Straight on Til' Morning; Book 4 of the Love is Weakness(Carlos De Vil) series

That's Some Selfish Villain Crap

Carlos remained by the fire. He couldn't sleep, his mind spiraling around thoughts of Raven.

He started to read a book he'd brought with him: The Count of Monte Cristo. It was the same book Raven had been reading the day they met. A story about love, betrayal, a prison break, revenge, and redemption. He thought he'd give it a second try, having never finished it.

"All human wisdom is contained in these two words - wait and hope." Recited a voice behind him.

"You memorize this one too?" Carlos surmised, with an unimpressed tone.

"Not all of it, just a few parts that stuck with me." Explained Hartley.

"What do you want, Hart?" Carlos asked, impatiently, "You should get some rest."

"I couldn't sleep over the sound of you mentally flogging yourself," Hartley clapped back. "You know? This isn't your fault, Carlos."

"And, if you lose your shit while you're out here? Will that also not be my fault?" He countered, with an expectant look.

"I'm actually doing much better now. I have good and bad days. The bad days are fewer and less intense." She explained.
"You wouldn't know that though, it's...it's been a while since you came to see me." She added, carefully.

"Yeah...I know, it's just..." He started, grumbling.

"Raven?" She finished, bluntly.

"She got nervous after that last time." He admitted.

"I assumed as much. I was stuck in a flashback. I couldn't get out of it. When they told me that I tried to kiss you, I was mortified." She confessed.

"I wasn't mad at you. I was just worried that I was triggering the flashbacks. And, Raven wasn't exactly comfortable with what happened." He explained.

"I wouldn't do that...when I'm in my right mind. You know that, right?" Hartley asked meekly, but expectantly.

Carlos shrugged, unsure what he believed about her intentions.

"Now, If we were to kiss in the future," She proposed, with a lighthearted smirk, "And, you were the one to kiss me... I can't guarantee that my actions would be as noble."

"Well, I can guarantee-- that, that future, will never happen." Carlos expressed, with a smile of resolve.

"You miss her a lot, don't you?" Asked Hartley, now taking a more sincere tone.

"You probably wouldn't understand. When we're not together, it's honestly like...we're drowning. It's almost painful. It's hard to explain. But, she says the same thing, and neither one of us knows why." Carlos expressed, clumsily.

"Pixie bond." Stated Hartley, matter-of-fact.

"What is that?" Carlos asked, furrowing his brow.

"From what I've read, Pixies don't fall in love very often. They're very particular souls, and they have to mesh almost perfectly with someone for it to happen. That's why Pixies are so rare. They don't typically... mate for procreation or love. However, when it does happen, it's extraordinarily intense." Hartley reiterated.

"So, is that why those ignorant assholes gossip about Pixies being...like, promiscuous?" Carlos retorted, inquisitively.

"That's what I was told growing up, anyway." Said Hartley, "But, in Raven's case, being surrounded by all those unrelated Lost Boys and pirates... probably didn't help quell the rumors."