Nothing Else Matters
Chapter Seventeen
"If You Could…"
By: Dark Mousy
If you could step into my head,
Tell me,
Would you still love me?
And if you woke up in my bed,
Tell me then,
Would you hold me?
Or would you simply let it lie,
Leaving me to wonder why:
I can't get you out of this head,
That I call mine,
And I will say:
Oh, no,
I can't let you go,
My little girl…
Because you're holding up my world,
So I need you…
The minutes seemed to sweetly fall into hours, as Zechs held Suzuka within his protective embrace. He could slowly begin to feel her breathing regulate, and he felt the touch of her eyelashes against his neck as she opened her eyes.
He had been expecting her to pull away, but he knew that she didn't have the strength. She did not even try to pull away; her body did not tense, and her breathing did not quicken now that she knew where she was. Instead, she pulled herself closer to him, and rested a hand over the cloth of his chest. It was as if she knew as well, and a silent understanding was built between them where words could not fill.
Zechs stayed quiet for a few moments longer, savoring the sweet embrace he held with this woman who was an enigma to him, yet like a precious stone that he could barely keep his eyes away from. However, he knew that there was still so much that he had to take care of.
"Suzuka…" He started quietly, with his voice low from being silent and relaxed for so long. "I know it will be hard, but I need you to leave right now…"
"Zechs…"
"Straight down the hall, and up the staircases until you see windows that the city can be seen from… I trust you can find your way from there. A car will be waiting for you a block from here…"
He got up, slowly, and she gently moved back to sit on the floor, holding her upper arms so her lower arms crossed over her barely covered chest. Zechs moved to the side, and retrieved her clothes and red sash, before handing them to her just as slowly. Her face was turned down, and red hued line covered her cheeks and upper nose as she put on the garments, and tied the kimono like sash with skill.
Zechs stood up, and held his hand out to her, which she took. He looked down to her hand, which was red and swollen from lack of circulation, and her wrists, which were black with grime and cut in several places and then some.
Suzuka rose to her feet shakily, and almost immediately lost her balance as she held onto Zechs tightly. He did not know what to say that could comfort her, or what to do to give her the strength to go. She was so weak, and he could feel her frailty as he supported her with the strength he wished for her to have.
In the corner of the well-lighted room, in a place that would be well within Suzuka's vision, was her boken, obviously put there to remind her of her weakness and vulnerability. Zechs knew, most likely, that she would be too weak to even get out, but having a weapon would help her to not be completely defenseless.
She walked over, slowly, and retrieved it. She leaned against the wall for support as she wrapped the sheath around it and tied it with braided leather as rope. She seemed so frail, unlike when he had first seen her… But her spirit still remained, and for that he knew that some strength remained in her.
The silence still went on, and he heard her take a deep breath before straightening herself. She looked to him, as he stepped forward to be in front of her. He looked straight into her eyes, and his showed of longing and loss.
He wanted to hold her again, to kiss her lips and feel her breath against him. He sighed, as he looked away, and stepped aside for her to get by. He had held her… And that was enough.
She took a step, and now faced opposite of him, before she touched his arm lightly with her bare hand.
"Thankyou…"
He closed his eyes, and bowed his head with a small, rueful smile.
She left.
