Butterflies

Chapter 5

Elaine's arms clung to one of Arlo's arms that was by his side whilst he had both his hands in his pockets. He steadily walked away from where Seraphina had parked the car (who had already rushed inside their apartment).

Elaine's feet raced along the pavement to keep up with him (and he had already slowed down for her). Sometimes it was easier to carry her, but their house was basically in front of them at this point.

When he opened the front door (because Seraphina had not considered to leave it open for them), he was met with the strong smell of cannabis. John was not sober again.

Elaine let go of his arm and rushed through the front living room to their bedroom that was up a few steps to the right of the room. He followed her.

When he entered their room, he found that Elaine had already lit a scented candle and had taken off her black hoodie.

He loved the soft curve of her breasts beneath her white tank top with her small butt that was highlight by her black pleated skirt.

Elaine looked up at him and gestured to behind him. He pushed the door shut.

"Do I hold you back?" Elaine asked, sitting on the black duvet of their bed. What had Seraphina got into her head?

"No, you know that," Arlo replied. He took a seat next to her on the bed and placed a hand on her knee. "You know I care about you."

She rolled her eyes. "I am no help when it comes to fighting and hunting, and those are some of the most important parts of being a ghoul. It defines the difference between weak and strong ghouls."

"But you are a healer," he answered, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. He pulled her close to his chest. "Plus, you are our accountant. I'm not sure what would we do without you and that's not counting our feelings for you."

"I guess," Elaine mumbled back.

Arlo's phone began to ring in his pocket. Elaine's bright green eyes glanced at him before she shuffled over to the other side of the bed.

He pulled out his phone and answered it.

"Hello," he called out as he stood up.

"Hi," Remi whispered back across the phone line.

He smiled insincerely although she could not see him (which was probably a good thing). This was going to be about her missing dove boyfriend. Why couldn't she just leave him in the past? It would only be good for her.

"So, how has your day been?" he asked, nervously starting the conversation. This probably was not a good call.

"It's been good," she replied. Her voice bounced as she spoke. "Better than yesterday. I found Blyke."

He sighed. That was one of the worst outcomes that could have happened.

"You should leave him." She needed to get this out of the way.

"What do you mean?"

Remi's voice went cold. Shit, he got her angry. Not that Remi's anger could be a major issue at most points.

"You should stop dating a human. Humans are your food, not your romantic partner. Especially that human. A dove is a danger to you. It doesn't matter whether he cares about you or not – he will kill you when he finds out."

"He's a half-ghoul now," she replied. Apparently to get it out of the way.

"Pardon!"

A half-ghoul! He had only met one half-ghoul and he hadn't been a human before. His father was a human and his mother was a ghoul. Completely a half-breed. He never was truly human.

Remi's boyfriend, Blyke, was definitely human before. He was never a half-ghoul until a few days ago. It was like those rumours about artificial half-ghouls from Japan where Humans now showed ghoul traits with one kakugan – which sometimes could not be controlled – who could no longer eat human food. Natural half-ghouls could eat human food.

"He's a half-ghoul and he's refusing to eat."

"That was a waste of a human."

A dead ghoul could not be eaten. Therefore, a human turning into a ghoul who soon died was a waste of good meat.

"He's refusing to eat. I don't know how to help him."

"Is he still agreeing with the CCG?"

"I think he has realised that the CCG will not help him."

"I can try to help him if you bring him to my apartment. You should stay over for at least several days. Also, bring Isen."

"I will."

Remi hung up without saying another word.

That was not like her. She normally talked more.

"What was that about?" Elaine asked. He glanced up to where Elaine sat in now her white bra that had black lace over the cup and her black skirt.

"Remi's missing boyfriend turned up and is now a half-ghoul," he explained. "I think like those rumoured artificial half-ghouls in Japan."

Elaine nods, pulling off her jeans and throwing them to the rug on the floor.

"I hope she doesn't go like her brother."

She laid her head into his lap as he sat on the bed, legs stretched out to the foot of the bed.

"Me too," he whispered back.

He stroked along her cyan hair that flowed down to his legs.

There was a knock on the door and it clicked open.

"Hey," Seraphina stated, standing in the doorway. "Did Remi just call?"

"Yes." He nodded. "Isen and her will be staying over a for a little while."

"When?" she asked, holding the door handle in her hand.

"We didn't decide a time," he replied, "But I would hope tomorrow at the latest."

Seraphina nodded before leaving the room with the door shut behind her.

A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter. It was just planned out this way.

This is the chapter for New Year. I hope you like it.

I did technically forget to write this before today, so I'm sorry for any grammar mistakes as I kind of just finished writing this.

I also mentioned in a previous authors note that the characters are 18/19. Thinking this through, they are actually 21+. The first scene is Remi and Blyke in a club and although the age to enter a club would be 18 where I live, this is supposed to take place in the USA (still probably has more similarities to the UK). I know unOrdinary is unlikely to take place in a world with the borders for a country called the USA, but I made enough references to Japan to just say it takes place in the USA here. I'll probably change this later.

Please share your thoughts, opinions and theories in the comments. 

Happy New Year!!!