Okay…well I'm still not entirely sure where this is going. I haven't given it too much thought but like the last time, I'll see where I get carried and make what I can out of it. Trish, Dante and Xyphos do not belong to me. The latter belongs to Vampy Sparda, who's story, "Dreams Bathed in Blood" also features the same character, Xyphos. When I told her that I needed another female character, Vampy as more then happy to lend me her character. Thanks a lot.
Chapter 1
The snow had started falling again, and the darkness was beginning to fall. Xyphos watched as the moon rose and surfaced from underneath the clouds, her eyes tear filled. She looked back towards the bed, where Arson lay still. Though Dante had told her that his condition was not something to worry about, she was still scared. Arson was the one she had been able to open up to. She had told him all of her secrets, and things she had never told anyone else. Arson soon became something like her best friend. He always seemed as though he would be there for her. The thought that he wouldn't always be there scared her, and made her feel insecure.
Acting on a sudden impulse, she spun on her heel and crossed the room to Arson's bedside. She looked down at Arson before she climbed into bed next to him, hugging him close. Arson opened his eyes and looked at her dazedly. Xyphos smiled sheepishly but then smiled as she felt his arms wrapping around her. She felt safe again.
'Arson?'
'…' Xyphos looked into his face to see that he was watching her, and was listening. She opened her mouth to say something but then shut it. Arson looked at her questioningly as she blushed.
'Uh…how are you feeling?' Arson smiled wanly but said nothing. Xyphos ran her fingers gently through his soft hair, smiling at him as his eyes closed drowsily. When she thought he was asleep, she kissed him lightly on the forehead. 'I love you…' she whispered. Arson made no response. Xyphos was glad that he hadn't heard. Though she had often told him, Arson would only smile somewhat shyly. He had never said those three words back to her. But she just knew that he felt the same way about her. He just needed time.
But it had been a year already, and Arson still hadn't spoken those words she craved to hear. Maybe they had gotten so close that Arson regarded her more like a sister then a girlfriend. But she knew from her past experiences that Arson was better then a brother. Better then her brother anyway.
She felt sudden unexpected tears start to her eyes. It still pained her even now when tears came. She hated crying. She took it for a sign of weakness. She hated sympathy as well. She was independent, she didn't need any people clucking over her and feeling pity for her. That wasn't her way. But Arson had been a sympathetic listener. How come she hadn't minded when Arson showed her some concern? Because she loved him. That was why. From the first time they had met, from when Xyphos had healed him and felt the warmth of his body against hers, she had started falling in love with him.
Was she a fool for that? Was she foolish for having a crush on a guy who seemed so impassive? Surely not. Surely a little bit more time would sort things out.
Arson coughed in his sleep and it caused Xyphos to jump at the unexpected sound. She looked into Arson's face and noted again the pale colour of his skin, which was lightly tanned. How she wished those chocolate brown eyes would open, but bright and full of life. Lately, she had seen only pain in those eyes.
Xyphos hugged Arson closer, trying to heal him, hoping that Dante was somehow wrong. Nothing seemed to work. Xyphos sighed in despair and then placed her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. How much he was like the brother she had always dreamed of, but yet how different.
Again the tears stung her eyes. She blinked them back furiously. Arson no longer cried about his past, did he? Or maybe those were what his nightmares were about. She knew his past, as he knew hers. But whenever she asked about what he had been dreaming, he would just shrug and reassure her that he was fine. Xyphos had the sneaking suspicion that he still carried that fear with him.
'Xyphos?' whispered Arson weakly. She raised her head and looked at him.
'What is it, Arson? Do you need something?' Arson held her closer to him.
'…no…' Xyphos rested her head back down on his chest, which was rising and falling steadily.
'How are you feeling, Arson? Any better?' Arson struggled to keep his eyes open.
'I'm feeling a lot better,' he whispered. Xyphos knew that he was lying but was only doing it because he didn't want her to worry. His eyes were dimmer when she looked into them. She felt his forehead but there was no fever. There hadn't been during his weakened state.
'Oh Arson…' she whispered. Arson said nothing but closed his eyes. His whole body relaxed in her arms as he fell into an exhausted sleep. Xyphos knew that he only slept for short bursts. Fifteen minutes at the most. He could only stay awake for five. She gently and slowly, so as not to disturb Arson, got off the bed and drew the curtains. The room was only illuminated by the soft glow of the lamplight. She turned and took a moment to take in Arson's features in the different light.
He seemed almost angelic. Xyphos giggled to herself. Silly thing to say. He was half angel after all. She went back to his side and resumed her place. Before long, the night became cold and she was shivering as she lay on top of the covers. Arson too also felt it and his trembling started anew. Xyphos looked down at him in concern and then came to a decision.
She gently peeled back the covers and crawled in beside him, wrapping her arms around her body to keep him warm. Arson woke up just then and looked down at her. Xyphos had closed her eyes and had snuggled up close to him. Arson smiled and then closed his eyes, preparing himself for another journey through the dark corridors of his mind.
'Arson?'
'Yes?'
'Don't leave me…'
'Xyphos?' Xyphos kept her eyes closed and stayed close to him, not wanting to meet the expression on his face.
'Just please…don't ever leave me.' Arson was wide awake by this time.
'I won't.'
'Promise?'
'I promise, Xy.' He held her tighter as though trying to prove his point. 'No one's going to leave you alone again.' Xyphos smiled up at him and then smiled. She closed her eyes, finally being able to sleep properly for the first time in days.
When she woke up, Arson was not by her side. She smiled and got out of bed, thinking that Arson had regained his strength and was back to normal. She called out for him but got no response. A feeling of dread settled in the pit of her stomach. She started searching the small apartment for him. But he was nowhere to be found. Arson had gone.