A/N: Oh…my…God…o.o Is this fic really on that list of most recommended fics in the Fire Emblem section? (All of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, to see the list, go into the Fire Emblem section, then replace the word 'list' in the URL with 'naf'.) Wow…that was a real shock. You guys are the greatest! ::Tackle glomps::
Scarabsi: I believe that Leila is pronounced Lay-la…but it might be 'Lila'…hmm…I'm not sure. O.o;;
Disclaimer: See Ammy. See Lawyers. See Lawyers chase Ammy after they find out that she claimed to own Fire Emblem. Run, Ammy, run.
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Something Wicked
Chapter 4
By Amethyst Bubble
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The next day was overcast, dark clouds hung ominously in the grey sky. The air was heavy with the promise of rain. It was humid and sticky, and the buzz of air conditioners was heard all over the house, trying to keep the inhabitants from melting.
Wil sat on the floor of his room, fiddling with the pendulum Rath had given him. Supposedly, wind elements were good with these sorts of things. Wil doubted that. Maybe it was the earth element in him that was interfering with it? After two hours of practice, the only thing he'd been able to do was swing the damn thing back and forth. He wondered, if he kept swinging it back and forth, would he eventually hypnotize himself?
"You are getting sleepy," He said in a flat tone, "Very, very sleepy…"
A sharp knock interrupted his attempt at hypnotism. Putting the pendulum back in the small, velvet pouch Rath had told him to keep it in, Wil rose, quickly crossing the room. When he opened the door, he found two girls standing there.
One had dark green hair, an even darker shade then Rath's, and dancing blue eyes. Her companion was the small girl with orchid hair that had asked Ninian a question during the meeting the other day.
The first girl stuck out her free hand; the other clutched a couple cans of paint. "I'm Lyn," she introduced herself. "And that's Florina," She nodded at the smaller girl. "Rath told you we would help you paint this room, right?"
Wil shook her hand, grinning, "Yep! C'mon in!" He moved to the side, holding the door open for them. Lyn walked in with a confident stride. Florina followed in a much more timid manner, trying to stay half-hidden behind Lyn.
"I-it's v-v-very n-nice to…to meet you," She finished, meekly gazing at Wil from behind Lyn's shoulder.
"Don't mind Florina," Lyn leaned over and whispered to Wil. "She's a bit scared of men. Her older sister told her some pretty nasty things about boys when she was younger. It was meant as a joke, but Florina's been shy around guys ever since."
Wil nodded, "So, I shouldn't make any sudden movements or anything? Because she might react like a wild animal, and run? Kind of like on those documentaries?"
Lyn gave him an odd look, "Err, I guess. Just talk to her nicely and I think you'll be fine." She set the paint cans down. "Wow, this room really is…white." She said. There really wasn't a better word to describe the place. White walls, white ceilings, white pillows and sheets on a white mattress on a white bed. If it wasn't for the wooden floors, the place would have looked like a mental ward without the padded walls.
Florina looked around, taking in the blank room, "You were right to want to paint it…" She said softly.
"We brought a couple different colors," Lyn gestured to the paint cans, kneeling next to them. "We figured that because of your…elements," The word felt foreign on her tongue. She was used to saying element, but it just sounded so strange as a plural. "You'd like different shades of green and…well, wind is sort of invisible, but we brought light blue and…more white, even though I doubt you'll want that." She laughed.
Wil laughed along with her, leaning down and inspecting the paint cans. "Hmm…Hey! I have an idea! Since you brought that green, and some brown, we could paint trees on the walls! And with the blue and white, we could do a sky on the ceiling!" Wil grinned.
Florina blinked, "That would look nice." Fishing around in her pocket, she pulled out a few paintbrushes. Setting them down, she tied her hair into a loose ponytail, making sure it wouldn't be in the way of the paint.
Lyn picked up one of the brushes, opening the paint cans and dipping the brush into one of them. "We should get started, huh?"
Wil nodded, "You two are going to have to show me what to do, though! I've never painted anything before, let alone a room!"
Florina giggled softly, kneeling next to Lyn and dipping her paintbrush into the paint.
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Guy gasped for breath, resurfacing and shaking the water from his dark green hair. He swam towards the edge of the pool [1], resting his back against its wall. Why wasn't this working? Normally a swim would take his mind off of whatever was bothering him. Guy heaved a sigh, quickly dipping his head under water. He brushed his soaked bangs out of his eyes, blinking to clear away the water that dripped into his eyes.
Why was he so bothered by all of this? Matthew and Leila had gone out dozens of times before and it had never bothered him as much as it did now. Something in the back of his mind was nagging at him, making him nervous.
He cast a glance at the three water sprites splashing around at the other end of the pool. He smiled at them; they were cute. Matthew had been a little annoyed with his behavior, lately, the way he always insisted that Matthew take along one of his water sprites on his and Leila's dates. He supposed it could be annoying, having a sprite follow you around everywhere you go, especially if you were on a date. But…he'd been so worried lately, whenever Matthew went anywhere. He just couldn't help it.
"No use getting paranoid," He whispered to himself. He just needed to relax. He was being ridiculous. Matthew was strong, he could take care of himself. If Guy had to worry about anyone, it should be himself. No use getting paranoid at all.
"Hey."
Guy shrieked, whirling around. Upon realizing who it was, the green-haired boy sighed, trying to slow his breathing back to normal. "M-Matthew, please don't sneak up on me like that!"
Amber eyes swirled mischievously as their owner grinned, "Why so jumpy?" He asked, scanning Guy's half-naked form.
The water witch blushed, "Y-you! If you would stop being so damn sneaky…"
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "If you had been paying attention, I wouldn't have been able to sneak up on you," He countered. "Honestly, Guy, I know you can be more observant then that."
Guy frowned, sinking down until he was up to his neck in the cool water. Why did Matthew have to be so impossible? He knew that Guy rarely focused on anything besides the water when he was swimming.
The other dipped a hand into the water, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Trying to stay dry, Guy noted resisting the urge to splash Matthew.
Amber eyes locked with deep blue ones, "Come closer." Matthew ordered, beckoning to Guy.
Slowly, Guy swam forward, somewhat wary of Matthew's request. When he got within arms length of the other witch, Matthew reached out, brushing Guy's damp bangs out of his eyes. "Why have you been hiding all day?"
"I haven't been hiding," Guy mumbled, looking at the water. And even if he had been hiding, what of it? Maybe he just didn't want to deal with the other inhabitants of the house.
"Sure you haven't," Matthew drawled lazily, tugging lightly on Guy's sopping wet braid. How the water element's hair managed to soak up that much water, he'd never know. "You know, I worry about you sometimes."
Amber eyes commanded Guy to look into them, as if they were magnetic. Slowly, Guy looked up, almost flinching as he looked into those swirling golden-orange orbs. "…I do?" He responded, feeling guilty. Why did Matthew always make him feel such unwanted emotions? He absolutely hated feeling guilty.
"You zoned out unexpectedly yesterday…and now, you're distancing yourself from everyone. I think I have the right to be worried," Matthew carefully dragged his fingers through Guy's braid, undoing the silky plait of dark hair. "Why? Why are you doing this?"
Guy felt anger well up inside of him, "You think I'm doing this on purpose?" He almost snarled. "I was tired and upset yesterday, that's why I zoned out, all right? And today…I don't know!"
"Calm down," Matthew soothed, rubbing a lock of green hair between his forefinger and thumb. "It's all right. I just thought you might have been overworking yourself again."
"Well, I'm not," Guy snapped.
Matthew raised one eyebrow, gripping Guy's shoulders and spinning the green-haired boy around until he was facing Guy's back. Slowly, he started re-braiding Guy's hair, "Maybe you should give your water teleportation a rest."
"I can't-"
"Of course you can," Matthew cut him off, separating Guy's hair into three parts.
"But Matthew…" Guy almost whined. "I need to learn this! It's an important skill! A useful piece of magic!"
Matthew rolled his eyes, crossing the right section of hair over the middle, "You can take a week off." He said, repeating the process, this time crossing the left section over the middle.
Guy huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. Once again, he just couldn't seem to think of a reply. He knew he should take time off, but he just didn't want to. Matthew had picked up the ability to melt into shadows and travel through solid objects with no trouble. Why was he having so much trouble with the water teleportation? It wasn't that difficult a technique. Nino had mastered it a week after she'd learned of it, and she was a good couple years younger then him.
"Well?" Matthew finished braiding Guy's hair, tying it off. He hesitated to let go of the braid, weighing it in his hands.
"…Fine." Guy muttered darkly.
Matthew grinned triumphantly, "Good." He reluctantly let go of the braid, and it fell, hitting Guy's back and the water with a splash. He got up, stretching.
Guy turned around, gazing at Matthew. "What're you…?" He stopped himself. Of course Matthew was leaving. He had things to do. He didn't have time to hang around while Guy sulked.
Matthew gave him a roguish grin, winking. "I'll be back later, okay?" He promised.
Guy nodded, "Okay."
Matthew walked towards the door, and then he paused, as if a sudden thought had struck him. "In a week, I'm going to be gone for the weekend, okay?"
Guy blinked, surprised. Matthew hadn't mentioned going away before. "Why? Where are you going?"
Matthew hesitated, as if reluctant to tell Guy. "I'm taking Leila to meet my parents," He said finally, gazing at the tiled floor. Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to look in those big dark eyes.
"Oh…" Guy murmured. So Matthew was taking Leila to meet his parents. The relationship must be going well, then. Suddenly, he felt like crying. He bit his lip, glad that Matthew wasn't looking at him.
"Yeah…so, I'll…I'll see you later, okay?" Matthew didn't wait for a reply. He walked out, shutting the door behind him with a snap.
Matthew was taking Leila to meet his parents…Guy couldn't get rid of that thought. Why? What did he see in her? Why couldn't Matthew look at him like he looked at her, if only just once?
Suddenly, Guy didn't feel like swimming anymore. He pulled himself out of the water, collapsing on solid ground. He didn't get up. Even if he'd wanted to, he didn't think his legs could possibly hold him up right now.
His hand landed on something soft. Cloth. Looking down he expected to see a towel, but instead his eyes landed on a red cloak. Matthew's cloak. Matthew would never forget his cloak. He must have left it for Guy, all though why he couldn't guess.
As if on instinct, he snatched it up, pressing the soft cloak against his face, reveling in Matthew's scent. He sobbed, trying to blink back the prickling feeling at the corners of his eyes. Then, he couldn't stop himself from crying.
"I'm so stupid." He choked out, burying his face deeper into the cloak.
Tears stained the blood red fabric a deeper shade.
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"Erk, what does this word mean?" Nino asked, pointing to a rather long word in the middle of page thirteen of the book she was reading.
Erk raised an eyebrow, "Why are you asking me?"
"Because I usually ask Uncle Legault, but he's not here right now so I have to ask you." She replied, grinning ear to ear.
Erk resisted the urge to bang his head against the wall. Oh well, at least she'd mentioned Legault without bursting into tears, or throwing a fit about how he never told her where he was going. That was a good sign…right? He sighed, "Well, does Legault always tell you what words mean?"
Nino frowned, shaking her green head, "No. He always says that he's not a dictionary."
"Well, I'm going to tell you the same thing," Erk replied matter o' factly.
"Awww," Nino whined. "Come on, Erk, please?" She begged, staring up at him with an innocent expression.
Erk shut his eyes tightly. Don't look in her eyes, don't look in her eyes… "Why don't you go ask Canas? He's literally a walking dictionary."
Nino pouted, "But I don't know where Canas is! And you're here already, so why can't you just tell me? Please?"
Erk sighed. He wrenched the book out of Nino's grip, quickly spotting the word she was having trouble with. He read it aloud, and explained what it meant, all the while praying that Legault would get back soon.
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Heath's eyes strayed to the clock on his wall. Frowning, he looked away, trying to focus his attention on the book in front of him. A few minutes passed. He looked up at the clock again. He bit his lip; where the hell was Legault? He had said he would come tonight, hadn't he?
Sighing, Heath tore his eyes away from the clock. He stared at the page, looking at the words but not taking them in. He couldn't concentrate. He almost wished Commander Vaida or Commander Eubans would storm in and lecture him for no reason at all. At least it would stop him from staring at the clock ever five minutes.
Minutes passed. Nothing happened. Heath closed his eyes and drummed his fingers against his desk.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. What was that? Had that been a crash? Followed by a bang? Commander Vaida was shouting something Heath couldn't make out. Pushing his chair back, Heath ran to the door, trying the handle. No, it was locked. He knew it would be, but he had to try, didn't he? He pushed himself up against the wood, straining to hear what was going on. He could barely hear anything through the heavy door. The voice shouting a string of curses belonged to Commander Vaida, of that he was sure. There were other voices, but they were to quiet for him to make out.
Another crash. Heath winced, that sounded like glass. A door slammed. More banging.
"Heath, where are you?" That was Legault's voice. Heath was nearly overjoyed.
"My room!" He called back.
"Good," Legault shouted. "Stay there!"
"The door's locked, Legault. Where do you think I'm going to go?"
"Just don't climb out a window and I'll be happy."
Heath scowled. You do something stupid once, and you're never forgiven. He leaned heavily against his door, and yelped as it swung open, falling against something soft. Looking up, he realized that that something soft happened to be a very amused Legault. [2]
He blushed, jumping back and steadying himself. Legault chuckled lightly.
"Get your stuff," The witch advised. "Anything you want that you can shove into this." He handed Heath a backpack. "I…borrowed…it from my niece."
Heath didn't need Legault to tell him that. The other man really didn't seem the type to have a blue backpack with an angel wing design on it. Pulling open his drawers, he shoved a couple sets of clothes into the backpack.
Then, carefully, he opened the top drawer, shifting through its contents until he found what he was looking for. A small, black and white photograph. He stared at it for a minute, before carefully placing it in the backpack, careful not to bend it.
Stepping out of his room, he looked around. Shards of a vase lay in the corner, and a knife was stuck in the wall. He raised an eyebrow. "Must have been some struggle."
Legault shrugged, "Not really." He followed Heath's gaze to the knife. "Oh, that guy…Eubans or something, wasn't it? He just tried to stab me, that's all."
Heath sighed. Only Legault could be so calm after some one attempted to stab him.
A sharp banging interrupted his thoughts.
"Heath!" Vaida's voice barked from the hall closet, "Heath! Get over here and let us out!"
Heath blinked, "…You locked them in a closet? Don't you think they'll break out of there?"
Legault shook his head, grinning in a slightly evil manner. "Nope," He gestured to the door and Heath saw that it was wrapped in shadows.
"Oh, right…I forgot you could do that," Heath brushed a strand of white hair behind his ear.
"Heath!" This time it was Eubans who shouted his name, "Get over here boy!"
Legault rolled his eyes, ignoring the shouted commands, "You got your stuff?"
Heath nodded, gesturing to the backpack that dangled off his arm. Legault grinned.
"Then we'll be going," He said, louder then necessary, obviously trying to enrage Vaida and Eubans.
Heath had to try hard not to laugh.
Legault opened the front door, holding it open, "You first."
Heath obeyed, stepping outside. It felt…odd. He hadn't been allowed outside of the apartment for months, not after he'd attempted to escape. He shuddered at the memory, he still had scars from the punishment that had ensued.
Legault raised an eyebrow, placing a hand on Heath's arm, "You okay?" He asked, concern written all over his face.
Heath nodded, "Let's go. I don't want to stay here any longer."
"Perfectly understandable," Legault pushed the down button, waiting for the elevator to come.
Heath opened his mouth, about to say something, then closed it, biting his lip.
"What?" Legault raised an eyebrow, impatiently pushing the button again. He wanted to get out of here as much as Heath did. The energy in this building was just awful.
"Can…can we take the stairs?" Heath asked. He didn't like confined spaces, like elevators. He didn't like them at all. More bad memories.
"It's nine flights of stairs." Legault said flatly, staring at Heath in a 'you got to be kidding me' sort of way.
"Please, Legault?" Heath begged, staring at the elevator doors in a nervous way.
Legault sighed. The things he did… "All right," He gave in and quickly located the stairway.
Heath was quiet during their walk down the stairs, apparently lost in thought. When they reached the lobby, the doorman looked up in surprise.
"Why, Heath," He gave the young man a grin. "I haven't seen you in a while. Your aunt and uncle told me you were sick. Feeling better?"
Legault frowned. Vaida and Eubans had gone around telling everyone they were Heath's aunt and uncle?
"Yes, I'm fine now," Heath answered, giving the doorman a small smile.
"Is it all right for you to be going out so late?" The old man looked concerned. "I understood that your condition was quite fragile."
Heath shook his head, "It was just a nasty case of the flu, that's all."
Legault frown increased. Heath was playing around with this ridiculous little story? Why hadn't he just told someone the truth? Why had he let himself suffer? It would have been easy enough to get help. Legault sighed. Heath mystified him sometimes. He'd just have to drag the answers out of him later, he supposed.
"Besides," Heath's voice broke through his thoughts. "I'm not going alone, am I, Legault?" He cast a grateful glance in the lavender haired man's direction.
Legault shook his head, swinging an arm over Heath's shoulders, "Nope. Let's get going, hmm?"
Heath nodded, waving goodbye to the doorman as he pushed the glass doors of the apartment complex open. He walked outside and down the stairs, then stopped suddenly.
"What is it?" Legault asked, wondering what was wrong. Heath was shivering, was he cold? Or overwhelmed? It was a lot to happen in one night. Legault wondered if he should just book a hotel room for the night instead of taking Heath back to the house.
"Nothing," Heath answered, giving him a small, almost shy smile. "It's just…been so long since I've been outside." He cut Legault off as the he opened his mouth to say something. "Clinging to a window ledge contemplating whether to jump is a completely different story, Legault."
Legault smirked as he hailed a taxi, opening the door for Heath and getting in after him. "To the Port Authority," He ordered as he slammed the cab door behind him.
The driver nodded, taking off.
"So, where ya from?" The driver asked, making small talk.
"Jersey," Legault answered simply.
The driver nodded, "Nice place, New Jersey. Not as noisy as the city. I've got family there."
Legault continued the conversation as Heath stared at the window, watching the lights flash by as the cab sped down street after street, on its way to forty-second street.
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Chapter 4-End
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Yes! It's finally finished!(Passes around glasses of sparkling apple cider) You guys have no idea how much trouble I've had with this chapter. My rantings in my LJ don't begin to describe it. This is actually version two. Version one honestly sucked. The first part is the same, but the rest is almost completely different. Heh…and I still haven't told you all why Heath was locked up. Patience, I'll explain eventually…Eventually. XD Nyahahaha!
On another note, I'm leaving for Virginia on Friday. Going to my cousin's wedding. I won't have internet access for the weekend, but I'll be back Sunday night, I think. I'll miss you guys!
[1] I cannot stress this fact enough. The house is HUGE. There are four floors above ground floors and a basement. The ground floor is the kitchen, dining room, library and such. The second and third floors are bedrooms, and the top floor is Hannah, Ninian and Nils' rooms and studies. The basement is specially designed to help in the witches' training, and it has different room for different elements. There's a pool for the water elements, a furnace for the fire elements, and a room with no light for the darkness elements. The wind, earth and light elements use the gardens and backyard for their training.
[2] Legault opened the door with his lockpicks, of course! Once a thief, always so.
Reviews would be appreciated, as would more shonen ai fanfiction. Is it just me, or has there been a lull in good Fire Emblem fanfiction lately?