“The Earth has music for those who listen.”
William Shakespeare.

Chimera (n.)- a thing which is hoped for but is illusory or impossible to achieve.

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Adrianna's POV:

My heart pounded in my throat as I stared at the doctor, eyes wide. I could feel Ares tense.

He had waited far too long.

The doctor's eyes did us one over, he took his sweet time making eye contact with everyone in the room that seemed clustered with nerves.

Solemnly, he shook his head.

A sigh escaped me.

And then the disappointment, grief and finally, realisation.

Ares wasn't getting the transplant.

"I am sorry," He mumbled, "His blood is rejecting the donor."

His shoulders fell as a haunted look took over his features.

"Ares," His name fell from my lips in a whisper, one that was meant to be heard for us only.

He didn't react.

"Are you sure?" I knew he was sure, I just couldn't grasp the fact, "Mr. Vallerviv, could it be that it's just a temporary reaction and not a permanent one? We can't say anything before at least some time passes."

"His blood is recognizing the donor tissue as a foreign intruder. It's not like we can adjust it if that's the case. You know it well, Ms. Campbell."

"But I am sure-"

"Ms. Campbell," Chief's gravelly voice cut, "Don't argue. He knows what he is speaking about."

"This cannot be!" I burst out, like a child,

"There must be some way?"

I have seen Ares, how gloomy he was, how haunted he was. He wanted to see, he wanted to see the bursts of colors.

This couldn't happen.

"I am sorry, Mr. Estevan," The chief sighed, "But it seems like-"

"It so seems to happen that luck is not on my side," Ares sighed, articulating those words as if they were the easiest words in the world, "Do you have any particular explanation why my blood seems to reject every donor?"

"It is not rare," Chief scratched his chin, "But it's definitely not common. In cases like this, the person usually tries a artificial cornea transplant. I don't really want to do it because it exposes a vulnerable part to foreign body and the patient might develop a risk of infectious diseases."

My heart dropped to my stomach, "What's the second option?"

"There's no second option, Ms. Campbell."

My heart throbbed and bled. What was this pessimistic dogma that peeked in my mind? I knew Ares would get a transplant. He has to.

"I see," He let out, his voice was fearfully blank, "I believe the hospital authority doesn't have anything else to inform?"

Silence answered his question.

"I will be taking my leave, then," He stood up. I followed his trail, my mind riling from the recurring events. Without words, he turned and walked out.

I followed him silently, falling along with his steps and then taking his hand in mine, guiding him through the hallway.

We let ourselves in the car, the door shut with a loud thud. The silence was eerie, heavy, scarring. I wanted to speak but found it might be imposing. I sensed that he might have wanted to, the burden on his heart was probably not letting him.

"I wanted to talk with you," I voiced my thoughts quietly.

Silence.

"And I want to take you somewhere," My voice rose an octave as I mustered the courage to steal a glance. His frown deepened as he tilted his head, indicating that he was listening.

"I promise you will feel better," I smiled.

"I don't need your pity," He said blankly.

"It's not pity, Ares. It's called concern. I am concerned for you. I want to make you feel better. Please let me?"

He let out a sigh, "I don't want you to be concerned for me."

I frowned, looking down, guilt gnawing my insides. My fists clenched as I bit my lips.
I understood that he was not in a position to be emotionally invested into anything, but pushing me away? After the moment we shared together?

Yeah.

I realized that conversation was what was needed at the moment. We needed to communicate and talk about what happened. I needed to apologize.

We never had a talk, it was just him shoving me away and me trying to get frisky with him. We never interacted like real people.

"Please," My voice was meek, pleading, "I really want to say something and if I don't, it'll burden me forever."

My eyes darted to the clock, it was almost afternoon. By the time we reached where I wanted to take us, it'd probably be evening.

"Where to?" He asked after a moment of ensued silence.

"The museum docks," I muttered quietly.

"Take us to the museum docks," He commanded the driver.

The car took a turn and began to drive us to the destination I offered up.

For one time, I didn't feel like my libido was going to get a hold of me. For one time, I didn't feel like I was going to burn in Ares' scorching heat. For one time, I was able to think about my deeds and myself clearly and was able to self assess myself.

I didn't like the outcome of it.

What I did to Ares, prior to sleeping with him was absolutely disgusting. I basically pounced on him like a bitch in heat.

Even when he was reluctant, I let my overconfidence get to my head, thinking that I was desired by every single person who was attracted to a woman.

The truth was, no matter how much I tried to sugarcoat it for myself, I basically harassed him.

Now, if someone looked at me or talked to me the way I did with Ares, it would only make me uncomfortable. I would probably label them as a creep and a harasser.

The fact that I was a harasser and I made suggestive comments to his body, weighed down on me like a boulder.

He was vulnerable, I was supposed to take care of him. I aim to be a responsible doctor and someone who is professional. How did I let myself get involved with a patient?

A shaky breath escaped me, nerves curling up.

I behaved like the very people I loathed. How did I let this happen?

I knew it probably wasn't the time, neither the place for this, but it was nagging me, chewing my insides and I had to get it out.

"Ares?" I called him out quietly.

My heart beat frantically, "Do you hate me?"

A sigh resonated in the silent car, piercing through it.

"No," Came his simple reply.

I closed my eyes, looking out, never in a million years would I think that his words would have the impact on me it did, "Last night-"

"It was just a one time thing," He rasped simply,

"Ms. Campbell, are you somehow emotionally attached?"

"No! Not at all! Actually it's the same for me," I couldn't believe we were having this conversation now, "I feel the same. I wanted to apologize."

He raised an eyebrow at that.

"I am sorry about being unprofessional and making suggestive comments about you even when you forbade me," My gaze was fixated on my fingers as I played with my pointy nails.

A moment of silence passed as the turmoil inside me wrecked havoc.

"I see," He seemed taken aback. Clearly, he was not expecting me to apologize.

"I know that I wouldn't like it if someone made suggestive comments about my body," I sighed,

"I know I shouldn't-"

"Have been a bitch?" My eyes widened, stomach curling into a knot, "Next time, maybe think over before you open that feisty mouth of yours, Ms. Campbell. Words and actions are more powerful than a sword, it cannot be undone."

He leaned closer, his thighs frustratingly close to mine, but not touching at all, "Better yet, keep it to yourself."

I didn't find any strain in his voice. My heart was beating impossibly loud, as if it would burst into pieces.

"I will not do anything you don't want again. I am sorry."

He remained silent and for some reason, it made me feel at ease. He said next time, meaning he is not mad. Maybe he is, but not mad enough to stop talking.

"It's a beautiful place," I quipped, "Musky air, wind, water-"

"I have visited the docks plenty of times."

I huffed, leaning back. Here I was trying to cheer him up, but he was being such a mood killer.

"But it's the first time you are visiting it with me," I pointed out, trying to lighten the mood up.

"And that's supposed to be special because?"
I grunted, "You really don't know how to cheer someone up do you?"

"Honest words are better than fake compliments. Helps you differentiate between who actually wants the best for you."

"So you are insinuating that you want the best for me?" I raised an eyebrow, amused.

He kept quiet for a moment, "Is there any reason for me to not want the best for you?"
My eyes widened. I didn't think he would....

"You are my caretaker," He leaned a bit closer, his bergamot and pepper cologne overwhelming my senses, "Of course I would hope for the best."

My heart thumped loudly, the little fucker was having a party. I shifted on my seat, the painful throb in my pussy becoming too much to bear.

I wanted to kiss him and suck his dick.

The car came to an abrupt halt, indicating that we reached the docks. I smiled, letting myself out. I opened his door, grabbing his rough, big hands; wrapping it around my soft small one.

He only silently followed me, our footsteps echoed along with the sound of his stick hitting the wood. It was almost evening, so no one really lingered here at this time.

It was my hiding spot, my safe cocoon.

The sound of river echoed like a mellifluous melody as I led him to the wooden walk, where river and land met.

Frantic waves touched the wooden rim, wetting the walk. I grabbed onto Ares firmly, I needed to be cautious so he didn't slip.

His metacarpals were probably on the verge of breaking, but I was nervous.

The sun had already set, leaving behind a purple-yellowish hue. The stars were just about to appear.

"Let's sit on the edge," My voice wavered as I spoke, "Dipping feet-"

"Why are you so nervous, Adrianna?" Ares' cool voice came.

I took a deep breath, "I-" It's okay, "This place is slippery."

"I won't slip," Was that amusement I heard in his voice? "I am pretty sure I have better coordination that you."

I blew out a breath, "Yeah, you probably do."

He let out a low chuckle, music to my ears. One that strangely eased my nerves.

I slipped out of my shoes and kept it aside.

Rolling up my pants above my ankle, I sat myself on the wet wood and dipped my feet. A sigh escaped me as the cool waves touched my feet. Maybe this is what I needed.

I felt a shift beside me as Ares followed my trail.

His shoes were discarded beside mine as he plopped down beside me, dipping his feet.

"Stars are coming out, you know," I mumbled quietly as my eyes took in the horizon where the sun disappeared. The lights came on, but it only illuminated enough.

He remained quiet.

"Do you know why I brought you here?" I looked at him, "To cheer you up."

"What makes you think that I might be gloomy?"

"Your transplant..." I trailed off. I couldn't bring myself to voice it out no matter how much I tried.

He leaned back, tilting his head, closing his eyes, even though they were unable to process any light.

He was trapped in darkness, but maybe, it wasn't comforting enough.

"I have been disappointed way too many times to care," He uttered quietly, "It doesn't matter anymore. In fact, I have accepted it."

"You shouldn't just accept it, Ares," I mumbled,

"Not yet."

"This was the twenty seventh donor that didn't have a match with my tissue," He said. The boulder in my heart became heavier as the misty air of the river sashayed around.

"Maybe the twenty eighth one would be a match, you never know, Ares," I uttered.

Both of us remained silent as the cool breeze caressed us gently. The serenity of this beautiful fragment of a moment was too beautiful, I wanted to savor it.

The visceral pleasure that came from stargazing on the shore, it was incomprehensible. I was wrapped around him without touching him, my body was aware of his presence and I knew his was too.

"Describe the colors to me," His quiet voice came.

"Well..." I let my eyes linger around, roaming as I desperately took in the glitters that glimmered in the sky, "It's not entirely black. The sky looks a bit black tinted blue, mixed with a hint of red. Stars dust the sky like diamonds, so shiny and beautiful. I want to touch them," I trailed off, sighing at how ridiculous I sounded.

My eyes drifted to Ares who looked glum, his curls swayed gently along with the breeze, his features shadowed by the night.

"Yet, they aren't as beautiful," I whispered.

"Indeed?"

"Indeed."

"They have nothing over what I am seeing now," I sighed, taking him in, "Magnificent."
He let out a sigh, bringing up his hand and sliding his mask off. My heart stopped as his scars came into view.

It looked better than the last time I saw them. His flesh didn't seem to be bulging, rather it seemed like a wound in healing.

"How can you find this magnificent, Adrianna? I am as distorted as a person could be."

"You might not be perfect by the definition of society, but guess what?" I smiled, "Neither am I. You are an outcast, I am a slut, but in my eyes, you are perfect."

"Don't degrade yourself."

"It wasn't me degrading myself," I looked heavenwards, "By definition I am a slut, I am a nymphomaniac who must have sex. I never use that word on myself degradingly though. Using it as a slang is a different thing and to define yourself is a whole different discourse."

He remained quiet, "You are prone to nymphomania?"

A melancholic smile lit up my face, "Are you disgusted?"

"Why would I be disgusted about something you don't have control over?"

I tilted my head. Just how more perfect this man could be?

"I developed it in my early teen," I closed my eyes, wanting to feel the darkness he lived in,

"Then it just grew. I didn't know how to stop it until I realized my hypersexuality couldn't be stopped."

"Did you take any medication for it?"

"I never had the money, was too busy saving for med school."

A sigh escaped him.

I realized how scarred both of us were. His scars were visible, mine bled inside me. Maybe, despite our differences, we were alike somehow.

Weird, because I wasn't thinking about sex.

That was a first in years.

"Do you want to share how you discovered your condition?" He asked, his voice soothing.

"It's too blurry," I look at him, scooting closer to his warmth, "I would rather like to hear your story."

"My story is blurrier-"

"Actually, you know what," I sighed, "I feel like I should share it."

He straightened, facing me.

"I discovered my sex drive when I was 17, I was molested."

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Someone said they'd update regularly 😳

I hate schools lol.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!

What do you think about the little moment?