Six days had passed since that dream. Hours and hours of lying awake. Haunted by disturbingly erotic visions of red hair. Panting lips. But worst of all that look in her eyes.
Every time he tries to shake the remnant images. Yet they wouldn't leave. Pivoting on his heel he avoids the claws that would have skewered him by a hair. The middle of a fight and they wouldn't leave.
Humongosoar, one of his toughest forms. Still he was riddled with cuts. Animo's diseased wolf hybrids couldn't match his strength. Their claws were sharp enough for it not to matter. A low growl escapes him as the beast avoids his fist. Jumping back from him it lands on all fours.
Coarse black fur, a snarling muzzle. Claws dripping with a vicious liquid that burned in his wounds.
Animo was gone but that didn't stop his pets from trying to eviscerate him. Wild beasts that tried to swarm him. Four lay broken in the street. The last two proved to be smarter. Darting in and out to take swipes at his hide. One serving as a target while the other comes in from behind. Raising his guard his eyes narrow.
A tortured howl pierces the air. The black form jumping with claws stretched out. A sidestep. Avoiding snapping jaws. He turns, fist swinging in a haymaker. The second beast had tried to jump on his back. Now too close to avoid the punch at its chest it flies back through the air. Landing on the pavement with a hard crunch. Ichor leaking from its jaw.
Facing the first again he steps back. The snarling hybrid slashes at his arms. Avoiding each swipe he waits. Looking for the right moment as he backpedals. One overextended strike from the beast and he turns his humongous form. Lashing out with his tail. A hard strike to its side. No reprieve, running after it he pummels the beast. Quick hits to keep it dazed.
One last punch to send it flying. Smashing into the other on the ground. A quick green flash and large crystals tear their way through the pavement. Encasing the monstrous forms up to their necks in green crystal. Breathing harshly he slowly rises from his crouch. Considering them for a moment longer. His eyes roving over the street and the battered bodies lying there. He almost wishes for the dreams again.
A second green flash tears it all away as a blue blur shoots away. For a moment his mind is blank. No lingering thoughts or fleeting images. No guilt over the broken bodies. Only feet hitting pavement. Rushing air in his ears. A steady rythm to lose himself in. Silence in his mind that can only last for as long as he runs.
Skidding to a stop he is assaulted yet again. Long red hair. Alluring lips. This time though they are not in his mind, but wrapped around a straw. Waiting for him to come to her.
An instant is left for him to decide, only a second where he can choose. Keep running or stop and face the music. The temptation is strong but he couldn't turn away from her. His gaze fixed on a point behind her. That doesn't mean he can't postpone it.
Changing back to his human form he walks past her to the cashier. Scrutinizing the menu, focusing on what choice he'll make. Everything else is shut out. Even the gaze burning into his back can't shake his contemplation. Yet for this one time he wishes there was a line.
All too soon he sits across from her. A single eyebrow of hers raised at him as he holds up a finger. Staving off her questions. Just a moment for the liquid courage to come as the sweet taste hits his tongue.
Her voice lowered in sympathy. Knowing that he only got like this if there was something that wouldn't stop gnawing at him. "That bad huh?" A mistake he made that ended up costing him.
Shrugging his shoulders he utters a short "Animo got away." before taking another long drink. Concentrating on the liquid as it is pulled up by the straw.
Gwen stares at him as he carefully avoids her eyes. Every attempt at drawing him out of his funk is swept away by another short answer. Clenching her fist below the table she cools her frustration, letting the silence stretch between them. It's clear to her that the fight reminded him of what happened on Endolea.
Smiling in relief when he finally gets to the last of his drink. Yet even then he manages to stretch that moment by slurping every remaining drop through the straw. Her brow begins to tick as the obnoxious sound continues even though there is clearly nothing left.
She grabs him by the wrist when she finally has enough. Pulling him out of his seat and after her, unminding of his protests. Her gaze darting up and down the street before she sees the all clear.
He stumbles after her, annoyed at the treatment. At the warmth of her hand around his wrist. "What's the big idea?!"
With a mischievous light in her eyes she turns to hem with a beatific smile. Stepping into his comfort zone she grabs him in a hug. Pushing her body full against his. She feels how he freezes, his mouth gaping. They twist. A pink light flashes.
Spots dance before his eyes, blinking rapidly he sees they're no longer out on the street. Standing in his apartment next to the large windows looking out over the trees. Closing his eyes he sighs, steeling himself against his traitorous thoughts.
When he speaks his voice shows none of his inner turmoil, just curiosity. "When did you learn to teleport?"
A soft voice near his ear as she gives him a squeeze. "You're not the only one that practices." In that moment he can't resist. Forgetting the war inside him he basks in the embrace. The softness of her body against his. The floral scent drifting into his nose. Most of all the warmth he can feel.
That warmth turns to ice trickling down his spine at the words that drift up. "It's not your fault, you know. Ycouldn't help it." His body stiffens, mind grinding to a halt as fear grasps onto his heart. "You can't keep blaming yourself for what happened at Endolea."
He relaxes marginally. Despite the fact that she was wrong he couldn't help but think how right she was as well. He couldn't do anything about his dreams, he had no control when asleep. But when awake is a different story.
He steps away from her embrace. Going over to the couch he sinks into it with a deep sigh. Massaging his temples. He looks at her and sees nothing but sympathy and a desire to help. With a heavy voice he speaks. "Thanks and I know." A short pauze breaks up his words. "But we need to talk."
Still certain of her wrong conclusion she walks over. Sitting next to him she grasps his hand into hers, trying to be as encouraging as possible so that his heavy weight could finally be lifted. A simple tilt of her head to signal she was ready to listen.
She wasn't ready for him to pull his hand from hers and start twiddling his thumbs as he hemmed and hawed. Yet she waits, knowing that it's difficult to talk about such things. She certainly hadn't wanted to talk about her problems. But he still helped her.
Lost in her own thoughts she missedsthe moment where he managed to ground himself. His voice shocking her from her silent reverie.
"We can't do this anymore." His tone is heavy, sad. She hears him but is mystified to what he means.
Her brows furrow as she tries to understand.
"It's too much for me too handle, we've done amazing things but-" His words trail off. Shaking his head he settles on something simple. "It's just too much, Gwen."
She sits still, mind reeling. Only a single word manages to break free. "What?"
His voice is anguished as he finally admits what's been tormenting him. "I can't be what you need. I want too much." Silence followed by a soft whisper that thunders with ramifications. "I'm tempted too much."
A shiver runs down her spine. Forcing herself to listen she realizes that he is afraid. Afraid of the same thing that tormented her. A conflict raging within that is tearing him apart. A choice between what is right and what should be.
Hunching over he places both palms on the back of his neck. Digging his fingers into his skin he groans deeply. An invisible wound bleeding inside.
Scratching his fingers back and forth quickly, he brushes them forward through his hair. He avoids her gaze again. Looking away even though his eyes try to dart to her.
He jumps up. "I'll help you find someone else." Pacing before her as he nods. Convinced of his words and what needs to be done. He stops at his own words, his fist hitting the palm of his hand.
Cold fingers wrap around her heart and squeeze as she sees his frantic motions. His mumbling of a plan doesn't register to her. Thoughts a jumble inside her, looking for anything to fix this mess.
Another fist slams into his palm, he flashes a smile that meant reassurance. It only seemed like a grimace to her. He turns away, back to her. Quick strides to the door. Words lost to the storm inside her head.
He reaches the door. Stretching his arm out to open it. Her hand snaps up. A shield forms inches before him. Too close for him to do more than open his eyes wide.
Smashing into the shield he curses loudly. Bouncing off he falls to the ground. Rolling on his back as he holds onto his nose. Hissing between mumbled curses. She sits frozen. Her arm still stretched out.
He sits up, turning towards her. Hands still cupped over his nose he shouts with an indignant nasal tone. "What the hell Gwen?!"
Despite the situation she snorts a laugh. Mirth bubbling up at the sight of him on the floor. She laughs even as his eyes narrow to try and see what happened to his nose.
She stumbles over to him from the couch. Kneeling before him she peels his hands away from his face.
Scrutinizing his nose her eyes and hands light up. Channeling her mana to sense the damage, healing what she can find.
His eyes are closed as the glow fades away. Inspecting his nose to make sure it's not crooked she speaks in an idle tone. "Are you going to stop being an idiot now?"
His eyes open wide, shock plainly visible before they narrow. Sputtering before whispering furiously. "What? I'm being serious!"
Her eyes flick up from his nose, staring into his for an instant. His breath catches at the look in her gaze before she moves them down again. Her fingers resting on his skin, testing to see if there is any lingering pain. "I know, does this hurt?" She bends the tip of his nose slightly in a few directions. He shakes his head when she lets go.
"Good." Quick as a flash she flicks him right in the nose. A pained yelp escapes him. Ready to launch into another shout he freezes as delicate lips press against his own. A strangled whimper escapes him. He doesn't move, frozen in the same position. Eyes wide as saucers.
She pulls away from him, in any other situation his expression would have been funny. Sighing she takes hold of his hands. Rubbing her thumbs over the top of them. Looking down at their clasped hands she begins to explain. His mouth closes slowly.
"I've already been where you are now Ben." She raises her head to gaze into his eyes with a soft expression. "I was afraid too. Afraid of what was happening. Of what it meant." Her eyes glitter with unshed tears.
"But it wouldn't leave me alone and I came to realize that I didn't want it too." Closing her eyes. "I've made my choice, but you are free to make your own. Just know that you don't need to be afraid." She releases a shuddering breath. "Even if you reject me."
His heart pounds so hard that he could hear it thundering in his ears. His head swimming with muddled thoughts. Several times his mouth opens but the words keep escaping him. Through it all she waited for him. Staying with him. The steadiness of her hands the only thing keeping his world from falling to pieces. His tilting mind finally righting itself.
His voice is hesitant and slow at first, searching for the right words. "You are incredible. There are so many things about you that I admire." A slight blush dusts over his cheeks at his tone. His gaze clouds over, looking to the side of her. "I've always admired you. But in these last week's I've seen even more of you. Your strength and..." At the last his words trail off again, a blush covering his own cheeks.
Shaking his head violently he tries again "If I ever found a girl even half as good as you I would never let go." Gazing deep into each other's eyes, gravitating towards each other. Catching himself Ben looks away, tone low and sad. "But this is…"
She silences him with a finger on his lips. Raising up on her knees. Her hand moves up, her finger joined by the rest as they brush over his cheek. A silent shiver passes through him. She moves closer. Her nose brushing down from his ear, over his other cheek. The lightness of her touch stuns him. Barely there and yet all that he knows.
Her voice a whisper from far away. "Tell me to stop." He stays silent. Her lips touch his closed lids. "Say it." Her hand rests on the back of his neck as she traces a line down from the corner of his eye. Lips gliding over his skin. "Plea-"
His hands reach up to the sides of her head. Holding her in place as he kisses her. Their lips molding against each other. Lightning sparks. Her hand fisting in his shirt. The warmth of their lips engulfing the whole of them.
He captures her lower lip between his, sucking lightly as she moans. Her hand moves from the back of his neck up to his hair. Fisting between the strands she raises up. Pulling her lip free she traces his with the tip of her tongue. Pressing a last kiss to him she pulls back.
Eyes opening as she falls back panting lightly. She sees as his eyes flutter, fingers twitching. His breath heavy. Her tone low and husky. "You didn't tell me to stop."
Finally his eyes open, a half lidded gaze that makes her shiver. A hoarse quality to his voice that she's never heard from him before. "Not like you left me much choice." He lets himself drop down, resting on his elbows.
"That's never stopped you before." His eyes close briefly at that. Opening fully to scrutinize her, some lingering hesitation still lurks inside. With a single blink something changed. A resolve found within him he reaches out.
She lays her hand in his, allowing herself to be dragged closer to him. Laying down next to him on the floor. His hand hovers in the air between them. His fingers tracing the features of her face. Following the shell of her ear.
She closes her eyes as they go down her chin and up her cheek. Sighing softly at the touch. They glide down her nose. Back and forth over her lips. His hand stretches out over her cheek.
This kiss was simple. Warmth. Fireworks. But more than simply passion.
Assurance lay in that kiss. The next dozen only affirming the message. Even as they lay back on the floor and her body melds to his their contact doesn't break. Sweet kisses a guarantee of their presence to each other.
Eventually they break away. He lies back on the floor while she lays her head on his chest.
A sweet voice with a horrible message. "You're going to brush twice a day from now on." Promising repercussions if the command isn't obeyed.
"Crap."
The thought that it was a low price to pay flashes through his mind.
Einde
AN:
That was the end of this journey, it's been a fun one. Although I have to admit that I'll probably come back and revise this story at some point. There are still missing opportunities.
You have no idea how sorely tempted I was to have him walk away after that kiss and let it drag on a bit more.
There are two additional chapters incoming, the first a fluff and smut, the second a pure smut. Both showing them at a later stage when they are more comfortable with themselves and their relationship.
Well I hope you enjoyed the story. If there are parts that could have been done better don't hesitate to let me know.