Warning: Some much waited for K/S action. Run away while you still can. Haha, who am I kidding? This is the part we all want to read! So, for those of you who want this to turn into an A/S fic, let me know. Lol
For Katie, who yelled at me to update. Hahaha
Chapter 10: The Gentleness in Pain
"What then have I done? What, except yield to a natural feeling, inspired by beauty, sanctioned by virtue and kept at all times within the bounds of respect. Its innocent expression prompted not by hope but by trust."
-Vicomte de Valmont
Revenge, no matter how wickedly delicious it might be, sometimes have a way of backfiring. The moment Court Reynolds realized what had happened as soon as his father thundered into his room the next morning and threw a couple of lewd photographs into his face, raging on about how he could never have a gay son, he instantly knew who had set him up.
"She's the bulimic headcase you dumped, remember?" Cecile's parting words echoed in his head, not seeming like a warning he had been too busy lusting over Kathryn to notice.
As he stumbled downstairs, his confused brown eyes took in the sight of his grim face parents and a large man wearing white. What the fuck was going on?
"Court, you have a problem." The man in white said, "My name is Tom Smith and I'm a doctor at Methadone Clinic… Your loved ones have gathered here to make an intervention."
Court gaped in disbelief as his father threw him another icy glare, "After which you will be sent off to military school to cure your sudden preferences." He snapped, his graying hair making him look a thousand times older and a thousand times more intimidating.
"We're only doing this because we love you, Court." Came a soft female voice from behind him, and he could hardly keep himself from crossing over the room to kill her right now.
"You did this!" he screamed, waving his fists at her only to be greeted by a superior gaze in her emerald eyes. "God help me, Kathryn, I'm going to kill you!"
"That's enough!" Mrs. Reynolds cried out, clutching her heart. Ever the fucking drama queen, mom. "Kathryn's here because she loves you."
"That bitch doesn't love anybody!" he yelled, suddenly his father was restraining him as Kathryn threw him another snide smile before the sadness encompassing her face.
"I hope you get help." She said softly before leaving. Bitch. He was going to give her something to yell about.
---
Belinda Van Ryan paced the room in small, measured steps, barely containing herself from laughing out loud at the photographs that the entire city must be getting a glimpse of right now. Her laughter echoed through the walls of the Valmont home when a very much angry Court Reynolds stormed in, his fists clenched and a look of unadulterated rage on his red face. "KATHRYN!" he yelled, shoving Belinda out of the way and running up to Kathryn's room.
Oh, shit. She momentarily stumbled at his roughness, she took it that Court had finally gotten wind of the gossip about how he's a raging alcoholic with homophobic tendencies. Kathryn's screams could be heard all throughout the entire house and her chin rose in determination; Belinda went to the phone and dialed the only person she knew who would be able to stop it. After which, the compassion she'd felt for her sister lessened a bit as she called another person.
"Did you get it?" she asked, quite enjoying the unbelievable gasp of surprise from Annette Hargrove. "There's your proof." Having Kathryn get the living daylights beat out of her hadn't been part of the plan, and Belinda had never boded well with sudden changes. Still, despite the growing concern that she might actually get killed, Belinda went to the bar to fix herself a drink. Knowing Kathryn, she might even use it to her advantage. The show goes on, she told herself.
---
It had taken Sebastian three words to get the hell out of his midterm exam, practically sprint to his car (and usually he never ran), his adrenaline pumping and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up in anxiety.
Court. Attacked. Kathryn. Were Belinda's hushed words as she called him up, obviously there was no one else at the Valmont house because their fucked up parents were off traipsing around the world. Still, even though she might have deserved what she'd gotten, it still didn't help the fact that Sebastian's hands gripped the wheel of his 1956 Jag until his knuckles turned white. He could feel his hands turn clammy despite the frigid weather, his hands shaking as he tried to light a cigarette wedged between his lips but only wound up angrily flicking it away.
Kathryn. Attacked. The gleaming black exterior of the vintage car almost got scratched as he hastily made a turn, the bumper getting dented as it ran into the curb in front of the three story house he'd lived in. His prized car. Still, he didn't take a backward glance.
"Sir, you can't park here-"
"Fuck off!" he yelled, jumping out of the car and running inside, where Mai Lie greeted him with a worried look.
"Master Valmont—"
"Where is she?" he had to bite the insides of his mouth from screaming out, and was thankfully spared when Kathryn's sister came into the view with a grim expression.
"She thought she had it under control." She muttered, lighting a cigarette to soothe her nerves. Her usually calm face looked uncomfortable, obviously just having seen Kathryn herself. This was not a good sign; Belinda was never easy to shock. "She's in her room right now, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to see her."
"Belinda, as much as I disliked you the moment you set foot in New York, I don't really want to tell you to fuck off right now, too."
The heels of his leather shoes clicked loudly on the newly installed parquet wooden floors that practically shone from the damn varnish Tiffany had insisted upon as Sebastian made his way into her room. When he stopped in front of the door, he took a minute to calm himself, letting out a deep breath and running his hands through his curly hair. His knuckled rapped three times against the thick wooden door and knowing all too well that Kathryn would rather shrivel up and die before letting anyone see her in her less than perfect state, he went in anyway and he almost broke at what he saw.
There, lying on the bed with a furious, yet pained appearance was his usually perfectly coiffed and impassive stepsister. Her face was covered with dark bruises and her right eye swollen shut, her full lips were split and there was still a spot of dried blood than ran down her chin.
"Fuck." He gasped, never at all used to seeing someone as influential and manipulative as Kathryn look so battered and bruised. She was wearing a bathrobe over the torn dress Reynolds had probably ripped in rage earlier, her smooth legs didn't even escape her ex's anger as there were shallow cuts on it, obviously from the shattered sculpture she'd probably thrown in self defense.
She glared at him through her swollen eye, "Take a picture, Valmont, it'll last longer. It might even make an interesting entry for your faggot journal."
He continued gaping at her, which enraged her even more. "What the fuck are you staring at? GET OUT!" She picked up the pillow since she couldn't bend over without her ribs aching and threw it at him, screaming.
Wordlessly, Sebastian picked up the pillow and placed it on the edge of her large bed. Taking off his coat, he rolled up the sleeves of his black turtleneck and headed straight to her bathroom, ignoring Kathryn's yelling. Finally, she calmed down somewhat as she heard the soothing sound of a bath being prepared, dammit, was this another one of Sebastian's fucked up games? Admittedly, his passive aggressive reaction piqued her interest, and rather than attempting to throw him out again, her shining green eyes watched him guardedly as he came out of the bathroom holding a small white towel and that serious look on his face Kathryn had adored once upon a time. His light red lips were pressed together tightly, causing the dimples at the corners of his mouth to deepen as he surveyed her face before speaking.
"If I sit next to you, will you hurt me?" he asked, "Because you're in no position to make any sudden movements."
"Oh, fuck you. You're enjoying this, aren't you? Just say it and get the hell out, Sebastian. I had it coming."
"I should." He admitted, climbing into her bed and gently dabbing the moist towel against her split lip. His touch reminded Kathryn of days long past, when his attention was solely directed to her. "Would it make things easier if I did?"
"I'm not in the mood for your mind fucks, Sebastian."
He peered at her sharply, his crystal blue eyes penetrating into hers. "Neither am I, Kathryn, so shut the fuck up and stop trying to push me away."
A stinging pain overcame her lower lip as he seemed to increase the pressure, making Kathryn arch her back instinctively, only letting the pain in her ribs increase. "FUCK!" she screamed, freezing as another shot of pain ran through her delicate body, her angry eyes filling with the tears she didn't want Sebastian to know existed.
His arms automatically went around her waist, leaning forward to support her weight. "Easy…" he whispered, his voice breaking as he gently lowered her to the bed again. She could almost feel his blond curls on her forehead as their eyes met again on that critical moment. Kathryn could see, beneath those impossibly thick lashes that a boy as good looking as Sebastian should never have been allowed to have, how he was even more shaken up than she was. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, knowing and at the same time wondering what the other was thinking and if they were thinking the same thing… Sebastian's hold around her loosened as their lips brushed against each other so lightly Kathryn felt like she'd imagined it, but yet she knew she hadn't.
Any kind of contact with Sebastian made her feel like she was part of a crackling fire that, if nurtured, would grow into an uncontrollable flame of vulnerability. That was what she exactly felt at the time until he pulled away and swallowed thickly, forcing a smile on his handsome face.
"I ran you a bath." He said, getting out of the bed with one smooth movement that was already natural for him given his years of experience with women.
"Thus giving you more reasons to grope me." She replied, hiding once again beneath their sarcastic conversation. She heard the faint splashing of water as he tested to see if the water was just right for her, a gesture that strangely touched Kathryn. He stepped out of the bathroom again, the naughty smirk on his lips was back.
"Only if you want me to."
"Never." She responded, glancing at him in surprise when he bent towards her and scooped her up easily, making sure he was holding her properly. Like a child, she curled up against him, burying her face against his chest and smelling that woodsy, heady smell she'd missed so much.
A low, rumbling laugh escaped from his throat. "That's what I thought so." He took measured steps, looking as if he was carrying a priceless statue that could break at any second if he made the slightest wrong move. Finally, they reached the bathroom, where he set her down on the chaise lounge she rarely even used. "I assume you'll want to kick me out while you take your bath?"
Kathryn looked at him, the smallest smile on her beautiful face. "I suppose I can make an exception."
"Good." He whispered softly, his long, tapered fingers trailing gently across her skin as he took her robe off. He knew Kathryn was trying not to grimace each time he accidentally touched one of her wounds, and it was this particular trait that endeared him to her once again. When her silk robe was finally off, he started to take off her dress, having difficulty because she had little mobility in her current state.
"Rip it off."
"Exactly the words I'd been waiting to hear from you ever since I was fifteen." He replied, pleased to see her laugh. He got a pair of scissors from one of her drawers before proceeding to cut the fifteen hundred dollar dress to free her aching body from the tattered rags. The cold blade made her shiver involuntarily, although she didn't know if it was merely Sebastian's presence that brought on the red blush across her cheeks or the sudden feeling of the scissors against her warm skin. As soon as he was done, he saw the remnants of Court's alcoholic rage. Oh, God… It was even worse than he thought. There were already telltale marks of a couple of broken ribs and her stomach was welted red from where that belt buckle slammed into her. He felt sick just looking at it, and Kathryn noticed his reaction.
"It doesn't hurt as much." She remarked her tone indifferent and observant yet they both knew she said this to make him feel better. Her mischievous smile returned, trying to lighten up his mood. "Help me out of the rest of my clothes?" she asked in a little-girl voice.
He silently vowed on a revenge of all sorts against the sadistic fuckhead who did this to her while he forced another smile at his stepsister. "The things you do to get my attention."
"You wish. You do know you're free to leave." She said sweetly, flipping him off.
"Never." He said with such vehemence in his voice it shocked both of them. He took her underwear off, trying hard not to stare while he proceeded to carry her naked body towards the steaming tub. She tightening her hold around his neck as she yelped at the hot water, splashing a bit of water on him but Sebastian didn't mind.
"Could you be more of a spoiled brat?" he said snarkily, his nostrils taking in that distinct Kathryn scent of lilacs and a little something extra that remained a mystery.
"Could you be more desperate to feel me up?" Kathryn replied grumpily as her body gently hit the bottom of the marble tub. Letting the warm water soothe her aching body, she smiled languidly and leaned back. Sebastian got the soft sponge and lathered it up, tenderly sweeping it across her light colored skin while his face got that look of pure concentration that he only usually used when he was looking for something interesting to photograph.
"Point taken." He surrendered, sharing another smile with her as she raised her head to allow him access. They remained silent for a couple of minutes with only the steady splashing of the water as their means of communication. Sebastian tried his best to clean off the dried blood from her beautiful skin, inwardly wondering how anybody could ever do this to Kathryn, or any woman for that matter. The bottom part of her long dark hair was already wet as she closed her eyes, soft brown tendrils of her auburn locks tickling her face. Sebastian could watch her for hours, it was like observing her as she slept, the rare moment of his difficult to comprehend stepsister be at peace with the world as she breathed softly. Finally, a hand touched his wrist.
"Enough." She murmured, already half asleep.
"Kathryn, I need to get you to the hospital."
At that word, her green eyes shot open. "No!"
"What? Why…" but Sebastian didn't finish his sentence. Suddenly he understood Kathryn, the truth was, she didn't want anybody else to see that she was capable of bleeding or being pushed around. It was simply not in her personality to show weakness, and no matter how much it fucking hurt her, she would never succumb to it. "Fine, I'll call for one." Wiping his hands with the terry cloth towel nearby, he pulled out his cell phone, quickly getting the nearest and best doctor he could possibly get to come to the house within minutes.
"I'm done." She announced primly, looking every inch of the spoiled princess she was. Sebastian placed his cell phone back inside his pocket and leaned in again to pick her up in his arms, where her glistening body shivered at the sudden shift in temperature. Temporarily placing her on the chair, he went and wrapped a large towel around her shivering form, her big green eyes reminding him of a lost little girl that was so far from the Kathryn Merteuil everybody else saw. He was surprised at how light she was, even lighter than he would have expected as she automatically nestled her face against his neck, where he felt her lips accidentally touch his skin.
"Kathryn." He finally spoke, taking another deep breath as she glanced at him in acknowledgement. He leaned his forehead against hers and once again, they were in a different place, their unbreakable gaze reading the other's soul the way only they two knew. He closed his eyes and kissed her, Kathryn's mouth tasting the exact same way he'd remembered it did that night… Temptation and sin. Irrationality at its finest, the forbidden fruit of transgression he had promised himself he would stay away from. She responded, her body freezing and unfreezing each time he applied too much pressure on her wounded lips, but she didn't seem to care. She gave out sharp little intakes of breath as he ran the tip of his tongue over the wounds, the warm, moist feeling of having Sebastian here with her made Kathryn feel as if she was in the most secure place she could ever be at that point.
As they finally pulled away, the gentle suction of their mouths parting seemed deafening to their ears. Sebastian's blond hair curled sweetly at his temple, giving him the look of a cherubic little boy that suddenly grew up. Her Sebastian. Kathryn mused, still reeling from the gentleness of that kiss. As he gently placed her back on the bed, his blue gaze so intense she felt like she was about to shatter into a million pieces under his scrutiny. It seemed as if Sebastian was peeling her off, piece by piece, the walls of ice and hatred she'd wrapped around herself for so long disintegrating under his gaze. He lovingly brushed her hair back the way he used to and then lowered his lips against her neck, his warm breath taking her by surprise. And just when Kathryn thought he would finally get up and leave, he murmured something in her ear that caused her to forget the polite knocking of the waiting doctor outside.
"I missed you, Kathryn."
A/N: Isn't it fun how Belinda can be such a bitch at one point and be a total angel and call Sebastian up to let him know about what happened? Makes you wonder where her allegiances lie… Ahhhh whatever, I just like confusing you guys hahaha, oh my, some more K/S goodnesssss! (At the request of Nicole, whom I could only grant with great joy. Lol)
Katie: Don't go hating so early, it ain't over yet. ;-P
Sam: Thanks, I aim to please!
Nicole: Cut Belinda some slack, she did call Sebastian. Hahaha