The night air was cold against Fionna's skin as she followed Steven through the dimly lit streets. Every instinct told her to turn back, to head home and forget about the strange man who had saved her life and then shattered the limits of the human being. But she was in too deep now, and a part of her was desperate to know more.
The bar loomed ahead, its neon sign flickering like a heartbeat against the dark. A low hum of music and muffled voices spilled out into the night as they approached.
As they stepped inside, the smoky atmosphere enveloped them. Patrons filled the room, their laughter and chatter blending with the clinking of glasses.
"Two shots of whiskey," Steven said, leaning casually against the counter. The bartender raised an eyebrow at him but didn't question the request. Fionna felt out of place amidst the rough crowd, but Steven's presence provided a strange comfort.
"What now?" she asked, glancing around as they waited for their drinks.
"Now we drink," he replied with a smirk, grabbing the two shots as they were placed before him. He downed one in a single motion before handing the second one to her.
"Um, I don't drink…" she stammered, staring at the amber liquid like it was poison.
"Suit yourself. More for me." He tossed back the second shot, leaning against the bar with a satisfied sigh.
She looks at Steven as he drinks, feeling nervous to ask questions. "... How are you so strong? I mean, you bent those bars with your bare hands…"
Steven paused, the glass hovering near his lips as he considered her question. He set the empty shot glass down with a soft clink and turned to her, his expression shifting to one of mild amusement. "You really want to know?"
Fionna nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Yeah, I mean... It's not every day you see someone do something like that."
He chuckled, a dark sound that sent a shiver down her spine. "Well, it is all because of this." He passes his hand on his hair moving it from his forehead, revealing a black, pointy horn-like on his forehead.
Fionna widens her eyes and backs down surprised. "What IS that?!"
They glance at each other for a few seconds in silence until Steven sighs and rolls his eyes. "Understandable yet offensive."
Fionna's heart raced as she stared at the horn, a mix of fear and fascination flooding her senses. The bar seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them locked in this moment. "I—I didn't mean to offend you," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. "It just caught me off guard."
Steven chuckled softly. "Trust me, I get that a lot. Most people see this thing, and they think I'm some kind of monster. Well, at least it gives me power."
"Power?" Fionna echoed, her curiosity igniting. "How?"
Steven shrugs. "No idea. Everything I know is that I was born with it and it gives me some cool abilities."
Fionna stared at him, her mind racing. "So, you were born with it? Like, it's some kind of... mutation?"
Steven chuckles. "Well, the medics say that. The religious say it is a curse. But to be honest, some jewelers confirmed it is a diamond."
Fionna blinked, her mind struggling to process the strange revelation. "A diamond...? On your forehead?"
He smirks. "Well, actually it is inside my head. This is just 20% of the whole thing. Wanna see the X-Rays?"
"... You're joking, right?" She asked, half-hoping he would laugh it off.
He chuckles and shakes his head. "Of course not, doll." He puts his hand into this 'diamond' and pulls the X-ray exams from inside it.
Fionna's jaw dropped as she watched Steven pull out a set of X-ray films from seemingly nowhere. He spread them out on the bar, the faint light illuminating the stark outlines of skull and bone.
"Here you go," he said nonchalantly, gesturing to the images. "As you can see, there's a diamond right there, replacing my brain and fulfilling my skull. Kind of hard to miss."
Fionna leaned closer, squinting at the films. "This is… unreal." She traced the outline of the diamond with her finger, barely daring to breathe. "How is that even possible? How are you even alive? Doesn't it hurt?"
Steven watched her with a smug expression as she examined the X-ray films. "Nah. I was born with it, so it's just part of me, like an extra organ. Though I can't say I've had the most conventional life because of it."
Fionna straightened, her head spinning with the revelations. "So you've lived with this… diamond in your head your whole life? How did your parents react?"
A flicker of something darker crossed Steven's face. "... Heh... Well… I don't have parents. I won't give details, but I've spent my whole life in orphanages, jumping from family to family, until I got tired and escaped to live all by myself. And I've been doing pretty good since then."
Fionna felt a pang of sympathy for him, realizing that beneath his bravado was a painful truth. "That sounds… really tough… But you're not alone anymore. I want to help you, whatever that means."
Steven laughs. "Help? Seriously? You know how the world treats people like me. You think you can just waltz in and fix everything?"
"I don't think it's that simple," Fionna replied, determination creeping back into her voice. "But I want to understand you. You've been through so much, and I can't just ignore that."
He studied her for a moment, a flicker of interest sparking in his eyes. "You're different, aren't you? Most people wouldn't dare to get this close to me, let alone offer to help."
"I guess I'm just stubborn," she admitted with a shy smile. "Besides, you're not a monster. You saved me, and that's what matters."
Steven laughs in mock and grins. "Sure. Your thinking must be like this," His body glows and his body transforms into one identical to Fionna's, the only differences being the skin color, the eyes, the clothes and of course, the diamond. Steven says in a dramatic tone. "Look at me, I'm a nerd who watches too much anime and thinks everyone's good."
Fionna blinked, stunned by the transformation. For a moment, it was like looking into a warped mirror, an unsettlingly accurate version of herself, but twisted in ways that made her uncomfortable.
"Okay, that's freaky," she said, trying to sound calm, though her heart pounded in her chest. "You can... shape-shift too?"
Steven's grin widened as he reverted to his original form in a flash of light. "Among other things," he replied, his voice dripping with amusement. "The diamond gives me some... creative freedom. Let's say I like to keep things interesting."
Fionna crossed her arms, watching him closely. "Why do you do that? I mean, why mock people who try to help?"
Steven's grin faltered for a second, and he shrugged, looking away. "Because help is usually a lie. People say they'll help, but when things get tough, they run. Or worse, they turn on you. I learned that the hard way."
Fionna felt a twinge of sadness at his words. She uncrossed her arms, her expression softening. "That's not always true, though. Not everyone's out to hurt you or abandon you when things get rough."
Steven raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting skeptically. "And how many people have you seen stick around when the world goes sideways? This isn't some fairy tale. You can't just wish things better."
"Maybe not," she admitted, stepping closer to him. "But I'm not going anywhere. If you want me to leave, I will, but if you let me, I'll stay."
He stared at her for a long moment, the playful facade fading as something more vulnerable flickered in his eyes. For the first time, he looked genuinely conflicted, like he wasn't sure whether to push her away or let her in.
"I've heard that before," He muttered, his voice low and guarded. "And every time, it ends the same way."
Fionna took a deep breath. "Then let me be the one to prove you wrong."
The air between them hung heavy, the noise of the bar fading into the background. He looked at her as if trying to see through her resolve, to test if she was as stubborn as she claimed.
"Alright," He said finally, his voice rougher, almost resigned. "But don't say I didn't warn you."
Fionna nodded, feeling a surge of relief. His trust would have to be earned, step by step. And whatever secrets he held, she'd have to be ready for whatever came next.
"Good," she said with quiet determination. "So, what now?"
Steven gave her a half-smile, his defenses dropping just a little. "Now? We finish drinking, and you go home. I'll find some hotel to crash, so we'll talk tomorrow."
Fionna nodded, trying to ignore the disappointment that bubbled up inside her at the thought of parting ways so soon. She had felt a connection with Steven, one that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"You don't have to sleep in a hotel," she said quickly, almost too eagerly. "I mean, if you want, you could stay at my place. I have a couch. It's not much, but—"
Steven raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement returning to his expression. "You're offering me your couch? Just like that? What if I'm a serial killer?"
"Then I'll just have to take my chances," Fionna replied with a brave smile, though her stomach twisted at the idea of inviting a stranger into her home. "Besides, I trust you… Kind of."
"Trust? You just met me," He said, sipping his drink, clearly entertained by her boldness.
"I know, but—" she hesitated, searching for the right words. "You saved me. That counts for something, right? And I want to understand you. So, what do you say?"
Steven thinks for a few minutes before sighing. "Fine. I'll crash at your dorm, but isn't your college going to complain or something?"
Fionna felt a rush of excitement at his agreement, though the practicalities of the situation sank in quickly. "I'm sure I can manage it. I mean, who would question a late-night study session, right? And I promise I'll keep it under wraps and—" She stops as she realizes something. "... How do you know I go to college?"
Steven grins and hands over her wallet with a chuckle. "Sorry, force of habit."
Fionna's cheeks flushed as she took her wallet back from Steven, her heart racing not just from the thrill of the unexpected night but also from the invasion of her privacy. "You took my wallet? Seriously?"
Steven shrugged, a playful smirk on his lips. "I just wanted to know what I was getting into. You might be a total weirdo, and I'd like to know a bit more about the person inviting me to crash at her place."
Fionna rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "Well, I guess you have your answer. Just a normal college student with student loans and a penchant for bad decisions."
"Bad decisions like inviting me to your dorm?" He quipped, taking another sip of his whiskey.
"Exactly," She replied, feigning a serious tone. "Who in their right mind would do that?"
He laughed, and for a moment, the air between them felt lighter.
Fionna took a deep breath, determination flooding her veins as she envisioned the night ahead. "Okay, so I'll make sure to sneak you into my dorm, and you'll stay there for tonight."
Steven raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration in his expression. "You really are bold, aren't you? This could end up being quite the adventure."
"Adventure," Fionna echoed, her excitement bubbling over. "Yeah, something like that. We'll just have to be careful. My roommate might not be too keen on unexpected guests, especially ones with… unique features."
He smirked, playfully tapping the diamond on his forehead. "I think I can keep a low profile."
Fionna laughed, the sound light and freeing, as if the weight of the night was finally lifting. "Alright, let's make this work."
As Steven finishes his drink, a sense of something similar to friendship forms between them. His playful banter became more of a genuine attempt to connect, and Fionna found herself drawn in by his charm, despite the strangeness of their situation.
Once the last sip was swallowed, Steven stood, stretching his arms with a casual ease. "Ready to go, then?"
Fionna nodded, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. "Let's do this."
They exit the bar, the cool night air enveloping them again as they walk side by side, the streetlights casting elongated shadows on the pavement. Fionna couldn't shake the feeling that this was a turning point in her life, a moment that would lead her down a path she could never have predicted.
[TO BE CONTINUED]