Chapter VII
The rain still had not stopped.
For the course of an entire day, the rain fell at the same consistency of when the storm had first reared its head. At first, it was nice - relaxing even; but now, it was growing much colder than the assassin would have liked. He was curled up underneath the heavy blankets that covered his bed, hugging his legs to his chest and curling his toes to try and keep himself warm.
As much as he wouldn't like to admit to it, he was shivering and his teeth were chattering. He was also painfully sure that his nose was growing numb, being that he could no longer feel it. Talon hated the cold – he hated it more than anything else.
Except water, perhaps... but only because he lacked the ability to swim.
To make matters worse, Malzahar's words were still lingering in his mind, and a feeling of hopelessness did make its way into his heart a few times over the last several hours. But, Talon wasn't about to just give up. He had endured worse as a child, much, much worse. Nothing the Prophet could ever do would equate to what he had to push himself through for those eighteen years.
The assassin was determined to survive, and not become sacrifice like Malzahar had said.
Burying his nose under the covers, Talon huffed in anger. Just thinking about the man made his blood boil, and as much as he wished it, his boiling blood wouldn't be enough to make himself warmer. It was a shame, really – now he had to endure both anger, and being chilled to the bone.
He was honestly surprised the rain hadn't turned to ice or snow by this point.
It was only when he felt a sudden weight over him did he make any motion to move himself, raising his head to look up ever so slightly, but keeping his nose under the covers. A warm dark purple cloak was draped over him now, adding to the sheets and radiating its warmth onto him, which was greatly accepted. It wasn't much, but it was enough to sustain him for a little while at least.
"I will have a fire going shortly." Came the Seer's voice, whom was hovering just next to the bed and looking down curiously at Talon, "You should have told me if you were chilled."
"I'm fine." A blatant, spat out lie, but Talon wasn't going to admit to his weakness so easily. From Noxus, one is trained to stay strong, and to shrug off weakness from being burdens, after all. "Just hurry up and get a fire going."
Malzahar chuckled, crossing his arms as his eyes narrowed curiously. "My, so demanding." He began, floating towards the window and leaning against the wall just beside it, "furthermore, if you are going to lie, Talon... you may consider quieting your chattering teeth and stilling your shivering body first."
"Screw off." Talon grumbled, shrugging the sheets up even further over his head until he was almost completely covered. "I didn't ask for your input."
"Nor do most, but that has yet to stop me from giving it." The Prophet shrugged, pulling his dry scarf tighter around his neck to make up for the warmth lost from his cloak.
Talon rolled his eyes. Already, the prophet was trying his patience, and he had only spoken a few words. A hushed sigh came from his parched lips as he slowly forced himself to sit up, leaning against the headboard and wrapping the blankets tightly around his shivering form.
"There is only a few days left, Talon."
That warning made Talon's brow furrow in further annoyance.
"Oh, what joy. I can't wait to be devoured by a some 'Void entity'. Sounds delightful." Sarcasm laced his words heavily, accompanied by several shakes of his head. "You're lucky I don't have my blades, Prophet. I would have did away with you long ago."
"Yes, of course. Just as you did when we first met in the desert, correct?" Malzahar smirked, taking a seat on the bed next to Talon. Without hesitation, his arm outstretched to wrap itself around the assassin as he too relaxed against the headboard. "Your eyes seem tired, Talon. Have you not been sleeping properly?"
Talon growled, averting his dark eyes entirely from the masked Seer. As much as he wished to shrug off the arm around his shoulders, Talon couldn't deny that it was nice to feel the warmth that came from the action. Still, he didn't much enjoy being catered to. He could handle himself just fine.
"Don't touch me." He hissed, eyes flicking over towards Malzahar, who feigned surprise from the sudden hostility. "I don't need your help. I will get out of here, and I will not succumb to your will. Mark. My. Words."
A sly grin appeared underneath the Seer's purple guise, pulling his arm away from Talon and standing from the bed. The rogue stared silently, questioning his actions, blinking as he also retrieved his purple cloak. Immediately, the chill set in again, making Talon hiss in discontent.
"Very well. If you wish to fend for yourself, I shall leave you here for a while. There are things that require my tending, so I shall be off. Have a good day, Talon."
"Wait a minute-!" Talon called, watching as Malzahar left the room without another word.
In the short moment after he exited the room, the sound of a door opening and closing could be heard, signaling that he had indeed left Talon alone. It was his wish, after all, so he couldn't necessarily complain; even if he were just a tad bit worried. Without proper heat, Talon wasn't sure how long he could last. These blankets were thin, and not enough to sustain as much heat as he required for these temperatures.
Even during his stay on the Noxian streets as a child, Talon didn't have to endure the chill of winter for a long period of time. Often he would sneak into homes, or taverns, and stay there on cold nights unnoticed. It was enough to get by.
But this... this, may just pose a problem.
(======)
Several hours had gone by. The rain had calmed itself down, but the cold had only seemingly grown worse as day seeped into night. A freezing wind had also picked up, howling over the dunes and rattling the panes of the closed windows.
Talon's breathing was unsteady, body shivering uncontrollably as he struggled to keep himself warm, and awake. He was fairly sure half of his body had grown numb by this point, given that he lacked any sort of 'warm' clothing or blankets to keep the cold at bay. To make matters worse, Malzahar had yet to return home from whatever it is he ran off to 'tend' to.
Inwardly, Talon threw a slew of curse words at the idiotic man for leaving him here alone without starting a fire and keeping his word. Unless, of course, he had planned this. Intended to test Talon, to see where his breaking point actually was so he could play on it in future situations. It wouldn't surprise the assassin, honestly.
It was a viable tactic, after all; one often used by many Noxian residents.
As if on cue, the distant sound of a door slamming made its way into Talon's ears. Inwardly, the assassin felt a large weight lifted off his shoulders, and the sweet sensation of relief made its way through his freezing limbs. If the Prophet had returned, perhaps he could start a flame in the fireplace, and give the house a bit more warmth to ease Talon back into a warmer temperature.
Agonizing were those short moments that the assassin spent waiting on the Prophet to enter the room. Slowly, he forced his body to move and roll over so he could carefully watch the doorway. From down the hallway, a small flicker of light found its way into the assassin's gaze, making a small, relieved smile grace his chapped lips.
"I take it you don't deal well with cold temperatures, do you?"
The sudden voice made Talon jolt slightly, but he hadn't enough strength to actually turn around and face the Prophet. The shift of the bed as a sudden weight was applied made him realize that Malzahar was sitting right behind him, most likely with that same smug grin on his stupid face, and that ridiculous crossed arms pose that he often favored. Talon scoffed in detest, though he didn't possess the current strength to make a witty retort.
Though, when a warm hand was placed on his cold forehead, Talon shuddered at the sudden warmth, taking in as much of it as he could. Right now, he wanted that warm hand to stay there, anything to just help him warm up ever so slightly. Raising a shaking hand, he placed it atop Malzahar's, not having to voice his desire to get it across to the Seer.
The one behind him then sighed, "Very well. Since you can't properly maintain body heat on your own..."
That snide remark made Talon emit a low growl from the back of his throat. That was, until he was grabbed and turned around so his head was met with a toned, warm chest, and a strong arm and heated cloak was draped over his shivering form. He felt better already, just with this; it felt like heaven, the way his chilled skin was met with a sudden heat that had his blood finally heating up once more.
Talon was sprawled against the Prophet, easing himself as close as he possibly could be to the other male, but keeping himself underneath the warm cloak the best he could. His body was grateful for the heat, even if his mind was crying out in embarrassment of having to receive it from him of all people. Nevertheless, the assassin had trained himself to cope with difficult – and embarrassing – situations.
This being the latter.
"There now... Are you warmer?" Malzahar cooed, nuzzling his head against the cool locks of dark brown hair upon the assassin's head, "you are lucky you didn't freeze to death."
"Wonder whose fault that would have been..." Mumbled Talon, wrapping both arms around Malzahar and pulling him closer for added warmth, draping a single leg over both of Malzahar's. He merely received a chuckle of amusement from the other male, meeting said chuckle with a hiss. "You left me here without a fire going."
"Well, you were in such a hurry to shoo me away, what choice did I have? After all... you can handle things just fine on your own, right? That's what you've always told yourself." The Seer's quieted voice somehow didn't make Talon as angry as it should have. Though, he was correct, so he couldn't argue against his words this time.
"It is the Noxian way. Only the strong survive, and if I can't handle myself, then..." Talon's voice trailed off into a hushed whisper, his forehead resting against the other man's collar bone, allowing Malzahar to rest his head atop his own for the time being. It was warm, so he couldn't complain. "I've grown up relying on only myself, no matter the situation."
"Even if it is an idiotic choice?" Questioned the other, "Those thoughts, albeit 'strong' as you would put it... may just be the death of you one day. It is not wrong to ask others for help, nor is it selfish. It is normal, and a natural part of life."
His words were wise, Talon thought; but still not enough to convince him otherwise.
"If you lived my life, you would understand why it is difficult for me to so willingly accept aid from someone else." He growled, raising his head to stare up into the half lidded turquoise eyes that watched him ever so carefully, "Seeing my life in your head simply won't cut it, before you try to reason that with me too."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. That depends on which way you view it, Talon." Malzahar smirked, watching the younger boy as he pulled down his purple face mask, "Are you for certain that I do not understand when you know nothing of my past?"
"Nearly positive." Talon answered, his eyes trailing to stare at the Seer's lips as they curved upwards into a wry grin, only just now taking the time to notice a tiny scar adorning the upper left side of his lip, "Your actions and attitude do not seem like one that has been through much hardships... unless you have trained yourself to put up a guise. Why don't you tell me about your past, and I may be the judge of whether or not you're on par with what I had to go through?"
Malzahar's grin widened as his face drew closer to Talon's, though the rogue seemed to not notice. "I see no reason to do so. It is a long story, and I cannot bother to remember most of it anyway; my mortal life is in the past, and I have tried to forget most of those memories."
"Figures." Talon smirked, feeling the warmth breath tickling his lips, though he didn't speak out against it. "I knew you wouldn't tell me, because then you would risk being wrong for once."
Then, their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss that silenced Talon from further speech. This time, Talon didn't hesitate to push back ever so slightly, sliding his lips along the Prophet's ever so carefully and precisely. The arm draped over him pulled him closer, until his chest met flat with Malzahar's; he was hugging him tightly this time, perhaps to make sure he wouldn't pull an escaping act like before.
Maybe, Talon's thoughts began, maybe this time he would listen to what his heart desired. If only once, perhaps it could lead him somewhere nice? Or, perhaps be his ticket out of this place... either way, he decided it best to just see where this lead, and enjoy the deliciously warm and joyful sensation that flooded his chest like a tidal wave.
As best he could, Talon moved his body upwards to make the kiss more comfortable for the two of them, wiggling until his head was directly next to Malzahar's so he wouldn't need to crane his neck to look down. Indeed, it did help, and made it easier for their lips to lock together fully. Talon's own eyes slid shut this time, allowing himself to become lost in whatever the Prophet had to offer him.
Whatever was happening within his chest, Talon decided he somewhat enjoyed it. Especially considering with the way his cheeks flushed, it brought about warmth that flooded his veins and made him shiver in delight. Greedily, Talon pushed against Malzahar's lips with a bit more force, arms tightly locking around him and holding him in a tight hug.
With the kiss, and their shared body heat, the assassin was warming up rather quickly.
Though even if only for a moment, Talon gave a soft, upset huff as the kiss was broken by the one that had initiated it.
"You're not hesitating this time, I see..." Spoke Malzahar, as he gently kissed the tip of Talon's cool, rosy colored nose, "Have you finally come to terms with your emotions?"
Talon snarled, keeping his dark eyes focused on Malzahar – though he said nothing in reply. As a warm hand graced his cheek, he did nuzzle against it, eyes narrowing as they flicked away from the Prophet. A low chuckle in response, just as he assumed.
"What you feel in your chest right now – that warmth... that, my dear assassin, is what love brings forth." Malzahar's voice was soft, smirking at the quiet growl that once again emerged from Talon's throat, "Don't deny it. It's easy to tell what you're feeling."
"How should I know what love feels like?" Talon grumbled, "Not like I've ever gotten the joy of feeling it before..."
Malzahar sighed quietly, trailing soft kisses from the tip of his nose to his forehead, where a loving kiss lingered before he pulled back to lock eyes with the grumpy assassin. "There is a first time for everything, Talon. Some do not experience it, until much later in their lives."
With an agitated huff, Talon buried his face into Malzahar's chest, no longer wanting to look him in the eyes. As entrancing and mystical as they were, Talon couldn't help but feel like they were staring into his mind, as though he were an open book. Then again, based on what Malzahar had spoken of before... that might not be far from the truth.
As a hand took to sliding up and down his back in a gentle gesture that bestowed calmness, Talon relaxed himself, easing up the hold he had on the Prophet in favor of closing his eyes and keeping silent. There was no need for a response; or so he assumed. Even Malzahar had grown quiet, the two of them simply reveling in the other's warmth and company.
It was quiet moments like these that Talon enjoyed the most.
"Are you falling asleep?"
The sudden question forced Talon's eyes to open, albeit only halfway.
"...Would that bother you?" His response made the hand on his back stop its motions, instead placing itself flat against the center of his back as though holding him in place. This was warm, and nice, so to be quite honest, he truly wouldn't mind sleeping here cradled in this warmth.
Malzahar smiled, closing his blue eyes and once more resting his head atop Talon's, keeping him held close. "Not if you're tired. I could use a small rest, myself..."
For once in a long while, Talon felt the corners of his lips twitching up into a genuine comfortable smile as he allowed his eyes to close once again. It wasn't one laced with sarcasm or annoyance, like most of his smiles were; for whatever reason, he felt truly at ease next to the Prophet, in this position. He couldn't explain why, nor did he really need a reason for it.
"Sleep well, my dearest assassin."