Star Crossed: Finding the other - 12. Weird, but Pretty

Mekaias

I pull myself out of sleep with a gasp and breathe air in great gulps.

I reach my hand out and only feel the soft bed and pillows.

Where is Norian? I need comfort right now!

I had another dream like the one from a few days ago. This time there wasn’t any light to help me.

The phrase was different too. It was screaming that it knows where I am and that I will be taken again.

I can’t help but feel like these aren’t ordinary dreams.

I need to speak to Kane.

I get up off the bed and go to shower.

I know Norian said it will be up to me to stop harming myself, but I am a bit on edge from that dream. I need something to ground me down.

I am careful this time and don’t cut on my arms, but instead cut along my ribs. Not deep cuts, but they are deep enough to last at least half the day.

I press down on them with my fingers and even slide my claws into them.

Ever since being freed, my nails have gotten longer and have grown the point as before being taken from the circus.

The old masters would cut and file them down so that I wouldn’t hurt them if I ever decided to struggle.

It is a little strange that thinking about the masters helps calm me down. It makes me remember that this is real and that I am not being choked to death by some dark slime.

After getting out the shower, I put on some clothes.

Remelia says I need new clothes that aren’t only made for the sun and that don’t show off too much skin.

I personally don’t see the problem with it, but I guess things are different here.

I am a bit concerned that I can’t find Norian.

I guess he is at the training room with the rest of the squad?

I am sure he is fine. I’ll ask Kane if he knows where he is.

On the walk to the main building where Kane works, a strange creature with colorful wings flies around a few flowers. It lands on one and seems to lay down to rest.

I walk slowly to it to inspect it.

It looks very strange, yet beautiful.

It has a curly line sticking out its face that slips deeper into the flower it is on.

“It’s a butterfly," a voice says behind me.

I smile and when I turn to look at Norian, I end up receiving a kiss on the cheek.

“It’s pretty,” I say and look back at the butterfly. “What is it doing?”

“It is drinking nectar from the flower.” He moves to stand next to me and puts an arm around my shoulders.

His movement must have startled the butterfly because it flies off and away.

“I wish I could fly,” I smile and pull Norian to walk with me to Kane’s.

“Me too, but I don’t think any wings would be able to lift me up,” He laughs and slows his steps to not outpace me. “Where are we going?”

“I am going to speak to Kane.” I say, my smile disappears at remembering the events last night.

I sneakily press my arm against my ribs where the cuts are.

“Are you not enjoying it here? We are about to go off-planet soon. We will be exploring the stars together!” He smiles and drops his arm to hold my hand.

Does he know about the cuts?

I swear I tried being discreet about it this time.

Why did he move his arm?

“No I am enjoying it here,” I give a forced smile to hide the small pain. “I just need to speak with him. He says he wants to check up on me.”

“I can tell him to back off if you don’t want him getting in your space too much,” He says and rubs his thumb on the back of my hand.

“No it's fine," I smile at our hands and look back up at him. "You have nothing to worry about!”

He gives a nod and then we walk in a nice silence.

When we get to the building, Norian kisses me and says he’ll be in the training room again.

Apparently he was coming to wake me up but found me outside instead.

I am a little surprised I didn’t make such a mess in the room as I did before. I know somehow my powers were going off while I was sleeping.

Maybe it is because Norian was in the room before?

I walk to Kane’s office and find him talking to Aileta on the screen.

I come up behind his chair.

“Pruaq, Aileta!” I smile and wave.

“Pruaq, Mekaias!” She grins. “See! I mention him and then he comes! I am pretty much his godmother after all!”

Kane rolls his eyes. “Yes well goodbye, you stubborn old woman. Go get some sleep now that you have finally seen him.”

“Ixtasen, Mekaias!” She calls and then the screen turns dark.

“Rude! She didn’t say it to me,” He shakes his head then turns to me. “What can I do for you, Mekaias?”

“I was hoping to speak with you. It's about two things.” I sit on the chair in front of him. “First, my mother says that there is someone that is tracking other life stones for other Alentians. She says there is possibly another Alentian trying to kill the rest of us off. I am not sure why they would be doing such a thing.”

He nods before speaking, “I did not know the spirits are able to communicate to other life stones. If you aren’t feeling safe then you should know that this is pretty much the safest place in the universe for you right now. You live in an area surrounded by other squads. You are fine. What is your other problem?”

“I have been having strange dreams. Only two so far, but they were the same. It feels as though someone else is in my head, Yet they are able to somehow torture me in a way? I don’t know how to explain it. It feels too real. I think the one that is tracking the stones is able to get into my mind. I am not sure how. I know there were some Alentians that could use mind control but I thought they had all been banished or dead.”

“And you think they are getting into your mind to…do what?” He says with his arms crossed.

“I am not sure. They haven’t controlled me. At least I don’t think they have. I am pretty sure they have only been giving me messages.”

He nods his head in thought. “What do you think we should do? Should I move you down below ground to keep you under surveillance? I am sure I can have people watch over you from time to time when you sleep.”

I shudder at the thought and shake my head. “Absolutely not. I can’t go through that again.”

I think for a second.

I have an idea, but I don’t think Norian is going to like it.

“I should get my room back," I say. "Maybe get it fixed so that I don’t destroy anything again, but is there a way that there is a window or something? I don’t want to just be surrounded by plain walls again.”

I hate feeling like I’m in a box. If I think about it too long, it feels as though It gets smaller and smaller the longer I am in there.

I can’t even stand being here in Kane’s office underground.

“I think I can have something done," He frowns slightly. "It should be ready tonight if you plan to be out. You might even like it.”

I nod and then stand to leave.

“Thank you for helping me, Kane. Sorry for taking so much of your time and resources.”

“Don’t be sorry! I am glad to see a familiar face again,” He smirks and then I walk out.

~~
~~

Norian

“You know I could always just sleep in my battle form, right?” I frown as Mekaias keeps balancing on his hands.

He is in a handstand and doing a split in the air.

“I hurt you the first day I met you and you were in your battle form then," He says. "This is only for when I am sleeping. It should be fine! You'll have me for the rest of the day!”

He changes his position and somehow is able to bend his back so far, his ass almost touches his head.

To say it leaves some nice ideas of what sex with him could be like, would be an understatement.

However, he wants to be locked up in his room at night.

“Is there anyway that I can convince you to stay with me?" I frown. "I’ll even move into your room, even if the bed is super small!”

“I’ve already made up my mind," He says.0" I’ll be fine, I swear! I just don’t want to risk hurting anyone.”

He straightens out and then stands. He smiles and kisses my cheek, before turning to go to the pool.

I follow.

He strips down and reveals that he finally has something other than panties under his clothes. Not that I was complaining, but he finally has a swimsuit at least.

Remelia told me he was swimming with George in his panties.

I am glad she stepped in when she could. While the speedo covers about as much as the panties did, I can be at peace with the fact that he wouldn’t decide to possibly swim naked.

I actually had to talk to him about that.

It was a very awkward talk.

It soon turned dark when he said he didn’t realize how bothersome it was when his old torturers would make him strip naked in front of not only themselves, but for others that were with them.

He thought it was normal after some time.

As he is stepping in, I see something that makes my gut twist.

On the left side of his ribs, are cuts. They are more so faint scars that look almost fully healed, but I know he must have done that this morning.

I knew I shouldn’t have left to do an early workout. I have purposely been skipping that to stay with him at all times.

I know he wouldn’t ever cut in front or around me.

Now the second that I think he’s alright, he does it again.

I want to say something about it. I just don’t know what I can say.

What do you say to someone who has most likely been doing this for years? I can’t even think of a reason someone would do that!

He went through years of pain, and he only wants to inflict more on himself? How do you talk him out of that?

I sit on the pool’s edge and watch him struggle to swim from one end of the pool to the other.

It would honestly be kind of funny if it weren’t for what I just saw.

Not even two laps later, he stops and rests on the steps before climbing out.

Who knew this perfect being would be such a shitty swimmer?

He walks over to me and drapes himself on my back, resting his head on top of mine.

Now I am covered in water.

Great.

“I hate swimming.” He says, out of breath.

“Then why did you decide to swim?” I laugh.

“I need to learn,” He huffs. “My feet drag me down though.”

He sighs and sits next to me and drapes his legs on my lap.

The scars on his ribs are completely gone.

“You did so well that I am positive you will be the best swimmer soon!” I smile and reach down to poke the bottoms of his feet.

Just as I suspected, he has the cat toe beans!

Absolutely adorable!

“You liar! I am awful. George says I swim okay too but I know he’s lying as well.” He still smiles about it though.

“If the both of us say it, we must be telling the truth!” I lean over and kiss his nose.

He laughs and moves to stand, I get up as well. “So what were you talking about when you said we would be exploring the stars together?” He smiles and puts his clothes on.

We somehow end up walking towards the woods behind our house without thinking.

“Well, we are going on a mission where we are hoping you can infiltrate a Firelight base," I grin, a little excited! "They hopefully have some plans held there. We want you to get them. Meanwhile, the rest of the squad and I will be distracting the guards outside their base. We are going to try and give you enough time to get it and get out.”

“Doesn’t sound like exploring stars to me.” He laughs.

“Oh we will be exploring the stars along the way,” I smirk, stopping us in the thick forest.

After sitting down with him in my lap, I keep talking.

“Usually on the way back we stop by some other planets to explore or stop to resupply. It’s always pretty fun! We have a nice room where the window shows all the stars as we fly by! It is pretty amazing!"

“I can’t believe I am going to be able to do that," He says in awe. "I’ve always wanted to fly among the stars!”

He practically lights up the area around us with his smile and I can’t help but lean down to kiss him.

“You’re flying in the stars with me, baby!" He laughs at the name and rests his head back on my shoulder. I see him running his finger along the horn’s shape in the little pouch on his necklace.

I smile and intertwine my fingers with his while kissing the skin just above the necklace.

“Am I going to have to kill people?” He asks out of the blue. I see he has a slight frown on his face.

Thankfully I have a good answer for him.

“No you won't. This base is controlled by their robots. They aren’t the best fighters. They are better shooters. Inside however, they are built for hand to hand combat, so you should be careful. I am sure you can handle it.”

He gives a small smile and nods.

“I’m not really good with technology," He says. "How will I get all this information?”

“Remelia has made a special hard drive that you just stick into the computer at the very top floor," I say. "That’s your target. It should be pretty easy!”

“Okay, sounds easy enough. I kind of understand all that.”

I smile and check the time on my phone.

“We should probably head back to the house. I’m sure the Director would want to show off your new and improved room.”

I can’t help the pout in my voice.

I want to sleep with my mate dammit!

Even if he is scared of being Mind Controlled.

~~
~~

Mekaias

“Welcome to Utrio,” Kane says as he presses a button by the door.

The walls shimmer all around the room and all the walls change into what looks like a video of the desert plains outside the city.

There is a small body of water looks as if it is inches from my bed.

I even know where this tiny oasis is! It's close to where Lucain and I found our small hideaway home.

“How...how did you do this?” I ask looking around, I reach my hand out towards the water next to the bed but only feel a wall.

“Special walls that everyone else in this house has," Kane says with a smirk. "Your room was the only one without it. Don’t worry about possibly breaking it! This is the toughest steel we’ve got!”

Sounds of the wind moving sand softly fill the room.

“Thank you, Kane.” I smile and sit on the bed.

“Thank Norian for coming up with where we should put a drone!”

I look behind Kane and see Norian give a small wave and smile.

“I’ll leave you to it. If you want to turn it off or put it to a different picture, just click anywhere on this monitor.” He points to a box next to the door and then leaves.

Norian comes in and sits on the bed with me.

“Are you sure I can’t stay in here with you?” He sounds like he’s about to beg.

I refuse to give in!

Sure he looks super cute with his fluffy, after-shower, grey hair, but I will stay strong!

“Yes I am sure. It’s only for when I am sleeping! I promise," I smile and hug him tight. “Thank you for this. I am not sure how you did this so quickly, but I like it a lot!”

“Well it’s pretty easy to take control of a drone,” He shrugs it off before hugging me and pulls me to lay next to him.

“What if someone takes control of this one?” I ask.

He chuckles before saying, “I would love to see them try and beat Remelia at that. Unfortunately we are leaving in three days. You can't fully appreciate it.”

“No it's fine! I am ready to go out! I want to explore everything!"

As I say that, I find myself wanting to play with Norian. Mainly because he looks so handsome right now!

So I try it.

I kiss a small trail up his shoulder and neck, leading up to his ear.

He freezes and bites his lip.

I grin and run my hand down his chest and stomach, feeling his muscles and wanting to feel something else between his legs that is clearly wanting attention right now.

“Mekaias, I wouldn’t go so fast if I were you.”

I frown at that and look up at him.

“What do you mean?” I ask, a bit surprised by this reaction.

I don't think I have ever met someone who told me to stop. They always either push me to go faster or hit me for trying to rush their pleasure out.

“Are you sure you are ready for that?" He frowns. "I don’t want you pushing yourself to do something you possibly aren’t ready for.”

He turns onto his side and rests his hand on my hip, rubbing his thumb over my bare skin.

“You don’t think I could handle you?" I tilt my head. "I know I haven’t seen it but I can handle a lot! I mean...based on what I see, I think I will be okay.”

He blushes and shakes his head.

“That’s not what I meant, Mekaias. I mean it all in general. Wouldn’t exploring this after dealing with those assholes kind of...I don’t know...make you uncomfortable?”

“I-I don’t think so. I haven’t exactly tried since I've gotten out,” I look down and avoid his gaze.

I haven’t really thought about what I personally think about having sex now. Now that I can however, I just start thinking about the masters.

There was a time where not even they would touch me. They had made machines with metal tentacle things that were rough and did not give the warmth that their bodies at least had.

It was a very cold period of time.

There were so many cold nights that sometimes I would lay down next to the machine if they ever forgot to turn it off.

It barely gave off a smallest amount of heat, but I was so desperate for anything that I curled up as close to it to try and soak up as much heat as I could.

In the mornings when I would wake, Weslum or Demetrius would laugh and say I am falling in love with a machine.

I would stay silent because if I responded I would get whipped or a kick to the face.

“Mekaias?”

I blink and look up at Norian.

“Lost you there for a second," he frowns. "Stay with me, Starshine.”

He wraps his arms around me and I breathe in the warmth radiating off his body.

I curl as tight as I can to him and sigh.

Maybe he is right.

I don’t think I'm ready.

"I'm sorry," I sniff, my eyes brimming with tears.

My body is shaking right now. My heart is beating a lot faster as well.

What just happened? Why am I so shaken up thinking about the past?

He shakes his head and kisses the tips of my ears.

"Don't be, Starshine." He says. "I'll be here no matter what, okay? You take all the time you need. I'll keep you safe."

Hearing that makes me calm down quite a bit.

"You can stay tonight," I whisper and close my eyes, trying to keep them from spilling.

I will not cry. I have let loose too many tears recently. I need to be strong.