Disclaimer: I own nothing of HELLBOY! If I did...Liz surely would be gone.
CHAPTER 3: ISSUES
~Dream~
"Daughter. Daughter listen to me." I heard a voice say from the darkness.
"Who are you and what do you want?" I asked. I tried to ignite my flames but it faltered. I began to panic.
"Relax, daughter. I will not harm you. It is I, your father. I think you are now strong enough to know about me. I am the reason you are the way you are. I am also pyrokinetic. I am Zaar, the demon of light and darkness. You my daughter, are in for one hell of a ride. Your mother locked me away in a seal for 19 years to keep me away from you, now that that wench is out of the picture, the seal has been removed and I am free and stronger than ever. You see, you are heir to my authority but I can't let you, a foolish little girl over throne me now can I? That is why I have to get rid of you. Now be a good little girl and tell me where you are." He said all too casually.
My voice faltered. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My father finally comes into my life and this is what he has to say to me? That he has to kill me in order to keep his power? This was outrageous. I can't believe this from my own father! This has got to be a nightmare.
"Yeah...that's it. It's just a nightmare." I mumbled to myself.
"Close, but not quite. I am here in your head as you sleep. I figured it was the only safe way to get to you. I can't see where you are, so I need you to tell me." He said.
"I-I...I can't believe this! Your my father! You can't possibly be so cruel to your own daughter! Specially right after you decided to enter into her life!" I yelled into the darkness.
"Don't be so pathetic! I was going to kill you the second you were born! But that stupid woman got in the way of that! But now that shes gone, I have the chance to find you, and slaughter you were you stand! Now tell me where you are!" He said angrily, venom dripping from his voice when he mentioned my mother.
"Don't speak about my mother that way you...you...you idiot! Why did you screw her up in the first place? You knew this was going to happen didn't you? So why did you do it?" I yelled.
"Ah-ah-ah. Don't disrespect your father little one. I loved your mother dearly, and that love led to lust and lust led to you. I didn't do it for you to be created. As soon as I knew your mother was pregnant, I was already sealed away in the darkness. Your mother was a very brave woman, too bad it all went to waste. She died, I'm free and now you will soon meet your fate! All her efforts, buried deep into the hole she was dumped into. What a shame, she was so close too." He said with sarcasm in his last sentence.
I growled angrily. "You'll never get you way old man! NEVER!" I shrieked.
"Silence! Know your place! Soon enough all your powers will be mine and I will be forever powerful!" He said.
"Funny, I was about to say the same to you." I said.
I heard him growl.
"This place your in...I sense great pain for you in here. Your not going to be happy. You never will be. You will be treated as a lab rat and dissected like a worthless frog." He said.
"That's not true! I've never felt so safe in a long time, no thanks to you!" I yelled.
"Your so ungrateful and disrespectful. I guess I'll just have to show you who is in charge here. So the pain begins!" He said.
I started feeling my body heat up. Was my fire igniting? Then all of a sudden my lungs started to constrict painfully. I could barely breathe. I gasped for breath.
"W-What a-a-are you d-d-doing?" I asked as I clutched at my rib cage.
"Teaching you a lesson." He said simply.
My pain increased. I cried out in pain. He laughed evilly.
"I-I'll kill you!" I yelled.
"I'd like to see you try." He mocked.
"Show yourself coward!" I said with a gasp at the end.
"I would if I could darling, but my power here is limited. I can only speak to you and cause a simulation of pain to you." He said sweetly.
My throat felt incredibly dry.
"S-Simulation?" I asked as I fell to my knees.
"Yes, a simulation. This isn't happening to you physically. You just think it is and feel the pain here and your body reacts out there." He said casually.
I gasped and coughed up blood.
"Although your struggling out there may cause your death if I hurt you enough here. Possibly a heart attack or something along those lines. You are possibly coughing up blood in your bed right now. Oh the excitement and suspense of not knowing what kind of pain is being inflicted on you!" He said as if he were 10 years old.
"Stop. Stop! This can't be happening! Stop!" I whispered.
He laughed once again.
I screamed as my lungs constricted more. I screamed with what my lungs would allow. I felt death crawl up on me but it just wouldn't come. I screamed more and more as the pain increased irrationally. I have never wanted to die so badly before. My entire body burned and that bastard enjoyed every last second of it! Why can't I wake up?
"Killing you will be easy." He said simply.
"Don't be too sure." I said but I could barely hear myself over the pounding of my heart.
I moaned, I hyperventilated, I screamed, I cried and I just down right made agonized sounds. I don't know where I found the breath to do it all. I hopelessly tried to ignite my flames and I simply collapsed onto the floor. I tried to use my magic to break whatever it was I was in but it didn't even work to a point that I would feel it in my body. I coughed up more blood.
"Well what do you know. A little more and you will be dead as a door nail. This wasn't as fun as I had planned but either way your going to die now." He said laughing sadistically.
"What did mother ever see in you, you sadistic man!" I yelled to my surprise.
"Didn't she ever tell you? I raped her. She never would love a man like me. She's more of a...guy-without-horns kinda gal. But I wasn't going to be rejected by a stupid witch." He said angrily at the end.
"W-Witch?" I asked.
"That woman kept all the vital information from you didn't she? Well you mother was a witch. How do you think you got the dark magic from? Sure as hell wasn't from me. You got the fire and the fangs and claws from me but the pixie dust is your mothers fault." He said.
I couldn't believe the mess I came from. I was dumbfounded.
"A witch." I whispered incredulously.
"You are one of a kind kid. You should know that by now. Pyrokinesis and dark magic aren't a natural mix. Your a half breed. A freak of nature if you will." He said naturally.
The pain was becoming more of a numb feeling as my vision became blurry. This couldn't be a good sign back at the bed. I was probably dying there too. I couldn't have thought in a trillion years I would wind up dead like this, but there I was, in a horrible situation with a horrible person.
"I'm sorry we couldn't spend too much time together but I think half an hour together is good enough considering you've been dying the whole time." He said sweetly.
"You heartless bastard." I said between gritted teeth.
"Aww, thats what your mother used to call me. Oh the sweet memories." He said dazed.
The pain began to come back full blast and I began to scream for my life. I screamed and screamed and screamed as the pain hiked up higher and higher as the man just watched and laughed. Then out in the distance I heard a sharp beeping noise but I pushed it aside as my ears ringing.
"Well I guess this is goodbye dau-" He began but suddenly stopped. "No! This can't happen! No! I'm losing contact! No!" He yelled furiously.
I rolled onto my back weakly. What was he rambling on about? Then everything started to face away very, very slowly.
~Back to reality~
"Hey! Wake up goddammit!" I heard someone yell. A deep, angry voice.
My eyes fluttered open. I looked around wearily. The room was set aflame. Blue fire wrapped around everything. I looked towards the person who held me close to his body. I couldn't quite make him out. He was most definitely a big person. I squinted my eyes a little. He was red. Red? That's strange. His golden eyes bore into my flaming blue eyes. I cocked my head to the side. Wasn't he burning up? I decided to ask.
"Aren't you burning into oblivion?" I whispered. I could barely hear myself over the roar of the flames. I was surprised he heard me.
"Nah, I'm fire-proof." He answered simply.
He picked me up into his arms and said to stay put. As soon as he finished his sentence, I went limp into his hold.
Hellboy's POV
"Aw, crap." I said as I rushed out the broken door. I rushed past the agents and Abe, straight to the infirmary. As soon as I entered, I placed her on the steel table and stepped aside to let Abe take a good look at her condition.
"When she woke up she looked dazed. She asked me why wasn't I burning into oblivion. When I picked her up and told her to stay put, she passed out. That's all I got." I said staring at her pale face.
"Alright. Let's see. She has lost blood." Abe said as he wiped the blood from her chin. He then wiped the sweat off her forehead. "I don't see any serious physical damage." He said. "Perhaps it was an episode like the ones that Li-" He said but stopped himself quickly trying not to trigger Hellboy's emotions.
"Like the ones Liz had? Possibly but what could've caused it?" I asked tilting my head to look at the blue man.
That's strange. Hellboy couldn't say her name since the incident...Abe thought to himself.
"I don't know yet. Care to find out?" Abe said extending his hand towards me.
I placed my palm against his and closed my eyes. I heard the agents leave the room.
Abe placed his webbed hand against her forehead. Instantly, all of her dreams content spilled into our view. Every single word was clear, every single movement was vivid and every bloodcurdling scream was heard. Abe, very disturbed at what he had seen, ripped his arm away from her forehead and I pulled my hand away from his just as quickly. Abe had one hand over his heart and he was panting.
"Oh my, that wasn't very pleasant at all." He said trying to catch his breath.
"That, that, there are no words to describe that prick!" I said angrily. "How could anyone be so...psychotic? It's just not right!"
"Truly she is in grave danger. He nearly killed her by his simple thoughts. This man is not someone to be taken lightly. He has great power." Abe said.
"Either way, he's going to be put down like a rabid dog!" I said dead serious. "Besides, I've taken on many, many, many bastards like him. Not to mention the giant creatures and demons. I can handle some nut job. And to make it clear, I'm frikin fire-proof. It won't take long." I said coolly.
"I wouldn't be too confident about this Red, this man is capable of horrible things and I don't think he'll show any mercy." Abe said.
"I don't need mercy. All I need is my faithful Samaritan and it'll be over before you know it." I said.
"But, Red, you fail to notice the great danger it is to be taking this so lightly. This girl is very strong and brave and he took her down without lifting a finger. Who's to say that he won't creep into your thoughts and take you down as well. Who's to say he won't use her as his weapon and shield. Who's to say that he doesn't have creatures working for him. Who's to say-" Abe ranted.
"Yeah, yeah I see your point. I've got a lot to worry about with this guy. I guess that right now, we gotta help her get through the trauma and then hunt this bastard down." I said.
"So you'll give her a chance?" Abe asked hopefully.
I hesitated.
"Why am I asking? I'm psychic. You will give her a chance. Thank you Hellboy, on her behalf." Abe said with what we consider an 'Abe smile'.
"Yeah, sure, whatever." I said as I looked at her resting face.
Abe took the responsibility of looking for more injuries. He detected that her lungs were struggling irrationally. He quickly hooked her up to some oxygen. And started working on her papers.
Theres just something about her...it's not because of her similarity to Liz, I know that now from taking a good look at her. Her hair was crimson, her eyes her the color of her flames, her pale skin has a pink tint to it, her small body seems fragile but sturdy, her claws and fangs were definitely something Liz didn't have. From her past that Abe allowed me to see, she is much like Liz. She's determined, strong, caring, smart,conserved and she doesn't mind being around freaks. One big difference is that she likes the way she is and doesn't want to be 'normal'. Liz would've given her life as a freak to have a normal life. Instead she gave her life for me, a freak. I never understood Liz. Theres something special about this girl though. I see it in the way she has lived her life.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when she shot up into a sitting position. She clutched at her sides and began to gasp for air. Abe rushed to her side.
"Calm down. Your no longer in the dark place. Your safe now. You have plenty of oxygen in your system to keep your breathing normal in a calm state so please calm down." Abe said as he stroked her red hair.
"Abe!" She gasped and hugged him tightly. She buried her head into his chest and began to sob. "It was so horrible Abe. H-He..." She trailed off.
"I know." Abe leaned in closer and came to her ear and whispered. "I hope you don't mind but we had a look into your head to see what was going on."
She nodded. "We?" She said as she stifled another sob.
"Yes. Hellboy and I." Abe said as he pointed back at me.
Her head snapped towards me. Her eyes widened slightly.
Of course. Shes freaked out by me. Typical.
"Hellboy was the one who took you out of the dark place and out of the room and into the infirmary." Abe said to her but she didn't blink an eye as she stared head-on to me.
At least she isn't staring at my horns.
"He did?" She asked with much emotion in her voice.
"Yes. He did." Abe answered simply.
Then the girl detached everything she had wired onto her. Abe tried to stop her but she paid him no mind. She came off the steel table and walked straight up to me. She looked me right in the eyes and I looked right back. I was about to ask her what the hell she was looking at but what she did next threw the thought right out the window.
The girl hugged me. She just straight forward hugged me. She rested her head against my chest, considering that's where her head reached. She closed her eyes.
"Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you for saving me from that...horrible place."
I didn't hug her back. I was in a daze. I never expected that. And even if I did, I sure as hell didn't expect to react the way I am. I'm frozen in place with my arms hanging loosely down my sides and I just stared at her head. I couldn't just stay like that though. It just wasn't like me and I have to make an honest first impression.
"Yeah, sure kid. It's all in a days work. No big deal." I said casually.
The girl let my waist go and took a step back to look up into my face. I couldn't help but notice the intensity of her eyes. Then seconds later, a small smile graced her features. A sweet smile. If I didn't know better I'd say it looks just like the look Liz used to give me, the look that showed adoration and love. But that wasn't possible. I felt my eyes soften and my lips began to twitch into a smile. Before she could notice the smile, I cleared my throat.
"I gotta go do some...stuff. I'll see you around kid." I said as I turned to exit the room. Before I could completely exit the room I heard her stifle some giggles. I turned my head to look back at her but she was no longer looking at my face. I followed her gaze and it led to my tail that flicked randomly from side to side. "What?" I asked rather rudely.
"I'm sorry, I was caught by surprise. I didn't expect you to have a tail like that." She said trying to stifle more giggles.
"What? Did you expect it to be hanging down my nose or sumthin?" I asked dumbly.
Her giggle escaped her this time. "No. I didn't mean it that way. I meant I didn't expect to see a tail and much less a long red one. And it doesn't even look scaly." She said kindheartedly.
"Scaly?" I asked dumbly once more. "Hn. Yeah I have a tail and a stone hand." I said.
"Stone hand? I hadn't noticed, honestly." She said cocking her head to the side.
I gaped at her. She didn't notice my big, red, stone hand? How could she miss it? Usually that's what everyone notices first about me. But she couldn't notice?
"I think your head received a little damage. How could you not notice my big, red, stone hand?" I asked bewildered.
"He's right. How could you not have noticed? Not once has it failed to be the first thing seen when people first lay eyes on him." Abe said from the desk, his eyes still glued to his work and hand still writing. I looked at him a little surprised, I had forgotten he was there and apparently so did she because her head whipped back towards him then back at me.
"I wasn't really paying attention." She answered simply.
"But you stared right at me." I stated.
She blushed deep red. "I...I was..." She trailed off.
"Well?" I said anticipating her reply.
"She was captivated by your eyes, Red." Abe answered for her, showing the palm of his hand to them.
"ABE!" She yelled as her face went red as a tomato.
"My eyes?" I asked dumbly for the third time but this time more to myself than anyone else.
She remained silent and found something interesting on the floor to look at. Her bangs covered her face.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. It was instinctual." Abe said this time glancing towards the girl.
"Instinct tells me to ring your neck but I'm not going with instinct now am I?" She mumbled under her breath but we both caught it.
Abe got back to concentrating on his work with an 'Abe smile' on his face. I for one couldn't wipe the smirk off my face at her remark. Then I remembered what the issue had been and the smirk slid off my face like an ice-cream cone on a hot summer day.
Captivated by my eyes? Didn't notice my right hand? Giggled at my tail? What kind of sick joke was this?
"Yeah, so I gotta get to that stuff I mentioned earlier. Catch ya later kid." I said waving off to them as I made my way back to my room.
Once I reached my room, I plopped down into my bed. I suddenly remembered what happened before I went out to save the girl.
~Flashback~
Abe burst into my room, as I just lay in my bed. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
"Abe, What's going on?" I asked him a little irritated by the never-wanted company.
"I need your help." He said as he took three long strides towards my bed. He took my hand and placed his palm against mine. Suddenly images of a girl flashed across my vision. Her past since she was born until the moment my clock ticked in my room. Once the images were pulled away, I looked at Abe, confused as hell.
"What the hell Abe?" I asked.
"Don't you remember? She's the girl we found unconscious yesterday. The one who killed our target." He rushed out.
"Oh yeah. So what of her?" I asked with venom in my voice. Abe knew very well that I wanted nothing to do with her because she was reminding me of Liz and I really just didn't want another female around the group any time soon.
Abe glided back to the giant safe door and pulled it open. Just there I noticed he wasn't wearing any of his gear for breathing or his skin and he looked dead worried. Once the door was fully opened he made total silence. I listened real hard and then I heard it. Screaming. Bloodcurdling screams. I looked at Abe searching for answers.
"It's her. I tried to get to her but the room is completely aflame. She seems to be convulsing because her body is arching in pain as her flames blow out more and more. Her screaming is driving me mad and your the only fire-proof guy I know. You have got to help her!" Abe said rather quickly and very distressed.
I got up from my bed and walked past him. Half way through I stopped and called back. "Where is she?"
Abe hesitated and I knew exactly where she was. I rushed down to Liz's old room and tried to open the door but it was locked. I looked back at Abe who had just caught up and was putting on his respirator.
"How do you know it's on fire? The door is locked." I asked blankly.
"I saw it." He said as he put his hand on the metal door. "She is still struggling." He said over her screaming. "I think she burned out the interior system because her door won't open when I input the code into the padlock." He said as he tried to input the code again. It didn't work.
"Alright. Stand back old buddy." And with that I began to kick the door as hard as I could. This door in particular is 'Hellboy proof' from when Liz was here. The door was dented but it didn't budge. I stopped to think. Then I started to punch the hinges with my stone hand. Father knew I was too hardheaded to think this through until now that I figured out the loophole because the door began to budge. One more hinge to go. With one last blow the door fell down and flames shot right at me and almost reach Abe, hadn't me jumped back a couple of feet away. I picked up the door and placed it back to keep the flames inside but it just kinda leaned there miserably. I walked into the room and went straight to the screaming girl. I started to yell at her to wake up and shake her rather harshly but she wouldn't wake. I yelled louder and practically mopped her bed with her own body. I was now very frustrated and slightly worried that something was seriously wrong here. Then I yelled angrily.
"Hey! Wake up goddammit!"
She then started to wake up and she looked around then her eyes landed on me. She was dazed as hell.
"Aren't you burning into oblivion?" She whispered. I didn't hear her but I could read her lips.
"Nah, I'm fire-proof." I said trying to keep calm.
I picked her small flaming body up and told her to stay put. As soon as I did, she passed out and her flames resided. I saw a few men go into the room to extinguish the rising flames and then I took her to a safer place.
~End of Flashback~
I sighed. Today has been a strange day. A change from my normal routine which would be to mourn over Liz all day and hate everything. But today, I did little mourning and met the girl I had wished never was found as of about 7 hours ago and turns out that she wasn't half bad. She made me think of Liz and not want to destroy something. She made me...happy? I guess it's safe to say she made me happier than I had been in 4 years.
I suddenly felt a lot of weight lifted off my shoulders. Just enough to be back to normal by tomorrow. Be my arrogant, cocky, self-assured self again. I sighed for the second time in a period of 3 minutes. I guess I should take the change slowly. Start loosening up a little everyday. And soon...hopefully move on from Liz, not forget, never, but I have to put my false guilt behind me and move on in life.
With that said, I closed my eyes and fell unconscious into sleep.
Normal POV (the girl)
As soon as Hellboy left I glared at Abe until I got bored and left to my room. I was stopped at the door by two men in suits. I instantly got nervous.
"Excuse me but this is my r-room." I said to them.
"Yes we know that but sadly the room was severely damaged and isn't stable for you to be in." One of the guys said.
"I thought the room was fire-proof." I said cautiously.
"It is but the amount and constant increasing of the temperature caused the fire protector to falter and most of the room is melted or singed. We're sorry for the inconveniences." The same man said.
"Well where am I supposed to stay?" I asked. Then out of nowhere, Abe came up.
"I can't offer my room because I live in a tank and there are only couches in the library and I can't have you sleeping in a couch chair. There is only my tank, this room and Hellboy's. Oh of course! Hellboy's room! He has a rather large bed. I'm sure both of you can fit just fine." Abe said.
Abe noticed the glint in my eye that I wasn't too happy about the idea. I knew he was going psychic on me by the way he didn't speak. I knew he knew that I felt uncomfortable with the idea of sleeping in the same bed with a man, and not only a man but a man that she had just met a few hours ago. And the fact that he probably had Liz sleeping there made it far more awkward. And she wasn't going to sleep at all like that.
"I'm sorry, but it's the only option left. And no, I will not accept you sleeping on a couch chair. We'll have to see if Hellboy accepts. He will have to because I will not tolerate you on an uncomfortable couch chair." And with that, Abe took her arm and dragged her to the large safe door.
I looked at him, confused.
"This is Hellboy's room. The door is like this because his father designed it like this so he wouldn't escape when he wasn't allowed to leave his room. When he was 'grounded'." He said answering my questioning look.
"Oh." I said simply.
Abe then knocked on the door. No reply.
"The big monkey must've fallen asleep." He said as he unlocked the door with some strange key. He opened the door slightly and poked his head inside. "He is asleep. Come on but keep a distance please." He said stepping aside for me to enter. Once I entered a pack of cats came towards me.
"Oh! Kitties! I love kitties!" I whispered like a little girl.
"Please, keep quiet. Hellboy isn't a light sleeper but if he is disturbed..." He trailed off.
I nodded and crouched down to the cats. I reached out to stroke a Siamese looking cat. It hissed and batted my hand away with it's sharp claws. I hissed back angrily and raised my clawed hand. The cat scurried away quickly along with some other cats. I looked up at Abe who was looking at me with a curious expression, I just shrugged and reached for a black cat. The cat immediately came to my hand and rubbed up against me. It purred softly as I stroked it softly. It was entirely black with yellow eyes and the slits were clearly black. I picked the cat up and hugged it. Abe still looked at me strangely.
"It's a thing." I whispered with another shrug.
He shook his head and stepped closer to the sleeping half demon. He signaled for me to step back. I did as I was told. Abe then moved closer to the half demon.
"Hellboy." He said as if he were holding a normal conversation.
Hellboy only turned onto his side giving his back to him.
"Red." He said a bit louder. And again and again and still no response.
Abe reached for Hellboy's arm. He hadn't even touched him and Hellboy had already sent three fists his way. Abe swiftly dodged them and called his name. Once Hellboy realized what was going on, he laid back down onto his bed and rested his head on his hands.
"What do you want now Abe?" He asked groggily.
"Well...you see..." He began.
"Cut to the chase Blue." He said as he yawned.
"Well, the young lady right over there..." he pointed at me and Hellboy raised an eyebrow. "...got her room all burnt and can not reside there until further notice. My room is not even an option and that leaves your room." He said casually.
Hellboy say up in his bed, sleep left behind immediately, and glared at his best friend.
"Are you sure it's the last option? I mean my room is a dirty mess and all." Hellboy said looking around making sure everything was a mess.
"I'm sure." Abe said.
"Still, the mess." He said simply.
"Oh, I don't mind, I haven't had a home for about 4 years and I've slept in places you wouldn't even think possible." I said cheerfully.
Hellboy raised his eyebrow at me again. "She doesn't seem to mind the cats either..." He said, eying the black cat in my arms. "Alright fine. Just don't hog up the bed." He said.
"Thank you Agent Hellboy." Abe said.
Hellboy raised an eyebrow at him and put a smirk on his face.
"Your welcome Agent Fishstick." He said putting his hand on his forehead like a military salute.
I laughed out loud freely and they both looked at me. I tried to stifle it but I failed miserably. Hellboy chuckled and Abe just looked sheepish. I felt bad and stopped laughing but Hellboy just increased his laughter. Abe then punched him in the shoulder and stopped Hellboy from laughing immediately.
"Ow! Since when do you hit people?" Hellboy asked in shock.
"Since they started calling me Fishstick." He said seriously.
"Looks like I struck a nerve!" He said mockingly.
"Looks like your getting a bruise." He said simply. He then turned towards the door where I still stood laughing from when he punched the big half demon and actually made him say ow. I guess he hit a soft spot he knew about.
He walked up to me and kissed the top of my head. "Sweet dreams." He mumbled.
I blushed. He shut the door behind him. I looked back at Hellboy who was sitting in the middle of his bed. He scooted to the side and patted on the free space. I timidly walked over with the cat still in my arms and sat on the bed.
"You have a thing for cats?" I asked trying to break my own ice.
"Yeah." He answered simply.
"Me too." I said awkwardly.
"Though I never got that one to like me. I used to scratch me all up when I tried to pet it until I all together stopped trying. I have plenty more cats to pet. I don't really need that one to like me. But now I do because he likes you a lot already. Look at 'em, he's all over you." He said trying to break the ice as well.
I giggled a little and he smiled a crooked smile. He reached forward to try and pet the cat but it batted his hand away and hissed. I giggled again.
"A Siamese cat did that to me too when I first got in here." I said.
"Sammy? Nah, Sammy my best cat! That's impossible." He said with a chuckle.
"It's true though. Here, try again." I said moving the cat closer to him which involved me getting closer to him because I held the cat against my chest so it wouldn't struggle.
"Nah, he doesn't like me." He said looking away.
I moved closer to him. "Come on, just try. Please." I begged.
"Fine." He said as he brought his hand out to stroke him. The cat did the same thing again. I quickly bought the cat up and put my mouth to it's ear.
"Hey, calm down. He isn't going to hurt you. He's trying to stroke you. You may look big and scary to you..." I glanced at him and he raised and eyebrow at me as he listened to me whispering to the cat. "...but the wouldn't hurt you. Give the big guy a chance." I whispered and then bought it back down to my chest. "Alright?" I asked the cat.
To our surprise, the cat meowed his response.
"Try again Hellboy." I said.
Hellboy reached over to the cat. The cat tensed and slightly flinched away from his hand but nevertheless he let Hellboy stroke him. Soon, the cat was much more relaxed and even purred. Hellboy looked at me in disbelief. I smiled brightly at my triumph. I let the cat go and it crawled into Hellboy's lap. Hellboy's mouth hung open.
"13 years, 13 years I tried to get this cat to like me and then you come along and cast some spell on it and it likes me! That's unbelievable." He said stroking the cat. Then he tried it with his stone hand. The cat flinched a little but flipped over and started playfully clawing at it as he tickled it's belly. "I'm officially hiring you as my cat mistress." He said as he put the cat down onto the ground. He leaned his weight into his left arm and placed his right hand on his lap. He looked at me then.
"Thanks." He said.
"For what? I should thank you for saving me." I said leaning my weight on my right arm. Our shoulder practically touched. I felt the heat emitting from his skin.
"You already said thanks. I thank you for...everything." He said as he laid back into his bed. I followed suit. We turned on our sides so we were facing each other. "Only a few hours ago, I wanted nothing to do with you. I just wanted to mourn and hate everything. But I had to meet you, and I don't regret meeting you. Your a lot like Liz you know. And that kinda hurts but in a good way...I think. You made me think of her without wanting to destroy something. You made me...much happier than I have been for the past 4 years. So, thanks." He said.
My eyes watered up. I held back the tears and I smiled. "No problem. It was my pleasure."
"Come on, don't cry about it! Your tougher than that!" He said, playfully punching my arm.
I snorted a laugh. "Please. Me? Cry? No way." I said as I wiped a single tear that managed to escape.
He chuckled. "Say kid, what's your name?" He asked as he lifted his head with his left arm.
"I don't have a name..." I said rather sadly.
"What? You don't have a name? Why not?" He asked.
"With what happened today...I don't know why I don't have a name." I said averting my eyes to the mattress.
Hellboy wanted to change the subject quickly.
"Well. Want me to give ya one?" He asked.
"I would like that." I said with a smile.
"Hmm." He said as he looked around the room.
He stayed deep in thought for about 5 minutes all the while I just looked at him, examined him closely. A few more minutes passed by and he was still deep in thought and I still examined him. I trailed down to his bare torso. I traced the lines and swirls he had engraved on his torso with my eyes very carefully. I looked back up to his eyes and he was staring at me with an amused face and a smirk. He raised an eyebrow and moved it up and down.
I blushed like mad and I couldn't look at him.
"Hey." He said in a husky tone. "I know you like what you see but try not to drool on my bed, it's already running down your chin." He finished.
My eyes widened and my hand automatically went to wipe my chin but it was dry and the amused look crept back onto his face. I blushed again but this time I slapped his arm from under his head causing it to fall onto the bed. I laughed at him.
"So, how does Rogue sound?" He asked as he put his head back on his arm.
"Rogue?" I repeated.
"Yeah, you know, like for a name." He said.
"Hmm...may I know the reason?" I asked.
"Well, Rogue has two meanings; one is that it's a shade of red, and your hair is red and fire is known as red even though your is blue, and the second meaning is to be rebellious, independent, a loner...I think it suites you well." He said simply.
"I like it. Rogue. Yeah I like it." I said with a bright smile.
"Alright then, Rogue." He said tasting the name on his tongue. "Yeah I like it too."
"This is exciting. A new name." I said happily. "A new home. New friends...a whole new life." I said with a dreamy sigh.
"It seems like it's a whole new life for both of us. I already feel different, better. Thanks to you." He said.
"Same here." I replied. A small yawn escaped my lips.
"You should get some sleep. It has been an eventful day. For both of us." He said with a yawn of his own.
"Yeah it sure has been." I said. "Thanks again, Hellboy." I said.
"Hey, call me Red." He said with a crooked grin.
I smiled. "Alright. Goodnight Red." I said as I got comfortable in my side of the bed.
Hellboy got up and walked to the light switch. He took one last look at me. I smiled at him sleepily. He smiled back and switched the light off. He made his way back to the bed but halfway through, he stepped on a cat and his hissed loudly.
"Crap, I can't see!" He mumbled.
I giggled and pulled up a hand and ignited it in flames to light up the room until he got to the bed. Once he got comfortable, he said his thanks and I closed my hand to make the flames recede. I sighed happily and shut my eyes. I thought about today's events, some made me shudder others made me smile and before I knew it, I was out like a light.
Hellboy's POV
This...is going to be an interesting new life. He thought as the image of Rogue plagued his mind. He sighed and soon fell asleep as well.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
REVIEW! IM SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE BUT MY LAPTOP WAS BEING REPAIRED AND I GOT IT BACK YESTERDAY! THIS IS ABOUT THE LONGEST CHAPTER I HAVE EVER MADE! I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF! I HOPE YOU LIKE READING IT AS MUCH AS I LIKED WRITING IT! REVIEWS MAKE ME HAPPY! MAKE ME HAPPY PLEASE!
LOVE, SHADOW THE WOLF MISTRESS ;D