A/N: Hey, guys. I managed to finish this a lot sooner than I'd anticipated. I got the urge to write and for the past few hours, I've been pushing out words like there's no tomorrow. Sorry for the note; I guess it was a little bit of a false alarm.
Originally, I'd planned to separate this into two chapters, but I was having too much fun to break the flow. I've even started the next chapter and have a good portion of it scribbled down. I apologize if anyone seems a little out of character. I wrote a good chunk of this while hopped up on pain medicine for this bitch of a cracked tooth and NyQuil. Honestly, I should have been in bed hours ago. 7 o'clock comes way too soon.
I went back and changed a few things, but the sap in me simply liked it too much, so I kept it. If you don't enjoy, I have a backup chapter ready and waiting. It's a little more vanilla, but ... Well, you get the drift. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Metalocalypse.
Chapter 9
Offdenson watched Lilith carefully as she went about her day in the office. He'd decided it would be prudent to discuss his plans with Nathan. Nothing involving Dethklok flew without the front man's consent, despite his protests when the manager made him sit down and pay attention. He knew he could eventually talk the singer into the idea, once he listened to Lilith's voice. Nathan was a moron, but somewhat less of one than the rest of the band, and in the end, he would do what got them more money.
Charles made no plans to keep Lilith around. She would appear in a few concerts and perhaps provide something for the upcoming album, unless the band decided differently over time. Some of the more hardcore fans would not be happy, but out of ultimate loyalty, they would stay. Her singing would attract a whole new following to Dethklok. Yet, even more than a guest singer with Dethklok paled in comparison to the plans he had. Once he outed Lilith, he was almost certain there would be a celebrity dispute between the Colin and Lilith. Even better, if Toki and Lilith's budding romance became public, it would be the hottest love triangle to hit the tabloids in this decade. He would pay her handsomely for her time, provide security from paparazzi, and she could live out her days in relative wealth. The relationship would end quickly. Toki could never keep an interest in a girl for long.
But he would wait to spring this upon her. Charles wanted to make damn sure that she was too involved with the Norwegian to back away. If she didn't obey quickly, there were other methods to use.
For now, he would watch and pay close attention. Offdenson had a plan. The concert after next, Colin and his band would be there for a multi-band benefit. After extensive research, he knew that the singer had been searching for his once-upon-a-time girlfriend since her disappearance. If he even caught a glimpse of her backstage, then the media frenzy would be upon them. Just where it needed to be.
Lilith glanced up with a smile and inquired if he needed something. He gave her a polite smile and asked for a bottle of water.
Toki sat shirtless on his bed, staring at the guitar across his lap, tuning and tweaking the sound. He'd woken a few hours before to find a CD slid underneath his door. Lilith's hand writing on the slip of paper inside the case was neat and precise, listing the songs and the bands in order. He'd listened to the songs over and over, happily. He was pleasantly surprised by the range of the music.
As in his younger years, he picked up the songs quickly. He could read tab, but he learned most of his music by ear. More often than not, Skwisgaar played Toki's lines a time or two for him, and Toki's picked it up in one practice session.
He set his amplifier's sound to a comfortable level, picked out a song and replayed it over and over, following along on his own. He did it for several hours, playing them again and again. It took a while, but Toki realized he was enjoying himself. He was reminded of his younger days when he'd hidden from his parents in the record store, playing what he heard on a shitty guitar in a corner.
Toki was having fun.
He turned off the sound from his computer and carefully began to play his favorite of the songs, starting slowly and picking up speed. The pace was unfamiliar, a little slower than anything Dethklok ever played, but no less complicated. Toki drew backwards on the bed, leaning against the cold wall with closed eyes, his fingers moving endlessly along the frets.
Nathan and Pickles paused by Toki's door as they made their way to the common room, listening intently. The drummer slid Nathan a look.
The singer shrugged but crowded closer by the door next to the redhead. "That's Lady, by Stix, dude." Pickles pressed his ear against the door. "I haven't heard that shit in fuckin' forever. What the fuck's Toki doin' playin' that?" His whispered for fear the Norwegian would bust out of the door at any moment, as he was want to do.
Nathan shrugged again, motioning for Pickles to move along. "I don't know. I mean, Toki's been kind of different lately, if you haven't noticed. He's stopped drinking so much and I haven't seen him eat a single fuckin' piece of candy. Hell, I haven't seen Toki much at all since he busted Murderface's head. Even Skwisgaar's noticed. I think he's getting pissed off. Toki used a normal coffee cup instead of that, uh, Skwisgaar one at the last meeting."
Pickles snorted. "I bet he'd love to know that Toki's actually playing somewhere other than with us. If he keeps doin' it, he'll get better. That's sure to fuck with that Swedish douchebag's head. He's been in such a fuckin' foul mood since Toki stopped rolling around in his shadow."
Nathan nodded with a rough chuckle. "I think that Lilith chick's been good for Toki. He's calmed down a lot. Well, uh, except for the Murderface thing. And that was his own fault. Toki's actually practicing, sorta, and there hasn't been any sign of that Rockzo asshole."
Pickles nodded agreeably. "Dude, let's go get some cookies."
Hours later, Lilith was finishing up some paperwork at her desk, making small talk with Offdenson about Nathan's new line of Explosion sauces. He was detailing about a cilantro free version when a furious black and blonde blur flew into the room, screaming in some language she could recognize.
"Looks what's thats fat dildoes didst to me!" wailed the guitarist, hands fisted in his hair. Offdenson rose, ordering Skwisgaar to calm down and tell him what happened.
"Fuckings Murderface hids his gums on the couch! And when's I laid's down, I fells asleeps and the gums drieds in my hairs! I ams ruineds! I wills has to cuts it and be's the biggest douchebag's to ever's plays a guitars!"
"Now, Skwisgaar, we'll get a hair stylist to Mordhaus and-" Lilith inched her chair back and quickly typed out a text.
"Noes!" he howled. "I ams to be uglies forevers." He slouched onto one of the cream colored couches and sobbed into his hands, wailing out fervent lines of Swedish sadness.
Offdenson was busy on the phone, covering his free ear with a hand to drown out the noise from the down-trodden guitarist. This went on for several minutes. Lilith glanced at the door anxiously.
Toki opened the door cautiously a few minutes later, looking at his friend and idol in confusion. He stepped in, eyes seeking the one who's called him. Lilith beckoned him forward. "I gots the stuffs you saids to gets, lille. Is this the rights bottles?" His arms were full of colored bottles, brushes, and combs. She nodded and patted his hand, reaching for the items in question.
She maneuvered herself behind the couch, touching Skwisgaar gently on the shoulder. He jerked and cursed at her, his eyes red and damp. It was alarming to see him so close to tears. "Can I see? I might be able to help get the gum out if it's not too dried in."
Skwisgaar sneered. "There is nothings a dum fattighjon like you could do." Nevertheless, he obediently turned. She didn't know what he'd said, so she decided to let it go, despite the alarming darkening of Toki's face. Lilith gently roamed Skwisgaar's head with her fingers, reaching for the comb Toki had brought. Most of the damage done was from the man's own worrying and fretting with it, and was combed out to its usual smooth luster with minimum effort. The gum was still somewhat moist, she noted in relief. She ignored the thought of it being in the rough looking bassist's mouth.
"Mr. Offdenson, will you go to the bathroom and follow the directions of the box?" Toki handed it to Charles with a wide smile. The CFO raised his eyebrows, but nodded and did as he was bid.
Lilith picked around the gum, freeing as much hair as she could from around the wad. It was a small piece and with the hot oil treatment, shouldn't provide much a challenge to remove.
"Alright, now come on." She nudged the guitarist's stiff body forward, ignoring his mutterings. He made her nervous, this tree-tall Swede with his perfect face, booming voice, and pretty sneer. Yet, she still bustled after him and set him on a chair in the bathroom that a Klokateer had provided from thin air. Offdenson had done as she'd asked, letting the bottle of oil sit in the hot water. She opened the little bottle and squeezed a generous amount onto the gum, working it with her fingers until it was pliable and soft. Bit by sticky bit, she tugged it away gently, combing over the warm oil-slicked hair. The hot oil did its job and moistened the hair and the gross mess slid out of the baby-fine hair with it was all out, she washed her hands and patted the guitarist on the arm. "Go condition your hair with this stuff," she told him, handing over a pretty pink bottle. "Let it sit for a good five minutes and rinse it out. The stylist Offdenson helicoptored in should be here by then and they'll help take care of anything else." She gave him a warm smile and exited the bathroom, relieved to be away from the contemptuous glare of the fasted guitarist in the world.
Toki drew in close to her. His warmth felt good, comforting and familiar. Offdenson didn't appear to notice, though she knew he did. She was no fool. He knew everything that went in and out of Mordhaus. She'd caught him giving her glances with a cold smile all day long. They'd sent shivers down her spine.
"Well, Ms. Roma, you can go for the day. I believe you've more than done a day's work." She nodded and gathered her things. Toki lingered close to her as they exited. He vibrated with excitement.
"Thanks you for my CD. I likes it a lot." He smiled at her, hands behind his back. "Cans I shows you somethings?"
Lilith paused. "Can I change first? And I need to feed everyone..." She caught the disappointment on his face, but he nodded and ambled after her.
As usual, she was met at the door with Hemingway's frantic bouncing. Helena whined anxiously, shoving her head against Lilith's hand. Lilith rubbed her face and headed for the bedroom.
She smiled when she glanced behind her. Toki was on his knees, giving all the petting and love her friends could handle. He murmured endearments in fluttering Norwegian and cradled the excited weenie dog against his chest.
The redhead yanked her normal after-work clothes from the closet. She didn't both reaplying any make-up. The pins were pulled from her hair and tossed on the night stand. It took only a moment to form a single thick braid over her shoulder and shove her feet into some old sneakers. By the time she'd exited her room, Toki had already made his way into her kitchen. She peeked around the corner.
Toki had found a bag of dry food settled against the wall and poured each bowl full. He was now filling water dishes and carefully settling them beside the food bowls. Helena's face was already burried and the familiar crunching was loud and obnoxious as usual. She leaned against the door jamb and laughed. Toki looked up and smiled a little sheepishly. "I dids it rights, ja?"
"Yup."
The guitarist snatched at her wrist and tugged. She smiled and followed him willingly, trailing after him on the way to his room. Mordhaus was still mostly a mystery to her. She doubted she could have found her way to Toki's room that morning without the assistance of a Klokateer.
She entered Toki's bedroom, feeling a little bit like a high school girl entering a boy's room for the first time. In the brighter light, she could see all of his models and posters clearly. There was a half-finished model plane on his desk, along with some painted parts that looked like they were drying.
He left her by the end of the bed and reached for his guitar, grinning. She settled on the covers, surprised at the neatness. One wouldn't think the room of a rock star would be so simple or boyish. It was charming in a strange sort of way.
Toki turned on his amp and sat beside her, long fingers trailing over the neck.
A familiar melody drifted from the amplifier. The music curled around her heart and gently squeezed. Pleasure filled her to the brim. It had been a long time since someone had done anything to make her feel special. Toki's eyes were closed as he half-smiled. She'd never seen his face so peaceful. Lilith was content to listen and be close to Toki.
The music rose and fell and down the hallway, Skwisgaar's practiced ears could hear the tiniest notes of music straining toward him. He adjusted the pink towel on his head and strode down the hall, his mouth twisting angrily. He stood outside Toki's door, picking out everything he could find wrong with Toki's playing. He peered in through the slightly opened door, electric eyes boring a hole in the woman's back. Anger welled up inside of him. Here he was, coming to see Toki to get him to thank the little slut what had saved his hair out of the goodness of his heart. Yet, the little bastard was playing some shitty music for some nobody assistant.
Toki finished the song and set his guitar down, giving her a nervous look. Her arms slid around him quickly, wrapping tight. "That was beautiful, Toki." She pressed a light kiss against his cheek. Toki laughed and hauled her closer.
Skwisgaar sneered from outside the door, ire and something else curling in his belly. He would not let this stand. Toki was already distancing himself from the band, learning different music, different habits. It would not be long until he lost his metal edge. Skwisgaar could not let this happen. Toki was not strong enough for this -this, this anti-metal abomination!- and it was up to him to save the Norwegian from himself. He would seduce little Lilith. It would not be hard. He would take over and save Toki and the band from disaster. The Swede slipped away, muttering to himself.
Lilith's stomach churned as Toki's arm settled around her shoulder, but in that exciting way. He was warm and solid sitting next to her. She allowed herself to curl against him. He murmered something in his native tongue against her temple and it sent goosebumps along her neck. It was a tense, frightening moment. Did she turn, allowing him to kiss her? She wanted it. Lilith was no fool and could tell her own mind. Yet, should she turn, prolong this moment? Her stomach ached at the thought.
She let her body decide for her. She tilted her chin, lips curving as she smiled. He pressed his mouth against hers, still sighing out beautiful words she could no more understand than tongues. He slid her a little closer, curling around her like a warm blanket. In reality, she knew little about kissing. She knew even less about sex. Lilith was no quivering virgin, but there was no telling how much a rock star knew in comparison to her meager learning. Her two partners and their less than memorable couplings had never given her the mingling sensations of anticipation, excitement, and fear. Even those forbidden high school make-out sessions had left her only getting her thrill from the threat of being caught by her domineering father.
Toki's hand slid around the base of her neck. She took much satisfaction in the way his hands trembled against her skin. Those long fingers tangled in her hair, tugging her head back gently. She sighed and gripped at his shirt while his lips played with the curve of her neck. He toyed with the edge of her shirt with his free hand, but made no move to close in on the sensitive skin on her belly. Her hand slid along his shoulder, touching his hair lightly. It was soft and silky, a little thicker than she'd expected.
It wasn't in her to let Toki made all the moves, now that they'd crossed that first mile stone. She scooted closer, tugging on his hair until he adjusted the angle of his neck. Lilith bit him delicately beneath his ear, enjoying the garbled sigh that climbed out from his throat. He moved quickly, like a cat making that last bound for its prey. His lips swept over her cheek, took her mouth. Their lips caught and clung for a moment, then pulled apart as he nudged her onto her back. His fingers made quick work of the band at the end of her hair and he seemed to take great pleasure at spreading it out on his pillow.
Toki panted lightly as he hung over her. That pretty hair flowed over his shoulders, surrounding her like a curtain. "Wowee," he breathed. "You's very beautiful, with your face all pinks and your eyes all sparklies." He touched her hair. "You looks likes a queen." His eyes deepened and he kissed her roughly. She arched against him, feeling a little embarassed about how wanton she must appear. His hand curled under her back, tugging her closer. His lips trailed to the neck of her shirt, pulled a little, lingered on her birth mark. He pressed a kiss there, returning to her lips like a starving man. "I has to tells you, ya makes some qualities make-outs."
She laughed a little and kissed his collar-bone. "I hate to be cliche, but you're not so bad yourself."
He swooped in, giggling and gingerly placed a kiss on her nose. "You's gots so many freckles. I wish I coulds't kiss them all."
"I suppose you could try."
He chuckled. "Nah, I thinks I likes your mouth much better." He teased said mouth open, tenderly sinking his teeth into the swollen flesh. She murmered against his mouth and twisted her fingers in the fabric of his shirt, starting when she felt the warm, textured skin of his back. He paused for a moment. She felt his eyelashes sweep aginst her skin as he opened his eyes to look down at her. She mumbled her displeasure and pressed him closer. He sighed against her mouth and continued his business. Lilith explored the skin on his back, experimenting with his reactions at the changing pressure of her nails. He returned to her neck, teasing with his bites and delicate sweeps of teeth and tongue.
The jarring guitar solo of Toki's phone broke them apart in a flurry of arms and legs. He fumbled in his pocket, nearly slicing his fingers on the edges of his Dethphone. He grumbled at seeing Murderface's name on the screen. Lilith adjusted her clothes and smoothed her hair while he answered with an irritated "hallo?"
She heard the garbled slur of the bassist over the phone and did her best not to listen while Toki answered his friend shortly. He glanced at her, his eyebrows drawn into a frown. "Yeahs, okays. I wills. Yeah, ins a few minutes. Okay. Byes." He hung up and looked longingly at her tousled hair and flushed face. "Murderface says theys wants me to comes up and watch some kinds of cops shows withs them. They's gonna be pissed if's I says I busy agains."
She nodded, tugging her shirt back into place. "I understand." She smiled at his concerned face. "No, really. You go on. I see you all the time. They must wonder where you are all the time."
Toki smiled suddenly. "You's can goes with me. They wons't care. Nathan's girlfriend's used to hangs outs with us all the times. And you's so much more funs than anys of thems." He blinked, realizing what he'd said. "That's is ... uhm ... I's... Is you my girlfriends, Lilith?" He groaned. "Fucks! I was supposed to asks you to be, nots asks you if's I is. I's so terrible at this."
It took her a moment to answer. There were a lot of things tied in with the title. Yet, she knew what Vadoma would say. Lilith inhaled and nodded. "Toki, I would love that."
His arms flew around her with alarming speed. "Wowee, I's so happy. You's so wonderfuls." He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Thanks you. Now ... ams you goings to go?"
Flustered, Lilith could find few words. "Toki, I would like to, but I haven't been around them very much. I'd hate to intrud-" His lips stopped her nervous chatter, and as per her usual, she melted.
"Please? They wills likes you." He smiled at her hopefully.
She sighed, knowing when she was defeated. Lilith reached for her hair band, glancing up when Toki caught her wrist. "No, oh, Lilith's please leaves it down." He pouted boyishly.
"Fine, fine," she laughed, rising. "But do you have a brush?"
Lilith scuttled behind Toki as they entered the common room. She'd only been there in passing. It was a little intimidating to be surrounded by their obvious wealth. A huge television hung from hooks in the ceiling and large games lined the walls. Several spiked couches surrounded
the circular hot tub in the middle where Nathan and Murderface reclined. Skwisgaar sat by himself, playing endless notes on his guitar. Pickles nursed a beer on the longest couch in front of the television.
She paced behind Toki, doing her best to face into the background. Toki, eyes on the tv, sat on the edge of the middle couch. She lingered awkwardly next to him, searching for a place to sit.
Skwisgaar's face blanked for a moment when she saw him, his hair still damp yet no less than its usual perfection. "Liliths," he said with a smile, rising. "I ams sorries for beings do harsh withs you earliser. I was only upset with my fat douchebags ofs a friend over der." He gripped her hand lightly, pressing a kiss against the back of her fingers.
She smiled nervously. "It was nothing. My brother used to get gum in his hair all the time. It, uh, always worked for him." As soon as he took his seat, she discreetly rubbed her hand on her pants. His fingers were cool and dry, so unlike the damp heat of Toki's hands. Only his lips had even held a twinge of warmth.
"Lilith," Toki called, extending an arm. She turned, noticing the displeasure on his face. "Comes and sits with me!"
She smiled, a little of the nervousness fading. She scooted as close to Toki as she could without ending up in his lap. Pickles never seemed to pay her any mind. He sipped his drink in rapture as the police violently assaulted a man on charges of possestion.
Lilith was still feeling unsettled. She'd been so focused on keeping her past a secret. More than likely Toki would find out sooner or later. She was fucking up her whole life goal by allowing this to happen. However, at this moment, she couldn't seem to care, Very little was known about the personal lives of Dethklok, at least among the general public. That gave her a sense of safety, which she clung to as she now clung to Toki's hand.
Pickles slid his eyes, chuckling at what he saw. "Ya want a beer, Toki?" Toki nodded absently, reaching out. Pickles handed him one from his personal cooler. He raised his eyebrows at Lilith. The rings caught her attention for a moment, but she nodded. He placed on in her hand and turned back to the TV. She watched it for a moment, feeling the remaining awkwardness fade.
The boys made loud jokes and laughed, all eyes on the large television hanging so precariously from the ceiling. She enjoyed this fading of herself into the background. It was a rare thing to see Dethklok together in their natural habitat and she savored it. Occasionally Toki squeezed her hand or gently touched her leg, turning to smile at her. A time or two she was tempted to kiss him but she quelled the urge and continued watching the band.
She snuck glances at Pickles, discreetly admiring the silver on his brow. Piercings had been a no-no growing up. Even getting her ears done had been a battle in her teenage years; one she never could have won without the solid backing of her mother and Vadoma.
It took a while, but eventually she gathered the courage to say his name quietly. He didn't hear, so she tried again. He turned to look at her, his eyes a little red. "Yeah?" he said. His accent made her want to giggle.
"Uhm," she said, some of the courage lent to her by the beer fading. "Did those hurt?" He stared at her blankly. "The, uhm, eyebrow rings, I mean."
He laughed a little wildly. "Ha! Only for a minute, then it's sore of a couple 'a days. Nothing big. Why?"
She shrugged delicately. "I'd wondered. I'd always wanted to get my nose pierced, but my dad would have nothing of it."
"Heh. My dad was a douchebag, too." He tipped his beer at her. "Got nice and pissed when he saw my first one on the TV." He took a swig. "You should go get it, some time."
She laughed a little. "No, I couldn't. I can't see Mr. Offdenson very pleased if I came in with a nose ring. Besides, I've rarely left Morhaus."
She wasn't sure she liked the gleam in his eye, but she passed it off as nothing. Toki's hand slid against hers and she used it as a touch stone.
Skwisgaar sneered from his seat, wringing angry chords from his guitar.
