Authoress' notes: Sorry this chapter is a little late. I've just had a hard week and now I've got some spare time to write, I'm going to take full advantage of it! Thanks to you lovely reviewers for your support! I'll try to update more regularly, but once in a while I'll have something that'll get in my way. So if that happens and I don't get a chapter in, forgive me please. Right! Enough of that! On with the work!
Chapter 3
I wish I could stay to see his reaction but I need to feed and then go sleep. The best things exist in the day but because I'm a vampire, walking in the sun is pure suicide. Still, I cannot help but think that it would be nice one day to wake up at dawn with him without having to hide from the light.
My kill was easy tonight. I wish that I didn't have to live this way at all. Human life is so beautiful, but because of what I am I must take that away. I truly am cursed… Returning home to my apartment, I'm unnerved by how empty it seems. It was never this way before… so why is it now?
Shrugging the thought away, I shower quickly and curl up under my sheets. I'll strip my bed at dusk tomorrow. With Squall's face clear in my mind, I fall asleep and drift comatose to the next dusk. My eyes snap open when I hear footsteps in my apartment that aren't my own. Feeling for the knife I keep in my bedside draw, I lie in wait as my door softly is pushed open to reveal… Squall! The hell? Why's he here and how the hell did he get my address? Oh wait, I had to give it at the reception…
"Uh, hi!" squeak nervously, pulling the sheet tighter over me.
"Oh sorry! Did I wake you?" he asks tentatively. Well, I can't deny that this isn't a surprise! A welcome one at that too!
"Nah. Just woke up anyway. What can I help you with?" I ask while I discreetly try to hide the knife. It might be a little awkward if it makes an appearance now… really awkward…
"The door was open and you didn't reply when I knocked so I let myself in. I just wanted to ask a favour," he sighs with relief at not waking me.
"Right. So, is your problem with either family, girlfriend, boss or life in general?"
"Family. You see, this weekend my sister Quistis is getting married and she's been trying along with my mother to set me up with 'a nice respectable girl', which normally entails a snobby bitch in a frilly frock that should be outlawed for indecent eye exposure. You see… I was wondering if you could well, come along with me and give me a hand…"
The hell? We've met once… okay three times but the two that I've been sneaking in through his window don't count! Since when did we get to be so buddy like that he asks me this!
"Why are you asking me this? We hardly know each other anyway…" (Not that it bothers me…)
"I dunno… I should go… sorry to waste your time…" he says and turns to leave and I grab his wrist.
"I'll do it but on one condition."
He chews his lip in a cute way and asks, "What would that be?" I grab my wallet from my bag that I threw under my bed and pull out my wallet. Fishing in it, I pull out two hundred gil and pop the wallet back.
"You're going to take this money. You're going to go down into the town and you're going to get yourself some dinner and a six-pack of beer. And you're going to like it!" I grin and he laughs.
"Sure thing then. You going to pack now?"
Oh yeah, I hardly own any clothes really, but what I do own are at least a few centuries old… I need to get some new clothes.
"Actually, I'll come with you. I need to get some new clothes anyway. My old ones are kinda outdated anyway…" Yeah! A few centuries outdated!
"Okay then. Well, I'd suggest getting dressed. I'll see you at your door…" and he walks out of my room, shutting the door behind him. Sliding out of the sheets, I strip them off my bed and dump them at the door. Happily rifling through my drawers, I come across my old silk shirt. I've had this at least two hundred years and even now it still retains its condition proudly and the silver of the fabric shimmers as I lift it out. The intricate pattern of silvery cream lions entwined with the black dragons that decorate the sleeves down to the puffy lace at the end twinkle. Slipping it on, the gentle fabric caresses my skin and I sigh. It truly is beautiful. A pair of casual jeans and my black embroidered jacket that was designed with the shirt completes an old casual style that I can pull off confidently. Leaving my hat on the table, I tie a crimson ribbon in my hair and pull on a pair of ankle length lace up boots.
Satisfied, I head out and join Squall who gasps quickly before whistling at me.
"Damn Irvine! You look great! Where'd you get the top and jacket? It's beautiful!"
I smile. I wish that I could tell him but hey, who's kidding who when I say that he'd run away from me and I love his company.
"I've had it for some time now. But if I told you where I got it from, I'd have to do something that I would regret. Anyway, shall we head off?"
He looks puzzled but nods and we leave the apartment. I ignore the stares of the passersby's and head into the main CBD. Lucky Esthar is home to the largest fashion district cause finding clothing that you love is easy. Leaving Squall at my favourite restaurant, I head off until I find a shop that specializes in antique and modified clothing.
It doesn't take me long to find six shirts in a similar style to the one that I'm wearing and just for good measure, I snap up a pair of bondage leather pants. I wasn't kidding about the fetish thing. Some simple pairs of jeans follow and a pair of slacks with a dress shirt joins them. By the time I'm done, I've compiled a complete selection of outfits to equal one formal wear outfit for the wedding, five casual outfits (with those divine shirts and matching shoes), one set of sleepwear (I still don't know what prompted me to get the pair with the vampire chocobos in the stupidest poses on them but I think that Squall had something to do with it. Either that or I'm turning into Selphie shudder), some board shorts for swimming and lastly, the bondage outfit in case Squall decides to drag me to a nightclub. Or if I decide to drag him to a nightclub. Ah, either one works for me!
The lady stares at me when I set them all down.
"This all for you?" she asks as she scans them.
"Yep. Treating myself for once in my life."
She smiles. I think she knows too much.
"So that'll be 1200 gil."
I fish out the cash in my wallet and pay her directly. Putting my purchases in three bags, she hands them over and I thank her before walking out the door and back to join Squall. I spot him quickly but not in a situation that I'd like to see him in. Surrounded. And by furry, fluffy wide eyed cats! When one of them starts to purr at him, I restrain my laughter and cross the street at the crossing to him. His black jeans now are coated in white cat hair and I can hardly get in a blink before the evil little balls of fur pounce on him and pin him to the asphalt by his chest. Kodak Moment!
Feeling generous, I shoo them off him and glare at them until they disappear around the corner into an alleyway.
"You okay?" I ask, helping him to his feet.
"Yeah. Cats like me a lot for some reason. Thanks for that."
Gratitude from the silent at its finest!
"Is okay. So, wanna head back to my place to eat?"
He nods and taking notice of the three bags that I'm carrying, smirks.
"Just wondering, did you buy the whole shop?"
Ha ha! Very funny Squall.
"Nope, just got a few things. So, are we going to stand here in the midst of the street with you covered in feline fur or are we gonna head off?"
Thank Hyne he agrees to leave!
Opening the door to my apartment, I wait for him to head in before shutting the door after him and walking to my room and literally chucking my stuff onto my bed.
"Hey Irvine, mind if I just throw my stuff on your couch?"
"No problem!" I call out. "Just wash the dishes before you use them cause they'll be really dusty!"
I don't eat from them anyway. They're just there for decoration, but since I've never had guests except Squall now since I purchased this apartment, they've just been sitting there gathering dust. I really should've thought to at least stock the fridge…
"Hyne! There's at least an inch of dust here. I'm amazed that you haven't cleaned in here! Where do you keep your dust cloths?"
Dust cloths? Oh, those things!
"They're under the sink!" I yelled back before I remembered what else I had stashed there. Damn it! A shout of surprise echoes from the kitchen with a reply attached.
"And four stacks of magazines as well! I didn't know you swung that way!"
Yeah so sue me! A vampire does get pretty bored and since that kind of material is now legalized, like hell I won't exploit it for all its worth! My thought is shot down when he turns up in one of my aprons with a dust cloth.
"Looks like I'm going to have to teach you a lesson!" he smirks. Yay! Good or bad?
"Depends on what the punishment is…"I quip and he grins.
"I'm going to have to teach you how to clean. We'll start in here."
I groan. Hyne help me! Not what I was thinking! He chucks me a dust cloth and a roll of garbage bags.
"Right! You're going to have to get rid of some of those magazines. All your cupboards are full of them and even the couch as well. And don't get me started on how much dust, dirt and crap is lying around here," he states and heads and marches over to my cupboard. Oh crap!
"Don't open that!" I shout but it's too late. He lies crushed under more than six feet of porn magazines.
"We're throwing all these out! And I am going to kill you realize!" he growls from under the rubbish. It's kind of hard to find him threatening, what with only his feet poking out from the heap.
"If you're alive, please raise one hand I'll pull you out!"
He mutters something that closely resembles a curse and wiggles one hand up. Pulling hard, he comes free of his prison and we end up falling on the ground with him straddling me.
"Didn't know you swung this way as well Squall!" I grin and he whacks me lightly on the head with a magazine.
"Whatever" he sighs and starts to fill up the garbage bag. It takes three large garbage bags to get rid of them all and a further three to remove the tribe of pygmies from there as well.
Before I can protest that my 'reading material' is now classified under the 'Sacred Law of Squall' as garbage, he thrusts dust cloth into my hand and while he busies himself by switching on my nearby radio and fiddling with the station, I jump a mile when the song comes on. Pop huh? With no time to ponder that thought, I find myself imitating him (dancing and all) while taking a lesson on how to dust the cupboard and windowsill.
"Hey Squall, who sings this?"
Pulling out the suitcase that I've been missing for five years, he empties the contents and scowls at all the magazines that lie scattered on the floor. Resigning himself to the fact that I'm a horny bastard who has a lot porn, he chucks them into a garbage bag before replying, " No idea but I like this song. It reminds me of summer and getting wasted while having fun by the sea with friends. Take this lot down to the bin now and I'll pack your bag for you" he orders and I salute.
"Yes sir! I will bring the emergency provisions to the troops sir! Proud to serve under you!" I bark and grabbing the bags I run full pelt out the door with the bags banging into my back before he can find some way of hurting me. Not that pain is an issue but the image of Squall spanking me isn't helping me or my hormones.
Dumping the bags into the large tip bin, I head back up to find him wiggling that pert little ass of his while he sings along to the song as he vacuums my floor while pulling all my magazines out of my sofa, cabinets and drawers and piling them ceremoniously into the black evil garbage bags that beckon them to join them in a new porn-free revolution.
"Killed everything yet?" I ask and he switches off the vacuum. "Just take these bags to the bin slave and I'll consider helping you pack your bag."
I groan and drag another four bags down this time by the stairs. Unfortunately, I run into the paranoid old lady that I swear hibernates downstairs and waits to catch me who gives me such a stare and starts to shriek "You fiend! You perverted monster! How dare you look at such blasphemous material! Don't you know that that stuff that is the work of the devil? How dare you stare at the body of another who isn't your betrothed!"
Blasphemous material? Work of the devil? Betrothed? Like hell! I love this stuff and I'd keep it if it weren't for Commander Kill-All-Irvine's-Joy who has taken residence in my apartment upstairs.
"Yeah sure whatever. I'll repent later. Oh, and I'll blind myself so that if I ever look at the parking inspector in the eyes next time I'm getting a parking ticket I won't be gazing on a human being's body. Now don't you have something to do?" I mutter and stalk past her, ignoring her yells of "Blasphemer! Monster! Pervert!"
Crazy lady alert! Throwing the bags back I take the lift up in order to avoid her and stalk into my apartment that now smells like a cross between vanilla and a pine forest with a flatulent ruby dragon thrown in from the bleach.
"What the fuck have you done to my apartment Squall! It smells like hell in here!"
I can't stay angry any longer when he appears from around the corner with a gentle flush to his cheeks.
"So deal with it! I've cleaned everywhere but the kitchen so come with me" he commands and stalks off to my kitchen, dancing to the music. This must be what hell is like! Obeying him, I follow dog like with my dignity and pride between my legs.
It takes us a whole hour to empty everything out of the kitchen cupboards and the innocent touches and suggestive dance moves thrown in between didn't make things any worse. But just feeling him bump me lightly with his hip when he bends over drool and puts the now clean plates away only makes my day better!
"Now that wasn't too hard now was it? Keep it that way!"
"Okay Squall. Ya know, you'd make a wonderful housewife…" I tease and he laughs.
"Ah, it's just a leftover influence from my ex Rinoa. We were together for a few weeks and it just didn't work out. Now she's my ally and friend against the clumsy foolish father of mine, Laguna Loire. I mean, I've only just found out that he's my father so yes I did grow up without a father. In an orphanage actually. But it's like he's trying to condense nineteen years of not being my father into the time he has with me and he can be… actually is annoying and overwhelming. I'll have to face him at Quistis's wedding which is another reason why I need you to back me up…"
"Oh I'm flattered! Just call me the black angel of mercy!" I mutter and he chuckles. "Alright demon angel of mercy, get down to your room and I'll help you pack your bags!"
I wince at the demon part. I'm not really proud of what I am, but I can't deny that it doesn't have its perks. Occasionally I wonder if the consequences of me living are worth the benefits but I would rather be alive so I can see Squall than be dead and destroyed to the world. I'll end up in hell anyway, so why can't I benefit from a vampiric life? He must've noticed my wince because he looks at me with deep concern.
"What is it? Was it something that I said?" he queries. Oh for the love of Hyne to be able to tell him what I am! But I can never let him know… I never would want to lose him.
"You're looking a bit pale. Maybe you should sit down," he suggests.
"It's nothing. Just some bad memories associated with being called a demon…" I whisper and turn away, clenching my fists tight to hold the tears with the memories away but they come despite my body and mind screaming in agony. The fires and her screams as they burned my human mother to death, her flesh giving way to muscle and then finally charred bones. Her last memories with the crowd yelling "Witch! Demon! Devil's mistress! Demon!" The whips and iron manacles cutting into my wrists… the chants and names shouted in blind rage at me. Just as my mother suffered… My human father died of an illness shortly before I was born. I became a vampire just a season after my nineteenth birthday. I had to hide from my mother and in the cover of dark, come to see her. I never wanted to be the cause of her suffering. I wanted to be the son she deserved. But I guess that there must be some things that even vampires cannot do…
A pair of warm and gentle arms encircles my waist and I freeze as I realize that Squall is hugging me. The comfort so alien and yet so familiar… how long has I been since I have felt the embrace of a human? Possibly too long. I force myself to ignore the palpitations of his heartbeat against my chest and the sweet enchanting lilt of his blood. I can almost feel my body go into sensory overload and my fangs elongate slightly before he releases me. Pulling myself together and retracting my fangs hurriedly, I stare at him.
"You looked like you were going to cry there… and I promise not to call you demon if you don't like it. I hate it when I make people cry. It was unbearably hard when I had to tell Rinoa that things weren't working out. Those tears and her sobs as she ran out the door. I still never can be strong when someone cries in front of me…"
I smile and turn as quick as I can and saunter down the hall. He must have mistaken my actions because I hear my front door open and close. Momentary panic fills me and I sprint to the front door and out of my apartment towards his receding back through the lift doors. I manage to get my hand between the lift doors and they automatically open.
"I didn't mean it that way Squall. Please come back…" I whisper and he smiles softly. I've probably done it now!
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have just walked away like I did with Rinoa. I need to face my problems head on, and face others in the same way too…
Grinning, I step aside to allow him to step out of the lift and I hug him. This is the first time that I have ever hugged someone other than my dead mother… and the first time that I've ever hugged a man too! Such a momentous occasion! And the feel of it… it seems so right. The motive different, the feel much broader and muscular and at the same time so sweet. How can something so human feel so incredible? It almost seems… perfect. If such a concept existed. True perfection is to be human because of the ability to learn from mistakes and the margin for growth.
"So will you give me a chance to explain myself?" I whisper in his ear and I swear that he shudders against me.
"One chance…" he whispers back and stepping back to break the hug, we amble down the hall and back into my apartment and to my room. While I fish out my clothes, he talks to me and asks me questions about me. I wish I could give him the complete answers…
"Why did you shudder when I called you demon Irvine?"
Oh Hyne! Not again!
"My mother was called that until the day she was killed. I was too but I got away and by some luck ended up being cared for in an orphanage."
The truth without the truth. Contradictory isn't it?
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked…"
Don't start getting all closed up and moody and brooding on me now Squall!
"It's okay. You wanted to know after all. I didn't mean me turning away from you as through I was turning my back on you. I just couldn't silence a few things in my past that wouldn't go away in my mind.
"Hey, just curious but why are you also so pale? You anaemic or something?"
Nope, just a horny vampire with a bloodlust problem!
"Sort of. It's not contagious though."
Not unless I choose it to be.
"Well, shall we pack?"
"Sure thing then. Let's begin!"
Authoress' notes: Sorry I had to leave it here but it's dinnertime and I wanted to get this on the web before I ate. I was seriously debating on the scene with the cleaning. The inspiration came from last Saturday when one of my friends was going to come over and on the phone to her the night before I'd said that my room was a bit of a mess so I hoped that she didn't mind. She showed up the next morning in an old pink top with faded jeans, a blue cleaning bandanna on with an apron, bucket, dust cloths and some bleach stating, "I refuse to let you live in such madness. So, being an angel of mercy I have brought my sacred and most holy evil destroying weapons so it's time to purify the hell that is your room. Now missy, MOVE IT!" We ended up dancing while we were cleaning to the songs 'Summer Madness' by Lead and 'Kibun Joujou' by mihimaru GT. My room is looking great and thanks to her I had inspiration for this scene. I was a little stuck for ideas (with the hour being near midnight…) and that memory just popped into my mind and I just saw Irvine and Squall doing that. May have been the fact that I ate half the tub of chocolate ice cream earlier talking but either way, I hope you enjoyed it. I'll try to have the next chapter done in the next three or so days.