Flutter

Flutter: Dix

           "Oh, Nora, I'm so sorry, dear. I really am. I don't want you to feel like you've been abandoned though. We're all here for you. You know that right?"    

           "I do. I do. I hope that I can see you sometime."

           "I hope that too sweetheart. Maybe the beta will allow it."

           "Maybe...but he's not the most generous of sorts."

           "You never know until you try. Until then, call us a bit more often will you Nor?"

           "I will D.D. I can get distracted sometimes."

           "You always had your head in the clouds...."

           "Wishing and hoping for my feet to leave the ground..."

           "You never did quite fly away..."

           "But I'd always try again the next day."

           Nora's voice cracked and tears stung her eyes as she and her father recited the rhyme her mother used to say to her as a child.

           "You alright there Nora?"

           "Yeah daddy. I'm fine. Just so glad to hear your voice." 

           "Same here, love."      

           "Is James around?"

           "No, he's with Maribel and the pups. I can get him if you like."

           "That's alright. Leave him be. Are the pups as cute dad?"

           "The little rascals are bouncing off the walls. Maribel's threatened to stop having any more. You're my only hope for some grand-pups."

           "I don't know how soon that'll happen so don't hold your breath."

           "Alright, alright.  I won't. I'm expecting them someday though."

           "Dad, I could nearly here you wink over the phone."

           "You got me."

           "I love you, dad." Nora said sincerely.

           "I love you too, Nora."

           "Alright D.D, I think I'm gonna go to bed now. I'll call you more often."  

           "Just one thing...promise that you'll try to be happier, Nora?"'

           "I can promise that I'll try, D.D."

           "That's the most I can ask for."

           "Good night, pop."

           "Night night sweet 'ems."

           Nora set down the receiver back in its cradle and wiped at the few tears that had slipped down her face. Getting up from the bed she began to undress, ready to sleep the rest of the night away.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o  

Nora felt the bed give way next to her. Her head jerked off the pillow,  her eyes are still fogged over by sleep.

           "Who's there?" She slurred, tenses and panicked - her body more alert since what had happened with Todd.

           "Shh. Go back to bed. It's just me." Quinton whispered, placing a hand on Nora's arms, trying to get her to lie back. That didn't work and Nora sat up, fully aware now.

           "What in the world? Why are you in my bed?"

           "Tifa won't be around to guard all nights. When she isn't around, I'll pick up her duties."

           "I really don't think that's necessary."

Nora tried to roll off the bed but Quinton grabbed her wrist.

           "What you think doesn't matter. You might as well get used to this. We'll soon be mating and you'll permanently be sharing my bed. Think of this as conditioning."

           "I don't want to be apart of this orientation. You're invading my privacy."

           "When a man tries to steal you from your bedroom, I think it gives me good enough reason to push boundaries."            

           "That was one time." Nora huffed.

           "The first and last time – this is steps that I'm taking to ensure that."

           Nora fell back onto her bed.

           "I don't appreciate this."

           "Learn to." Quinton returned, making himself comfortable beneath the sheets.

Nora turned her face away, contemplating.

           "I don't get it." She said softly, her voice quavering.

           "What?"

           "I don't get what you want me to do."

           "How do you mean?"

           "Most times you treat me as if I don't exist – as if I'm nothing more than furniture. I'm okay with that. That's safe. That's easy. B-but then you...you kiss me...and you make me feel something else. You make it seem like I actually matter to you."

           Nora said all of this without looking at him, refusing to meet the eyes of the man she was bearing her soul too.

           "I'm just tired of these mixed messages. What do you want from me?"

           Quinton was silent for a while - so long in fact that Nora began to regret opening her mouth at all.

           "Know this. You are my mate, and that means that my body will be sexually attracted to you. I can't help that fact. It's necessary so that you can have my young. If that makes things confusing...I apologize, but such is life."

           "So you'll use me and then throw me to the side."

           "I never said that."

           "Didn't you..."

           "I told you what to expect from the beginning."

           "Yes, you did. And I guess I was just supposed to give without getting. I I expected to be treated with respect...I was wrong to assume that."

Nora curled into a little ball on her side, tucking her head into her chest, indicating that she was done talking. Quinton took the hint.

Note: Thanks for all my readers, voters, and commenters. It means so much! Pictures of Blaine and Tifa: http://oi46.tinypic.com/2a5hbna.jpg

Sorry my loves...it has been so long since I've been posting these edits. I was brewing over the fact that I have changed since my college days when I would be typing away...either work, life, or both just took over  and it's easier to just relax and scroll on the phone than be creative. Maybe too my zest for love has been placed on the back burner and I don't have much of a well of inspiration to draw from. Though, to my fans, thanks for sticking around despite the slow churn. Until next time. Love, Cassie.