QUEEN
After we finished eating cake in the coffee shop, we wandered into a nearby marketplace. Stores were lined up on either side, offering an assortment of items, from handmade crafts to delicious-smelling snacks. I couldn’t help but feel drawn to the colorful souvenirs displayed in the shop windows.
"Vermont, look at these keychains!" I exclaimed, pointing at a rack with various designs. "We should get some." He leaned over, examining them with a curious smile. "Wait, I like this one I will give this to my brothers." It was a wine keychain. "I'm sure he will like this because he loves liquors." Vermont laughed and we continue to look over the place.
"That’s perfect for him." We continued strolling through the market, pausing occasionally to admire the trinkets or laugh at quirky items there.
Suddenly, my attention was caught by the sound of cheerful music. "O my gosh there is a fair!" I tugged on his sleeve as the excitement bubbling up. He followed my gaze and smiled.
"Do you want to try the rides?"
"Sure!" Without hesitation, he reached for my hand, and together we headed toward the entrance. "Wait let's take a picture first." I look at him and smiled, then I open the camera and extend my hand. "Smile!"
"Wait-" he started, but I clicked the photo before he could finish. The result was a slightly blurry image of him mid-motion, his face was beat red, likely from the sun.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"Why don't we rest, for now, you look like you will be sick at any moment."
"No, really I'm fine." I touch his forehead and nod.
"If you say so, but you need to tell when you feel sick."
"Yeah. I will." We headed to the carousel first, and I climbed onto one of the ornate horses while Vermont stayed beside me.
"Are you won't sit?"
"Nah, now say hi to the camera." I shake my head at him it but he encourage me so I gave him a small smile and after that, I chuckled.
"Gosh, please delete that. I must look a mess."
"No, why would I? you look cute there."
"Don't post it or do not let me see that again." He nods and gently kissed my hand, his gesture making my heart flutter.
"Yes, don't worry. I won't."
"So, our next ride is?"
"Let's go to the roller coaster." I suggested. We just tried it once and after that, we rest and buy some hotdogs. Vermont seemed preoccupied with his phone as we sat down to eat.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing, don't mind me."
"Make sure that you didn't post anything."
"Yeah, come to think of what is your social media accounts? I search for you back then but I didn't see anything."
"Oh, I deactivate it and still haven't been active for I think it was almost five years."
"Five years?" He looked genuinely amazed. "Wow, I have to admit, that’s impressive. I don’t think I could survive that long without it."
"Oh, I will just stress myself. I did install twitter in my phone but I was using Ace's account."
"Eh, what a shame I want to see your pictures." I just laugh and shake my head. Just then, a group of people passed by, some running and others are either crying or laughing nervously. I caught sight of a sign nearby.
"I want to go to the haunted house..." he looks at me with wide eyes and he shakes his head.
"Let's just go to the funhouse, okay?"
"No, I want to try the haunted house, please?"
"Funhouse."
"No."
"Yes!"
"Nooo!" I laugh when we finally get inside the haunted house. There is a weird background music, a witch laughing and a wolf howling, on the hallway, the lights were turning on and off and there is some smoke around.
I held Vermont's hands and we started to walk.
"O MY GOSH!!" I screamed when the coffin suddenly opened. I continue to scream as we walk, ghosts, vampires that suddenly appeared and the worse is I punch the killer in his face. I didn't mean to hit him hard but yeah, I punch him.
"Damn, that was epic!" Vermont said, laughing so hard as we finally get outside. "That was not scary at all!"
"Yeah, just jump scare."
"You scream pretty well right there."
"Huh?" When I look at Vermont he was laughing and he was watching something on his phone, then I suddenly heard a voice screaming and I think that was me.
"Look at this part—your scream is amazing, and that punch? Perfect execution." My eyes widened when he made me watch it. I covered my mouth and almost hit him.
"Delete that!"
"Nope." he said, grinning mischievously.
"Let's go to the Ferris wheel." He was still giggling. We wait for minutes in the line for the Ferris wheel and when we finally get inside, we took some pictures. We ride it three times and finally feel the tiredness,
"Let's get some light dinner here."
"Okay, find a seat and I'll just order." I nod at him and finally get a seat, I was looking outside and smiled. The sun was about to settle down and it started to get cold.
"Hello." I look at the man who approached me, he smiled and I nod.
"Ah, is there anything you want from me?"
"Can I have your number?"
"No, don't bother my girlfriend and get lost." My eyes widened and look at Vermont, he was standing behind this guy and he immediately said sorry and immediately left us. Vermont was still glaring at the guy and he finally move on and put down the food he was holding.
"Let's eat now." He nods still frowning. "Hey, are you still mad at that dude?" I asked after a moment, noticing the slight frown on his face.
"No." he replied curtly, though his expression softened. I laughed and he look at me. "What?"
"Nothing." Later that evening, back at the lodge, we changed and headed to the hot spring. 
"Hot spring, right?"
"Yes."
"We have one for lovers." The attendant mentioned a private section for couples, and I felt my face heat up as Vermont glanced at me.
"Are you okay with this?" he asked gently.
"I don't know. You decide."
"But it's up to you."
"Ahh still shy, eh? Don't worry it'll fade soon. Just go straight there and go to the right, change clothes first before going in the water."
"Yes." We started to walk now and when we finally arrive Vermont talked.
"Are you okay with this?"
"Yeah, I think. What about you?"
"I was just scared what if you don't want to."
"I'm good. Hoo, let's go now?"
"Yeah." We head inside and get the towel and I look at the bathing suit. After I change I decided to go first and dip in the water. It was relaxing yes, it's like all of my fatigue leave me as soon as I go here.
"Queen?"
"Yes?"
"Oh, there you are, I thought you're still not done." I avert my eyes from his body and go down in the water just leaving my head.
Well, he does have a nice upper body, and long legs. The second time I saw his body.
Then he finally dips into the water.
"Haa, it's nice." I closed my eyes and the room was filled with an awkward silence. "What do you want for dinner?"
"Want some steak."
"Wine?"
"Yeah, that too. Let's enjoy this to the fullest." I lean and close my eyes. The room was quiet except for the gentle sound of the water. When I opened them again, Vermont was watching me, his gaze was intense that it made me conscious.
"What?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
Instead of answering, Vermont’s gaze dropped to my lips, he leaned closer, and before I knew it, his lips met mine. The kiss was slow and tender at first, as if he were testing something. But when I didn’t pull away, his confidence grew, and the kiss deepened. His lips were warm, moving against mine with a tenderness that left me breathless.
Vermont’s hands slid up to cup my face, his touch gentle yet firm, like he was afraid to let me go. I let out a small gasp as he pulled me closer, the water rippling around us from the movement. His hands trailed down, settling at my waist, his thumbs brushing against my skin in a way that sent shivers down my spine despite the heat.
"Haa... haa." I got goosebumps as the sound of our lips crashing, and the water that's splashing because of our movements.
"Queen." Vermont murmured, his voice is husky as he broke the kiss, his forehead resting against mine. His hands that was resting on my curves were now gently pinching it.
I couldn’t speak, words felt unnecessary. Instead, I leaned forward, brushing my lips against his jawline, then his cheeks, before capturing his lips again. This time, I was the one who deepened the kiss, pouring everything I felt into it.
A soft groan escaped him as he tightened his hold on me. His hands moved to my thighs, and without breaking the kiss, he lifted me, putting me onto his lap. The water splashed around us, but neither of us seemed to notice or care.
“Vermont,” I whispered against his lips, my voice trembling with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
He pulled back just enough to look at me, his gaze dark with desire yet soft with affection. Heat surged through me, but it wasn’t just from the hot spring. My entire body felt like it was on fire. I could feel the tension in his arms, the strength in the way he held me, but there was also a gentleness in his touch, like he was holding something precious.
"Stop me..." His hands slid up my back, his fingers tracing my back. I was to drunk to stop him. He kissed me again, this time with more urgency, his lips claiming mine as if trying to convey everything he felt in that one moment.
I gasped as his hands found my thighs again, pulling me impossibly closer. I couldn’t help but let out a soft moan as his lips moved to my jawline, then down to the sensitive spot just below my ear.
"You’re so beautiful," he murmured against my skin, his voice was rough. "I can’t believe you’re here with me like this."
"Hng." Before I could answer him, a wave of dizziness hit me. "Ver... so hot." I mumbled, my vision starting to blur.
And my head suddenly dropped on his shoulders. When I woke up there is a cold towel on my head.
"What happened?" I asked weakly.
"Looks like you're not used to the hot area, you lost your consciousness while we..." he then avert his gaze and my face felt hot.
My face burned as I remembered the kiss. It was very intimate.
"I'm sorry, I got carried away."
"Huh?" I blinked.
"I should have stop." he continued, his gaze dropping to the floor. A strange pang settled in my chest at his words.
"Do you regret it?" His response was immediate and firm. 
"No, of course not! I did enjoy it but because of my careless action you ended up like that."
"Vermont," I interrupted, my hand reaching out to touch his arm. "It wasn’t your fault. The heat and the excitement I felt, it was all just… a bit much at once.” I gave him a reassuring smile, though my cheeks still burned at the memory.
"But still…"
"Stop it. Nothing bad happened."
"J promise I’ll be more careful next time," he said softly, his tone was sincere.
"Next time?" I teased, and our eyes locked. He grinned but his ears and face are already red.
"f you’ll let there be a next time," he replied, "Rest for now on." he said, his voice gentle.
"Okay."
"I'll stay here, I will look for you until you fall asleep."
"Yeah, thank you."
"Hm, sleep now." I closed my eyes, and a small smile appeared on my lips as he kissed my forehead.
—IAmRoseee