| Chapter Six: Past the Surface |
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| Disclaimer: (Insert normal disclaimer here.) |
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| Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
V sighed as he was slowly pulled from sleep by the clock in his room, his mind confused and disoriented. He slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to find he still had his mask on. He rarely slept with the mask on, preferring the night as the one time he can feel the air caress his skin since he gained a housemate. He reached up to take it off when a stab of pain ripped through his side and with it came back the memories of the night before. Prothero, the poison, the gun, the rose, the blood, the long walk back, the vase, the pain, the hands, the voice… …Veronica. That’s when V realized something was on his chest. Something warm and soft, a delicate pressure above his quickening heart. And the strangest and most terrifying realization was that whatever was on his chest was against bare skin. His scarred skin. He slowly moved his head, curious but afraid at what he would find, and stilled in shock to see Veronica lying beside him, curled against his body warmly, one hand tucked beneath her cheek, the other resting on his bare chest. Flesh against flesh. He looked down at that soft hand, marveling at the contrast between her pale skin and his own mottled scarred flesh. Funny how a group of men trained to kill didn’t frighten him, but the fact that this young girl was touching his bare chest was enough to send his heart racing. Carefully, wincing a bit at the pain, he raised a hand and gently pushed some of her hair back with his fingertips. He closed his eyes, memorizing the sensation of her silky locks through his fingers. His mind fought with itself, saying he shouldn’t be doing this, shouldn’t hurt himself this way, she would never allow it if she was awake. But if she wouldn’t allow it, when would he ever get the chance to touch her again? And, though he wouldn’t admit it to himself, he had wanted to touch her for weeks now, to be able to feel physical contact with her, something he had gone so long without. This was the first time in his memory that he had ever felt anything like this for another human being. So he allowed himself one more indulgence, tracing her jaw line softly with his fingers. Her eyelids fluttered a bit and she sighed, pressing herself closer to him as she fell deeper into sleep. V had to close his eyes against the sensation, it was almost too much for him. It really has been a long time. V lifted her arm away from his chest and slowly moved off of the bed. Every move he made stabbed through him, but he worked through it until he was standing upright. He stumbled a bit to his wardrobe, pulling the doors open to reveal his many shirts and vests. He took one down, a loose and easy button down poet shirt, and slid it on, grimacing a bit at the pain shooting through his right side from the movements of his arm. He reached to the top shelf of his wardrobe and pulled down a pair of gloves, slipping them on over his scarred fingers. He turned back to the bed, exhausted from the effort it took to get dressed, and saw Veronica had flung her arm out, looking for him in her sleep. V shook his head, a pain that had nothing to do with the bullet wound settling in his heart. No, she probably was dreaming about some other man, searching for someone else in her sleep. It was then that he realized he didn’t know if she had anyone waiting for her in the world above. He had never bothered to ask her. And, if he was honest with himself, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He moved back to the bed, gently pushed her back to one side, and laid down as quickly as he could, exhaustion threatening to overwhelm him. As he listened to her soft breathing, he marveled at how she, with a single look, could make him open up his soul, how easy it was to talk about anything with her, how her eyes lit up when she laughed, and how she pushed her hair out of her face when it fell out of place. He had been shocked at himself when he told her about his past the first day she fixed him dinner, cursing himself for not hiding it like he had planned to. But he was more shocked at her reaction, how the sympathy had shown in her eyes, and how she tried to give him comfort after so many years. He always seemed to act against his better judgment when it came to her, acting more on instinct than by reasoning. He wasn’t used to that. It was a bit frightening what this girl brought out in him. She didn’t fit in with his well organized plan and life. V looked down at Veronica’s sleeping form and felt emotion swell up inside of him, very unfamiliar emotions, ones that contrasted sharply with the hate he had been living with for so long. He pushed the thoughts out of his mind, reasoning that they were impossible, unwilling to torture himself with an even glimmer of hope. She had never even seen his face, how could she possibly… V banished the thought and closed his eyes as sleep began to wash back over him. His mind emptied and soon he allowed himself to be cradled in the arms of oblivion. But before he fell into dreamless sleep, V’s mind dimly registered that Veronica had placed her hand back on his chest. And the gesture made his heart leap with something he would rather not admit, not even to himself. |
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| I woke up slowly, feeling warm and drowsy. I gave a small stretch and with it realized I was pressed firmly up against V. I opened my eyes and looked over at him, his breathing even and deep. He was still asleep. My eyes swept over him and a frown came to my face. He had a new shirt on. I was concerned because it must have hurt him a lot to put it on by himself, not because I was disappointed I couldn’t see his chest anymore.
Honest. I rolled over and off the bed and stretched again. Rubbing my stomach I looked over at the clock that told me it was just a bit past twelve. Wow, I haven’t slept this late in a long time, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen V sleep past seven before. It had been a late night, though, so it was understandable. I glanced over at the bed and watched as V reached for a blanket in his sleep since my body heat had moved away. It was such a vulnerable and…real movement. Something any other person would have done. I pulled the blanket over him, and he sighed a bit, continuing to sleep peacefully. I walked out of the room to my own area of the Shadow Gallery, taking a quick shower and putting on fresh clothes. Then I went and fixed some tea and toast for the injured man, setting it on a tray and carrying it carefully into his room. He was still asleep, so I softly put the tray down on the nightstand beside him. I grabbed a book off of his dresser and curled up in a chair that was against the wall. I wanted to be there when he woke up so I could help him if he needed it. I watched him sleep for a while, his chest gently rising and falling. I would have to change his bandages as soon as he woke up and put proper bandages on them. I wondered about what he could have been doing to get himself injured like that, and felt a surge of anger at whoever it was that shot at him. I knew it was an irrational anger, for all that I knew V could have very well deserved to be shot at, but I couldn’t help it. Through the months we had been together, I was learning that there was a man behind the mask, but I still thought of him as almost indestructible, a pillar of strength that could not fall. And seeing him injured like this left him so vulnerable. It was just a little bit disconcerting. Sighing, I opened the book I had picked up without thought. I didn’t expect to really pay attention to it, but like most of the other books in V’s Gallery, I found myself being sucked into a world without color, without feeling, and a boy who could suddenly see the color red… I was pulled out of my book when I noticed V’s breathing had changed. I looked up and saw his masked face watching me. I smiled warmly at him, placing the book to the side. “How long have you been awake?” V’s voice was still rough, but a lot of it’s normal silk had returned. “Not long. Are you enjoying The Giver?” I nodded, moving and sitting carefully on the bed beside him, close enough to the nightstand so I could reach the tea. “I brought you some breakfast. The tea’s cooled down a bit, but I actually think that’s better so you can drink more. You lost a lot of blood, so it’s probably a good idea to eat something, too. While you eat, I’ll go get some fresh bandages, but you’re going to need to tell me where they are first.” V began to struggle to sit up so I leaned over and helped him, feeling his body stiffen a bit as I wrapped my arms around him. Once he was up, I carefully moved the tray to his lap and began to fix his cup of tea the way he liked. “Thank you, Veronica, but I can replace the bandages.” I frowned over at him. “Don’t start with me now, V. Just tell me where the bandages are so I can step out while you eat.” V sighed, and his head tilted down as he winced in pain. “They are down the hall, through the second door on the right, and in the second cabinet on the left. If you do not mind, could you pick up some antibiotics as well?” I nodded in satisfaction and left the room, closing the door gently behind me. I wasn’t foolish enough to think I had won the battle, but I didn’t want to fight with him about it until he had something in his stomach. I found the door he had talked about, pushed it open and flicked on the lights. I had to pause a moment, taking in the unexpected sight. The room was unlike any other in the Gallery. It was a pure, glaring white, almost blinding in the light. In one corner of the glossy white tiled floor was a drain, which I assumed was for easy cleanup. I was facing a wall length white counter, a stainless steel sink on one end, and trays of instruments and medical supplies on the rest. And in the middle of the room was a stainless steel table, different types of restraints hanging down from it. I walked slowly to the table, lifting up some the restraints, and bit my lip when I saw it was stained with blood. He must have had to tie himself down to take care of some of his wounds. The thought made my stomach twist. I quickly walked away from the table and opened the second cabinet on the left, pulling out pads and gauze. I hastily looked over the multiple bottles on the counter and eventually found a rather large bottle of antibiotics among the sterilization liquids and normal antiseptics. I quickly left the room and leaned against the door, trying desperately to keep from being sick. How often had V been injured over the years that he needed a room like that? How much pain has he gone through for his revolution? And he’s only had himself to take care of those wounds. He must either be crazy or have a will made out of steel to be able to do that to himself. I carried the bandages back to V’s bedroom with a heavy heart. When I got to his door, I leaned my forehead against it, taking in deep breathes. I didn’t want V to know the room had affected me. I just didn’t want to think about him needing a room like that. But knowing him, he had sent me there to show me that he’s been taking care of himself for years, he could handle this too. That wouldn’t stop me though. He wasn’t alone anymore. I knocked on the door and waited a few minutes before V called, “Come in, my dear.” I pushed open the door and gave him a small smile, noting that the toast was gone. I walked in and sat in the chair beside him, pulling it close to the bed after placing the bandages on his bedside table. “Well, I’m glad you were able to eat something.” He nodded. “It was delicious, thank you.” I smiled at him and jumped right in to the impending argument. “So, are you ready to have your bandages changed?” “Yes, just leave the fresh bandages and I will take care of it.” I sighed. I knew he wasn’t going to make this easy. “Don’t be silly, I’ll help you.” He shook his head slightly. “I am very capable to bandage my own wounds.” “I have no doubt, your medical facilities proved your capabilities. But you have someone to help you now and all of that moving will probably hurt like hell and agitate the wounds.” “I can handle it.” My temper started to rise. “V, just let me help you. There’s nothing wrong with accepting my offer.” I could hear his voice becoming a bit more forceful. Not angry, just more determined. “I do appreciate your offer to help me, Veronica, but I do not wish to bother you.” “It isn’t a bother, I want to help.” “Veronica…” He sighed, his head turning away from me. “Please. You have already seen more than I would like. I know you are trying to be kind, and I am grateful for it, but you do not have to pretend just to save my feelings.” “Pretend? V, what are you talking about?” Suddenly, realization dawned over me. “You think I’m disgusted by your scars, is that it?” His head ducked down, and I knew instantly I was right. “Oh, V...” I sighed, moving the tray off of his lap and taking a glove covered hand in mine. Again, I felt him tense a little, but I held on, trying to give him some sort of comfort through my touch. No alcohol to make either of us brave this time. “V, I told you that the body that holds the man isn’t what’s important. The patches of your skin I have seen, though they look like they were painful, are not insurmountable. You do not look like a monster, V.” I bit my lip for a second before continuing. “You are a man. A very gracious and frustrating man who enjoys cooking and books. I have seen your skin and I was not disgusted. I’m not horrified, scared, or any other negative emotion when I see it. If anything, it’s a positive reaction.” I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and a small smile. “Now please, let me bandage you up. There’s no way you could reach that back wound as well as I can.” V was quiet for a long moment, his head tilted downwards, looking at our joined hands. He seemed to be fighting with himself, and I held my breath, waiting hopefully. His voice was soft when he finally spoke, “Veronica, you must understand. The event that caused me to look this way occurred a very long time ago. I’ve accepted it. But every time someone has seen me since then, they have screamed in terror. I have gone a long time without human contact of this nature.” “Are you afraid that if I see you, I’ll scream in terror?” He nodded slightly. “You would not be the first. Nor do I doubt that you would be the last. I do not want to see the horror in your eyes that I have seen in so many others.” “But, V, don’t you understand? I already saw part of you last night. And I wasn’t horrified or anything of the sort. I didn’t cringe when I helped you last night, and now I’m just asking to see and help again. You will not see horror in my eyes when I look at your body.” I gave his hand a small squeeze. “I promise.” He sighed in defeat and nodded. “All right.” I smiled and gave his hand a small kiss. Then I began to pull at his gloves, gently releasing his hands. He didn’t protest as I began to unbutton his shirt, and he lifted himself a bit off of the pillows with some help from me so I could pull it gently off of his arms, careful not to cause him pain. He leaned back against the pillows, his head ducked down, as he laid there exposed in front of me. It was the first time I had ever seen him seem almost…ashamed. A fierce stab of emotion went through my heart and I reached out, tucking a finger under his chin and forcing his mask to face me. “V, there is nothing wrong with you, all right?” I said a bit angrily, placing my other hand on his chest, over his rapid heart. “I promise you that I am not sickened by you. I still…” I stopped myself, not ready to admit how I felt about him. “I still think you’re a great man.” I could feel V studying me closely and I stared straight into his masked eyes, not willing to back down. After a couple of long moments passed, he spoke rather huskily, “Really?” “Of course.” He nodded, and I allowed myself a small thrill of victory. We stayed silent for a long moment, my hand pressed against his chest before he cleared his throat and tilted his head a bit. “About those bandages…?” I felt myself blush and quickly removed my hand, smiling embarrassedly. I turned toward his wound and as gently as possible pulled the bloodied towels away. The wounds were no longer bleeding and looked better than I thought they would. I cleaned him up with a little bit of guidance from him, wrapping a fresh bandage around his waist to keep it on firmly. When I was finished, I gathered everything up and stood up to put everything away. “Would you like any more tea, or something else to eat?” V shook his head, replying, “No, I think I’ll just get some more rest, thank you.” I nodded and was about to leave the room when I felt a hand on my arm. “Veronica?” I looked down at him, compassion filling me to the brim. “Yes, V?” He tilted his head a bit, a humble gesture. His voice was a little rough with emotion when he said, “Thank you.” I turned back toward him and leaned down, giving the forehead of his mask a small kiss. He stiffened in shock, not expecting such a gesture, but before he could do anything I was already walking out of the room. I glanced over my shoulder at the doorway, throwing a parting smile his way. “You’re welcome.” |
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