Acacia
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This is really out of order, but this story and Bli-chan's comes right after Acacia's last post... hehe... sorry!! Oh and... sorry this post kinda sucks... Eh, hopefully the next ones will be better. (sorry....) <3
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While I adored the rain, I craved more sunlight when I awoke again, stiff and still exhausted. Whatever had made me so weak (for it couldn’t have just been a lack of nutrients) had seriously done a number me, physically and mentally.
Everything was scrambled in my mind. I still couldn’t think straight, but, in the least, I knew one thing for certain.
Yet again, I probably owed Dante my life.
Honestly, I was getting sick of being saved. I had always been so independent, so “able-to-take-care-of-myself,” but, as of late, I was having doubts about my abilities.
Yawning, I rose from the mattress, ready to start a new day. Well, a new evening. Time sure passed by quickly when you’re too tired to move.
After pulling on a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and my favorite vest (which was a necessity), I made my way downstairs, combing through my hair with my fingers.
With my luck, the first person I came across was ol’ p*ssy-pants Dragonboy. Clutching an ice pack to his jaw, he shot me a dirty look as I passed him by.
“Quel est votre problème?” I demanded, planting my hands on my hips. “Do you have something to say?” He snarled menacingly in response.
“Why do you not ask your little boyfriend and see if he will tell you the story, Plant Girl,” he snapped, pushing past me and coaxing a few thorns from my skin.
“Boyfriend?” I demanded, turning to face him once again.
“The Angel. You two spend quite a bit of time together, do you not?” Griffin taunted, wincing as he removed the ice. “Maybe he could reveal his secrets to you.” At that, he continued on his way, climbing the stairs until he was out of view.
Once I found my voice, I shouted at him.
“Il n'est pas mon copain!” I called, crossing my arms over my chest.
But wouldn’t I like for Dante to be my—?
Nope. That was enough frivolous squander for the day.
After fetching a glass of water from the kitchen, I peered out the large window toward the pool, the rain having ceased by this point, and stared at the calm, undisturbed waters.
“Is it not simply wonderful?” a polite voice cut into my thoughts, forcing me to spin around. The Victorian vampire rested on the couch, her spine straight and shoulders back as if it was her natural position.
“Oui, I love the rain.” She sighed contentedly.
“As do I.” Staring past me, it was obvious she wanted to say something, and, growing impatient, I moved toward her, reclining a few feet away from her.
“Something you wish to ask?” I inquired, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye.
“Yes, but it is not really of consequence,” she began, turning to face me. I silently urged her to continue. “Very well. I wanted to know if you’d like to join me for some tea. All of the other ladies have participated, and I wanted you to feel welcome.”
“Well, I don’t know—”
“I would take care of all the preparations. I always do!” she chimed, her tone light. I sighed.
“I suppose it’d be nice to relax for a change. Besides, I still owe you for your hospitality in Transylvania.”
“Oh, nonsense. It was the least I could do. Either way, I eagerly anticipate your arrival. I shall meet you back down here in, oh, an hour or so? I’ll even allow you to borrow one of my dresses!” Paling, I shook my head.
“Oh, no, I don’t really do dres—”
“I insist!” she grinned, mistaking my hesitation. With a soft groan, I gave up.
“Tant mieux, fine,” I sighed, offering a slight smile. And, with that, she fled up the stairs, hiking up her skirts as she did so.
“Well, guess I’d better go clean up,” I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes but secretly enjoying the idea of a casual tea.
When I entered my room, I immediately spotted the note on my dresser and the shirt on my chair. How I’d missed them when I was leaving, I wasn’t sure.
Acacia
I need to tell you something. Meet me in the garden as soon as you wake up. When you feel better, of course.
-Dante
P.S. To answer your question; Because you are.
Stunned, I dropped the note. He had stayed long enough to hear my question, the little sneak. I kind of simultaneously admired and resented that.
He thought... he thought I was beautiful. As the thought crossed my mind, a strange, warm feeling spread throughout my body. Hmm. Interesting.
No matter. I’d no time to dwell on such unidentifiable emotions. Since I had no way to know when he had left the note, I had to hurry to the garden in hopes he hadn’t thought me rude.
He was sitting as still as a statue when I found him, a stone angel under a tree, and, even though I made no effort to quiet my approach, his music drowned out my noises.
Once I got his attention, he first told me that he wasn’t who we thought he was. He had fallen. He wasn’t pure.
When he first uttered those words, I couldn’t hold myself back. But, as time progressed and he explained in more detail, I realized my mistake.
What he’d confessed had truly touched my soul, sparked emotions there that I hadn’t known I was capable of. Such tragedy and pain.... no one should ever have to face that.
I shouldn’t have grown angry when he began speaking; if I had only waited it out, I’d have never acted the way I did. No matter how untrusted I felt, he hadn’t deserved it.
Though he refused to look at me, I still could see the sorrow that reigned in his eyes, sorrow that sent rivers of tears cascading down his cheeks.
“Free free to leave. I wouldn’t blame you.”
His words caught me off guard. He thought I would abandon him, torment him by forcing him to suffer through this by himself? Non.
Without a second thought, I slid closer to him, cupping his cheeks in my hands and gently wiping his tears away. Obviously stunned, he lifted his eyes to mine, his gaze intense and tortured.
“Il va bien se passer,” I cooed, stroking his face soothingly. “I won’t leave you. You don’t have to face this by yourself anymore. Je ne te laisserai jamai être seul à nouveau.” Confused, his brows furrowed.
“But... why?” he questioned softly, bowing his head i the slightest. “You were so upset with me for not telling you the truth all this time. I thought you’d hate me. I thought you’d ditch me like the others did.”
As his words registered in my mind, it dawned on me just how alone he really felt.
Everyone he had ever trusted had stabbed him in the back and left him to fend for himself. Even after hearing his story, no one had stayed or even thought to comfort him.
Though I tried to prevent them, tears formed in my eyes. They would never fall, but their presence alone was still a momentous occasion.
Instinctively, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his cheek, hoping to offer some comfort. Contrary to what I’d imagined, he didn’t flinch away.
“Maybe I’m different,” I suggested, removing my hands from his face and returning them to my lap with a soft sigh. As soon as I had kissed him, his eyes had opened, turning to stare at me with a curious expression.
“You are, Acacia,” Dante answered quietly, averting his gaze to the rain-soaked leaves under us. “Without a doubt, you are.”
“I’m not so sure that’s always a good thing,” I laughed shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His eyes flickered to me in an instant, their blue depths reminiscent of a churning sea.
“In this case, it is definitely a good thing,” he smiled weakly. “I’m glad you’re different. Things wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t.” Hiding my embarrassment, I changed the subject.
In all honesty, it wasn’t a very smart move.
“So, a Fallen Angel, l'ange déchu, huh?” I asked, twiddling my thumbs. He only nodded. “May I ask... who the human was?” A flash of pain crossed over his features, and, instantly, I regretted my curiosity. “Dante, I’m sorry. You really don’t have to ans—”
“Mia,” he interrupted, closing his eyes.
“Pardon?”
“Her name... her name was Mia,” he clarified, holding his head in his hand.
“That’s a beautiful name,” I commented, unsure of what else I could say.
“It fit her well.”
I knew it was wrong and terribly inappropriate, to be envious of a dead woman, but, even so, the tug of jealousy in the pit of my stomach still made itself known. Though I didn’t want to admit it, I knew what that tug meant with a grim certainty, and I’d be d*amned if I let anyone else know.
“You are very similar to her, actually,” he spoke softly, his voice barely sounding above the gentle breeze. “You’re strong and determined, and you refuse to accept help even when you need it. Mia was the same way.” If I’d have been able to, I’d have blushed.
“To suffer for the sake of love...C'est une tragédie, non?” I remarked quietly, staring at the muddy forest floor. Je suis désolé que vous dû subir cela.” Pausing, I peered at him through my eyelashes. “At least you have someone to share the burden with.”
“Yes, yes I do. I can’t thank you enough for staying and listening. It means more to me than you know.” Smiling, I reached tentatively for his hand, intertwining them when he didn’t resist.
“I will never leave you,” I promised, squeezing his fingers. “Not when you need someone. H*ll, even when you want me gone, I’ll stay by your side, just in case. “We shared a timid laugh. “I promise.”
And, for once, I meant it wholeheartedly.
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Yay, obvious romance!!! ;33 Hope you enjoyed it, and sorry it's short (for a post from me). Hehee
