The Bad Ones

by Stylo Fantome

Black spots danced in front of her eyes, yet still they stared at each other. Recognizing each other, maybe for the first time ever. Maybe for the last time. What a way to die, looking into the face of this beautiful boy. What a gift.

He was a tidal wave crashing over her, destroying her, and she welcomed the destruction.

“It's not nothing,” he breathed, his tongue tracing along the lace of her bra. “You weren't nothing.”

She wanted his pain to mix with her pain. Wanted them to be seamless.

“Such a good girl, Dulcie. You would do anything for me, wouldn't you?” he sighed, leaning close to kiss along the side of her neck. She was whimpering and moaning, and when another tremor shook her, she heard him groan, as well. “Yes.” “Any time I asked, too.” “Yes.”

He was fucking the last pieces of the old Dulcie right out of her, and by the time he came, that girl was long gone. What took her so long to leave? I feel like I've been waiting for this night forever.

“That doesn't bother you? That I'm fucking crazy?” he checked. She shook her head. “No.” “Why? Why has that never bothered you? You've always known it, right?” he kept going.

“It doesn't bother me,” she said in a soft voice, “because I'm pretty sure I'm just as crazy. Maybe crazier.

“I knew I was fucked up, and I knew … I knew something was going on with you. With us. And I thought I'd just fuck you up, too. I didn't want that, so I went away. I come back, and look what happens. I don't want to be responsible for you, Dulcie. I don't want to be the thing that wrecks you,” he tried to explain. She finally laughed again. “Stupid boy, I was wrecked long before you showed up.”

“You're goddamn amazing, you know that, right?” he breathed. “Tell me why.” “Because you helped me kill a man.” “That's it?” “And you're the more beautiful thing I have ever witnessed in my entire life.” “Hmmm, good, but still not amazing.” “Because you were made for me,” he whispered, his forehead against hers. “And you didn't even know it. I had to show it to you. That's the most amazing part, right there.” “Now you're catching on.”

Almost one and the same.

“This drawing,” he said, flipping to the one she'd done the year before. “This is the drawing that really made me fall for you.” “That long ago? So much time,” Dulcie whispered, mourning the time they could've spent together. Though really, the first time we come together, and we kill somebody. God knows what would've happened if we'd had a year to operate together.

“I'd kill anyone who hurt you.” “And that's one of the things I find particularly attractive about you,”

“A secret. Between us. Promise me. This is just between us.”

“Only us,” she whispered,

“It's only ever us, Dulcie. Now, yesterday, tomorrow. Whenever. You get that, right? You believe that?” “Of course I do, Constantine. Of course I do.”

Two people didn't share what they'd shared and simply walk away. They'd made promises to each other. Bared their souls. But he didn't come back.

Dulcie wouldn't be depressed, she'd decided. She'd killed a man and she'd fucked the high school heartthrob. She was a badass. She was goddamn invincible. She wouldn't cry over Constantine Masters. She would forge her own path. Her curtain had been ripped away – it was time to find out who she really was, with or without him.

I just wanted to feel normal in my darkness. Why did he take that away?

That smile she'd worked so hard to banish from her memory, it was back in all its technicolor glory.

He'd told her it was only them, regardless of the time and distance apart, and he'd meant it. So if it took him three years to find his way back to her, then that's simply how long it took. Now the real test was to see if she'd meant it when she'd agreed with him.

“You sure three years was long enough?” she called over her shoulder. “Eh. Want me to check back in three more?” he asked. She threw back her head and laughed. “Sure! But first, c'mon, let's have some fun.” She actually did break into a jog then,

“That sounds like a pick up line, Con. Are you hitting on me?” she asked, making her voice breathy and sexy. He chuckled and leaned down, grabbing her by the back of her neck and yanking her close. “I don't need a pick up line, Dulcie. I've already got you.”

“I missed you,” he blurted out, and she smiled back. “Good.”

I'm sure you would've whipped it out and sliced open your palm at the first mention of blood,” she chuckled. “Yes, I would've.” “Why?” “Because it would've been you asking me to.”

I told you, it's only us, kid. Only us.

He'd never once lied to her – he'd meant everything he'd said that night. They were special. She was special to him. She was his whole reason for doing the things he did, anymore. He'd stayed away because she brought out the darkness in him.

“You used to be so meek and quiet. What happened to that girl?” “You.”

“I've done more than just touch you, Dulcie.” “Yeah, and then you left. I'm setting a timer for how fast you can run away this time.” “So bitter. It's heartwarming, really, to know you cared so much,” he teased her.

“After everything we did, after everything we said, and you just did it again! Not a fucking word ...”

I hope someone kills you. I hope someone kills you, and I hope I'm there. I'll bury your fucking body under a cardboard box by the train station, and I won't even fucking care.”

“As long as you promise it's you who does it, I'm fine with that,” he growled. “Such a sick fuck, Con. You're such a sick and twisted fuck,”

“Only for you, babe.”

“You were gone for so long,” she whispered, rubbing her hands down his chest. “Gone for so long. I began to think you'd never come back.” “You should've trusted me,” he whispered back,

He wanted to watch as she took every inch he had to offer.

“Dulcie, Dulcie, Dulcie,”

“Did you kill anybody else while I was gone?” he whispered. She shook her head. “No, Constantine. I was waiting to do that with you.” “Good girl, Dulcie.”

She'd been hollow for three years. He'd filled her void.

“Are we crazy?” she pressed. “Yes.”

Is this love? What if we're just feeding off each others darkness? What if we're just making each other worse?

“Maybe we're sick,”

“If this is a sickness, then I don't want a cure,” he whispered back.

Con was her dark little rainbow, spreading peace over her world.

She knew he was attracted to her, obviously, but she often wondered if he found her half as beautiful as she found him to be. His blue eyes dipped lower, tracing over the outline of her lips, watching as she gasped for air. “You are the most amazing thing I've ever seen,” he said, reading her thoughts.

“We're going to kill each other, aren't we?” she whispered. “Baby ...” he sighed, his eyes fluttering shut as he moved to rest his forehead against her. “What a beautiful thing to say.”

“You didn't even know I existed back then.” “Dulcie, I have been waiting for you for longer than you can imagine.”

It's been so long since I walked in the darkness. Let's see if I still know the terrain.

How on earth had they wound up together?

“I'm worried you'll go away. I'm worried that I'll never feel this way, ever again. That there's no one else out there who would do all this with me.” He leaned down so his lips were against her ear and he whispered, “What do I have to do to earn your trust?” “Never leave me,” she replied instantly, and could feel his smile. That evil grin. “Deal,” he hissed.

They were a match and jar of gasoline. Who wanted to waste time with dating when there were explosions to be had?