The Ripper

William Jack Holloway

Sebastian was alive. Sebastian was alive. Sebastian was alive.

The thought seemed to replay over and over again within the Duke's mind as he stared so blankly at the vampire that stood before him. How many times over the past two nearly hundred years had he anguished over the loss of the man? How many times had tears been stained on his cheeks and the sleep torn from his mind over thoughts of the Earl he'd loved so dearly. He'd had two hundred years to think of all the memories he had with this face. He'd never expected to see it again, and now that he had him, he wasn't quite sure what to do with his body. Did he embrace the man? Did he fall into a ramble of how much he'd missed him? At least in this confusion, Sebastian seemed to be just as lost with what they would do now that they'd been reunited. In that, he was entirely grateful for the way that Sebastian seemed to close that brief moment of confusion with a line of his own inquiries.

He was especially thankful that the man didn't seem to want to question his answer. He had no idea how to explain that he was on the run from the Council without going into the greater detail of all the blood he had upon his hands. Yes, he regretted every single one of the eleven that he had murdered those months in Whitechapel, but how did he explain the others? How did he explain that he'd murdered his Master in cold blood, or that he'd done the same to any of the Hunters that they sent after him? Or worse, how did he explain the hundreds of vampires whose demises had been at the end of his blade? He pursed his lips as he watched him consider his words, fully prepared for Sebastian to bolt from his side. There were no words to explain his relief when that simper crossed the vampire's features. It was a look that Will knew so well, and it was just like being on the streets of London.

There was a soft laugh from his lips as he listened to those accented words leave his companion's lips regarding the witch. "I was gobsmacked by it as well. She thought I was dodgy, though who could blame her," The Hunter flashed his companion a grin before he continued. "The doll gave me three nights. After tonight, my knackered arse will be sleeping on the streets. Rowena will be positively gutted to see me go, I imagine." The joyous grin lasted on his features as he spoke. He supposed he should have been concerned for where he would be sleeping the next night, and yet he found he hardly cared due to the appearance of the man in front of him. He would sleep on the street every night if it meant that Sebastian would be back within his life.

The Duke was relieved as his companion allowed the touch of his shoulders, even if he didn't react more than to draw his gaze up to him. He was entirely serious as he spoke his intentions to remain within the same city as the vampiric man that he loved so dearly. But there was so much difference between now and the times they had spent as young gents in London. Will's very existence was a stark contrast to the vampire, and he fully expected Sebastian to be entirely repulsed by it. Sebastian, true to the man that Will knew, seemed entirely nonchalant about the whole idea of it. "Murderous instincts? I try to kill you one time and you turn it into a whole kerfuffle." The man chuckled, considering the concept of Sebastian wanting his blood before his attention was drawn entirely towards the mention of the Council once more.

He couldn't help the shudder that escaped him as he thought of what it would mean to stay here. If the Council existed at large here - which he had no doubt of considering the plethora of supernaturals that seemed to roam the streets - they would find him and drag him in. Briefly, the Hunter's eyes closed as he thought of what that would result in. What they could do to him. What he could do to them. What he could do to Sebastian. "I'm okay with what you are, mate," He said finally. "The Council... I'll deal with that when it comes." He refused to linger on the subject at all. He would not darken their reunion with those thoughts.

"As for you wanting my blood..." The rather impish grin reappeared on his features as he bent down, grabbing ahold of the Cavendish dagger that lay at their feet. He moved swiftly then, the edge of the silver blade running across the pale skin of his wrist before he placed the blade back into his jacket. Brown eyes lifted to his companion as he held his arm out towards the vampire. "Take it. You always were a source of rather brilliant firsts for me."

But darling -- it's only human nature.