The Darkest Song

Follow me now and you will not regret 
Leaving the life you led before we met 
You are the first to have this love of mine 
Forever with me till the end of time
N.I.B., Black Sabbath

Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I headed down into the basement. It had been converted into a home gym, and I’d told the others that it was my space. The house was pretty big, but there were currently five people including me living there, so it was feeling a little crowded.

I could have gone for a jog, but it was too hot, so into the air-conditioned basement I went. I put my headphones on, jumped on the treadmill and began to run. 

The heavy metal playing in my ears kept me focused, and I settled into a nice rhythm. I didn’t pretend to enjoy it, in truth I hated exercising at all, but I needed to make sure I could keep myself safe now.

I was so in the zone that I barely noticed the door opening, until Bane was standing in front of me. 

“Are you just here to watch me? Or is there something I can do for you?” I pulled off my headphones and slowed to a walk.

“There’s a lot you can do for me, but I’m actually here for you.”

I climbed off the treadmill, taking a drink from my bottle. “Why’s that?”

“I can teach you how to defend yourself, if you want.” He rested his hand on the treadmill. “I know you’re still worried about staying safe, and I have some free time today.”

I nodded, stepping over to the open area and facing him.

“Okay, fight me.”

I hesitated for a moment. “You’ll go easy on me, right?”

“Not too easy, or you won’t learn anything. Trust me.” He lunged at me, and I jumped back, avoiding him by what seemed like less than an inch. 

I threw a punch, but he blocked it, countering with a jab to my ribs. Gasping, I stumbled backwards.

“You have to predict where your enemy will retaliate. If you go high, they will probably go low, and vice versa.” He gave me a second to recover. “Try again.”

I nodded, taking a breath. Then I threw a punch, and when he blocked and countered, I stepped to the side and landed a hit to his chest. He caught my wrist, twisting my arm behind my back and pushing me up against the wall.

“Better.” He whispered in my ear.

I could feel my heart racing in my chest and I closed my eyes for a second, centring myself. Then I pressed my foot to the wall and pushed, sending both of us stumbling back. He let go of my arm and I took my chance.

I launched myself at him, but he blocked every move I made. He took hold of both my hands, and I tried to step back, only to trip and fall onto my back. I hit the mat with a gasp, a jolt of pain shooting through me.

He held out his hand to me. “Are you alright?”

I took the offered hand, pulling him down to me. He caught himself before he landed too hard on me, his hands against the mat, either side of my head.

“I thought you were going to go easy on me.” I whispered, breathlessly. I slid my hands under his, holding them firmly.

“Maybe I just wanted to get you down here.” He sounded just as ragged and breathless as I did.

I looked up at him, rolling my hips up against his. “I’m down here, so now what?”

He leaned down to kiss me, his nose brushing mine as our lips touched. It was softer this time, but it felt right. Something had changed, and even though I liked it, I wondered why things feel different.

I tilted my head back as he kissed my neck, my hands still trapped under his. My heart was already racing from the exercise, but with every touch of his lips to my skin I thought it would burst out of my chest.

Letting go of my hands, he looked down at me and ran his fingers through my hair. “I never thought that you would be so important to me.”

“We didn’t exactly have the most conventional start.” I propped myself up on my elbows, gently brushing my nose against his. 

“It’s more than that, Alex…” He breathed, so close that I could feel his lips move against mine as he spoke. He hesitated, and for a moment I could have sworn I saw a darkness pass over his eyes. 

“What is it?” I softly touched his cheek.

He kissed me, just once, then finally spoke. “I love you.”

I felt my eyes widen in surprise, and I softly gasped. A sudden wave of clarity washed over me, and I understood how I felt.

“I love you too.” I kissed him, harder and more passionately than I’d ever kissed anyone before. 

He carefully pushed me onto the floor, leaning down to kiss my stomach as he slowly raised my singlet up my body. His skin was so warm against mine, and I shivered under his touch. 

I pulled my singlet the rest of the way, tossing it aside. He moved lower, gently sliding my shorts and underwear down my legs. Before he could do anything more, I pushed him off. He sat back, taking off his shirt.

“Pants too.” I bit my lip, kneeling in front of him. 

He did as he was told, and I climbed into his lap, lowering myself onto his length. He gasped lightly, his lips parting just enough for a kiss. I obliged, wrapping my arms around his neck as I began to rock my hips against his.

He slid his arms around me, unhooking my bra and pulling it off. With one hand on my hip, he guided my movements as he kissed my chest. I was already shaking, the pressure building inside me.

Things were moving fast, like a new fire had been ignited between us with the profession of love. He dug his fingers into my skin, burying his face in my chest. I clung to him, a moan escaping my lips as his tongue swept over my nipple.

Pressing my hand to his chest, I pushed him back a little so I could kiss him. It was a rough kiss, the devouring kind that left you dizzy and breathless, and it felt amazing. I wanted more, of him, of his touch.

I pushed him down to the floor, intending to ride him like that, but he grabbed me by the hips and rolled me over. I gasped as he took control of me again, his touch getting rougher.

We were both tumbling towards the edge, bodies entwined in an embrace that I wasn’t sure I would ever want to let go of. I fell first, my back arching off the mat as I screamed.

He held me tightly, pressing kisses to my skin. It didn’t take long before he joined me, a deep growl rumbling up from his chest as his body shuddered. I could feel his heart pounding, and I kissed his cheek, holding him until his breathing returned to normal.

“You were supposed to be teaching me how to fight.” I whispered, looking up at him. 

“There’s always tomorrow.” He kissed me lightly, then got up to get dressed. “Or the next day.”

I laughed, putting my clothes back on. “I doubt we’ll be more successful then.”

Before he could reply, I took his hand and pulled him back up to the bedroom. We had the house to ourselves for a while, but since the others would be back eventually, I wanted some more time with him where no one would hear us.

Pushing open the bedroom door, I laughed as he picked me up and carried me over to the bed. He kissed me again, gently lying me down on the mattress.

“Shouldn’t you be working?” I asked, pulling him down to me.

“There’s nothing for me to do until my men get back.” He played with the strap of my bra. “I’m yours alone for another couple of hours.”

I kissed him, holding him close. I didn’t want or need anything more, just him there with me.

She was curled up beside him, her head on his chest, when he woke up. He didn’t want to disturb her, but he needed to get to work. He carefully got up, hesitating when she stirred and rolled over.

After a moment, he was satisfied she’d fallen asleep again, and he headed out. He was just stepping into the kitchen when Jack stopped him, handing over an envelope.

“I scoped the hall out. Here are the photos of every person who went in last night.”

Bane nodded, taking it from him and flipping through the photos. “I’ll let you know who we’re looking for once I’ve checked them.”

I woke up alone in the bed, a little cold under the AC. It was well after midday, but the time didn’t matter since I was planning on talking my way into the prison anyway.

Climbing out of bed, I got changed and headed downstairs. Since he wasn’t in bed, I figured Bane was either out or in the study, but I wanted to see him before I headed out.

The door was closed when I got there, so I knew he was inside.

“It’s me!” I called out as I knocked.

The door opened, and he swept me inside, pressing me up against it.

“Morning.” I whispered, wrapping my arms around him.

“I was wondering if you were going to get up soon.” He rested his hands on my waist, leaning over to kiss me. “You looked so peaceful when I left.”

I blushed. “You could have woken me up.”

“I thought you could use the sleep.” He brushed my hair out of my eyes. “Are you heading out soon?”

I nodded.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to send someone with you?”

“This…” I hesitated for a second. “I need to handle this on my own. It won’t take long, but it’s not going to be easy.”

He kissed me, holding me close. “Come see me when you get back.”