Time Heals Most Wounds
Chapter One:
Splinter
Thomas turned over again, pushing against the pillows. He couldn't sleep, as always, Fiona on his mind, also as always. It hurt to think of her; her beautiful face shining with radiance, her kindness coming off in waves. He thought a second, or…was it Fiona he was really thinking of? He shifted to his back, staring at the ceiling, his eyes then drifting to the portable BEEK unit that had been dropped down carelessly on the nightstand with the clock nearby, it's red block numbers reading 1:13 am. The young Lieutenant sat up, running a hand through his messy, sandy blonde hair with a sigh. He quickly dressed in the teal-ish and cream tunic and baggy brown pants, slipping on his shoes and opened the door. Thomas had barely stepped a foot out and heard them, his breath catching painfully in his throat.
Fiona leant against the wall, by Van's door, the other Lieutenant nuzzling at her. He watched their lips meet sloppily, a giggle escaping her lips as he licked her exposed neck.
Thomas could feel his heart constrict, crack, then shatter into sharp fragments as if it were made of glass. Tears lodged in the back of his throat as he stepped back inside, throwing all his belongings into a backpack, staring with absolute abhorrence at his Guardian Force ID pass, feeling the pendant burn his skin underneath his tunic. He snatched it up and swung the bag over his shoulder.
"Heeeeey….Thomas." Fiona giggled as Van stumbled into him as he passed.
"Heh, looks like she likes me….where yah goin' buddy?" He asked, both obviously smashed. He couldn't care less as he punched him in the stomach, flipping Fiona the bird.
He retreated to his brother's room, pounding on the door until the sleepily tousled Colonel opened the door.
"Thomas? What are you doing up so late…or rather, early?" he questioned, rubbing his eyes as Meara padded up behind him in a more alert state, dressed in an oversized night shirt that could have been mistaken for a dress.
"Thomas? What's wrong?—" She reached out her hand but he drew away holding up the ID.
"I quit! I fucking quit!" He shouted, throwing it down to the floor, tearing the pendant away as well.
"Thomas! What happened—" Karl tried to ask as he turned and ran for the Dibison.
BEEK whistled at him in inquiry as he growled.
"Not now, BEEK." He said, letting it take control as he rested his head in his hands, the tears finally falling. He knew that Fiona could never love him, geek-y, awkward Lt. Thomas Richard Schubaltz, but seeing her with Van like that, made all of those thoughts a painful reality. His heart and throat ached as he tried to control his sobs.
——— † ———
After a few hours, Thomas regained some control, and realized, he had no idea where he was. He rubbed his eyes gently, sore from crying, and leant his head back, trying to drive the stiffness from his limbs. BEEK whirred, shrilly, alerting him to another presence. As he looked up his stomach tightened, there stood a red, hulking Zoid.
/Shit!/ He growled to himself as the cockpit of the Geno-Breaker opened and Raven hopped down with ease.
Thomas followed his actions and landed at the foot of the Dibison. He sat, finding his legs too weak and sore to hold him. Raven stared down at him, perched on a boulder.
"You're Peregrine's man, ne?" He paused. "No, his brother, right?"
He nodded as the other raised himself, palms pressed flat on the rock, seeming to peek down at him, with a mischievous grin. "Peregrine was right, you are a biscuit!"
"A what?" Thomas sat up and Raven grinned.
"Oh, nothing." He said but the grin stayed. "So what brings you all the way out to this wasteland?"
"N-nothing."
"Really?" He sat back. "Tell me?"
"No." He said coarsely, standing.
"Hm? Why did you stop then?"
Thomas paused. /Why in the name of Zi did I stop? This is the last thing I want to be doing. Dealing with a maverick like him./
"I don't know." He said finally.
"Hmph. I think you do. On a mission to kill me? Well, go ahead, see if I care."
"No. Now shut up. I'm not even part of the Guardian Force anymore."
"Huh?"
"I quit."
"Why?"
"None of your goddamn business. You…" He spat angrily as Raven rolled his eyes again.
"I am what, Thomas?"
"Shut up! I am not in the mood to deal with you, right now!" He shouted.
The rogue shrugged. "You should head home, Fiona may get worried about you."
Thomas shook, and he dropped to his knees, unable to hold himself up any longer.
Raven chewed on his lower lip and knelt before him.
"Thomas? What happened? Why are you really out here?" He asked, his voice gentle and calming.
"Fi-Fiona…and…Van…" Was all he gathered between sobs. Raven sighed softly and lifted the other's chin and stared into his pretty lime coloured eyes, giving him a sympathetic and pained smile. He took Thomas into his arms, holding his face comfortingly into his neck and Thomas allowed him, not even caring it was his enemy doing so, feeling a certain sense of familiarity and love within Raven's embrace.
—— † ——
Thomas Richard Schubaltz, ex-Lieutenant of the Guardian Force and Imperial Army, groaned willing himself to wake. /Where am I?/ He wondered to himself, sitting up. The air smelled like incense, coffee and cigarettes. His eyes and throat were both sore.
Raven sat, seeming perched again, on a stool by the window, staring out, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. Thomas went to say something, but stopped when Raven's eyes drifted to him.
"You're awake, huh?" It was a bland statement.
"How did I…."
"You kind of passed out."
"Oh. I'm sorry." Raven shrugged.
He drew a knee up to his chest, resting his heel on the seat, and took a long drag, holding the smoke in. The silence lasted even after he let it out, until his fingers picked at the frayed threads around the hole in the knee of his jeans.
"You didn't deserve that, what she did. She could have been kinder, to you at least. I mean, at least you're a nice guy…she always did strike me as a bitch." He said quietly. "I know how you feel, but I just wasn't good enough. I probably deserved it."
"For whom? Good enough for whom, I mean." He asked tentatively.
"Van." He said even quieter.
"What…?"
"Come on, he's magnetic, everybody falls for him." He smiled shyly. "Even me. One really can't help it, he's kind, sweet, handsome, naïve. Sickeningly perfect. You didn't stand a chance with Van around, otherwise, I'm sure Fiona would have fallen right into your arms." The dark haired pilot told him, looking away, his smile gone completely.
"I'm not so sure. Why would anyone want me?" He rolled his eyes, standing shakily.
"Oh, I could see why. You're a genius, cute, sweet, just like Van, but…not annoying." He smiled again, that charming, bashful smile. He watched Raven flick the ashes onto the windowsill.
"I'd…better go."
"Where? Back to the base?"
"No, I told you, I quit, I'm not going back."
"Then, where?"
"I….don't know yet."
Raven sighed. "What? Go back home? That won't go over well." He rolled his eyes, picturing the scene.
Thomas growled as Raven stood, taking in on the cigarette again.
"Look, I'm not making fun of you, but that's not a good idea, for your own sake."
"Well, what do you suggest?—"
"Stay here." He said shyly, facing the window again.
"What?"
"You could…stay here with me, until you figure out what you want to do."
"Do you mean it?"
"Uh huh." He crushed the cigarette on the sill and left it there. "I don't mind."
"Raven….I mean…thank you."
"Oh, I called Meara, to tell her you were here, just so she and your brother wouldn't worry themselves to death looking for you."
"Thanks. I owe you."
He shrugged and swung himself off of the stool.
"Rules," he said, "There are none, just don't break anything."
"Okay."
Raven moved and resettled himself on the high-chair in front of a pedestal with a sculpture on it, picking up a tool. Thomas knew he should leave him alone but his curiosity lead him to creep over and admire his work.
"Wow…"
"Huh?" Raven seemed startled, looking to him.
"That's really good. It's of Shadow, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry…about--"
"It's okay."
Thomas smiled. "But, really! How did you do that? It's amazing!" Raven tried to seem bothered but the sandy haired Lieutenant could tell he was beaming with pride.
"I dunno. How are you good with machines and computers and stuff?"
"Practice, studying…"
"Exactly." He smiled and propped his feet on the rungs.
[end Chapter One: To be Continued…]
Hey, Naomi here, the revamp is up. Not much different like I told ya. *grumbles* stupid Grandpa. I go to help shovel snow and he calls up the /second/ I finish getting re-dressed to say, oh my neighbour did it. *hiss*