I've been disconnected from the internet, so I can't check what the reviewer's name was, but I'm still thankful.. xD And the age thing was /supposed/ to confuse you.. I think -blinks-.. And OF COURSE I'm going to do all of that you suggested.. It's not like the story's finished with three chapters or anything. And it wasn't twelve to sixteen.. It was like… ten to fourteen.. I want it to get a whole lot more.. Angsty and tear-jerking.. xD For your delight.. And because /littoh/ likes to cry.. -pokes Littoh- Ahehehe..
No ownership.. Forgot to mention that last chapter.. x.x Yay! R&R.. Enjoy!
"What's the matter?" He raised a hand to rid my cheeks of the tear stains. I had tried to compose myself, but he found me so quickly. I barely had time to get back to the inn before Grandma told me he'd been looking for me. I turned back down the stairs and he was standing there, grinning. The smile fell when he saw I'd been crying. Dammit.
"Gorman I.." What was I supposed to say? 'I think I wanted Kafei to kiss me.'? Or no, maybe 'Kafei was mean.'? That would just make him angry and he would go wail on Kafei…. Where it wasn't Kafei's fault at all. "Nothing." I ended up saying, swallowing hard the words that wanted to be spoken.
He blinked and smiled again. "Okay." Gah, was he easy to convince or what? I smiled reluctantly and he hugged me. Hugged me.
No one ever really commented on the fact he was so much older than me. No one really cared. He was at least five years my senior, but it was he that pursued me, not the other way around, so people accepted it. His family wasn't rich as Kafei's was, but they weren't poor either; and though everyone knew he had two older brothers, it was common knowledge he had been spoiled rotten since birth. In short, Gorman got what he wanted. And he had wanted me. And now I was his. For some reason, I felt good being possessed like that. It made me feel like I belonged. You hear women talking about how they hate pig-headed men that think women are objects but the way I look at it.. If they love you enough to want you all to themselves, what's so horrible?
"Listen. I have something for you." He looked down at me, smirking. "I'm sure you'll love it." He took both of my hands in his and leaned forward. "It's very… Exciting." He whispered. His lips against my ear made me shiver slightly in… Was it discomfort? He took it as pleasure and raised my mouth to his.
It was nice. It was always nice. He told me I was expert, which made me want to do it more. Now that I think about it, that's probably why he told me I was so good at the kissing thing.
But this time it was different. Where usually he pretended to be the shy, chivalrous knight, now he was forcing my lips apart, leaving my hands at his sides while his started at my waist and edged north.
It was unsettling. It was too drastic a change. And I stopped. He pulled back, looking hurt. "Anju…" There was that glint in his eye that told me he would be angry if I didn't have a good enough excuse for this."I'm sorry.. But I'd like my gift." I grinned cheekily, trying to throw him off. I couldn't let him think I wasn't enjoying it.
The wary, suspicious expression melted into another smirk as he tapped my nose. "Tonight. After the festival." Without another word he grabbed my hand and led me outside.
"Now Anju I've-" He was cut off as he opened the door and saw Kafei standing there, reaching for the doorknob. It was weird. The last time I'd had seen them standing face-to-face like this, Kafei was at least a foot shorter than Gorman; but he stood only an inch or two shorter now, despite the said age difference.
"What do you want?" Gorman's eyebrows rose as I felt panic bubble. Oh gods, he was bringing back the blanket! It was over his shoulder… He would tell Gorman he had my blanket because we were sitting up on the top of Clock Tower together..
"That's none of your business." Kafei retorted, keeping his eyes deliberately far from mine.
"Yes it is. Why are you here?" Gorman paused, narrowing his eyes when he recognized the blanket Kafei was holding. Funny how in times like these he was so observant. "Why do you have Anju's blanket?" He blinked and turned to me. "Anju, why does he have that?" I felt as if he'd put a spot light on me.. Or shoved me in an oven. Pressure? Yes, pressure.
"I…" What? I what? I couldn't figure out anything to say. There was no clever excuse, because I wasn't sure I wanted to lie to him. If I told him something other than the truth, he may find out later and be even angrier. Which would be even worse.
"She wouldn't know. My mother borrowed it from her grandmother. Wanted to show my visiting aunt how pretty the stitching was. Or something." Kafei said dully. "I've been sent to bring it back. But again, it's none of your business."
I'm sure I was staring at him, dumbfounded, winded. His eyes moved from Gorman's challenge to touch mine once more, involuntary thrill ensuing. He didn't wink or smirk as I would have expected from him those three or four years ago, he just looked… Bored. Which made his story all the more believable. Believable to Gorman anyway.
"Whatever." He muttered, sneering as he pushed Kafei roughly out of the way and pulled me by the hand out of the Inn. I looked back to see Kafei leaning against the door, watching us leave. I raised a hand in goodbye and attempted to smile but he turned away and closed the door behind him.
Man did I feel like crap.
"I don't like that kid. I think I'm going to have to tell him to leave you alone." Gorman grumbled after a moment or two.
"What are you talking about? He didn't even say anything. He was there to see grandma." I was still a little confused. Why did Kafei do that? What could he possibly gain by lying for me?
Well.. If he had let me tell the truth, he would have been beat to a pulp…
"I don't like the way he looks at you." He growled simply.
"He didn't look at me." I argued, frowning. He didn't. He avoided looking at me. Why? Why did he seem to dislike me so much all of a sudden? Was he really so bitter that I didn't talk to him anymore?
"Yes he did. He looked at you like he wanted to just pounce you or something. I've told you a hundred times that kid's a freak. Don't talk to him." He glanced back at me, raising an eyebrow. Would I contradict him?
"Okay.." I looked away, following dutifully. Whatever… Maybe Kafei was different. No one would tell me how, but enough people told me so that I should believe it, right?
"We'll be late. It's dark. Come on." He pulled me towards South Clock Town, which was filling up with crowds from all over Termina.
I usually loved this time of year. Everything was so busy and warm. And then at midnight the door would open and we'd all go up..
But I'd already been up. And there was something churning in my stomach, threatening to empty it. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. I didn't see Kafei around. I did see my mother, though… She waved. Grandma wasn't with her. That was weird. Grandma usually made the biggest deal about this time of year, jabbering to all the customers at the inn with her stories even after the big night. She'd regale us with tales of her youth all year long. She was probably just a little late. Mother would go back to get her... She was taking a nap or something.
The sun had fallen awhile ago, and we all knew it was nearing midnight. Not only because of the huge clock, but because Mayor Dotour was striding towards the town center to announce entrance to all of us. Lady Aroma was with him... Kafei was not. That was weird, too. Everyone felt something missing without the blue-haired boy up there with his parents, but festivities were far from halted for one or two absences. People were still passing glasses and giving toasts and smiling.
Everyone but Gorman. Even I had managed a smile, but he was looking.. Reserved. Well, not that really.. But excited. Yes, excited. Was this gift really so great it could please both of us so immensely? Usually the flowers or small vials of perfume he gave me brought the mirror of a smile to his face -matching mine- but I doubt he got any real happiness from it. What could he be giving me that would affect him so?
It was a minute before time and he turned to me, raising my palm to his lips in a rather odd-feeling kiss. Tenderness was lost on him.. What was that? But my frown evaporated as the doors opened with an eruption of cheers and flashing colors and everyone started filing up the stairs.
"Another year together.. That makes three.." It was about an hour after we'd all been let up the clock tower.. Gorman had clung to my hand and taken me away from the crowds to the very deserted North part of the town. There was no floating faerie balloon and the accompanying little boy tonight. There was no grinning man running in circles or that old lady from the bomb shop making that daily route back to West Clock Town. There was only him and me. For some reason, that sent a chill down my spine.
"Ever been in the fairy fountain? The water isn't really water.. It doesn't get you wet, but it's warm. It's.. Magical." He said wistfully, pulling me into a short kiss before pulling me into the little cave opening.
It sounded like someone was playing a harp.. But there wasn't anyone around... We never knew what the fountain was really for. Legend had it there was a Great Fairy that resided here... Who would offer her assistance to those pure of heart and valor... No one had any proof of actually seeing her but the story was famous. No one told a better version than grandma, either.
He brought me to a corner and gently pushed me against the wall. "Anju.. I think I love you."
What? He what?! He loved me? No he didn't.. He must have been mistaken. My lips pursed and I was going to say something but he claimed my mouth with his. It was the same as it was before... Hard and merciless. Sloppy and tasteless. It was weird, but it was nice. So I didn't break it this time. I should get used to it, anyway.. This was how relationships progressed, right?
It was less than innocent, but I let it happen. It was harmless... Wasn't it?
Yeah. That was when his hand found itself leaving trails of sensations up my leg and under my skirt, the other moving from holding my neck to heatedly unbuttoning my blouse.
Was this his present? This was somewhat innapropriate.. Was he seriously trying to do this when I was 15? The thought of him actually being 19 flashed in my mind. Everyone told me how mature I was for my age.. And we had been together three years.. This was okay, wasn't it?
Then why did I feel like I was going to cry? Why was I shaking as his tongue paraded in it's nearly forced entry of my mouth?
My hand moved to take his from my leg, my face pulling violently from his. "Gorman..." He looked at me like he was going to hit me. Like I was that wolfo he'd been hunting that had gotten away. He wasn't looking at me like I was something he loved.. I was lust. His lust. He wanted to own me.
But I had always known that.. And even liked it. But it hadn't been like this before. It had been like a man owns a garden.. Tending to it and watering it and protecting it from harsh weather. He owned me like a head on his wall.. For people to come and see and be envious of.
I didn't like that...
Wooh! This took me FOREVER. I started it Saturday but like.. I had to leave and didn't get to continue till like.. 9.. And now it's 10.. X.x Ick ick.. XD
But I'm done.. Did yawh like it? I don't like Gorman.. I want something better to happen. But rating has been bumped.. I suppose I can't go to far without muh PG13.. X.x
R&R!! XD Thankies..