most important thing in their lives. Each other.
Kit couldn't bear to lose Jade, not after everything that has happened to her. And for Jade, Kit is the most important person in her life.
ººº
Both of the girls tried to take some time apart after the last time, trying to keep their relationship in the friendship area. Naturally, it becomes such a horrible time for them. Being away from the only person who truly understands you can make your life a nightmare.
Honestly fed up with this, Kit decided to go after Jade, things couldn't get worse than this.
When she gets to the stables, she asks around if anyone has seen Jade, but the responses all come negative.
If Jade isn’t here, then where is she?
Trying not to panic, Kit tried to remember places that Jade could have gone to. She tries all of them, from most likely to less. And Jade is nowhere to be found.
Passing through the list of where Jade could be again, she remembers a place.
Their place
Since they were young, Kit and Jade used to go stargazing in a little cot outside town, sometimes Jade went there alone, trying to clear her mind.
That's exactly where she will be!
Kit speeds up and heads there.
ººº
When she arrives, Jade's figure is sitting on the roof, looking up at the stars, just like Kit pictured she would be.
Climbing up the stairs, she finds Jade already looking at her.
“Hey Jay”
“Hi princess”
Kit scoots closer to Jade, sitting beside her, their thighs are touching and so are their arms.
“I missed you”
“I missed you too Kit”
There seems to be a tension in the air, almost like they are awkward around each other.
“I hate this” Kit starts talking, spilling the words out of her mouth “I hate that we are being weird around each other. But mostly, I hate being away from you. So I'm calling it now, we're never doing this again.”
“I agree, I don’t want to spend any time away from you again”
They turn at the same time, hugging each other.
“I need to tell you something. And you need to just listen, because if you say something and I’m not done, I’m not sure I will be able to do this again.”
“I need to tell you something too. But you can go first”
“Jade, you are my best friend. The person I trust most in this world. You have always been by my side when I need you, and I can’t imagine my life without you.” Kit takes a breath before continuing, at this point Jade eyes are already watery “But I feel something for you. Something more. This feeling burns my chest everytime I see you, and I want to reach out and pull you into me”
“I’m not sure about anything in this world, but this feeling, this love that I have for you it's what keeps me going, keeps me sane when my mom fights me, when I’m missing my dad and when I’m away from you”
“I love you Jade, so, so much that it consumes my entire being”
Jade is now crying. A lot.
“Oh Kit, I don’t even know what to say”
“I love you too would be more than perfect”
“I think I know something better princess”
At that, Jade pulls Kit into her lap, kissing her with all her heart.
Breaking apart, Jade finally says “I love you Kit, and I have been madly in love with you for so long that I think you became a part of my very soul”
Jade thinks that if this is a dream, she hopes to never wake up. Being here with Kit, kissing her, loving her, is more than enough for her.