Author's Notes: To my most faithful reader, BlackAngelAkasuna: thank you so much for your continuous support for this. Probably, you're the only one who likes this...er...but I might as well give you a hug. Back to serious matters, or in this case not so serious....I had so much fun in writing this chapter. May you also laugh as I did while creating this part of the novel. Well, enjoy reading.
All Rights Reserved 2010.
Act 8
Reprise
Love can mend broken hearts, even if they're shattered like glass.
Rusty Glass, a renowned tavern in Eisengard where angels from all around the world drink, have business and waste their time as the hourglass stops, even for a little while.
Cross entered through the double doors and found himself inside a different world. The tavern's interior contrasted with the bright city of Eisengard; only flashing lines of green, blue, yellow and red lighted the area and chatter filled the air, unlike the usually peaceful streets. He made his way around the tables filled with wine bottles, shot glasses and busy angels.
The bartender gave him a nod. "What'll you have?"
"...Water, just water."
The bartender raised his eyebrows in surprise. "On the rocks?"
"Sure."
Taking out a glass, the bartender went and prepared his drink. Waiting, Cross sat on the stool in front of the counter and closed his eyes. Loud dance music didn't really suit him well.
He caught the glass of water with no such difficulty as it slid along the smooth counter top. Cross took a sip of his refreshment before swirling his glass unconsciously.
"Cross? In a bar? The gods must have grown crazy," a faint voice greeted from behind. An ebony haired angel with a medium built sat on the stool beside him. Being a regular customer, he was immediately served his usual – a strong scotch whiskey.
"Malice," Cross pronounced blankly.
"Haven't seen you in quite a while. How long has it been? Three months?"
"Two years," he corrected, taking a small gulp.
"I heard you got married with some blonde angel."
"Yes, I did. It...was an accident." Cross didn't bother keeping it a secret.
"Doesn't matter. Princess Cornelia, was it?"
Cross nodded.
"She sure is a pretty one. Hell of a rich one, too."
"Is that all you care about?" Cross drew out his words coldly.
"No need to get mad about that, do we?"
"Hmph."
"So, do you agree with me?"
"Agree with what?"
"That she's a pretty one."
"...Maybe." Cross took another sip.
His childhood companion downed his whiskey in one go. "You like her, don't you?"
"It was an accident, how would I?"
"I think she'd be good for you."
"I think it'd be better if you shut up."
"Woah, chill... Wait, what happened to your language? You don't sound so formal anymore."
"Say what you want."
"Maybe she's rubbing off on you already?"
"And how, pray, did you conclude that her language is different from mine?"
"Of course I know. I know everything."
"Sure."
Malice looked around. "By the way, where is she?"
"Neither do I know nor care," he said frankly, his words sending a command to drop the subject.
"You had a fight?"
"...No."
"Still denying little facts, until now." Malice shook his head.
"It does not concern you."
"You ungrateful bastard, if you don't see how lucky you are to have her, there are a lot of men waiting in line to take her hand in marriage. And they'd just abuse her. You, on the other hand, will surely treat her well and satisfy her deepest desires. I'm confident with that."
"Lucky? Do you not mean unfortunate?"
"Don't make me smash my glass on your head, Cross."
The bartender refilled Malice's glass as he raised it up. Cross fixed his eyes at the wall.
"Aren't you gonna go and apologize to her, you dimwit?"
"Watch what comes out from your mouth before you regret it."
"As prideful and taciturn as always."
Cross watched droplets of water run down the face of the crystalline glass as the ice inside it melted slowly. He soon emptied the glass and slammed it on the counter, causing the bartender to be slightly frightened at his sudden actions and intimidating glare.
"Are you gonna do something about it or what?"
"It was not my fault to start with."
"Gods, your skull is as thick as the Gate of Heaven."
"So is yours."
"Let's have a deal," Malice said while taking out a knitted pouch overflowing with garnets, "you go and apologize and I'll give you these babies."
"What importance do you find in my relationship with her?"
"Well, I don't think any girl would fit you better than her. I'm doing this for your own good."
"You sound more like a mother than a brother."
Malice cursed and scratched his forehead irritably. "Are you going to do it or not?"
"Fine, fine. In exchange, let us continue our unfinished duel."
"How about the garnets?"
"I do not need such jewelry."
"They're not for you dumb butt. They're for Cornelia, dude."
"And why would I?"
"Simple, to make her happy."
"I do not think she is materialistic. Besides, she possesses the riches to buy uncountable proportions of those."
"You know, I'm starting to get tired of the way you think."
"...I'll take that as a complement."
"Oh yeah, before I forget, you'll do it my way."
"Do what your way?"
"I'll teach you and make sure you don't get rejected."
---
Eisengard's Castle.
"This is foolish and a waste of my time," Cross stated as he rose to leave before a pair of hands gripped his shoulders and forced him to remain seated.
"Sit your butt down, Cross," Malice's gruff voice came from behind.
Cross sighed and crossed his arms, looking very disgruntled.
"Since we all know how you love that little brat-"
"Cornelia is not a brat," he responded immediately before he could catch himself. "And I do not love her," Cross added quickly as Malice's triumphant grin became more pronounced.
"Liar," Malice, Keinsley and even the gods said in unison.
Cross scowled at them both physically and mentally and kept his arms crossed in defense. A distinct air of sullenness covered him as he was being lectured about apologizing.
"First off, let me hear your speech."
Cross shifted in his varnished Nara chair. "I apologize."
"..."
"...I'm done."
"That's it?"
Cross nodded.
"Awesome!" Malice insulted and laughed, "No wonder you suck with ladies."
Keinsley, glancing at Malice, told Cross, "We'll work on that later. When she accepts your apology, you should hug her." Malice gave Cross a thumbs up in agreement.
"A demo would be helpful," added Keinsley.
Cross looked at Cornelia's father in utter disgust. Any form of physical contact made him uncomfortable. Malice, who seemed to be thrilled with the idea, stood up and approached Cross.
"Let's hug. A manly one."
"Gross."
"Don't mind me. Just close your eyes and think of Cornelia."
"Worse."
"Just do it, dude!"
"...Fine."
So, Cross stood up and reluctantly spread his arms and placed his hands behind Malice's back. It felt weird, especially doing it with a fellow male. Well, doing it with a female would make him much more uncomfortable. Apparently, Malice was looking quite comfortable while being in that position. Cross let go instantly but Malice, trying his best to feel Cross' hard pectoral and abdominal muscles, was still hugging him.
"Uh, you can stop now," reminded Cross.
Malice closed his eyes and rested his head on Cross' shoulder. He ran his hands against Cross' hard shoulder blades. "Oh, baby," he moaned.
"What the hell?" screamed Cross' mind.
Malice's hands went lower and lower until Cross' buttocks.
"Woah, your hands!" Cross resented wildly. He pushed his childhood comrade away, feeling molested over the edge. Malice coughed and scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry, man. I was thinking of Cornelia," the ebony haired angel apologized. Keinsley knew that was a huge lie and managed to suppress a guffaw.
Cross narrowed his eyes as a shiver went up his spine.
Furthermore, the King went on with his recommendations. "Next, you could kiss her to show that you really mean it." Malice raised his smug eyebrows repeatedly at Cross, making Keinsley laugh.
"I am not going to kiss her."
Grinning, Malice nodded and continued, "Well, let's practice anyway."
Cross, his voice softened by slight horror and nervousness, commented, "Very funny, Malice."
Malice formed his lips and chased Cross, who immediately fled. They reached the first floor in their game of tag. Cross was on one side of the table while Malice was on the opposite side, ready to attack if he were given the chance.
"A little practice wouldn't hurt, would it?"
"Y-you're acting unusually strange today."
"Come here, daddy!" Malice shouted, his voice several octaves higher, before jumping over the table at Cross' direction. Fortunately, Cross evaded quickly in terror and Malice fell on the floor flatly. He escaped from the room and headed for the exit. Flinging the door open, he bumped into Cornelia.
"My apologies," Cross asked for forgiveness for his carelessness.
Cornelia raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. "It's not that easy to forgive."
Cross ignored this and glanced behind his back. He was being chased down by a crazed, horny, hormonal homosexual who had the potential to do nasty things to him. For the meantime, Malice was nowhere to be found. Cross allowed himself a sigh of relief. Returning his focus to Cornelia, he locked eyes with her.
"About what happened yesterday..."Cross started.
Cornelia crossed her arms, ready to listen to an apology.
"I-"
THUD.
Running and falling off balance, Malice came from behind and accidentally pushed Cross forward, causing Cross to almost kiss Cornelia. Luckily, Cross was able push her away before their lips met. Malice, now on the floor, looked at the couple and laughed.
Cornelia slapped Cross in reflex though she felt increasingly regretful later. "How dare you!"
Cross glanced at Malice. "He pushed me!"
"Stop with your excuses!"
Malice stood up and cut the arising argument short. "Listen up. Cross came here to say that he's sorry for the way he acted yesterday. He knows that he's stupid and what he did was wrong."
"I am not," he refuted.
"He is a stupid, idiotic angel who doesn't see that his actions can hurt others' feelings."
"I am not."
"As your husband, he wants to make you as happy as much as he can."
Cornelia's glare softened into a cute pout pointed at Cross. "R-really?"
Cross was as blunt as a hammer. "No."
Cornelia's smile slipped off her face in a second. Malice pursued anyway, "Needless to say, he also finds you mouth-wateringly attractive-"
"Hey! What the hell?" Cross shouted.
"-and he can't start his days without you. You're like his bread and butter. Your hubby here is just a bit too retarded to admit it to himself, right Cross?" Malice grinned at his comrade.
"That simile had no sense at all," he thought as he fired, "Heck no."
"See?" Malice asked for her opinion, looking at her triumphantly.
"Well..." Cornelia thought aloud.
Malice slapped his forehead in annoyance. "Just make-up already, for crying out loud."
Cross placed his hands on Cornelia's shoulders, slightly startling her. He looked deep down into her aquamarine eyes in deadly ernest as his grip on her shoulders became tighter. Cornelia couldn't help but to flush madly from all the pressure he was giving her.
"I truly am sorry for the things that I have done and the words that I have said which might have offended you."
She almost melted as Cross moved his fingers gently down from her shoulders to her arms. She would've shuddered in pleasure if he was kind enough to repeat it another two to three times, her skin burning as he touched her. His grip loosened to the extent that it made her comfortable, that she wanted him to always hold her.
Cornelia tried to swallow but Cross was suddenly so close to her. Cornelia suppressed a shiver upon feeling his breath on her lips, his proximity making her heart beat faster, so much that she was afraid it'd beat right out of her chest. She eventually drowned in his eyes and felt her knees become limp in his hands. All thoughts slipped away as Cross leaned closer to her, backing her into the wall. Her eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips from time to time.
Bad enough that she couldn't breathe, speak, swallow or hear anything outside of her own painfully thudding heartbeat. Her legs felt like jelly as he slipped one of his hands to her perfectly arched back.
"Would you...forgive me?" he said behind her ear in his low voice that tempted her senses.
"O-of course," she choked out as the heat in her cheeks worsened.
Since that was done, Cornelia took Cross' hands off of her and scrambled away in fear that she'd do something stupid or outrageous if it would happen that she'd lose control over herself. She ran back up to her room to get rid of her reddening cheeks, leaving a confused Cross.
"Damn, that was awesome," commented Malice, along with placing his hand on Cross' back.
Cross immediately sensed an uncomfortable feeling and swatted his hand away. "Do not ever talk to me about it." Cross shook his head, not being able to believe what he had just done.
Malice gave him the repeated raising of eyebrows. "You know, you turn me on quite well."
Cross nearly vomited. "Disgusting." Reviewing his actions, Cross glanced at the homosexual beside him and whispered, "Hold on, why am I the one apologizing again?"
"Do you want me to give you another hug?" Malice answered with smug eyebrows arched.
"N-no thanks, I think I remember now," he nervously responded and stepped away from him.
Keinsley stood from across the room. A jovial grin was on his face.
A/N: Did you like it? Leave a review to enlighten me. Thanks!