Okay, chapter two…didn't think I'd update it this fast (yes, I consider this fast…). Graduating students often get the crammed life, you know? And now I'm hating it more. I mean, what kind of a sad excuse is the Junior-Senior Promenade?! It's just another party! Why the heck are uninterested people forced into it??? It's not like our lives depended on it...they're threatening us that we won't be able to graduate! What can we possibly lose there anyway? Experience? The dance? The food? To hell with that! I'd rather clean the house than go to that occasion of frivolity geared up in a gown!
Argh, sorry for the blabber, I'm just really pissed off about this mandatory agreement.
Ah, but anyway! I am really glad that there are still ThomasxCecile supporters out there…makes my heart go bounce! I love them, and it makes me real proud that other people loves them too! I mean, aren't they the cutest beings? XD XD XD Enjoy reading!
Out of my League
Chapter 1: Cornered
-----
Whatever he did, he can't bring himself to sleep…
His eyes weren't exactly wide awake, but every time he tried closing his eyes, flashes of his earlier exploits kept access through his raging dream cells. It was practically driving him mad; everything about it haunted him like some mortal sin he did on purpose! But the worst part of it was, he lacked sleep. There are tons of things awaiting him in the morning. He won't be able to hold out if this keeps up…this night's rest was crucial; he badly needed some long eye-shut…
"Come on…"
It was almost past midnight, and he still had his mind on the matter. He sighed, surely most of everyone is comfortably asleep in their rooms now. Was someone still on the move at this hour? Most likely, he was the only one up…knowing that, was probably the most painful thing to bear… how can they when he can't? The sheets of his bed tousled around as he kicked the harmless futon in an attempt to ease his frustration…looks like it'll be for a while till he settles.
"Come on!"
It was getting a little out of hand…Thomas wasn't sure if he could take any more. He flipped up and about around his bed. What was wrong with him? He felt so confused and befuddled; it even convinced him that taking up a Troll Dragon was better than having this messed up views in mind. He couldn't come up with the best answer of how it troubled him so much…
"Sleep…gah…"
They were bulgy and black, those eye-bags of his. Sooner or later, it could as well evolve into something as outwardly degrading as a Bonbon without fur. With all these rammed into his exhausted head, another nerve-wrecking thought groped him to reflect about how each and every bit of his plans to rid himself of his predicament were futile…anything he did only made him remember, the soft hair, the silky skin…its sensation that felt so soothing it made him quiver, to a positive extent.
Wait…what?
"…ugh…"
Still, things weren't clear as to why he was undergoing such absurdity. How is it that he can't cast away such nearly-perverted thoughts? Unquestionably, minus a confident adverb, he hadn't done anything wrong to make his heart so stingingly guilty. It peculiarly preoccupied him too much that it was already daybreak, much addition to his dismay. He predicted he'll be real grouchy…even irate if fate offers such a twisted choice. But that doesn't matter now, does it? Ahead of him was another tiresome schedule.
"Fine! You win!" Having thought that there was no chance in the world that he'll be able to sleep, he got out of his room, looking terribly disgruntled by the fact that even his sleeping hours had been defied for him. He wasn't livid though, just overly puzzled about his uncharacteristic situation. It wasn't everyday that he finds himself unable to sleep, he loved taking naps…and it goes without saying that he required it now more than an--
"What are you doing this early, Master Thomas?"
He felt his heart leap out of its position. He knew he wasn't that off-guarded, but the owner's voice really had an impact on him. "C-Cecile…"
"…you couldn't sleep?"
"Er…y-yeah…uh, how about you? You should…uh, still be in…b-bed."
"I thought of having an early tour around the castle; I have to get back into shape!"
"Y-you're still sick!"
"No, no! I'm a lot better now! See? I can lift an arm now!"
Thomas was out of words; he just stared at the girl as his heart-beat went abnormally faster than usual. Why exactly was this happening? He didn't know. It was just Cecile, and she's just wearing, presumably, her casual clothing…which he must admit, is provokingly attractive. He didn't know about the others, but to him, seeing her like that sure was refreshing. It certainly looked better than that bulky armor she usually wore. …But it was just that simple! He was making such a fuss over something so…so…
"Thomas?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"You don't look well, and…you're staring."
His shoulders shook, and he found himself warm up, feeling ultimately stupid and embarrassed. "So-sorry…"
The girl smiled at him heartily.
"You look silly."
He blushed even more.
"But you're alright, aren't you?""
"Er, yeah…"
"Why don't you go outside? The morning air is good for you."
"I…might as well…"
"Great! I'll accompany you there!" She said excitedly as she held his hand.
The Castle Lord smiled, the first time that day. "Alright."
…
It was nothing like before, around Cecile, he usually felt comfortable and happy…not that he didn't feel those anymore, it's just that recently, what he mostly did was fidget with his fingers and stutter at her rather than come up with something coherent to talk about.
"Are you sure you're alright? Maybe we should get back, I'm taking you to the Infirmary with me."
"Ah?"
"You look pale, stressed…and you're acting…um, strange…"
"I'm alright…I'm just a little sleepy…" He forced a reassuring smile.
The girl was not satisfied, so she leaned closer to get a better look. "Are you sure?"
"Wh-wah!" It was like his bones melted, he fell over with a loud thud.
"A-are you alright???"
Cold sweat took over, what did he do to deserve such fortunate, rotten luck? He felt awfully hot, his eyesight was failing him to a point where all he could see was a blur of yellow-ish gold, and he was perspiring like crazy. He tried adjusting, but things only got worse as he found out that they were just inches away, too close that he could feel her warm and mint-y breath already. There was also this funny feeling nagging him to go beyond that closeness too.
Wh…what…
"That's it, we're going to the Clinic."
"Huh…what?"
And before he knew it, he was being piggy-backed by his own Commander.
…
It was embarrassing, it really was. Not only did people see their own Castle master helplessly carried around like some wimp, they also saw that a girl was doing it. However, the thought that most bothered him was the reality that Cecile was that girl. No matter how he protested and struggled to get off her someway, she wouldn't oblige…his corpse of a body wouldn't either. How lame can he get? It shamed the living lights out of him.
…but the optimistic side convinced him that the authenticity of his skin touching hers, was most certainly a keep…
Although pointed to a sensual degree.
"Strained, lack of sleep…I see you and Cecile share the same obsession with your jobs." Tuta blithely kidded.
"O…obsession?" Thomas repeated.
"You work yourself a lot…" Cecile murmured with a crunched brow.
He tried not to laugh. Look who's talking.
"You both do…it's unhealthy." Mio said.
"I have to work extra hard to guarantee the safety of the Castle!"
"Still, abusing your body is a pretty nasty thing to do."
"You heard that, Sir Thomas? You shouldn't stay up late. It'll only make you ill in the morning."
The boy was speechless, the doctors couldn't be more amused, and she was impossible. Now they had an insight of why she was so popular with a lot of men. Who wouldn't be drawn to her anyway? Cecile was an extraordinarily emblematic young lady who's exceptionally likeable with her tough, robust, ridiculous, hilarious and cheerful persona…and with the ring of innocence surrounding her by fault, she was flawlessly adorable. They could see that even Thomas wasn't excused to that charm of hers…heck, even they weren't.
"That was for you as well, Ms. Cecile." Mio said, giggling slightly.
"…but I can get back to guarding now, right?" The blonde-haired youngster asked anxiously.
"I suppose you could…"
"Yes!"
The three gazed admiringly at the overjoyed lass as she started gathering her armor and out of the Clinic.
"That girl has a lot of energy."
"Indeed."
………
Brass Castle
"Are we ready, Louis?"
"Yes, milady."
"…you know, it's not really necessary to do this."
"Why is that, Lady Chris?"
"You're a full-fledged knight. And you still act like a squire under me."
"I pledged loyalty to you, milady. Escorting a lady is one of the knight's commitments anyway." Louis smiled cheerfully. "Besides, I would like to visit Budehuc as well, couldn't let you have all the fun." He added impishly.
"Somehow, you remind me of Percival." Chris murmured, covering her amused lips with one hand.
"You hurt me; milady…just because I am immensely prominent with women doesn't mean I could be compared to such a man…" He said, imitating the former knight's way of conversing.
"Now you sound like him…"
"Perhaps hanging around with him was a bad idea?"
"I don't really mind hearing his wit every now and then…" The silver haired maiden mumbled thoughtlessly.
"Oh, I see." The emerald-eyed boy silently answered. There were really moments where she would only stare, aimlessly, absently through thin air. And he would always be there to observe, studying her every feature like it was a work of art. Yeah, she was an epitome of a goddess…everyone would agree with him. And it would be appropriate to own up to the truth that he too, was a fan of her…that he loved Chris, like any man in his generation had. Call him fickle, but it was just like that.
And although he knew what he felt, his sentiments were as well as hidden.
"Louis? Are you alright?"
"Perfectly, lady Chris…"
"Uh, okay…"
"In case you were curious, I was marveling how heavenly you look with the sun on your skin." Louis narrated playfully.
Chris restricted a chuckle. "Whatever will I do with you…"
"Hehe…"
"Shall we get going then?"
"Right away, milady."
………
"Oh, Lady Cecile! Fast recovery, I assume?"
"I would say so! I'm glad to be back!"
"You sure look like it, milady."
"…then, let me hear your report."
"Re…report?"
"Mm-hm, you guarded the castle, did you not?"
"O-of course!"
"Then tell me the status of your position since my absence."
"…uh, well…there was nothing suspicious at all."
"Anything else?"
"E…everything is in order?"
"And?"
"Um…"
---
"…take your time there and rest. You ought to need it." Tuta suggested as he placed a glass of water on his bedside table.
"…yes sir…" Thomas answered looking forlorn.
"By the way, Thomas…I must thank you again for having us back here."
"It was no problem, sir. I myself am thankful to you for tending the castle tenants here…"
"It was a pleasure, really. It is a doctor's job after all."
"Still, I want to thank you…especially looking after Ce— er, thank you for everything."
Mio sniggered in amusement as with Tuta who was sustaining quite a mirth. It never ceased to amaze them to see how temperature could change a skin's normal color to a bright red. They knew faultlessly well why such phenomenon occurs, but observing the process of it was interesting enough to keep them entertained.
"We will be leaving at nightfall. Everything around here seems to be well." Mio informed.
"I understand. Please enjoy your last moments of stay in Budehuc."
"Yes, you on the other hand should take a nap or two…come on now…"
"Yes ma'am…"
All else after that was unnoticed as the brown-haired lad stared loosely at the ceiling before him. How it became so vast in his hazy eyesight, he hadn't a slightest clue. Maybe the exhaustion pressed on him was the main cause for his partially failing vision, yet he couldn't care any less. Certainly a good and long rest was necessary, but nonsensically, his desire for it, unlike before, grew thinner as minutes go by. He developed a feeling of impatience, but for a reason he cannot grasp. As far as he was concerned, the word 'relaxation' was in permanent order…except for a part in his cardiac region that virtually screamed a particularly farfetched longing other than sleeping.
"Cecile…"
Tuta and Mio couldn't tell if he was conscious or not, but hearing him murmur in that tone…must mean he's been struck…
…and struck quite badly.
They watched the boy choke up for a second. Did he really just say that?
It was probably a spur of the moment running off the mouth.
…He couldn't have…
…just said the name of his young friend…
…so blatantly…
…sappy.
All on its own, it was past normal comprehension. How was he going to clear this mishap? …did anyone hear him? He would be damned if someone did…
"I'm heading out for a while, Mio. I'll leave the rest to you."
Crap.
"Yes sir."
He didn't just curse…did he?
"Alright then."
Who could blame him? There were two people with him, in a closed room, where everything was quiet…it was either they heard him and pretended they never did, or they didn't. But whichever way, the whole thing was slightly out of hand. He couldn't help but curse, it was the most suggestive thing one can do, given the situation.
"Take care, doctor."
This wasn't right, he should be sleeping. He should be resting, thinking of nothing but the drive to get his exhausted eyes and body acquire the break they deserve. Sleeping was no problem…until recently. It was honestly perplexing and troublesome. Why was he getting so worked up over one girl? It's not like he held any romantic attachments with Cecile…wait, romantic? Since when did that word and Cecile go together in one sentence? It wasn't adding up, he can't actually be liking her…can he?
"Ahhh!!!"
"Wh-what's wrong, Sir Thomas?" His sudden outburst waked the intrinsic organs in her.
"It's her! It's…me!"
Now, what was that? Didn't sound sensible at all. "Ha…hai?"
"This is ridiculous!"
She would have said; "What is?" if he hadn't walked out of the room. Really, was this the stakes of going through the stages of adolescence? Mio surely didn't recall any of this happening to her. From the way she saw the picture, Thomas was like a mad man. It certainly made no sense because loving a person doesn't lead you to a mental asylum a.k.a. the Castle Lord feat from earlier. And what exactly was ridiculous about being attracted to someone? Kids these days are quite the wonder.
…
Unprofessional.
Utterly amateur, his antics back there.
If anyone's to blame, it should be Cecile. She was the one making him so paranoid he couldn't even think straight. What exactly about her makes him be like that?
"Stop, you idiot. It's not her fault."
Great…just splendid. He's talking to himself. What's next, rushing up to her and confess undying devotion?
"Aaargh!"
He was out of control, that's for sure.
Tsuzuku
Yeah…I'm done! Ahahahaha…it's shorter than the first one, ne? Well, I suppose it'll do. I intended this one to be the short, boring, but thoughtful kind chapter. Not sure if I did good but what the heck. I'll just see the reviews. Yesss, cameo appearances are one of Suikoden's incurable fetishes, so why not? Haha, thanks for reading until here. Now I have to dread my imminent doom as I think I enjoyed myself too much on writing this…I hate you JS Prom!
