Walking Delusions

a/n: And nooooooowwwww, we finally see the smut, though it might not be what you think. Resolution to the cliffhanger is at hand! Enjoy! And big thanks to my reviewer Amanda whose support has made this chapter possible!

Chapter Nine: The Beast Within

Of the forest and the fall…
When I thought I’d lost it all…
And eyes that follow every cry…
Still, I sang that blood-soaked lullaby.
He was like a fresh awakening
To my shattered and forgotten psyche.
Even through the staining of the sanity
And the eyes that shiver my spine,
I see the last grasp of hope
And I lose myself to the world…
To the dream… to the vision
Where I was no longer mattered.

I pushed my lips to Melath with as much vigor as I was able and released his head so that I could wrap my arms around his neck. It was then that I felt him wrap his arms around my back and pull me closer. He moaned slightly and parted his lips, pushing his tongue inside my mouth. Melath tasted so good. Like the freshness of a pine forest after a spring thunderstorm or the cool waters of a mountain river after the first snow melt.

Desire was skyrocketing in me and I forgot about our audience. All I could understand was the feelings and the taste and the scent of him all around me. I ground my hips against him, excited by the bulge I felt in his groin. His hands moved down to cup my behind squeezing gently as he deepened the kiss. My knees felt weak and I moaned into his mouth.

It felt as if my body were on fire and I shivered from the intensity of his touch. My hormones were quickly taking over. I heard movement but I pushed the sound to the back of my mind, too involved in losing myself to the sensation of Melath running his hands up and down my back, squeezing gently.

All of the sudden I felt hands on my back and I was yanked from the silver-haired man’s arms. I tripped over my own feet and crashed to the ground, landing hard on my ass. My mind spun and I licked my lips incessantly, trying to memorize the taste of Melath.

My eyes traveled upwards and I took in the sight of Vincent pushing Melath against a tree, one well-muscled arm pressed up against the silver-haired man’s collarbone and a body slamming him against the bark. Melath couldn’t go anywhere. But to me it didn’t look like he wanted to. Because Vincent was also kissing him thoroughly, mouth pressed to his in an almost possessive vigor. With the desire coursing through me, that action barely registered.

I closed my eyes and shivered, moaning slightly as my entire body tingled and ached with need. I wanted someone to kiss me, someone to run their hands over my body and someone to ease the fire burning deep inside. I heard the sound of footsteps and my eyes shot open in the direction of the noise. It had been Ryou, intent on coming to see if I was all right. I glanced at him hungrily, expectantly.

“Don’t touch her,” hissed Vincent in a tone that I could have taken for possessive if it wasn’t for the odd look on his face. “Wait for it to pass.” He threw these words over his shoulder, still pressing Melath up against the tree. But the bowman had brought his arms up with that controlling kiss and had grabbed tightly onto Vincent’s hips.

Ryou froze in his movements and cast the dark-haired swordsman a questioning look.

“What’s going on?” demanded Ivory as she stepped further into the area taking in the sight of the mutilated body of Lalil and the destroyed bodies of the Visnay, Melath pushed up against a tree by Vincent’s whose clothes were still blood soaked and me, lying on the ground shivering and shaking. It was almost as if I was trying to fight off a drug trip.

“Vincent was injured,” answered Melath, experimentally licking his lips. His eyes flickered over to the man that had kissed him as if expecting something more. His voice only served to heighten the arousal that was pounding in my body and I moaned at the sound. It was all I could do to not jump back up and tackle both very sexy men. I struggled to calm the fire racing through me.

“She’s reacting as a human would.” commented Ivory, frowning intently. “But I thought…” Her words trailed off.

“As are you,” continued Melath locking eyes with the dark-haired man.

“I can control it,” growled Vincent.

“Can you?” countered the elfin man with a raised eyebrow. The challenge in his voice was evident to everyone.

Vincent sighed and closed his eyes. He rubbed up against the silver-haired man sensually as blue eyes closed in arousal before slowly releasing Melath. Anger flickered over the elven man’s face. Vincent backed a few feet away from Melath before turning to glare at me. The sheer heat of his gaze, regardless of the fact that it was anger, made me want to moan even more.

“Get up,” he commanded, his tone cold and unyielding. I ignored him, looking past to center my gaze on Melath who was no longer looking at me but regarding Vincent with a smoldering flame that burned in me as well. There was apparently something going on between them that I had never realized. Well, that explained Vincent pulling me off Melath like I had touched something that belonged to him.

With an angry growl, Vincent reached down and grabbed hold of the front of my clothing and jerked me upwards. Furious at his manhandling of me for the third time that day, I viciously kicked out at him with my foot. I connected but it appeared to have no effect.

“Don’t touch me!” I hissed, my eyes flashing. Rage was beginning to replace the lust in the very same moment that my head began to spin. I reached for his arm with my hand and dug my fingernails into the skin of his arm as I lashed out again with my foot.

With a look of disgust he dropped me to the ground and turned around. I landed with a very uncomfortable oomph. With a growl of rage, I did what any normal person would have given the situation. I attacked. I dove forward, arms outstretched so that they wrapped around his legs. He wasn’t prepared for my attack and went down easily.

“Fuck you bastard… think you can treat anyone anyway… stupid son of…” I was babbling at this point as we began to wrestle along the ground. Rage had completely taken over my actions. I fought like a hellcat, spitting, hissing, as well as kicking and punching. I scratched at him, bit at him, did whatever I could to make him hurt. I was tired of him treating me like an item to be hauled around. I was a human being dammit!

I had just managed to come out on top when strong arms wrapped around me from the back and pulled me off of Vincent even as I tried to kick at him. Obscenities poured from my mouth faster than I could process them and I fought to get free of the hold so that I could attack the dark-haired man some more.

“Easy, Miss Anne, calm down.” Ryou’s familiar and comforting tone whispered across my ear. I realized it was him who had grabbed me and instantly his easily recognized scent assailed me. That earthy scent of the light covering of dust and dirt that was over his skin. There was a purpose for it; I was sure but for now I was too angry to even put much brain power on that.

I looked up to see that Ivory and Melath each had an arm of Vincent’s and he was glaring at me with thinly disguised anger. “What are you?” he screamed at me. “What did Constance take from you?”

I was silent, unsure of what to say as I chewed on my lip and glared at him. He struggled in the grasp of his friends as he spat more questions at me, fracturing my already thin grip on reality. “Why did Ixion appear in battle? He is the only full-blood with golden eyes. I would know him anywhere.

“I don’t know,” I screamed at him, slumping in Ryou’s hold. I felt so weak and my head was spinning faster than I could catch it. “I don’t fucking know anything!” Odd that this man had once made me feel all warm and fuzzy, like the beginnings of a crush. But with every word uttered from these lips, I found that I was slowly disliking him.

I began to sob as the realization of his questions hit me full on. I didn’t know who I was or why anything was happening. I didn’t even understand why I was wherever the hell I was. Ryou’s arms tightened around me more comfortably but that didn’t help the pain in my heart. I wanted to go home but I didn’t know how. I didn’t want to deal with the blood or the uncertainty or the questions… god, so many questions.

“Miss Anne?” Ryou’s voice sounded so far away to me, as if he were speaking from the other side of the world.

I felt so heavy, like my body weighed a ton and my head hurt so bad I wanted to scream in pain and anguish. My vision started to go a little blurry and before I knew it, something had exploded in the back of my mind and I had slipped into the wonderful world of unconsciousness.

My eyes opened and I found myself lying once more in that formless black that I had become slightly accustomed to. I wondered which it would be this time as I slowly stood to my feet. More blood, more disembodied voices?

There was a low chuckling from behind me and I whirled around, coming face to face with a most familiar darkly clothed figure. Piercing red eyes glared at me from beneath a hood and the recognizable acrid odor of death and brimstone assailed my senses. I startled for a moment, emitting a small gasp before I gathered myself together. I supposed that my experiences in the world were beginning to numb me some.

I stared at the mysterious figure with suspicion rather than fear. “What do you want?” I hissed at him, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at the being.

He laughed again, throwing his head back and causing the hood to slip from his face. I could finally see the face beneath the hood. It was the creature from the forest, the one with long black hair and golden eyes. “You summoned me.”

I frowned at him. “I did not,” I protested, shaking my head at him.

“Silly little Anne,” he commented, clucking his voice at me. I glared at him hotly. He thought this amusing and made a gesture with his hand. One second later before I could even blink he had appeared behind me, placing each of his two hands on my upper shoulders. Like before his touch burned and I winced.

“It is because of me that you live… not once but twice,” he commented, rasping breath blowing across my ear as he spoke in attempted seductive tones into the curled shell of my ear. “If not for my spirit, you would have died when Constance took my power from you.”

“Your power?” I questioned, trying to pull away from his touch. But he just dug his claws into my skin and held on tight, forcing me to stay in place.

“What you thought that they were after some power of yours?” he questioned in a derisive tone. I did not answer. He laughed at this then blew across my ear. I shuddered in horror then jumped a few feet in the air when his wet, warm tongue scraped across the outside shell of my right ear. It burned where it landed, as if fire were racing across my flesh and not some foul demon’s saliva.

“You were right partially,” commented the creature in a low tone. “Constance however is not the brightest of his master’s servants. He took my power instead of yours. It’s a pity really.”

“Why are you here, in my mind?” I questioned, my voice trembling a little with the pain he was inflicting on my body. But I would suffer through it, because for the first time, I was getting the answers that I needed.

He chuckled. “Have no illusions, little human, you belong to me. We are merely attached for the time being. I only allowed you to live because I need what was stolen to break free and without it, I am forced to float aimlessly once more.” He ran his hands from my upper arms to caress down the entire arm causing me to shudder in revulsion, a feeling of nausea settling in my belly. He sighed loudly. “At least, I am back here once more.”

Abruptly, he released the hold he had on my body and without his support to hold me up; I collapsed to the ground, weak knees no longer useful. I gasped as my knees struck the hard, cold ground and shooting pain raced through my legs and back.

“Who… are you?” I questioned, gasping because suddenly it had gotten harder to breathe. My arms were still burning slightly and my ear tingling.

Robes swished over the ground as he circled me, like a hawk his prey. I watched him with wary eyes as I waited impatiently for him to answer. “I am Ixion,” he finally said, turning to smile down at me. “As your friend had recognized.”

“Why are we stuck together?”

He shook his head at me, teasing still on his lips. “Questions… you are full of them.” He knelt down in front of me and glared into my eyes as he grabbed my chin with his fingers. “But I wonder… do you even understand yourself?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I demanded, trying to pull my chin from his grip. He held on tightly, not budging at all. In frustration, I reached up and placed my hands on his arm to try and get him to let go.

“You still don’t see it,” he commented. “Tsk, tsk, humans are even dumber than I originally thought.” He sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I will use you and when you are done, I will throw you out like the human refuse you are.”

Ixion reached out with a single claw and traced it down the side of my neck where the tender skin was. I trembled in his touch; he was dangerously close. He smiled at my obvious fear before he ever so carefully began to trail the sharp edge of his claw across my neck. I could feel it burning like fire as he dug, and blood began to trail weakly. I hurt so bad that I sucked in a breath unable to say anything.

“He will know now, won’t he?” questioned Ixion, leaning in to breathe more of his fetid breath on my face. I grimaced and tried to get away, even as the slashing continued. “As I mark you… they will all know.”

The claw slashed harder, deeper, stealing my voice. My eyes welled with tears as he continued to make his claim. He locked eyes with me, gold flashing with crimson fire for a moment. And in that look I saw death, destruction and power all culminating in the end of the world. An end that I wrought.

“Scream for me little human,” he hissed. “Scream for me.” Ixion wrapped the claw that was slicing into me around my neck and began to squeeze as his talons dug into the skin of my face, breaking through and causing me to bleed. My neck and face burned with fire that I swore my skin was melting and blistering. Images began to assail me and I could not stop them. Everything covered in blood so much of it… and a dark coating of despair and terror raced across the land. Mocking laughter meant to deride and destroy… and hands reaching for my soul, determined to never let go.

And I did as he asked. I screamed…

I sat up with a start, scream still caught in my throat as someone had me by the shoulders and was violently shaking me awake. Reacting purely on instinct, I pushed them away even as my hands rushed to my face and neck, feeling for wounds that I feared would be there. I breathed a sigh of relief when I felt nothing, not even a scratch or spot of blood. I groaned when suddenly my stomach fluttered and I felt as if I would throw up.

A hand cupped my chin and guided a wooden cup to my mouth. My nose accepted the scent of fresh, clean water and I allowed it to pour into my parched mouth. The cool water soothed me and almost instantly my stomach stopped rolling. I drained every last bit of the cup before it was taken away.

The dream was still very much vivid in my mind, and I wondered how much of it I could believe. The creature Ixion, had said that he was a part of me but wanted to break free. But what sort of beast was he? How was I to trust the words of a monster that burnt me with its touch and clawed symbols into my neck? I sighed and opened my eyes, not even realizing that they had been closed the entire time, and looked straight into the worried brown orbs of Ryou.

He smiled and leaned out of my direct line of sight, giving me some breathing room, which I was grateful for. My whole body was shaking and my palms were sweaty, my true reaction to what had occurred in the dream world. All around us was dark though I could see the orange flame of a campfire off to my right. And to the left, the foreboding edge of the forest waited like a mysterious entity.

“How long was I out?” I questioned, my voice croaking only slightly. I’d bet it made me very attractive. I turned my head so that I could see Ryou who was kneeling next to me and pawing through what I could only assume was his pack.

He shrugged as he dug, frowning when he couldn’t find what he was looking for. “Five hours, maybe. It’s only a little after sunset.” Ryou vaguely gestured towards the horizon in the distance and my eyes registered the purpling of the skyline.

“Why did you come after me?” I asked softly, knowing of all the others, I could trust Ryou to tell me the truth. He had been the most kind and I will admit the most malleable. I was a woman after all; I noticed these types of things.

He froze at my question and kept his eyes on his bag as if searching for the way to answer it without giving away too much. I caught that lack of movement and asked again so that he would have no time to give me a carefully constructed truth.

“I don’t want to hear any lies, Ryou.”

He sighed and looked up at me, puppy dog eyes gentle. “I made them.”

“But why?” I stressed the last, hoping he would tell me something. “After all that has happened, what I did to you…” I trailed off, feeling no need to elaborate.

Ryou shrugged and looked away, staring off into the forest. He seemed to look at nothing in particular though I noticed his hands were nervously clutching at his pack. “I knew you were going to need our help,” he confessed, before looking up into my eyes. “I have a skill, one of the reasons I was first chosen to join the order.”

He was such a good, kind man. There was no doubt about it. I smiled at him softly. “Thank you for that, though I hate to burden you all with my life.” I frowned slightly, recalling just how often I had needed to be saved. Some powerful being I was.

It was then that the memories of yesterday hit me like a ton of bricks. The meeting with the king of the forest, Lalil and the attack of the Visnay, the gifts I had been given, and the kiss that I had shared with Melath. I frantically looked around for the bow and quiver that were given to me by the Great One and relaxed when I saw that they lay next to me on the ground. But my heart was still in turmoil. Lalil, I had only known her for a short time but she had still died for me. It was like everyone I was near faced an eminent death.

I ignored Ryou’s questioning glance as I got up and strode in the direction of the forest. I wondered if I could speak to the trees as the day before when I was running from Melath and his crew. I wanted to know, apologize, perhaps get a message to the great King that I was so very sorry. I walked up to the nearest tree and looked at the golden bark with only the slightest hesitation.

I steeled myself, took a deep breath, and pressed my hand to the bark. Almost immediately, I felt that same vibration of life that I had the time before. Breathing a sigh of relief, I pressed my forehead to the tree and immediately felt the small whispers of tree speech. They were like small voices wisping along my spine and caressing the inner folds of my unconscious. I listened intently to the mournful cry of the forest.

“Ageless, taken by the Visnay, Great One mourns through the night, and the loss of the faithful, world spirals down into darkness, fall the leaves and cry.” Those were the words that whispered along the edge of my consciousness.

“Miss Anne?” I heard Ryou’s questioning voice from behind me. He was the only one that called me by such a respective title.

“They mourn for their sister,” I murmured quietly, feeling the sadness settling in every nerve of my body. I turned to look past Ryou and directly to the fire where Melath was sitting, watching the two of us with interested eyes. We locked gazes. “And their fallen brother as well.” My statement was a question as much as it was anything else.

“There are many questions right now,” responded Melath softly, his voice easily carrying over the distance.

I blushed as I returned my attentions to the tree and gave it my most abiding apology, asking that she convey the words to the Great One. “Cailan n’enon needn’t apologize…” came the whispered reply and I accepted it gratefully. I sighed once more before leaving the relative comfort of the tree and turning towards the fire, Ryou following close behind me. I sat a comfortable distance from the blazing wood and stared at Melath over the flames as the monk took a seat next to me.

For a moment, we were silent until I broke it. “I’m sorry that I kissed you,” I apologized haltingly, embarrassment coloring my cheeks. No matter how much I enjoyed it or really wanted to just leap over this fire and finish what I started, I had to respect his personal space. And I strictly remembered Vincent’s poisonous glare. Something told me that he didn’t like to share.

He stared at me, a bemused expression sparkling in his cerulean eyes as Ryou shifted uncomfortably beside me though he managed to remain silent. Ivory snored loudly and it was then that I realized only Vincent was missing.

“I seem to recall returning the favor,” he replied, the heat in his gaze causing me to shiver and remember his taste. So fresh, like spring after a shower. I wanted him immediately, heat flooding my cheeks.

“What… are you saying?” I questioned as my breathing began to quicken. My world narrowed and suddenly it was only he and I staring at each other over the flames.

“I am saying,” he began, the smallest of smiles beginning to appear on his face as his blue orbs smoldered with thinly veiled desire, “that I would enjoy your company for a night.” He lowered his gaze on me and I had to suppress the urge to moan.

“You jest,” I countered, embarrassment coloring my cheeks. I couldn’t believe that a man as full of sensuality and hotness such as him would want plain old me. “I had thought…”

However, I never got an opportunity to finish because suddenly, Vincent decided to manifest. He appeared on the side of the fire next to Melath and dropped a beast that had been slung across his shoulders to the ground. Apparently, he had been hunting in his absence. I grimaced at the dead body of what looked much like a really hairy pig as I watched him warily, almost expecting him to start yelling again so I could continue pummeling him.

Vincent lowered himself to the ground next to the beast and whipped out a small hunting knife. He calmly began to clean the animal, stripping it off its fur and gutting it. I had to fight the urge to vomit as he tossed unneeded things like the skin and entrails into the fire. I went pale and had to look away, into the relative calming atmosphere of the foreboding forest. Ryou was the first to speak, as always, eager to clear any tension. It was a wonder to me how he had ended up a part of such a bloodthirsty group of people, and for that matter what had made him fall from the order.

“Where are we going now?” asked Ryou, poking a stick into the fire.

“Shouldn’t we be asking Ivory as well?” I questioned, surprised that they would even consider that without asking their friend.

Melath scoffed. “She doesn’t care as long as there is money or battle involved.”

Vincent looked up, his eyes flickering from Melath to Ryou before returning to the beast at hand. “We head north, towards Yesa.”

I contemplated his words as I looked in what I could only guess was North. The place from my dreams faced a river with the mountains to its back. If anything it was east from the forest. Despite Lalil’s death, I was determined to do as the Great One had asked. Which brought one new question to my mind.

“Which side of the forest are we on?” I questioned aloud as I stared into the flames.

“The eastern,” answered Melath with a small smile. “There was no going back it seemed. Why do you ask?”

I looked up and traded glances with Melath and Ryou, completely ignoring Vincent who was intent on his task. “I appreciate your aid, really I do. But I must go east. There is something that I must find if I’m to understand anything about why I’m here.”

Vincent looked up then, and glared at me, narrowing those golden eyes. “You are traveling with us now. You go where we go.” The command in his voice was evident but it only served to make me angry.

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, steeling my gaze to show that he could not intimidate me. Unfortunately for him, I did not take too kindly to men thinking that they could boss me around. “You have no right to tell me where I can and cannot go.” I locked eyes with him; it became a battle of the wills.

“Why there?” questioned Ryou, trying to calm the tension that was building. “To my knowledge, there is nothing around here but remnants of an old tribe.”

“A tribe that once served the Asura.” Vincent frowned as he absorbed this information. “But how would you know of this place?”

“I have no need to explain myself to you,” I huffed angrily, tossing his words of the day before back at him. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared.

Melath sighed. “You are a part of us now. We are not just going to abandon you. Despite who we are, we do have morals.”

My anger softened at his words but I wanted to make my point clear. “I still have to go to this place. The Great One told me so.”

The silver-haired man’s jaw dropped in surprise even as Ryou gasped. Both men gazed at me with a mixture of awe and shock. “You spoke… to ‘him’?” questioned Melath in a soft voice.

I nodded. “He gave me this as a gift and told me of the village,” I explained, gesturing towards the bow and quiver that were lying on the ground where I had been sleeping.

Vincent scoffed. “I don’t believe you.” He glared at me. “Have you taken to lying now?”

I stood to my feet angrily, fists clenched at my sides as I hissed at him. I was no liar! “I wouldn’t lie!” I growled furiously, itching to dive over the fire and pummel him into the ground.

“Vincent!” hissed Melath, shooting him a warning look. “I think you are being deliberatively provoking.”

“So what if I am?” questioned the dark-haired man with a raise of his eyebrows. He put down his hunting knife and the two men exchanged looks. Something heated passed between them and I felt my cheeks color again. I wished heartily that I had been a psychic or something so that I could understand what they were saying.

“I’m leaving,” I said finally, tired of them having their little staring contest. “In the morning, I will be gone. I have things to do that don’t involve getting pushed around by Mr. Testosterone here!”

“Miss Anne,” began Ryou quietly. I knew he was going to protest before he even spoke but I brought up a hand to stop him.

Melath sighed, clearly exasperated by the proceedings as he rubbed a pale hand across his forehead. “You don’t have to go anywhere. We will go with you to this village. If the ‘Great One’ told you do so, then I don’t think it would be wise to do anything else.”

“Why is her problem suddenly ours?” demanded Vincent hotly. “She can’t fight. She’s practically useless. Who deemed us her bodyguards?”

“I don’t need fucking bodyguards,” I hissed in return. That was a major lie but I wasn’t going to admit it. I needed more help than I was going to say. I glared at Vincent. “And I definitely don’t need you.”

“Why don’t you all fucking shut up so a girl can get some sleep!” Ivory’s irritated face cut through the intense argument. My jaw went slack as I stared guiltily over at her sleeping form. She sat up on her bedroll and was glaring angrily at the four of us.

Ryou hung his head sheepishly, despite the fact he hadn’t even raised his voice. “Sorry, Ivory,” the monk apologized for the rest of us. She shook her head and huffed angrily before lying down and turning her back.

Melath pursed his lips. “We will continue this in the morning,” he said, his tone significantly quieter and more subdued. “For now, just get some sleep.”

I didn’t say anything, because if I had, it would have been rude and spiteful. I simply nodded and turned away from the fire to where I had been sleeping before. It hit me that it must have been Vincent’s blanket that I was using once again, like all the times before. Thinking of that smirking hateful face, I decided that sleeping on the ground was much better. I stormed past the blanket, scooping up my bow and quiver as I passed.

I moved towards the forest, and the tree that I had been conversing with earlier. It had big thick roots that jutted up from the ground and formed a small depression that would be perfect for cozying up. Perhaps a little hard but at least I wouldn’t be indebted to Vincent. I laid the bow and quiver up against the tree as I wrapped my cloaks tightly around me and sat down, my back against the rough bark of the tree.

From this position, I could still see everyone sitting at the fire. The tree prevented someone from attacking me from the back, plus I felt relatively safe with the roots all around me. I could hear the wind whispering through the golden-green of the leaves and it was a comforting sound. I was still tired and my emotions were on high alert, which was enough to wear out my body. I ignored the three men still quietly conversing around the fire and closed my eyes, sagging against the bark as I slipped off into dreamland.

It was a memory this time, but luckily one of my own. Well, luck was all a matter of perspective. This particular memory I was both fond of and I hated. The reason? It involved him. By him, I mean that forest-eyed, raven-haired god that I had fallen in love with oh so long ago. The one who trampled on my heart and made me first lose sight of the real world. His name was Devin Lee and we were together for a short time in my past. He was one of those that charmed you into their bed just to see how you tasted, then threw you away like trash.

It was our date that I remembered, the date that eventually led to his conquering of me. It was a warm spring night and we were on a school trip. I was only in high school at the time, the eleventh grade, but he was a senior, one year ahead of me. He wasn’t a jock, not at all, but a class clown type that loved to make jokes and see people laugh. I fell for his charm instantly.

The memory, however, was of that day. We went to a fun park, one of those places that have go-carts, arcade games, putt-putt, and laser tag. We spent the whole evening together, playing games and holding hands and whispering sweet-nothings. He bought dinner and won a teddy bear for me at the arcade. Even now the memories brought a sigh of remembrance to my mind. I had thought him perfect.

The scene played in my mind; the ride back to school where he would drive me home. We were sitting in the back of the car because instead of a bus we had taken cars, it was a club trip more than an entire school trip, and we were leaning our heads back, looking at the stars through the back window. They twinkled and glowed in the sky like little rays of light and promise. I loved to look at the stars, and dream of adventures and love and power. But being with Devin made me happy to be on Earth.

The most memorable thing of that whole dream was when, as I looked at the stars, he turned his hazel gaze on me. In the darkness of the car, with the radio playing softly in the background and me snuggled up to his side, I felt like the most important girl in the world.

He smiled softly as I turned to look at him, the stars sparkling in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed me, nothing spectacular, there wasn’t even any tongue, but it was singularly thrilling to me. It felt like he really cared for me and I felt like I was floating on cloud nine.

Then abruptly, the scene changed into a nightmare rather than a dream. I relived the day he had ended our relationship, no answers, no reasons, just screaming ‘It’s over’ to me in front of all of my friends and classmates. I was hurting so badly that I wanted to cry but the thing that was like a parting shot of cruelty was his last words.

I had asked why, wanting an answer.

And his response… “You’re a lousy lay.”

That did it for me. I ran away, thanking God and everything around me that school was already out. I ran as far from the school as I could towards my home until I was forced to slow down to a walk, my chest burning with both physical and emotional pain. I stumbled along the side of the road, heading home.

My friend pulled up beside me and eventually coaxed me into her car. I went home with her and didn’t emerge for several days. I was too humiliated to go to school and show my face and the last thing I wanted was to see him. His face however, was burned into my memory. I cried every night, wanting him back. It was rather pathetic, considering the way he had hurt me, I should have hated his guts. But instead I craved his presence as if he was a drug and I was addicted.

I woke up with a start, my face wet with lingering tears. I hadn’t cried in my sleep in a long time. It appeared Devin still had the power to affect my emotions. I don’t know why my subconscious had taken that moment to bring up that memory. I rubbed angrily at my cheeks, determined to wipe away all traces of that minor session. I didn’t want any of the others to happen to glimpse my weakness. Especially not Ryou, I didn’t want his caring attitude right now. Sometimes when I was hurting, I would rather be alone.

I blinked a few times to clear my sight, my gaze instantly traveling to the fire. Ryou had already lain down for the night; I could barely make out his shape against the ground near the fire. Ivory was still asleep.

But Melath and Vincent were sitting next to each other and talking in low tones. The dark-haired man was staring calmly into the fire as Melath looked off into the night. They weren’t even making eye contact but I could tell by the play of emotions across their face that they were talking about something serious.

Again, I wished that I had the power of telepathy so that I could understand what they were saying. Neither of them looked mad. Vincent seemed contemplative while Melath seemed as if he were discussing something rather boring. I began to wonder exactly how far their friendship went and how long the two had known each other. And for that matter, who really was in charge around here?

I watched for another moment, wondering if anything else were to occur, prepared to return to sleep, when Vincent said something that apparently, Melath did not like. I caught a hardening of the blue-eyed man’s face before he turned to glare at Vincent, hand snaking out and grabbing the other man’s face. He forced Vincent to look at him, another smoldering look passing between them. I had to swallow hard, that one glance making me warm inside. The two men were hot, no doubt about it, and the thought of them together, like that kiss, was even hotter.

Melath smirked before pulling Vincent toward him and violently kissing him, even from a distance I could see him pushing his tongue into the other man’s mouth, his hand never leaving his chin. Vincent didn’t appear to resist, his eyes fluttering close as he returned the touch. Obviously there was something far more than friendship between them, but whether or not emotions were involved was something I could only hazard a guess.

The elven… well, I’ll just call him that since I don’t know what he is… the elven man pulled back from the kiss and smirked again, mouth moving as he said something. Vincent’s eyes popped open and he narrowed them, glaring hatefully at Melath.

His batted the Melath’s hand away from his chin, frowning intently as he looked away immediately into the fire. But Melath wasn’t taking no for an answer. Some sort of emotion flickered over his face before he moved quickly, tackling Vincent from the side and pinning the dark-haired man below him.

A brief struggle ensued but Melath was by far the stronger. Something I never would have guessed. Within moments he had Vincent completely subdued beneath him, perched on his hips with his hands pressed to the ground above his head.

My eyes flickered to the others. Ivory merely snuffled and continued to snore, turning over in her sleep. Ryou didn’t move. Either they knew how to sleep through such noise or were quite used to it. There was no way I was going to go to sleep, however. Voyeur? Maybe. But I wanted to see how it played out. The kinky and horny side of me was cackling in glee.

Melath was speaking again, saying something to the dark-haired man that was glaring up at him, occasionally twisting about where he lay. I wanted to hear but didn’t dare move any closer. So I settled for watching. Melath was smirking as he spoke, idly shifting his body atop Vincent’s. His hair nearly glowed in the firelight, falling over his shoulder as he leaned slightly forward, face hovering over the other man’s.

It was almost as if they were arguing, and I wanted to know what they argued about. Was it the kiss? Was that something new? Or was Vincent mad because I had kissed Melath? Could it be because Vincent wanted me to leave? Or was Melath upset because he had gotten hurt? Or was it something I knew nothing about? The questions were nearly driving me mad.

Melath transferred both of Vincent’s hands into one of his own, but it seemed that the golden-eyed man was no longer resisting. His right hand now free, he took it and slid his fingers down the pale skin of Vincent’s face. The tip of his index finger caught under the man’s chin and he lifted up his head slightly before leaning down and violently kissing him again, nearly biting his lip.

His hand moved from the chin and traced over Vincent’s chest, feeling the planes of his muscle. I saw his fingers pinch and twist and I realized he had aimed for a nipple. Golden eyes fluttered as he moved slightly beneath him; jaw working hard on the kiss. His hips ground down against Vincent’s groin beneath him as the dark-haired man thrust up into the movement. It was terribly arousing.

Melath smirked against the kiss and pulled back far enough to speak something. I saw Vincent’s face darken as he frowned and struggled to get away, though his attempt looked half-hearted. Melath laughed lightly, the sound carrying to me before he moved his hand back up to Vincent’s face, effectively ending the kiss. He pulled his head back and traced the contours of the dark-haired man’s lips with his finger.

Golden eyes smoldered with lust as his lips parted, drawing the single digit in and out of his mouth in a smooth motion designed to arouse. I could see his tongue barely moving beyond the shadow of his cheeks. Melath’s eyes fluttered. He lips moved as he spoke and ground down on the dark-haired man again. Vincent’s eyes narrowed though the look of arousal did not fade.

Melath smirked as he slowly removed the finger and bent down to kiss Vincent again, another hard and claiming press of lips. His free hand reached between their bodies and reached for his trousers. My heart nearly caught in my throat as I realized what it was he was doing. His mouth worked hard at Vincent’s, their tongues I’m sure battling for dominance despite Melath’s overriding position. Somehow, Vincent didn’t strike me as the type to give in without a fight.

Melath untied his trousers, quickly pulling out a fully erect cock, already dripping with his precum. The rosy head was thick with arousal and he was a size that I envied Vincent for. It aroused me to see him in such a manner and I knew I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Was everything about the man this gorgeous? I suddenly wanted to see Vincent as well. I shifted uncomfortably a bit, a need beginning to grow within me.

I held my breath as Melath stroked himself a few times before ending the kiss with Vincent, a teasing smile on his face. He pulled back and moved his body forward, still managing to maintain his hold on the dark-haired man’s hands until the head of his cock was pressed to Vincent’s lips. He narrowed his eyes in defiance but the look on Melath’s face was not to be dissuaded.

The elf said something, which appeared to be only two words. They were clearly orders. It irked me that I couldn’t make that much out, though the visuals were plenty stimulating on their own. Two gorgeous men such as these and they were making out? It was like a wet dream come true or something. Admittedly, I was nothing but a pervert, whole and true.

Vincent licked his lips slowly, never taking his gaze away from Melath’s crystalline blue, before drawing the dripping shaft in front of him into his mouth. He wrapped his lips around Melath’s cock and sucked deeply, so much so that I could see the muscles working in his throat. I heard Melath’s pleased groan as his eyelids fluttered and he started to rock into Vincent’s mouth, urging the man beneath him to take all of the hardened flesh.

Melath’s free hand settled on Vincent’s hair, fingers tangling in the silken dark strands as Vincent struggled to take him all in, mouth working with some difficulty. I could see Melath’s lips moving in encouragement and I again wished I could hear. Was he talking dirty or loving sounds of support?

I wondered how it felt to have that strong touch on me, coaxing me to perform that very same action or how it would feel to have Vincent’s lips pressed to mine. The idea of being pressed between them had the same effect on me as well, causing pools of desire to form in my belly.

With a quiet pop, Melath pulled free from Vincent’s mouth, a small line of spit stretching from the head to those lips. Vincent licked his lips as if he regretted the loss; gaze never leaving the eyes above him. The elf grinned and released Vincent’s hair only to wrap his fingers around his cock and stroke himself, as if teasing the dark-haired man beneath him before sitting back, rubbing his bottom over Vincent’s groin.

The sounds of moan floated their way to my ears as Vincent’s eyes fluttered. Melath said something and the pale man responded with a barely perceptible nod, sweat beading on his forehead. He must have been terribly aroused, nearly to the point of bursting.

With a grin, Melath moved off Vincent, pulling off his trousers and shirts as he did so, throwing the articles of clothing to the ground beneath him as he settled on top of them. I was amazed by the general tawny flush to his skin, how it glowed a near golden in the moonlight, but also tinged with darker streaks thanks to the fire glow. Even from a distance I could make out scars covering his amber form, some of which didn’t even seem survivable.

He quickly removed his clothes, before he returned his attention to Vincent, mouth moving. I was surprised by the very fact that Vincent had not gotten up. Perhaps his struggling was only a part of the whole scene, and not really what he desired.

Vincent snapped back an answer, lips pulled back in a sneer before Melath reached for his pants and pulled at the string with deft fingers, releasing Vincent’s fully erect cock. The head was nearly purple with his arousal and already dripping with his semen. My mouth went dry as the sudden desire to taste him swept over me.

I watched with wide eyes and bated breath as Melath smirked, swiping a finger over the head of Vincent’s cock and catching a bead of his precum. He brought the digit ever so slowly to his mouth before tasting the drop of Vincent’s arousal and running another hand up the pale man’s shirt.

Vincent sat up from the ground, pulling off the light colored fabric and tossing it to the ground. Crystalline blue eyes smoldered with desire as he darted forward and grabbed the half-dressed man, flipping him over in one smooth motion and yanking on his hips until Vincent was kneeling on hands and knees. I agreed with Melath’s thoughts. Vincent looked delicious in the firelight.

He was paler than Melath, their skin a perfect contrast: pale white combined with tawny golden. The orange shadows of the fire only added to the hue of Vincent’s skin and he was well muscled beneath the clothing, more than Melath but still very attractive. I wanted to trace the lines of pectorals with my tongue, my mouth actually salivating at the thought, but I knew that it was something that I couldn’t do at that very moment. And probably never, judging by the claim that Melath was making. And that’s when I understood what was really going on.

Everything that Melath seemed to be doing, every touch, every move had a purpose. This wasn’t just some lover’s spat or a first time thing. Melath was restaking his claim on Vincent as if a new threat had entered into the picture. I wanted to doubt that it was I, but Instinct shook its head in disgust at me.

Melath was propped up on his knees as he hovered behind Vincent, running his hands down Vincent’s back and tracing the skin there. I could make out the pale spine as he knelt there quietly and Melath traced it with his thumbs before moving down to the clothed globes of flesh directly before him. He squeezed Vincent’s ass before grabbing onto the fabric and pulling it down, effectively binding his legs.

Another smirk tugged at Melath’s mouth as he slid one finger down the crease of Vincent’s buttocks. He shuddered beneath the exploratory touch, unconsciously pushing backwards onto the questing finger. Melath leaned forward across Vincent’s back, toned muscles of his abdomen sliding across pale skin as he pressed three fingers to Vincent’s mouth, encouraging him to suck.

As he pressed himself to the back of the man beneath him, he slid his dripping shaft along the crease, teasing Vincent even further. The dark-haired man moaned as he pulled the three digits in between his lips, rolling them around in his mouth and liberally coating them with his saliva.

After a moment, Melath pulled back, removing his fingers with a slight pop and positioning himself behind Vincent, a braid of dark hair hanging over one pale-skinned shoulder. He traced the hidden entrance between Vincent’s cheeks with his saliva-slickened fingers before plunging inside.

I could see Vincent bite his lip as he was stretched but he didn’t appear to be in pain. More like pleasure was striking him from all directions. Vincent pushed himself back on the intruding fingers, as if subconsciously asking for more.

I couldn't help but move as slowly as possible, snaking my hand beneath the wrappings of my robe and rubbing over my clothed groin. The heat emanating was nearly too much to bear and I bit my lip, sliding beneath the edges of my underwear as well. My fingers brushed across the curly pubic hair before rubbing along the folds of flesh. I wasn't surprised to find that I was already slick and wet, their movements like a live action porn that stirred my body.

The elfin man said something as he pulled back, rising up to his knees and removing his fingers from Vincent’s hidden entrance. He took his cock into his hands, slicking it with his own precum as he pressed just the head to Vincent’s puckered muscle. Vincent looked over his shoulder, golden eyes narrowing and flashing as he snapped something in response. Crystalline eyes smoldered as he grasped onto Vincent’s hips and began to press inside slowly. Vincent turned to glare again but Melath just shook his head.

I licked my lips, eyes locked on the vision in front of me as I slipped my fingers inside of my body, coating them in the wetness between my legs before sliding them over the folds and encircling the engorged flesh of my clitoris. Fire raced through my own body as well and I stifled all sounds of pleasure, barely able to contain my gasps. The last thing I wanted was for either of them to notice me. I may not have had much shame when it came to sex, but that was more embarrassment than I cared to suffer.

Impatiently, Vincent bucked backwards into the touch, immediately taking all of Melath as deeply as he could. He bit his lip but didn’t say anything as Melath seemed to sigh, his mouth making some sort of admonishment as he began to thrust, quick movements that were not at all slow and loving. My original idea of reclaiming and ownership seemed to be confirmed. I loved watching the way Melath’s muscles bunched as he thrust forward and pulled back, or the way his muscles seemed to glide beneath his tawny skin from his grip on Vincent’s hips.

The muscles in Vincent’s back strained and pulled as he moved with Melath’s thrusts, back onto the intrusion until the elf was sliding in and out of him in a relentless pace. I could hear their noises even from my position and my eyes slid to their companions. Still, neither made a sound or moved. I was amazed at that. Or perhaps they were awake but had gotten good at pretending not to hear anything.

Melath was making noises in the back of his throat as his hands tightened on Vincent’s hips. The darker man grunted, his fingers curling against the rocky soil beneath him. He had some of their abandoned clothing beneath his knees but his hands had only dirt for balance. Their breathing quickened, I could see their heaving chests from my position. That pool in my belly was quickly getting heavier, making my skin heat and my face flush.

I rubbed a continuous circle around the sensitive flesh, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth as arousal climbed higher and higher. My hips unconsciously moved slowly into the touch and I had to force myself to still, though my hand worked ceaselessly, pulling and stimulating that sensitive button. I slid my palm over my entire groin, spreading around the slick juices even more as I locked my gaze on their sinuously moving bodies.

Suddenly, Vincent shifted his weight to one hand, trying to balance himself as he reached down to grab his own dripping cock, nearly hissing with the much needed stimulation. He wrapped fingers around the shaft, managing a few strokes before Melath shook his head and slapped his ass open-palmed. The sound carried to me though the words that Melath spoke next did not. It appeared to be an order though, considering the look on his face.

Vincent lips curled back in a snarl but to my surprise, he growled and removed his hand, instantly restoring his balance. He had obeyed Melath without any argument. Melath appeared pleased with this as he leaned forward and grabbed onto the hanging braid of dark hair, jerking on it roughly as he thrust into Vincent even harder than he had before. At that point, any protest that Vincent might have made died on a moan. I guessed that meant he liked it rough. A little pain now and then only added to pleasure, at least that’s what was in my book.

As I watched, Vincent’s body seemed to draw tight into itself, as Melath continued to thrust into him with abandon, no rhythm to his movements, just pure need. I could hear Vincent’s whimpers now, clear as bells as he succumbed to what had to have been pleasure flooding his body. Sweat soaked their bodies, glistening in the firelight and running down bared flesh in little trails… trails I wanted to follow with my tongue.

Melath’s body seemed to pull as tight as whipcord as he gritted his teeth, a harsh growling moan escaping despite his attempts to hold them in as he stilled in his movements, gripping onto Vincent’s hips hard. He came, spilling his seed into the gasping pale body and took great pleasure in doing it. Then, without missing a beat, he gave Vincent’s hip and braid a fierce yank, pulling the dark-haired man towards him in one smooth motion as he settled back on his ankles.

My eyelids fluttered, arousal coiling tightly within me about ready to burst. My entire body had broken out into a light sweat, the muscles in my hand nearly straining with the effort. Yet, I persisted. I was so close. I curled my middle finger deep inside as I rubbed the heel of my palm over my clitoris.

One hand wrapped around Vincent’s belly as the other gripped his chin, forcing the him to turn his head towards Melath. The elf pressed their lips together in a fierce claiming as he grabbed onto Vincent’s still dripping and unsatisfied cock firmly. Melath wrapped his fingers around the column of flesh and stroked several times, rubbing his half-hardened groin within Vincent.

One of Vincent’s hands came down and gripped Melath’s thigh while his hips moved and he pumped himself into the strong touch. It took only a few strokes before Vincent moaned into Melath’s mouth, the sound muffled by their kiss, and he spilled himself into the elf’s hand, over onto the ground and his own thighs, his body drawn taut like a bowstring.

I came nearly in tandem with Vincent, biting my lip and tasting blood to conceal the startled gasp. My entire body thrummed with the force of my orgasm and I quickly closed my eyes, trying to appear as still as possible just in case I had been heard, although my heart pounded within my chest. After what seemed like an hour, I cautiously peeked open one eye. But neither man seemed to have noticed anything.

Vincent had collapsed against the darker man behind him as Melath smirked, bringing up his now semen-covered hand to Vincent’s mouth, saying something as he did so. Golden eyes smoldered but Vincent said nothing as he grabbed the Melath’s wrist and brought the hand to his mouth, slowly and languidly licking the appendage clean of all traces of their excursion. Melath murmured something as he leaned his head down; biting on the juncture of Vincent’s collarbone and shoulder though it didn’t look at all gentle.

My breath was still caught in my throat, my eyes opened so long they felt nearly dried out and arousal striking my body from all directions. I wanted both men so bad I nearly burned from it. I didn’t dare shift my position or anything; for fear that they would look in my direction and just know that I had been watching. Though I doubt embarrassment was anything men such as them cared about. My fingers itched to caress that skin, my lips burned to trace those contours and my body craved their touch, to be filled with those strong columns of flesh.

I watched with hungry eyes as Melath said something else to Vincent, causing his eyes to darken. The pale man turned to his companion, or lover, and spoke something in return, his words sharp. Melath merely laughed, gesturing that Vincent should rise, but not before running his hands over tanned flesh and stealing one last fiery kiss.

He squeezed Vincent’s pert ass before pushing him upwards and looking about for his clothes. The dark man responded quickly before hunting for his clothes as well, seemingly returning to business as usual.

It seemed that these men were far more than friends. Far more than anything I had realized. And judging from the looks that passed between them, far more than they understood themselves.

It wasn’t hard to believe that I slept fitfully that night, haunted by dreams of pale skin sliding over tanned flesh and barely muffled moans of pleasure and ecstasy.

*****

a/n: Phew! That was exhausting. Hope you enjoyed! Be looking forward to Chapter 10: The Strong Survive, coming soon. I look forward to your comments!