The Final Goodbye
Heaven
“This wasn’t supposed to happen. Ma… she… why her? Hades couldn’t bring her back. I tried… and I failed.”
“You didn’t fail, you tried. You can’t blame yourself for that,” I answer, relieved he’s talking.
I don’t move, maybe it’s easier for him to talk if we aren’t face-to-face, and he needs to talk right now. I cast a spell, so no one accidentally hears us, and he sighs, running light circles on the back of my hand with his finger.
“This is the life we live. It’s fucking shit. You’re better off staying away from me from here on out, Heaven. Listen, I got to go.”
“Excuse me, you don’t get to decide to just walk off when I came all the way here to find you,” I declare. Mustering up as much energy as I can, I let go of him, about to step around to face him, when he turns towards me instead.
“You still got it in you to argue with me?” He cocks a brow.
“I’ll always have it in me to argue with you,” I retort, crossing my arms. “I’m not staying away from you; that ship has sailed long ago. If you want me to give in, fine, I admit defeat. You win. I’ll be the first to confess-”
“Don’t! Don’t go there. Look, there’s no future for us. I’m not the guy who gets to blur lines. I’m the guy who draws them in blood and knows better than to cross them. The guy who ruins everything good without meaning to, and because of that very reason, I don’t want you caught up in my shit.”
“That isn’t your decision to make for me. Do you really think you can just kiss my voice back and walk away without taking credit for it?”
His eyes widen a fraction, and I flick my hair, although the move makes my head spin. “You… How? I made sure-”
“You’re not the only one with abilities, idiot. Did you really think you could pull something on me? I’m far smarter than you, plus we both know I’m incredible.”
A smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Right…” he drawls mockingly before pointing me up and down. “So, how about you take that incredible package and turn that incredible ass around and make your way to the mansion and get some rest. Incredible things shouldn’t be out here at this hour.”
“That’s the point; I’m incredible enough to be anywhere.” I frown at him. “I know exactly who you are, Theo. I see the you that you hide from the world, and I see the you that is beneath the mask.”
I step closer, teetering slightly. Automatically, he grabs hold of me by the elbows, my hand hitting his chest as I brace myself.
I hate feeling so helpless! His cigarette is between his fingers as he holds my elbow, his other hand falling to my waist as he looks down at me with those icy eyes that are burning me up.
“And you’re the one who sees the real me,” I add.
He searches my eyes, as if trying to find something but failing, his gaze dipping between us before he looks away.
“You know the things I do… If you think you can fix me or change me, it won’t fucking happen because I will do what is needed. My sins will continue to grow, and with them, the burden of them.”
“Then let me share that burden with you,” I continue softly, desperately needing to get through to him. “You might be everything you say you are, and I don’t care, because no matter what you do, you’ll still be mine – my sinner.”
His eyes flash, his emotions dividing him, but then he yanks me lightly, and I hit his chest hard, a soft gasp leaving me.
“Why are you so goddamn stubborn?” he asks roughly, his milky white eyes burning into mine.
“Because I was made for you,” I reply obstinately.
Suddenly, my vision lurches, my eyes prickling.
I’m looking at a man’s broad back as he sits on a bed that looks far too small for him, shirtless, his back littered with scars; he’s laughing, a laugh I would recognise anywhere. Even in the dingy, dimly lit room that casts shadows across his face. I know who it is. Even with that white hair.
Theo… he looks different, but it’s him. Then he turns, smirking at me in a way that makes my core knot. He looks much older.
My breath catches in my throat as my eyes fall to the mark on his neck.
And with it comes an answer that the future will one day confirm.
“Heaven?” I blink as I’m brought back to the present. My heart pounds violently as I look up at him and slowly shake my head.
“I’m fine… but like I was saying, I was made for you…” I repeat, and this time the words mean so much more. That vision… that mark, I can confirm without question it was mine. I smile, feeling hope bloom inside of me.
Maybe that day isn’t right now, but it will be one day, and I will wait.
“That confidence, should I be scared? Jeesh, woman, you look terrifying smiling,” he deflects.
I roll my eyes. This time I’m not going to let him.
Reaching up, I cup his face. “Shut up, Theo. Look, I know you’re into me, so don’t try to deny it.
I’ll wait, wait for you to be ready, but you’ve already taken my heart, Westwood, and I don’t think I’ll ever get it back,” I say quietly, refusing to let him play this off. Not tonight.
His eyes dip to my lips before he licks his own, looking away as he swallows. “Well, I think it’s a fair deal… since you fucking ruined mine.”
We’re silent, his hand that was on my elbow now drops to my hip, and my core knots as I try to remain calm despite the feelings he is awakening inside me.
The urge to press my thighs together is hard to resist as his eyes flicker to my lips, flashing white again.
I gasp as his strong arms suddenly wrap around me, pulling me into his chest. My entire body tingles with pleasure.
He’s hugging me… his body firm and hard, and Goddess, I shouldn’t be focusing on him right now, but I can’t help it. He’s…
My core knots when I feel the bulge of his manhood against my lower stomach.
Do not get turned on, Heaven. Do. Not-
“Promise me something… Heaven.”
“Depends,” I answer, frowning slightly at the seriousness of his tone.
He scoffs. “Always a smartass…”
“What is it?” I ask, tilting my head to look up at him. We’re too close, and every detail of his handsome face is clear, but it’s the conflict in those crystal blue eyes that pulls at me. “Tell me…”
“I need your help to find the traitor. No matter what life brings, promise me you’ll find the truth.” There’s an urgency in his eyes, and it makes my stomach twist with unease.
“Why are you making me promise this? Of course, I’ll help, we’ll do this together.”
He doesn’t respond, and my heart sinks. It’s crazy, I know I shouldn’t think it, but then why – why does it feel like he’s… leaving?
“Look, I mentioned it to Leo, too, but that night you checked the cameras, you said you saw no one, but I saw Renji. I’m not sure if it’s him, but I need you to keep an eye on him, on everything. Can you promise me you’ll do it?”
I stare up at him, my heart galloping, and this time I cannot control it.
He’s leaving.
He’s all but said it.
And I know I can’t stop him, because I promised to support him no matter what.
I don’t know why or where, and I want to ask him, but I’m afraid he’ll push me away…
“I promise…” I whisper as I caress his jaw with my thumbs. “But can I ask something?”
“Sure,” he answers.
I look at him, but I’m unable to ask him what I truly want to, and so I look down. “Tonight… can you just hold me? Here, under the night sky?” I whisper.
Because I want to hold you, you just lost your mama, you’re hurting.
His eyes widen slightly, his eyes scanning our surroundings, and I point to a shadowy spot between the roots of a huge tree.
“No bed for the sassy princess?”
I roll my eyes, but then look up at him seriously. “If that’s what you think, then you really don’t know me well enough.”
“I know you inside out, Sweetcheeks.”
“Not yet, you don’t,” I murmur, my cheeks heat up as I realise what I just said. He smirks.
“You’re right, out here might just be a tad safer.” With those words, he places his cigarette between his lips, and reaching down, lifts me from behind my thighs and throws me over his shoulder. “Or not…” he adds as mist begins to spread around us.
“Theo! What are you doing?!” I gasp.
“You can barely walk. Stop acting like you can own the world right now,” he answers, carrying me to the spot I had pointed out. He lowers me down, and I sit on the ground feeling relieved. My legs are like lead.
He removes his jacket before he pulls off his shirt. I swallow, my eyes trailing over him, not caring why he’s removing his shirt, until he holds it out to me.
I cock a brow questioningly. “The Schattenblüte isn’t the most comfortable to sleep in, Blondie. Wear it.”
“Oh, thanks…” I say as I take his shirt and pull it over my head, blushing as I realise how short it is. It smells good, just like him. I watch as he puts his jacket back on, his abs flexing with every move he makes. Reaching beneath the shirt from the side, I remove my Schattenblüte belt.
Ok, he was right. It’s never felt like a weight before, but when I’m so tired, it actually does.
I’m still wearing the panties I had on earlier, and the band that carries my weapons is still wrapped around my leg. I can’t shift, so I don’t lose anything. Thank the Goddess for these panties right now!
He drops down beside me as I sit there, legs tucked under me, very aware I only have panties underneath this thin shirt…
“Come over here,” he says, motioning me towards him with a finger as he smokes his cigarette with his right hand. I glance around, but the entire area is engulfed in mist. This place isn’t safer than a bed, it’s just as private…
I crawl towards him, but instead of settling beside him, I squeeze behind him, tapping him to lift his head. He cocks a brow, and I blush as I settle behind him with one leg tucked under me, and rest his head against my chest, my other leg stretched out beside him.
“What are you-”
“Just don’t talk…” I whisper softly as I wrap my arms around him and bury my head in his neck.