"One moment!" Rachel bellowed when her doorbell rang. She slipped on a comfortable black turtleneck to match her black skirt, styled her hair into her signature twin tails, then approached the door. A precautionary check through the peephole confirmed her guest to be Ragna. When she opened the door, the delicious aroma of pizza wafted up her nose and made her stomach growl. In the other hand he carried two bags: one from the grocery store and another a brown paper bag.
Ragna proffered the pizza box. "Haven't eaten yet, right?" He then gave Rachel a once-over. She looked cute in her close-fitting turtleneck and skirt, thighs on display for his eyes to feast on. He didn't stare too long for fear she'd notice his gawking.
"I have not." Rachel stepped aside to let him in. This felt like old times minus him showing up at her place with food unannounced. "The pizza smells quite good." She closed the door and led him into the kitchen.
Ragna set the box on the table with the grocery bag, then started to unpack its contents. "Mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. Mind putting this in the freezer?"
Rachel obliged. She leaned back against the refrigerator and watched him remove the drinks, overwhelmed by this blast from the past. Ordering take-out, rotting their teeth on junk food while they stayed up late binge-watching shows and movies. She favored scary movies and thrillers. Not because they were her favorite genre, but because Ragna would cuddle up to her like the stubborn man he was. He could never outright admit his fear of the undead and supernatural.
Rachel laid the plates out on the table, then stared straight-faced at one half of the pizza. "Pineapple? Seriously, what is that abomination doing on pizza?"
His eyes widened as if she kicked him in the groin. "What the hell are you talkin' about Rabbit?!"
"I could never comprehend your love for this topping. What sane man would put a sweet and juicy fruit on top of a salty pizza?" Rachel removed a regular cheese slice. Hot, not too oily, and the cheese practically melted in her mouth. A shame the pizza was ruined by such a hideous topping. She could understand ham, but not pineapple.
"You're insane. Pineapple tastes great on pizza," Ragna refuted.
"It is a sin no amount of prayer can cleanse." Rachel's face scrunched as she watched him savor his slice. "As are you."
"Your taste buds are broken, Rachel. Something you don't get from your dad." Ragna noticed the odd silence, then examined Rachel's expression. Ragna knew Clavis was up there in age, but still... Shit. "Sorry. Shoulda been more considerate."
"You could not have known. Don't apologize."
"Yeah, but I feel like an ass now." Ragna scratched his scalp.
Rachel smiled. "I made peace with his death long ago, Ragna. What would I gain from harboring hatred for you now? It would surely put a damper on our day, wouldn't it?"
"Guess it would." Ragna always did love that smile of hers. He took the brown bag with him to the living room, Rachel behind, and laid out several movies. "I got action, comedy, and your cheesy romance flicks."
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Do you by chance have any scary movies?"
"Nope," Ragna answered quickly, as if prepared. "They had none at the store. Who needs 'em anyway?"
"Aw, I quite like them."
"Too damn bad." Ragna took a movie titled "The Transporter" and slipped the disc into the player.
"Still too stubborn to admit your fear?" Rachel went back into the kitchen to fetch the Mountain Dew, pizza box, and cups of ice.
"Shuddup and sit." Ragna slapped the cushion for her to join him. He clicked play on the remote, grabbed his pizza, and leaned back as Rachel took her place beside him.
While she poured the Mountain Dew, Ragna ate another slice and earned a grimace. Rachel ate hers at a much slower pace, on her second while he nabbed his fourth. And by the time the movie started up, Ragna only had one slice left. The skinny piece wouldn't be enough to satisfy him through the movie. "Hey…"
"This is mine," Rachel said possessively.
"Can't even spare one?"
"You have one, do you not?" Rachel directed his attention to her crusts. "You may have those." Ragna's deadpanned face almost made her choke on her food. The movie hadn't even began and she was already having fun. Tuesday night's events were no more than a distant memory now.
Here she was, eating and drinking with Ragna like the old days, watching a movie and casually conversing. Their exchange was easy and familiar. Rachel had spent so much time in the cruel world she had forgotten the joys of having another to confide in, or staying up at night to talk and text with. She even felt that familiar zing in his presence, getting her hot and bothered. While she chewed on a bite, she noticed Ragna's expression turned serious. Was her teasing getting to him that much? "Are you okay?" she asked.
"What happened that stuck you out here? I know now isn't the time to ask about this kinda shit, but I've been curious ever since the supermarket."
"Ah." Rachel set her plate aside and wiped her mouth. "Twas a rather unfortunate turn of events, as I said. The college I taught at did not appreciate my manner of teaching. It is nothing you need to concern yourself with." She didn't mention how they exaggerated her crimes and made her name a mockery in the education field. No school would hire her.
"You sure?" Ragna stared gently but intently. He chose Kagutsuchi because he knew business would boom and it would be cheap to live.
"Yes. Honestly, I planned to leave myself. I could not stand the people who worked there. No passion, no drive." Rachel shook her head, doing her best not to show her anger. She was passionate about teaching, and to see others treat it and their students so half-heartedly made her sick. "Perhaps you could tell me what you are doing here, Ragna. I did not ask what you were up to all these years. Did you end up going to college?"
"Nah. I didn't know what I wanted to do for years. Just kinda wandered around, getting caught by the feds." Ragna ignored Rachel reprimanding glare. "I wasn't doing anything evil or nothin'. Graffitti, minor stuff like that. I wanted to get into design but it's not like I had the money for it. Then, one day, I met this guy and he helped me."
Rachel examined his small, warm smile. "What was his name?"
"Jubei. Had a tattoo shop back in Akitsu. I spray-painted some graffiti on his shop, and you know what he said to me? He said, 'hey, not bad, kid. Could use a touch up here and there, and yer symbols are sloppy as hell. How's about you come work for me? I can show ya a thing or two 'bout artwork'." Ragna did his best Southern impression, but knew he fell short by a mile.
"He sounds like quite the man not to turn you in."
"He was a great guy," Ragna said with a solemn smile.
Rachel zeroed in on was. "Is he dead?"
"Yeah." Ragna folded his hands. "Died in a car accident. I saw the car zoom down the street and kill him. Worst part about it, I never told him thanks. Always bitching about doing this and that… never once gave him a thank-you." He took a deep breath. Rachel heard the momentary quiver. "I had to leave. I couldn't stay in Akitsu anymore and came here. Worked my ass off to raise enough money to get my little tattoo shop, made a few friends here, too. Helped with the pain a little. Almost took six years, but I can't thank him enough for helping me find my way." Ragna leaned back on the leather couch. "Sorry. Didn't mean to get like that."
"Quite all right. A moment to vent doesn't hurt anyone. I am confident Jubei holds nothing against you." Ragna didn't respond. She recognized the look in his eyes as one she had worn. "When my father passed away, I felt as if my heart had been ripped out of my chest. I felt alone. I told myself I needed to succeed now more than ever. As you can see, I did not reach far. But I suppose getting to see you again has made living in this city a little more tolerable."
"That right?" Ragna's expression lightened some. His arm came around her and pulled her into him. "Thanks. I missed you, too. A lot, actually."
"Y-yes." Rachel owlishly blinked. The embrace set her cheeks on fire. Looked like she didn't need to play some horror flick to get close. So warm, so comforting. Thoughts returning to Tuesday night, she stroked her hand along his toned stomach and felt for the wound he received. "Does it hurt?"
"Not anymore." Ragna couldn't keep his blush at bay. The slow, hot thrum of desire coursed through him as she caressed his abs and mingled in his belly. He wanted to feel her soft hand wrapped around his cock aching for relief, to feel the press of her mouth against his and watch her lick the precum sure to have dampened his boxers. Try as he might to push those dirty thoughts aside to enjoy his time with her, the pain between his legs proved too great.
Rachel could no longer focus on the movie. She did not know if he meant to broker a reaction like this from her caressing her arm, but all her senses zeroed in on him. His warmth, his comfort, his scent; the edge of his abs against her thumb and hadn't realized until then she had yet to remove her hand. His protective warmth became a sensual sear; she couldn't ignore the burgeoning arousal between her legs and it didn't help when his fingers laced into her hair.
"Did you miss me a lot, Rachel?" Ragna's abrupt question snapped her eyes to his gaze. "I lost your contact info and worried over you. Where were you, were you okay?"
"You, worrying over me? Is it not the other way around, you little trouble maker?" Rachel laughed and poked his nose. Her hand fell to caress a cheek and she smiled. "You always worried me. I quivered to think what became of you, and I am grateful to know everything turned out okay."
Her heartfelt words brought a smile to Ragna's lips. It slowly waned, as did Rachel's at the sudden ardor in his gaze. Right then, the atmosphere changed. A nervous lump formed in his throat as he stared at her mouth. He didn't care if Rachel noticed, which she did as she shifted on the cushion. Tightening his grip on Rachel to bind her to his frame, Ragna leaned in and kissed her. She jerked but didn't push him away, closing her eyes as a more passionate kiss followed the initial fleeting one.
She didn't try taking the lead. Throughout her academic career Rachel hadn't landed a single lover, remaining laser-focused on her studies or more important matters like securing her livelihood. She partially regretted not getting any practice before this, but she would receive it now. When Ragna pulled back, all Rachel could muster was, "Oh my…" Her heart pounded in her chest. "You seemed to have enough time on your hands, Ragna. You are an adult with needs, after all, so I should not be surprised."
He scoffed and averted his eyes. "It's not like I went scouting for girlfriends, y'know."
She tittered and nuzzled into his embrace. "I am merely joking. This is good, in the long run, having a more experienced partner to guide me through my firsts." Rachel's finger playfully circled one of his pectorals. "I entrust you with me when that time comes. Soon, I hope."
Ragna kissed the top of her head. "Very."
Wild Blue Sonder always there to beta my work.