For Clark [Warning: Graphic torture ensues]
Normally, Eight-Hour's front door doesn't open into a cave.
A lot of things, however, are abnormal about this situation.
"...Ooops," she says as it shuts behind them with a depressing sort of finality. "Um, shit."
A lot of things, however, are abnormal about this situation.
"...Ooops," she says as it shuts behind them with a depressing sort of finality. "Um, shit."
At some point, however, one particular little innovation, like that, will result in a dislocated shoulder. And not one of his.
Reply
It is somewhat worrying, however. She knows they're edging into territory Clark will regret when he snaps out of this.
Still, it surely won't hurt anything to just let him continue...
...just a little bit more...
...(oh, how she's missed this)...
Reply
He also remembers what her fingers sound like when they snap. But he thinks he might need a refresher, just in case.
Reply
...is going to take a deep breath, smile, and tell that little voice in her head that's warning her they've crossed the line to take a hike.
She remembers the feeling of being completely in someone else's power, too. It's something only Clark can give her, and only when he's under the influence of Scorcher.
She feels like she might be developing a second addiction.
(In a minute. In a minute she's going to tell him to stop. Really she is. Just a minute--)
Reply
Then Clark starts to wonder if she can pull her phoenix shtick in water and his hands feel just as good as he remembers around he neck and it's just a small flick of his wrists until...
snap
Reply
There's a moment, always, right between dying and coming back, when everything is calm and peaceful and nothing hurts.
Eights used to hate that moment. She still does. Because it clears her head enough for her to realize that what she's doing is wrong.
(Anna's never been good at keeping certain kinds of promises. 'In a minute' and 'it feels too good to stop' are phrases she thought she'd burned out of herself thousands of years ago. Then again, she's never really had the chance to test that theory until now.)
When she reforms, it's sitting on the glass by the hot tub, and her demeanour has changed.
"You've been getting into the Scorcher," she says flatly.
Reply
"So what if I have?"
Reply
"well, I promised I wouldn't let you do anything you'd regret later, and that--" A wave of her and that somehow manages to indicate his recent neck-breaking escapades. "--is something you're going to regret. Don't. Please."
Reply
"Right, like you just figured out what was going on. I didn't hear you trying to stop me when I was turning you into a giant bruise. Pretty much the opposite, actually."
He reaches out a hand toward her. "Come back in the tub, kitten."
Reply
"No. Just because I want to doesn't mean I should. No."
Eights has always prided herself on her composure. It's barely there at the moment, however, and she bites her lip, trying to keep her internal struggle internal. She's not remotely successful at it.
Reply
He climbs out of the tub and glares down at her.
"We were having fun."
Reply
The words 'no matter how much I want it' are very nearly audible at the end of that question, so apparent are they in her demeanour.
Reply
Reply
"Yes. You are. And here's the reason: I promised. Sorry if it doesn't work for you, but it's all I've got, and it's all I need."
Reply
"Yeah, you promised me and I say it isn't necessary anymore. Besides," he pauses to brush her hair off her shoulder and presses a gentle kiss in its place, "I know what you really need, what you want, and I'm perfectly happy to give it to you. So stop being such a fucking tease and we can get back to having fun. Our way."
Reply
"No," she says, shaking her head but making no attempt to escape. "I fucking promised. I've already gone back on that once today. No more."
Reply
Leave a comment