A/N: Thank God for spring break otherwise this would've never gotten finished. :3
Also, much more thanks to xStormyx for the lyrics which have become the serious heart of this chapter. (Title creds to Capcom.) I was imagining this to be so much shorter (in actuality the longest chapter yet ^^;) but then Stormy allowed me to use her lovely amazing lyrics and I just couldn't ignore them!
Guys... c'mon, I look at my traffic page and there's all these views and visitors but only one review for this chapter so far. You have no idea how much a few reviews mean to me and motivate me. And hey, if you didn't like it - feel free to leave some constructive critisism. Even just give me a review letting me know you're out there and you're reading. :P Sorry for the rambling... so enjoy & please review! :D
That Klavier Gavin.
Ema thought it was near impossible for him to become any more irresistible. But now that he was showing interest (at least, that's what she thought it could be) in her, she was more fed up than ever. The safest path was to assume nothing. He was not in love with her. Her imagination was running away with her. She was reading into things. But— …but nothing.
This conflict of feelings was too much for her to bear.
Forcing me to go home with him? Who does he think he is? If he wasn't my boss…
A steaming Ema sunk into the front seat of his Porsche. She crossed her arms, an irritated expression marring her face, and shifted all her weight as far away from her poisonous driver as she could. A stale, uncomfortable stillness plagued the car while Klavier concentrated on backing out of his special prosecutor's parking spot. They hit the road, Klavier driving at a smooth pace. He absentmindedly tapped his rings against the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the early evening roads of LA. Every once in a while, he opened his mouth as if to speak, but decided against it. Finally he took a stab at the thick silence filling the air.
"Fräulein—"
"What." Ema coldly snapped.
"I was simply wishing to inquire if you would mind if I turned on some music… seeing as I'm receiving the silent treatment. Have you any requests?"
Ema shrugged indifferently and Klavier took it as a yes. His finger punched a button, setting the car alive with the excruciatingly loud chaos of one of Daryan's guitar solos. Klavier lowered the volume, looking apologetically to Ema. She just glared back at him and scoffed under her breath, "Arrogant. Listens to his own CDs."
The album played through a few songs and Ema began to feel soothed by the car ride. Not by the excuse for music that she was being forced to listen to. Although she did find it interesting to hear Gavin sing, instead of his usual honey-slathered, attempting-to-charm tone. Next, a song came on that even Ema thought she might recognize. Probably from working one of those joyous concert security gigs. Ema shook the traumatizing flashback of all those screaming fangirls from her head and noticed that Klavier had begun to sing along... with himself.
There I was smooth as a rock-star, strumming and rocking at my guitar
He saw her looking at him, stopped singing, and hesitantly said, "Y'know Fräulein, even after performing this song many, many times, it never grows old to me. Because it is about love. 'Thirteen Years Hard Time for Love'. Feelings so strong that it's like being behind bars, ja? Your heart pounding away at its own trap. Feelings like that should never be… ignored."
Klavier leaned in as he trailed off, licking his lips. His husky voice continued to overlap the recording in a perfect harmony which could only be produced by singing along with oneself.
And then I was trapped in a dark dark place, the defendant in another hopeless case
"C'mon Detektiv, you must know at least a bit of the chorus."
She stared at him as if he had just explained that Kristoph and Daryan were, in fact, completely innocent of their crimes. Did he really expect her to sing? To one of his own songs? In front of him! She shifted away in hopes that he would accept the continuation of her silence. To her dismay, he was persistent.
Completely distracted from driving now, he leaned over and playfully spoke right into the ear of her turned head.
Punished for what you ask? I'll tell you!
She just pushed her little hand against his face. He continued singing - his words muffled – and slung his arm around Ema, leaving only one hand on the wheel.
I was punished for adoring her face
He lightly brushed his knuckles against her cheek, causing a slight shudder to course through Ema's body.
Punished for longing for her embrace
Klavier squeezed his arm around her tighter.
Punished for dreaming of her every night
At this point, he was stretching out of his seat, trying to rest his head on Ema's shoulder when she suddenly shouted, "Kla- ! The road!"
He realized what her outstretched finger was gesturing to; the car had begun to drift into the middle of the road. Klavier's awareness snapped back to the street and with a quick turn of the wheel, they were back on track.
Ema was astounded by the amount of effort and attention he had spent on getting her to sing.
What a silly fop, she thought and began to softly laugh.
"Ah, that's it Fräulein! You must loosen up, lose the stage fright. C'mon, let's hear it."
His pale blue eyes looked down at her and his mischievous smirk dared her. With a sigh, she finally caved and began to sing to the floor in an unenthused monotone.
Sentenced to thirteen years hard time
"There we go, now just speak up a touch," Klavier enthusiastically replied, "And let me tell you what I learnt!"
Ema continued singing, her voice growing stronger with each word.
Unlucky thirteen taught me this, inside is where true beauty exists, her sunny smiles and tinkling voice, can't really strip you of your choice
"I would applaud you; however, I must keep my hands on the wheel if we'd like to make it home alive."
How strange, she thought. But she decided to save her logic for later and purely enjoy herself now.
Klavier rolled down the windows, sending blonde and brunette locks whipping behind them. The music needed to be turned up in order to be heard over the thunderous gust and the sounds of the city. The sun shined a little brighter, its flickers matching the rhythm of the wind and the speed of the car as it danced on their faces. Klavier grabbed a black pair of shades out of the console and Ema pulled her pink glasses down onto her nose.
He made her feel like a somebody. Cruising through Los Angeles, blasting music without a care. A part inside her bubbled with glee as she began to realize who she could be around him. What was happening?
The two continued to sing, their voices sharing the notes. Klavier helped Ema stumble through some of the lyrics she wasn't familiar with. They smiled as they rocked to the beat of the song.
Like a murderer who thinks he left no clue,
Gets taken away by the men in blue,
Time has come with the gift of age
To trap her in its steely cage
Oh girl,
Your skin-deep beauty fades with every year,
On that line, Klavier shook his head at Ema and mouthed "not true" with a wink. She abashedly giggled and tried to suppress her laughter so she could continue with the next line. It was contagious - pretty soon they were both laughing, not quite sure at what, and attempting to get through the rest of the song.
And when you look for me,
guess what?
I won't be here.
I won't-won't-won't-be here
Five six seven eight!
And while I was trapped in that dark dark place,
The defendant in another hopeless case,
I was sentenced by the powers above
To thirteen years hard time that taught me...
By then, their laughter had slowed down, as had the song.
Taught me... Oh taught me... How... to... love...
How to…
How to…
It taught me…
How… to… love...
Although she couldn't see his eyes through his glasses, they were facing each other as they held out the last note. Ema felt a little ache in her cheekbones from smiling and laughing. The car approached the front of her building and Klavier clicked off the stereo which had begun to play the next song. Ema scooped her bag off the floor and began to open the door.
"Well thank you for the ride home, Mr. Gavin. Seems I'll finally have time for a normal dinner instead of Snackoos," she awkwardly chuckled.
"Halten auf. Allow me to escort you to the door."
Not allowing time for her to protest, Klavier rushed around and opened her door. They walked up the sidewalk, past their spot.
Ema's wheels began to turn, Last time he kissed me, what now? I mean, I guess I did have some fun. I started off angry with him. I don't know whether I should be at peace or ever angrier than before.
At this point, she was more frustrated at herself and her indecisiveness than she was at Klavier. They reached the door and all at once an idea struck her. She decided to go out on a limb.
"W-would you like to come in and have something to drink?"
She chewed on her lip and almost decided to make up a stupid excuse to retract the offer. What was she thinking!
But before the words had even finished spilling past her lips, Klavier's face lit up. Ema could feel the smug success emanating from behind his smile.
"Nein Fräulein."
Wait what? Am I happy or upset that he said no? What made me even say that in the first place? Ugh. Feelings make me do very, very frightening things.
"A thousand thanks for your offer. But I brought you home early for a reason, you must go eat well and sleep soundly. Although, I now have a request to make of you."
She merely nodded, a little shocked at his decline. She thought the shallow fop would've even handed over the keys to that monstrous motorcycle of his if it meant he could accompany her in her apartment. But instead he was… caring more about her. This sincerity astonished Ema. Every time she was sure about her relationship with him, he caught her off-guard and pulled everything out from underneath her. Another layer had been pulled out from below her and she was left scrambling to stand up again.
"Would you be my, erm, girlfriend?" He put an almost sarcastic stress on the word girlfriend.
Forget layers, Klavier had just taken the floor out from underneath her feet.
"Eh. I do not like the word girlfriend. Let me rephrase. Would you like to be in a relationship with me? You know, um, hold hands, kiss… I think you are very… We…"
His voice faded and he began muttering strings of German under his breath. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets, looking almost… desperate?
Ema blushed whilst enjoying seeing the Klavier Gavin squirm and turn as red as Apollo's suit. She had no idea what to say. She needed time to analyze. The layers were peeling away fast and she was still scared.
She managed to push out, "I'll think a-about it. I'll talk to you later," before going inside and slamming the door in his face.
Real smooth, Ema.
The slam echoed in the lobby as she pressed her back against the door and raised her hands to her head.