tongue of the serpent ➵ a.b.

Chapter 29: Erstwhile Memories

A/N: Contains sexual content. Fair warning.

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I slammed my eyes as tight as they would go. "I'm sorry!" I screamed, in fear of betting a slap right to the face. I cowered before him and tried to escape his hands grabbing my wrists. He wouldn't budge. "I'm so sorry!" I bawled like a child and my fear grew taller.

Andy let go of my hands, noticing my tears. His face was still angrier than a swarming beehive. "Where did you put it?"

I glanced at the cabinet and Andy followed my gaze. He stood down, throwing the towels everywhere across the small room. He grabbed the journal and stood. He turned his body to face me.

"So," he purrs like a kitten, forceful, "you learned a lot, didn't you?" He advances towards me in small steps. I push against the wall. "Do it again and I swear to God I'll - " he pauses " - well, you already know what I'm going to do." He struts off into the bedroom. I peer around the bathroom door frame to see him tossing the notebook inside the cabinet. "Why did you read it?" He is calmer now, but the hatred he feels is evident in his flicking of the tongue.

"I dunno. I came across it and I just knew I was going to regret it." I took a glance at the coffee machine, almost done. "I just felt the need to push on."

His muscles relax and he looks towards me. "Did you read the last entry?"

I nod.

He sighs and runs his fingers through his shortened hair. "I was gonna tell you about the similarities between you and Juliet." His eyelids flutter, trying to hold back strength.

"What's so bad about that?" I mutter, tilting my head at the thought.

He looks directly at me. "The temptation of kissing you is the same temptation of kissing Juliet..."

I stand, flabbergasted. Andy still wasn't over her...

He begins to speak up once more. "The very feel of your skin against mine reminds me of her - the way she felt."

I didn't move, afraid of rippling the calming, silent tides into a war zone.

"But," Andy continues, nodding softly, "there is a difference." He tilts his head towards me and tucks a strand of hair back into place. "I loved Juliet with passion. It was a love that was like a flame: never ceasing to amaze or burn out," he continued, "But you, Lethia, you are different." He points at me, almost signalizing his cue for the tables to turn on us. "I love you with a caring. This is a love that causes me to become dominant. I take care of you - you become my ultimate. Our love means as long as you're here, I can place my worries, anger, love, every emotion I want on you. And you supply me back with purified love." He finishes and takes a step back, taking a rather large breath.

I swallow air. "Andy, I - " I don't know what to say. I mean, who would?

He presses forwards and forces a tight hug onto my body. I gladly accept the embrace and work my fingers on his neck and back, sending him into nirvana.

"Now," Andy says, breaking the hug. "Don't we have a show to practice for?" He giggles and puts on a gray fedora, twisting it around and dancing to an unknown beat.

I chuckle and squint at the same time, still pondering over a topic. "Andy?" I ask without holding back.

He stops dancing momentarily. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"What about the promise?" My lips slant.

Andy's expression dips into territory un-tread by myself. "Forget what I said. You ultimately did save me from Juliet...and myself." His smile peaks out from the many doubtful thoughts of nowhere. "A promise is a promise."