TRIBULATIONS

27.

Ravena and Edena were long in Dreamaspira.

Ravena managed to track down Arnold Palmer, the president.

He walked out of a gigantic building, most likely the headquarters. He looked ecstatic, a little bit too much.

Ravena had a bad feeling in her stomach as she stared at the Man. She decided to get closer, to catch a closer view. Edena was currently in the hideout they rarely went to. They had many hideouts because that way it would be harder to find them. She was trying her best to acquire more information about the Government's plans, luckily for her, Roman was helping her a little bit.

Arnold stood in front of the vice president, a bald, short and chubby man with brown eyes who seemed like he was sick and tired of Arnold. Fano Heimswörth.

Fano said something to Arnold, and Ravena instantly read his lips. Although, that wasn't needed, her hearing was heightened to the max, even beyond if one were to exaggerate it.

Fano said, "..The Agents are ready."

Arnold chuckled, and Ravena knew this wouldn't be good. "Perfect, are the experiments going very well?"

Ravena gulped.

Fano staggered hesitantly, "..Most needed to be locked up, do you need them in order to raid Mispair?"

Raid? Ravena thought. And the experiments are still going on?! She bit her lower lip as she felt herself get angrier than usual.

Arnold shrugged. "Anything to find those criminals."

Criminals? Ravena pondered on that, although she already knew who Arnold meant.

Arnold clicked his tongue, "That bastard Pierre is sly. He most likely knows why I want to meet him so urgently. With him out of the way, it would be easy to get more people, and more weapons. Anything to help strengthen Dreamaspira."

Ravena had a hard time holding herself from gouging Arnold's eyes out. Him always requesting for meetings was oddly suspicious, now he proved Ravena's suspicions to be true. She decided to stay here longer in order to acquire more information.

☠

Arthur's head was on his desk.

His thoughts were scattered around in his head.

He kept replaying the scene that happened a few hours ago. How would they manage to get back to Dreamaspira?

Arthur knew that Pierre wouldn't let him go so easily, even though the man clearly despised him and wanted nothing more than to be free of him, as he only added more to his problems! But Pierre wouldn't let him go, because he suspected that Arthur would cause more trouble.

Arthur rolled his eyes, I'm not a child. He pouted.

Eventually his mind trailed back to the Incidents in Dreamaspira. He tried so hard to move on from the incident. But it was very hard, it had only been, what, almost two months? Time seemed to go too fast in Mispair.

His eyes brimmed with tears, he bit his lower lip and groaned out in annoyance. No matter the amount of tears he shed, his heart would always ache. He buried his face in his arms, sniffling silently.

Arthur perked up when he heard the ringing that signified that Pierre was calling for him. He kicked his legs in frustration, what did he want now?

Arthur reluctantly stood up and waddled towards Pierre's office.

☠

The door was half open, Arthur didn't have to take a peek inside to see the same woman he smiled at in the club, sitting on Pierre's lap as they kissed.

Arthur's eyes widened slightly, why would he call for me if he was busy? Was he rubbing it in my face? Arthur annoyingly spat in his mind. He knew he was taking it the wrong way, but his feelings have already risen up.

His left foot took a step back, but Pierre's eyes snapped open, his dark brown eye observed Arthur sharply, but Arthur averted his gaze, he was now about to shut the door and walk away. Pierre closed his open eye, and continued to kiss Lisa. Arthur clicked his tongue, what a waste of my time. Just as he was processing his emotions, he was interrupted!

His hand clenched the door knob, and he almost slammed the door shut until Pierre's voice called out to him, "Come in."

Arthur swallowed down the lump in his throat, his hands were shaking, and he felt heat rush up to his face embarrassingly. He widely opened the door as Lisa stood up and fixed her tank top. She was dressed in black ripped low rise jeans, a dark brown tank top, and high boots that fit perfectly with her pants. She wiped her smudged lipstick, her eyes looked up, and she shockingly stared at Arthur.

Arthur gulped, he was frowning so looking at her now, he rested his features, and he managed to muster up a smile at her. Lisa inspected the context of his smile but later decided to shyly smile at him. She walked past Arthur, who didn't notice that Pierre was now leaning against his desk.

Arthur didn't want to be left alone with Pierre who was intimidating him. Pierre spoke up, "Shut the door." Arthur lifted his trembling hand behind him, and he closed the door. Why am I obeying him? The last time I closed the door, he assaulted me. Who's to say it won't happen this time? I seriously dislike him, but I'm afraid of him. Arthur battled with himself in his mind.

I'm not sure why I'm afraid of him, was it because of his big and broad body? His angry nature? His dominance?

Pierre scowled at Arthur, his eyes trailed down to his hands and he noticed that he was trembling. He looked completely out of it, is he afraid of me? Pierre wondered. It wouldn't be surprising considering how many times I put my hands on him, and took my anger out on him..

Pierre pinched the bridge of his nose, he clenched his eyes shut as he grumbled under his breath. "..Come closer." Arthur blinked at him, he gripped his own shirt anxiously.

Pierre opened his eyes and stared at his clenched fists, he cursed out loud, how hard does this have to be? "..No, I mean, come closer, please?"

Arthur's state swayed, the fear and confusion from earlier lessened. His right foot stepped forward, and Pierre urged him to come closer by lifting a hand up to reach out to him, "..Come, don't be afraid."

Arthur approached him a little confidently now, his heart swayed a little bit by the hint of softness in Pierre's tone.

A part of him wanted to believe that he was also this way due to his past, but it was too soon for that and Arthur could not be fooled. One wrong move and he would offend Pierre. He stood in front of Pierre, refusing to stare at him, so Pierre's hand encircled itself around his wrist.

Pierre's deep voice was velvety and magnetic as he leaned closer, stared down at the younger man, and whispered. "..Won't you look at me, mh?"

Arthur breathed a lot heavier than usual, the tension was undeniable,  since when has it been like this? .. I'm just overwhelmed, simply overwhelmed. Arthur tried to make sense of the situation, but it didn't work.