"This is called barbeque," John said, as we located the yummy smell I had been smelling. John has lived a far more adventurous life than I. Traveling to all of the Sectors with his father and whichever sister wanted to accompany them. Barbeque is Aeryn's favorite, he said.
The main source of meat we would have at the Thomas family home was usually chicken. That's what this was. But we have never had chicken like this before. Never in a sauce at all, much less a sweet and sticky one.
I took a bite, the flavors bursting in my mouth instantly.
I moaned, "Mmm." John tipped his head back and laughed. "Is it that good, Dev?" he asked, calling me the nickname Aeryn had given me. I nodded, it really was that good. The sweet and tangy sauce, the smoked flavor of the meat.
I swallowed my food and then said, "I have never tasted something so good before in my life."
A look crossed John's face, but was gone as soon as it appeared. I quirked an eyebrow at him. He shook his head a little, "Nothing. It's just…," he ran a finger through his golden hair and looked away for a moment as he tried to find the words.
"I only wish I had broken you out of there sooner." I set down my chicken and wiped my face and hands clean of the sauce. I reached across the table and held his hand in mine.
"No pity, okay? I'm out now. That's all that matters."
John looked around nervously and said, "But that isn't all that matters. He could look for us if he wanted. And if he catches us, we could be sent to No Man's Land."
The reminder of what our fates could be would have ruined my appetite had the food not been so good and I was starving. I shook my head, "Well then we'll make sure he doesn't. Aeryn said there's a place here that sells something called hair dye. I can change my appearance. And so could you."
John nibbled his cheek, and then said, "Yeah, I could. But your hair is already dark. It would be harder to cover."
I laughed, "And how do you know this?" He gave me an incredulous look.
"I have sisters, remember?" I nodded, but gestured for him to explain further.
"My youngest sister, Caroline, her hair is dark like yours. She begged my father to let her try hair dye. Aeryn has dyed hers many times and Caroline always wanted to do what Aeryn does. And so my father brought her along to a trade here in the Metro. Where she went to the shop that sells the dyes and picked out a bright pink one."
John smiled as he recalled the memory, and continued.
"Needless to say, her hair was too dark. And the dye did not perform as she expected. So, unless you go darker, your hair will not take the dye."
I giggled as I imagined an angry, miniature version of Aeryn. I haven't met any of his other sisters. But he tells me they all look the same, like their mother.
"Okay, so I'll go darker then. Perhaps the seller in the shop can educate me further on the matter. I'll do whatever it takes to avoid Netherrealm. Hey," I squeezed his hand, "it'll work out. And if I can get any information on my brother to find him, we'd have even more help."
John smiled at me and nodded. But I could see the worry still there on his face. I'm worried too. Not just about William coming to find us. What if my brother isn't here at all anymore? He could be dead, or maybe William sent him to No Man's Land. So much could happen, so much could go wrong. But I can't let those worries stop me from living. I had a thought, suddenly.
"What if we marry right now?"
John stopped looking at whatever had his attention, and whipped his head to face me. "Right now?"
I nodded, "Yes, that way if William does come, and I do believe we should move as if he will either way, he won't be able to take me. I would be another man's wife."
John was silent for a few beats, and then he nodded. "Legally, he would have no right."
"Well? What do you say?" I asked, suddenly really nervous. Marriage would mean we would have to consummate. I've never so much as kissed a man. But I wouldn't mind sharing those first moments with John. I mean, I was under the guise that I was betrothed to him for a few years now.
And I'd be lying if the thoughts of laying down with John as my husband one day didn't keep me awake some nights with desire.
John nodded, and then smiled a great big smile. Those dimples…
"Off we go, then."
And so, we set about the Metropolis in search of a bishop that would marry us. And I couldn't help but think that I couldn't even remember the last time my heart felt so light and free. As a child, I at least had Archie. All of my memories with my brother are filled with color, happiness, and laughter. No matter the circumstances, my brother always made me happy.
But the memories after he was gone, few and far between held any source of color. Splashes of it on the memories I've made with Aeryn and John. And Abigail's young boys. Moments I had spent in my tree alone, reading a book. Yes, I'll marry John. And I'll do my duty as his wife. But I fear color will not return to my life fully until I find my missing piece. My brother.
We found a small chapel with a bishop sitting outside of it's door. He agreed to marry us for a small gold price. The ceremony was quick. We said our vows, signed a marriage contract, and then set off in the city to find rings. John and I walked the streets of the Metro, stopping at many of John's favorite shops.
Shops that sold clothes, shoes, foods, and trinkets. We found the store that sells hair dye as well.
"So, what do you think?" I asked the shop owner. A young girl, maybe a few years younger than me. Her hair dyed many different shades of blues and greens. John was in another part of the fairly large shop trying to find rings while I worked on finding a way to change my appearance .She circled around me a couple of times, assessing my hair color and length.
"You're right," she said, as she ran her fingers through my long locks. "You'll need to go darker. I was only able to achieve these bright colors because of my naturally fair hair. You could dye it black."
I scrunched my nose. Black seemed too dark. But I already said I would do whatever I needed to stay clear from William's sight if he's coming. Well, not an if he's coming. I am almost positive he will.
"Okay, I'll take it." I told the girl. After I gave her the money, I set about finding John. I walked around the store for a few moments, browsing the different soaps and body creams. All of the different scarves and dresses and even shoes being sold here.
I found John by a rack of necklaces. He was thumbing through them when I stood beside him. He held out a small golden band with one single gem on it.
On his left hand, he wore an ashen gray band, a bit thicker than mine. "Do you approve?" he asked, as he smiled and gestured for me to give him my own left hand. "Of course I do," I smiled back as he slipped the ring on my third finger. It was a perfect fit. "I now pronounce us, husband and wife." And we tipped our heads back and laughed.
The moon was high in the sky when we returned back to the inn. "I've sent someone up to pour a bath a while ago. Should still be warm if you hurry." the innkeeper said. We said our thanks and hurried up to our room.
John let me bathe first. I had quickly bathed using a lavender scented soap left by whomever poured the bath. Now I was just sitting in the water with my nerves eating me alive. Knowing in an hour or more I'd be officially consummating my marriage. To say I was nervous is an understatement.
I could vomit from how nervous I was. But if I wanted to steer clear from William's grasp, I had to. I reminded myself of that, and the fact that I have loved John for a long time now. And that I had always expected this moment to come.
I stood and dried off. Putting on a thin nightgown I had also gotten from the shop. I walked back into the bedroom and sat on the bed. John was standing by the window looking out at the city in the distance.
"Better?" he asked. I nodded and smiled, "Yes, and the water is still fairly warm."
"And what about your shoulder?" I had been having so much fun, I hardly even paid attention to the pain creeping back in. I grabbed the bottle of pain pills and shook them.
"Nothing these can't fix."
John smirked, and then he sauntered over to me. He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear. I looked up at him and made eye contact. A look I didn't recognize flashed across John's face, and then his eyes darkened.
"Devaney," he said, his voice strained and gruff. "If you don't want to, I will not force it. But I have dreamt of this moment for a very long time."
I nodded, but said nothing. He looked at me for a few more seconds before he turned and went into the bathroom.
A little while later, he emerged with only a towel wrapped around his waist. The water from his bath still dripping down his chest and back. My throat dried. And that warmth returned to my center. And I knew then that I wanted this. That no matter what, I would not deny this not only from him, but myself.
I stood up and removed the straps of my gown, letting it pool down at my feet. John looked me over slowly. And then he let the towel drop.