aoiremart:

She was afraid.

I could tell, because the air was filled with a strange vibrancy. Because, as the world around us was screaming, her amber eyes were just fixed on me as if I was the only living thing left on this planet.
Her fur was as spiky as the pine needles, her body tense as if she was about to jump on me, or jump away from me. She probably didn’t know herself what she was supposed to do.
Neither I did, to be honest.

Before I even realized, I was on my knees, one paw still on my gun and the other outstretched toward her trembling body. When she saw me doing that, she growled a bit. I should have been scared, because I was a hare and she was a vixen… yet, I wasn’t.

My mind was full of questions: “Who are you?”, “Are you okay?” were the more important, the more compelling, but even them couldn’t come out from my mouth. I was speechless.

That’s why I smiled; reached again her slender figure with my paw and smiled, as if it was the only thing which could connect the two of us. I’ve never been used to smile, but that’s exactly what I did. At least, what I tried to do.

And then, just then, she spoke with a low, uncertain voice. “Are you my enemy?”

“I’m not” I replied. “What about you?”

“…” The vixen, who had been on all fours up until that moment, got up on her hind legs and stared at me. She was about my height, but since she was furrier than me, she looked bigger. Nonetheless… she was so small, in a way I couldn’t put into words. “Why should I?” she asked, eventually.

And that was it. That was everything I needed to know.

“You’re right” I said, with a smile – but this time, it was bitter and self-conscious. “Come with me; I’ll take you away from this place.”

My words were pretentious; back then, I was only vaguely aware of this fact. Yet, the strength I felt growing inside of me, the resolve which was running through my veins, the simple desire to do the right thing at the right moment… all of these feelings converged into one, single emotion, and in a blink of an eye my gun had flew away, and both my arms were stretched in front of her. “Come with me”, I repeated.

It wasn’t an order, but it wasn’t an invitation either.

It was a promise.

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This is a very important moment in the BJ timeline, as it describes Jack and Cynthia’s first meeting, in not-so-easy circumstances for both of them. I wish I was confident enough to write more… maybe I will, when the sequel will be released. I hope so. 🤷

For the other stories and comics, please visit this page: AoiRemArt comics & stories!

aoiremart:

Suddenly, Gregory had hugged her from behind.

It was the first time he did something like that. Cecilia’s heart skipped a beat; she wasn’t expecting it at all. “Greg—”

 “I love you” he claimed, his voice so sweet in her ear. “I love you so much, Cecilia.”

Many thoughts crowded in Cecilia’s head when she heard those words. Her stomach was burning just like a blast furnace. “G-Gregory…” she murmured. “What are you doing…?”

“Just listen to me for now” he begged. “I have something I need to tell you.”

Cecilia nodded; then, Gregory began: “I know you don’t want to be tied to someone as busy and influential as me. We’ve already talked about it, and at that time I assured you that I would’ve respected your will. But, Cecilia” – the grip around her waist became tighter – “the thought of living a life without you is just unbearable. I couldn’t survive that.” His voice had slowly become a little painful. He concealed his muzzle in the groove of her shoulder, then said: “I’m going to give up the CEO’s position at the GSD. I’ll move down in hierarchy, to have more free time for you, for us.”

“You can’t do that!” Cecilia claimed. “I won’t let you do it. Not for me.”

“After that” he continued, ignoring her protests, “I want to ask you to marry me. I actually want to propose here and now, but I know you wouldn’t accept my feelings, and I know your refusal, although reasonable, would break my heart.”

“I’m not going to marry you, Gregory. I will refuse even after that, if it means talking some sense into you. You absolutely ca—” she didn’t finish the sentence, because Gregory had just taken her chin with his paw and was gently turning her muzzle towards his. “Stop, I…”

But Gregory didn’t stop. He reached her lips with his own and gave her a tender kiss. Cecilia wasn’t able to resist him; indeed, the more he kissed her, the more she couldn’t bring herself to refuse his affection.

When the kiss ended, Gregory smiled at her. “I didn’t stop. Can you forgive me?”

“I… want to hit you” Cecilia admitted, then sighed, with the taste of Gregory’s lips still torturing her mind. “We already talked about this, Greg… you’ll just make things even more complicated than they already are.”

“Love is complicated” he replied, “But at the same time, it can be really simple. As long as my heart skips a beat whenever I think of you, as long as this body of mine desires yours with all its might… I don’t need anything else, Cecilia.”

“You are an important figure” she replied. “You’re Gregory Kohle, and I can’t include myself in the reality you live in. There’s no room for me.”

“Then, I’ll change the reality in one we can share together.”

Cecilia didn’t understand. “Why are you doing this?” she asked. “Why do you want to throw away all the efforts you made in the past twenty years?” ‘For me? It doesn’t make sense…’

“Because I found something more important.” Gregory gently broke the embrace, then walked in front of her. And knelt. “I didn’t know I needed you until the day I met you. And when it happened, I realized that you were all I’ve always unconsciously desired. I’d be willing to kill, if it meant being with you for the rest of our life.” A bitter smile appeared on his face and he laughed. “Did it sound too creepy?”

“… You’re a fool” Cecilia murmured, covering her muzzle with both paws. Tears had formed at the corners of her eyes. “I won’t allow you to ruin your career for me. I have to…”

“The only thing you have to do is trust me.” Gregory stretched a paw toward. “And marry me, if it’s not too much to ask.”

“And what about Jean?” she asked. “How are you going to explain it to Jean?”

The confidence Gregory had shown up to that moment finally wavered. ‘He hasn’t spoken to him yet’ Cecilia thought. “You see, my love” she continued, shaking her head, “it’s not just about us. You can’t be so selfish, and you know that, don’t you?” Cecilia knew how many sacrifices Gregory Kohle and Jean de la Cour had done to start the GSD; such a majestic project had required an enormous amount of dedication, and they eventually did it because they had believed in each other from the bottom of their heart. She couldn’t simply ignore that, neither Greg could. “So, please… stop talking about marriage, we can’t—”

“I don’t have to explain myself to Jean.” Gregory stood up and looked at her. There was uncertainty nestled in his dark eyes; nonetheless he said: “I’m not abandoning the GSD, planning to disappear in some remote, tropical island. I will always be there with him, just not at the same level as before.”

“I don’t want you to choose between love and friendship, Gregory.”

“I’m not choosing over them. But, anyway… it would be a fairly obvious choice.”

“It’s friendship that brought you where you are now” she reminded him. “Will you pretend it’s not true?”

Gregory closed his eyes for a moment, then she called her name. “Cecilia.”

“Yes?”

“Can I…” he scratched the back of his head, looking unsure all sudden.

“What? Will you finally go back on your words?” She felt a pain piercing her heart. In the end, there was no way she could ignore her own feelings. Just conceal them, but never deny them. That was the reason why they were hurting her so much.

Gregory’s expression slowly became very kind. He took her face between her paws and she almost winced. “Cecilia… Jean will always be my dear friend. You mustn’t doubt this fact.”

“But…?”

He smiled. “But… you are, and will always be, the love of my life. You are the one I want to dedicate myself to, forever and ever.” Then, he looked sad for some reason. “Can you understand my feelings? Maybe there’re too deep, after all… maybe I just scared you.” He let her go, but Cecilia caught his paw before he could move it away from her face.

“Stupid Greg.” She kissed his paw one, two, three times. “There’s no way I can’t understand your feelings. I just… can’t figure out why you’re doing this for someone like me. I’m not special, I’m not a goddess. I’m just… me?”

“And I’d love nothing more.” Gregory’s face was glowing with pure love. “I want to marry you. I want to go on our honeymoon right now. I want to make—”

“Stop right here!” She covered his mouth. “There’s no need to say that loud.”

Gregory smirked, before removing her paw from his lips. “Oh, you’re so pure, Cecilia.”

“You embarrass me” she pouted. “Some things would better remain unsaid. Doing them is… already enough.”

“Oh, my love!” He tried to catch her in his arms, but Cecilia managed to dodge him. “C’mon, don’t be shy now.”

“You… won’t change your mind, will you?” Her voice had become serious again. “Are you sure, Gregory?”

He did feel the change in the mood, because he said: “I wouldn’t be here today, if I didn’t already make up my mind, Cecilia. I’ll stop being the CEO and marry you as soon as possible. We’ll live in a magnificent house and you’ll be the piano teacher you’ve always wanted to be.” He was so sure, as if he could already see that blissful future.

 “… Presumptuous” Cecilia murmured, but she loved that part of Gregory. “Full of yourself.”

“I’m not full of myself” he grunted – oh, did she hurt his pride? “I’m just promising my wife…”

“I’m not your wife yet.”

“But… you will be…” Gregory insisted, but maybe he was losing confidence in his own ideas. “Don’t you want to marry me, Cecilia?”

“Oh, so you’re finally realizing you didn’t ask my opinion about this.” Cecilia crossed her arms over her chest and questioned: “What if I don’t love you enough to want to become your wife, Gregory?”

She was bluffing, of course, but Gregory take her words seriously. “I… Is that so?” he seated on the bench and looked at her with a painful expression. “I suppose I can’t force you, but… in case, I’d do anything to make myself more lovable!” he eventually stated.

Cecilia made a huge effort to not laugh and keep pretending she was scolding him. “You talk big, Gregory Kohle” she said. Her voice sounded gravelly. “You can’t control others’ heart.”

Gregory lowered his ears, then raised them, but eventually lowered them again. He was like a big, insecure puppy. “I can’t control your heart neither I want to, but I can still try to win it!” he claimed.

“Greg…” but the schnauzer was already in a brooding mood and kept mumbling to himself, so Cecilia walked towards him and waved a paw in front of his muzzle. “Greg, can I say a thing?”

He blinked for a moment. “Uh, sure… what is it?”

“You know, when I told you I didn’t want a phantom husband, I didn’t expect you to come up with such an important decision.”

“I know” he replied, “but that’s the path I personally chose for me. For us.”

“A path inevitably influenced by what I said.”

“Cecilia, every decision we make is somehow influenced by someone or something.”

“You’re right, but imagine for a moment how I could feel about this.” Cecilia replied, then sighed. “Gregory, you say your love for me is immeasurable, but then you clearly underestimate mine.” She kissed his nose. “I love you just as much as you love me.”

Gregory’s eyes widened a bit; he was totally blushing. “Aren’t you a bit… unfair?” he whispered, his breath hot and moist. “This is the first time you…”

“Yes” she nodded, “just like today was the first time you hugged me. From behind, no less.”

“B-but!” he insisted, “It’s different!”

“How so, my dear?” Cecilia smiled. “You can do and say the most embarrassing things ever but when I do the same it’s different?”

“You said you love me!” Gregory claimed – actually, shouted. “You don’t understand! My heart just exploded!”

‘And so did my eardrums…’ “Oh, let me say one more thing, then.” She moved her mouth closer to his ear and murmured: “I love you so much that I would be happy just knowing you are happy, even if you weren’t mine. And if you’d be mine… I’d make sure to remind you of this fact every day… and every night.” Then, she walked away from him with a playful smile and asked: “How does it sound?”

“Y-you…” he blabbered, “you come here, now. I need to— I have to punish you for your boldness. You can’t possibly say such arousing things, turn me on like a lamp and just walk away like nothing happened.”

She laughed. “It’s not my fault you have a dirty mind.”

Gregory’s tail began to waver. “I so much want to jump on you, it’s almost painful.”

“Too bad we are in a public place, hu?” Cecilia stuck her tongue out. “But seriously now, Greg… I don’t want you to regret anything, I could never forgive myself. That’s what I was trying to tell you all along… if only you’d have let me speak.”

“I won’t regret anything” he immediately replied. “The more we talk, the more I just want to take you to my place and hold you in my arms forever. You can trust me, Cecilia. I’ve already made my decision.”

“Is it definitive?”

“It is.”

“…” Why couldn’t she just trust him? It was so difficult… and she was so scared. “But you worked so hard to achieve your position…”

“Cecilia, now we’re just repeating ourselves over and over again.” Gregory shook his head, looking terribly serious. “The only way to escape from this loop is…” he stretched a finger and pointed to a grove about 50 meters away from them. “To settle things there. Me and you.”

“… In a grove?”

“Yes.”

“And… how are you exactly planning to settle things in a grove, Gregory?”

“Well, for starters we could take our clothes off—”

“Gregory.”

“What? I’m barely holding back the urge to—”

“Gre. Go. Ry.”

“You could never imagine what I want to do with you. Even here and now, I’m just…”

“Okay, I don’t want to talk with you anymore.” Cecilia turned her back to him and covered her ears. Then, Gregory appeared in front of her and smiled like he was the happiest mammal on heart. “Don’t look at me like that” she grumped.

“Can I at least kiss you?”

“No.” But he took her chin anyway. “I said no.”

“Are you completely sure?” He was so close… she could already feel his breath over her nose and a shiver of pleasure ran down her spine.

“Uh…” she softly whined. Her resistance was so futile, after all. How could she resist the one she loved? “You really are full of yourself…”

“Yes” he replied, “and it’s all your fault. You make me feel like I can do anything. When I am with you, my heart flutters and my stomach burns with desire.” He touched her nose with his own and continued: “And what else can make someone so strong and determined?”

Cecilia understood. And because she did, there was no room left for her doubts and concerns. A single tear shone in her eye and she held on him with all her might. “Do with me what you want” she whimpered, “I’m yours.”

Gregory hugged her, kissed her, and Cecilia couldn’t help but just sunk down in that deep, warm love, her arousal becoming more and more strong to the point she barely managed to not faint in his arms. “Hey, hey… if you pass away with just a kiss, what will you do when we’ll make love?”

“I… want to hit you” she somehow managed to say. “Did I already say that…?”

“Yes, you did. Would you like to hit me right here, right now? We could play hide-and-seek in the grove first…”

“Greg… you’re an idiot.”

He laughed wholeheartedly. “I love you, Cecilia.”

“… I love you too, stupid Greg.”

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The timeline of the BJ universe – actually, I’ll eventually stop referring to this project by the name of BJ saga, since we’re planning to publish a sequel with another name – starts many, many years ago. The time here is 1999-2000 and the main protagonists of this little story are Gregory Kohle and Cecilia Northwood (they appear together in this episode of BJ). Probably the only positive couple of this project, at least for now.
I love them so much.