Fate - 7
"Don't." Ray turns away from Laila's outstretched hand, pulling back from her soothing ointments and worried eyes.
"You're still bleeding." Laila tries to mask her concern with gentle efficiency, laying the warm cloth on Ray's bare shoulder where a particularly deep lash wound refuses to stop bleeding. Ray flinches but doesn't protest. He keeps his face turned slightly away, gaze fixed on something in the distance that Laila can't see.
"I'm sor…"
"Don't!" He turns towards her, eyes flashing a stormy green. He touches her face gently, hesitantly and finally meets her eyes. "You have nothing to apologize for."
"But…" Laila stops quickly seeing the warning in those eyes. She bites down on the name she was about to utter and reminds herself sternly that she is never to speak of that person again.
How long has it been since Solomon Sugar took him away? Days? Weeks? It feels like an eternity since the pale blond had given her a brave smile and walked away on the end of his new master's leash. He was covered head-to-toe in concealing robes but Laila had known the wounds which all that fabric had covered. She can only hope that he is being treated more gently wherever he is now.
If only someone would come take her master away from this evil place as well. She'd thought it would be better with Florian gone, but his absence only seemed to have pushed Ray into openly defying Azura. Rather than abusing the blond, Azura now focuses his cruel attentions on Ray and Ray responds by becoming more stubborn and uncooperative. It is almost as if Ray is pushing Azura into punishing him. Is he trying to pay penance for what happened to Florian?
"I can't fight him anymore." Ray's confession is a painful whisper and his eyes are moist. "I can't risk your safety."
"No! Noi… Ray, you can't send me away. I'd rather be dead than see that man hurt you one more time."
"Don't talk like that!" Ray grips her hand urgently, his hold almost painful. "Laila, you have to leave here as soon as possible. If anything happens to you…" He pulls her into a painfully tight embrace, almost knocking the breath from her lungs.
"Noir," she breathes, trying to memorize the feel of him. How can he ask her to leave?
"Am I your master?" He pulls back and his expression hardens. He holds her gaze and demands she answer the question.
"Yes." She looks down, breaking the connection. She won't burden him by making him watch her heart break. "Master."
She throws herself at him suddenly, knocking him backwards onto the rumpled bed where he lay with Azura only minutes ago. His scent is in the sheets and she inhales deeply, blocking out the other scent. There is only her beloved Noir here, beneath her on the bed where he has suffered so many indignities. She will obey his wishes and leave, but not before she gives him the only comfort she has to offer.
"Laila?" Ray lifts his head a little to watch as she pushes aside what little clothing he has on. Her lips are marking a warm, moist trail downwards while her hands explore. Her one leg is pressed between his.
"No."
"Please." She looks up, tears misting her eyes. Ray's never seen her cry before and it makes this all the more painful. He catches her hands and urges her to look at him.
"We can't. It's not fair to you, Laila."
"Damn fairness! Since when is any of this fair?" She lays her head down on his stomach. "I may never see you again."
"Which is all the more reason not to do this." Ray places a hand gently on her head, letting it rest there. "You're my best friend, Laila, but you're not my lover and you're not my whore. I won't drag you down with the rest of us."
"With Florian, you mean." She pushes away from him and sits up, straightening her clothing. She keeps her face turned away, hiding her anger and her shame. The rejection hurts, but not as much as the knowledge that she'll never mean as much to her beloved as Florian does.
"Laila?" Ray's touch is warm and gentle and she damns herself twice over for responding. But she does, letting him turn her face towards his. His lips are as warm and soft as she's ever imagined. She closes her eyes and memorizes this, knowing it's pathetic to be grateful for scraps, but not caring. If this is all she'll ever have, then she'll accept it and be grateful. She wraps her arms around Ray, mindful of his injuries, and kisses him back.
"You'll always be my best, most trusted friend, Laila. That's why I want you to be safe and happy. You deserve to find someone who will cherish you."
There's resignation and farewell in those green depths and Laila struggles not to let him know that she sees it. She's always been strong for him, she won't disappoint him now.
Slowly, reluctantly, she draws away, standing up and back so that only their hands are touching. One slight movement and even that contact will be lost. She gives him a beautiful smile. "I'll be waiting for you, Noir. Florian too. I'll cook something really special when you return."
He accepts her offer for what it is and his gratitude shines in his eyes. Without words he turns and lets her tend his wounds. One last act of comfort before she walks away. A servant is waiting in the doorway to escort her to the ship that will take her home.
She leaves behind her ointments and a promise that comforts Ray even when Azura returns and presses him down onto the rumpled bedding.
::end part 7::