Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SLAYERS. But then maybe I'd die and get reincarnated as... Nyeah... ^-^v Oh, and the **~** indicates flashbacks.
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 14: The Angsty Chapter!
Filia sat in the small dining room, a glass of red wine clasped loosely between pale fingers. The light was on, the day had passed without her giving any particular notice. Two days had passed without her doing anything productive at all, come to think of it. Just she, at home, moping about, alone. She didn't care, silently studying the glass and the dappled red fragments made by the light passing through it. In fact, right now, she was quite content into drinking herself stupid.
Crying would be good. It would feel good to cry, feel good to just let go, no she didn't feel like fighting anymore, not any more. Not now. Not this time. Maybe later.
She laughed.
She couldn't help it. It was just so damn weird, yet so comforting at the same time.
She didn't laugh when she learned. How could she? She didn't cry either. Why hadn't she? It would have been a very appropriate time. But no, she'd done neither.
It was stupid.
**~**
"So you're Filia."
She turned at the mention of her name, slightly startled. A tall blond man stood barely a table away, dressed in a meticulously pressed gray suit. Rings adorned his long, tapered fingers. Blue eyes. Behind him followed two men, years older and as formally clad; one with graying hair and the other a big, stately man with a dark moustache. "Excuse me?"
Zelgadis hung his head, shadows obscuring his eyes from view. "I'm sorry, Filia."
The very air seemed to freeze as they stood there, unmoving. What was the matter? This wasn't what she expected. This was not--
"Zelgadis..." She blinked, her gaze falling from the Chimera to the blond man and back. "What's wrong? What's the meaning of this?"
He didn't meet her stare. Instead the blond man strode to her view, facing her, taking her hand. "I'm afraid we haven't introduced ourselves properly. I am your cousin, Heigel Kaiser." He motioned to the gray-haired man standing a few feet behind him. "This is my legal adviser, Anthony Moreau. The stately gentleman over there, if you do not recognize him, is Senator Philionel El Di."
Filia frowned. "Kaiser?"
**~**
Someone was knocking at her doorstep, breaking her off of her trance.
She sighed, glancing at the dining room clock. Past eight. Who'd be knocking at her door at this hour? Val wouldn' t be coming home till next week. She set down her glass, noticed it was empty, reached for the long-necked bottle, poured herself another. One healthy gulp, there. She could feel the cool liquid sear down her throat, bitter yet oddly sweet, the warm flush afterwards as the alcohol raced through her system.
The knocking continued.
She drank on, and forced herself to ignore whoever it was, wishing they'd give up and go away. Damn insistent bastards. She hadn't known swearing could feel so good. Damn. Raise that blessed glass of wine, tilt it back, swallow it down. Ignore the knocking.
**~**
Heigel nodded slightly, steely blue eyes glinting as he let go. "Yes, of the Lyzeillian branch of our family."
She looked at him quizically, trying to process what all this could mean. She turned again to Zelgadis for an explanation. He still refused to meet her eyes. She turned back to the three standing there.
"Miss Filia Ul Copt," the gray-haired man was saying, "it would be my sad duty to inform you that there has been a very grave misunderstanding with regards to the ownership of Dragon Crest Industries. It..." Moreau broke off, studying her face as she stared back at him quietly, unmoving. "Twenty years ago," he continued, clearing his throat, "your grandfather, Saichuro Ul Copt, lost the ownership of Dragon Crest to Heigel's father Ronald Kaiser. Inci--"
"What?" Silent, that. Filia looked down, composing herself. "Forgive me, please continue," she whispered.
Moreau nodded. "Incidentally, Kaiser never bothered to take over management of Dragon Crest, due to various reasons. But he kept the deed of ownership under his name, which, with Mr. Kaiser's passing, now belongs to his son, Heigel, his sole heir."
**~**
It stopped finally, and she silently thanked the gods for at least answering one of her prayers. The hollow sound was starting to hurt her ears. Her vision was starting to blur, too. But then that was maybe from the drink. She thought she heard the sound of a door opening. Footsteps. She wasn't too sure. She reached for another glass.
"Filia?"
She turned in the direction of the voice, surprised but not really so that someone else was in the same room. Dazed blue eyes strained to focus on the still figure. She tried to force a smile on her features, but only ended with an expression nothing short of wistful. "Oh, it's you."
Xellos stood in the doorway, one hand at the doorpost, the other holding a bouquet of roses. "What? Not glad to see me?"
The tone of his voice was as lilting and cheerful as always, but he didn't smile. Or did he? Couldn't really tell.
"Today's a bad time," Filia answered quietly. She turned back to the comfort of her drink, avoiding his eyes. Well-dressed he was, as always; black coat thrown casually over a white shirt, creased slacks. She became aware of just how haggard she must look to him, dressed only in an old oversized turtleneck and house skirt, pale-faced, dark circles under her eyes. Unconsciously she ran a hand through her hair, fingers combing through the less persistent tangles.
He shrugged. "It's been two days." He strode forward to the table, facing her. "Well, it would be pointless to ask if you're alright, wouln't it?" Amethyst eyes bore into hers intently. "You obviously aren't."
She looked more than a little tipsy by the time he arrived. He saw her look up to see him, saw her stare uneasily at his shadow-laden form, saw her fragile blue eyes clouded with drink.
Perfect opportunity.
Xellos smiled slightly. Was this the time to make his decisive move?
Break her heart. Orders. No hard feelings, right?
"You can't hold your liquor, can you?" He chided her.
Filia glared at him. "I am not drunk!" She bit out, standing, leaning over him, almost collapsing over the table. Xellos caught her before she did.
"Oh yes you are." His cool breath tickled her cheek, and she shivered involuntarily. He held her a split second longer before releasing her, watching her blush turn a darker shade of crimson as she sank back to her seat.
She closed her eyes, shutting him off. Wanting to shut everything off. "Just--"
**~**
Silence.
They gazed at her expectantly, questioningly. What would she say? How would she react?
"Heigel." She lifted her head slowly, finding it difficult to draw out the words. "Do you really think I'd buy that?"
Zelgadis stood up. "I checked, Filia. I made sure. I thought I was sure. But..." He stared up at her, and shook his head again. "I'm... sorry," he muttered again, turning away.
Moreau approached her, handing her the papers. "The deed. You may examine it to your liking, but I assure you it is the genuine article."
She read through them carefully, quietly, turning perhaps a bit paler as she scanned every word. She knew enough of her grandfather's handwriting to know that it cannot be faked, and the ink scrawled on the page looked old, and steadily fading a rusty red around the edges.
"I know this is most unfortunate, Filia." Heigel, the blond man, was beside her again, hand adorned with rings on her shoulder. At that particular moment she decided she didn't find his voice at all comforting, however hard it tried to sound just that, "I believe that your late grandfather Saichuro had been a dignified and well-respected individual." He sighed, shifting his weight as he prowled around her, a predatory smile faintly visible on his lips. "Ah, but all people do have their weak moments. Too bad the old man fell rather hard, on that particular time."
Their gazes never left her. What was she to do? What did they expect?
She stood motionless, taking it all in. It seemed to last forever. She took a deep breath. She crossed her arms defiantly, but her voice trembled, betraying her emotions. "And what do you exactly plan to do?" She whispered.
Heigel shrugged. "Take over, as would be appropriate," he replied smoothly. He looked at her, face sober yet sharp. "Look, I know this would be hard for you, considering how you've run our clan's company for more than six years, but..." He trailed off, looking at the other men for approbation.
"I understand."'
"It would be a gradual thing, let me assure you," the blond man continued. "In fact, I would give you two months to make the necessary adjustments, as well as to inform your staff of the new arrangement, and--"
"I understand."
The senator looked at her still frame with concern. "Miss Filia, are you sure you are al--"
"I understand!" She repeated sharply, her face strained.
**~**
She reopened her eyes, shaking her head to clear those thoughts away. "Just go away."
He was studying her. Well, at least she thought he was, which wasn't all that reliable, seeing as she found it hard to think straight right about now. What did he say? She groped for the wine bottle, found it wasn't there, looked at him, frowned. "Give that back."
Xellos shook his head. "I think you've had enough," he replied, keeping the bottle of wine away from her.
Her frown deepened in frustration, but she settled back in her seat. There was still some wine left in her glass. She downed the contents in one gulp, avoiding his eyes.
"I know what happened," he went on. When she didn't reply, he continued, "So you won't be managing Dragon Crest now, would you?"
No answer. Just the clink of her glass as she set it down, proceeding to ignore him.
"Look at yourself," he said quietly, "Why are you doing this to yourself, Filia?"
He awaited her answer, though honestly he doubted she would. Inwardly he frowned. He seated himself across the table, watching her run shaky fingers over the glassy surface. She looked like a little waif of a child, with haunted, mourning eyes, skin pale except for the faint flush on her cheeks.
He had been there. Wouldn't you know, he'd followed her to the bistro that very evening, just two days ago. Had heard everything -- seen everything. There he had sat, in a table just far enough so no one would notice the purple-haired man in a shady corner of the room, but near enough so he could overhear the scene that took place.
Must've been quite devastating for her, he mused. He'd been rather taken aback at the revelation. Well, well. Saichuro had really gone and blown it all to pieces, eh? And now Filia has to suffer the consequences.
He'd watched her struggle to stay calm, taking it all in. Watched as her face retained an emotionless, quiet mask as all this was revealed to her by the blond man, who, despite the seemingly apologetic tone of voice and disposition, regarded her with cruelly smiling eyes.
Yes, in the state that she was, it would be the perfect opportunity to take advantage of her. She was obviously drunk, very depressed. Vulnerable. It would be a simple matter for him to get her to bed and--
"Doing what?" Filia countered, blinking at him. "I was just having myself a good time before you came in." Her voice was thin and a little slurred. She held out her hand. "Give me back my wine bottle."
He didn't resist. She smiled slightly at him as she poured herself another glass. "Drink with me?"
But he needn't sleep with her now, does he? She wasn't the owner of Dragon Crest anymore. In fact, what would be practical would be to break off his relationship with her as soon as possible, then develop another tactic to perhaps obtain the favor of the new owner.
The choices.
"If you insist," Xellos acceded, glancing at her through violet bangs. He helped himself to her cupboard, got a glass, poured. He sat back down across of her.
Why was he here?
"Why are you here, anyway?" she piped up, parallel to his line of thought. She was looking at him through heavy-lidded eyes, relaxed, slightly leaning to one side of her chair.
He shook his head. "Just thought I'd drop by," he answered, taking a sip. "You did cancel our little dinner date two days ago."
Filia tilted her glass a little, musing through this with down cast eyes.
Silence.
"Could I ask you something?"
"What?" He could feel himself tense just the tiniest bit. Had to be careful. Or perhaps the jig was up?
She looked directly at him, sadly, wistfully. "It just occurred to me," she began, lowering her gaze to observe the contents of her glass. She shook her head again to clear her thoughts. "No, forget it."
"Go on."
She looked at him again, as if deciding on something, hesitating, finally giving up. "I can't." Her voice cracked; she was on the verge of tears. "Damn, I can't..." She repeated.
She couldn't help it. She cried, burying her face in her arms.
He was beside her in a moment, shushing her, arms held protectively around her, as her slight body was wracked with sobs. "I... can't take this anymore... Why? Why..."
"Filia--" But was it true to tell her it was okay? That it will be alright? Xellos' mind reeled. What *was* the practical thing to do in this situation? How could he make it so he was in the winning end? How should he act so that he could be his same old manipulative, calculating self again?
He stared at her, searching her own eyes for an answer.
But it really didn't matter now, did it?
He kissed her, gently, carefully, tasting the salty flavor of tears on her dry lips. Her mouth opened to admit him, her body softening, sighing against his own.
Now was the perfect opportunity, dammit! The perfect instance for him to make his move! He could take this further, he could coax her to go all the way, and then--
But he couldn't do anything but kiss her softly, passionately, enough so he could feel her sigh in comfort and contentment, being with her like this.
What was happening to him?
He broke away reluctantly, for the first time in years feeling a distinct warmth on his own face. He couldn't smile, only stare at her, eyes open, disbelieving.
"I... " he began. What in Ruby Eye's name was-- "I think you need to rest now. Go to sleep."
She didn't smile either. But her eyes were dry. "Don't tell me you'll tuck me in?" Soft, her voice.
His eyes fell back to its familiar dark slits. "Why shouldn't I?"
They went upstairs, quietly, somewhat awkwardly. Was he seeing her for the first time? He tucked her in, watched her lie back on her pillow. The light was dim.
"Shouldn't you be leaving?"
"Don't worry."
She closed her eyes, yawning slightly. "Give me a reason not to..." She whispered, her words fading as she drifted off to sleep.
He turned back, made to leave her. He tried to smile, tried to revert back to his cocky grin. Somehow he couldn't. Something had changed.
Was he...
But he was not capable of any such emotion.
Or was he?
He gazed at her sleeping form. So peaceful. Golden hair framing her face, pooling in silken waves over the pillow, the blanket, her pale shoulders. A soft smile on her face, cheeks still ruddy from the drink, as she lay there.
He closed his eyes. He could hardly restrain himself, looking at her like this.
She turned suddenly in her sleep, so that she faced the doorway, a faint sigh escaping her rosy lips.
What happened? He didn't plan this. He didn't have any orders to--
Did it matter? A small voice in his head called out amongst the whirl of thoughts. It didn't, he replied, quietly. Right now, yes, right now... It didn't.
Xellos leaned forward until his face was mere inches from hers, purple eyes solemn, wondering. Then slowly, carefully, as if the moment was a delicate thing, and any rash movement would ruin the magic woven precariously over it, he placed a light kiss on her lips, feeling the cool touch of her skin, the sweet fragrance of her perfume over the alcohol.
"Good night, Filia," he whispered.
*~*
Author's Ramblings: Ooh, got really angsty here. O_O Cliffhangers? I'm the chibi queen of cliffhangers! Yay! So where's Val-kun? And everyone else? When do we kick Heigel's evil butt?
. . . . . .
Me: (hopeful) (to readers) You're really dying to know, right?
Jiyuu: No, they aren't.
Me: Yes, they do!
Jiyuu: No, they aren't!
Me: (twitchie) Yes, they do!
Jiyuu: No, th--
*two chibis wander off, still arguing*
AH, YES, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? (REVIEW, REVIEW, OH PLEASE REVIEW!!!)
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 14: The Angsty Chapter!
Filia sat in the small dining room, a glass of red wine clasped loosely between pale fingers. The light was on, the day had passed without her giving any particular notice. Two days had passed without her doing anything productive at all, come to think of it. Just she, at home, moping about, alone. She didn't care, silently studying the glass and the dappled red fragments made by the light passing through it. In fact, right now, she was quite content into drinking herself stupid.
Crying would be good. It would feel good to cry, feel good to just let go, no she didn't feel like fighting anymore, not any more. Not now. Not this time. Maybe later.
She laughed.
She couldn't help it. It was just so damn weird, yet so comforting at the same time.
She didn't laugh when she learned. How could she? She didn't cry either. Why hadn't she? It would have been a very appropriate time. But no, she'd done neither.
It was stupid.
**~**
"So you're Filia."
She turned at the mention of her name, slightly startled. A tall blond man stood barely a table away, dressed in a meticulously pressed gray suit. Rings adorned his long, tapered fingers. Blue eyes. Behind him followed two men, years older and as formally clad; one with graying hair and the other a big, stately man with a dark moustache. "Excuse me?"
Zelgadis hung his head, shadows obscuring his eyes from view. "I'm sorry, Filia."
The very air seemed to freeze as they stood there, unmoving. What was the matter? This wasn't what she expected. This was not--
"Zelgadis..." She blinked, her gaze falling from the Chimera to the blond man and back. "What's wrong? What's the meaning of this?"
He didn't meet her stare. Instead the blond man strode to her view, facing her, taking her hand. "I'm afraid we haven't introduced ourselves properly. I am your cousin, Heigel Kaiser." He motioned to the gray-haired man standing a few feet behind him. "This is my legal adviser, Anthony Moreau. The stately gentleman over there, if you do not recognize him, is Senator Philionel El Di."
Filia frowned. "Kaiser?"
**~**
Someone was knocking at her doorstep, breaking her off of her trance.
She sighed, glancing at the dining room clock. Past eight. Who'd be knocking at her door at this hour? Val wouldn' t be coming home till next week. She set down her glass, noticed it was empty, reached for the long-necked bottle, poured herself another. One healthy gulp, there. She could feel the cool liquid sear down her throat, bitter yet oddly sweet, the warm flush afterwards as the alcohol raced through her system.
The knocking continued.
She drank on, and forced herself to ignore whoever it was, wishing they'd give up and go away. Damn insistent bastards. She hadn't known swearing could feel so good. Damn. Raise that blessed glass of wine, tilt it back, swallow it down. Ignore the knocking.
**~**
Heigel nodded slightly, steely blue eyes glinting as he let go. "Yes, of the Lyzeillian branch of our family."
She looked at him quizically, trying to process what all this could mean. She turned again to Zelgadis for an explanation. He still refused to meet her eyes. She turned back to the three standing there.
"Miss Filia Ul Copt," the gray-haired man was saying, "it would be my sad duty to inform you that there has been a very grave misunderstanding with regards to the ownership of Dragon Crest Industries. It..." Moreau broke off, studying her face as she stared back at him quietly, unmoving. "Twenty years ago," he continued, clearing his throat, "your grandfather, Saichuro Ul Copt, lost the ownership of Dragon Crest to Heigel's father Ronald Kaiser. Inci--"
"What?" Silent, that. Filia looked down, composing herself. "Forgive me, please continue," she whispered.
Moreau nodded. "Incidentally, Kaiser never bothered to take over management of Dragon Crest, due to various reasons. But he kept the deed of ownership under his name, which, with Mr. Kaiser's passing, now belongs to his son, Heigel, his sole heir."
**~**
It stopped finally, and she silently thanked the gods for at least answering one of her prayers. The hollow sound was starting to hurt her ears. Her vision was starting to blur, too. But then that was maybe from the drink. She thought she heard the sound of a door opening. Footsteps. She wasn't too sure. She reached for another glass.
"Filia?"
She turned in the direction of the voice, surprised but not really so that someone else was in the same room. Dazed blue eyes strained to focus on the still figure. She tried to force a smile on her features, but only ended with an expression nothing short of wistful. "Oh, it's you."
Xellos stood in the doorway, one hand at the doorpost, the other holding a bouquet of roses. "What? Not glad to see me?"
The tone of his voice was as lilting and cheerful as always, but he didn't smile. Or did he? Couldn't really tell.
"Today's a bad time," Filia answered quietly. She turned back to the comfort of her drink, avoiding his eyes. Well-dressed he was, as always; black coat thrown casually over a white shirt, creased slacks. She became aware of just how haggard she must look to him, dressed only in an old oversized turtleneck and house skirt, pale-faced, dark circles under her eyes. Unconsciously she ran a hand through her hair, fingers combing through the less persistent tangles.
He shrugged. "It's been two days." He strode forward to the table, facing her. "Well, it would be pointless to ask if you're alright, wouln't it?" Amethyst eyes bore into hers intently. "You obviously aren't."
She looked more than a little tipsy by the time he arrived. He saw her look up to see him, saw her stare uneasily at his shadow-laden form, saw her fragile blue eyes clouded with drink.
Perfect opportunity.
Xellos smiled slightly. Was this the time to make his decisive move?
Break her heart. Orders. No hard feelings, right?
"You can't hold your liquor, can you?" He chided her.
Filia glared at him. "I am not drunk!" She bit out, standing, leaning over him, almost collapsing over the table. Xellos caught her before she did.
"Oh yes you are." His cool breath tickled her cheek, and she shivered involuntarily. He held her a split second longer before releasing her, watching her blush turn a darker shade of crimson as she sank back to her seat.
She closed her eyes, shutting him off. Wanting to shut everything off. "Just--"
**~**
Silence.
They gazed at her expectantly, questioningly. What would she say? How would she react?
"Heigel." She lifted her head slowly, finding it difficult to draw out the words. "Do you really think I'd buy that?"
Zelgadis stood up. "I checked, Filia. I made sure. I thought I was sure. But..." He stared up at her, and shook his head again. "I'm... sorry," he muttered again, turning away.
Moreau approached her, handing her the papers. "The deed. You may examine it to your liking, but I assure you it is the genuine article."
She read through them carefully, quietly, turning perhaps a bit paler as she scanned every word. She knew enough of her grandfather's handwriting to know that it cannot be faked, and the ink scrawled on the page looked old, and steadily fading a rusty red around the edges.
"I know this is most unfortunate, Filia." Heigel, the blond man, was beside her again, hand adorned with rings on her shoulder. At that particular moment she decided she didn't find his voice at all comforting, however hard it tried to sound just that, "I believe that your late grandfather Saichuro had been a dignified and well-respected individual." He sighed, shifting his weight as he prowled around her, a predatory smile faintly visible on his lips. "Ah, but all people do have their weak moments. Too bad the old man fell rather hard, on that particular time."
Their gazes never left her. What was she to do? What did they expect?
She stood motionless, taking it all in. It seemed to last forever. She took a deep breath. She crossed her arms defiantly, but her voice trembled, betraying her emotions. "And what do you exactly plan to do?" She whispered.
Heigel shrugged. "Take over, as would be appropriate," he replied smoothly. He looked at her, face sober yet sharp. "Look, I know this would be hard for you, considering how you've run our clan's company for more than six years, but..." He trailed off, looking at the other men for approbation.
"I understand."'
"It would be a gradual thing, let me assure you," the blond man continued. "In fact, I would give you two months to make the necessary adjustments, as well as to inform your staff of the new arrangement, and--"
"I understand."
The senator looked at her still frame with concern. "Miss Filia, are you sure you are al--"
"I understand!" She repeated sharply, her face strained.
**~**
She reopened her eyes, shaking her head to clear those thoughts away. "Just go away."
He was studying her. Well, at least she thought he was, which wasn't all that reliable, seeing as she found it hard to think straight right about now. What did he say? She groped for the wine bottle, found it wasn't there, looked at him, frowned. "Give that back."
Xellos shook his head. "I think you've had enough," he replied, keeping the bottle of wine away from her.
Her frown deepened in frustration, but she settled back in her seat. There was still some wine left in her glass. She downed the contents in one gulp, avoiding his eyes.
"I know what happened," he went on. When she didn't reply, he continued, "So you won't be managing Dragon Crest now, would you?"
No answer. Just the clink of her glass as she set it down, proceeding to ignore him.
"Look at yourself," he said quietly, "Why are you doing this to yourself, Filia?"
He awaited her answer, though honestly he doubted she would. Inwardly he frowned. He seated himself across the table, watching her run shaky fingers over the glassy surface. She looked like a little waif of a child, with haunted, mourning eyes, skin pale except for the faint flush on her cheeks.
He had been there. Wouldn't you know, he'd followed her to the bistro that very evening, just two days ago. Had heard everything -- seen everything. There he had sat, in a table just far enough so no one would notice the purple-haired man in a shady corner of the room, but near enough so he could overhear the scene that took place.
Must've been quite devastating for her, he mused. He'd been rather taken aback at the revelation. Well, well. Saichuro had really gone and blown it all to pieces, eh? And now Filia has to suffer the consequences.
He'd watched her struggle to stay calm, taking it all in. Watched as her face retained an emotionless, quiet mask as all this was revealed to her by the blond man, who, despite the seemingly apologetic tone of voice and disposition, regarded her with cruelly smiling eyes.
Yes, in the state that she was, it would be the perfect opportunity to take advantage of her. She was obviously drunk, very depressed. Vulnerable. It would be a simple matter for him to get her to bed and--
"Doing what?" Filia countered, blinking at him. "I was just having myself a good time before you came in." Her voice was thin and a little slurred. She held out her hand. "Give me back my wine bottle."
He didn't resist. She smiled slightly at him as she poured herself another glass. "Drink with me?"
But he needn't sleep with her now, does he? She wasn't the owner of Dragon Crest anymore. In fact, what would be practical would be to break off his relationship with her as soon as possible, then develop another tactic to perhaps obtain the favor of the new owner.
The choices.
"If you insist," Xellos acceded, glancing at her through violet bangs. He helped himself to her cupboard, got a glass, poured. He sat back down across of her.
Why was he here?
"Why are you here, anyway?" she piped up, parallel to his line of thought. She was looking at him through heavy-lidded eyes, relaxed, slightly leaning to one side of her chair.
He shook his head. "Just thought I'd drop by," he answered, taking a sip. "You did cancel our little dinner date two days ago."
Filia tilted her glass a little, musing through this with down cast eyes.
Silence.
"Could I ask you something?"
"What?" He could feel himself tense just the tiniest bit. Had to be careful. Or perhaps the jig was up?
She looked directly at him, sadly, wistfully. "It just occurred to me," she began, lowering her gaze to observe the contents of her glass. She shook her head again to clear her thoughts. "No, forget it."
"Go on."
She looked at him again, as if deciding on something, hesitating, finally giving up. "I can't." Her voice cracked; she was on the verge of tears. "Damn, I can't..." She repeated.
She couldn't help it. She cried, burying her face in her arms.
He was beside her in a moment, shushing her, arms held protectively around her, as her slight body was wracked with sobs. "I... can't take this anymore... Why? Why..."
"Filia--" But was it true to tell her it was okay? That it will be alright? Xellos' mind reeled. What *was* the practical thing to do in this situation? How could he make it so he was in the winning end? How should he act so that he could be his same old manipulative, calculating self again?
He stared at her, searching her own eyes for an answer.
But it really didn't matter now, did it?
He kissed her, gently, carefully, tasting the salty flavor of tears on her dry lips. Her mouth opened to admit him, her body softening, sighing against his own.
Now was the perfect opportunity, dammit! The perfect instance for him to make his move! He could take this further, he could coax her to go all the way, and then--
But he couldn't do anything but kiss her softly, passionately, enough so he could feel her sigh in comfort and contentment, being with her like this.
What was happening to him?
He broke away reluctantly, for the first time in years feeling a distinct warmth on his own face. He couldn't smile, only stare at her, eyes open, disbelieving.
"I... " he began. What in Ruby Eye's name was-- "I think you need to rest now. Go to sleep."
She didn't smile either. But her eyes were dry. "Don't tell me you'll tuck me in?" Soft, her voice.
His eyes fell back to its familiar dark slits. "Why shouldn't I?"
They went upstairs, quietly, somewhat awkwardly. Was he seeing her for the first time? He tucked her in, watched her lie back on her pillow. The light was dim.
"Shouldn't you be leaving?"
"Don't worry."
She closed her eyes, yawning slightly. "Give me a reason not to..." She whispered, her words fading as she drifted off to sleep.
He turned back, made to leave her. He tried to smile, tried to revert back to his cocky grin. Somehow he couldn't. Something had changed.
Was he...
But he was not capable of any such emotion.
Or was he?
He gazed at her sleeping form. So peaceful. Golden hair framing her face, pooling in silken waves over the pillow, the blanket, her pale shoulders. A soft smile on her face, cheeks still ruddy from the drink, as she lay there.
He closed his eyes. He could hardly restrain himself, looking at her like this.
She turned suddenly in her sleep, so that she faced the doorway, a faint sigh escaping her rosy lips.
What happened? He didn't plan this. He didn't have any orders to--
Did it matter? A small voice in his head called out amongst the whirl of thoughts. It didn't, he replied, quietly. Right now, yes, right now... It didn't.
Xellos leaned forward until his face was mere inches from hers, purple eyes solemn, wondering. Then slowly, carefully, as if the moment was a delicate thing, and any rash movement would ruin the magic woven precariously over it, he placed a light kiss on her lips, feeling the cool touch of her skin, the sweet fragrance of her perfume over the alcohol.
"Good night, Filia," he whispered.
*~*
Author's Ramblings: Ooh, got really angsty here. O_O Cliffhangers? I'm the chibi queen of cliffhangers! Yay! So where's Val-kun? And everyone else? When do we kick Heigel's evil butt?
. . . . . .
Me: (hopeful) (to readers) You're really dying to know, right?
Jiyuu: No, they aren't.
Me: Yes, they do!
Jiyuu: No, they aren't!
Me: (twitchie) Yes, they do!
Jiyuu: No, th--
*two chibis wander off, still arguing*
AH, YES, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? (REVIEW, REVIEW, OH PLEASE REVIEW!!!)