*I do not own any of the characters from V for Vendetta* *If you're reading this please drop a review! It encourages me to keep writing :)*

Evey brushed her fingertips along the spines of the bookshelf, tracking for something new to read. She closed her eyes and picked one at random.

Massage Therapy with the Use of Hot Stones.

Evey raised an eyebrow. Was V secretly a massage therapist? Was that his weekend job? She chuckled to herself at the thought. No, he probably didn't even know he had it given the sheer amount of volumes in his collection.

Evey flicked through the pages. The book was small but covered almost every part of the body. It also gave instructions on what stones to use and substitutes for oil. Deciding it was worth a read and also for lack of better thing to do, Evey headed to the couch to settle in. The extreme weather above had practically put the city on lock down. Even V had paused his frequent trips to London and had remained in the Gallery with her all week. They hadn't breached the topic of the things that transpired under the snowy trees. Thankfully, It wasn't an awkward silence. Evey didn't know what she would do if it was. Pushing back memories so she could focus, Evey began to read.

——————————————————

By the end of the hour, V didn't think he had anything left in him to sweat out. He let the barbell fall back with a clang.

He couldn't avoid it anymore.

I'm going more insane than I already am.

Since the evening in the snow with Evey, something had clicked in V. He wasn't entirely sure what it was, or if he had felt it before his time at Larkhill. Whatever it was —love, lust or nervousness — it infuriated him. The snowfall outside wasn't helping any either. He was like a panther, restlessly pacing in the dark, caged deep underground. Normally he would escape for some evening air but given the icy state of the city roofs he knew he couldn't risk it. A broken ankle would make enacting his plans infinitely more complex.

Still though, he considered it. He wasn't trying to avoid Evey. No. On the contrary he wanted to be around her every minute, every second. He wanted to run his fingers over her perfect lips and feel the patter of her heart against his. He wanted her to know he was hers.

V wiped the sweat from his face. He needed to cool off. Scooping up his bundle of silk shirt and mask, he checked the hallway before stepping out of the gym to head to his room. A light flick echoed across the walls and V registered instinctively the sound of a page being turned.

She's reading. No, she's waiting for you. Waiting for you to say something.

V took a bracing shower before donning his typical garb. He took his time, steadying himself into his air of confidence before striding toward the back of Evey's head poking over the top of the couch.

————- —————- ——————

"Oh! V you're back!" Evey beamed. Her initial shock of seeing V arrive silent as a ghost into the corner of her vision wore off and she rose to bounce lightly on her toes in front of him. "I've been waiting to ask you something important."

"Oh?"

V hesitated, caught off guard. Ask him something? Was she looking for a confession? Did she want him to remove his mask and bare himself to her? A typhoon whirled through his mind. He was thankful his voice still remained collected however.

"Yes! Do you have any rocks?"

V let his breath whoosh out in a laugh.

"Why yes m'lady. Choose your stone, we've got marble, concrete, soapstone..." V gestured around the room at various objects and at the walls themselves. They were, after all, underground. Evey blushed and swatted him lightly on the shoulder with her book.

"Very funny. I meant ones that can fit in my palm, preferably flat and smooth if you can."

Suddenly, Evey witnessed something she had never seen before. Something she thought she would never see. V clutched his shoulder and let out a faint groan. It was barely audible, just a whisper from the lips of his mask, but Evey heard nonetheless. V could feel pain?

"Oh gosh V, I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

V let his hand drop and rolled his shoulder in an attempt to recover his pride.

"No, no. You could never hurt me. I'm just a bit sore from my exercise regime. Maybe I should cut my workouts down to once a day for awhile. Nothing to be concerned about. And I do believe I will have some rocks to your liking. If you'd like to follow me I'll show you."

V led Evey down the stairs toward the bomb room. Her brow furrowed.

"You do know I said rock right? Not rocket?"

V chuckled and the sound reverberated off the walls of the narrow staircase.

" I did indeed. There's another room down here. You haven't explored it yet but you're free to do so now so long as I'm not working next door." V pushed open a heavy wooden door opposite the bomb room and stepped inside. Evey followed in wonderment.

So this is where he gets all the food!

A miniature underground sanctuary surrounded her. Planter boxes brimming with vegetables and assorted flowers lined the walls of the room. A carefully designed irrigation and lighting system kept them alive. In the Center, a strip of grass led to a small decorative pond that boasted an ornate fountain. The splashes calmed Evey and made her long to be above ground.

"It's beautiful, V."

"Mm," He agreed with a tinge of pride. It was even more beautiful with her in the room. A befitting scene indeed. One worthy of an epic that perhaps he would write himself. "Here you'll find what you were looking for." V brought himself out of his reverie and stopped low by the pond side. Smooth rocks covered the lining below and formed the bottom of the pool.

"Perfect! These will do just great." Evey selected a few, drying them on her shirt and passing them to V. When she chose four similar to those in the book, she rose. "Time to head to the kitchen."

"The kitchen? Are we having rocks for dinner?" V asked, thoroughly amused.

"No, but you'll see. I'll meet you in your—" Evey caught herself. V's room. She had never seen V's room. Would he even invite her in?

The mask tilted quizzically.

Bloody! Well you're in for it now. Best see it through.

"— your room," Evey managed to finish with conviction. She couldn't see it, but V let his jaw drop. His heart pounded beneath his doublet and he broke out in a sweat.

His room?! What was she thinking? What should he be thinking? Maybe it was like before, just him getting ahead of himself. Yes, that was it.

"My room? I can get you something if you like...though I don't know what you would possibly need from it. An extra guy fawkes mask perhaps?"

Evey smirked, sensing his dread. She was actually kind of enjoying herself.

"That won't be necessary. Like I said, you'll just have to wait and see. I'll meet you on your bed...that is, if you have one." Evey winked as a final touché and took the rocks from his stunned hands. Without awaiting a reply she turned and left for the kitchen, glad V didn't immediately follow. She wasn't sure her confidence would last through an explanation.

———————————-

Ten minutes later and Evey was ready to go. She had gathered the necessary items: a pot of boiling water, a facecloth, a small jar of oil and of course, her stones. Putting the smaller items into a bag for easier transportation, Evey slung it over her shoulder and carefully carried the lidded pot down the hall to V's closed door. She was surprised to see it slightly ajar. It was the first time she had ever caught a glimpse of inside. Using her toe, Evey pushed it open enough to slip through.

To say it screamed V would be an understatement.

Masterpieces covered the four walls and positioned in the center of the room was a dark wood king bed, complete with black silk sheets and duvet. A small vanity held a stand for his wig and an extra mask hung from the mirror. Despite the shocking darkness of the environment, warm lighting from several lamps scattered around the room created a comfortable atmosphere. The faint scent of V — leather and a subtle cologne — mixed with the smell of wood filled the room. Evey wished she had explored the place sooner.

V cleared his throat.

"I assume you're going to need somewhere to put the pot down Evey?"

Her stunned eyes snapped to V who was perched uncomfortably on the edge of the bed. He really didn't know what to make of the situation. Evey smiled. She didn't want him uncomfortable. In fact, it was the exact opposite of what she was trying to achieve.

"I think the side table will do." Evey carefully put the pot down and unloaded her bag. When she was done, she turned to V and clasped the book in front of her. Her fingers were slick on the plastic cover from the butterflies dancing in her stomach.

"So I was looking through my-er-your library—"

"Our library," V corrected with a nod.

"Right. I found this book and thought it would be cool to try out the skill. I guess I got a little excited at the thought." She handed him the book and he took it, giving the cover a quick glance. "I know you have your burns and I know you probably don't want to show me...but I guess I hoped that after last week you would let me try it out."

V remained silent, merely brushing his gloved hand over the pages absently.

"If I'm wrong that's totally fine V. I'm sorry, it was silly of me not to be more sensitive. There's lots of techniques to try on my own legs and arms." Her nerve was breaking, and V could tell.

Make a choice man!

His brain cried with the fear of 20 years being unseen while his heart longed to be freed. As Evey turned to leave, his body chose for him. A hand shot out and gently caught her wrist.

"No need Evey. If you're willing to put in all this work, then I'm willing to be your patient. I'm in your hands."

Quite literally.

Evey smiled. Somehow he knew the perfect way to make her feel instantly fearless again. She would do better to remember what he had taught her.

"Thank you. I think I know the most about the back so if you don't mind we could start there. I'd need your shirt off. You can put your face between two pillows for support."

"Close you eyes." V instructed. Evey obliged. She wasn't going to push him. However, she couldn't help but wonder what his reaction would be if she suddenly opened them. Would he be angry? Disappointed? Excited when she showed him how much she wanted it?

V undid the buttons on his vest before shrugging it off along with his shirt. He removed his gloves for good measure as well and took a long look at his hands.

Hideous. Monsterous. Mutant. Beast. Revolting.

He clenched his hands into fists and hardening his resolve, settled face first into his soft pillows. In truth Evey didn't need to close her eyes, but he couldn't bear to see her reaction, especially if it was anything like his own.

He heard no response except her steady breathing. He gasped when her fingertips trailed lightly over his shoulder blades.

Oh V.

Evey thought as her hands ran over his burns. It must have been so painful. She blinked back a few tears and turned to her oil. When she had a good layer spread across his skin, she retrieved a stone from the hot water, dried it, and began to move it in long strokes up his back. V groaned in pleasure.

"Thaghs amazhing evghh," V mumbled into the pillows. He didn't realize how tight he was until his knots began to release.

"I'm glad," Evey hummed. "And V?"

"Mmhm."

"Let me know if I'm hurting you ok? Your burns I mean." Suddenly, his hand closest to her reached back and brushed along her arm tenderly before falling back.

"You've already done more to heal me than you know," V said, turning his head on the pillows so that he could see her through one eye of his mask. "And no, the burns have been desensitized for a long time now. The pain I felt once has but vanquished."

It's burned into my soul instead.

——————————————————————-

Evey worked over V until her arms grew heavy and her stones cold. For her first time she did well. Only once or twice did she accidentally run over a bone or tender ligament. She returned her stones back into the pot with a sigh of satisfaction. Turning back to V, she noticed something curious. He hadn't moved in a long time and his breathing was deep and fluid.

He fell asleep!

She smiled, she was exhausted herself. The dim lighting and cave-like environment didn't help. She felt the urge to lay next to him and close her eyes. Her jaw set.

Crossing over to the other side of the bed, Evey slowly sank down onto it until she was comfortably opposite V. She didn't want to touch him for fear of waking him and seeing his reaction, and so she slid under his glorious silk sheets and facing him closed her eyes. It wasn't long before her breathing harmonized with his.

——————————————————-

When V awoke he was instantly on edge. He saw nothing but darkness and felt a presence to his right. Pushing up, his head whipped over and memory flooded back. Evey. Evey's hands, stones. Oh my god man you fell asleep!

V cursed himself. How could he waste the sensation of her massage by sleeping!? He couldn't berate himself for long however because the view beside him took his breath away. Evey lay half covered by his dark blanket, curled into a ball with her head on one arm. Her brilliant skin shone like the moon against the somber backdrop. V settled back down slowly to watch her. His heart filled with heat...among other things.

He took a few breaths to steady himself.

He subconsciously reached out a finger to trace her jaw. Brown eyes opened to gaze at him, followed by a satisfied smile.

"You fell asleep."

"So did you." Evey retorted.

"Touché."

V took her free hand and brought the back of it to the lips of his mask.

" Thank you for the massage Evey. I feel amazing." Aside from some light bruising.

"Hmm...good. Maybe you should spend less time in the gym." And more time not avoiding me.

V's heart skipped a beat. She had him, and they both knew it. The one person who could back a terrorist into a corner.

"I'm sorry, you deserved better from me this past week. I..." V let his breath out in a whoosh. "...I suppose I was just not sure what the appropriate response was and it was easier to avoid it."

Evey took her hand from his and placed it over his heart.

" It's ok, I understand completely. If I'm being honest I've been terrified of talking about it all week too. But gods, I missed this." The heat of his skin seared into her palm and his heart beat calmed her like nothing else.

"Evey..." V rumbled. As if his voice could somehow emminate from his chest instead of from behind his mask. "...I want to try something, just as you tried something on me today. I've never done it before and I just need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

Evey blinked back, curious. " Of course."

"Thank you," V sighed in relief. She trusted him, now it was his turn to trust her. "Close your eyes, just for a moment." Evey did as he asked.

Slowly, V removed his mask and wig, setting them on the nightstand beside him. Then, taking the edge of the sheets and blanket, he threw them over both him and Evey, forming a pod of darkness. The fabric was light enough that they could both breath easy. Scooching forward, V brought his arm around Evey's back and drew her close. She sighed in pleasure as her face pressed against his firm chest.

"Ok, you may open your eyes now," V whispered.

Evey furrowed her brow as she opened her eyes. It took her a moment to realize that V had formed a tent above them. But why? Her hands followed up from his chest, to his shoulders. When she didn't feel the hair from his wig, it dawned on her.

No, he didn't. Did he?

He did.

Her mouth fell open in the darkness as her hands trailed up V's neck onto his face. His face. His actual face was beneath her skin. He shuddered under the touch. Greedily, Evey explored, trying to create a picture in her mind. Strong jaw, high cheekbones and a straight nose. No hair, no eyebrows, but nice ears. Finally, her thumb trailed over his lips. The corner of his mouth was pulled up slightly in a scar, but other than that they were perfect. They moved against her thumb, pecking lightly.

"V, I don't know what to say." With that, V's heart sank. He withdrew slightly, loosening his firm hold on her torso. Feeling it and realizing her mistake, Evey gripped his jaw and pulled her face toward his in the darkness. V didn't expect the softness of her lips. For a moment, he stayed still from shock. Then, as his body took over from his brain, he deepened the kiss and consumed every moment of it. She was refreshing like cool water, like he could finally breathe. He drank her in. After a moment, Evey broke away flushed and breathless.

He's so hot! And these blankets aren't helping.

"V, I'll keep my eyes closed, I just need—" before she could finish she flung off the blankets. The cool gallery air washed over her. "Ahh, that's better."

V chuckled in her ear, breathless himself. His lips brushed along her neck and she turned her face to press against his.

"Hear my soul speak. Of the very instant that I saw you, Did my heart fly at your service."

"Shakespeare. The Tempest."

"Very good." He let his lips trail across her's in approval.

Evey turned into him, tucking her head into the pocket of his neck so she could open her eyes.

"V? Will you let me see your face one day?"

He hummed a tune absently, a cheek against her head.

"Oh Evey I dare say you will. I never knew women could be such a powerful force. Now I know what they mean: why Odysseus would spend so long returning to Penelope. Why Dido would sacrifice herself at Aeneas' departure. You have that hold on me. But Evey? If I may ask you not today."

She shivered in excitement and melted into his chest.

" Of course V, thank you. Whenever you're ready."

"I love you." The darkness murmured.

"I love you too," The wind sighed back.

*Thank you for reading! Please review and follow if you're enjoying these! Seeing them really encourages me to keep writing. Also, these are practice for my book so if you have any critique on the style etc.. please feel free to comment. Peace out everybody! Once again, I don't own the characters nor the quote from Shakespeare. *