i'll be with you still

you are the angel that I couldn't kill

There were moments that he wished he could be a mind reader. Looking at Audi at that exact moment he had never wanted more than to be proficient in such things. The hunter allowing himself to wonder what was within her head even though her body language could say all he needed to know about a person. There was no mistaking that mischief flickering behind her warm brown eyes at the mention of being allowed free rein to call him anytime. How that very look seemed to endear him to her, curious of it and just what she planned to do. Part of him wanting to dare her to do it, if only to see more of what the pretty blonde fae was capable of. A look of question found his features for a moment, unsure why he was rebelling against his own rules. They were logical rules for a reason and yet he ignoring yet another major one. Yet it was irresistible, she was and the easiness of that moment. Even his shadows that lurked within his mind had willingly held back for a moment. His own words only prompted the woman to challenge him further! Her lips curled into an attractive soft smile that caused his dark purple eyes to lower, as if he could see that undoubtedly alluring grin from behind that cursed cup. His lips quirked, amused by her spirit. Curious if she was all talk or if she meant every word. "I guess we will see." Regret seemed like such a terribly strong word.

The hunter's shadows seemed to radiate from him as if noticing his interest and them in turn felt the need to curl and coil outward subtle in their reach for the woman across from him. They didn't quite make it too far to actually touch her even though the hunter seemed oblivious to their approach. He had already drawn to his feet when the shadows of his mind still found their way to the forefront, slowly but surely. It was probably best that he returned her home, where she was safe from monsters and probably better off away from him. She placed her palm in his even though she hardly needed it to draw upwards graceful as the dancer she was. The lights from the distant city seemed to twinkle like stars about her like an alluring halo. The shadows seemed to quiver as they were allowed to freely brush and investigate across her hand that was within his own harmlessly.

Adrien found it far too easy to speak of this hidden rooftop place and its significance. Perhaps he had more than one that he enjoyed frequenting and yet this was one of his favourites. He scarcely expected the genuine sentiment from the woman, not used to such sentiment from anyone when it came to him. Not that he showed very many people a glimpse of himself. He could not help the way his lips curled into a smile. "I'm glad I could show it to you." In fact, it was oddly vulnerable to share this place with anyone at all. His life was one he attempted to live in seclusion. Purposely distant. How did the other hunter's do it? How could they live normal lives when anyone within their orbit was left at risk. Murderous vampires and their twisted blood sport against those hunters that trimmed down their numbers. Vampires were the problem. They always were and always would be.

At least he could protect her from them for tonight, taking her home to where she would be safe. Yet why didn't it seem enough? Why was it that part of him wanted to selfishly linger, wanted to prolong the inevitable? It was for the best that she was returned safely, he had kept her for far too long as it was. Clearly, he couldn't allow anything to progress. What was wrong with him? Maybe he needed a training session to unleash some of this clear distressing energy inside of him. The pair stepped further away from the ledge, the hunter strode with renewed purpose back to the metal fire escape staircase. But he could still feel her presence behind him, as if his shadows tugged at him to pull them closer. It was ridiculous. Just as ridiculous that he found his feet refused to take another step.

Adrien hesitated as his mind was far too distracted by thoughts of her that he should have pushed away, should have continued along their merry little way. Perfectly uncomplicated. Plain and simple. Simply satisfy that need to protect her by making sure was safely tucked away for the evening. Away from the monsters that went bump in the night. Free from the man who hunted them. A man that had at times became a monster to defeat them. How there were nights he had lost himself entirely only to eventually find himself later, dazed, like awakening from a dream. Was he ever truly whole? When he teetered on that duality of those falsehoods of good and evil so precariously that he wondered what would become of him after time eroded more away. This solitary life was so very detrimental and yet how could there be any other way? He was not thinking rationally. Not when he turned Alistair. Nor was he thinking then when he turned to face the fae woman. She seemed to eye him with a curiosity. A silent question that even he didn't have an answer for.

The chilled breeze whispered between them should have been enough to hasten their pace, should have sobered him. Yet he was too damn distracted by her. Then distracted by that simple movement of her hair that blew out of place and into her face. He was not thinking when his hand reached the short distance between them to tuck that pale lock of soft hair behind her ear. In fact, the action seemed to take himself by surprise as he acted off of some buried instinct. Her laugh permeated the air, fuck it could ruin him. The fae seemed to read the hesitation and horror at his potential error.. But she easily seemed to smooth those ruffled emotions with a simple thanks. Her voice was so gentle in contrast to his. He should have turned back around and continued on but he found himself lost, their eyes locked as he felt the desire to lean in closer, to kiss her lips that seemed to beckon him so. He was not so easily distracted and yet... before he knew it. The words formed as he asked if he could. Just a kiss. It was just a kiss to satisfy that desire to be near her.

Adrien noticed the swift surprise that found her just as easily as he studied the shadows that played upon her face.. That expression immediately made him wonder if he had overstepped again. Those seconds were almost enough for himself to push himself away. To slam down those thoughts. Why did he feel so awkward around her like the very first time he asked a girl to dance? Maybe distance was what he needed. Maybe the drive back to her place was exactly what he needed to right his brain. Yet... then he heard that sweet French lilt so softly that he thought the breeze could have carried it away. If he hadn't been so close, it might have.

Audi took the first step forward, braver than any woman he had known to first close that distance between them. It was all that he needed before he could no longer deny himself that first true touch. He rose a hand that reached her back, as it skimmed upwards. His shadowy eyes searched her eyes, merely content to watch her for a moment as that left hand rose, savouring the feel of the curve of her spine beneath his hand over top her clothes. It rose to the nape of her neck, feeling the soft blonde locks against his fingertips. Those same fingers that wanted to run his hands through her hair and yet didn't. He felt her warmth like the hot beverage that happily sat in his belly as he lowered his head to close that distance. The hunter was so close that he could almost feel her lips against his own. But he hovered. Without even thinking he found himself breathing her in. Her unique scent far more potent this close.

His shadows whirling around the two and yet not quite touching even as his other hand reached her waist, tugging her in closer before he finally let himself taste her lips. It was the barest of touches and yet it was like fighting apart of himself. A battle that could not be seen. He fought the part that could have been less than gentle. She did not deserve that, he was certain.

One kiss turned into a second kiss which was far more confident, lingering longer with her plush lower lip trapped between his own. His eyes had fluttered close before the third, this one was far more searching, as if questioning if she would truly kiss him back, if she would allow him a taste he would not surely forget. It was like his shadows seemed to wait for it too. What was he doing? Was he out of his mind? Maybe? Probably yes. Yet for this moment that he allowed himself this kiss... he couldn't bring himself to care as he could think of little else besides her pretty mouth on his.

Adrien Westward