Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction / Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction ❯ Black Velvet ❯ This Time ( Chapter 18 )

 

 

Schuldig woke slowly, looking around at the unfamiliar room in the semi darkness.

 

“Where the hell am I?” he mused. He checked the room for some indication as to where he was. By the feel of the place, he was back at Madame Belle's house. He noticed a pair of glasses on the nightstand and knew instantly whose room he was in. He stuck his head under the pillow and groaned as the previous night's activities came flooding back to him. He'd made a complete ass of himself. He sighed and threw the covers off of him, finding himself still partially in club gear. The pants at any rate.

 

He listened to the sounds in the house for a moment and heard a piano being played quietly. He headed for the ballroom. He paused inside one of the smaller doorways, the room was dark with the exception of two branch candelabras on either side of the grand piano. Skye's soft laughter reached his ears from across the room as she and Crawford sat on the bench talking while he played.

 

“Is there anything you don't do aside from fly?” Crawford said with a laugh. He paused for a moment and stared at her in shock. “You can, I remember you taking me when I was a kid.”

 

“It isn't exactly flying it's more like gliding using sound and the air currents to get the lift.”

 

Crawford shook his head in wonder. “My gods, you are amazing.”

 

“So Schuldig keeps telling me,” she said.

 

Crawford's expression suddenly became very serious. “Are you sure about this, Skye?”

 

“We've discussed this before, Bradley. He and I can't be a couple in the long run, you two can. By all rights and reasons he loved you first anyway.”

 

“And I did such a great job of showing him I loved him too.”

 

“Bradley . . .” Skye began warningly.

 

“I'm serious, Skye. You know how bad it was between the two of us just a few weeks ago.”

 

“Yes. I also know how much can change in a short period of time. You, of all people, know how much can be altered by one action or inaction.”

 

Crawford sighed. “I don't have the first clue as to how to be in a real relationship.”

 

“No one does really,” she said. “You definitely need to talk. I'm sure you'll figure it all out.” She got up from the piano bench. “If all else fails, sing to him. He liked it when you sang to him at the club and sometimes music says things we can't bring ourselves to utter in a conversation.” She leaned down and said quietly, “I suggest you start that song after I leave if you're going to do things that way.”

 

“Where is he?” Crawford asked, not looking up from the keys.

 

“In the small doorway at this end of the room.” She kissed his cheek. “Bon chance.”

 

“Thank you,” he said, grabbing her hand and pressing his lips to the back of it. “I can never tell you how grateful I am for all you've done.”

 

She smiled and walked across the room, leaving by the far door.

 

Crawford watched her leave then took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His fingers found the right keys and he started to play almost instantly getting lost in the music.

 

Talk to me, you can talk to me

Can't you see, I've fallen in love with you

You took me by surprise and I need to hear you tell me

That you feel it too

 

Schuldig felt the pull of the music almost physically. He had taken several steps into the room without realizing that he had been moving.

 

I've been so afraid to share what's on my mind

But I believe you feel like me and I can trust in you, this time

The past is full of false starts, of love that I've denied

Somehow I know we won't make the same mistake this time.

 

Schuldig stood just to the left of the piano watching Crawford play. Crawford's eyes were still closed and there was an intensity to his playing that Schuldig had never heard before. As he stood watching him play the other man opened his eyes and looked directly at him.

 

This time I don't have to be afraid

This time all the magick finally came

Because it's right this time

 

Schuldig sat next to Crawford on the bench and listened intently to the rest of the song.

 

This time I don't have to make believe

Love is what we have and all we need

Because it's you and me this time.

 

Schuldig leaned his head against Crawford's shoulder. “I take it that was for me,” he said after the last notes had faded.

 

“It wasn't for Skye,” Crawford said, turning slightly to look at him better.

 

“Soooooo, what do we do about this now?”

 

“That's up to you, because hell if I know.”

 

“I think you're supposed to kiss me,” Schuldig said, smirking.

 

“I don't have a problem with that,” Crawford said, sliding both hands into Schuldig's hair and kissing him softly.

 

Schuldig pulled back and looked at him oddly for a moment. “Damn, I have to tell Skye, don't I.”

 

“She already knows.”

 

“I know she does. I just don't want to hurt her.”

 

“She's done a hell of a lot for me, you'd better not hurt her.”

 

“There you are!”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“I was beginning to wonder when you were going to go back to being a first class bastard.”

 

“Oh, I would imagine very soon. I'm giving myself cavities with all this sweetness.”

 

“Yes, you're so sweet. You who shot the poor guy who was flirting with me at the club in both kneecaps.”

 

“If he couldn't walk, he couldn't very well chase you.”

 

 

Skye had walked out onto the back porch to get some fresh air and to give Schuldig and Crawford some privacy. It really was better this way, she mused. She was lost in her thoughts when an odd sound to her right drew her attention. It was an odd, keening sound, almost like a wounded animal. She stepped off the porch and rounded the corner of the house, finally catching sight of what was making the noise.

 

Skye could barely recognize the wretched creature crawling toward her as a human being. She was bone thin, her dark hair lank and lifeless as it hung around her face, the clothing she wore was little more than rags. She was absolutely exhausted and any spark of life left in her was fading.

 

Skye knelt down beside the other woman. “Oh, my gods, sweetheart, let's get you inside,” she said, reaching out to gently pull her up.

 

The other woman's eyes seemed too big for her face, the dark circles around the sunken flesh making the gold of the iris' stand out all the more prominently. Her chapped lips worked, trying to form words that finally came out as a quiet croak.

 

“M . . . Maggie. Th . . . thank gods.”

 

Recognition hit Skye like a punch in the chest. “Sweet merciful goddess! Bradley!” At that point she didn't care if she woke the entire house.

 

A few seconds later Crawford nearly skidded off of the porch with Schuldig right behind him. “Skye, what's wrong?”

 

Skye looked down at the young woman she was now holding in her arms and back up at him. He looked from Skye to the other woman in confusion.

 

“F . . . found you,” the rag doll said. “You're it.”

 

Crawford's eyes flew wide and he tamped down a half scream as he bolted to where Skye was sitting, singing softly over the other woman. His eyes went to Skye's as he reached out to touch the young woman's hair. “Tell me I'm not dreaming, Skye. Tell me she's alive and here.”

 

“You aren't dreaming,” Skye said, standing up. “She's alive and here. But we need to get her inside.”

 

“Let me have her,” Crawford said. Skye placed the young woman into Crawford's outstretched arms. He cradled her against his chest as though she were a small child.

 

“Take her to one of the spare rooms. Schuldig and I will wake everyone else,” Skye said, taking Schuldig by the arm. “I'll explain in a minute.”

 

“No need,” Schuldig said. “I can only think of one thing that would make Brad react like that. The missing sister.”

 

 

*********************************Author's Notes***********************************

The song used in this chapter is “This Time” by Y&T. Don't own it.