"YOU IDIOT! YOU STUPID, STUPID IDIOT! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!" I screamed with all I had at Andy. My fists pounded at her chest weakly, unable to muster the strength to hurt someone so close to me. Andy just stood there, dirty and bloody, taking all the punishment I gave her. "YOU USED ME! YOU USED WHAT I TOLD YOU! YOU USED WHAT I TOLD YOU AND YOU LEFT ME!"
It was late and well past midnight. I awoke to screams from a voice I knew all too well, running out into the hall to see the guards dragging a dirty Andy back and throwing her into her room. The dirt, the blood, it all connected immediately and I had to confront Andy about it. That wasn't what broke me. What broke me was that Andy had tried to escape without me.
I sat there in my chair beating at her chest, sobbing and crying with everything I had. My heart felt like it had shattered into a thousand pieces inside me. Each one of those pieces felt razor sharp and burned with all the love I had for Andy which only cut and seared into my flesh more. That barely described the pain, the betrayal I felt.
"My little bird…"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT! YOU DON'T DESERVE TO CALL ME THAT! NOT ANYMORE! I'M NOT YOUR GODDAMN BIRD ANYMORE! I'M NOT YOUR ANYTHING ANYMORE! YOU LEFT ME! YOU RAN AWAY AND LEFT ME HERE!"
Andy's face was pale and her eyes wouldn't leave the ground. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. There was too much rage clouding my thoughts.
"Skye, please listen."
"NO YOU LISTEN! WHAT WAS ALL THIS FOR?! WHY EVEN BOTHER BEING FRIENDS OR WHATEVER THE HELL WE WERE?! WHY THE HELL DID WE EVEN GET THESE STUPID, STUPID, stupid tattoos…" I couldn't yell anymore. The rage had evaporated leaving only the bitter lancing feeling of betrayal.
"Why…" my scratchy voice uttered, "Why did you go without me? Why didn't you take me with you? I cared about you. Didn't you… feel the same? Weren't we supposed to leave here together?"
Andy's eyes flicked up and met mine, striking me where the shards of my heart laid shattered in my chest. They were sad, and guilty, and worried, and begging. That look answered every question I had but it wasn't enough. I couldn't believe, I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't take it anymore.
I tore off my sleeping tank top and dug my nails into the paw tattoo on my ribs. My screams tore through the room like my nails tore through my inked skin. The pain of tearing apart my flesh paled in comparison to the pain of having my heart broken. Again and again and again and again I dragged my nails across that inked paw, tearing away as much of it as I could.
"Skye! No! Stop!" Andy yelled but I didn't hear her over my mirth fueled screams.
Blood started to seep down from my side and trickle to my waist but I didn't care. I could still see too much of the paw on me and I couldn't stand the sight of it. All the time I tore at my flesh I kept screaming, screaming not for my side but for my heart.
Andy tackled me, sending both of us toppling onto the floor. I tried to fight her off and keep scratching at my tattoo but she had gotten stronger. She took hold of my wrist and fought against me on the ground.
"Skye!" she shouted crying, "Stop it! Stop it please!"
"No! No!" I screamed at her, doing everything I could to bloody up my side more.
I managed to shake her off, throwing her to one side and beginning anew at my ribs. She lunged from behind, taking my wrist again and hugging me tight so that they were clamped against my chest. With the way she was holding me from behind I couldn't move no matter how much I tried. Still I fought and fought until I couldn't anymore, shaking in Andy's arms as I sobbed uncontrollably. It was a long while before I noticed that she was crying too, softly in that way it wouldn't inconvenience anyone. Typical Andy, always thinking of others.
Andy hugged me tight, making the glass fragments of my heart burn in agony.
"I'll tell you everything."
A wet tongue licking my face gently woke me up from my slumber. Groaning I forced one eye open to see a rather docile Basher. He began nuzzling into my face softly, wanting me to get up. Even he had noticed how unattached from the world I had become, being extremely cautious around me. His usually idiocy even seemed more forced.
"Go away Bash," I said pushing him off the bed as I held Spira closer to my chest. She squawked sleepily as well, enjoying the warmth of my body. Her wings were tucked tightly away so her razor sharp feathers wouldn't lacerate my skin.
It had been a week since Andy tried to escape. One long week. We had barely spoke to one another during that time nor spent any time together. I was avoiding her and she wasn't making any attempt to be with me. It was fine. That was a lie, it wasn't fine. It was far from fine. For all these past years we had barely spent any time without each other's company. We did practically everything together. The mornings usually started with her waking me up because she was always more punctual and I was always sleeping in. She'd berate me kindly until I got up, often helping me into my chair when I fell off the bed, forgetting that I didn't have my legs on. We'd brush our teeth, eat breakfast, talk, laugh, and smile throughout the morning until we had to go to our testing rooms. Most days we'd try and meet up for lunch, tired and dirty but enjoying a meal. I would always try to pry out information on what her days were like and she would always avoid my questions or say it was the same old thing. We'd go back to work and then I'd always meet her after we were done, coming back to the rooms and…
Spira clucked as I squeezed her too tight. It was hurting me how much I remembered about being with Andy. Now when I wanted to forget about her most the details seemed most clear.
Silent tears formed and dripped down my eyes. I wish I was in Andy's arms, she'd know just how to comfort me. Yet I wish I never saw her again. Right now every thought of her brought me a façade of happiness and a cloak of despair.
Basher began to pull the blankets off of me from the ground. Wearily I pushed myself into a sitting position, throwing my pillow at the idiot. He yelped as it connected and he was buried under a pile of fluff. Spira got up, stretching her wings in front of my face and making a Grim sounding yawn.
"Okay you idiot, I'm up, I'm up," I said mimicking Spira's yawn. I stretched out my arms like her but fell onto my back, without my legs I couldn't sit upright.
There was a scrapping on the floor as Bash tried to drag my legs over to the bed. He may be an idiot but I had to admit he was a very lovable idiot. Rolling off the bed I crawled the rest of the distance and began my painful ritual, the pain, the screaming, and getting to my feet.
My two pets accompanied through everything. Brushing my teeth, washing my face and my hair. I stopped in front of the mirror, standing there in only my underwear. On my ribs I could make out the inked in paw that stretched over my skin through the scarring flesh. My nails had made lasting impressions though, tattooing permanent scar lines over the paw. It was thankfully healing, everything it stood for however was not. I'm happy and mad that I could still see the paw. It gladdened me that I wasn't able to tear it all away, that Andy's mark was still on me. That was also the problem, her mark was still on me.
I shook my head violently, finishing my morning routine. Skipping breakfast I headed straight for work, already late but I didn't care. Nothing mattered these days. That tone carried throughout my training and my tests. Everything I did failed, all the tests and all the training wasn't working. Actually it wasn't them that wasn't working, it was me. My mind couldn't focus because it was a thousand miles away. That was wrong, it was only a couple hallways away where Andy probably was.
After I was bruised and bloody for the hundredth time after failing to beat a simulation the scientist finally gave up. Basher and Spira came over and helped me onto my feet, being quite strong and capable despite their small size. They were still Grim after all.
"That's enough for today Skye," said the head nut-job, "It's obvious we can't make any further progress."
"No shit," I told him, snatching a towel from and assistant so I could clean myself off.
"Skye, what's wrong?" he asked. That just pissed me off even more.
"Oh," I scoffed, "So now the Atlas scientist cares for my well-being? How cute. Nothing is wrong."
He scowled at me and crossed his arms like all the adults do when they disapprove. I think they thought it made them feel like they looked important or something.
"Skye your combat ability is usually off the charts. That simulation is one we put you through over a year ago. You should've had no problems with it and yet you failed it."
"Oh, you don't say. I guess all the bruises and blood was fake and for show. You know, I like to do that kind of thing when people are watching," I retorted.
He didn't show a sign of guilt or care. They really didn't care about my well-being. All they wanted was results.
"I know," he continued, "because our data shows that physically, minus a minor thing with your side, you're perfectly fine. Mentally though…"
"SHUT UP!" I screamed, "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! I don't fucking care what your damn charts and data says. If I say I'm fine then I'm fine. Got it?!"
All he did was grimaced in disapproval and nod. "Well, we're done for the day. You're free to go."
With that I turned on my heel and headed to the locker room, changing out of my sweaty clothes and combat suit into my normal shirt and pants. I walked out the door with no problems which made me stop for a moment. They hadn't bothered to take away my legs from me today. I grinned and jogged a lap through the halls, it felt like I was free once again.
Usually I would be heading over to Andy and meeting up with her before we headed back to our rooms but I didn't bother anymore. I rubbed the shaved side of my head subconsciously, toying with the idea of getting more tattoos. The door to my room appeared faster than usual because of my jog. I leaned against the wall, catching my breath for a moment before going inside.
I went for my door but turning its handle I found it unlocked.
Spira hopped onto my shoulder while I glanced down at Basher, "That's odd." He looked back at me stupidly with his tongue hanging out of his maw. "Well you are too dumb to know." Basher squealed as if offended. "Oh shut it."
I pushed the door open and walked into my room to find utter shock standing at its center. The door swung shut behind me, clicking shut as it closed fully. After that it was pure silence. There in the middle of my room was Andy. She just stood there, saying nothing, doing nothing, looking as normal as a week ago. My first instinct was to run and embrace her but I squashed that urge quickly, filling the space with anger.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
Andy didn't say anything. There was only the soft rise and fall of her chest to let me know she was even alive.
"The door's behind me," I said with a bitter taste in my mouth. I walked around her to my fridge, pulling out a bottle of alcohol and gulping it to cleanse my taste buds.
"You… You shouldn't drink that," Andy said so quietly that it was eerie. It was like she had no power behind her voice, no confidence.
"Yeah?" I scoffed feeling the warmth rising in my cheeks, "Why the hell should I listen to you?"
"It's… bad… for you," Andy mumbled, her sentences becoming more broken.
"Get out," I said, shaky from the alcohol and Andy's weird behavior.
Andy didn't move.
"Did you hear me? I said get out!" I screamed at her.
Andy still didn't move. "Skye… my dear bird… please… help me."
That last bit ticked me off and I stormed over to her, grabbing her shoulder with one hand and intending to push her out the door. Her hand shot up and grasped my wrist with frightening strength as I saw her take a fighting posture. It was so unlike Andy that I was shocked. Then I saw her face…
It was wild. She looked like an actual fox cornered but filled with mirth and intent to rip apart anyone that came near her. Her eyes were wide and full of bloodlust. She bore her fangs in a wide grin. Veins threatened to burst along her forehead and neck.
Sloppily I countered her hold before she could use it, throwing her over my shoulder onto a couch.
"Oh haha," I laughed maniacally, "You want to fight. Then let's!" I didn't mind the fight. Finally someone who I actually could focus on with all my abilities. "It's been long waiting Andy!"
"My name is not Andy," she hissed through gritted teeth. "I am C-ydna!"
All the alarms in my head went off. Instantly I thought of her experiments and how she never talked about what they did to her. Could this be a side-affect?
"Andy? What the hell is going on?"
She lunged at me, taking me to the floor. I brought my leg to my chest so that Andy couldn't topple onto me. It also allowed me to push her off with a kick if need be.
"Andy's not home right now!" she snarled, "It's just me! Hehe, C-ydna here to play!"
Now I was extremely creeped out. It was like someone had implanted a new person into Andy's body. C-ydna stepped back and grabbed hold of my legs, dragging me across the floor. I kicked free and swept Andy or C-ydna's legs out from under her, quickly getting back to my feet. Thank god I had my legs on, this freakish strong thing could've overpowered me in my chair.
The moment I got to my feet fists connected with my face making my vision go white. Reactively I threw my arms in front of my face and regained my vision. A hail storm of punches were striking my arms. God how did Andy get so strong. When the punches wouldn't get through my forearms they switched to my stomach, pain seared through my body when they connected with my healing ribs.
"Oh, a little tender there. Poor thing," Andy said, beginning to aim for my side.
Anger swept me and I lashed out with a round kick, connecting with her thigh. Her leg gave away and I struck her with another kick to the side. All the feelings of betrayal were rising in me and I began to enjoy and relish beating Andy. She tried to punch me again but I closed the distance, blocking her arm with my own. I jumped and kneed her in the stomach causing her to double over. With my right hand I uppercutted her face. Andy backed away, her lip cut and bleeding from my punch.
Laughing she yelled, "That felt good." She glanced at the side of my head where my lark tattoo was and then said, "Is that all you got, bird?"
Enraged a leaped at her, throwing a punch that took her and me to the ground. Quickly I scrambled so I straddle her chest, bringing up my fist to rain punches onto her face. Andy kept her hands at her sides not even attempting to block.
Her laughter grew even more. It unsettled me.
"Ahahahaha, the more you fight, the more you punch and kick me, the more you hurt her!" I could tell now it was the thing called C-ydna talking.
The sad thing was that it was true. I held my fists above my head, staring at the bleeding and slightly bruised face of Andy. This wasn't here speaking, moving, fighting. It was C-ydna controlling her body. The more I fought, the more I injured her and not C-ydna. I couldn't win. I couldn't beat it. There was only one thing I could do.
I relaxed and let my arms drop. C-ydna rolled us over so that she was straddling me and laughed even more, "I knew you couldn't do it!"
Fist after fist began to land on my face. My vision flashed white and then black between shots of the wild Andy smiling. I let my face get beaten again and again and again not bothering to block. To do anything would mean hurting Andy and I couldn't… I couldn't do that. My head was bouncing like a ball between C-ydna's fist and the floor. I couldn't hold on my longer. There was so much pain in my face.
With my last bits of conscious strength I reached up and hugged Andy. I wrestle with her so that we rolled over and I laid on top of her still hugging her with all my strength. Elbows started to impact the top of my head and the side of my face. The lights in my eyes faded to dark and my hearing began to go. The last things I heard before blacking out was her maniacally laughter and blows connecting with my head.
Tears dropping onto my face woke me up. Painfully I forced open my swollen eyes to see an angel crying. Andy was on her knees next to me, her face above mine crying.
"A-andy?" I moaned, my inside aching.
"Skye! Skye! It's me! I'm here!"
"K-k-k-k-ki…" I stammered.
"What?! Skye what are you saying?!" she bent lower so her hear was next to my mouth.
"Kiss me."
It didn't even take a moment but lips smacked into mine with full force.
"Thank god it's you," groaned happily. "You taste wonderful."
Andy smiled not even showing an ounce of regret, "Yes it's me. I'm back. I'm sorry Skye. I'm so, so sorry."
"I've missed you," I said as I began to cry through swollen eyes. "I've missed you a lot."
"You idiot!" she sobbed as she started to cry as well. "After all that, me waking up to see you beaten half to death and that's what you decide to say!"
"No," I groaned, trying to get up but falling back down. Everything hurt too much. "What I wanted to say… Is that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not talking to you. I'm sorry for staying away. I'm sorry for treating you so badly. I'm sorry for…"
"Shh shh shh!" she shrilled, "I know little bird. I know."
"There's one more thing I wanted to say."
"Yes Skye?"
"I love you."
Andy rested over me and embraced me in an agonizing hug, "I love you too."
Something was dragging me across the floor. There was a human grunt but a Grim growl too. There was slobber going down my collar.
I awoke with a start, flailing around madly while I tried to see who had captured me.
"What's going on?! Where am I?!"
Soft hands held my head and lips swiftly and forcefully met mine.
"Skye, Skye! It's okay! Relax. RELAX!" that was Andy's voice. I could barely see through my swollen eyes. "You blacked out again. We're trying to help you."
"Andy?! Andy?!" I yelled confused. A bark behind me sounded like idiot number one. My hand searched the air for her but it was her that took my hand. I followed her arm to her head where I could feel her soft fox ears. "Why can't I see? Why'd I black out? What's going on?"
"You don't remember Skye?" she asked but then uttered, "Oh no." Hands immediately began combing through my hair and feeling my skull. At one point they pressed and found a soft spot which sent a jolt of pain through me. "Okay, okay. Skye, little bird can you hear me?"
"Yes," I groaned, "Yes my darling fox I can hear."
"We're going to put you onto the couch," she said taking my feet. I felt a wet maw clamp on my collar again accompanied by talons, idiot number 2. "You have a concussion on your head. It's probably what's causing you the slight… memory loss."
"Memory. My love," I said faintly aware that my speech had become strangely more romantic, "how did I get it?"
Skye froze as she laid me onto the couch. "Uh… I did it."
"What do you mean? How could you do this to…" and then images flashed like a slideshow in my head, Andy punching me, her wild face, her voice yelling out a name… "C-ydna…"
"Yes… C-ydna…"
"Andy, what… wha, AHHHH," I cried out as everything pulsed in agony.
"Oh gods hold on Skye," Andy ran off and came back with an ice pack that she placed on my throbbing head. I heard her dip a towel into something and then felt the sting as medicinal alcohol was rubbed into my face.
"Ahhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhh! It hurts."
I tried to flail but my two pet Grim held down each of my arms. They were small but they were strong. Andy's hand pressed into mine and I squeezed it hard. It was soft and warm and I tried to focus on that as much as possible to distract myself from the pain. Cleaning all of my bruises and cuts took a stingingly long time. I probably squeezed Andy's hand off.
"Stop whining so much bird," Andy's voice said.
At that I shot up, her words and tone sparking fear inside me and reminding me of C-ydna. Blindly I scooched back to the far end of the couch farthest away from Andy. I could barely see but I had to defend myself somehow.
"C-ydna?!"
"What, no! Skye it's me Andy. C-ydna is gone," Andy said, looking extremely worried and concerned.
"P-prove it!" I said shakily, wary of a cunning ploy.
Andy slowly inched closer to me making me tenser. I couldn't fight her. There was no way I could without hurting her. There was no way to win, the only option was to let her pummel me again and hope that she, I mean C-ydna, didn't kill me.
Andy took a deep breath and I saw that switch flip in her mind, the one that let her be so kind and caring. Her eyes became soft and her lips tender, her fox ears even perked up and gave me their full attention.
"Your name is Skye Miriage. You were born April 28th… we celebrated your birthday not a few weeks ago," she said.
"Anyone could've found that out that works here!" I shouted.
She jumped a bit but calmed down, I saw her hand inching across the sea of space between us.
"We… we've been her at this facility for years. We have matching bird and paw tattoos that we got together. Oh! Your paw is on your left side on your rib where… you tried to scratch it out. You're… you're not a morning person. I'm always up before you and helping you wake up and get into your chair or your leg braces. You like coffee with cream and five sugars. We walk to our experiments where you drop me off first before you leave for your own tests and you're always at my testing room to pick me up. The first time… haha, the first time you did I was so tired that you carried me back here in your wheelchair. You used your semblance to heal me then like many times after that, even when you thought I wasn't watching. You rub the shaved side of your head where your lark tattoo is as a habit. You drink alcohol when you're not supposed to," she said that one with much disapproval. "You… you always try to make me happy, even if that means getting in trouble, or breaking out, or doing something stupid," she said softly.
I had already believed Andy was Andy halfway through but I didn't want to stop her. She was like me, remembering all the little details about us even getting lost as she listed them out. My body relaxed and I closed the distance and held her hand.
"Is there anything else?"
"Huh, no. Oh wait! Yes! Yes… there is…"
"And?"
She leaned in and kissed me. A kiss never hurt so good. "I love you."
"Mmmmmm," I hummed in bliss, "I love you too." All the strength was sapped from my body and I fell onto Andy's lap.
"Little bird? Skye?!"
"I'm not dead yet if that's what you're wondering," I said into her lap. "I'm just exhausted."
I felt a fluffy, fat thing jump onto my back and a lighter one land on the back of my head. Those idiots.
"Remember when we met you two and how I said I wanted to cook you?" I said.
Basher immediately jumped off me and curled into a ball, rolling away. Spira however just huffed and cawed, calling my bluff.
"I hate you Spira. I'm going to pluck out all of your feathers even if it costs me my fingers!"
"Skye that isn't nice! Look, I have to finish cleaning you up. I, oh," she stopped.
"What is it now?"
"I'm going to have to take off your legs," she said after a moment.
My eyes widened and I twitched. That was a great amount of pain on top of what I already was feeling,
"Do it."
Andy laid me down flat on the couch and moved to my side. She took my hand before saying, "Ready?"
I clenched my teeth and hummed a yes. I didn't think that the pain of disconnecting my legs would overpower everything I already felt in my body but my screams said otherwise. My world went black again.
The world came in and out of focus as I gained consciousness and slipped back into unconsciousness. Reality came a glimpse at a time, a broken up dream that happened to be real. There were arms under my own and a wet snout at my back dragging me. Next second I heard Andy's sweet voices actually cursing then a shrill yelp as I think I fell onto Basher. Then hands were over my body, they were taking off my clothes.
"Heeeeeyy!" I slurred, "Don't you get frisky with me. I have a girl already."
"Skye!" Andy moaned a little offended and flushed, "It's just me. And uh… thank you. Gods you sound like you're drunk."
"Drunk… Andy, alcohol please."
"No. No way."
"Dearest fox… pl-pl-ple…" I blacked out again.
When I came to next I was laying in my bath tub. Naked. Looking down I saw how messed up my body was. Already I had the scars healing over my ribs, then there were bruises that painted my skin, cuts over my knuckles, I was a wreck. The water was pinkish around me from the blood and so were the towels that were draped over the tub's edge. Andy was sitting next to me, her head drooping slowly. She was half asleep.
"Oh Andy," I teased weakily, "I didn't know you were into stuff like undressing me."
The sleepy fox shot awake and scowled at me with bags under her eyes. "I-I couldn't get clean you up without taking off your clothes. I uh, closed my eyes."
"So, did you like what you felt while I was unconscious?"
"Skye! No! I mean yes! Wait no!"
I pulled her in close with a wet hand so I could ruffle her ears, "How could I ever be mad at you?"
Andy I think purred, leaning in closer which made a large bottle she had clink against the tub. We both looked down and stared at the liquor she had in her hands. Immediately she sat up out of my reach and stared me down seriously.
"Is that…"
"Skye… Listen, I know you're in pain and it hurts."
Suddenly I felt extremely voracious, extremely needy, and very much addicted. "Give it to me."
"Birdie, this isn't a good idea."
"I said give it to me," I growled.
"Skye," Andy's eyes began to water, "Only this once."
Reluctantly she handed the bottle over. I popped the cap and chugged half of it down. The pain eased away, numbed by the poison I poured down my throat. My insides burned with pleasure but my agony was only replaced by a different sort. It was the kind that the alcohol made me remember more than it made me feel.
"Okay that's enough," she said, taking the bottle out of my hand. With an extreme amount of effort she pulled me out of the tub and into a chair, drying me off and beginning to wrap my wounds in bandages. I could tell that giving me alcohol was killing her morally.
"Andy, fox, it's okay. I don't hate you," I said mindlessly.
"I know Skye, I know."
She picked me up with a grunt and moved me to my wheelchair, proceeding to dress me in my sleeping clothes. It did feel pretty late.
"Did I ever tell you why I can't walk?" I said, reliving the event in my head.
Andy's voice became extremely stressed and she began to fumble with my clothes. "No Skye, you never did."
She had finished dressing me and was carting me to the bed.
"I was really little, back in my home. It was small, nothing like the city but it was nice," I continued on as pictures of my road, my house and family flashed through my mind.
Andy got me to the bed and lifted me out of the chair, laying me down on my side. She clambered on and laid in front of me, taking my hands.
"There wasn't anything wrong. No crime, no violence, everything was calm and peaceful," I said gazing into her eyes. "Then, one day, an alarm sounded. It was one I hadn't heard before. Everyone started to scream and run. It was terrible. I was so small back then that I got swept away by all the adults."
My hands were beginning to be squeezed very tightly. I took one hand and began petting Andy's ear.
"I didn't know what was going on but I was separated from my parents. I was alone in the middle of town, walking around aimlessly. Then I came face to face with what the alarms were all about. In the middle of the street was a Grim," I paused hearing Basher and Spira, who had come to lay on the bed with us, moan their worries. "No, no, it wasn't a Grim like you two. It was tall and big, its muscles swelling under its hide. I think it was a Gorilla from how it walked, how it tore people apart with its hands and smashed them with its fists."
Andy let out a muffled squeak, covering her mouth with her hand.
I gave her a good scratch behind the ears, "As I watched it smash and mutilate another person I found that I couldn't move, I was frozen in my spot with terror. Then it came for me. The Atlas soldiers came just in time though, getting its attention by shooting over my head. So, the gorilla like Grim charge them, not before flinging me out of its path with its giant hand. I remember… flying… just sailing through the air like a bird. It was odd but I felt weightless, free. My tiny body slammed into a building and I got knocked unconscious. I woke up days later in the hospital. The doctors apologized, my parents were in tears. They told me that I'd never walk again, that my back was broken beyond repair. And that's how I lost the ability to walk."
Andy's arms pulled me close to her chest, my face nuzzling into her. She smelt clean, she must've cleaned herself while I was passed out.
"Skye, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry," she managed to say through her tears.
"Don't be sorry my lovely fox," I said, shocking her beyond belief. My drunk self was always so open, so much rawer with my feelings. "I'm happy that grim took away my legs. If it didn't, I wouldn't be here with you."
I think I was a little to blunt because Andy was crying madly now. This was the first time I ever told her the story of my accident. It was because of the alcohol, the fight, our time apart that I felt like opening up.
"Go to sleep," I whispered to her. "You need the rest."
"Skye, I," she began but I cut her off.
"Shhhhhhhh, tell me in the morning, sleep."
She nodded, kissing me on my head, then my nose and then my lips. Finally she pressed a hand to my paw tattoo and kissed the side of my head where my lark was.
"I won't ever leave you again, my little bird."
"I know."
It didn't take long for my fox to curl up and fall asleep. She was beaten, figuratively and physically, tired from taking care of me. Still, it was good to have her back. It was good to finally be with the one person in the world that I loved and would die for, even if it meant breaking my promises to her. That would be tested tonight.
Gently I brought her closer to me so that she was nestle in the protective cove of my body. She had cleaned herself up as best she could and tended to her injuries but I could tell by the way she moved all night that her body was in pain. Andy had cared for me like she always did, putting me above her own well-being. Now it was my turn.
My whole body began to glow white and burn with heat. That energy I began to focus on, kneading and molding it into a more refine tool that I began to transfer into Andy. I knew what I was doing might kill me. Andy was in really bad shape and I was a little worse with hardly any strength left in me. Healing her would work either way but the question was would I survive it.
I shut my eyes and focused all of my being into fixing every cut, scrape, bruise, and broken bone in Andy. When I was done I couldn't move. Breathing was deathly hard to do. Keeping my eyes open was like trying to fight an avalanche. Andy though was completely healed.
I don't know how but I leaned in and kissed her on the lips before darkness took me.
Andy was completely fine when she woke up. I however was far from it. Turns out I didn't wake up for three days. Andy had to bring in the scientist and doctors to make sure I was alright and also show them why I couldn't show up for my tests. After that I was bed ridden for almost a week, regaining my strength. I would've healed myself and been fine in a day but Andy didn't let me. She never left my side, making sure I didn't use my semblance and wet my lips with alcohol. She also didn't let me live any of this down. Her thanks and gratitude was interspersed with a landslide of complaints, disapproval, and the constant reminder of what I should have done. It was fun to tease her caring side with this one, she would begin to stutter and switch back and forth between both personas.
Finally I received a clean bill of health from the doctors and Andy's blessing to get up and walk around. First thing I did was assault her with hugs and played with her ears until I turned her into a fox, squirming on the floor and asking to be petted more. Ah it was perfect… Until I started gnawing on her ears at which point she swiftly took them away from me. I was like a little kid reaching for candy and crying in the store.
The days eased back into what we called normal. There was still a lot of apologizing and feeling out to do. Even in as short a time as a week tons had happened and there were pages upon pages of thoughts and events that we had to tell one another. We had plenty of time to do that though.
One day was a bit odd. I rolled up to Andy's testing rooms and found her pacing around the hall. She was talking to herself but legitimately sounded like two different people. There was her voice and then when she spoke back to herself there was another more wild and masculine sounding one. I asked her about it but she shrugged me off saying it was nothing, that she just had things on her mind.
A few days later I went to pick Andy up like usual but her scientists told me that she already had left. It was weird but I was sure she had an important reason. Walking back to my room I began humming a song I heard one of the assistants singing. I didn't know all of it but what I knew sounded nice. I began to think of Andy and if there was something I could do to repay her for taking care of me suddenly really wishing she had a tail. As I entered my room I thought it'd be marvelous if I could ask her scientist to give her a tail for me to play with.
My day dreams abruptly ceased when I heard a familiar laugh off to my side. I went on full alert to late as a body tackled me to the floor.
"He he he! Hello bird! I'm back to play!" C-ydna's voice came out of Andy's mouth.
"C-ydna?! What did you do to Andy?!" immediately I went to block my face, trying to gain control of Andy's wrists. "Andy! ANDY!" I screamed struggling with the overpowering C-ydna. I might have been able to beat C-ydna but that wouldn't happen without causing Andy major damage. "Wake up!" I cried desperately, fearing another beating, "Please Andy wake up!"
"Andy's not here right now, please leave a message to be torn up and forgotten!" C-ydna sneered.
Terror filled me like I was trapped in a glass box with water quickly filling it. It surrounded me, immersed me in it, and began to choke me as it drained into my lungs. There was only one choice.
I forcefully relaxed my hands so they rested on the floor. "Please, just make it quick."
C-ydna put Andy's hands on either side of my head as she straddled me and leaned sickeningly close. "Ahahahahaha," C-ydna laughed evilly, "I knew you'd give in! You would never hurt this pretty little love of yours!"
"SHUT UP!" I spat, "Just beat me up already! Do it!"
C-ydna put Andy's lips right next to my ear, "Oh I will if you ever hurt her. Oh I promise you I will, but today is not the day."
Andy's hand slipped down my side and onto my hip making me shutter in disgust. C-ydna was using Andy's body, HER BODY to do such sickening things to me. I wanted to lash out so badly but I couldn't. The way it touched me was reserved for one person and that was Andy. It made me turn into the little girl I was inside, tears streaming down my face. The hand slid around my waist and to my back, making me realize all too late what C-ydna was going for.
"NO! DON'T!" but the rest of my words were drowned in my screams as she hit the button to disconnect my leg braces. Now I was truly helpless and at C-ydna's mercy. "Gods just do it," I uttered defeated.
C-ydna's laugh rang out like footsteps walking on shards of glass. It picked me up and set me down in my wheelchair, taking my unresisting arms and tying the behind it. Then she restrained my body by tying it to the chair so I couldn't slip or get out. I was utterly helpless, defenseless, a nice fleshing punching bag ready for torture.
"GODDAMNIT C-YDNA HIT ME ALREADY!"
C-ydna laughed maniacally again, wheeling me in front of the desk and mirror on the edge of my room.
"Not today bird. I told you, some other time. Andy, she's all yours. Don't even see why you would want her. She's so weak."
C-ydna closed her eyes and her arms relaxed at her sides. Then I saw Andy refill her body.
"She's as weak as I am and I love her for all her faults," Andy whispered to herself. Then she looked up and saw me tied up and shrieked. "Oh my little bird I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
"Andy? You're back! What's going on? Let me out of this!"
Andy straightened, "I can't."
"WHAT?! Andy, C-ydna is gone right?!"
"Yes, she's gone but I asked him to help me restrain you. I just didn't know he'd go this far," she said guiltily.
"Wait, he?!"
"Yeah, C-ydna is a guy, I think. But I asked him to do this to you."
I felt extremely hurt, "Why?"
"This is why," Andy went over and opened a drawer, taking out a full make-up kit and placing it on the desk in front of me.
"Is that… No… Andy no!" I said, feeling better that I wasn't going to get pummeled but fearing that make-up box. "Andy I don't wear make-up!"
"I knew you'd say that. I also knew that you wouldn't want to do this so that's why I asked C-ydna to help," she said, now grinning as she opened the box and began laying out an assortment of make-up. I think now I would've actually preferred the torture.
"I think… I think I want C-ydna back so he, or she, or whatever it is can beat me up," I said squirming in my chair and trying to rock it away.
Andy took hold of its handles and locked both my wheels.
"Oh, so you missed me bird?" Andy's voice dropped. She saw the terror in my face and smiled, "Just kidding."
"Y-you know," I began as she studied my face and perused the powders and creams she had lined on the desk, "You could've just asked and I would've come willingly."
"Don't lie my lovely bird."
With that my torture session began. Andy giggled, actually giggled as she began painting my face. There was creams, and powders, and brushes, it was torture! I shut my eyes.
"This is cruel! This is crueler than when you don't let me play with your ears!" I complained as more brushes went over my eyes.
"No it isn't. This is actually quite fun!" Andy said cheerily.
"Basher, Spira! I'll, I'll let you sleep on the bed! I'll let you eat all you want! I'll give you guys baths and anything! Just get me out of this!" I pleaded with my pets. Spira landed on my head and Basher cuddled Andy's leg. "You idiots," I cried.
"Don't cry you'll mess up my work! And I'm already one step ahead of you, I've already bribed Basher. Spira didn't need any convincing."
"You traitors I saved you!" Basher just keep growling sweetly against Andy's leg and Spira began singing some dark Grim song. "I want my alcohol," I said pointlessly.
With that Andy dropped her torture tools, holding me by the shoulders. She stared straight into my eyes, disapproving but consoling at the same time. Her lips lightly pecked mine. "You won't need it after tonight. If you're lucky maybe I'll give you some. But remember, you chose the ears over the bottle. Is that right?"
I looked away mumbling incoherently under my breath. Andy's lips were so soft and tender and so was her truth.
"What was that?"
"Mmrmmmyesmmm," I murmured.
"What little bird?"
"Yessssss," I hissed.
"Good," she kissed me again. "Don't make me start taking away kisses too."
"Y-you wouldn't… Evil."
"Hmpf," Andy took her evil devices and started again on my face.
"I know you like them as much as me. You couldn't take them away. You'd just kiss me again," I teased her still annoyed.
"Wh-what? N-no," she tried to conceal her nervous guiltiness. "Hm-hmpf!"
It took a little while longer but finally the torture stopped. I had shut my eyes a while ago.
"Skye, open your eyes."
"No."
"Skye please open your eyes."
"Nope."
"Open them."
"Not doing it."
"Do I have to get C-ydna back out?"
"Yes."
"Really?'
"Yeah. She, he, it would ruin all your work though."
"Skye…"
"Still no."
Andy kissed me.
"Mmmmmm. Mmm-mm, n-no," that one was real hard to deny.
"I'll tickle you."
"Had worse."
"Ears."
"I… uh…"
"Ears," she said again.
"N-n-n-n-n-n-n…"
"You know you want them."
"I… You… That…" the word no wouldn't come out of my mouth.
"Nice, orangy, furry, pointy, foxy, ears." To top it off I felt those fluffy tips of joy flick against my eyes and then rub against my mouth. Gods I wanted to bite them. So I did and was rewarded with a sharp yelp.
"Fine!"
"What was that?"
"I said okay!"
Pulling back my eyelids I was astonished at the girl looking back at me in the mirror. It was a girl, a very girly me. Her hair had been curled, her face had been redone. There was surprisingly a little amount of make-up on her face but just enough so that her features were accentuated. A little eyeliner here, blush there, and a dash of eye shadow and there that girl was. I was speechless.
"Do you… like it?" Andy asked.
"Yes," I whispered in awe.
She hugged me from behind, me still tied up, pecking my cheek, "Thank you for cooperating."
I tense the ropes holding me down, "Didn't have much choice."
"This next part is also going take your cooperation too," she told me.
"What do you mean?"
She disappeared and then reappeared a few moments holding it in her hands.
"Oh… OOOooooooohhh no. No way fox."