In Dreams

Revised chapter posted 5/31/10


“Where are you going?” Kiba asked as his tall playmate, for some strange reason, suddenly began to climb in through the even taller window. “Madoshi Clef'll yell at ya if you go in there without his permission,” he warned, frowning up at her in disapproval. He knew, because he'd already been yelled at for climbing in one time, just to retrieve a wayward ball, and Madoshi Clef could be scary when he got mad.

Umi paused, blinking down at the child in surprise, as though she'd forgotten he was there. Then, realizing she was being scolded by a mere eight-year-old, she blushed a bit and replied, “Er, I'm sorry, Kiba, but there's something I have to ask Clef about, okay? It's really important. Can you play with the others for awhile?”

“How come you don't just go to his front door instead?”

Kiba eyed her suspiciously, and she smiled awkwardly at him. “Well, what's the point of going all the way around to his door when his window is right here and already open?”

Kiba, unable to find any fault with that logic, shrugged and ran off to rejoin his friends.

Goal accomplished, Umi continued through the low-silled window and into Clef's elegant chambers. She closed the glass behind her and, as an afterthought, latched it, as well. No sense in taking the chance of anyone else climbing in there after her. Clef wasn't terribly fond of children, especially running rampant through his private living quarters. Normally, Umi wouldn't have demonstrated such a blatant show of impropriety in front of the kids, just in case they got any ideas later on to sneak in and cause trouble (as Kiba was prone to do at times). But she was greatly concerned about her friend and his very unusual behavior.

Clef had a temper to rival her own, but unlike her, he was rarely ever prone to spontaneous bursts of violence (unless, of course, she was teasing him about his height, in which case all bets were off). Obviously, something must have upset him greatly to make him shatter the chalice like that. And she couldn't forget his face before he'd turned from the window, an expression that seemed to border on despair. It wrenched her heart to think of the small man in such pain. She cared for Clef, probably a good deal more than she had a right to, given the obvious differences in their age and maturity.

Despite their first rocky meeting, he had ended up being a valuable friend, always there to lend a sympathetic shoulder whenever she felt her lowest. She was dreading the time when she and her friends would finally have to leave Cephiro, which was, sadly, not far off. The country was close to being fully restored to its original enchanting beauty, and there would no longer be a need for the Magic Knights. She would miss everybody she had met and grown to care for in this amazing world. But out of them all, she knew in her heart that it was Clef she would miss the most.

Upon reaching his bedroom door, Umi hesitantly knocked, wondering if she was being wise in disturbing him when he was in such a foul temper. She knew he valued his privacy above all else, but she also knew that she would rather risk his fury than leave him to suffer alone. He had always been there for her when she needed him. Perhaps, this once, she could be there for him and lend her shoulder so that he might unburden himself on it.

After a moment, when there was no answer, Umi tapped at the door again, then carefully turned the ornate knob and pushed it open ever-so-slowly, peering cautiously inside. “Madoshi Clef,” she called softly, glancing around the shadowed room. Knowing that she was about to break every rule of propriety that ever existed—and facing the distinct possibility of a severe tongue-lashing from the uptight Guru for doing so—Umi nevertheless stepped fully into his bedchamber. There, she immediately took note of his small form lost in the center of a ridiculously large bed, tangled in the silken sheets and obviously suffering from some dream or other, if the low moans rising from the diminutive figure were any indication.

He's dreaming already? But he just went to bed not two minutes ago, she thought pityingly.

It was a good thing she was there, then, if she could wake the poor man from whatever hell he'd fallen into. Without another thought, she crossed the room and climbed onto the bed beside him, taking him by the shoulders and shaking him gently. “Clef, wake up. You're dreaming,” she whispered. She was answered by another low moan as his white face furrowed, a small hand rising from the pale gray sheets to grasp futilely at the air.

“Umi,” he mumbled softly, causing the girl to freeze with surprise. “Wait, Umi …” His voice trailed off into a quiet mutter that she couldn't make out, then fell silent.

She stared at him, perplexed. Why in the world was he dreaming about her, she wondered. Was he really having a nightmare? About her? Frowning, she leaned in closer, and as she did so, his head turned so that his breath drifted across her face. She reared back in surprise as the strong, sour-sweet odor of liquor drifted to her nose. Her eyes widened in shock. Was … was Clef drunk?

Now she was really worried. She didn't know of anyone less likely to drink himself into a stupefied coma than Clef, and yet there he lay, reeking of spirits and caught in the throes of a liquor-induced dream. Shaking off her surprise, Umi was determined to find out just what in the seven hells was the matter with him.

“Umi,” Clef moaned again, tossing fitfully, and with her lips pulled into a thin, determined line, the source of his troubles once more reached out and shook him, forcefully, and called his name.

After a moment, with a choked cry, the mage's eyes snapped open, and his wild gaze darted around the room. He seemed disoriented, until his bleary eyes landed on the highly-concerned girl kneeling just beside him, gazing down at him with a worried frown. His eyes went even wider, and with a choked gasp, he shot up from the sheets and threw his arms around her waist in a tight embrace, his head falling to rest against her breast as he trembled against her. “Umi,” he breathed heavily into her shirt. “Umi … you're here. You're safe …”

Umi was sure her face was bright enough to hail incoming airline traffic, but the way Clef was trembling against her made concern swiftly overcome embarrassment. It's like comforting a child, she told herself firmly, as she carefully reached up to tenderly push a pale lock of silky, sweat-dampened hair from his eyes.

She was hard-pressed to ignore the realization that no child had ever held her with such strength before, nor with such hard, firm arms.

“Clef, what's wrong?” she asked softly, and couldn't help but think that without his normal headdress and all those elaborate robes, he seemed even smaller and more childlike than usual, despite the strong grip he maintained on her waist. It made her want to protect him, to take him into her arms and cuddle him close, although he'd no doubt give her a good bonking on the head should he ever learn of those particular thoughts. “I saw you through the window,” she continued soothingly when he didn't answer, hesitantly running one slender hand up and down his back. “I can see something's upset you. You—you're very drunk. This isn't like you at all. Please, can't you tell me what happened? Is there … is there anything I can do to help?”

The fine trembling in his limbs was slowly receding, and his hold on her loosened, although it seemed he had no intention of letting her. That was okay with Umi. She rather liked being held in such a manner, and knew once he regained his senses he'd likely never do so again. Why not enjoy the moment while it lasted, she thought, with only a small flush of guilt.

He lifted his head, then, to gaze searchingly into her eyes, the confusion and desperation slowly easing from his elfin face as his expression softened and his beautiful eyes grew hazy again; whether from sleep or alcohol or something else, she didn't know. “You're here,” he murmured after a long while, looking almost awed, and for some reason she found herself blushing again.

“O-of course I am. I never left. It was just a dream, Clef. I'm perfectly safe. You see? This is why you shouldn't drink so much. It causes all sorts of problems,” she scolded gently.

He said nothing; only continued to stare at her, as if he wasn't quite sure whether or not she was real. In fact, he hadn't even appeared to hear her, and she wondered with a twinge of irritation if he was even actually awake yet. Finally, he blinked slowly and, to her surprise, drew himself up to bring his face even closer to hers. “Just a dream,” she thought she heard him mumble, before he reached up to gently cup her face within his small, cherubic hands. Her eyes widened at this gesture, feeling the warmth of his hands against her skin, and a fine tremor began in the base of her spine as beautiful, lidded blue eyes gazed intently into her own.

“C-Clef, wha—?” She fell silent as a thumb ghosted softly across her lips and a spark of heat abruptly ignited low in her belly.

“Beautiful,” he whispered. “So beautiful … My Umi …”

Eyes widened in astonishment. His Umi?

When he gently pulled her toward him, her face still cradled tenderly in his hands, she found she lacked the strength to pull away. Her pulse quickened when she felt his liquor-soaked breath drifting softly across her mouth, and her eyes widened further, and then fluttered closed, as warm lips closed softly, insistently over her own.

O-oh …

He may have looked like a boy, but there was absolutely nothing childish about the kiss he bestowed upon her. A kiss that stole her breath and set her senses aflame as his warm, silken mouth ever-so-gently caressed her. The fingers cupping her face slid into her hair to draw her in even closer, tilting her head in just the right position to deepen the kiss even more.

Umi felt herself melting, the heat in her belly spreading, licking into her chest and through her limbs in languid waves of pleasure. She leaned helplessly into him, losing herself in the sensations his skilled lips were invoking, and barely noticed when he lowered her to the mattress, his arms sliding around her lithe form as he continued to suckle at her lips like a man possessed.

She vaguely realized that at some point she was going to need to breathe, but at the moment she was much too distracted by a warm hand currently gliding across her stomach beneath her shirt. It slid up her abdomen, pausing beneath her bosom to gently caress the skin there before cupping her breast within a soft, warm palm. She shuddered and pressed closer to him when he pinched her nipple, plucking and rolling it between his fingers until it tightened with arousal.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, alarms were sounding, trying to remind her that something wasn't quite right. After all, the Clef she knew would never act so amorously toward her. But the rest of her, caught in the throes of rising passion, was enjoying the Madoshi's tender ministrations far too much to pay any heed. As often as she'd wondered what her first kiss would be like, she had never dreamed it would feel so wonderful. Even more, she'd never, ever allowed herself to hope that Clef would be the one to kiss her.

She wondered now how she could have ever thought of him as a child.

He finally broke their kiss, allowing her to draw in much-needed air as he lifted his head just far enough to meet her wide, wondering eyes. “My Umi,” he whispered again, his tone taking a possessive note as his thumb trailed softly over her kiss-swollen lips.

“C-Clef,” she stammered, trying to ignore the heavy, liquidy sensation throbbing low in her belly. She wanted so badly for him to kiss her again that it almost hurt. But, now that it was over, and the daze was slowly receding, she was able to think a bit more clearly.

Sadly, the memory that Clef was rather intoxicated and still mostly asleep had wormed its way back into her mind. As much as she didn't want to end this surprising turn of events, she didn't dare let it go on. What he made her feel was amazing, but it was also meaningless if he didn't realize what he was doing, and would probably not even remember once he was sober again.

His Umi.

She'd felt a thrill the whole way into her toes when he'd called her his. If only it were true. But he wasn't himself. She knew that. He'd been dreaming something awful about her, and between that and whatever alcohol he'd consumed, he was simply out of his senses. Alcohol made people do stupid things, including making out with people they otherwise wouldn't dream of making out with. She was quite certain she fell into that category. She was still just a child in Clef's eyes. At least, he often made her feel that way when he took it into his head to scold her like one, something that usually pissed her off to no end and loosened her own raging tongue on him in return, thus proving his point.

Umi sighed faintly. She was glad she'd been able to put an end to Clef's nightmare. She was equally glad she'd gotten firsthand experience with such a surprisingly passionate side of the stoic mage. But how would she ever be able to look him in the eyes again, knowing what she'd let him do? Feeling the way she did? She wasn't a horrible liar, but he had a way of seeing right through even the subtlest of falsehoods. She held no illusions that she'd be able to pretend this had never happened. Better to put an end to things now, before they got carried even further. Clef would be furious enough once he found out about what had already occurred.

Very reluctantly, she sought to untangle herself from his possessive grasp, only to have his arms draw even more tightly around her as he nestled his face against her chest. “Where are you going?” he murmured, his voice only slightly slurred as his breath warmed the breast he'd earlier been teasing. She shivered, wondering just when he'd pushed aside her shirt and bra to bare her to his view.

She tried to loosen his hold again, but very nearly lost her resolve when he pressed his lips against her, nuzzling soft, heated kisses to her breast. “C-Clef,” she gasped, shuddering when his tongue licked tentatively at her peaked nipple, drawing the throbbing little nub into his mouth and suckling gently as his tongue curled and danced around it like liquid flame.

Umi groaned softly, her back arching to press herself harder against his sucking mouth. She felt his hand trailing down her stomach, caressing over her thigh and slipping between her legs, beneath her short skirt, where he pressed his fingers against her and began rubbing through her panties. She squeaked in shock, and again when nimble fingers slipped past the sodden barrier, into the nest of curls and between the folds of slick, heated flesh. She shuddered when he touched a particular spot, and when he suddenly loosed his magic, pushing it directly against her hypersensitive core in a hot, sparking stream, she very nearly passed out from the resulting explosion of erotic pleasure. She managed to catch her scream behind clenched teeth, but was unable to keep herself from bucking hard against his hand. Something was building … it was so close, hovering just out of reach, but drawing closer with each thrust of his talented hand.

He hummed with approval against her breast as he continued to stroke her core, sparks of magic still trailing from his seeking fingers in hot, glittering sparks. He seemed perfectly content to lay there and push her fully into her very first orgasm as she strained and panted beneath him. She was nearly content to lay there and let him. It was only with the greatest determination that she recalled her prior mission, and with shaking hands, she gripped his hair and forced his head away from her breast. He released her very reluctantly, his lips clinging stubbornly for another moment before finally easing the soft pressure on her wet, reddened nipple. She pulled his hand from beneath her skirt with even more difficulty, nearly crying as his departure left her unfulfilled and wanting. “I … I have to go,” she panted, her voice hoarse with desire. “A-and you need to sleep off that alcohol.”

“Don't leave, Umi,” he pleaded, his soft voice husky as he stared hungrily at her, the crystalline blue of his eyes darkened to passionate sapphire. He brought his hand to his lips, deliberately cleaning the moisture from his fingers with delicate licks, his gaze never leaving hers. She trembled as she felt it sear her, longing to feel his mouth on her breast and his hand between her legs. She longed to feel him between her legs, thrusting into her as he cried her name in passion. She could see the erection tenting the sheets over his lap, and had to restrain herself from reaching out to touch him through the silk. To draw the sheets away, push aside his clothes, and take him into her hands and mouth.

She forced her gaze to meet his again. “I … I wish I could let you love me like this,” she whispered, squeezing the words past the gathering lump in her throat. “You have no idea how much I've … wanted you to see me this way.” She wondered if she should say so much, then decided he'd probably never remember anyway, and plunged ahead. “I wish I really was your Umi, but I know that's just the liquor talking. You'd never think to lay a hand on me when you were sober, so I know when you come back to your senses you'd be horrified if I took advantage of this situation. I don't want to you to be disgusted with me or to hate me for any reason. Your friendship means more to me than anything. Please understand, Clef. Please just go to sleep and … and don't remember any of this when you wake up again, okay? For both of our sakes.”

Clef listened quietly, the dark, intense glow fading from his eyes as solemnity replaced his pleading expression. When she fell silent, he slowly reached up to cup her face in his hands, drawing her head down to cradle against his shoulder. One small hand stroked soothingly over her mussed hair as he pressed warm, weightless kisses to her temple. Umi closed her eyes at his tender affection, allowing the hot tears to slip down her cheeks. Why couldn't he mean it? Why couldn't he hold her like this when he was in full control of his senses?

They lay curled together for a long, silent time, Clef cuddling Umi close, saying not a word, doing nothing but cradling her comfortingly as the fire in her body slowly began to die. She knew she should probably get up, but she couldn't bring herself to leave his arms just yet. She'd probably never have another chance to lay in them again.

When she felt his breathing become deep and heavy, she slowly raised her head to gaze at his peaceful face. Her heart ached as she reached to brush fine tendrils of hair from his eyes, and leaned down to press a soft kiss to his lips. “I love you, Clef,” she whispered into his ear, fighting back more tears as she realized she'd never hear him return the sentiment. Then, gathering her strength, she withdrew from his arms to climb carefully out of the bed and silently leave the chamber.