Xavier: Love and Deepspace Fan Fiction

Chapter 3: Claire

"i already ordered." Keisari sat beside me. We always choose the bar counter where we can get easy access to alcohol.

"Thanks." She took a swig of that hard drink. "Damn. That hit the spot."

"Rough day?" I asked and then drank from my bottle of beer.

"I.. i have these memories.. That I don't actually know." She pulled her hair out of frustration. I flick some dust off the table.

A man sat beside us and I ignored him. "Let the memory flow. Don't fight it. Okay?"

I saw her nod and frowned when  her phone rang.

Boss.

It was the-- I laughed.

"It's that painter." I remarked. She lit a cigarette.

She huffed then switched off her phone.

Time flew and we finished a decent amount of booze.

She rode her bike and I rode mine. We lived on the same building but she went on the opposite direction. If I am not mistaken..

I went home, sat on my couch, opened my tv and stared at it.

That man.. Then dozed off.

Few months passed and I saw him again at the forest. Peacefully taking a wanderers life. I frowned. He got a protocore then destroyed it. Just like that. A branch snapped underneath my shoe and the peaceful time ended, noticing me his head turned a bit on my direction and he got ready to attack me.

"Who goes there?" His voice still calm.

"Hey! It's just me! Claire!" I held my hands up. Too late, he immediately pinned me down to the ground, his hands gripping both of my wrists too hard.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his eyes held a glint of fury.. no.. anger? No. madness? Then disappeared. Now his eyes are the gentlest i have ever seen.

"I was assigned here. A wanderer sighting." I answered him honestly. "A hunter, remember?"

He sighed. "I thought you were a--"

"I don't make wanderers my business." I relaxed my body. "Can you please let go of my hands?"

He lets go of my hand and helps me up.

"You just finished my job for tonight."

He looked at me like I just said something weird.

"Wanna grab dinner with me?" I asked then turned my back on him. I heard his stomach grumble. "Hungry? My treat."

He followed me. Good thing I just hopped on the bus to come to this place. It wasn't a risky mission so yeah. I just relaxed.

"Let's hop on that bus." I pointed at the bus waiting for passengers.

He matched my pace and then we sat together.

"Hey." I tried getting his attention.

"Yes, Claire?" He looked at me.

I can't help but be drowned in his eyes. Those crystal blue orbs that made me wanna own them.

"Nothing." I shrugged and looked outside the window. I remember the corkboard at home.

"Can I suggest one place?" He spoke as he holds the sword hilt on his waist.

"Sure."

Take it easy, Claire..

"The hotpot place.."

"I know that restaurant. Sure!"

The night ended with him going home full, and me going home not drunk. I would've drunk a glass or two or more at a bar before going home.  Well that's my usual routine..

I sighed.

"Where is your house?"

"Here." I pointed out the apartment building in front of us. He frowned.

"What do you mean? I live here."

"That," i pointed out a certain window by the sixth floor. "Is my unit."

"I live there." He pointed a window exactly below my window. "On the fifth."

"You're the one.."

I remembered the incident where an air fryer exploded just right below my unit. I was sleeping that time because I had a very exhausting mission. I might''ve heard the commotion but I am dead to the world that time. So it was unlikely that I actually knew the incident.. The landlady told me all about it.

"What?"

"You tried burning the whole apartment building."

"Nope. Why would I do that?"

"Miss Landlady told me.. The gentleman below my apartment had an 'accident'." I drew air quotes in the air. "An Air fryer exploded."

He scratched his cowlick.

"Well.."

"Good thing I was so exhausted from my mission that I had not jumped and ran to your unit. I would've hit you with something."

Together we entered the elevator. I looked at him when he just passed his floor.

"Where are you going?"

"Walking you to your house." He looked at me like I said something weird.

"Why?"

"Because that is how it's supposed to be."

"How many girls have you walked home?" I asked.

"Just you." He held the elevator doors open for me and we walked out.

"That is just impossible."

Deep inside I am just cheering. I like this guy. I need to admit it at least to myself.

"Huh.." we stood in front of my door and we were just looking at each other.

"I'll go in now."

I want to slap myself now. What more do you wanna do, Claire?

"Alright." He gave me a slight bow and smiled. For the first time, he gave me a smile. I want to claim ownership of that boyishly handsome smile, that my hands are shaking. "Good night, Claire."

I gave him a shy wave and opened my door. My house door, not the other-- my mind's going downhill again. Damn.

"Good night, Xavier."

I went inside and gently closed the door. I heard him walk away and I let out a deep breath.

Now what?

I rummaged through my cupboards to look for something to drink. At this rate, I won't even get a blink because of the rush he gave me tonight.

Damn Xavier. And he's my neighbor! I wanna jump up and down and kick some things but the thought that he would hear me rampaging, stops me now. I wanna kick something so bad but I tried calming myself.

Just drink the damn booze, Claire, watch some movie and sleep on your couch.

Yeah.

I changed my clothes, I prefer no clothes actually.. but what the heck. I played some random movie, took my whiskey glass, checked for some fruits and sat. I am sure this will be a long night and just fuck it. I have work tomorrow.

Damn insomia.