Dreamwalker

30- Unimaginable

"Monsieur Soutine?" someone called from the other side of the door.

Soutine, laying in bed staring at the ceiling, tilted his head. "What do you want?" he yelled back crossly.

"You have a visitor."

Soutine groaned and closed his eyes. Who else could it be but Judicael, returned to finish what he started? Conflicting emotions boiled in Soutine's stomach until he felt physically sick. "Tell him I'm not feeling well," he called.

"Him, Monsieur? Er, Bell Jeanne Darche is here to see you. I have orders to--"

"Bell?" Soutine bolted upright in bed, so fast he thought he might have pulled a muscle in his abdomen next to his wound. He ignored the pain so he could jump up and race to pull the door open. Standing in the threshold was a scrawny servant boy dressed in traditional purple robes next to a girl with tangled strawberry-blonde hair and a huge grin.

"Hello," she said quietly. "Er, I came to say I'm sorry."

Soutine scooped her up in a giant hug and held her close. He felt her stretch her arms up around his neck and press her face against his heart. They didn't even speak for a while. Soutine stroked her hair as he felt a lump forming in his throat. Everything was, for the moment, back to normal, and Soutine wanted to bask in the glory of it all wrapped in the warmth of Bell's arms. At last, he murmured into her hair, "of course I forgive you, Bell. Are you alright? I was so worried after our fight that you may not recover."

"I'm fine. What about you? I heard you were hurt."

"Ah. About that." Soutine kissed her forehead and let her go. Holding her so tight made his wound ache. "It is quite a long story-- a story for another day, perhaps."

"No. Tell me now. I want to know." Bell sat down on the bed and crossed her arms in characteristic stubborn fashion. "I'm done waiting. I want to know who you really are, Soutine."

"Just as usual, you are headstrong to a fault. I see nothing has changed."

"And why aren't you wearing a shirt?"

"I-- oh, right. Forgot about that." Soutine glanced down at his bare torso. "It's--"

"And what's that bruise on your neck? Did I do that?" Bell added, pointing to a reddish bruise that Soutine hadn't even noticed before now, flowering under his skin where Judicael kissed him the night before.

"That-- that-- can't I just tell you when you're older?"

"And how many men are you sleeping with? I can't keep track anymore."

"Hell's teeth, Bell, I don't know how you-- and anyway, I--"

"And are you really a wizard?"

Soutine let out a very loud, very dramatic sigh, and sat down next to Bell on the bed. He knew this was coming but even so, he dreaded it. "Nosy little brat, aren't you?" he grumbled.

"What can I say? I learned from the best."

"We need to work on your manners. But-- I suppose I do owe you a few explanations first. Settle in. Which insane story of mine would you like to hear first?"

Bell considered his offer. Soutine could almost see the questions swirling around in her head battling each other for priority. "Bruise," she settled on.

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that. Fine, a deal is a deal. A strange string of events had left me feeling... odd..." Soutine looked down at the floor so he couldn't have to face Bell's curious eyes. "And I... needed someone to... help me... with the heartache... last night."