Roxanne leaned against her kitchen counter and stared out of the window. The storm had changed worse. Both the rain and the wind had grown stronger and now it had started lightening and thundering.
She hated storms, especially the intense ones like this. She remembered when she was a kid the storms always send her running into her parents' bedroom and burrow under their sheets. It had felt the safest place then.
When she had grown up she needed to learn suffer the storms all alone, pretending she was fine but actually she always felt a little unsafety during the storms, hoping there was someone with her reassuring her.
The lightning flashed again and her thoughts turned back to this evening. 'What if I hadn't decided to straighten across that alley?'
The idea made her heart aching. 'What if he would be still there in the middle of the storm? With his wrenched ankle and that annoying cough, the pouring rain wetting him and the cold wind freezing him. Would he have made it? She didn't want to know.
"Ollo.." Said a careful voice next to her interrupting her wondering. She glanced there and saw Megamind standing with the crutches beside her counter. She hadn't heard he had left the bathroom. He had dressed her grey sweatpants and the black loose t-shirt. Roxanne was astonished. She had never before seen him wearing the normal clothes not to mention seeing so much his bare blue skin. He looked so fragile and vulnerable without his usual spandex suit, shoulder pad with the high collar and his cape. He looked nice, Roxanne thought and smiled at him.
Megamind noticed how she was staring at him. He regretted immediately he didn't choose the dress shirt. 'Why I was so stupid not to pick that shirt with long sleeves? She's staring at my blue skin and probably feeling disgusted. Why I had to think my own comfort before her? I'm such a fool..'
"Hey" She answered and leaped to stand in front of him. "Did you have a nice bath?" Roxanne asked petting his right arm lightly.
Megamind startled a little feeling her touch. 'She is.. She's touching my bare skin..'
"Yes.. Thank you for asking.. You were right it.. It felt good.. really good.. I.. I feel better now.. Much better" He said and felt how his cheeks were blushing again, bashfully he turned his gaze on the floor.
Roxanne felt her heart was melting. 'How can he be so sweet and adorable?'
"I could bandage you now." She said still smiling at him. "You can go sit on the couch, I'll be right back, go to get my first aid kit." She left him and disappeared in the bathroom.
Megamind turned around with the crutches heading to her living room and was amazed again. There was her sofa-bed open and she had made a bed for him. The bottom sheet was black and the blanket and the two pillows were covered with dark blue cotton sheets.
Megamind gaped the sight before him. 'She made a bed for me?'
Roxanne had returned with the first aid kit and was standing next to him.
"Oh, I made a bed for you meantime you were in the bath. I didn't know do you prefer more one or two pillow so I picked two for you just in case." She told softly when she saw his astonished face.
"Roxanne you shouldn't have, this is too much. I don't want to bother you. Really, I could have slept on the couch.. This is too much." He said still staring at the bed, shaking his head.
Roxanne returned her hand petting his arm again. "Megamind" she said gently. "You haven't bothered me. You are my guest and I want you will enjoy. Like I said before it's been a rough day for you and I want you feel safe and comfortable. Now, shall we?" She showed the first aid kit for him and gestured him to sit down.
Carefully he placed himself on the edge of the bed. Roxanne kneeled down and examined his ankle, it was still very swollen. Then she opened the kit and took a gauze roll from it. Smoothly she started to envelop his leg with the gauze, making it tight and steady around his ankle. The pressure was suitable and Megamind felt how the worse pain started to vanish.
He watched how she was working, her back towards him. 'She's not flinching my skin color or touching me.. Her touch is so gentle, not like the doctors' of the prison. That's better.. I like the way how she touch me..' He thought quietly.
Roxanne finished her work and turned to watch him. He smiled at her sweetly.
"Is it okay? I hope it's not too tight, I want your blood circulation will work right." She said sounding a little worried.
"Oh no, it's fine." He hurried to say. He didn't want she would worry about him. "It's perfect. Thank you." He flashed a sweet little smile.
The gesture made Roxanne's heart flutter. 'How can he be so sincerely sweet and attractive? I've never met a man like this before. He's so unique in every possible way.'
Roxanne stood up from the floor and sit next to him the first aid kit on her lap. She took a piece of cotton wool and added some disinfectant on.
Megamind watched her actions attentively.
"This can burn a little" she said apologizingly and pressed the cotton softly against the cut on his cheek.
He grimaced and closed his eyes. Roxanne wiped gently the cut, bringing her left hand onto his other cheek.
He snapped his eyes wide open when he felt her touch. "Everything's fine" she reassured him. She stopped cleaning and examined his cut. It had inflamed a little bit but Roxanne decided not to use bandage. The air would do well for it.
"I think we're done" she told him, caressing his cheek gently. 'His eyes are so beautiful'
Megamind retreated from her touch and was coughing again. Roxanne patted his back gently.
"Are you hungry? The supper is soon ready. Would you like some tea?" 'I think he needs some cough medicine too'
"Yeah, yes please. The tea is fine. Thank you Roxanne." 'This woman is too good for me..'
"Wait here, be right back." She retired to the kitchen.
Roxanne wasn't a very good cook. She usually ate at restaurants or ordered to home but tonight she wanted to prepare something herself. She had toasts and some single products in her refrigerator so she had decided to make a hot sandwiches meantime he was in the bath.
She hurried to turn off the stove and get off the sandwiches before they would burn.
Unfortunately it had took a little longer with bandaging him than she had thought and the sandwiches were burned from the edges.
She let out a deep sigh and turned the kettle on. 'I can't serve these for him.. I should have order something..' She tried desperately cut the burned parts away but sandwiches' shade was still very dark brown.
She took a cough syrup from the cupboard and poured it on a medicine cup. She took a tray and placed a medicine, two mugs and two spoons, selection of different teas and the kettle on it. She checked her fridge again but no, there wasn't anything to serve. She gathered the sandwiches on the plate, trying to hide the badly burned ones under the others. Then she placed the plate on the tray and headed back to living room.
Megamind had turned on the television and was watching the news. Roxanne placed the tray on the coffee table and poured a water in both mugs.
"Smells good" He said and reached out toward the table.
"I'm sorry, they burned a little, you don't have to eat them. I.. I can order something for us." She stammered. 'I'm so embarrassed..'
Megamind took one sandwich and examined it. "You think that's burned? Oh, you should have seen when I tried to toast bread, the whole kitchen was on fire. Minion haven't let me approach the kitchen after that.. I wonder the whole Lair didn't burn down.." He shut his mouth up immediately he realized what he had just said. His briefly good mood had gone with the sentence. He turned his gaze on the floor letting out a deep sigh. 'I'm so pathetic.. I can't understand why she is treating me so well.. Maybe I should have burn with the Lair..'
Roxanne sat back beside him and wrapped her arms around him so his back was against her front, laying her head on his shoulder. Megamind tensed again.
"I'm sorry" she said rocking him gently. "Everything will work out, I'm sure about it. Trust me."
"I should have been there.. I should have burn with my Lair.." He said blankly.
Roxanne was shocked. 'How can he say something like this? How can he even think about it?'
Roxanne tightened her grip around him dragging him closer to her. "Don't even think about it" She whispered into his ear. "Don't.. you.. ever.. say.. that.. again, please?"
'Why is she caring? I am her kidnapper, she shouldn't act like this..'
"But Roxanne.."
"Shhh.." She hushed. "You are a wonderful person Megamind.. Don't you ever think you are worthless.. You're a unique individual, now and forever, remember it."
He couldn't help it but he felt how his eyes filled with tears. 'No one has ever said something so beautiful about me before.. No one has ever said I'm unique..'
Roxanne heard how he sniffed. 'Is he.. is he crying?' Roxanne's heart was skipping a beat again. 'He think he's a super villain and here he is, in my arms crying.. I'm starting to like him more and more.. He's so cute!'
Roxanne hugged him behind one last time. "You should eat, it's been a long day. Which taste of tea do you like? I have several flavors."
He remembered he was still holding the sandwich in his hand. Absent-mindedly he took a bite of it and surprised when the flavor burst into his mouth. It was so good, the taste was marvelous, it didn't matter the bread had burned a little. The best thing was Roxanne had made them.
"These tastes fantastic" he told eating bread with gusto.
Roxanne looked at him puzzled. 'Is he serious? Does he really like them? Maybe he's just overly courteous..'
"Megamind, you really don't have to eat them.. You don't have to be courteous.." She said taking a sip of lemon tea.
'What? She's thinking I'm courteous?' Now it was Megamind's turn to be puzzled.
"No Roxanne, I really like these, they tastes good. Trust me." He smiled sincerely at her.
'He's amazing'
"But they're burned.."
"Roxanne please. You didn't see how my bread looked like when I burned it. Believe me, these haven't burned." He finished his first sandwich and bent to examine the tea selection. He chose a strawberry flavor and immersed the tea bag into mug.
"Mmm.. Do you have a sugar? I usually add some into my tea.." He asked shyly.
"Sure, just a second." She went to fetch the sugar dish. She placed the dish on the table and sit beside him. Flabbergasted she watched how Megamind add one spoonful sugar, then the other, third, fourth.. After adding ten spoonful of the sugar in to his mug he stirred the liquid and took a sip.
'He really likes sugar.. I didn't know he's such a sweet tooth..' Roxanne thought looking over at him. It was the first time she had a chance to consider his features more closely. His cranium had a perfect round shape and she found his pointed ears very intriguing. He had a beautiful high cheekbones and his nose tip was cutely rounded. His eyes were big and lovely with the perfect emerald shade. His chin was long and strong. His dark goatee and brow perfectly trimmed.
'I like his features.. He looks good.. He looks so good..' Roxanne's eyes drifted to his lips. They had a perfect plump shape and their skin looked so soft. 'How would it feel like to..'
Just then he grimaced and Roxanne turned her head reluctantly towards the screen. The reporter was telling about a big fire on the industrial area and showing some footage. One hall had burned perfectly down, only the pillars were left.
"Was that..?" She asked tentatively.
"Yeah.. It was.." He whispered back eyes glued to the screen. "Everything's gone.." He slightly shook his head.
Roxanne took his hand in hers and squeezed it reassuringly.
Soon the news were showing what the storm had caused around the city. There was fallen trees and power cuts all around the town. Even the government advised people to stay indoors.
"Do you think is Minion OK?" Megamind asked quietly, staring at the screen and furrowing his brow.
Roxanne placed her palm on his shoulder. "I'm sure he's fine. Minion is a smart fish. Probably he's sheltering from the storm." Megamind wasn't convinced. "What if.. What if he's looking for me and will hurt himself. I.. I won't never forgive myself if something happens to him.." He thrust his head into his hands.
Roxanne brought her hand petting his back. "Minion knows you would also shelter from the rain. He knows you're a genius. I'm sure he's safe." She spoke soothingly.
"I just wish I could somehow tell to him I'm fine."
'He's so loyal and caring. He has many good qualities. He's so adorable.'
"Everything will work out, we will find out how to catch him." She keep on stroking his back. "It's late. Maybe you should go to bed, everything will seem better in the morning."
"Maybe you're right." He said turning his gaze back to her. He looked so vulnerable.
"This is for you." Roxanne handed the medicine cup for him.
"What's this?" He asked and took the cup looking at the stuff inside it suspiciously.
"It's a cough medicine. Drink it, it will make you feel better." She patted his cheek.
He drank it in one gulp and grinned. "Oh god, that tastes awful!" He stuck out his tongue.
Roxanne chuckled a little. "Well, I guess the medicines aren't meant to taste good."
He took a couple sandwiches from the plate. "Now I have to try cover this awful taste in my mouth with your delicious toasts." And he took a bite "Mmmm… So good"
Roxanne felt her cheeks were blushing a little bit. 'He's so.. I don't know.. He's perfect.. Just the way he is. I like him so much.'
"You got something there.." Roxanne said gently when he had finished the toasts and took her hand on the corner of his mouth wiping crumbs away with her thumb.
She stared at him in the eyes and he stared back. He had tensed again feeling her touching his face and looking at him so intensively way. Carefully Roxanne brought her face closer to his, tilting her head and closing her eyes. His lips were couple inch away.
"I.. I should use the bathroom.." He retreated from her touch turning his gaze away from her.
Roxanne felt ashamed and embarrassed her cheeks glowing red. 'Did I just..? Oh god, what was I thinking?'
"Yeah, sure.. There's.. There's an extra toothbrush you can use.. It's on the counter of the sink cabinet.. " She stammered out. She couldn't watch him so she waited he had disappeared with the crutches in the bathroom until she cleaned the tray and dishes back to the kitchen.
She hit her fist against the cupboard.
'How can I be so stupid? He's so shy to touch and what do I do? Go and try to kiss him? He must be totally scared. I have ruined everything..'
…
In the bathroom Megamind was washing his face with cold water trying to reassure himself.
'Did she just.. did she try to kiss me? Am I really so pathetic she's ready to lower herself to kiss me? Ooh.. I shouldn't have come here. Maybe I should leave during the night when she's asleep. That would be good for both of us.'
He brushed his teeth and used the toilet. Then he cautiously opened the door and returned living room. He sat on the edge of his bed and set the crutches on the floor beside the bed.
"Going to sleep?" asked a small voice from the kitchen's direction. Roxanne stand there looking bashful.
"Yes" he answered.
'This is so awkward!' They both were thinking,
"Yeah.. I.. I'm going to shower.. Well.. Good night." She hurried to the bathroom.
"Good night" Megamind whispered even though he knew she wouldn't hear him.
He turned the lights off and burrowed under the blanket. The blanket, pillows and mattress were nicely soft and the sheets smelled good. It felt good lie on the warm and soft bed when the wind was blowing outside and the raindrops was hitting the window. It was still thundering and lightning. It felt good to be here but he know he couldn't stay especially when things had got so awkward. He decided to wait until Roxanne would fall asleep, then he would leave. He listened sounds of the storm and water running in the shower. He relished the feeling of the warm and safe bed and felt how he started to drift off to sleep. He tried to struggle against the sleep but finally he gave up and drifted into a deep restful sleep.
…
Roxanne had showered and also brushed her teeth. She sneaked to her bedroom and dressed a pink nightgown. Then she returned to turn off the bathroom light.
It was still storming and the lightning lighted her apartment occasionally. 'I really hate these storms..' She thought quietly wrapping her arms around her.
She glanced a sleeping figure on her sofa-bed and slowly sneaked towards it. She kneeled beside the bed and looked at sleeping Megamind. It was dark but her eyes were accustomed and she could see he was sleeping peacefully. 'Why I had to ruin this evening..? Made him feel insecure..' She thought sadly.
Carefully she brought her hand stroking his cheek. "Good night Megamind." She whispered and planted a soft kiss on his forehead. The lightning flashed again when she retreated and she saw he was staring at her eyes wide and shocked. Roxanne startled a little.
"Wha.. what are you doing?" He asked whispering, sounding frightened.
"I..I just.. I.. I wanted to give you a good night kiss.." She whispered and tried to smile at him.
"A good night.. kiss?" He asked puzzled.
"Yeah.. You.. you don't know what's a good night kiss?" She was confused.
Megamind shook his head slightly and looked sad.
Roxanne felt her heart was breaking down. 'He doesn't know what's a good night kiss.. Haven't he ever got a one.. I have to fix this..'
She brought her palm back to his cheek. "You know, a good night kiss is a way to tell good night to someone you like.. really much.."
"But Roxanne, you don't.."
She placed her index finger before his lips silencing him.
"You can plant it on here" she kissed his forehead again. "Or here" she kissed his right cheek. "Here" she kissed the tip of his nose. "Or.. here" she whispered and pushed her lips gently against his. 'Now or never, maybe I misunderstood something with the first try..'
Megamind froze totally when her lips touched his. 'Oh my god, what is she doing? Why is she doing this? She doesn't like me.. She can't like me.. But it looks she's doing this willingly..'
He didn't know what to do… Then his mind started to talk to him 'Hey, this is the girl of your dreams kissing you, this might be the first and the last time when she's doing it.. go for it genius..'
Roxanne was still holding her lips against him but it seemed he wasn't answering. 'Oh no, I shouldn't have.. He doesn't want this.. Why I imagined I was wrong with the first try..I need to stop' Just then she felt how he pushed his lips cautiously against hers.
Roxanne's heart made a flip. He was kissing back, soft and hesitantly. She kissed him back with more pressure and this time his response was more confident.
Just then the thunder clapped very loudly which made Roxanne startle and leave his lips.
"Megamind?" She asked tentatively.
"Yes?" he asked whispering
"I.. I really don't like storms.. They always make me feel.. unsafe.. Could I.. Could I sleep with you?" She questioned shyly.
Megamind didn't answer, instead he lifted his blanket's corner which Roxanne interpreted was 'yes'.
She burrowed under the warm blanket pressing her body against his and wrapped her arms around him.
Megamind felt his whole body tensed. 'This is too good to be true..This must be a dream..'
And then she was kissing him again, sweet and slowly pressing him closer to her. 'Yeah.. Definitely a dream..'
Roxanne enjoyed how his skin smelled, fresh and fascinating with a hint of musk. His lips were so soft and perfectly shaped just like made for kissing. Roxanne captured his bottom lip between her lips and sucked a little. He let out a little groan. 'He likes this' Roxanne thought happily smiling against his lips.
She wanted to deepen the kiss and tried to dart her tongue inside his mouth coaxing him to try out some French kissing but just then he reluctantly pushed her away.
"Roxanne.. Please..stop.. We can't.. This.. This is wrong.. You are..you're Metro Man's girlfriend.. We can't do this.. This is wrong.. You're together.. although he's my enemy.. we can't.. You should go to your own bed.. He.. he will kill me if he finds out.."
Roxanne was astonished. 'Really, this man proclaims he is a super villain and here he is moralizing me, telling what is right and what is wrong in relationship. He's amazing.'
"Megamind" she sighed. "I'm not together with Metro Man. Never have, never will. "
Megamind gaped at her in amazement. "Wha.. What do you mean you're not together?"
"We're not dating. He is.. he's not my type.." She petted his chest.
"What do you mean he's not your type?" Megamind snapped. "Every woman in the city would kill to be with him.. He's so.." Roxanne placed her index finger before his lips again.
"I'm not like the other women.. Besides I appreciate more intelligence than muscles." She spoke gently and caressed his large cranium.
"Roxanne.." he whispered.
"We haven't done anything wrong Megamind. If you want so, I can go to my own bed but if you don't mind I would gladly sleep with you. It's up to you Megamind. You make the decision."
He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her closer to him, kissing her lips gently and whispered into her ear "Please, stay."
Roxanne placed her arms around him and they shared sweet, small, little kisses.
'He's such a good kisser.. I like the way how he holds me.. He's so gentle and respectful.. He's not letting his hands wandering along my body like the other men I have shared the same bed.. He's different.. He's better..'
Their lips separated and Roxanne pressed her head against his chest so her crown was touching his chin.
They lied like this listening the storm raging outside. 'What if hadn't decided to straighten across that alley?' She was thinking again and nestled against him harder. The thought made her eyes fill with tears that she couldn't hold.
"Is.. is everything alright?" He asked cautiously when he heard she was sniffing.
'Did I something wrong..? Is she regretting we kissed..?'
"I.. I just.. What if I hadn't straightened across that alley? What if you would still be there?" She pressed her face against his neck and sobbed.
Megamind hugged her and stroked her head soothingly. "Everything's fine Roxanne, I'm here with you. You don't have to think about it." He spoke reassuringly.
"But what if.."
"Shh.." He hushed into her ear. "I'm here." He nuzzled her hair gently. "I'm here."
Roxanne relished his caressing touches and calming words. His warm body felt so good against her.
Megamind, her kidnapper, had kidnapped her heart during one night revealing the real him. He had all the qualities Roxanne appreciates. He was sweet, polite, smart, funny, respectful and loyal. She felt safe in his arms. She felt good with him. Could they.. Could they start dating?
The thought made Roxanne got butterflies in her stomach. She imagined them going out for a dinner for the very first time, drinking wine in the candlelight and looking each other tenderly. She imagined them walking in the park and lying on the grass and observing the sky. She imagined them watching movies together, arms wrapped around each other. She imagined them making love for the very first time, sweet and slowly, enjoying each other the most intimate way.
Roxanne listened Megamind's breathing, it had deepened. She glanced at him and saw he had fallen asleep again. She smiled and closed her eyes, listening his soothing heartbeat.
Soon Roxanne drifted of the sleep, his arms around her making her feel nice and safe, protecting her from the raging storm rampaging outside.
It was the best place in the world to sleep.