The Potion 10
I do not own anything and if you're not a Keel x Lavi fan then don't read it. It is definitely OOC. And I hold no responsibility for any or no feels you get from this chapter.
AN: Just a quick realisation I had at the worst possible time... I keep describing Lavi to have blue eyes when she has yellowy-golden ones. I'm sorry about that. I'll fix that... one day. Sorry about that. And the wait you guys did for this chapter. I love all you guys who review. *gives you internet hugs*
[Lavi's POV]
It had been a long trek back to the Heartful Manor. Miki claims that only my childhood home can help complete the spell to restore Keel back to his former self. Finally! This weird, mushy Keel will go back to being weird, badass Keel. We can finally go back to adventuring like we used to.
It's peculiar returning home especially considering we nearly trashed the place the last time we were here. There was that whole mix-up with those monkey monsters Keel knew from his past. I'm glad he did end up sharing the truth to that whole mix-up. It makes me sad thinking Keel's mother figure is dead though but at the same time, it makes me wonder.
I wonder about Keel's biological parents from time to time. What were they like? Were they nice like Lily or were they, um, abusive? I'd like to think they held Keel dear but I somehow doubt that. I get the feeling that they weren't the nicest folks to Keel. Sometimes, I like to joke with myself that Keel is lying when he says he hates being in a human body. I joke about that privately because I feel he's only ever been close to nice people because of it. I like to imagine that upon reuniting with Silva he'll actually thank him and ask for a way to go between human and monster easier. But yeah right, like that'll happen.
'Lavi!' my parents squeal and they hug me.
'Don't forget me!' Mippy pouted and I held him close in a hug. My parents look older than what I remember. Their hair's greying and more wrinkles are showing in their face.
'I hope I haven't worried you since we last saw.' I say.
'What brings you home?' my father asked in his thundering voice.
The rest of our adventuring party appears through the marble doors, assailed by the maids and butlers, making sure they were presentable enough for my parents. They weren't but they didn't bother cleaning the boys and Miki: they were just going to get dirty again. They probably remembered that from last time we were here. 'I have a request!' Miki announced.
'Keel, Blue, it is great to see you boys.' my father said, ignoring the young artist.
'Who's your new friend, Lavi?' my mother whispered to me.
'You'll see soon.' I smile.
'I have a request!' Miki announced again.
'You better listen, Daddy.' I tell him and Miki began to weave our tale to my parents. She explained using mystical terms to why our manor is crucial to the recovery of Keel's natural state. My father could barely believe that our brash ginger had been reduced to a fraidy-cat. Miki had the foresight to excerpt the bits regarding Keel's infatuation with me. She guessed my father would be furious if he knew the only suitor for my hand in marriage (I know he thinks about that, I just do: call it my sixth sense) was a monster. Even I'm furious that my only suitor is a monster. But I'm glad that monster is Keel. I mean, as a human he is rather attractive and has many, many admirable qualities.
Wait, did I just think that? I'm not in love with Keel! Really! We're just friends. I was complimenting him on a platonic level! That's a thing, right? Being flirtily complimentary but keeping it platonic, right?
As the evening drew in, we had a quiet dinner. We were under a chandelier of crystals and candles and seated at a mahogany table long enough for thirty but only using one end. I always thought this table was a waste of space. I bet if Keel had been in his normal state, he and Blue would have had all kinds of food related contests here. Mippy and Miki would have encouraged them while I sat back and laughed. We were an unruly lot when we wanted to be.
My parents were enthralled to listen to our tales and how we got our ingredients. They could hardly believe though that it hadn't been Keel who landed the finishing blow on that Scorpio Aqua though or that he he'd been hiding from it. Keel spent the entire night away from me and was embarrassed. He hated talking to my parents. I read it in his body language. He tensed up near them and went red in the face. He always stared at the table too. It was weird going so long without talking to him.
My parents – and the others, such as the staff and Blue and Mippy – were entranced to watch Miki begin to set up her spell. I was too. She was using the plaza as her sketching pad. She was drawing something on a large scale using chalk. No one seemed to mind though. I suppose it was only chalk: it'd be an easy mess to clean up.
Night had thickened outside and Miki wasn't even finished with her drawing. She said it was some kind of charm. Whatever it was it was beautiful and colossal. She advised us to go to bed and she'd keep working. She claimed it'd get boring after a while. When she mentioned we should go to bed, I yawned and remembered what a long day it'd had been. It had been one long hike after another. It was lovely to be in the embrace of my childhood again. I could sleep most comfortably here in the silken sheets.
Keel had been skipping around the halls. I'm convinced that because he's "human" now he's comfortable here. He's definitely been enjoying the luxury of the Heartful Mansion. Last time he and Blue stayed here they'd been put off by the size and everything. This time, it was only Blue who fretted over shadows. Keel was completely trusting of the mansion.
'Good night, Miki.' I said and kissed my mother on the cheek. She and Dad were going to stay up a bit longer to watch the magical merchant.
'Night Lavi.' she said, not looking up from her work. She pushed her short hair behind her ear and wiped a bit of sweat from her brow. It seemed that her drawing was exhausting her more than what he thought. 'The spell will definitely be done soon. We could do it first thing in the morning if you'd like.'
'I'd like that.' I said, careful not to see Keel in my periphery vision. I'm certain he'd be dejected if I saw him. I didn't want to be pursued by misplaced guilt. I am doing the right thing here. We need Keel the Fighter, not Keel the Lover.
I make my way to my bedroom and open the door. Mippy's floating at my heels. His eyes were drooping. He's trying to hide his exhaustion but it was evident. I slip into my pyjamas and then into my pink sheets. I stare at my princess-like room. It's been a long time since I could unwind like this. I let out a contented sigh, like a cat's purr.
Mippy's already asleep beside me. Argh, I didn't put out my light. I summon my willpower and wriggle from my soft domain but before my feet hit the floor, my door swings open. In the doorframe, Keel loitered gingerly. 'Hey,' he offered me. His tone had a slight tinge mourning in it. It made sense: in about eight hours he would be Keel the Fight again. He'd be the monster trapped in human form again – unless Miki has been keeping a miraculous cure for that for tomorrow to herself. He'd been Keel again and it'd be lovely but that guilt still swirled at the bottom of my stomach.
'Hey.' I finally return.
'We need to talk.' He blurted out his words uncertainly.
'About what?' I asked and my hand curled up with sheets intertwined with my fingers. 'If you came to argue about tomorrow: too bad. It's for your good – our good. It's better this way if you can be a participating member of Buster Keel.' I said as steely as I could manage.
Keel came closer to my bed but not close enough to alarm me. 'That's not what I wanted to talk about.' he said in an earthen voice. I'd never noticed how natural he sounded before now.
Okay. I think it might be official. I don't think I love Keel platonically. I think it might be more. As in loving him romantically, maybe even sexually.
'Then what do you want to talk about then?' I croak. My words got caught in my throat. I've confirmed with myself what I always knew and now I felt awkward.
'I'm fine with changing back, I just want to know if you're fine with what'll happen afterwards. I won't love you anymore. And I just want you to know that when I deny it: I'm probably lying. It's just... we weren't meant to be. Yep. That's it.' Keel said. His voice wavered. I understood now how much courage he was taking right now to say these. He'd changed and I hadn't even noticed. He was so much braver than what I gave him credit for. He was just brave in a new way.
My heart began to skip beats frantically. Imaginary tension was definitely building up. I was so glad Mippy was asleep and that he wouldn't pay witness to this. I'm such a mess... A hot mess even...
Keel took a deep breath and looked me in the eyes. 'C-Can we k-kiss just once more. We don't even have to talk 'bout it later. We can forget it ever happened. I just want this to happen now even though it won't matter, it'll mean nothing. This'll be my last chance to be happy with you... in a romantic situation. We'll be happy again just differently.' he said.
A small part of soul was shattering right now. I'd been so mean to him. Rejecting him outright but he was still here asking – begging – for a kiss goodbye even though he thinks it won't be squat to me. Regret washed over me like waves crashing over sand. I let him come closer I meet his gaze and hoped he got the hint.
He stared back and quirked an eyebrow curiously. I nod, ever so curtly and stretch myself upwards. He bent down. I hoped to god no one would pass by. I think Dad would kill one of us if he were to catch Keel in here, in my bedroom kissing me.
But I didn't have time to worry about that.
I began consumed by the desire to kiss him and kiss him back. Then our lips touched and it was almost like I was hit by a spark, or a jolt. I felt instantaneous happiness and gave no thought to how I'd feel later. How I'd feel today. I just enjoyed the lingering scent of Keel on my nose and enjoyed how he felt against my lips. I never thought once while growing up in my room that I – a monster huntress of some kind – would ever kiss a monster as powerful of Keel. And in this room, no less!
He kissed for at least a minute but it felt like more and then we broke off. I had somehow been expecting a bit of tongue but this Keel was too shy for such an action. He grinned like a doofus once we returned to our own space in the room. I haven't a clue what kind of smile was permeating off my face but it existed and it seemed to dazzle Keel.
We both shared a giggle and then a sombre moment: it settled in how insignificant this romantic act would become once Keel became a brute again. 'I hope you liked it.' Keel said in a small, embarrassed voice.
'I liked it too.' I said in an equally small and embarrassed voice but grew brash again when I reminded him: 'And I hope you know this won't change anything.'
'I know.' he said. He backed off a bit then turned around. He wished me good night and even turned out the light for me.
I wanted to squeal in happiness but instead I buried myself under the pink bed sheets and just pranced around in my mind. I don't think I could contain myself.
MerryFairy :)
[Well that was as sugary and fluffy as a meringue – or at least in my opinion. Hope you enjoyed it and see you next chapter. I predict two more before this series comes to an end. Aww, how sad. I sincerely apologise for any and all mistakes in this fanfic, btw.]