University of Console Heroics: Chapter 14

Thompson is completely asleep on the couch. His Adventure studies book splayed open on his chest. The first few knocks at the door get no reaction. But as they continue He sits up suddenly, dropping his book to the floor. “Coming!” He told the door, wiping the sleep out of his eyes. He made his way across the living room and opened the door to discover Cynthia on the other side. “Cynthia.” He said in surprise.

She didn’t even look at him, she just stared at her feet. “Look I wouldn’t have come but I didn’t know who else to turn to.” She admitted.

Thompson hesitated for a split second and then moved out of the way to let her him. “Come on in” He welcomed her.

She hesitantly walked into the Apartment. Thomson closed and locked the door behind her. There wasn’t much more than the couch, a coffee table, and the tv in the living room so she ran out of things to look at quickly. “I see you haven’t changed your decorating style.” She said, glancing at him quickly.

Thompson smiled in spite of the tension. “What can I say?” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m a simple guy.” His sarcasm was desert dry.

She shook her head. “We both know that’s not true.” She was still trying not to look at him.

He stooped down in an attempt to catch her eye line. “Cynthia are you ok?” He asked.

She raised her gaze to meet his and he could see she was holding back tears. “are you?” She asked.

Thompson looked away and out his living room window, avoiding the question.

“Of course I’m not ok!” Cynthia exploded. “I lost my best friend and my partner last semester!” She couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. Thompson took a step toward her and she stepped back an equal distance.

Thompson shook his head. “You never lost me.” He said quietly.

She shook her head. “Don’t lie to me, I deserve better than that.” She chastised him.

His eyes were locked on his feet. “I, I didn’t want to hurt you.” He looked up at her and saw fury in her eyes.

“Yeah, well you’re doing a really horrible job.” She growled.

Thompson shook his head. “You don’t understand.” He started.

“How could I?” She interrupted. “You cut me out completely after last semester and now you can barely even look at me.” She accused.

Thompson met her gaze without wavering. “I’m sorry.” He started. “I really am. Do you think this is what I wanted?” He asked, waiting a second before he continued. “Because it’s not!” I’m just trying to keep the people I care about safe!” He exploded and wave of blue flamed burst off his shoulders.

Cynthia saw it but didn’t flinch. “From what?” She yelled back. “Ever since Professor Daigo died you’ve been acting so strange.” She took a step forward. “Please just talk to me” She asked, taking another step forward. Thompson stepped back in response.  “I know you two were close, but he’s gone –“

She reached out her hand and Thomson spun while pushing her hand away. “I don’t want you to be next all right!” Thompson moved around her to the other side of the living room.

She cocked her head to the side. “The next to what Dean?” She asked. She followed him and he let her get close enough to touch him. “I miss you. I miss my friend, and I miss my partner.” She admitted to him. Dean was looking at his feet again. “You can find another sparring partner.” He barely whispered.

Cynthia smiled, she lifted his chin until they were eye to eye. “I never thought of what we did as fighting. It always felt more like, dancing.” She said.

In a flash Thompson held Cynthia in the starting position for a waltz. “So you miss dancing then?” He asked. Waltzing around the living room with her. She smiled and let him lead for a few steps but then incorporated some leg strikes into the movements. Thompson shifted his footing, blocking and parrying her attacks out of instinct, caught himself and stopped dancing. “I thought you said you wanted to dance?” He asked.

Cynthia smiled sweetly at him, batting her eyelashes. Thompson continued the dance, changing to a salsa. Again she let him lead for a few steps but turned his spin into a spinning back fist which he caught and locked her arms up in defense. “You know what I mean.” She replied.

He let go of her wrists and stepped back. “I don’t dance like that anymore.” He stated sadly. She didn’t hesitate for even a second before full on attacking him. His instincts took over and they were fighting at full speed, Thompson stuck to blocks, parry’s and holds that would allow him to manipulate Cynthia into more dancing but all of her pent up anger and frustration was exploding out of her and he was never able to hold her down for long. As the struggle over fighting and dancing continued she resisted the dancing less and less until he Had control of both her wrists. Her back was to him and so he spun her around so they were face to face. He leaned in until they were almost lip to lip.

“I missed this.” She closed her eyes and nearly tackled him to ensure the kiss.