A Reluctant Queen ((Closed))

[EternalSufferin]

(OOC)This is the story of Kiron and Bella. Kind of hard to desribe what exacly this story is about without giving to much of it away. Basically be prepared for drama, sex, violence and just a damn good time....

Brief Character Description:

Name: Kiron
Sex: Male
Race: Half-Lycan/Half-Human
Age: 29

Kiron, the remaining member of his clan was not quite human, not quite lycan, but a mixture of both breeds. Through countless generations of cross-breeding and various family historys, Kiron has the ability to adept and shift to any situation making him a formatible foe for any that decide they want to jump at the chance to face him. Though his body not able to take full form of his mixed breed parents, the traits remain. His skin thickens to a toughness unheard of for normal humans, but quite normal for lycans. Hair, grows but not full body hair, just current human type hair..His hearing, vision and strength grow, along with nails that are tough as steel. On his arm he carries a sheild with spikes running the length, his only weapon his short temper.



Kiron spent most of the morning hanging out at the tavern they both knew so well. He was popular amongst many of the patrons of the tavern, but he still liked to keep to himself. He was never to sure on how to act around people, but somehow he managed to do alright. Alot of it he thought had to do with the fact that he was wealthy, being the last member of his house, he inherited the majority of his families money and land.

One person though was extra special to him, Bella. He had known Bella since they were young adults, on a chance meeting somewhere outside the borders of his homeland. He was an adventurer, and always looked for something new and exciting to get into. They met in a town he was staying at while doing some cave exploration for an old man who had lost evidently something important to him.

On this chance meeting they formed a bond, a friendship that unbeknownst to them both, would have a major impact on both of thier lives. Whether she liked it or not.


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IC

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Kiron walked into the bar looking around, his eyes full of fear and worry from waking up several times through-out the night from dreams, no nightmares he thought to himself as he searched through-out the tavern and inn.

"Bella" he called out several times, mind racing, body pacing around the place as he banged on doors hoping to find and get her attention.

"Bella, where the hell are you?" he yelled at the top of his lungs pounding door after door.

 

[dark_dancer]

Brief character description:

Name: Bella
Gender: female
Age: 27

A tiny drop of a thing, Bella is the human confidant and friend of this unique creature named Kiron. Her voluminous auburn hair is the most noticeable thing about her, as it consumes the upper half of her 5’2” body in a veil of maple red richness. The mass of stick straight tresses falls to her waist and often swirls around her like a cape, a thick fringe of bangs frames her doll-like face. Large, wide eyes in a startling violet shade peer from beneath the blunt cut strands. A fairy’s nose, pinched up at the end in the slightest tilt, dots the center of the round face, her mouth the least noteworthy feature, average sized by appearance, but deemed large by reputation. Her limbs are deceptively long in appearance, slim but strong, a hard worker by nature, her body takes no slack. The compact frame, possessing the most subtle of womanly curves, is most often clad in loose flowing garments. She dresses for comfort and activity, not style, and is predisposed to greens. The shades complement her pale flesh and fiery hair as well as the unusually tinted eyes. While not a typical redhead in temperament, the relationship with Kiron brings out her fire. In her belly, on her tongue, it rages easily around him and she finds herself giving as good as she gets from him.

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IC
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Humming softly to herself as she went about her morning routine, a brush in her hand, a pensive mood in her heart, she idly works the kinks and tangles from her freshly washed mane. The muscles in her arms stretching and reaching to work from scalp to ends, nearly 3 feet of hair some would consider a waste. Secretly, she adored it. It was her most-prized trait.

Her brow furrows as a sudden commotion breaks through her reverie. “What the….?”

Still holding the brush, she crosses to the door and peers out the peephole. Groaning inwardly she rolls her eyes and pulls back. “Guess who’s back in town?” she asks herself.

Closing her eyes, thinking its too early to be dealing with Kiron, particularly in this apparently grim or desperate mood he’s in. Bella counts to ten and pulls the door open, stepping through the doorway and cocking a hip, setting her fist on it, the brush still curled in her fingers. “Kiron? You maniac, people sleep in sometimes, you know?”

 

[EternalSufferin]

Closing her eyes, thinking its too early to be dealing with Kiron, particularly in this apparently grim or desperate mood he’s in. Bella counts to ten and pulls the door open, stepping through the doorway and cocking a hip, setting her fist on it, the brush still curled in her fingers. “Kiron? You maniac, people sleep in sometimes, you know?”


His looked at her for the first time in months, but his face still bearing the scars of his dreams of the night before. He didn't really care what time it was, he didn't say much, he just reached forward with his arms and threw her over his shoulder.

Kiron was quick as as he carried her quickly out of the tavern, through the front door and into the depths of his home in the forest. The branches slapped against his face as he ran through the thick brush on his way to his home, running as if the devil himself was chasing after him, snapping at his heals.

"Sorry about that"He said really not caring what the branches were doing to her, but still hoping that she did not get hurt.

Approaching his door, he looked over his shoulder hoping that no one had followed him. Kiron always desired his secrecy, the quiet things in life but often times being the type of person he was, always hunted always on the run he was until finding this new home...He finally found the sanctuary he was looking for. He all but kicked down the door, needing to get inside as quickly as possible. throwing her down on the bed, he turns and closes the door behind him, locking two of the three locks behind him.

"You ok"he asked quietly, stil not even thinking about what he just did, kidnapping his one true friend.

 

[dark_dancer]

Gasping as he threw her over his shoulder, loudly berating him and telling him to put her down, the brush in her fist becoming a tool, smacking at the backside of him with it. "Damnit, Kiron. I know despite being raised by semi-animals that you have manners. This is no way to greet a friend. Kiron!! Put me down, you beast. Where are you taking me?"

Her voice seemingly falling on deaf ears, she goes silent and closes her eyes, as he carts her off through the woods. The thick, leafy brush thwapping at her as he keeps up his desperate pace. Her anger and defiance begin to fade as she wonders just what's gotten him in such a panic.

Launching them through a doorway, she finds herself bouncing onto a firm bed, her hair tumbling all around her. Her breath momentarily lost at the hard jostle, she lays in a heap for several moments. Finally, hearing locks turning, her hands begin to tug and swipe the dark mahogany strands out of her face, her eyes adjusting to the darkness slowly, finally finding the image of him before her. Glaring up at him, she just gapes. The indigance of the moment returning to her. Scowling at the lack of respect he showed her, his friend, arms and shoudlers feeling the scratches of the branches he thrust her through on their trek. She idly rubs at one and finds her voice, trying to keep the fire from it, but failing. It erupts terse and defiant, "Am I ok? What the hell do you think you're doing, Kiron?" rising up onto her knees on the bed.

"What has gotten into you?" peering at him, her heart racing in her chest. She realizes she missed him, but has no intention of saying so in this moment. The adrenaline of his capturing her, the confusion at his actions, the look in his eyes, all have her worrying and questioning. Taking a deep breath as he fails to respond to her. She tries again, a bit softer, sitting on her feet, bare since he grabbed her so quickly from her room where she wasn't wearing shoes. "Kiron?"

 

[EternalSufferin]

"Shut up, Bella, just shut the hell up for a minute"He yelled at her at the top of his lungs unable to even think straight, unable to even move without thoughts of last nights dream rushing back into his head.

He regained some composure after several minutes of quiet, pacing back and forth through the room eyes scanning heart pounding as he thinks of what the hell to say to her.

What i'm doing, and what i'm going to do is no concern of yours right now" He told her, eyes full of nothing, face and tone showing no signs of further emotion. His stare cold and calculated.

When the time is right, you shall know everything"He promised her quietly.

He finally sits down on the oversized chair in the corner and looks at her. Eyes still cold and calculating, planning his next move, but not quite sure how to go about it.

I've known you for a long time Bella"He started out quietly, his voice only growing with power and desperation the more he spoke.

I have watched you, i have secretly admired and lusted after you."he told her standing from his chair, pacing like a caged animal across the room. His hair stood on end as he continued his thoughts to her, his inner most thoughts.

 

[dark_dancer]

Startled by the volume and force in his voice, indignant at his tone, but surprised by his erratic behavior, Bella's violet eyes flash with anger, worry, disbelief. Following his every movement, nearly making herself dizzy as her eyes flit back and forth with his frenzied pacing. Her breathing deep and rapid, chest rising and falling, simply staring at him, as his dark gaze comes up to meet hers.

He speaks and the emptiness she hears shocks her. This is not Kiron. Not the Kiron she knows. Something is very wrong. Her thoughts are interrupted by his words. Listening intently, she grows only more confused and distraught. When he finally sits, a measure of tension eases from her body. Nodding her head at his statement about the length of their relationship. Blinking slowly and tilting her head, lips parting as if to speak. He suddenly rises again and the motion stops her words. As does the content of his next utterance.

Lust. He said lust. Didn't he? Her belly tightened and she frowned. Looking down at her hands she momentarily forgets he is there. That word, from his lips, triggers something in her memory. What is it? Faintly hearing him resume his pacing, heavy trodden steps, the rustling of his clothes, background for her mind's frantic searching. Why did his mention of lust alert her? Why was her neck prickling, the hair standing up? Why was their a sprinkling of chill bumps over her bare arms?

Puzzled, she looked up at him, the color of her eyes deepening to a near charcoal gray, misted in her thoughts. Their relationship had never been sexual. Why now would he admit his lust for her? Damnit all, and why was her mind almost in a frenzy over it? Was she pleased he found her desireable? Yes, she admitted to herself, quite pleased. Freezing, she gasped. Do I desire him?

Swallowing hard, over a large dry lump in her throat. Bella cannot even answer this question, her heart tripping in her chest at the mere posing of it. She shifts slightly and waits for him to continue, shaking her head clear. Stop it, Bella, she chastises herself in her mind. Focus. Her hands now worrying over the hem of her loose flowing top. Not knowing still how to react. Deciding to wait to guage her response to his next words and actions.

 

[EternalSufferin]

His constant pacing stoped as he realized now what he must do. He thinks of some other way around it, but he still fights it off for a few more minutes as he pounds his fist into the dresser top. Why does it have to be like this? he asked himself mind swirling wondering how he's going to explain what he has to do in order to save not only her, but himself and all that he knows around them.

I just don't understand it, Bella." He tried to explain quietly his voice barely more then a whisper something that he was never really accustomed to. He was half-lycan for christs sake he thought to himself, it wasn't his nature to be quiet. His nature was more short tempered, to the point and blunt, why was this so difficult, why was telling a friend that she is to be destined for something greater then even he imagined so hard?

He stood now only inches from her, close enough to where he could do what needed to be done, but instead he held back. Why he did, he didn't know just something inside of him told him to wait.

I don't know how else to say it Bella, but I must bite you"He said, voice still void of all emotion, of any type of feeling towards his long time friend. This feeling though, one of conjured imagination, not exactly what he truely felt.

He had always admired Bella, looked at her as more then just someone he knew as a friend. She was there with for him, with him when his parents died, when his brother "mysteriously" vanished without a trace. She stood by him and helped him fight as best as she could through many of tough situations, so why was he being like this now? He didn't really have an answer.

 

[dark_dancer]

Jumping at the sudden loud noise, his fist making violent contact with the dresser, rattling the very room it seems in its force. She tucks her nervous hands between her thighs and squeezes. Brow furrowing, eyes worried, she didn’t know what to do or how to react. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before. Nor had she ever seen Kiron in this wild of a state. He didn’t seem to know what to do. What had this strong, confident, friend of hers so distraught?

His voice came then, and she blinked in surprise. He was confused about something, trying to be patient to let him go on, she tightens her legs around her fingers and chews her lip. Forcing herself into stillness, she looks up at him less than a foot from her kneeling figure, her large eyes full of questions as he goes on.

“B-bite me?” her voice faltered despite her best efforts to stay calm. She knew what he meant, yet also didn’t fully grasp it. If he bit her she’d be as he, part beast. Wolf, she corrected in her mind. Her friend, though animalian in characteristics at times, was no beast. She did not even fear him….much…even at this moment with him near leering down at her, the monotone in his voice giving nothing away.

She had only to look up at him, look and really see him, to know he was scared shitless of something. The fact that he felt he ‘must’ do this to her, frightened her just a touch. Why? Why the urgency, the need? Nothing in his slightly haunted past had ever made his eyes look this way. Never.

She gasped quietly to herself, sitting bolt upright. Was this really him? Was her best friend in there? Shaking the thought off just as quickly, she sighed and began to prod at him for answers that hopefully he could give. Rising up onto her knees, she still lacks in height to him, even from the level of the bed. She gazed up at her friend from the curtain of her hair, staring those deep purple eyes up from beneath the bangs.

“Kiron, bite me? Why? You want me to be as you are? And if I am, are we…” trailing off the realization of what she’s going to ask hits her. The question came without prior thought. She simply began asking it and now it was bowling her over. Her mind flickers back several minutes. Lust, he’d said. Closing her eyes and regathering herself, she finishes the question. “Are we to…be together?”

 

[EternalSufferin]

The words she spoke. "Are we to be together" hit him like a two ton object across his chest. He didn't think of it that way, he never did since he woke up several hours before. He looked at it as more of a protection, protection against the forces that were coming to get her, and to make her thier own, he just wish he knew who they were that were coming to get her to make her the queen.

A stunned and now silent Kiron stood quietly for a moment, still thinking about his response to her. He paced again, something that he as of late has done of then in his entire life. He knew he was getting to be more and more like his father each day by the amount he paced. A trait that he wished he never picked up. Trying as he might, he couldn't stop himself from doing the inevitable, pacing like his father..

"Ugh"he commented as he finally stopped pacing long enough to answer her question.

"Bella, I can't exactly answer that"he said for the first time his voice filling with some sort of emotion, which emotion it was he still couldn't tell. "I guess you could say that, but it's more then that. It's more then just us being together. It's for..."unable to complete his thoughts into something coherent for even himself to understand.

"It's to..save..your...well..."He tried to finish, but couldn't find a way to tell the person he's cared for, the person he's called friend for so long what he really wanted to say. "Damnit!!!!"He yelled to himself more frustrated with the lack of ability to get the word from his mind in order to tell her the severity of the situation.

 

[dark_dancer]

Launching herself off the bed at him, her hair following like a shadow a split second later, spilling all around her as she approached him. Grabbing his arm, stilling him, firmly holding, turning him towards her, even as he tried to move away. Holding fast, Bella peered around and up at his face, the boiling of emotions playing across it.

"Kiron. Look at me and tell me what's wrong. How will bringing me over prevent what it is that you think will happen? What are you trying to protect me from? Save my life from who or what?" piecing together his thoughts from the fragments he uttered.

"Why do you think I'm in danger? Why all of sudden do I need rescuing? And why this desperate measure of whisking me away into the woods and locking us in here together?", the barrage of questions finally stopping, her eyes plead with him. If only he would look at her, her friend. He could ease her worry with just one solid connecting look from Kiron's eyes.

"You're scaring me," she said, her free hand pressing to her nervous belly. She did not fear the news of transformation, what frightened her was his reaction and obvious desperation to do it. She simply didn't understand what had him so panicked. She tried again, softer, hand moving down and folding in his, squeezing, "Kiron? I'm your friend, i'm by your side as always. Please, just tell me what you intend to do and why."

 

[EternalSufferin]

He turned away from her and walked to the only window they had in the place. The afternoon sky burning brightly into his eyes, blinding him momentarily before finally adjusting. Folding his arms he placed his elbows on the ledge and sighed heavily, just needing a minute to aborb into his head all the questions that she asked, wanting to answer them perfectly, and in the best way he knew how.

I know this is not going to make any sense Bella, but please hear me out until i'm finished."He started finally turning around to face her, eyes nervously moving around the room.

"It's just not you that are in danger, it's you, me, our friends and loved ones back at the tavern. I had a dream last night and from what I can tell about this dream, and the events that have taken place so far, lead me to believe that the rest is bound to follow." His voice distant, recollecting his thoughts from the previous night trying to put them in words that she might even understand. His mind racing to catch up to those thoughts, heart pounding feverishly against his chest.

"To answer your question about why I need to change you, protection, further protection. If I don'tHe clamored at the meer thought of it all, the thought of her having to endure such torture. "They will"finally he was able to finish the remaining thoughts in his head.

The only problem is Bella, we can't stay here to much longer. We need to be on the move and ready, they are coming. The part that scares me is, I don't know who and when they are."He finished approaching her quietly, hands behind his head fingers locked, biceps flexing as the muslces contract tightly against his skin.

 

[dark_dancer]

Sighing heavily as Kiron breaks from her grasp and leaves her standing in the middle of the room. Dejected, Bella drops her hands to her sides and just watches him, giving in to the idea that she cannot force this. She lets him work it through, standing still and waiting. She listens, she watches, she absorbs, calmly and without response. Outwardly that is the appearance at least, her insides are dancing the Mexican Hat Dance.

As he moves towards her, his large frame coming and towering over her, the broadness of his chest, the span of his raised arms, his strength visible. She measurably calms at this, knowing whatever he is so afraid of, he will fight with all he is to keep her from it. Her gaze softens and she waits for more.

When he remains quiet, she nods slowly and speaks low and clear without hesitation, merely four words. They encompass, though, her understanding, her trust, her acceptance, and her willingness to do as he thinks best. “I trust you, Kiron.”

 

[EternalSufferin]

Sighing heavily as Kiron breaks from her grasp and leaves her standing in the middle of the room. Dejected, Bella drops her hands to her sides and just watches him, giving in to the idea that she cannot force this. She lets him work it through, standing still and waiting. She listens, she watches, she absorbs, calmly and without response. Outwardly that is the appearance at least, her insides are dancing the Mexican Hat Dance.

As he moves towards her, his large frame coming and towering over her, the broadness of his chest, the span of his raised arms, his strength visible. She measurably calms at this, knowing whatever he is so afraid of, he will fight with all he is to keep her from it. Her gaze softens and she waits for more.

When he remains quiet, she nods slowly and speaks low and clear without hesitation, merely four words. They encompass, though, her understanding, her trust, her acceptance, and her willingness to do as he thinks best. “I trust you, Kiron.”

"I"m glad you do, because I don't know If I even do, Bella"he told her arms falling back down to around his side. Eyes full of confusion not really knowing what to do next, not able to even grasp the concept that she agreed so quickly to his thoughts, and more importantly to wild premonitions.

We're going to have to leave, and leave in a hurry. I have everything I need already packed and ready to go, so if you need to do the same thing I suggest we do it."He told her quietly reaching for and grabbing the bag that was under the bed.

He stood by the door unlocking it opening it slowly as he looked back over his shoulder at her. He saw her in a very different light now, he knew what she was going to become, he just wondered how she could handle the pressure when he finally told her. He smiled and gave a quick c'mere motion with his neck and head, hoping to push her along as he stepped outside, the sun heading down in the west. "C'mon Bella"he said watching the sun fade into the distance the red, yellow and orangish color filling the sky.

 

[dark_dancer]

Nodding her head steadily, continuously, subdued and lost in thoughts as Bella stares past him out the door and forces one foot in front of the other, a deep breath helping to propel her out the door past her friend. Warm fading light washing over her pale skin, yellowing the ivory tone, giving the illusion of a tan glowing off her.

Making their way back to her room at the inn, she quickly gathers some things together. A few changes of clothes, shampoo, another brush, hers having been dropped on the jostling escape through the woods. Shaking her head softly, the ‘kidnapping’ seeming days ago instead of just hours. Reaching under her pillow, she retrieves the photo of her parents, smiling down at it briefly before tucking it in her bag and zipping it up.

“I’m ready.” She said, turning to him. Her eyes blazing out at him from her round auburn framed face, the room, dim in the fading sunset light. Following his gesturing, and heading away, closing the door to her room behind her, momentarily wondering if she’d ever be back. If she did come back, who would she be? Not quite knowing what to expect, she knew only that she had to go with him.

Pausing, she smirks at him as they leave the tavern, her bag slung over her left shoulder. “Um, Kiron? Where exactly are we going?”

 

[EternalSufferin]

He turned to look at her, surprised at how quickly she managed to get herself ready. "Damn, that was quick"He joked with her, matching the smirk on her face with one of his own.

"The first thing we need to do, is head north. We will be heading back into the forrest, our first stop will be my second home away from home. It's not much but it's a place we'll be able to rest for the evening.He told her, as they started walking in the direction of north.

The night seemed to disappear quickly as they walked pretty silently through the woods. It's not that he didn't have much to say to her, it was the fact that he had to much to say to her and didn't know where to start. Every so often he would reach into his pocket, pulling the compass to make sure they were still heading in the right direction. He looked over at her often, smiled and then just turned back around his mind distracted not only by her, but at the task at hand.

"We'll have much to talk about on our journey up north, Bella. But I don't want to think about it tonight, unless you have anything specific you wish to know"He asked, turning his head back in time just to get swatted across the face with a branch that stuck out to damn far.

"ouch, shit wasn't expecting that"he laughed rubbing the side of his cheek, feeling a small trickle of blood drip down the side of his face.

 

[dark_dancer]

Bella did have questions but they could wait. The day’s events were catching up with her. The calm morning, interrupted by his fervent abduction of her from her room, the time in the dark cabin, his confessions, his basic plan, the sight of his fear coming back to her now. She shuddered suddenly, a glimmer of fear rustling through her insides as they walked through the almost black night. The hour grown late in their trek, her fingers curling around the strap of her shoulder bag that she has slung across her body messenger style. Small fingers opening and closing around it, she walks slightly behind, to the right side of Kiron.

She follows her friend in the silence of the night, the kind of loud silence that only the outdoors can have, a vast echoing of quiet. His occasional smile was nice, Bella tripping off into past memories of the pair together. She’d never seen him like this. The quiet thoughtfulness was greater than what followed the disappearance of his brother. The slight panic she’d seen once before, though in a fleeting moment of weakness that he refused to acknowledge, following the death of his parents. The fierce determination was nothing new. Countless situations had brought out the fighter in him, along with the simple understood belief that he would triumph. There was no question with Kiron of winning and losing. He would win. Bella admired this so in him.

Her thoughts were interrupted by his oath and chuckle. Looking up she stifled a laugh at the slightly surprised look on his face and the waving branch there by his head.

“Are you alright?” her voice tinged with amusement, asks. Spying the rivulet of red, her fingers reach to wipe it away instinctively. “You’re bleeding.”

 

[EternalSufferin]

He turned to acknowledge her thoughtfulness, smiling as she wiped the blood from his cheek. Catching her hand he held it there for the briefest of moments, eyes gazing towards her holding that position before letting her go. It was the kind of gaze that two lovers would have shared, it was brief but meaningful. He turned quicly away and continued to march forward.

"We are almost there, Bella"He told her quietly as they approached the side of the mountain.

Coming to the clearning of the forrest, they stood entranced at the high land mass projecting conspicuously above the surrounding area. This lone mountain in the middle of nowhere, isoloted from all others that could be seen from the top of it. No many knew the secrets or stories behind it, most didn't even care, but to Kiron, this mountain, this solid pillor of thick stone was his second home. His escape from reality. To the naked eye, it appeared as just that, a mountain in the middle of no where, but to him, he knew the secrets, he knew the magic behind the mountain, inside the mountain that his great grandparents had placed.

He looked over to Bella, wondering what her reaction was. He knew that he never brought her here, but he never knew what kind of exploration she did while she was alone. They walked closer, his hands felt around the various stand alone rocks in front of the cave, looking for and finding the secret button that when pressed allowed the entranceway to the mountain, and ensuing cave to be revealead to them.

"C'mon in Bella, it safe here."He told her, and for the first time in the past twenty-four hours he smiled a true and genuine smile.

As they entered, they followed the short narrow corridor, that was lined with burning torches, the seemed to flicker and dance bright as they walked through. The torches had been burning, for at least as long as Kiron can remeber, a mixture of pure burning oil and elven magic that the friends of his great grandparents had given them or so he remembered from his parents stories.

They came into the center of the mountain, and it opened up into a huge room with everything one could possibly need to live and survive almost any natural or man/beast made catastrophy. The room was as near perfect circle as it could have been considering it was made in the center of the mountain. On the south side, a roaring fire burned brightly as the torches in the corridor diminished as they left. On the north side, (to the left) a large oversized bed, big enough for any man or beast covered in the finest linens that Kiron, or Bella for that matter had probably ever seen. On the west side, (stright ahead) a small kitchen area, for comparisons sake it could be reckoned to any kitchen at any tavern anywhere in the world. It was small but very effective, for the one or two people that ever lived here at anyone time.

He stopped in the dead center and pointed out the various things to her, showing her where she could put her bags, and if need be go change her clothing. "It's not much, Bella, but it's home."He told her with a big smile on his house, proud of his families heritage, as he looked at the various paintings of his father and mother, grandparents and great-grandparents. The only thing missing, was the picture of his brother.

 

[dark_dancer]

Bella stood stock still, large violet eyes gazing around the surprising room. The amenities, the details, the cozy hominess…inside a mountain! She was impressed to say the least by this secret escape, the ingenuity and sheer manpower it would have taken to create. If her mouth was gaping, she wouldn’t be surprised.

Dazedly, she glanced around at the things Kiron was showing her, but her mind was reeling with what amounted to shock. When they’d stopped walking in front of this mound of earth, she had wondered momentarily if he had gotten lost. But when he had begun to feel the rocks, she knew he was someplace familiar. The rock sliding open before her eyes had her blinking and doing a double take. The sight of his smile instantly curving her own lips upward as she followed him inside the secret passageway, never imagining the expanse and beauty of what lie down the narrow passage lit with lovely flickering flames.

Taking in the various aspects of the circular hollow inside the hill, she decided she could stay here indefinitely, were it in the plans. The enormous bed gave her pause. It was beautiful, soft, luxurious, but only 1. Flushing softly, she looked away, pushing the thoughts she was having aside, continuing to absorb the ‘home’s’ amenities. Fireplace blazing, a niggling thought of how it got lit crosses her mind and instantly fades, as she sees the kitchen, the pictures, the classic furniture, taking it all in.

And now standing here inside with him, she just grins slowly. Removing her bag, lifting the strap over her head and setting at her feet, she looks to her dear friend and says the first thing that comes to mind, “Kiron, wow.”

Stepping forward she spins in a slow circle, arms slightly outstretched. Her hair flies around in a heavy cape as she throws her chin up and laughs softly. A sudden happiness taking over her actions, though odd and surprising considering the day they’d had. Perhaps it was the easing of his tension, which she felt instantly up on entering the cave’s passageway. This really was home to him, and interestingly enough, she felt in some small way, it was home to her, too.

 

[EternalSufferin]

To say he was surprised at her reaction, would be a blatant lie. He had only brought only a hand-full of people to this most sacred of locations, but each and everytime he did their reaction was still the same. Shock. Kiron was happy to say the least, which was most evident by the redness that formed across his face, and the curling up of the right side of his lip.

"You like, Bella?"He asked quietly as he reached down to grab her back, letting out a small grunt wondering what the hell was in it to make it so heavy.

He threw it over his shoulder, happy to just to be here. His mind seemed to be rushing full of thoughts, ideas and other things, like if she reacted this way to the place, he wondered what she was going to think of the bathroom, once that topic was brought up. It was going to be soon he thought, he needed a shower desperatly.

Taking her bag, he placed it on the floor on the left side of the bag, it landed with a thud. "Damn, Bella. What do you have in this thing?"He finally asked her as he turned back towards her, walking patiently towards the fire. He threw a couple logs on it, causing the sparks to shoot around the place, little sparks of ash and fire to land on his arm, he only smiled at the feeling.

 

[dark_dancer]

"It's beautiful here, Kiron. I like it very much," smiling at him warmly, seeing the genuine happiness in her friend's face. Relaxing another measure and broadening her smile more, stepping forward and looking around at the photos. Peering at the faces of his parents, smiling fondly, remembering the couple from the few brief encounters on which they'd met. Sighing softly at their passing, eyes moving on to the other family members, soft resemblances popping out of each as she peruses.

Turning as he questions her bag's weight, laughing softly, realizing it hadn't seemed heavy to her on the trek. Perhaps the weight of this 'mission' and her thoughts had made the physical weight seem unimportant.

"Some clothes, another pair of shoes, a few books, photographs, giant bottle of shampoo...the basics." Smirking and quipping,"Its in one bag isn't it? And I packed it in less than 15 minutes."

Walking towards the fireplace, she gives his strong upper arm a poke. "You've got no beef." Poking out her tongue playfully. The teasing mood feeling good, like old times with her closest friend.

 

[EternalSufferin]

Kiron continued playing with the fire as he listened to her kinds words and a sort of pride fills up inside of him. The kind of pride that can only be filled by the sincerest of words from a true love, or good friend when times call for them.

"Thank you, Bella"He said as he returned her poke laughing softly for the first time in what felt like ages.

He stood up slowly, eyes still gazing into hers for a brief moment before finally walking over to the bed, her side of the bed to be specific and lifting the oversized weight again. "Are you sure that's is?"He said still laughing, but the type of laughter that can be compared to an erruption, a belly rolling eruption. "Feels like you have enough stuff in here to last a couple months"He joked placing it back down on the floor on what was to become her side of the bed later that night.

"Got no beef, what exactly are you talking about, Bella?His eyes raised in quizzical mannor, but still a smile on his face.

He walked to the other side of the bed, his side basically. But oddly enough everytime Kiron stayed here, he just assumed sleep on the floor in front of the fire and let his mind drift off into distant places or lands that he's traveled to in the past, or just day dream about current events and happenings of the day.

"I need a shower, Bella. Do you mind if I leave you here for a bit?"He asked quietly wondering exactly what her reaction was going to be about this latest bombshell about the mountain.

 

[dark_dancer]

Settling in a chair, with a relaxed grin on her face at their playful banter, she continued to peruse the cavernous space and all its nooks and nuances. Bella's eyes took in everything, committing the space to her sharp memory, sighing contently, the days events passing out of her mind, settling into comfort with her dearest friend. Losing her thoughts momentarily, her gaze in the general direction of Kiron, but not focused on him as he moves about in the cove of the bedroom area.

It had been so long since she'd seen him, she realized now that she had a moment to think. He looked good, better than she remembered, in fact. He was a strong, imposing figure of a man. He was solid, dependable, loyal, protective. Something in him had always tugged at her, from that first chance meeting when she'd barreled into him, turning the street corner in town, when they were both no more than kids. She'd been in a hurry to get to rehearsal, but literally running into him, she'd forgotten where she was going and found herself wasting nearly 10 minutes there in the streets with him. And so it had began, their friendship. It had grown to be the most important relationship in her life.

Though they weren't what you'd call inseparable soulmates, the times they spent together were some of her most memorable. Always warm and friendly, she realized that not once had their relationship turned romantic, despite her slight desire towards such an occurance. Perhaps that was why. Knowing she had the wish inside her, made her keep it hidden, afraid to make it known to Kiron, since he'd never shown the slightest interest in her...well....he'd never said so. Grinning to herself she recalled a time in their playful wrestling when his body betrayed him slightly. Running her fingers down her arm she remembered the hot press of something firm against her thigh, the flicker of recognition in her eyes that she'd quickly tried to hide. She'd shifted swiftly to lock her arm around his neck and pull him backwards in a surprise move, springing up from the floor and quickly ending the game before Kiron caught onto her own body's reaction. Mmmm, Bella thought, what she'd felt was.....

Shaking her head, Bella realizes he is staring at her and vaguely she recalls his voice a moment before. Shit, she cursed under her breath. He asked a question and she had no idea what it was. Shaking her head to clear it, she lifted her violet eyes to his face and smiled, taking a guess and answering, "Sure. That'll be great," holding her breath awaiting to see if she made an appropriate response.

 

[EternalSufferin]

He shook his head, deep down inside he knew she just wasn't paying that much attention to him. He walked towards the bed and pressed a button under the right side table night stand.

It was at this point Kiron knew that she would be impressed as yet another large bolder moved and exposed the very modern and up to date bathroom. When you walked in immediatly on your right side is a small little closet, no doors, just a bunch of shelves made of rock. Stacked neatly on each of the shelves were any personal items one might need. Razors, shaving cream, soap, towels, toothbrushes. You name it, it was probably there.

Kiron continued to walk in, still even after all these years he admired the bathroom the most. He looked at the stand alone shower, covered only with a stained glass strategically placed to cover the barest of essentials for a bit of privacy, the top and bottom clear as crystal. He turned slightly to the right, the over sized tub sitting in the middle of the floor at the end of the little walk way, built on top of stone, sunken inside of it. The inner portion pure white even after all these years.

He finished the self guided tour of the bathroom, eyes now on the large mirror. Encrusted around the edges pure diamonds, bright and sparkly making the room seem brighter then perehaps it really was. He looked down, running his fingers across the cool marble vanity top, black but still very shiney and well polished.

"Ahh, home." he said outloud not really caring if Bella heard him or not.

"This is going to feel nice." he said again stripping of his worn and dirty clothes.

He had never been shy around Bella, he didn't quite look at her as a friend but he didn't necessarily look at her as a lover either. She was just. Bella.

He reached into the shower turning the water on as hot as he knew his body could handle it and stepped in. For a while, Kiron just let the water pound down against chest, turning every so often to to repeat the process against his back.