Hidden Messages

Part 3 - Is This Insanity

The meeting with Sister Imperator went well, although it took up most of the morning. You just barely made it in time—having to rush and get changed in your room. It also didn't help that you'd left your laptop in the ghoul quarters, so you had to go digging for the folders that held all the important printed documents.

It probably would have taken less time to collect your laptop—but there was no way you were going back down there this morning. Especially after whatever that had been with Dewdrop. Honestly, what was he playing at?

It plagued your thoughts all morning, your mind finding any spare moment to circle back to being in his arms. Then how he had pulled you back down onto the couch afterwards, refusing to let you go. Not to mention, the mystery of how you had gotten into his arms in the first place.

You were dying to talk to Cirrus. If anyone knew, it would be her. After all, you'd been in her arms first, and unless Dew had stolen you away from her when she was sleeping, (which was preposterous and absolutely not what you were now imagining), then that meant she would have some idea of what had happened.

Thankfully, you didn't think Sister Imperator noticed how distracted you were. You'd managed to get exceptionally good at hiding your thoughts and feelings, especially in a more professional setting, such as the official meeting. She even praised your work; and Sister never handed out praise carelessly. You should have had that running through your mind as you walked through the corridors—but no, instead you were still preoccupied with thoughts of a certain fire ghoul.

A fire ghoul who also happened to be right there.

He was just up ahead, one leg braced against the wall as he leaned, his arms crossed. You stopped in your tracks, glancing to your left where a passageway was open. It would make your trip back to your room a lot longer, and you'd have to take a confusing zig-zag pattern, or you could just face the ghoul.

He hadn't spotted you yet, or had he? Was this all a part of his game? Was that why he was doing this? Or were you just overanalysing the situation? The other ghouls could get clingy sometimes—hell, you'd had to untangle yourself from Aurora before, and you couldn't forget that week Rain had rarely left your side. It could just be normal ghoul behaviour. That's all.

Taking one last look at the way out, you kept walking, tidying the folder you were currently carrying as a distraction while you drew closer. You noticed the moment his head turned in your direction, those goggles fixing on you as you neared where he was practically lounging against the wall.

Looking up, you chirped out a "Hey Dew," as you got within earshot.

You were going to keep walking when he pushed off the wall, standing in front of you, forcing you to stop. You raised an eyebrow as he took a step closer, tilting his head again in that way that was insanely attractive. Cirrus had been amused when you told her about it, sending you countless videos of Dew doing just that on stage. Again, that thought of 'did he somehow know' circled through your mind even as you remained composed on the outside.

"Hello dearest," Dew said, his voice low and hinting at a smirk. He was so close, one of his hands hovering around your arm, lightly trailing against your skin while he watched your expression.

You kept a straight face, even as your body tingled at his delicate touch. Your other hand tightened on the folder. Did he know what he was doing to you?

"I thought you had practice." You tried to ignore the way his hand curled higher, brushing against your neck as he settled his fingers on your chin, his touch warm.

"Copia gave us a break," Dewdrop said quietly, his thumb running across your jaw. You wanted to close your eyes at the sensation. Damn this ghoul.

Instead, you wrapped a hand around his wrist, tugging his hand away from your chin firmly. He tilted his head again, his hand twisting in your grasp to entwine his guitarist fingers with yours.