The Ghost King's Tree

Her hand touched his, and immediately his fingers tensed. She expected him to, as usual, rip away, but his fingers stayed there, slowly curling into her's cautiously. Her breath almost catched when he did so, but she stayed calm. She was quiet as he touched her, his fingers raveling against her's as if she was made of glass, while her fingers were gripping onto him as if she was trying to catch fire.

"I swear Nico," She whispered gently, as she pulled the small strand out of his face, "I swear, you could look twenty-five years old right now, and yet you would never know. You're ageless." If it was any other guy, she would never say that to him, but the aura around Nico seemed so calm, so accepting. She never felt alone when she was around him. She felt safe. And even though Nico didn't share any words, she knew his feelings were the same way. He didn't look up at her, as if his book was more important, but she saw how his jaw tensed when she said it.

"Nico, can I ask a question?" She said. A small, quirky smile appeared on his overly-red lips. She took that as a yes.

"Wh—Why don't you ever look at me?" That did it. His finger's ripped away, shoved into his pocket again, far from her reach as if it was a weapon.

"Nico," Connie hissed desperately, "It's like you don't want me—"

"Connie," He snapped instantly, but his tone didn't frighten her.

"No," She said firmly, "It's like…It's like you don't want me to see you." His gaze turned away, toward a small courtyard under them. There were probably a million words he would like to share, but he didn't. He never did.

"I want to see you, Nico," She said, a hand on his turned stubbed chin, "I want to know you see me." He was quiet at first, letting his dark lashes lock closed, and took an even breath.

"I do see you," He whispered under his breath coolly, "I see you all the time Connie. But haven't you ever noticed that nobody ever looks at me? I go down the street and…Everybody treats me like I'm a ghost. You are the only person that looks at me Connie. You're the only person who has ever tried to look at me. Doesn't that give a hint that maybe — Just maybe — I'm not as good as a person as you think I am? That maybe nobody is looking at me for a reason?" Connie's voice had disappeared. She had never heard Nico say that many words at one time. She gaped for a moment, not knowing what to say, but her words caught up with her just in time.

"Nico, you are a mystery to me. I don't know where you live, or what school you go to, or why you are in this tree everyday, heck! Who knows, maybe Nico is a fake name! But…I've never felt lonely around you. Everyday of my life I've felt lonely, like I don't belong, until I saw you in this tree. Now, I feel whole. You do not scare me Nico. I'm not sure why nobody looks at you, but I think it's because you're absolutely beautiful." The words slipped out of her mouth like silk, and suddenly Nico's head turned toward her. At first, she thought he was finally going to look into her eyes, rather then off at a distance or at the bark under him like usual, but then he leaned close to her.

"Connie, do you—are you okay with me touching you?" His voice stumbled. She wanted to laugh at that. Wasn't that just what she was doing? Touching him? But by the sound of Nico's voice, he clearly saw a difference. It was more than ever at that moment though that she wished Nico would finally lock eyes with her.

"Of course," She whispered. She was expecting for his hand, but then suddenly, out of know where, something soft hit her lips. It nearly knocked her out of the tree, but she felt his hand at her back, and she reminded herself that she was safe. Without hesitating, her lips kissed back at him slowly, and every time their lips touched it felt like water and fire hitting each other repeatedly, as if it was more than just some kiss. As if there was something more to Nico then she really did know.

When Nico locked away though, she could feel that he regretted it. That he must've been cursing himself inside. But she wasn't going away, he needed to know that. She would never go away. She would never leave him.

AN:Alright, I know it sounds like one-shot, but it isn't:P Just...Follow along.