Touch you | Winrina

16

For now, though, her mind should be focusing on one thing only, if she wants to survive Seulgi after this.

--

Her chances of surviving Seulgi are well above ninety percent. True to herself, Karina cautiously leaves ten percent just in case. One can never be too prepared.

The crowd cheers as she takes off her mask and places it under her weapon arm. Her opponent does the same, and next come the gloves so they can shake bare arms. The guy smiles at her as his hand finds hers.

"Nice bout," he says, and clear respect in his voice makes Karina's lips twitch.

"Thank you. You, too."

He nods, accepting his loss with dignity only fencers possess. Well, as far as Karina's concerned.

"I'm looking forward to meeting you next year," the guy says then, and she simply nods back. He had great technique. Expected, really, since both of them are A-rated. She's just a little better, that's all. She'll still be a little better next year, too.

It's a bit of blur afterwards: ref shaking her hands, congratulations from her club mates and veterans, Seulgi's appreciative nod. And then Winter. Winter watching her from the stands, silent and unmoving as people around her talk and walk and clap.

Karina locks her jaw and turns on her heels, heading for the exit. She doesn't need to glance at Winter to know she's following her. When they reach the dark, long hallway, Karina abruptly stops and turns, almost colliding with the other girl.

"Oh, I'm sor-"

Winter's lips on hers make it hard to finish her thought. She stumbles back, blindingly searching behind herself for the wall and pressing against it. Well, more like being pressed against it. Winter's mouth on hers is demanding and desperate at the same time. A combination she's never tasted before.

The blonde breaks the kiss. "Congratulations," she mutters.

Karina blinks rapidly. "I'm... Thank you?"

Winter simply nods and swiftly unzips her jacket, grabbing the lapels and roughly tugging her forward. Their lips crash, and Karina's embarrassed to realize the long moan definitely comes from her. This is not how she envisioned this going, and yes, she'd be lying if she said she didn't think about this exact moment. Winning the tournament. Meeting Winter's eyes, wide and hungry. Silently tugging her into the locker room and bending her over a bench. Two victories in one night.

Only now, Winter's hands are urgently fondling her body and struggling with her uniform right in the unlit hallway, and Karina is the prey.

She's not sure she's okay with it.

A low growl from Karina's chest slows Winter down, but only for a second. Karina tearing her mouth away from hers, however, makes her pause.

"...Karina, what..." She doesn't get to continue when Karina switches their positions, slamming her into the wall and devouring her lips. Her message is clear for the both of them. Or so Karina thinks.

Winter laughs. "Right," she breathes. "Walls are your thing."

She rolls her eyes. "Shut up." There is no bite in her words, and Winter grins. The mere sight of her lips stretched in a smile acts like a bucket of cold water for Karina. She wanted to claim her. Wanted to drag her somewhere, anywhere, and mark her in the most primal of ways. This isn't... This isn't right.

She slumps against Winter, suddenly deflated and light. Too many things happened at once. Too many things have been happening in her life since the beginning of school year.

Winter's hands on her back are soothing and warm. "Hey," she whispers. "You okay?"

"Yes." No. Maybe. "Adrenaline rush and crash. It happens."

Winter coos wistfully. "Oh. I was looking forward to the rush part."

"I noticed." Karina smirks, not unkindly, as she lifts her head from the crook of Winter's neck. Winter's eyes meet hers, and they just stand there, breathing.

"It's not completely my fault," Winter whispers. Her hands squeeze Karina's biceps, still clothed in her fencing jacket. "Apparently, fencing uniforms get me hot."

Karina can't resist. "Just uniforms?"

"It's a bonus if the girl wearing it is also a winner." She smirks. "A very, very hot winner."

Karina releases a heavy breath. "Yeah. A very tired winner." She's been training for this day for a long time, but it's still exhausting. She can't help but think that maybe it has something to do with the girl in front of her.

But the girl in front of her smiles and takes a step back, bending down to grab the mask from the floor. Karina didn't even notice how it got there.

"Right." Winter says. "Let's go home."

Winter's voice is quietly warm, but the word home rings in Karina's ears long after they leave.