All I Want

You cut me open and I...



Ellen stood before the door to the office, her fingers being held a few inches away from the knob. Why was she doing this again? Was she so persistant to win over Keats for once that she would start up a stupid argument? Really, she wasn't exactly sure what to say. Normally, someone who was angered would simply avoid to person who caused such stress but she opted to confront him head on.



Confront him about what? She stood there, pressing her brows together before lowering her hand only to turn around and begin walking down the empty corridor. Well, that's what she meant to do. The blond woman only got a few steps away before turning back around and standing by the door. Taking in a breath, she released it before stomping her foot in frustration. She had noticed how annoyed he had gotten whenever she visited before and had decided to see if he didn't even want her around anymore. Much to her surprise, he reacted differently than she had expected and even told her that he enjoyed being bothered while working.



"What a mess..." Her soft voice muttered, pressing her hand against the doorknob, "I suppose I could apologize for being so... childish." Ugh, that word made her stomach tighten. After all her attempts to prove her maturity, the act only proved how far from it she really was. Even as much as she tried, he still triumphed! Clenching her jaw, she pushed open the door and stepped into the room, turning around to close it after her before speaking up. "Keats?"



"Well now, I was wondering how long you were going to linger outside of my door."



"Well, I-" Ellen stopped mid sentence at the sight before her. Keats wasn't sitting in his chair typing away at his typewriter as he normally would've been. No. Now he was leaning up against that very desk looking at her. His normal clothes seemed to have been discarded for something different- suit pants and an open white button up shirt with a loosened tie. She hadn't remembered him dressing differently ever and simply figured that population of the Netherworld needed not to change if they didn't desire. And yet... somehow, everyone was so clean. She couldn't help herself, those emerald eyes drifting from his neck and down his chest only to go up again. Eventually, her vision traced along that firm jaw and to his lips which were raised in an obvious smirk. Upon noticing the smirk, she realized what she had been doing and clasped her hands near her mouth, "Oh! Uh, uh- did I interrupt you ch-changing? I didn't meant to! I'll go!"



"Ellen..."



She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as she heard that voice. It was so smooth and calm. True, he always spoke as such but this time there was some sort of power behind it; something she couldn't put her finger on but it made her shift in her spot uncomfortably. Her throat was as dry as her lips, flicking her tongue out against the flesh to moisten them and unsure what to do.



Thankfully, Keats rose up from his spot against the desk and slipped across the room to stand before her. This simple act caused her to stiffen and hold her breath, something that the man was aware of. With a light chuckle, he reached forward and ran his fingers against her soft and pale flesh. He knew how uncomfortable he was making her yet he couldn't bring himself to end it. At least, not yet.



"I made dinner. I thought you might want to stay and eat with me. Unless, of course, you've something to do." Dropping his hand, he turned and began to button up his shirt as he walked towards the kitchen. Once he passed by a table set with nice dining ware, he motioned for her to sit before walking into the kitchen.



"Is this like a date?" She felt herself blurt out these words and immediately covered her mouth once again. Of all the things she could've said! Sucking in her bottom lip, she lightly bit down upon the soft flesh and shuffled over towards the table to sit down.



"Mm? I suppose it is. Very good, Ellen."



Her cheeks were a deep shade of red as she pressed her hands against her lap and looked down, noticing that she wasn't wearing what she came in with. Instead, there was an elegant emerald dress clad to her form and she gasped softly. Well... what did she expect? The Netherworld was an odd place. Her attention was drawn away the moment the food was soon placed upon it before her, steaming from heat and smelling... delicious! Perking up some, she felt a smile widen upon her lips as she took in the scent. "Oh, Keats! It smells really good!"



"Does it? I've never cooked before but it can't be that hard, right? Just follow the directions... and such." He soon joined her at the table and picked up his fork to lightly poke at the mixture. At the odd way that he was dealing with the food, it was obvious that he wasn't the only one who had a hand in cooking it. After all, his best friend was quite possibly the most gentlemanly being in all the realms.



Ellen felt this thought tickle into her mind and it struck her as funny. Keats and Belgae standing in the tiny kitchen while wearing flowery aprons as the invisible man tried to teach him some sense in the kitchen. She played around with the idea, imagining a fire breaking out and panicked yelling as pots clattered to the ground. All of this caused her to giggle softly.



"What?"



"Oh, n-nothing. I guess I'm just a little nervous. I'll eat."



The meal began quiet as ever until he eased her into a conversation about what she had been doing the past few weeks. Of course, the blond was more than happy to ramble on about her adventures and the people that she had met along with their stories. As always, Keats sat quietly and listened while offering a smile or a nod every so often. He always would be quiet when she spoke, sometimes writing down a few notes. After all, he did provide the Netherworld with news and they seemed to love updates about their favorite 'celebrity'. Hell, she even got fan mail that he had to give her since it was delivered to him as if they lived together.



"Mm! That was really good!" Ellen brought up her napkin to her lips, removing any remaining bits of food that may be lingering around her mouth. She was smiling, seeming to put out a sort of glow that she always had after talking with Keats. For some reason, everyone but Keats seemed to have noticed it before.



Now, though, he took note. Sitting up in his chair, he nodded and rose up from the chair before offering his hand out to her. "May I have this dance?" Almost on cue, his 'office' was filled with the sweet sound of something romantic and he was glad when she accepted his offer. Clasping upon the blond's hand, he began to move around slowly with her.



Despite her shyness, Ellen slid her arms up to wrap around his shoulders as she pressed her cheek up against his chest. She wasn't really good at proper dancing but he didn't seem to mind- feeling his arms slink around her waist and hold her in response. Her heart was beating so fast that she was sure she would burst soon, her breath slightly labored as she attempted to calm herself down quietly. Oh, how embarrassing it would be if her noticed! She whinced softly, swaying along with him and couldn't help the stupid smile that was claiming her lips.



Keats felt her nervousness but, instead of feeling edgy himself, he was trying his hardest not to laugh. She was rather silly when she was in distress. He felt her stiffen more as he released a soft chuckle and spoke. "Why are you so nervous?..."



His voice was a low hum in her ears and she shivered softly before raising her gaze to look at him. It was a bit of a shock to her since he seemed to have looked down at the same time and their faces were close. She sucked in her bottom lip, eyeing those firm lips momentarily before looking back up at his eyes, "Oh.. uhm... Thank you. For everything..."



"Anything for you, Ellen."



A few seconds seemed to pass like hours as she stared up at him, unable to speak and feeling as though her heart was going to burst soon. His breath felt hot against her lips and she couldn't resist the urge to lean up on her toes, wanting that contact from him. As she did, her eyes slowly closed shut.



Last night you'll be alone.