Author's notes:
Hi ^^ Well, it's been quite some time, hasn't it? First of all, this is the sequel to two of my previous stories that have been located at fanfiction.net until the recent NC 17 sweep. The two fics are called 'Just a small smile' and 'Going home' and can be now found at:
http://mitglied.lycos.de/ayumie/
I hope a few of you remember them, though (I have saved all the kind comments I received - thaaaaank you!!). Anyway, if you haven't read them already I suggest you do so before starting with this one. Things won't make a lot of sense otherwise.
As always standard disclaimers apply and feedback (including constructive criticism) is highly appreciated.
Have fun reading, Ayumie
A MASK OF HUMANITY
Part I (Zadei)
I all but rush up the stairs, dropping my keys and bending to pick them up without loosing a pace. Tetei should be at home already and as always I can't wait to get to him, to once more assure myself that we really are living together and that he is not leaving me. I slip off my shoes in a hurry, breath coming in short, little gasps as I pull the door open. My angel is sitting at the table, his bowed head beautifully illuminated by the only lamp in the room. As he hears me enter he looks up, a warm smile of welcome spreading over his face. I'm home. Seconds later Tetei notices the sorry state of my clothes and, grimacing with distaste, turns accusing eyes on me.
"You have been skipping classes again."
I grin apologetically, yet before he can say anything else place a wad of bills onto the table. Abruptly my angel falls silent. While I haven't been attending classing I have neither been idle. I drive races with my bike. It is not exactly safe and semi-legal at best yet what could possibly happen to me with my powers as backing? Besides, without the money it brings we'd have trouble making ends meet. Life is expensive these days. Finding himself in no position to continue scolding me, Tetei presses his lips together and turns back to his books. Unobtrusively sneaking up behind him, I nuzzle his neck.
"How about a little break? You must have been at it for hours. A little rest will be good for you, hmm?"
Without looking up Tetei places his hand on mine.
"May I suggest that you take a shower first? You smell like your bike. Besides, I need to finish this first."
I sigh. One would think that once he passed the entrance exam he'd mellow a bit. In the end I give in and leave my angel to his books. He is right – I really am smelly and dirty and could definitely do with a shower. Long minutes later I rinse off the last soap and, feeling thoroughly clean, lower myself into the bathtub. The hot water feels good against my skin, slowly soothing my tense muscles into acquiescence. Feels good ... so good...
As all of a sudden something stirs in the water I barely manage to suppress a squeak. What the...?! Between my gaping knees a pillar of water is rising into the air and, even as I am watching, it takes the general appearance of a human torso. Then, as though an invisible sculptor was at work, small drops of water are chipped away and Laures' face materializes. This time I do squeak and, hastening to cover myself with my hands, send a fair amount of water splashing onto the floor. The liquid sculpture chuckles into my mind, obviously thinking my shocked reaction vastly amusing.
"You may close your mouth. I am not on a state visit."
Almost at the same time Tetei is knocking at the door.
"Yamato? Is there anything wrong? I heard you yell..."
Laures just raises an eyebrow at me, evidently not inclined to make his presence known. Cursing inwardly, I try to think of some excuse Tetei will buy.
"N...no, don't worry. I accidentally, uh, turned on the cold water."
Tetei doesn't say anything else and seconds later I hear him walk away. As I turn back to Laures shimmering form I don't feel very charitable.
"Well, what do you want? And why are you coming to me? If anything you should be talking to Tetei."
"I am here to call in a favor."
For a moment I can do nothing but gape at him. A favor?! And he is coming to me?! What makes him think I would as much as lift a finger to ... help ... him... Suddenly I remember what he has done for me, for Tetei. He has saved my angel. And maybe if I do whatever he wants now he will leave us alone for good. Although I clear my throat my voice comes out as a sullen rumble.
"So what do you want?"
The bastard is smiling as though he has known all along.
"Hilda and I will be on a ... prolonged vacation. We wish to visit the country of our birth. In the makai I will be leaving things in Gerumu's hands. However... in the light of recent events I do not think it wise to leave him without additional resources."
At this I can't keep silent any longer.
"You want me to baby sit Gerumu?! And when do you suggest I do this?! I've got a life here, you know?! I-"
"Calm yourself. I just told him that in case he feels unfit to deal with a problem he has you to turn to. You'll probably never hear anything else of it."
"How long?"
Water rippling, Laures shrugs.
"A few months, a year. As long as Hilda wishes to stay. Now if you would excuse me, I have other things to take care of."
Without giving me a chance to say anything else his image dissolves, water splashing back into the bathtub. Damn. Damn him to hell. Or rather, if only he would stay there.
Hi ^^ Well, it's been quite some time, hasn't it? First of all, this is the sequel to two of my previous stories that have been located at fanfiction.net until the recent NC 17 sweep. The two fics are called 'Just a small smile' and 'Going home' and can be now found at:
http://mitglied.lycos.de/ayumie/
I hope a few of you remember them, though (I have saved all the kind comments I received - thaaaaank you!!). Anyway, if you haven't read them already I suggest you do so before starting with this one. Things won't make a lot of sense otherwise.
As always standard disclaimers apply and feedback (including constructive criticism) is highly appreciated.
Have fun reading, Ayumie
A MASK OF HUMANITY
Part I (Zadei)
I all but rush up the stairs, dropping my keys and bending to pick them up without loosing a pace. Tetei should be at home already and as always I can't wait to get to him, to once more assure myself that we really are living together and that he is not leaving me. I slip off my shoes in a hurry, breath coming in short, little gasps as I pull the door open. My angel is sitting at the table, his bowed head beautifully illuminated by the only lamp in the room. As he hears me enter he looks up, a warm smile of welcome spreading over his face. I'm home. Seconds later Tetei notices the sorry state of my clothes and, grimacing with distaste, turns accusing eyes on me.
"You have been skipping classes again."
I grin apologetically, yet before he can say anything else place a wad of bills onto the table. Abruptly my angel falls silent. While I haven't been attending classing I have neither been idle. I drive races with my bike. It is not exactly safe and semi-legal at best yet what could possibly happen to me with my powers as backing? Besides, without the money it brings we'd have trouble making ends meet. Life is expensive these days. Finding himself in no position to continue scolding me, Tetei presses his lips together and turns back to his books. Unobtrusively sneaking up behind him, I nuzzle his neck.
"How about a little break? You must have been at it for hours. A little rest will be good for you, hmm?"
Without looking up Tetei places his hand on mine.
"May I suggest that you take a shower first? You smell like your bike. Besides, I need to finish this first."
I sigh. One would think that once he passed the entrance exam he'd mellow a bit. In the end I give in and leave my angel to his books. He is right – I really am smelly and dirty and could definitely do with a shower. Long minutes later I rinse off the last soap and, feeling thoroughly clean, lower myself into the bathtub. The hot water feels good against my skin, slowly soothing my tense muscles into acquiescence. Feels good ... so good...
As all of a sudden something stirs in the water I barely manage to suppress a squeak. What the...?! Between my gaping knees a pillar of water is rising into the air and, even as I am watching, it takes the general appearance of a human torso. Then, as though an invisible sculptor was at work, small drops of water are chipped away and Laures' face materializes. This time I do squeak and, hastening to cover myself with my hands, send a fair amount of water splashing onto the floor. The liquid sculpture chuckles into my mind, obviously thinking my shocked reaction vastly amusing.
"You may close your mouth. I am not on a state visit."
Almost at the same time Tetei is knocking at the door.
"Yamato? Is there anything wrong? I heard you yell..."
Laures just raises an eyebrow at me, evidently not inclined to make his presence known. Cursing inwardly, I try to think of some excuse Tetei will buy.
"N...no, don't worry. I accidentally, uh, turned on the cold water."
Tetei doesn't say anything else and seconds later I hear him walk away. As I turn back to Laures shimmering form I don't feel very charitable.
"Well, what do you want? And why are you coming to me? If anything you should be talking to Tetei."
"I am here to call in a favor."
For a moment I can do nothing but gape at him. A favor?! And he is coming to me?! What makes him think I would as much as lift a finger to ... help ... him... Suddenly I remember what he has done for me, for Tetei. He has saved my angel. And maybe if I do whatever he wants now he will leave us alone for good. Although I clear my throat my voice comes out as a sullen rumble.
"So what do you want?"
The bastard is smiling as though he has known all along.
"Hilda and I will be on a ... prolonged vacation. We wish to visit the country of our birth. In the makai I will be leaving things in Gerumu's hands. However... in the light of recent events I do not think it wise to leave him without additional resources."
At this I can't keep silent any longer.
"You want me to baby sit Gerumu?! And when do you suggest I do this?! I've got a life here, you know?! I-"
"Calm yourself. I just told him that in case he feels unfit to deal with a problem he has you to turn to. You'll probably never hear anything else of it."
"How long?"
Water rippling, Laures shrugs.
"A few months, a year. As long as Hilda wishes to stay. Now if you would excuse me, I have other things to take care of."
Without giving me a chance to say anything else his image dissolves, water splashing back into the bathtub. Damn. Damn him to hell. Or rather, if only he would stay there.