That was several years ago, and Thomas and Celeste remained together. When they graduated, both decided to go to the same small college to be with each other. This year they had asked to room together, and since both were in good academic standing they were able to. Living together was amazing, and they were able to have sex more than ever. They even started to develop nudist tendencies and walked around their room naked when no one else was there. This helped their relationship, as they often found themselves making love at random times, night or day. It wasn't unheard of that in a day Tom and Celeste would fuck five times, their cum soaking everything. There wasn't anything more that they loved than seeing the other reach the pinnacle of sexual pleasure that was an orgasm. They enjoyed watching the other get off almost as much as themselves, and sometimes had races to see who could make the other cum faster.
Their life wasn't just a sexual one though, for Tom and Celeste found a deeper emotional connection as well. They had the classic fairy tale love, and everyone around could see it. Tom loved to buy little things for Celeste, like a teddy bear or charms, but it wasn't like she was a gold digger either. Their's was the utopian love, and some people around them felt inspired that true love, in this day and age of random, bloody, and senseless attacks across the world, still in fact existed.
His want to buy items for Celeste was what drove Thomas to the shady antiques store. The door was creaky, even when no one moved it. It was dimly lit, and there was ample evidence that there hadn't been any maid service for a long time. There was a significant buildup of dust on some strange items, items that could have been used for anything but the exact purpose was enigmatic. The air inside was stale in a way that gave the impression of time misplacing this one lonely store, leaving it behind. The owner herself could have been as ancient as the rundown little shop. Her face was weathered by time, deep creases scouring her face. Her eyes belied her age-old wisdom, as well as some twinkle of something else, something Tom couldn't quite place. Her clothes were a throwback to a time long gone. Yet, above all that, she exuded a sense of familiarity, a feeling of benevolence. The shop was filled with a myriad of trinkets and knick-knacks, most of which had no aim in existence but to sit on a shelf. There were dusty books on shelves and in piles on tables, some with sheaves of yellowed paper pouring out the sides. Many had leather covers and gold printing, the pages falling out covered in words written by hand. Some had clasps holding the covers, though the processes of time had rendered many fasteners breached, some hanging wildly from one corner.
Tom tread lightly on the warped and groaning floorboards, not sure what exactly he was looking for. It was as if something was calling to him, compelling him toward some unknown destination. He had wanted to get something for Celeste, just because, when he wandered into the shop. He saw nothing of interest, or rather nothing Celeste would like, yet something inside still told him that there was some item in the store that he needed to see. He spied shiny baubles, but thought all were too gaudy, or at least too expensive. Tom paced down crowded aisles, not really knowing what he was looking for. Then his eye caught a faint glimmer of light. He decided to check it out.
The light turned out to be a small silver pendent, diamond-shaped with a strange jewel inset in the middle, whose color seemed to shift and change, never looking the same from moment to moment. It was behind other items, almost as if someone wanted to hide it from view. He picked it up, and as soon as it was in his hand Tom knew his search was over. And yet he was torn, for this medallion would certainly cost much more than he was planning on spending, though it was perfect. Not wanting to think to much about it, Thomas took the necklace to the old storeowner to ask the price. Surprisingly, she had said the price was only ten dollars, in a slightly fearful manner. When asked why it was so cheap, she only said that the pendent was very special, and to be very careful with it. Thomas had just figured that it was old or something, but was a great bargain, so he took out the money and paid the ancient shopkeep. Before he left, the old woman gave him one final warning, to be careful, for great power can corrupt all. Tom thought little of this, thinking that the old woman was turning senile, and pocketed the necklace, not noticing that the jewel was a bit brighter nor that it wasn't as cool as before.
He wasn't sure why exactly, but Tom suddenly felt compelled to try on the medallion. This seemed very odd to him, as before Tom had never had any urge to wear any jewelry other than a watch or his class ring, though the latter had been given to Celeste a while back. Nevertheless, he took out the pendent from his pocket and gave it a good look. The gem glimmered with an odd light, and the colors inside appeared to swirl and twist, as if the center was comprised of a whirling rainbow miasma. The effect was hypnotic, and before he knew it, the chain was fastened around Tom's neck. Looking at his reflection in a nearby window, Tom surmised that, for some reason, it looked good on him. Hell, he looked good, as he always did. Except, there was something that wasn't quite right.