Notice: I rewrote chapter 2 because I wasn't happy with it at all and trust me, It does read a lot better now, So if you've already read chapy 2 can ya go back and read it again pretttttty pleeeeeease, because it's so much better now! And Saiai No Hito Mokushi and Sarina Fannel? I saved your wonderful reviews by coping and pasting them, hope you don't mind... *cowers* Don't hurt me...
Chapter 3!!! Yay!! And for everyone who thought Malik was being mean... he shows a better side of himself in this chapter. Special thanks to Karkahn who ran a grammar and spell check on this for me. THANK YOU!! I promise I'll get that tape to you soon!
Ryou: *sniff* I feel miserable.
LYB: There, there hikari... you'll get better, just wait and see ;)
****************************************************************************
Creature of Fire
****************************************************************************
I felt pathetic. This was turning out to probably be the worst Yule of my life. I got myself stuck sharing a cabin with a guy who I can not get a long with AT ALL and it's breaking my heart. I shake my head, I can't fall in love with Malik, I can't! I felt my throat tingle and let out a long string of coughs that seemed to come from the very bottom of me feet, I must sound like a horse. My cold was getting worst and I wasn't feeling very steady on my feet but I was sure it would pass, it's only 3 in the afternoon for the love of god! At that moment I was sitting in the main lodge, I had been helping the others decorate but I decided to sit down for a bit, giving my mind the freedom to wander where I didn't want it to go. I caught my eyes drifting over to where Malik was standing, holding up a string of lights for Honda and admired his lean arms and toned chest, then felt my heart sink. The other day and how cold he was to me told me everything I needed to hear, he didn't want me around. I closed my eyes hoping to get rid of the clouded feeling that seemed to form in my mind.
I heard someone go past me and I looked up as the graceful Egyptian figure walked by pulling on a jacket. Was it just me or has been out of it all day? It's not like Malik ever says much anyway, but it seemed he was oddly silent today, and what was scarier was that he hadn't tried to enrage anyone or mar anything. A bit of worry crossed me, even if I wasn't feeling all the best at that moment, his actions worried me. It just didn't seem right that he was so lost in thought.
I sighed again, watching from the corner of my eye as he left the house to go who knows where? I felt distinctly alone again and harshly reminded myself that it was only a stupid crush and I'd get over it. I didn't believe myself. I had tried to ignore the hopeless feeling since last afternoon when he threw me out of the bedroom. But when I sat down that night to try to read my newest book about Gods of the Middle East and reach the part about the God Malik, something inside me snapped. I cried myself to sleep on the couch, it helped over come the fact I was freezing cold and all I could find was a thin little blanket. It's not like I thought I had a chance with him anyway but whatever hope may have been in me seemed to crumble, I don't know how I'll make it past Christmas.
"Ryou? Ryou? wake up!" a gentle hand was on my shoulder, shaking my slightly. I blinked, then blinked again. I must have fallen asleep. Yugi was leaning over me, looking at me with concern. "You don't look so well. Maybe you should go back to your room and go to bed." I cringed slightly and started to cough again, quickly covering my mouth to save Yugi the torment of catching whatever I had. I really didn't want to go back to my cabin considering my couch wasn't exactly the warmest place to sleep. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I put in a fire.
"How long was I asleep for?" I asked, stretching a bit before moving toward the door.
"About an hour, I think. No one wanted to wake you, but I thought you might be better off in bed. You started coughing something awful."
"Oh I'm sorry." I apologized, blushing slightly. Yugi smiled sweetly.
"It's okay, you just go and get some rest, take care of that cold. No one wants to be sick on Christmas."
I managed a smile, then left, trudging across the frozen ground to my cabin. Still no snow. I hoped I would be better for Christmas, considering tomorrow was Yule and I didn't have a prayer of getting rid of this cold before then.
I walked into the cabin and I felt the change in the atmosphere. After years of tuning your energies to the spirit, you can tell when something has changed. There was a stillness in the air, a reflective mellowness, almost meditative. That what it was, meditative. Like time was suspended. I glanced about the room, all the curtains were tightly drawn making it look as if it were night time inside. The couch had been pulled out in front of the fireplace which now crackled with a large and extremely hot fire. The whole place seemed warm with it. It was wonderfully blissful but as if some one along time to get it that way. As if trying to become calm. I look at the couch and realized I wasn't alone, Malik was sitting there, facing the fire, his back to me.
I never would have approached him except for the fact that I wanted my book and it happened to be by the couch. I hoped to the goddess Malik hadn't seen it, it was bound to raise questions I really didn't want to answer. I walked around to the front of the couch. What I saw made my mouth drop open with surprise. There was Malik, reclined comfortably into the sofa, he was asleep and my book was open and laying on his chest. I shook my head and blinked, he had been reading my book on the eastern god's. I was in a state of disbelief, he had been the one trying to calm himself and I wondered what had made the golden Egyptian so upset. He had the most peaceful look on his face and I could feel my heart flutter. He had taken off all his jewellery showing his tanned skin that usually remained hidden under the gold bands. His pale hair frame out his face and neck and his chest rose and fell steadily with the breath of a gentle sleep. He looked so completely innocent and angelic at that moment I wondered if he really was a god.
I felt a familiar tingle in my throat; I had to cough. The last thing I wanted to do was wake the sleeping Egyptian and I tried to suppress it, but started coughing loudly. My body trembled and shook with the force of each cough, they pulled at my stomach hard and for a moment I though I may by stomach sick, fortunately I wasn't.
Malik, still half asleep, sat up a bit straighter and looked at me, blinking the sleep from his eyes. "Ryou?" I was about to apologise profoundly when I realized he wasn't glaring at me or ready to kill me. He just looked me up and down a worried look played on his face amid the sleepiness. "Ryou, are you okay? You look horrible. Do you need some water or something?" He asked me in one of the most sincere voices I had ever heard him speak in. I loved the way he said my name, so concerned and consoling. I shook me head and coughed again, preparing myself to leave him. He rub the sleep from his eyes. "Are you sure you're okay? You seemed upset last night."
"I... um..." I stammered slightly, "I've had this cold for awhile now, it was really bothering me, so I crashed early. I thought I would do the same this evening."
If I wasn't surprised enough already, what he did next totally caught me off guard. He gave me the most hurt and concerned look then jumped up off the couch and gestured for me to sit down. "Do you want something warm to drink, it may make you feel better." I gave him a puzzled expression as I sat down into the place his body had warmed for me. It took a moment for the question to register in my stuffed up mind before I nodded. "Is tea okay?" He asked, turning toward the kitchenette just around the corner of the room, "You drink Earl Grey with honey don't you?".
I blinked. "Yeah, how did you know?" I was pretty positive I had never said anything about my saccharine caffeine addiction.
His face blanked completely, looking at me as if I had caught him doing something totally wrong and I may kill him any second, then he laughed nervously. To say this least I found this a bit odd. "It's nothing." He said with a smile that made me melt, "I just remembered random things I people mention. It may have been your yami."
"Oh..." I'll admit that did seem logical, my yami has seen me make a cup of it every afternoon for the last... how many years? I smiled as well as I could manage, feeling ill as I was and he offered me a gentle one in return before he walked away from the couch and into the kitchen. Presumably to set about making the tea. I turned back to the fire, watching the flames jump up and lick across the wood, as if it they were dancing. The colours of yellow and orange drew beautiful shades on my skin, painting ever moving images threw the dark room. From the kitchen I heard the whistle of the kettle boiling. I took off my jacket and laid it on the floor, suddenly feeling to tired and weak to actually go hang it up. I sighed and curled further into the couch.
"Here you go. One Earl Grey with honey!" I looked up and offered Malik a thankful look as he handed my the tea. I felt myself smile, turning back to the fire and taking a long drink. it was wonderfully steaming hot and the thick richness the honey added soothed my throat. He folded his arms on the back of the couch and leaned forward on them, looking thoughtfully at the fire. "I'll be right back." he said abruptly.
"Okay" I replied, and just stared at him with amazement as he blotted quickly up the stairs. Was this really Malik? He was never this nice to me. I took another sip of tea and noticed the mug. It was his and I wondered vaguely why he had brought it with him all the way here just for the week. I remembered he pitched a fit once because Tea wanted to drink something out of it when he still lived at Isis' apartment before he moved to the one he lives in now. And believe me, he knows how to throw a fit. It was the black one with the silver writing, though I'd never taken the time to read the writing "The globe presents: Hamlet" I raised a bow and turned the mug, reading the other side:
"There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in our philosophy"
I.5.167-168
I liked that, there was an ironic truth to it. Especially to someone into magick like I was. I started to wonder why on Earth Malik would be so attached to this or why he found Hamlet and that line of particular interest but I was felling to run down to puzzle over it and to say the least I was rather flattered he would give me this to drink from. I got so caught up in trying to get my head free of the dizzy feeling creeping up on me I didn't hear Malik return or what he was saying to me.
"Ummm, what did you say? Sorry, I kinda zoned out there." I shook my head, trying to clear it.
"I said I brought you a blanket." He held out a thick orange and red blanket.
"Thanks." I took the blanket from him and unfolded it. It was really soft and looked somewhat familiar and I wondered where she had seen it. Then it hit me, it was the comforter from the bed upstairs. I wrapped it tightly around me, it was a hell of a lot better then the thing I had slept with last night.
"Hey, is there room for me on the couch too?" He asked, jokingly, pulling playfully on a lock of my white hair. I laughed a bit, I don't know why but I like people playing with my hair.
"Yeah, here." I moved over a bit, making room on the couch for him and he gave a bit of a jump over the back of the sofa to plunk down beside me, a content smile on his face. He leaned back and closed his eyes. I watched him a moment, admiring how the fire light played across his tanned skin without the gold to cover his long slender arms and neck. His eyes opened and flicked toward me and I abruptly averted my gaze. He gave a sigh and a forlorn expression came over his face. I glanced at him curiously before deciding not to damage my heart any further and turning back to the fire.
"Hey Ryou?"
His tone sent a warm chill down my back and I swallowed. "Yes?"
There was paused before he spoke again, as if it took him a while to figure out just what to say, "I'm sorry about yesterday. I was a real prick to you. It's been really bugging me." I had to blink a few times, I'm sure I must have looked like a ghost had walked in front of me. That's what been on his mind all day? My heart skipped a beat. I looked at him, scanning his face for any sign that might restore my hope but he was staring at the ceiling and I couldn't read it.
"The great Malik Ishtar is apologizing?" I smirked, though my illness bitterly protested my amusement, insisting I should feel perfectly horrible like I had before. He opened his eyes and glanced at me again.
"It's a once in a lifetime thing." He replied, a smartass smile forming handsomely on his lips. I gave a small laugh to show I knew he was teasing. He went back to looking soberly at the ceiling.
"It's just, you looked so miserable and if I had known you were sick I would have... slept down here. The bed is much more comfortable and I know that pitiful excuse for a blanket couldn't have kept you warm. Plus I was just being an ass. I'm really sorry."
My heart pounded and I force myself not to take this to seriously, less I get crushed again. So I just nodded slowly, "It's okay." He nodded and closed his eyes again, a smile on his lips, looking relieved. I stared at the fire intently. I started to feel rather cold despite the fire and blanket and unconsciously move a bit closer to the warm body beside me. I didn't notice what I had done until I heard Malik laugh.
"Still cold?" I blushed furiously and nodded. He looked amused and shook his head "Here," he said in an amused tone, then lifted the part of the comforter closest to him and draped around himself. Then much to my delight and surprise he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him and wrapping the thick blanket around us both. "Better?" he smiled, sifting a bit so I could easily lean into the warmth of his chest. I nodded and looked up, catching his eyes.
I set to examining them, there such an amazing thing to see. They have a glow to they, as they are alive themselves. And the colour... I don't think I can describe it. It's the sky when the sun is going down and a storm is rolling in. An intense violet that swirls and storms like he does, ever changing and unpredictable. I could drown in those eyes. He smiled a bit and shook his head a bit, "Your hair hides your face." he said softly and pushed my bangs away from my eyes. "There, I can see your eyes now." His fingers were wonderfully gentle, I can't remember anyone begin this tender with me. He was even caring for me when I was sick, my own father didn't take the time to do that. He let his fingers linger in my hair a minute and his eyes scanning my face with a strange affection I haven't seen with him before. I felt myself tremble, he looked so beautiful, so divinely radiant in the fire light. His thumb ran along my cheek and I fought the urge to sigh and lean into the touch. His eyes lowered becoming semi-laden as he tilted my head slightly and hesitantly leaned down. I leaned toward him slightly, our lips almost brushing, I could fell my heart flutter in my chest.
As if on que another string of coughs tore from my chest and I quickly turned my head. I leaned forward over my knees to ease the shuddering that racked my body with each cough. I heard him shift beside me and felt him lean near me, one hand placed comfortingly on my arm, the other rubbing my back which I was grateful for because it helped ease the discomfort in my chest. He laughed a bit in a good natured-way as my fit ended, "You cough right from the bottom of your soul!" he said lightly, rubbing my back a bit and he eased me into a sitting position. A wave of dizziness struck me and I sank back into the couch, his arm still across my shoulder and our moment forgotten. At that moment I frankly didn't care, I felt like a fog had settled on my head and it was beginning to hurt.
I shook my head again and reached forward, laying the mug I had been holding the whole time on the fire place grate and giving Malik the opportunity to remove his arm. I feel back heavily into my seat and watched the fire dance on the shining black of the mug. "Hey Malik?" I said gently, as my throat was a bit sore from my last coughing attack.
"Yes?"
"Why does that mug mean so much to you?"
He chuckled lightly then sighed. "It's my favourite play by my favourite writer."
I looked up at him amazed "You like Shakespeare?"
He nodded, turning his eyes onto mine "Love him. Isis brought that back to me from England when she got to go there on a trip for the museum. She got to see it in the Globe theatre, lucky girl. I read it sometime ago when I decided I was going to read all of his plays but I've never been able to find it again. Hamlet reminds me of myself. That happens to be my favourite line."
"Why?"
He gave a mysterious smile "Because it's true." I raised a brow, to tired to ponder over poetry at the moment.
I closed my eyes, fighting against the dizziness that was closing in on me. "Hey, I have an idea." Malik said, "Want to go up and see what's on the non-broken TV, it may be more interesting them staring at each other." I cracked a smile and nodded, pulling myself to my feet and wrapping the comforter around me as I rose.
I was okay for a moment, walking with the blanket pulled around me, then half-way to the stairs I started to feel like this fog was closing in around me. It followed me and I felt like the room was starting to move under my feet. I took two steps up the stairs and stopped, my heart started to pound harshly, I come here it race in my ears. I felt my breath try to leave me and I started to gasp and get air into me. I became dimly aware Malik had called my name. "Ryou?" he said again, I could hear him right behind me. I suddenly felt horrible cold and my knees became weak. "Are you okay? Ryou?"
I took a harsh breath that felt like it burned my mouth and I leaned heavily on the rail. "Yes," I said gently, leaning forward a bit to escape the fact the whole world seemed to be quickly twisting sickeningly around me , "Yes, I'm fine..." I felt my knees and the arm I was leaning on give way, everything went black.
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Well another chap down ;) and I apologise for all the grammar problems, If anyone want to give me a hand and become a beta reader for me pleeeeeeeazzze leave a review (signed or with an e-mail) so I can get in touch with you! Trust me, it will involve a bit of work, there's Gutterflower, Drawing Down the Moon, The Darkest Souls, and I have two new ones I'll be starting soon. AHHH! So anyone who wants to help... please?
Chapter 3!!! Yay!! And for everyone who thought Malik was being mean... he shows a better side of himself in this chapter. Special thanks to Karkahn who ran a grammar and spell check on this for me. THANK YOU!! I promise I'll get that tape to you soon!
Ryou: *sniff* I feel miserable.
LYB: There, there hikari... you'll get better, just wait and see ;)
****************************************************************************
Creature of Fire
****************************************************************************
I felt pathetic. This was turning out to probably be the worst Yule of my life. I got myself stuck sharing a cabin with a guy who I can not get a long with AT ALL and it's breaking my heart. I shake my head, I can't fall in love with Malik, I can't! I felt my throat tingle and let out a long string of coughs that seemed to come from the very bottom of me feet, I must sound like a horse. My cold was getting worst and I wasn't feeling very steady on my feet but I was sure it would pass, it's only 3 in the afternoon for the love of god! At that moment I was sitting in the main lodge, I had been helping the others decorate but I decided to sit down for a bit, giving my mind the freedom to wander where I didn't want it to go. I caught my eyes drifting over to where Malik was standing, holding up a string of lights for Honda and admired his lean arms and toned chest, then felt my heart sink. The other day and how cold he was to me told me everything I needed to hear, he didn't want me around. I closed my eyes hoping to get rid of the clouded feeling that seemed to form in my mind.
I heard someone go past me and I looked up as the graceful Egyptian figure walked by pulling on a jacket. Was it just me or has been out of it all day? It's not like Malik ever says much anyway, but it seemed he was oddly silent today, and what was scarier was that he hadn't tried to enrage anyone or mar anything. A bit of worry crossed me, even if I wasn't feeling all the best at that moment, his actions worried me. It just didn't seem right that he was so lost in thought.
I sighed again, watching from the corner of my eye as he left the house to go who knows where? I felt distinctly alone again and harshly reminded myself that it was only a stupid crush and I'd get over it. I didn't believe myself. I had tried to ignore the hopeless feeling since last afternoon when he threw me out of the bedroom. But when I sat down that night to try to read my newest book about Gods of the Middle East and reach the part about the God Malik, something inside me snapped. I cried myself to sleep on the couch, it helped over come the fact I was freezing cold and all I could find was a thin little blanket. It's not like I thought I had a chance with him anyway but whatever hope may have been in me seemed to crumble, I don't know how I'll make it past Christmas.
"Ryou? Ryou? wake up!" a gentle hand was on my shoulder, shaking my slightly. I blinked, then blinked again. I must have fallen asleep. Yugi was leaning over me, looking at me with concern. "You don't look so well. Maybe you should go back to your room and go to bed." I cringed slightly and started to cough again, quickly covering my mouth to save Yugi the torment of catching whatever I had. I really didn't want to go back to my cabin considering my couch wasn't exactly the warmest place to sleep. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I put in a fire.
"How long was I asleep for?" I asked, stretching a bit before moving toward the door.
"About an hour, I think. No one wanted to wake you, but I thought you might be better off in bed. You started coughing something awful."
"Oh I'm sorry." I apologized, blushing slightly. Yugi smiled sweetly.
"It's okay, you just go and get some rest, take care of that cold. No one wants to be sick on Christmas."
I managed a smile, then left, trudging across the frozen ground to my cabin. Still no snow. I hoped I would be better for Christmas, considering tomorrow was Yule and I didn't have a prayer of getting rid of this cold before then.
I walked into the cabin and I felt the change in the atmosphere. After years of tuning your energies to the spirit, you can tell when something has changed. There was a stillness in the air, a reflective mellowness, almost meditative. That what it was, meditative. Like time was suspended. I glanced about the room, all the curtains were tightly drawn making it look as if it were night time inside. The couch had been pulled out in front of the fireplace which now crackled with a large and extremely hot fire. The whole place seemed warm with it. It was wonderfully blissful but as if some one along time to get it that way. As if trying to become calm. I look at the couch and realized I wasn't alone, Malik was sitting there, facing the fire, his back to me.
I never would have approached him except for the fact that I wanted my book and it happened to be by the couch. I hoped to the goddess Malik hadn't seen it, it was bound to raise questions I really didn't want to answer. I walked around to the front of the couch. What I saw made my mouth drop open with surprise. There was Malik, reclined comfortably into the sofa, he was asleep and my book was open and laying on his chest. I shook my head and blinked, he had been reading my book on the eastern god's. I was in a state of disbelief, he had been the one trying to calm himself and I wondered what had made the golden Egyptian so upset. He had the most peaceful look on his face and I could feel my heart flutter. He had taken off all his jewellery showing his tanned skin that usually remained hidden under the gold bands. His pale hair frame out his face and neck and his chest rose and fell steadily with the breath of a gentle sleep. He looked so completely innocent and angelic at that moment I wondered if he really was a god.
I felt a familiar tingle in my throat; I had to cough. The last thing I wanted to do was wake the sleeping Egyptian and I tried to suppress it, but started coughing loudly. My body trembled and shook with the force of each cough, they pulled at my stomach hard and for a moment I though I may by stomach sick, fortunately I wasn't.
Malik, still half asleep, sat up a bit straighter and looked at me, blinking the sleep from his eyes. "Ryou?" I was about to apologise profoundly when I realized he wasn't glaring at me or ready to kill me. He just looked me up and down a worried look played on his face amid the sleepiness. "Ryou, are you okay? You look horrible. Do you need some water or something?" He asked me in one of the most sincere voices I had ever heard him speak in. I loved the way he said my name, so concerned and consoling. I shook me head and coughed again, preparing myself to leave him. He rub the sleep from his eyes. "Are you sure you're okay? You seemed upset last night."
"I... um..." I stammered slightly, "I've had this cold for awhile now, it was really bothering me, so I crashed early. I thought I would do the same this evening."
If I wasn't surprised enough already, what he did next totally caught me off guard. He gave me the most hurt and concerned look then jumped up off the couch and gestured for me to sit down. "Do you want something warm to drink, it may make you feel better." I gave him a puzzled expression as I sat down into the place his body had warmed for me. It took a moment for the question to register in my stuffed up mind before I nodded. "Is tea okay?" He asked, turning toward the kitchenette just around the corner of the room, "You drink Earl Grey with honey don't you?".
I blinked. "Yeah, how did you know?" I was pretty positive I had never said anything about my saccharine caffeine addiction.
His face blanked completely, looking at me as if I had caught him doing something totally wrong and I may kill him any second, then he laughed nervously. To say this least I found this a bit odd. "It's nothing." He said with a smile that made me melt, "I just remembered random things I people mention. It may have been your yami."
"Oh..." I'll admit that did seem logical, my yami has seen me make a cup of it every afternoon for the last... how many years? I smiled as well as I could manage, feeling ill as I was and he offered me a gentle one in return before he walked away from the couch and into the kitchen. Presumably to set about making the tea. I turned back to the fire, watching the flames jump up and lick across the wood, as if it they were dancing. The colours of yellow and orange drew beautiful shades on my skin, painting ever moving images threw the dark room. From the kitchen I heard the whistle of the kettle boiling. I took off my jacket and laid it on the floor, suddenly feeling to tired and weak to actually go hang it up. I sighed and curled further into the couch.
"Here you go. One Earl Grey with honey!" I looked up and offered Malik a thankful look as he handed my the tea. I felt myself smile, turning back to the fire and taking a long drink. it was wonderfully steaming hot and the thick richness the honey added soothed my throat. He folded his arms on the back of the couch and leaned forward on them, looking thoughtfully at the fire. "I'll be right back." he said abruptly.
"Okay" I replied, and just stared at him with amazement as he blotted quickly up the stairs. Was this really Malik? He was never this nice to me. I took another sip of tea and noticed the mug. It was his and I wondered vaguely why he had brought it with him all the way here just for the week. I remembered he pitched a fit once because Tea wanted to drink something out of it when he still lived at Isis' apartment before he moved to the one he lives in now. And believe me, he knows how to throw a fit. It was the black one with the silver writing, though I'd never taken the time to read the writing "The globe presents: Hamlet" I raised a bow and turned the mug, reading the other side:
"There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in our philosophy"
I.5.167-168
I liked that, there was an ironic truth to it. Especially to someone into magick like I was. I started to wonder why on Earth Malik would be so attached to this or why he found Hamlet and that line of particular interest but I was felling to run down to puzzle over it and to say the least I was rather flattered he would give me this to drink from. I got so caught up in trying to get my head free of the dizzy feeling creeping up on me I didn't hear Malik return or what he was saying to me.
"Ummm, what did you say? Sorry, I kinda zoned out there." I shook my head, trying to clear it.
"I said I brought you a blanket." He held out a thick orange and red blanket.
"Thanks." I took the blanket from him and unfolded it. It was really soft and looked somewhat familiar and I wondered where she had seen it. Then it hit me, it was the comforter from the bed upstairs. I wrapped it tightly around me, it was a hell of a lot better then the thing I had slept with last night.
"Hey, is there room for me on the couch too?" He asked, jokingly, pulling playfully on a lock of my white hair. I laughed a bit, I don't know why but I like people playing with my hair.
"Yeah, here." I moved over a bit, making room on the couch for him and he gave a bit of a jump over the back of the sofa to plunk down beside me, a content smile on his face. He leaned back and closed his eyes. I watched him a moment, admiring how the fire light played across his tanned skin without the gold to cover his long slender arms and neck. His eyes opened and flicked toward me and I abruptly averted my gaze. He gave a sigh and a forlorn expression came over his face. I glanced at him curiously before deciding not to damage my heart any further and turning back to the fire.
"Hey Ryou?"
His tone sent a warm chill down my back and I swallowed. "Yes?"
There was paused before he spoke again, as if it took him a while to figure out just what to say, "I'm sorry about yesterday. I was a real prick to you. It's been really bugging me." I had to blink a few times, I'm sure I must have looked like a ghost had walked in front of me. That's what been on his mind all day? My heart skipped a beat. I looked at him, scanning his face for any sign that might restore my hope but he was staring at the ceiling and I couldn't read it.
"The great Malik Ishtar is apologizing?" I smirked, though my illness bitterly protested my amusement, insisting I should feel perfectly horrible like I had before. He opened his eyes and glanced at me again.
"It's a once in a lifetime thing." He replied, a smartass smile forming handsomely on his lips. I gave a small laugh to show I knew he was teasing. He went back to looking soberly at the ceiling.
"It's just, you looked so miserable and if I had known you were sick I would have... slept down here. The bed is much more comfortable and I know that pitiful excuse for a blanket couldn't have kept you warm. Plus I was just being an ass. I'm really sorry."
My heart pounded and I force myself not to take this to seriously, less I get crushed again. So I just nodded slowly, "It's okay." He nodded and closed his eyes again, a smile on his lips, looking relieved. I stared at the fire intently. I started to feel rather cold despite the fire and blanket and unconsciously move a bit closer to the warm body beside me. I didn't notice what I had done until I heard Malik laugh.
"Still cold?" I blushed furiously and nodded. He looked amused and shook his head "Here," he said in an amused tone, then lifted the part of the comforter closest to him and draped around himself. Then much to my delight and surprise he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him and wrapping the thick blanket around us both. "Better?" he smiled, sifting a bit so I could easily lean into the warmth of his chest. I nodded and looked up, catching his eyes.
I set to examining them, there such an amazing thing to see. They have a glow to they, as they are alive themselves. And the colour... I don't think I can describe it. It's the sky when the sun is going down and a storm is rolling in. An intense violet that swirls and storms like he does, ever changing and unpredictable. I could drown in those eyes. He smiled a bit and shook his head a bit, "Your hair hides your face." he said softly and pushed my bangs away from my eyes. "There, I can see your eyes now." His fingers were wonderfully gentle, I can't remember anyone begin this tender with me. He was even caring for me when I was sick, my own father didn't take the time to do that. He let his fingers linger in my hair a minute and his eyes scanning my face with a strange affection I haven't seen with him before. I felt myself tremble, he looked so beautiful, so divinely radiant in the fire light. His thumb ran along my cheek and I fought the urge to sigh and lean into the touch. His eyes lowered becoming semi-laden as he tilted my head slightly and hesitantly leaned down. I leaned toward him slightly, our lips almost brushing, I could fell my heart flutter in my chest.
As if on que another string of coughs tore from my chest and I quickly turned my head. I leaned forward over my knees to ease the shuddering that racked my body with each cough. I heard him shift beside me and felt him lean near me, one hand placed comfortingly on my arm, the other rubbing my back which I was grateful for because it helped ease the discomfort in my chest. He laughed a bit in a good natured-way as my fit ended, "You cough right from the bottom of your soul!" he said lightly, rubbing my back a bit and he eased me into a sitting position. A wave of dizziness struck me and I sank back into the couch, his arm still across my shoulder and our moment forgotten. At that moment I frankly didn't care, I felt like a fog had settled on my head and it was beginning to hurt.
I shook my head again and reached forward, laying the mug I had been holding the whole time on the fire place grate and giving Malik the opportunity to remove his arm. I feel back heavily into my seat and watched the fire dance on the shining black of the mug. "Hey Malik?" I said gently, as my throat was a bit sore from my last coughing attack.
"Yes?"
"Why does that mug mean so much to you?"
He chuckled lightly then sighed. "It's my favourite play by my favourite writer."
I looked up at him amazed "You like Shakespeare?"
He nodded, turning his eyes onto mine "Love him. Isis brought that back to me from England when she got to go there on a trip for the museum. She got to see it in the Globe theatre, lucky girl. I read it sometime ago when I decided I was going to read all of his plays but I've never been able to find it again. Hamlet reminds me of myself. That happens to be my favourite line."
"Why?"
He gave a mysterious smile "Because it's true." I raised a brow, to tired to ponder over poetry at the moment.
I closed my eyes, fighting against the dizziness that was closing in on me. "Hey, I have an idea." Malik said, "Want to go up and see what's on the non-broken TV, it may be more interesting them staring at each other." I cracked a smile and nodded, pulling myself to my feet and wrapping the comforter around me as I rose.
I was okay for a moment, walking with the blanket pulled around me, then half-way to the stairs I started to feel like this fog was closing in around me. It followed me and I felt like the room was starting to move under my feet. I took two steps up the stairs and stopped, my heart started to pound harshly, I come here it race in my ears. I felt my breath try to leave me and I started to gasp and get air into me. I became dimly aware Malik had called my name. "Ryou?" he said again, I could hear him right behind me. I suddenly felt horrible cold and my knees became weak. "Are you okay? Ryou?"
I took a harsh breath that felt like it burned my mouth and I leaned heavily on the rail. "Yes," I said gently, leaning forward a bit to escape the fact the whole world seemed to be quickly twisting sickeningly around me , "Yes, I'm fine..." I felt my knees and the arm I was leaning on give way, everything went black.
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Well another chap down ;) and I apologise for all the grammar problems, If anyone want to give me a hand and become a beta reader for me pleeeeeeeazzze leave a review (signed or with an e-mail) so I can get in touch with you! Trust me, it will involve a bit of work, there's Gutterflower, Drawing Down the Moon, The Darkest Souls, and I have two new ones I'll be starting soon. AHHH! So anyone who wants to help... please?