What's Said in Silence

Sera-XXVIII

I finally scrubbed the last of the black paint off of the floor, which made the soreness in my back and shoulders that much worse. I had considered leaving it, as a reminder that what happened last night wasn't in my head, but just like my skin, the floor needed to be cleaned as well.

It had almost startled me when I caught sight of my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I needed a shower just after I woke up.  My mouth had black smears all over it and I could see the remains of his hand print on my throat. Similar black smears ran all over my body and my hair was a complete mess. I had looked nothing like the girl I was when I arrived, but still couldn't bring myself to look into the eyes of my reflection. 

I meandered through the house, dusting surfaces that didn't really need it, dancing to songs only heard in my head. I felt sort of at odds with myself. The house was clean by all standards but I didn't want to seem like I was just waiting for him to come back. 

My skirt flowed against my thighs as I swayed from side to side. I had decided to forgo any underwear because of some lingering soreness. It had mostly subsided but by now I was used to the free feeling.

I decided that dancing in the quiet was enough for me. Quite frankly, I was growing tired of silence. I picked up my phone and skimmed through YouTube. I finally selected the song 'The Love You Want' and set the app to auto-play. Was it strange for me to listen to the music created by my boss, whom I had just slept with the night before? Possibly. Did I care? Not in the slightest.

I continued wiping down any random surface in the house, swaying my hips and dancing on my tiptoes. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this at peace. Sure, there was the photo that I still needed to forward to Jessie, but with Vessel back in the country, I didn't feel so vulnerable. 

He had disappeared not too long after we had woken up, which was just after noon. It had been a long while since I had slept that late, but then again I hadn't been that exhausted in a while. He had left while I was in the shower and he hadn't been back since.

I ignored the slight ache in my chest at the thought of him leaving without saying anything, but he didn't owe me any explanation for any of his actions. He was also the type to do his own thing without making a big spectacle, as odd as that sounded considering how he dressed. 

The song ended and 'Levitate' came on. My eyes fluttered shut as I slowed down my dancing. All of his music was beautiful, but this song was its own kind of beautiful. I had stopped in the middle of the living room to absorb the song at its full capacity, but my hips kept swaying side to side to the melody. 

"Marvelous." His voice startled me. I turned to look at him, leaning against the frame of the corridor with arms crossed. "Watching you dance is something I have come to enjoy," He pushed himself off the frame and walked over to me, cupping my face in his hands gently. "But, watching you dance to my music is something I will cherish." He kissed me tenderly, wrapping his arms around my waist. My own rested on his shoulders and we began to sway together.

"I'd like you to come with me on my tours." He stated. It was a request but he wasn't asking, he was demanding. I looked at him, confusion twisting on my face. A sly grin took over his lips before he spoke again. "While I know the house is safe in your hands, I'd very much like not to be mauled when I come home." My stomach dropped. I had been so caught up in the bliss from last night that I hadn't registered everything else. I had almost stabbed him.

I brought my hands down to cup his face, gently rubbing my thumbs where the edge of the mask met his skin. No verbal apology would ever be enough, let alone the pathetic apologetic look I gave him. He began to chuckle, and while it was a lovely sound, it confused me further.

"I won't hold it against you, little fox." He reassured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I found it quite impressive. Viperous." He gripped the back of my neck and pulled me close until his lips tickled the lobe of my ear. "Erotic."

The song had switched again, but I barely registered it as heat began to spread between my legs and that wonderful ache returned. His other hand drifted down to play with the soft edges of my skirt before finally reaching underneath to graze his knuckles against my hip.

He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth. "Besides," He gritted out. "Three weeks apart was torture for me, as was evidenced by last night." heat crept onto my face at the reminder. It was impulsive on both of our parts, but I couldn't stop the relief that flooded me that he wasn't being distant again.

He brought his hand back up to my waist before reaching up with his other hand and pulling mine off of his shoulder. Our hands cupped together as he began to lead me in a more formal dance. I tried my best to match my footing with his, but my steps were awkward and faltered by comparison to his.

Eventually, we settled into a repetition of the same steps, which made it easier for me to follow along with him. He pulled me closer and nestled his cheek against the side of my head. He began to hum along to the music, which only added to the beautiful melody. I couldn't help but wonder how someone could be so gifted with a voice that beautiful, but he utilized it well. 

"When I open my eyes to the future," He started to sing out loud, moving so that his lips grazed mine in the process. "I can hear you say my name." His lips crashed onto mine before another thought could cross through my mind.

This wasn't the same kiss I experienced last night. Last night had been all ferocity, desire, and primal. This one was gentle, pleading, and full of need, but still carried that same heat.

He'd been right when he said we had altered one another. Our dynamic had shifted so abruptly it nearly gave me whiplash, but in the same sense we both knew it was coming from the moment we met. While I wouldn't indulge myself in fantasies of a cookie-cutter life where he made an honest woman of me, I was far from that, but I could enjoy the moments we shared. However long they lasted.

He pulled back, resting his forehead against my own. Both of our chests heaved slightly as we tried to catch our breaths. I gave a slight nod, intent on answering his earlier request. He grinned in understanding before placing a kiss on my forehead.

"We leave for Germany in a few days."