----
Fenris made her way though the water, she spotted Loki's form, which seemed to be flailing about in an attempt to swim. Her chest burned and she resurfaced, gasping for air, then she dove back down and made her way to Loki. Her heart nearly stopped as she saw him go limp, and she redoubled her efforts. She put one hand around his waist, and the other under his arm. Come on Loki, she thought and started to kick upwards. It seemed to take ages, it almost felt like the distance was growing larger, but still she pushed on her legs burning, her lungs screaming. Her entire body protested, screamed at her, told her to let the extra weight go. No... then she broke the surface, gasping and spluttering, she thought she heard Loki give a cough and give a small groan, but she wasn't sure as a distraction swooped down on her. She uttered the first spell that came to her mind and aimed for the beast that was gliding towards her. It shrieked and veered off, she quickly took aim and blasted the nest with a fire spell. It broke apart, and the monsters turned to dust, kreeing in agony. Fenris was suddenly exhausted as the adreniline rush left her, but she still needed to get herself and Loki out of the water.
She swam with agonizingly slow process until she finally made it to the edge. She hoisted herself up, then pulled Loki out, laying him on his back, he turned his head and groaned softly. Fenris shook with relief and exhaustion, "Loki! You're alive!" A few tears escaped her eyes as she collapsed on his torso. Some water came out his mouth and nose, but they were both so wet she hardly noticed. He coughed again, and his breathing sounded much better. Fenris closed her eyes and sighed, I'm so...relieved. She drifted off into a fast, hard, deep sleep where not even dreams could touch her.
---------
Loki was rarely surprised. He was also rarely in a position where he found he could not move. This had been one of those times. He had just about loosened his dagger when he hit the water. The cold had sent him into momentary shock and his body refused to cooperate. Disconected images and feelings of him floating through a void passed by. He was dreaming, he had to be, an angel appeared before him, shining brilliantly, clad in white. Her face remarkabley like Fenris's...Fenris... The angel was carrying him up, was he dead? Had she come to take him to the lands of the dead? Or maybe to Hel..? She smiled at him, then dissapeared.
Loki groaned softly, his eyes took a long time to adjust to the dimness. He realized something was on him. He was both surprised and horrified, "Fenris!?" His heart stopped, then hammered as he feared the worst. Did she die trying to save me...? He relaxed instantly as he realized she was merley resting. He stiffened again, what was he doing? There was a woman laying on him, one who felt for someone else, and he was doing nothing to rouse her. Hesitantly, he reached out a suddenly unarmoured hand and stroked her cold cheek. The gods must laugh at us Fenris Fenrir. We share the same fate, to feel for one who does not feel the same. Such cruelty He brushed his hand lightly over her wet hair that cascaded all over his torso and her back, sighing. I wish that you had not endangered yourself so for my sake. He shook her by the shoulder gently, "Fenris...Fenris...Fenris...are you allright?" The warlock stirred and opened her eyes,
"Mmmm...? Oh Loki!! You're awake!" She flushed as she realized their position and she sat up, scooting herself away from him. "I-I'm sorry, I was just.. so tired after I got out of the lake...." She looked away at the floor, blushing. Loki stood up, shaking his head,
"No, it is allright, more than allright. I owe you my thanks Fenris, you did not need to endanger yourself like that however. I am sure that in another moment I would have gotten myself out fine." He offered her his hand to help her stand up, Fenris smiled wryly at his statement,
"Of course Loki, if you say so." She laughed a little. It was the first time he had ever heard her laugh.
"Be that as it may, I still owe you my thanks Fenris, somehow I am sure I shall find a way to compensate..." Fenris shook her head at him, smiling a little,
"No... you've already saved me once...it's the least I could do to return the favor." His thoughts echoed her statement, ...the least she could do? She smiled at him again, bending down to pick up a glowing runecard. "Let's go, I'm sure Chaos and Iris are worried about us by now." Loki nodded, then looked around.
"It seems the other runecard has been lost." Fenris shrugged,
"Just stay close to me." It was an order that he was glad to comply with, they walked about a foot apart, far smaller than his normal 'personal space' radius, but for this warlock that intrigued him so, he would make an exception.
-----
They returned to find they had not been gone as long as they had thought, about two, perhaps two and a half hours. Iris and Chaos looked at them oddly as they returned. Chaos knitted his brows together,
"How did you two get so wet?" Loki silently approached the fire, Fenris sighed,
"It's a long story, we ran into a bit of trouble, but at least now we know the cave is safe..." she looked outside with surprise, "It's still raining!? Iris nodded sadly
"It looks like we may have to spend the night." The cleric's eyes met with Chaos' and they both flushed slightly. Fenris bit at her lip. Loki caused a diversion by stripping out of his wet clothes. He put his jacket and shirt on a rock near the fire. He also took off his shoes, and socks, sitting down cross-legged, bare footed and bare-chested on the cave floor. Fenris tried not to stare at him, she also took off what she could and put it next to the fire. She sat across from the assasain, with her back to Chaos and Iris, she couldn't stand it. It hurt too much to see them like that. Her former love, and perhaps her closest friend. She crossed her arms, closing her eyes, it hurts Balder...it hurts so much.
-----
Iris blushed, she was a lot quieter than usual, but she was very happy. She closed her eyes smiling. He kissed me! We kissed! He said he loved me.
She sighed blissfully, she wanted to kiss him again, but with Fenris
and Loki in front of them, that may not have been wise. She did place
her hand on his, and leaned her head against his shoulder as soon as
Fenris' back was turned towards her. He had put his coat and shirt back
on a while ago to her dissapointment. She sighed happily as thier
fingers intertwined, Chaos. She closed her eyes, using him as a
pillow, but then she opened her eyes a little to watch Fenris and Loki,
determined somehow to find out what exactly those two were to each
other.
----
Fenris opened her eyes eventually she
couldn't keep them shut forever, she gazed across the fire at Loki, his
chest and shoulders glitered a little, as water droplets caught the
light of the flames. She flushed a bit, licking her lips. He's generally so prudish, he must really dislike being wet.
She tried to stop her wandeing eyes, but she couldn't help herself.
Everything about this man (if he was indeed human) intrigued her. Her
heart quickened again, and her cheeks went all aflame. She realized in
the nick of time he was speaking to her,
"Are you allright Fenris? Your face is rather red." She gasped a bit and tried to think up a quick excuse,
"I-I'm
fine! I'm fine! I'm sure it's just flushed from the fire is all..." His
eyes spoke volumes of doubt, they practically screamed across to her "I-don't-buy-one-word-of-what-you-are-saying-but-it's-none-of-my-bussiness." Thankfully he dropped the topic, but she could hear a knowing giggle from Iris behind her. Loki raised a brow,
"You have something to say?" Iris answered back lightly,
"No,
no...nothing at all. Fenris' eyes were still transfixed upon the
assasain's chest. She followed the path of a particular water droplet
as it made its way down the contours of his chest and landed with a
soft tap on his leg, rather near his hip and another major area of the
male anatomy. The groin. She was internally mortified, Oh Gods Fenris what are you thinking!? She drew in a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. Loki asked again,
"Are you sure you are allright Fenris?" She didn't know what to say, her mind screamed, stop asking me that or I'll loose all my self-control!! She was shocked by this thought, ...what would happen if I did? "Fenris?" She tried to formulate a coherent answer,
"I.. I'm, I'm just.." He peered at her,
"Did you overexhert yourself earlier?"
"What?
I--no!" She heard a smothered giggle, no doubt from Iris. Unseen to the
warlock, the girl poked Chaos in the ribs with a wicked glint in her
eye,
"Don't you think Fenris looks a bit odd Chaos?"
"Hmmm?
What...no..I mean yes! Now that you mention it she does!" He hastily
corrected himself as he caught on to Iris' plan. Fenris turned around
and looked at them, both of them had merciless grins on their faces.
Fenris mouthed, oh please no... The two got up and they knelt
down on either side of her, 'examining' her, teasing her mercilessly,
wondering if their fish would take the bait. Chaos smiled, This might actually work. "You really do look flushed Fenris, do you have a fever?" Iris put her hand on on Fenris' forehead,
"I think she might, oh! And her pulse has shot way up! What do you think Loki?" The assasain got up, Fenris closed her eyes, Oh gods why...? This is so cruel... The warlock protested,
"I'm telling you I feel fine!" Chaos 'tsked' her,
"My, my, her temper has shortened too." Fenris' mouth dropped open,
"What!?
I-I-I! it has not! Stop this foolishness now!" Iris moved out of the
way so that Loki could kneel down and peer at her intently, there was
no way to escape those eyes of his. She went even more red, and she
broke out into a sweat which Iris took no mercy in pointing out,
"Oh
dear, she's started to perspire now! I think you have a fever Fenris,
do you feel funny?" Fenris mumbled as the assasain quietly took her
hand in order to measure her pulse. She couldn't breath right, she took
in great gulps of air, "It's just..because I'm wet..is all.." Chaos
laughed a little,
"Are you short of breath now Fenris?" Fenris hid her face in her hands, just stop this!! she could hear Loki's voice,
"Does
your head hurt?" She looked up at him in a sort of horrified surprise,
Chaos and Iris exchanged a glance, the fish had taken it, hook, line,
and sinker. At least Loki was asking it out of genuine concern, Fenris
murmured as she rubbed her forehead sighing,
"You know I'm not really sure." Loki felt her cheeks with the back of his hand, then her forehead,
"Hmm...you do feel rather warm. Are you sure you're allright?"
"Yes!!
I'm perfectly allright!! There's nothing the matter with me!" Fenris
burst out as she stood up. The cleric and the knight were both
surpressing laughter, Fenris shot them both a dirty glance, "I'm going
out to get more wood for the fire!" She stomped over to the cave
enterence, not bothering to put on her shoes. Loki was suddenly in her
way. She hid her face in her hands again murmuring almost desperatley,
"What now?" Loki answered her evenly,
"The weather outside
would only worsen your condition Fenris. You should stay here and try
to rest." Fenris dropped her hands to her sides,
"What!? Nonsense! I'm fine! They were just playing some sort of game!" Loki crossed his arms,
"I
beg to differ. Be warned Fenris, should you try to leave I will have to
render you unconsious so that you will not risk endangering your
health." Fenris took a half step back, then half-turned to look at the
other two. They were leaning against each other, trying not to burst
out with laughter. Fenris turned back to Loki with a look of
desperation, which was a mistake. She was caught within his stare, she
saw that he would not negotiate his point, not would he fail to enforce
it. Fenris cursed inwardly, this must be the most embarrasing day of my life. She stood up straighter, and attempted to walk past Loki. Her fleeting thought before she gasped and everything went black was, at least I'll have my dignity...!
Loki
caught her as she collapsed, then carried her over by the fire. He
quietly unrolled one of the sleeping mats, then gently laid Fenris upon
it. Chaos and Iris couldn't withold thier laughter any longer and burst
out laughing. Loki looked over at them, clearly annoyed,
"I fail to see what is so humerous." The two couldn't answer so he ignored them and let them laugh themselves out.
-------------
When
Fenris woke up, it was dark outside, but the fire still burned
brightly. Iris and Chaos were thankfully, both asleep. Loki was sitting
next to her, as he had been all day. "You're awake," he said
unessisarily. "How are you feeling?" Fenris sat up and smiled a bit
ruefully,
"Much better actually." Loki nodded,
"I see, that is good then." Fenris looked at the two across the fire and laughed,
"I don't know what got into them to do all that..." Loki shrugged,
"They are a strange pair." Fenris stopped smiling and nodded in agreement and thought vaugley, yes..a pair. Loki must have noticed her change in demenor, for he asked,
"Are
you allright Fenris? Something seems to be troubling you." She turned
her head and almost said, "Don't start that again," but she stopped as
she saw what was in his eyes, she looked down at her hands in her lap
and sighed,
"I'm fine Loki, it's just an old hurt that won't go away." He nodded,
"I
know what it is that bothers you Fenris, and I am sorry. I would do
something for you if I could, but I am afraid I cannot do anything to
help you in this case." Fenris suddenly burned with curiousity about
him, she knew virtually nothing about him. She looked at him. He was
still shirtless, even though his clothes were probably long dry. She
looked away again, before he started asking her if she was allright.
She asked the first question that sprange to her mind,
"Do you have anyone Loki?" He stared at her, puzzled,
"How do you mean?" Fenris looked at him,
"You
know, someone you, well--like I guess." She flushed a little and added
hastily, "You don't have to answer of course if you don't want to!" To
her surprise, Loki looked away, out into the darkness at the invisible
rain that poured outside and answered softly,
"Yes, there is
someone...someone that I care for very much. Unfortunatley," he looked
down, "I am afraid that she does not reciprocate my feelings, as she
loves someone else very deeply." Fenris looked at him, trying to see
what was in his eyes, but she couldn't see his eyes. She murmured,
"I'm sorry, I know how you feel." I know just how you feel Loki, "It must hurt...very much." He lifted his head up, still not looking at her answering off-handedly,
"It
does hurt yes, and I know how you feel as well Fenris. It is much the
same as with you and Chaos." Fenris nodded, looking around the cave. A
silence preveiled for many moments, then Fenris said insistantly,
"I really was feeling fine earlier! I was only blushing beca---" She cut herself off, her cheeks flaming madly again, oh Gods Fenris you fool! Loki looked at her with interest,
"Because...?"
Fenris tried to say why, but how could she possibly explain herself?
Only a few stuttering sounds came out as she became lost in his gaze. I can't tell him, I don't even know myself..why..why do you have such an effect on me Loki? Her voice caught in her throat. "Fenris?" I want to tell you Loki..I really do, but how can I when I don't even know myself! "It's allright if you don't want to tell me." Fenris shook her head and was at last able to say something,
"No!
I do! I just.. I don't know.. how to explain it...Loki...I think..."
She trailed off. Ever the patient one, Loki calmly waited for Fenris to
untie her tounge,
"Yes?" Fenris took in a breath,
"It was
because...Oh, I don't know.. I mean I do! I just. can't explain it very
well. Well, I'll try anyways." Loki didn't interject anything, so she
continued, "Well, when you fell in the lake like that, I-I was worried
for you. I didn't, couldn't think, I just moved there was probably a
spell or something I could have used, but instead I dove in after
you...and well...I guess the reason I was blushing and such
earlier..well.. it was because of you. I, Loki? Well...I think what I'm
trying to say...is that you have an effect on me...it's overwhelming in
some ways, I don't think I've met anyone that strikes me in the ways
you do.." He was regarding her with a most curious sort of expression
in his eyes, she couldn't read it, and she could probably read his eyes
better than anyone else in their party. He gazed off again, somehow
seeming calmer than he had ever been since she first had met him. As
though a great storm within him had died,
"You recall Fenris, that
I said the one I felt for did not care for me...? I think now, I may
have been mistaken." She stared at him blankly for a moment, then her
eyes widened and brimmed with tears. She held a hand up to her mouth
and gasped,
"Oh!" She had finally realized, "Loki! I'm so sorry, I
never, I never guessed!" She bit her lips as a few tears trickled down
her cheeks, "I'm sorry, I must have hurt you...just like Chaos...I'm
sorry!" Loki reched across and gently brushed away her tears shaking
his head,
"No." She furrowed her brows together and echoed bemusedly,
"No?"
"I
will not have you shed any tears over me Fenris Fenrir, because I love
you." Fenris smiled, then threw her arms about him, her eyes clearing
up. Loki was in shock again, his arms were poised as if he had meant to
grab her, and return the embrace but he hesitated,"F-Fenris?" She held
him tightly and whispered,
"Just hold on tight and don't let me
go. Just like on the airship Loki..." The assasain blinked, then
smiled, unseen to the warlock and returned the gesture, holding her
close to him as though she might dissapear if she let go. He closed his
eyes and tried to send her his quiet thought, thank you.
Across
the fire, Iris rolled over to hide a very satisfied smile, and Chaos
bit his pollow to keep from saying anything or laugh out loud from the
absurdity of it all. Strangley enough, their companions didn't seem to
notice as they held each other closely, never wanting to let go.
------End-----
SQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
bounces
"Stay
close to me" how often is THAT line overused in manga/anime? ;;; Ah
well, it works Hmm I was gonna make this really really really angsty,
but then I thought, "naaaaaah." So I changed it to Chaos and Iris
teasing Fenris mercilessly, fortunatley Loki is clueless enough not to
catch on. Hmm I feel like writing some Chaos/Iris stuff...