Ara picked at her food, her mind wandering about the past. Thank the gods that Luka remembered her. When he spoke her name in that moment. . . it was probably the best feeling ever. A light shined in those crystal blue eyes of his, and for a moment, everything seemed back to normal. And she could almost forget the bitch who had done this to her demon. . . but they had soon found out otherwise.
"Hey, you ok?" Luka's voice snapped her out of the trance she was in. She met his gaze and couldn't help the smile that automatically found its way to her lips.
"Yea." It wasn't all entirely a lie. Sure, she felt a bit hopeless because she wasn't able to help Luka. She was useless and no matter how many times he told her that everything would be ok, it just didn't sink in. The more time that passed caused that worry to find an even better grip on her.
She knew she wasn't good at hiding it either. She knew that Luka was suffering much more than she was. After all, how would she feel if her past was nothing but a big black hole? Not knowing where she came from or who she belonged with. Not knowing who to trust or what to call home? She shuttered at the thought of not knowing Luka. She would be nothing without him.
"Ara? You know. . . I can hear everything you say in your mind right?"
Oh. . . right.
"Sorry. Haven't figured out how to block my thoughts yet." Her eyes went back to her food when she felt her cheeks grow hot from the blush she knew was there.
Luka chuckled under his breath as he took a bite from his plate.
"What?" Ara asked with suspicion.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing, it's just. . .nothing." Her eyes narrowed on him.
"What's so funny,Luka?"
That stupidly cute grin of his appeared on his face as met her eyes. He was trying not to laugh, but she could see the humor in his eyes. Those wonderfully . . .breath taking eyes.
"I know, they are gorgeous aren't they?" He teased her.
"Stop reading my mind!"
He put his hands up as if in surrender, but that grin still lined his features, making it increasingly hard for Ara not to smile too.
"Hey, I'm not reading any minds. You're practically screaming them at me. . . do you want to know why I was laughing?"
She put down her fork and completely turned on her chair to fully face him. "Oh please, do tell."
The humor in his eyes never left as he mimicked her moves to face her. Gosh, damn this demon. Why was it so hard for her not to laugh?
"Because, I tell you I can hear your thoughts and the first thing you tell me is that you're sorry. . . you haven't learned to block them yet."
She stared at him for the longest moment before answering. "What?" He had completely lost it, what was funny about that?
Luka laughed and leaned back on his chair.
"I'm going to kill you, Luka." She said before eventually breaking down and laughing with him. She would never fully understand him, would she?
"Oh, what's so funny?" Both their laughs stopped abruptly as they turned towards the source of a new voice. A man stepped out of the shadows. Bright violet eyes glanced between the two of them as he found a seat on their couch. Who the heck was this bastard? Whoever he was, he was not welcome. Ara growled and stood, her body already tensing for a battle.
"Oh, feisty one you have now, huh, Luka?"
Luka was next to her in the next instant, a hand came around her as he gently held her back.
"Do I know you?"
Amusement reflected in the dark depths of the intruder's eyes. He grinned, "So it is true. . . Luka my friend, we have much to talk about."
Luka didn't budge, keeping a good distance between himself and the newcomer, and his arm extended protectively in front of Ara. Everything came to a standstill; no one was quite sure what to do or say next. God, all of this was so frustrating. Of course there was going to be more people than just Ara whom Luka had forgotten but it never failed to make him feel like he had just been thrown in quicksand. How much longer did Luka have to struggle before he even so much as had to breathe?
ReplyDelete"So... you know me. Fine." Luka's eyes shifted to Ara, his thoughts flickering across her mind with details of the man's description she'd given him. She shook her head; so this wasn't the person that had suddenly appeared shortly after Luka lost his memory. His gaze turned back to the man. "Just who are you and what do you want?"
The man laughed. "Name's Rouge. And who knew losing your memory would put a stick up your ass, Luka! Well, then, I guess you could say I'm here to get it out."
Luka narrowed his eyes; Rouge... that sounded familiar... "Why?"
At this, Rouge gave a curt shrug after a thoughtful expression. "Dunno. Mostly 'cause it'll be entertaining to watch you squirm."
What the hell? Who was this idiot? This person was all over the place. He was able to sneak into his home and all he wanted out of hit was to help Luka loosen up? From this display alone Luka could tell he was quite powerful... maybe even inhuman... but nothing short of immature. Although, Luka supposed he wasn't any better. For some reason, a small smirk pulled at the corner of Luka's mouth at that thought.
Ara, however, wasn't quite so amused. A low growl emanated from her lips as she pushed against Luka's arm barricading her. "If you hurt Luka I swear-"
"Whoa, whoa, easy tiger," Rouge appeased with a small wink. "I don't intend to do anything your precious Time Demon... unless he asks me to, of course."
"Time Demon?" Luka jumped in, his brow furrowed. "Is that a euphemism for something?"
The only reply Luka received was a sly grin and a mischievous glint in the Rouge's eyes. "Oh yea... this is going to be fun."
Fun? The only thing that was going to me 'fun' was gutting the male where he stood if he hurt Luka. Ara's hands clenched into fists and her body did not relax in the slightest, especially when the male stood from the couch and began to approach them.
ReplyDelete"Wait." Luka spoke up, his arm tightening at her added pressure. Rouge smiled and stopped, amusement played across his eyes.
"Ara," Luka turned to her, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. "I know, your don't trust him. . . I don't know if I do but, we have to try something. Right?" Those blue eyes of his searched hers. They held such sincerity, hope. But, she could not bring herself to take the risk. Damn her but . . . she was scared;frightened of the outcome that came from trusting the newcomer.
She shook her head, averting her gaze from Luka. "No, Luka. How do you know what he tells is the truth? What if he hurts you or. . . or makes it worse? What would you have me do then, Luka? I'm. . . useless. I won't be able to help you, I was barely able to keep the others away from you." She felt frustrated with the entire situation. Risk Luka or find another way? Ultimately. . . it really wasn't her choice to make, was it?
"Ara?" She felt the smooth touch of his hand on her chin as he urged her to look at him. Reluctantly, she turned her golden stare to his and saw that stupid grin he always sported. God, she would be lying if she said it wasn't enough to have the corners of her lips twitch. "I need to try this. He's all we've got and oddly enough, I feel like. . .we can trust him. You don't have to put your faith in him, put it in me. Trust me, everything will be alright. Ok?" He's right you know, she thought. Rouge was all they had right now.
She took in a deep breath to gather her strength before answering. "Ok. . . ok but I am to be by your side the entire time. If anything goes wrong we stop, ok?"
Luka nodded and took her hand in his before turning to the male who had now apparently, made himself right at home. He sat casually back on the couch. . . watching television.
"Oh," He said as he noticed them. "You love birds done? I thought I was going to have to leave since you two looked about ready to have a little make out session. Are we ready to do this? Come on, let's go!"
"Alright, where do you want me?"
The grin that Rouge sported on Luka's words had Ara grow uneasy again.
"Well, you were always underneath, but I think this time, you can be against the wall over there." Rouge walked over to indicate the spot, something mischievous flashed across his face. Ara blinked at his weird statement. She turned to ask Luka what he meant by it but all she found was an extremely red Luka that refused to meet either of their gazes. Whatever the man had said was enough to have Luka flustered.
"Oh! By the way! Luka, babe, before we start I really would like for you to pay that money you owe me."
"Money?"
"Yep, that'd be one hundred dollars from that one venture at the stripper club."
Stripper. . . Club?
Rouge continued, "I'll forgive the money you owe me for that one girl we-"
"Alright! Ok, one hundred right?" Luka reached for his wallet and took out the money. He completely avoided Ara's glare and oh, how she wished he would turn to look at her because she was going to burn him to a crisp after this.
ReplyDelete"Well, fantastic, bud. Thanks!" He pocketed his winnings before he reached out his hand towards Luka. "This is how it's going to go down. You're going to hold on to my hand, don't let go, no matter what. It's crucial the connection is kept for your memories to be fully restored. You . . . might go through . . . a lot of pain. You will literally be reliving and experiencing everyone of your worst nightmares and best moments."He paused, those glowing violet eyes snapped to hers. Whatever playfulness existed before, it was long gone now. "I'm going to need you to help him, Ara. It might get bad in there, if he tries to pull back it could be bad so you'll have to use your bond to help him through it. Oh and . . . please refrain from killing me during this process, whatever happens must happen to ensure the safety of his memories, ok?"
Ara's heart raced in her chest as she agreed to Rouge's warnings. God, he made it sound so scary. She grasp Luka's other hand in support, readying herself for the worst.
"Wait, whoa, I think-"
"No time, let's do this!"