Shadow is getting evil and excelling with flying colours from the evil mastermind school. Luckily, the heroes are gathering to vanquish the darkness.
Chapter Forty; War Zone
6pm came slowly, like a daunting black abyss hovering above waiting to fall and crush her. Plans were slow in forming, lots of ideas floating around and rejected as soon as they rose. Chloe remained quiet for the majority of the discussion, letting the others take point. But as ideas stopped being shot down a danger arose and she found herself interrupting.
"No." she voiced from her place on the sofa. Dinah paused the enthusiasm on her speech and slowly turned to Chloe's direction. The boys followed, awaiting the explanation. It didn't come voluntarily.
"Chlo, if you're worried about safety. It's no issue. We'll keep jolly green safe." Oliver rolled his eyes at Dinah's recent nickname for him.
"No. Not tonight." she spoke again, still quiet, but more order and control in her tone.
"Why not? We know where Shadow is. The risk is minimal."
"No."
"You wanna share that reasoning?" Dinah's tone turned testy and the guys all wisely kept their mouths shut, leaving it between Chloe and Dinah.
"Let's take the idea that you all go and storm his fort. Two problems immediately arise. First; how do you plan to do any damage to him? He can easily have you under his thumb-"
"He can do a lot of things, but not to all of us, and not at once. We-"
"You have no advantage. We don't know any weaknesses, he-"
"And we never will know any if we don't go out and try. We can't learn anything about him that we don't already know without meeting with him again." Dinah slapped her hands to her hips. It was strictly a female gesture of fight, but somehow she made it a lot more deadly than just an oestrogen feud over a sale item.
"What good is any information if you're dead? It's reckless-" Chloe argued back, feeling the anger bubble away. How could she keep them safe if they were so determined to stand directly in harm's way?
"No. It's the mechanics of the mission. Staying home and safe is not going to cut it. I for one refuse to stay and get blown apart. We're going out and we'll outnumber him. There's no way he can take us all at once. We just need to-"
"Problem number two." Chloe interrupted again, leading on with her second point. "While you're all running around in his den what's to stop him from grabbing a few explosives and flashing to the centre of metropolis to detonate everyone. There's no way even Bart could run that fast and get back before it would explode." Bart looked a little offended but wisely kept quiet, letting the females battle it out themselves. 'Mission Minded' Dinah versus 'Mother Hen' Chloe. It was a battle that needed no Y chromosome input.
"Fine. We split teams-"
"And spread them where? We have no idea where he'll strike with the bomb. We can't cover the city and attack at the same time. We need to defend, rather than attack till we have a better idea-"
"And when will the better idea come along? While the city gets blown apart? How many people need to die before we start taking action?"
That question hit a little close to home for Chloe. She was the reason people were dying. She knew that, and she knew she needed to act as soon as it was possible for her. Her retort died in her mouth, the stale taste of death lingering. Her mind took the liberty of reminding her on a loop that it was her fault.
Dinah sensed her winning from the break in argument and didn't hesitate to drive her point home. Chloe had already lost track, all the words seemed to blur and with it came the nasty reminder of her headache. It was getting worse, she could feel it as soon as it hit. There was no subtle build up. It was 'smack'; here's for trying to live.
"Fine." Chloe relinquished all battle and sunk back into the chair, taking back the silent cue.
Oliver's eyes came down to her. Chloe didn't step down that easily. But she wouldn't meet his eyes, she wouldn't regain the conversation as Dinah dished out jobs. Finally, as the plans began the ritual smoothing and co-ordination Chloe sensed a lack of necessity in her presence and slipped out the room. It wasn't even half a second before Oliver pounced and had her in tow to his office.
"What?" he asked as soon as the door closed.
"What what?"
"Don't play smart. You've been off since we started this discussion. I understand you're worried, but that wasn't worry back then. You almost bit Dinah's head clean off."
"I'll apologise." she spoke dismissingly, not ready to meet his eyes. Oliver didn't let her go, she was back in his grasp again, gently tugged from the door.
"Tell me." he pleaded.
"Oliver. I'm not always going to agree with all of your plans. I have the right to speak my mind. I agree it got a little heated but I'll apologise. Dinah understands."
"You sure that's all?" He wasn't going to believe her till she came clean.
"What else would there be?" She tugged her wrist free and made for the door again.
"You're lying to me." The emotion carried in those few words almost buckled her. She swallowed and turned back to look at him clearly. He knew it was something else. She wouldn't be let free without some more explanation. His eyes connected with hers but there was nothing but betrayal and guilt between them.
"People are fleeing the city. People are being blown apart because of us. If we go fight him, do you think he'll stop? If both parties are lucky enough to get away unscathed, do you think he'll do anything other than accelerate? We're just angering him without a purpose. We physically cannot beat him till we know more and anybody who dies as a result of that is on our heads."
"We won't fail. We'll blow the factory sky high. He'll have no bombs."
"It would take him a snap of our fingers to have another ready. It's pointless."
"What's really wrong?" She blinked her eyes back up to his. "You've always had faith that we would succeed. What's changed? Is it us?"
"No. No, it's not us." Could he really tell how final her life seemed to be? "It's too risky. Last time for example. I don't need to remind you what happened." He nodded and fell silent for a few seconds.
"Learn from your mistakes." he finally spoke. "We're going to end this." He opened the door to his office stepping back out.
"You're going to get yourselves killed." she retorted, already knowing by the silence that the others had been listening in.
"No. We won't. Have some faith Chloe."
"24 hours." she hissed as a last resort. Oliver stopped and turned, allowing her to continue. "Give me 24 hours to find some way to defeat this guy. If I can't, then you can go in all guns blazing and do whatever you want."
"You think you'll be able to find something?"
"I don't know. Maybe. But it's better than whatever we have now. And 24 hours aren't going to make a huge difference. He'll still be spewing out bombs and you'll be able to protect metropolis more in them. There are files I haven't cracked yet from Lex's info. There's a chance I'll be able to find out what really happened in his resurrection and we can counteract it. Please. Just 24 hours."
"They'll be an explosion in the next 24 hours." Dinah provided, slowly creeping into view. "We don't have time. If there was a solution you would have found it by now."
"No. We still have time. It's not worth the risk we-"
"Hate to interrupt Ladies, but we got an issue." Victor commanded the attention and they followed him to the living area, the Tv on and just taken off mute. A female sat at one end of the studio's sofa, a high authority military male took the other end. The host opposed them across the desk and the debate fired alive. "They've been at it for the last 10 minutes about this shadow guy." Vic informed and fell silent, letting the others listen in.
"Whatever he wants. Just give it to him. I have children who want to know why I'm pulling them from school. A daughter who found a bomb two days ago in the back yard. We're not safe till he gets what he wants. Give it to him." The female was two steps from a full out panic attack.
"We do not give in to terrorists. They're like undisciplined children; as soon as you cave you give them power and knowledge that they can do it again. We must stick to our guns and not allow this to go further. While we have other safety options I don't see how giving into the demands of a sociopath will help us. Why not just bow before him now if you are so weak? Have faith in your policing and government. This will be dealt with swiftly." The comforting words of the military would help those like Lois who were raised around guns as an answer, but to the average citizens of Metropolis it didn't swallow smoothly. Clearly the female sat in that very group on people.
"Like they dealt with the outnumbering bombs popping up at random over the state? Just how close are they? I'm risking my children's lives staying here. The police have as much knowledge about this man as the public does. He comes from nowhere and returns as quick, there is no catching him. Give in: give him his demands."
"And then what? Prey he sees mercy upon our lives and views us as worthy to serve under him. In times of war there are those who fall to their knees. Those are crushed and killed in mere minutes. The fighters who have faith are the ones who survive."
"This is not a war. A war is a fight against something where you can win. Do you see any ways to kill this man? If he even is man. These meteor freaks were only seconds from snapping. We gave them freedom to live in our city and now look. They're the ones abusing the power and trying to-"
"Rather a bold claim don't you think. Why not just take us back to the days where we separated everyone with a difference. There are some people who abuse powers, but there are the heroes who help us. Are you grouping them into this pack of villains?"
"Why not? Where are they now? They left with the rest of us." Chloe felt Oliver's arm around her, pulling her closer. Her worry was evident in her posture.
"So the Blur who runs around at all hours taking bombs from the roadside is a menace? The superpowers are wasted and he should turn against us? Is that what you're saying?"
"I'm saying that the heroes are just as lost in this as we are-" The screen went black and the same blackness swallowed Chloe. She knew what was coming.
Her fears were not disappointed. Her hand clenched vice tight around Oliver's, he didn't complain, just squeezed back, holding her closer.
"-How right you are." There it was. That voice that broke hope. "The heroes are no longer here for you. They will be broken like the soulless pests they are. Until I have them dead you will be burying your loved ones with an unrivalled speed. I can make the holocaust look like paradise in a mere few hours. I can be around the world in every neighbourhood and every town within seconds. I can have them blown to pieces. Take your chances and beg for your miserable lives, or bring me the hero's heads on a silver platter. The choice is yours Metropolis."
The air went silent. Everything cut off. No-one was safe. Her heroes were going to be the hunted in a matter of hours.
A timer popped up onto the screen. On every local channel it was the same. A countdown for an hour. Seconds ticked by.
Oliver took control.
"Anybody think that doesn't count down to the next explosion?" he asked. Nobody disagreed, they all knew. "Good. Let's get some work done. Change in plans. Keep out of the public eye as much as possible. They'll be after your heads if they see you. This being said, the live bomb will probably be in area most heavily populated with people. Stay in street clothes and locate as many as possible." They all nodded in agreement. "Dinah. Stay with Chloe."
"What-" She dropped her jaw. "No offence, but I'm not babysitting. We're needed out there."
"I'm not risking you pulling your stitches and bleeding out in a dark alley. We have enough problems without rushing you to hospital. Stay and protect Chloe." Oliver's authority was hard to refute. "No arguments Dinah" he added as she opened her mouth once more. It snapped closed. "Get Batman updated on the situation get him to lend a hand if at all possible. AC get Mera if she will. We need as many eyes as possible. Anybody sees anything don't try handle it yourself. Call Bart or Clark, they'll speed them off to a safer location." Bart grinned, happy to have a critical position in this mission. "All understand?" Nods went around the room and without another word feet moved to the exits. Dinah huffed and settled into the sofa. Chloe turned her head to Oliver's hard and cold eyes. They softened for her, trying to push back the worries. His hand ran through her locks soothingly.
"I'll be back soon. Stay safe." he spoke and laid his lips to the top of her head. With nothing more, he collected a few things from behind the clock face, tugged on his leather jacket and left.
Silence settled and guilt fell.
"Sorry." Chloe piped up. Dinah smiled.
"You have nothing to apologise for. If you're telling me that's your first argument I really don't believe you. Good fight, but poor finish. Where'd I lose you?" Chloe smiled, Dinah had forgiven everything like arguments were normal day to day life.
"I just lost my argument that's all. It's not like I could get a word in edgeways."
Dinah smiled modestly.
"I know. I'm amazing, what can I say?" she laughed. "Now be a doll and chuck me my phone so I can phone the batty one." Chloe complied, handing Dinah her mobile and taking the seat opposite. For anyone else she would have left the room for their private phone calls, but Dinah had made it very clear she had nothing to hide and not a single shy bone in her body. Besides, if she let Chloe from her sight for even a second and anything happened Oliver wouldn't let her see the next day. In fact, Chloe was slightly surprised nothing had been said from Oliver to Dinah about that clear warning. Then again, tensions were high and they were working with a timer, they needed all the hands they could get.
"So, Metropolis news is taking an interesting turn." Dinah began her conversation. "You haven't? Well, I suggest you find a TV then fly your way over here Batboy." There was a pause. "Trouble. Are we in trouble?" Dinah pretended to ponder the question. "Well it depends on your definition but I'd vote a little bit of yes to that question." Another pause then Dinah laughed. "I'm banned from running around the city actually. Something about the possibility of me dying. So I'm babysitting with the Chlo-ster." Chloe rolled her eyes. "Fine." Another pause. "Yes." Dinah sighed and rolled her eyes. "Say another thing along those lines and I'll pull out my stitching myself." She stubbed her thumb against the end call button and shook her head slowly. "Honestly. Men. Overprotective or what? He thinks I'm going to die while reaching for the ice-cream. Speaking of… Ollie still got his stash buried in the freezer?"
"You know about that?"
"Oh sunshine. I bought the majority. Ollie had trouble dealing with stress and was acting like a big girl. I figured I should treat him like one." Dinah grinned. "You cause a lot of trouble you know." Chloe knew exactly how much easier it would be without her around.
"Ice-cream first. Deep spiritual removal of people later." Chloe instructed and found placement beside Dinah on the sofa. "So, how are you and the bat?"
"The cocky piece of ass that haunts every waking and sleeping moment?" she asked in jovial confirmation "We're going good. In fact, we're connecting so much he wants to take me home tonight with him. Doc said only non-strenuous activity, but I missed that part out."
"You do realise that when Emil asks how you pulled your stitches you'll have to explain the wild rough sex to him." Dinah rolled her eyes and laughed.
"I'm sure the doctor knows what I'm on about. He reads right?" Chloe joined Dinah's laughter. "So. If we're going down the guy route I must ask about you and our darling Oliver. How are things? You so in love you're ready to smother each other yet?"
"Not quite yet."
"Have the words been spoken?" Chloe knew exactly what words she meant and for some reason she couldn't hold back the truth. Dinah was the one she could talk to about this.
"Oliver has. Multiple times. And… and I know he wants me to say the same back."
"But you won't… because you don't."
"No. No. it's not like that."
"Then bite the bullet sister. Worst case scenario: the world implodes before you get the words out and he ends up in hell while you're floating in heaven enjoying the angels."
"Since when was Oliver going to Hell?"
"Sweetie, he's had his seat saved since he was born. Nothing that hot doesn't have a serious backlash. My figuring is that he sold his soul to the devil for the killer charm. From what I hear, that soul also gets him some killer moves in the bedroom."
"Dinah!"
"What, are you disagreeing? Because I'm sure Satan will give him a refund for your testimony."
"No. Everything's good. Stop trying to nudge your way into my sex life."
"Is that all it is? Sex life? Because we both know you're more of the 'love life' kind. Tell him how you feel. You'll feel so much better. You'll have mushy soppy lovey-dovey sex and stare into each others eyes all night long counting colours."
"Dinah." The warning was received by an eye roll.
"Fine. Signal received loud and clear. So, about Batty. Do you think he'll be as good as he looks?" Chloe hid her blush and let Dinah dominate the conversation again.
Time passed and as the hour clock ran down Dinah and Chloe became quiet. 2 minutes left. No words of peril from the guys, but no words of notable progress either. Chloe stood beside Dinah, the wind light against them on the balcony as the streetlamps lit the darkness and their eyes scanned for any sign of their heroes.
"Do you think he's serious?" Chloe asked in a whisper, her hands tighter on the balcony railing as she looked over at the mindless travellers with no idea of a possible impending doom.
"Shadow guy?" He'd been the focus of their conversation since. They'd been brainstorming possible attack techniques to dull the worry thick in their minds. "I think he's as dangerous as we let ourselves believe."
"But he hasn't killed anyone yet." Chloe argued. "Nobody innocent like these." The dog walkers continued their lives below them. Dinah cast her eyes out again.
"He needs to show he means business. People don't take you serious till you've taken lives." she spoke without any emotion.
"You think he'll aim to kill this time?"
"I think he wants the city against us. The quickest way is to incite fear. Death is the scariest thing we can offer in this world. People think it is just a means to an end of their misery. But the prospect of life and death in someone else's hands is enough to bring anyone to their knees. There's a reason people only take torture for so long before cracking. Mental or physical, the citizens are being tortured by him. It's only time before they give in and hand us over. We need to act before this gets out of control." Chloe nodded, her fate seeming darker than before. "If I was wanting to take over the city, I wouldn't just use one bomb either. Lots of small impact ones would be my choice. Hard to find. Hard to disarm. Cause panic, but keep enough alive to use as servants to my cause. Low impact physically, but huge mentally." Dinah took a deep breath. "Then again they could always-"
The ground shook, Dinah's words swallowed whole by the vibrating explosion thundering through the air. Both Chloe and Dinah hit the floor, hand over heads. Another explosion, closer.
More. Like grenades thrown in battle a symphony of explosions came in cannon of each other shaking the foundations and breaking all spirit and faith.
Ollie.
Chloe's eyes went wide with fear. Her ears ringing and setting off another killer headache. She felt Dinah's arm over her and urging her into the apartment.
"You alright?" Chloe read Dinah's lips, her words still unable to be processed by her eardrums or aching brain. Her head was swimming, the ground going with it. "Chloe, you alright?" Dinah's hands guided her to the sofa and fluttered over her in inspection. "Chloe, breathe." Chloe took a deep breath following Dinah's hand movements to do so and things started to slow. The full speed halved, then halved again, almost back to normal. Another deep breath and logical thinking came back.
"Oliver." Chloe shot up but the light head had her swaying and pulled back to the sofa by Dinah.
"We'll find out later. Right now I need to know if you're alright." Chloe nodded. "Alright. We need to make sure we'll be safe. Structurally wise." How Dinah kept her level head Chloe had no idea, but she wished she could do the same. Dinah left her vision back to the balcony through the open doors. Panic was ripe in the air. Screams and fire lit the sound barrier and things returned to their usual pace.
"We need to help them." Chloe stated. There were people trapped in buildings or caged by fire who needed the help of heroes.
"No. We need to stay where we are."
"Dinah, there are people-"
"Who are still after you." she finished for her. "People who want the heroes dead in exchange for the loved ones they've just lost. Think battle plan Chloe. You've just blown apart the city in order to drag out the one that got away. As soon as you start running wild in the streets playing Florence Nightingale he's got you."
"Dinah, these are people's lives. Homes. Families."
"Clark will be already on it saving whoever he can. Bart will be speeding around making saves faster than we can. Hospitals have already been on stand-by for bomb injuries for the last few days since the threat has been announced. There is nothing we can do that would benefit." Chloe sagged. "Jesus. You're white Chloe." Dinah shut the balcony doors, pulling Chloe back to the sofa. "I know it's hard to hear but the best thing we can do is stay here. Oliver will want to know where you are and that you are safe-" The phone ringing interrupted her. "That'll be him now. Keep breathing Chloe." Dinah kept her eyes on Chloe till she got some solid stable confirmation she would not die and reached for the phone. "Yes. Both fine." She spoke after Oliver's first syllable. "No." More yes or no questions later she hung up. Chloe was teetering on the edge of consciousness. "Chloe sweetie, you need to stop looking so pale or Oliver will murder me." Chloe eyes flashed alight at his name. "He's fine. The rest are as well. They're helping where they can and will be back as soon as they can. Right now we just need to stay here." Dinah put a hand to Chloe's forehead. "Maybe a little colour and a dropped temperature would be good as well. You're burning up. You sure you're alright?"
Chloe stumbled from the couch to her feet and proceeded to topple her way to the kitchen. She could feel the Brainiac attack before it was coming. But Dinah wouldn't let her out of her sights. Not even for a second. Even as she walked Dinah had resigned to letting her have freedom but she was never more than a foot away. Several glasses of water later and constantly closed eyes Chloe felt a little more centred. Dinah sat on the floor next to her, their backs against the cabinets.
"I'm fine." Chloe answered before Dinah could get her words in.
"Says the woman who just witnessed a mass bombing then proceeded to blink in and out of consciousness."
"Yes. Now obey her and leave me alone."
Dinah chuckled.
"Feeling better I see. Didn't half give me a scare though. Thank God Ollie didn't walk through them doors then or I would have been nothing more than blood on the expensively tiled walls."
"They would have cleaned." Chloe allowed. Dinah laughed again.
"There's my girl. Now. Up."
"I'm liking the floor."
"Coffee's up."
"Then up it is." Chloe didn't know why but after a Brainiac attack she would bounced back feeling better than 100%, like she could deal with anything. Now was no different. A little playing to Dinah might be in order though. Chloe sank into the chair and waited for Dinah pour.
Multiple cups later and the elevator kicked alive then a clunk signalled its opening.
"Chloe?"
"Oliver!" Chloe dashed from her place in the kitchen and practically smashed into him. He stumbled back, but wound his arms tight.
"I thought I lost you." he muttered against her. He smelled like fire, dirt and blood, but she didn't care. To have him in her hold, to know he was real and alive was worth it. "I thought you were gone." he repeated and a sniffle followed. "I thought-" he didn't finish, just wrapped her tighter to him. She welcomed it. The same thoughts had run through her head.
Dinah coughed behind them and they relaxed the intensity but refused to let the other go.
"Don't suppose you saw a bat on your way up did you?"
"Outside." Oliver answered.
"Play nice kids. Mummy's off to save the world and break a few beds." Dinah winked at them and Chloe let out a small giggle against Oliver's chest. "Oh, and Chloe. I wouldn't wait too long. Soul's have expiration dates." Chloe blushed a little. Oliver didn't even seem to notice Dinah had said anything. Didn't even nudge as the elevator clicked back into motion.
"You're alright?" Oliver asked in confirmation, a thumb running down her cheek. She nodded and peeled back to study him. He had dirt smudged across his face, the scent of fire clung to his clothes more than herself, but he was still there and still whole. Her fingers trailed across the shallow barely there cut on his left cheek.
"What happened?"
"A few buildings trapped some people in the explosions. I got scratched by something or other. It's nothing."
"You're alright?"
"I am now." Her lips tweaked to a miniature smile. "Dinah said you weren't too good."
"When did you speak to Dinah?" They had barely passed each other long enough to share a look, never mind actual words.
"Text." he answered. Of course.
"I was a little out of it. Explosions, death and stress don't always make level heads like Dinah's."
"Dinah's had a rough past. She's in her element when things get bad. You and me will always have the pleasure of making ourselves sick with worry and guilt." His hands ran the course of her smooth skin down her arms to lace his fingers with hers. "Com'on. Relaxing time."
"But…" Her eyes cast outside. How could they leave with the city in such a mess.
"Chloe." His fingers detached to lifted up her chin and meet his eyes. "It hurts, but trust me when I say there is nothing more we can do. The majority are either already at the hospitals or on their way. The others have either walked away, or never will."
"This is my fault." she muttered.
"No. It's not, and you need to start believing that."
Oliver didn't let her out of his sight. Not even for a second. There was always the chance he'd come back to on a dark street and Chloe would be gone. He needed her as proof she was still alive. He'd done all he could to save the city, now he was saving her, and consequently; himself.
Oliver joined her in the bed, wrapping himself in her clean fresh smell and chase away all the 'what if' questions that had phased him as the explosions hit. He was a mix of guilty and happy to the point of bursting. Guilty because there was nothing he could do to save those from the grief they were feeling now as they heard there loved ones had passed on while he snuggled into his. Happiness from the purity of the moment of being with Chloe.
Chloe turned in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder, her hand splayed in rest on his bare chest. She chewed her lip as she gave freedom to her thoughts. Everything came back in a circle to one conclusion. Tonight. It would be tonight. She couldn't risk another night like this, not when she could some something about it.
'This could have been Oliver's last night" she thought, but then another thought rose. 'This could have been your last night.' There was always the other chance though. 'This could be your last night.' Facing the shadows for the greater good…
People always say that on their last day on earth they would live with no regrets. Chloe had always been one to walk the line between safe secrets and open enough to not regret. But it seemed she had slipped somewhere after meeting Oliver. There was one regret. 'He would never know how she truly felt'
She lifted her head from his shoulder. His eyes were closed. Asleep? He pried one open and raised an eyebrow to match it.
"Are you doing that thing where you watch me sleep? Don't think I haven't noticed. Go to sleep Chloe." His arms tightened around her, a kiss lay open to her forehead in the gesture of love that required no thought.
"I love you." she spoke instinctively, following nothing but what her heart wanted to do and say. The words were out with no regrets and no hold back. She wanted to say them, he wanted to hear them. She had felt them boiling inside her for too long. He needed to know he was the only one for her. "I love you so much." she repeated and the angelic smile of truth captured everything.
Oliver's expression was confused. Was he dreaming? Both eyes openly stared at her as his brain processed. No, it was far too real, her skin was too close, her scent too invasive, her skin too smooth, her eyes too piercing. She was real, the words were real. The grin infected into him as well but shadows were always there with the haunting thoughts.
"Chloe you don't have to-" Out of nowhere her hand flew across his cheek.
"I just told you I love you and you're trying to rationalize this away as a reaction to fear. This is not a pity statement because I thought you'd died. Can I not just-" His lips met hers with a force unknown. Everything inside her melted to him, yielding to her lover.
"God Chloe. I love you." He chuckled and pressed his lips back to hers, streaming the purest of emotions into her head. Her eyes clouded, her head swam, her heart pounded. "Oh god. You have no idea how much I've wanted to hear those words." he groaned in strain and rolled above her. "I love you Chloe Sullivan." The words shot through her like untainted adrenaline.
"I love you Oliver Queen." It was five words which had the effect of a truck ramming into her. Her entire system became ruled by his presence. His lips flush against hers with an unrivalled passion fuelled more love into her system. She felt she would explode with the sheer force. Everything became alive. Every touch, every motion, every brush of skin on skin, everything was like a jolt of life running through her. Like she had only just awoken from the deepest of slumbers and she had her entire life ahead of her with the man of her dreams. It all seemed perfect, and it that moment, it was.
"Fuck Chloe. You have no idea how much I want you right now." His breathing purred with a restrained desire. He dropped his head to her shoulder in the overwhelming need.
"I'm yours." she whispered back to him, her hands possessive as he cradled closer to her. "Every. Single. Part of me. All yours." Her lips kissed his neck with each word and he pushed back, holding himself above her. Her hand trailed down his chest, her eyes solidly fixed with his as she slipped the barrier of clothing and found the hard love he had for her.
"Say it again." he pleaded between kisses and hiking up her night dress. She smiled and lifted her hips to let him divest her of underwear.
"I. Love. You." The words were nothing more than just simple words, but the angelic promise in them, the need, the rush, the delivery of the energy spiked things neither could understand. Neither had ever felt like this with another, this was above special. This was beyond magic. It was the very essence of love made from the purest of cupid's arrows shot direct to their systems with the delivery of simple words. It was the dam of emotion broken to release the flood of thrill to overpower all reason and rationale.
"God Chloe." he moaned deep and passionate. Her skin buzzed alive. Her stomach twisted into a virginal knot and she felt the familiar blush to her cheeks.
Her clothes were shoved just above her hips, his just enough to free him. The usual rush to have each other was there. But everything seemed to explode at his first touch, it exploded inside her bodily centre and the rush changed to need. The ache turned to a soothing calm flooding from him to her. He moved slow, just his tip pressing her walls. Then as he filled her she could feel nothing else. Slow strong strokes became her lifeline. His body held above hers was hugged, her eyes closed in the passion.
It had always been fast fucking before. A race to finish and release the cravings for each other. Now she never wanted to end. When they ended he'd be separate to her again. But now, being inside her, moving like there was nothing better but her company, every lush centimetre of him was made for her and her alone.
Her arms pulled him closer, possessively clinging to him. No longer her lifeline in violent storms, but the deep roll of waves pushing over her skin in ways she'd never felt. Her lips were met by his, their heat flooded again. Blood boiled battering the barrier of skin with no mercy. She'd never felt a need so divine and yet utterly controlling, and she loved it. A broken breath tore from her chest, her hands gripped tighter, her lips pressed against his throat as he drove her further to bliss. In his arms she could feel nothing but the beating pulse of love, the welcome arrow lodged in her heart.
Ollie rocked up, pulling her with him. Her gasp and fulfilled moans praised the movement. He felt deeper, pressing against her walls with a smouldering blaze burning her from the inside.
How could she be so delicate, so fine, so heavenly, yet so destructive?
He felt completely torn beside her. All the defences he knew she just stirred her draft of perfume and walked right over the rubble of. Even now, naked and bare to him she seemed like the only pivotal thing in his life. The rest could come and go, as long as she remained. And to hear her words, to know she felt the same, he felt like the child on Christmas with the toy no other child would ever have the pleasure of owning.
Her breath was heavy against his neck, her chest warm against his. She was close, consumed by him. Pulling closer, she ground her hips, bathing in his groans and put her lips to his ear.
"I love you." Her words were a whisper, a prayer, a vow, an ever lasting promise that would always throw around in his mind. He could close his eyes, feel nothing but her and hear nothing but the delicate words of vulnerability she spoke. He tugged her flush with him with the one arm, his other hand snaked between their joined bodies and listened as her gasps broke apart in his head, his fingers toying on her button.
"I love you Chloe. I love you." Her entire world spun, her eyes shut, playing screens of colours as she pulled him with her into the orgasm. The room filled with pleasure, heart beats and the overwhelming feel of devotion.
So... yeah, the city's in ruins. Oliver and Chloe took the leap into the land of love. Dinah's pulling stitches with Batman. Heroes are being hunted. Really... I don't know whether to be happy or not...
At least Chloe said the words. Xx