The Hog's Head may have been rid of Axel's body and eliminated of any blood since last week's incident, but Seth still saw the blood on his hands. He still saw Axel on the ground with his life fading. He was the one responsible. Though he wouldn't face any charges because Axel attacked first and had the potential to harm the other people in the bar, Seth had been given a life sentence of guilt and realization. Until that day, that moment, Seth didn't realize how much pain Axel had been put through. And he was to blame for a lot of it.
He sat in the woods where he had left Alice, and his ring. He sat on the ground, his back pressed against a giant oak tree. In his hand was a bottle of alcohol. He didn't even know what kind he bought. He just asked for the strongest stuff and went here to drink his sorrows away. It was a dumb idea, and he would regret it later, but right now he didn't care. He didn't care about anything right now. He just felt so worthless.
Seth took a swig from the square glass bottle, spilling a little on his jeans. He had on a white tee shirt and black jacket and had no idea where he left his shoes. His hair was flat and combed down, not spikey like he usually had it. He had a five 'o' clock shadow from not shaving like he normally did either. He was just out of his typical routine. He stared into the woods, staring at nothing, then took yet another sip.
Alice was scared.
Her eyes were coal black. Her skin was cold. She didn`t feel hungry at all. She was running through the forest quickly, almost twice as fast as any normal person. The smell of alcohol was thick on her breath, and she held a huge half-empty bottle in her right hand. Her mind was slightly fuzzy, but her steps were even and sure.
-D@mn it all! Why couldn`t he just accept what had happened? Bastard.- Her thoughts were sharp and directed towards Seth, even though he would never hear here. She kept on running, just because she could. She had been running for a while now; she hadn`t gotten tired yet.
"Why don't you understand?" He called with a drunken slur. "Trying to give me a taste of my own medicine huh!? Not going to come home for awhile to show me what it's like?" Seth brought the bottle back to his lips, dripping the yellowish liquid all over.
"Well guess what! I don't need you." He didn't even care that he was speaking to air. Inside he was hurting and he didn't even know what he was thinking anymore. He lifted the bottle and stood up, stumbling, then threw the bottle at a tree. Glass shattered all over the ground as it made contact with the trunk, liquid dripping down the bark.
Alice stopped suddenly, leaning forward with her own momentum. She could have sworn she heard someone yelling. Waiting a moment, she became completely silent. There was nothing, so she ran again. She shrugged and took a swig from the bottle, wishing it would actually affect her as it would a human. When she still didn`t hear anything she took off again.
Just as she was running through a clearing she heard the sound of breaking glass and something sharp slashed into her side. She gasped with surprise as warm liquid started to spill from her side. She fell to the side onto her hip and pressed her hands to the wound. Alice looked up quickly, trying to understand what had happened.
Well, look at that. It was Seth.
Seth's eyes widened. The glass had struck Alice and wounded her. She made his way over to her and threw off his jacket. He pushed away her hands and pushed the jacket down on it, holding it down with his own hands.
"Stay still." He said. The anger had disappeared only for a short moment. Seeing her blood brought another emotion out of Seth. He wouldn't look into her eyes. His weren't the same. They were almost hollow. He just wasn't himself.
Alice gasped again as Seth pressed his jacket against her side. It hurt. She hadn`t felt physical pain in such a long time. Blood was soaking from her side; the cut hadn`t been that deep, had it? Good gracious, a little cut couldn`t hurt that much.
"Seth, I`m sorry." She said softly, trying to look into his eyes. She could see his face, smell him. He was just as bad as she was. They were equally disheveled, and they both had alcohol with them.
"Stop it." Seth replied sharply. He wouldn't look her in the eyes. Instead he focused on his jacket and putting pressure on her wound. He lifted the jacket slowly, to check out what was going on. How she got cut like she did, he didn't know. She must have been in the shard of glass' direction. He plucked a little bit of glass from the cut and put the jacket back on.
Alice watched Seth with sharp eyes as he put his jacket back on. The cut had stopped bleeding, but it still stung. She moved backwards until her back hit a tree, then she looked down at the wound closely.
It was a clean slice and would heal without leaving a scar or anything, but it hurt. That was what amazed her more than anything. After being a vampire for so long, you got used to not feeling anything. Since it wasn`t exactly normal for a vampire to become a human, she didn`t know what to expect. In the past week Alice had spent away from Seth some vampiric qualities had come back. Her skin had gotten whiter and colder. She was faster than any human, but not vamp-fast. Her eyes were coal black again. Still, she wasn`t thirsting for blood, but she didn`t want human food either. The changes scared her, but she didn`t know what to do.
"Seth, you should probably lay down or something. You don`t look so good." Alice spoke in a calm and even voice, not letting much emmotion show through her words. She was still angry at him for the things he had said and done. There was no reason he should have acted that way, and so she had left just like he had done to her. But all of that didn`t mean she didn`t still love him. She did and she knew it.
For some reason, when she moved back, it made Seth hurt a little.
"Seth, you should probably lay down or something. You don`t look so good."
He shook his head and stared at the jacket where some of her blood was stuck to it. If he hadn't have thrown the glass, she wouldn't have gotten injured.
"I hurt you...." He whispered almost inaudibly. It wasn't meant for her ears. "Why don't you just go back home?" This part, on the otherhand, was for her. He looked her in the eyes, her black eyes. But as soon as he said it, he realized just how rude and wrong his tone was.
Even though he had spoke so softly at first a normal person wouldn`t have heard it, she did. Her senses had gotten better as well. She could see without hardly any light, and her ears caught everything.
"Because my home isn`t home right now isn`t a home," she replied, using the same tone. She couldn`t have kept the venom out of her voice if she wanted to.
Seth stood and glared at her for a moment. Then he took a step back, turned around, and started walking down a random path leading deeper into the woods. But as soon as Alice was out of sight, he realized that this was stupid. He was stupid. Seth started back the other direction and kneeled down in front of Alice.
"I'm sorry." He said gently. "I really am."
Alice looked up at Seth with her dark eyes. Was he really apologizing, or was he drunk?
"Seth, it`s okay," she replied softly, "We`ve been through a lot, and neither of us should have acted the way we did."
He picked up her hand and closed his fingers around it. He pressed his lips to her wrist and then look at her beneath his eyelashes.
"Alice, I think I'm going to pass out." Seth said, suddenly weary. His eyelids became heavy and he released her hand as he passed out on the hard ground with a thump.
Alice let Seth sleep for a while; he needed it. After an hour or so, though, she shook him back awake.
"Seth, wake up, mon amour. Come on now, you`re sweating," she sad gently, rocking him back and forth to wake him back up. He was sweating, but it was just because of the alcohol in his system and the heat. He probably hadn`t been feeling well the past few days, either.
"Wha...oh...." Seth sat up suddenly, breathing hard. His forehead had been a little shiny with sweat, some hair sticking to his head. He had a little more life to his eyes, but they were a dull green, no longer as bright as they used to be. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment, feeling slightly dizzy. When the feeling passed, he opened them to see Alice hovering over him.
He touched her face, cupping her cheek with his hand. He stared into her eyes, apologizing over and over again with his gaze, hoping she'd understand. He put his hand down slowly and then just sat there staring at his lap.
Alice leaned back slightly on her heels when he sat up. It startled her when he reached out to touch her face, and she flinched a little. Instantly regreting the movement she lifted her hand and ran her fingers along his. Her eyes read the same message his did. She hated herself for leaving him like she did; he didn`t deserve that, even though it felt good at first to do it.
"I shouldn`t have... I so sorry," She whispered, dropping her gaze to her knees. Tears started to run down her cheeks slowly.
"Shh." He said, looking at her as she spoke. Seth got out of the bed and stepped in front of Alice, taking her face gently in his hands and brushing away her tears with his thumbs.
"Don't blame yourself. I'm the one that's a fool." He brought his lips to hers and kissed her softly. "I've been an awful husband, but that's going to change."
Alice took Seth`s hand and squeezed them tightly. How could he possibly be saying that? She was the one that had left him. Well, not technically, but she had stayed away.
"How can you say that? I`m the one that refused to marry you the first time. I refused to change you. I cried over another guy after we got married. The to top it all off I left." She shook her head, not caring about the tears that still flowed.
Seth put his arms around Alice, letting her head rest against his chest. He kissed the top of her head and sighed.
"Baby, do you hear that sound? It's my heart and it's still beating for you." He squeezed her a little tighter. "I love you, please don't cry."
Alice wrapped her arms around Seth and squeezed him carefully. She was still stronger than most humans, but she could also feel her strength fade. Was it her lack of food, or because she was with Seth.
"I love you too, Seth. And I`m so, so sorry."
"Let's get away." He whispered. "Anywhere you want. We need to find a place to live afterall."
((Short.))
Alice ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him softly. Tears were still flowing slowly down her cheeks, but she didn`t care. She brushed her fingers along his cheeks and cradled his face.
"Anywhere where you are. If you ask, I`ll be yours. In my life, there is someone who touches my life. Waiting near, waiting here." She lifted one of his hands and pressed it against her heart. A sob escaped from her mouth and and ducked her head, crying fully now.
"Alice...." Seth didn't know what to say. He felt his eyes sting and blinked. He lifted her chin and looked at her. And that's all he did. He just stared into her eyes, and then he pulled back into another embrace. His way of saying, let it out.
Alice shook with the silent sobs that racked from her chest. She wrapped her arms around him again and squeezed him tightly. Guilt filled her until she felt like she was going to explode.
"I`m so sorry," she gasped, "I am so, so sorry. I shouldn`t have done that to you. You didn`t deserve it."
Seth stroked her hair and kissed her head over and over again.
"Shhh. Shhh. I did deserve it. I deserve a lot worse." He closed his eyes tightly, preventing any possible tears, and he gently sat down on the ground, bringing her with him. He positioned her onto his lap and put his arms around her.
Slowly the sabs started to fade away. Alice let Seth cradle her on his lap. It felt good to be held like that.
"No you didn`t," she pretested, "I had no right to be like that."
"Yeah, you did." Seth replied in the same gentle tone. "You had every right. And I'm sorry." He kissed her again. "Let's move on from this."
((Our posts are so amazing.))
Alice hooked her arms around Seth`s neck and stared up into his eyes. How had she managed to finally find him? Through the centuries she lived through, never had she met someone she admired as much as him. She had flings here and there, but they had no meaning when she saw him.
"Anywhere, babe. Wherever you want to go." She had seen what she wanted to see of the world by herself. She wanted follow him now.
Seth smiled and lifted her into his arms, bridel style, and kissed her once more.
"Name the place, and I'm there." He said.
((Aren't they though? Bah I'm tired.))
Alice buried her face into Seth`s shirt, curling her fingers over his collar.
"No. I`ve seen the world. I`ve been everywhere. I want to see what you want to see. I don`t care what it is."
"Well...we do need a place to live. So, tell me. Do you want to live in a big city, a small town, country side, or by the sea?" Seth asked, looking down at her, smiling. "We could get a cottage and...listen to the waves as we lay together in our bed, snuggled up in the covers. And we could walk along the shore, getting sand between our toes." For some reason, the sea seemed...perfect.
Alice smiled, still hiding her face in his shirt. She needed to be able to feel him, to smell him. All of her strength was leaving he; she could feel her muscles grow weaker the longer she was around him. That worried her, but what Seth was saying was enough to distract her.
"The sea, definately." She asnwered, looking up at him slowly.
Seth sighed in relief.
"Well, um...that's good. Because I had already bought us a cottage. It's not the best, but it's nice. I bought it last week." He hugged her body close. "I know we've had some hardships, but I'm going to work really hard to give you the life you deserve."
Alice pulled back to look up at Seth, her eyes wide and bright. Did she hear him correctly? He bought a cottage.
"Oh, Seth!" She exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug. "You`re too good for me, I swear." She kissed his cheek, then his lips. It felt so good to be there with him, like he was a part of her. Well, he was now.
Seth laughed and then with a smile still on his face, her kissed the top of her head.
"The only request I have is...," he paused and then lowered his voice. "can I have my ring back. Please?"
Alice lifted her huge black eyes to his, watching him for a moment. This all seemed unreal, every single second of it. The cut on her side still burned, but she was over whelmed by the sense of security Seth gave her.
"Of course, mon amour. You know that it was always yours." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the silver band, holding out on her palm. "I love you, Seth."
Seth carefully took the ring and slid it onto his ring finger. It had felt so bare without the silver band there. It was like being naked for a week, and then putting clothes on. ((=D))
"Would you care to go to our new home? I tried to get it ready as best I could." He worked really hard on it, fixing things and moving in furniture. It had been a big investment, but definitely worth it.
"Duh! Do you have to ask?" Alice was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. Of course she wanted to see the house.
((Yay.))
((XP))
Zoom, zoom, and they were there, inside the house. A window was open somewhere so that the waves could be heard crashing against the rocks.
Alice froze as they moved through space. She could feel the force of the moving air around them throwing her hair against her face, but she felt completely safe in Seth`s arms. There was no other place where she had ever felt better than right here.
"I love it," she whispered softly in the darkness. The only thing she was aware of besides him was the waves, but still she loved it.
"I'm glad. I've been a jerk and wanted to make it up to you." He smiled and hugged her close. "This is where our life begins."
Alice hugged Seth again, running her fingers up into his thick hair. This all just felt so normal, so right that she didn`t know what else to do. After all her searching, fate had finally delivered her to him.
"You didn`t have to do this, you know. Not all by yourself. And I`ve forgiven you, I hope you know that. You`ve repayed me many times." Her voice was soft, and she leaned onto her toes to speak into his ear.
Seth closed his eyes. There was nothing like having someone run their fingers through his hair.
"I know babe." He said just as softly. "But I wanted to do this. Because I love you and want you to be happy."
She shook her head. How could she not be happy with him? He gave her everything she asked for a more. He would have given her his life, his soul, if she hadn`t suddenly formed human qualities. He was almost too perfect, but that was just fine. After being quite "perfect" herself for two hundred years she had become rather picky. Seth just fit her.
"Oh, Seth. Don`t you know how happy you already make me? Just by living, you have given me more than anyone ever has before. You don`t need to shower me with gifts, too." A faint Old-French accent started to creep her words, but she hardly noticed. "You`re mon amour, and you know that."
((I'm bored. I dunno what else to put. Haha.))