Chocolate Cake

[Stella]

"Your definition of pampered and mine might differ quite a bit" she said with a little smile as she daintily tucked into her own food. Taking a bit she let the flavor roll around in her mouth and she had to admit it was the best damned Rosemary chicken she had in ages.

"But at least I'll be well fed thanks to your restaurant knowledge" She grinned and took another bite letting her eyes linger on him as he ate.

[waterlily43]

Watching her enjoy her food was an incredibly sexy affair. There was something about girls being able to enjoy their food that he was truly appreciative of, especially when he was such a glutton himself. He had dated some girls who were perpetually on a diet of water and carrot sticks, and they bored him to the high heavens...although he didn't tell them that, just tactfully said he wasn't good enough for them.

"I like the way you eat." He said, staring at the mesmerizing way she licked at her lips and chewed at the meat. "And I will bring you to such a variety of restaurants you'll feel like you're a connosiere in no time."

[Stella]

oh the dramamamamamamama.

---

"Like the way I eat huh?" Stella grinned with a rueful shake of her head, "That's one compliment I've never gotten before"

"I'll be right back, I've just got to powder my nose" she said with a little wink as she rose up from her chair leaving her napkin next to her plate. Weaving her way through the maze of tables she ducked into the ladies room at the back of the restaurant.

Then out of no where a boy plopped down across from Rayden looking at him with a disgusting smirk on his face.

"So your Stella Artos' next conquest?" he said with a leer glancing over Rayden's shoulder towards the bathroom.

"Lucky man, its been ages since I had a roll in the sheets with her. All you Trin guys must feel so lucky to have her on the team. She's probably boning you all, isn't she?" he spoke quiet enough so the rest of the restaurant didn't hear, so the words only reached Rayden's ears.

"I wish I was you right now, or maybe that Zacke Mercutio, he's one lucky bastard, he was at Galbadia too so he had her there I'm sure and he gets her now too" the guy tsked with a confident grin leaning back in Stella's chair.

[waterlily43]

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY?" Rayden jerked up from his seat and rushed towards the boy, who was still wearing that infuriating smirk on his face as if Rayden's outburst didn't faze him at all. In fact it seemed only get wider with a taunting lift at the end.

Rayden's neck started to redden from trying to control his temper. If he hit this guy now it would mean he believed what the jerk said about Stella. He had to calm down, he would believe nothing until he heard it from her own mouth.

"I said..." The boy paused, then leaned toward's Rayden's ear whispering softly. "...that she's a damn good lay." The boy stated with the same insolent smirk, his eyes throwing a challenge at Rayden.

He lost it. He couldn't just stand around and hear someone insult his girl like that, regardless of whether what he said was the truth or not.

He smashed his fist into the boy's jaw, then into his nose, at his mouth, he kept bashing him in as if he had gone insane with rage, which wasn't that far from the truth.

"WIPE THAT STUPID SMIRK OFF YOUR FACE!" He roared into the guy's face. By now the other patrons of the restaurant had moved away from their seats, some watching the spectacle with apathetic amusement, some anxiously looking on but afraid to stop him for fear of being embroiled in the violence.

"APOLOGISE NOW! DID YOU HEAR ME? IF YOU DON'T I'LL RIP OUT YOUR TONGUE!!"

[Stella]

Stella was just washing her hands when she heard Rayden's shouts from the front of the restaurant. Not even bothering to dry them off she rushed out of the bathroom and stopped suddenly.

Rayden was beating the crap out of someone who looked very familiar. It was a guy she had used to mess around with a lot back in Galbadia. Hyne... this is not good... Blood was running down the guys face and getting all over Rayden's clothes. She stood there shocked and stunned flinching with each punch. Then as the other guy started to fall to the floor Stella stepped forward.

"Rayden" she said in a cold hard voice, "Stop that"

She got close enough to place a hand on his shoulder hoping to calm him down with her touch.

[raydensharpola]

"Rayden" He heard someone say in a cold hard voice. "Stop that."

He turned around to see Stella placing a hand on his shoulder, which jolted him out of his intense rage. He looked at the guy he had been pummelling. He was bleeding from the nose and the mouth, his blood was staining Rayden's clothes and hands. He had just done something extremely rash just because someone mouthed off about Stella. Why? He never used to have anger management issues?

But there was something in that guy's tone and smirk that infuriated him to the point of pushing him off the cliff. It was the kind of knowing smirk that people who slept with other guy's girlfriends had when they were bragging.

He threw a hundred dollar bill on the table.

"I need...space." He muttered curtly to Stella, striding out of the restaurant quickly to the stares of all the people there.

[Stella]

She stared after him absolutely shocked at his exit. Gently she leaned down and helped the bloody guy to his feet.

"Stella, thank Hyne, that guys a mad man" he babbled wiping at the blood on his face. She sat him down hard in her chair and put her napkin up to his nose. All she really wanted to do was land a few more solid punches on him as well.

"That guy is my boyfriend" she growled at him, "and if you said something to make him that angry then you got what you deserved"

Leaving him there in his own blood she smiled meekly at one of the waitresses as she headed out of the restaurant. She gazed up the bustling street but he was gone.

So now she had two choices. Wait until he came back for her or head back to the garden on her own. Pulling her wallet out she took stock of the situation. Not enough money to get a cab back, it would have to be a very long walk.

With a sigh she shook her head and decided she really didn't want to go home. Not after what had just happened. Her mind was reeling with the possibilities of what that guy might have told Rayden. Peering down the street for him again she slumped a little and slowly started making her way back to the beach.

[raydensharpola]

Rayden walked and walked, not really aware of where he was going and just letting his feet dictate the direction. When he looked around he found himself at the beach, staring out at the ocean. Shaking his head, he searched for the picnic mat they had abandoned there earlier gazing out at the setting sun kissing the horizon. He smiled faintly, thinking that it would've been perfect if Stella was beside him enjoying the sight.

Stella. He had just left her there by herself in the restaurant. He hung his head, ashamed with himself, but he couldn't pick himself up enough to go find her. What would he say to her? "Oh I beat that guy up cos he said stupid things about you?" It sounded lame even to himself.

"Ahhh!" He shouted out in exapseration, flopping back onto the mat and gazed at the sky, only to have it blocked by someone's head.

[Stella]

It was a beautiful night. The sun was sinking slowly sending colors sparkling all across the sea. Kicking off her boots she carried them and let her feet sink into the sand. Wandering she found herself back where they had started.

Rayden's voice filled the air and she froze as he flopped back down on the picnic mat they had left there earlier. Filled with a sudden shyness she debated on whether or not to approach. But she had told him just earlier that day that she wasn't one to give up on things she wanted and that was absolute truth. Striding forward she stood over him looking down at his form on the ground.

"You said you needed space so I'll go if you want me to..." she said in a very small voice, "even though I don't want to"

[raydensharpola]

Rayden blinked at Stella.

"I said I needed space but I didn't say you couldn't come along." He smirked, sitting up on the mat and patting the space beside it. "Sit down...we need to talk." He said his face turning serious.

[Stella]

Those words, the absolute worst ones anyone could say in a relationship. Oh this was not good. Not good at all. Her heart started pounding rapidly in her chest, her lungs feeling like they were constricting.

Way to go Stella, you should have known better, now that he knows the truth he doesn't want you. She actually took a step back just staring at him. Find a boyfriend and get dumped in the same day, must be a new world record.

Mustering up some courage she stopped herself from running as far away from him as she could. Clearing her throat she sunk her hands into the pocket of her jeans. She wanted to sit next to him but whenever she did everything just got so confusing. It was better this way, better if she kept her distance. At least if she was standing she could make a quick get away if she needed it.

"Okay Rayden, if that's what you want then let's talk" she said quietly looking down at her feet.

She took a deep breath, "Just so you know... whatever he said.. it's probably true and if you don't want to be with me anymore because of it... I understand.. I can just go so we don't have to draw this out anymore then we need to"

[waterlily43]

There's like...a role reversal here XD the male is asking the female for a talk XD
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"You understand nothing." Rayden got up to his feet, standing close to Stella and nudged her chin slightly so that he could look into her eyes. "The thought of leaving you or letting you leave has never crossed my mind." He paused, letting his words sinked in, creasing his brow when he saw the meekness in her face. What was she thinking that made the confidence in her retreat so quickly that he couldn't catch a glimpse of it now? It mustn't be very pretty, he was certain.

"I wouldn't lie and say I wasn't disturbed by what that guy said." He sighed. "But if I'm going to hold your past against you then I have no business calling you my girlfriend in the first place. You knew of my unsavory reputation and you still accepted me. How can I let a girl like this go? I can't. I've already invested too much of myself in this, it'd be like cutting off a piece of my flesh."

He cupped her face with his palm, running his thumb across her soft cheek. "Have more faith in me Stella, and more importantly in yourself. You don't have to keep bashing yourself up over what you can't help now. And I'll tell you this, I don't believe that everything that guy said is true. At least I know one part isn't." He growled and clenched his teeth as once again the most offensive words the guy had said flashed in his mind.

"All you Trin guys must feel so lucky to have her on the team. She's probably boning you all, isn't she."

"He got off easy. I don't regret beating him up at all even if it means disciplinary action by the DC."

[Stella]

When he stood up she flinched back just a little afraid that he might still be angry. But his words were so soft and then his hand was tenderly touching her chin. Their eyes met and even though she was tempted too she couldn't look away. She was still having trouble breathing as he spoke his hand making its way up to her cheek caressing her.

Hyne, his touch set her on fire. And he still called her his girlfriend and that made the butterflies in her tummy start up all over again. She bit her bottom lip hard as he growled and that rage returned to his eyes for just a moment.

"Rayden" Stella whispered his name desperately the words she wanted to say next went unspoken. I do have faith in you... too much faith. Her eyes fluttered closed needing to get away from his intense gaze but not wanting to move away from his touch. She too was so very invested in this and in him but she couldn't bring herself to say that. It was just too hard to mirror his words when she was so very scared.

"I'll not have you getting in trouble because of me. If the DC comes around asking about it, I'll say I did it and take the punishment, it wont be the first time I've been in trouble" Stella stated softly opening her eyes to give him a firm look implying that she wanted no argument from him about it. It was hopeless though, there was no doubt that he would argue.

"But If you plan on beating up every guy I've ever had...." she paused searching for the right word, "relations with then your going to be busy for awhile"

"My reputation is so much worse then yours... I'm sorry Rayden... I should have told you... It's wrong I know, I've taken advantage of you... But I was really enjoying not being that girl anymore... to be wanted by someone that liked you for more then... " her words trailed off as she realized she was talking way too much. After his words she wasn't considering running anymore but still she was very scared of what he might say next.

[waterlily43]

"Stella." He continued holding her gaze. She had thought that he beat up that guy just because she had a "relationship" with him? He wasn't nearly that psycho. "I did not beat him up because he had 'relations with you. If you had any idea what he said...I couldn't stand it that he sullies your reputation in this way. And I know half of it is untrue! I know you're not..." Sleeping with the guys on the team. He did not continue. He couldn't say it out, it would only bring harm to her. He clamped his mouth shut, fighting to keep his temper under control.

"I just want both of us to begin on a clean slate. Without bothering about whose reputation is worse than the other. Is that too difficult?" He sighed, an impusle to hold her close impeding on his mind, but he didn't want to stain her clothes with his blood-stained ones.

"And no taking the rep for me. I don't want to be a coward." He scowled at her.

[Stella]

Her heart wanted to melt almost every single time he said her name. It sounded so perfect coming from his lips. If he wanted to make everything better all he had to do was keep talking, he always knew the exact right things to say.

"Fine" she said sticking her tongue out at him a little, "if you're going to be stubborn. But next time I get to beat up whoever it is you're angry with. It's just not fair you've been getting all the action"

"It's definitely not too difficult to start anew, I've all ready forgotten all about your reputation." It's mine I can't forget. She gave him a cute little smile and shrugged a little. Then she took another step closer to him their bodies almost touching. Reaching out she took a hold of his hand and curled her fingers around his. Her thoughts wandered back over his words.

"And you know I'm not what?" Stella said with a frown her eyebrows drawing together as she gazed into his eyes. "What exactly did he say about me?"