forum Does anybody want to do an oxo? (closed, 15+, mature)

Started November 02, 2021 by Deleted user

tune

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She hears his words, pauses, and goes back.

"Well, I don't think I'm the villain. Villains never do. But I know I'm not truly a villain. The world has branded me as such however, and I cannot change their mind." she replies.

She looks amused by his reaction to her giving him her real name, and shivers at the sound of her name on Aetorno's lips. She doesn't know why she's having this reaction, now of all times, but it isn't entirely unpleasant.

"Yes, I can. Do you have anything you want to talk about, or do you just need me to stay for some company?" she asks, smiling.

"And Tessa is fine. I like how you say it." The words slip out before she can stop them, and she blushes.

What is going on with her? She tries to figure this out while she weaves herself a blanket and pillows, too lazy to walk back to her room for more of both.

When she's done weaving everything, she drags everything into the shadows by the bed, lowering the bed until Aetorno is level with her.

She just looks at Aetorno now, trying to decide what to do next. She just decides to stay quiet until Aetorno decides to say something, wondering what he's thinking and whether or not he's thinking of her the same way she's been.

Adonis was not sure what to say in response to her question. Out of instinct, he just nodded. His eyes lit up in its usual icy-blue shade, seeing her smile. He could feel his cheeks warm up, but he barely register it in his head. He was too focused on staring at….Tessa.

Closing the gap between his lips, he swallowed only to drop his jaw at what she said next. She likes the way he says her name? Would a villain ever say such a thing? No. Only someone who likes another would…..But she doesn't think of him like that. They have fought each other countless of times before; you can't just like your archenemy as if you two could be…..

He shook his head in order to stop the trail of thoughts. There's no way that Tessa is or would see him like that. She is only being nice to him because he almost died and is severely injured, that's it. Or maybe it could be….

"My name….my name…my name….Ah, my name is Adonis," He said, sighing right afterwards. The words just spilled out without a notice. He wanted to say that he wanted the company and how he was also scared at the moment, but he wasn't able to. His eyes grew curious as they lingered. They slowly wandered up and down. His heart thumped.

Setting his hand over his heart, it felt incredibly warm. He doesn't even remember the last time it felt like that. "My chest hurts…." He whispered. "Why is does it ache here?" His eyes stayed blue while his hair turned white again. Sadly, he didn't even notice it. He hasn't noticed it since it started to happen to him.

Tessa reads his body language easily, guessing his poorly stopped line of thinking. She sees his face turn red, and smiles.

Oh my god… he can't like me. Can he? If I can like him, maybe… she thinks, shifting around to get more comfortable, instantly freezing upon seeing his eyes and hair start to change, seeing his hand go to his heart, hearing what he said. But he doesn't look like he's intending to fight her. He looks almost as if… oh. He's definitely thinking about that.

She hears his words, but they take a second to register. Adonis. Aetorno. Adonis…

She decides to try out his name, to see how it feels to say it. "Adonis… what a good name for you."

She instantly feels the rightness of it, and blushes as well. She hopes he can't see her as well as she can see him, knowing that he probably can.

Well… if this is how this is going to be, I might as well get to know him. she thinks.

"So… Adonis… where are you from?" she says, very awkwardly. She isn't used to this feeling, or interacting with people, but some unknown instict guides her words.

The way she said his name. Never has he heard anyone say it as sweetly as she did. Although he has heard her voice countless times, it usually gave him chills and made him feel outrageous. It resonated in him. "Thank you," He smiled.

Awkwardness hung in the air. Adonis could tell that Tessa was hesitant and unsure, but he felt the same too. He really wondered if she was shy because of him. The question was in his mind, but he didn't want to think about it or ask.

Smiling at her, he laughed a little. "It's alright. I appreciate you keeping me company, I know it's weird and difficult for you but really I do appreciate you for this," He reassured.

For a brief moment, he paused. Looking up at the ceiling, he took a moment to gather up words for an answer. He didn't want his heart to lead him to say something odd or to make him stutter. "I've lived in the city practically all my life. I did live somewhere else, but I was too young to remember," He answered. "And you?"

The redness on her face sparked his attention. Is she not feeling well or is it something else. His hand reached out only for it soon recoiled afterwards. Adonis decided to not comment on it, and instead pull the blanket up a bit further.

Tessa was so focused on Adonis that she didn't register the thanks at first. Then, as the words do register, her face turns slightly less red and she says "You're welcome, Adonis."

She felt the awkwardness just as acutely, wondering where the strong, well spoken Adonis she knew had went. Maybe it had something to do with her? She shook the thought away, bemused. It couldn't be. She thinks.

"If that isn't an understatement, I don't know what is, Adonis." she replies, smiling slightly.

At his next words, she's stopped short. "I… I was homeless as a child. I've always been in the area of this city." she sighs.

"I never had a chance to go anywhere until I started raiding the labs. Up until I was 10, I hadn't even seen the inside of a government building." she adds.

"Anyways, enough of that." she says, smiling again. "There's no use in dwelling upon the past. Especially now. Right?"

She sees his hand start to reach out, then sees him pull back and grab the blanket. She sighs again, and before she loses the nerve, she reaches out and grabs his hand, just holding it.

"I… I'm not sure what will happen with us. But just know I'll help you out, no matter where I am or what I'm doing. Because that's what 'enemies' are for. Yeah?" she says this uncertainly, not knowing if she's been reading him right, but sure she has been.

Gazing up at her, he listened to every single word she said. Not once did he look away from her eyes. Well, he was not able to look away from them at all. He practically got lost in them. It was interesting since all the other times, he would see her eyes through a mask and with anger in them. Now they are soft and full of a mixture of several emotions.

Adonis wanted to ask a bunch of questions, and yet, he was reminded by the look on her eyes. If he wasn't already distracted by his feelings and the pain, it was something his heart was focusing on.

The grin on his face stayed, but it grew wider as she smiled at him. He gave a small shrug. "Sometimes the worst thing one can do is to ignore and not look back, but I think now is not a good time to anyways."

At first, hearing the sigh confused him, but it did not prepare him for what happened next. The feeling of her hand against his made his face warmer than it already was. Adonis worried about his hand burning or a flame just appearing. The thud his heart made also scared him a little.

"Enemies would have their hands around each other's necks," He chuckled. Looking down at their hands, he smiled softly. "But we are holding hands right now." What does that make us now? The question floated around in his head, but he kept it to himself. He went from almost dying to holding his archenemy's hand, though he probably really shouldn't call Tessa his enemy now. Enemies don't act shy around a hero while holding their hands.

"Yeah… I guess." Tessa responds, unsure what she should say.

She focused on his eyes finally, looking up to find them already locked on hers. Her face turns red, but she doesn't break the gaze. She sees a lot of emotion in them, not just the normal anger and annoyance she usually sees behind his mask.

She sensed his confusion at her grabbing his hand, smiling a little.

"Just so you know, if you were to accidentally burn me, I wouldn't change how I thought about you." she adds, still smiling slightly.

"Yes, we would, wouldn't we?" she says, responding to his question. "But yes, instead of hands around throats, it's hands around hands." she grins, now teasing Adonis.

"And as to what this makes us… I'm not sure. But we definitely can't be called enemies. After all, I did just bandage you up." she adds, still teasing.

Adonis seems to be running out of things to say. I know I am. she thinks. But, this is nice, just sitting here. Not trying to hurt each other for once.

She starts giggling, at some random thing.

"I don't know why, but this is kind of funny. Just a couple of days ago, I would never have even dreamed this would happen. Yet look at us!" she continues giggling, trying to stop.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be laughing," she says. "But this is truly one of the weirdest moments in my life, and that includes accidentally shadow walking while soaking in the tub."

"Huh?" His head tilted a little to the side. Accidentally burning her hand now is the last thing he wants to do. Swiftly he shook his head. "But still…" He whispered. "I shouldn't even let it happen. I may be weak right now, but I can control it. I can, I do not want to burn you, even if it's an accident."

Sure, he can handle it, but he's worried about his feelings getting the best of him. The first time after that strange experience, he got way too excited and almost burnt the house down. He does not even imagine what it's like if his heart is racing faster than the speed of light.

Hands around hands, he rolled his eyes and shook his head in response to her teasing. He wanted to say something, but he was almost out of breath. Staring at her was leaving him out of breath just as much as being hurt is. And yet, he still cannot look away from her.

Adonis laughed a little. His chest rose as along with each laugh. Right as he was going to laugh, an instant sharp of pain hit him. Pausing for a moment, he winced. His breath hitched until he took a deep breath. Right, he has a deep stab wound that's gradually healing.

After taking a couple moments to breath, he liked his lips. "I wouldn't have believed anyone if they told me that you would be taking care of me," He admitted. His other hand rested on top of hers. "It is weird, but in a way, I don't mind it at all. Your hands are nicely cool, they contrast well with mine. They match perfectly."

She sighs and smiles, shaking her head. "I know. I'm just letting it be known." she says.

"And I'm not sure you're entirely in control of yourself." she adds, feeling his forehead for a fever.

"You're burning up, Adonis." she says, concerned. Is this a result of the wound or a result of his powers? Or a result of his face being as red as it is? she wonders.

She gets a sudden idea. She takes her hand away from his forehead, concentrating. Slowly, the temperature of her hand decreases. "Wow… okay, I've found a way to cool you down." she murmurs, putting her hand on his forehead.

She sees his wincing at laughing, and frowns. "Don't laugh if it hurts!" she exclaims, fake angry.

She startles at his last words, then laughs again.

"So you agree!" she says, a new glow in her usually darkly bright eyes.

Glancing up at her hand on his forehead, he took a deep breath. Adonis was burning up alright, yet he wasn't sure why. It could be a fever, or maybe it was her, or even both. He couldn't tell anyway.

A soft hum rang in his throat. He was pretty sweaty too. While he isn't sure why Tessa has her hand on his forehead still, he didn't mind it at the same time. On the other hand, his heart was beating very quickly. His chest was rising and collapsing at a moderate pace.

When she put her hand on him again after removing it, it felt cooler. Her murmurs are soft. Slowly, he was starting to feel cool; well, at least his forehead is. His chest still felt incredibly warm, but that really isn't a problem for him.

"Ah….I'm sorry, I didn't want to ruin your mood. Your laugh is pretty contagious. Don't use it against me now," He teased, giggling afterwards.

Adonis was distracted by the light in her eyes. His pupils widened at sight of them. A small gap between his lips formed while he lightly smiled. It took him awhile to process what she said. He blinked, softly shaking his head. "Huh?" As he looked away, he thought back to their conversation before nodding. "Oh, yeah, I do. I wouldn't be disagreeing with you about that."

Tessa watches the rush of emotions and thoughts pass behind Adonis' eyes, laughing still.

"I'm trying my best to keep you from dying of fever, fool." she teases again, smiling. She feels the heat coming from his chest now, and releases the coolness from her hand, moving it to just over his heart.

She hears his hum, and starts giggling again. "Well then! If you're well enough to feel pleased, I assume you're feeling better already!"

"And you're not ruining my mood, Adonis. This is actually an improvement to my earlier mood!" she adds, giggling still.

"And it's hard not to laugh at you and your words, Adonis." she murmurs this too.

She sees his pupils dilate, watching his face transform from a teasing one to an intently focused one. She giggles at this.

She acts on an impulse next, leaning in and giving him a light kiss.

Suddenly, she pulls back, startled.

"I'm… sorry, I didn't think…" she says, her face burning. But she felt it was worth it.

His bottom lip jutted out. "I am not going to die from a fever. I can handle heat," He grumbled. The pouting expression did not last long on him. As soon as she laughed, he went back to smiling. He almost laughed, but stopped just as he felt a sharp flash of pain. There is another reason why he is heating up so quickly and he knew that it was from the wound.

The feeling of her hand over his heart left him stiff. It was difficult to get over the coldness of her hand gently laying on top of his chest. He tried to ignore it by staring back at her, but his eyes flickered down to her lips. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. But does Tessa like him? No, it wouldn't make any sense for them and their situation. And yet, here they are right now. She couldn't have taken him in and be this close to him if it was otherwise. Still, he felt nervous every time he made eye contact.

Before he could say anything, he felt her lips against his. Everything happened so quickly in a blink of an eye. By the time she pulled away, his breath hitched. A few moments passed by so he could process what just happened. Gradually, he forced himself to sit up despite the pain in his abdomen telling him to lay back down. Inching himself closer to her, he shook his head.

"Why? I believe that you were thinking the same thing I was," He whispered, leaning in. Using his right hand, he caressed Tessa's cheek. Now she was starting to burn up, he chuckled quietly. "There's no need to worry. You don't have to pull back so quickly next time."

Tessa just looks at Adonis for a second, then smiles.

She notices his physical response to her and starts giggling.

"Well… if that's the case…" she says, teasing him. She presses another kiss to his lips, this time letting it linger before pulling back, a rush of happiness and… something… flowing through her.

"Now, you need some more food." she says, reluctantly getting up to go get some more food for Adonis. Her heart flutters as she does so, and she looks down at him again.

"What do you want?" she smiles, speaking softly, pausing at the door.

Adonis let his eyes fluttered shut. His hand cupped her cheek. The way their lips pressed together gave him butterflies. His ears turned red. The stiffness in his body melted away.

When Tessa pulled away, he groaned quietly. A rush of adrenaline was pumping through him. His heart was ready to jump out of his chest. Part of him was frozen while the other wanted to go up and wrap his arms around her.

"Please come back….." He responded. Gently he patted the bed. His hair gradually transformed back to black. "I do not need to eat right now…..I want…I want….I want to lay down, but I do not want to be alone. Could you please lay with me?"

Tessa turns red and laughs, going back to the bed and sighing.

"Yes, Adonis. I can." she smiles, going to get some more pillows.

When she returns, she climbs under the blankets and, as gently as she can, moves Adonis using the shadows.

She then cuddles right up against him, her eyes almost immediately fluttering closed, her breathing turning easy.

"Good… night…" she yawns, falling asleep against Adonis, her arms wrapped around him.

Putting his arm around her, he cuddled up next to her. His cheeks were still radiating with warmth as he tried not to stiffen up. Adonis watched as her eyes steadily closed. He hummed in response to her words. "Good night, Tessa," He whispered before kissing the top of her forehead.

It took awhile for Adonis to fall asleep. Sure he did feel sleepy and all, but his mind was still incredibly active. So much had happened in the last couple of hours that his mind was still processing it all. While he was trying to not think back to what happened at the warehouse, he did think about how Tessa looked at him when she opened the door and how they just kissed.

Eventually his eyes did start to get heavy again. His breathing slowed down. Despite probably needing all the rest he could get, he tried to fight it off for a bit. He worried about having nightmares or even a night terror. To wake up in a panic with Tessa is something that he doesn't want. But he gave up as he kept closing and opening his eyes. Within a couple of minutes, he drifted off into sleep.

Tessa stirs a little at his kiss, but stays sound asleep.

When she wakes the next day, it seems like it's still night, but then she realizes that they must have slept through the night and the next day.

"Hey, blockhead, wake up." she murmurs, shaking Adonis lightly. When that doesn't immediately work, she kisses Adonis. When that doesn't work, she sighs, then gets up.

"Whatever… you can sleep as long as you want. I'll make us some food." she says, padding into the kitchen and grabbing the stuff for scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes.