Something strange was about to begin. Filia could feel it in her bones, in her hair, and in her tail in that one moment. It was the first time she had ever fortold something since she had retired as a priestess. She was puzzled as to what it was, however. But that was always how these things went, as much as it flustered Lina.
"Good morning Filia," said a familiar voice behind her. She tensed, rage building in her chest... "Aren't you going to talk to me?"
"Xelloss..." She said under her breath in such a way that made it obvious her mind was on some sort of twisted torture. Instead of the usual insult, she found him suddenly holding her. She was confused. How had she... when...?
"I love it when you say my name like that," He said, opening his eyes. Filia shivered, she knew. She didn't have to see to know. She blushed heavily at the his breathing against the back of her sensitive ear, set free without her priestess hat.
"W-what do you want?" She asked, unable to keep the quiver out of her voice. Gods, she hated him! She hated his voice. She hated his words. She hated his hands. But most of all, she hated what all three working together could reduce her to. She was released then, and spun around.
"I brought you flowers!" He said, holding out a boquet to her. Normally, Filia would be so surprised that she might faint right there. However, these flowers were very... Xelloss. She recognized them to be some of the rarest and yet most deadly blooms that covered their world. They were beautiful, yes, but very strange. She looked at them oddly, unsure how to react.
"Why... that's so... thoughtful of you. I'll just... uh, put them in a vase over here with the others," She said, going around them to place them carefully with the wild flowers. Xelloss had gone off to do some odd sort of bidding by the time she turned around, and this did not faze her. He did it far too often for it to have any effect on her. It was still quite early, and so Filia decided to start breakfast. She had barely gotten farther than taking out the pan to fry up some eggs for Valgaav's growing body when the aforementioned entered, half asleep.
"Mommy..." He said, almost crying. She sighed, putting the pan down and turned to him. Whenever he woke up alone after sleeping with her he got very upset like this. She couldn't understand why, but the woman down the street assured her it was natural for toddlers. She leant down and held him while he finished waking up. She looked at his messy hair thoughtfully. Maybe she'd have to brush it before making breakfast.
"Did you have a good sleep?" She asked, gently rubbing his back still after he had calmed but continued to cling to her. He nodded meekly, before noticing something odd about the room. Somethine was... amiss.
"Mommy...". His voice was cautious, unhappy. She was surprised. Valgaav had always been a happy child, the only exception being Xelloss' visits and when she had to leave him for business. "What are those?" He was pointing at the flowers.
"Oh. Xelloss brought them this morning. That was very nice of him, don't you think?" She said, standing again at her full height. He looked at her happy face, frowning.
"... I guess," He said sullenly. He was rather quiet suddenly.
"Now come along, we need to brush your hair, my sweet," She said cheerfully, taking his little hand to lead him upstairs to her bedroom. He followed along happily at the prospect of being in her undivided attention once more.
"Didn't I tell you it would work?" Beastmaster said, almost chuckling.
"Why, thank you for the suggestion. But I don't know how you would know such a thing, master," Xelloss said, bowing before her. "It was much more effective than my own plans."
"Don't get too comfortable yet, Xelloss. The fun is just beginning," She responded in her low, wise tone. Xelloss' head whipped up and he eyed her wearily. He didn't need to ask the question, for Beastmaster knew him too well to not see it in his eyes. His inquiry was of clear confusion, and she supposed she had been a little cryptic. All the same, she harboured a distaste and impatience suddenly at his obliviousness. She smiled bittersweetly. It was still interesting, and it actually stirred emotions in her. Interesting. "Those flowers weren't just for her. They were for him, in a way." It became clear to Xelloss at that instant, and Beastmaster knew a sudden joy that his intelligence had returned.
"The drums of war..." Xelloss said, smirking slightly. With the darkness shading half of his face, and his eyes open in such a way, she couldn't stop the laughter from escaping her. It was silky, but murky like dark water. He wasn't sure why she was laughing, and she knew this, but it mattered little to either. Much was said between them without words.
"Oh, Xelloss, you're back!" Filia said, her blue eyes widening. It didn't surprise her when he left, it only surprised her when he returned. He said nothing, just wore the mask of the oblivious mysterious priest. It usually made her mad. Well, it used to, before Valgaav started to talk anyway.
"I've been thinking about it, and you're right. I'd like to try getting to know the new Valgaav," Xelloss said, the mask remaining as a look of utter delight crossed her features. She clasped her hands together, looking rather moved.
"Oh, what perfect timing! I need your help, I was just about to take a shower and-" She began. Xelloss couldn't resist jumping in.
"Need someone to wash your back?" He offered. Her joy disappeared, and a cloud took place around them. She arched one golden eyebrow at him, her eyes positively glowing with malice.
"Hentai mazoku!" She cried, her hands curling into fists at her sides she was about to hit him when she remembered what she was saying. She attempted to regain her composure, the joy completely absent. She was cautious. "I was hoping you could help Valgaav make his afternoon snack while I take a quick shower." It was just then he noticed that she had a piece of clay on her cheek. He reached out, gently removing it.
"It's not like I haven't seen-" He began, before she cut the conversation and physical contact short.
"He's waiting in the kitchen, so hurry up!" She said, rushing up the stairs, away from him. He dared to mention that! In her home! ... well technically, it was there in her room... but no! She could not give into such thoughts. She needed a shower and some time to herself. For some reason Xelloss and Valgaav made her usually care free days oddly vexing when together.
(A/N)
Hey everyone! Bet you didn't think I'd update so soon, huh? Well, here it is and once more your reviews compell me to keep writing. I knew that if this sort of fic already existed I would love it and read it until the very end, but I didn't know so many people felt that way! To the V/F fans, I apologise in advance that this is becoming rather X/F in Xelloss' advances. But as I have said before, Valgaav is a child and that would be... terribly wrong. BUT! Because I love you so much (and because my muse decided that it had a sudden liking for V/F), I intend to write an interesting oneshot that ends V/F, post series. That way the X/F and the V/F fan in me are satiated!
XyoushaX: Your idea has taken to flourishing in my mind rather nicely. Although, it's been altered a bit. It's not going to be Filia who tells the story...
SithKnight-Galen: Darn it! If I don't stop stealing my reviewer's ideas, this story is going be completely written by you guys! As you can see, I found your idea appealing and the perfect set to what I have in mind! And if you thought that the Beastmaster's appearance is the only relationship we'll be seeing, you're mistaken. Yep. Some more of the gang are going to be making an appearance soon in an unexpected way. Nothing big, mind you, but I've got a surprise coupling in store for you all! (Actually, I'm not even a fan of the coupling I'm about to unleash within the other characters, but I figured since this fic is fairly light hearted it couldn't hurt to have some fun with the other characters.
Niele-Mzk: Well, I think you'll be interested to read that V/F oneshot I've been talking about as it's got quite an odd theme. Please don't throw the silverware at me, talk to my muse about it. See that spider behind you? That's her. Meet Gina, the incredible insect muse of Kitahoshi hersrelf!
Story Weaver1: I really don't want to lose Xelloss' character, so I'm glad for your reassurance! It's so easy to change a character in these sort of romance things, and you betray their personality and it makes it harder for the readers to imagine (take Hermione/Draco fics in the Harry Potter section- dreadful! Malfoy... "smiling sweetly"!).
DISCLAIMER: I, Kitahoshi, do not own Valgaav, Beastmaster, Xelloss or Filia. However, I'm having some trouble financing that court battle for little Valgaav's lock of hair and so my lawyer refuses to talk to me until I can pay up. So I just keep staring longingly at that poster of him and Filia in a meadow of flowers... do you guys actually read these? o.O
