Chapter 3. Worlds collide.
Dizzy, sleepy and comfortable, I felt strangely warm. The bed was soft, the sheets so smooth and… the smell. What was that remarkable smell? It smelled like a man's cologne – so sexy, so… him.
My eyes suddenly opened, to face a completely unknown surrounding. I sat, realizing I had an enormous black t-shirt on me – which wasn't, categorically, mine. It was male, and… oh, thank God, I had my underwear on, my hands checked, as they travelled along my body. On the other hand, my sockets were gone. As well as my clothes – which weren't nearby.
Taking a good look around me, I realized I wasn't alone. The dim environment bathing that bedroom matched the sneaky company I had, sat in a chair which looked very expensive. It didn't take much time for me to find out who it was.
"What am I doing here?" I said, my voice grave and annoyed, discreetly looking around, hoping I could find a lamp or some source of artificial light. I had no such luck.
"I brought you here. You fainted, it seems." That voice answered me, and a couple of seconds after, soft light bathed the room. It was a bedroom, very monochromatic and simple, no decoration. The furniture was dark and the sheets… were not. Sky blue and a very silky touch were enough for me to conclude it was expensive stuff. No wonder. The General didn't exactly perspired "economic crisis".
Looking at myself once again, I seemed more like a black smear swimming on the lovely blue I was immersed in. And not to mention the bed. What was this, king-size? I had to remember and focus on what he had told me so that I could say something adequate.
"Wait a minute, I don't faint." I said, a little appalled. It was true, I didn't faint. I never had fainted in my whole life, if I got to think about it.
"Well you did collapse in my arms." He answered, as serene as ever. "I don't know how you call it, but I believe the right word for it is fainting."
Okay now the sarcasm was back, by the end of the sentence. Right, the man was so all-mighty and freaking powerful. However, my mind didn't proceed with the ironic line of thinking I was determined into verbalize. Instead, I wanted to know what the hell had the man done with me after all. Not to mention what could he possibly have done with all my clothing.
"You took my clothes off?" I accused, my stare acid towards him.
"You were soaked." He said, with a slightly annoyed tone. "Be reasonable." The General added, as he remained sit in that chair, completely indifferent to the environment around us. The way he stared at me almost made me feel like I was trapped in some kind of virtual cage, incapable of running away, with no chances of freedom. Sat in the middle of the bed, half-covered with the sheets and blanket, I continued with my questioning.
"Where are they?"
"Where's what?"
"My clothes!"
Duh.
"In the dryer."
No kidding. Of course. And meantime what were we going to do? Play chess? No, I had to get out of this place – which reeked of being his place – and make my way home. In the back of my mind, I wondered what time it was, how many time had passed since… well, since I was sitting in the bus stop depressing myself to exhaustion.
"Okay, you can-"
"Who are you, Sora?" He interrupted, visibly serious. I didn't like that one bit. "Who are you, where did you come from?"
The tone he applied reminded me of those questioning scenes in the movies. Okay, if I had done something very bad, I might have understood. But this? Come on, he had got to be kidding me.
"That's none of your business." I said, my eyebrow rising, sign that I wasn't going to answer him. Not now. Not ever.
"It is. And you know quite well why that is."
Now his words scared me a bit. The reinforcement at the last part of the sentence almost made me tremble, as I tried to perceive what he was referring to. Memories of those strange moments where he and I were transported to a strange, faraway place, made me wonder if that was the reason he was questioning me about. After some painful seconds, I decided to play dumb.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
And it was the worst decision ever.
Suddenly, he moved. He stood quickly and stepped towards me. From where I was, he seemed even taller than he actually was, and the way he approached me made me shiver with fright – because I knew what he was going to do, and the result of his next action would scare the hell out of me, as it did everytime.
"I'm talking about this." He spoke, low, his frame close to mine, his hand on my arm. Grasping it, as if he intended to take it off.
And it was automatic. Not a second passed by and the strange sensation appeared once again. His eyes locked on mine, as the sweet smell of trees and cold mountain water – a river, maybe – sounded, so far, so heavenly, so…
"God…" I said, blinking in disbelief, as I scanned the new scenario around me. "What is this… this place? Where…"
"I don't know…" His voice seemed lost, as his eyes searched now for mine. For the first time, I saw a little bit of confusion bathing his complexion. By now, he was already sitting next to me, our frames almost eye-leveled.
No wonder, this was his territory, he was the one taking advantage.
"It's… quiet."
Yeah, it was damn quiet – the silence was thick as a wall and it felt heavy, surrounding us. I was only capable of hearing me – and him – breathe, evenly, as I surrendered to the power his stare held on mine, and I faced the bed clothes touching my skin. His hand never left my arm, and I felt strangely at ease with his touch.
"I like it there… with you."
I almost gasped as I processed his words. He couldn't be talking seriously. I didn't know what on Earth whatwas this, nor why this was happening, but I didn't feel that enthusiastic for having shared visions with a man like him. Him, of all persons!
"W-What?..." I whispered, not able of saying a word. I couldn´t believe my ears. "What are you saying? Are you insane?"
Yes, it was a fact. No person in his right mind would say something like this, would accept such bizarreness so easily. However, his answer surprised me.
"It's true. Don't deny it. I know you feel it too."
Oh, damn, I didn't want him to go that way. No, no, no way. If I allowed him a way to figure out my feelings… I wouldn't have peace for life.
"All I feel is hate, after what you did to me." I said, my tone harsh and accusing, as I tried to remove my arm from his grasp.
I didn't succeed.
"Don't." he said, his eyes serious on mine. The way he stared at me held the most terrifying power I had ever seen. And his hand remained on my arm. It felt warm. Only now I seemed to realize he wasn't wearing gloves.
"Don't what?" I said, my voice failing as I tried to avert my eyes from him. This situation was becoming very uncomfortable.
He searched my face, I didn't know why. But his complexion changed a little.
"I… can't explain this… but I feel that I know you."
I gulped. I had exactly the same feeling, but I didn't want to admit it to him. I was too appalled by the latest events. And this was… the most horrifying experience I had ever had with a man. I wanted out. I wanted out so badly I started to breathe heavier.
"I need to go home." I whispered, as I looked around, searching for a way out, for something… something other than this terrible oppressive vision and this man… holding me like he wanted to keep me.
"Don't cut me." he said, his form cornering mine. Easily, my back found the headboard of the bed.
"What do you want me to say? You're… freaking me out enough already!"
"Don't be afraid of me." he said, as he approached me, each time closer. His facial details were painfully beautiful, and his defined body started to make occasional contact with my knees.
"How can I not? Have you taken a look on yourself?" I said, while I tried to make failed attempts of getting away, trying to escape from his grasp as my free arm searched for something other than him, his body, his touch. But my hand could only find the smooth, ungraspable wood of the headboard. My exaggerated and rough attempts to get away had me laid down on the bed, my back now completely compressed on the mattress, the cold cotton making me shiver, as I saw him tower over me, mimicking my stance above me, as I felt, gradually, his upper body contact with my own, and his arms and hands, wickedly confident, enveloped me like I was cocooned within him. I felt my naked legs and feet meeting the fabric of his pants, and I realized I had no chance of escaping.
Suddenly, I felt how I was so close to tears, how despair fueled my fright. After all, I was only a girl – a very inexperienced girl who had a huge man all over her, with nothing more than an over-sized t-shirt and cotton white lingerie on. Curiously, he was the man who had changed my life in less than two weeks and my lack of clothing didn't seem to bother him the way it did to me.
"Sora…"
His voice sounded so tender, so unusual, so… close, too close, considering what I was used to. I sensed his warm breath in my cheek and I tilted my head to the opposite side, reflexively.
"Oh, God…" I whispered, my tone powerless. This time, I didn't have strength for more than a subtle whisper. "Please… don't hurt me." I begged, with trembling voice.
Without any other option, I closed my eyes and abandoned myself to my luck.
Sephiroth's POV
I almost gave in to the temptation of telling her "I wouldn't.", "Not you." ,"Never.", but I had the feeling she wouldn't believe me. Shivering, fearing me with all her soul, she remained there, beneath me, fearful that I would hurt her terribly.
And all I could ask myself was who this young woman was, a being who seemed to be part of me, even when I wasn't around her? Who was her, from where had she come from? What was that place, where was it? That place to where we were constantly being transported to, when our skin touched, when our eyes met. Was it real?
Was this a shared fantasy? Or… a prediction? A gift from a higher entity, warning me of what would come? If not, what was it then?
All I knew was my control easily slipped when I was with her. The closer… the worst. There was this constant urge of touching her, of making sure she was there, for me, every time, every hour of the day, making sure her mind was only filled with thoughts of me, and only me. That I was truly the one that completed her mind… and body.
My dear one…, my mind whispered to her, while she kept trembling, entangled in my arms, my face next to hers. The smoothness of her skin was alluring. Temptation took me, gradually.
My heart beat harder, a sound I didn't remember hearing – for a long time now. My breathing rate changed, and my soul ached… for her. My will was channeled to her, to her presence, to her form, resting under mine, fearing me so absurdly.
My body wanted her. Badly. I felt the power of longing dwelling inside me, side by side with duty, honor, control. However, today, that battle was long lost. I had given in before I even noticed. I desired her, and I wasn't going to stop myself. I wasn't going to be rational. I wanted her to the point of not caring for anything else entirely.
Not even the fact that she was younger than me; not even the fact that we were teacher and student. Worlds apart, colliding.
My hand traveled to her face. Her breathing peaked while she remained with her eyes closed. Her quivering hands rested now against her chest, as if she was protecting herself from something. Maybe preventing her own heart to exit her chest, judging by her anxiety.
Her softness guided me. With eyes half-closed, I re-positioned myself, my face searching hers, my nose touching hers… and finally, my mouth finding her lips, exerting a soft pressure, absorbing the feeling, letting myself go and enjoy such amazing moment.
My eyes closed automatically. It felt like heaven.
Her lips seemed to be made of the finest silk, adorned with exquisite, tender flesh. It felt addictive. It felt…
More. I want more.
Slowly, I left partially her lips, for brief moments, never breaking full contact. I half-opened my mouth, trying to give her the hint. She caught it quite well, mimicking my last action almost instantaneously.
Again, I closed contact with her full mouth. Now, with our lips entwined, it was easier to let myself go and kiss her… deeply.
The slight touch of my tongue in her lip startled her. She wasn't expecting it, or then… she wasn't experienced in this. I had a feeling she wasn't.
With fearful, naïve moves, I sensed her giving in to my pressure. Clearly, she didn't know what to expect. Oh well… neither did I.
After a slow process of full mouth contact, finally I was capable of tasting her properly. Our lips moved in consonance, as our tongues made contact, exploring, teasing, tantalizing our senses.
She was amazing. I wanted her to be mine. I wanted more of her. More kissing, more touching. More. Simply, just more.
The kiss eventually faded to simple lip contact, here and there, while I felt her breathing in my mouth, urgent, wanting more but not daring to touch me.
Even in her naïveness, she was so desirable.
Her trembling hand found my face and I felt how, slowly, she was breaking contact with me. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and, as our stare met, I sensed how confused and frighten she felt.
"What do you want from me?" She whispered, her voice giving in her stress. I sensed how tense she felt, and how easily she would break, if I didn't say something fast.
"I like you."
Yes, I did, as I processed the words myself. I did like her, indeed, and I had no idea why. It was something that my body felt, that my insides compelled me to sense. It felt as strange as overwhelming.
"How can you like me if you barely know me?" She suddenly said, her eyes lost somewhere in below my eye level. It was a good question - a question without a rational answer.
"I can't explain it." I admitted, as I searched her eyes, but I had no luck. Her quivering form half-beneath me was giving signs of evident stress…fright… and a hurtful desire of running away. From me. From my touch.
"Please..." She said, her voice shallow. "I need to leave. Let me-"
I didn't let her get to the "Get off me" part. I moved immediately, our bodies ceasing contact and, before she could end up the sentence, I was off her, close to the bedroom door, my back to her as I interrupted her. "I'll take you home."
She reacted at once.
"No, it's okay, I-"
"It's late. It's dangerous out there for someone like you." I interrupted again, still in place, not moving, not looking back at her.
Sighing, I realized I couldn't... look at her right now. If I would see her again with my t-shirt on and those… legs, all that desirable flesh showing, I would not guarantee I would refrain myself. I was a respectable man after all, and I didn't want to scare her more than I already had.
"And do not worry, no one will see you with me." I added, my tone maybe excessively neutral, as I left the bedroom, closing the door behind me, leaving her alone in there and making my way to the kitchen, where the dryer machine beeped frantically, warning me the cycle was over… half an hour ago.
We didn't talk much while we were inside the apartment. I gave her the dried clothes, keeping my eyes on the ground, not wanting to see her in such diminutive garments again. Not a minute after, she exited the bedroom and remained on the hall, clearly waiting for me to say something.
Which I didn't. She did instead.
"I'm ready." She murmured, eyeing me with embarrassment and clearly avoiding my piercing stare.
I nodded and gestured for her to follow me. She obliged, not making a noise, not saying a word, her eyes fixed on the ground.
The elevator ride was silent, as well as the infinite footsteps necessary until we reached my car. I murmured in her direction "Get inside", not wanting to meet her eyes or… her indifference. Or… whatever was there, in her face, in her eyes, I didn't want to see it… because it disturbed me.
The engine started and off the garage we went, headed to the place where she lived.
"Thank you." I heard her say, as the car stopped right next to the door of her… house. Her voice… it had a familiar tone, something I was somehow used to but I couldn't recognize where from. All this strange familiarity bothered me, annoyed me… weakened me.
"It's nothing." I answered back, my eyes on the lot across the street, as my left elbow rested on the car window as my gloved hand lingered close to my nose, while my other arm rested on my leg. Man. If I looked at her right now, I had the sensation I would lose it right here, right now.
"I…"
No, please don't speak.
"Don't say anything. Come to me when you feel like it." I interrupted, realizing it was the better thing to say to her. Honestly, this was too much for me, no wonder she was freaking out with all of it. She was a teenager – what was I expecting, anyway?
I was clearly loosing capacities here. Where in the hell was my rationality?
"Good night." She suddenly said, breaking up my train of thought. All I heard was the door, opening and closing. Then, silence.
I didn't resist. I looked in her direction. She was getting inside now. Not looking back, not… looking at me.
"Good night." I murmured, realizing I was saying it to myself.
I was alone in that car. And I was about to return to an empty apartment, with her smell imbibed in my sheets, in my bed… and in my soul.
And the story continues…
…Next Chapter…
...Surrender.
A/N - As always, you're all very welcome to R&R. :D
Suggested OST track - Sleepthief - "Rainy day". I reviewed the chapter while listening to this song and, don't ask me why, I found it extremely adequate to what happens in this particular chapter. Give it a try, it's a beautiful song either way. :)