Divulgence (Song of Sophangence Book 2)

by E. I. McAllistair

  Grabbing his shirt, pulling him from his seated position, she punched him over and over in various places, his face, his stomach, his groin, every time, her fist simply losing its will to strike it seemed. Taking him down to the ground, she pummeled him with all her might, nothing phasing him in the slightest. Taking a chance, she raised both her hands for an overhead strike, potentially crushing his skull like a melon, it was finally then that he made his move. The problem was, he had not moved at all.

  Parts of her intestines felt like they had been thrown into a chest of ice. She could feel her bodily functions coming to a halt. Her heart could barely beat as it felt like she was trying to circulate ice through her veins. Finding herself in the opposite position now, all she could do was watch in barely cognizant horror as the man she thought would never use his powers against his classmates, shattered organ after organ, blood spurting from her mouth as her cavities filled with blood from her own technique turned against her, instead horribly effective.

  At least in other years he had given her hope, hope that if she just trained harder, thought longer, fought better, she could win. As she laid there, drifting into the sweet release of night from the burning pain of her insides being shattered, she finally decided that number 2 would have to be good enough.

  11

  After the Melee had finished, everyone discusses the events that transpired, Maggie and Anaar both questioning Dan and Stefani if that was what it was like watching their own Melee. When the two both agree it felt drastically different when they knew the participants and had a greater stake in it, Maggie and Anaar are left wondering if they will ever get the opportunity to experience that.

  Finishing up the food and barring Dan from more drinking, they all say their goodbyes to Anaar as he is finally left alone in his room. Saying a silent apology to Harston for leaving the kitchen in such a state of disrepair, he heads to his room to take a long hot shower. Noticing the time, he fully dresses himself, making his way out of his room.

  As he walks from his building next door, he finds himself at Ivory 213, wondering what his life would have been like if he had ended up occupying the room just across the way. With a deep breath he knocks on the door several times, bearing no response. Finally looking around the halls to make sure no one was around, he shifts into his elemental form, entering the room through the mail slot in the door. Once he had entered, he opened the door to gather his clothes. Alerted by the opening and closing of the door Phavian comes rushing out of his room in a frenzy. When he sees it is Anaar, he gives a little growl, rushing toward him.

  Holding up his hands defensively, “Look Phavian I just want to talk…”

  “How the fuck did you get in my room? I didn’t answer the door for a reason.”

  With a casual thumb backward, “True Quintessence, mail slot. They should really rethink that design…”

  Rushing forward angrily, he swings hard at Anaar, only to pass through his body. Angering him even further, he swings again and again, no blow finding its mark as it simply passes harmlessly through Anaar’s body. After what seemed like five whole minutes of futile assaults, Phavian finally crumples to the floor, breaking down in tears. Pausing for a moment to make sure it was not simply a feint, Anaar reconstitutes himself fully, pulling the weeping man into his arms. Giving him some time to simply bawl, Anaar finally speaks, softly, gently, barely above a whisper.

  “I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry I got you wrapped up in my shit. I’m sorry you had to endure pain on my behalf. If I could go back, I’d change it all. Most of all, I’m sorry I waited until I was about to lose you to be honest with you, and more importantly myself about my feelings for you.”

  Voice cracking, barely above a whisper himself, “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why did you lie to me all this time about being a Fire Affinity?”

  “I have never once in my life ever uttered words that would indicate I declared myself a Fire Affinity. That is simply what people chose for me when they required a label.”

  “Why didn’t you ever correct me.”

  “I have never corrected anyone, not even my own mother.”

  “But seeing what you can do… You have gone to great lengths to trick people into thinking you were a Fire Affinity.”

  “I didn’t trick anyone into anything! People will believe whatever is most convenient for them. Being a Demolitionist was enough to draw attention to myself, I didn’t need to add to it.”

  “Then why now? Why not just let me keep believing you were something else?”

  Grabbing his face, looking him in his eyes, pouring out the utmost sincerity, “Because I love you, and I was willing to risk everything by showing you a side of me that I had never shown anyone before. When I found you, you were barely alive, practically delirious. I had already put a shield over you that I was confident could have withstood the blast. I could have leveled the building in an instant, and they still would not have gotten what they wanted. The problem with that, was then I probably would have to lie to you. Even if you didn’t remember exactly what happened, you would have wanted to know how you and I both survived when nothing else did. I also cared more about saving your life than keeping a secret. For you I gave myself over to the darkness, something that scares the living shit out of me. For you though, no matter how many times I had to, I would gladly submit to it every time if it meant I got to keep you. As much as I hate it, I’m ashamed of it, I have come to accept that darkness inside me, whatever it is. You on the other hand, that isn’t part of who you are. Like a parasite I have allowed it to latch on to you and I can’t stand by while it destroys and eats away at you. I saw what you did during the Melee today. I recognized that person from experience. Cruel, calculating, reveling in the pain of others like pure ecstasy. I won’t let the darkness have you. It can have anyone else, but you, I won’t allow. You are my light that can pull me back from the darkness. If I lose you to it, what else would I have?”

  Finding his strength to hold himself up again, Phavian pushes Anaar down roughly to the floor, straddling him as he looks into those eyes that shone like stars in the dim light. Sweeping his hair back from his face, he leans down, kissing him deeply and passionately to which Anaar grips his face returning the gesture. After what seems like a lifetime, they finally separate, Phavian looking down at Anaar.

  “What are you wearing?”

  Giving a sigh, “Long story.”

  “More secrets?”

  “I didn’t say I wouldn’t tell you, I just said it was a long story.”

  Rubbing his hand down his chest, “It’s tight, like super tight. It is almost like it is part of your skin. How do you plan on getting it off?”

  “Are you propositioning me?” Running his hands up along Phavian’s legs, grabbing two handfuls of cheeks, “Oh, hello! Someone’s awake. If you weren’t propositioning me someone was…”

  Leaning down kissing him again, “I mean… you said you’ve never been with a guy before…”

  Giving him an incredulous look and a scoff, “I’m an instantly regenerating, True Water Quintessence with a ridiculously high pain threshold.” Turning into water, leaving his suit behind on the floor, he reconstitutes himself close to the bedroom door, completely naked, hair still fluttering in a semi-aquatic state. Turning back slightly, looking out the corner of his eye, “Anything you dish out I can take it, the better question is if you are up to the same challenge…” With that he slinks into Phavian’s bedroom.

  Sitting there stunned for a moment, thinking it was not possible for him to be more beautiful, he is floored that Anaar has found a way to exceed even his own records. Jumping up from the floor, he clumsily fumbles off his clothes in excitement, as he runs toward his bedroom toward the god he realized he probably did not deserve.

  Waking up to the sunlight peeking through the window, Anaar realizes there is something very warm resting on his chest. Looking down at the sleeping Phavian, he finds himself in a state of
peace and happiness like he had not known before. Smiling at the sleeping beauty of a man, his smile immediately fades as he notices the puddle of drool on his chest. As his attempts to wipe up the blissful man’s spit causes him to stir, he feels something prodding at his leg.

  Seriously?! Does he like, always wake up hard?! Not only do I have a drooler, I have one that seems to have a priapism…

  In the corner of his vision he sees Hobb sporting a very stylish pair of pajama pants without a shirt, at a table sipping what he can only presume is tea.

  “Congratulations on finally having intercourse! The hormones and tensions were so high, I almost thought it would be a matter of preserving your health if I did not try to take control of your faculties so you could be provided release.”

  You wouldn’t dare…

  “I would, only in dire situations, because I care.”

  You are something else… Why are you dressed as if you just awoke? You know damn well you don’t sleep!

  “I may not sleep, but I can at least dream. Should you ever take to wearing something more than underwear to bed, might I suggest these pants? They are silk!”

  You are worse than damn popup adds! How is it that you filter them out for our benefit, only to become one yourself?!

  “You may be on to something. Given this new turn in your relationship, it appears that my suggestion was completely unwarranted, as even underwear will no longer be worn.”

  Hobb… It’s like the point is over in Rumble Village, yet completely missing it, somehow you ended up over here…

  “In any case, it seems you are more than comfortable with each other’s fluids. That is quite fortuitous given the profuse amount…”

  “Shut up Hobb!”

  Stirring and stretching, Phavian opens his eyes to see Anaar naked in his bed, shaking himself to make sure it was not a dream. “Good morning sexy.”

  Giving him a bland look, “It’s hard to feel sexy when you awake to a puddle of spittle on your chest…”

  Bracing himself on one arm, he looks down at the spot in question. “Oh shit! My bad! Did I do that?”

  “No, it was the tooth fairy…”

  “You already cheating on me?”

  “Keep this up, and yes, I will.”

  Grabbing the sheet to wipe up his chest, he leans in to give him a long deep kiss. “Damn I can get used to that. So… does that mean we are like official now?”

  “I think it does.”

  Phavian jumps out of the bed, dancing around. He looks down then grins. “Want a round four?”

  “Are you sure you can keep up? Last I checked, you are the one who fell asleep.”

  “That isn’t my fault! You are like a fucking machine! Literally.” Catching the dry look on his face he grins then gets a look of suspicion. “Wait, are you sure you aren’t like an Earth Affinity or something? Cause that kind of stamina ain’t natural!”

  Giving him a dismissive hand wave, “No, I can assure you I am not an Earth Affinity last I checked. Maybe you are just out of practice.”

  Diving back into the bed, kissing on his chest, “Oh I’ll show you who is out of practice…” He stops abruptly and sits back, looking at the ceiling as if he was contemplating something. “Wait, does that mean that our relationship technically started with makeup sex?”

  Now causing Anaar to ponder himself, “Huh. I guess it did.”

  “Aww man that means it only goes downhill from here! Makeup sex is the best sex!”

  “Says the person who has never been in a relationship. Not to mention if anyone is going to suffer, it is me. We have already established you are the one who can’t keep up.”

  “I don’t think it is fair to compare us! You are all superhuman and shit!”

  “Yeah, yeah, save your excuses…”

  Moving into a position to cuddle up against Anaar, he pulls close to him. “So, did you really mean everything you said last night?”

  “I don’t like lying, it is too messy. Therefore, I had no reason to tell you any lies.”

  “You just leave lots of things out.”

  “Meh, need to know basis. Ignorance is bliss.”

  “So, you want to tell me why the fuck I got kidnapped and my ass whooped? That seems pretty need to know.”

  With a sigh, “You know that massive incident in Cuba?”

  “Yeah… I don’t like where this is going…”

  “You shouldn’t. I would be seriously rethinking this relationship if you did. Well, that was me.”

  Jumping back so far, he flips backward off the bed, “Please tell me you mean by some crazy circumstance you discovered it and reported on it.”

  “Honestly, even that would be more than I would like to have been involved with it. No, I caused it.”

  Peeking up from the side of the bed, eyes wide, “There was nothing but a crater… Anaar… Why would you…”

  “I didn’t want to, alright!” Tearing up, hanging his head in shame, “The same people that took you, they tricked me into thinking it was a mission sanctioned by the school. By the time I realized what was going on and what they wanted me to do, it was too late. They only wanted me to blow up one building, but instead I thought I’d be doing the right thing by sacrificing myself and then playing dead. They… They had my mom though. When they threatened to kill her, I lost it… If only I had just done what they wanted, I could have saved thousands of people! They would never have had reason to take you, or try to kill my mom. Trying to do the right thing, I just ended up fucking up 100 times worse!”

  Jumping across the bed pulling him close, Phavian cradles his head, stroking his hair. “Babe… I… I don’t even know what to say. I can’t even imagine what you must feel, what you have been going through…”

  “That’s why I was gone. I couldn’t face everyone. Smiling at me, laughing, thinking I’m some upstanding perfect guy when in reality, once again I’m a mass murderer to an even greater degree! If I had possibly melted down and hurt people at this school, I don’t think I could have lived with myself, and unfortunately I don’t really have a choice in the matter.”

  “So all that talk about you killing their leader and their people, that was because you wiped out everything, but somehow survived…” Turning his face to look him in the eyes, “I’m glad you made them suffer. Honestly it was not enough if you ask me. Those fuckers are responsible for the deaths of all those people, not you. At worst, you could only be considered the tool they used to do it. The tool is only as bad as the people who wield it.”

  “I appreciate the sentiment, but that only works for actual tools. I’m a living, breathing human being. I’m no more a tool than you, or Hobb. All of this is on me. Now do you see why I hide? Why I constantly work to stay in control? People want to exploit me when they only know about a fraction of my power, could you imagine…”

  “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I feel like shit for feeling betrayed when all you have been doing is trying your best to protect yourself and everyone around you. Now that I look at it, I’m the real fucking piece of shit. You’ve been dealing with real shit, holding lots of lives in your hands all your life, all alone. I get in my feelings for something trivial that doesn’t even have anything to do with me and I act like a complete shitbag. You know, I knew what I was doing to every single person in the Melee. I don’t have an excuse. I didn’t have dozens of nuclear bombs on a hair trigger that I had to manage. I was just being a spoiled brat lashing out. Fuck, people must hate me… I have to make it up to the people I hurt…”

  “We’ll make it up to them together. I’m as much to blame as you are.”

  “Really? You are really going to try to take on more responsibility? Stop for a fucking minute and think about this! You have been going it alone for a lifetime, under far more pressure than anyone I can think of. You have to let some others shoulder the burden with you sometimes. That is what we are here for. This mess with the Melee is mine and mine alone. I’ll take care of that.”

  “
Fine, but if you need anything…”

  “I got it. Let me worry about you instead. What can I do?”

  Sitting up and wiping his face, “Well, we should probably go apologize to Master Shin for trying to kill him.”

  “We? When did you try killing the old goat?!”

  “Apparently not long after you did. I almost impaled him with millions of water needles.”

  “I tried to freeze him to death. Wait! You used your powers against him?!”

  Waving his hand dismissively, “Oh he already knew long ago. He tried giving me a hint when I gave up the Melee to save Maggie, but I didn’t realize it then. He told me I was selfish because if I truly loved Maggie I would have used my powers to stop JaMarkus and win the Melee. I guess that is how I knew I really was in love with you. Even though I really do love Maggie with all my heart, I deep down didn’t value her enough to risk using my powers to save her. Whereas with you I was ready to raze the earth just to get you back safe, and punish the people who did that to you.”

  “Wow, when you put it like that, it makes me feel like a fool for ever doubting you. So how are you going to break the news to her about us?”

  “What do you mean? I’d just tell her. What would be the big deal?”

  “Uh… because she is madly in love with you!” Standing up on the bed, bumping his head then sitting back down, throwing his hands in the air, “How were you not getting that?!”

  “First Dan, now Maggie, how many of my friends are in love with me?!”

  Giving him the most incredulous look, “You are unbelievable! How can you be that emotionally unaware?! I’m glad it wasn’t just me… And when did you find out about the country boy?!”

  “Oh, the other day. He kissed me and told me he loved me. I kinda told him that we were a couple. At least that is one out of the way. Oh god, you don’t think Stefani is in love with me too, do you?”

  Leaning down giving he a kiss on the stomach, “So you were claiming me even before we were official? Somebody was confident… As for Stefani, I think you are in the clear. Ripp would have shot you already if she had feelings for you too.”