Corvus stood on the flat, pebbled roof of his apartment building. He ignored the skyline chiseled by buildings too short to be called skyscrapers and brushed his hands clean of the sunflower seed casings that lingered on his palms. It was dusk and the blackbirds would soon be going to nest. He liked to feed them at dusk, before they went to wherever blackbirds go for the night. They had come to expect him. The crows and the ravens would scavenge the seeds at his feet. Sometimes popcorn, sometimes rice, usually sunflowers. They would fill their craws and flap away, leaving dropped feathers, shit and photo opportunities in their wake.

Tonight would be the last time for him, a last meal for them.

Corvus stepped onto the ledge of the roof and looked out at the busy main street below. The fall would kill him. He inched a toe over, the crunch of gravel on the concrete lip whisked away by the breeze. The sun was gone now, the streetlights flickering on throughout the city, but below, the shadows would hide him. He wouldn't see the world pass by as he fell.

He exhaled cool night air and shook his head, stepping back onto the firm, flat, gravel-covered roof. He glanced at the remaining birds picking at the last few seeds they could find before they had to leave and roost for the night. He turned and went to the roof access door, shoving his hands in his pockets, and followed the stairs down to his apartment.

Corvus took the SD card from his camera, slid it into his laptop and transferred the photos of the birds from one device to the other. He'd fiddle with them in the morning. He stripped and went to take a shower, spending most of it with the water spilling over his head. Turning the water off and toweling himself dry he grabbed and threw on a pair of boxers on his way to bed. He pulled back the blankets and dropped in. Maybe tomorrow would be better.

He fell asleep within minutes, heedless to the fact he was being watched.



The figure stepped out of the darkness, a clinking noise coming from her as she prowled across the balcony of the fire escape. As the moonlight from the window streamed in, it shone over her glossy, hard porcelain exterior. Silently she slipped into his apartment through the window. The carpet silenced her porcelain toes as she tip-toed towards Corvus as he lay curled beneath the blankets.

She looked down at him, clicking her tongue. It would have been a shame, she thought, were he have taken that leap tonight. Luckily she had a chance to make the move now, with him still here, alive. She wanted him breathing for what she had planned. She ran her cold, hard porcelain hand along his side, slowly pushing down the covers.

She felt him shiver under her fingers, the skin goosing and twitching against her glassy hand. He shifted, turning to lay on his back, his hands going to his strong, naked stomach. His black hair carelessly fanned over his eyes and his cheeks as his head turned to his left and sank into the pillow.

How precious, she thought, smiling at the sight. She climbed on top of him, tulle and velveteen skirts rustling and her corset top heaving against her chest. She traced her cool fingers against his cheek, her hollow porcelain thighs hugged him. Her skirt pooled around their hips as her warm, nude slit pressed against his length. She frowned as his boxers kept them chaste. The warmth of her womanhood was a drastic change from her cold limbs.

He mumbled softly, shifting his head against the pillow. The corner of his mouth curved in a small smile and she briefly kissed the side of that quirked-up grin. She shifted her hips, rubbing herself against his still covered length. He mumbled again and his hands moved in his sleep. His rough hands went to her cold, glimmering white thighs, blue in the moonlight.

A new sound passed his lips, one that wasn't a moan. A word, a name.

"...Ava..."

She tilted her head, running a cold finger down his cheek. She didn't remember seeing a lover while watching him. Perhaps it was someone from a long ago. She kissed him again, slipping her tongue between his lips as her hips moved. Her need for him dampened the front of his boxers.

Corvus kissed back and lifted a sleepy hand to the rings and pleats of hair gathered atop her head. He sucked on her tongue as it passed between his lips. She slipped her hands between them, slipping his underwear down so his exposed cock pressed against her.

He shifted, leaning his head back and rocking his hips just a little. He muttered again, "You've been away so long..."

He touched her glassy hand and wrapped it around his developing erection. "You're so cold. Like ice. Let me warm you up."

How sweet of him, she thought. A shame his little dream will be crushed when he awakes, but I'll play along for now. Her hand stroked him as she kissed him again.

"I've missed you," she whispered. If he hadn't been dreaming, he might have detected the slight smirk that showed in her voice.

His grip tightened and his eyelids fluttered. For a moment she could see a sliver of white between his long black lashes before his eyes closed again. "Stay with me. Don't leave me again."

"I promise we'll never be apart again." She kissed him again, her smile disingenuous. He would belong to her soon, so it wouldn't be a lie.