PeRFecT
PeRFecT
Chapter 15
They didn't even bother to turn on the lights- it didn't matter what the hotel room looked like. They stumbled drunkenly-though they were sober-over to the adjacent wall and collapsed on the heart-shaped bed. They really didn't need a honeymoon suite- just a place where they could be unified without being criticized. It would've been easy enough for them to grope one another in a back alley, but it just didn't have the same atmosphere. Or warmth. Or lack of marauders.
Quistis grabbed Irvine's hat and threw it across the room in a graceful arch. They both giggled furiously as the cadet pulled the blonde instructor on top of him. Their lips met briefly in a teasing exchange.
"Irvine. . .?"
"mmm?" He answered, nuzzling her neck.
"Irvine, I just need to ask you. . ." She began, but he put a finger to her lips and lifted his head.
"Honey- now, I wantchya ta think real hard before you say anything that could potentially destroy this mood. . .real hard. . ."
"Irvine, I just wanted ask you if you were comfortable with this. . .about having to keep this a secret." Quistis asked, pining him down so he couldn't even fathom escape. "I want you to know that I'm proud of our decision- I'm not ashamed or anything, but I don't want to destroy all that I've worked so hard for. Tell me the truth- are you upset about it? Do you need something more?. . . And don't think with your dick, okay?"
He chuckled at the last comment, but maintained a serious countenance.
"Quisty, hun- I will do whatever it takes to be with you. Honestly- that's how I feel. I'm not just givin' ya a short answer 'cause I wanna get up yer skirt. . .though I do. . .but I. . .would never, ever ask ya ta give up your life for me."
"Good." She breathed, and whispered quietly. "Because I would. . .I would give up my life for you. . .and I'm not particularly pleased with myself because of it." She bent her head and kissed his neck- tracing his jaw and ear with her curious lips and impish tongue. Groaning softly, he arched his neck back for easier access and ran his large chapped hands up her back, over her shoulders and to the base of her skull, which he massaged thoroughly, kneading his fingers into her hair and knot-filled neck. Then, with a gentle grasp, he pulled the clip from her hair and watched in erotic fascination as her thick, golden tresses fell down over her back and his face. Quistis bit at his neck and surfaced.
"How long have you wanted to do that?" She asked, sounding miffed.
"Moment I met ya, hun." He grinned, rubbing her poor, aching scalp. He dropped the hair clip to the floor and, seizing her face in his hands, he ardently pushed his mouth to hers. Quistis opened her eager lips and accepted his teasing tongue which began to stroke and taste the recesses of her mouth. She met his caresses with her own tongue- the novelty and the intensity of kiss sent hot flashes through her body. Her wrist burned painfully, but she ignored it. The sensation of his hands traveling from her skull to her waist was delicious and sent delighted shudders through her chaste body. He came up to breathe, but only for a second before driving his mouth against hers more desperately. Clutching at the small of her back, he pulled her shapely hips to his lean ones and rolled them over, so Quistis found herself pinned under him. She pulled from his kiss and stroked his cheek.
" Well aren't you sneaky?" She taunted, slipping her hands under the light cotton t-shirt he wore as part of the cadet standard uniform. His stomach and chest were tight and sinewy from years of rigorous physical conditioning- much more masculine, but not unlike her own. As much as she loved his quick wit and flirtatious personality, she couldn't deny that he was an excellent trophy lover. She traced the planes of his chest and the indentations of his obliques while he suckled her earlobe lovingly. His hands slid down her back and cradled her buttocks. No one had ever touched her like this. But. . . 'God, he's beautiful. I can't believe this. . .it feels so good. . .not like that first kiss, and not like my dreams, but it's beautiful. Perfect." Her fondles turned to soft scratching and she dragged her nails down his front. His body jerked and tried to pull away from her, but her hold on his shirt forced him back down. When their eyes met, she saw a radiating, intense pain.
"Irvine?" She inquired sharply. "What's wrong?" Her voice was full of worry. She tried to remove her hands from inside his shirt, but this time, the cadet roared in pain and clenched at her skin. Luckily for her it was a fleshy spot. . . "Irvine Kinneas! What is wrong with you?" Using his full name was meant to signify her seriousness, but Quistis realized that Irvine was not joking.
"Quisty. . .you're . . .burning me. . ." He gasped out. "Let go of me. . .don't touch me. . ."
She pulled her hands from his skin carefully. She held them up for him to see. Groaning, he sat up on the bed. Fumbling with the switch, Irvine turned on the bedside lamp. Pulling off his white t-shirt, he glanced down at his chest.
"Holy fuckin' Hyne. . ."
Light trails of scratch marks marred his golden skin- it was embarrassing, but that was not the main concern. Below those red trails, just above his abdomen, was a thick, blistering strip of charred flesh- freshly burned and already pussing. Quistis gasped.
"Irvine. . ."
"It's okay, hun. I gotta cura pill in my boot. Would ya run 'n get it for me?" He asked, infinitely calm and patient. She did so, wordlessly and then fetched him a glass of water. They watched, fully sobered, as the injury grew more passive and began to scab. Quistis breathed a sigh of relief.
"What happened there?" She asked, hugging herself. He stared at her quietly.
"Let me see your hands, hun."
"I don't see why. . ."
"Just humor the cripple, kay? Lemme see'em. . ."
She offered her hands. He looked them over. There was obviously nothing wrong. He took those slim hands in his larger ones.
"Nothin's happenin' now- don't see what could'a. . a. . .a" He yelped and dropped her hands. Sticking his middle finger in his mouth (which looked absolutely adorable and/or ridiculous), he shook his head in frustration.
"What happened?" She asked. He pointed with his good hand at her left wrist. She looked down.
'Oh shit. . .'
"You're bracelet is givin' me second degree burns, Quisty. Isn't it hurtin' ya?"
She checked.
"Yeah- it kind of hurts." 'Hyne, it's like a thousand dulled needles puncturing my skin at once. ..' She held back the urge to cry and looked at her lover, who was staring at her like she was an idiot.
"Well- honey- if it hurts, just take the damn thing off. Unless it's, like, giving you super-sexy powers, we don't need. I mean- it's cute 'n everything, but. . ."
"It's not cute, Irvine!" She gasped, rubbing her wrist. She could see the blistering sores underneath the metal. "It's. . .magical." She didn't want to tell him this just yet, but it needed to be said. This was the second time she'd injured him. "It's an Odine magic suppressor- Samah gave it to me to help me control my powers until I was strong enough to do so on my own. But. . .it's burning me. . ."
"So take it off!" He hollered, reaching for the charm, which only resulted in another scald. He was getting mad- he never got mad. Quistis was ready to cry.
"I can't take it off! I won't! I. . .don't want to!" She cried out, clamping her right hand around her left wrist. The smell of charred flesh wafted up from her hold. Squeezing her eyes shut, she felt her tears dribble out the corner of her eyes. "Irvine. . .I can't. ..I don't know if I can take it. . ." She sobbed, her anguish finally releasing through her body. She dropped both hands to her sides and leaned her head back. "Oh Irvine- I'm not strong enough. I don't want her to come back! I can't take it. . I'm going mad- I've been doing so well. . I want to be happy. I can't handle any of this, I just want right now to be five minutes ago, I . . ." He held her quietly, stroking her glistening hair, rocking her back and forth. He was calm again-calm for her. She cried in his neck with her right hand fisted in his auburn ponytail and her legs wrapped around his waist. She couldn't believe she was crying, but she couldn't even conceive of stopping. Every muscle was painfully taunt and her head was throbbing. . There was something she needed, or rather, something she needed to do. She longed for release, but her body just kept spasming with self-pity and hiccupping sobs. He whispered comforting words- baby-ish words and silly sayings, to calm her and boost her spirits.
'He's so forgiving and sensitive. . .maybe he'll understand me. He hasn't left yet- why not bring him in further? He understands me. . .strangely, more than I understand myself. . .'
"Irvine. . ."
"Yeah, hun?"
"Irvine. . .I. . ."
And she told him.
Everything. No holds barred.
And he sat quietly, cradling her in his arms, against his aching chest, until she finished her story.
When she finished, she untangled her clinging hands, and sat back on her haunches so to gauge his reaction. Nothing and silence. He was a little pale, but his countenance hadn't changed otherwise. Leaning forward, he planted a pure, child-like kiss on rosebud lips and smiled.
"I know you, Quistis Trepe. . ." He whispered. She felt her face melt and she began to cry again. He held her fast, though. "Y'know I'll never forget anything you've said today and I don't want you to forget what I'm gonna say, neither. I will help you, support you no matter what- I always will. You. . . honestly, are all I have. You are my family and my best friend and. . .well, by hyne, the sexiest thing I've ever kissed. . .How many people can honestly say that without any incest bein' involved. . ." He grinned, and she laughed and smacked his arm, though her face was still wet with tears. " I don't really know anythin' 'bout no creepy, ancient demons from the great beyond, nor do I know much about sorceresses-save my own experience- but I know you, Quisty. I know you like I've known no other person- it's like we can read each other's thoughts- y'know? Like we think on the same frequency or somethin'. But- I know you would never hurt anyone purposefully. I know you'd never hurt me. And I know that you're one tough cookie-way tougher than me, or. . .or Seifer or Martine or Samah, or Evana. . .well, maybe not Evana- but yer damn close. . and I. . .ah, damn, Quisty. . ." He scratched his head, looking defeated. "I think you can do anythin', so don't listen ta me. Do whatchya think ya need ta do in order for ya ta have some piece of mind 'bout all this. Whatever you think is right IS right, Quisty-hun. I'll support you. I promise. I'll always be here for you."
Quistis watched him through tear-laden eyelashes.
This was what she needed.
She removed the key-chain from her neck, and unfastened the lock on the bracelet. Closing her eyes, she focused her mind and held her breath as the clasp unhooked and the charm dropped to the comforter. She waited. He waited. They dared not breathe.
Nothing. Quistis blinked and opened her eyes.
"Y'okay hun?" Irvine asked. She nodded.
"I'm fine. . ." She checked her body, just like Samah had taught her. She felt fine. . .even better. More energized. She could feel her power, tangibly coursing through her limbs. It warmed her and dried her tears. It had been the concentrated heat of her power that had set the bracelet afire. Quistis silenced her mind and began to melt into her meditation. She visualized her magic as blood through her veins, then as electricity through her nerves, and finally, as her very being itself. She imagined her brain and heart pumping the magic through her cells, fuelling the mitochondria, igniting rejuvenation. It was like an overdose on biology. But she felt alive. And beautiful. And passionate, as she had before. When she kissed Irvine that day in the infirmary. She opened her eyes and watched him watch her. The sight of her. . .HER. . .cadet fuelled her lust. The smoky violet eyes, the full, wet lips, the undulation of his tight muscles underneath his tawny hide-the memory of their earlier kisses ignited and stimulated her. The way his hands had caressed her neck and the way his tongue had violated her interior made her blood boil. She wanted to possess him- to feel their heated bodies entwined underneath the cool sheets.
She wanted to be fucked. Hard.
"Quisty, hun- how do you feel." He said it slowly, as if he was repeating himself.
'Did he repeat himself? Fuck, who cares- I'd listen to him ramble on all day. He mouth is like Hyne. . .'
"I feel. . .wonderful, Irvy." She whispered, reaching out to touch his face. He winced, but only out of anticipated pain. Once his body conquered the idea of a threat, he nuzzled into her hands and kissed her palms.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I feel . . ." 'I feel like I want you throw me on my stomach and fuck me raw.' "Energized. Alive. I feel like I've been pumped full of anti-depressants and uppers." 'Not to mention aphrodisiacs. . .Irvine Kinneas, you ARE an aphrodisiac. . .'
"Wow. Well. . .maybe ya don't need it after all, eh?"
"Maybe. . ." She pushed him back onto the bed, her strength rejuvenated and her drive fuelled. He was surprised, but happy.
Crawling on top of him, she pinned his legs with her knees and held his arms above his head. Her blood pounded in her ears and her pulse raced- her adrenaline was on overload. This was what she had been missing before. Odine's magic had dulled her sensory perception- dulled her emotions. She was elated and blissful and damn horny.
She forced her mouth on him and jabbed her own tongue in to taste. Running it over his gums and teeth, she stroked his hard palate, flicking the tip back and forth, then shooting it down to wrestle with his own. She came up for a breath and, tossing him a wicked smile, she moved her mouth to his throat and began to suckled on his Adam's apple. He lashed his head back and forth, trying to escape her, but she held on fast with every part of her body she could manage. Grinding her hips against his in teasing, she moved to the base of his throat, and kissed along his clavicle.
"Quisty. . .c'mon hun. . ." He chuckled, trying to break her hold. She ignored him and licked his chest, drawing lazy circles and figure eights. Truthfully, she didn't know what she was doing, but if felt so damn good she couldn't resist. Moving down further, she paused for a moment before delicately suckling his nipple. The act elicited a moan from Irvine's lonely mouth. After nibbling at the other, she found her way back to his mouth for a deep kiss. Releasing her vice on his arms and legs, Quistis kissed each of his fingers, then let him to his manly work. She dove into his mouth again- her body was blissfully afire and she could feel a similar reaction in his. She moved her hand down to tease this reaction.
His hands were on her hips, and she could feel her skirt slipping from her waist. As she came up for a breath, she arched her hips so he could remove her skirt. He rubbed her stomach, undoing the buttons of her soft pink sweater, then pushed if from her shoulders. Her breath caught in her throat as his hands came up to gently knead her breasts. She had been so very confident until the tables were turned. Heat and electricity passed through limbs and torso and something insider stomach fluttered excitedly. He dipped his hands into her bra and cupped the soft, virgin skin in his powerful, adroit hands. A moan fell from her throat as his thumbs rubbed her nipples in soft circles. He was hard underneath her and she figured she was about ready. Not that she knew, but she figured.
. ' Fucking Hyne- no wonder sex is so popular these days. He'd have to pay me a million gil to stop me from spreading my legs tonight. . .Damn' His hands left her breasts and pulled her back down for a kiss. It was tender, not like before. Sweet. He rubbed her back and smiled.
"Hun- I. . think we're getting a little carried away. We should probably try ta simmer down a bit and get some sleep. . ."
'Ummm. . .what?!?!'
"Irvine. . .no. I'm not tired. ..I want. . .this." She finished lamely. Her body was still on fire. He nodded, smiling ironically.
"Believe you me- I am going to hate myself for this. But I know you're. . .y'know. . .and I think. . .well- we have a lotta time. Let's just take it a little slower- just a little, mind you- and work up ta it. I don't wanna rush it. Shit-" He rubbed his neck- his adorable/annoying little habit that emerged when he was nervous. "I. . .don't think I'm ready ta make love to my fantasy girl yet, y'know? I wanna be at the top'a my game. But. . ." He stopped, ran his eyes over her form. "Damn it- I want you so bad right now. You have no idea whatchyou were doin' to me, do you?"
"I think I have a pretty good idea. . ." she answered defensively, piqued. He chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"Well- I guess you do. Though, it was pretty cruel of ya ta do it. Hyne, you're a wild woman, Trepe." He murmured affectionately with a smile that erased any discomfort.
'God, I love him. I do. We'll wait. Why not? At least I can still fantasize and dream up ways to blow his mind. . .emphasis on 'blow'. ..'
"Thank you, Irvine." She kissed him softly, so not to tempt either. "I do want my first time to be special. I know that's really naïve and delusional of me, but. . .I do."
"All girls do. I'm gonna make it special for ya, I promise." He winked. Quistis blushed.
"Thank you. . ." She paused. "How did you know that I'm a virgin? Was it that obvious?"
"Obvious?" He chuckled and shook his head. "You were as voracious as any slut I've dated, hun- no, it probably would'a taken me a lot longer to realize it, but I. . well, kinda overheard this funny thing and that's how I found out that you were a virgin."
"What did you hear? Who was talking about my sex life?" Quistis was now turned off, and quite mad. It was no one's business but her own. And Irvine's. He laughed again and she began to get really frustrated.
"No one. No one. But things ya say come back ta haunt ya, eh? No- I overheard Mama Red talkin' to Martine 'bout the missile crisis in the ship- they thought I was too doped up on curagas to understand them- but she was laughin' 'bout how everyone was revealin' what they regretted 'bout their lives and she said that she regretted not havin' any kids, and you said that you regretted dyin' a virgin. So. . that's how I knew. Heh heh. .ow."
She pinched his leg.
"You're awful, Irvine Kinneas- you know that? Hyne, I don't know why I put up with you. . ."
"If ya didn't have me, you wouldn't have nothin' ta fantasize about. Or pinch." He grinned, kissing her cheek. Glancing at his watch, he crawled off the bed and stretched.
"You should get some shut-eye- we'll need ta get back ta garden before Martine wakes up, so we should, like, leave here 'round five-thirty or so. Doesn't give us much of a beauty sleep. . ." Yawning, he rubbed his leg and turned his back.
"Where are you going?" She asked, crawling into the bed. She thought she saw him turn red.
"I'm. . .just goin' ta have a shower."
"Can I join you?" She asked, trying not to giggled. He shook his head vehemently.
"No- that really wouldn't help the situation. I'll join you in a little while."
Quistis curled up in the covers and hugged her pillow. She was feeling a little unsatisfied, but it would dissipate when Irvine returned from the bathroom. Picturing him in the shower really didn't help her, but it left her with an enticing image as she began to drifted off to sleep. She didn't know how long he was in the shower, but she was soon sound asleep and dreaming.
'I sHoUlD hATe yOU, uNgRAtEfUl ChiLd. BuT I sTiLl LoVE yOU. . .'
'Why do you torment me? Leave me alone. . .'
'ArE yOu lOokINg aFtER IrVy? dOn'T hUrT mY bEauTiFuL BoY, QuIsTy. . .'
'I love him. I do. I want to be with him. Protect him. . .'
'He wAnTs tO pROtEcT YoU. . .hE iS A gOoD bOy. He wIlL hELp yOu GroW sTrOnG. hE hAs gReAT, uNtApPeD AbiLiTiES. . .'
'Hyne. . .like what he can do with his tongue? I want him right now. . .'
'If yOu dO nOT wAnT mE tO TalK wiTh YoU, ThEn sImPlY tElL mE, QuIsTy. BuT I mISs hEArInG YoU. I WoUlD nEvER hUrT yOu. . .'
'Of course not. You're making me crazy. . .'
'OnLy BecAuSe YoU Are TrYinG tO dEnY wHo YoU aRe. . .'
'No. I know who I am. I am the Blue Sorceress. I'm not afraid anymore. I am Diadem's descendent. . .'
'DiAdEm. . .wrEtcHeD'
'What? What do you mean. . . .'
'WaKe Up.'
'What? No, what are you. . .'
'WAKE UP!!!' The voice screamed in her head.
Quistis bolted awake. It was dark. And cold. There was no warmth- no Irvine- beside her.
"Irvine?" She whispered groggily.
Suddenly a hand grabbed her across the face, smothering her cries. A knife flashed in the air came to rest at her throat. A heat was pressed to her wrist and she heard a snap.
It wasn't a bone. It was something far worse.
The bracelet.