Paladin: I typed this really, really fast, plus my 'A' button is sticking, and my 'I' button has been long gone for some time now. So, if you notice any typos, feel free to point them out. I went over this two or three times and fixed all the ones I found. I'm not entirely sure I'm happy with the tense, POV, or the vagueness of this story, but I'm much too lazy to rewrite it, so….anyways….
Warnings: none, really...I just noticed I never actually named who Atem is talking about, so it could be any pairing! sweet.
The young man with the wild hair laughed quietly when she finished her story. "You think that's a good story, huh? I've got one that will put that out of its misery."
The two girls stopped giggling and the dark headed one, her name was Anzu, said, "Oh, really? You think you have a better hookup story than my ex and me huh? Let's hear it then, Atem."
A group of boys hooted in the far corner, temporarily drawing their attention. One of them, a pale haired boy who didn't look like he was old enough to even be inside the smoky bar, blushed fiercely and Atem was reminded of one of his lover's friends. He smiled slightly and began his story.
It was late that night. I found myself walking home alone from work. I decided it would be quicker to cut through the park. It was so cold. I had on a heavy jacket and was still freezing. It was one of those nights you just want to go home and straight to bed.
I had to cross over a bridge that spanned a small body of water. Normally it is very shallow, maybe only waist deep in the middle, but it had rained for several days straight, and the creek had swollen.
I could see three people on the bridge. As I got closer, I could hear voices. They were arguing. Suddenly, to my horror, one of them hit the shortest one of the group and he went toppling over the edge. They ran, and so did I. They were gone by the time I got there.
I could her him choking and splashing below, so, I did what seemed most reasonable in my mind at the time.
"Aw, no! You didn't jump in after him!" the blonde girl exclaimed wide-eyed.
"Hush, Mai! Let him finish." Anzu was hanging on his every word. Mai eyed him critically. He took another drink from his almost empty glass then continued.
I pulled off my jacket and jumped in. the water was colder than I could ever imagine, and deeper too. It went at least six inches above my head before I reached the bottom.
It was so cold it knocked my breath from me, and I had a hard time finding the kid. When I finally grabbed him, he was so panicked that he punched me as he was flailing around. I was starting to go numb, so I swam back to the shore with a firm grip on the guy's wrist. I pushed him up on land, then pulled myself up.
He was choking, but breathing, so I let him get a grip on himself. When he rolled over on his back, our eyes me, and I knew he was the one at that moment. We were both so cold and shaking so hard all he could manage was a strangled, "Thank you."
All I could get out was, "Your welcome."
Atem took another drink, which finished off the liquid in his glass.
"A passing couple called us an ambulance, and I stayed with him until he woke up. I was so deeply n love with him by that time I wanted to know everything about him. We were together until he passed away about a year ago.
Anzu had her chin resting on her fists. Her eyes were shiny when she said, "That's a beautiful story."
Mai sniffed, "Sounded fake to me."
"Mai, be nice!" Anzu exclaimed, turning on her friend.
Atem regretted telling his story. All the hurt he thought he had suppressed after his little lover's death came back on him tenfold. He stood to leave.
"Leaving so soon?" For her smart mouth, Mai looked genuinely sorry to see him go.
"Yeah. Long week ahead of me."
"Aw, you never even told us his name." Anzu pouted.
"It was…." Atem sighed and shook his head.
"Well, what happened next? How did he fall in love with you?" Mai asked.
"Yeah! Come on, Atem!" Anzu added.
"That, my dears," he said as he threw some bills on the table, "is a story for another night." Anzu sighed.
He pulled on his jacket and walked away.
For your poison love has stained the life blood
in my heart and soul dear
And I know our love was never meant to be.
He'd had enough poison for one night.
