Riku (author): Greetings to everyone! I know you still don't know me yet….'cause I will be a first-timer writer here in Covenant. So…this is my first Covenant fiction. I hope you guys like it! And—please be nice.

Summary:

It was a thing they never expected to happen…

It was something they didn't know they will see…

But all of these were supposed to happen…

Will they be able to go through with it?

Caleb has ascended, not only that his power increased, but his life changed drastically. And he will have to deal with all the 'mysteries' that'll come up to the four Ipswich heirs.

He was still happy…because he will not be alone.

Main Pairing: Caleb and Reid, others…

Title: LITHIUM

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xXOOOXx …PROLOGUE… xXOOOXx

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Thick red liquid flowed down from his head, staining the golden hair and damping it (nearly) full with blood. He struggled to open up his eyes despite the blood that almost covered its bright azure color. And has now become a dirty shade of purple. His lips were moist because of some fresh cuts and his face was as white as a paper, except for the parts where bruises and scratches patched it mercilessly.

He looked dead as his body was remained paralyzed in the middle of an ancient manor. His arms were cuffed separately to each of the sides of the cross-shaped table, while his feet and legs were chained below its pillar. He cannot struggle himself out of it. He was already too weak because of the endless tortures and his Power was being eaten up by his own suffering body.

His power was draining out. He cannot keep his eyes open. His consciousness was dying out.

"Reid!" A voice called. It echoed from a far hallway towards the manor.

"Where are you?!" Another voice shouted.

Reid was trying to regain back the consciousness that was left of him. But his whole self was giving up, even the very little Power that was still battling with the wounds all over his body.

"Reid! Answer me!" The voice was heard again.

Reid weakly smiled. He knew that voice. He loved the warmth it gave him whenever it whispers words to his ear. Those sweet truths…..how he would like to hear it again and again right now—to heal his wounds and make him stand up from the painful bondage he was experiencing now.

Suddenly, he was afraid. He was wishing that, that voice wouldn't come near him. Not when he knew what would happen.—that this was the whole point he was in torment right now.

"Do—ont….." Reid murmured brokenly. "C—Ca…Caleb…..don't…" He insisted himself to say. His body was totally giving up. But he wanted to save Caleb…and everyone. It would be enough for him to sacrifice himself once for the sake of many people; especially his friends and the person he loves.

"Reid!" The voice was already near. Reid can hear it just inches away from him.

Then he heard footsteps and heavy panting.

"Christ! Reid, what the hell happened?" Pogue wasn't really asking. He could answer his question just by looking at one of his best friends lying chained and profoundly injured. He wasn't even moving even when they were now walking towards him to get off the chains that imprisoned any of his movements.

Tyler approached Reid and Used to try giving him an immediate cure since their leader wasn't moving. But it was slightly impossible for the condition of his dying blonde friend.

Caleb was in most shock.

He was calling Reid for he was anxious and desperate to hear him answer. But when they arrived at the main manor room, he wasn't expecting to see Reid in a dying state. He wanted to heal him, heal him even if it will exhaust little of his Power to save his life. And he was too numbed to do it. He didn't know why. He was aware that Tyler was already having a hard time trying to ease a little of Reid's pain. The unconscious blond man's body was also cursed so Tyler's power cannot pass through his body as freely as it should be.

He told himself to move. But his body didn't budge an inch.

Why? Why can't I move?! Damn it! He was cursing himself inside.

Then by the moment his eyes flashed full black automatically, he clenched his fists when he heard a person laughing wickedly at his back.

"Oh my! I can't believe it would take you several minutes to realize what I was doing to you!" A young man with dark brunette hair walked gracefully towards one of the tall pillars supporting the ceilings of the manor. His hands were in his pockets as he continued skipping like a child roaming around a park. His hair was covering half of his face so his eyes weren't much visible. But what was surprising was that he looked very much like Reid except for the color of the hair.

"Kid…did you fuckin' do this to my friend?" Pogue gritted his teeth, controlling his anger as long as he can before he couldn't anymore control himself from pounding this annoying guy's body solid to the ground.

"Aww….Kid?! Hah! I hate being called like that, you kno—"

"Answer the damn question!" Pogue growled, his eyes were turning to a deep black.

The young man shrugged when he was interrupted.

"What if I say, I did? What would you do?" There was a smirk that blended with the young teasing voice of the unknown man.

"Then I would fuckin' kill you!" Pogue shouted as he launched forward towards the young man. But as soon as he jumped, he stayed midair. He felt something clutch his throat hard, choking him and locking it from any air that might pass through it. His eyes that were black were now turning back to its normal color. His Power just seemed to stop flowing by the time he was captivated.

The young man laughed again.

Tyler was successful of bringing back a little life from Reid despite the curse that was filled inside him (Reid's). But he failed in curing all of his injuries. He was only successful of healing some of the major injuries and making his blond 'brother' breathe again.

Tyler was now glaring at the young man's twisted cheerfulness. He was going to attack but then the power of Caleb's aura told him to stay back.

Caleb's eyes have darkened. When he raised his head up, Tyler was shocked to see how his eyes have become as dark as black holes and as deep as a well's endless depth. He was frightened to stare at it. It was so different. It emanated a kind of aura that resembles a devil's.

Caleb turned to the young man.

"Ooh…are you finished day dreaming? For a moment there I thought you love the poor sight of your special one." The young man sneered when Caleb came in front of him in a flash.

"No…I think I would really love it if you are the one there instead of him."

The manor collapsed after an uproar of Powers.

oooooooooooooo xXx oooooooooooooo

Reid bolted up from his sleep. He was panting and several beads of sweat slid down from his temples. His face was awfully pale. He can't stop the shivering of his body.

He raised his right hand up to his eyes and rubbed his closed eyes lids with his thumb and forefinger. Slowly, he tried to calm down and steady his shallow breathing.

"Shit…" Reid groaned.

Same dreams…

Why? Why does this kind of dream always repeat?

Was it telling him something? Or was it just a wild imagination built inside his mind because of his own wavering emotions?

He shrugged off the ideas.

He shuffled out of his bed, grabbing his hanged shirt from the back of a chair. Then he headed towards his bathroom. He watched the flowing clear white liquid as it splashed against the sink's surface, letting some beads of water reach his clothed chest. Leaning over, he drowned himself with the fluid gathered by his palms and savored its cold sensation on his skin. It was like it took away the current stress he was experiencing.

He raised his head to look at the mirror.

He stared at the man he was facing. He knew he was looking at his reflection. But why can't he recognize himself?

His hair was now slightly damp because of the splashes of water. It slid down from his handsome face, making him really look hot as it outlined the perfect facade of his every admirable feature.

He sighed. Then he turned to take his shower.

…

Yesterday, Caleb ascended as he was fighting with Chase. So today, they will have to celebrate his birthday.

Tyler was the one who arranged it.

It was surprising that Tyler was successful in persuading Caleb to do this since it was merely like hours ago when he had gone off to save his friends and win over Chase. Despite those fresh events, he hesitatingly agreed to Tyler's idea. The youngest of the Ipswich's group reasoned out that it might be helpful to erase and ease away some of the hassle that their leader was experiencing. He said that it would be depressing for Caleb.

The party will be simple, but it will be open for all of their friends—the whole Ipswich group and of course, the people they usually mingle with at Nicky's place.

Reid grunted. He didn't want the idea about the party. It's not that he didn't want to go; it's the strong urge of not being able to resist the invitation. But though it was the reason, he was still hesitating whether to arrive at Caleb's mansion or to just excuse himself.

Well, he was giving himself a hard task. Because right now, his car was already approaching the open gate of the Danver's residence. He parked his car in between Pogue's and Tyler's (probably they already decided on saving him a free lot for less trouble), staying there, sitting alone and staring at his wheel.

He was actually well-dressed. Not the kind of formal attire but a nice and elegant type of casual outfit. He was surprised that he was bale to pull some change from his usual punk style.

He was wearing a dark brown V-neck shirt with long sleeves that reached up to cover half of his hands. A high-collared vest loosely hugged his slender torso over the shirt. Instead of closing its buttons or buckling its short belts, he attached a chain from his left low pocket to the right pocket. It dangled and swayed as he was walking towards the main door. His boots squeaked a little when he stopped in front of the Oak door.

He sighed, before letting his fingers clutch a rope hanging on the door's side gently (without shaking) and pulling it two times.

He didn't have time to wonder when the door was opened.

He Used to give himself courage and composure.

Gladly, Tyler was the one who got the door.

"What took you so long?" Tyler demanded. Then he noticed the slight change in Reid's clothing.

"Alright, just get your ass in here." He gestured for Reid to come in and then led him to where their friends were conversing.

There were already many people partying and laughing. He can hear the loud chatters of girls and boys from the living room. Tyler guided him towards the couch where they usually converse about serious things. And there he was…the celebrant.

Caleb was there, sitting and silently murmuring words to Pogue. Reid can only see half the back of his head being revealed by the couch's thick body.

"Hey!" Pogue greeted, standing up to give Reid a small hug of regard. "I thought you were so much of a lazy ass. The party will be livelier now that you came." He grinned animatedly at the blond. His hand was slightly gesturing for Reid to greet Caleb.

"Hey…" Reid hesitated. "Caleb." He almost whispered.

Pogue pushed him further forward so that he can face Caleb.

"Oh come on Reid, greet him and even just this once, do not be a bad boy. It will not eat up your pride. It's his birthday." The long-haired blonde hissed inside Reid's ear.

Before Reid could hiss something back at him, he was already leaving with Tyler.

When Reid sat on the chair Pogue was lately occupying, he noticed that the brunette man opposite from him was already taking a nap.

Wow…is he so exhausted? He was just talking to Pogue. Reid thought. And somehow, he wanted to hear the brunette man respond. The party was for 'him' and all Reid could contribute was to give Caleb some strength to enjoy the celebration being held for him—or, as Pogue said, behaving himself would be the best gift he could proffer to their leader.

"Ca—" Reid was starting when Caleb suddenly opened his eyes. The russet eyes that peeked under the hazy eyelids were like a big lump inside Reid's throat for he cannot anymore continue or utter words.

Caleb opened his mouth. But he wasn't able to say anything to the blond when Pogue went back to them and announced that it was time for the 'wine' event wherein Caleb, with all his visitors, will altogether drink wine and wish something good for him. He rubbed his eyes before nodding to Pogue. He was giving the long-haired blond a look asking, "Do I have to do this?" as he stand. He paused for awhile, thinking, but then followed Pogue and Tyler in defeat.

In the wine event, there were many of the visitors who wished for Caleb's and Sarah's happiness—even though the girl was not present in the celebration.

And Reid, who was unreasonably pissed, was trying his best to give a small smile all throughout the event. A smile that would be too impossible to be noticed by others.

Before the party ended—right after the drinking of wine, Caleb had gone back to the couch where he and Pogue were having a soft talk. He sat there, leaning his head over the support of his folded hand and then started to form another nap. So he didn't anymore go to see off his visitors.

The other three Ipswich's heirs were the only people left inside Caleb's house. They were talking whether to wake Caleb up before leaving or just let him sleep and bring him to his bedroom through Using.

"I guess we should just leave him there." Pogue suggested decisively.

"Well, he needs a rest. Maybe he would feel more relaxed if we carry his body to his bedroom." Tyler said. Pogue rolled his eyes.

"Well…that's a great ide—"

"Let him be." Reid suddenly spoke. His two friends turned to him. They were slightly surprised because lately, Reid had been so silent. He didn't participate much on the party proceedings which was a very rare occasion. And that he was well-behaved.

"Let's just leave quietly. It would be better to leave him alone. Let him rest." Then he started walking off.

Both Tyler and Pogue shrugged, but followed the blond anyway.

…

Reid waited for his two brother-like friends to leave from Caleb's house. He waited until he can't anymore hear the engine sounds of Tyler's car and Pogue's bike.

He breathed as he stared at the main door of Caleb's house. His eyes went dark and for a few seconds, found himself back inside the mansion. Caleb was still in his spot, silently sleeping on the couch. But his head's position changed from when they left him. His face was now fully revealed because he wasn't anymore leaning his head over his hand. It was already resting against the top of the couch's backrest.

Reid stared at the handsome brunette. By looking at him, he noticed the slight paleness of Caleb's normal sun-kissed skin. He could see the fatigue reflecting on his face.

Reid admired every part of his face—his eyes, his pointed nose, his luscious lips. Of course he thought something different, something beyond observation regarding the body Caleb possessed. Because it was every man's dream to be able to tone their body perfectly; to have shaped abs and firm muscles under smooth skin as the brunette's. Reid was an exception. He didn't wish to have a body like Caleb. He had wished that he could have Caleb himself. But he knew it was too impossible. And Reid was fully aware of it.

Reid stopped for a moment.

He didn't realize that as he was admiring every fraction of Caleb, he has already moved so near to his face. Their noses were almost touching and he could feel the warm breath coming from the brunette. Reid cannot control himself anymore. And before he knew it…

His parted lips were already taking over the other man's closed ones. He wanted to take it further but then realized that he wasn't allowed to do that—to do anything that will cause Caleb to be disgusted of him. Reid pulled away, turning his head and jerking off from Caleb's sleeping figure. He covered his mouth with the back of his hand, feeling the blush crawl up to the ends of his hair. (Ok…that was an exaggeration) He loved the feeling of his lips over the older man's ones. It was ecstatic. He didn't actually want to pull away. He was only afraid to see Caleb's disgust.

His back was now facing Caleb and he was nearing the door.

All of a sudden, his body froze. Any movement ceased from him.

"Is that all…?" A deep voice came from behind him.

Reid's greatest fears have arrived.

"Reid…Do you want to tell me something?" Caleb appeared in front of him.

It was obvious that the taller brunette Used to paralyze him like that. Reid couldn't break the spell with his powers. And his nervousness was beginning to torture him inside. He had expected not to be accepted and had prepared for it a long time ago, but he cannot listen to the rejection right now.

Their eyes met. And all Reid wanted to do was to turn away or run as Caleb's face changed.

END OF THE FIRST CHAPTER!

Okay GUYS….so what do you think? Is it worth continuing? Or should I just delete this and don't hope for any reviews?

Umm….please REVIEW if you liked it…or comment to it. You can also put the pairings you would like me to have in this fic if ever you like it.

But let me just REMIND ALL OF YOU that this is only the INTRODUCTION of the main story.

THANKS!! --RIKU a.k.a. the author--