Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Chapter 22: Fear


NOTE: Music Track - Play it when it shows up if you want to listen - Late`knight`simmer



I watch Camo as he walks into the water, and I like that his shirt is getting soaked, although I wish it was white instead of orange. I follow once I feel I've ogled him enough, swim to where he is and then notice he's checking me out too. I'm glad the tennis I play at the country club seems to have fulfilled a dual purpose of keeping me fit as well as a way to take out anger. Camo smiles at me once I've joined him in the water.

"What do you want to know?"

"Hmm... I'm curious about that sex schedule. Why is that even a thing?"

"I'm not sure, that's just the way it's always been since I turned eighteen. I get put on the schedule and then I have to do it, or I get punished."


I'm so confused because I've never heard of anything like that ever. I feel like it should be filed under a 'this is wrong' section of the universe. It sounds like some weird breeding experiment to me. I'm horrified that I thought that because now I'm thinking of my poor handsome boyfriend living in some testing facility.

"Well, is it like, are those people supposed to be your girlfriends?"

I wonder if Camo's shelter practices things like polygamy where they have to take multiple partners and have an allotted amount of children per person. Then I start thinking about inbreeding, and then I don't want to think anymore. Icky, although it soothes me that he's much too pretty to be the result of inbreeding.

"What? No. I'm technically not supposed to have a girlfriend, in the shelter or otherwise. In the shelter, sex is just sex, there's no love attached to it."

"How many people have you had sex with besides me?"


"Just one. A few months ago, shortly after I turned eighteen."

I'm not really concerned about how many people he's had sex with, since Camo wasn't my first partner either. I'm more concerned about STDs, and I'm trying to figure out how to ask him about that without it sounding like I think he's diseased, which I don't.

"Is there some sort of hospital where you live? If someone gets pregnant?"

"Yeah, there's a clinic and a nursery for babies. There's doctors and nurses that tend to people who are hurt, and for pregnant women."



I'm relieved when I find out that it's not some sort of caveman like ritual to force sex on people. At least they have a facility that attends to medical needs. I still think the sex schedule is horribly wrong.

"Verona? Are you sure you're all right? You look like someone kicked you."

"I'm worried about your shelter, Camo. A lot of the things that they do to you don't seem right."

"Really? I knew I felt like things weren't right! I seriously hate it there. People always make me feel stupid and tell me I shouldn't be questioning anything, but I still do anyway."

All of a sudden, I really want to be in his arms again. I start swimming to the shore, and he follows me.


When we get up to the sand, I almost dive into his arms, but he looks like he's going to ask me a question, so I stop and listen to what he has to say.

"The first time I had sex, I hated it. I didn't like the girl at all. The shelter told me that I should have enjoyed it because liking the girl doesn't matter. When I had sex with you, I felt something different other than just physical pleasure. I can't describe it, but it was like I wanted to stay with you forever. What is that?"


"That's feelings, Camo. It's romance. It's love. Do you know about any of that stuff?"

"Yeah, the romance sounds familiar. I'm taught that romantic feelings are bad because they only lead to sadness and pain. That's also why I'm not supposed to have a girlfriend."

"You're not allowed to feel love just because you might get hurt? That's stupid."

Camo opens his eyes wide like he's just had a revelation.


"That's exactly what I think! I knew I wasn't crazy! When I saw you on the beach as a teenager, I only saw the back of you, but I felt like I wanted to know you. I didn't know why, but then when I saw you again after I applied for the bookstore job, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I didn't understand why I felt the way I did, but when you asked me to be your boyfriend, I knew I wanted to say yes."

I grab Camo's hand and we sit on the beach. The sun has gone down and the cool air against my skin coming from the water is making me a little chilly. There's nothing else I want to do other than be close to him. I'm thinking about what Absolon told me, 'I see how Camo looks at you. That boy loves you.' I think I may have fallen in love with him. I'm looking deep into his eyes right now and his lips are pulled back in that adorable smile of his. He touches my hand and puts his arm around my waist, grabbing me and pulling me close to him. He wraps his other arm around my waist as well and simply hugs me. I lay my head on his chest, hoping he'll never leave.



I just kissed Titanium. Holy crap. I hope I didn't spook him. Sometimes he's like a deer in headlights. Titanium looks at me, surprised at what I've just done. He doesn't look upset or scared, but he does look a little shocked.

"Titanium? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. That felt so nice! Will you kiss me again?"

He's so adorable, asking me to kiss him. Of course I will kiss you again, baby. You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that, but you were always so timid and shy. I'm thinking so much today because I feel like I've finally broken the ice between he and I, but I don't want to do anything to scare him. I knew that he liked being around me, but he was always really scared to open up to me. I put my arms around his neck and hold him close to me. I can feel his heart beating rapidly. I tilt my head so our noses don't smack into each other and press my lips against his.


He exhales deeply and I feel some of his breath in my mouth. I start gently sucking on his bottom lip and then I feel him start kissing me back. He surprises me because he's actually a pretty good kisser for being so shy. I refrain from kissing him deeper because I don't know how he'll take it, but then I feel his tongue playing with my teeth. How did he learn to kiss like that? Obviously he thinks it's fine, so then I let my tongue do what I wanted it to in the first place.

GRUMBLE-GRUMBLE.

I try to ignore the sound of my stomach growling because I want to keep kissing Titanium, but I can't. I'm so hungry right now. I guess since we went to a 5:00pm movie, and it's now 7:00pm, I realize I haven't eaten anything since lunch time. Titanium's lips linger on mine as I pull away slowly. He looks at me with a concerned gaze in his eyes. I can feel him getting scared again, so I leave my arms where they are around his neck, and keep my face close to his as I look at him and smile.

"Are you hungry, Titanium? I'm starving. Do you want to grab a bite to eat?"

"Yeah, sure that sounds good."


We walk to the Silicon Shores Dessert Shop together. The lights of the city shine down on Titanium's blue hair and illuminate the subtle blonde highlights hidden among the blue strands. His hair is so pretty. I love how it hangs down in front of his face. It'll give me an excuse to touch his face when I brush his hair out of his eyes. I buy us each a combo meal and a SnowStorm ice cream dessert. We go and sit outside because it's a nice night.

"Absolon? How did you become homeless? You said your mom was in The Compound for a while, but what about your dad?"

"My dad's an asshole."


I feel like I stunned Titanium with my voice because his eyes opened wide and he's looking at me like he's afraid of me. Maybe it's just the natural low growl that comes out when I think of my dad. It's true that at one point, he did try to work things out with me, but it didn't last.


Camo feels happier than he's ever felt before with Verona in his arms. He's extremely glad that she was on the beach today. He wanted to find her and apologize sooner, but had no idea where or how to find her. He notices Verona move a little and ask him a question.

"Camo, do you lift weights?"

"No, but I do pushups and situps pretty much every day."

"It really shows, honey. Your arms are amazing. I can't get enough of them."


Verona rolls Camo's sleeve up, exposing his upper arm and tickling him. Camo feels a little turned on and wishes he wasn't wearing this stupid t-shirt. He hasn't noticed any other guys wearing shirts while they go swimming.   

"Wow, that feels so good. How is that tiny little motion making me feel this much?"

"I don't know. I like touching you, Camo."

Verona pushes Camo down on the sand, and puts her head on his chest. He tilts her head up and kisses her, playing with her hair. It's dark and Camo wonders what time it is. When he left this morning, Titanium told him he was going to be hanging out with Absolon today. Camo knows Titanium will be back by 10pm and he knows that Titanium won't report him. He feels Verona's hand under his shirt rubbing his back and he's more positive that he doesn't want to leave. Camo increases the intensity of his kisses, and the location of his hands move from her face to the natural curve of her hips. Verona presses her pelvis against Camo and he slides his hand under her swimsuit bottom, squeezing her butt. Camo feels Verona stop kissing him so he opens his eyes and looks at her. She looks worried again.

"What's the matter, Verona?"

"It's late, don't you need to be back home?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to. I want to stay with you."


Verona gets up and pulls Camo up with her, never breaking physical contact with him. He touches her face, trying to comfort her because she looks terrified.

"I know, and I want you to stay as well, but I don't want you to get punished."

"They won't find out, as long as I'm back before everyone's awake."

"When's that? How are you so sure you can get away with this?"

"People usually get up around 6am, and I'm sure because Titanium will be there. Everyone has roommates because they're supposed to tattle on each other. Titanium is my roommate and he's my lookout. He'll protect me just like I protect him. He won't tell on me."

"Are you sure? I'm not willing to lose you again. I don't ever want to feel the way I did while we were fighting. I don't think I can deal with another scare."

"You never lost me, Verona. I'm pretty sure I love you. I've always loved you, I just didn't know that's what it was, till you explained it today. I'm also sure I don't want to let you go tonight."


Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Time stands still

Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
~ A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri ~

Camo looks at Verona, and she has tears in her eyes.

"You love me? I'm so happy. I love you too! Ok, you convinced me. We can go back to my house, and you can sleep in my bed with me."

"Are your parents going to be mad to see a boy in your bed?"

"I don't know, but I don't care. I need you to stay with me."



Camo gets in Verona's car. He's never seen a car with doors that open like this before, from the top instead of the side. He smiles at Verona and puts his hand on her leg as she drives them to her house. He's in awe of how big her house is. The Compound is big too, but Verona's house is different because it's gorgeously well-lit and the rooms are large instead of tiny.

"I don't have any clothes to sleep in."

Camo realizes he doesn't have any pajamas to sleep in and his swim trunks aren't the most comfortable things on the planet. He notices Verona looking at him as he tries to figure out what to do.

"Why do you need clothes?"

Camo gets turned on again as Verona smiles seductively at him and strips her swimsuit off in front of him. She pushes him down on the bed and undresses him. She gets in bed under the covers, and Camo joins her.


"Verona, you are so sexy."

Verona smiles at Camo again and pulls her pillow over to his side of the bed. She puts her fingers in his hair and massages his scalp. He closes his eyes, enjoying the massage. He feels her tongue enter his mouth and he kisses her back, while touching her bare chest. She puts one leg around him and pushes herself onto him, moving up and down slowly. After they finish simultaneously, Camo holds her close to him and kisses her forehead softly as he drifts off to sleep.


NOTE: This was sort of a continuation of the same day featured in Chapter 21, which is why there is no interview segment. ~ Late`Knight`Simmer ~

18 comments:

  1. Oh, so much more squee! I loved this chapter so much, I want to snuggle it. <3
    Camo explaining the sex schedule to Verona nearly broke my heart. Verona got right away that the whole thing is wrong to the core. I love how protective she is of him, and I think Camo spending the night with her, outside the Compound, will be so good for him.

    Titanium and Absolon are adorable. Their kiss was just the sweetest thing. I hope Absolon's bit of anger at the end doesn't frighten Titanium away. He has a longer road to find his way out than Camo does; Camo knows there's something wrong about the Compound and what they teach about the dangers of strangers (hur, rhyme), so he'll accept real reality a little easier, I think. Titanium seems like he might run back to the Compound at the first hint of danger. Like Absolon said, he's like a deer, and he's easily spoked.

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    1. Hello sweetie! :) I'm glad you liked this so much. I have to say I love the word squee. :)
      Titanium will always have Camo, like Camo said 'He'll protect me just like I protect him.' Even though Titanium might want to run back to The Compound, Camo will always be there (at least in his mind if he's not around physically) to make him think about things. You're right that Titanium has a much longer way to the real world because he is significantly more brainwashed than Camo. Titanium has come a long way from before because he is hanging out with Absolon alone, something he never would have done had Camo not pointed out the possibility.

      Verona's a smart girl, and since she sometimes feels kind of trapped by her mother when it comes to the love department, she gets very weary when people talk about being forced into anything dealing with love. She's a big supporter of freedom to love. :) Camo has definitely found the perfect girl for him.

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  2. Let me just say, this first part of the comment is directed only at Camo and Verona's scene. Once their scene was done, I within miliseconds went to the comment box and had to say this:

    Okay. Um, first.. Camo? Stop being hot, Verona is going to hate me if I keep raving about you. Second.. Omg? Verona+Camo=Amazing? I loved that ENTIRE scene. Camo is such a sexy romantic without even realizing it.. ..Hot. Lol! I'm so happy to see Verona so happy, especially with what her mother has been putting her through with these random ass dudes. Hahaha!
    Third? Omg. I don't even know. It makes me worry, too, that someone is spying on Camo. THIS VERY MOMENT.. <_<....>_>... lol okay, we're clear.. I hope?

    On to where I then scrolled back up to....
    *literally probably 25 seconds later*
    ..Okay so back to scrolling down aggressively. The kiss? "will you kiss me again?" MELTS=ME when Titan says that.. Okay, scrolling back up..

    Wow.. Um. *clears steam from screen again from Abs and Titan's kiss.*
    ..Hell yeah. Keep this date going, Abs.. *scrollls back up quickly*

    btw.. I hope this post is entertaining you.
    Uh oh, how is Titan going to eventually accept the outspoken, sexy humor of a 'stranger'!? Lol

    "Yeah, but I don't want to. I want to stay with you."
    Omg, Camo srsly? Srsly.. Stop.
    "I'm pretty sure I love you"
    Omg stop. Camo. I'm warning you.
    "I need you to stay with me." -Verina? I love you, but back off, Camo is mine. LMAO

    "Why do you need clothes?"
    *flips desk* done. Nope. Done. DONE.

    Okay... I read on. But wow. Is Hilder in the same place as Camo right now? *shuts mouth instantly*
    Great update!!!

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    1. ROFL!!!! Yes, that entertained the hell out of me. *bear hugs* I am impressed that Blogger didn't screw up your comment. *high fives Blogger, thanks dude*
      Well. How do I start? Thanks for the many, many compliments. I'm glad that the steam of the kiss and the romance of the beach came across so well to you. It lets me know I'm doing something right.
      I wouldn't say Camo's in the same place as Hilder unless Hilder is doing something I don't know about. Cause Camo has told Verona everything about himself, including the one chick he had sex with. Verona's not going to hide any ex-boyfriends from Camo. If he asks, she'll tell him. He just hasn't asked cause for him, the curiosity of that hasn't come up. After she cleared the air with that whole Absolon misunderstanding, he's pretty confident of her loyalty to him. Camo's more concerned about the wrongness of his living situation than about Verona's past. In fact, they both are more concerned about the wrongness of his living situation.
      I'm glad you like Camo so much. I thought it would be fun to have him do a bunch of stuff that he was unaware of to show how romantic he is, how a person can just be awesome no matter how they grew up, and how he so doesn't deserve to be in that shitty Compound.
      Titanium is coming far. Just being out with Absolon alone is like *raises the roof* He still has a long ass way to go before he trusts and accepts his "sexy stranger."
      *evil grin* Your paranoia at the beach is noted. There is always paranoia in this story, maybe they'll get found out, maybe they won't... no one knows... *rubs hands together evilly*
      I heart your comment. :D I'm glad you liked this so much, and thank you for entertaining me so much.

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  3. Why do I have the feeling that Camo's idea about Titanium covering up for his absence that night might turn out to be a bit of a problem... in case Titaniums spends the night with Abs assuming that CAMO would be covering for him, for example *lol*

    So much love in one chapter calls out for drama in the next, that's for sure ^^

    Btw, as you handle your blogspot account so much better than I do... I googled for ages now, but I could not find an answer to my problem. Maybe you know how to do it?
    I would love to make my "this and that" tab the main page of my blog, but re- arranging doesn't do the trick- wherever I move the "One of these Days" tab, it still remains the main page *sigh*

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    1. When you set up your tabs, did you rename the default "Home" tab to "One of These Days?" Try making the "One of These Days" tab again, and then deleting the old one. Maybe it's just stuck.

      Camo sure is putting a lot of trust in Titanium... :D we'll see how it goes.

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    2. Actually I think I deleted the original Home tab when I gave up the plan to move my first story from the officials to this blog... hm. Thanks for the input, I think I will try that *scratcheshead*

      And trust me, I can´t wait to see how it goes with those four *lol*

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    3. Whoa it let you delete it? Mine was always hiding there, annoyingly taking up space, so I finally just renamed it. Hope it works. I'm glad you are excited for the next part of the story. :)

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  4. I've spent my day (home from work, sick) reading all the chapters, and it's been really entertaining. I'm also worried about what will happen if Titanium spends the night with Absolon and thinks Camo will cover for him... But maybe that is what will make them leave the Compound for good, finally?
    I'm looking forward to the next chapters! This is a really good story :)

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    1. Thank you! I'm sorry you're sick. :( *hugs* Get well soon.
      I'm glad you spent the day reading these and that I could entertain you. :) The paranoia this story instills in my readers is so... hmm... effective. Camo definitely is trusting Titanium a lot, but you need to trust someone when you live in a crazy place such as The Compound otherwise you go insane! :)

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  5. I agree with anna. I get the feeling that the other is going to expect the other to cover for them and neither will be there and The Leader will have a duck fit and the boys will be punished and then Absolon and Verona will have to rent tanks to go and bomb the hell out of The Compound to rescue their guys.
    Sorry if I revealed your plans. ;)

    This chapter so was lovely. I actually had butterflies in my stomach when Absolon kissed Titanium. what emotion!

    Those boys need to never go back to that hellhole.

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    1. LMAO. Duck fit. Don't worry, no plans have been foiled, although I do like the tank idea. ;) There's a certain amount of trust the boys put in each other, we'll see if it holds up. I'm glad you liked this chapter. :) The Compound should be blown the hell up cause it's a ridiculous place.

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  6. Everyone is happy. I hope that it doesn't come with a high price.
    Can't Camo just leave? And Titanium as well. They don't know anything else really, but they do have jobs and they could share an apartment. I bet Absolon would join. I wonder what will happen if/when Verona speaks with her father about The Compound.

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    1. It's complicated. At this point in the story, they're starting to wake up that things are a little strange where they live, but they're not quite there yet of "let's just leave." It's all they've ever known, and fear keeps them in. I kept them in for what seems like a long time because it's a way to show how much control cults have over your mind when you're stuck in them. Leaving is more of a process rather than just an impulse decision. Many times when I was there, I thought of leaving but something always convinced me it was wrong.

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  7. D'aww! Verona and Camo are adorable :) I have to admit, though, I'm worried about what's going to happen to him when they realize that he didn't come back (if they realize)... ahhhh I'm kind of scared....

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    1. LOL, true young love, how cute. XD
      I designed this story to be a fingernail biting experience... will they realize he didn't come back? Maybe they won't have a clue... who says he won't go back? He spent the night elsewhere, true, but... >:D Hahaha.

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  8. Ahhh so romantic *sits and stares at screen* :) They're both taking a risk right now, staying out so late, and having relationships...The Leader is not going to be happy if he finds out about this but....Who cares what he thinks lol.

    Camo is just so in love with Verona, it's too sweet. They clearly had the most fun in this chapter between the ass grabbing and the sex....ooo la la ;)

    Titanium's shyness is just the cutest thing in the world lol. He just needs to get used to Absolon a little bit more and eventually he will get comfortable. I mean I could see why he felt uncomfortable when Absolon started talking about his dad though, I'm not sure how I would react either. I'm not going to lie though, I didn't think their night would've ended that....innocently lol. :P

    This chapter was very conflicting though, like I'm happy for all of them but I don't want them to get caught either :/

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    1. LOL yay! Yeah, they're both finally experiencing friendship and love, and just life in general. It is a huge risk, but that's what living life is about, taking risks, something The Leader has been trying so hard to prevent. No one can squash human nature, though, not even The Leader.

      Oh yeah, Camo and Verona were my favorite couple to write, they are perfect in every way. LOL.

      Haha, I'm glad you like Titanium's shyness. His personality was a little hard to write because I'm not shy, so I had to figure out how to get "shy" across in my writing, I'm glad it is working. LOL. Titanium needs time, his life has been strange to say the least, so normal is not coming quickly to him, even though he's enjoying the little bits of normal he gets to experience with Absolon. Titanium is still pretty jumpy so when Absolon growls, he gets a little wide eyed LOL.

      Good... good... *rubs index fingers together* LOL. I wanted this chapter especially to be quite conflicting and paranoia filled, lucky for you, this story is completed so you don't have to wait to see what happens next. XD

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