A/N: Woah, everyone's already curious about the stories most burning question and its only chapter 1 :O !
Will Skye fall for Claire?
The answer, well you'll just have to read to find out, won't you?
Skye POV
The minute I dared close my eyes, she would creep into my mind, oh so surreptitiously. Her azure eyes would snake there way into the crevices of my mind, always first, gleaming tauntingly, as if there knew, knew how much I needed them to be mine. I couldn't escape them; those glimmering orbs so maliciously contorted every thought that ran through my reluctant brain. But not tonight, no way in hell would I let her reek havoc on my mind. I had put up the barricades, an electric fence if you must. I wouldn't allow that insignificant Claire to taint my mind this evening.
I tiptoed, ever so quietly, up those god forsaken creaky floorboards, daring not even to breathe knowing if I made one false move, one miniscule blunder some lucky bitch was going to become very, very rich. Adrenaline crashed into my sudden surge of nervousness, the sudden frenzy of emotions causing me to falter slightly. I cursed mentally as a soft squeak ricocheted around the once silent room. I clenched my knuckles together, cringing and after what seemed like an eternity of waiting I managed to slink, ever so cautiously towards the opening. I glanced back, relief flooding through me as my perfectly tuned night vision informed me that he was still fast asleep. I spun back around swiftly, preparing myself to conquer the familiar spindly ladder but for the second time this evening I faltered.
Usually I would relish in any opportunity to prove myself yet again that I was invincible, but not tonight, not with the image of Claire so freshly imprinted in my reluctant mind. So for the first time in god knows how long I was actually genuinely anxious, I was actually questioning my obvious flair for thieving and it was that bloody Claire's fault. But I ploughed on regardless, my feet caressing each rung as I glided upwards without fault and with each successful step my confidence mounted until I could feel the ghost of a grin tugging at my lips. It was pathetic though, why should my ability to climb a bloody ladder feel like such a success, such a surprise.
"Skye…is that you?" She was a Siren, her melodious voice calling me and in a flash I had crossed the room. The candlelight was playing havoc on her emerald eyes causing them to dance in her trademark teasing fashion. Her usual blond locks shimmered like gold and her porcelain skin glowed with a dusting of pink lacing each cheek. Maybe it was because I had been so hung up on Claire, who was nothing to spectacular in the aesthetics department or maybe it was because my advances had been rejected only too recently because to my immense shock Muffy was awakening the long repressed lustful beast inside me with vengeance. I noticed that her eyes kept flickering warily at the door and I felt a pang of pity for the poor barmaid, pity that our midnight rendezvous were the closest thing to a relationship she had. Due to my rather fickle tendencies and her eternally untrusting nature such a relationship was impossible, and would inevitably become another blow in Muffy's fractured heart. Ah, Muffy's heart; fate had cursed her and she was damned to be pining after the clueless bartender Griffin for the rest of her feeble life. She truly was the epitome of 'Damsel in Distress' except in her case there was no Superman lurking in the shadows. "He is asleep right, Skye? You didn't wake him up?" Imagining the worst Muffy's face became drenched with panic. She never let his name escape her lips however; I didn't have to ask who he was anymore.
"Of course he is" There was no need to embellish my words with pet names, Muffy was, and would forever remain under my spell. Silence enveloped us but we felt no need to exchange meaningless pleasantries because frankly I don't think either of us actually cared all that much about each other. Electricity sizzled around us as our impatience grew and unable to wait any longer I laced my fingers through her golden tresses, drawing her face to mine. She let out a tender gasp, her lips remaining slightly parted as I slipped my hand around her waist, my eyes never straying from hers. I unravelled my hands from her locks, and like a feather I brushed the bottom of her lip. I was teasing her and the less than subtle flush on her cheeks was telling me that she enjoying every minute of it. I dragged my thumb over her burning complexion and rested it under her chin, jerking it up in a manner that clearly enlightened her that I was dominating in this exchange. Her eyes ablaze she wound herself arms around my neck, pushing herself closer to me. I was a man in a scorching desert and Muffy was a glass of icy water, condensation dripping down the sides tempting me so. So of course I wanted to guzzle it there and then, but I had to refrain, I had to savour each trickle that ran down my rasping throat. Her eyes closed in anticipation as I leaned in but I refused to fall prey to those enticing lips instead I murmured, my breath tickling her ear; "Did you really think I would cave so quickly?"
"No, but that's not to say that I can't" Her voice was ragged, as if every force in the world was trying to prevent her from saying those nine words. Breathless she swept away my escaping tendrils before erasing the space between us. I didn't respond straight away, I simply stood there limply, reluctantly permitting her to envelope her lips on mine. It wasn't awkward as such my clear non response; no it was more amusing to see the lengths that Muffy would go to spark a reply. Oh but how I longed for her to be mine there and then, oh how I craved her, but I continued to fight the raging battle. It was a game to us, whoever fell prey to ones kisses first lost. So no matter how desperately the beast squirmed, all I could do was stand there like a statue, praying that victories sweet sensation would be enough to appease me. She backed away gradually accepting defeat, still clasping my neck tightly. Catlike I pounced, devouring her lips in one hell of a risky kiss. Not one to disappoint Muffy immediately began to battle with her tongue for entry causing ever muscle in my body to relax, as realization hit me; I had won and god did it send me soaring into ecstasy. I opened my mouth slightly, allowing Muffy to enter, no longer needing to hide under the façade that I didn't desire her. Breathing heavily our hands roamed each others body, mimicking each other.
"Tell me about Claire" The words had escaped my protesting lips before I could stop them, and the instant they left my mouth I cursed silently. Muffy recoiled, her back stiff and defensive. Damn that Claire, I despised her so, she had cursed me. She was controlling me. Outrage consumed me as she filled my mind again for the upteenth time. I was seething as she tainted my thoughts once more with images that I had been trying so hard to repress.
"Excuse me? What did you just say?" She panted; all longing had frozen into icy emerald chips. My curiously was stronger than my desire for Muffy so instead of changing the subject as any sane man would I repeated the question knowing full well I had just killed the mood completely, beyond repair. She looked aghast for a moment before continuing "Why do you want to know Skye? Do you fancy her or something?" Her voice was light and bubbly but I knew that it was all a mask to hide her outrage.
"Not likely, I have far better taste than that" My voice was utterly irresistible, smooth as silk and Muffy was literally melting in front of my eyes. I cupped her smouldering cheek in my hand to reinforce my point about having good taste. Muffy's eyes brightened as she registered my affectionate touch which was relief because I wasn't going to get any scintillating details if she was pissed off.
"Well she's friends with practically all the girls in the Valley but not any boys it's really weird. She gets super, super shy around men but is like gorgeous and bubbly around girls. She's one the nicest girls in the Valley, and I mean really nice, like nicer than Celia. I remember this one time when Flora needed help and Clai…" I tuned her meaningless waffle out, I had what I needed and my thoughts were spiralling, trying to concoct a genius plan. I stood there however the buzz of Muffy's exciting murmuring was aggravating me to no end.
"Is she friends with you?" I interrupted sharply, as inspiration struck.
"Of course she is I remember how we met…" Once again I blocked her incessant murmurings out, my thoughts churning as I refined my plan. I was crestfallen slightly at how I managed to come up with such a brilliant idea so effortlessly. The challenge was steadily creeping its way out of my life. I felt the sudden urge to laugh at myself before for being so on edge, that measly girl thought she had conquered me. "So why did you want to know about Claire?" Muffy asked. I could just hear the thread of challenge she had woven into her tone. I shrugged nonchalantly expecting her to continue pestering me but instead she remained silent. There was no need for me to stay, to prolong the excruciating awkwardness I had successfully managed to destroy the mood completely by my undying need to know everything about anything. I didn't regret it as such, I had discovered what I needed to know it was just a shame that it had to come at such a hefty price.
"Well, I think its time for me to jet Muffy" She nodded, her emerald eyes portraying specks of hurt as I turned to leave without another word. I could tell she was enraged by my fasination with Claire.
"I think that's probably a good idea" Her voice danced around the room as I descended the rickety ladder and I winced at the sadness that laced her tone. I hadn't realized that my abrupt leave would have damaged her ego so. But the sympathy was short lived; I wasn't one to genuinely feel sorry for people especially seeing as the reason she was so jacked off was the reason that I was brimming with satisfaction. I crossed Griffins room without fault and I snaked my way through the bar, stopping at the counter. I rustled my way through my pockets trying to find a pen and paper amongst the junk that had accumulated. I scrawled lazily a message for Griffin and Muffy, smirking slightly as I pictured their reaction. Oh, it was going to priceless.
I'm going to bless your bar with my presence at midnight, for a drink.
Phantom Skye.
A/N: Sorry for the delayed update, I was holidaying in the snow :O Just had to spread the news [[:
Also, on a side note you may or may not have noticed that Skye's refers to Muffy and Claire's as "she" more often than using there name, this is because he doesn't have enough respect for them to use there names, if you get where I am coming from.
As always, don't forget to leave a review and let me know what you think.
~VP