Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 151 – Two walking genocides.

Raptor's POV, 1 hour later.

The rest of the walk back was me basically trying to convince Marcus he would be fine if we did this. Thankfully he was already pretty confident in himself. But he was clearly worried about it regardless. There's something he's not telling me and I think it has to do with whoever those "other" people are he mentioned. Hopefully I could get something out of him. But main concern was getting through the gates.

As we neared, we looked out to see the cleanup crews still going at it. Thankfully the bodies were gone. Not the first thing I want people seeing on their way ether in or out of this city. Bad for business. With Marcus and myself walking at a pretty stable rate, I took notice as he started to slow down. His eyes on the people around. Stopping with the fox I asked.

"You good?"

He gave no response and looking to the gate I took notice to the amount of soldiers making haste around the area. Between clean up and just guard duty; it was clear there was no way we were sneaking him in. Looking back to Marcus I urged.

"Just relax."

"I am relaxed." He replied as I then asked.

"So what then? You good or not?"

Looking to me he replied.

"Yeah I'm good. Just go slow. I need time to adjust to this."

"To what? Being seen?"

Nodding he replied.

"It's been a long time since I walked around visible Raptor."

"You'll be fine. Just stay next to me." I urged him as he nodded again and resumed his walk alongside me.

As we approached, it was clear my men took notice to myself. Some eyes went to him and as we neared the gate I took care to toss Zeta's AK around my back. Marcus let out a breath as we soon passed by the first group. Eyes were on me mainly still, but once at the gate the officer on duty asked with a careful voice.

"You okay commander? What happened to your convoy?"

Stopping to look at the wolf I replied with Marcus a step out in front of me.

"They'll all be back in an hour or so. We had reports of G.U.N scouting the outer borders. Myself and the major here got out halfway to check the first and second fallback sectors just north of here."

"You guys walked? You need a drink? We got bottles on tap." Stated the wolf as I nodded and replied.

"Yeah I'll take one. Major?"

Looking to Marcus I took notice to his calm demeanor and without hesitation he replied.

"Yeah I'll have one. Even with the sun down it's still hot as ever out there."

The officer smiled and let out a small chuckle as one of his men ran to fetch the drinks. In seconds he was seen running back. Two waters in hand. Tossing me mine first then Marcus's, I replied while handing it back.

"Thank you."

"No problem sir." The kid replied as the wolf looked back at me to wonder.

"You guys heading back then? Need a lift? We got plenty of teams moving in and out to the capital. Thankfully we're almost done here. Just a lot of holes need filling and some patch jobs left on the walls. Give it another day or two and it'll be like nothing happened."

Smiling I replied while taking a step back to Marcus who was just staring at the bottle in his hand.

"Just keep at it. There wasn't anything out there from what we saw, but word still hasn't gotten back from the rest of the convoy. Just keep an eye out for them coming back and radio in if something happens. Besides that Lieutenant; the major and I are just going to walk back. Gives us time to enjoy what little of the down time we have left before Linnen tries something else."

"Yes sir. Stay safe." He replied as I kept my smile and turned to look at Marcus.

"Come on." I urged him as he undid the cap to his bottle and began to follow. Coming to my side once more, I watched as he took a sip. His face instantly changed. It was like he ate something sour just now. Curious I replied.

"How is it?"

Looking back to me as he lowered the bottle, he replied as we got on the nearest sidewalk.

"Weird. Can't tell you the last time I tried to drink water. Haven't had a need for it for my whole life."

"How old are you by the way?" I then asked as he closed the cap to chuckle to himself at the question.

"Believe it or not...I'm only twenty eight."

Widening my eyes I questioned.

"How does that work? If your a god then you've been around how long? Hundreds...if not thousands of years? Does time count?"

Marcus suddenly got distracted as I waited for an answer. But soon I noticed why. I could feel it too. There were a ton of people around. Not outside, but inside. This city was home to over a hundred thousand people. Not a lot when you compare it to places in the states, but here in a war zone that's a lot. Especially when over half of them aren't even soldiers. They are just people. Trying to live together through all this. Falling off my question, Marcus asked one of his own.

"You feel all this?"

Keeping my eyes on him as we passed by a daycare I replied.

"Yeah. I do."

"It's crazy right? You can feel the way everyone feels. Just understand them without even knowing them. Makes me wonder what its like to actually try to understand someone. Without what we got."

"You actually ask yourself these kind of questions?" I then wondered as he looked back to me to reply.

"Yeah I do. Like it or not Raptor; I get a lot of time to myself. I get to think. Half the time there isn't anyone around to listen. I just get to ask myself these questions."

"So you never once tried to find the answers?"

"How can I? Raptor like I said before we got here, I'm the god of death. Mingling isn't in my DNA. It just isn't." He stated as I saw a bar up ahead. Marcus went back to his silence and as we neared the bar I wondered if I should to buy him a drink. Even if I didn't I might buy myself one to see if I still feel anything from liquor. I also had more questions to ask and just walking around was starting to get me to think that Marcus might not open up willingly. Stopping as we reached the door, Marcus widened his eyes and looked back at me to question.

"Why did you stop?"

Smiling I replied.

"I want to get a drink."

Giving me a strange look, Marcus then questioned.

"Why? You got one in your hand."

Chuckling I replied back while getting the door.

"Not what I meant. Come on." The fox stood there for a second but soon entered the building. Soon taking the lead ahead of him; I was greeted up front by a cute girl behind the bar. Nothing more then another teenage woman just trying to make a living. Couldn't be any older then twenty five, but she was this tiny little red fox with brown eyes. Her hair tied up in a long pony tall behind her head and wearing clothes tight enough to show off her petite body. Her instant reaction to my face was a scared one. I doubt she knew who I was. She was more scared of my appearance then anything else. I was always a serious looking dude. To younger girls who had no idea what a war body looked like; this was like popping a cherry. But she was secured and upfront when I approached the table and she asked.

"Can I help you sir?"

Sitting down, I replied while looking to Marcus who was clearly hesitating at the new experience he was having.

"Came in hoping to buy myself and my friend here a few rounds. That okay miss...?"

Her eyes went wide at the statement and instantly she replied.

"Jesse sir! Of course! Were you after something special?"

Nodding as I looked back to her I asked.

"Whiskey on the rocks. Hardest you got and make it two."

"Okay perfect. I'll be right back." She replied as I looked to my right to see Marcus slowly approach. Whispering now I urged.

"Sit down. Relax."

"I thought you wanted to get back to the capital?"

Nodding as he sat down I replied.

"I do. But we still got time. Plus I need to ask you some questions."

At that exact moment Jesse came back with two glasses. Filled to the top. As she placed them down, I smiled and immediately picked mine up. The girl watched as I took a sniff and took my head back as fast as I could to down the liquor. Marcus widened his eyes along with the girl as I soon came back to slam down the glass. My first reaction to it was happiness. I could feel the burn and regardless if I needed it or not, I still felt the alcohol loosen me up.

"Holy shit." The girl muttered as I looked to her to wonder.

"Can you get me another? Maybe the bottle?"

Nodding her head instantly, she replied while stepping back.

"Of course sir. I'll be right back."

With the girl leaving and Marcus watching her, I refocused and asked.

"You ever drink before?"

Slowly looking back to me, he replied with an unsure tone.

"Wasn't something I ever saw a reason to do. Not like I have any problems that need the help of a bottle to solve."

Pushing his glass forward, I then said with a much softer voice.

"Well you want to try it? I mean I'm buying so you might as well be a decent guest and give it a sip."

"Shadow did this shit too you know." Replied Marcus as I now just listened to him with a blank face.

"You mortals drink to cover emotions. To cover the things that bother you. For as long as I've been around Raptor I know what this shit does in the wrong hands."

"You saying your the wrong hands?" I then asked with a small smile as he just gave me a glare and a snicker.

"Just try it man. You don't like it then I'll be more then glad to finish it off. But at least try something new. You already seem like a chill guy so I'm sure you'll be fine with a sip. Unless your scared?" I said with a look that said it all. Instantly Marcus replied.

"Me? Scared? You're fucking joking."

"You don't try it and it won't be a joke." I stated as he let out a soft growl.

With Jesse coming back with the bottle, I took it from her hands and poured myself another shot as Marcus just stared at his. Once I was done, I put the bottle down and picked up my glass to start drinking. Jesse took her eyes to him next as it was clear to her something was happening between us. Flicking his glare back to me I gave him a small wink as I continued to drink.

"Scared. Fucking unbelievable."

Taking my glass away from my lips I watched with careful eyes as Marcus threw it back in full. As soon as it left the glass and went down his hatch; he slammed it back down on the counter and shut his eyes. I knew that feeling way better then anyone probably in this bar. His body started to shiver. Then his eyes opened back up and he let out a deep breath that was digging deep in his chest. After which he mumbled something to himself. I had to ask.

"What you say?"

Looking back to me he replied with an almost snatched voice.

"It burned."

All I could do was start laughing as it was clear to Jesse who had to ask a question for herself.

"Was that your first time or something?"

Marcus matched eyes with the other fox for the first time and instantly she went still as a rock. I started to get worried something happened when she skipped waiting for an answer to just say.

"You have such beautiful eyes. Was it your mom or dad that had the blue in them?"

In confusion I just looked to Marcus again who replied still catching his own voice.

"My mother."

"Wow. Lucky. My dad had red in him. I would give anything to have those." Looking to me she then asked.

"And what the hell do they call yours sir? I've only seen one other person with purple. Is it rare or something?"

"Quite rare." I replied as I kept my answer short just in case. Marcus looked back over to me as I went on to say.

"That was his first time by the way. Sorry...he's nervous." With that Marcus replied with a louder tone.

"No I'm not!"

Jesse widened her eyes in shock he got loud. Up till now he was mellow as all hell. Looking back to him as he was glaring me down to all hell now, I urged.

"Of course your not. My fault. Hehe."

Jesse smiled as the situation go more relaxed. Looking to the girl next I wondered.

"Mind giving us a few minutes hun?"

Immediately she replied while backing up.

"Oh sorry sir! Got involved a little I'm sorry. Enjoy the drinks guys."

"It's fine." I replied as she made her way off to the other end of the bar. Marcus still watched her as I caught something instantly from how he was looking at her move.

"You like her?"

Marcus almost had his eyes pop out of his head as I asked the question. Locking back on to me as I took a sip he replied.

"What? Of course not. She just reminds me of someone. That's all."

Nodding my head as I finished off my second glass I then asked.

"What happened with your eyes just now? I see green."

Somewhat more controlled now with some liquor in his system Marcus replied.

"People who aren't what we are; I can make them see what I want them to see. With you it's different cause you are more or less dead now. So your brain isn't prone to my tricks. Anyone with a heartbeat I can work magic on."

"Can I do that?" I then wondered as he took a moment to sniff his drink again. Once done he replied with a covered voice.

"Probably not. If you could that would actually shock me. I didn't learn for a few years."

Silence came between us for a few seconds and when things started to look more lax I reached out to nudge him with my right elbow. Marcus glanced over as I said.

"Well back on topic now that she's gone. I know I'm popping this down like nothing right now but do I have to actually worry about eating and drinking like normal? Cause when I recovered earlier today the water I had went down like it did fuck all. Is that a problem? Or just normal now that I am the way I am?"

Marcus took a second to relax but soon replied.

"It's not important. The way your body is now doesn't require food. But as you well know you still sweat and regardless of the outcome your body still runs like it's working. Of course at a much slower rate, but drinking water will help you keep strong. I recommend it till you pass on."

"So once I die what happens then? I just end up like you?"

With that question Marcus turned in his seat to reply while resting his arm on the table next to him.

"That's still up in the air. Something I need to consider. Maybe when your time comes you'll prefer just letting go. Being a demi isn't for everyone Raptor. You'll be around for good if you don't accept your death."

The answer left me feeling a little weird. Marcus knew it too and then stated.

"Don't worry about that yet. You have too much to worry about."

Nodding I then asked while reaching back for the bottle.

"You want another?"

Marcus took a moment but replied with a silent nod. As if he was embarrassed to say yes. Just pouring him another glass then my own, I put the bottle back down and wondered.

"So what did you mean when you said you were only twenty eight?"

Pulling his glass in close he replied.

"I meant I'm twenty eight."

I shot him a small smirk as he then added on.

"Before I turned into a god I was twenty eight. It's the same for you now. You got your powers at thirty eight and like I already told you your body is in a state of paralysis. You won't age anymore. You're stuck looking that way. Sorry for your loss." He then said with a chuckle as I widened my eyes. He actually shot a joke at me. Maybe this was a good idea getting him to drink. God or no god; seems like the bottle works on everyone. With moments passing, I began to look around. Without even showing a sign; Marcus asked my soon to be question.

"You want to know how right?"

Looking back to the fox very slowly I replied.

"Can't say I wasn't at least a little curious how you got to be the way you are."

Marcus nodded to my answer and went silent again to take another drink. This time he sipped on it and after he was done maybe his second or third one he replied back.

"Well I wasn't selected I'll tell you that much Raptor."

I sensed there was a lot more to the story. He was just going to milk it till he had to actually give me something better. I'll play his games for now. Picking back up my glass I was soon just drinking with him. Not a second went by that I wasn't questioning what I was doing right now. I was tossing back a bottle with a god and the weirder part was it was actually going well. I'm sure the god of nature or the god of life would be more willing but I'll take death. At least I knew we still would always have one thing in common.

With time passing in silence I gently looked to my watch. Juper and the others were going to attack soon. I wanted them well outside the border before trying anything. That way no one would hear a thing. I had faith everything would be okay in the end, but I wanted to try to get back before they do. Maybe another ten minutes then we would get going.

With about two minutes more passing, I began to notice Marcus looking at Jesse again. There was no way he wasn't doing what I thought he was doing. Letting out a very soft chuckle I looked back to him to ask in almost a whisper tone.

"So hey?" Marcus broke his train of thought instantly to my voice and looking back to me I asked.

"So...even though your...well you know. Do you still get...?" Marcus quickly picked up on my question as I neared the key word. His face went red cause he knew I caught him looking. I just smiled wide and said to myself.

"Well well well. Hehehe. Guess gods and mortals have more then one thing in common Marcus."

"Shut...up...Raptor." He replied as I just got my drink back to my lips.

mT Shadow.