Chapter Eighteen: Whisper
Amanda's Ramble:
Amanda: Whoodle do!
Auron: *sigh* She seems to be out of it so I will be doing the commentary alone.
Tidus: Oh, no you won't, old man.
Auron: Dammit…on with the reviewers.
Auron's Biggest Fan: I'm not saying Lulu is a bad person, but what she did to "help the group" was wrong. What is between Ophelia and myself should stay there.
Evrae Altana: I believe the head doctors of this world would call me "bi-polar". I try to be a somewhat…pleasant person, but it's not always easy. Anyway…even I have no idea what the next summon will be like. I do know, however, that the new Aeon appearing as my younger self was not funny.
Era Yachi: Rikku and myself? Personally, I think the age difference between Ophelia and myself is stretching it, and I don't want to think of what Cid would do to me if there was anything between myself and that annoying Al Bhed child. I truly hope, my Lady, that I did not frighten you with my outburst. My temper is not what you would call "even". And yes, I believe you are the only one who likes Othello's attitude. *sour look*
Fionghuala: *blush* Uh…..hi. Um…..glad, uh, you liked the, uh, last chapter. *blush*
Auron: *ahem*
Tidus: *horrified look* People find YOU attractive??? What about me?
Auron: You're still wet behind the ears. On to the chapter.
catch me
as i fall
say you're here and it's all over now
speaking to the atmosphere
no one's here and i fall into myself
this truth drives me into madness
i know i can stop the pain
if i will it all away
don't
turn away
don't give in to the pain
don't try to hide
though they're screaming your name
don't close your eyes
God knows what lies behind them
don't turn out the light
never sleep never die
i'm frightened by what i see
but somehow i know that there's much more to come
immobilized by my fear
and soon to be blinded by tears
i can stop the pain if i
will it all away
don't
turn away
don't give in to the pain
don't try to hide
though they're screaming your name
don't close your eyes
God knows what lies behind them
don't turn out the light
never sleep never die
fallen
angels at my feet
whispered voices at my ear
death before my eyes
lying next to me i fear
she beckons me shall i give in
upon my end shall i begin
forsaking all i've fallen for i
rise to meet the end
-Whisper, by Evanescence
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She gazed up at her lover's face through the darkness, her body lax and limp from exertion. His body still pressed her down into the mattress, but it was a delicious crush, and she hoped he would move just yet. One finger came up to trace his generous mouth, which turned up at the corners in a smile before he bent and pressed his lips to her forehead in a soft kiss. The room was silent but for their breathing, as there was nothing left to say that their bodies had not made known, that their souls had not expressed.
He moved the bulk of his weight from her and pulled her to him, his hard warm body curving around hers protectively. He heard her sigh and nuzzled her neck, feeling her turn and face him, her arms wrapping around his neck, her head resting upon his shoulder.
"Auron?" He made a soft noise in the back of his throat, and Ophelia smiled. "I love you."
"Hmm." That was followed by a soft snore, and Ophelia only rolled her eyes and threw a leg over his hip, her body finally becoming still in the lure of sleep.
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The next morning, Ophelia awoke to the sound of many people tramping up and down the stairs, their voices all together too loud for her taste. She yawned and stretched, wincing at the slight soreness between her thighs.
Auron slept peacefully next to her, his impossibly long lashes fanned against the darkly tanned skin of his cheek, his mouth soft and innocent in sleep. He looked years younger like this, with his guard down, his brows loosened from their perpetual frown. One arm was tossed over his head, the other loosely curled on the bed, and Ophelia smiled, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. He snorted and his one eye opened, still clouded with sleep.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she teased lightly, tucking the sheet around her more tightly. Being with him in the dark had been one thing, but now the room was bright with sunlight, and she found that she was more than a little self-conscious.
"Whassa time?" His voice was scratchy and slurred, and Ophelia giggled to herself. No question, she loved this man.
"Does it matter?" she asked, leaning up to see her alarm clock over his shoulder. She rolled her eyes at the little red digits that read 10:45 and flopped back down, burrowing deeper into the covers. "I'm not getting up."
"Yes," Auron said on a yawn, "you are." He stood and stretched, and Ophelia blushed and turned away. Nope, definitely not comfortable with the sight of him standing there naked as a jaybird in her bedroom, looking as he always did, nonchalant as though he were covered by his heavy red jacket. She squealed when he lifted her from the bed and set her on her feet. She still had the covers of the bed wrapped tight around her, and Auron chuckled deep in his throat and shook her head before turning away and dressing. She stood there the entire time he dressed, her back to him, still clutching the sheets tightly.
"Done?"
"I think I can take a hint." Auron sent her a wry little smile and tousled her already impossibly tangled hair on the way out. "Make it snappy, woman."
As he left the room, Ophelia stuck her tongue out at him and then rushed around her room, throwing on clothes, finally catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Jesus, she looked like hell. Her hair stuck up in every direction, which was amazing because her hair was so long, and there was no mistaking little bite marks marring the junction of her shoulder and throat. Looked like it was time to pull out the concealer. She giggled at that thought, one she never thought that she would have.
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Ten minutes later, Ophelia was curled up on the couch, watching the local channel for the news. So far, it had been a whole hell of a lot of boring shit, in her opinion, though everyone else looked awed at the things that flashed before him. She'd nearly given up on anything interesting when an advertisement for the local arts and crafts festival came on, relaying the fact that the celebration was, in fact, going on right now.
"Right on!" Ophelia jumped up and ran around looking for her flip flops, earning puzzled looks from all but Lulu, who had kept her gaze on the floor and her mouth shut. Finally finding her shoes, Ophelia slid them on and ran back to the living room, her body language as animated as Rikku's.
"Okay, shoes on, people, you too, Kimahri. We're headed to the Love Affair!"
Auron nearly chocked on his coffee. "L-love affair?"
Ophelia sent him a significant look. "Yes, dum dum. It's a festival, sort of. I haven't been in the last few years 'cause of this and that, but it'll take all the armies in hell to keep me from going this time."
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End of Chapter Eighteen.
Amanda: Wheeeeeeeeeeee!
Auron: *sigh* That was short.