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Join Date: Nov 2003
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APOSTLE: “Overslept” Yet Another Superhero Love story
Well, here's another one of my Crraaaaaazzeee stories, please send me feedback and tell me what I need to improve on and what you like all that frabbajabba...
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APOSTLE:
“Overslept”
By: Sketkh Williams
Last night was a daze, wild raves, looting and drunk drivers. Apostle dealt with them all five times over from dusk until dawn. Alec had dealt with the same routine for over the past year, spend the day living the normal live the Alec Williams led and when night fell, slip into his one-piece black and silver insulated Kevlar leotard and prowl the street doing his superhero bit as Apostle.
Except on every other Thursday, because despite his incredible strength, his heightened telepathic senses and his ability to harness and manipulate many forms of energy, Alec needs to sleep. It’s only thirty hours out of every week and a half, he’s been use to it for over three years now, his schedule didn’t hinder from it before.
But now, things are different, Alec has a girlfriend. Her name is Kerensa, he met her when he came to eat at the restaurant she was working for, Marcel’s. She wasn’t his waitress, she was serving the table next to him, but Alec had a feeling about her so he asked his waiter to bring her over to his table and after Alec offered him a promising tip the waiter complied. Being the gentleman his mother raised him to be, Alec got up from his table, not wanting her to be looking down on him and make his offer seem insecure. She walked to his table with the most peculiar look in her round doe eyes as he stood She asked what he wanted, he said a date. She laughed, but couldn’t help but see his earnest eyes, she knew he wasn’t lying and something in her knew it was right. She said yes, he was overjoyed and she was too. That is how it all started, about six months later, she found out his secret and despite Alec’s massive lie she stayed with him finding their relationship more secure when he allowed her to know over his own family and because she loves him. Even if it didn’t show when she slammed the bedroom door in a mad rage.
Alec was alarmed by the loud crash, so much so that he fell out of the bed ass first on the floor, his eyes, eventually let enough light into his head for him to see Kerensa in her favorite black dress and coat in front of the closed bedroom door and she was pissed. Because earlier today she finally quit her job waitressing at Marcel’s, and they were suppose to out and celebrate that evening, that Thursday evening.
She knew this was his night to sleep, she even asked before to see if they could reschedule but the restaurant they were suppose to meet at was too over booked and Alec said he could skip a night of sleep to go out. That was last week, and he said he would be there and he wasn’t, and Kerensa was going to let him know it.
“Tell me what I’m wearing?” She demanded.
Alec, being only half awake and still in his Apostle suit could barely speak let alone comprehend the brunette’s words.
“It’s Dulce & Gabbana, Al do you know how often I get to wear this dress?”
“Hhe?-“ Sounds came out but the words were nowhere to be found, because this is the most powerful man in the world’s weakness, confrontation.
“I’ve had to save my tips for three months to by this dress and I’ve been waiting for six months just to wear it for a night like this!” Kerensa’s words triggered his memory, and that is when he wanted to kill himself. Their date, he overslept through their date.
“Oh no.” He murmured as he wiped the sleep out of his eyes.
“Oh yes, Alec Williams! I called three times, I even screamed for you inside my head figuring you might over hear it but apparently the words only superman can’t even rise to the occasion when the one he loves needs him!” Kerensa was outraged and rightly so, Alec let her down and he knew it.
He failed to keep the one person who met the most to him happy, and for that he couldn’t do anything to make up for it. “You’re right.” He regretfully sighed, but the dark haired vixen was too furious to hear what he said only what she heard, because she’d been building up since the cab ride back to the apartment.
“You’d better be sorry. Damnit Al, tonight was-“ She paused as he finally found his footing. “What did you say?”
“You’re right.” He huffed, not even looking her in her deep brown eyes. “ I let you down.”
“You’re Damn right you did, I even asked if it was okay, but you said no, that you could make it and you didn’t.” Kerensa flung her jacket into the open closet, leaving her shoulders exposed by the strapless dress. “I try to be understanding, I know what you do is important that you go out there every night you can and fight the good fight but…” she trailed, pulling his chin so his eyes were forced to look into her own. “…but sometimes a girl needs her night to be with her, sometimes I feel like your work gets in the way, and I know that’s why you go out at night but still, it’s just- I dunno.”
“Unfair?” He added without looking into her mind, not that he ever would.
“Yes.” She took in a breath, seeing that his suit was a little dirty and that he was incredibly tired. “There’s nothing I can say to make it up, this was my fault, I know and an apology won’t make up for it. But I can say I’m sorry for letting you down, it’s the last thing I would ever consciously do.”
“I know.” She nodded, brushing away some grease from his shoulder. “But you didn’t see the suit I laid out for you on the chair when you came in?” Pointing with out looking, she drove his point home by noting the lifeless piece of fabric on the couch in the corner.
“I must have missed it.” Alec felt even worse.
“I heard on the radio in the cab, the bomber on the bus in Manhattan.”
“Yeah?” He half-heartedly acknowledged.
“You saved all those people? Was the rest of the night like that yesterday?” she wondered.
“It was rougher than the others.” He shrugged, his eyes drifting down to her feet.
“I see.” Her hand found its way to crock of his neck.
“You’re wearing the shoes I gave you?”
“Yep.” She smiled. “I wanted to break’em in on the dance floor.”
“The Restaurant has a dance floor?”
“I was going to surprise you, see if you still had any moves in you, but…”
“…Yeah.”
“I do forgive you Al, I know you’re tougher on yourself than I ever could be and that you’d never do anything to really hurt me, I guess that’s why I got so pissed.”
Kerensa’s statement confused Al. “Because I don’t hurt you?”
“No because you’re…- you are too good to me, this past year has been the best I’ve ever lived and you’ve been there for me for everything that I guess when it came down to this that-that I just couldn’t believe it.” She tugged at his chest. “Sometimes when I read about the stories the print in the post, I kinda laugh to myself. I forget you can do those things, those amazing things I also forget that you’re not just a man, you’re mine and the life you lead in this suit isn’t the same as the one you lead out of it.”
“It’s hard.” Alec’s eyes came up to her eyes again. “But this wasn’t about what I can do it’s about what I didn’t do.”
“You’re right.” She spate. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop loving you and that doesn’t mean that you’re forgiven.” Her slender fingers grasped at his jaw. “Understood?”
“Mm-hm” He complied.
“Just be grateful I heard the food wasn’t that great, otherwise I might regret having paid the fifty dollar reservation fee.” She released his face from her hold as she headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower, I’ll leave some hot water for you, but don’t expect too much.”
“Yes’em” He loudly whispered as she closed the door behind her. That’s when the spark lit in Alec’s head, but knowing Kerensa takes in the shower, he would only have half an hour to do it, and with a great wisp of speed he was off to redeem himself.
* * *
Kerensa did feel refreshed after the shower, but as she wiped her glistened fair skin dry from the slight layer of after wash, she still regretted the inability to wipe away the unpleasant upset her lover’s broken dinner date on the eve of her celebration. When she began to wrap her long chestnut hair into the traditional head wrap, all Kerensa could do when she looked in the mirror was laugh. The cause of her ruined evening due to the simple fact that Alec, the man she cares more for than anything before does important work, something that she only read in the comics he has stowed away in his apartment.
“He’s a superhero, K.” She reminded her reflection. “He goes out and fights crime at night, has a secret identity even a fancy suit the whole works.” Kerensa leaned her body on the sink, as if she needed to see herself up and close in order to drive the point home. “You’re in a relationship no late night talk radio show has ever even touched base with. You Kerensa, you’re dating a damn superhero. Of course the relationship is going to have its rough patches, granted it’s a little more insidious given the nature of the situation but anything based on love is still good.” She concluded reluctantly only to counter her own assurance. “But on the other hand, the reason he wasn’t there was because he over slept, it’s not like he was saving people from a burning building or anything, he over slept.” This didn’t stop her one woman debate. “But, you knew it was a possibility, you could have easily gotten another reservation at another place so he wouldn’t have had to gone out on his sleep day.” Her tangent was defiant. “But he said it wouldn’t matter, that he could do it.” Kerensa stared into the eyes looking back at her until she chuckled once more, she could not believe this was what she had resorted to in this act. “So this is what it’s like? What it’s like being so head over heals for a guy so amazing that you defend his every action to yourself, a man who promises you everything good in the world and always delivers that the one time he doesn’t you become enraged that when he finally does something wrong you.-you…?” She huffed. “Kerensa Lyn Sherwood, what are you going to do?” With that said, she blindly entered her bedroom as she toweled hair. “Al?” She quipped as brunette hair and mute green towel covered her eyes. ”I think we should ta-”
After flipping her hair back to see if his tall person where present, she noticed a small twenty by twenty inch sheet of cardboard hovering over her bed. It read-You have fifteen minutes to do what ever you need to do to look your best before you can meet me on the roof, love “Al”.- Kerensa smiled, huffed the way she always did whenever he did something spontaneous that surprised her and headed for her closet.
“This better be good Al, this better be damn, damn good.” The brown-eyed vixen muttered as she slammed her wardrobe door.
* * *
As if Kerensa were not already frustrated with Alec already, he had to pull something like this and ask her to get dressed all over again after he stood-her up. She had every right to do the same to him, but what made her even more disgruntled was that she didn’t. Kerensa dawned one of her newer Sunday dresses, one she hadn’t worn before and gave no attention to her hair, still somewhat wet from the shower. This served as her only protest to Alec’s impromptu request, and gave her fueling chills as she walked up the fire escape and onto the roof. When Kerensa made her way up the latter to the adjacent escape, she felt a bitter sweetness build from what she had seen.
A white laced mosquito canopy that traced from wither corner on the left side of the roof only to be met on small chimney-made-maypole that was over seven inch tall oriental dinning table surrounded by a great number of velvet pillows. A mix of star and candle light served to highlight the mood of the environment, as she approached table adorned with her favorite azaleas and white roses, Kerensa didn’t even notice Alec as he descended from the sky with a large picnic basket in hand, his silent touchdown giving him ample purpose to sneak up behind her.
“Surprise.” He whispered in her left ear, causing her to turn around to see that he had also freshened up and was wearing new ensemble as well. Kerensa found the sweater jacket combination made him look trendy despite his lack of shoes, which was commonplace with Alec, preferring bare feet to any dress shoe.
Nevertheless, she could not let him accept this as his forgiveness, Kerensa was milk it for what is was worth. “What’s this all about?” She gestured with grandiose hands.
“I know it can’t make up for what I did, but tonight was suppose to be your night and I don’t feel like I did enough to make it feel like that despite my thing, well, you know what I mean it’s just-” His babbling made him nervous, so he took a deep breath and changed the subject. “-Why don’t we sit down, I m brought you something very special.”
“You did, did you?” She smirked from seeing his cute little tangent. It made her feel sorry for him, after all he was obviously upset with himself as much as she was. He just wanted to make up for something he knew was his fault.
Using the clear space on the table to place the basket, Alec only sat after Kerensa was comfortable, he then opened the box to reveal a bottle of crystal and two glasses. Along with a bowl of caramel with some assorted fruits that were all Kerensa’s favorites and another bowl of Italian mixed salad from Marcel’s, the place they met and the first meal they ever shared.
As Alec poured the glasses and telekinetically dispensed the utensils, they began to dine, sharing each other’s company as Kerensa had hoped they would have earlier tonight. Alec even played some soft Latin jazz via the small radio on the other side of the table. Eventually after the meal was done, he asked her to dance, she accepted. As Alec took Kerensa’s beautiful fingers with his own, he could read the joy and pleasure seeping from her being, it was something he could’ve felt without his gifts, something any lover could feel from another. They paced away the evening, pulling each other closer and closer as the song progressed and seemed to become beyond the limits of time. Soon enough the calming silence was broken between them amidst this enchanting night.
“You’re forgiven now.” She whispered as she leaned her forehead against his, finding her eyes following their tows as she had already joined him in a barefoot dance.
“I don’t deserve it.” Alec returned honestly.
“Yes you do.” Kerensa responded lightly into his cheek. “You took responsibility and did whatever you had to do, to do this.” She smiled to herself. “You’re an fine example for your sex, Al.”
“I don’t deserve you, either.” He sighed, trying to relieve the tension that was building inside.
Kerensa could feel his jar tighten against her face, so she pulled away with concern. “Al? You okay?”
“Of course.” He overly nodded. “Why do you ask?”
“You feel tense, the last time I ever knew you were tense was when you were benching an eighteen wheeler.” She cocked a brow. “You’re hiding something.”
He turned his attention back to his feet, trying to hide his embracement and deciding to take this evening to its next stage. “There is something…”
“What is it?” The curvaceous beauty smirked with curiosity.
His answer was silent and alarming at first. Alec pulled her so that their bodies were against each other. Kerensa, expecting a kiss, leaned in but stopped when she realized that her feet were not on the solid roof anymore. Her eyes only proved what she refused to belief from her toes. They were slowly ascending to the clouds, higher and higher with each second, which only caused Kerensa’s grip to tighten around Alec’s waist. “I’d never drop you, Kerensa.” Alec assured as the stars began to fill their sight and city of New York became a distant shadow under the clouds that now blanketed their feet.
The moon hanging along the stars in just a way to set the tone best suited for this mere beauty and her extraordinary lover. The clouds became dense, enough so that she could walk upon them like pillows, and despite the chilly atmosphere, her skin felt as warm as it was seconds ago under the candle light. She knew Alec was making this impossible, possible but, the amazement was still its namesake. Kerensa found herself roaming the cloud, not too far, just enough to grasp at it with her delicate hands the squeeze it between her fingers. Kerensa, then turned her eyes to the stars, having been raised in the city all her life, she had rarely laid her deep brown eyes on the naked night sky, let alone one littered with stars. She began to tear up, wiping away salt water from her cheeks as Alec watched on. Alec too was overwhelmed by the emotions she broadcasted, so many at once, it almost took away his fear for what he was about to do next. “My God, Al!” She expelled with a breath. “This is, so amazing…”
“Yes, but it’s not nearly as amazing as you are.” He responded from his heart.
Kerensa, far too compelled by what she was seeing to fully hear what Alec had just said or understand his underline inflection, which was more evident when she was shocked to find him down, floating on one knee. “Ohmygawd…” She choked.
Alec took her hand with both of his own, desperately searching for the words he had been searching for all his life. “Kerensa…” his eyes eventually found their way up to hers, finding calm in her deep brown pools of radiance. “…you know that I would do anything to make you happy, to make you feel safe. And I’m sorry tonight didn’t go as you planned it to, but…” He nervously gulped. “…but, I’m also sorry I let you down, and I want you to know that I was going to do this tonight anyway, because…” Alec found himself instinctively brushing away her tears. “…Because, my every waking thought is of you, same as my dreams, my hopes, my drive to do what I must. I love you Kerensa, and the thought of not waking up with you beside me is my greatest fear.” Alec reached down into his pocket with his free hand, and removed a small red velvet ring box, opening it gently with his mind as he freed Kerensa’s left hand. “I want to be committed to committing myself to you, to us. And I want you to know, to honestly know, that despite all my wit, all my pickiness and charm, my powers and my over-achieverness, I’m just a guy, a guy who loves you, and is asking to be loved in return. I guess what I’m trying to get out with all this is…Kerensa, will you marry me?”
“Oh, Alec…” One of the few times in their life together, she actually called him by his full name. Her heart answered what every other fiber of her being could only agree to. “Yes, I will.” Her legs gave in and she fell into a kiss. As soon as they parted, Alec gently slipped the ring on his fiancé’s finger only causing her to stain her dress with more tears. Kerensa’s vision, misted by waterworks, but the gleamed starlight from the three stone silver band and Alec’s face were the only thing she could see. “It’s so beautiful, Alec.”
“It was my mother’s and grandmother’s before her, it’s been in my family since FDR was in office and it was blessed by the pope when my great-great grandparent’s announced their engagement.” Alec lightly noted as he pulled out the handkerchief from his breast pocket.
“A lot of history for one little ring, and to think you’re family was catholic at one point.” Kerensa calmly snickered as she brushed away the waters of joy under her eyes.
“No woman who has ever been offered this ring has said no.” He remarked confidently. “But that’s because the ring’s been blessed, it’s because every man in my family who loved a woman enough to bring them into our family knew that they would care, love and devote their every living instant to her, till the end and beyond.”
“Sounds like this ring should come with a history book.” She smirked while gazing at her glowing hand.
“Do you see that?” Alec pointed to the small engraving on the bottom of the center stone.
“It’s the Trinity.” Kerensa squinted to see the theological symbol at the base of the band.
“Now look closer, at the inside of the base point of it.” She pulled her finger closer to her eyes to see in better detail. “See the two circles?”
“Yeah.” She pulled her attention back to Alec. “What do they stand for?”
“You and me” Alec informed. “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost each stand for God, but at the center of any perfect relationship, their must be faith in each other and in Him, so-“
“Shudap and kiss me, Al.” Kerensa interrupted with a hushing finger to his lips, which were soon replaced by her own lips, sealing with affirmation, what their hearts have wanted for so long. The rest of their life, together.
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