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Holding both cups firmly, I spin towards the direction of our agreed-upon meeting place and start to run, all the while keeping my eye on the distinctive cut of Colossus’ shadow in the sky.
My princess gown is heavy, and while the hoop skirt prevents me from tripping on the fabric, it forces me to take small, careful steps. I’m further slowed as I have to bob and weave around gaggles of hyped-up children and their overwhelmed parents, groups of adults already several spiked ciders deep, and the booths of games and food trucks. Zigzagging through the crowd, my brunette wig, styled into a low bun, starts to slip back on my head.
Colossus dips lower in the sky. His form disappears behind palm trees and billboards before reappearing just as quickly until, finally, I lose sight of him behind a nearby building.
“Please don’t be seen, please don’t be seen,” I chant to myself as I round the corner behind a face painting booth. I’ve found my footing beneath the massive skirt and pick up speed. The quick movement causes my wig to fall off completely, and it lands in a puddle on the ground.
Please don’t be seen…
My stomach turns with nervous concern.
I skitter into the alleyway between two closed stores, hoping to find Colossus there waiting for me. Unfortunately, the alleyway is empty and dark, as the light from the street fair only reaches a few yards into the narrow passageway.
Where the hell did he land?
I shake out my blond curls as I place the two cups of apple cider on the flat railing of a small set of stairs leading to a service entrance.
“My star,” a low rumble echoes from the alley’s pitch-black dead end.
Colossus.My shoulders drop from my ears, my spine relaxes, and the corners of my lips tug into a small smile.
“My monster,” I call out instinctively, turning towards the direction of his voice.
Colossus slowly steps out from the shadows, the faint colored lights of the fair playing over his cheekbones and jawline, making them appear even sharper and more knife-like in comparison to the cheery colors. His horns protrude upwards from his forehead, and his giant wings appear to move with the blinking pattern of the lights.
Over a year together, meeting at night on top of the Pittsburgh Art Conservatory’s bell tower, and now, since winning the residency, living together in Los Angeles, I still can’t look at him without being inspired. I see Colossus, and my hands itch to get into some clay.
Maybe I’ll experiment with different colored glazes when I’m back in the studio.
“You are beautiful.” Colossus grasps my chin between his talons, lifting my eyes to meet his stony gaze.
“Thank you. They only had generic princess costumes left at the store. I think they called this one ‘Beautiful French Princess.’” I laugh. “It was between that and ‘Red-Haired Royal Mermaid.’”
I mean to show off my costume with a spin, but Colossus’ gray eyes are locked onto mine. His attention is so focused and intense that all I can think about is how the corset I’m wearing under my dress has pushed my breasts up so high, it would only take one big inhale for my nipples to be exposed.
Months together, lost in the chaos of my new position and moving cross-country, and Colossus’ power to make my body hum with just a glance is stronger than ever. I don’t dare leave his gaze, even to show off my dress.
“Then, for tonight, you are my princess,” he asserts before grasping me around my tightly bound waist and pulling me to his chest.
My breath, already limited by the fitted bodice, is forced out of me, and his mouth lands on mine. When I finally inhale, I breathe in his warm breath. His tongue flicks over the delicate flesh of my inner lip before pushing into me, and I’m forced to wrap my hands around his neck for stability.
He kisses me slowly, firmly, like the world is just a backdrop and all its inhabitants merely background actors to us. The noise of the fair fades and mutes as Colossus’ massive body envelops mine. One arm around my waist, his other claw digs into my hair. His talons free the last remaining pins from my curls, and I moan in relief.
Colossus overwhelms me so completely, my mind goes blank, except to think of how truly lucky I’ve become in the past year. I have my dream position at the museum and, with it, renewed inspiration for my work. I get to see my dream partner every day, and every day, he shows just how much he loves me. I only hope I make him feel as lucky as he makes me feel.
When Colossus finally releases me, I’m left gasping, and he keeps a claw at my waist to prevent my knees from buckling.
“I was going to yell at you for not being more careful flying over here. Half the fair thinks there is a rogue balloon on the loose.” I laugh between sucking breaths. “It’s not fair. You kiss me, and I can’t be mad.”
“I was careful. No one saw me land or was close enough to spot me as a monster. I’ve become quite skilled at remaining unseen in this city,” he says with a smirk. “It’s plenty fair, princess, when you have only to look at me and I will give you whatever you desire.”
He runs the very tip of a talon along the edge of my bodice, and I inhale so deeply, my small breasts strain the corset, and my nipples inch their way to the neckline’s edge.
“Lucky for you, all I want is to enjoy Halloween with my boyfriend,” I answer, trying desperately to wrestle back control from the dirty thoughts that always seem to consume me when my monster is around.
Removing the lid from the cup of apple cider to make it easier for him to sip, I hand Colossus his drink. Then, I grab his hand and pull him towards the fair. Feeling resistance, I turn back to find him staring out the narrow alley.
“Astra, are you sure you want this?” he asks.
