The placing of everyone at the table. It was a table that sat for 4 people. They made it fit six. Loki and Anna are at the ends, Russel sat to her right, Jess next to him and Loki. Max on Anna's left with Monica who was next to Kade. Kade sat in a chair holding his plate and was also next to Loki. There, full circle! Enjoy!
Annaleise's POV
Max was thrilled with the idea of being a cop, he played with his hands with finger guns and spoke like from popular cop movies. Making the others laugh, her including.
She couldnt help but notice that everyone but Loki was happy at the table. Jess even seemed to have a bright smile that was genuine as she watched Max goof off. Loki was lost in himself, seeming to swallow himself in a hole. Excluding himself from everyone and everything. She wondered what he must have been thinking to make him skip around his food and hardly seem to look alive almost.
Then Russell spoke up. Causing her to lock eyes with him as it was directed to her.
"You're incredible Anna, you're so smart. I love girls with more brains than ones that don't have a thought between their eyes. All those other women care about is their hair or always worried about breaking a nail. You think fast and hit hard! You really know how to pique a man's interest..."
He paused as he looked closer at her and he widened his eyes. He looked like he realized something he didnt notice before.
"Wow! Were your eye's always this mesmerizing?! I'm getting lost in them as you set my heart aflame!"
She looked down and stared down at her plate in awe.
People keep saying nice things about her, usually people say them when they want something. These people are speaking genuinely, it's nice… Her face felt warm and she couldn't help but smile.
She looked back up to see Russell acting like a statue. It almost made her laugh till she followed Russell's gaze to meet with Loki looking ready for murder… He was holding his terrifying gaze right at Russell.
"Loki?..."
Loki froze too. He looked lost in his head as he kept his gaze that looked in Russell's direction. Whatever he was thinking was making his face look like it held pain and inner turmoil. It was like everyone was frozen in time, staying completely still, and waiting for something to happen. All eyes were on Loki. His expression of pain never changed.
Then after a minute of silence Loki stood up, said nothing, and walked away. All without looking at anyone, he kept his eyes to the ground.
"Loki!? Wait, what's wrong?! You're not going to eat!?"
She tried to shout louder for him the farther he got. He was already out of the room, heading up the stairs, and then the door to his room echoed throughout the house in its slam to the wall.
She shouldn't be so worried by that behavior, he was acting a lot like how they first met. However, since she has come to realize he wasn't the same as he once was. That behavior could mean he's not alright, something is bothering him, and she doesn't know what. But, is it really her place to go bother him? He might want to be alone. She wants to make sure he eats though…
'Would you like my help?'
She looked at Monica, as she stared through her holding a face of concern. Anna thought for a minute, wondering what was best for him…
Loki's POV
He sat on his bed with his elbows propped on his knees, his head resting in his hands, and covering his eyes. Too ashamed to see the world. Till a knock sounded at his door, the knock was delicate. His head shot up from his hands, he swiftly stood to his feet, as he stood there staring at the door.
It was loud enough to make a sound, but light enough to know it was by a woman's hands. Maybe a particular woman that was worried about him, the only person he would know to come see him when he behaved oddly. The one that would make sure he at least ate his food… He had to answer for her… to at least comfort her worry she probably held onto…
He walked up to the door and deeply inhaled to prepare himself as he reached for the handle.
He opened it with his gaze to the floor, too afraid to look her in the eye. He didn't say a word, till a word got spoken with a voice that didn't sound like Annaleise.
"Hello?"
He was shocked as he looked up to see the blind woman in front of him. Holding a plate with a cover over it. He was immediately disappointed and was about to shut the door, till she said something that piqued his interest.
"She's very worried about you."
He paused right before the door shut.
"I also would like to know why I can't hear you, if you would let me talk with you. I have some information that might help you… or make things worse… but it is about Annaleise-"
He swung the door open swiftly, although she couldn't see it, he was glaring daggers at her. His tone was cold towards the small woman, enough to tell her he wasn't happy.
"She prefers Anna…"
"You called her that before, isn't that her name?"
"Yes, but only I call her that, so don't …"
"How come?"
"Well…"
It was usually only the two of them. He felt comfortable wherever he heard her name through his mouth. He felt at peace when he heard it. But for some reason when someone else called her that, it irked him that the name wasn't just for him anymore… It's just HER name… Why does it bother him like that?
"I just… find it special… that I only call her that. It's all I have. Her name is special to me, just like her."
Monica was silent for a moment. Then she spoke once more.
"I appreciate your honesty, though you could have told me a lie. I couldn't tell if you did, I can't hear you."
For some reason that annoyed him too.
"You know what, I could have! But… for some reason… I'm feeling a lot more vulnerable and honest lately…"
"For some reason? Or you love her?"
His eyes shot wide, he poked his head out, and looked both ways of the hallway to make sure it was only her. Once confirmed that she was alone and nobody heard her, he yanked her through the doorway, a small squeak left her as she swept by him, and he shut the door.
Annaleise's POV
She was comfortable with that decision.
She kept telling herself that….
But, she was still very worried.
She wondered why he would act that way at all. He was acting strange all morning. The question if they did anything kept popping in her head.
Is she overestimating how far it went?
There could have been something else, but what?
What happened?
Was there even anything at all?
What changed between them?
It's not because of these people, she felt it could be deeper. As much as he glares at them, it's only when they say something flirty or get too close to her. That was rather strange, like he was territorial over her. Something had to happen. It was something itching at the top of her head she can't seem to get a good scratch on. Something that stupid dragon doesn't want her to remember, that is involved with last night. The only person that knows is Loki… Is he withholding information?
He could be, he had a strange look once before. When he was talking about last night…
She needed to know it all…
It was driving her crazy!
Turns out she was so zoned out she didn't realize people were staring at her and waving for her attention. The plates were clear when she looked at them, she looked back up with her vision unfocused. Then she focused her eyes to see worried amber eyes look back at her. They were a very vibrant golden brown. His voice finally became words in her ears.
"You alright, Anna? You feeling okay? You look a little pale."
"Hmm… Yeah, I'm fine."
"You sure, you haven't said a thing since they left and you looked pretty out of it. We've been trying to get your attention for a good minute, Doll."
He said bringing his chair closer, placing the back of his hand over her forehead. His light touches don't give her the same effect as Loki's touch. The nickname is not settling with her at all.
"Don't call me that…"
"Damn! You're hotter than me and you still have a bite! Heh! For real, you do have a fever though. Your heat is above normal temps, Sweetness."
He joked or flirted at first but turned serious as he seemed to turn into doctor mode all of a sudden.
"Thanks for the news but I should be fine…"
She said pushing his hand away since it never left her forehead, and tried to stand. He pretended he was hurt by her rejection of his touch, then tried to stop her before she could fully get up. Till gentle hands gripped her shoulders and got her to sit back down, their strength being too powerful to overcome. Whether it was because the person was very strong or she was very weak, it was a little difficult to know which. Max, who was now standing next to her, then said with worry of his own. Looking down at her with concern.
"You have a fever?! Are you okay? Are you in any pain?"
"I'm fine!"
She said in frustration, brushing his hands off of her. She tried to stand once more. Till someone was behind her again, another pair of hands gripped her shoulders. These hands had more web between them, but still enough strength to push her back down again.
"Fevers can be a symptom of something more serious. You must be careful."
She turned to look back at Kade, also plagued with what looked like worry from his deep frown. She appreciated it… That still didn't mean she wanted to be babied… She wanted to get out of here and ask Loki questions…
"You guys don't have to fuss over her, it's just a fever."
Jess said in an annoyed tone, rolling her eyes in the process before resting her head in one of her hands. Staring ahead of her with a grumpy expression. Before Anna could get annoyed with Jess's behavior towards her, Kade spoke up all serious.
"When I was little, my brother died from an illness that started as a fever."
Jess looked back at him wide eyed as her face turned to sympathetic. Anna felt sympathy for Kade as well, and rested her hand on his. Before Anna could speak her apologies for him, she got interrupted by a voice to her right.
"I didn't know that!"
Russell said with a look of empathy and shock. She was quiet as she let them talk among themselves, just observing. Kade only replied back cooly, unfazed.
"You should, I told you once before. You weren't listening then, obviously."
" Ohhh man, I'm sorry dude! Whatever had my attention must have been more important at the time. I didn't mean to ignore you."
He said scratching the back of his head, seeming to actually feel bad for not listening to his friend.
"It was during training, we were lined up next to each other. You asked me about my family. By the time I was brave enough to tell you… You were too busy staring at Monica… drooling over her practically."
Russell's face turned red. He was quick to change from empathetic to anxious, he shouted with a stutter. He was very nervous, it seemed like.
"I-I WAS ADMIRING HER TECHNIQUES! Sh-She knows how to really fight for bein a blind chick!"
"Mmhmm… You were watching pretty intensely, though. It could have been her fighting…. or just the fact she was in a training bra. I guess I could understand your desire to stare, she does make quite a view either way."
Kade said with a wicked grin as Russell's face got even redder, as small puffs of steam blew out his ears. He stuttered once again.
"S-So what?! She- She has a nice body! J-J-Just because she can't see to admire anyone, doesn't mean I can't admire her! All you stare at is dicks! How could you possibly understand!?"
His words turn accusatory in his fuming frustration. He was so confident before, now he couldn't keep a straight face or be any color other than red. It was kind of cute seeing him all anxious and mad.
Kade is still very cool and calm, in fact he had a victorious grin almost. He must like having this power over Russell, for being a man smaller than him. He was enjoying his ability to make him vulnerable, she had a feeling usually it was Russell who always had the upper hand between them. Kade's hands left her shoulders as he crossed his arms and he continued.
"I can still admire a woman, Monica is beautiful in her own way. Not my preferred sexual orientation though… Yes, I stare at cocks but I also love a man with a nice ass. They can't be skinny like you, though. They have to be tall… and have lots of muscles…"
He said, seeming to curl his arms around himself in a self hug as he practically swam in his own thoughts with glee the more he spoke.The other two grumbled to themselves, Max's a little louder. Then Kade eyes looked from the floor up to Max next to him. Who was towering over both of them. Max looked down at the small fish man looking disturbed.
"Don't be looking at me, Kade… I don't fly that way, you know that."
"No offense Max, you're not my type. Body type maybe."
"None taken. Also, no offense, I just can't get past the slimy skin dude..."
"If you were a woman, you would've loved my skin. It's natural oils give the slime a sweet taste. It also makes excellent lube!"
Everyones eyes were wide as they stared at Kade. Both men and women in the room had their jaws dropped in awe. Russell mumbled to himself for no one to hear, but he was heard very clearly by Anna.
"Damn... Maybe being a fish man isnt so bad, the ladies woukd love me if I had his "gills"..."
He chuckled to himself as he got lost into his thoughts. Probably daydreaming about exactly that, just by the look on his face...
Then Kade spoke out breaking the awkward silence he caused.
"Even if you were a woman, I wouldnt since I dont fly that way. Anyway, you're just too childish and gentle for my taste. I like them rough and mean."
Kade said flatly. It made all the other men in the room groan with distaste. Russell waved his hands in the air and he stood to his feet as he spoke.
"Nobody wants to know your preffered sexual harassment in the bedroom, Kade!… It isn't necessary."
"Neither is your obsession towards dangling things on a woman's chest necessary. They do go flat over time, you know."
"So, men can grow boobs when they get old. Dicks go flat too! You think they work perfectly forever?"
"Well, at least I have more self control around people when they are wearing less clothing. I'm not an obvious perv like you."
"At least she can't see me!"
"She can still hear you being a pervert. Being a mind reader and all…She already knows."
Ruseels face was bright red, his steam becoming a heavy stream. His frustration turning to anger, then back to nervous.
"I- I forget sometimes, okay! Don't mention it anymore, so I don't think about her boobs."
"Then just shut up you Idiot! Don't think, don't speak! Stop tormenting her already, you should already know she can hear us!"
Jess shouted, getting very annoyed by the entire scene as she stood up and walked towards the group giving them a chew out.
They were so busy talking among themselves they forgot about her. Turns out, observation makes you invisible. Just what she needed to get out of there.
She snuck through the gap between them as she heard them bicker with each other.
"I can't help it! If she got it, I like it, why should I be ashamed if I want to look or think about it?!"
"Because ladies appreciate compliments more than staring at them till your eyes pop out!"
She got through the doorway to the kitchen, as Kade and Max started their own conversation while Russell got chewed out.
"He was staring pretty hard that day, I couldn't break his focus at all."
"Was it that day when she got her new haircut?-..."
"I TRY TO! Girls don't like it when I compliment them either, apparently!-..."
"Yea, she beat Leo that day too, he was so mad.-..."
"You shouldn't be thinking pervy things then!-..."
Their voices faded as she snuck up the stairs, she could still hear them being too focused on their own conversations to notice she was gone. Her focus being brought on other things. For some reason the closer she got to Loki's room the more silent it got, she couldn't hear anything on the other side of the door.
Was her new super hearing failing her?
She could still hear them in the kitchen bickering and her sense of smell was fine. They were definitely in there, she could smell that Monica was still with him.
Was everything alright?
Were they talking?
Was it right for her to interrupt them?
She stopped in front of the door, hesitating to reach for the doorknob. She felt anxiety in her as she wondered if she would bother anyone by coming in. If the answers she wanted were worth interrupting what could be an important conversation.
Monica was really supportive, she wanted to bring him food and see if he was alright, just for her. She didn't think he would let her in… and that they would be in there this long…
Was something wrong?
No matter how close she put her ear to the door there was silence. She felt bad for trying to hear them, but the entire situation was odd to her… She would think if they were discussing anything she would hear them. What were they doing if they weren't talking?
She couldn't take it anymore, so she decided to fight her anxiety. She finally opened the door. She didn't bother knocking in her rush. However she came to regret it as she peaked in to only be flooded with a wave of hurt and betrayal.
Her view made a pain in her chest grow the longer she looked at the scene.
Monica was leaning with her backside on the desk, with Loki towering over her.
Loki was pressed against Monica, he was holding her tightly towards him as they were sharing a moment. Their faces were pressed into each other's... sharing a kiss...
A moment Anna thought she had with him... She must have been wrong…
He pulled away, his lips left hers, as Monica held a small smile looking through him. Anna didn't want to look at him, she could barely hold herself together.
But, it was Monica's smile that broke her, she felt the pain become too overwhelming to continue to watch this. She slammed the door, not caring if they heard her. She was frozen, unable to move.
She tried to get a grip of her emotions she started to drown in. Feelings of pain, sadness, anger, devastation, and longing… She didnt know why, but... She wished it was her… She wished it was her he was kissing….
Why wasn't it? What happened? She thought he might have a thing for her…
She didn't know Loki at all, did she? Or Monica…
They had their own little world she thought… She thought it was just Anna and Loki, that it always would be..…That maybe someday there could have been more between them... Then these people came and made him see he had other options… She wasn't good enough for him after all…
Why did it hurt so much? Why is this affecting her so badly? She should be happy he is happy… is he? Because if he is… that makes her hurt more… Why can't she be happy for him? She wanted him to be, but why not like this?!
All she wanted to do was get away… run away… fly away… be anywhere but here…
Her breathing became too much, she was hyperventilating as her vision became blurry. She whipped her eyes to feel them wet and they didn't stop. They kept flowing, running down her cheeks, and dripping on the floor. She needed fresh air, the house was making her claustrophobic… Her deep feeling to leave moved to her feet as she started to run down the hallway.
In her despair she completely forgot about the stairs as she missed her next step…
She closed her eyes, readying herself for more pain. Then she felt as if her body was changing, morphing into something different. She felt a growth on her skin. Her body must have shrunk in size as it felt lighter and her clothes were no longer touching her skin. The way the air felt on her growth felt like feathers. She can recognize when she changed, it was an odd sensation...
She opened her eyes to see she hadn't hit the ground yet. She flew out of her clothes, they fell to the ground way before she did. Her body was practically weightless as it flowed through the air and kept her body high above the stairs. Although she was heading down them rather quickly! She only had enough time to react as she was reaching the bottom of the stairs.
She saw the nearest opening. The cat door was left open next to the usual exit.
She quickly dove through the cat door, folding her wings as she blew through the flap. She soared past her car and her yard, almost reaching the street. The branches of trees getting closer from her high speeds, she could crash!
She flapped her wings harder to get herself higher. She was rather quick and was able to get above the treeline in no time at all. She calmed herself from the intense moment she just had, as she was gliding peacefully above the trees.
She was glad she had the sense to leave the cat door open… Not that it was for that exact moment but that it was a happy accident... Very happy...
She would have been pretty furious with herself, if she broke another window. She still needed to fix the other one.
She looked to her left and right to see her gorgeous white feathers shimmering in the dim light. It was a cloudy day today, looking like rain in the future. She flapped her wings harder, finding it rather easy to get her light body up to go through the clouds.
She couldn't believe how natural it felt to just fly, she's never been able to turn into a bird that could fly. If she was, it couldn't go higher than a tree line, or she was asleep and didn't know she was a bird. She figured she was a hawk, she was getting around so fast and she was small enough to fit through the cat door. Any bigger she wouldn't have fit, any smaller and the flap would have stopped her. The clouds felt like a wet mist, they weren't soft and fluffy like she always imagined. It was hard to get her bearings through them, but she knew she had to keep going up. Once she reached the other side, the light overwhelmed her and made her shut her eyes from the brightness. Once she was able to adjust them, she opened them fully, and she was bewildered by the sight. It was breathtaking…
The sun gleamed brightly over the mountains of clouds, the sky was the bluest of blues. The miles of white clouds went on forever. It was so beautiful she forgot everything before. Just the distraction she needed…
She took a deep breath from everything that happened and let it all out as she screamed at the top of her lungs. A loud screech sounded through the air around her. It definitely sounded like a hawk…
she needed it….
However, the air felt thin and her breath couldn't catch up. Her fever she must have had was sucking the energy she out of her. As much as she would love to keep this view. She had to land… and she knew exactly where she wanted to go next.
Loki's POV
(Moments ago)
…He then shut the door…
He rested on the door with his hands spaced between his shoulders as he stared at the wood. He tried his best to calm himself, make himself sound like she didn't figure everything out. It didn't matter how he looked since she couldn't see him. He was sure he looked defeated if she could see…
"Now, What makes you think that might be the case?"
"Because you wouldn't shut up about it last night. Before you shut up for the rest of the night and all morning… I still can't hear you and it's driving me nuts! I'm literally blind to you, I can't see you or feel your presence at all! Unless you speak, I don't know if you're there or not. This is completely new to me."
His defeat moved to his legs as he knelt to the floor. His hands raised above him staying in the same position on the door, and his head rested on the wood as he breathed to himself as it seemed to increase in pace... He could hear his heart hammering.
Is this panic?
Why does he feel like he lost a battle?
He should be happy that his spell worked phenomenally, she can't hear him anymore…
He was not, not even in the slightest.
He can't be this distraught about being found out about his feelings.
She found out the second before they met, when he couldn't find out till that night… He questioned it even now… but it was becoming a lot more clearer as he was struggling to grip his own emotions.
With all that, he didn't feel the need to lie further.
"I realized you could read minds when I felt you in my head. You didn't do it on purpose and that's what shocked me the most about you. I casted a ward to keep you out and to keep you from digging further. Your gift is persistent, unless you're trying to get in on purpose now."
"Maybe I am… I hate being… Blind…"
Her voice carried but it was sad and almost defeated herself.
"But you are-"
"I wasn't always…"
This piqued his interest enough to continue to listen, but he didn't feel the need to move.
"You weren't born blind?"
"No… It wasn't because of my illness either… No… this is a gift of my 'gift'."
"Your ability blinded you?"
"No… but, yes… If I couldn't read minds I wouldn't be blind. I would be home with my family, waiting for my big day that I had no knowledge of then… I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sick to the brink of death, but I was. My parents were so desperate, they did everything they could to save me. Even willingly let me become a mutant, the one thing they sawd. They saved me anyway… All that time, Ithought it was for love... but then, I could hear them. When they were quiet… I could hear them. When they told me one thing, they thought of another. I saw their masks, the fake smiles, the affair, fake appearances, and the hatred they really felt for me before I was turned into a mutant. I was born from a dishonorable bloodline. They saved me to keep their bloodline pure, I was a plan for something more, not their child. They weren't well off, they couldn't afford much. They had the money to save me because of my grandmother, who wanted to marry me off to a wealthy man. They've planned it all since my birth, even before my conception. They promised a pure blood, to join their families. They wanted our lands, my family wanted the money. Although I did have a sister, she wasn't my father's though. Grandmother knew, and she always was a woman of her word. That's why she saved me, to keep her word. Once I discovered everything and I realized my family never loved me. I left. The missing posters of me got my name out, my face was everywhere. Someone that was looking for X-patients, had a list of names, and I was on the list. He found me. Easily… I was laying in a street because the city was too loud. I heard everyone being themselves. Back when I could see… it became too much, I couldn't look at people's faces. Their masks terrified me. I couldn't fight, I couldn't hunt… I was next in line, till I wasn't. He had a soft spot for me I guess, he thought, 'If seeing faces is the problem, then just don't see at all.'... He took my sight… So, I could improve… I did… Now, I can only see faces though memories. How other people see them… I could expand my range to hear people for miles, without my sight to distract me from what's in front of me… So, I was useful, I helped him find people… I'm the reason all my friends were found… They forgave me but I still don't forgive myself for what I put them through. I gave them to him, and he did horrible things to them, just like he did to me. I was one of the first X-patients and one of the first he caught, I was with him for most of my life. I saw his evil every day. In his head or first hand… He won't rest till he finds power… I don't want him to find us…"
He had many thoughts and questions, he felt small traces of pity for the woman… That was until he had one question overpowering all his previous thoughts and feelings. One that brought him fear and despair.
The one question hit him too late, it should have been the first thing he thought of. He cursed himself for not realizing sooner. He stood to his feet, turned to face her, his hands left the door, and rested at his sides. Looking down at her as she was standing in the middle of the room still holding his plate while staring down to the floor. He asked impatiently with worry.
"How did you find us?... Does he know we are here?"
She was silent for a moment. His panic began to rise in her silence. Till she said soothing words.
"No, he doesn't…"
He sighed with relief.
"But, he will find us eventually… he is persistent."
The relief left him as he felt like his body was boiling in his rage. He clenched his hands to fists in anger.
"Why can't he just leave us alone?!"
"Do you mean all of us or just you and Anna?"
His fire died down, he looked at her with shock. Then his words twisted as he said with distaste.
"Why not? Am I not to think of her well being?! I hardly know any of you, I'm still trying to figure out if you're a danger to her or not."
"I could promise, but my word means very little to you, since I have nothing to show for it. But, I can promise you, you can feel my hatred for HIM if I speak his name."
Putting a name to this man, this power-hungry busy body, sticking his nose in places he shouldn't… Is something he would be glad to know.
"What is his name?"
She walked to the desk not far to her left, setting the plate down on it, keeping her hands firmly on the desk, the plate between her as she leaned forward. She took a deep breath before she spoke, seeming to ready herself.
"Valter Van Icher Zerstörer, He has taken a liking to the name Hexus…"
Her voice was full of malice and sounded like whoever owned that name, she held no love for them. She was true to that promise, but that couldn't be enough to say she had spoken any truth to him so far. He needed to be more clear on what he wanted to hear next. Wanting the truth.
"You still haven't answered my other question."
"Isn't it obvious… I found you, I heard you both… I led the group to you. He's been searching for months for "fresh meat", it's been harder to find them. So he sent me, all my friends, and his other more compliant goons. Thirty of his best men… and 6 of his lesser mutants. One of them was Keith. My friends were there to motivate me to find you, apparently. Turns out if I failed, I was to watch my friends die in front of me. That did motivate me to find you. So, he sent us on a mission to find any surviving X-patients. We heard rumors for this region and found you not long after arriving… but the group is dead… There's no one left to report back that will give away our position or kill us. Me and my friends, we live thanks to her. We have a second chance at a new life, a normal life. So, as far as I'm concerned, I will do everything in MY power to keep her and ALL of us safe. She is so precious, I have never met someone that thinks like her… She is earning the respect of my friends as well, some more slowly than the others. But, we all feel the same… She is incredible. Last night, I've never felt a power like hers. A might that can make everyone feel the same thing. Fear, yet wonder, and hope... I couldn't SEE what you all did but I could feel her, I could see her light… She was like a sun, a star on earth, and it was beautiful. Her words ring true, she means what she says. Even if she forgot her original promise to us, she is quick to kindness and feels shame for neglecting our feelings… She was quick to feel hatred at first because of all her years of betrayal. She loves this house, it is her treasure. So, she felt like we were a danger to her home. Anna has learned to trust us when given hard evidence, that we don't wish to see her light die… We don't wish to destroy her home, we wish to protect it. We have been in the darkness so long, her warmth is comforting… Now she thinks for us, cares for us enough to let us stay… I have grown to treasure her in such a short time… We all have, in our own ways…"
He should have guessed she was the one that found them, Monica said she found her friends. So, he held anger for a short while into her response, while he understood the need to protect her friends. Till her words were more soft. She spoke gently and warmly about the one woman he has come to treasure himself. So, he couldn't feel anger, he felt more like her words were his own truth…so it calmed him, in fact it felt nice to know that she is like that for others as well. He wasn't alone in admiring her…
Maybe it's all that was. He just deeply admired Annaleise, just like them…
no… it can't be… it felt like more…
"She has that effect on people. It took me a while to see what she was doing to me, maybe too long… But now, it's too much… I'd be a fool to deny it further…"
"You Love her."
It was a statement this time, not a question, and that made him curious instead of angered.
"How could you know?"
"Last night, before you placed your barriers to keep me out. Before you could feel me, I heard you. You were probably too distracted. But, you weren't truly alone with your moment together. I heard you both before the group found you. Your words were heart-felt and true.Then during the battle, you thought of only her as you fought, you didn't want them to hurt her. You didn't care that you were on the verge of bleeding out, you ignored your pain and stretched out to her with every part of you, mind and soul. You desperately wanted her to live. You screamed her name in your head. I normally can't see memories unless I touch people, I can see glimpses of pictures if a thought is strong enough. Your thoughts were so powerful... I saw her clear as day through your eyes, your memory of her… You saw her smiling, you saw her laughing, and you saw her more beautifully than words can describe. Her hair glowed in the light, so many arays of colors. More colors than I've seen in a long time... Only through your eyes, could I see how amazing she really is. That's just how you see her. I've never seen anything like it with anyone towards another person, it's pure. It's hard to understand how you felt in those moments clearly since you didn't really say it, but you definitely can't hide something like that. You are in it deep."
Fuck…
This is very… troubling… freeing… he feels lighter knowing... However…
He is completely bare to this woman in front of him; she practically already knows everything. Annaleise has been the only thing on his mind lately. So much so, he has completely forgotten to ask if she was in danger until a few minutes ago. When it should have been the very first thing. He worried for her, but couldn't even think straight when she was near. Time could fly by and he would have still ignored it. If Monica hadn't said anything about her original master still being a threat.… He has been losing his ability to think ahead lately, along with losing his mind. He was always on top of things, but now he was all over the place… it must be true then…
So, he really was in Love… If she could see it, why deny it anymore…
Love…
Love is very messy…
confusing…
painful…
powerful…
It drives someone mad…
Then, words Annaleise once spoke to him before, became more important. Words he tried to pretend he didn't understand before… He was afraid of the truth. He ended up doing the one thing he was good at, to himself.
Lie…
He lied to himself over and over… telling himself it's not true…
Her words never left him though…
'A lot of things can happen once you fall in love. I was told, before them… your world was black and white. You meet them and you see colors. You see more colors than you ever thought possible. You think of them everyday even when they are with you, missing their presence while they are right in front of you. You want to hold them, make them happy, and when you're together it's just you and them. Nothing else is around you, it's just the two of you. You'll be happy when they are there and glum when they are gone. Their touches and emotions can affect you like nothing else. You can be inspired to do more, emotional with them, afraid to lose them, sad for them, mad when others court them, selfish to have them for yourself, or completely content all because of them. They make you feel like you've never been able to. You change for the better all on your own by being inspired by them. You realize why people do what they do when they love someone. But you can never truly understand it, till you find it for yourself. Only when you fall in love is when those words make the most sense.'
Well damn… What a dilemma… The answer was already there. He heard it before and denied it even then. The answer was given to him by the one person that he felt that way towards. It made sense back then when she said it… Because, it was the truth… He was getting damn tired of the truth…
He realized why it was easier to Lie… That was before... Even now lies seem to fail him, all from just being in her presence.
Why was it the truth?
How did it happen?
Is it that simple to fall this hard?!
Why is it so strong?
Is she that special?
No matter how many times he asks himself that last question, the answer is always yes.
She is SO special to him… he feels like he was meant to meet her.
If there is such a thing as fate or destiny, is she his?
Is it really that simple to just love someone for their blessings and flaws?
To just want to be with them all the time?
It could just be a fluke. He could just be lonely, and desire the touch of a woman.
But, then why would he want to be with her till the end of her days.
Though he will outlive her, he will treasure every day she has to live. Make sure she will live a long happy life, even if he can't be a part of it. He will end the danger either with her or for her.
Because he loved her, and he will never forgive himself if he failed her to time or anyone.
Never!
"How many are there?"
"There were only 1,000 test subjects, now our numbers are 286 remaining survivors. Plus 47 that are still captured. Not to mention they fight WITH his paid goons, which add up to thousands more. He's heavily wealthy and powerful, but it's just not enough for him. He's been hunting for us for 12 years, but it's been getting more difficult to find any this past year. We were supposed to hunt, but keep ourselves out of danger since there are fewer of us each day. We tried to use any other way to capture our prey. So, we kept purselves hidden and we didn't suffer any losses. Like when we got here, we paid some locals to make it easier to capture her-"
He stepped closer to her slowly, starting to feel a fury flow within him as he realized what that meant….
"Do you mean to tell me that… you… were the reason she almost died?..."
"We didn't think they would beat her to near death. It wasn't anyone's fault but theirs. They didn't understand what we paid them for, when we were pretty specific that we wanted her alive."
Once he reached close enough to her, he gripped her shoulder and swung her around to face him. Holding her tightly towards him with both of his hands keeping her still in one spot. Her face was slightly fazed at first till she held a flat face with no emotion.
"You shouldn't trust idiot hicks to do what you could have done."
"If we would have, you would have killed us with no mercy. We found out how serious it was after they reported back. If we would have come in, would you have let us live? Would Anna have done what she did if we had attempted to kidnap her then? Would she have turned into a dragon and gave us her mercy? There is no way you would have let us live and take her. Things could have ended differently if we struck first. Things happened the way they were probably meant to. I was lucky, all of us were, me and my friends got the chance to live. Thanks to how things did go. We are ALL alive, isn't that what's important?"
For some reason her words only angered him more, it was true they were all alive. That didn't mean that Annaleise had to suffer the pain she went through, even if she couldn't remember. If he would have landed on earth a day later… he would have never met her… She would have been dead… and that didn't settle with him at all…
"For all I know, saving any of you could have been a mistake. You sent idiots that tried to kill her, I watched her life almost leave her. I can never forget how she was covered in her own blood, her ribs were sunk in and broken. She was LUCKY she was BREATHING when I found her, and had a heartbeat strong enough to let me save her! If I didn't land on earth and I never met her, she would have been dead… If she didn't kill your crew, you would have taken her from me and did to her exactly what you did to your so-called friends. For all I know, you all might still be planning to take her right now! All I see is hard evidence that from the beginning, you cared very little about her safety. You only care about you and your friends."
"I LOVE my friends, they are the family I was able to make for myself. Despite all the hate and death that surrounded us. I will do anything to protect them. Do you know how hard it was to keep them together when everything was happening? Everyone was dropping left and right under your hand, you killed with no remorse, not caring who they were. There was a second Anna almost killed Max, then she stopped and killed the man behind him. Anna left us for last, it was almost like she could sense our will for a new life. She knew somehow that we wanted out, she gave us that chance. Why would I want that to end? She is alive, and you did land on earth on time. You finally realize your importance to her now. If you hadn't saved her, she wouldn't have saved us. Funny how that works. For years we couldnt escape, she opened that door for us thanks to your love for her... I told you I will protect her with my life now, that I care for her feelings and well-being the same as you. Was that really not enough evidence?"
She said with seriousness and a little bit of anger in her reply. Trying hard to get out of Loki's grip, failing to do so. Her words only bringing him more anger. How can he trust someone who could lead them straight back to her former master.
"It's hard to trust anyone's word that isn't hers, I've only known her to tell me the truth.… How can I know you mean anything that comes out of your mouth? I can't get in your head to know if you do or not."
"You won't, I haven't thought for myself since I've gotten my abilities and buried my memories so deep, so I can't see them. They do haunt me, they always will since I'm reminded everyday of what I don't have anymore. I am getting rather tired of your accusations, I can tell you my true intentions over and over again but it means nothing to you."
"I don't KNOW you! How could I trust you mean what you say? How can I trust that anything you have told me has been the truth? How can I trust you don't mean to hurt her again?"
Her face turned to anger, suddenly her face held surprise and her eyebrows rose as she seemed to be lost in thought. She furrowed them once again while holding a slight grin as she spoke in response.
"Fine!... You want evidence that I mean what I say. Then you'll get just that, though you will both probably be mad at me for a while."
He was confused by her statement, he needed her to elaborate.
"What could you mean by that? Both?"
"You will find out that your love isn't one-sided and your feelings for her are true, all in one action. It will hurt at first, but it will explain everything, maybe make things more clear for both of you. I will prove it. Trust me though, it will hurt me more than you..."
His anger faded immediately, all forms of furry left him as it turned to slight hope. Her face held confidence as she spoke. She held no signs of trickery or lies. He knew how to look for them the best, they were the easiest to spot in other people... Thats how he knew how to be the best trickster, to notice their mistakes to keep from making his own...
There was nothing... She spoke truthfully...
His love for Anna wasn't one-sided?
How can she prove his feelings for Annaleise are real?
How could this be true?
It would hurt at first?
Even if it was a lie, his curiosity overpowered him. He had to know more. As his stare intensified into her white orbs and he shook her in his grip slightly, his small excitement for the truth increases with each second… if it is true.
"How?"
"For the record, I am only doing this because I'm sick of you two prancing around each other making googly eyes. ALL WHILE avoiding each other like the plague. You are both driving me nuts! The fact that you or her haven't done anything about it already, is baffling! You did something about it last night, but she forgot and now she is drowning herself in the result. You're both too worried about not being enough for each other. When you just shouldn't care, just love each other, and be happy! It's the only life we have. Sometimes It's all we can do, is see where life takes us-"
"Is there a point? I feel like you're dragging this on."
"That's because I am, I was stalling a little."
"For Wha-"
She moved swiftly forward, they were already pretty close because of his deep anger from previously before. Because of that closeness she was just close enough in his tight grip to get him while he was distracted. As a result…. His words were interrupted by lips on his…
He was completely in shock, he couldn't believe what was happening, he was frozen for a moment.
This kiss felt different… he didn't feel warm… he didn't feel his breath stolen… he didn't feel the urge to continue… In fact, he really wanted it to stop…
He pulled away from her, looking at her in disbelief and disgust. Her face laced with a smile, looking rather triumphant. He was about to shout at her for an explanation.Till a slam of his bedroom door killed his previous thoughts, making one question pop in his head instead.
"Who was that?"
"She had a mental debate on whether to come in or not, I had to buy her time… However, she's definitely not okay after seeing that."
His eyes widening as he realized it was exactly who he hoped wasn't just in here.
He threw Monica away from him. As she fell back on the desk with a small squeak, he swiftly brushed himself off. Trying to erase the closeness of that woman who was once all over him. Not just for Anna, mostly for himself. That woman made him ridiculously angry for doing such foul things. He whipped his lips aggressively at the thought of her disturbing act.
He turned around and rushed towards the door. His only thought was to go after Anna and explain. Till the woman spoke once more, making him freeze in front of the door, just before touching the doorknob.
"You won't catch her… she sort of FLEW away…"
He turned to shout at her in his rising furry, it's HER fault Anna has the wrong idea of him now.
"Why would you do that?!"
"I told you. I was done with being called a liar, I want there to be truth between you both. But, you'll never do anything at this rate. Now maybe this will speed things up. I didn't enjoy it either, you know..."
He stomped closer to her shouting louder. Before stopping in front of her to glare at her white eyes as he shouted.
"YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE! NOW SHE WILL THINK I'M SOME SORT OF WOMANIZER, AND THAT I INTENDED TO DO SUCH A FOUL THING WITH YOU!"
"She thinks she's a burden to you. With that thought, she won't ever let herself feel more for you. She thinks you could never want a mortal like her… When that's definitely not the case. Now she will realize what she feels for you. You will also find your answer. Maybe speeding up the process indefinitely."
"MY ANSWER TO WHAT?! That I can't stand you? Because I really can't!"
"That you didn't want to be kissed by another woman, or did you like it?"
"I hated every second!"
His own words shocked him into silence, making himself delve into his thoughts. He took a step back as contemplated all that's been said.
He did… he hated it… Guess he really wasn't just lonely… Her touch can't be compared… Her kiss could never be replaced… His heart could never race without her… He wanted all of her… Only her… Only Annaleise...
Is what Monica said true? Could Annaleise really feel like she was his burden? The Same as he felt like hers. If it is true… They've been so afraid of hurting each other, they couldn't see how much they wanted each other…
If she is the only woman he can picture himself to be with, it has to be Love…
Because, now there is no one else. No can be better, none could match or be above her. Only she has been able to do these things to him, and they didn't even have to be too intimate. It was deeper than desire… He was drawn to her the moment they met. She just had to exist and she he became his world. Now he HAD to keep her safe, he has to protect her. He already felt protective before, but this time it's serious… No playing around and getting distracted, if he really treasured her, he better do everything in HIS power to make sure she won't fail. He won't be known as a failure to her, or anyone else ever again. He will fight for her till his last breath, no one can have her! He can't let them take her. He won't let them take his only chance for real love...
They had to try...
Do what Monica said; Live, love, and be happy… it's one life, it's all they have to be together. Why waste that time? When they feel the same… right?
"You better not be lying to me about how she feels or I will kill you and your friends."
"You're so sensitive… just go find out for yourself if you don't believe me. No point in threats that won't follow through anyway. You know she won't appreciate it, if you did that."
She said with a small grin, in a tone that was held for her victory, feeling as though she won that conversation… when she has…
OHHH! THIS LITTLE FUCKING SNAKE!!!
She doesn't deserve to be called such a beautiful creature… more like a leech…
A little parasite…
He really didn't like this damn woman…
Butting into other people's business… in ways he didn't expect nor wanted for that matter.
He hated that despite it all, he had to thank her someday... he had a feeling he would...
He said nothing as he turned around and began his journey onwards to find Annaleise.
"Do you even know where she went?"
"I have an idea, so I don't need your help! You better be out of my room by the time I get back!"
He said reaching for the door, hurrying through it, and slamming the door behind him, not giving time for a response. Heading fast down the stairs racing past the other members in the house. They shouted questions, he ignored them all as he raced out the door.
On his way to the one place he knew Annaliese would go to, to feel safe.
To tell this woman he loves her, and this time... He knows he means it…
He was done lying to himself, for it was the truth...