Chapter 10: a promises

I couldn't believe that night Rufus actually spent near my house. He practically didn't sleep the entire night though. When I woke up and went outside I saw Rufus sleeping on the ground right down my window. I felt a bit sorry for him, but he wanted this himself.

I actually went to check there just before the job and didn't expect he was still there. I felt a bit guilty leaving him there. What kind of person I was to ditch another person like this? But that man's stubbornness was impressive. Were all wizards like that?

Nah. They are all humans which means they're all different. And he was different from everyone. It was something special about him. Not that disgusting hat or ridiculous clothes. Not that mask he wore or boring hairstyle. He was impossible to stand but something still was pushing me towards him. I felt guilty seeing him asleep out in the open just because I ignored him. Maybe it was a bit rude, but I couldn't give up either. I wasn't meant to be wizard myself and therefore I wasn't allowed to be with one either. And I was sure he knew this too, but still...

I took his hat from his head and looked at Rufus who was sleeping peacefully. Though I didn't feel like talking to him or being rude, I still had to ask him to leave until someone notice him. I took the bottle of the water and split it all on his head. There were lots of other ways to wake him though, but I didn't want to get any attention from the streets or touch that guy. He woke up immediately and blinked a few times not getting how he suddenly got all wet. He dried his face and then noticed me staring annoyed with my hands on the hips, his hat in one of them.

"You came," he smiled like it wasn't a big deal he just spent the night outside my house. That smile was so natural and sweet, like a child who was greeted for learning how to walk.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked.

"I told you I'll stay there for the entire night if needed," he said back. "And you came. Eventually."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah. And you have to leave now."

"Promise you'll go out with me some time and I will," he stood up and looked around. It was an early, but bright morning.

"I thought it was clear enough I don't want to do anything with you," I said.

"And I was clear that I won't stop until you let me know you," he said back.

"What if I don't want you to know me?" I asked.

"Then I want you to get to know me," Rufus didn't give up. "You know it doesn't hurt to go on a date with someone. Well, I promise there won't be anything to be afraid of."

"I don't go out with strangers."

"I'm not a stranger. You know who I am and I think you kmow whete to find me too, so what's the problem?"

"You stink," I answered.

He smirked. "If that's all what's bothering you, what would you say, I clean up and come over some other time and you actually accept to go on a date with me?"

I growled. This was hopeless. "I have work, you know? I can't hang out with you when I'm supposed to rest," I tried to make an excuse.

"But mail doesn't work on Sundays. I'll come on Saturday night then," he said. "Will you go with me then?"

"No," I shook my head.

"Why?" he was keeping stubborn.

I sighed. "Listen, I'm not interested in you or any wizard. I don't want any trouble for that you're being here either. Besides, what's the point of getting to know me? Our worlds are completely different and barely cross each other. I have my rules to follow and you have yours. It's better it stays like that," I said.

"So this is your opinion?" he asked. "Is this really what you want? Or what others want you to do?"

I rose an eyebrow. "Why you think I con't want it?"

"Because when you said it, you looked downwards. It was clear to understand your heart doesn't belong there where you currently are," he explained and gave me his hand. "Allow me to show the other side of this world you haven't seen. Let me guide you through that darkness you live in to the freedom you deserve to find. Let's push those clouds away from the sky and reveal the true colors of your moonlight."

I stared at him. He wasn't serious, was he? He was directly asking me to rebel against my parents. He was insulting the way I was grown and telling that my life shouldn't be called living. But he was right. What my life was always filled of was darkness, but I didn't know that I could have a brighter one at that time. Then all I believed in was right and didn't consider of living differently. But his words intrigued me. How could he doubt my life was filled of clouds if he didn't know how I was treated? How could he say his life was brighter than I could think of?

"Do I have a choice there?" I asked slowly getting back to myself. And I actually fell for it. I wanted to know what he could show me I already didn't know and prove that my destiny could be better. But I'll only let him try that one time. Maybe then he'll back off, I hoped.

"You do, but if only you listen your heart," he said. "You know what it says, don't you?"

"It says..." I looked downwards. I knew what it said. It wanted me to try. To see what benefit I could get. Maybe he'll show me that the ideals I lived with were fake like he intended to show me, or I'll get the proof that I was right saying I didn't like the way wizards lived. "... It tells me to give that a shoot."

He smiled in victory and came closer to me. My heart started to beat faster as he stood so close gazing at my eyes therefore holding my gaze. But all he did was gently take his hat from my hand and kiss the knuckles of that hand. Sparks ran my skin feeling how warm his hands were and how hot the touch of his lips was burning my hand. "I'm already looking forward for our meeting," he said before letting go of my hand.

I rolled my eyes though. He was just being flirty. "You'll have only one chance to prove me what you just said," I said with a grin knowing he won't and left. Maybe this was a mistake, but how the heck I had to know how I'll end up?

A few more days passed and he was down my window again. This time I was waiting for him to come and when my parents went to sleep I casted the sleeping spell I learned myself. I knew I mustn't use magic, but growing I unconsciously gained some of the Ethernano into myself therefore gaining some magic.

Then I tried to prepare. I don't know why, but this was important for me. I wore a simple dark blue knee-length dress and high-healed shoes to make myself look taller. I pushed my hair up to make my face and figure look better. I also checked my bangs which were cut straightly at that time and even put a red flower pin and earrings to match. This was ridiculous how I was looking forward to the forced date.

When I heard the scratches at my window I quickly opened it and asked Rufus to meet me at the door. He didn't get a chance to see how I look when the window was closed again and I quietly left my house.

Rufus gasped when he saw me. He clearly didn't expect me to take it that seriously since I didn't even want to go with him.

"Wow," he had no words for what he saw. In his hands I saw a huge bunch of roses, similar to ones he gave me the first time. He cleared his throat. "You really know how to impress me every time I see you," he finally said.

I bit my lip and looked downwards. I didn't know what to say back. I went a bit too far there, for sure.

I accepted the roses though. They smelled nicely and he was so gentle and towards me. He respected my privacy and didn't push me too much. And he was right, the world I was living in was dark and cold and with time I understood that his warmth was what I needed. That it was exactly what I was waiting for those seventeen years of my life. That I was a fated to meet him and he to meet me.

I didn't even notice when the first date I went together with him led to the other one followed by another one and so on. I started to enjoy the time I spent with Rufus and even though I really loved to annoy him sometimes, I started to have feelings for him.

We were used to meet during the night time mostly then we had much more freedom. Though it was dark around me, he surely showed me the light of the life I haven't seen before. As we got closer, I got used to spend time with him outside the city or in the forests too. I actually loved nature all the time, but he and his annoying poetry managed to love it even more. There went a few months until he asked me if he could kiss me and I don't know why, but I actually let him do this. I gave my first kiss to Rufus and didn't regret doing it. He was always so gentle and caring. He never pushed me too much unless I was overly stubborn like with our meeting data.

I needed a few more months to finally confess I loved Rufus. He was so happy with this. And I was. I was happy I got to meet him and that he was so stubborn and didn't leave me even when I was kicking him of my life. I didn't want to let him go every time we had to separate our ways and wished I could hold him forever. I was ready to fight even against my parents if they disagreed, but I never introduced Rufus to them. Though we planed doing that.

It happened the last time we were hanging out. That day my parents were out to one of the business companies while they decided to leave me at home. I used this opportunity to meet Rufus again. I let him inside my house and we both cooked a bit. Latter I showed him our personal library which he loved very much. I remember he found one of the poetry books he had at his place too and red some of it to me. I still couldn't understand the beauty of poetry, but I knew he tried to make me feel special. And I felt like that every time he gazed at me. I couldn't wish anything more. Only those dark eyes stuck at me, the warmth of his skin and kisses which were melting my entire soul.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked that day when I was laying on sofa with Rufus my arms wrapped around him.

"Sure. Anything," he said one hand playing with my hair, another holding the book he was reading.

"Why me? Wouldn't you rather be with another wizard?" I asked knowing I had magic myself. But I never told him that. He always believed I was non-magical as my whole family though he was well-educated to manage to feel I had magic in me. But I was curious. I know this was confusing question which isn't the best idea to ask, but I perfectly knew there were plenty of beautiful mages around and I was someone who couldn't actually relate her life with someone like him.

"I don't need a wizard. I need you. And nobody else," he closed the book and looked at my eyes taking the question seriously.

"But if I used magic, would you change your mind?" I asked.

He quickly sat and gave me an serious look. "You want to learn magic? But what about your family policy?"

"We're braking it anyway," I sat too and wrapped my fingers around his neck.

"You know it's different. It's already a sin I fell for you, but I can quit Sabertooth if I had to. I could quit all the magic just to be with you, but don't ever think of breaking your rules," Rufus asked. I didn't know he was actually being that serious about my family's policy. He was the one making me to become a rebel for my family, but it seemed like he actually was afraid. Afraid that this was most likely not going to end well. I had such feeling too, but I believed.

"You really would? But why can't I use magic? Maybe I don't want to follow those rules. I want to be with you the way you are. To live the life filled of colors you showed me and be able to support you wherever you go," I didn't get how nervous I made Rufus.

"Are you afraid?" I asked confused.

Rufus cleared his throat. "Do you know how your parents managed to have so much respect without even having magic? It's unbelievable to hear but they have as much power as royals themselves. If they won't like something... I'm afraid to even think what they could do to you. I don't want you to pay for my mistakes," he said.

"Your mistakes? So I'm a mistake?" I asked and pushed myself away. I couldn't believe he actually said that.

"What? Of course not. You're my miracle. My Goddess. My Moon. My everything," he said. I sighed and my gaze filled of warmth again.

"You're everything to me too," I said and put my hands on his shoulders I slowly pulled myself back close to him and we kissed shortly. "You know, if my parents liked you, they might let us be together. Since it's not me using magic it's not that bad, right?"

"You want to introduce me to your parents?" Rufus asked.

"Yeah, of course. I love you and I want to be with you. And I want my family to let us be together."

"I want that too."

"So will you meet them then?"

"Alright. You know, it's been almost a year I have you, so maybe it's time to expose it? Before they force you to marry someone else."

I giggled. "Impossible. They wouldn't make me do it even with chains and handcuffs," I said.

Rufus giggled too. "I can imagine that. But will you need chains to marry me?"

I pulled away from him again and looked at his eyes. "What?"

"I asked if you agreed to marry me with your own will?" he repeated.

"Y-.. I-is that... What?" I couldn't manage to talk. I was turning red realizing what he was asking but didn't know how serious he was. "A-are you joking or is it for real?" I finally managed to ask.

"I'm serious," he said. "We could wait until you turn nineteen so others wouldn't say I married a woman who just become adult. Of course if you want to..."

I cut him by a kiss. I couldn't believe he actually said that. He actually wanted to marry me. He wanted me not as a secret girlfriend, but a wife. He was seriously proposing to me. And I couldn't describe how happy I was.

"Is that a yes?" Rufus asked when there was no air to breathe therefore had to break the kiss.

I started to cry. I couldn't say in words how happy I felt. But that was a short thing because I never saw him again. And I waited. And waited. And waited hoping he'll come back. I hoped he'll keep his promises, but he never came back. For some time I even thought he might died, but no, he was alive. After some time I lost the hope and I was sad he left me. I was heartbroken. He left with a piece of my heart I gave him and never came back. I could have went to Sabertooth to find him, but never dared. I knew that if I did, he'd break me even more.

But that pushed me into magic even more and instead of spending my time as I was used to before, I started meditating which not only helped me to clear my minds, but get more powerful. And the magic power I had in a half of a year was the results of it. I closed the love for Rufus and turned it into my magical energy. After all, he was the one who showed me how great the colorful world was, he showed me how much freedom people have while releasing their true power. And I actually believed that. I learned magic to continue me seeking to get those ideals. I wished one day to finally be able to choose my own path in the life. The path Fairy Tail wizards introduced me to. That was exactly why I wished to get stronger. To show everyone - my parents, Rufus, everyone else, that I wasn't anyone's puppet. I was my own person.

I'd love to know what you think about the short background story and the relatonship of those two characters. Soo... Please, leave a review!