Small Silver Linings
“Is- is something wrong?” The waitress stuttered, terrified that the artist hated her body work. When she received no answer it only added on to the worry. Getting ready to apologize for the disappointment, Laura felt cool fingertips on her right shoulder blade. They carefully traced the dark lines, leaving an icy yet burning path in their wake.
“No, nothing’s wrong.” Carmilla finally answered. “It’s beautiful.” She said softly as her hand trailed down lower. At the middle of Lauras' back, her hand stopped running over the ink and she pressed her palm flat against the warm flesh. The artist wanted to tell her that she was also beautiful but thought against it. "Let’s get started." Carmilla cleared her throat, removing her hand and wandering eyes from the smaller girl.
“Yeah, okay.” Laura agreed, not daring to turn around though. After all, she is naked from the waist up. “Um, what do you want me to do? Sit back down or..?”
“Yes.” Slightly take back by the broody girls’ short answer, she climbed back on top of the stool. “Just hold still until I’m finished painting, okay?”
“Alright.” She said, her voice sounding small. None the less, the honey blonde obeyed and held still. Her head facing upwards to look out one of the windows and her hands gripping each side of the wood, holding herself steady.
At most, this was only going to take a couple of hours. Laura could do that… right?
…
“And, done!” The brunette exclaimed, placing her brush in a jar of water. Stepping back Carmilla admired her artwork, she was quite proud of it. The dark colours blended nicely together and if the artist had to guess, it was one of the best pieces she has ever done.
Laura was picking up her clothes from the marble floor when she looked over her shoulder and saw Carmilla. She had a content look on her face as she eyed the canvas before her, a small smile playing her lips. Putting on the fallen wardrobe, Laura finally speaks after seven long hours of sitting, waiting for the punk to complete her painting.
“Can I see it?” The smaller girl asks as she pops the last button into place on her blue collared shirt. She really wanted to know how it turned out, to see if she ruined the broody girls’ project or not.
“Yeah, come over here and I’ll show it to you.” Carmilla motions for Laura to come closer with a wave of her hand.
The small blonde shuffles over to the easel and canvas, peeking around its edge to see the ink splayed across it. A breath comes from Laura’s mouth, one she didn’t know she was holding until now. Carmilla somehow captured every detail, her panther never looked so good. It was perfect, every inch of it. The creatures’ eyes seemed to stare into the pits of anyone’s soul who dared to look at it and the deathly black claws seemed sharper than razors. Each dark line, some thin and some thick, were joined together to create the most dangerously beautiful being.
“This is amazing.” Laura whispers, not quite believing the sight in front of her. Slowly, she turns to face the woman who made such a beautiful piece to compliment her further. When she does though, the waitress was not expecting to see Carmilla so close.
“I’m glad you like it, cupcake.” The artist husked, eyes drifting to soft lips of the girl before her. “It wouldn’t be anything but a blank canvas without you.” She stated, her dark brown orbs finding Laura’s. They were only inches apart now, faces so close that each could feel the others breath on their mouths.
“I-” Finding no sense of words, Laura is lost. She is in a corner she can’t get out of but yet her mind pins against her. ‘She’s not flirting with you, she’s just being friendly.’
“Laura...” Carmilla purred, her hand coming to rest on the stunned girls cheek. “You’re beautiful.” And suddenly Laura’s world spins, yes she has been called cute and adorable but never beautiful. It makes her knees go weak. “And-“ The artist pauses, almost seeming to gather herself. “Considering you showed me your panther, it seems only fair that I show you mine.”
“What? Carm, what are talking about?” Laura questions, slightly confused by what she just said.
“You’ll see.” Is all she gets in response when Carmilla pulls away from her. The waitress’ eyebrows furrow together, she really doesn’t know what’s going on.