[attr="class","itokaytext"]It had been years since Lilith had actually been in a bed. Or had a roof over her head to call home. But when you’re supposedly dead, it’s hard to really get any of those things. Can’t exactly go home and tell the parents and siblings ‘Hey, no I actually almost killed my brother because I had no idea about my powers.’ Lilith shook her head as the rain poured down hard over her head.
She shivered from the cold touch of water and blistering winds, but she hadn’t the right clothing for this type of weather. She had been dressed in a light long sleeved shirt, jeans that hugged her curves with holes, but not as a fashion statement. She held herself so tightly as she dodged in and out of onings that covered some of the entrances of the market. Her light eyes wandered the faces of people going about their normal lives.
She watched as couples walked by holding each other close. Skin meeting skin and nothing harmful happening to the other. She looked down at the gloves that covered her fingers. If she had been born normal she would be home with her family, enjoying their company, being able to hug them and feel their skin under her hands without worry of killing them if she held on too long. Why had the world cursed her with this power? Why had it hated her so much, when all she wanted was to live her life?
Making a run for it as lightning struck she was stopped at a crosswalk. Since then though she’s just had a run of bad luck and having to move around a lot. She didn’t know if GADEM could still be out there looking for her. Or if they even knew she existed. Her teeth chattered as she waited for the sign to change. Sadly though her bad luck wasn’t done with her yet as a taxi came past and splashed a large amount of water drenching Lilith more.
That’s what broke her calm exterior. Tears mixed with the rain falling down her cheeks as she backed away to the nearest alley. Sliding down the brick wall she covered her face in her hands as soft sobs left her lips. No one cared for the girl crying in the alley. They just passed by as if nothing was happening. What was one girl's pain to these strangers? Nothing, and she knew it.
She hadn't heard the steps getting closer to her until she was being pulled up roughly. "Hey, let me go!" Thunder rumbled aloud up in the clouds as she fought against the man's strength. She took note of the purple three piece suit, the pimp cane hanging from his arm, the cheetah print tie, the leather gloves. He was on the search for more girls to break to his will and make his own. The umbrella he held keeping him safe and dry from the storm above them.
"Nah, pretty girl like you, you'll fetch a pretty penny. You're mine now." Lilith pulled back and punched him right in the back of the head. His hand loosened at the unexpected hit and she darted back towards the street. He reached out for her again and grabbed her hair pulling her back. A gasp of pain left her lips as she was pulled back and spun around. When she met his face she spat in it, “I’m not property!” He wiped the spit from his face with a disgusted look and glared at her. Lilith being herself stood her ground, only to get a back hand to the face. It was such a surprise she let out a pained yelp as she hit against the brick wall of the building next to her. A little gash opened on her forehead as her teeth had punctured the inside of her cheek making her spit some blood as it poured out.
Was this really going to be her life? Tears continued to fall as she was again pulled back by her arm. “Please let me go!” She cried out. “Someone… Help!” She cried out, but in her mind she didn’t really expect anyone to care. She was nothing but a ghost in the thousands of lives moving about.
It was a slow day, Ethan woke up to his television still blaring some old war movie he hadn’t watched in years. He followed the same mundane, daily routine before finding that only two of his regulars pitched for the day. Jon, a red headed sixteen year old boy with abusive parents and Timothy, a timid young boy with glasses and a mother too addicted to crack to pack her son’s lunch. He opened the doors for them feeling the slow onset of a storm in the thick clouds rolling overhead and the small droplets raining down on the sidewalk.
He stood in the corner in front of a large bin before digging out the usual gear and tossing to each of the boys, Timothy had to jump a little to reach the gloves but otherwise they were dedicated to the sport. Timothy was hoping to fend of bullies and Jon hoped to grow stronger, both noble causes to Ethan. The storm slowly got worse as the day progressed, he was calmly helping Timothy spread his legs just enough to balance his rapid punches when he glanced at the hands on the clock.
“Hey, you guys think you can hold down the fort? I’m gonna pop out and get us some food alright”, he shoved a dark brown jacket over his shoulders and kept a steady hand on the door watching the timid boy pass into a look of uncertainty. “I got it sir, we’ll be fine”, Ethan smiled kindly at the gesture and slipped out into the pouring rain. There was this small little Chinese restaurant just down the street, he knew the family that owned it needed the money and he made an educated guess knowing the boys were hungry.
He would have been on his way back sooner if misses Chen didn’t spend thirty minutes telling him about her daughter’s good grades, he didn’t mind though. The young girl was doing high school in a second language and excelling, besides, she was a little prankster who stopped by often for a cute little magic trick or two. Ethan was a good man with kind intentions, he’d stop and give his shoes to that man always sleeping behind Will’s bar more than once, he helped Mrs. Brown with groceries since her husband passed and much, much more. Still, he had a well hidden angry side that he preferred to bottle up.
He stopped abruptly at the sound of a delicate voice calling for help, at first he couldn’t pin point the direction over the thunder rumbling in the sky. He took a running start into the alley nestled between two high, brick walls. It was almost hard to see in the pouring rain but there was no mistaking the purple clad criminal shoving a young girl into the painful embrace of the rough bricks. Even in the rough downfall of rain he could see the small gash bleeding against the soft skin of her forehead.
He set down the plastic bag steaming with the heat of the food tucked inside and blocked the man’s path with a firm hand over the criminal’s purple clad shoulder. The man looked up with a sneer, a dirty look in his eyes that made Ethan hate his guts even more. “Now big fella, I’m just getting my girlfriend here – she has a few loose screws. Better be getting her home now”, Ethan laughed almost sincerely stepping out of the way with his arms folded over his chest. He waited until the man barely passed by him before reaching out and painfully uncurling his filthy fingers from the girl’s arm.
Ethan curled his fingers around and shoved his arm across his back in a painful tug before forcing his face into the rough bricks lining the wall. “I suggest you never put your filthy hands on another woman again, next time I’ll snap your neck”, Ethan spoke low and honestly in the criminal’s ear as he writhed under the pressure of his arm. He let the criminal sprint off with a dangerous glare shoved back towards the pair before he turned to face the young girl.
“Hey, I’m gonna get you out of the rain okay?”, he smiled kindly pulling the brown jacket from his shoulders and draping it over hers. He picked up the food, ushered her kindly by holding a gentle hand over her shoulder. Ethan gently pulled her back towards the club, allowed her to pass in first and followed with a quick swipe at his wet hair. Small droplets fell to the floor and over his shoulder, some unintentionally aimed at her.
“Jon, Tim”, both boys eagerly took their boxes of Chinese and opted to sit on some thick matts piled in the corner. Ethan turned to the young girl with a charming, honest look passing over his features. “I’m Ethan, and you look like you’re starving”, he held out the bag of food with caring gesture and ushered her into the back room. His bed was still unmade, grey covers tossed aside from insomniac twisting and turning at night. His television was dark then, no old war movies paused in the middle of a heroic shootout. He pulled a first aid kit from the bottom drawer of the old dresser, gestured to the soft matrass of a couch and pulled up a chair to face her.
“Would you mind if I take a look at that?”, he didn’t want to intrude, he’d respect her boundaries if she didn’t trust him. still, he didn’t want her to be drenched, bleeding and terrified all in one day. Ethan stopped for a second, pulled out one of his shirts and set it on the couch next to her. “I’ll give you a minute to dry up, there’s a towel over the bathroom door”, he smiled kindly and stepped outside the door to the gawking, curious faces from the boys.
“Anything you’d like to say?”
“No sir, nothing”, Timothy was a shy boy but he grew bubbly and honest in the company of people he trusted and by the looks of it Ethan was one of them. He leaned back against the door with a soft knock, “Can I come in?”. Ethan prided himself on being an extremely patient man but his worry for her physical health quickly pressured him to be severely concerned and slightly impatient to tend to that bloody cut over her forehead.
And like a candle makes a brighter place Your mark on me can’t be erased
[attr="class","itokaytext"] Lilith hadn't expected someone's help as she felt things spinning at another slap to her cheek. She was dizzy as she was pulled along. Hearing the slight laughter she was confused as to how any of this was funny but then the pressure was gone and she watched as this handsome stranger pushed this man up against the wall. Her blue eyes watched him through tears and water droplets. Relief washed over her, but so did the cold. Pieces of brown locks stuck to her face, as the blood trickled from the gash and stung. But she didn't want to feel this relief. Someone so nice saving someone that could just as easily take his life with a single touch.
A small frown turned her lips down as the purple suit man ran off. Lilith turned her eyes to the handsome bearded man and couldn't stop staring into those hazel eyes as he spoke. 'Out of the rain?’ She was so confused as he got.closer and draped his jacket over her frozen shoulders. The warmth surprised her as she wiped at her eyes. Her body jumped at the gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder and she looked up almost terrified. Taking a deep breath she tried to calm her heart as she followed the man to a boxing club.
She'd walked past this place a few times but she didn't know anything about fighting so she stayed clear of it. Going inside she was happy to finally be out of the downpour of water. When he called out some names two boys walked up and got their food. A gentle smile curled her lips seeing similarities in her brothers that she had left behind. A large lump of guilt and regret was starting to form in her throat as she watched them eat and laugh.
When he pulled out the last one and handed her the box she felt her cheeks heat in both embarrassment and gratitude. “Oh, I couldn't.” Her stomach argued as the sweet and spicy scent met her nose. She hadn't eaten much in the last few days but she didn't want to take his food from him. But he seemed the persistent type and she took the box with a sad year grateful look. “Thank you Ethan… I'm Lilith.” She said as she was taken to a backroom.
There she was sat on a couch and she looked around. Her head was really starting to hurt as she remembered the gash and she was feeling light headed. When he sat down on a chair in front of her, that's when panic set in again. He'd be touching her bare skin if he looked it over and she shook her head. “I… I'll be fine.” She lied. Ethan had already done so much that she hadn't expected and it was making her feel less than worthy of it. Seeing him stop she almost wondered if he was insulted until he pulled out a shirt for her. With a kind word he left the room to let her change shirts. Her lower lip started to tremble as she looked from the food to the shirt to the towel. “I don't deserve this…” she thought and stood up.
Lilith placed his jacket over the back of the chair as she grabbed the towel.and started drying off and removing her plaid shirt. Debating about it she decided to take off the bra as well. She didn't want to be chafing all night, but she wouldn't stay any longer than she needed to. Pulling his shirt over her head she wrapped up her hair and contemplated on what to do with her wet jeans until she heard him call to her through the door. “I um,” clearing her throat she sat back down, “yes, I'm decent.” She called back and smiled when he came back in. “I'm gonna have to find a way to pay you back for helping me.”
Ethan slipped back into the room with a cautious glance, he didn’t want to invade her privacy in any sense of the world. He held a kind, warm smile atop his lips as he truly took in her appearance. She was beautiful, breathtaking even but she carried telltale signs of living in the elements with no home to turn to. He’d seen enough people out on the streets to know the small signs, the dirt on her tattered clothes, the dark circles of fatigue under her eyes and a certain, particular touch to their eyes. Her offer to repay him for a kind deed was almost shocking, not because he didn’t’ expect to hear it from her lips but because ha hardly expected it of her. A vocal thank you and small smile was enough for him.
“You’re not paying me back for anything”, he insisted relaxing into the chair again, he unzipped the first aid kit and tossed the contents onto the worn fabric of the couch. The air wasn’t too cold, he could hear the soft thuds of the boys touching up on their skills, it left a lingering smile to his face.
“Lillith, it’s pretty name”, he was trying his best to make her comfortable, she carried a small touch to her eyelid in the aftermath of tears and fear. He couldn’t believe the world was overrun with criminals and thugs who took what they wanted regardless of the people they hurt.
“Do you have anywhere to go?”, he dipped a few thick pieces of gauze in antiseptic solution before touching his fingers to her cheek to steady her face. He saw shock slip over her features and he pulled back with worry lacing his gaze. “I’m sorry, I know it hurts”, he was gentle as he reached out again and dabbed the gauze softly against the small cut.
“Good thing it doesn’t need stitches, just keep the pressure okay”, he laced his fingers around her small palms and pressed her fingers against a clean, dry gauze. Ethan nodded thoughtfully before standing up to the small corner close to the bathroom door, he grabbed two cold beers from the mini fridge and held one out to her.
“You look like you could use something stronger than coffee?”, he set his warm palm over hers and pulled her fingers from the gauze to inspect the small gash. The bleeding finally clotted in a thin, jagged line and he smiled pulling the bloody gauze from her skin. Ethan tossed the items back into the small bag and tossed it into the corner with a nonchalance shrug.
“It’s not exactly five star quality but you’re welcome to stay the night, stay as long as you need. No charge, just a smile at least”, he twisted the cap off with ease and chugged it into the small bin in the corner. He leaned back comfortably with a soft smile on his features. He hoped she’d take him up on the offer, Ethan knew full well he couldn’t sleep the night knowing there was a young girl exposed to the harsh realities of the world while he slept warm and safe.
“Mr. Rogers!”, he chuckled softly standing to his feet to pop a head through the door, Timothy tucked his gear into the bin with a sad smile. “Can I come by tomorrow? I know it’s Saturday but-”, Ethan waved his words to a stop with a happy grin.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Tim”, he saw the almost worried touch to Jon’s face and he found himself laughing softly, “don’t pout buddy, you’re welcome to stay until your dad goes to work”. Jon sighed in relief and continued his measured assault on the punching bag hanging from the support beams overhead. He ducked back into his room with a curious glance to the beautiful young girl, he wondered if she’d be brave enough to trust his intentions or paranoid enough to distrust even him.
And like a candle makes a brighter place Your mark on me can’t be erased
[attr="class","itokaytext"]Lilith hadn't been expecting him to just tell her no like that. Normally people would joke it off or be insincere when saying that she didn't have to when in reality it's what they expected. Biting her lip she looked down. But hearing him compliment her name made her look back up. She wasn't sure how to respond except the bright red on her cheeks.
With the distraction she didn't have time to tell him not to touch her. It would've been abrupt and rude but she didn't want him dying or in pain. Ethan had helped her, and it would be a cruel way of paying him back. But when his hand touched her cheek she snapped back to reality. Her hand automatically moved to push his away but nothing happened. Nothing happened to either of them. He wasn't writhing on the floor in pain and shock, and neither was she feeling rejuvenated for taking life and power.
The solution stung as he dabbed and for the first time in forever Lilith was happy. Hell she was ecstatic that there was someone that couldn't be affected by her powers. She hoped this wasn't a dream. A frown turned her lips at his question. “...No. I don't.” She said softly, her tone sad and heavy. Being guided to hold the gauze she was happy that she didn't need a hospital or anything for her cut. That would've been a good way to head straight for GADEM.
“Good. Still stings like a… well, you know.” She didn't want to curse where children could hear her. Hearing them gave her heart a little flutter, but not as much as this man made it race. She still couldn't get over that he was perfectly fine as he touched her. She wondered how that was when everyone else just got sucked dry. She hadn't ever had the taste of coffee before, and now being twenty one she was legal to drink alcohol. It never occurred to her though to have even the smallest of sips as she felt so parched. “Thank you.” Popping the cap she took a few big chugs and her nose scrunched at the bitter taste and the fizz shooting up her nose.
She relaxed some as her body began to feel warm from the liquid in her system. She didn't know she'd be needing to eat to keep herself mostly sober, but then again since running out at 13 she didn't know much about the world still. She knew she probably should've kept her guard up, kept pushing him away. But the guy had good intentions, she could tell he's just a genuine nice guy. It's why she didn't want to ruin his life by staying in it for much longer than necessary.
But part of her felt like she needed to leave now. The distrusting part of her wanted to stay skeptical, that this was nothing more than someone trying to use her for something later. Everyone had ulterior motives. Even the nice guys. But hearing his words she wanted nothing more than to believe he really had nothing but good intentions. She almost felt like she needed it for herself to believe. Eight years running and hiding, protecting herself from the people and the people from her. She wanted to know it was okay to be safe for one night. She took another drink of the beer looking over to the door and smiled.
Lilith loved kids. Hearing Tim ask about coming tomorrow it was cute. So he had a way with kids. 'Great way to any girls heart.’ The nagging voice in her head spewed. Her eyes looked to the food that sat next to her on the couch, then back at Ethan. God he was like an Adonis in real life. All those hard muscles, his huge arms. 'Oh God… no come on. No oglin the guy that just helped you out. But damn… having those wrapped around me all night. I'd be so satisfied.’ She had to keep herself from drooling seeing his shirt stretch tightly over his broad chest and shoulders. “You sure you want me spending the night? I can be a lot more trouble than I'm worth.” She stated. “I'm not usually the best of company.” She added softly. She was still so uncertain about eating the food or not even with her stomach burning and rioting.
He was shocked to say the least at the sight of Lilith chugging down half the beer in large sips. He chuckled lightly setting his fingers onto the bottom of the cold bottle and eased it down, “easy there, you gotta eat some first”. He found her amusing, the little bit she allowed him to see through the walls he assumed she built to protect herself against the world, he could never begin to suspect her efforts in trying to save the world from her own, strange abilities.
Ethan smile kindly, it seemed to be the only expression he wore with absolute ease, he nodded with certainty and gestured an open palm to the bed. “I don’t really care how much trouble you think you are, you’re hurt and tired and I’ll bet just a little bit scared. It’s a dangerous world out there and I’ll be sleeping much better knowing you’re out of the storm”, he stepped past the bed and reached into a high cupboard to pull out a striped blanket and set it on the edge of the couch.
“There’s a few rules though, nr 1. I’m sleeping on the couch, nr 2. No arguments about the couch and nr 3. You’re eating every last bit of that Chinese alright”, although he donned a charming smile there was a seriousness to his tone. He intended to help the girl, he didn’t say it out loud but he knew he’d do what he could for her whether it took weeks or months but she didn’t deserve to be stranded in the rough darkness of an unforgiving world full of crooks.
“That guy, did you know him? I’m just asking in case he comes back. I’ll lock the doors and everything, you don’t have to worry”, he heard the loud honking outside, he knew the lady behind the steering wheel had extensions that looked brittle compared to her thin, black hair. He pitied Jon, but he couldn’t take them out of their homes, he could at least show them there’s more than the shit the world offers to willingly.
“See you Monday Mr. Rogers”
“You have my number Jon, I’m always here”, he waved to Jon through the door, he knew most of the kids were going to some or other carnival two towns over so he wasn’t too shocked with the empty club. Ethan stared at the downpour of rain through the window and smiled down at Lilith with a small wave of his palm, “I don’t think anyone’s gonna brave the storm, I’m just gonna lock up”, he stepped out of the back room and quickly tucked a stray pair of gloves into the large bin before digging the keys from his pocket and locking the main doors. He normally didn’t lock the back door knowing he was more than capable of fending off petty thieves but he’d offer it to her in case she still felt uncertain about the crook that tried to whisk her away for his own dark agendas.
“Sorry, it’s normally a little more organized. Are the clothes alright? I’ll stop by Dan’s tomorrow and get you a few things”, he knew the tall man that owned the shop on the corner of the street well, besides, Ethan didn’t mind getting her something more comfortable to wear than his shirts, maybe a new pair of paints that didn’t have tears and holes in and a shirt she didn’t have to swim in. Ethan wasn’t a stranger to kind deeds but he felt an intense draw to do something good for the striking girl, he could see the pressure of hiding something in her eyes but he wouldn’t pry. For someone who insisted to help others he had great respect for their boundaries and by the looks of it the girl feared something deeply rooted in herself, something she tried hiding from the world.
And like a candle makes a brighter place Your mark on me can’t be erased
[attr="class","itokaytext"] The beer was starting to get to her head a little bit as a dopey smile took over her face. Now she felt so warm and loose, like all her worries were gone. When she chugged some more and he gently tilted it down she gave a playful pout. She gave a scoff as he gestured to the bed and spoke about the world being dangerous. “Yeah…” She said softly. She already knew how dangerous it was, she didn’t need to be told a second time while living it. “Living it every day is a reminder in itself.”
Her fingers started to pick at the paper logo wrapped around the bottle. She felt pathetic now, but her eyes drifted back up as he draped the blanket over the couch. She listened to his rules and as she went to take another drink of the beer he stopped her at his third rule and she pouted again, “Oh, fine. Just so you know… I won’t enjoy this… nope not in the least.” She said and placed the beer on the coaster on the nightstand. She picked up the food and chopsticks and dug in.
Her belly gurgled in gratitude as she savored the sweet and spicy flavors. The warmth of the food helping her to warm up even more. A small genuine smile came to her face as she gave a soft little moan of contentment. At least until he asked about the man in the purple suit. She hadn’t ever run into him before, but she could be wrong. It was hard to keep track of days, let alone faces of people you didn’t care for. “I’ve never seen him before. I’d remember someone wearing tacky clothing like that.” She took a few more bites of the food and looked down at the box to realize it was all gone. “Awe… it’s gone.” She looked up at Ethan with the most adorable sad puppy look. It’s not even her doing it on purpose, she was genuinely sad that she had eaten it all. Even with his permission she had still wanted to save some for Ethan because it was his in the first place.
Her head turned to the honking going on outside and waved to the little boy as he and Ethan said goodbye to each other. She nodded her head in agreement as she placed the empty box into the trashcan and picked up her beer to finish it off. The last chug was so smooth like water, it didn’t burn like it had the first time and that’s when she got the devious little idea. He may have said no arguing over the couch, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t pretend to argue about it. Seeing him disappear to lock the back door she pulled the blanket up and over her head and twisted until she was a little blanket burrito.
A proud playful smile came across her lips as she heard his footsteps getting closer. She couldn’t contain the giggles as he hadn’t looked up as he was talking. Because of that she rolled right off and landed with an oof and a laugh. Lilith couldn’t answer his question as she tried to catch her breath in between giggles and snorts of laughter. She hadn’t felt this safe in so long and with the alcohol in her “virgin” system she was a definite featherweight with drinking. “I’m… haha, I’m okay. They, ah hahahaha, the clothes are fine. I’m good.”
Ethan couldn’t believe his eyes, the last thing he expected was Lilith folded into the blanket he’d set aside for himself. It would’ve been adorable and while the sentiment didn’t change he could hardly contain the bubbling laughter crawling up his throat at the sight of the little human burrito rolling off the couch. He looked to the empty beer bottle and back to her holding a palm flat against his toned abdomen feeling the light shake in his shoulders as small chuckles drifted through his lips. Within seconds he was laughing about as hard as he ever had in his entire life, he doubled over holding his stomach while feeling the rush to his head from leaning over for too long.
“You haven’t had a drink in your life, have you?”, he could see the red tint to her features under the comical influence of the beer and he’d bet his entire club her skin was coated in a drunk warmth. He crouched down by her side and tucked one arm under the blanketed cocoon where he suspected the delicate fold of her knees would be, his other slid under the upper half of the small giggling burrito and carried her over to the bed.
Ethan lost his footing over an old pair of shoes tucked close to the bedside table, he found himself reaching out frantically amidst a boisterous laugh to keep the burrito from rolling over the edge and onto the floor on the other side of the bed. “This isn’t exactly how I pictured this going”, he chuckled softly to himself pulling Lilith back to him with a kind grin.
“If this is your sneaky way of marking the couch you’re losing”, he tried unwrapping her from the striped blanket but he was laughing so hard he could hardly stand still. Ethan held up his two palms in mock surrender as he stumbled back to the couch for a quick breather. He balances his elbows on his knees and watched her with a curious interest.
“I guess you’re stuck like that now”, he added a small wiggle of his brow at the joking tone before leaning back and folding his feet onto the chair he left when he tended to her wound. It was a refreshing taste to be joking with someone who didn’t battle the fierce tug of puberty, he barely had any friends apart from the kids he taught and even then he was more a mentor than a friend. He heard thunder overhead, it was always a nice sound to him. he appreciated the lullaby of a storm’s call.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”, Ethan sat up with an apologetic glance towards the Lilith, “sorry. Guess they get less beautiful when uh-”, a blush crept onto his cheeks as a nervous silence fell over his tongue. He didn’t know how to address her living situation, he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable or different. He really thought she was a hell of a person especially because of the circumstances she had to overcome.
And like a candle makes a brighter place Your mark on me can’t be erased
[attr="class","itokaytext"] Lilith couldn’t keep the giggles away as she wiggled there on the floor for more comedy. A bright smile on her face as she watched Ethan try to keep his composure. Shaking her head feverishly strands of drying hair escaped from the blanket. “NOPE! I just turned 21 a few months ago!” She giggled out. For a first time she liked drinking it made her feel warm and happy. She giggled more as she was lifted up and carried towards the bed. But feeling as she was falling made her squeal out in anticipation.
Feeling herself being pulled closer to Ethan on the bed her cheeks grew a brighter red. She hadn’t ever been this close with someone in so long. She like it, and her heart began to pound. But the blanket was starting to make her feel too warm. “Dang it, you found me out. But I almost had it! The laughter will keep you distracted!” She laughed out.
She laughed even more when he tried to get her out of the blanket. “No, it’s mine!” She giggled out and held to the corners keeping it tight. She snickered as he gave up and smiled. “The trick is the corners!” She exclaimed and unwrapped herself easily. “Get a good grip and not even the strongest person can unwrap you.” Getting up she looked over his form again. She wanted those arms around her again, and in her state with her inhibitions just gone, boundaries being part of her past for the moment, she wanted more contact.
She shrugged as she looked over the blanket and her smile dimmed some. “Storms can be beautiful, but it’s just the anger and sadness the world holds together under the surface.” She spoke from her own experience and feelings. She didn’t want to think about it, but now that she was she frowned. Normally Lilith wouldn’t be all over someone. She’d have pushed him away, kept building her walls against the kindness, drag herself down worse than any critic in the world could. She was a nightmare dressed like a daydream, like the storm raging outside.
Pulling the blanket she took the initiative and straddled his waist, pulling the blanket up and over both their heads. She wanted to hide now, where no one could see her. Her gloves had long been discarded with her shirt earlier, but she was still so uncertain. “I can’t stay… not in one place for too long.” She started, “No one wants a monster around them when they can be killed with a touch of my hand.” She looked to them, worn and cracked from being dry and hidden from the elements. She hadn’t realized tears started up again. “They don’t want someone like me around, I’m not good…” Her voice choked some, “I bring nothing but pain with every touch… draining power and life. But you…” Her eye drifted back up as she sniffled. Her hand hesitantly reached out and touched his cheek.
More tears fell as she watched as nothing happened. “Nothing happens to you. Why? Why now?” She whispered and leaned forward laying her head on his shoulder as she sobbed. “I can’t touch anyone without hurting them. I almost killed my little brother and now…” She felt like a curse placed on the world. Why now did she run into someone that could hold her? Why now could she be with someone? What had she done to deserve so much terrible luck until now?
He didn’t think she was so young, of course he didn’t think she was diving into her thirties but the tired touch to her features and unkempt grace to her appearance made her look an easy two or three years older than twenty one. He hadn’t had that good a laugh in a long time, but then again he didn’t ever make spirited girls drunk and watched them invade his blanket with a relentless grasp. He felt almost guilty for not asking her upfront but there was nothing he could do to rectify the drunk grasp of alcohol to her senses. Ethan was still thoroughly amused at the lively giggles and blanket abduction, he could hardly believe how beautiful the smile lifting on her lips was despite the state he found her in.
Ethan appreciated her take on the thunder and lightning brewing in the sky as the day slowly crept to a close. The horizon was slowly basking in the pink and orange blend of the setting sun while the thick storm clouds drove a darkness over the landscape altogether.
He found himself swallowing a nervous lump at the warm embrace of Lilith straddling his waist, he didn’t want to make her regret anything when the sun peeked through the curtains the next morning. He kept his hands pressed flatly against the couch beneath him, his eyes bore into hers inside the dark confines of the blanket curling over their heads. Her words shook him, he understood her hesitation as if someone suddenly flipped the light in a terribly darkness. She was a mutant, he didn’t understand the uniqueness of a mutation until an old friend with the unique ability to turn people into statues failed to replicate the effect on him in a moment of rage. When his ex-girlfriend tried probing his mind for the answers to his complex thoughts and ended up with nothing more than absolute silence he realized he was immune for lack of a better word.
He knew he had the mutation but it was ironically different from other’s like him, while their abilities were almost directly thrust from their person, whether it was a projectile icicle or a telepathic tug at someone else’s mind and his was contained to his flesh and blood. He didn’t have any major advantage over life and death, he was just a man with the blessing to feel the warm touch of her palm against his cheek. He could feel the dry cracks of being out in the elements, he reached out to the small tub of lotion on the small table to his right. The air outside the blanket was a cold contrast to the warmth building up in the small protective borders of the blanket.
His fingers dug into the cool lotion and he wrapped his palms around hers with gentle, circular rubs. He was the kind of person who wished he could take every ounce of suffering and despair from others to drive them to a more euphoric sense of appreciation for life. But this, this one time he came across someone who was truly plagued by a terrible mutated curse – he couldn’t do much for her but feel the warmth of her fingertips in hopes she’d feel a measure of comfort from the touch of another person after hiding from physical contact in fear.
“I’m like you Lilith, a mutant. It’s not as flashy as other abilities but as far as I know I’m immune, to mutant abilities”, he thought she deserved to know karma wasn’t messing with here, it was some sort of cosmic luck that drove them to each other and he couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the sentiment. “You’re not menace or a burden, you’re just beautifully unique”, he smiled with an intense seriousness before a more playful look washed over his features, “and I’m probably never giving you a beer again”. He laughed softly never realizing his large palms never left the cracked skin of hers, the warmth was pleasant and kept him anchored to the moment in all it’s entirety.
And like a candle makes a brighter place Your mark on me can’t be erased
[attr="class","itokaytext"] The laughter was gone, substituted by soft sobs as she cried. She was startled some to feel the cool lotion on her skin, but it felt so nice with the little massage. Sniffling she didn’t dare look up. She was too ashamed. Here this man was helping her and she just wanted to run to the furthest corner of the world away from him and everything else. Some place where no one could find her. But that place didn’t exist.
Taking a deep breath she let it out in a shaky breath. She wanted to believe those words, but she couldn’t. She was a monster, something that should never have breathed life. She couldn’t understand it. Wiping at her eyes she pulled up some, feeling a little sleepy, her eyelids heavy with fatigue and sorrow. But the words wouldn’t stop in her head. ‘I have to leave, I have to leave, I have to leave…’ “I don’t want to leave… I don’t want to be alone again…” She argued against herself, not realizing she was speaking out loud.
“I don’t want to be a ghost…” She whispered and leaned against Ethan’s chest holding to him tight. Her hands felt better after the lotion and massage that they received. Her eyes fluttered some as she tried to hold back more sobs. “Please…” She started before her eyes fluttered some. Sleep pulled at her mind as she yawned some. She didn’t know exactly what she was saying please for. Maybe it was her way of asking for help, or for more of his acceptance. It’s even possible that she was asking for him to distract her from these terrible thoughts coursing through her mind.
Ethan felt the soft shakes of her slim figure against him, she was crying and it was absolutely heart breaking. No one deserved to feel like a monster, even to the people they loved and he couldn’t begin to imagine the tragedy mulling around her mind like a constant reminder of her ability’s crippling aftermath. He rubbed his fingers against her palms with a soft smile, “You don’t have to leave Lilith, you can stay as long as you need to. Besides, I’m sure ghosts can’t feel this”, he reached up to cup a palm over her cheek. He wanted her to know she wasn’t dancing on an abyss of ghostly abandonment, he wouldn’t be able to feel the warmth of her skin against his hand if she was a ghost and he hoped she would see that genuine truth dancing in his gaze, even in the dim lighting under the small blanket barrier.
He reached around her back and pulled her sobbing form closer to his chest, he held her close with the soft touch of his fingers rubbing into her back. “You don’t have to run away again, just close your eyes okay, rest.”. Ethan didn’t move, he stayed like that until he felt the soft rise and fall of her chest slow to a minimum, he could feel her weight pressing against him with more force as willful movements slowly descended into a slumber and he could feel the slow movements of her shoulders as she inhaled and exhaled, the sobs were nonexistent. He couldn’t help but wonder what raced in her sleeping mind, if she dreamt about the terrors that made her cry or if she reviewed the happier memories even if they were fogged over by tragedy.
Ethan shifted slowly, cautiously and lifted her to his arms with ease, the blanket tumbled from them to the floor as he stood to his feet. He gently reached down, somewhat constricted by his hold on her slim figure and pulled open the covers before lowering her onto the hard surface of the bed. He never got around to replacing it, his body was already used to the aches he cracked out every second morning but he didn’t have much more to offer her. He draped the covers over her before easing himself into a restless sleep on the cough.
When he woke up to the small slithers of sun inching through the blinds he noticed her sleeping form still peacefully tucked into the embrace of the covers. He stood up, felt the chill in the air and gently set the blanket over her sleeping figure before stepping out into the larger room of the club. Ethan would have showered but he didn’t want to wake her up so instead he dressed in a clean set of clothes fit to exercise in. The least he could do was ease his thoughts with rapid blows to one of the bags hanging from the overhead supports.
Ethan glanced up at the door wondering if she was still alright even if he just saw her, he wrapped his hands in preparation for the rough impacts against the punching bag. He parted his legs shoulder width apart before rummaging the bag in blows ranging from rapid punches to swift kicks against an imaginative gut. He was enthralled by the passion he exerted into his hobby, too much to even notice if Lilith woke up or not.
And like a candle makes a brighter place Your mark on me can’t be erased
[attr="class","itokaytext"] Lilith didn’t remember much before she fell asleep. Some of it was a little blurry, but the feeling of his warm hand against her cheek, his arms wrapping around her. To say her dreams were pure would be the biggest understatement ever made. Sometime during the night she had found her jeans to be too uncomfortable as they dried and started chafing. Turning over she hid her face into the pillow away from the sunlight. A soft moan leaving her lips at the extra warmth was placed on top of her.
“Mm, Ethan…” She said as she slept and snuggled into the blankets more. “Please, more.” She didn’t know she was talking in her sleep as she laid there in his bed. Her face was flushed as the dream continued. She held to the sheets a little tighter putting her face a little more into the pillow. In her dream, his hands roamed her body, leaving her wanting more. His lips just hovering over her skin finding all the right places to lick and bite. Did she even like biting? She’d never really had the chance to find out. Being separated from physical contact out of fear and protection for others she hadn’t even had her first kiss. Not really, junior high and kindergarten don’t really count.
But then it turned. Everything changed as Ethan’s body disappeared from view and she was back in her brother’s room. But it wasn’t the same, her little brother was left in a heap on the floor his features and muscles sucked dry of life as another version of her stood there. Looking down at her brother she could feel the tears falling, her physical body began sweating under the covers as it persisted then she bolted up in bed wide awake. A cold sweat covered her body as she looked around in confusion. Her breathing was heavy as she looked over to the couch.
Not seeing Ethan she looked towards the closed door where she heard thudding coming from. A shiver went up her spine at the chill in the room as she moved out from under the covers. Rubbing her eyes she walked to the door and opened it to lean against the frame and watched as Ethan punched the bag some more. A light blush crossed her cheeks watching those large arms of his flex, his legs… even his ass looked amazing. ‘Holy crap… how could this guy be so… so nice… to someone like me?’ She asked herself.
The self doubt started to cross her mind again. Her mind told her to go as her heart told her to stay, to take him up on his offer. She was so conflicted in this moment. Her teeth sank into the soft plumpness of her lip as she thought. Seeing him so passionate though as he punched and kicked that punching bag made her think of her dream and she blushed more.
Ethan held out his open palms to pull the bag’s wild swinging to a slow stop, sweat collected over his skin as he looked up to see Lilith watching him from the doorway. He would have greeted her properly if she wasn’t standing there baring the beautiful skin of her legs, a light but obvious tint of crimson stained his cheeks and he felt awkward trying to land his gaze on anything except her perfect figure. Ethan didn’t mind of course, he found her stunningly beautiful but he didn’t want to ogle at her exposed skin and make her feet uncomfortable.
“Oh, uh, morning”, he trailed off for a second while reaching up to scratch his fingers through his sandy hair. He stepped closer to her slowly unwrapping his hands and easing his curious gaze into hers. “I’d like to take you calling my name in your sleep as a good sign but I still have to ask, how’d you sleep?”, his lips parted in a light laugh. He didn’t miss the audible words that drove a warm flush onto his flesh and a happy grin to his lips, he wasn’t entirely sure if he wanted to bring it up but on occasion he found himself victim to impulse.
Ethan moved past her, barely even allowing space between their bodies as he shifted into the room and started collecting a clean set of clothes. He tossed it onto the closed top of the toilet before resting in the bathroom’s doorway with one shoulder pressed into the triangular border.
“I, uh”, words slowly drifted into an awkward shift as he tried prying his eyes from her slender figure, especially her legs clad in nothing but the perfection of her own skin. “I’m just gonna jump in the shower for a bit. Make yourself at home, there’s a few shirts in the second drawer, just don’t run off alright?”, Ethan honestly hoped she wouldn’t slip away while he relaxed into the hot steam of the shower’s embrace, he wanted to take her out for a hearty breakfast. Ethan shut the door with a soft thud before slipping out of his clothes and stepping into the confines of the glass panes of the shower, the warm water trailed down every impeccable ripple accenting his well built figure and he couldn’t help but lean back against the wall to relax into the comfortable humidity for a few long seconds.
Stepping back out donning only his dark jeans and brown shoes he’d owned for at least a year already, but they fit perfectly and he’d much rather slip into comfort than stylish new attire. “Crap”, he combed his hair back with his calloused fingers as he looked down to see he’d forgotten to take a shirt with, nevertheless he stepped out with a curious glance to see if Lilith was still there.
“I hope you’re hungry, I’m dying for some good eggs”, he chuckled softly reaching into his drawer and pulling out a simple grey shirt before pulling the soft fabric over his shoulders. Ethan shifted on his feet to look at Lilith, he was truly happy she decided to stick around for a while longer.
And like a candle makes a brighter place Your mark on me can’t be erased
[attr="class","itokaytext"] Lilith couldn't keep the blush from her face as he said she had called his name in her sleep. “I uh, y-yeah. Slept like a baby actually.” 'For the first time ever.’ She thought bitterly. Having him move past her, grazing against each other sent a shiver down her spine. She wanted more physical contact, but she knew she shouldn’t. Even if he was fine with her touching him, not being affected by her. She was still a potential danger to the others that would come here.
She turned to follow him, watching the sweat slither down the muscle of his neck. She had to turn her eyes away to keep her imagination from going any farther. Moving a little further back into the room she looked down and noticed her legs were free of their denim protection and blushed more. When he joked about her running off she wanted to.
She didn’t want to give him false hope about helping her. She was fine on her own. She had been for years now and she was okay with being alone. Although last night, she knew that wasn’t true. It was how she felt deep down and she just wanted to bury it with the hatchet that was her life.
Hearing the shower start she pulled on her jeans, and tied her old and worn shoes to her feet. They hurt like no other, but it was a pain she could live with. She felt her shirt and silently cursed it for still being damp. She hesitated going to his dresser. It felt wrong to just be taking out another shirt to wear. Made his fervent kindness so real that she didn’t know how to really act. She’d only known assholes on the streets and she never wanted to run into the pimp guy again. Maybe it was best she stayed with Ethan for a bit.
Reaching in she grabbed a navy blue shirt and changed out of the one she wore the night before. It was big on her, but she didn’t expect it to fit. Actually she had to bunch some of it up as to keep it from looking too awkward. That though left some of her stomach exposed. Her arms looked so skinny as did her torso and legs. It’s what being malnourished did to you. When you can’t get those three meals a day in, what were you really supposed to do?
Reaching into the breast pocket on her damp shirt she pulled out a clip and decided to keep her hair up for a bit today. Twisting it neatly she clipped it up and part of it fell back down concealing the little helper. She turned to her gloves and glared at them for a moment then it turned to her hands.
Hearing the door open she hadn’t realized the shower had turned off. She had been hoping she would’ve been gone but this conflict inside distracted her. It made her… feel. And she didn’t want that. Not when she was just going to be a bother. Her blue eyes seemed brighter. Maybe it was just seeing that kind face, or maybe it was wearing the blue shirt on her tanned skin that made them pop. Her eyes trailed over his exposed chest and it was all she could do to not drool. Her face turned so many shades of red as she licked her lips. Her stomach gurgled loudly at the mention of food. It had been so long since she actually had a breakfast and she was definitely hungry. Once his shirt was on her eyes seemed to be broken of a spell as she darted to look at the much more interesting wall. Her heart was racing in her chest and she quickly grabbed her gloves and slipped them on though she hated it. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had eggs. I wonder if I still like them.” She mused. She mustered up a smile as she stood holding herself. Whether it was to shield her arms so that no pedestrians would brush against her skin, or the cold in the room it was hard even for her to fully comprehend. “You… really don’t mind me staying?” She wasn’t gonna break down as easily as she had the night before with the buzz of alcohol in her system she was sober and she just needed to hear that reassurance. “Sorry… I’m starting to sound like a broken record.”
