Bite Back

Beautiful Mess

“Should—should I leave?” Wyleen asked in the darkness, unsure of what was going to happen.

“Stay,” Katakuri was heard saying, though it sounded like he was eating something. A soft crunch was heard before he started chewing once more. “The Beignets taste fine.” He was heard taking another bite.

Wyleen’s posture relaxed slightly, knowing he was eating and not planning her demise. “I’m glad they are to your liking, sir.”

“Cut the ‘sir’ crap,” he said bluntly. “I’m going to be your husband in a few days; it’s odd to endear me so formally.”

“How would you like me to endear you? General Katakuri? Master Katakuri?” Whyleen was still a bit uneasy with the darkness, but didn’t sense she was in any danger.

“My name is fine, dear.” his footsteps were heard walking across the floor before the light flicked back on.

Blinking as her eyes adjusted to the light, Wyleen asked, “Why did you turn out the lights to eat?”

“I don’t care to be looked at while I eat, do you?” His tone seemed to be a bit defensive.

Wyleen dropped the subject. “I suppose not.” She was silent for a moment before thinking she needed to start her day. “I should get dressed for breakfast. I will see you then?”

“I would like to walk you back to your room, if I may?” Katakuri asked from over his shoulder as he put his jacket back on. “I have some things to attend to. I’m going in that direction anyway,” he clarified quickly.

“That would be fine,” Wyleen nodded politely. They walked through the corridors mostly in silence with a peppering of small talk. She glanced up at Katakuri; he was quite tall, easily a meter taller than her, she noted. She blushed at the thought of consummating their marriage, but shook her head at the thought, dismissing the indecent thought.

“Care to share what’s on your mind?” Katakuri noticed her actions.

Wyleen kept her gaze down, her face still flushed, hoping Katakuri wouldn’t call any more attention to her. “I was just mulling over some recipes. The differences between rice flour and rice starch, and the like,” she lied.

“Hm,” was all he offered as a response at that moment. “Are you trying to make mochi?” Katakuri broke the silence, looking down at Wyleen.

She looked back up at him, “I was thinking about trying to make pon de ring.” Wyleen hesitated before asking timidly, “Would you…try them?”

“They’re doughnuts, of course, I would try them,” he replied coarsely as they continued walking.

“R-Right,” she smiled nervously. She had thought he was starting to open up, actually becoming a sweet and caring man towards her. Wyleen realized she was being foolish.

“This is where I leave you. I will see you at breakfast.” Katakuri turned to leave. “And wear a coat if you leave the château; it’s going to start raining.”

“Thank you, Katakuri,” she said before slipping behind the door of her room.

Katakuri paused a moment, looking back as the door closed behind her. He secretly hoped she would regain her abrasiveness; it kept things interesting between them. He was too used to people submitting to him; he almost enjoyed the challenge.

***

Wyleen entered the dining hall for breakfast a few hours later. By herself, to her surprise. No guards, not even Beatrice, were there to escort her, only to help her get ready for the morning meal. Looking around, she only saw Katakuri at the large table; he was reading the paper, with a small spread set out for her. Wyleen started to open her mouth to say something, but Katakuri beat her to her query.

“Mama is away for a bit. She left me in charge of things around here. Therefore, I decided to forego the awkward family meals with everyone around.” He folded the paper as he spoke. “I thought you might be pleased to eat in peace.”

She was relieved, not enjoying the formal meals with the family and the snide remarks from his siblings when they thought she wasn’t listening. “It will be nice to not be chained in place while I eat.” She looked up at him, meeting his gaze. “Thank you.”

“But chains look so good on you,” Katakuri held her chin in his hand as he spoke, his thumb on her bottom lip, “dear.”

Her face flushed at his sudden attention, her mouth slightly agape, not knowing how to reply to him, his crimson eyes staring into her. “Th-Thank you?” Her voice was a whisper.

Katakuri smirked under his scarf. “Eat,” he said firmly, not asking if she was hungry.

Wyleen’s heart rate slowed as she picked at her food, but not by much, as Katakuri was paying close attention to her as she ate. Had they not just had a conversation about being watched while one eats? She cleared her throat before speaking, “I think I've had enough to eat.” She started gathering everything to clear the table herself.

“You don’t have to do that; let it be taken care of by someone else today.” His hand came to rest on her forearm. He could feel her rapid pulse underneath her skin. “Let’s go out to the garden for a walk after your meal.” He brushed a crumb from her smooth face before turning away from her.

Looking around, Wyleen was confused. Though she and Katakuri seemed to be warming up to one another, meaning he wasn’t as prone to giving her the cold shoulder, it seemed very out of character for him to openly compliment her and touch her gently. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t in sight of his siblings or his mother? Jogging to catch up from the brief moment he had gone on ahead of her, she was able to stay at his heels once she caught up. “I thought you said it was going to rain today? It’s lovely,” Wyleen looked up at the sky. Mostly clear, a few passing clouds; the weather almost seemed cheery. She was half expecting the clouds to start singing like everything in the seducing woods did, but was thankful for the quiet rays of the sun on her face.

“Hm,” Katakuri glanced from her to the garden in front of them, but didn’t offer any further comment.

The light breeze ruffled the sundress Wyleen was wearing against her legs, her mouse-brown, shoulder-length hair blowing despite a majority of it being pinned up. She smiled gently, her fingertips caressing the petals of the flowers as she walked by. Katakuri was watching her closely; he knew she was a beautiful mess. Putting on a brave face so no one would know how she struggles to feel safe, a front for the weakness underneath. Chaos has pulled her in all directions, yet she would find reasons to be kind to others. Though he can see in her eyes that she feels everything, she still puts on her dress for appearances' sake despite the pain underneath. Her feeling of loneliness that she had spent years ignoring, but was unable to let go.

“Katakuri?” Wyleen’s voice had pulled him from his thoughts.

He looked down at her, “Hm?”

“Are you alright? You look troubled,” she c****d her head. She noticed his brows were furrowed, he was staring off, and he seemed to be thinking hard about something.

He jumped slightly at her unexpected touch, not expecting her to touch him. “I’m fine.” Her hand was touching the back of his, so small in comparison.

Looking up at the darkening sky, Wyleen held her hand out to feel the falling drops as they started to fall lightly. She looked back up at Katakuri, “Sorry, I didn’t believe you about the rain.” Sticking her tongue out, she noticed the rain didn’t taste sweet as it normally did.

He saw the confusion on her face with the normal rain, “Mama isn’t here.”

“Does that make a difference?”

Giving a single nod, “Yes. She controls the weather with her abilities,” he replied.

“Oh,” Wyleen looked up at the sky once more, droplets peppering her face. “I reckon we should head in before it starts pouring.”

On their way back through the garden, the rain started to fall harder. Without meaning to, he saw the rain unrelenting, Wyleen’s light dress sticking to her skin, the color of her flesh showing through the thin fabric. Blinking, his face flushed slightly at the sight, he watched in real time as the rain came down harder the closer they got to the château. She wrapped her arms around herself as the cool rain pelted her exposed skin and caused her dress to cling to her features. She had turned to say something to Katakuri, but he couldn’t make out what she was saying. She was pointing to the dry ground under one of the eaves of the building.

He continued to look at her as she shivered slightly, waiting for the rain to let up so they could get back to the door they came through originally. “You’re cold?” He asked.

“I’ll be alright,” she smiled at him, the rainwater dripping down her neck.

Katakuri looked away from her. Lust was taking over, betraying his composure, “Wyleen.”

Wyleen looked at him, surprised. This was the first time he had used her name. She didn’t think he knew, or cared enough to know what her name was. “Yes?”

Drawing closer, Katakuri put his hands on Wyleen’s hips, sitting her on the concrete rail they shared the dry space with. A small gasp escaped her lips with his touch as she kept her eyes on him. He pressed his forehead gently against hers, “Close your eyes.”

“Why?” She whispered.

“I don’t want you to see me,” he said, holding his scarf.

Nodding, she complied with his wishes, closing her eyes to wait for his next move. Katakuri pulled his scarf down to expose the lower half of his face. His scars were exposed in broad daylight, one of the few people he willingly bore his face to in his adult life. Meeting her lips with his, he pressed her closer to him. Wyleen hummed in approval, her arms draping over his broad shoulders, tracing his lower face with her hands as they kissed. Eventually, wrapping her fingers through his wet hair after tracing the scar tissue on the corners of his mouth, leading to his ears. She wanted to see, but did not want to betray his trust.

Katakuri’s tongue traced her lips before entering her mouth. She reciprocated, her hold on the back of his hair tightening. He placed a hand on her cold thigh, dragging his hand upwards, pulling her damp skirt with it, exposing more of her skin. His fingertips touched the hem of her panties; he wanted more of her, to see more of her, to taste more of her. The sweetness was still on her lips from the fruit she ate for breakfast. “Stop,” he growled, pulling away from her lips. “You don’t know what you're getting yourself into, kitten.”

Wyleen had gently bitten his lip as they kissed, causing him to react in such a way. She felt his chest for the collar of his jacket before grabbing it and pulling him closer, “What if I do, ‘Kuri?” She nuzzled him, her eyes still closed, but desperately wanted to read his expression.

His hands on her waist once more, Wyleen was picked up but slung over his shoulder as he ran through the rain, his large strides making short work of the distance through the garden. Once back inside the castle, Katakuri set her down once more, “Yes, you can open your eyes now.”

“Well?” Wyleen gave Katakuri a coy smile.

He cleared his throat, suddenly a bit sheepish, “Would you accompany me to my room?” He asked shyly, not meeting her gaze, his cheeks the slightest bit pink.

“I would be delighted to get out of these wet clothes,” she nudged her head towards the door to the hallway. “And I wouldn’t mind getting you out of yours as well.”

His jaw clenched at her words. “I want you so f*****g bad,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

Wyleen giggled, “Show me, then.”