From the prompt: "Loving someone you hate..."
"Rumble Aftermath"
Dylan was out of the court, over the fence and running through the darkness the moment pin-pricks of blue and red lights appeared on the horizon of the West Side. He'd it off one last punch at Hammer before everyone scattered. Fury burned in his blood as he ran through the maze of dark alleys, heading for the house he supposedly called home. He wished Soren wasn't so flat-out stupid about not organizing the group. Casey ran the Diablos like a small army - quick, efficient and almost deadly. The Emeralds had brute force to their name -- and Dragon. Dylan's eyes narrowed at the thought of Seal. The other Emeralds thought she was a boy because she could rival his fighting skills. Fools. One is supposed to know one's enemy.
He ducked into a doorway, melting into the shadows when the first police sirens shattered the stillness of the night. He could've put money on who would be picked up for breaking curfew. Shaking his head, he loped into the shadows. He was nearing the back gate of the house and saw his bedroom light on, two silhouettes in the window. He cursed under his breath. Maybe he'd just sleep in the gutter...
"Nice try tonight, Dragon, but no cheese," a voice said.
He whirled around, butterfly knife sliding open. She was leaning against the oak tree on the corner, wreathed in shadows. She straightened up and strode towards him in clear disregard of boundary-turf rules.
She stood before him, hands in pockets, wearing a smirk.
Dylan tensed, hands clenching into fists. "You're not supposed to be here."
"So who's training you?" she asked. "He's good, whoever he is."
"You didn't win tonight," he informed her coolly.
She shrugged. "In the end we will. See, the Emeralds' only hope is you; you're all they've got. Us Diablos -- we pull our own weight." She looked him up and down, smirking again when he took a step back. "You...you could be one of us. You've got what it takes. Why not do it? Why not join the winning side?"
"I have loyalties," he ground out between clenched teeth.
She arched her eyebrows, face deceptively innocent. "Loyalties to what? A rich facade covering a living hell? Nine other drunks who rarely even know you exist? Parents who hate you and beat you? A brother who -- "
He lunged and caught her by the shoulders, shaking her. "Shut up, all right? Just shut up!" He shoved her back. "What do you know about my life, Seal? What do you know about me?"
She gazed up at him, shocked, and looked away. "I can see it in your eyes," she said softly.
He sank back against the wall and shook his head. "Why are you the only one who understands me? Why are you the only one who cares?"
He lifted his head. She'd pulled off her hat, revealing her silky cap of ebony curls.
"Come on," he whispered. He reached out and grabbed her hand, tugging. They climbed over the wall and landed in the garden noiselessly. Dylan led her across the lawn to the oak tree, let her climb up first. They sat on the roof with his sleeping bag over their legs for warmth.
He reached out and shook her hand. "Good-bye, Seal."
"Adieu, Dragon." She reached up and cradled his chin in the palm of her hand, pressing her mouth to his softly. "Hello, Dylan," she whispered when she ended the kiss.
He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her in tightly. "Hello, Celia," he breathed in her ear.
She settled against him, one hand on his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heart, her other wrapped around his waist.
He stroked her curls, dropping small butterfly kisses along her brow.
"Why do they hate each other so much?" he whispered.
"They don't understand," she answered, just as quietly.
He pulled her in closer. "And we do?"
"I understand that you're a real person, and if I can see past the image Soren created for you, I can love you," she said, her voice a breath above a whisper.
He chuckled. "Somehow, I don't think Casey shares your views."
She giggled. "He doesn't swing that way."
They both laughed, driving the tension away.
She buried her face in his neck. This wouldn't last, not if he was loving the one person he was supposed to hate.
He narrowed his eyes, tightening his arms around her.
He'd do his damndest to try to keep them together.
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© Agent Duo 2004