Incubus Ascension-Chapter 4
Liam sat in the back of the taxi with Olivia, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past.
His brain wouldn’t shut up. He needed to get stronger. He needed to protect Olivia, especially now after their confession.
The same thoughts kept looping, louder every time the taxi hit a pothole.
What if he stayed stuck like this forever? What if he couldn’t protect anyone, not even himself?
Then he felt her hand settle on his thigh, warm and slow, rubbing gentle circles. It pulled him right out of his head.
"Hey," she said quietly, voice soft like she didn’t want to scare him off. "Stop overthinking it."
He turned to look at her. Those soft eyes, the little smile tugging at her lips, she really did look like she meant every word. "You’re actually an angel, you know that?"
She laughed under her breath, the sound light and easy, and gave his leg one quick squeeze.
The taxi stopped right in front of her place.
They walked out of the taxi. Her home was a small house with a tiny front garden, nothing fancy, just a few flowers pushing through the dirt like they were trying their best.
He liked it immediately. Cozy little spots like this always felt more real than anything.
Olivia paid the driver, then grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door.
She searched around in her bag for the keys, froze for a second, muttered "Shit,"
His heart quickened hearing her curse for the first time. He looked to her, "Is everything alright?"
She gave him an embarrassed glance. "I... forgot to clean up."
She pushed the door open and they walked inside, her shoulders were stiff like she was trying to block his view of the whole place.
He couldn’t help it. He laughed. "Relax. We’re not that different."
Inside wasn’t even bad. A couple shirts tossed over the couch, a mug on the coffee table, some random stuff scattered around.
Compared to the disaster zone he called his dorm room, this was practically spotless.
"I’ll help you clean," he said.
She looked surprised for a second, then hesitated for a long time.
He raised his eyebrows, "Don’t you want my help?"
She shook her head, "No... It’s just, my underwear is thrown here and..."
He understood her opinion, "It alright, I know we just confessed 5 minutes ago, I would also be uncomfortable if strangers checked my underwear"
She shook her head, her face clearly tense, "No. It’s ok if it was you. Sigh. Please help me"
He nodded at her, "ok, I will help"
They started picking things up together, side by side, the quiet between them was comfortable. It felt good just doing something normal.
After they finished, they dropped onto the couch and turned on the TV.
Urgent news!
Thirty unawakened women vanished in the residential area.
The suspect is a 20-year-old awakened man on the run. It is advised for all residents not to leave their houses.
Olivia near him shuddered at the news. He grabbed her shoulders hard. This was how the world worked.
Awakened people faced less consequences, especially in the future when the situation becomes more dire.
He changed the channel to an anime channel, trying to lighten the mood.
He pulled Olivia to his side and caressed her hair. "Don’t worry. That place is far from here," he said, but he didn’t even believe his words.
She forced herself to believe his words, and they started watching the anime.
They tried to distract themselves from the negative bad thoughts and enjoyed the anime show.
As the show kept playing, she shifted closer to him. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him, her head resting against his chest like it belonged there.
They didn’t talk much, just watched, laughed at the same dumb jokes, and every so often he’d feel her fingers trace little patterns on his shirt. It was nice. Really nice.
Halfway through the episode he turned to her, heart beating a little faster. "Hey... do you want to do it?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
She looked up at him, cheeks flushing, but she didn’t look away. She nodded. "Yes. But... it’s my first time. Be gentle, okay?"
He swallowed hard and stood up, taking her hand. "I will. Promise."
He led her to the bedroom. The lamp cast a warm glow over everything. They kissed slow at first, then deeper, clothes coming off piece by piece until there was nothing between them.
He laid her down on the bed, settled between her legs in missionary so he could see her face the whole time.
She was nervous, he could feel it in the way her hands trembled on his shoulders, but she pulled him closer anyway.
He went slow, careful, whispering against her ear that she was beautiful, that she felt incredible. She gasped when he first pushed in, eyes wide, but then she relaxed, breathing his name like it was the only word she knew.
Her legs wrapped around him, heels pressing into his back, and they moved together, steady, deep, the kind of rhythm that made everything else disappear.
Her nails dug into his skin when it got intense, soft moans slipping out every time he hit the right spot.
He kept his eyes on hers the whole time, watching her come undone, feeling her tighten around him until they both tipped over the edge together, shaking and breathless.
They collapsed onto the sheets, sweaty and spent. Olivia curled right up against him, head on his chest, one arm draped across his stomach like she never wanted to let go. Her breathing evened out fast, she was already drifting off.
He forced his eyes open even though his whole body felt heavy. He needed to protect her now. Not like his past life. Back then he couldn’t keep anyone safe. This time... this time it’s different. He wasn’t letting anything happen to her.
Liam opened his system panel with a mental command. And there was it. 9 SP.
A little higher than before. It wasn’t much, but it was something. Progress.
With Olivia still sleeping warm on his chest, he finally let his eyes close.
His phone alarm woke him up way too soon. He checked the time, shit, already, and nudged her gently. "Hey. Gotta head to work soon."
Olivia stirred slowly, groaning, her body still heavy with sleep. "Mmm... already?"
"Yeah. I’m gonna walk to the shop first. Need to clear my head."
She nodded sleepily and let him go, rolling over with a soft sigh.
-----
The morning air felt good on his face as he walked, fresh and sharp, cutting through the leftover fog in his brain. By the time he reached The Bee Stings he was calmer. He used his spare key, slipped inside, and went straight to the changing room.
He swapped into his usual work clothes, made himself a coffee, and took a long sip. That’s when it hit him again, something about Beatrix had always felt off.
He remembered it clear as day from his previous life. When the monsters invaded and everyone ran for the shelters, she just... vanished.
He never saw her there. Not once. She disappeared into thin air like she’d never existed.
He stood up, glanced toward her office door. Maybe he should take a look at her drawers. She was always so protective of them, locking them even when she just stepped out for a minute. He couldn’t help but wonder why.
He walked over, heart picking up speed, and eased the door open. The third drawer stopped him cold.
Photos. Of him. Dozens of them, candid shots from the shop, some outside on the street, even a couple from farther away. His stomach dropped. Confusion and panic slammed into him at the same time.
Footsteps.
Shit.
He shoved the photos back inside, slammed the drawer shut, and jumped up. He started straightening papers on her desk like his life depended on it.
The door opened. Beatrix froze in the doorway. Her eyes sharpened instantly, narrowing right on him. Her voice came out low and shaky. "Why are you here?"
He forced his voice to stay steady. "Just... cleaning up a bit. Making sure everything’s ready."
She stared at him for what felt like forever. Then she gave a single nod. "You can leave now."
He walked out, heart hammering so hard he could feel it in his throat. As he passed her door again he stopped and looked back at it for a long second.
Was she targeting him? What the hell?
The best way to figure it out suddenly seemed obvious.
He checked his phone. Still half an hour until opening.
