Stay...(Cael)

[Kevala Katashi]

Earlier...

They had driven for awhile, well outside of the city limits and past a few very quiet, quaint looking suburbs which one would probably expected Kevala to live in, especially given her previous choices in housing since moving to New York. Which, up until a couple weeks ago, would have been the case, but with everything that was changing in her life, she had once again picked up and moved. This time finding a house, secluded from the rest of the world, if only by a few miles and nestled back into a slightly wooded area.

It wasn't too far from work, and the commute was nothing that really bothered Kev. If anything, it was a small price to pay for the peace and quiet offered to her by the house and its surroundings. Though, this go around, it was not just the house that Kevala had purchased, but the land surrounding it as well. A total of seven acres, most of it shrouded in trees and darkness, and a small pond/lake located somewhere on the property.

The house itself, was located at the end of a mile long, single lane drive way. Though it could also be defined as a dirt road, if only for the length and the fact that it was very unkempt, with broken branches from the surrounding trees and overgrown grass lining its entire length. Something she meant to have taken care of, just had not gotten around to yet.

There was no garage, which was odd considering that Kevala had always had one. But when her family had all but up and abandoned her, she had pretty much decided that anything and everything she had that was of excess had to go. That had included the fancy cars, the high end furniture and everything else that just didn't suit who she was as a single person. Now, she was limited to her SUV, and a couple four wheelers which were parked around back of the house. That was it. And she was fine with that.

The only real thing to note, was the small, guest house, that was located within about a quarter of a mile from the main house. It was barely visible from the drive that pulled up in front of the house, but it was still close enough that if a person had a good pair of binoculars, they could see exactly what was going on at the main house. Anyone that knew Kev, knew who lived in that house. Carmine. Since, of course, he was never far from where the petite brunette was.

Other than that, the house was cut off from the rest of the world. A large, elevated patio/porch the most visibly notable thing upon pulling up...accessible through a large sliding glass door which led inside the house. The main entrance located off to the side of the house, with a smaller, ground level porch to access it. Again, there was nothing fancy about the entire thing, but it was quite beautiful regardless, and for her, for now, it was home.

As the SUV pulled into the front of the house, Kevala would put it into park and turn off the engine. A heavy sigh passing her lips as she shifted in her seat to look over at Cael, who since she had placed him in the car, had been passed out...exhaustion clear upon his features. Very slowly, her hand would reach out, and gently brush back a bit of hair from his brow, icy hues examining him slightly, as her mind worked over what exactly was goinng on and what she was getting herself into.

Outside, the rain continued to fall, harder here than it had been in the city, though she barely even noticed it. Instead, she was focused solely upon him, and would remain there with him until an all too familiar figure would appear in the passenger side window, cloaked in a black rain jacket with the hood pulled up to cover his head. Only then would she climb out of her door and move around to speak to Carmine, her hand motioning toward the passenger door and subsequently toward Cael. "Get him out and carry him inside to my room. I will be right there."

She would note that rather curious look from Carmine, questioning as to why she would choose her room when the spare room was just as good. Though the truth was, she had only set up a small, double bed in the spare room and it wasn't all that comfortable, well at least not to her. Whereas her room, which was much larger, had a large king size bed that was top of the line and about as comfortable as they came. Though, she was in no mood to explain herself, and even though she cared for Carmine, the fact remained that he was her employee and she did not have to explain any of her actions to him. Let alone this one.

Something that he knew, as he would nod and open the door, reaching in to hoist up the lifeless body of Cael and then turning to carry him inside as instructed.

As for Kev, she would shut the door behind him, hitting the button on her remote to lock the doors and then turning to follow the two inside. Her entire form soaked from head to toe, the cold air causing bits of her flesh to numb...though she paid no attention to any of it. Right now she had much more important things to deal with.

Later.....

Things had gone pretty smoothly once Carmine had gotten Cael inside and laid him down in Kev's bedroom. Kevala having shooed the big guy off, asking him to bring back some of his own clothing, since he was close in size to what Cael now was, and then telling him to hold all her calls, including any that might come in from Gabriel should he be curious to know what happened with his son at the school.

She was no fool. Just because she did not tell him did not mean he wasn't going to find out. If anything, it was just a matter of time, and to be honest, that was just something she didn't really feel like dealing with at the current time. Something she was bound to pay for later, but to be honest, it was nothing new.

Once Carmine had left, she had gotten to work. Grabbing a few towels and then setting to work stripping Cael of his dirty, cold, wet clothing. She wasn't exactly shy, and lets face it, it was nothing she hadn't seen before. Though in the process of getting him undressed, she had come across something which indeed gave her pause. Not only had somebody carved up his chest, but there was also a very familiar mark on the front of his hip. Familiar enough, that when she first saw it, she would gasp slightly and take a step back away from him, her hand instinctively going to her own hip and tracing out the very same mark that was hidden beneath her jeans.

Eventually, she had snapped herself out of it, and hurried about getting him into a pair of sweats, a t-shirt and a pair of socks before tucking him in beneath the rather heavy, black duvet that she had covering her bed. Choosing then to throw away his clothing, not really sure that she could even begin to get the gunk out of it. Then, grabbing a glass of water and a bottle of asprin, she would lay them down on the table next to the bed and dim the lights.

All of this before changing her own clothes. Which she would do, after taking a long, hot shower. Slipping into a pair of boxers and a small white tank top, she would grab a small throw blanket and crawl into the oversized chair which was in her room, about three feet from the edge of her bed.

Now, hours later, she was still there. Curled up within that chair and nestled into the blanket, if just slightly. Her tiny frame pressed intot he back of such and her auburn locks falling around her face, she had dozed off an hour or so ago. Not a very common occurance for her, but for whatever reason, she found herself able to. Breath leaving her in soft little huffs, looking about as peaceful as she ever did or ever would.

It was not the most comfortable position, but she was dead set on not leaving him...regardless if he would want her here or not.

OOC: I have permission to move Cael about as I see fit, just in case there are any questions regarding that.

[Cael Seran]

This was a sleepless sort of dream, his body cascading over tiles of hot coals and cold deserts, Cael's body remaining the ever present constant. Sweating, cold, hot, perfusely sweating, drenched, heavy breathing before falling into the soft embrace of cloth feeling that sweat and filth wash away. The velvet covers embraced him drawing forth opening fluttered eyes. Matching his own breath albeit the other noise was much calmer than his brought up in a panic the boy looked about still strangled by the blankets and body wrought by exhaustion all the same.

Not a thing would be recognized, even the fear that he was back would surmise up his spine forcing the boy from the sheets as quietly and quickly as he could manage. Kevala however inches away would be his prime goal not to startle quickly shoveling out the room before identifying his clothes looking them over rather briefly and implying that they'd just have to suffice despite not quite his taste.

Cael limped down the stairs managing to make more of a ruccus than anything as he barreled into the kitchen straining to hold himself upright dangling against the cooking ware and refrigerator's handle. Click. The door wavering to the side and the boy falling to his knee.

"Damnit.." He'd curse under his breath trying to push beyond the rage although coming up with blind anger at everything. The walls, the chill coming from the open door, the very air he breathed as it stung.

[Kevala Katashi]

She rarely slept, but when she did it did not take much to wake her. By the time he had sat up, she was awake, though for the time being she would simply crack one eye open as he lumbered out of bed and watch him struggle to make his way as quietly as possible out of the room.

When he did, she would toss back the blanket that she had wrapped around her, and allow her bare feet to press into the plush carpet that covered her room. Not that it mattered really, seeing as how every move she made no longer made a sound other than when she ran. Her silent footsteps carrying her slowly down the stairs, simply following the sounds of his movements and pin pointing exactly where he was.

She wasn't entirely sure what she was going to say to him, or that he would even care to see her or speak to her, but she felt that she had to at least try. Moving to stand in the doorway of the kitchen, her small hand reaching up to shove fingers into her hair, to push back her tangled locks from her face as those icy hues fell across his figure there on the floor in front of the now open fridge. "I would have made you something. I am actually a pretty good cook."

That same, soft tone, as she shrugged and folded her slender arms across her chest, tongue darting forth to slowly caress her lips. She didn't move to come up on him, just stayed where she was. Though she did have a look of concern in her gaze, whether it was noticeable or not. More so now that she had seen that mark on his hip, the thought of which made her want to instinctively reach out to touch her own....though for now, she refrained.

[Cael Seran]

Cael managed up a sigh followed closely by a stiffled laugh still trying to remain quiet for whatever reason, probably more because he couldn't muster up even the real energy to be a complete douche that he'd been only a day before. That was all he could fake it seemed, all his energy went into standing that day and dragging himself off of campus unseen.

"Why don't you just kill me and get this all over with."

The very dark remark noted, he did after all pose a very severe threat to her daughter, it seemed a trend in the bloodline to summon all of this hatred from the ones around that loved them. How did that saying go? You keep the ones you love at a distance because you know otherwise they'll get hurt. That was essentially Cael's lifeline, a painful reminder that he'd be forever alone, truly.

"I did after all nearly take Kazumi's life." A faint effort at laughing trying to make himself that cruel powerhouse that he'd managed only hours ago. Granted more sleep would be needed befor confronting Kevala.

[Kevala Katashi]

She would arch her brow slightly, pushing off from the doorway and heading toward the area that he was currently seated in. Her feet softly gliding across the cold tile floor as she allowed her hands to fall away from her chest and rest softly at her sides. "That is what you think this is about? Killing you?"

She gave a light chuckle as she would simply step around him enough to reach into the fridge and grab out a package of grapes, some cheese and a bottle of wine, always careful not to hit him, nudge him or otherwise step on him. With all the contents retrieved, she would step away and move toward the counter, able to keep an eye on him still even as she went about making herself a snack. "Yes, you did almost kill her." Speaking very matter of factly, a slight shrug given at that as she went about pouring herself a glass of wine and then filling up another wine glass closer to where he currently was.

"Your Father tried to throw me out a window when I was pregnant with her and Aiden, and then not long after that locked me away, tortured me, broke my leg and then forced me to fight him with it like that. Oh, and he threatened the lives of my kids. So yeah....I am used to it." She shrugged, plucking a grape from the bundle she currently had in her hand and popping it into her mouth.

"I mean, its not to say I am a little irritated that you chose her out of everyone in that damn school, but I am sure you had your reasons. Point is, she isn't dead, you look like shit...and I care about you both in your own ways." Another little shrug as she would grab up both glasses and move to where he was sitting...slowly lowering herself tot he floor beside him and offering out the other glass of wine toward him as she took a sip of her own.

"The torture lowers you blood pressure. This will help. Trust me." Softly wiggling the glass back and forth as she would set her own down and then reach up behind her to grab the plate she had set there, eyeing it carefully to decide if she wanted fruit, cheese or cracker.

[Cael Seran]

"You should kill me..."

It was the smoothest extent of anything that'd come out of Cael's mouth thusfar since the torture. He knew what he was capable of or at least beginning to get a general understanding of it. If anyone really hoped to stand a chance it was to kill him in a moment of weakness like such.

"...please, don't compare me t my father."

It was mostly a sign of general irritation. How the man had spent much of his life training Cael and pushing him harder than anyone else in his life and never really looking at anything Cael did with a signature of respect or approval, it was all "serving its purpose, defining its own ends, he had to do better." The same repetitive and inconsequential bullshit. It never made him feel any better.

The wine however, downed in one quick gulp would. Cael's features shriveling a bit as the sharp taste tingled his features slowly shuddering and turning the empty glass aside. "You saw it didn't you....my shame?" referring of course to the mark at his hip, narrowed eyes bore holes into the fridge as a hand came up to a balled fist and slammed into the wall's side expressing Cael's angst in one moment.

[Kevala Katashi]

"Sweetheart, the last thing I would do is compare you to your Father. That man is near impossible to please and regardless how much you try, you can always do better." Catching herself, she would quickly bite down upon her lower lip and distract herself by shifting to her knees so that she could grab up the bottle of wine, turning her back to him for a moment in order to do so.

"As for killing you...If that is what you want, then you have come to the wrong place. As I said, I care about you, and that does not happen often in my life. I usually try to avoid killing things or people that would hurt me to do so." A little sigh as her fingers wrapped about the neck of the bottle, pulling it to her and then spinning around to take her seat beside him once more, refilling her glass before offering him the bottle.

Whether he took it or not, she would arch her brow at his next comment before catching onto what he was speaking of and quickly averting her eyes to the floor in front of her. A hard task to achieve indeed, getting her to look to the ground. She was usually far too full of pride for such a thing. "Cael..."

Her lips pursing slightly as she paused, trying to figure out what to say in this moment that would express how she felt about the matter. Did she want to say that it wasn't shameful? Perhaps. Though it was hard when to this day she still hid the very mark that she had pressed upon her own flesh. "I..." Again her words falling just short of being good enough, and this time producing a little growl from her as she took another sip of her wine and then set her glass aside, rising to stand so that she was facing him and reaching down to pull at the waistline of her boxers. Sliding them down her hip, she would wince slightly, even though there was no pain to be felt, and look away...this time it being her chance to find herself unable to look at him.

"He had me for months...Like I said in that alley way...By the time he was done with me...by the time they were done with me...I couldn't even remember who I was. I still wake up screaming at night." A rather firm nod before she would quickly move to jerk the waist of her boxers back up, hiding that mark away and clearing her throat to try and regain her composure as she shifted to take up her seat once more.

"So, with me at least, you do not need to worry about shame. I am all too aware of what that man is capable of." Nodding, though still unable to look at him as she grabbed up her drink and took another long, slow swallow, fingers softly twisting her hair about in a somewhat nervous fashion.

[Cael Seran]

Conflicted. That was the best way of putting things that were germinating within his mind. Eyes sealed for but a moment while his hands laid taut gripped around the wine bottle choosing to milk it slowly but surely making his way to offhand it to the position opposite of Kevala and lay it at the ground before her little portrayal of scars. So it would seem that they were both damaged. Cael still begged to insist he was the greater harmed but that was just his selfish nature talking, the cold truth was Kevala was broken from the start left to make this life anew and develop something of it. But what she'd gotten was heartbreak and torment from all those around her.

The darkness swelled in Cael's chest proving forth infantile rage and rambunctious energy seething up from his bowels to take up the cause, to strike out in blind vengeance but still the very grieving part of him left a lump in his stomach. Without much movement he'd keel over moving on his knees before facing her. Soft hands settled at her waist holding her still yet with the softest gesture not quick or threatening pull at the waistline of her boxers just enough to reveal the scar before kissing it gingerly.

"I'm sorry..."

Not for what the doctor did, not for what he'd done, but rather a world of cruelty that they pair were locked into, drowning in constantly to this day. Cael remained asphyxiated to her unable to really let go however the slightest touch or breath could return him to a weak lean against the wall as calm or even calmer than before.

[Kevala Katashi]

She noticed him move, and though she knew that he could probably hurt her, even as he was, she didn't really think much of it. But when he shifted to kneel before her, his hands tugging a the waist of her boxers, she would tense. She didn't show people, she didn't talk about it, and she didn't acknowledge that it existed...so to stand there and accept that she had that mark, that what had happened....happened...made her stomach turn and her fingers tremble just slightly.

In her mind, thanks to a lifetime of heartbreak and being pushed away from anyone and everyone she loved or cared about, all she could think was that some sort of comment was coming that would be meant to floor her. To hurt her. To damage her in the way that so many before him had.

What he did on the other hand, and what he said....was enough to make her knees damn near weak. Taking all her strength to focus and stay upright as she turned her eyes to look down at him. Mouth opening to speak only to find she couldn't think of what to say...Not sure what there was to say to that. Not often that she was left stumbling over herself for words, though this instance was one of them.

Hesitantly, her hand would raise, trying desperately to stop the trembling that continued in her fingers, before ever so slightly brushing them through his hair while at the same time ensuring he didn't fall to the wayside. "I am sorry too." Those words probably the hardest two words for her to say, and to actually mean. Sure...she could lie them like nobody's business, but to actually say them with her heart in it, with emotion behind it....damn near unheard of.

Just like him, she wasn't really apologizing for anything she had done to him, or anything that the doctor had done. As much as it pained her that it had happened to him, she didn't think that anything could have changed it, save for her having disposed of the bastard before he could have gotten his mitts in Cael, which, if she thought about it, she was sorry for as well. But no, she knew that growing up for him had not been the easiest thing in the world, especially not with his Father. She was also sorry that things had been so hard for him...having not seen him as a spoiled little rich kid all this time, but as something more...even if she never really showed it.

Slowly, she would pry herself away from his grasp, though not to venture far. Instead, she would rest her hands on either side of his head to keep him stationary as she lowered herself down in front of him, settling there upon her knees as those icy hues looked into his own stunning eyes. "Cael, I know that it is hard, more than anyone. But you can't give up and resign yourself to being whatever it is you think you are. You have to take whatever he did, and you have to make it what you want it to be."

She would smile, as best she could allowing her small fingers to softly brush against his cheek as she let out a soft, sigh...that strawberry scent that always surrounded her more evident now that she was this close to him. "You are still Cael, somewhere inside of there. You just have to find yourself and drag yourself out of the ashes. Never let him or anyone else define who you are, ever again." Instinct had her wanting to pull away, this being the part where she usually got shot down, punched or scoffed at. So, she was pretty much prepared for anything, and would lean in to brush her lips against his cheek before slowly pulling back and away from him. A creature of habit, she supposed this was the part where she was expected to back away, and so that was what she did.

"Do you want something to eat? Or would you rather I help you back to bed? I went ahead and gave you my room since it has the bigger bed, moved a few of my things into the spare room." Nodding a bit as she reached down to grab her glass and set it up on the counter, flashing him a soft little smile as she did so.

[Cael Seran]

Cael's eyes made an attempt to dart away when she responded with her apology, he didn't like apologies, it was strange in fact they just simply irritated him yet he supressed the flood of anger knowing all too well that the sorry was meant out of a good place it just left him staggered even as she held him still in that instance he tried to avert his gaze. He couldn't stand to look so weak, to have someone look into his eyes and see what was brewing behind them like the very touch of contact that he'd simply be unveiled.

That's when she turned to kiss his cheek. Being Cael this response was simply reflex turning his head just enough to lock lips with her moving his hands up to her cheeks holding her there for a moment lingering. As deep and heated as before albeit a small bit of longing lapsing as his tongue played over hers before retreating fearing slightly that he'd given away too much the voice stolen from his breath.

"No... that'll be fine."

A silent nod to her response trying to lift himself on his own feet finding himself a small bit staggering to do so.

[Kevala Katashi]

She tensed for a second, feeling his lips press against her own. She didn't mind it, but it was no real surprise that she hadn't been expecting it. However, it took but a moment for her to seemingly melt into that kiss, tongue softly playing across his own as her head tilted ever so slightly into the touch of his hand. Her own since of longing there, picking up on his own as he kissed her...though as he pulled away, she would nervously chew upon her lower lip and quickly avert her attention elsewhere.

A slight nod given to his words, rising to stand and picking up a small piece of cheese to nibble upon out of a desire for something...anything to do other than express any sort of genuine affection toward him...well more than she feared she already had. However, noting the way that he stumbled to regain his footing, she would drop the sack back down upon the plate and move to stand beside him. She didn't reach out, despite the fact that her hands were itching to do so, but instead just stood there, in case he should go south in his attempts to make to wherever he was headed. "Are you sure you don't want me to help? I promise, I wont tell another living soul." If only she was kidding. She knew how devastating it could be to accept help, especially when you were somebody so full of pride like Cael had always been, but she also didn't want him face planting from the top of the stairs either. Those icy hues knit with concern, though she tried her best to hide it.

[Cael Seran]

Cael would hold himself stable but only just against the table and the fridge once more wavering slightly as he managed to look about to her seeing that nervous expression however thinking little to nothing of it as he was out of his comfort zone as well. Not usually the one to kiss someone he really felt as though there was a lack of control in his life something he could inevitably blame on the doctor for manipulating out of him. That however would change all too soon.

Kevala asked him however if he needed help. Pressing an issue as it was, the boy wouldn't make it up the stairs alone, wavering only on his own grip he shifted his hues away from her managing to offer up a single timid nod. No words expressed, like hell he'd ever really admit to anything needing help this was no exception despite the nod. Stubborn Ass.

[Kevala Katashi]

Despite the desire to reach out and help him, she didn't. Not unless he had started to fall, which luckily he had not. Though as she posed her question, she would note the way that he looked away from her before nodding slightly. Whatever smile she would have had wiped away as she would simply nod in a somber fashion and shift to press herself up against him, allowing him to lean on her as she escorted him from the kitchen and back up the stairs.

Normally, she wouldn't have offered, save for perhaps two other people in this world, but as they made their way halfway up the stairs, she realized that she really didn't mind all that much. Something she supposed had to do with the genuine concern she felt for him, as well as that lingering feeling at the pit of her stomach brought about by his kissing her. Not sure why that even mattered...It wasn't like that was the first time the two had ever kissed...Right? A part of her saying that she was right, but another part of her not satisfied with that answer.

Either way, she would just push it to the back of her mind and help him the rest of the way up the stairs and into her room, stopping only once she was near the edge of the bed and sure that he could make the short distance himself. "Here ya go. There is water and asprin next to the bed. The bottle is unopen...cause well...nevermind." Quick to turn her head away, to avoid that rare, light blush that now formed on her cheeks from being seen. Instead choosing to gather up the blanket she had been using earlier and fold it in her arms to carry out of the room when she went.

However, before she would leave, and only once that blush was fully gone, would she turn back and motion to the door off to the right side of the room. "The bathroom is through there, and the room I am staying in is down the hall, second door on the left. Just in case you need anything."

A little nod before she would start to turn and head out of the room, before stopping and spinning back around to speak, trying not to be too annoying, but at the same time concerned. "If you need anything just ask. If I don't have it, I am sure Carmine can run into town and get it." Another soft, slow smile offered before she would turn to leave and head out to give him his peace and quiet that she was sure he wanted or at the very least needed right now.

[Cael Seran]

Cael remained silent aside from the grunts and sighs making to come up the stairs his body staggering as he made it to the top with her help of course managing to fall face first into the bed pulling himself like a paraplegic under the covers. He situated himself in a manner a child might making to swindle himself up with the affectionate touch of the blanket however growing uncomfortable and hot before tossing them aside all the while Kevala talking and hinting at a bashful nature leaving him a twinge perplexed.

If you need anything.

He was silent still waiting til she teetered by the door and a hoarse voice came to meet her. "Stay..."

It was silent, not above a small whisper as a portion of the bed's covers lay unhinged from the edge. Cael however made no moves to secure it namely just leave in unoccupied, his head tucked into the pillow and a somber exhausted expression faded between sleep and awake.

[Kevala Katashi]

She was growing increasingly more uncertain of what the hell was going on here.This was not how things usually went, and with so many failed attempts at being nice under her belt, for her to actually succeed to this degree...well it quite frankly scared her a little bit. Still, she would pause in the doorway as she heard that word, barely above the sound of a whisper, sounding out from behind her.

For a few seconds, she stood there, her small fingers curling about the edges of the blanket that she held, trying to get a handle on what exactly was going on. She dealt in logic and facts, but right now, her mind was having a hard time grasping these things since nothing that was happening made much, if any sense to her train of logic and factual thought. Still, after a few seconds, she would nod and turn back around, tossing the blanket toward the chair she had been in earlier and then slowly crawling her way onto the bed, the spot which he had otherwise left unoccupied.

Small enough, upon such a large bed, that she barely managed to ruffle the covers, let alone disturb him in his current position as she lied down and slowly tugged the blanket up over herself. Rolling onto her side, she would face him, tucking her small hands beneath her cheek as her icy hues studied him carefully. "Just rest handsome...I'll be right here when you get up." A faint little smile given before she would lift her head and press her lips to his brow, letting that kiss linger there for a moment before softly nestling down into the pillows and curling up there. Still, that hesitation and uncertainty of what exactly was happening here keeping her from nestling her way into him....well that and the fact that all their previous encounters had not had much....snuggling...involved.