The Sadist And The Bleeding Angel

Chapter Three: Feeling Something

Appolymi's point of view:

When I had woken, I was already back at the base. I was in a small dark room, the walls dark with what looks to be dried blood. I was on a small makeshift bed, wrapped up in one of Feitan's overcoats. Weak sunlight was filtering through the broken window, telling me for once, I was able to sleep through the night without fear. The memory of the evening before seems to well up in my memory so fast I couldn't do anything but gasp, my nen rearing up as my ability, Doll's First Hope appears to stitch the rest of my wounds. To my surprise, the object only gets to it's misty form, before disappearing. pulling the cloak down gently, I can only gently touch the carefully done nen stitches of Machi. Feitan must have asked her to stitch me up.

Gently, I move my tiny frame up, leaving the room as I look for the little man that the cloak belongs to. Realizing my outfit had been entirely destroyed, My cheeks flush dark, shyly covering myself with it. It was warm, and smelt of dark chocolate, tea, and blood. Surprisingly, I think I enjoy the smell. I wonder if that's just how he smells, like dark cocoa and blood... but the tea? I wouldn't have seen him as a tea person.

The sound of battle was beginning to reach my ears. Worried that something was wrong, I hurried out to see that Feitan was sparring with Phinks. The movement was so fast, my eyes could barely keep up. However, it was possible. Each movement of Feitan's body was left plain to see as he was only wearing his leather pants, and his boots. A light sheen of sweat seemed to soak his skin over, but he didn't seem worried about it, too busy focusing on the battle. Phinks freezes in surprise when he sees me, making me blush as I was perfectly snuggled in the small man's coat. Feitan, who was facing away from me, drives his fist into Phinks, making him double over at the waist.

"Tch. More attention!" Phinks just laughs, amused.

"Didn't want to bother your little girlfriend Feitan. She looks cute, all huddled into your clothes." He whirls around, nearly tripping over one of Phinks' shoes. Grumbling a bit, he looks up, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You okay? Sleep three days..." My eyes widened a little, unaware I had been unconscious that long.

"I'm okay I think, my wounds are nearly fully healed, Thanks to Machi. I'd like to thank her." Phinks nods, looking relaxed.

"Her and Shizuku went to go get supplies and some clothes for you. They'll be back in a day or so." Nodding a bit, I only watch as Feitan walks toward me, gently herding me towards the dark room he had already claimed as his own. Looking frustrated, he glances me over, his voice calm as he carefully pushes me into the bed.

"Stay. No move." I nod, chuckling softly at the look on his face when he left. He almost looks worried I'll disappear or something. How cute. I can't help but feel a tad blank, wondering what it would be like to actually feel real emotion, instead of the faint shadows I can still feel. I try to keep my nen at least semi active by covering myself in small wounds, but the severe injuries must have allowed me a sort of high, since I can feel quite a bit now. The blush that creeps into my cheeks from a shirtless Feitan coming in with a black long sleeved V-neck shirt was almost too much for me to handle. I'm not used to this, this closeness. So much for avoiding others. So much for avoiding people, avoiding emotions. People only want to use you, to hurt you. Feitan, why are you so nice to me? What is it you want? No torturer is this kind.

Looking up to him, I gasp a little at seeing his glinting grey eyes so close to my face. He seems to look me over, before gently reaching up and stoking my cheek, mumbling softly.

"So small. Like art. Trevor Brown. Perfect." My wide eyes darken a little, embarrassed. The flush wasn't getting worse, which told me the high from the pain was wearing off.

"Thank you, I think? I'm not too familiar with that artist, but if you like them, it's definitely interesting, I'm sure." He leans away, chuckling softly as he heads out the door again. I didn't feel like moving too much, content to stay warm in his cloak on the bed. Only then did it cross my mind that I was likely in his room. looking around, I realize there really isn't too much in here, but I'm not surprised. A man like him probably doesn't keep too much. I'm surprised he let me borrow his cloak. It is comfortable though.

Feitan's point of view:

Leaving the girl in the room, my face smooths out calmly. She wasn't supposed to be awake, let alone walking around until after machi got back, from what she told me. severe cuts and lacerations, but she survived. She's already almost perfectly healed. I wonder how strong her will has to be to live despite not feeling a thing to be that way.

"Fei!" My head snaps over to Phinks, who only smirks. "So, let me guess, you two are a thing now? I'm surprised you have enough of a heart to fall for anyone." A low grumble slips free, my mind clouding slightly from irritation.

"Have heart... Sometimes. No thing anyway. Just... Careful." Phinks laughs, bemused.

"So you aren't together yet, but you can feel comfortable enough letting her sleep in your space, watching her sleep, and using your clothes. Cute." My eyes narrow, grumbling coldly as I bump past him towards the kitchen.

"Machi home soon. Need tea. Fruit. Maybe brush." Phinks just chuckles.

"What for? You have some of all of those things..." He pauses, realizing that I was getting two cups, not one. "You're sharing with her too? Interesting. Alright Feitan, I'll bite. Why do you seem to want to impress her of all people? You're typically a heartless bastard to outsiders. I mean, yeah, you feel remorse, but you enjoy what you do. That's why you're here." I pause, looking thoughtful as I set the small balls of tea leaves in the cup and wait for the water to boil. Looking down at the cup, I speak softly.

"Like me. Dark, but has heart. Hope. I no stuck in place. Keep moving forward. Natural, right?" Phinks sighs softly, looking thoughtful as he picks up a knife, cutting fruit up for the young girl as I search for the sugar.

"I suppose that's reason enough. She is a lot like you, but softer. She seeks to hurt herself instead of others, but maybe you could learn to live together in symbiosis... you know, like how the group works together." I only nod, taking the sugar I found and putting some in one cup, along with a rose petal. They were edible, and they were a symbol of love and attraction. I can only hope that she'll understand what I mean with this offering. Maybe things could work. Maybe I can manage to grow attached to something without wanting to destroy it.

Taking the cups, filling both with hot water, I gently set them to steep a bit while putting the plate on a long piece of wood I found to use as a tray. Putting the cups down, I couldn't dawdle any longer. With only a small sigh, I silently head towards the small room I kept as my sanctuary.