This is gonna hurt

[Leon Belenos]

The words reached Leon's ears and almost instantly he calmed down. But they had been spoken a few moments to late. Before he even knew what had happened he was pinned against a wall with the force of a small Mac truck. His head slammed against the wall and instantly he felt pain start. He was staring down at a very angry very strong male. He could barely breathe, but he heard and understood every word Cody said. He could tell just how much the other man was feeling, and had he not been in pain he might have actually felt some sympathy for him. He was just waiting for the feeling of a hard fist driving his head back into the wall.

Much to Leon's surprise he was left to fall to the floor; not that it helped much, on the way down he cracked his side on a chair and then landed his head on a table. He fell to the cold dirty floor. He lay there for a few moments, his vision was having trouble focusing, but he was sure he could see the shape of Cody moving towards the door. He would let him go this time, he had more than redeemed himself in Leon's eyes. and probably Jalen's as well. He was laying on the floor for what felt like 10 minutes before he even found out that Jalen was still in the kafe. He was mad right now; at himself, at Cody, and even a little at Jalen. There was some things he would have liked to know before he got his ass handed to him.

"I'm fine." Leon lied through his teeth as he slowly got himself to his feet. "Let's just finish our coffee and go somewhere else." He continued as he walked slowly back to the table they had been sitting at. By now people were already looking at them, and he had enough on his mind. She should be with Cody. He couldn't interfere with that, they both very obviously had feelings for each other. Leon didn't even want to be here anymore, nor did he want to be with anybody. He was in pain, and he felt like what had been a great day had gone absolutely nowhere. Maybe next time it could be better. He sat at the table waiting for Jalen; she had some explaining to do, and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to handle it.

[Jalen August]

Jalen stood and rose with Leon, her hands hovering just a few inches from him in case he toppled over. He seemed injured, despite how Cody hadn’t done that much damage. She watched him slip back into their table, totally defeated. As if seeing Cody and how everything unfolded wasn’t enough, now she had managed to break yet another young man’s heart. It wasn’t as though she had set out to do so, she really was trying to get over the strong farm boy who had just left, and she really thought Leon could help her do that. She really genuinely liked him, but it just wasn’t the same way she felt about Cody.

Making her way back to the table with her tail between her legs, she sat across from him, head down. Things had just gotten very real. Jalen’s face was aflame from all the stares they received, and she sighed, taking out her wallet from the small purse she had brought with her that stayed in the booth. She pulled out two twenties, one for the drinks, and the rest for the damages and trouble she had caused. She blamed herself entirely, and slid out of her seat once more.

“I’ll take you back to school,” she offered to Leon, who wouldn’t get very far with that limp of his. Jalen had changed entirely. If he wanted an explanation, it would have to happen away from the stares of the public. She gave him an apologetic look, hoping that he would at least give her another chance. Maybe she wasn’t as ready for dating again as she thought she was.

[Leon Belenos]

Jalen was sitting across from Leon now, and her head was hung just like his. He still wasn't impressed but now it was the damn looks that everyone in the place was giving them. He saw her getting up with the money in her hand. "No... I asked you out... I'm paying, I egged him on, and caused this shit storm." He gently pushed the money back towards her and reached into his own wallet. He pulled out a single fifty dollar bill and put it on the table. Slowly he got up; he wasn't feeling as dizzy anymore. Truth be told the chair had probably done more damage to him than Cody. If he had another chance though he would have totally brought him down.

"Fine with me... let's get the hell out of here." Leon said quietly. He didn't have much to say right now, and he would need some time to cool off and some answers. The storm had come at the worst possible moment to. He was about to lay his lips on her, and show her just how he felt. For once he thought he had found someone real that might actually be worth trying to go steady with, but yet again it had blown up in his face. He started walking towards the door. He needed to get his anger out, and as soon as he was outside he took a swing at the first telephone pole he saw. The mark from his hand could be seen singed into it. He had lost control of his powers, but nobody had seen it.

Looking down at his fist he saw that he had popped a finger a little bit out of place. Grimacing he took it and pulled it back into it's socket. It went in with a pop and he cringed. Turning around he saw Jalen, he couldn't tell what she was thinking, and he had no idea what she drove. "Sorry... I needed to get it out." He said hoarsely. He was on the edge, and he had no idea what was going to happen. How could things go from being so great to so completely fucked up in a matter of moments?

[Jalen August]

Jalen watched as Leon insisted on paying, putting the twenties back in her wallet, which was then put back into her purse. Her eyes were sad as she spoke, “Thank you.” And then she got up, waiting to make sure Leon wasn’t going to fall from his injuries or anything like that. It was funny, how this whole day had turned at the drop of a hat, or an iPod, in this case, which she turned to pick up and place inside her purse as well. For some reason she had the strong urge to smash the stupid thing, and forget about her love of music.

“You really didn’t do anything wrong...” She said as he attacked a telephone pole. “I’m sorry for this,” she blubbered, getting her car keys out and approaching the small red Toyota. She just wanted to get out of here so badly. Jalen had told a few people about the breakup, she wasn’t interested in explaining it to Leon, one because he had witnessed the worst of it and two, she really liked him, and she felt bad for making it seem like she was leading him now. “I didn’t think... I didn’t know...” And she let the words go, her eyes tearing up again. Why did this have to be so difficult?

Locking the car, she got into the driver’s seat, glancing at Leon to make sure he was alright before starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot, and then out of downtown and back to the school. They would be there in about ten minutes. She knew she owed him an explanation, so, here went nothing.

“Cody and I,” she said, finding it easier to speak if her eyes were on the road, “we had something really special.” Jalen smiled involuntarily. “But I broke up with him,” she said, turning the wheel to the left. Usually she wasn’t this cryptic, but she was trying. “I’ve been trying to get over him lately, and, when you asked me out, well,” she glanced at him then, smiling softly, “I couldn’t say no, you just don’t remind me of him at all, and it was nice, to turn around and have something new and different and like it a lot.”

[Leon Belenos]

The pain in his fist went unnoticed as soon as Jalen started speaking. She was wrong, he had done something, and he had egged Cody on and gotten what he asked for. “Jalen... it’s fine, I understand...” He said, his voice was ragged and had an edge to it. He was fighting for control of his emotions right now, the last thing he was ready to do was talk. At the same time, it was the only thing he wanted to do. He needed to know what she thought of him, because the look she had been giving him before Cody had shown up had said a lot. If only he could get inside her head enough to know if she felt the same way about him.

Getting into the car, Leon closed the door gently, not wanting to break anything else today. He looked over at Jalen for a moment and caught her eye before reaching for and putting on his seatbelt. He sat in silence, not even sure where to begin. His jaw was set, and he had finally decided to simply let Jalen start talking and explaining things, because at this point, he simply didn’t have it in him to ask questions. It would be one thing if he knew she had an ex who she wasn’t over yet, but he hadn’t been prepared for that, and now the question of how she felt about him was haunting.

Finally her voice broke the silence. “So it’s not that you feel nothing for me then... I understand, breakups are hard, and you both still love each other.” Leon said softly, not trying to be harsh at all, just understanding. His emotions were fading as he thought about just how she must be feeling right now. “Look, I like you a lot... but if that stands in the way of you being happy with someone else who you really love... well... you should be with him... if there’s a chance in hell you’d even consider a second date though... you know how to get a hold of me.” He said softly, his voice still gruff as his mind jumped around through the events of the day.

Looking over at her for a moment Leon started to feel smaller and smaller. If it was Cody she chose he’d just have to suck it up and deal with it. For now if he was even in the running that was enough to give him a little hope, either way he wanted a friend out of the deal. If he clicked with her he at least wanted to keep that. Just the joking was enough to make his life a lot more liveable. “So, yeah... just keep me in the loop...” He trailed off softly, longing to give her that kiss that had been interrupted just minutes ago.

[Jalen August]

Jalen kept her eyes on the road and her mouth shut, even though she wanted to say bingo. Leon had hit the nail on the head. It wasn’t that she didn’t like him, it was that she was still in love with Cody. If an almost complete stranger could see that, then maybe she had no business dragging such a great guy like Leon into her messed up love life. It wasn’t fair, and she could tell Cody wasn’t the only one she had hurt today. Why did these things have to be so damn complicated? Oh yeah, she was an insatiable flirt.

Still saying nothing, only thinking, she knew that a second date would only add insult to injury. In fact, Jay was surprised he even wanted another one. She found it horribly ironic though, that both men had said something along the line of being with someone who made her happy, referring to the other. It was funny though, how she didn’t think either of them meant it. Not that they didn’t want her to be happy, but that they wanted her to themselves. The guilt on her shoulders was like a fifty pound weight, and her scar was threatening to explode. She didn’t feel so good.

Parking in the student parking lot near dorm, Jalen took off her seatbelt and looked at Leon, getting lost in his sad brown eyes. Now she could see what Cody had loved so much about her own chocolate eyes. “I don’t know where we stand Leon,” she said, before a sudden impulse took over her. The blonde leaned over, and kissed the boy on the cheek, a bittersweet thing that would probably only make the situation worse, but she wanted to do it, so she did. She pulled away, staring at him again, before taking the keys out of the ignition and getting out of the car.

All she wanted to do was run away. Run away and smash the damn iPod in her purse.

[Leon Belenos]

Hammel was getting nearer, and there wasn't much being said by ether party at this point. Just a lot of silent contemplation. Even the radio wasn't on, and that made the silence that much more deafening. Leon watched the people on the street and tried his damnedest not to look at Jalen. But no matter what he couldn't help but keep looking over at her. God she was still beautiful, even with tears threatening to come out at any moment. She had shared her scar with him, and he could even appreciate that. His mind was swimming, but he was drowning in the thoughts. They needed to get back soon so he could sort everything out.

Finally they were in the parking lot, and Jalen took the car out of gear. Leon pulled off his seatbelt and turned to look at Jalen. Her eyes were so much like his own, sad, deep, and dark. He was falling for her, and falling fast, but that didn't mean it was meant to be. Only time would tell at this point, and now she was talking to him. She kissed his cheek and started to run. She really wouldn't have had an idea; Jalen was obviously just as confused as he was. In a flash he was out of the car and going after her. He ran around the car quickly and caught up with the blonde.

Reaching his arms out, he grabbed Jalen by the shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. "I really care about you. I want you as part of my life, I need that... you're one of the first people I've ever clicked with. I like you a lot." He brought his arms down around her waist and pulled her closer, very gently he reached up and brought her chin up so she could look him in the eyes. Once again he realized just how much hers matched his. He didn't care, they could be confused together. He leaned down, and gently lay his cool lips on her forehead. He kissed it softly. His body was trembling with nervousness and emotion. He couldn't take her lips right now, that would destroy both of them.

Returning his hands around her waist Leon pulled her tightly against her to comfort her as best he could. If she wanted to go right now she would have no problem getting away, but he would hold her if she let him. A single tear seeped out of the corner of his eye; it was barely visible but it was there. Holding his emotions and his powers together was starting to have it's effects and he wouldn't be able to keep it in forever. For now it was just a leak; later he might be screaming at the world. It all depended how today went.

[Jalen August]

His touch was warm and she accepted the hug, listening carefully to him now as he had for her. Jalen could talk up a storm, but she was also a very good listener, and prone to remember detail. He admitted to still wanting her around, even after the shit storm that happened at the coffee shop today. He needed her about as much as she needed him, just someone who really got her, who actually cared. “I’d like to have you around Leon, you’re a great person,” she stared into his eyes, felt the kiss sear into her forehead, and wondered if he had intended for it to feel that way. Whatever the case, her scar was threatening to take her consciousness, and she held his forearms forcefully, letting him hold her as she tried to regain balance.

“I don’t feel very good,” she said finally, biting her bottom lip from concentration. Jay looked up at him, wondering what had possessed him to stick around – didn’t he know what was good for him? Certainly it wasn’t her. “Thank you for being here, thank you for trusting me, I trust you a lot already...” she said softly, closing her eyes tightly. “My scar... I don’t...” but then she lost sight of him and the world around them, collapsing into his arms.

[Leon Belenos]

Feeling her gripping his forearms with all she was worth Leon had to wonder just how well Jalen was feeling. He heard her words, and was content with them for now. He had a whole life to figure out yet; what was another thing added to that list? Hell, it had been a good run so far, it was one thing that wasn't working out, and even that had a chance. He stared at her, waiting for some sign that she was okay, but not much was coming out of her.

Leon heard her voice growing weaker and more pained as she stayed in his arms. "I'm here for you... you're closer to me than most people want to venture already." He whispered softly into her ear. He caught the scent of her shampoo as he pulled his face away, and inhaled deeply, just as she collapsed into his arms. He held her up awkwardly for a second, trying to figure out what he was going to do next. Well, he didn't know where her dorm was, and he could at least keep an eye on her in his own room.

Grunting as he reached down and swung her limp body up into his arms Leon found he was smelling her a lot clearer now, and it mixed with his own smell of cigarette smoke making a unique cocktail. He started walking towards the co-ed dormitories, with her limp form in his arms. If the cowboy ever found out about this Leon could only assume he would be beaten to a pulp. His mind was screaming at him, asking himself over and over what the hell he was doing. He hadn't made up his mind yet about her, but he did know she cared.

As he reached the building he leaned against the door with his back to open it up. Grunting as he hiked her up against his chest he slowly swaggered down the hallway, heading to his room. If his roommates were about he'd have a little explaining to do,and if they weren't it would make things a lot easier. Leon gently lay her on the floor outside the door so he could reach into his pocket and get his keys out. He unlocked the door and opened it up. He had bent over and picked Jalen up again, and to his relief neither of his roommates were around.

As he entered his own bedroom he gently lay her limp body down on his bed. He carefully removed her purse from her shoulder and put it on his night table, just in case she was an active sleeper. He looked at her for a moment considering and pulled the covers over her. It had been a hell of a first date, and sure hadn't turned out how he expected but he still felt that he owed her for the trouble he had caused. Leon walked over to his dresser and pulled out the underwear drawer, moving all of his garments to the side and lifting out a sparkling diamond necklace. He looked at it and remembered how he had acquired it. It was one of the few items he actually remembered seeing before it ended up in his possession.

Walking over to her on his bed he gently placed the necklace around her neck with great care. He closed the clasp and smiled down at her for a moment. Leaning down he kissed her once more on the forehead and walked out to the living area, turning the light off and closing the door behind softly, so it didn't click shut. He turned on the TV and sat for about half an hour before his addiction to nicotine struck. "God, I need a smoke..." He muttered to himself as he walked towards the window. Leaning out he lit up and began to inhale, the wind outside blocking out any sound from inside his living space.

[Jalen August]

Jalen stirred in a bed that wasn’t hers, she knew mostly due to the smell of Old Spice and cigarettes. And then it hit her like a brick to the face, and she shot up in Leon’s bed. She winced, a slight pain still in the back of her neck. She wasn’t sure how long she had been out, but at least her scar wasn’t searing anymore. She pushed back the sheets, stepping onto the ground, holding her head. The last thing she could remember was kissing his cheek in her car, getting out, and then it was like she suddenly appeared in his bed.

She stood, touching her body. Her clothes were still on, so nothing out of the ordinary had happened, he hadn’t abused her trust. Jalen groped around in the dark until she touched the doorknob lightly, retracting her arm suddenly. She amplified the sounds around her – there was someone in the other room, and it was probably Leon. She sighed, not really wanting to do this to him, but she didn’t want to face him at this point. Jalen manipulated the sound waves around her so as to not make a sound as she exited his room, looking at him briefly. He had been good to her, she owed him. Then, without another thought she left his dorm completely, running her hands through her hair as she returned the sounds she made back to normal.

It wouldn’t be until she reached her own room, and looked in the mirror, that she noticed the single tear drop necklace, shining brightly against her pale skin. She touched it softly, her mouth open slightly, before clamping it shut once more. This was something Leon had accidently stolen from someone, and it meant a lot to him, it was a part of him and Jalen understood completely, even though it was a bit of an obscene sentiment. She stepped back from her mirror, unable to swallow the huge lump in her throat.

What was she going to do?

The end