Demon Diary Fan Fiction ❯ Acidic ❯ Here I Dreamt I was an Architect ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: How I continue to break the rules for my beloved public... I know that I don't really mention anyone except for Rae and Eclipse, and while that certainly increases intensity, it is rather unrealistic. So, here ya go!

Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue; me no own, so you no sue!

x(X)x

Eclipse angled his wrist. The paper airplane had been meticulously created, the sheet of elaborate designs put to better use. He closed one eye, judging altitude. When finally satisfied he tossed the kamikaze.

Krayon shrieked as the airplane landed in his staggering curls, tearing it out with palpable fury. The guitarist rounded on the singer with a look that promised an upcoming ad in the classifieds: Lead singer for rock band wanted. Must not make fun of costume designs created byguitarist.

Eclipse snickered softly, leaning back in the desk chair. He responded before Krayon could compose himself enough to do so. “I know I said it had to be all black, but that does not give you license to turn us into Goth Elton Johns.”

Meruhesae chimed in from her perch on the arm of Eclipse's battered sofa, flipping her equally treasured ebony tresses over a pale shoulder. “They're pretty in their own right, just... not quite the look we need.”

Singer, guitarist, and drummer all turned unconsciously to the serene figure sitting up straight in the squishy armchair (a remarkable feat.) Rased had been with them for nearly five months now, but had never become a real part of the band. Eclipse personally thought they were all unable to forget the tragedy that had brought the soft-spoken teen into their midst.

The bassist shrugged, obviously uncomfortable. “I don't really know much about costumes.”

Eclipse managed to restrain a frustrated sigh. “All in favor of keeping the clothes we already have say aye.”

x(X)x

Several hours later the weekly band meeting was called to a close. Eclipse rubbed his temples tiredly as his band mates filed out of the apartment. He stood wearily, looking at the clock. 9:30.

Eclipse found himself suddenly reenergized at the thought of the pints of coffee ice cream waiting to be bought at the shop down the street.

x(X)x

A slight smile lit the normally stoic face as Eclipse dug into his treat (which he felt was particularly well-deserved), impervious to the chilly night air as he sat at a small stone table outside the dear little delicatessen that had convinced him to buy the apartment he now vacated.

The grin became more feral as the blonde head he had been watching intently strolled out. He waited, and was not disappointed, as Raenef saw him and froze.

The rocker rose with an inhuman grace, strolling over as though floating. He stopped in front of the boy who was now clutching a cone of vanilla ice cream protectively.

The aquamarine eyes were huge, shock and a deeper naivety mingling irresistibly.

He eyed a speck of white at the corner of Raenef's mouth before leaning and catching it with his tongue -

Eclipse was jolted awake as the couple above him started arguing in very loud and impolite words. He groaned and knocked the cartons stacked on the coffee table away moodily, glaring at his slightly dingy walls.

This was really not his day.

x(X)x

Raenef sighed, pushing the empty box around his desk mournfully. He jumped slightly when a callused hand darted into his line of vision. It took him a moment to realize who the hand belonged to.

Jake low brow contorted as he studied the tattered package. “Mints?”

Raenef slunk lower in his seat. “No, ecstasy. Finding anything interesting?”

Jake laughed softly. “Sure... you're a fag with bad breath. Who knew?”

The bell rang suddenly, and Raenef rose jerkily, determined not to watch as Jake shredded the box - and even more determined not to care.

x(X)x

Eclipse blinked as the teen slammed into the chair adjacent his own, disturbing the stillness of the coffee shop. He cocked his head to the side, more then a little irritated. “Shouldn't you be in school?”

Erutis shook her head brusquely, composing herself and trying to right the cup of espresso she had overturned. “Well... yeah. But it's not like I've never cut a class before!”

Eclipse bolted out of his chair as the hot liquid began dripping into his lap, annoyance growing by the moment. “Who the hell are you?”

Erutis did not look up from the soaked napkins she was cleaning the table with. “I'm Erutis. I'm a friend of Raenef's.” Finally satisfied that the task was completed, she leaned back comfortably in the chair. “And I know you're very interested right now, so if I were you I'd be a little more polite.”

Eclipse eyed her distastefully, hiding the excitement that had begun to bubble within him at the mention of Raenef's name. He slid coolly into a dry chair, feigning indifference. “I'm listening.”

x(X)x

Raenef rubbed his ears self-consciously, wondering why they suddenly felt so warm. Shrugging it off, he crossed the crowded parking lot with his head down until he came to his car. His mother had bought it for him using the money his father left him.

He hated the Corvette with every fiber of his being. Bought with guilt-money, it even proved that his mother knew nothing about being a good parent. Then again, maybe she wanted him to get killed driving it.

He would never understand that woman.

x(X)x

Eclipse sat back slowly. He propped his head on one hand, confusion written in every line of his face. “And you're doing this why?”

Erutis scowled. “I already told you, I'm Raenef's friend.” She sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose.

“You've gotta understand something: Raenef doesn't like people. He hates his parents, even though one of em's dead. I'm his only friend aside from Chris.”

Eclipse was still severely perplexed, and told her so.

“How much clearer can I make this? I've never seen Raenef... click with a person the way he has with you. It scares him.

“He's like my little brother - I want him to be happy.”

Eclipse rolled his eyes. “I'd forgotten how contrite high school girls can be. You think I'll `make him happy'? In case you haven't noticed doll, he can't stand me.”

Erutis rose angrily, eyes blazing. “He doesn't want to get hurt! And you can make fun of me all you want, but it's the truth. I don't know how many more chances like this he's gonna get.”

Eclipse gripped the table tightly, taut knuckles glaring white. “And so I'm a means to an end?”

Erutis leaned on the table once more, an expression suspiciously like pity furrowing her brow. “Do you really care?”

His shoulders tensed visibly. Then he let out a yielding sigh, slumping in the seat. “Not really.”

x(X)x

Raenef tossed his keys negligently on the table as he crossed the foyer. He paused for a moment, head cocked to the side. Once certain that he detected no foreign presences (such as his mother), he reached for the stereo remote.

“Please don't. I've seen your CD collection.”

Raenef dropped the remote, spinning around in abject terror. Mocking his finely-honed intruder sense, there was a dark blot of rocker upon the pristine white loveseat.

He leaned against the wall, sliding until he was sitting on the floor.

“I'm going to close my eyes and count to ten, and you won't be there when I open them,” he murmured fervently.

He did none of this however, staring intently at Eclipse. The man in question smirked slightly, leaning forward.

“I had a very interesting discussion with a very irritating bird earlier. Said bird happened to have a spare key...” he rolled his eyes at Raenef's blank expression. “Within the next few minutes you were going to ask how I knew where you live and how I got in. I'm letting you save your breath.”

Raenef cracked a smile. “Are you sure? It's minty fresh.”

x(X)x

Eclipse grinned inwardly as he rose. Concentrating on walking unhurriedly to where Raenef sat, he did his best to remain calm. When he finally reached the boy he knelt, hand snaking out to cradle the delicate chin.

“I won't stay long. I just came to have a look around. I will however, leave you with something to think about `til next we meet.”

Deeply he inhaled taking in Raenef and everything that made him irresistible.

Slowly he lowered his head,entranced as the long-lashed eyes slid shut, as the candied lips parted.

He was lost to the world as he watched, hating himself on an unbearable level. It would be so easy...

x(X)x

Raenef's eyes snapped open as the cool hand released his chin. Unable to speak, he watched Eclipse leave, disbelief filling him. It began as a niggling sensation in his toes, slowly creeping up his limbs, searing him to the core.

The dark figure paused at the door, not turning.

“See you Friday.”

x(X)x

Violet eyes flashed dangerously at a soft, polite knock, knowing only one who would announce himself in such a way and not having the patience to deal with him right now. Eclipse rolled from back to stomach on the ramshackle sofa, tossing his notepad full of scribbled lyrics aside.

“Whatever it is, can it wait until later, Rased?” he groaned.

A soft sigh on the other side of the door registered, followed by a faint rustling. Hearing the retreating footsteps, Eclipse glanced at the door - only to find a pristine envelope.

x(X)x

Krayon threw up his hands melodramatically, eyes directed upward in apparent hopes of divine intervention.

“Well that's it, then! The punk decides that he just has to go help disaster victims in Asia, and we're stuck.”

Meruhesae pouted more sullenly as she curled up in an armchair, crossing her arms over her chest. “We'll never be able to find a replacement in time for Friday. Sayonara, Oz…”

Eclipse expressed similar, if silent, hopelessness was expressed by the way his eyes bored into the opposite wall. Gleaming teeth gnawed his lower lip.

For some odd reason, he thought of the stillness of Raenef's house before the boy arrived, the orderliness of the downstairs. How he had paused to fiddle with the stereo, look through CDs, pluck a string of the bass propped up in a corner -

Shooting up, he felt his band-mates' surprise as she stomped out the door. “I know someone,” he shouted over a shoulder.

x(X)x

When he knocked with feverish urgency, Eclipse half expected no answer - or worse, a door opened and then slammed in his face.

It must have been the desperate urgency that made Raenef's brow furrow as the boy let him in.

x(X)x

As Raenef settled the guitar strap over his shoulder, he gave Eclipse a cool glare, apparently unforgiving in light of the singer's actions a few days before.

“Why am I doing this again?” Raenef snarled.

With an intensity that he knew unsettled many, Eclipse steepled his fingers, leaning forward to study the boy. In grey sweats and a fitted black tee, with heavy-lidded eyes and mussed hair, (had he slept in so late as a teen? Eclipse hoped not.) Raenef was not at all difficult to envision as the prey to his predator.

“Because I asked you to. Play, and I'll leave,” he said quietly.

The crystalline eyes rolled in irritation, but Raenef bent over his bass and did as he was told.

After a few moments, Eclipse leaned back in satisfaction, knowing it would be enough.

x(X)x

Eclipse shrugged negligently, stirring a pan of teriyaki chicken. Neither Meruhesae nor Krayon could make so much as a sandwich without screwing it up, so they had a tendency to pop up at his apartment in time for dinner.

“I'm going to help him study for his SATs - he doesn't want money apparently. Not that he was going to join us out of the goodness of his heart…”

“He's not fantastic, mind you, but he's got an astounding amount of raw talent. A bit like Four, but with less finesse. It's surprising, really - he can play complex cords flawlessly, but simple things like holding the frets properly escape him. Anyway,” Eclipse continued, dishing the chicken out with steamed broccoli to the pair, “he's as good as we're going to find. Does that work?”

Krayon and Meruhesae, their faces smudged with teriyaki sauce and their mouths stuffed, silently nodded their assent.

x(X)x

A/N: Evil review-eating monster. You know the drill.

Remember to mention in your review whose POV the next chapter should be in!

Leijhana tu'sai to all readers and reviewers!