You guys are just the best. –insert heart-
I do not own FMAB.
Just One of Those Days
Chapter Thirty Three: MEMORIES IV
"Are you ready?"
I blinked; turning around to look at the figure I had long gotten accustomed too. How messed up was that? "For what?"
Truth waved his fingers through the air and images flattened themselves against an invisible wall. There was Martel and Roa, and Dolcetto running around with his sword and sweet little Bido trying to please everyone.
Memories.
"This is all that is left." Truth started, a large smirk playing across his lips. "Can you handle it?"
Something inside me twisted, and fear coursed my veins, a chill running up my spine. "Yes."
"Once you see this, you can never go back."
"I didn't intend too."
"Everything will change."
"I'd be scared if it didn't."
"You will have choices to make."
I opened my mouth, but found no words leaving my lips. Truth grinned, tilting his head eerily as he seemed to let a memory twirl around, not yet playing. "Finally lost your nerve?"
I shook my head. This is what I had to do.
The memory began to swirl around me, so close, but so far away. I stared at it, long and hard, and allowed my eyes to betray my mind as they flickered upwards, searching for the pictures I knew would be there.
Edward and Alphonse appeared, our first meeting shimmering across the wall. The memories of the present flickering past, one by one.
A goofy smile, an idiotic grin—a stupid, annoying, wonderful person.
The man I knew and just met at the same time.
Both of them.
My heart twisted, and I swallowed. It shouldn't hurt this bad, should it? It had to happen; I had to finish this to the end, no going halfway. There was no running from this.
But I wanted to. God, I wanted too.
"Are you ready?"
I turned, my heart hurt, my eyes began to water, and I choked, looking forward as a soft light began to flicker around me. The present events that had all happened flew by, one by one. The few stubborn ones refusing to leave till the very end made me crack a grin.
The single picture in front of me remained and I shut my eyes, something wet falling down as they slid shut.
"I'm ready."
"Mommy, where are you going?"
"It's all right, go back to sleep, sweetie."
"I love you."
"...I...I love you too."
I blinked, an unfamiliar scent invading my senses. My nose instantly scrunched up and I snuggled further into the downy pillow, shutting my eyes in an attempt to sneak back into sleep.
My whole body ached, and I let out a sigh, pulling silky sheets closer to myself.
Wait.
My eyes snapped open and I jerked up—a terrible mistake on my part. A hiss of curses left my lips as I grimaced, holding my side as my body groaned, achy and sore from the night before.
The night before...
I stared at the satin sheets, unable to move as last night's events flew through my head. The memories, the pain, blow after blow.
My free hand silently clutched my side. I winced, rubbing the place where I had once gotten stabbed. Man, I needed to shape up. Was I that weak?
The silkiness of the sheets felt good between my fingers, and I let out a sigh, falling back into the softness of the mattress. My bed had never felt so good before.
...
...
...
I shot upwards and bit my lip, holding back a sharp cry as my body protested once more in pain—I needed to seriously stop doing that to myself. I craned my neck around and sure enough, this was not my bed. Nor my room.
Then who's...
My eyes strayed to the satin sheets; the smooth and cool silkiness of them spoke volumes. I let my gaze travel around the room, furnished to a point that promised definite comfort to the owner. The bed I currently sat on was most likely around king size.
The pieces clicked in my head and I blinked.
I was in Greed's room.
I was in Greed's bed.
How in the hell was I in Greed's bed?
As soon as the thought registered I scrambled out of the sheets, the once comforting coolness suddenly clammy and restricting. I tossed them off of me carelessly and stumbled back a few steps; chest heaving as I stared at the bed as if it had come to life.
My heart thudded hard against my chest and I swallowed, clutching my shirt as I stared at the four poster bed. Deep breathes, girl. Deep breathes. Oh—who am I kidding, why the hell am I in his room?
The concept of being in Greed's bedroom was...weird. Foreign. Alien, even. The idea that Greed had a bedroom was obvious—he had to go somewhere, right? Then why...
Because it's his. Some thought hit me and I blinked, feeling something inside me twits uncomfortably. Being in here felt unnatural, it was almost as if I couldn't breathe.
Of all places... I went rigid, spinning on my heel as I searched for an exit.
I turned, noticing the double door at the end of the room. I took a step, hell bent on getting out of this room as soon as possible.
He saved you.
My foot near slipped on the hardwood and I stumbled, unable to move another step towards the door. The expert knot in my stomach upgraded to a master's level worth knot and wrapped my arms around myself, staring hard at the floor.
He saved me. I couldn't quite wrap my mind around the words and I gripped the shirt, right where my heart was. He rescued me. He didn't have to—he didn't owe me anything.
Greed of all people in this crazy world, came and rescued me when I was about to...
I felt sick; my knees wobbled at the thought of what could have been my fate if he hadn't been there. If he hadn't swooped in and...
What was it that he did?
"I'm a homunculus." My eyes widened and I held a hand to my mouth. Seriously, what on earth had I gotten myself into?
The bright, crispness of the shirt caught my eye and I paused in my inner turmoil, silently glad for the distraction. Except...
The cuff of the sleeve was white, making it seem familiar to my own shirt, I owned several button ups. But what suddenly threw me off was the fact that the shirt was far to clean and the fabric was clearly silk by the way it rubbed against me.
This was not my shirt.
DEAR LORD.
I whipped my head around, and despite my sore legs, hobbled over to a mirror, propped up in the corner. Under a different circumstance, I would have laughed my ass off and pocketed the information of Greed having a full body mirror for later black mail, but these were not friendly times.
I stared at the apple red eyes staring back at me. Boy, I was a sight for sore eyes.
My hair fell a bit past my shoulders, stopping above my chest, and it was currently down with a case of the bed head. The silk button down hung off me loosely; enough to pass off as a nightgown—albeit short though.
I was luckily blessed with a pair of cotton shorts that peeked from beneath the shirt. Though it hung a bit loose at my hips—Martel's? But what finally caught my eyes were the hordes of bandages wrapped around my body, I was practically a mummy.
Bruises peeked out from some that couldn't cover full parts of my arms or legs. And I gingerly poked and prodded at a few, noting the freshness of the bandages. Something warmed inside of me and I blinked, touching the bandage on my cheek.
Criminals, huh? I shut my eyes, letting my cheek rest against my hand.
A musky scent, with the faintest hint of cologne washed over me and I blinked, eyebrows scrunching as I took another whiff of the sleeve of the shirt.
Something cold settled in my stomach and I turned, sniffing at the collar of the shirt as well—there was no mistake.
This was Greed's shirt.
The thought settled in my head and I stared at the white silk on me with wide eyes, a red color slowly creeping up my cheeks.
I was in Greed's room. I woke up in Greed's bed. And I was wearing Greed's shirt.
I fumbled, my eyes were as wide as saucers and my heart pounded hard against my chest. My cheeks flushed and instantly tugged at the shirt—I could not be caught wearing this—where were my clothes?
I stumbled around the room, struggling with the shirt when I hit me that this was a button up. I quickly reached for the buttons and cursed under my breath, fumbling with the round circles as I struggled to get this off as soon as possible.
Click.
My fingers slipped repeatedly and I near stomped my foot in frustration, my face growing hot and my ears were burning.
"What are you doing?"
My entire body froze as I blinked, slowly turning my head upwards.
Greed arched a brow, amethyst orbs peering over dark shades as he stared, his hand on the polished doorknob and the door swung open enough for him to step through.
Greed's room. Greed's bed. Greed's shirt. And now the devil himself.
Lord, have mercy on me.
"G-G-Greed?" I stuttered and I stumbled backwards, my fingers slipping clumsily over the buttons.
The man in question continued to stare at me as he seemed to try and make out what he was seeing before him. I opened my mouth to speak but a squeak left my lips as my foot slipped, my weak legs crumpling under me and sending me tumbling back down onto the bed.
My tailbone hit the wooden edge and I hissed, back arching as I fell messily onto the already mussed up sheets.
Letting out a low groan, I propped myself upwards, my legs dangling over the edge of the bed as I reached a hand upwards to steady the pounding in my head. I blinked wearily before the hair on the back of my neck rose, and the air in the room suddenly seemed to crackle.
Slowly, my eyes trailed back up to Greed's and I shivered, something in his gaze suddenly making me feel very small. And very, very aware of the fact that he was blocking the only way out of the room.
"Well," I flinched at the sound of his voice. Greed's eyes were darkening and he took a step into the room, kicking the door shut with the back of his foot. "I was planning on coming in here to see if you finally woke up, but..."
He trailed off, and his eyes traveled up and down and I suddenly wished I hadn't been successful in getting a few buttons loose. "This is...surprising."
My skin began to crawl and Greed strode purposely across the room, tossing aside his leather vest carelessly to the floor. I blanched and I stumbled a bit on the bed, moving backwards. "W-Well, thanks for checking up on me!"
His footsteps clicked on the wooden floor and my eyes grew wide, feeling my throat close up in panic as my eyes darted around and I moved another step back on the bed. "H-H-How's the w-weather?"
A buckle came loose and a belt went across the room. My senses were on hyper drive and suddenly Greed was there—presence filling the entire area around him as he loomed over the bed.
My knees shook and I swallowed the lump in my throat, staring up at him with wide eyes. Amethyst eyes were dark—and the expression on his face made me feel beyond uncomfortable.
"G-Greed?"
I let out a squeak of surprise as I was jerked forward, no longer half sitting up. My back was flat against the bed and Greed straddled my waist, not resting his full weight, but enough to have my lower half pinned beneath him.
I trembled and Greed stared down at me, his eyes burning holes. I unconsciously clutched the shirt to myself and his eyes darkened as a hand rested on where skin just below my neck was visible. "Kitten."
One single word should not be allowed to hold so much power. I hesitantly met his gaze, confused, terribly so as Greed's eyes darkened, and something powerful—hungry, seemed to enter his gaze.
"Do you even realize..." His hand dipped lower and I stiffened, panic welling up in my throat as his parted the shirt where a few buttons had been hastily undone. "What you're doing?"
"I-I was just..." I flinched as a button came loose. "T-This is y-your..." Another. "G-G-Greed?" Another.
I was at that moment, entirely grateful to the fact that someone had done bindings around my chest as bandages. Another button came loose and my stomach tightened as I searched Greed's face for any sign of amusement.
"G-Greed, what are you—Greed?" My eyes grew wide as Greed pressed his lips to my neck, his breath warming the goosebump ravaged skin. "Greed!"
I flinched as teeth scrapped the skin. "G-Greed—"
"I'm being nice, right now." His voice was low, predatory as his lips moved over the skin of my neck. My eyes grew round and I froze. "They wouldn't have been."
They.
My face flushed as I felt Greed start to push the shirt from my shoulders. "W-Wait! What do you think you're d-d-doing?" I gripped the shirt and tugged it over my chest, trying to redo the buttons when larger hands clamped over mine.
My ears were on fire as Greed tilted his head downwards and his hands began to move mine away. "Nothing I haven't seen before. What's there to hide?"
What little bit of pride I had left in this situation shriveled up and died and I gawked, feeling my jaw tremble as I tried to wrap my head around the fact that I was in bandages—meaning someone had dressed the wounds—meaning...
In my moment of hesitation, Greed had acted, quick as a snake, my hands were now clasped in one of his, held tightly above my head. I stared at Greed, eyes wide as he stared down at me, his gaze was burning, scorching, and it was all...
Too much.
"Greed?" My voice was a whisper, and I stared up at him. But his gaze was elsewhere as he trailed his hand downwards, palm on my stomach as he let it trail over the skin, fingers skimming the waistline of the shorts.
"This isn't funny." I started, trying to wriggle my hips away from his hand, but there was nowhere to go, and it seemed futile. "Nice try, Greed—"
"No," Greed jerked his fingers, undoing the string tightening the shorts. "It isn't."
My heart nearly burst from the strain of pounding so hard. I stared, unable to understand what was happening, unable to wrap my head around what was happening right this very moment. There was no way for me to understand. Too much, too fast, that's what this was.
I'd never felt this way before, I'd never felt a fear like this, a feeling like this. And damn it all, I was scared shitless.
But he saved me. Some weak voice couldn't help but protest as Greed nipped the tip of my ear and I shut my eyes, turning my head the other way. He's a nice man...
"He's dangerous."
His breath ghosted over my collar and I shuddered. I never should have trusted him.
"Are you scared?"
My eyes snapped open, but my head remained turned the other way, so I was left staring off to the left, feeling Greed's gaze bore into the side of my head.
Any moment, I was sure my heart was going to burst now.
Calloused fingers gripped my chin, and turned my head the other way. My eyes followed suite, and I met the dark eyes that left me trapped, captive. Yes. My mind wailed. Yes. Now, stop.
"Can I trust you?"
"Yes." I murmured, and then something settled over me. A sense of calm I didn't know I possessed as I tilted my chin up, cocked my head, and felt my eyes narrow ever so slightly. "But not of you."
Because...
Something flickered through Greed's eyes and he rocked back, his grip slipping from my hands. My eyes widened in surprise and I instantly scrambled away, a good few feet from him.
Because I...
"If you're scared that's no good." Greed sighed, waving his hand at me. "Go on then."
I continued to stare, unmoving and Greed blinked, his gaze flickering to me. "Before I change my mind, sweetheart."
I was up and at the door instantly, but something made me pause, turning to him as I gripped the doorknob tightly. Greed's back was facing me, and I blinked, feeling my cheeks flush unwillingly.
"Thank you."
"I just changed them so you should be fine now."
I nodded, watching mutely and numbly as Martel's fingers tightened the bandages around my chest. Snake green eyes were focused on the task at hand, but everything felt numb, lifeless, as I simply watched the callously smooth fingers move.
"Are you scared?"
I flinched and Martel paused, her fingers brushing gingerly against a swelling bruise—one that had turned a nasty puke green sort of color.
Ugh.
"Roa went to grab some pain pills from some box we had lying around." Martel started as she moved, allowing me to slip on a clean shirt, though it hung off a bit loosely, since it was hers. "Take two."
The blonde woman began gathering up the supplies as I stared hard at the wall, my mind sluggishly churning to try and process what had happened and what was happening.
"Yes."
I rubbed my neck self consciously, shuddering at the memory of the feel of his breath so close to my skin. My brows furrowed and my fingers tightened over the light mark left there.
He's dangerous. I reminded myself, shaking my conscious. You knew that. He saved you, but for what? Himself? You should have nothing to do with him, you can't trust him.
But he saved me.
He's no different. My fingers clenched. After all he... He killed them. No hesitation.
My stomach twisted in a nasty knot and I felt sick. Memories of blood splattering across the dirty floor and staining anything around it. The crimson red color leaving an unforgettable imprint. Greed's eyes as he took life after life, the uncaring look on his face.
But then came the memory of what those men would have done if Greed hadn't come. I bit my lip and gripped myself tighter. I was better off dead if those men had gotten a hold of me—what would have happened to my Dad? He couldn't handle another loss so soon.
Did they deserve to die though? I shut my eyes, remembering their faces—sick as it made me. Was he in the right?
"You don't have to come back here anymore you know."
I blinked, looking up in surprise. Martel stood, silhouetted against the doorframe as she half turned her face to face me. Her gaze was elsewhere, but the question hung in the air.
"What?" I felt my brows furrowed and Martel shrugged.
"This isn't the place for someone like you to be hanging around." Martel explained, running a hand through her hair. "I've told you it many times. You've been here a couple months now, right? You know what he's capable of. What we are capable of. Its better you have nothing to do with us."
With us. Something inside me clenched painfully at her words. I felt a half hearted smile touch my lips. "You aren't kicking me out now are you?"
"You don't owe him anything." Martel's gaze finally met mine. "He's just the kind of guy that likes to play around with things till he's sick of them. Don't sweat over it."
I frowned. "Martel—"
"You're better off without us." Martel finished finally, and her eyes had a glint of determination to them, an emotion flickering through I couldn't put my finger on, but it looked familiar.
I blinked, turning my gaze down to the floor as I felt my hand tighten on the shirt, clutching the cloth tightly. I remembered the cold, clawed hands and the dark glint.
And yet...
"What... What is he exactly?" I glanced upwards, eyes wide as I searched her face for an answer. "What are all of you?"
There was a long, heavy pause. Martel stared straight at me, but seemed to be looking at something just over my shoulder. "How much do you know kid?"
"Enough to know you aren't normal, but not enough to put the puzzle together." I answered. "And Greed did something weird with his hands—and when he got shot, he..."
"Didn't die?" Martel finished and I nodded weakly. She let out a long, tired sigh, and leaned against the doorframe. "I don't know too much about it myself, never really cared. But as far as I know, he can't die. Well, no one's tested how far it goes just yet. He isn't immortal, but he isn't mortal."
"An artificial being." Words from my father's books from his studies flickered through my mind. "A homunculus."
"Right—I don't know his history past what he is. But the rest of us here are what the jackasses back at the lab called chimeras." Martel's face darkened and she glanced down at her own hand. "Half animal-half human creations using alchemy."
My ears twitched at the familiar term, but I looked up at Martel in surprise. "But why—"
"Don't ask me, kid." Martel shrugged, and the dark look passed over her face. "Who knew what went on in their minds when they did what they did to us."
She flexed her fingers, and for a moment, her arm seemed to lengthen and become far more flimsy and flexible before returning to its original state. "Most of us were either near dying or criminals when they experimented on us, and we were locked up in cages for days, months, years, when out of nowhere, this nut job shows up and lets us all go."
I looked at her sharply, my eyes widening as Martel's face, if only a bit, grew soft. "Greed shows up, sets us all free, and gives us this place. Some of us left, some of us stayed."
Her gaze turned elsewhere and she paused for a moment. "Guess you could say he just took us all in."
Something clicked and I stared down at my hands, feeling my body go numb as I processed this information. Now it all made sense—the weird way they all seemed to click together, the unwavering loyalty, the way this place seemed so much like home...
Because it was a home.
These people were dangerous, questionable, criminals, but they were victims, they were misfits, and Greed somehow managed to bundle them all together and give them a place where they could belong.
He gave them a home.
"Whether he did it on a whim or he just plans on using us," Martel stood up from the door, turning the other way. "I have no idea. But, it beats a cage any day. And to be honest, I'd rather be used as a pawn then rot in a cell as some guinea pig."
With that, the blonde woman was gone, her piece being said, and I was left alone.
Aching, numb, and oh so confused.
"Hey, Dad, I'm sorry I didn't come home last night. You won't believe the day I've had." The door swung shut behind me and I yawned, rubbing my side where a scar had been left from the knife wound so long ago. "Dad?"
The house was silent, coldly so as I blinked, walking from the living room to the kitchen. "Dad, you home?"
There was no reply and I moved to his room, rasping my knuckles over the wood. "Dad?"
Silence.
I blinked, twisting open the knob and peering inside. His room was how it usually was, somewhat organized with papers and folders scattered here and there. A bookshelf pressed tight into the corner, different books of formulas and studies lining shelf after shelf.
Other materials were scattered hazardously around the wooden flooring and I sighed, nudging a pair of pants out of the way.
Typical State Alchemist.
Being careful not to misplace nay of my father's lab studies, I moved out of the room and quietly shut the door. A note fluttered to the ground and I blinked, swiping it off the floor and taking in my father's rushed handwriting.
I'm going out to get some supplies for a big project coming up! I might have to go out of town so I won't be home for a day or two. There's food in the fridge and be safe!
Love,
Daddy.
I rolled my eyes at the last two words, and stuffed the paper into my pocket. I was both relieved and slightly disappointed he wasn't home, and I decided on being relieved, knowing he didn't have to worry since he didn't know I was missing.
Having a State Alchemist for a father had its perks, I guess. But he was always running around performing some new study or experiment—new discoveries kept food on the table after all.
Experiments.
I cringed, recalling Martel's words from earlier and I suddenly felt sick. I was lucky enough to know my father only dealt with book studies, some sort of relief welling inside at the thought that my dad had nothing to do with what had happened to Martel and the rest of the Devil's Nest gang.
Dolcetto must really be part dog then. I mused, making my way to my room, the idea of a shower forming in my head. I won't let him live that down. Bido must be some sort of reptile, and... I wonder what Roa is?
The sudden thoughts came to a halt and I paused, looking up dully at the ceiling before me.
"Am I taking this all too easy?"
...
...
...
Ah, who gives a shit.
Animals or not, that doesn't make them any different. I decided, shrugging off the shirt Martel had leant me and undoing the bandages. My fingers twisted the water knob to on and I sighed, waiting for the warm water to start. Martel is still Martel, Roa is still Roa, and Dolcetto is... Dolcetto.
And Greed?
I hastily jerked off any last bits of clothing and jumped beneath the spray, letting the warm bullets hit the bruised skin. I shut my eyes and slumped down against the wall, letting the water fall over me.
God, I feel like I'm in some lame drama. I grinned faintly, letting the water cascade down my shoulders. This shouldn't be that hard.
I nearly got sold off as a slave, beaten up, witnessed three people die right in front of me, discover the people I had thought I sorta knew aren't what I thought they were, and had a...run in with Greed that has left me completely and utterly confused.
Why'd he do that? I scrubbed my head, shutting my eyes. I thought... That was...
Scary.
My fingers curled and I winced. Greed's sudden...attack? That made him sound like some sort of predator—scratch that, that was pretty accurate. Had scared me shitless, and I was guilty to say that I had let my guard down, I had believed... I thought...
You could trust him?
Soap and bubbles disappeared down the drain and I watched the frothy bubbles swirl.
Then why do I still trust him?
He just saved my life. That's all. I frowned, resting my head against the cool tiles. Then he turns around and does...that.
"I'm being nice. They wouldn't have."
My eyes snapped open and I blinked, staring hard at the tiled wall opposite of me.
Was he trying to scare me? I stood, staring at the floor now. Like a warning?
"You don't have to come back."
I turned the water off and let out a sigh, snuggling into a fluffy white towel. I was probably just thinking too much. I didn't need this right now.
You love going there.
I let out an aggravated sigh and rubbed my hair a bit roughly, toweling off the remaining droplets. Finally relieved of the stiffness of the other clothes and into a pair of pajamas. I sat down on my bed and stared up at the ceiling, wondering what to do next.
Stop going there, obviously. I frowned, despite the obviousness of the idea. There's nothing but trouble waiting you. What if you had seriously gotten hurt?
And yet...
Thump. Thump.
"Shut up heart." I muttered crossly, placing a hand over my chest as I shut my eyes, brows furrowing. "You don't get a say in this."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I never realized how much of a part they've become to my life. I mused, picturing the numerous memories already collected from only a few months. No matter how much I denied it, I had fun being with them. I had felt...at home.
Thump. Thump.
My eyes snapped open and I stared quizzically at my chest. "What the heck?"
"Kitten!"
I turned my gaze and blinked, staring straight at Bido's grinning face plastered against my window.
...
...
...
"WHAT THE HELL?"
"I really didn't mean to frighten you!" Bido apologized, clasping his hands together as he looked at me imploringly. "Honestly, I'm sorry, Kitten!"
"Could you not call me that?" I sighed, rubbing my forehead as I stared at the half-lizard man before me. "And if you wanted to talk, couldn't you have knocked?"
"Why would I do that when I can go up the walls?" Bido inquired innocently and I blinked, plopping down on my couch as twiddled with his fingers.
"Well, what do you need?" I ran my fingers through the damp strands, my hair a dark, rusty orange due to the water.
"You're... You're coming back right?"
I paused mid comb, my eyes staring at the floor and at my bare feet as I felt Bido's curious eyes on me.
...was I?
"Why do you ask?" I fought down the sour taste in my mouth and struggled to remain calm.
"W-Well, I was a bit worried." Bido admitted, his scratchy voice soft for a moment. "Martel was acting a bit weird, and Dolcetto didn't yell at me! And when I asked where you were, Martel said you were going home."
"It doesn't mean I'm disappearing off the face of the earth." I gave him a half hearted smile, despite how he looked, this guy was too sweet. "Just because they didn't do something doesn't mean they're acting weird you know."
"But even Mister Greed was acting funny!" Bido cried and I raised a brow, slightly annoyed at how my stomach twisted at his name.
"How so?"
"He didn't have any women in the bar!"
...
...
...
"What?"
"Mister Greed is always with at least a few," Bido explained, looking perfectly at ease with this fact. "But there were none today! Zero! He even sent two away!"
"I see." Or he just didn't feel like messing around. I rolled my eyes inwardly, but kept myself focused for Bido. "I don't think that's anything to worry about. Weird. But nothing to worry about."
"B-But, Mister Greed seems sad!"
I froze, my eyes wide as I stared in front of me, which happened to be a photo frame of my father and I, my mother beside us. The words took a moment to process in my head and finally, I swallowed, my heart thudding oddly in my chest. "What do you mean?"
"Mister Greed isn't normally like this." Bido started, but almost proudly he added. "It took me awhile, but I found out that whenever he's in a bad mood, he drinks heavy whiskey!"
I gave Bido an incredulous look but he persisted onwards. "Believe me Kitten, something's wrong with Mister Greed!"
Why should I care? I bit back the retort, that was too mean to say to Bido. "That doesn't really have anything to do with me."
"Of course it does!" Bido protested, looking shocked. "Mister Greed is very fond of you!"
"Really? Doesn't seem like it." I muttered, inwardly scolding my heart for clenching so tightly in my chest. "And if he does, he has a funny way of showing it."
"You should have seen him last night!" Bido paused, looking guilty. "After you disappeared, I ran back and told him what happened—he was after you in seconds!"
...Why would he care that much?
"I don't like my property to be stolen."
"It's not like I belong to him." I frowned, shoving the rush of thoughts away. "He doesn't owe me anything."
"But Mister Greed is just that amazing of a man!" Bido defended, his eyes shining bright. "Mister Greed is amazing!"
I brushed my fingers together, staring at the hard wood floor. "Bido?"
"Yes?"
"Why?"
Bido blinked, looking confused. "Why what?"
"Why do you...admire Greed so much?" I tested the words, turning them around in my head and unconsciously turning my gaze to the shorter male as I awaited his reply.
"Because he's my friend!"
I stiffened, fingers growing numb as I let the words sink in.
He's my friend.
Friend?
"Mister Greed was the one who saved me." Bido explained, a smile on his face, causing his nose to look even bigger than it was. "All of us actually. He gave us someplace where we could stay without anyone ever bothering us. He..."
"Gave you a place to belong." I whispered, staring wide eyed at my hands as I remembered the look that had flittered across Martel's face. The looks all of them would give Greed, the way they followed him without question, the loyalty...
He didn't just give them a home, he was their home.
"What was that?" Bido blinked and I stood, putting a hand to my mouth for a moment before turning to Bido. "Kitten?"
"Thanks for stopping by Bido, but I'm all right." Bido stood and I silently ushered him out of the room. "But don't be afraid to knock next time all right?"
"But Kitten—"
"I have to go; my dad will be home soon." Once Bido was out the door, I moved to close it. "Bye Bido!"
"Kitten, will you be coming back?"
My hand froze on the door and my arm went rigid.
"He's dangerous."
"He's my friend!"
"They're just my possessions."
"He gave us someplace where we could stay..."
"See you later, Bido."
And the door swung shut.
Déjà vu.
I shifted my weight to my left leg, stuffing a hand into my pocket as I surveyed the beaten down bar before me. I puffed out my cheek and grumbled under my breath, tapping my foot against the floor impatiently.
The people passing by the not-so-pleasant part of Dublith cast me odd glances and made hushed gestures and sad shakes of their heads. Most likely recognizing me by now and knowing full well that I was a common occurrence in this part of town, and there was no fixing it.
I gave one or two a glare and the occasional wave to the friendlier ones. My eyes strayed to the building in front of me, and I let out an aggravated sigh.
Stuffing my hands far into my pockets, I strode forward, going up the two front steps and resting my hand on the knob.
Memories of when I first stood here, so many months ago came flashing through my mind and I blinked, staring at the rusted knob almost fondly yet spitefully.
If I go in, my life will change forever. I blinked, rubbing my fingers against the cool metal. I'm pretty sure that's how I felt.
"Once you go in, you can't go back."
The door swung opened and I stepped inside, the familiar odors swirling over me in waves and practically tackling me to the ground.
The familiar sounds of ice cubes in cups and chairs creaking and men laughing reached my ears and I strode through the room, my feet far too accustomed to the path. No one changed from their daily routines as I strode by, used to my presence.
Green eyes spotted me first, and Martel blinked, something flickering across her face as she glanced back down and continued to wipe down the cup she was holding.
"He's at the usual."
Dolcetto sniffed the air and he swung around, eyes wide and searching when they hit me. I flashed him a cheeky grin and he wrinkled his nose, most likely cursing under his breath as he stiffly turned.
Roa's tall, silent presence filled one corner of the room as he simply nodded to me and I grinned. A smaller body suddenly barreled into me and I stumbled, as Bido looked at me with wide eyes.
"Kitten! You came!" Bido's face was full of a smile and I gave him a small one in return, awkwardly patting his head.
"I guess so." But my eyes strayed from Bido's head to the head of black hair sitting sprawled out on the lush velvet couch.
Amethyst eyes met apple red and Greed blinked, something swirling through those eyes that I could never imagine to be able to understand, no matter how hard I tried.
The homunculus stared for a moment longer before he turned his gaze the other way, not sparing me another glance as he tipped his glass up to his lips. I ignored the way that seemed to hit me a bit below the belt, and struggled to ignore the fact that I cared over something so trivial.
"What brings you back?" Bido questioned and I froze.
Despite the fact that no gaze but Bido's was on me, I could feel the several pairs of ears turned my way.
"I dunno." I shrugged, turning my gaze sideways as my cheeks flushed and my ears suddenly grew hot. "Guess I've just taken a liking to this place."
There was a snort to my left and my cheeks flushed hotter as Bido grinned widely. Unwillingly, my eyes strayed upwards, and though Greed's eyes were turned away, a smirk was plastered along his lips.
There really was no turning back from this place.
It was home after all.
"Want to say that again?"
"Sure. You can't use that thing worth shit."
"You think so? How about I try it out on you?"
"What are you two idiots fighting about this time?" Martel sighed, setting down her rags and casting Dolcetto and I a dirty look.
"She's—"
"Dolcetto's whining to me about how I don't know how to use my knife." I answered, glaring at Dolcetto. "You'd think he's my wife."
"I'm just saying," Dolcetto defended, crossing his arms over his chest. "She may know how to just stab someone, but that's not enough. If you're going to have something on you, at least know how to use it."
"I'm fine on my own!" I snapped, twisting on the bar stool to glare hard at him. "Butt out."
"Do you know how to use it?" Roa questioned and I blinked, turning to the taller male.
"Of course! I just don't use it, that's all."
"Of course my ass." Dolcetto scoffed, fingers tapping his sword. "It's a pretty good knife, but it's wasted on you."
"Maybe I should try it out on you, huh?"
"Try it, brat."
"Now, now." I stiffened as an arm laid itself over my shoulders, pulling me closer to a hard chest. "There's no need to fight here. What's the problem?"
"Dolcetto's acting like my wife." I answered stiffly, feeling even more annoyed as my heart suddenly began to pound hard against my chest. Was I getting sick?
"She can't even use her own knife." Dolcetto protested. "You know it too, don't you?"
Greed looked thoughtful and he shrugged. "She's average at best."
"See—"
"But that wouldn't do much."
Dolcetto flashed me a triumphant look and I scowled, shrugging Greed's arm off my shoulders.
"Of course," Greed smirked, his fingers suddenly curling underneath my chin and turning my head his way. "I would be more than happy to give you private lessons."
"Thanks but no thanks." I quickly shoved him away, feeling my heart pound harder and my cheeks suddenly grow hot. Damn, I really was getting sick. "I'm fine on my own."
"Really?" Greed mused, a hand trailing down lower and I stiffened, swiping his hand away. A smirk touched his lips and my eyes grew wide as he played with my knife in his hands. "I wonder about that..."
"I have a dad to nag to me." I snapped, swiping my knife and standing up roughly. Greed arched a brow and I pocketed the knife. "I don't need a couple of criminals to do it for me."
"Who went and stepped on her tail?" Dolcetto muttered and I sent him a dark glare as I swept out of the room, ignoring Martel's eyes following me, and Greed's curious stare.
"Stupid dog," I muttered, storming down the streets of Dublith as I clutched my hands into fists. "Stupid Greed, stupid knife, stupid sickness—how the hell did I get sick anyway?"
My ears still felt hot and my face warm and I frowned in annoyance, putting a hand to my forehead. My temperature seemed alright, but it didn't explain why I was suddenly feeling warm.
Maybe Greed got me sick. I concluded. It only happens whenever he shows up anyway. Can a homunculus get sick?
"Kitten."
I jumped at the sound of the nickname and turned, eyes widening in surprise and shoulders growing slack at the person. "Roa?"
The larger man walked forward, hands at his sides as he paused by me. "Where are you going?"
"Meat." Roa answered simply. "Martel asked me to go to the butcher's for her."
"Oh," I blinked, I had never really sat down and talked to Roa for long, the big guy was always out doing something or just...there. "Well, I'm not going anywhere really, mind if I come?"
Roa shrugged and continued walking, and I took this as his own yes and followed after, easily dwarfed by his size.
There was a comfortable silence between us and I shifted on my legs, eyes trailing over the various shops lined up along the street.
"How've you been?"
Roa shrugged. "Fine."
"Done anything interesting?"
"No."
"Meet any pretty ladies?"
Roa turned, staring at me blankly for a moment and I grinned sheepishly, offering him a shrug. "I ran out of things to ask."
A breeze blew by and I shuddered, despite the sun out and shining down on the dark streets of Dublith.
"Are you cold?"
"Hmm? Oh, no." I gave the large male a faint smile. "I think I might be getting sick though."
Roa blinked, turning his eyes down to me. "What makes you say that?"
"I've been feeling really hot lately," I was faintly surprised, unsure of why I found it so easy to talk to Roa like this. Maybe it was because the big guy was just...easy; there was nothing to be afraid of except his size. "And my heart starts pounding and I get kind of dizzy when it's really bad."
Roa looked thoughtful, which was saying a lot since no matter what you said the guy never seemed to look any different. "And you think you're sick?"
"Probably. Most likely got it from stupid Greed too." I muttered crossly, and Roa paused, and it looked as if gears were turning in his head.
"What makes you think it's Greed?"
"'Cause all this happens whenever he's around."
Roa stared at me for a moment and I looked at him quizzically. Then, for possibly the briefest of moments, his lips twitched upwards in the curve of a smile. But as soon as I thought I saw it, it disappeared, and I was left staring at him in confusion. "What?"
"Nothing." Roa grunted, continuing on his walk to the butcher's. I frowned, but followed nonetheless.
"Kitten, do you know what love is?"
I nearly tripped over my feet as I jerked my head around to stare wide eyed at Roa. "Pardon?"
The taller and bulkier male continued to walk, and I had to keep up as I looked up at him. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." Roa answered, his voice deep, final. "It's not a talk to have with me after all."
I blinked, ever so confused as Roa simply continued to walk, only coming to a halt when we arrived at a butcher's. "We're here."
He turned to me, while I was still mulling over things. "You can wait out here if you'd like."
I stared at him for a moment, still caught up in my thoughts. When it finally registered what Roa had said I gave him a sheepish grin and nodded. "I-I'll wait."
Roa nodded and stepped inside. I gazed at him from the window and sat down on the curve, letting my back rest against the wall as I wondered over what Roa had said.
"Do you know what love is?"
"What kind of a question is that?" I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Why would Roa of all people ask that?"
"Hey, what's a girl like you doing around here on her own?"
My back stiffened and I instinctively reached for my pocket. But when my eyes strayed upwards and met the face of another woman I paused, relaxing at her curious but slightly worried face.
The woman before me had an aura. The way she carried herself could fill up the room, and left no room for argument. She had dark brown hair tied back, and wore a white button down over black leggings. She looked somewhere between her thirties to forties.
But was odd, was that the second I saw her, I felt a rush of nostalgia creeping up inside of me, a feeling I hadn't remembered in awhile.
She felt like a mom.
"It's rude to keep people waiting you know."
I blinked, coming back into focus and I nodded towards where Roa stood inside. "I'm just waiting for him."
The woman blinked in faint surprise and glanced to Roa. "Is he your father?"
"No." I grinned slightly at the thought. "Just a friend."
"I didn't think he was your father." The woman mused, nodding towards me she added. "The hair just doesn't match."
"I get it from my mom." I answered, remembering my mother's own ginger locks, a lighter shade to my own.
The woman smiled and with a loud sigh, took a seat beside me. "You live around here?"
"Yeah, by one of the apartments." I settled back into the wall, slightly glad for a little bit of company.
"What's your name?"
"Ki—" I cut myself off, realizing what I had been about to say with a flush of my cheeks.
The woman blinked at me curiously when I didn't answer and she shrugged. "I guess you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Chances are I'll never see you again."
True enough. "Do you live around here too?"
"I own this shop." The woman nodded to the butcher's behind us and I blinked at her in surprise. "Happily with my husband."
"I see." I glanced down at the floor. She had a husband...so...
"Ma'am?"
"You can call me Izumi."
"Izumi? Can I ask you something?"
"You just did. But I'll let you ask me something else." Izumi answered and I cracked a grin, but glanced the other way, wondering if there was any way to rephrase this.
"Do you... I mean, since you have a husband and all. Do you know what... love is?"
...
...
...
The sound of sharp laughter suddenly broke the air and I felt my cheeks grow hot for the umpteenth time that day. I stared at Izumi with wide eyes while the older woman's shoulders shook with laughter. "W-What's so funny?"
"Honey, you are precious." Izumi wiped a tear from her eye and settled for a light chuckle. "Love? What do you want to know that for?"
"I was just wondering." I muttered, looking away. Izumi grinned and slapped me on the back, and I winced. She had a hard hit.
"Relax, I was just joking. Love you say?" I nodded and she paused, looking thoughtful.
"Well, there are all kinds of love, I suppose." Izumi started, and I turned to her curiously. "There's family, friend, and then the kind you might find one day when you get married yourself."
Marriage? Please. I inwardly chuckled. Marriage and thoughts of settling down were as common as the idea of putting on dresses and bows. "What's the difference?"
"Family love is the kind of love you feel for of course, your family." Izumi explained. "Love for your friends is the kind where you can be at ease with another and you care for each other and look out for one another. But love for...love, is the kind that really makes you feel."
"How do you know which is which?" I questioned, curious. Was love really this complicated?
"Well, now, I guess they all make you feel warm, but when it's family, you want to protect them and you'll always feel at ease. When it's a friend, you'll feel light, happy. But when it's a lover, you're just a mess."
I watched her with wide eyes and Izumi nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's not some kind of disease is it?"
Izumi let out a bark of laughter and shook her head. "No, no, but I suppose it does make you feel funny at first. But when it's love, you just know."
I wrinkled my nose. How would you know?
"For starters, you always want to be around them." Izumi explained, and I stiffened, realizing I had voiced the question out loud. "You'll feel all warm and fuzzy you want to puke, your heart will be your worst enemy, and you'll get a dizzy sort of feel, probably blush around them too. You'll be just about an idiot."
"Sounds terrible." I murmured, shuddering at the thought of being in love. "It sounds like is really is a disease."
"Perhaps." Izumi agreed. "But it's one that's worth it."
I looked at her quizzically and a smile touched Izumi's lips. "Being in love is wonderful. It's a thrill, putting your heart out on the line and risking getting hurt to feel and emotion so powerful it can hurt."
Something swirled in the back of my head and I clutched the area where my heart was.
Weird.
"Don't tell me you're already in love at your age." Izumi grinned, pulling me towards her. "Who's the guy?"
"I'm not in love with anyone." I ducked under her arm and scratched my head awkwardly. "But, um, thanks, for clearing things up for me."
Izumi blinked, staring at me for a moment before a smile touched her lips. "No problem, kid."
Izumi suddenly stood and I looked up at her as she stretched, putting her hands on her hips. "You've just made me feel younger again. Talking about love—hah!" A wide grin touched her lips and she opened the door, casting me another glance. "Maybe you'll find a husband just as great as mine one day, too!"
I stared at the area where the woman had just stood and blinked. What a weird lady.
Love.
I scoffed at the thought and leaned back, waiting for Roa.
No way would I ever fall in love.
I said that. I frowned, staring at the cup of water in front of me as the familiar sounds of the bar grew louder around me. But why do I keep thinking about it?
My brows furrowed and I sighed, resting my cheek against my palm as I stared hard at the ice cubes, willing them to reveal the secrets of the world to me. What's going on?
"You'll feel all warm and fuzzy you want to puke, your heart will be your worst enemy, and you'll get a dizzy sort of feel, probably blush around them too. You'll be just about an idiot."
It sounds like you're sick. I mused, taking a sip of my water.
Sick?
"Hey." I blinked, suddenly torn form my thoughts as I turned and met an annoyed looking face.
All thoughts of love quickly left my mind and I plastered a blank look on my face. "What do you want, dog?"
Dolcetto's eye twitched, and when he opened his mouth, I prepared to tell him off.
"Sorry."
"Well, you smell like—wait, what?" I blinked, stumbling over my words for a moment before I stared at him quizzically. "What'd you say?"
"Sorry, alright?" Dolcetto repeated, looking away in annoyance. "I'm not going to say it again."
I stared at him for the longest time and the half-dog quickly grew annoyed his cheeks dusting pink. "What? Got a problem with—"
"I'm sorry too."
Dolcetto stuttered and blinked, looking at me in surprise. I felt my cheeks flush and I stuttered. "I-I mean, I'm only saying it because you looked so stupid just standing there!"
"W-What was that brat? I only said it because you were acting so annoying!"
"Well, good!"
I turned my head away, and Dolcetto grumbled under his breath, scratching the back of his head.
"If you want, I could teach you how to use that knife."
I jerked my head around so fast I felt my neck would've snapped. Dolcetto crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm only offering because it'd be annoying if something happened to you and you didn't know how to use it."
I'm just fine—"T-Thanks..." I ran a hand through my hair and turned the other way. "I'd, um, it'd be helpful."
"Right."
There was a pregnant pause and Dolcetto turned on his heel. "Stay out of trouble, brat."
"You too, mutt."
Dolcetto sent me a glare, but there was a glint in his eyes that made me pause as he stalked off, muttering things under his breath. I stared at him for a moment and placed a hand on my chest.
Friend love.
So that's what it feels like. I wondered, gazing around the bar and mulling over the feelings it gave me. And this is family love.
A small smile graced my lips and I felt my eyes softened as Bido and Dolcetto got into some sort of argument, Martel stomping over to sort them out.
Family love, huh?
And then there's...
"You look stupidly happy."
I blinked, freezing in my seat.
There's...
I slowly turned, my heart thudding against my chest so hard it felt as if it would burst.
"Your heart will be your worst enemy."
Greed's eyes met mine and he arched a brow, sliding into the stool next to mine. "Well?"
My stomach clenched and my ears grew hot as I blinked at him, unable to answer. My mind whirled in my head as things began to click.
"Probably blush around them a lot, too."
My breath caught in my throat and I felt my eyes grow wide as the puzzle slowly came together. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
"It sounds like a disease."
The flushed cheeks, the heart pounding, the weird feelings.
"It happens whenever—"
Oh, god.
"You'll just about be an idiot."
"Kitten? You still here with me? I know I can be a bit side tracking, but come on, now."
No.
"I-It's nothing." I stuttered, jerking away from him and sliding from my seat. "I've got to go."
This can't be happening.
Greed raised a brow and something flickered through his eyes as he turned, and I near ran down to the hallway, aiming to just get as far away from him as possible.
No, please, no.
My feet thudded down the hallway as I broke into a run, my heart thudding painfully in my chest as my breath came in fast pants.
Do I...
I made a sharp turn and spurred my feet faster.
I...
I suddenly skid to a halt, my eyes widening as I near slammed into a wall. I had hit the dead end of the corridor. I stared distressfully at the wall, willing it to get rid of all my problems.
I can't...
"Where do you think you're going?"
I stiffened, whirling around and meeting amethyst eyes watching me carefully, as if they were calculating how to approach a frightened animal.
"What do you mean?" I took a step backwards and cursed, my back hitting the wall.
Greed raised a brow, looking at me curiously. "You've been avoiding me, Kitten."
"Have I know?" I laughed nervously, eyes darting for any possible exit. "My bad."
My back went rigid and my breath caught as Greed was suddenly before me, his breath ghosting over.
"I don't like being ignored."
"Would you look at the time?" I exclaimed, shoving his face away. Greed blinked in confusion at the sudden move and I laughed. "I think I should get home now, my dad is coming home today after all!"
Greed looked at me quizzically and I panicked, not used to being cornered like this, not used to loosing my cool like this, not used to any of this! "If you'll just excuse me—"
"What's up with you?" Greed stepped forward, pressing me into the wall. "One moment you're coming here and the next you're trying to leave? I'm getting mixed signals here, Kitten."
"There should be none." I answered simply, trying to get around him. "I don't need this—"
A hand slammed against the wall beside me and I froze, efficiently caged in against the corner of the wall and Greed's arm, with nowhere to go. I glanced up at him and Greed smirked, using his free hand to tilt my chin upwards.
"Kitten, if something's bugging you, all you have to do is tell me, you know."
There's no way I could tell you something like this.
"I can make it all go away..."
"Then stop!" I snapped, and Greed recoiled, a look of surprise flittering over his face at the sudden cry. "Just—leave me alone!"
Greed blinked, startled. "Now, Kitten, what on—"
My heart is thudding so hard it has to be heard for miles. "I have enough going on right now as it is—I don't need you adding another problem to the list!"
Greed stared at me in confusion as I felt my cheeks grow hot. "Stop making me sick!"
"Sick?" Greed echoed and I glared at him.
"My stomach feels weird, my heart is always pounding, I get dizzy, my face gets hot—and it all happens because of you!"
I panted, a sense of calm settling over me for a moment now that it was all out. Greed stared, and things seemed to be clicking when finally what I had said registered. Something flickered through Greed's eyes and he smirked. "You've got to be kidding me."
"What?" I snapped, and then it hit me that I had just spilled my guts to the devil himself.
Well, shit.
Greed let out a loud laugh, the corners of his lips twisting upwards. I looked at him in confusion and annoyance, was I really that funny? "W-What?"
"Kitten," Greed smirked, and his face dipped forward and I tensed, his eyes meeting mine. "Do you even realize what that all means?"
"You got me sick." I answered weakly, and Greed's eyes lit up, a strange emotion I couldn't quite put my finger on.
Did he... Did he look...
Happy?
"Sick, huh?" Greed mused, and he gently lifted my chin with his fingers. I looked anywhere but him, but his eyes bore so intensely into me, it was impossible to ignore. "I think I know how to fix that."
"Fat chance—" I started but blinked, cut off as Greed's lips pressed against mine.
...
...
...
WHAT THE HELL.
My eyes grew as round as saucers and my back instantly stiffened as Greed's lips pressed harder against mine, coaxing them to respond.
Greed was kissing me.
Greed was kissing me.
I struggled under the rough onslaught, inexperienced and confused as his lips moved hard against my own. I brought my hands up and shoved against his face, struggling to breathe.
Greed left my lips and I sucked in a deep breath of air, eyes wide and searching. "W-What was that—"
Swifter, smoother, his lips pressed against mine again and my eyes grew even rounder if it were possible. My knees shook and I panicked, unsure of what to do.
Instinct kicked in and I tried to pry him from me once more, but his hand came up and efficiently pinned my arms above my head, leaving me trapped. I attempted to duck my head, and his lips left mine. "Stop—"
Again, his lips enveloped mine and I barely managed to suck in a breath before he moved roughly. The fierce kiss leaving me unable to speak and breathless. I struggled to catch up and somehow turn this around, but compared to Greed, I was as experienced as a newborn baby.
Why is he—What is—I don't... Greed pulled away, allowing me to take large, shuddering breaths. "G-Greed. I don't—"
His body pressed against mine, pinning me to the wall as he dipped his head and pressed his lips to mine again. My eyes shut and I felt my brows furrow as he used his free hand to cup the side of my face, tilting my head to deepen the kiss.
His tongue brushed against my lips and I jerked, banging my head against the wall. I opened my mouth to protest, but he was quicker, pressing his lips to mine and letting his tongue slide past.
My eyes grew wide as Greed's tongue enveloped mine, his mouth prying mine open further as he deepened and widened the kiss.
My head began to feel light as I grew short of breath, but every time I neared being unable to breath, he would move his head just enough to let me take in a gasp of air before he swooped in for another kiss.
I lost track of the number of times as he continuously attacked my lips, and when he finally moved his head far enough, my lips felt raw and bruised as I panted heavily, looking at him dazedly.
"I've been waiting to do that." Greed smirked, his lips pressed against the side of my neck and I shut my eyes, tensing. "Relax, Kitten, it's not like I'm going to eat you. At least, not yet."
"W-Why?" I managed to pant, looking up at him, my cheeks flushed beyond repair. "W-What—"
"You told me first." Greed's smirk widened. "This was just my answer."
My brows furrowed and he tilted my chin up. "If you want me to stop, say so."
Stop? Of course I want you to stop! I sucked in deep breathes, turning my gaze downwards as Greed held me captive, refusing to budge. Just say it!
I think I...
"It's a thrill, putting your heart out on the line and risking getting hurt to feel and emotion so powerful it can hurt."
Are you going to be scared and run from what's facing you straight in the eye?
My heart leapt into my throat and I shut my eyes as I tilted my head upwards, moving forward.
My lips met Greed's in a sloppy, unorganized mess, and for a moment, Greed stiffened in surprise at the action. My brows furrowed harder and I attempted to move my lips the way he had—adrenaline rushing through my veins.
Greed let my hands go and used one to grip my head, pressing it harder to him while the other snaked around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Hesitantly, I let my hands rest on his chest and he used one arm to gently bring it around his neck, and I lifted the other to do the same.
Greed hummed in approval and I quickly disconnected the kiss, face flushed at the action as I attempted to move my hands away. He set a hand down on top, silently ordering to leave them where they were as he pressed his lips to mine once more.
But this time, the kiss wasn't fierce, but it somehow managed to leave me breathless. It was smooth, almost gentle as he coaxed my lips to move with his.
It was words transferred into actions.
The words that should've been used were left unsaid, and were instead shown. And as Greed pressed his lips against mine, I had never felt so confused in my entire life.
My legs shook, my heart hurt, my stomach twisted into knots, and my head felt light. It was terrible.
But it was wonderful.
Greed pulled back and rested his forehead against mine, tilting his head down while I had to tilt mine up. I dared to open my eyes just a bit, and froze when I found him staring straight at me.
The dark depth of his amethyst orbs left me trapped, held captive within a bar-less cage as I dug my grave deeper.
I had never felt anything like this before, never experienced something like this before. So there was no way to know that this was real, that this was what was supposed to happen. But at that moment, it felt absolutely right.
There was no doubt, and it felt as if there never would be any. What had happened was meant to happen, and this was all very real, and all right.
Greed smirked, but it wasn't his suave, cocky smirks. It was the kind where the corner of his lip twitched upwards just a bit, and could allow you to mistake it for a lopsided smile.
I shut my eyes, overwhelmed by the storm of emotions inside me. But one rang clearest of all, the one I had dreaded the most, and the one that had caused me the most trouble.
I think I love him.
Boy, was it a rollercoaster writing this chapter.
And now folks, the final chapter to Ghosty's memories will be revealed in the next chapter. What happened, and what's to come will finally be revealed. The moment ya'll have been waiting for.
I'm pretty excited to write the next chapter, despite the fact that I am going to feel like the cruelest author with every word I type for it. And I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter, and that you'll look forward to the next one. :)
I actually found it interesting to write Ghosty in this chapter. She was such a mess, but I loved being bale to write her through all of it, allowing her to cope and showing how lost she was, since she had never really had any one to guide her through something as unpredictable as falling in love.
Poor Ghosty, that girl had no idea what was coming.
ANYWAY.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and are looking forward to the next one! I promise it'll be one to remember.
THANK YOU ALL FOR REVIEWING AND BEING THE AWESOME PEOPLE YOU GUYS ALWAYS ARE!
All I can ask is that you review! And see you all next chapter!
Marshmellow-
-OUT!