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Warren and Amelia slept well into the afternoon. The room was soundless, nothing can penetrate the peace; then suddenly, moaning and movement came from the bed. A pair of elongated blinking eyelashes arose naturally some minutes later. It was nearly one in the afternoon when Amelia started to stir slowly awake from the huge bed she shared with the man who saved her life four days ago.532Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqStod4j6Ce
She looked at him sleeping, wanting to leave him alone because she knew she was robbing him of a life. The lines around his eyes were standing out, the bags were showing the ugly truth, it was all because of her. She didn't like what she was doing to him, he made so many sacrifices for her and she had nothing to repay him with. Nothing tangible, only her feelings. That was all she ever had, her emotions, the ones that got the better of her whenever she thought life might change in a good way. They were around to bring her doubts, scare her during the night until the brink of morning; but even during the day, the demons were there.
Her father, the man who made her feel non-existent, as if her life belonged to him only to control, was always under his control. Crying herself to sleep was becoming a strangled habit she lived with. That sharp intake of breath came every time she cried everything she gave haunted her; a still prominent memory that stung her in mind.
Who would love someone like that?
Did she really deserve Warren? Knowing what she knew about herself...unstable. Unpredictable. Lonely. Alone. Callous. Forever afraid. Lying to herself. Warren didn't see any of this? These were her vices and yet he still had no clue?
This feels like a strange dream for her. Someone is actually making her feel like it's worth it. Something is worth going on to something more, something oddly...livable. Possibly beyond.
What made it more like a dream was how they were together. How much he understood her just with a look, one glance. And he knew.
They feel so deeply with each other, blindly, but Warren was too hospitable to admit the truth of her being here.
She was complicating his life and the longer she stayed the more she made things harder for him to deal with. She could hurt him, maybe he didn't want to accept that now but it will happen. She remembered the expression on his face when she said she could hurt him, he tried to be brave and say he could take it but she knew better. Maybe she didn't want to believe he would fully sacrifice his life for her, he only just met her, he didn't see it now but he will understand it later.
Warren was good man, and she just wasn't good. She wanted to be so badly. She wanted redemption but she knew deep down she won't get it. Whatever is keeping her alive is beyond her control. Even if she had a reason to live it didn't mean she was going do it.
No matter how she felt, she can't do this to him any longer. She felt her eyes begin to water as she slipped away from his loose hold strangely without waking him. When they slept his arms began to allow her some freedom to breathe, she wasn't so attached to his body some several hours ago. Now that she had some sleep her brain returned her rational thoughts, she needed them now more than ever. She can't think with her heart, that is always how she got hurt.
She didn't want to use him. She had nothing to give him but...just herself. That wasn't enough. To someone as well off as Warren, he deserves someone who is at his level. Complete opposites are a danger and they never work. Being poor had her at a disadvantage, this wasn't her livelihood, she can't stay here for free. Longevity came with a price.
She had to think of something she can give back but she really had nothing. The last bit of her insecurity clinging onto her hopes, wanting to destroy the confidence Warren had instilled in her several hours ago. They were pulling their ugly devilish arms again, she knew them well. She lived in this mentality. Back to familiar hell.
She took a deep breath, swinging her arms above her head, stretching slightly while trying to ring out the tension sewn in her back. She needed to go to the bathroom before she started crying again. Too much emotion to handle and she needed to control her urges. Before he found out, before she could fall into a puddle of sorrow again.
She moved slightly while looking at the sleeping angel next to her. Leaving him, even a short distance, affected her; being away from him made her feel less safe. But she had to control herself, it was enough already. She despised crying and it stopped here, it had to. If she left emotion away for once and became a stoic, when she would leave, one day it'll be easier. She would just get used to it. Warren had such a full life. He couldn't take care of her forever, no matter what he said.
She managed the rest of her way to stand up without creating a disturbance to Warren.
She was almost walking to the bathroom when a small groan stopped her.
"Amelia, hey." Warren's voice moaned, she could hear him stretch out. "Where are you going?"
Amelia's lips parted, she hesitated to move forward. Something about his tone made her stop completely. His voice was almost a soft command to her. Willing her body to turn around and look at him.
She didn't have a choice, she could feel his powers leaving her and she knew Warren, once he was awake would try and reason with her, it always worked. Now was no different.
Amelia stammered before clearing her throat, pushing her hair from her eyes. "B-bathroom, umm, is it ok?"
Warren sat up with an alert look on his face, he observed her standing there. She seemed to want to go, there didn't seem anything wrong with it. He continued...
"Yes, go ahead, uh, would you want to shower too? You can if you want to. There are clean towels hanging on the rack in the corner. I can, uh, wait here if you want to." Warren said with a bit of nervousness but managed to get through the words.
He wanted to help her out like the first time, before she healed her wounds, but if he was going to gain her trust then he had to let her do things herself. The thought of him washing her hair, looking into her eyes shot off in his mind but he had to put that away and give her space.
Amelia seemed to stumble a bit, she didn't look where she was going when she backed up into the dresser with a thug. Her face went red and she covered it. This man was really making her feel uneasy, not in a negative way.
His round blue eyes, clear as crystal stared back at her, she couldn't move much but forced herself to. She was going to get lost again, lost in that haze he drew her in many times before, as if they've known each other all of their lives. Just one look can pierce her.
"Okay, thank you..." She almost said more but caught herself and turned back around.
She heard him move behind her and whipped back around, gasping.
"It's ok. I just wanted to tell you, if you need anything, just ask. Okay?"
She nodded slowly, her eyes wide and uncertain but she heard him speak and understood what he said. She was growing weak, she could feel his powers stripping off her bones and muscles.
Warren caressed her cheek, bravely. He didn't know what he was doing but he had to do it. He needed to touch her, just for a second. He wanted to know he could still do it and she wouldn't cower when he did. He never wanted her to be scared of him. He could see in her eyes she was scared of every person she's ever met. It was to obvious now.
Amelia closed her eyes and leaned her face into his palm. Placing her hand over his for a moment, then moving her hand to his face; he came closer as she closed the space between them.
"Don't be afraid of me, please..." He said, going with the words, hoping it made some sense as it flew out of his mouth.
Amelia moved closer, slowly, nearing, reaching, feeling his breath over her face, "I don't want to be."
They were inches away until Amelia moved the rest of the way and kissed him with such a strong emotion that he was sure he felt it too. He responded, pushing his body against hers, claiming her, possessing her as if he didn't she would fade away. Almost thinking it was unreal they were doing this again. It felt like a dream he never wanted to wake up from.
She was inexperienced but it didn't matter, she was leading with her heart, as much as she's risking it now, it felt liberating.
Warren was the first to pull away, he regrettably forced himself to. Amelia pulled him back, her arms around his neck for a sure grip she didn't want to lose. When she kissed him again everything made sense, the world around her felt easier. She could live. She could...breathe. She could feel her heart bursting but in a warm way that she didn't want to give up so soon. Almost like trying to keep that good dream without waking up.
Warren had to be her dream and she was going to keep him. She had to force herself to be the person she needed to be, for him. No matter how strong those voices in her head were, telling her she was nothing, that she will always mean nothing; she had to believe in Warren. He brought her back for a reason, she was already gone but it happened. Something inside her blood reacted to Warren's action and wanted her alive.
Her mutation had the answers. She was going to stay with Warren until she found out the truth about this new ability.
Amelia slowed down their kiss to catch her breath, his breathing was just as ragged; she found that Warren held her in his arms as he kissed her. The way a prince would hold a princess only it was real. This was really happening and she had to pull back and slowly open her eyes to make sure he was still there, that he wasn't just a dream.
"Okay, I'm stopping. I'm sorry, I just, I wanted to-" she was interrupted when his lips silenced her softly. "do that."
Warren pulled her body closer in a gentle hug. His cheek against hers as he took a deep breath.
"Want me to take you somewhere?"
Amelia's eyes opened from the embrace, she rose her head and stared at him. "Where?"
He smiled, his fingers tangled in her hair. "Quiet...somewhere we can talk."
Amelia squinted slightly. "Is everything ok?"
Warren hesitated before speaking. He didn't want to be obvious with his nerves. "Yeah, go get ready, um, just ask if you need anything. It's all there."
He gestured when they pulled out of each others arms. Amelia was going to wash alone. She was still alive, she had to remind herself she was not dead like she should have been. She would have to get used to the fact that Warren needed her here, even if she didn't deserve to be.
Amelia sunk back and turned around going where she planned. She shivered and hugged her shoulders, feeling chilly in the room suddenly.
She entered the bathroom and checked where all the towels were hanging before removing her clothes and walking tentatively into the massive shower. Warren's bathroom was larger than most bedrooms. It's not her place to pry or assume anything about his life. She was only a temporary guest, nothing more. Maybe in the deepest depths of her dreams, beyond the dark and eerie scenery, she wanted to be more. Even after that kiss just now. He may take some pity on her. She wasn't beautiful, she didn't have the best looking body and she had supreme mental issues that are a burden in anyone's life to fix. The slight doubts were creeping up before she could stop them.
Warren lingered a few moments longer, staring at the door when she closed it behind. He shook himself out of it and decided to clean up around the room as he forgot to do so occasionally. He rarely had anyone over, no one showed up either so he breathed a sigh of relief to that.
Having this girl living here was getting interesting so far. He wasn't sure what's going to happen next or how he was going to tell her he is the son of the wealthiest firm in the entire state. She's gotten to know Warren, not Warren Worthington III. But he wasn't sure if she hadn't picked up on it already, the lofty condominium, space galore, can go shopping at the drop of the hat, money is no object, his rooms; but he could understand why she wasn't thinking about it, because of what happened to her. She was still shaken up with all of the drama. He was going to tell her. Sooner then later the better, she had to know the truth if she was going to continue to being a part of his life.
His land line rang. Warren's eyes immediately found the receiver. Amelia was in the shower and she would be in there for a while probably. He didn't think twice about it as he sat on the bed, picking up the call on it's fourth ring.
"Hello?"
"Warren, it's Moira. Are you there? Are you alone?"
Warren checked behind him and the shower was still going. "I'm here, Amelia is in the bathroom. Any news yet Doc?"
"Yes, I discovered something new and configuring with her DNA...are you certain you are completely alone?"
"I am. Go ahead, please." Warren almost begged on his end.
He heard shuffling on Moira's line, sounded like documents and papers being pulled apart then clasped together with a bind.
"Her cells were modified and manifested the moment she was dead."
Warren's eyes nearly crossed in confusion.
"What does this mean? Wait, sorry, go on, didn't mean to interrupt you."
"The second your DNA mixed in with hers it caused a chain reaction in her bloodstream, it not only saved her life but awakened her powers, made them stronger, as a side effect she absorbed your genetic traits, but...and this is the strange part, the results were inconclusive if they were just temporary or long term effects. I ran all of the tests I could. I can email you what I see, the experiments I did with her sample."
Warren was feeling a familiar tightening in his chest. He raced to his computer, logging on quickly, through his email he found what Moira was just describing. A few attached files and a message in the letter area describing in detail what she observed. He pressed the print button.
He picked up the phone while waiting for everything to be printed. "So we don't know if she has my powers forever or if it goes away?"
"That's accurate. It doesn't make sense too. I know fully well how to run these types of tests before, very peculiar. It's almost like she is regenerating when she expires..."
Warren wasn't sure he heard her correctly. "Wait, hold on here Doc, are you saying whenever she dies she becomes more powerful? Her mutant abilities grow stronger? How is that possible? I know there is talk of class five mutants out there but I didn't think it was possible with us, that someone could even be close to this powerful. You sure about all this?"
Moira cleared her throat. Hearing this for the first time wasn't going to be easy for him but she knew that Warren was always after the truth, and his friend deserved to know also, it directly concerns her.
"Yes, it's true. When she died she rebuilt herself. Rising like a phoenix. It's so rare with your kind, but it is indeed possible. Her powers evolved when she died."
But that would mean...
"She's immortal? But how? I thought only I was the one with the healing ability. I know there are others out there but no one wakes up from death. They die, they stay dead. How does this even work?"
"Warren, it's ok, calm down. This was why I had to make sure only you were alone. Your friend is prone to, rage when hearing any form of big, life-altering news. I think you should know how violent and hostile she can be and she doesn't even know how powerful she is. How much power she already has."
Warren sighed, he was going to need some time to process this. More time than usual. But Moira was wrong, Amelia should know right away who she is, what she can do, just how powerful she can get.
"I know how you feel about this gull, I think of Charles the same way, I know Warren." Moira paused, leaving Warren hanging onto her words. "Great power can used for good or evil, I'm not saying this gull is evil but I am concerned knowing what I know and now you knowing it too. Be careful, she is strong and capable now. She can fight her battles without your help."
Warren bit his lip roughly. He wasn't going to accept this. What Moira is saying is so far beyond anything he would have thought of Amelia. She isn't meant for destruction, she wouldn't hurt anyone. And most of all, she did need him because he needed her.
"This can't be possible. I am supposed to protect her. I gave her my word. This is madness. I just...found her Moira."
Warren's voice was soft and breakable. He was already hurt and showing it in his tone.
"Charles will always be more powerful than me. I can't be with him like I always wanted. I know how you feel.
Warren's jaw clenched. Hearing her try to understand him was making it worse. He wasn't ready to say goodbye, he will never be ready.
"I've got to go. Thanks, Doc, for doing this. I won't forget it." He hung up, slowly without letting the doctor answer back.
There wasn't any need to say more. It can't be over.
The shower turned off, Warren stopped moving for a second before turning around then back rapidly. He made a move to hide the documents, bind them together and store them in a new folder shoving it all in his desk drawer. He was keeping everything in case Amelia doesn't believe him. If she will get angry when he would tell her the truth, he has to handle it himself. He can do it.
He is strong, he is Warren. His mother raised him to be strong and withstand anything. Even a girl who might potentially match his strength. Or worse, leave him for good.
"Warren? I-I oh I'm sorry, I..." Warren firmly turned around from his daze, staring back.
Amelia was wrapped tightly in an over-sized towel, clutching it close as her damp hair dripped water droplets from her shoulders.
Warren stood up straight forcing his eyes to look only at her eyes, not on her body.
"Sorry, are you alright?" He almost stumbled but caught himself as Amelia nodded meekly. "Do you need something?"
Amelia hugged her shoulders together, unsure of how to ask, but found her voice nevertheless. "Clothes, I forgot where they were."
Warren breathed out. He should stop worrying, that phone call just happened with Moira. He had to push all the anxiety and not let Amelia know what's going on.
He walked toward Amelia, more passed her to the room they shared and searched for the bag that held the newly bought clothes. He held the bag for a moment before clearing his throat.
"I'm gonna go in the shower also, here." He placed the bag on the bed, leaving it wide open for her to dress.
So much was going on in his mind and he needed a shower to calm down. He could lose her. That can't happen. She could be much more powerful than he is. Handle herself. Deal with life without him in it.
Warren had his back turned and shut his eyes hard then opened them again.
"Thank you. I forgot you bought these." Amelia said, almost above a whisper but still loud enough for him to hear. "Warren, can I ask you something?"
He wanted to hope inside the shower and shut off his vocal chords, his hearing, the world.
Warren waited and that was Amelia's beat to continue.
She moved to sit on the bed, he still wasn't looking in her direction but she bit her tongue about telling him that.
Hesitating she almost forgot her sentence. There was a weird tension in the air that she didn't understand. She really wanted to ask him about it but dropped the thoughts quickly.
Amelia stared at Warren's back, his muscles were contracting slightly and his wings were moving, almost shaking but held still for a moment. She didn't know if she should really say anything. She opted for ignoring any issue and obliged to dress instead.
"Never mind." She said, moving her wet hair from her eyes and looked at the clothes in front of her putting them on while his back was turned.
When she was finished she remained silent while the room grew thick with more unsettling tension. Biting her lip and pulling her damp hair away from her face she sat in the corner of the room, looking out from the view. New York was so busy, too preoccupied to stare up to see anyone else.
Her eyes glowed a bright blue as she watched the glamorous girls walk down the cross streets carrying a coffee in one hand. Just humans, living their lives. Her glow flickered for a few moments until it turned back to her original color. A solid green strung out from her iris and she rubbed at her eyes like she had so many times prior. It didn't do anything to help, she knew. She was stuck like this forever.
Warren started forward but stopped. From the corner of Amelia's eye she looked at him, wondering what his next move was.
"I need to know something..." Warren tentatively said, unsure himself but at the same time wanting to know her answer.
Warren properly turned around, his wings ruffling from the back as he walked carefully to the corner of the room. Kneeling down on the floor he looked down for a moment, then picked his head up, his features twitching but he found his footing and composure together again, holding them tightly like a strong rope. Amelia was looking down timidly. If he didn't know any better she was growing scared of him again. This is not working. He had to keep it together if she was going to stand a chance.
Warren took her hand in both of his, bringing it up to his lips and pressed ardently but gentle just because it's her.
"It's not over, none of this is. Not if we want it to be but I don't believe you want that. You and I, we could do this. I've been alone for so long and it's taught me a few things. I want to share my life with someone. I'm not asking anything from you, Amelia, you don't ever have to give it to me," he paused to smile. "do you want this?"
Amelia hesitated before speaking. She took a deep breath to calm herself. She looked away for a moment before biting her lip, choosing her words carefully.
She smiled slowly, looking back into his eyes, the thoughts were clear suddenly. She felt it. Touching his face, that familiar sanctuary. She can't be without this man, his life. As selfish as it sounded she felt like she belonged here.
"Being here with you makes sense. I'm ready to trust you. I want to be. I'm ready Warren." She brought his face close to hers and touched her lips to his, kissing him to remind him she meant every word.
He kissed back, returning her emotions, favors, her future dreams back into her soul. He pulled away from what she did, both of their eyes were closed. Leaning his forehead against hers he caught his breath. Even as mutants they still feel the weakness of less evolved humans before them. Made them both feel normal for a moment.
"I'm so happy to hear this, you have no idea." They brought each other into a hug, holding on until they were ready to move on.
It's time to just move on, forward. Have a life. Amelia began imaging suddenly what that was like. Actually living life. Despite everything, her greatest fears, tempting her to turn back, with Warren by her side, she felt strong, able and willing to imagine it all a reality. This notion brought a smile to her face. A first real smile followed by pink colors that dripped from her iris.
Warren picked her up and brought her over to his bed, placing her on top of the covers. His eyes couldn't leave hers but he knew he had to control his urges. Amelia finally said she would trust him. So he excused himself and turned to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
When his turned around to shut the door of bathroom he felt a rush of sensation course through his veins. It finally happened, and most importantly he let himself feel like he deserved to feel this way, for her, he wouldn't trade it for the world.
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