Chapter 19: Slow Burn
Time seemed to stand still, even the nightclub's music faded from their perception. For all they cared, all their world was at the moment was just the two of them. They held their embrace, reluctantly ending the kiss. Yang smiled, "Well, how do you feel now?" Nick was beside himself, I Can't think of anything to describe… then, from the back of his memory, a phrase flitted onto his lips, "…. Out of the strong comes something sweet." For some reason, that caught Yang's notice. She stepped back and looked at him for a moment in a different light. "Nick," she said, voice wavering ever-so-little, "Tell me, now do you see me like I see you?"
He looked into her eyes, green and purple into lavender, and tried to tell her, "Well, it's kinda hard too… um…" he cleared his throat as he formed his answer, "yes, and more." She bored her eyes into his, "How much more?" a kindly-and-clever smirk formed on his lips. "Well, I'm not paralyzed," he said, putting a hand on her arm, "but I seem to be struck by you." Yang's lower lip barely trembled. She grabbed him and hugged him like a stuffed animal. Why do I act like this when I'm around you? She thought, why am I secure, safe, and I don't even know you. I almost feel like we've met before… she looked back at him, seeing another tear stream down. She reached out and cupped his face with her new hand, brushing away the rear with a caress of her thumb. He closed his eyes at her touch, leaning into her hand. If only I could feel! He thought, I would give anything to experience her touch; even for a mere moment!
It had been hours since Ruby had called Yang. She knew her sister was with Nick; but even so, she was too worried to sleep. She tossed and turned in her bunk. What am I so worried about? She asked herself, It's Yang, she can handle herself; and Nick's with her anyway… they could take on an army… oh heck, those two are an army! "Hey Weiss, are you awake?" she whispered. There was a gap of silence, and then a sigh was breathed from Weiss' bunk. "What is it? Do you need to use the bathroom again?" Weiss teased. Thankfully for Ruby, Weiss couldn't quite see her blush in the dark. "N-no, it's just that… I'm kinda worried about Yang. The two of them haven't returned… and it's really late. I hope Nick can keep her safe." Weiss snickered, "I'm sure Nick will 'take care' of her."
"Huh? Whadaya mean?" Ruby naively asked. "Oh you dunce, Nick and Yang like each other." Weiss said, and received silence. "Really like each other." She emphasized. Finally, Ruby caught on, "Wait! Are you saying that Yang and Nick are…In love?!" Ruby shot out of bed and was nearly rebounding off of Weiss' bunk, holding back a squeal. Weiss was utterly shocked at her reaction. "Ruby! What are you doing?!" "Nick'll be my big brother?! Oooh!" she said, trying to contain herself.
"Ruby," Weiss stated, "that won't happen for a while: first they will have to confess their feelings for each other, then they will date… you get the idea." "Um, it's Yang…" "Good point." Ruby chortled, "Yeah, her version of a date would probably be trashing a club." "Or… other things," Weiss coyly said; a smile in the dark. "Huh?" Ruby said, "what are you–" "Never mind."
Weiss, sitting up at this point, swung her legs off the edge of the bunk and patted the space next to her for Ruby to sit. The bunk creaked as she did. "It's amazing that we talked with a living legend, "Weiss said, "I mean, you two walked together. It does make one wonder what other stories are real." Ruby fidgeted, "Uh, I might know of one." Weiss looked at her, "the silver-eyed warriors?" Ruby gaped, "H-how did you know!?" Weiss smiled, "Oh, I recently read a book on them, and they fitted your description perfectly." Ruby chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. Weiss wrapped an arm around her unofficial sister in a hug.
"You know," Ruby said, "If things keep going like this, we might find out that the Four Maidens are real." Weiss laughed, "Don't be a dunce."
The peace and quiet of late-night mantle was briefly interrupted by the roar of a motorbike engine. Yang rode through the streets looking for a place to stay the night; Nick sitting behind, hands around her waist, still wearing her leather coat. She pulled into the lot of a two-story motel. Nick looked around as she dismounted. Yang turned to him, and snickered as he dismounted. "Better call a tailor, my coat just doesn't seem to suit you." A smirk curled on the edge of his lip. She walked toward him as he started to take the coat off. He draped it on his arm, and she slipped an arm around his waist. "But," she said, "I prefer what's underneath." With her other hand she cupped his face. She slid around him, breathing a sigh of contented anticipation. She plucked up her coat and headed toward the office. He leaned over her bike, when she stopped halfway. "Hey, how much cash can you spare?" she asked. Nick dug into his pocket and pulled out a ten-lien chip. He tossed it to her, she caught it one-handed. "Thanks Alice." He couldn't help but grin from his new nickname.
As she turned and headed for the office, Nick was reminded of a memory from his childhood: One crisp evening, his sister, brother, and himself playing some sort of game in the field. As they ran and rustled, a voice called from their house.
"Zeph, J.P., Eli! Time for dinner!"
"Coming Me-ma!"
Not even their best made-up game could keep them from dinner; especially when Me-ma made her fried chicken.
A hand on his broke him out of his reminiscence. Yang stood before him, holding his hand in both of hers. "C'mon dreamer," she said with a smirk. She turned and led him to their room for the night. Unlocking the door, Yang said, "We're gonna have a really good time." She pushed him in and locked the door behind her. Even before she turned around his right hand was already around her waist. He breathed in deep the scent of her hair. She closed her eyes, soaking in the sensation of his very presence.
She turned and draped her arms around his neck. He leaned down and gently kissed her nose. She sucked in a breath through her teeth, running her hands down his neck and underneath his flannel shirt. "Easy Yang," he said as she slipped off said shirt, "Let's not go too fast." Yang looked up at him, her eyes scarlet, but not with anger. "I–" she started, but he put his lips on hers before she could get the rest out.
The moment seemed to last an eternity, the two lost in each other. However, they were interrupted by a red slash near them; a significant portal. They both turned to it in surprise, Yang recognizing the person coming through. Nick looked on in suspicion; the masked long haired, armored and armed person glancing between the two of them seemingly in shock. "So this is how I find you," she said to Yang in disgust, "in…romantic embrace with this coward?!" Yang sneered, gritting her teeth in rage. "He is not a coward," she said, barely able to contain herself, "He's the most caring, noble, honorable, loyal… and brave man I've seen. He stuck with me through strengths, weaknesses, and faults… that's a better record than you, Mom." Yang and Nick, having separated their embrace, now stood on guard against "Mom."
Raven sighed in disappointment and frustration. Finally, she took off the mask. Her crimson eyes glimmered at them. "How can you love a man who willingly gave himself up to machines?" "I gave myself up," Nick spoke up, "Because I recognized that if I didn't, it would put more people, including Yang, at risk. I will gladly choose surrender for her sake, even to the point of death." Yang turned to him, and saw the fire in his eyes. And when their eyes met, her very soul was knit to his. Admiration filled her, and she thought, whatever the cost, I want to stay by his side, and him by mine; I think he is worth it.
Raven saw the look on her daughter's face, and she said, "So you have chosen him." Yang turned on her mother, "What's it to you?! You were never there! You removed yourself from my life, and removed me –threw me away with dad– out of your life! You don't get to–" Nick stopped her with a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder, and she looked back to him. "I think," she said, her tone calm but a bit fierce, "you gave up the right to approve what I do when you gave us up." Raven turned away, closing her eyes from the grief and regret of her actions. Trying to hold back tears, she rebutted, "I haven't removed you from my life; I just wanted the best life for you."
Yang and nick paused for a moment, looking at each other, silently communicating. Yang sighed, "You can still come with us, and we can be a family." She turned back to Raven, holding out a hand. "Please." Raven looked back at Yang, "you chose him," she drew her sword and slashed a portal into the air, "you both can come with me, or stay here." "Why can't you stay with us; why do you want me to pick between you and dad?" Yang demanded. Raven sighed, "we have… different views on 'family.'" Raven looked to Nick. "Take care of her, Nicholas; I'll find you if you don't." and with that, she donned her mask and walked through her portal. Yang stood there, speechless as the portal closed.
It was a moment before either of them spoke a word; Yang to angry and too tired to think, Nick simply unable to think of anything right and suitable for this moment. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. "What in hell was that?" Yang rhetorically asked, still a bit irked. "I think," Nick stated, "It was a visit from your mom." She turned to him, eyes lavender, but still frustrated and tired, "that's not funny." He turned to her, mild surprise on his face. She shook her head and sighed, "I'm too tired for this." He looked over to the clock. 03:17, small wonder.
Yang leaned into him, and he embraced her. "Hold me tight, Nick," she groggily said. He looked down into her serene features. "Ooo, you're so warm." Yang sleepily said as exhaustion overtook her. She pressed against him, hard enough move him backwards. She made a final effort to stay awake; she looked up to his eyes, and shoved him into a chair right behind them. She still clung to him, curling up on his lap.
Without inhibition, Yang fell asleep; and Nick, despite his trepidation of his nightmares, followed not far behind. As consciousness dulled, he breathed a deep prayer, snuggling Yang closer.
Outside, two invisible strangers stood guard. One turned in to look at them, marveling at the couple. "Even now he prays." The one said, "He prays for her, her family, their friends..." the one chuckled as Nick fell asleep in prayer. The other replied, "And we help keep them." The one turned back, "Yes, our fellow servant and his beloved."
A/N: I told you it'd get weird. honestly, I've been russhin to get this out, I hope you like it. Comments welcome, and appreciated!
speaking of which...
Draconic king: Really? well, I guess now I've cast a shadow in said future.
the guest last chapter: (SPOILER WARNING) Uh, neither... man, this ain't a Warhammer crossover! 'Imperium of man'? try "united terran federation".
well, until I get back from my trip -which I forgot to mention above and I'm too lazy to edit, and during which I might not post or anything- down to Penn, Abyssinia!
