Danger in the air (Marree, Dylan)

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

That night, after I had almost killed Jins, I could not sleep for one second. Not because I was full of regrets because I shot him in the stomach and almost head but because I might have put Kyanite in more danger than she already was. Truth be told I cared a little too much for her for my own taste but I simply couldn't help it. That day out in the forest she's gotten under my skin...and everywhere else.

The next day at work was dreadful because I could barely keep my eyes open and almost chopped my own fingers off with one of the machines in the factory.
My father had enough sense to step in and send me home. "Take a sick day." He ordered and added in a hushed voice. "And get your stuff sorted out."
I went home but didn't get anything sorted except for the lack of sleep.

That something had to be done was true though. As much as I didn't want to I needed to talk to Kyanite and somehow let her know that she might be in even more danger now. That would mean that I'd have to admit what I had done.

The watch on my still bandaged arm said 10 am when I stepped into the training center dressed in my running pants, a t-shirt and hoodie, that I keep over my head. Hopefully she's here today. It is one of her training days.
"Have you seen Kyanite?" I ask one of the girls leaving the dressing rooms. She just scowls at me and asks. 'Who?" Then she's gone.

I drop my bag in the changing room and exchange my winter boots for running shoes before I enter the gym. It's guite busy today due to the chilled air this morning. With my hands in my pockets I let my gaze roam around to find her. I spot a few familiar faces, not hers though.

[*]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,425,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] I sit in the locker room floor, my arms draped over my bend up knees and take a swig from my water bottle. I take a breath deep and heavy and close my eyes for only a few minutes as I let my breaths come back to normal. I came in early like I always do and about this time, I am completely exhausted. I've been trying to work out my sore shoulder as much as I can. I got the stitches out just yesterday as well as the ones on my forehead. At least those were two things that was hindering me less. I didn't have to worry about ripping those out or having the questions from people who saw them. Truth be told, the stories behind the marks isn't nothing compared to the bruise that fades on my cheek. My life has been a complete wreck as of late. The last two weeks have been nothing but pure hell, except for those few hours of elation. I sigh. Somewhere near the door to the locker rooms, I hear two girls chatting about their boyfriends and regular girl things. Their high pitched voices do nothing but annoy me to no end. They are the type that cries over broken nails and fuss over something that didn't go their way. The stupid stuff. I could care less about all that superficial junk. I've got much more important issues to deal with in my waking life than just crazy girl stuff. Like Matthew for instance. After four days... we finally meet after that day. Now, here we are days later and once again, nothing but random words here and there. Did I make a mistake that day? I push the waterbottle down against the ground where I sit and hear as the girls leave the dressing room. Silence. Complete and utter silence and I'm loving ever bit of it. I lean my head back against the corner of the wall that I had taken refuge in. My eyes keep closed and I just relax before I need to head back out and get more time out in gym. A few minutes past by and something startles me awake. My reflexes jerk and I look up at the clock to see what time it is. I must have dozed off for a few minutes because its a few minutes past ten. I shake my head and jump up and return my items back to the locker. I shut it quickly and take one look in the mirror like normal. I see nothing but the image of a young lady who has seen better days. I move my hair a bit further down to cover the marks on my forehead and the disappearing bruise is hidden beneath some makeup. I take my eyes away from my reflection and leave. In the gym, I see so many more people that I remembered twenty minutes ago before my untimely doze. I stretch out my limbs and pull on my arm gently, only flinching as I stretch it out and get it used to the movements. Today, I won't be throwing. I have decided on trying something a little more close ranged. I walk over and take up arms with a small sword; one that isn't as heavy as a long sword and walk over to the practice area that has been isolated for some reason. Perfect. I dont have to share nor do I have to wait for anyone. My own time. I step up to the first dummy and stare at it's remaining limbs.

[Jack Lexington]

M A T T H E W D U N H A M

In the mids of the commotion in the gym I finally spot her. That slender back, the long dark hair, the way she walks. Unmistakably Kyanite.

Come to think of it I don't even know her last name. But I'd be able to pick her out of a football crowd.

"Ky!" I call her name but she apparently can't hear me. A few younger kids get in my way so I urge them to move on.
Then I follow her over to the far right end of the gym, where an area has been fenced off for sword training. A high make shift wall seperates this area from the rest of the gym. It might have been put in for safety reasons.

Even though I don't have a sword I step up behind her and ask.
"What are you going to do to that poos dummy? Make him run for his life as well?"
I'm referring to the fight with the careers the other day when she sliced one up pretty good.

Offering her a smile I try to break the ice that seems to have formed between us who knows why.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Then I simply stand and search her face for a reaction. The other day she expressed that I should have come and found her. Now I do. If only she knew why.

OOC:O couldn't write much more because I don't know how the fight thread ends.

[*]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,425,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] The dummy in front of me beckons me with it's armless torso and hanging head. Someone obviously already had it out with this guy. Some career with nothing but hatred or rage or someone who was trying to show off. I have no clue who was here, but I point the sword upwards and let the point of the sword make a small indention into the chest cavity when I hear a voice behind me. It jarrs me enough that it puts this cold chill down my back as I keep my stance. I don't move nor jump to his voice because I can tell right away whose it was. Matthew. I can't help but grin when he asks what I'm going to do to the dummy and make it run for its life. I can only image that he remembers seeing Joel and his chicken of a friend take off running after I threw one too many knives at him for his own liking. Today though, knives are far from what I need to work on. It's the close combat that makes me need to practice. Every single time I've had to fight someone or something, it's always been my downfall. I need to step up my game. I reply back to him. "Well... considering someone's already taken off the dummies one leg, I'm sure he won't be doing much running. I guess I'll just have to fix that by taking off his other one to make a matched set." I refer to the leg still laying on the ground. I let my voice come out in almost this whispered tone. How long it had been since we had tried to talk last. The days in between our meetings has been far and I feel my heart tugging to him. He's stolen my heart for some reason and I can't get it back. What has he done to me? Can I talk to you for a minute? My fingers that are on the sword flex a little as I let the sword drop from the dummy and turn around to come face to face with Matthew. I nod to him. "Sure... what about?" I ask because I'm not sure what part of the conversation we are going to be partaking in. Does it involve Gala? Us? The cabin? Or Jins? I found out just yesterday that someone had tried to kill him more than a few days ago, but I had been naive to think of who it would be. I was just pissed that he was still around, especially after he showed up to training yesterday and hurt my friend. ~OOC: I'm trying to make this the most current, up-to-date timewise for the charries involved. This would be 7 days after Matt tried to kill Jins. 5 days after our group thread. (I feel they needed some time to heal before this thread. XD) Let me know if this doesn't work out.~

[Jack Lexington]

It seems like she’s in better humor today. Instead of the frown I got the other day she’s actually smiling, which puts a smile on my face in no time. It’s contagious.
Thank goodness because I’d hate to see that frown each time she sees me.


"Well... considering someone's already taken off the dummies one leg, I'm sure he won't be doing much running. I guess I'll just have to fix that by taking off his other one to make a matched set."
I cast a quick glance at the severed dummy leg.
With a smirk I rub my lower back and add. “You know some people have no choice but to walk around on one good leg.”
A little sarcasm.

I see her fingers felx but then she drops the sword. With Kyanite I never know. She’s inflicted a great deal of pain and at least as much pleasure.
She’s like my personal vice.

So she’s willing to listen to what I have to say.

I step a little closer gently taking her by her arm to the side where we aren’t seen by anybody else.
“I…er…sorry about the other day.” I clear my throat because I hardly ever do this kind of thing. It actually makes me really uncomfortable to have to apologize.
“I should have stepped in earlier.”
I give her a meaningful look hoping she will understand my reasoning, that she can only guess because I haven’t told her why I didn’t help them earlier.
On top of that she has no reason to understand.

I look down at her hand and place mine on hers. Hopefully she won't pull hers away.

[*]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,425,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] I comment on the dummies one leg, and make a joke about taking the other one off to make a matched set only to get this type of guilt when he makes me remember the wound I gave him that has caused him to quite a great amount of pain to walk. The knife that embedded itself into his bum wasn't healed. Well, it might be healing, but the internal damage had taken effect. Just like the one in his arm and the wound I gotten into my shoulder. Seems that we both have regrets now that that one day is over with, but I wouldnt' trade it for the world. Just for the simple fact that right now, we seem to be equals. No more harsh voice from him. No cheap shots. No stolen kisses... or any for that matter. It just seems like we are standing on the same ground. I turn around to meet with his gaze after dropping the sword away from the dummy. I know we need to talk and I can't wait until this gets started because it's simply making me wonder what's going on through his mind. Now, of all times, he comes to find me. That must mean he ready to either talk about what's happened or dismiss me as someone he needn't be around. Without notice, not execting it at least, he apologizes and I feel my eyes soften to him. However, my voice doesn't match my soft expression. "You should have stepped in sooner. I agree. Gala suffered. I don't know if what your trying to train her, but she clearly is afraid to fight and you fed her to the wolves." I say that word because of the experience we had. Not only did we battle one wolf, but that day, there were five wolves to Gala. I shake my head slightly as I feel him place his hand on mine. "I hated seeing her in pain. Seeing you in pain, too... afterwards. I didn't expect you to just sit back and watch them terrorize us. Unless, you still have those same feelings about girls. Not liking them. NOt wanting to be seen with them. I can try to understand that. This can't keep going on though. Just let me know if you want to go back to the way it was before."

[Jack Lexington]

M A T T H E W D U N H A M

Kyanite is pretty easy to read. Her eyes tell tales and in this case they tell me that she’s going to forgive me even though her words are scolding. The look in her eyes tells me that she actually likes me too much to break it off with me, whatever IT is.

"You should have stepped in sooner. I agree. Gala suffered. I don't know if what your trying to train her, but she clearly is afraid to fight and you fed her to the wolves."
The analogy works. I did exactly what she just claimed.
“I wanted her to put up her own fight instead of me doing it for her. I needed to see what she’s capable of in a real situation. At no other time can I learn as much about her.”
My explanation makes sense but it’s only half the truth.
My ulterior motive was much stronger at the time. I didn’t want to be the guy who helps girls. For years I’ve been stressing how much I hate girls, which is absolutely true because I never understood them, nor did I like their reasoning. The odd girl blowing me off for some other dude didn’t help either.

"I hated seeing her in pain. Seeing you in pain, too... afterwards. I didn't expect you to just sit back and watch them terrorize us. “ I want to interrupt her. It’s not like I enjoy seeing them getting punched and hurt by some assholes.
“I didn’t like seeing you two getting beaten up either….Why do you think I helped you?”

Unless, you still have those same feelings about girls. Not liking them. NOt wanting to be seen with them. I can try to understand that. This can't keep going on though. Just let me know if you want to go back to the way it was before."
Those feelings she’s addressing are so deeply ingraved in me that I don’t know how o shake them. It’s got a bit to do with my mother leaving before I even could get to know her.
I cn no longer hold Kyanites gaze because I don’t know how to break this to her.
For a minute my lips try to form the right words but what eventually comes out is. “This is not about you..or Gala.” I look up at her hoping she’ll understand.
“I don’t expect you to understand. I’ve never found a single girl I understood or cared for. Most women in my life were bitches.” My disgust becomes evident in my expression.
“My mother left before I even knew her, girls decided to drop me once they got to know me. I’ve met a few real bad ones like Kayghna…you know the one who smacked that rock across my face…It’s not like I can become a different person from one day to the next. “
Never in my life have I’ve been this open and honest to anyone, not even to myself because I never questioned whether my attitude.
Kyanite deserves it though.

[*]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,425,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] "I understand your need to let her show what she's capable of but we were outnumbered. If the situation was different. One against one, it would have been different. I wouldn't think any different of the way your trying to train her, but... there was too many for her. I could have dealt with it. I could handle it, but she's... she's not trained for that. She's not even ready for that yet. There's so much in common between me and her, but she's not had to deal with what I did. I don't want her to have to go through what I did." I tell Matthew and I feel my head lower with his hand still on mine. Talking to him right now is hard. I've barely known the girl. Barely even known him, but I can't deal with things as they come. I feel like I have to know... I don't want to waste my time on something that will never be. Then after he I express my pain of watching Gala get hurt, I listen to him so intently. I nod slowly the entire time that I hear what he went through. Him and I, we've gone through the same circumstances to deal with the opposite gender, yet our stories are worlds apart. His life was full of women that stood him up, while mine tried to always beat me down. We come from two seperate worlds that seem to clash in all the wrong ways the way we had grown up, though, the way we deal with our hardships seems to have made our lives the way we are now. We are tough; cut throat even. We don't deal with normal drama like others would have. We make sure to take care of ourselves and somewhere along the way, we seemed to have found each other. Fate can be funny like that. "I think I understand you, Matthew. More than anyone else can. We are two different people, that have grown up with two different ways of life and people that have tried to hurt us in very different ways." I feel something close to sorrow for our situations, but I don't want to feel sorry for the way we were both dealing with the world. Our past makes us who we are. Makes us into what we have. "It's funny though, Matthew... that one day with you changed my life. I don't know if you can say the same thing... but you were good for me that day. Telling you about what was going on in my life. Thank you for letting me know. I guess, that I can't expect you to change just like that, but I do want to thank you for stepping in... late or not to protect Gala. It will make a difference for her to know someone is looking out for her." I look down at our hands and I just want to be able to hold his hand with different circumstances. Right now, I'm unsure of what to expect out of me and him. "Thank you for trying to protect me as well." I grin at him suddenly though with a coy smile. "Girls aren't so bad... if you find the right ones you know. Not all of us are out to get you." I tell him and pull my hand away from his and I bring the sword up. "You know, what happened between us, I won't say that I didn't enjoy it, but I won't hold it against you if your not wanting to go further than that. I can't do that to you, just tell me now... it'll make it easier on both of us."

[Jack Lexington]

Kyanite goes into a lengthy expalantion why I should have stepped in earlier and not let Gala goe through what she did when I actually think the whole fight made her grow. Ky's last words catch my full attention though.
"... I don't want her to have to go through what I did."
I search her face and see that flicker of overwhelming pain. What did she have to go through? Is this about that guy, that bully again?
"What did you go through...." I simply question. "You mean what you told me about in the cabin?"
I feel that same strange anger rise inside of me that I felt when I saw the man and heard him talk about her like he owned her.

She claims that she can understand why I do things and what I just told her. I sure hope so because nobody ever cared to try to understand me before. Yet I object. "Nobody's hurt me...because I don't let them."
Slowly I'm calming down. After all none of my problems or hers are actually her fault. She's just a victim and I tried to take care that that will change. But I failed.

"It's funny though, Matthew... that one day with you changed my life. I don't know if you can say the same thing... but you were good for me that day. Telling you about what was going on in my life. Thank you for letting me know..." Her words are so true. Something changed for me as well.
"I've never been that close to anyone. And I'm not just talking physically ....The circumstances made me drop my guards."
I squeeze her hand and then take mine away to rub my face and look around whether anybody is watching us before I return my gaze to her.
"I never would have stepped in before that day."

I've dreaded this moment and here it is. She's actually handing me the easy way out ticket.
"You know, what happened between us, I won't say that I didn't enjoy it, but I won't hold it against you if your not wanting to go further than that. I can't do that to you, just tell me now... it'll make it easier on both of us."
Until today I had no idea what I wanted to do or not do with her. I felt drawn to her and at the same time dreaded this change in me. My first choice would have been to simply ignore what happened and pretend it's for our safety.
"Look, Kyanite."
What am I going to tell her?
"I'm not exactly boyfriend material."
My eyes are glued to my own hands now. This is hard, much harder than fighting some career out in the field.
"I'm not sure what I can give you that you'd want other than maybe some protection." Which reminds me that I should really tell her about what I did to Jins.
"You mean ....more to me than I am used to. I mean. I care for you. I think about you. But I'm not going to be a different guy....do you know what I mean."
Finally I know which words I need to say, so I take her hand again and nod. "I don't want whatever this is between you...and me to end."

Why do I know how to handle all sorts of situations at work, here, graduate a year early because I soak up knowledge like a sponge but am absolutely useless when it comes to human relationships?

My eyes are almost pleading with her to accept this poor little fraction of me that I am offering.

[*]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,425,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] I stand there with Matthew, my head down a bit as I tell him my thoughts on what went on during the fight with me. How I didn't want Gala to go through the emotion and physical pain of someone tortureing her. I'm not sure that he got it until he asked about it. What I went through and then our conversation between us in the cabin. I simply nod to him though, because I wanted him to understand that I couldn't let Gala go through it. Although, all of the stuff that I went through has still been kept somewhere deep within my heart. He's only skimmed the top of my troubles. "I don't want Gala to be afraid. She don't deserve to have that fear that she's got right now." I tell him and then the subject changed a bit more into a personal level. He mentions that he don't let anyone close enough to hurt him. I can understand that as well. I've never been able to do that either, but then again, Jins has always made sure of that. If it wasn't for him, I might actually have a relationship with someone and right now, I'm hoping for it to be with MAtthew. I don't know why, I want that with you, but so far... you're the only one that actually cared to know and went through great lengths and injuries just to find out why I got so mad at you that one day. You are different from any other guy and I can't ask you to change. "You're not the only one that it happened to, though. Something about you... like I said before, I can't think of anyone better. Something about the way you are... makes me feel safe around you." I manage out for reasons that I don't understand. Do I feel safe around you? Just from that one day... even though you totally left me and gala hanging... at least you did put in the effort late. If you hadn't been there... I'm sure me and Gala would have gotten it worse. Though, a moment later, I give him the ultimatum. A chance to get out scott from from everything that has happened between us. A chance for him to go back to the way he was. A girl hater. Someone who could go back to tormenting girls and steering clear from them. Though, the answers aren't what I expected to hear. Look, Kyanite. I'm not exactly boyfriend material. That comment makes my heart want to drop down to my stomach. He's really wanting to get rid of what happened to us in the cabin. He's not wanting anything out of 'us'. He just wants out. And I gave him that option and as long as I said it first, I was going to have to deal with the reprocussions of it all by myself. I would have to deal with the heartache of the first guy who was able to intimately make me feel wanted and then be dropped off like I was yesterdays news. I felt my throat burn as he kept talking but it didn't seem to help. THis is the time I needed to be at my strongest. Not show my emotions like any other time. This time, my heart would stay locked away forever and the key will be lost. However, something he says seems to make me wonder. I don't want whatever this is between you...and me to end. If only I knew what 'this' was? WE've hardly got anything right now. Just one day of pain and love and fear that was overcome in the timespan of just one mere day. Could there be hope for us? If he's willing to try? If I'm willing to accept who he is, even though I wouldn't want anything less than what he already is? "No one is perfect, Matt... and I can't expect you to be anyone else or change for anyone. Especially me... I don't want to lose you either. I mean, I opened up to you. Told you things that I've never even shared with my family. I think you are the only one that will understand me and yet... I have no clue what it is that we have. What are we Matthew? Friends? Is that what you're trying to say?" I look to our hands as he holds it. The feeling of skin on mine settles me a bit, but all of this is too much to be dealing with. I'm terrified of losing the one person that I've found that seems to complete me. I'm just unsure if I fit the same puzzle for him. Whatever happens between us, I'll accept it. I have no choice.

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

I'm not sure why sure why Kyanite is so sure that Gala will be scared forever. After all she won against the pack of careers. There's a deep fear in the older girl though, that she seems to be projecting onto my trainee.
my understanding for the subject is limited but I know that I did the right thing when I tried to make sure Jins doesn't scare her anymore.

"Something about you... like I said before, I can't think of anyone better. Something about the way you are... makes me feel safe around you."
Kyanite seems to have her own share of experience with relationships, no wonder she was old enough...most likely almost 18 judging by her looks.
The fact that I, out of all people, make her feels safe makes me laugh a little.
"Never thought of myself like that."

Then again that day in the woods I sort of saved her and I tried to when I shot Jins. Never before would I have done that for somebody else. It was a bit selfish, too, I simply couldn't stand the way he talked about her, like he possessed her. If anybody should be with her it was me, not that whacko. That wasn't the reason I pulled the trigger though. In my book Jins was a loose cannon, somebody very dangerous to her and possibly other girls.
'I can't think of anyone better' That makes me blush.
"That's new. I don't think I've ever heard that before."
If only she knew what kind of danger I accidentally put her in.
The moment is too precious to spoil it though.

When I finally admit that I don't want 'us' to end but can't change a long moment passes. I think I made my point clear. Kyanite doesn't understand what I want from her though.
"No one is perfect, Matt... and I can't expect you to be anyone else or change for anyone. Especially me... I don't want to lose you either. I mean, I opened up to you. Told you things that I've never even shared with my family. I think you are the only one that will understand me and yet... I have no clue what it is that we have. What are we Matthew?
Friends? Just aquaintences? Do you think it will ever be more than just that?"
It's great that she doesn't want me to change but how can this work?
At her mentioning friendship I just shake my head.
"No, I don't want to be friends." I tell her before I reach behind her head, tangle my fingers in her hair and pull her towards me.

Then I place a kiss on her lips, in which I try to express my wants and needs. I gently caress her lips with mine to make her know I need that sort of closeness. Add a little tongue to make sure she knows my true nature and the pull back to burry my head in her hair when I hug her. Yes, add a little friendship, too, and understanding.

"I want all of you." I whisper leaning my forehead against hers and simply hold her waiting for her to tell me that I can't have that because I'm not what a girl would picture her boyfriend to be like: Claiming that relationship publicly, standing up for her no matter what.

"I'm not sure how this can work. I am who I am...if you know what I mean. I saw the way you looked at me the other day when the careers attacked Gala." That look went right down to my very core.

Still I feel the need to let her know what she's in for.

"I don't know how all this girl shit works....Except for you and Gala I don't interact with girls. Heck I have a reputation of being the guy who broke a girls nose in the middle of the street....you know?"
I search her expression. "Do you really want that....me? I don't know what I'll do when things don't go so smooth." Am I really threatening her? Or just promising to behave like an ass.

[*]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,425,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] What are we Matthew? Friends? Do you think it will ever be more than just that? I want nothing more than just to hear that he wants more than just friendship. That he might want to make something more out of what we were starting to become. WHat might happen between us if we were able to get past the awkward starting stages of whatever happened to us out on that first day where we discovered just how far our boundaries lie with each other. We take it to the limits. We go further than ever when it comes to what are are willing to do for each other. To protect one another. Comfort one another. Then, when I wait for his response, the first thing he says instantly makes my heart break into a million peices. No. I don't want to be friends. I almost take the next moment to let out a silent gasp when he suddenly takes his hand and reaches behind my head, his fingers combing through my hair and he pulls me forward into him. My right hand reaches up to his chest, palm pressed up against him as he kisses me. I kiss back with this newfound feeling that settles in my gut. The sword in my left hand drops the weapon and I bring my hand up to meet with his face as the kiss seems to be telling me what I was wanting to know. What this moment was telling me was that he didn't want to be 'just' friends. He wanted more. As he parts the kiss, he does more than just the to make me feel needed. He wraps his arms around me in a hug and I feel his breath in my hair. His arms around me that make me feel so protected. Comforted. I can feel his hard chest against my still sore cheek and I linger there for the moments that he allows it before he speaks again to me. I look up at him. "I want all of you." A chill down my spine. I'm speechless. I close my eyes to him as our foreheads touch. This feeling is so much more different than what I experienced in the cabin. THis time, it seems more realistic. More sentimental. Everything about it screams at me to accept whatever happens and I'm more than pleased to think that we might actually become something meaningful. "Matthew..." I say, because I'm truely speechless for once in my life, especially toward Matthew. Then when he mentions something about a look that I gave him, I had to be curious what the look was. Was it anger? Was it longing when we first met? He mentioned when they attacked Gala and it begins to make sense. It could only mean the one where I glared at him. The hatred that I felt when he allowed him to just sit there and feed poor Gala to the wolves. That day is gone though. Today? Am I still angry? Does that feeling still linger? I enjoy the close contact with him for however long this will last. I lay my head back on him. I listen to his heart beating. I want this more than ever. I want this feeling of being wanted by someone that don't want to intentionally hurt me. However, somewhere in the gym, I hear some sort of commotion but back here in the cut off section from the gym, I don't really pay attention. I listen to MAtthew's explaination of what he's unsure of and I lift my head up to read his face. "I know.. I've heard that rumor. I also believed it too because I can see the way you are. I've seen you at your worst with me, but I've also seen you at your best, so far." I nod to his question though about wanting that with him. "I do think that just maybe, whatever happens between us, I would like..."

[Jack Lexington]

Kyanites lets it all happen. The kiss, the hug, the touch of our foreheads. It almost feels like she's longing for this sort of closeness, just like I am now.

As I can confess what I really need and want from her I see a flash of a smile on her features.

"Matthew..." I hear her. It's so strange. I even like the way she says my name. No girl ever calls me by my real name. They always change it to some sort of insult, use my last name...everything to stay away from friendliness. Kyanite however doesn't shorten it either, which I kind of like.

For a moment nothing can interrupt us as I feel her head against my chest. So I lean my chin on top of her head. This feels good even though the location is a little public for my taste.

"I know.. I've heard that rumor." She says, which makes me feel reaslly awkward within an instant. Never have I cared what girls think but now I'm not proud of my rep. So I avert my gaze.
"I also believed it too because I can see the way you are. I've seen you at your worst with me, but I've also seen you at your best, so far."
That certainly is true. From me sucker punching her and forcing her to tap out to making love under desperate circumstances. It's been the most intimate moment I've ever shared with someone, which I didn't even think I was capable off.
Not that I've never slept with someone but I never felt this sort of intimacy before.

"I do think that just maybe, whatever happens between us, I would like..."
Her words put a huge smile on my face because it's exactly what I was hoping to hear...that she wants me but don't want to bend me into some ideal boyfriend.
"I'll try my best to be good to you. You might just have to kick my ass when I don't remember that."
I squeeze her tight and then take her hand.
"C'mon, let's get out of here. Too much sweat stink."
We can even hear the sounds of some others sparring in our vicinity.
With her in tow I make my way out of the gymn because I'm uncomfortable here.

[*]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,425,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] I seem to linger in his arms longer than I should, but how can I just pull away from him when he rests his chin upon my head and keeps this going? I swear, this feeling that settles in my stomch is of pure joy. It's something that I've not been able to feel before. Not with the way I've been treated by guys my entire life. Being wanted, loved or just simply to be needed has never been part of my life. Never have been able to get this way to someone without something dramatic happening. Some sort of interferrence to my happiness. Right now, I'm at that point in my life that I want this feeling to last. Will it though? I have just told him that whatever may happen between us, that I would like... for what? Do I want it to occur? Am I telling him that I will take whatever cop out excuse he's willing to give me. That I want to accept who he is and just be happy with what I've fallen for already. I don't want the perfect guy. I want one with flaws. I want to be able to be myself around you. I want to be able to scold you when you piss me off like I already have several times. I just want you, Matthew. My thoughts run away with me when I look up at him to see the huge grin on his face. I return it with an equal smile, but on my face its clearly of confusion because I don't understand the reasoning until he speaks. I'll try my best to be good to you. Does that mean what I think that means? Are you willing to give "Us" a try? To be able to become more than friends? You might just have to kick my ass when I don't remember that. I have to push my head into his chest in order to conceal the grin and cheap laugh that follows that statement. I move my head slightly, letting him feel the irony in his words. I bring my head back up to stare at him with the most serious of faces considering what's going on. "Is that so? How about instead of kicking you're ass, I just threaten you with a knife again... I think that will more effective." I tease him heartily and I feel him squeeze me a bit then pull away taking my hand. C'mon, let's get out of here. Too much sweat stink. I nod to him and he starts to pull me out of the gym. I don't look back at all. I don't even bother to mention the sword that I had dropped during our moment when we kissed. I keep my gaze fully ahead of me as I stare at Matthew's hand on mine as he leads me away from this public place. I understand Matthew's need for privacy. He doesn't want other to know what's going on between us. I can tell. This is all new to him and it is to me as well. Word likes to travel fast and given his reputation, I can only imagine the taunts that he'd get from his peers once they found out that he might actually like one? That is right? He likes me? Wants to be with me... just not in front of people? Will that bother me at all? Not to have others know... is that what a relastionship is about? Notice? No! I deem myself in Matthew's shoes. What occurs in my life is mine. What occurs in his life, is his business. What happens between us, is our concern and ours alone. "Where are we going?" I ask out of curiosity, when we push through the doors to the outside part of the gym. The back part of the gym that we had orginally passed through when we went out beyond the fencing that one time. I have to be curious. Is he planning on going out there again? In broad daylight? Are we even dressed for such occasion if it comes to it? Even though we weren't dressed last time for that. It still has me curious as we keep moving. I make myself catch up to his steps and he never lets go of my hand. I'm curious if he's just afraid he'll lose me or if there is some urgency to keep me going.

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM


As soon as we leave the gym the icy cold air hits us. Training out here would make our lungs burn for sure. It seems like the temperatures have dropped since our day out in the forest. If it had been this clod we would have been in deep shit.

Outside there are a few people walking from and to buildings. There are some guys as well. Who knows, one or two of the bunch we ran into might be here as well, so I let go of Kyanites hand and shove mine in my pockets mindful of my broken finger. It's just a tiny bone but it still hurts when I push it against something. The question remains how I'm going to fight in the pregames with all these sore bits.

My eyes scan the perimeter but I can't see Joel and his darn friends anywhere. Not that I'm scared of them but I have plans to spend the day with Ky, not fighting.

"Did you sign up for the pregames already?" I wonder while we cross the yard and hed for the big gate that leads out onto the street.
"If we keep collecting injuries at this rate I might have to withdraw my name from the poll." That brings something else to mind.
"You know who also takes part?" I let her guess while giving her a teasing smirk.

Once we're outside without anybody harassing us I stop for a moment and wait for Ky to come closer again. "Gala!"
With my head cocked to the side I wait for her reaction...whether she finds the thought ridiculous or maybe brave.