The Summoning (Sleep Token FanFiction)

XXXIV - Ascensionism

I was on the edge of that cliff, but was unafraid. Looking next to me in the dim evening light, I saw Vessel staring off into the sunset, kicking his feet back and forth over the edge as we sat together. He was in full make up and costume as he would be with a concert, skin painted a stark black and mask over his face. His hood was up to shield him from the rain, but there were only small sprinkles of it now as the sun peaked through the clouds. 

Below us, it seemed like the ocean was undulating under a clear sheet of glass, sparkling with the orange of the sun. 

I immediately thought of the morning that the boys had taken their masks off. 

We trust you, They had said.

Did Vessel not trust me anymore to exist without his mask on? 

I dared to lay a hand on his shoulder and he turned his searching gaze to me. Pushing my luck even further, I reached up to take his mask off. He didn't move, letting me slid the mask over his head and ruffle his hair. There were dried tears on his cheeks, but his eyes were inviting and curious. 

"Show me what you are." I felt myself say, not knowing exactly why I needed to say it. I was desperate to know. 

I slid my hand down his neck, over his chest and around him to feel the scar marring his flesh across his back. My eyes drifted down to the foaming water, wondering which of the rocks had ultimately led to his death. Did I have a scar to match?

I brought my hand back, seeing the black paint over my palm and fingertips as he kept still and calm. His eyes had turned to something resembling confusion, but he didn't stiffen or pull away.

More tears swelled in his eyes and fell, streaking down his cheeks and I raised my hand to wipe them away, taking a little more paint with me. He allowed this, gaze roaming over me with the sadness instilled into it. 

Keeping his eyes, I slowly laid back against the smooth rock behind us and watched the sky turn to stars above us. Following my lead, he laid back next to me. 

I didn't know if it was because I felt the dream state around us, the surreal stop of time, but I found myself turning to him. He had been watching me, still. 

I slowly scooted back, away from the edge of the cliff and knelt next to him before crawling over him, letting him decide whether to allow me or not. 

Instead, he took one of my hands lightly and placed his other hand on my hip, pulling me to him as I lowered to straddle him. The saltwater breeze swept through my hair as the fading sun warmed my back. 

He let me push back a lock of hair from his face, eyes fluttering as he kept my eyes. Before I could back out, I leaned down, my hair falling around his own as I touched my lips to his. 

He took in a small breath as he opened his mouth in invitation, brushing his lips against mine as he tucked some of my hair behind my ear. Impatiently, I met his lips, kissing him with abandon as his hand slid further into my hair. His other hand trailed up from my hip to rest on my ribs, holding me in place as the kiss deepened. 

He bit into my bottom lip again and I moaned into his mouth, pulling a small smile from him as his eyes seemed to dilate. 

He lightly pushed me upright and away. I felt embarrassment at being so bold if it wasn't something he wanted. 

Keeping me placed over him with one hand, he took my hand in his other. He ran his hand down my thigh to his own chest. He took his index finger and touched his sternum, dragging down the length of his front to gather black paint on his fingertip.

Raising my hand, he left a line of black on my palm, the feel of his hands in mine sending shocks through me. He then took my other hand, my own index finger to be exact, dragging my finger down his front before guiding me to mark his own hand.