Nicki POV
I can't believe I'd finally voiced my feelings about my powers and how I felt scared that I might not be able to control them. Well, I'd actually told Luke.
That hadn't gone very well AT ALL.
Flashback.
"Hey... Luke?"
Rachel was asleep and Michael was out probably smoking or something like that. Luke and I were basically just chilling and hanging out right now.
"Yeah, what's up Nicki?"
I shrugged half heartedly. He frowned, seeing how down I looked probably. My nii-chans and nii-sans said that they could always tell when something depressing was getting me down because I never talked as much. Luke could probably tell too.
"Hey, what's wrong? Is Michael getting you down or something?"
My ears heated up at the mention of the heterochromatic eyed boy. I remembered how I'd flirted with him and just shook my head at both myself and as an answer to Luke's question.
"No, I um... just..."
"Whatever you have to say, I'm sure it's not bad," Luke said with a grin.
"Well, I'm... kind of afraid of myself."
End of Flashback.
My cheeks heated up even further at the memory. Luke laughed so hard I thought he'd busted his gut or something. I actually thought he might pass out, he was literally laughing that hard. It was embarrassing. He just told me that it was ridiculous that I was afraid of myself, even though he never gave me chance to explain my reasons or anything. It was frustrating beyond belief. So my telling to Luke didn't go as planned. Michael probably will laugh at me too and tell me I'm being some sort of coward.
"Tell me why."
I looked up into Michael's intense gaze. I hadn't actually realized it, but the part surrounding the pupils in his eyes was interesting. It had a tint of pinkish purple in the right, metallic colored eye and the other had a navy blue color surrounding the pupil of the left, crimson red eye. I forget what the term for it was.
"Earth to Nicki."
I blinked as he snapped his fingers in front of my face and flinched away. For once, his tone didn't sound cold or condescending. It sounded controlled and understanding, kind you might even say. It shocked me.
"Y-Yeah um..." I rubbed my neck. "Well, back in Japan, I wasn't very good at hiding my powers. Some people didn't really get it and they just called me a freak. Um... but sometimes, whenever we're fighting or Luke and you are at each other's throats, or even when I just feel angry or depressed, it feels like my powers are banging their fists against a cage that keeps them under control. One time, I wasn't able to control them. It happened before when I was alone and in my room. My room was pretty much trashed and my furniture was broken, and there were tiny fires everywhere. It took me forever to get it back together. Now I'm afraid that I'll hurt you, Luke, and Rachel." I clenched my fists together. "Maybe... Maybe I should continue this alone-"
"Absolutely not."
Michael fixed me with a fiery gaze and I felt like crawling into a hole and never coming out. That's how intense it was.
"You want to get your brother back, right dork? You were going to go searching on your own, weren't you, before I came along and offered assistance?"
I nodded slowly. He rolled his eyes.
"Think about this. Who saved our butts?! Who came in, swooping you up out and into the air? It was Luke and Rachel who saved you. Saved both of our butts because you didn't think and jumped right in," he said with an almost scolding tone. "And now, you want to leave and go on your own? You wouldn't last a day without any of us."
"Y-yeah but-"
"Shut up for once." I clamped my mouth shut at his command and he smiled for once. "We all have fears Nicki. And you should be afraid of yourself. You have incredibly powerful powers. You could basically absorb any power you wanted." He frowned. "I'm glad you're a good guy."
"Do you think I'm a good guy?" I said, probably sounding like an excited puppy.
"Yeah. You're kind of cute, I guess," He said with a smirk. "In a sort of nerdy way, with your big ol' glasses, love."
He'd finally stopped with the nicknames but now he's back. I sighed and he patted my shoulder.
"Why would you ask?"
"Because Luke thought it was dumb."
Michael let out this funny snort of amusement.
"Mr. Prep doesn't have his head attached to his shoulders then."
"But he's one of the best kids in our class."
Michael rolled his eyes.
"Honestly, you're as stupid as Kaito. Just because he's book smart doesn't mean he's street smart darling. Get that in that dorky little head of yours," he said, poking my forehead.
"Hmph. Well, what are you afraid of?" I asked softly.
His demeanor changed and his expression became guarded. I knew I'd asked the wrong question now. He looked off behind me, eyes distant before they came back into focus and landed on me.
"Losing my mind."
"Huh?"
He looked away and I couldn't tell if he was blushing or if it was the fire's reflection.
"I'm afraid of going insane," He said quietly. "Losing my mind, not knowing right from wrong, left from right, or what's real and what's not." I looked at his hands and they were shaking. "Though I think I might be already losing it," he said so softly I could barely catch it.
"What?"
He snapped out of his daze and frowned.
"Nothing. I got distracted."
"Look who's ADHD now," I teased.
"I hate you," he mumbled.
"No you don't," I said in a light tone.
"Hmph."
I leaned on his head, grinning as I did so. He squawked and tried to bat me away wildly.
"Get off me you big idiot!"
"Awww, but what if I don't want to?"
"You're heavy!" He spat, trying to push me off. "Go back to sleep!"
"No, you go back to sleep!"
"Both of you knock it off!" Came the sleepy yell of Luke.
I grinned at Michael who scowled, bottom lip sticking out ever so slightly in a sort of irritated pout. It was very cute...
"Hmph, you suck Nicki," He muttered.
"Oh, I'm WOUNDED!" I cried dramatically.
Michael laughed and I just stared at him. His laugh was just one of the most pure, beautiful sounds I've ever heard. He stopped soon after and smiled at me and I felt my cheeks just heat up.
"Thanks Nicki. It's been a while since I've laughed this hard before," Michael said softly.
He gently pushed my shoulder.
"Now go to sleep."
I yawned, just then realizing how tired I actually felt.
"Yeah, I'm exhausted. You going to turn in?"
"No. I can't go to sleep."
I frowned at what he said. He had deep, dark bags under his heterochromatic eyes and looked about ready to drop dead.
"Remember, I have insomnia," Michael said with a sigh.
"Oh, I forgot..."
He stared into the fire which was getting a little too small so he created his own fireball and threw it at it to keep it nice and alive.
"Every time I go to sleep... I have nightmares," He confessed. "I had them for so long and woke up screaming every single time, so I just stopped myself from going to sleep."
"What are the nightmares about?" I blurted.
His hands started shaking and I don't even think he could tell.
"A lot of things," He whispered.
"Hey Michael?"
He looked up at me.
"Yeah?"
"This may sound a little cliche, but really, I'll always be here. If you ever wanna talk or need some help, I'm right here," I said sincerely.
He didn't smile but the tension from his shoulders dissipated.
"Thank you Nicki..."