Dawn Is Coming

Chapter 7

Grant

I need more.

Last night can be described in no other way except pure, unadulterated bliss. She fits me better than my custom-made military uniform, every curve, every muscle on her lithe body moulds with me like a puzzle piece. She belongs against me, with me. Nothing brings me more satisfaction than seeing those two shining gold orbs gazing into mine with adoration. The air buzzes with heat between our barely concealed bodies, bodies that merge so perfectly together.

Not long after are we lying on my couch again, Akira's place of choice. My arm around her waist, her body snuggled into mine. Strangely enough, even with the heat of the building and that of our own, she's still shivering. I tuck her bangs behind her ear, my brows furrowing in deep concern when I notice her expression. Her eyes are wide, panicked.

"Akira? What's wrong?" I ask, unable to keep the worry from my tone. "Did I hurt you? Are you okay?"

Her head shakes, then nods weakly as she coughs into my chest.

"Akira, if I hurt you, you have to tell me. Okay?" I say firmly, my arm around her waist nudging her into a sitting position. She nods, but the panic doesn't leave her eyes. Her chest is heaving. My own starts to heave, stressed.

Akira's not telling me everything. Something is bothering her, and she's trying to hide it. But she looks like she's about to pass out. Her hand presses against my chest for support, her expression dazed. Sweat pools on my brow as I watch her take deep, heavy breaths. My hand cups her cheek to hold her through it as she gradually calms down. The silence is heavy, her eyes fixed on our tangled legs.

She looks guilty.

"Did I hurt you?" I ask her one last time, tipping her head up with a finger beneath her chin. My eyes lock onto hers, refusing to let go unless provided with an answer that isn't a weak shake of her head. The only response I receive is a small sigh, the warm stream of air grazing my chest.

"No." She says in a hushed voice, her eyes dropping again. She sounds certain, but the anxiety doesn't fully leave her tone. "I promise, it's not your fault."

Her words both comfort and worry me. You don't randomly start suffocating if you're all good and healthy.

Which means she's not.

"I'm sorry. I'm okay, really." She urges, her eyes meeting mine once again. Her gaze is earnest, but her actions contradict her. My hand smooths over her hair, brushing through the tangled strands. In under a day, she's become so precious to me, it's frightening.

"You better be," I mumble. Her small smile reassures me, her body pressing into mine once more. The shivers have gone, her body lying still underneath the ragged blanket covering us.

. . .

Akira

"Grant, can I ask you something?" The words finally leave my mouth after having spent at least five minutes gathering the courage to speak them. I can't bear these constrictions anymore. Not only are they getting worse, but now I've also freaked Grant out. Something needs to be done, and if it means going to Neorexa to have a doctor cure it, then that's what I will do.

But I won't be able to do it alone.

His nod and the understanding look in his eyes encourages me to spill it, to finally get this over with. My hands are clammy, and not because of the heat.

"Would you come to Neorexa with me... if my life depended on it?" I ask quietly, my muscles stiff despite all the recent... exercise. His brows furrow and eyes fill with a storm of emotions I can't decipher. His lips part and then close at a loss of words. I'd also be speechless if someone asked me a question like that so out of context, but right now, all I can hope is that he'll answer me truthfully.

I hear a breathless why leave his lips before he shakes his head. My heart drops, but then he speaks.

"Obviously. I mean... we've already been to hell and back, together." He answers, attempting to sound comforting but instead sounding uncertain and clearly confused. His head tilts to the side, his eyes pleading with mine for an explanation. Although I feel horrible for making him worry so much, telling him that I have a life-threatening disease that could kill me at any moment would probably be even worse than leaving him in the dark.

So the dark it shall be.

"It can be pretty bad, you know." I chuckle nervously, my hand searching for his, desperate for comfort, support. "I'm leaving today, Grant."

My heart clenches as I see his face contort into terror. I can't blame him – there's almost nothing more illegal than going to Neorexa, especially if you're part of the Ruinexan military.

But I don't want to die.

"But- why?" He gasps, looking completely lost. My face falls, my hold on his hand loosens.

"Do you trust me?" I whisper.

His hesitation does nothing to help me with my substantial unease.

"Akira, you- we can't go. We'll die, you understand that? Either we get killed trying to leave Ruinexus, get killed in Neorexa for being there, or get killed here for going to Neorexa." He explains, desperation oozing from his tone. But he can't possibly understand – he doesn't know what I'm going through. His hand cups my face, sending a tingle through my body, both of excitement and dread.

"But what if my life depends on it?" I whisper, my eyes despairing. This makes him look even more worried, but he shakes his head.

"Please, trust me. I don't know what is going on, but no matter what it is, you'll be safer here." He pleads, his voice cracking upon the last words, along with my heart. "Please, Spider." His rarely-used nickname for me stirs up a storm of joy and discord in my chest. He tucks the black streak of my bangs behind my ear, the strands of dark hair the namesake of that precious nickname. The nickname I love so much, I gave it to my mysterious cat.

Sensing that there's no use trying to convince him anymore, I give him a resigned nod, looking away. My eyes wander to the aster flowers at which I gazed with such joy this morning, now feeling nothing but overwhelming dread.

I'll have to go alone.

He rejected me.

He doesn't trust me.

The words are a ghastly echo in my head as I finish getting dressed, making my way over to his front door. He follows me, leaning against the wall, his tall build looming over me even once I've laced on my platformed combat boots. Hands shoved deep into pockets, posture slouched.

He looks uncomfortable, confused.

With great reluctance, I draw my eyes away from the droplets of sweat beading on his bare, toned chest, reaching for the doorknob. The wind is knocked out of me the moment I feel his arms wrap around my waist, strong as a vice. My cheeks heat up, my heart pounds. Butterflies pool in my stomach as I feel him bury his face in my neck, the hair muffling his whisper.

"Stay safe out there, Akira."

If my heart wasn't falling apart then I would have hugged him back, maybe even given a kiss.

But he doesn't trust me.

A dismissive nod is all he gets as a response when I open the door, walking away without turning back.