The Fine Print: Daniel Knauf and HBO own Carnivale and, unfortunately, Justin and Iris.
Minutes Like Hours
By twinb80
Chapter Twelve: A Nightmare Becomes a Fantasy
Iris sat up in her bed, the dream of that terrible night still racing through her head. She looked around the room as her heart beat against her chest. It was still nighttime, and the house was quiet. She drew her legs up underneath her as silent tears fall down her face. Her dream had been so real, and she could still feel her mother's arms around her hugging her. Why had she dreamed about her parents this night? Nothing in her day had reminded her of her parents or her life in Russia. She had been pleasantly surprised at Justin's arrival and taken joy in his presence that night at dinner. They had stayed up late just talking with one another as Rose had gone off to her Book Club. Norman had stayed and visited for a few moments, but he was soon in his office going over work. Iris did not miss him. She had finally said goodnight to Justin and gone to bed.
Her dream came back to her and she cringed at how real everything had been. She felt her mother's hugs and seen her wonderful smiles. Iris had not really thought about her mother since before her birthday. Why was that? As she wiped the tears away from her face, she pondered this question. Just like in her dream she remembered that her mother had married young. It wasn't until this moment that it dawned on her how young her mother had been. Plemina Belyakov was only 15 when she had gotten married and was soon pregnant with Irina. Iris thought to herself that her mother had been nothing but a baby when she had her. How frightening that must have been for her. But her mother had never shown any fear to the young child she had been. No, she had been filled with love and laughter and Iris had adored her. Just like in her dream, six years after her birth Alexei had been born. To Iris's calculations her mother had only been twenty-one years old. Younger than she was now. The river flashed across Iris's mind, and she saw as it fell into the water. Her tears came back as she realized that her mother had only been twenty-seven years old when she died. She hadn't even lived to reach her 30th birthday or to see her children grow up.
Is that what Iris was running from? Not a place or an event, but a person. She had been running from the ghost that was her mother at this age. That was why she didn't want a birthday party this year. That was why she was walking around with a dark cloud over her. She was the same age her mother had been when she died, and Iris realized that she couldn't acknowledge this. She didn't want to remember the last year of her mother's life or remember her as she died that night. She couldn't bear the thought of living longer than her mother had so she ran from her age. Iris laughed to herself. How could a person run from their age? It was something you just were. You couldn't run from it. But Iris had tried. God knew she had tried running and the ironic thing was that she had ended up in Norman's bed. In his arms she could truly forget who she was and become someone else. Someone who wasn't running from their past. Someone the total opposite of who her mother was at her age. Her mother had been faithful to her father while Iris had become a whore.
She knew that now. Knew that every one of her actions with Norman was in direct opposite of what her mother would have done. And in that way, she could continue running from the ghost of her mother. But, now, she knew what was bothering her. And she decided there and then to not keep running. Instead, she would embrace the truth and honor her mother's last year here on Earth. Not that it still didn't hurt her. It did. Her mother had been her whole world to her, and had bestowed great knowledge upon her. Iris wondered if Justin really remembered their mother. He had been so young when they lost her that night. Her beloved brother would be the only one who understood what she was going through. Iris pulled her covers back, and quietly walked over to her door. She opened the door and peered down the hallway. The only noise that greeted her was the hallway clock letting her know it was two in the morning. She quickly walked across the hallway to Justin's room. She placed her hand on the doorknob and rested the other one against his door. After taking a deep breath she opened the door.
Justin lay before her, wrapped up in his bed sheets. She closed the door behind her and walked over to his bedside. Would he be angry if she woke him up now? Iris didn't know but she took her chance anyways. She placed her hand on his forehead and gently called his name. His eyes opened and he looked surprised to see her standing there in her nightgown. She quickly explained that she had a nightmare about the river and their mother's death.
Justin looked at her with caring eyes and asked her if she wanted to stay with him. Iris nodded her head and Justin pulled back the covers and made room for her. She got into bed and thanked him. He smiled at her telling her it was the least he could do. She had always taken care of him and now he could return the favor. She told him a little about her dream and he listened patiently. Iris began to cry again but she didn't want her brother to see. So she turned her back on him till she was on the right side of her body. Justin's hands reached around her and he pulled her against him. He held her as she cried and kissed the top of her head.
Finally, her tears stopped and she stared at the wall across from her. Beneath the pillows their right hands were almost touching. She tried not to make a sound as his left hand that had been resting lightly against her stomach moved higher up. She bit her lip as his hand began to caress her breasts through her nightgown. His mouth was right beside her ear and she heard his intake of breath as her left hand trailed down his side and her fingers lightly began to move across his bottom. They said nothing to one another. They didn't need to. To speak now would be to ruin this game they had started to play the night before he left for school that first year. Iris gave a gasp as his hand moved from her breasts slowly down her stomach and began to pull her nightgown up. She moved her body to help him better and her nightgown was soon around her waist. He still said nothing but she could feel his breath now hot against her neck. His lips soon pressed against her neck as his hand made its way back down her stomach and found her panties. Iris's hand stopped caressing his behind as his hand slipped into her underwear.
Her right hand grabbed his and they laced their fingers together underneath the pillows. She arched her back as his fingers began to stroke her and she gave out a small cry as his fingers found her center. Her left hand grabbed his behind as the speed of his strokes intensified. Their legs became entangled as their breath came faster between them. Iris's left hand left his bottom and she soon had her fingers in his hair. She was so close and she could feel his arousal pressed up against her. His fingers continued to pleasure her as he moaned against her ear. Iris whimpered at what he was doing to her became too much for her to bear. Just when she thought she couldn't handle any more his fingers brought her to climax and she came calling out his name. Their breathing was the only sound in the room. Iris lay on her back, his hand had left her but he was now making little circles on her exposed stomach. Her face was flustered and she became redder as she watched as he lowered his head to her stomach. His tongue was soon tracing the circles he had made with his left hand. He lifted his head and Iris could smell her scent on his lips.
She brought her hands to his nightshirt and slowly began to unbutton it. Justin watched her do this with a small smile on his mouth as his hands roamed under her nightgown and found her breasts again. Iris moaned as his hands groped her and she almost didn't get his shirt off him. His hands then moved to her nightgown and he quickly pulled her gown over her head and away from her. He told her to close her eyes as he slowly pulled her underwear off her. She bit her lip again as she felt him move above her getting rid of the last of his pants and underwear. Her eyes were still closed as he leaned into her barely making contact. She let out another whimper as his mouth found her neck again. His lips played against her skin, but he made no move to enter her. Iris could hardly stand it any longer and opened her eyes. His head was beneath her his mouth still playing at her neck. Her hands gently took his head away from her neck and she forced him to look at her. His eyes were ablaze with lust and Iris brought her mouth to his ear. She whispered two words.
"Ask me."
Her eyes found his again and she waited for his response. He brought his mouth to her ear, and whispered his request. She nodded her head yes and then gasped as he entered her suddenly. He began to move inside her and she held him close to her. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he grinded into her repeatedly. They did not think about Rose or Norman who were in their bedroom across the house and one story away. No their bedroom was on the opposite side of Justin's room and they would not hear them. Not hear their moans and groans become louder with each passing moment and movement between them. They wouldn't see as their mouths hungrily sought one another. Not see as Iris threw her head back and cried out in pleasure as his mouth found her breasts again. And his tongue danced across her skin until his mouth was once more sucking and biting her breasts. Would not hear as Justin came within her calling out her true name. Would not hear her response as her body climaxed and she moaned out his name. The only name that had and would ever be on her lips.
"Alexei."
