Imperfection

~Chapter 19~

Kevin stood at Gwen's door, his heart beating against his ribs at an alarming rate. His feet tapped against the floor, his fists clenching and unclenching as he heard the footfalls and rustle of fabric. He heard the rushing water of the shower and heard her quietly go through her suitcase, looking for something to wear. Don't be freaked out Levin. It's all good. Maybe Gwen's just PMSing...it's a normal thing, right? Jesus, just don't do anything stupid and screw this up. He hesitantly knocked on the door. She sighed. "Come in."

He opened the door and pursed his lips. Gwen sat on the edge of the bed as she brushed her hair. The brush strokes were slow and gentle, meaning to take her time. "Hey."

"Morning." She sounded so calm, which to any guy translated to issues. Kevin gulped, tugging at his shirt collar.

"I wanted to talk about last night."

She shrugged, eyes down as she still brushed her hair. "Never happened."

Relief flowed through him. Every tense muscle in his body untangled and felt loose. "That's good to hear." He took a few cautious steps forward, then stopped. She still looked upset. Her lips were tightly pressed together, and her body seemed closed in. She was still upset. "Look, I know what I did was wrong. Maybe I should've just let-"

"It never happened," she repeated quietly. "It never happened at all. All of it..."

"All of...what exactly?"

"All of...this." She put her brush down and brushed her fingers through her hair. Loose strands fell and she stood up, picking them off the rug. "You don't have to worry about it anymore."

He frowned. What was going on? What the hell was she talking about? His stomach churned as doubting thoughts ran through his mind. "What is 'this' and 'it'? What are you even talking about?"

Her eyes, sharp and clear, hooked on his. Then he saw. A light glow literally appeared around her. Her skin seemed brighter, her eyes as well. Her hands...every emotion seemed to glow. His stomach sank as he realized. "Oh God Gwen," he choked out.

"I should have never even let you in my life," she sighed, shaking her head. "I would have been so much better off. If we haven't met you when we were kids...I could've just let things be so much easier. If I never went on that damned summer vacation with Ben, I wouldn't be here right now. I could be in school, I could study. I wouldn't have to worry about my powers, worry about losing control."

"You can't be serious," he laughed. He felt his heart about to drop in his stomach. He gripped her shoulders. Her skin seemed hot against his. "After everything we've done? After everything I've done? Gwen, what the hell is going on through your mind right now? OK, look, I'm sorry about last night-"

"This isn't about last night Kevin," she spat. Spittle flew in his face, stunning him. She yanked herself from his grip, rubbing her shoulder. A large red handprint had marked her skin. "This has been going on for months. Your money, your car. You seemed so much more focused on those things than me. If it was the car getting crushed to a thousand pieces or me being crushed, you'd rather me."

Anger boiled inside him. His hands shook. "That's bull shit Gwen! How many times have I fought by your side and with Ben? I've protected you-"

"For what? To get out of jail, to not worry about some authority finding you and bringing you back to the Null Void-"

"Gwen, I never-"

"All those times you've flirted with other girls. All those other times you made me feel like shit? Why didn't I just dump you in the first place?"

"Gwen, please-"

"Begging won't get you anywhere. You know I'm right. You can't fix your mistakes now Kevin."

"Gwen-"

"You've killed people."

"Only because I-"

"You never even considered your morals have you? Your father had more respect than that-" She cut off with a cry, crumbling to the ground. Kevin panted, looking at her. Her cheek was swollen. Kevin looked at himself, seeing his hand throbbing by the force he had put. He shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Fine. Have fun trying to get back home then."

xxXXxXXxXxXxXx

Ben prayed that things would turn out. But as soon as Kevin stormed into Ben's room, slamming his Sumo Slammers suitcase shut, he knew something was wrong. "So...how'd it go?" he chuckled uncertainly. Kevin didn't look up as he walked into Ben's bathroom. He heard the rattle of cabinets and clinks of his toothbrush. "I take it that it didn't go too well."

"That's an assumption," Kevin grumbled.

"What happened?"

Kevin froze in the doorway. Then he shrugged and looked over his shoulder. Ben stuck to his chair when he saw Kevin's watery eyes. "Earth's waiting for us."

A/N: Ahhhh. Review?