Separating we remained still for a moment panting slightly, and then Mercury lurched to his feet muttering and started pacing. Sitting up I tracked Mercury's movements across the clearing, back and forth, back and forth repeatedly till I couldn't stand it any more. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? What's wrong? I kissed you that's what's wrong!"
A stab of hurt washed through me, "I see" barley taking note that my power levels had dropped dangerously low. Rolling to my feet and swaying slightly I turned to leave the clearing, mentally cursing the tears that were threatening if the burning in my nose and eyes was any indicator. Staggering at the sudden movement, my wings shot out to balance me. Freezing in position I turned to peer over my shoulder to see mercury staring wide eyed at the long shimmering feathers that covered the graceful curve of my wing where it was spread, almost glowing in the light of the moon.
Gaze slowly rising to my face he barley breathed the word but it carried all the force of a sledge hammer "Dove?"
Flinching I made to run into the woods rethinking my earlier decision to possibly tell them, the raw emotion in my name as he spoke it suggested stronger feelings than I had anticipated. A hand closing around my wrist halted my desperate attempt at fleeing from this painful situation. yanking me around to face him I could see the pain and suspicion in his eyes, reaching up with his free hand he pushed the hood of my cloak back revealing a familiar face. closing my eyes I turning my face away I waited for mercury's reaction.
Mercury pov
Staring into a pair of achingly familiar mismatched eyes I fought with myself, Spring couldn't be Dove, Dove was dead. "Spring?"
"Mercury.."
Her voice was so soft almost breathy, swallowing a groan I leaned forwards pressing our lips together firmly. I shuddered slightly at the sensation of her warm pink lips moving against mine. pulling back reluctantly I forced myself to remember this wasn't Dove, it was Spring and I had only just met her and yet my whole being already longed for her with a strength and passion only rivalled by my infatuation with Dove. Lurching to my feet I staggered away trying to control my thoughts that all seemingly focused on Dove and Spring and their similarities, even their fighting style was similar. spinning I continued to pace when Spring spoke up "what's wrong?"
"what's wrong? What's wrong? I kissed you that's what's wrong!"
"I see" turning to face her at the hurt tone of voice. I watched as she staggered to her feet and turned to leave swaying violently as she did, and just as I was certain that she was going to fall a pair of huge multi toned wings shot out to steady her. The pinks and green seemed to glow in the moonlight, slowly lifting my gaze to meet her wide eyes I voiced the thought raging through my head "Dove?"
Spinning around she went to run and acting on pure instinct I grabbed her wrist stopping her from leaving. Hesitantly I lifted my free hand to push back her hood, as the pale green fabric fell away my breath caught. raking my gaze over the very familiar face before me, tracing the heart shaped face and I noticed she still had that stubborn strand of hair that fell in her eye. Brushing the piece of hair away I frowned as she flinched, stroking her cheek I whispered "Dove, open your eyes"
lashes fluttering open the luminous orbs of silver and grey stared up into my own eyes and I felt any lingering anger melt away. "why? Why didn't you tell me? Tell us? everyone thinks your dead, how are you not?"
sighing softly I felt her breath feather across my lips as she spoke "I don't... I had so many secrets and it wasn't my choice to leave I had to and then by the time I got back every one thought I was dead and I didn't want to hurt everyone. I know what I need to do is dangerous and if I died for real it would hurt everyone even more, so I thought I should just stay dead and then if I'm somehow still alive at the end of this I could come back and it would all go back to how it should be."
Breathing deeply I murmured "that is incredibly naïve of you"
"I know."
"We will have to tell the others."
"Why?"
"Well they both know I'm hung up on Dove and it would seem very weird to them if I suddenly started falling all over myself for you as well, so we will have to tell them."
It clearly took a second for the words to sink in, but when they did I was rewarded with a smile so brilliant it nearly blinded. "Thank you"
I opened my mouth to return the sentiment when suddenly my arms were full of overjoyed woman and my lips were very busy.
Finally breaking apart I whispered "your welcome" enjoying the way our lips brushed against each other as I spoke because of how close we were stood together.
humming softly she smiled at me, and I took her hand and entwined our fingers before slowly leading her back to camp. It might have taken longer going back than it had taken to go out, but then we did both keep getting distracted.
When we entered the camp I called out "hey guys guess who I found under our friends hood?"
Emerald huffed and turned around "who did you...Dove?"
I watched in fascination as she smiled shyly and said "hey guys, did you miss me?"
"What the...Mercury how did you...what...I don't...how?!"
Grinning at Emeralds reaction I said "well we sparred, kissed and I found out Dove isn't as dead as we thought she was, and now we get to keep her"
"Hey you cant 'keep me' I am not a pet. However I might stay if you can convince me" the smirk she shot me as she said that told me exactly what she had in mind for 'convincing' her to stay.
Flashing her a roguish grin I said "that can be arranged"
Emerald stood and said "dear god stop it, he was bad enough when he was just pining over you and now he is going to be unbearable!"
Smiling she replied "its nice to see you too Emerald."
Grumbling Emerald sat back down and Neo just waved and smiled at her. I was pretty sure Neo had only ever met Dove once maybe twice, so there was no reason for her to be particularly pleased one way or another about Dove's grand return from the grave.