Wicked games
Disclaimer: I do not own Shadow of Destiny or any of its characters
Darkness. All I could discern was darkness. I couldn't keep my eyes open… my body felt all numb. I was slowly entering in a strange state of mind. Sometimes all I could make out was darkness and then another moment I was staring at a very handsome face. Was it an angel? I was confused. Perhaps this was heaven; it sure looked like it to me. So warm. It was so warm that I didn't want to wake up. I want to stay like this just one more minute. I feel so safe in these arms. This is endless bliss… Hold on! Whose arms are these? For an instant I remembered the cave collapsing and I was in his arms drifting in and out of sleep. But what happened? Where in the world am…
My eyes opened of their own accord and I could see a blurred whiteness above me. There was something spinning, too. I gazed intently and tried to force the sleep out of my system. I stared at the ceiling and the spinning device was just a fan. I scanned my surroundings and noticed the white stucco walls, the blank ceiling, a pink lily carefully placed in the balcony. It took a moment for me to realize I contemplating my home. There was confusion racking up my brain. I didn't remember coming back, either.
"You're finally awake", a melodic voice said.
I immediately looked at where the voice came from and it all came crashing down in waves to me. The cave and all my utterly unbelievable experience passed on that realm. I gazed at his eyes still confused. There was just one possible explanation why I was actually at my home. Homunculus saved me. I recalled being too weak back at the cave to escape by myself. My savior, or should I say my knight in shining armor. He fulfilled his promise that no harm would come to me.
I stared at his beautiful garnet eyes for a while trying to catch my voice again. I didn't know what to say; I was dumfounded not only because of his actions. He was so impossibly perfect, so handsome that I couldn't take my eyes out of him. I was making an idiot out of myself, I knew it but at the same time I could not help it. He was leaning against the wall near the door and there I was struggling to say something. I'm still in shock, that must be it. Now Clarice let's stop staring at him so we don't make him more cocky than he already is.
"How did we get…", I begun.
"I brought you here", he interrupted me. "You were out of energy to do anything, me on the other hand…", he trailed off.
"We were very far from here. You didn't get tired?"
"No. I don't think that is possible anymore", he glanced at me.
"You are invulnerable now. No one can use you against you will anymore", I said happily. "I'm glad."
"For what? Me? You are really a hard to understand person, you know", he smirked. "I wonder why is that."
"Well, you're important to me", I blurted. No, I wasn't supposed to say it like this! My big mouth…
He raised an eyebrow and looked at me.
"I mean, we still have unfinished business… I have a wish to do, after all", I stuttered.
He grinned at me. It was like he knew I meant something different altogether. I tried to change the topic of our current discussion.
"You are much stronger than before, I suppose. Did you notice any other changes?", I asked.
"I'm faster", he appeared suddenly beside my bed.
I was startled. How much he changed? Was it dangerous?
He kept looking at me with a smug grin on his face. I was thinking what to do but nothing was coming to my mind that moment. Homunculus turned to the window and fixed his gaze on something outside.
"Have you made up your mind yet?", he spoke without a glance.
His question took me by surprise. I haven't had time to ponder this for a while. The quest for the stone occupied my mind completely in the last hours. When I wasn't trying to stay alive on that mountain my mind wandered always to him. I didn't think about it because I was busy trying to imagine you and me…
That was not an option to answer.
"I still don't know. Are you going to get mad at me because of it?", I asked tentatively.
"In normal circumstances I wouldn't be pleased. But these aren't normal", he gazed at me. "No one bothered to do what you did. They were all greedy and worried with their own selfish desires. You gave me something unique and I hate to admit that but I deeply appreciate what you did even if I don't understand well the reasons behind", he replied.
"You are welcome", I smiled sheepishly. "But it's me that must thank you. I wouldn't be alive now if weren't for you", I sat at my bed.
He glanced at me with a mix of curiosity and something else I couldn't figure out. I tried to stand and I could feel my legs weren't wobbly like before. I decided to take a shower and avoid another awkward moment alone with him.
I was on my way to the bathroom when he broke the silence.
"I'm not so patient, you know. Perhaps I should find a way to make you haste your decision", he grinned.
I went to my shower and tried not to think about what he could possibly do to haste my mind.
We always tend to think a lot while taking a shower. In my case it wasn't any different except all my thoughts revolved to the handsome being that was currently in my bedroom. The urge to kiss him I felt on the cave hadn't ceased. I've imagined meanwhile what would it be like. I almost found it when I was trapped in that cave. I didn't dream that, he really was going to kiss me. What came over him to act like that? Was it possible he is feeling the same unrelenting attraction towards me? How long my self control will endure?
The bathroom was steamy and I couldn't see clearly around. I couldn't go out in case he was in my room. So I changed to my blue night gown which barely reached my knees and brushed my long hair. The moment I stepped out of the bathroom I felt a chill breeze from the cloudless night. It was around seven o' clock and I could feel it would be a good weather to sleep.
I stole a glance around my bedroom and I got stunned the moment I noticed him. He was sitting on the balcony leaning against the window frame gazing at the stars. I've never seen someone as wonderful. He was seemingly concentrated on something and then he landed his gaze on me. Sapphire met garnet. He was staring intently. I felt like I was going to melt under his scrutiny. There was many moments like these, lately. I was feeling embarrassed. His was like a predatory gaze.
"Are you feeling well?", I inquired.
"Never been better", he smirked.
"You know, I've been thinking that maybe the stone has some kind of side effects. I advise you to go easy", I continued.
"I guess that doesn't matter now", he turned his gaze to the window uninterested.
"Could be dangerous…I mean we are hundred percent sure of the changes triggered by the stone power. For instance, you didn't know you would get faster and who knows what more changes happened that you are not aware of", I explained.
He turned his attention to me once more.
"What's the point? I already have what I wanted."
"It's not that. What if there is some kind of damage? Your body changed too fast. A normal living being would have to pass for a healing process", I said.
"Besides", I continued, "You used a great deal of energy to get us out of that cave and I have a suspicion about the possible side effects."
"Do you want me to be your lab rat, Clarice? I don't think I'm willing to do so", he made a crooked smile. "What more could happen? I feel better than I felt in ages."
"I'm not sure about that but I have a theory", I replied.
"What is it? I do hope I'm not going to become gruesome monster", he added with a hint of mocking laughter in his voice.
"Well, these changes happened in a short space of time. Usually, there's a need to adaptation in order to things function properly. What I mean is that everything in nature works sort of this way and I think if you don't have time to adjust these changes will overload you and…", I trailed off.
"And what?", he asked out of curiosity.
"I think you might experience a temporary loss of your powers. You'll stay unbreakable yet because the physical changes are the more permanent ones but any power acquired with the help of the stone may fail and even some your previous powers could fade. This, of course, only for a brief period. I believe the only way to prevent this for happening is resting for as long as you can. But still is just a theory and nothing more", I explained.
"Now, I'm really curious. Did you read this in some book of yours or you are speculating?", he looked at me mockingly.
"No, like I said it's only a theory. I don't think there could be books about your kind, anyway. The best indicator that something could be messed up is what you feel now."
"I never felt better and I don't think I need any rest. You don't have to bother", he gazed at something outside.
"You are a stubborn one you know that? Don't go blaming me if something goes awry", I turned my back to him in impatience.
I heard a low chuckle.
"I can give you a proof. To appease your troubled mind", he spoke.
I turned to look at him and I noticed he was standing up in the balcony dangerously close to the borders. This worried me. He didn't look his usual self; he was just too overconfident, too unafraid to my liking. Don't play the daredevil now. It's not safe. Don't you dare…
He gave a measuring look to outside again and seemed to count something.
"Oh no! Don't you tell me you are going to jump. Do you know how tall this building is? If something happens you will not be able to do anything", I pleaded.
"I'm hurt, Clarice. You should give me a little more credit. I'm not going to destroy myself", he grinned at me.
"Don't do this, Homunculus. You, I mean we don't have any idea how the stone changed you. What if my theory is correct, then?", I asked impatiently.
"Nothing will happen. I'll teleport myself before I meet the ground. You worry yourself to nothing."
"What you expect me to do? If you try jumping I'll stop you", I threatened.
"You can't do anything. Unless you are willing to use your sword against me", he gave a fake look of hurt.
"Sword? What sword are you talking about?"
He stared at something deposited in the corner mere meters from me. I turned my eyes to the object and instantly recognized my beloved sword. It was there exactly like I remembered it. The gleaming golden surface of its blade and my favorite garnet stones inserted on the hilt. This weapon had saved me countless times of the perils hidden on that forsaken place. I was grateful to have it once more with me.
"I took it before the cave collapsed. It would be unfair if you didn't have any reward", he looked at me and smirked.
"Thank you", I noticed he was only one inch away from the border.
"Wait! You could rest and see what happens and then…", I said.
"Just watch me", he spoke and immediately jumped to a "possible" death.
The strangled cry of no got stuck in my throat and all I did was to run forward. My body seemed to move in slow motion and no matter how fast I ran the distance between me and the balcony looked enormous. I silently called the sword and the instant after it was securely fastened to my hand. Faster, I thought in despair. The sword gave a sudden surge of electricity to my arm and fell to the floor. In that moment I could feel my body moving on its own. Time seemed to freeze and in the blink of an eye I saw myself touching the balcony. Where was he? What I saw the made my body froze in fear. He wasn't coming up like he predicted. He was falling in slow motion the look of stricken fear was plastered in his face. I was acting on auto pilot and my hand hurried caught his. However, the worst part of this wasn't over yet.
I couldn't know it would come to this or else I should have prepared myself. He was extremely heavy; I didn't remember him being so heavy before. When I carried him in the mountain he was so light I thought I was carrying a bunch of feathers. But right now he seemed to weigh tons; it was like trying to carry a great piece of marble. The biggest problem was the fact I needed to pull him up or else we would end smashed like potatoes down there.
My arm was straining with the force I applied to sustain both of us. My chest slammed against the balcony side and I felt something snapping. Perhaps I'd broken a couple of ribs since the pain I could feel was excruciating. I looked down and stared at his eyes. I could see a mixture of despair and defeat in his face. You are not going down. Not if I can help. Please give me strength. I visualized the sword in my mind and the I gazed at Homunculus. The look of utter hopelessness I saw in him; I couldn't bear it. I gathered all my forces and tried to pull him up. Suddenly, I had him in my arms safe. I pulled him up to the balcony. He seemed that he couldn't move a muscle. I was right about bad side effects. The pain which shot through my arm then was so unexpected that I fell in my back, hard. He fell on top of me, paralyzed.
"I should have listened to you", he said out of breath, "Give me a moment".
You can stay there how long you want to. For a moment I forgot all about my broken ribs and other probably fractured bones. He seemed to get his force quick and stood up in a hurry only to sit near me for he was unsteady in his feet once more.
Meanwhile, I tried to move my body but it was in vain. Everything hurt so much. The pain coming of my ribs was almost unbearable.
I stared at him again and I decided I couldn't stay here unmovable. My pride didn't allow that; I needed to stand up. With great effort I stood shakily on my feet. The jolt of pain was so strong I nearly fainted. I tried to stead my breath and every time air entered my lungs I could feel a sharp stab on my chest. I was using the window pane to support me lest I fall.
"Are you fine, Clarice?", he seemed to have recovered his previous strength.
"I'm g-great", I stuttered.
"You don't look ok", he stated.
"I will be fine", I lied. I wouldn't be fine. I knew I needed to get to the hospital as fast as I could. If my suspicions were correct I had a major internal bleeding.
My vision was getting blurred by the moment.
"Come over here", he said.
I looked at him intently but I couldn't move. I was stiff and any movement I did was followed by excruciating pain.
Homunculus strode in my direction and picked me up in his arms. I was in too much pain to feel self conscious at the moment. He lay me down on my bed in the next instant. I was going to object to that but my voice seemed to stay trapped in my throat and all I could manage was a grunt of pain.
A moment after I was lying on my back I felt a heat wrapping the sides of body. His hands were positioned above me and a faint greenish glow was coming of his hands toward my body. It was a very pleasant warmth and I could feel my body relaxing and the pain subsided somewhat.
The heat got stronger and my heart beat got accelerated. When it seemed to the point of burning the warmth ceased suddenly. I sat upright and looked at him mystified. I couldn't feel anything. All the excruciating pain was gone in a flash. I felt like waking up from a very refreshing night of uninterrupted sleep. He gave me another crooked smile and stood up in my front.
"You didn't expect me to sit and do nothing, do you? After all you've done…I think we are even for this at least", he had a smug expression on his face.
I was stunned to speak. He has saved me once again. This was becoming kind of a routine. Only this time my brain was running feverishly. What should I say? It was his fault he almost got us killed in the first place! If he didn't want to show himself so much nothing would have happened. I should be full of anger now but I couldn't. The despair etched on his face moments ago kept repeating itself on mind again and again. It was enough to give me a bad taste in my stomach; that was something I was eager to see so soon. I preferred Homunculus's usual cocky attitude than that. Relief was the only thing passing through my system at the moment.
"What? No thanks this time? I already thanked you by healing your wounds, you know", he lifted one eyebrow.
I was thinking too much things at the same time that it was a miracle my head didn't explode. I turned a glance to him and I was surprised how he went to the utter defeat from before to total smugness this time. He didn't take his eyes of me and I was aware I was staring intensely at him. I couldn't help myself. My mind was reeling with so much possibilities, so much what ifs were crossing my brain that exact moment. And he was dazzling me making my train of thoughts impossible to maintain. My chest ached that tiny moment but for an entirely different reason. I couldn't endure the mere thought of… losing him. All because of his recklessness. I needed to be angry with him but it wasn't possible. The anger battled against another feeling inside me. Here he was asking my thanks, again. But in the end my anger was defeated miserably.
I looked into his crimson eyes and I knew that I was grateful. I needed to voice my gratitude somehow but my voice was nowhere in me. I took a step toward him. So perfect. His presence made something grow hungry on me. I was inches away from him and I whispered a low thanks. In that moment all thoughts had already escaped my mind and just one impulse commanded me. My hands the back of his neck and my lips crashed onto his.
It was like a million of fireworks exploded that moment inside me. His lips were so warm almost hot. My tongue demanded entrance and I could feel his lips were cooler than his mouth. I was in ecstasy. I've been wanting this for so long. The moment of happiness was short lived because when my thoughts came again I froze. What was I doing? I ended the kiss and pulled away ashamed. What was I thinking? This was going to make things so complicated.
I stared at him and he had a undecipherable look in his eyes. I couldn't grasp what he was thinking. His face was a mask hiding all emotions. He was looking at me intently, nevertheless.
"I'm sorry. I didn't… I'm very sorry", I looked at my feet and I was prepared to do a mad run to my kitchen but he grabbed my arm. I tried to get free to no avail. He was looking at me and I could feel his eyes burning with something. Was he mad at me? His next reaction caught me off guard.
He pulled me against him and his lips met mine. His kiss was fierce and I think he would let my lips bleeding after that. In an instant he softened the kiss and his tongue met mine. I forgot how to breath, all I could focus was his warm tongue battling with mine. I think he wasn't expecting this and I confess I wasn't expecting he would kiss me back so passionately. The kiss was making the lower part of abdomen ache. Our kiss grew deeper and he pinned me to the wall. His hand was roaming my chest and I couldn't help but moan at this. He stopped suddenly and I immediately felt the lack of his lips on mine. I was gasping for breath as was he. I've never seen him so disheveled. There was unmistakable lust in his eyes. His breathing was ragged and he put his hands on my shoulders.
"I think I need to restore my energy", he said in gasps.
He pulled away and teleported himself in the middle of my room.
What was that? He leaves me in this state. How dare he? What kind of wicked game is this? I want you back here this moment!
"Where are you? Don't do anything s…", I interrupted myself and fell to heap on the floor. I put my fingers to my lips and I could feel the warmth in them yet. When he comes back what I should do? I didn't have the answer to that question but I knew things were going to get complicated between us but in a good kind of way.
This was going to get interesting, I thought.