Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Another Day in Paradise ❯ A Shower of Embarrassment ( Chapter 4 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or any of its characters… too bad so sad…
Chapter 4: A Shower of Embarrassment
Hitomi woke up once again to the suns bright rays in her eyes. Once she got use to the light she realized she was still in her clothes, there was a thin blanket over her. She then remembered she had fallen asleep on the subway. Hitomi blushed at the though that Folken must have carried her home and put her to bed. Wow he even took my jacket and shoes off, I don't even remember waking up… damn he's good. He must have went home after, I can't believe I was that tiered. I feel so refreshed now.
She jumped out of bed and walked over to the window to greet the new day. Hitomi saw that it was yet another beautiful October day. It must have been around 7:30 and she could see all the high school students walk towards the school. Thinking that was her not to long ago. After she graduated her father and brother moved away. She missed them terribly; they would come by to see her once and a while. Whenever her brother wasn't in school they would be out somewhere I the country, her brother Aki was fifteen years old.
Hitomi continued looking out the window, her thoughts turned to Folken, she was so happy to have him in her life, even if it hadn't been for very long, but since their already existing friendship it has made things a whole lot easier. She couldn't help feel guilty; she couldn't help feeling bad for Van, what if he came for her just to find her with anther man? I cannot think of Van like that, not anymore it is his fault for making me wait so long.
She pushed herself away from the windowsill and decided she wanted a cup of coffee. It should still be warm; the coffee maker was set to make coffee at 6:00am. Hitomi opened her door and stretched her arms above her head as she walked into the living room, she stopped when she saw Folken sprawled out on the couch with his mechanical hand on the floor with the palm facing up. He looked so peaceful; his face just looked so innocent. She examined him, he was wearing long black dress pants and a white dress shirt with the top three buttons undone. She thought it was cute and quietly chucked to herself.
She snuck passed the sleeping man and went into the kitchen for her cup of coffee. After taking a few sips of coffee she started to feel very hungry. Hitomi opened her cupboards seeing what she could find, and the only thing she had suitable for breakfast was a lousy box of cereal and put that and her coffee on the dining room table.
“Now do I have milk, and if so has it expired?” Hitomi chuckled to herself as she walked over to the fridge and opened it; she hadn't been able to eat her food fast enough it would expire before she had got a chance to eat it. there was a carton of milk and to her amazement it hasn't expired yet. She grabbed the half-full container of milk and placed it on her small dining room table. She then took two bowls and two spoons from the cabinet and drawer and placed a set on each side of the table.
After pouring her cereal and milk she began eating. Once she was finished she cleaned up her dishes by putting them in the empty sink thinking these will get done… sometime today. Hitomi then looked around the corner to where the couch was and Folken had not moved an inch, he was still dead to the world.
Hitomi didn't like herself still being in yesterdays clothes so she walked over to the bathroom and closed the door. She took off her cloths, feeling good about herself as she checked herself out in the mirror. She then jumped into the tub and closed the curtains behind her, turning on the water ad feeling it slide down her body. It had been a long time before she had three meals in a day, she really felt good about having three the previous day. Folken couldn't stand the thought of Hitomi not eating, it would kill him to think she was suffering in any way, intentional or unintentional.
Meanwhile, while Hitomi was in the shower, there was movement on the couch. The sleeping prince had woken up. Folken sat up and yawned remembering he had spent the night on Hitomi's couch. He looked around for any sign of her then he noticed yet again the bathroom door closed, whenever I'm here she's always in the bathroom.
He got up and saw the box of cereal, milk and bowl laid out on the table, assuming it was for him he sat down at the table and had himself a bowl of cereal. As he finished his breakfast he herd the doorknob of the bathroom door turn and he looked up and as the door opened Hitomi emerged wearing nothing but a towel that covered her breasts to her upper thigh.
Hitomi looked up and saw Folken was looking at her and when Folken realized she saw him look he quickly turned his head and blushed, “I'm so sorry Hitomi.”
Hitomi dashed into her room and said aloud from her bedroom, “Don't worry about it, it's my fault, I assumed you were still sleeping.”
Hitomi quickly towel dried her hair and changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a pink t-shirt. Once she was dressed she picked up her brush and brushed her hair. She didn't bother fully drying it; she just put it into a ponytail.
She then walked out to a very embarrassed Folken still sitting in her dining room chair, still looking at the wall. Hitomi quietly walked up behind his chair and put her arms on his shoulders, sliding them down his chest bringing her chin to his shoulder. She whispered softly into his ear, “you liked that didn't you, good morning.” She then kissed his cheek.
Folken blushed even more, she was right, he was a man after all, what straight man wouldn't like it. It would only have been better if she didn't have the towel on in the first place, but he didn't want to go there he may do something they went ready to do at this point. After all dirty thoughts retreated to the back of his mind he whispered back to her, “Good morning Hitomi,” he picked up her left hand and gently kissed it.
“Yukari and amino said they were going to be stopping by today and knowing them it would be in the morning. If you want you can go shower and get cleaned up. If you want I can wash your clothes or just iron out the wrinkles.” Hitomi walked over to the closet beside the bathroom to find Folken a towel.
“Ironing would be okay.” Folken took the towel and walked into the bathroom and closed the door. He took off all his clothes and passed his shirt and pants through the slightly opened door.
After closing the door again he took off his boxers and pulled the curtain aside and stepped in. He turned on the water letting the cold water pour over his body, those thoughts had their side affects, this was going to be a while.
Meanwhile Hitomi had finished ironing and folding Folken's clothes; it only took about 15 minutes. She didn't think Folken would be the one for long showers; she shrugged her shoulders and didn't think much after it. Hitomi was going to put his folded clothes by the bathroom door when she hurt the intercom buzz.
She hurried over to the intercom and pressed talk. “Hello?”
“Hitomi is me and Amano, can we come up?” Yukari asked cheerfully.
“Yeah, one sec.” Hitomi pressed the unlock button, now Amano and Yukari were allowed to come up.
Hitomi quickly put her iron and her ironing board away forgetting all about Folken's clothes. When she looked at them Amano and Yukari were already knocking at the door. She went to answer it.
“Good morning Hitomi.” Both of them chirped.
“Good morning guys, please come in.” Hitomi showed them the way in. By then the shower water had stopped.
Amano and Yukari both took off their jackets and shoes and sat down on Hitomi's comfy couch.
“Please forgive the mess.” Hitomi said, kinda embarrassed about the dishes and stuff still on the table
“It's alright, don't worry it's just us.” Amano reassured his friend.
“So Hitomi where's Fol…” Her comment was interrupted by the bathroom door opening, they all looked towards the bathroom and Folken came out wearing only a towel around his waste and his boxers underneath. Yukari and Hitomi's mouths dropped at the sight of Folken's body, the muscle, the abs, and his fine form in general.
Folken knew now he was the center of attention now, “Excuse me,” he unsuccessfully snuck to the other side of the room to get his clothes and snuck back ducking into Hitomi's room.
“Well, well Hitomi what were you guys up to last night?” Yukari insinuated.
“Nothing…” Hitomi stuttered.
“Uh-huh, likely story Hitomi…” Amano started with a smile, “you don't have to tell us if you don't want to.”
“You guys.” Hitomi blushed, they were getting the best of her, and nothing even happened last night. “Nothing like that happened… I fell asleep in the subway and Folken carried me the rest of the way home, and he must have been pretty tiered and fell asleep on my couch.” Hitomi explained.
“Aww, that is so sweet, why don't you ever carry me anymore?” Yukari said as she glared at her boyfriend.
“You're not exactly light anymore.” Amano nervously confessed.
“Hey, I'm not that heavy.” Yukari smacked him upside the head.
Hitomi just burst out laughing at the lovers spat going on in front of her; typical Yukari. While those two were arguing she excused herself to give them a little bit of privacy. She walked over to her bedroom door and knocked, “Are you okay Folken? I'm sorry about that.” She walked into the room where Folken was fully dressed sitting on the edge of her bed. Hitomi advanced towards him and sat down on his lap wrapping her arms around his neck
“Its fine, I guess we're even now,” Folken Chuckled. “Besides it was worth it to see the look on your face, I take it you liked what you saw.” He started to cheer up not that he was her with Hitomi alone.
“If I'd said yes, then that would be an understatement.” Hitomi gave him a quick kiss on the lips and jumped off Folken's lap and pulling him up after. “I wonder if the lovers out there are still arguing, or making out in my living room.
Hitomi and Folken came out of the bedroom hand and hand to see that Amano and Yukari had stopped bickering, but now being extremely playful.
Folken cleared his throat causing the two lovers in the room to stop. “Good Morning Amano… Yukari, nice to see you two again, and so soon.”
“Good morning Folken,” both Amano and Yukari said. “I thought we'd scared you off.” Yukari added.
“Afraid not, the land dragons back home weren't enough to scare me off, I have the scars to prove it.” Folken tried to laugh off the embarrassment he felt not even ten minutes ago.
“Do you miss your homeland? Can you tell us a bit about it?” Yukari asked.
“I miss it at times, but I've found a wonderful reason to remain her, I'm no longer lonely. I remember growing up In Fanelia; it was a very beautiful country, after it was burned to the ground I don't know what I looks like now, that was over 4 years ago, my brother has probably rebuilt the city by now. But, Fanelia was a city in a valley with many trees and flowers. The high mountains around the city protected the city from the dragons that loomed on the other side. It was really beautiful behind the palace, when Van was five we use to play together a lot in there; I was only 15 at the time.” Folken paused before continuing, “That was about the time our father had become ill and passed away. It was my turn to become king. Though it didn't work out the way I hoped, when I thought I had slain the dragon, it jumped at me and stole my right arm. When the dragon retreated I was dragged off by solders. When I woke up I found this in place of my arm, it serves its purpose well, just not that appealing to the eye. Back in Fanelia word had spread that I was either dead or had ran away. My mother sunk into a depression and one day disappears from the palace to someday find me. I apologize for going on like this you just asked to know about Fanelia.”
“No its okay, thank you for sharing, it sounds like you had a trying life.” Yukari was amazed he had said so much. At times she could see all the hurt in his eyes, but thanks to Hitomi he's getting past it.
“Not all of it, I made my choices after I was abducted, most of which I regret, but I will not get into that.” Folken closed the subject
“Do you and Hitomi have any plan for today?” Amano asked.
Folken looked at Hitomi before answering, “I don't think we do, I think we're still a little whipped out from yesterday, I know I am.”
“I think we'll just stay in today.” Hitomi also gave her input on the question.
“Amano and I were going to go see my parents in a few hours.” Yukari started, “I haven't seen them in a long time. Besides we wanted to tell them the news in person. Oh yeah we haven't told you yet…Amano and I are getting married.”
“Oh that is wonderful Yukari…Amano. I am so happy for you both. Where and when are you going to have the wedding?” Hitomi was overjoyed at her friend's announcement.
“We were thinking here in this city since both our families are in town and we were thinking January.” Amano answered.
“Oh please Hitomi; please say you and Folken will be there.” Yukari begged.
“Of Course we would be delighted.” Folken answered before Hitomi could even open her mouth. Folken watched as Hitomi turned to look at him with an overjoyed expression on her face and smiled back nodding his head.
“Oh Hitomi…Folken I'm so happy to hear that. Amano I think we should get going. I hope we see you two again before we leave town.” Yukari said as Amano and herself stood up
“Stop by the diner, I'm working all week I think I get next weekend off though.”
“Alright, we'll stop in.” Amano said as he was putting on his shoes and jacket.
“Bye you guys.” Hitomi called out to them as she saw them walk down the hallway towards the elevator.
Hitomi closed the door and locked it. She turned around to see if Folken was in the living room, and he wasn't. He wasn't in the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. She was starting to panic. She then looked out the balcony door to see a shirtless Folken standing on the balcony. She watched his fabulous figure stand straight and looking longingly into the sky. He tightened his fists and arched his back slightly as his beautiful white wings unfolded. Hitomi watched as she saw a few feathers descend to the balcony floor. His draconian wings were so beautiful, they almost glowed.
She walked out into the balcony and wrapped her arms around his waist. Folken briefly wrapped his arms around hers, as short lived as it was he swooped her off her feet and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You ready to fly with the wings of an angel?” Folken asked.
“With you Folken, I go to the edge of the universe and beyond.” Hitomi looked down and saw Folken's feet rise above the floor, rising faster and faster.
Soon they were high in the sky, they could see the whole city, and in a way it was beautiful. It didn't terrify Hitomi at all, knowing she was in Folken's arms she felt safe. She didn't care what other people said or thought, being in his arms just felt so right.
They spent hours flying in circles loops, diving and rising up again. Folken was starting to get weary and turned around, heading back to Hitomi's apartment. He softly landed on her balcony gently setting Hitomi to her feet. With a little concentration Folken's wings began to disappear.
They both walked into the apartment, Hitomi noticed how much flying like that took its toll on the man beside her, “Go lay down, you look so tiered, please rest you shouldn't push yourself like that.”
“Come with me.” Folken whispered as he led Hitomi into her bedroom.
Folken laid down on one side of her bed as Hitomi laid down beside him. He pulled the blanket that was at the foot of the bed to him and covered himself and Hitomi with it.
Hitomi rested her head on the soft muscles on his naked chest and her hand sliding down his chest to his bare stomach as he wrapped his mechanical arm around her back and pulled her closer to him.
“Thank you, I really enjoyed that; seeing the city in a view I've never seen before. And now here with you I wish we could just stay like this.” Hitomi said as she snuggled closer to him, if that even were possible. She breathed in deep taking in the wonderful scent of Folken; breathed out and felt at peace.
Folken kissed the top of her head, “me too.”
Not to long after both of the lovers in each others arms had fallen asleep together on her soft bed with the suns light shining down on them.
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To my Reviewer,
Sciguy - Thank you so for your wonderful review, I am so happy you enjoyed my story and I'm glad you like how the emotions are flowing out of the characters.
I hope this chapter is up to your satisfaction.