Sugary Sweet Detox {Rhys}

[RHYS SPRINTER]

Rhys sighed, tugging Adeen close to his chest and hunkering down into the mattress. He knew, would always know, that the words she'd barely said, the ones that had ghosted past her lips, were true. He didn't need her to tell him they were. He'd seen it in the shape of her lips as she breathed, felt it in the strength of her legs as they squeezed around him, the soft, fluttering then firm, demanding touches she rained over his skin.

He pressed a deep, lingering kiss to her lips before flopping back onto his pillows. He absently ran his fingers through her hair, considering that black wasn't nearly as boring as he thought it was before. He remembered the way it fell around her, curtains hiding their faces from the world around them, how it tickled his skin with every move Adeen made over him, how it spilled over the pillow beneath her like ink on snow. He could deal with black, really.

He'd nearly said it out loud, but had held back, the single thought that had flitted across his mind as he'd panted, eyes filled with her skin and hair and eyes and heart bursting with the love he felt for her, that she was his and his alone. Maybe he had said it, in the split second before he'd crashed their lips together and the world had shattered into a hundred million pieces, but he could not be sure.

And then she went and got that mischievous look on her face. Rhys groaned, heart still racing even as he tried to catch his breath and convince his limbs that no, jelly was not their natural form. "What ever you're planning," he said, running a hand over the skin on her body he could reach and pressing a kiss to her nearest shoulder, "give me a minute, alright?"

[safetypinalert3]

Adeen burst into euphoric giggles again when he groaned, recognizing her look. She was alive, not some hollow shell of a person. And naked or not--she wanted to fly across the city, screaming it. Honestly, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt herself. He had the boughts of Adeen-ness, but when was the last time she giggled with her whole heart? When was the last time she felt like this was her body, and not a vessel of some sort? When was the last time she believed she was loved, entirely.

She leaned over Rhys, leaving happy kisses on his lips, "I totally would, butttt I think I'm gonna tease you a bit more." She grinned, then tugged backwards away from him, tugging the sheet off of him, and with her. It draped around her like an impossibly long gown, her feet clearly not on the floor. She swept her eyes down his now exposed body,and raised her brows, "I can dig it." She bit down on her lower lip, the corners of her mouth lifting, before she started slipping out the door, taking the sheet with her.

"Don't worry, I'm only running away." She teased him. Of course she wasn't actually running, she was just high--the good kind. That afterglow, nothing could touch them, bright kind of high. The natural one. That was a high that she didn't mind chasing, or getting hooked on. And she was pretty sure that Rhys wouldn't oppose it either. "Run, run, fast as you can, Mister Sprinter~" She called from the hallway, the sheet disappearing around the corner.

[RHYS SPRINTER]

Rhys laughed a tired, exasperated laugh when Adeen lifted off the bed. "Like what you see, do you?" He stretched lazily, putting his hands behind his head and gave her a smug look. "You should come back down. The views much better down here."

And then the evil little rat tried to run away. "Hey!" he hopped off the bed, lack of clothing totally forgotten. "Bring my sheet back here!" He laughed at her tease, ignoring the strange, tingling itch that sprung to life across his skin, the sound of high-pitched laughter in his head. "What do I look like?" he asked. "The gingerbread man?"

And just like that the world of his bedroom faded away. He blinked, and he was in a field, green grass stretching out as far as the eye could see, a few large trees dotting the landscape here and there. Rhys gazed around him in wonder, quickly coming to the conclusion that somethign about this place, and his sudden disappearance from his place, was wrong.

He spun, and came upon the strangest sight. There, beneath a particularly large tree lay a gingerbread man, one leg crossed over the other and blowing bubbles from a bottle beside him. Even stranger, the edible person was singing.

"On the good ship lollipop.
Its a sweet trip to a candy shop
Where bon-bons play
On the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay.

Lemonade stands everywhere.
Crackerjack bands fill the air.
And there you are
Happy landing on a chocolate bar.

See the sugar bowl do the tootsie roll
With the big bad devils food cake.
If you eat too much ooh ooh
You'll awake with a tummy ache.

On the good ship lollipop
Its a night trip into bed you hop
And dream away
On the good ship lollipop."

Rhys blinked. The gingerbreadman turned to look at him, and then screamed, covering his eyes.

"Aaaaahhh! What's the matter with you? Put some clothes on!"

Rhys oggled, unable to believe what he was seeing. "Are you serious?"

" Of course I'm serious!" the little man said, fingerless hands still over his eyes. "You think someone wants to see your....dangly bits!"

"Look, you're the one who interrupted me." Indignant though he was, Rhys still covered his bits out of modesty. This strange little man might be in his head, but that didn't mean he had to show him everything.

Gingey, the name that popped into his head appropriately enough, peeked out at him, then beamed. "That's better. Aren't you a good looking fella!" Rhys frowned, looking uncomfortable. "My human form is hot!"

"Erm... this is wierd."

"You're telling me?" Gingey stalked forward, poking Rhys in the chest with a round hand-thing. "I had to sit in your head and watch you make a mess of your life! Working? Seriously! Avoiding the nightclubs? Are you sure you're not really gay?"

"Look! if you're going to insult me, then just let me go back to my girlfriend, alright?"

"Oh no! You have to sit here and listen to me rant. I've had to keep it all bottled up for so long because you couldn't hear me, but I've got you now! You're going to listen if it's the last. Thing. You. Do!"

The last few words were punctuated with pokes to the chest, and Rhys growled. he grabbed the surprisingly tall now talking cookie by the head, ignoring it's screams of "Spunky hands! Spunky hands!" as he gave the head a god, hard shake.

There was a second of twisted garbled noises before his knees his soft carpeting and the field around him faded into the blacks, whites and brown of his bedroom. He panted as if he'd been running a long distance, arm stretching out to steady himself on anything that would make the room stop spinning. His fingers connected with something firm and he held on, dropping his head and groaning.

"Gingey. Damn."

[safetypinalert3]

Adeen felt her heart beat very hard when he asked if he looked like the Gingerbread Man. She paused in the livingroom, and glanced backwards at the bedroom. There was a steady vibration in the air, like a thrum of an AC, only it rang in her head, instead of her ears.

She lowered herself to the ground, and walked slowly back to the room, and pushed open the door. Rhys wasn't...all there. And she could feel the pull that she had talked about, and only smiled. So Rhys was one of them. She smiled, and leaned against the doorway, watching, and waiting. She held the sheet closed, and rested her head on the doorframe.

When she watched him start to drop, and she rushed foward, letting the sheet pool around her waist, her hair covering her chest, while she grasped his arm, her other arm around his waist. "You're okay, I've got you." She said quietly, and looked at him. Each reincarnation was different. She glanced around slowly, looking for a physical, or ghostly image, before reaching foward to take Rhys jaw in her hand, looking him in the eye.

She seemed to be looking for something in his face, "Good morning, Gingerbread Man." She said quietly, offering a small smile, before it faded again. "Rhys, you okay?" She asked, the muscles in her shoulders tense. She was nervous also; she wanted to make sure her Rhys was alright in there. That he still had control.

Adeen pressed her lips into a thin line, before laughing. "You're one too!" She chirped, pressing happy kisses against his cheek, "Are you alright? Do you need some water?"

[RHYS SPRINTER]

"'M good." He let himself sink, easing more of his weight onto the admittedly smaller woman. He snuggled into her neck, for some reason craving the feel of her. "Hi. Don't talk so loud, k?"

It was weird. The whole thing was just weird beyond measure. He'd never have known any of this was real, happening to him if it hadn't been for Adeen. He peeled and eyes open, and glared up at her. "Did you know about this?" Of course she did. All that talk about 'running' like she knew it all along. He gave her a sharp poke in the side, letting her know how miffed he was.

"The freaking gingerbread man. That's not even, I'm not, how?" He wasn't sure just how these reincarnate things worked, but he was sure he was supposed to have at least a few things in common with the character, right?

"Oh shut up, you. You should be glad to have me in your head." Rhys groaned.

"He's talking to me!"

[safetypinalert3]

Adeen giggled, and squirmed when he poked her, her voice softening to a whisper. "I didn't--not entirely. I had my suspicions, but it could've been a coincidence." She was doing her best to keep laughing. This day was just getting better and better. Gently, she looked him in the eyes again, trying to see past Rhys.

"Now, Gingerbread Man." She said quietly, looking into Rhys eyes like she wasn't seeing the man infront of her. "Do be a dear and give him a moment to let it all sink in." Adeen lifted her brow, before changing her focus to Rhys, and nodded.

"You can hear them, and feel them. It's...very fresh right now. But when you get use to it, you both will learn how to co-exist. You'll learn how to tune him out--but don't ever tune out your personification for too long. Think of them like guardian spirits, even as mischevious as they can be." She explained quietly, before standing up, gently letting go of Rhys. She looked for her shirt, and pulled that, and her underwear back on, before slipping out of the room. Adeen returned not that much later with a glass of cold water.

"Each reincarnation is different. More often than not, they'll try and protect you. If something happens to you, they have to find a new host, and regain their memories. It's a pain in the ass, really. Carpet's gone through this a few times." She drew in a breath, remembering the disturbance there had been a few nights before. Her throat tightened, and she felt her heart squeeze.

If anything ever happened to him...If a villian found him. He was at risk now. If they found him, and were intending to get rid of all the other characters, things could be bad for him. Adeen had some of a fighting chance--with her ability to fly. But it wasn't even clear if Rhys has a special ability yet.

She tilted her head down, and rubbed her face, and held out the glass of water with her other hand. "You must be very, very careful now. People are going to be able to tell what, and who you are. And not all of them are good people. If you should ever, ever be in danger, I want you to pull as hard as you can. Think of a little thread, connecting me and you where ever we go. And you pull that with all of your might. Okay?" She asked, trying to settle herself down. Now, she was the one wanting to strap Rhys to her side like a child, to keep an eye on him at all times.

[RHYS SPRINTER]

Rhys blinked, eyes widening comically as the bit about evil folks sunk into his brain. "Uhm...ok." He pulled the sheet to him, around his sitting form to pool between his folded legs. "What the hell." He took the offered glass of water, dimly aware that he did so. Everything was so screwed up now. He'd have to be thinking about two people, PLUS how to keep himself safe from the evil storybook creepers that would kill him as soon as look at him? Damn.

"Could you just, screw me again so I don't have to think about this?" It was a crass way to talk about it, totally disrespectful because it wasn't what they were doing, far from it, but still. This was a lot to take in.

"I'm sorry. Just ignore me. I - " He sighed, setting the cup down near his knee and flopping back on the carpet. "Wow." It had been weird to have Adeen look into his eyes and know, feel she wasn't talking to him but to someone else. What was even weirder was that Gingey had listened, and was now...sitting quietly, blowing his bubbles.

"I guess this explains my obsession with ginger, right?" He asked, turning his head to see Adeen. He held out his hands in the common signal for 'hold me'. "Can we forget this? I had planned for us to make messes in the kitchen..."

[safetypinalert3]

Adeen grinned, watching his different expressions as he tried to realize what he was doing, and what was happening. "You sure you've got the energy for that, Mister Sprinter?" She asked, crawling foward towards him, while he fell backwards onto the carpet.

"It could, or the fact you're obsessed with ginger, attracted him into choosing you. When you feel like dealing with him, you can ask him all of the questions to have. And if he's a good little cookie, he'll answer." She murmured, crawling over him when he held out his hands. She sat just above his waist, and leaned over, peeking down at him. She tucked some of her hair behind her ear, and pressed a kiss against his lips.

"We still can! It's not like your arm's been chopped off or something." She rolled her eyes playfully, and bit at his lower lip, tugging playfully. "Or have I worn you out already?" Adeen asked curiously, trying her best to distract him. "But this time, if we collapse into giggles, will you actually kiss me, instead of running off to go check on the oven?" She mocked, remembering their first time at the bakery. The connection that had started it all.

[RHYS SPRINTER]

With her crawling all over him, Rhys shifted, pulling her closer to him and snaking a hand around her waist. The idea of a second round intrigued him, as he was sure she could tell, so he let her ramble on about Gingey, and his supposed niceness. Meh. Rhys'd believe it when he saw it.

"Look!" he growled, pulling her down and nipping at her neck. "Those brownies were very important! I was trying to impress you!" he gave a mock pout, even as he tried to subtley remove her shirt. "I didn't think jumping you in the middle of an empty store would have gained me any points..."

The sheet, and her undies would have to go. "I've always got energy for you, babe." He gave the shirt an annoyed tug, pouting. "Get this thing off and I can show you." His eyes lit with a mischievous fire. "And then we can go to the kitchen....and then the living room...ever done it on the roof?"

[safetypinalert3]

Squeaking, she toppled down on him, a tremor running down her spine when he nipped at her neck. "I would've been more impressed if you had just kissed me." She grinned against his lips, "Plus, breaking in your store could have been fun." She murmured.

Sitting back on his hips, she sighed at him, "I'm just going to stop wearing clothes, period around you." She mumbled, tossing her shirt to the side, "Because it's getting tiresome with the on and off, and on and off." Adeen growled playfully, before crashing her lips again, initiating round two.

For a moment, she felt almost like a pinball. The second they caught their breath, they fell onto each other again. All the hurt, and pain, and sorrow was being erased each time. All the emotion of being seperated for months was falling out, and Adeen felt as though she couldnt get enough of Rhys. That if she stopped touching him for even a second, that he'd disappear.

They intended to pause, and get water, but Adeen had decided to do that without any clothes--and then the counters had been broken in. They had stumbled their way into the elevator, and then onto the roof. Then when Adeen noticed an old couple in the neighboring building looking totally appalled at the two on the roof, they ran back inside laughing--before they collapsed onto the couch again.

Adeen's body finally relaxed, spots swimming infront of her eyes. Her hips, legs, and arms were finally starting to ache. Tendrils of black hair were sticking to her neck and forehead, while she laid somewhat limp on the couch, staring up at Rhys. "You are incorrigable, Rhys."

[RHYS SPRINTER]

Adeen. Was. Evil.

Rhys panted, head pressed against her stomach from where he sat on the floor, his limbs all still trembling from the influx of adrenalin. There was a stupid, stupid grin on his face even as he considered that he'd better dress himself, lest Adeen decide that his body truly needed another workout.

"You're the incorrigible one." He shifted, crawling up onto the couch to drape himself over her. "You're the one who makes those sounds that freaking break my brain, and then hit me with those eyes, convincing me to go 'just one more round'." He moaned, snuggling into the curve of her neck. "I'm never going to be able to show my face again. Did you see those old people?" he asked, head popping up and eyes wide. "Their faces? I'm sure they're calling the police!"

He laughed. "When I said 'make messes in the kitchen', I meant baking wise! Experimenting. When you came over I was about to make a shake." He rolled his hips, intending to show her his displeasure. "We haven't broken in the living room." He looked around, counting. "I see eleven flat surfaces we can use. Pick one."

[safetypinalert3]

Adeen grinned up at him, and pulled her arms that felt far heavier then they were, upwards, to tug Rhys down for a small kiss. Wiggling, she settled into the couch, and draped her arms around his shoulders, her fingers combing through his hair.

"That was absolutely hilarious. Maybe they just needed a little excitement in their life." She giggled, and shrugged her shoulders, closing her eyes for a moment. "We totally did experiment. We also learned that Adeen doesn't like cold counters." Her lips curled, before spreading into a wide grin--before drawing in a sharp gasp when he moved his hips.

"Slow down! I think one more time, and you might just end up breaking me." She laughed, and rested her hand on his shoulder, "Plus--I doubt I have too much strength to move." She mumbled, nestling her head into Rhys neck affectionately. "And if we break everything in today, what ever shall we do tomorrow? That is if I can even feel below my waist tomorrow." She added on, before looking down at him.

"I say we hit the kitchen for snacks, make a fort, and watch movies until we fall asleep." Though her tone was excited and happy, and she smiled, there was a look in her eyes. "I love you Rhys. And I'm sorry if I ever made you doubt that." She patted his shoulder, and shifted beneath him, "C'mon, lets see if we have the ability to use our legs."

[RHYS SPRINTER]

"Oh thank God." He heaved an exaggerated sigh, propping his forehead against hers. "If you had said yes I would have rolled right onto the floor, as that was the number one flat surface on my mind."

"Forts!" Rhys laughed, wiggling a little in his excitement. He propped himself up on this elbows to gaze down at his face. "Awesome sex, forts, food and movies. You, Adeen Auer, are my soulmate. We shall wed in the morning."

At the mention of food, his stomach gave a loud growl and twisted inside him, reminding him that he really hadn't had much to eat the past few days. "Food sounds heavenly. I dunno if I can make it to the kitchen though." But they had a plan now, and it would be a shame to see it fall through. They couldn't just fall asleep on the couch after all their activities. There needed to be pazazz!

"Ok, you go get the fort stuff, and I'll go get the food." He slid onto the floor, with some effort, and had to encourage his body that it really was made for movement. "I'll just crawl, I think. That way if I fall flat on my face, it won't be from a long way up." He paused long enough to look down at himself. "Though I suppose I should find some clothes..."

[safetypinalert3]

"Well, duh." She rolled her eyes, then smiled at him. She sat up slightly when he propped himself up, and kissed his jaw. "Luckily...I don't really even have to use my legs." She grinned, before sitting up the rest of the way. She tilted her head down, looking at him as well. "You don't need clothes, but I guess I'll bring you a pair of pants." She rolled her eyes at him, before leaning in to steal a kiss before slipping off the couch.

She took to the air immidiately, and stuck her tongue out at him. "Look, Ma! No legs." Then much like a mermaid, she twisted backwards and went down the hall, and back into Rhys' room. She pulled on her underwear for hopefully the last time. She glanced down at her discarded shirt, before licking her lower lip.

When she emerged from the room, she was wearing one of Rhys' casual shirts. A polo shirt that buttoned up half-way, and fell just above mid-thigh, but hung off her thin frame. She carried a pair of pajama pants in her arms, and peeked around for Rhys, before spotting him and floating over to him, hovering at his side. "You okay? Cause I don't mind getting the food and the fort stuff if you're too tired to move too much." She asked, pulling her now extremely messy hair into an even messier bun at the back of her neck.

[RHYS SPRINTER]

"Show off."

He had watched as Adeen had glided through the air into the room, hearing her move around before he finally managed to move. He'd made his way to the kitchen, pulling out boxes of Gingey's Signature treats and quarts of milk. There were cookies and other junk food in the cupboards, but he'd get to that in a minute.

Adeen came up beside him, and he shot her a rueful grin. "Thanks, but I got it." The pj bottoms were slung onto his hips quickly, before he noticed her hands were empty. "Miss! Where be the fort making stuff? Sheets? Blankets? Pillows? What be the problem?" He settled for a playful glare and scowl. "Hop to it, or I'm keeping all these sweets to myself."