The Ripper

William Jack Holloway

Will wanted so desperately to believe that this vampire was the man that he'd died alongside in London so many years ago, but there was still that tug on his heart that it couldn't be so. He had watched as the vampire had fed on Sebastian. He had watched the life drain out of him. Out of John. And when he had woken up, his Master had confirmed what he'd already known in the pit of his stomach: that they were dead. That he had been chosen simply because he was the only one who still had a heartbeat. And how Will had cried for his friends. For John, who had been only hours from marrying a girl that he'd actually fallen in love with rather than one he was obligated by status to oblige. He had such a bright future ahead of him. But even so, the tears that had racked Will's frame for weeks following were solely for Sebastian. He couldn't put the grief he felt into words. No, he'd only tucked the memories of Sebastian deep into his mind and tried his hardest not to think about it, only to avenge the death of the person he loved by taking out the very species that had ruined all of their lives. This creature in front of him was one of them, and it had the audacity to attempt to wear his face.

But it wasn't until his companion drew upon one of those genuinely wonderful memories he had of the blue-eyed man he'd considered his best friend. The laugh that accompanied the thought of that night was entirely genuine. It was such a foreign sound on his lips these days, where once it had been the norm. Sebastian had always coaxed out that side of him, a side that would laugh and joke and let down the walls that came from time at court. Of course, Sebastian had always coaxed a lot of things out of him. It was so easy to speak the memory that the vampire had asked of him, as he thought of it often enough that it hadn't faded with time like so many of his human memories. The memories of Sebastian were always the brightest. Always the ones that came to his mind so readily. The simper that crossed Sebastian's lips as Will finished brought a similar smile to his own lips, the man commenting on the last bit of their first engage. "No, I merely regret that you didn't actually dance with me."

It had to be him, even if he didn't want to believe it. There would have been no mention of that encounter in history books - neither of them had been important enough for that to have happened. There was no way an illusion would have known that memory. No illusion would have been able to recall on that exact moment so readily. The simper on his lips turned into a genuine smile, half expected that Sebastian would close the distance between them to embrace him the way he had so many times before. What he hadn't expected was the way Sebastian's smile faltered as he rose. There was an instant sense of self-doubt in the Hunter, unable to understand why his best friend wouldn't also be happy to see him. William could hardly contain the joy he felt in seeing his friend. "The feeling is mutual," Will replied, watching the man's movements. "But I'm... glad it's you."

Will couldn't help the smile that appeared once more as Sebastian began to speak, a myriad of questions presented to him. What was he doing here? He knew, of course, but how could he phrase it to Sebastian to make him understand? He couldn't tell him about the murders. Sebastian would hatehim for it. "I'm..." Will started, a shrug lifting on his features. But Sebastian was a vampire now, was he not? Surely he might... understand? "I'm hiding from the Council," He said after a moment, though he didn't elaborate on the reason why, not yet. "I'm staying at the Witchery..." As for the last bit, he wasn't quite sure how to answer. He'd only planned to stay for a few days. But now that Sebastian... he couldn't... he... he couldn't just leave him. His smile faded as he listened to the vampire comment on whether or not they would stay in touch, and that alone was enough for William to move, closing the distance between them as he put his hands on the man's shoulders. He wanted to embrace him, and yet he couldn't quite bring himself to do that yet. What if Sebastian pulled away? What if he hated him for what he was now?

"Seb," The man spoke, his eyes on the light blue ones of his friend. "I... I'm not going anywhere. If... if you'll have me, I'd like to remain at your side. As we used to." Being with Sebastian would bring so much joy to his existence if the man would allow it. "But I... with what I am... I would understand if you couldn't stand the idea of it."

But darling -- it's only human nature.