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Lunar Duality (Spitfire x katuzov)

While her body relaxed, her mind raced. Thoughts of the man holding her and his magic, their connection and what it all meant. Mostly, she couldn't stop thinking about his lips on hers and how exciting the whole experience was. She still felt stupid for ending things the way she did. She wanted him, like she'd never wanted anyone before. So if not him, who? And if not that night, when? She was in her own space, as comfortable a place as she could be, but wanted to kick herself for stopping him. Why? So she wasn't a 'hot chick' but she never really cared before. He said he liked her even though she wasn't his usual 'type' of woman.

Round and round like a broken record, until she fell asleep.

When he turned to face the window, she moved to hold him. Though her touch was gentle, her position was protective, as if by some miracle her small stature and slight figure could shield him from whatever lay ahead.

She was too tired for the alarm to be effective but his movement jostled her enough for her eyes to open slightly, the light from the window telling her it was morning. Her name on his lips drew a smile on her own. His kiss felt soft and sweet. "Hi," she said with a bashful smile. She wanted to renew what they'd started, to kiss and touch and linger in her bed for a while. However, like many other things, she didn't know how to express what she wanted so she left it up to him and wondered if her necklace would be her sole avenue to tell him what she wanted. But compelling him to do things still seemed wrong, even if it was fairly clear he wanted to do them of his own accord.
 
Mike of course assumed that she would want to get up and start her day, rather than spend her time kissing him - even if she might feel somewhat tempted. Looking around, he saw no evidence of any errant spells. "Looks like your spell worked quite well." Though he suspected it had a lot more to do with her 'calming' him, even inadvertently. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his back was to her, but he looked over his shoulder as he stretched a bit.

"I have a few classes, nothing too crazy." He said as he stood, looking around, finding, and putting on his pants. "Would it be rude to invite myself back over here tonight?" He grabbed his elbows and rubbed them. A sign that maybe he wasn't ready to spend the night alone. Though he pushed the thought out of her head, and before she could answer he ask. "I have nothing going on tomorrow evening. What if I took you out? A real date - a nice dinner at a place with folding napkins and everything."

He really did like her, and he wanted to show it. That he didn't just want her protection and bedroom fun. A real date could show his value beyond the moonstones - that despite the fact that he was a Destruction jock and a bit rough around the edges, she might want to consider him as boyfriend material.
 
When he commented on her spell, she sat up and looked around. Her dreams had been calm so she was fairly certain he hadn't lost control through the night. She was also pretty sure she'd been in physical contact with him throughout the night, but was uncertain if there was a direct link between those facts. Still, she was surprised by the fact that he wanted to stay the night again. "Umm..." She didn't know how to answer but he moved on and saved her from having to confirm or decline. Of course, she liked sleeping next to him but the concern over how far she was willing to go was like a looming presence in her mind.

She blinked at him as he asked her on a date, "I uhhh... Ok...?" A date was a good sign that he wanted more than just sex and whatever comfort and safety she could provide. Maybe. It was also possible that he just wanted to keep her around but she tried not to dwell on that thought. Instead, she remained hopeful that he was being genuine when he told her how he felt. "I'll um... just let me know when to be ready," she said with a warm smile.

With a small sigh, she came to terms with the fact that he was up, out of bed, and preparing to leave. "I guess... ummm... I'll see you in class?" She felt awkward and it showed as she bit her lip and looked up at him. Without saying anything more, she looked around nervously and dismissed the protection spell before getting out of bed to see him to the door.
 
She seemed somewhat hesitant about having him back the next night, or going out on a date, but she did agree. It was something that Mike was getting used to. If she did not want something, she seemed quite capable of saying no - or telling him to stop. However she seemed unable, or unwilling to show him enthusiasm, at least as of yet. Though he recognized the way she bit her lip and looked up at him. He quickly bent down, wrapped an arm around her back and kissed her. "A real date it is then. I'll see you this afternoon in class."

Mike had enough time to head home, shower and change before his first destruction class - Advanced Pyromancy. He wished he could skip it. However, he had already missed a number of classes this semester for dubious reasons. Even he had limits of what he could talk around. Thus, he girded himself, and walked to the College of Destruction.

Things did not go well.

While none of his classmates, or even his professor noticed. Mike's control was getting worse. Everyone else praised the heat from his gouts of flame, or the explosiveness of his fireballs. he truth was, he was trying to cast much lower magnitude spells. If he had been in an introductory class - intro to sparks or something similar, he'd likely be hauled off for discipline. It felt like every time he casted, he was turning on a firehose of power, rather than pushing magical energy out of him.

He walked out of class shivering, with a cold sweat on his forehead. He had a few hours before his next class, where he'd see Selene. He couldn't wait Magic was stirring within him. Sitting down on a stone bench under some tree cover he began thinking of her. He needed her. Sunlight danced as leaves shifted in the wind.

He could set it all on fire. Right now. A wave of his hand and it call could burn.

He wrapped his arms around his midsection, almost hugging himself, though he managed not to rock back and forth. What was happening to him?
 
Although she kissed him back, the gesture was met with a blush and a grin before she saw him out of the apartment and set about getting ready for the day. The shower did nothing to calm her nerves over the idea of going out with him and she was already stressing about what she would wear and if she would look good enough to be out with a guy like him. She quickly shoved the thought out of her mind. If she wasn't 'good enough' for him, he wouldn't have asked her out. Even if she wasn't certain about much, she knew that for sure.

She went about her day, finally wearing the moonstone necklace she had been avoiding putting on for most of the week. While she did think about him throughout the day, she managed to avoid calling out to Mike in any significant way. They both had classes to attend and she rested assured that she'd see him again. The thought of him staying in her bad again was also cause for more anxiety but she had slept well with him, for the most part. And she wanted so much for him to kiss her more.

Finishing her coffee as she walked into her Warlocks vs Witches Sociology class, she felt the pull. Frantic, she knew he was in some kind of trouble so she dropped the folder with the week's assignments on Professor Whitegrove's desk, adding a hasty apology before quickly exiting the room.

She rushed to him, confused by the fact that she didn't know where he was but somehow knowing where to go. With a sigh, she wondered if it was how he felt when she had called him to her apartment, even though her call wasn't under duress. When she saw him on the bench, she ran toward him. Dropping her bag next to him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him close. "It's ok. I'm right here. Just take a deep breath with me." She pulled away enough to look into his eyes, then guided him through slow, calming breaths. While she didn't know what happened, she did know that he'd tell her when she was ready and that this was not the time to bombard him with questions.

After some deep breathing, she hugged him again.
 
Though there was no direct sign that she received and accepted his cry for help, but somehow he knew that she was coming. There was no doubt in his mind that she would be there when he summoned the strength to look up.

And there she was.

She rushed over to him, and threw her arms around him. He tried to explain what had happened but couldn't find the words. His heart was racing too quickly, and he feared that if he started talking, that he'd end up belching magic into the world. However, she took control. He worked on breathing with her. In through his nose, out through his mouth. Each inhale seemed to calm the torrent within him, each exhale made the storm smaller, weaker. He focused on looking at her eyes, though he noticed the glowing stone around her neck, and felt the weight of its counterpart around his own neck. After a few unsteady moments, his power was again a still pool within him.

"I...." He took another deep breath. "I'm losing it. In class today, I was trying to cast low level spells, well within my ability." He shivered visibly. "Out came some of the strongest spells Professor Campbell has ever seen... his words." He chuckled bitterly. "I've wished I could cast like this unaided, now I'm terrified of what would happen if I actually put effort into a spell." He squeezed her, clinging tightly to her.
 
"It's going to to be alright. I've got you. I promise," she whispered before swallowing hard. It was hope more than factual evidence that made her feel like she could keep her word to him. That wasn't a feeling she was familiar with but something in her told her that they would be there for each other through whatever was happening to them.

Although, she felt terrible that it mostly seemed to be happening to him, all she could think about was how much worse it could be if he wasn't wearing the necklace. Could he have repeated his great grandfather's mistake if he wasn't, or if she wasn't around to help him regain control. There was too much undiscovered for her to pinpoint what she could and couldn't do. What she would and wouldn't do to control him was also a factor.

"Let's just... take some time," she suggested, her voice soft as she held him close. "We can take the rest of the day off, order some food, and just relax." It wasn't like her to propose skipping class, much less twice in the course of less than twenty-four hours, but she was admittedly worried about what could happen if he hurt someone. She would never forgive herself if he were hauled away for being a danger to people.

"Let me take you home?"
 
The idea of missing class seemed like a bad one, but really, he knew he wouldn't be able to focus no matter what. There was still the test tomorrow, but... Maybe Selene could help him. Right now, her plan seemed the best. Going home, ordering some food, and staying relaxed. He desperately wanted to be home, on his couch with her next to him. While she was near, particularly with the moonstone on, he truly felt safe.

"Home sounds good. I..." He paused and shook his head. "Please don't leave me." He chuckled at himself. "I mean, I know you need to live your life. I don't mean we have to be attached at the hip but... I'm scared of what happens if I try to cast again if you aren't there."

He stood so that they could walk. He thought his legs should feel shaky after all that should happen. However, they, like his power, felt stronger than they should. It was all too much for him. He reached out to take her hand, hoping she'd let him hold it.
 
She had fully expected him to agree to go home but asking her not to leave him was a surprise. He'd already asked to stay with her again but being in his own space, where she hoped he'd feel more comfortable and relaxed. However, staying the night with him meant she needed something to sleep in and a change of clothes for her early classes Thursday morning.

Letting him take her hand, she gave him an encouraging smile. "I'll have to stop by my place first if I'm going to stay the night with you." She bit her lip as she realized that might not have been what he was asking. "I mean... If that's... what you want? I didn't mean to assume that... Dammit." Part of her wanted to pull away, to retreat in her embarrassment.

"I'm sorry." She swallowed hard, "Let's just get you home."
 
It was immensely comforting that Selene was going to look after him. However, he couldn't help but chuckle, she was still herself, no matter what. "Of course it's what I want." He beamed a smile. He absolutely wanted her to spend the night with him, Having kissed and cuddled her the night before, he certainly was hoping for more of that later. More pressing, he feared he might destroy his entire apartment building in the night if she weren't present.

"Once I'm home and settled, I'm sure I'll be alright long enough for you to head back to your place and get a few things. I might even be able to walk with you. I just... I think home sounds like a good idea right now," Now that she was here, his magic was quite still. Hopefully, he could hold his own for a short time if he didn't attempt to cast while she stepped out.

"What kind of food would you like?" He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through options.
 
With his confirmation, she relaxed a bit, even squeezing his hand slightly in reassurance, "It's ok. You don't have to escort me if you're not up to it." She tried not to let on that her thoughts went to his bed almost immediately so making a decision about food was far from her mind. There he was dealing with losing control of his powers and all she could think about was making out with him and feeling his hands on her body again. She wanted to pull the necklace off and drop it in her bag to keep any desire she had from being implanted in his mind but she was pretty sure her wearing it was part of what had calmed him.

Crap.

"I'm ok with whatever you want. I can make something if you'd like." He'd seemed to like her cooking and even without her mother's spice blend, she was able to manage on her own for the most part. "Whatever sounds good to you, I can find something I like." Her kitchen witch mother had taught her a love of many different cuisines so she was certain she could find at least one dish to love no matter where he chose.
 
Though he was scrolling by a few tempting options, the idea that he might get her cooking again was almost too much to pass up. Though, he took a quick inventory of the ingredients available in his apartment and sighed. There probably wasn't much to be made with Easy-mac, Ramen, Double Stuft Oreos, and frozen Tacquitos. He sighed. "Your cooking is amazing, but my kitchen isn't so well stocked.... I haven't gone to the grocery store this week."

It was a lie, he had just been, he'd just made typical college guy purchases.

"Perhaps a pizza then? I could definitely go for something warm cheesy and delicious. Any preferred toppings?"
 
"Pizza's good," she said with a smile, "and I'm pretty basic when I get the chance to eat pizza. Pepperoni and extra cheese."

Making a note to grab some things for breakfast when she went to her apartment, she gave his hand another gentle squeeze. She was raised not to be the woman who holds a broken man together or tries to 'fix' him. But she was also taught to help someone when they were in need. Mike wasn't broken, he was overwhelmed. Something was happening that neither of them could explain and their stones told them they were connected. Somehow. She still didn't know what to make of it but being near him made her feel something. The fact that he wanted her back made her feel... something else.
 
With a few flicks of his phone, an extra large pizza with pepperoni and extra cheese had been ordered. Mike felt better, about everything. He held her hand, and walked confidently. A few of his fellow Destruction students passed by, and merely waved. No time for chatter, and Mike was grateful of that. Right now, he wanted to get home, and not have to explain who Selene was while avoiding difficult topics. They all seemed content however, though of course plenty took note of 'Mike's new girl.'

Once they got home, Mike happily relieved himself of his backpack. "If you don't min. I'd like to put on some basketball shorts - as long as we are just relaxing today." To him, there was simply nothing more comfortable. He disappeared into his bedroom.

A knock at the door and the sound of a pizza being placed outside the door signified that their food had arrived.
 
As they walked along, Selene began to feel eyes on her. She hadn't been paying much attention to others in the area and certainly hadn't thought about the fact that Mike's popularity would effect her. It made her both want to cling to him for reassurance that she was alright being seen with him and to let go of his hand so people would stop looking at her.

When they reached his apartment, she let loose his hand and breathed out a relieved sigh. At least there the only person looking at her was him. She placed her bag on the sofa and nodded, "Yeah, whatever makes you comfortable." As long as 'comfortable' was 'covered' she would probably be ok.

She retrieved the pizza and brought it inside with a quiet word of thanks to the delivery driver. After closing the door, she brought it into the kitchen and placed it on the counter. She looked around, unsure where she would find plates but certain she didn't want to go nosing around his apartment to find things. "Umm... the food's here," she said as he reappeared from his room.
 
The smell of pizza filled the apartment, and gave a general feeling of comfort to Mike. His stomach rumbled slightly, reminding him that he'd not had much breakfast, and it was now well past his usual time for lunch. Selene clearly sought plates, and he decided that it was probably a good idea to jump in and help her find them before she discovered how lacking his kitchen actually was. He quickly opened a cupboard and brought down a couple of plates. They had a very old look to them - though they weren't particularly fancy. In truth, they were his grandmother's 'every day' flatware which had long been replaced. Since going shopping for dishes was the last thing Mike wanted to do, hand-me-downs were ideal.

He handed her a plate. "Careful, it's an antique." Mike said with a grin. As a child, he had dropped and shattered one in the set, his mother was mortified, but his grandmother just thought it was funny. There was really no value to them. "As for beverages, I'm going to avoid alcohol, but I do have beer...." His grin grew, but he moved on. "I also have Coke, Vernors, and... water."
 
As he approached, she gave him a smile but the closer he got, the warmer she felt. She swallowed hard, thinking that maybe his power wasn't as under control as he let on. Why else would she have been so flushed? All she wanted was to relax but relaxing in his presence was easily on the top five list of the hardest things she'd ever tried to do. Right there between flirting and public speaking. She was better at public speaking than she used to be so she hoped this would be another accomplishment.

She looked up from the plate he handed her and realized this was not going to be the day for such a thing. "Umm... Co-Coke is... fine," she stammered out. With a sigh, she opened the pizza box and put a slice on her plate. Maybe it was the pizza that was making her too warm. Sure, that sounded loosely plausible.
 
Waves of desire pulled at Mike from Selene. He didn't need the extra motivation. He truly had feelings for her too. Yet, the call to kiss her was quite strong. He did not need to see her flushed cheeks to know what she was thinking. He played it cool though. Feeling that maybe simply taking every action she allowed herself to think might not be the right course in the long run. Plus, shouldn't she be able to use her own words or actions?

Calmly, he got her a Coke, while grabbing a vernors for himself. Always happy to have a little taste of home, even if just for a few minutes. Vernors was the ultimate comfort food. He walked up behind her, and reached for a glass for himself. He never poured from a can into a glass, but since he'd do dishes anyways, this allowed him to stand and stretch quite close to her. "Would you like a glass?" he asked, with a grin.
 
Biting her lip was the only thing that she could do to hold back but the thoughts were very strong and, since their night together and the real inspiration to her thoughts, were much more vivid. And there she was, inches from him, feeling the heat of what she was sure was his magic rolling off of him. It was a dizzying feeling in the moment. Taking the can, she held it to her chest, just to the side of the stone that somehow felt like it was buzzing. The cold was a shock and a welcome cooling sensation.

"Umm... Yes, please?" She was feeling fairly content to keep the can precisely where it was but she was also pretty sure that he was going to think she was even more weird than she already felt if she did. Setting the plate on the counter and taking the glass from him, she sighed. Was it a wise choice to question his current control of his power? Probably not. Was she going to anyway? Stupidly yes. "Are you uhh... are you feeling ok? It's... kinda warm."
 
Slowly, Mike set his glass down on the counter, looked her in the eyes, and reached up, allowing part of his chest to touch her shoulder as he grabbed a glass for her and set it on the counter next to his. "I'm feeling just fine." He replied, though his grin faded. "Physically at least. I did...." He shivered and shook his head, shoving the thoughts about worry from his head. For now, with Selene close he did not feel the need to cast.

"But if you are feeling warm." He said gently cupping her chin and tilting her head upward. "I could turn up the AC... or do anything you need to make you more comfortable." He hoped that after last night, she'd not have trouble asking him for a kiss.
 
There was a game of cat and mouse happening and she was completely unaware of the rules of engagement. She wasn't truly even fully aware they were playing. Her inexperience was getting the better of her and he shyness was only making the situation worse. She held her breath when she felt him near her shoulder and she took a small step to the side to be out of his way. Looking at his fading smile, she felt bad for asking her question and presuming that he might be less than honest with her.

She sighed when he touched her face, her blush deepening as she looked up into his eyes. The look of a deer in headlights returned to her flushed face. She wanted him to make the move, to kiss her again because she didn't think she had the courage to initiate contact. "Ummm... I'm just..." She reached for the stone and yanked it off, separating the magnets that held the chain together. Setting it on the counter, she continued to look up at him to see if the expression on his face changed after being freed from the influence of their metaphysical connection. If it did, they could go about dinner and he could exist without the pressure of her desire for him. If it didn't, she didn't really know what she would do but she was fairly certain that wouldn't be the case.
 
Images of the two of them passionately kissing each other flooded Mike's mind and he shivered. He felt the desire to kiss her within him become even stronger, almost unbearable, until she suddenly ripped the necklace off of her neck. Mike's eyes followed the stone as she set in on the counter, but then they slowly traced all the way up her arm until they found her eyes again. "You still don't trust me, do you?" He said with a smile, that contained no malice. "You still think that the only reason I I like you is because of the stone."

He took a step closer, letting his full height tower over her. "I. Like. You." He leaned down and slowly kissed her, letting the hand that cupped her cheek slowly move down and around to the back of her neck to fully embrace her. Thankfully, his magic stayed fairly calm through all of this.
 
The words to explain herself wouldn't form so all she could do was shake her head. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, or didn't believe him, but that she didn't trust herself. She didn't know how to keep herself from broadcasting the feelings and desires she couldn't put into words. Doing so felt like forcing him and she hadn't had the chance to properly test the limits of their combined abilities and analyze the results to be sure. Did he like her enough want to kiss her? Sure. He'd proven that. Had she planted the seed of that thought in his mind? There was no real way to be certain. Did she want to trust that his actions were his own? More than anything.

She held her breath as he closed what little distance was still between them. Her knees felt weak. All thoughts of food were forgotten the moment he pressed his lips to hers. She placed her hands on his sides and pressed her body firmly to his. It was so much easier to show him rather than tell him. She kissed him back with all the heat and passion she'd been holding in, her tongue inviting his with a soft caress.
 
Selene's inviting tongue made it clear what she wanted, he opened his mouth and allowed his tongue to slip inside her lips and swirl around for a few moments. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close and held her. Beyond his feelings for her, this felt right. He closed his eyes and lost himself in their embrace. His fingers dragged through her soft hair lightly. Pure bliss filled him.

Their kiss lasted several minutes before he pulled back and smiled at her. "No need to rush." He reassured her. "We have time, I'm not going anywhere." He looked over at the pizza. "We should eat before it gets cold. Still he placed a final peck on her lips before opening the box, placing a couple of slices on a plate and handing it to her. He did the same for himself. "Couch?" He asked, thinking that it'd be a good place to resume their activities once they had eaten.
 
She felt her own magic surge forward with some strong need to lock them in the moment so she could enjoy it forever. Her magic, unlike her thoughts of lust for him, was easily mastered and she held back from even a mere second of a stasis spell, even though she was pretty sure he'd be none the wiser if she had given in. The joy of being in his arms was one that was short-lived, more so than their kissing the night before.

He wanted to take things slow and she was alright with that, but she definitely hadn't foreseen him being the one to call it quits so quickly. Looking up at him, she nodded and turned back to pour her soda with shaky hands. She felt safe with him but still so perpetually nervous when it came to the subject of physical encounters. She didn't know the rules of engagement and she hated not knowing how to do things. It hadn't been an issue before.

With a quiet 'Thank you' and another slight nod, she took the plate and her drink and turned to follow him into the living room.
 
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