Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SLAYERS. *watches sopping wet Xellos chibis prancing around on the screen* ^^
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 21: Summer Rain And Summer Nights
It was quite dark outside, given the rain. Chance of a heavy downpour tonight, she remembered the forecaster had announced earlier. Well, what do you know, barely fifteen minutes into seven in the evening, it did. Not that *that* was too hard to predict, seeing as the sky was gray and overcast for most of the day.
She'd left the teashop early, having conferred with Lina on regards of the lawsuit they were filing on Kaiser, given a pep talk to the employees, assuring them that whatever the outcome, she'd make sure they could not be laid off earlier than what was written in their contracts, called Val to inform him they were coming along alright, no need to worry, and generally went about business. It had been a very busy day, to say the least. Now, observing the steady rainfall from the living room window, she was looking forward to a quiet night alone in the house. It would do her good to collect her thoughts, think things over about other matters that didn't concern work, namely a certain annoying purple-haired Mazoku.
The blonde frowned slightly. She wasn't too sure, but he seemed to be avoiding her, leaving almost as soon as he relayed to them the bit of info about the bond the other day, not even calling after that. Come to think of it, she found it rather strange why he went to the trouble of tracking Kaiser for them. She sank down further into the couch, head leaned back in repose. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was getting just a tiny bit worried over him. What was wrong? Did he suffer a nasty bump on the head and suddenly turned sane? Did he finally get tired of annoying her? What?
She rolled her eyes at herself. Not that she *wanted* him to annoy her. She sure wouldn't miss that, no. But what she missed were the little things, his smile, the way he'd look at her, the way he joked around... things she was just beginning to find endearing, albeit troublesome at times. She touched her fingers to her lips. He hadn't even kissed her for days, not since that night he came and tucked her into bed. It was barely a week. How could she start missing him for less than a week?
Someone was knocking on the door, pulling her away from her thoughts. She stood up, wondering who would be at her door at this hard a downpour. Considering how she'd been practically mulling over him this afternoon, she wouldn't be surprised if--
"Xellos."
She swung the door wider, slightly leaning against the doorframe as she looked him over, surprised at his appearance. OK, so it WAS raining very hard. But you'd think the Mazoku had the sense to bring an umbrella, even travel by his high-tech car or something. "You're soaking wet."
"How nice of you to point it out, Filia-chan." Yes, it was Xellos, alright.
"Why do you always find yourself wandering in here?" Filia faked annoyance as he grinned at her.
He shrugged. "I frankly don't know myself." Drip, drip.
"Well?"
Xellos stared at her blankly. "Well what?"
"Are you going to stand out there in the rain, or are you coming inside?"
"My, my, is that an invitation?" He raised one eyebrow suggestively.
She blushed slightly at that, but continued to glare composedly, not answering. When they were both inside, she pointed to the wooden stairway. "Val's room is upstairs. You could change into one of his larger clothes. The bathroom is right next to it. Take a shower if you like."
"Hospitable, aren't we?"
"Don't push it, namagomi," she snorted. "I don't want to be the reason you'd catch pneumonia just because you didn't have the sense to come in from the rain." She folded her arms. "Anyway, you need to change. You're soaking up the floor. What happened to you?"
"I was just... talking a walk," he replied, not really in the mood to beguile her with his catch phrase.
"In the rain?" Filia added incredulously.
"Well, I got caught," Xellos explained breezily, brushing the subject off. "Anyway, I'm off to avail myself of the shower you so generously offered me. You wouldn't be joining me by any chance?"
Withering Glare.
"Very well then," he declared, happy to get the upper hand in the taunt, "No peeking." Wink. He gave her a final casual wave, and headed for the stairs.
*~*
"No peeking -- why that -- I oughta -- *grumble**grumble**mutter**rant*!!!" Filia continued to huff and fume in the quiet of the dining room as she set the table for dinner, accompanied by the pouring outside. It was easily progressing into quite a rainstorm. He always had to go and tease her! The jerk must get a kick out of it or something. "Well, at least I won't be eating alone tonight," she consoled herself, setting the fragrant bowl of soup on the table. Val she kind of missed, coming home sometimes very early to prepare dinner for the two of them, always full of talk about how well he's been doing lately in school, or about this girl he wanted to ask out for a dance. The boy said he'd be home perhaps early next week, but it was an awful long wait.
She glanced outside as she arranged the silverware. Rain drummed on the roof, sliding off the window panes in large drops. At this rate Xellos wouldn't be able to leave, not anytime soon, anyway. She tried not to be overjoyed with that idea. If she was lucky, he'd have to spend the night at her h--
"That looks quite delicious," a voice that could belong to no other than the certain fruity Mazoku in question commented smoothly from behind her.
Filia whirled around abruptly, cheeks burning rather guiltily at where her thoughts had wandered just before he came in.
Xellos stood at the doorway, eyes open, smiling. His gaze startled her, not really used to them open and intent like that, yet at the same time she found it suited him. He had showered and changed into a button down gray shirt and drawstring pants. Seeing as those belonged to a thirteen year old, however tall and lanky, the clothes were a little tight for his build. But the Mazoku didn't look awkward in them at all. In fact, she thought, trying not to let her gaze wander too long on the lean muscles highlighted by the clothing, he looked rather...
"What are you looking at, Filia-chan?"
"N-nothing," she retorted, feeling her blush deepen. She looked away, composing herself. "Well, shall I call a cab? It will only take a few--"
"No, don't bother," Xellos responded flippantly, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. He pointed outside, where it was still pouring so heavily it was hard to see anything. "You wouldn't want me outside in so bad a weather, do you?"
No, she doesn't. Not at all. "You have a point," she said, turning back to where she had settled the plates and acting as nonchalant about it as possible, even as he came up behind her, peering down on the soup bowl and pot roast and trying to sample a taste with his fingers.
"Ne, you don't sound too enthusiastic that I'd have to stay over," he commented.
She gave him a sideways glance. "Are you?"
He grinned at her. "Not that I have a choice, right?" he shot back easily. She studied his face again, adopting that odd, puzzled look she had when he'd served breakfast. It unsettled him.
"Well," she was saying now, smiling helplessly, "I did prepare dinner for the two of us."
"So you did." Hm? No witty comments about his amazing cooking skills? He cleared his throat, and seated himself on the nearest chair. He didn't really need to eat at the moment, but the food smelled good. He glanced at Filia, the annoying voice in his head humming listlessly again and again 'what a deceitful creature you are, Xellos Metallium' as he smiled, inviting her to sit down with him--
On his lap?
-- to eat, he corrected. He was not thinking these things! He was not-- "Well, aren't we going to eat?" he asked, trying to ignore the leering little voice giving him the most explicit suggestions on the situation.
*~*
Sexy. She repeated the word in her mind, reddening inadvertently as she did, and grasped the handle of the bronze tea kettle, steam rising from the slightly open lid and spout in the cool air of the kitchen. I'm... I'm scaring myself. She surely couldn't think that way about the namagomi, should she? So alright, he was a fabulous kisser, but...
She blushed again. Yes, she seemed to do that a lot lately, at least where the Mazoku was concerned.
Dinner had progressed rather pleasantly. Filia had to admit, she enjoyed being with him. She sighed. Who knew a Mazoku could provide good company?
The blonde frowned slightly. But Xellos, for all his attempts to act nonchalant and his usual cocky self, seemed rather... odd tonight. Like he was troubled about something. They were done eating and she had offered tea to drink -- she didn't know why, it was already very late -- and he had only nodded distractedly, grinning woodenly at her as she left.
She shrugged inwardly, as she took out the porcelain tea cups and placed them on the tray. Well, what about *herself*? She continued having the most... interesting thoughts about him lately.
Though Ceipheed knows she'd rather die than admit them even to herself.
*~*
Meanwhile, Xellos was busy trying to debate with himself how to go about confessing the truth to her.
Filia, he began, processing the speech in his mind, what would you do if you found out I was toying with you all the while? That I was tricking you? He frowned to himself. Well, the answer was easy enough. She'll... hate him. Truly. Or kill him. Hell, her son Val will kill him. Or her friends. Or he'll just kill himself.
Alright, scratch that. Filia, he thought, OK, so I've been only pretending to have the hots for you. But these last few days I just realized I do lo-- care for you. A lot. So, all said and done, can we call it quits and--
A pale hand suddenly waved in front of his face. "Earth to namagomi," Filia announced, raising a blond eyebrow at him. He blinked back the daze in his eyes. "Here's your tea," she said, setting down his steaming cup. He took it gratefully, face fading back to a cocky, self-assured grin. Sip, there.
"Are you alright?" the blonde was asking, not sitting down as yet. She'd bent over him, allowing him to see just a little bit more of her neck and collarbone, which didn't help his hormones one bit. Nope, not one.
He took a deep breath, shrugged. "Of course I am," was his flippant answer.
She gave him that odd, pondering look again, as if deciding something, trying to arrive at a decision. She straightened up, took a seat, teacup in hand. "Tell me, Xellos," she began, haltingly, "Why *did* you help us out?"
Out of the blue, that.
The Mazoku grinned at her patronizingly. "You know what my answer would be." Finger waggle. "So--"
"--rewa himitsu desu." Filia sweatdropped, tried not to, would have facefaulted had she not had her arm supporting her golden-haired head. She laughed lightly. Xellos smiled.
Her face was so close he could peer into her blue eyes.
You traitor, the little voice in his head chimed.
He opened his eyes. He made as if to rise up, but only managed to lean forward, closer, close enough to -- "Filia--"
The rest of his words were lost as their lips met.
If possible, Xellos blinked. He didn't mean to-- not that he didn't *want* to, no way, it was -- fine. Just fine. Her lips, so soft. And warm. So warm. He closed his eyes.
The kiss was tentative, deliberate. She cradled his neck, fingers brushing strands of purple hair, playing against the nape of his neck, and he shivered. His own hands roved across her slender back, settling on her waist, pulling her closer as she opened her mouth to him, deepening the kiss. She could feel his arousal pressed against her lower belly, and she moaned into him, clutching at his shoulders, his strong back. He broke away, calling himself practically out of his mind to risk ruining such a perfect chance such as this, but the hell with it, he wanted to--
"Filia," he breathed, looking at her, eyes languidly blue, face flushed from the kiss they'd engaged in seconds ago.
Her lips were slightly parted, her breath coming in short gasps. Lovely she was, yes, very lovely... "Yes?" she asked uncertainly, blinking at him.
I should tell her, he told himself. I really should. Everything-- how he'd tricked her, how he truly wanted, needed her now, how things have changed since... Since... Just when had he started feeling for her this way?
But he couldn't tell her. His arms still loosely circled her waist, reluctant to let go, and instead he found himself blurting out, awkwardly, and artlessly as if he was younger, "Do you want to-- ... Should I--?"
She nodded, her blonde bangs swaying slightly across her face as she did. "I do," she whispered. She tilted her head up at him, lips so full and soft and inviting, and he found himself drawing closer to her, to another kiss. It was her warmth, the sweet wine of her mouth, her body arching up against him, drawing him to her.
He couldn't tell her. Not now. Later maybe.
Not here, she was saying, breathless, alluring. She motioned towards the door. Upstairs. In her room.
He gazed back at her, nodding understandlingly, all the more willing to comply to her request, still disbelieveing this was happening. He swept her in his arms, lips descending once again upon hers, then tracing a featherlight path on her jaw, and lower, on her smooth neck. He carried her all the way up to the second floor. A little more. Her bedroom, just down the hallway. Her bed.
Maybe, Xellos thought, a heartbeat before they both groped for the door, kissing so fiercely he could hardly think straight, he shouldn't have to tell her at all.
Outside the rain thrummed on.
*~*
He hated the rain. Had hated it for as long as he could remember, for no other reason than it had rained the night his mother -- the whore -- died. How old was he then? Eight? Seven? Young enough to have cried, for sure, at her grave; and old enough to understand that with his mother's passing he was alone, and now he had to fend for himself, make the most of everything. Truly alone.
Then his father arrived, this stranger in the impeccable suit and shoes and shiny cars and a mansion that made the small shack he and his mother used to live in seem like an ant hill in comparison. Come to take care of him, his father had said. He'll have the best of everything, go to the best schools. How he resembles you, his wife, a stilt-like, straight-backed waif of a woman commented right beside him, and she smiled, an expression both terrible and morbidly entrancing, leaning over and taking his hand. Her grip was cold and vise-like. Heigel hated her. Almost as much as he hated the rain.
For it rained and his mother died, and Heigel had then started to believe -- rather illogically, but it had a roundness to it -- that his mother wouldn't have died if it had not rained that night. And his sorry excuse for a father would not have taken him away to live with strangers if his mother hadn't died. That everything would have been alright, if it hadn't rained.
He surely would not be sitting here in the dark, curtains drawn up against the glass windows, brooding to himself once again over things long past, things that didn't matter, if it wasn't raining. And tonight, at that. He hated the rain even more at night time.
Because it made him remember, and remembering always made him depressed, and depression always led his mind to consider things he would not under normal circumstances.
What was he considering now? Yes, what was he thinking?
That he was above murder, however he believed he could get away with it, if he wished.
That lawyer, Inverse, is a sharp one, he noted. And Greywers had been also a handful to handle. And the blond woman, the one who didn't have to bleach her hair, the one whose parents didn't have to die to receive a good life and a good education, she had surprised him with her determination, her staunch faith.
It was only fair play, was it not? Tomorrow. Oh, yes, tomorrow. Tomorrow he would have to be ruthless, play the beast.
But it was only fair.
Things had to be done. It had to be done. Be it right or wrong be damned. It was his reward! His legacy!
Be the beast. For the rain. For his dead mother. For his dreams. In the dark, stolid room Heigel sat, the shadows concealing most of his sharp features as it played upon the planes of his face, lost in contemplation.
*~*
Author's Ramblings: Alright, if you've come this far into the fic, dear reader, I'd guess you are a) an X/F Z/A G/L (a.k.a. trad couples) supporter, b) must have quite a bit of time in your hands, c) preparing a LOOONG list of plot holes and weird fetishes to be found in this novella, or d) all of the above. Procrastination is bliss, is it not? Be warned: more cliffhangers abound. See you on the next chapter, and glad to hear from you!
(meanwhile, in a little dark corner of Chibilandia -- under a rock, to be exact...)
Jiyuu: (putting down draft of the chapter and facing Mica) You wouldn't be interested in making a full lemon version of this, would you?
Mica: (blush) Er, no. (twiddles her thumbs)
Jiyuu: Why?
Mica: (sweatdrop; in a tiny voice) 'Cause I CAN'T, dammit.
Jiyuu: OK, OK. (thinks) So tell me, why are we hiding out here again?
Filia's Voice From Somewhere In The Background: (in a tone that says somebody will be introduced to Mace-sama many many times once she finds her) MICA-SAAAAN!!!!
Mica: That's why.
Jiyuu: Oh.
UP NEXT: THE MORNING AFTER... AND WHAT IS HEIGEL UP TO?
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 21: Summer Rain And Summer Nights
It was quite dark outside, given the rain. Chance of a heavy downpour tonight, she remembered the forecaster had announced earlier. Well, what do you know, barely fifteen minutes into seven in the evening, it did. Not that *that* was too hard to predict, seeing as the sky was gray and overcast for most of the day.
She'd left the teashop early, having conferred with Lina on regards of the lawsuit they were filing on Kaiser, given a pep talk to the employees, assuring them that whatever the outcome, she'd make sure they could not be laid off earlier than what was written in their contracts, called Val to inform him they were coming along alright, no need to worry, and generally went about business. It had been a very busy day, to say the least. Now, observing the steady rainfall from the living room window, she was looking forward to a quiet night alone in the house. It would do her good to collect her thoughts, think things over about other matters that didn't concern work, namely a certain annoying purple-haired Mazoku.
The blonde frowned slightly. She wasn't too sure, but he seemed to be avoiding her, leaving almost as soon as he relayed to them the bit of info about the bond the other day, not even calling after that. Come to think of it, she found it rather strange why he went to the trouble of tracking Kaiser for them. She sank down further into the couch, head leaned back in repose. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was getting just a tiny bit worried over him. What was wrong? Did he suffer a nasty bump on the head and suddenly turned sane? Did he finally get tired of annoying her? What?
She rolled her eyes at herself. Not that she *wanted* him to annoy her. She sure wouldn't miss that, no. But what she missed were the little things, his smile, the way he'd look at her, the way he joked around... things she was just beginning to find endearing, albeit troublesome at times. She touched her fingers to her lips. He hadn't even kissed her for days, not since that night he came and tucked her into bed. It was barely a week. How could she start missing him for less than a week?
Someone was knocking on the door, pulling her away from her thoughts. She stood up, wondering who would be at her door at this hard a downpour. Considering how she'd been practically mulling over him this afternoon, she wouldn't be surprised if--
"Xellos."
She swung the door wider, slightly leaning against the doorframe as she looked him over, surprised at his appearance. OK, so it WAS raining very hard. But you'd think the Mazoku had the sense to bring an umbrella, even travel by his high-tech car or something. "You're soaking wet."
"How nice of you to point it out, Filia-chan." Yes, it was Xellos, alright.
"Why do you always find yourself wandering in here?" Filia faked annoyance as he grinned at her.
He shrugged. "I frankly don't know myself." Drip, drip.
"Well?"
Xellos stared at her blankly. "Well what?"
"Are you going to stand out there in the rain, or are you coming inside?"
"My, my, is that an invitation?" He raised one eyebrow suggestively.
She blushed slightly at that, but continued to glare composedly, not answering. When they were both inside, she pointed to the wooden stairway. "Val's room is upstairs. You could change into one of his larger clothes. The bathroom is right next to it. Take a shower if you like."
"Hospitable, aren't we?"
"Don't push it, namagomi," she snorted. "I don't want to be the reason you'd catch pneumonia just because you didn't have the sense to come in from the rain." She folded her arms. "Anyway, you need to change. You're soaking up the floor. What happened to you?"
"I was just... talking a walk," he replied, not really in the mood to beguile her with his catch phrase.
"In the rain?" Filia added incredulously.
"Well, I got caught," Xellos explained breezily, brushing the subject off. "Anyway, I'm off to avail myself of the shower you so generously offered me. You wouldn't be joining me by any chance?"
Withering Glare.
"Very well then," he declared, happy to get the upper hand in the taunt, "No peeking." Wink. He gave her a final casual wave, and headed for the stairs.
*~*
"No peeking -- why that -- I oughta -- *grumble**grumble**mutter**rant*!!!" Filia continued to huff and fume in the quiet of the dining room as she set the table for dinner, accompanied by the pouring outside. It was easily progressing into quite a rainstorm. He always had to go and tease her! The jerk must get a kick out of it or something. "Well, at least I won't be eating alone tonight," she consoled herself, setting the fragrant bowl of soup on the table. Val she kind of missed, coming home sometimes very early to prepare dinner for the two of them, always full of talk about how well he's been doing lately in school, or about this girl he wanted to ask out for a dance. The boy said he'd be home perhaps early next week, but it was an awful long wait.
She glanced outside as she arranged the silverware. Rain drummed on the roof, sliding off the window panes in large drops. At this rate Xellos wouldn't be able to leave, not anytime soon, anyway. She tried not to be overjoyed with that idea. If she was lucky, he'd have to spend the night at her h--
"That looks quite delicious," a voice that could belong to no other than the certain fruity Mazoku in question commented smoothly from behind her.
Filia whirled around abruptly, cheeks burning rather guiltily at where her thoughts had wandered just before he came in.
Xellos stood at the doorway, eyes open, smiling. His gaze startled her, not really used to them open and intent like that, yet at the same time she found it suited him. He had showered and changed into a button down gray shirt and drawstring pants. Seeing as those belonged to a thirteen year old, however tall and lanky, the clothes were a little tight for his build. But the Mazoku didn't look awkward in them at all. In fact, she thought, trying not to let her gaze wander too long on the lean muscles highlighted by the clothing, he looked rather...
"What are you looking at, Filia-chan?"
"N-nothing," she retorted, feeling her blush deepen. She looked away, composing herself. "Well, shall I call a cab? It will only take a few--"
"No, don't bother," Xellos responded flippantly, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. He pointed outside, where it was still pouring so heavily it was hard to see anything. "You wouldn't want me outside in so bad a weather, do you?"
No, she doesn't. Not at all. "You have a point," she said, turning back to where she had settled the plates and acting as nonchalant about it as possible, even as he came up behind her, peering down on the soup bowl and pot roast and trying to sample a taste with his fingers.
"Ne, you don't sound too enthusiastic that I'd have to stay over," he commented.
She gave him a sideways glance. "Are you?"
He grinned at her. "Not that I have a choice, right?" he shot back easily. She studied his face again, adopting that odd, puzzled look she had when he'd served breakfast. It unsettled him.
"Well," she was saying now, smiling helplessly, "I did prepare dinner for the two of us."
"So you did." Hm? No witty comments about his amazing cooking skills? He cleared his throat, and seated himself on the nearest chair. He didn't really need to eat at the moment, but the food smelled good. He glanced at Filia, the annoying voice in his head humming listlessly again and again 'what a deceitful creature you are, Xellos Metallium' as he smiled, inviting her to sit down with him--
On his lap?
-- to eat, he corrected. He was not thinking these things! He was not-- "Well, aren't we going to eat?" he asked, trying to ignore the leering little voice giving him the most explicit suggestions on the situation.
*~*
Sexy. She repeated the word in her mind, reddening inadvertently as she did, and grasped the handle of the bronze tea kettle, steam rising from the slightly open lid and spout in the cool air of the kitchen. I'm... I'm scaring myself. She surely couldn't think that way about the namagomi, should she? So alright, he was a fabulous kisser, but...
She blushed again. Yes, she seemed to do that a lot lately, at least where the Mazoku was concerned.
Dinner had progressed rather pleasantly. Filia had to admit, she enjoyed being with him. She sighed. Who knew a Mazoku could provide good company?
The blonde frowned slightly. But Xellos, for all his attempts to act nonchalant and his usual cocky self, seemed rather... odd tonight. Like he was troubled about something. They were done eating and she had offered tea to drink -- she didn't know why, it was already very late -- and he had only nodded distractedly, grinning woodenly at her as she left.
She shrugged inwardly, as she took out the porcelain tea cups and placed them on the tray. Well, what about *herself*? She continued having the most... interesting thoughts about him lately.
Though Ceipheed knows she'd rather die than admit them even to herself.
*~*
Meanwhile, Xellos was busy trying to debate with himself how to go about confessing the truth to her.
Filia, he began, processing the speech in his mind, what would you do if you found out I was toying with you all the while? That I was tricking you? He frowned to himself. Well, the answer was easy enough. She'll... hate him. Truly. Or kill him. Hell, her son Val will kill him. Or her friends. Or he'll just kill himself.
Alright, scratch that. Filia, he thought, OK, so I've been only pretending to have the hots for you. But these last few days I just realized I do lo-- care for you. A lot. So, all said and done, can we call it quits and--
A pale hand suddenly waved in front of his face. "Earth to namagomi," Filia announced, raising a blond eyebrow at him. He blinked back the daze in his eyes. "Here's your tea," she said, setting down his steaming cup. He took it gratefully, face fading back to a cocky, self-assured grin. Sip, there.
"Are you alright?" the blonde was asking, not sitting down as yet. She'd bent over him, allowing him to see just a little bit more of her neck and collarbone, which didn't help his hormones one bit. Nope, not one.
He took a deep breath, shrugged. "Of course I am," was his flippant answer.
She gave him that odd, pondering look again, as if deciding something, trying to arrive at a decision. She straightened up, took a seat, teacup in hand. "Tell me, Xellos," she began, haltingly, "Why *did* you help us out?"
Out of the blue, that.
The Mazoku grinned at her patronizingly. "You know what my answer would be." Finger waggle. "So--"
"--rewa himitsu desu." Filia sweatdropped, tried not to, would have facefaulted had she not had her arm supporting her golden-haired head. She laughed lightly. Xellos smiled.
Her face was so close he could peer into her blue eyes.
You traitor, the little voice in his head chimed.
He opened his eyes. He made as if to rise up, but only managed to lean forward, closer, close enough to -- "Filia--"
The rest of his words were lost as their lips met.
If possible, Xellos blinked. He didn't mean to-- not that he didn't *want* to, no way, it was -- fine. Just fine. Her lips, so soft. And warm. So warm. He closed his eyes.
The kiss was tentative, deliberate. She cradled his neck, fingers brushing strands of purple hair, playing against the nape of his neck, and he shivered. His own hands roved across her slender back, settling on her waist, pulling her closer as she opened her mouth to him, deepening the kiss. She could feel his arousal pressed against her lower belly, and she moaned into him, clutching at his shoulders, his strong back. He broke away, calling himself practically out of his mind to risk ruining such a perfect chance such as this, but the hell with it, he wanted to--
"Filia," he breathed, looking at her, eyes languidly blue, face flushed from the kiss they'd engaged in seconds ago.
Her lips were slightly parted, her breath coming in short gasps. Lovely she was, yes, very lovely... "Yes?" she asked uncertainly, blinking at him.
I should tell her, he told himself. I really should. Everything-- how he'd tricked her, how he truly wanted, needed her now, how things have changed since... Since... Just when had he started feeling for her this way?
But he couldn't tell her. His arms still loosely circled her waist, reluctant to let go, and instead he found himself blurting out, awkwardly, and artlessly as if he was younger, "Do you want to-- ... Should I--?"
She nodded, her blonde bangs swaying slightly across her face as she did. "I do," she whispered. She tilted her head up at him, lips so full and soft and inviting, and he found himself drawing closer to her, to another kiss. It was her warmth, the sweet wine of her mouth, her body arching up against him, drawing him to her.
He couldn't tell her. Not now. Later maybe.
Not here, she was saying, breathless, alluring. She motioned towards the door. Upstairs. In her room.
He gazed back at her, nodding understandlingly, all the more willing to comply to her request, still disbelieveing this was happening. He swept her in his arms, lips descending once again upon hers, then tracing a featherlight path on her jaw, and lower, on her smooth neck. He carried her all the way up to the second floor. A little more. Her bedroom, just down the hallway. Her bed.
Maybe, Xellos thought, a heartbeat before they both groped for the door, kissing so fiercely he could hardly think straight, he shouldn't have to tell her at all.
Outside the rain thrummed on.
*~*
He hated the rain. Had hated it for as long as he could remember, for no other reason than it had rained the night his mother -- the whore -- died. How old was he then? Eight? Seven? Young enough to have cried, for sure, at her grave; and old enough to understand that with his mother's passing he was alone, and now he had to fend for himself, make the most of everything. Truly alone.
Then his father arrived, this stranger in the impeccable suit and shoes and shiny cars and a mansion that made the small shack he and his mother used to live in seem like an ant hill in comparison. Come to take care of him, his father had said. He'll have the best of everything, go to the best schools. How he resembles you, his wife, a stilt-like, straight-backed waif of a woman commented right beside him, and she smiled, an expression both terrible and morbidly entrancing, leaning over and taking his hand. Her grip was cold and vise-like. Heigel hated her. Almost as much as he hated the rain.
For it rained and his mother died, and Heigel had then started to believe -- rather illogically, but it had a roundness to it -- that his mother wouldn't have died if it had not rained that night. And his sorry excuse for a father would not have taken him away to live with strangers if his mother hadn't died. That everything would have been alright, if it hadn't rained.
He surely would not be sitting here in the dark, curtains drawn up against the glass windows, brooding to himself once again over things long past, things that didn't matter, if it wasn't raining. And tonight, at that. He hated the rain even more at night time.
Because it made him remember, and remembering always made him depressed, and depression always led his mind to consider things he would not under normal circumstances.
What was he considering now? Yes, what was he thinking?
That he was above murder, however he believed he could get away with it, if he wished.
That lawyer, Inverse, is a sharp one, he noted. And Greywers had been also a handful to handle. And the blond woman, the one who didn't have to bleach her hair, the one whose parents didn't have to die to receive a good life and a good education, she had surprised him with her determination, her staunch faith.
It was only fair play, was it not? Tomorrow. Oh, yes, tomorrow. Tomorrow he would have to be ruthless, play the beast.
But it was only fair.
Things had to be done. It had to be done. Be it right or wrong be damned. It was his reward! His legacy!
Be the beast. For the rain. For his dead mother. For his dreams. In the dark, stolid room Heigel sat, the shadows concealing most of his sharp features as it played upon the planes of his face, lost in contemplation.
*~*
Author's Ramblings: Alright, if you've come this far into the fic, dear reader, I'd guess you are a) an X/F Z/A G/L (a.k.a. trad couples) supporter, b) must have quite a bit of time in your hands, c) preparing a LOOONG list of plot holes and weird fetishes to be found in this novella, or d) all of the above. Procrastination is bliss, is it not? Be warned: more cliffhangers abound. See you on the next chapter, and glad to hear from you!
(meanwhile, in a little dark corner of Chibilandia -- under a rock, to be exact...)
Jiyuu: (putting down draft of the chapter and facing Mica) You wouldn't be interested in making a full lemon version of this, would you?
Mica: (blush) Er, no. (twiddles her thumbs)
Jiyuu: Why?
Mica: (sweatdrop; in a tiny voice) 'Cause I CAN'T, dammit.
Jiyuu: OK, OK. (thinks) So tell me, why are we hiding out here again?
Filia's Voice From Somewhere In The Background: (in a tone that says somebody will be introduced to Mace-sama many many times once she finds her) MICA-SAAAAN!!!!
Mica: That's why.
Jiyuu: Oh.
UP NEXT: THE MORNING AFTER... AND WHAT IS HEIGEL UP TO?