((Don't own it. Wish I did. Thank you kindly for the kindness. this is a short chapter but it's needed as a bridge. I think I've fixed the errors. .))
Oliver Davis hadn't slept during the night. He'd been afraid to close his eyes and have Mai vanish back into his dreams. Granted he'd never have imagined such pain for her but as he watched her sleep he felt certain that she was perfect. The light through her curtains gave her room a soft etherial golden glow and he was out of place with the sharp lines that connected to form him and be covered in black. Mai's makeup from the night before stained her face and his fingers traced promises down her arms as he caressed her arm softly. Their skin spoke an ancient language that had long since been lost to man.
Her heart beat was even and her breath was warm in his ear. It was the happiest and saddest he'd ever been in his life. She had always been a wild creature, more pixie than girl and now as a grown woman there was such a weight on her soul that he didn't know how she bared it. In her shoes he's felt certain he'd have broken. He had been surprised when she had let him stay last night and held his breath till she was asleep waiting for her to change her mind and cast him out. It would not, he thought, have been out of line for her to do.
While he hadn't slept he had dreamed all night. He'd dreamed of what it would be like if this were her home with him. Not the apartment, but in his arms. Could he move to Japan permanently? No, best not get too far ahead of himself right now. He allowed himself to glance at the clock she had on her bedside. 7:56 am. He only have four more minutes to enjoy this before the spell would be broken and she'd have to go about her day. He cursed himself for the millionth time that night. Why hadn't he come back sooner. He had no answer to give beyond that he was a fool.
Mai mumbled something in her sleep and he watched her to see if she was waking. He selfishly wanted to turn off her clock and stop the impending day more than anything. He knew that she wouldn't forgive him and that's really all that stopped him from trying to hold on to the night a bit longer. He knew it was impossible. Yet right then he'd have sold his soul for the power to stop time.
7:58am. Two more minutes. How would she feel this morning? Would she banish him from her sight? He was steeling himself for the possibility but as he felt his heart quicken at the thought she started to rouse from her sleep and opened first one eye then the other to look at him and a ghost of a smile moved across her face before being replaced with a look that was relieved.
"You stayed all night?"
"Of course" was his smooth answer and before Mai could say or do anything else she had to silence her alarm. They sat up in her bed and looked at each other for a moment before he leaned over and kissed her forehead tangling his hand in her hair. He breathed in deeply and kissed her forehead again before releasing her.
"So.." Mai started but lets her words hang in the air. It was clear that both of them were very lost. Mai thought, and not for the first time since she'd seen him that he was very handsome. Even rumpled from a night of poor sleep women would turn their heads to get a glimpse of his beauty. It was a cold beauty though, from the icy sapphires in his eyes to sharp cheek bones that she was fairly certain she'd cut herself on. She had to move but felt herself lacking any real desire to do so. He saved her the trouble and left the bed and extended a hand to her and helped to pull her to her feet. She reached a hand out to bridge the sudden gap between then and felt herself being drawn not just from the bed but to his chest. Naru looked down at her and moved one hand to cup her jaw, the other slid around her hip.
"I'll see you tonight." She raised a brow and smirked at him.
"You'll see me tonight, after the wedding?"
"No." He was smirking at her now and for a fleeting moment she felt as if no time had ever passed. He lifted her chin gently and put a soft kiss to her lips. "I'll see you tonight." This time he whispered it to her and she knw it was the absolute truth. He untangled himself and turned slowly from the room. He gave her one last look over his shoulder and Mai could make out the longing in his face. It was a look that greeted her in the mirror daily. With that Mai was left gaping at where his back had been moments ago and wondering what the hell was going on. He said he'd see her a tonight and implied that he meant at the wedding. This had to be a dream she told herself because if Naru showed up at the wedding Ayako might kill him. He'd never struck her as suicidal before.
Mai couldn't allow herself to focus too hard on it because she had to shower and run to the salon to start the days preparations. When she heard her front door close Mai sighed and grabbed her towel heading towards her shower. So many problems to deal with. She wondered how she'd find the little girl Gene had shown her and just what; if anything, she should tell her best friends about his possible appearance at their wedding.
When Oliver walked away from Mai it was killing him inside to do so, but he placated himself with the promise that it was only temporary. He'd see her in a few short hours. He'd wondered idly if he could find a way to bring her with him on the case. HE was thinking of the implications of his sudden addiction as he made his way to the lobby of the building. When he reached the front of her apartment building he spared a glance back at her home. It was easy to spot the door he had cracked and he smiled a real smile for a moment and then smirked as he hailed a cab. He thought of what he'd find back at his apartment. His Chinese friend had been keeping secrets and Oliver was going to find out exactly what else was being kept from him.
After the short ride he rode the elevator to his floor and walked to his new home. Once inside he tossed his keys on the entrance table and hung his coat on the hook. He looked at Lin who was sitting on the couch, typing something in his lap top. His friend cast a sideways glance at the young man and Oliver knew he was smirking. Deciding that his questions could wait till after he'd slept and showed he walked to his room. Before disappearing into the darkness of his private space he stopped without turning.
"Have a nice evening Noll?" Lin said when Oliver stopped.
"Lovely. Do you have plans this evening?"
"Funny you should mention that. I'm invited to a wedding. There are two chairs at dinner for a guest and myself."
"So, I'll be your plus one this evening?"
"Of course." Said Lin who was once more typing. He didn't spare a glance.
"Black tie?"
"You're tux is hanging in front of your closet." With that Oliver closed his door want stripped for bed. The last thing he could remember thinking as he was lost to sleep was that Mai's sheets were so much softer than his own. They smelled better too. He wondered why that was..
