(no subject)
Title: Bittersweet Suffering
Genre:Fantasy, Angst
Characters: Lex & Doruinn
Word count: 2056
Rating: R
Summary: Written for a contest on DA. The art it was written for is here
He rushed out into the rain, thankful for the unseasonable weather. The rain fell, fine and misty, clinging to his frame. Within minutes he was soaked, huddling into the limited warmth of his damp zip-up sweatshirt. It should not have been raining. This far North there should be another two, if not three, months of winter. Just another sign of how badly humanity has hurt the planet.
However unlikely, the rain did not let up and he was glad for it. In the rain no one would notice the tears on his face. Not that there were others out in this miserable weather. Pausing on the near empty street, he glanced back at his apartment building. The second window on the third story was dark, apartment 3D was empty. His home for the past 4 years was as empty as his heart. It’d been a joke when they moved in, the artist and the actress in apartment 3D, how fitting.
He squeezed his eyes closed and turned away, back to the quiet street. He couldn’t help remembering another time in rain like this, though considerably warmer. Umbrellas forgotten they’d chased each other through the warm summer rain. Their laughter was loud against the soft rain and whir of cars driving by. He finally caught up to her, pulling her so tight against him that not even the rain could separate them. They smiled at one another, their eyes speaking volumes of love without a single word.
He shook his head, drawing his sweatshirt closer around him. Whether it was the weather or the memory chilling him he was not sure, nor did he want to know. Casting half-hearted glances down the empty street he crossed over to the small playground. He wove around the metal giants and wooden playthings before finding what he sought. Amidst the endless fathoms of children’s playthings was a single path, the only public access to the expanse of forested hills beyond for miles. Just inside the tree line, barely far enough that the park was hidden from view, a small rough gazebo held off the rain.
He sat upon the single bench, finally pushing the matted brown locks of his hair out of his face. He could tell from the feel of it he looked a mess but he could see. At least he would’ve been able to if not for the tears that still clung to his long dark lashes. Slowly reaching into the pocket of his hoodie he withdrew a small box, carefully covered in black velvet. Now the velvet was wet, the moisture causing one corner to begin pulling apart.
A few steadying breaths later he summoned the courage to open the little box. Two small aquamarine stones twinkled up at him from either side of an exquisite marquis cut diamond, the trio seated in intricately engraved platinum. The ring was of his own design, specially crafted for her. The aquamarine stones were painstakingly chosen to match the pale blue of her eyes.
Eyes that had gazed so coldly at him such a short time ago. He closed his eyes, turning his head away from the box and its hateful contents. When he opened his eyes again he was assaulted with the surprising brightness of the moon. She was nearly full and as the rain let up she spilled her pearly glow over the mist-filled forest. He almost smiled at the memory the moonlight brought.
The thrill of danger she’d said when she’d tried to convince him. He didn’t care about the danger. All he’d cared about was the way the moonlight played over her dark skin, highlighting the luscious curves of her body. She’d gloried in the night air and he’d gloried in her radiance. He could almost see her there, back against the one of the support poles for the gazebo, her hands clutching the rail of the lattice half-wall. Her shirt forgotten on the wooden plank floor, the front of her long skirt bunched at her waist, her legs around his waist, as he took her. His own skin, already pale against hers, seemed to reflect the moonlight making his hands nearly glow as they gripped her hips. The fear of being caught pumping adrenaline through their bodies. She was a thing of beauty and she’d been his. He’d believed theirs was a love to span the ages, to last beyond eternity. He’d been a fool.
He stood, running his hand lightly down the support pole, fresh tears trekking down his cheeks. She hadn’t said why. Nor had she told him what he’d done, what had made her stop loving him, what could’ve possibly driven her away from him. He’d come home, the ring he’d had made for her in his pocket ready for just the right moment. It never came. She never even got to see it.
There were suitcases by the door when he came home and she was sitting on the couch they’d chosen for their living room… with him. She had a tissue in her hand and tears in her eyes when she told him she no longer loved him, that she was going to be with Derrek now. Derrek, her friend and fellow thespian, who had supposedly been gay. Of course she wanted Derrek; he was young, stylish, talented, and sickeningly handsome. What was he? Nearly six years older than her, quiet and meek compared to her fiery confidence, he was a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy that was, in his opinion, not particularly handsome.
He shivered as he gazed up at the moon, unsurprised that the soft drops of the lightly falling rain had now become tiny flakes of snow. It was not yet cold enough for any of them to stay, dissolving into nothingness as soon as they hit the ground.
“It seems a pretty, pity waste for one so sweet, sweet as sugar melting in the mournful snow, like wind through wheat trembling though fear or cold I do not know.” A soft lilting voice chimed, drifting down with the snow. His brow furrowed as he looked around, peering into the moonlit forest in search of the voice’s owner. He was surprised that anyone else would be out in this miserable weather. “Look and look and look you do, but nowhere find Doruinn will you.” The voice mocked, the rhyme ending in a high childish giggle.
“Who’s there?” He asked, his voice thick from his tears and sounding loud amidst the silent snowfall. Zipping up his hoodie, only now becoming aware of the cold, he leaned against the arched entrance to the gazebo, cursing his eyesight.
“Silly, foolish, mortal boy, told you once and here is twice, Doruinn’s the name so don’t forget, ask again and pay the price.” He spun around, green eyes wide with shock, a small woman now sitting on the bench behind him. Dark hair curled upward at an unnatural angle, seeming as light and fine as gossamer. Swirling bands of silver wove into her dark hair, catching the moonlight and reflecting it back, offering her a kind of silvery halo. Her expression was hardly angelic, though. Her lavender eyes glimmered with dark amusement and her pale lips were curved into a wicked half smile. “Name for name, an even trade, then to make your sorrow fade.”
He blinked disbelievingly at her. She wore a fitted frock coat of sorts, violet embroidery mimicking the pattern the silver made in her hair. A strange kind of suede leggings the same color as the accents on her coat encased her slender legs, disappearing into knee high soft leather boots. She sat with her legs crossed, hands folded in her lap, head cocked ever so slightly as she watched him, the smirk never leaving her face. With the turned angle of her head he could see the delicate point of her ears.
“What are you?” He breathed, relaxing ever so slightly as his curiosity took over.
“What I be is plain to see, from you a name, though, still I need.” She responded, arching one thin brow. He shook his head slightly, still unsure of just what was happening. Perhaps he’d fallen asleep in the snow and this is what his subconscious had come up with.
“Alexander. My name is Alexander, though I go by Lex.” He answered her request, wondering if he was talking to a hallucination inspired by his over-emotional mind.
“Lexey, Lexey, do tell what vexes thee.” That sing-songy voice was enough to drive him mad. Unlike any normal conversation he had to pay close attention to what she was saying to make any sense of her rhymes.
“I must be dreaming… a bloody faery wants to play psychologist on me now.” He muttered, half laughing at the absurdity of the idea.
“Dreaming you are not, by mortal sense. Believe it if it gives your mind recompense.” She replied with a graceful shrug of her shoulders.
Lex eyed her warily. “So…” he began slowly. “Doruinn…”the name sounded thick and awkward on his tongue as he tried to think quickly. “What is it you want from me?” If he was to believe any of the silly children’s tales, faeries granted wishes. The older myths, if he remembered correctly, made faeries out to be tricksters. Doruinn stood, smiling softly as she approached him. He was surprised to see that her slender form was in fact almost as tall as his own.
“Listen close and you shall see a power that’s unique to me. I can ease your mortal pain, ease your suffering, I am it’s bane. Take it into my immortal self, return to thee emotional health. The price, however, is high to pay that marvelous ring with me to stay. Tie to it your memories ill, keep them safe from you I will.” Doruinn stopped directly in front of him, reaching up to cup his cheek, smiling gently at the man.
Lex hesitated for a split second, glancing down at the hateful ring before meeting the faery’s lilac gaze. Tears gathered again in his eyes as he nodded. She simply raised a delicate eyebrow.
“Yes.” The word was choked, his vision clouded so that he did not see the wicked smile that crawled over her face. She leaned up, sliding her hand into his wet hair as she pressed her lips to his. He made a small noise of surprise which she took full advantage of, thrusting her tongue into his mouth and kissing him fiercely. Her nails dug into the back of his neck hard enough to draw blood. He whimpered helplessly under the assault.
The delicate woman kissed as though she would devour him and truly she was. The pain and suffering of the mortal world were her wine and his was a sweet rich blend. Caution was required though, for if she were too drink too deeply of his anguish the strain on his mortal mind would shatter it. She began to draw away only to find the sharp salty taste of his tears work their way onto her lips. Doruinn moaned softly, plundering the man’s mouth with renewed vigor. Slowly his tears subsided and she drew away as he stilled in her hands.
She grimaced at the glazed look in his green eyes, the blank look on his face. Such were the risks of taking her pleasures from humans. The sweet taste of his sorrow still lingered in her mouth, the invigorating rush of feeding on his pain pulsed through her veins. Her eyes shone brightly in the darkness, seeming almost to glow as she surveyed the broken man before her. Her delicate hands reached into his pocket, removing the velvet box. She opened it smiling gleefully at the beautiful treasure inside before tucking it into her pocket.
“Lex…” she sang turning him around and nudging him towards the park again. With any luck someone would find him before he froze to death. Really it was none of her concern, she had what she wanted. She giggled to herself, feeling near drunk from the still clinging flavor of his tears. She took the box back out of her pocket, removing the ring and placing on the middle finger of her right hand. Leaving the box on the gazebo bench she disappeared back into the forest humming merrily to herself.
Genre:Fantasy, Angst
Characters: Lex & Doruinn
Word count: 2056
Rating: R
Summary: Written for a contest on DA. The art it was written for is here
He rushed out into the rain, thankful for the unseasonable weather. The rain fell, fine and misty, clinging to his frame. Within minutes he was soaked, huddling into the limited warmth of his damp zip-up sweatshirt. It should not have been raining. This far North there should be another two, if not three, months of winter. Just another sign of how badly humanity has hurt the planet.
However unlikely, the rain did not let up and he was glad for it. In the rain no one would notice the tears on his face. Not that there were others out in this miserable weather. Pausing on the near empty street, he glanced back at his apartment building. The second window on the third story was dark, apartment 3D was empty. His home for the past 4 years was as empty as his heart. It’d been a joke when they moved in, the artist and the actress in apartment 3D, how fitting.
He squeezed his eyes closed and turned away, back to the quiet street. He couldn’t help remembering another time in rain like this, though considerably warmer. Umbrellas forgotten they’d chased each other through the warm summer rain. Their laughter was loud against the soft rain and whir of cars driving by. He finally caught up to her, pulling her so tight against him that not even the rain could separate them. They smiled at one another, their eyes speaking volumes of love without a single word.
He shook his head, drawing his sweatshirt closer around him. Whether it was the weather or the memory chilling him he was not sure, nor did he want to know. Casting half-hearted glances down the empty street he crossed over to the small playground. He wove around the metal giants and wooden playthings before finding what he sought. Amidst the endless fathoms of children’s playthings was a single path, the only public access to the expanse of forested hills beyond for miles. Just inside the tree line, barely far enough that the park was hidden from view, a small rough gazebo held off the rain.
He sat upon the single bench, finally pushing the matted brown locks of his hair out of his face. He could tell from the feel of it he looked a mess but he could see. At least he would’ve been able to if not for the tears that still clung to his long dark lashes. Slowly reaching into the pocket of his hoodie he withdrew a small box, carefully covered in black velvet. Now the velvet was wet, the moisture causing one corner to begin pulling apart.
A few steadying breaths later he summoned the courage to open the little box. Two small aquamarine stones twinkled up at him from either side of an exquisite marquis cut diamond, the trio seated in intricately engraved platinum. The ring was of his own design, specially crafted for her. The aquamarine stones were painstakingly chosen to match the pale blue of her eyes.
Eyes that had gazed so coldly at him such a short time ago. He closed his eyes, turning his head away from the box and its hateful contents. When he opened his eyes again he was assaulted with the surprising brightness of the moon. She was nearly full and as the rain let up she spilled her pearly glow over the mist-filled forest. He almost smiled at the memory the moonlight brought.
The thrill of danger she’d said when she’d tried to convince him. He didn’t care about the danger. All he’d cared about was the way the moonlight played over her dark skin, highlighting the luscious curves of her body. She’d gloried in the night air and he’d gloried in her radiance. He could almost see her there, back against the one of the support poles for the gazebo, her hands clutching the rail of the lattice half-wall. Her shirt forgotten on the wooden plank floor, the front of her long skirt bunched at her waist, her legs around his waist, as he took her. His own skin, already pale against hers, seemed to reflect the moonlight making his hands nearly glow as they gripped her hips. The fear of being caught pumping adrenaline through their bodies. She was a thing of beauty and she’d been his. He’d believed theirs was a love to span the ages, to last beyond eternity. He’d been a fool.
He stood, running his hand lightly down the support pole, fresh tears trekking down his cheeks. She hadn’t said why. Nor had she told him what he’d done, what had made her stop loving him, what could’ve possibly driven her away from him. He’d come home, the ring he’d had made for her in his pocket ready for just the right moment. It never came. She never even got to see it.
There were suitcases by the door when he came home and she was sitting on the couch they’d chosen for their living room… with him. She had a tissue in her hand and tears in her eyes when she told him she no longer loved him, that she was going to be with Derrek now. Derrek, her friend and fellow thespian, who had supposedly been gay. Of course she wanted Derrek; he was young, stylish, talented, and sickeningly handsome. What was he? Nearly six years older than her, quiet and meek compared to her fiery confidence, he was a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy that was, in his opinion, not particularly handsome.
He shivered as he gazed up at the moon, unsurprised that the soft drops of the lightly falling rain had now become tiny flakes of snow. It was not yet cold enough for any of them to stay, dissolving into nothingness as soon as they hit the ground.
“It seems a pretty, pity waste for one so sweet, sweet as sugar melting in the mournful snow, like wind through wheat trembling though fear or cold I do not know.” A soft lilting voice chimed, drifting down with the snow. His brow furrowed as he looked around, peering into the moonlit forest in search of the voice’s owner. He was surprised that anyone else would be out in this miserable weather. “Look and look and look you do, but nowhere find Doruinn will you.” The voice mocked, the rhyme ending in a high childish giggle.
“Who’s there?” He asked, his voice thick from his tears and sounding loud amidst the silent snowfall. Zipping up his hoodie, only now becoming aware of the cold, he leaned against the arched entrance to the gazebo, cursing his eyesight.
“Silly, foolish, mortal boy, told you once and here is twice, Doruinn’s the name so don’t forget, ask again and pay the price.” He spun around, green eyes wide with shock, a small woman now sitting on the bench behind him. Dark hair curled upward at an unnatural angle, seeming as light and fine as gossamer. Swirling bands of silver wove into her dark hair, catching the moonlight and reflecting it back, offering her a kind of silvery halo. Her expression was hardly angelic, though. Her lavender eyes glimmered with dark amusement and her pale lips were curved into a wicked half smile. “Name for name, an even trade, then to make your sorrow fade.”
He blinked disbelievingly at her. She wore a fitted frock coat of sorts, violet embroidery mimicking the pattern the silver made in her hair. A strange kind of suede leggings the same color as the accents on her coat encased her slender legs, disappearing into knee high soft leather boots. She sat with her legs crossed, hands folded in her lap, head cocked ever so slightly as she watched him, the smirk never leaving her face. With the turned angle of her head he could see the delicate point of her ears.
“What are you?” He breathed, relaxing ever so slightly as his curiosity took over.
“What I be is plain to see, from you a name, though, still I need.” She responded, arching one thin brow. He shook his head slightly, still unsure of just what was happening. Perhaps he’d fallen asleep in the snow and this is what his subconscious had come up with.
“Alexander. My name is Alexander, though I go by Lex.” He answered her request, wondering if he was talking to a hallucination inspired by his over-emotional mind.
“Lexey, Lexey, do tell what vexes thee.” That sing-songy voice was enough to drive him mad. Unlike any normal conversation he had to pay close attention to what she was saying to make any sense of her rhymes.
“I must be dreaming… a bloody faery wants to play psychologist on me now.” He muttered, half laughing at the absurdity of the idea.
“Dreaming you are not, by mortal sense. Believe it if it gives your mind recompense.” She replied with a graceful shrug of her shoulders.
Lex eyed her warily. “So…” he began slowly. “Doruinn…”the name sounded thick and awkward on his tongue as he tried to think quickly. “What is it you want from me?” If he was to believe any of the silly children’s tales, faeries granted wishes. The older myths, if he remembered correctly, made faeries out to be tricksters. Doruinn stood, smiling softly as she approached him. He was surprised to see that her slender form was in fact almost as tall as his own.
“Listen close and you shall see a power that’s unique to me. I can ease your mortal pain, ease your suffering, I am it’s bane. Take it into my immortal self, return to thee emotional health. The price, however, is high to pay that marvelous ring with me to stay. Tie to it your memories ill, keep them safe from you I will.” Doruinn stopped directly in front of him, reaching up to cup his cheek, smiling gently at the man.
Lex hesitated for a split second, glancing down at the hateful ring before meeting the faery’s lilac gaze. Tears gathered again in his eyes as he nodded. She simply raised a delicate eyebrow.
“Yes.” The word was choked, his vision clouded so that he did not see the wicked smile that crawled over her face. She leaned up, sliding her hand into his wet hair as she pressed her lips to his. He made a small noise of surprise which she took full advantage of, thrusting her tongue into his mouth and kissing him fiercely. Her nails dug into the back of his neck hard enough to draw blood. He whimpered helplessly under the assault.
The delicate woman kissed as though she would devour him and truly she was. The pain and suffering of the mortal world were her wine and his was a sweet rich blend. Caution was required though, for if she were too drink too deeply of his anguish the strain on his mortal mind would shatter it. She began to draw away only to find the sharp salty taste of his tears work their way onto her lips. Doruinn moaned softly, plundering the man’s mouth with renewed vigor. Slowly his tears subsided and she drew away as he stilled in her hands.
She grimaced at the glazed look in his green eyes, the blank look on his face. Such were the risks of taking her pleasures from humans. The sweet taste of his sorrow still lingered in her mouth, the invigorating rush of feeding on his pain pulsed through her veins. Her eyes shone brightly in the darkness, seeming almost to glow as she surveyed the broken man before her. Her delicate hands reached into his pocket, removing the velvet box. She opened it smiling gleefully at the beautiful treasure inside before tucking it into her pocket.
“Lex…” she sang turning him around and nudging him towards the park again. With any luck someone would find him before he froze to death. Really it was none of her concern, she had what she wanted. She giggled to herself, feeling near drunk from the still clinging flavor of his tears. She took the box back out of her pocket, removing the ring and placing on the middle finger of her right hand. Leaving the box on the gazebo bench she disappeared back into the forest humming merrily to herself.